Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

I love the quote: “Stop letting food be the boss of you.” It’s so true when you think of it. We live for certain foods and they call out for our attention and ultimate consumption, even foods that aren’t good for us. Another good quote is, “We are what we eat.” So, if we eat healthily, we should be healthy, right? Well, perhaps eating healthily is more about paying attention to the types of healthy foods we eat and how we consume these foods. Take, for instance, cinnamon. It’s a spice, one that’s found in the pantry of many a fine cook. I use it a lot. I know it’s made from the bark of an evergreen tree, but what I didn’t know is all the healthy benefits it passes on to those who use it. For example: “its anti-tumour properties [its “powerful antioxidants”] induce the death of cancer cells.” However, take warning, like any good thing, too much can have the opposite effect: “High doses of cinnamon can be toxic.” So, the message to take away here is not only know the benefits but don’t overdo the consumption.

Susanne Jakubowski’s cookbook, Fight Fire with Food, is a fascinating look at how food choices can benefit our overall well-being and, to some degree, fight the invasive tumors of cancer. After a brief introduction to the author’s personal story that inspired the creation of this book, the format follows interesting and informative chapters on the different food groups, including spices and sweets. Interspersed throughout are food-related quotes, some well-known sayings with unknown sources. The author introduces each section with a list of foods that fit in that category, like spices, and what beneficial (and sometimes harmful) qualities they possess. I found the flour section particularly interesting. Amongst the alternate flours that I did recognize, the author also included banana flour, made from green bananas. There is also a section that lists and describes foods harmful to the human body, like processed foods and refined sugars. Recipes and photographs complement the overall presentation. This is a well thought out and beautifully presented cookbook to lead food enthusiasts on an educational and fascinating journey to a healthier eating routine.