The best cookbooks for gifting

A lot of people in my life have been asking for cookbook suggestions lately.  Do you have a cookbook you'd recommend for people trying to eat less dairy?  What do I buy for someone who's gluten-free? Is there a vegan cookbook that has great recipes for families? What's the best cookbook for someone trying to eat healthier?  Here are my top eight favorite cookbooks that I would recommend to anyone looking give the gift of good food or grow their own collection!

1. Superfood Kitchen: Cooking with Nature's Most Amazing Foods by Julie Morris

Julie Morris' cookbook features over 100 recipes with different superfoods including chia seeds, goji berries, cacao, algae, flaxseeds, quinoa, and sea vegetables. This cookbook is a really fun one for someone looking to increase the healthfulness of everyday recipes and add new foods to their diet. (plant-based/vegan and gluten-free)

2. Clean Food, Revised Edition: A Seasonal Guide to Eating Close to the Source by Terry Walters
Clean Food was one of the first cookbooks I bought and I've used it almost every week in my kitchen since. Terry Walters' recipes are beautiful, simple, and delicious. I rarely have to adapt Terry's recipes because they all involve ingredients I actually use and feel good about. If you are looking for an all-around fabulous cookbook, this one is a wonderful and would be perfect for any home chef. (plant-based/vegan and gluten-free)

3. Peas and Thank You: Simple Meatless Meals the Whole Family Will Love by Sarah Matheny

I've been a a big fan of Sarah's blog for awhile because I love her writing style and her stories about her family always make me laugh.  This cookbook would be fabulous for busy moms or anyone looking to incorporate more plant-based dishes into their family's meals without anyone noticing or complaining! (plant-based/vegan)

4. Wild Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition, and Craft of Live-Culture Foods by Sandor Ellix Katz

Wild Fermentation is what got me hooked on fermenting foods and helped me to start making my own kimchi. Katz walks you through the history of fermentation and helps you understand the basics to creating a variety of fermented foods. Recipes include vegetable and bean ferments as well as breads, grains, wines, beers, dairy, and vinegars, making this a great gift for anyone looking to begin fermenting foods and improve their health.

5. Clean Start: Inspiring You to Eat Clean and Live Well with 100 New Clean Food Recipes by Terry Walters

Clean Start is Terry Walters' second cookbook and I love it as much as her first. Just like Clean Food, Clean Start is organized by season making it easy and delicious to use seasonal produce. Since I rarely make dessert and don't have much creativity when it comes to sweets, her healthy dessert recipes are a lifesaver! (plant-based/vegan and gluten-free)

6. Super Natural Every Day: Well-Loved Recipes from My Natural Foods Kitchen by Heidi Swanson
Heidi is the voice behind 101 Cookbooks and is an inspiration when it comes to creative, healthy recipes. This book would be the perfect gift for someone looking to incorporate more vegetarian meals into their diet while experimenting with new flavors and cooking techniques. (vegetarian)

7. Crazy Sexy Kitchen: 150 Plant-Empowered Recipes to Ignite a Mouthwatering Revolution by Kris CarrJust like everything else that Kris Carr does, this cookbook is absolutely beautiful. She starts the book by covering all the basics of moving towards a plant-based lifestyle along with helpful tips for those who might be new to cooking and/or preparing meatless dishes. It's filled with fun, beautiful recipes that reflect her personality and, of course, it's loaded with kale. (plant-based/vegan with gluten-free options)

8. Blissful Bites: Vegan Meals That Nourish Mind, Body, and Planet by Christy Morgan
Christy is a vegan macrobiotic chef and I love her emphasis on creating bliss in the kitchen. This book walks you through the basics of how to create the ideal kitchen space and pantry and has over 175 recipes using seasonal, plant-based ingredients. I also love Christy's health tips (like the benefits of eating less onions) and her approach to moderation when making any dietary change. (plant-based/vegan with gluten-free options)

What are your favorite cookbooks?