With all the recipes available online, you might wonder… who needs a cookbook anymore? And yet, there’s something about holding a beautiful book in your hands that no screen can replace. The weight of it. The pages. The pause before you begin.
For me, cooking and baking are sacred rituals. When I cook from a real book, I feel a little like a wellness witch about to concoct something nourishing and magical.
I also believe objects carry energy. When someone I admire creates a cookbook, I feel like a bit of their essence lives inside it. Being in my kitchen with a book created by someone I find inspiring — and yes, a little cool — makes the whole experience feel elevated (and maybe makes me feel just slightly cooler too).
There are so many incredible cookbooks out there, but lately I’ve been drawn to what I call cool girl clean eating books — created by women who build beautiful lives while staying grounded, relatable, and intentional about what they put on their plates.
I could share so many more, but to keep things simple, here are
My top 10 cool girl cookbooks for clean eating right now.
In this book, Gwyneth shares over 125 recipes that make clean eating feel simple and doable. The dishes are surprisingly satisfying, with little to no sugar, fat, or gluten – but without sacrificing flavour. From easy breakfasts to laid-back dinners, it’s the kind of cookbook you reach for when you want something light, nourishing, and effortlessly put together. Shop It’s All Easy
The Clean Plate is rooted in the power of simple, high-quality ingredients. With over 100 recipes and flexible meal ideas, it brings together flavour and intentional nourishment in a way that feels supportive rather than restrictive. From smoothies and soups to bowls, mains, snacks, and desserts, it’s a thoughtful, health-forward collection that makes clean eating feel both elevated and accessible. Shop The Clean Plate
I’m also a fan of her older recipe books as shared here and here. Basically, anything Gwyneth Paltrow does is of the highest quality and this type-A Virgo really appreciates that. Her two older recipe books (which I own and love) are:
There’s something about Mandy’s that just hits. When I was living in Montreal, going to Mandy’s felt like a treat — vibrant bowls bursting with colouur, texture, and bold flavor. And now, whenever I’m back in the city, I make it my mission to grab one.
Since I no longer live there, having their cookbook feels like the next best thing. It brings that same freshness and creativity into my own kitchen.
The recipes are bright, generous, and anything but boring — the kind that take your salad from basic to deeply satisfying. And their house dressing? I make it almost every week and always have a jar sitting in my fridge. It’s that good. Shop Mandy’s Gourmet Salads
This second Mandy’s cookbook expands on everything we love about the first — more vibrant salads, nourishing smoothies, wholesome sweets, and now comforting soups and morning staples too.
It blends bright, fresh flavours with heartier, cozy meals that carry you through colder months, while still offering plenty of year-round favourites. Even in winter, it keeps that signature Mandy’s energy: colourful, generous, and deeply satisfying. Shop More Mandy’s
This cookbook is all about vibrant, plant-based meals that leave you feeling nourished and satisfied. With over 125 recipes using accessible ingredients, it makes healthy eating feel approachable — and deeply flavourful — for every meal of the day.
I love the reminder behind it all: what we eat, how we move, and even the thoughts we carry can shape how we feel. It’s a mindful, feel-good approach to food that truly resonates with me. Shop Joyful by Radhi Devlukia-Shetty
This is currently my all-time favourite recipe book. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen me share it (and its recipes) more than a few times.
Trust Your Gut by Jennifer Fisher is all about feeling energized, clear-headed, and nourished — without sacrificing flavour. Jennifer knows firsthand how much our bodies teach us when we listen, and this book reflects her holistic approach: simple, flexible recipes that work for different dietary needs, quick swaps, and even tips for eating out while staying in tune with your body.
It’s not a “diet,” it’s a lifestyle — a guide to eating healthfully in a way that actually feels doable, delicious, and energizing. I reach for it all the time, and it always inspires me to cook in a way that truly supports my body and mood. Shop Trust Your Gut
l Iove Nicole Berrie (and also follow her on Instagram) — she’s authentic, grounded, and a total cool-mom energy. Her book Body Harmony blends plant-based cooking with intuitive eating, showing that nourishing your body doesn’t mean giving up the joy and flavours of life.
Inside, you’ll find thoughtful guidance alongside more than 50 original vegan recipes, all designed to support your energy, cleanse your body, and leave you feeling full and satisfied. It’s a lifestyle guide that feels approachable, inspiring, and truly aligned with mindful, feel-good living. Shop Body Harmony
I discovered Chloé and Trudy Crane through their first book, Saisons: La table végane, and I’ve been a fan ever since. I actually know Trudy from my Reitmans days, so there’s a personal connection there too. They’re a mother-daughter duo who are just so cool — Chloé is a photographer based in New York, and Trudy left the corporate world to pursue her artistry as a ceramicist and cookbook author.
Named one of the best vegan cookbooks of the year by the Food Network, The Artful Way to Plant-Based Cooking is a unique collection of recipes inspired by their travels through Europe — celebrating fresh, local ingredients, simple beauty, and meals that are as delicious as they are thoughtful. Every page radiates their creativity and joy, making this a cookbook that inspires both your kitchen and your table. Shop The Artful Way to Plant-Based Cooking
This one is a little different from the others — it celebrates balance, with recipes that are both approachable and occasionally a little indulgent, which is exactly why I love it. Cook Beautiful by Athena Calderone is full of seasonal, visually stunning dishes that taste as good as they look.
Athena, the creator of EyeSwoon — her inspiring world of food, entertaining, design, and lifestyle — brings that same creativity and energy to every page. It’s a book about thoughtful flavors, elevated presentation, and the joy of cooking food that feels both nourishing and special. Shop Cook Beautiful
*Bonus Book: Coming out at the end of April this year, I already know I’m going to love this one. I follow Sabrina on Instagram and adore her authenticity. Her approach is simple: healthy food should be delicious and satisfying, so everyone at the table actually wants to eat it — and leaves feeling nourished.
From running her organic, vegetarian Spring Café to sharing her journey as a mom, Sabrina blends mindful, toxin-aware cooking with real-life practicality. This book is all about eating well for yourself, your family, and the planet — without ever feeling complicated or restrictive. Pre-order Healthy with a Side of Happy
If you already know and love any of these cookbooks, I’d love to hear about it — share your favourites in the comments! And make sure to follow me on Instagram at @RedFairyProject to see the healthy meals I whip up on the daily.
A beautiful cookbook also makes such a thoughtful gift — whether it’s a hostess gift (way more original and healthier than a bottle of wine) or just a treat for someone who loves to cook. There’s something special about giving the gift of inspired, healthy cooking that brings a little joy to the kitchen.
Bon appétit! Geneviève
*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase – at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my work!
Related Posts
Best Healthy Foods to Buy at Costco (+ Practical Grocery List)