This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for my affiliate disclosure. If you purchase items through my affiliate links, I receive a small commission but your price doesn't change.
CLICK HERE to visit the Convenient Food sale page and find answers to all the frequently-asked questions! The purchase buttons in this post will take you directly to checkout on my distributor’s website. Keep scrolling to read about the title, the theme, the recipes, and the journey of this book – the more personal stuff.
PS – I’m trying to roll this out in stages over email, social media, etc. so my website (and BookCentra’s website) doesn’t go down due to traffic, but if you have trouble getting to checkout, please try again a little later when there aren’t so many people trying to order at once. I don’t know if this will happen or not, but it has before, so just in case….
Click the banner below to visit the sale page and find answers to all your questions! (If I haven’t addressed your question in the sale page, feel free to comment on this blog post and ask!)
If things stay on schedule, pre-ordered books should be shipped out by October 31, 2018.
Hello, friends! I can’t believe I’m here. Opening pre-order on the project that has consumed me for the past year. It’s been a journey, that’s for sure, and I’ll talk about that a bit more a little further down. But first – thank you for reading this and being interested in Convenient Food. I have poured so much of myself into this book that it’s become an integral part of me – even more so because it’s been the catalyst in some major changes in how I view my work and personal life balance and goals for the future. Now that I’m coming to the end of my work on the manuscript, I hope to be able to write about that in more detail in the next few weeks. Opening pre-order (as well as finishing the final edits on the manuscript this weekend) mean that this project is officially coming to a close, and I’m so excited about that because it means having more time to be Mrs. Burkholder, having fewer things on my mind, AND having more time to get back to blogging and creating recipes. That’s what I love!
The title.
First of all, isn’t that cover just beautiful? Abi, the designer I worked with for the basic layout and design of the book, did a stellar job. (You can find out more about Abi and her work here.) The title of the book is taken from Proverbs 30:8. “Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me.” To me, this verse speaks of balance and contentment – two themes that I hope you’ll find often in the information and recipes in Convenient Food.
It’s so neat how God confirms things. Ever since I started working on this book, I’ve seen it as a grown-up sequel to Necessary Food, so I wanted a title that was similar in style but would reflect a slight shift in theme. There are only so many verses that talk about food in the Bible, and of those, only so many will work in a title. And of those, basically only one fit the theme I was going for – but fit it did! Perfectly! I had jotted down this verse about a year ago as possible title inspiration, and then a few months ago one of my blog readers messaged me and suggested it as the title for my second cookbook! The word “convenient” in the verse seems to take on the context of sufficiency (which is a theme of the book), but I like the play on words with the modern meaning of the word as well since I strive to make my recipes “convenient” in ingredients and time as well.
Easy Saucy Meatballs
The theme.
As I said above, contentment and balance are two themes of this book. Here’s an excerpt from the title page of the book:
“Sometimes eating healthy becomes an excuse to eat too much and obsess over food preparation, but God calls us to a higher standard. Convenient Food focuses on real, simple ingredients that are smart on calories, big on flavor, and easy on the wallet. In this book you’ll find a vast array of savory main dishes and sides, but don’t worry – I still enjoy desserts in moderation! My new commitment to a balanced diet doesn’t mean that I cut out decadent ice cream entirely, but it does mean that I don’t make such recipes every week…and my portions are smaller when I do choose to enjoy something rich. As you cook your way through Convenient Food, chew slowly and savor each bite!”
In this book you’ll find a huge number of main dish and side dish recipes with a more balanced number of desserts. Lots of simple things. Real foods. Fresh ingredients. Big flavors. A more balanced calorie approach in general. More Healthy Carbs recipes. I feel like this book carries the essence of the woman I’m becoming and implements some of the strategies that have been working for me. (I detail these in the extensive non-foreword….)
Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal
The recipes.
In Convenient Food you’ll find classics as well as some off-the-wall Briana-style shenanigans. These recipes are inspired by old faithful church cookbook favorites, ethnic restaurant experiences, odd things that just popped into my own head, and a desire for simple and quick yet yummy food. Since getting married I have less time than I used to, so my cooking style has definitely been honed to appreciate things that can be thrown together in a short amount of time or made ahead. Don’t get me wrong – some days I do enjoy being in the kitchen all day, babying a cauldron of gumbo (you can find that recipe on page 126). You’ll find husband-pleasing recipes, recipes that I took to church fellowship meals, recipes that I tried out on Ryan’s coworkers, and recipes that I like to keep on hand in my fridge or freezer at all times. (The pictures in this post are examples of cookbook exclusive recipes you’ll find in Convenient Food!)
Convenient Food is 60+ pages bigger thanĀ Necessary Food and contains 400+ recipes! About 50% are recipes published here on my blog between August 2016 and May 2018, but 50% are cookbook exclusive recipes! That’s 200 new recipes, plus 200 that you may or may not have remembered or seen previously (and in an easy-to-read, hard copy, cleaned up format, no less). You’ll notice that the price of Convenient Food is the same as Necessary Food despite the additional information it contains. My printing cost went up, but I really, really want to give you all value in this book that you can be completely satisfied with. This is a product I can be proud of: a durable hard cover, convenient spiral binding, and an open and clean design that’s even easier to read than Necessary Food. All of these things add to my production cost and decrease my margins, but I consider a quality product and satisfied customers to be worth far more than profit.
During pre-order, I’m offering this book for $19.99. (That’s $0.05 per recipe.) It would be so amazing and take a big load off of my mind to get enough pre-orders to cover my printing cost up front, so if you would take advantage of that pre-order deal and tell your friends about it too, that would mean so much to me – and benefit you!
Bri’s Best Fudgy Brownies (egg free!)
The journey.
As I wrote in this post about my change of identity, this cookbook project has eaten up most of my life ever since I got married. The transition from single businesswoman and entrepreneur to a married woman with new ideals and desires to cultivate a home has been a difficult one, and this book was the catalyst that forced me to make some hard decisions about my business and its place in my life in the future. The process has been hard, but the glorious results are just starting to unfold as I wrap up this project and check things off my to-do list one last time. I am SO excited about the future. God is leading me to a much more manageable perspective on life and work and balance. I’ll definitely keep blogging, but as a hobby and creative outlet, not so much a business. It will be more flexible with fewer hours – and hopefully even more heart behind it as I share what God is doing in my life and the recipes that I’m having fun creating and sharing with the people who sit around my table. I’m looking forward to having more time for hospitality, friendships, good books, and creative projects that never make it to the internet. Here’s to living in reality and simplicity!
Cilantro & Lime Marinated Chicken and Burrito Bowls
I would love if you would tag me in a picture of you and your copy of Convenient Food when you receive it so I can see you enjoying it! It’s always neat to put faces to people and make the internet seem a little smaller and more personal.Ā š
I would so appreciate if you would share this post and help spread the word about pre-order being open! Also, if you know of any local stores who need to carry my book, please tell them about me and me about them! (It’s hard for a self-publisher to get into big retail chains, so I’m mostly talking about privately-owned bulk food stores and bookstores.)
PS – As a thank you for pre-ordering, you’ll receive an email after your order with a 15% off coupon code for the AllThingsArtsy Etsy shop, a retailer for Abiart paper goods. (Abiart is owned and run by Abi Troyer Miller, one of my designers. Her sister Grace, the other designer who helped on this project, has worked with Abiart as well.) The coupon is good through November 15, 2018.
A Sneak Peek at Some Exclusive Recipes
Adobo Pork Tacos
Butter Pecan Frozen Custard
Baba Ghanoush
Beef Enchiladas with Homemade Enchilada Sauce
CafƩ au Lait Ice Cream (dairy free!)
Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie (egg free!)
Fancy Cherry Gello Goblets
I’d like to purchase, but when I try to it charges $23.99 instead of $19.99. Any ideas?
Hi Kaitlin! Thanks for your interest! This blog post was published in September 2018, and preorder (along with the introductory price of $19.99) ended around the end of October 2018. š
I do not own this book but would love to have it as I am a THM. I have made some Briana’s recipes and absolutely love them .
Thank you Briana <3
Thank you for stopping by, Rabia! I hope you can get a copy someday!
I do not have this book but it really appears to be a great book to add to my THM collection. Love your recipes.
Have you figured out a way to make healthy desserts actually good? I find them to look and be dense and inferior to what desserts generally are.The ordinary main dishes look delicious,but my philosophy is,just have the rare real dessert over frequent “healthy” ones. I guess for those with a sweet tooth instead of a savory tooth may disagree.Id would rather eat more main dish than a “bad” dessert.Do your desserts resemble the “real deal” or do people in general find them delightful.( I don’t mean fellow healthiest,but people at church functions etc?feel free to remove from public post
Haha…that’s kind of a hard question to answer since I’m talking about my own recipes and everyone is usually quite polite. š I generally take desserts like cheesecakes and delights to public functions because they go over better with the general public, and people are usually very complimentary about them. I always mark them as “sugar free” so people know up front; I don’t try to pass them off as “normal.” Baked goods that rely on large amounts of alternative flours, like cakes, don’t taste as much like the real thing as something like a cheesecake does. I personally didn’t make many desserts after I got married and was the only one eating them, so I kind of lost my taste for many of the alternative flour baked goods as well. This new cookbook has more cheesecakes, shakes, ice creams, and candies than it does cakes and cookies for that reason. I also like to make chia puddings and custards. And of course there are a LOT of savory dishes (mains, sides, salads, appetizers) in this book.
Are the nutrition facts or carb counts on every recipe? Thanks!
Hi Sarah! I actually don’t usually calculate nutrition info on my recipes since the healthy eating lifestyle I follow doesn’t require it (Trim Healthy Mama), so the cookbook does not have nutrition counts either. All the recipes are labeled with my own fuel type system: Healthy Fats, Foundation Fats, Healthy Carbs, Low Carb/Low Fat, and Healthy Carbs & Healthy Fats. š
Our family eats the trim healthy mama way, but our 10 year old has just been diagnosed type 1 diabetic. I was asking because now I have to be very careful and count every carb and give him insulin (before every meal). So for that reason, I have been looking for recipes with carb counts. I love and often use your yummy recipes, and I sure was hoping your new cookbook would contain the carbs.
Oh, I see. No, I’m sorry – it doesn’t. š
SOOOOOOO Excited to receive your new cookbook. Can’t wait! Blessings to you and your husband.
Your recipes look great! I follow a keto diet but don’t follow thin healthy mama. Nor do i wish to buy those products. I keep basics like almond flour, coconut flour, erithitol ect. on hand. Will the recipes in your book mean i need to buy a bunch of ingredients? I am trying to find out if this book is for me.
I recommend that you check out the recipes here on my site to see what ingredients they use; the recipes in the book will be similar. š I’m not sure what you consider to be “THM” and what you would already have on hand since most of the ingredients overlap, so looking around a little would probably be the best way to figure out if this book is for you or not! I do use some of the THM sweeteners, but you’re welcome to substitute with an equivalent amount of your favorite low-glycemic sweetener. I use whey protein powder, collagen, glucomannan, xanthan gum, defatted peanut flour, coconut flour, oat fiber, golden flaxmeal, etc. Thanks so much for your interest!
š
So fascinating how God works!
Looks like a beautiful book.
Hey, hey, hey! There you are! I hope you enjoy your complimentary copy when it comes. š
I love your first cookbook. You are a very creative cook and I’m glad to be on your list. l I’m 79 years old and love your way of cooking. Healthy, healthy, healthy. Thanks, Brianna
Thank YOU, Mary. I’m glad you’re on my list too. š
I am so excited about your new book! I need to get back on THM so badly, but our life goes through waves of busy-ness, and it is the busy, running around everywhere, late getting home times that throw me off. So excited about quick and easy recipes, especially man-approved ones.
Can’t wait to pre-order!
I love the cover and the title, but mostly I love the looks of your and Dr. Ryanās faces as he holds you in his arms. I love that you included him in your cover. God bless you both for spending the first year of marriage creating a book which, if it is anywhere near as good as the first one, will help make another year of my life and that of my family enjoy new on plan foods. My 19 year old son, when he canāt find your cookbook, calls out or texts me, āMom where is the ice cream lady cookbook?ā He loves cooking your recipes as much as I do.
~Dianne
I just loved your comment, Dianne. Thank you. <3
Bri, Just wondering if both cookbooks are THM friendly? I have seen a lot of your recipes onl8ne that are.
Yes ma’am! All of my recipes are THM-friendly to the best of my knowledge, but the books aren’t endorsed by THM and I use my own fuel type labels due to trademarks. I’ve been asked not to use their name in marketing. =)
My husband thinks your recipes are the absolute best! We are all so crazy about your ice-cream, and make a double batch for our family more often than I’d like to admit. DH is not aware that he’s already purchased this for me as a Christmas present, LOL. He was super excited when he heard about it, and expressed that he wanted me to have it for Christmas. I took care of that, LOL…
Haha…love it. I’m so glad to hear that you both enjoy the ice cream! It’s great that you’re able to make healthy treats that your whole family enjoys!
Congratulations on your new cookbook! I am assuming the recipes are all THM friendly? I didnāt see this in the write up. Sorry if I missed it.
Yes ma’am! All of my recipes are THM-friendly to the best of my knowledge, but the book isn’t endorsed by THM and I use my own fuel type labels (same as in Necessary Food) due to trademarks. I’ve been asked not to use their name in marketing. =)
Your recipes are so many of our weekly favorites. So excited to cook our way through the new book. You are a blessing to so many, thank you!
So so excited for you!!! I pre-ordered as soon as I got my newsletter email ? thank you so much for you time and dedication. Your first cookbook is one is my favorites ? May God richly bless you and Ryan in this new stage of life!!
I’m so glad to hear that, Jen! And thank you – Ryan and I are both really excited about the changes and new balance in my work life. =)
Preordered! Can’t wait to see the full product. So many yummy recipes to try!
As far as places to sell… Will you automatically contact places who are already selling your first cookbook? E&S sales in Shipshewana, Indiana has Necessary Foods.
Yes, I’ll be contacting E&S for sure – thanks so much!
There is a store in Greeneville, Tennessee that carries your first book. It is Mountainview Bulk Foods. Also, Yoders Country Market in Bulls Gap, Tn. Thank You for another book. I love your first one.
Thank you, Sylvia! Yes, I’m sure I’ll be sending a flier to those stores if they’re already carrying my book. I’m so glad you like Necessary Food, and I hope you love this one just as well or better!
I preordered one for myself and my best friend!!! I am SO excited!!!! I’ve been keeping an eye on the website for a while now. š
Briana, thank you for working so diligently to complete this new cookbook. As soon as your email arrived I was on the site ordering one for me and one for my daughter who also loves the THM lifestyle. Iām proud of you for being aware of your need for balance. Iām praying for God to bless you in the days ahead!
Thank you so much, Glenda!
Just preordered the cookbook! Iām a part time THMer. ? Iām in a recipe rut though, so excited to get some new recipes!!! Thanks!!
I’m very excited to get this newest book. Best wishes on your new adventure with this book. Thanks for all the great recipes!
Thank you so much, Karen!
Pre-ordered as soon as the email came! Cannot wait!
Thank you so much, Sandra! I can’t wait for you to see it!
I’m so happy for you Briana! I know how hard you’ve worked on this book. I love all of your recipes and didn’t even read the details of your new book before going directly to the page to pre-order it! There’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll love this book as much as I love your Necessary Food cookbook.
Thank you for writing another cookbook with such healthy and tasty recipes. I wish you tons of success with it!
Thanks so much, Laurie! That’s so sweet of you.
Hooray! Just preordered it! My mom and I are so excited! We use your first cookbook all the time. I just used it tonight actually and made the 7 Layer Salad. Super yummy! I love reading your posts. Iām 20 and have been doing THM about as long as you have. Iām a Christian and love that you use KJV verses in your books and base the themes of your books off the Bible. Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much, Abigail! I’m so glad you’re enjoying Necessary Food, and I hope you’ll like this one just as well, if not better!
I am beyond excited!!! All week when my phone would alert me that I had an email I would open my email just as fast as I could. Only to be dissapointed. Every time. All week long. Then! Friday evening! Best part of the week and here it was!! Love the theme and title of your cookbook! Can’t wait to get my copy in my hands!
Haha…you’re the best! I thought it was going to be open earlier, but right now editing the manuscript is top priority so we can get on the printing press so pre-order details kept getting pushed off! I just finalized the design today though, so I’m hoping to get the final proof the beginning of next week and approve it, then START PRINTING!
Hi is this cookbook geared more towards desserts or regular foods? Thanks!
It has a big mix of both, with a LOT more savory options than Necessary Food has. š The Main Dishes section is the largest section with about 100 recipes – a quarter of the book. There’s a large Side Dishes section as well, as well as a Salads section. And of course appetizers and breakfasts and that kind of thing. Hopefully next week when I approve the final design I’ll get a book preview posted on the sale page and include the index in it so you can see the recipes included.
OHMAHGERSH, am I the first person to pre-order??? I’m the first to person to pre-order. YES. Also the first person to drop a comment. ALSO YES.
I have been waiting for this cookbook for so long (ahem, Ms. #nextcookbook), and I’m so happy it’s finally being released!!! You’ve really inspired me over my whole THM journey, and it’s just been so cool to see how your life has changed lately and how the recipes you post are also changing. You remind me to savor all of my food and thank God for the goodness he puts in every bite. My heart is just so full of joy for you right now! <3 I can't wait to get cooking with this new book-baby of yours…you can bet I'll tag you in everysinglepost! Especially all the curry dishes, oh my goodness… š
I will leave the identity of the first pre-orderer undisclosed so no one is disappointed, but you ARE the first person to comment, so YEAH! I do believe I have been waiting for this even longer than you have, but I fully acknowledge my super annoying foreshadowing. =P On a more serious note, thank you so much for your sweet, real, intuitive comment. I’m ready for this book baby to get born!