Fixate Cookbook Review by Awesome Blog Readers!

fixate reader reviews

When the new Fixate, 21 Day Fix cookbook came out in July, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy.  Glancing through the pages and drooling over the delicious-looking food photos, I knew I was a fan immediately.

But what about my readers.  What do YOU have to say about Fixate?

So I asked for reader reviews of the new cookbook.  Real, honest thoughts and opinions by other people like you and me. Busy, active people who don't want to spend all day in the kitchen.  Regular women, not trained chefs, to try out the recipes and offer their opinion.

This amazing Fixate cookbook review, is courtesy of my AMAZING BLOG READERS.  So a big THANK YOU to everyone who participated.

You can take a peek at the Fixate Cookbook and purchase it here.

What exactly is Fixate?

FIXATE is acookbook with recipes designed to work with the 21 Day Fix and 21 Day Fix Extreme eating plans. There are 101 recipes (many of Autumn’s family favorites) and each recipe lists color-coded container equivalents and nutrition facts.

You’ll find breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes, yummy snacks, Shakeology recipes and even Fix-approved cocktails. There is even an entire section of gluten-free desserts!

The cookbook will provide you with everything you need in the kitchen to nourish your body well, so you have the energy to rock your workouts.

Fixate is not just for 21 Day Fix-ers.

The Fixate Cookbook is geared for the 21 Day Fix meal plan BUT the recipes are simply wholesome, clean eating recipes. You do not have to be familiar with the 21 Day Fix or its portion control meal planning system.

I am sharing the reviews exactly as written (other than a teeny bit of editing), in the words of the reviewers, so you'll get a little of their personality.

Now onto the recipes...

Fixate Soup Recipes

butternut squash soup by dorothy l

Butternut Squash Soup with Pepper Jam and Spicy Yogurt

Review by Dorothy Lawless

The Butternut Soup was Delicious and very smooth in consistency. It has a great flavor.  My daughter loved the soup and wanted more.   The soup was easy to make and the directions were clear.

I did not like the pepper jam - it over powered the soup and it was very, very spicy hot.   It would be a good idea to mention it in the recipe.  I normally use plain low fat yogurt or sour cream.

Would you make this recipe again?  Yes, the soup was great and full of flavor, but I would  omit the pepper jam and spicy yogurt.  Also, the pepper jam was an expensive ingredient.

easy chicken noodle soup by katie r

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

Review by Katie Ressler

This recipe was perfect for a rainy evening meal! It was fast and easy, and my whole family enjoyed it. I used dried herbs because I didn't have fresh handy, and I added an extra cup of broth to make the consistency just how we like it.

The portion size was enormous, so everyone was easily satisfied. I will definitely make this again, and soon!

Fixate Salads

calabrese salad by dorothy l

Calabrese Salad

Review by Dorothy Lawless

This was the most delicious tomato mozzarella salad I ever had. DELISH!  This recipe could not be easier… love it.  Every aspect of this recipe was perfect for preparation. It was quick, easy and yummy.

Would you make this recipe again? Absolutely. Is there anything you would change about the recipe?  Nothing

I will continue to make easy recipes like this one.  Some of the other recipes that I have tried had too many ingredients (in quantities and cost).  With the meal planning and prep,  these quick and easy recipes would help cut the time in preparation.

creamy chicken salad by katie r

Creamy Chicken Salad

Review by Katie Ressler

This versatile recipe was very tasty, probably even better the next day. It was light, flavorful, and surprisingly filling. The portions are enormous! (I actually couldn't eat my whole serving, and made two lunches out of it.)

My husband tried it with me, and he said he would gladly eat it again.

The directions are clear and simple, and ingredients easily obtained are used with one exception: I couldn't get my hands on fresh Tarragon, so I used 1/3 the amount of dried, no big deal.

The only change I would make in the future is to add a little Balsamic Vinegar to suit my family's tastes.

quinoa salad by carmel g

Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

Review by Carmel Galster

This recipes was very easy and I shared some with a coworker who absolutely loved the flavors.

The quinoa, I felt, tasted better letting it sit overnight to blend the flavors. It also makes a lot! If you are the only one eating it cut the recipe in half.

cobb salad by katie r

Healthified Cobb Salad

Review by Katie Ressler

This salad made for a light, yet satisfying lunch. The dressing is bright and delicious!

I dressed my greens before adding the rest of the ingredients, and was pleased with that choice.

steak salad by monica 3

Steak Salad

Review by Monica Collins

The "Steak Salad" recipe looked delicious. Using a smaller portion of meat wouldn't seem so small when paired with the larger volume of greens. However, I didn't realize there were 2 more recipes needed to complete this one, (cooked steak from "Steak Fajitas" and "Raspberry Vinaigrette". The tip noted on this recipe said that very lean sirloin could be used in place of the fajita steak, which is what was made for this review, (strips of meat lightly seasoned). The vinaigrette was extremely easy to make.

Cutting the vegetables took the longest to prepare, but the salad was easy to assemble once the ingredients were prepped. I thought it was a great mix of textures and colors, especially the creaminess of the avocado. I wasn't sure what to think about the dressing, but it complimented the salad and meat very nicely. The meat was dry and shrunk after being cooked in the skillet. Other than that, I thought it tasted healthy and clean. My partner, Tom, had it for dinner, also. Although he liked it, he suggested grilling the sirloin whole, rather than sliced, since the cut of meat has a lower fat content.

We made the recipe, again, later in the week. He seasoned and grilled the meat. Tom and I thought that slicing the sirloin after grilling it was more flavorful and, surprisingly, the presentation was more pleasing. The dressing had thickened and was delicious.

You can take a peek at the Fixate Cookbook and purchase it here.

Fixate Sauces, Condiments & Dressings

grandmas tomato sauce by jacqui g

Grandma's Tomato Sauce

Review by Jacqui Grimes

Grandma's Tomato Sauce is a versatile spaghetti-type sauce and it's used in a few of the Fixate recipes, including Mexican Taco Meat, Chicken Parmesan, Easy Pizza, Open Meatball Sub, Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers, and more.

It's very simple to throw together.  Simply cook some onions and garlic in a large pot, add tomatoes, red wine and a few other ingredients, and simmer for an hour.

I did not use the Parmesan cheese rind since I did not have one on hand, but I'll bet it would have added a nice flavor. The sauce was very mild, and if I were making it exclusively for Italian dishes, I'd add some dried oregano.

Overall, very nice, and it made plenty for the Mexican Taco Meat recipe which I made, as well as to top spaghetti squash.

Fixate Breakfast Recipes

banana oat pancakes by tiffany

Banana Oat Pancakes

Review by Tiffany Lytle

My recipe was Banana Oat Pancakes. I totally felt like I was having a cheat meal!

My 16-year-old asked if I would make a bunch to freeze so he could have them before school. The recipe was super easy to follow and make.

These will definitely be included in our Sunday meal prep sessions for sure!

protein pancakes by kathy

Chocolate Protein Crepes

Review by Kathy Collins

This recipe tasted great, even my husband tried it and liked it. It was easy to make and would definitely make it again.

It did take me a little longer to make sure that the protein powder was mixed thoroughly though. The first 3 crepes were a little thinner then the one pictured.

For the one pictured, which was the last one, I used what was left in the mixing bowl and that also made it easier to flip.

poached eggs with asparagus toast by kathy s

Poached Eggs with Asparagus Toast

Review by Kim Schrecter

My boyfriend and I made this recipe for breakfast the other day.

Overall we both enjoyed it. Asparagus isn’t usually in our meal plan, so it was nice to break out and try something new. Overall it tasted pretty good, like something you would get at a restaurant, not my usual home cooking.

The recipe was easy to follow, however, I wish it stated when to make the sauce that goes with it. I wasn’t sure how to time it all together so everything was ready when the eggs were done. I also wasn’t sure how long the sauce could sit before separating or going bad, since it's egg and oil.

The only thing I didn’t like about the recipe is the amount of oil it called for to make the asparagus. They turned out really greasy! I would probably use about 1/4th the amount of oil next time.

Overall, it wasn’t as filling as I would have liked it to be, but I would make it again with less oil and adding a second egg!

Vanilla Protein Pancakes with Pears & Cinnamon

vanilla protein pancakes by madeleine

Review by Madeleine Spector

The recipe was tasty but a little crumbly.  My husband loved it, he said it was very light.  The pancakes were easy to make; I used only half.  The batter was very thick.  I had to add more almond milk to it, to make it thin enough to pour.  I only got 4 pancakes out of the recipe.

Would you make this recipe again?  Yes, it was very tasty.  It felt like I ate carbs, but I didn't.

I love the recipe, simple but elegant.  My pear was not sliced, and the pancake fell apart, but it was yummy.

Fixate Lunch Recipes

caprese chicken by mary pat s

Caprese Chicken

Review by Mary Pat Storms

I made Caprese Chicken. It was delicious and easy to prepare, as well as healthy.

The family liked it (some just don't like pesto) but when I make it again, I will not use the pepper to pre-season the chicken and may try grilling it instead of using olive oil in a pan on the stove.

It was easy to prepare and just took about 20 minutes.

Fixate Dinner Recipes

beef stew by missy b

Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes

Review by Missy Begin

This is honestly the best beef stew I have ever had.

It was easy to make and my son enjoyed helping. It made a huge batch that would feed plenty.

I love the smokiness and the sweet potato pieces. My family also loved it!

eggplant turkey burgers by valerie k

Eggplant Turkey Burgers

Review by Valerie Kemper

The Eggplant Turkey Burger tasted delicious. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. It was cooked in the oven under the broiler, rather than on the grill. It was very healthy and filling.

My two daughters (12, and 3) ate the meal with me, my husband was out of town (which is OK, because being German, he believes that turkey is not meat). Both of the girls enjoyed the dinner and ate it all. They chose not to eat the eggplant, which I was glad for, because I am in love with eggplant. My 12 year old said that she liked the flavor of the turkey burger, and how juicy it was.

The recipe was easy to make. It had clear instructions that were easy to understand and follow.

I liked that this recipe used ground turkey, and eggplant for the bun. I didn't like how wet the ground turkey was once I added the egg white, and the hot sauce. It was really hard to form into patties, and get onto the pan to get cooked.

Would make this recipe again, definitely!

I would change the amount of spices put into the mixture to make it fabulous! I would add garlic powder, or fresh garlic, paprika, a touch of parmesan cheese in the mix, and probably some cilantro. Oh and way more hot sauce. I do not like spicy food, but there was definitely not enough hot sauce in the mix. We couldn't even taste the flavor of it, or any hotness at all. Also, I wouldn't and didn't cook the peppers, because I like them raw, and don't like them cooked. So there you have it.

mexican taco meat

Mexican Taco Meat

Review by Jacqui Grimes

The Mexican Taco Meat recipe also uses another recipe - Grandma's Tomato Sauce - so be forewarned that you have to have the tomato sauce on hand.

This was a good basic taco meat recipe, using ground turkey, jalapeno, onions, garlic and spices.  I did not serve it to the family, as hubby doesn't consider ground turkey to be "meat."

I like my food spicy, so I would add more jalapeno.  I made tostadas using toasted sprouted corn tortillas as a base and then topped with the meat, avocado and Greek yogurt.

Another meal was just a bowl of the Mexican Taco meat with fresh cilantro and Greek yogurt (which is what I always use as a substitute for sour cream).

Definitely a thumbs up because I love Mexican food, it was easy to prepare, and (since no one else in the family will eat it) will provide me with several meals.

pineapple chicken skewers by carmel g

Pineapple Chicken Skewers

Review by Carmel Galster

This recipe was easy and I shared some with a coworker who absolutely loved the flavors.

The chicken for the skewers I doubled as well as the marinade. This allowed me to have tender wonderful tasting chicken for salad later in the week.

Fixate Sides

spicy cauliflower bites

Spicy Cauliflower Bites

Review by Katie Ressler

This is one satisfying recipe! I love Cauliflower, and until now, roasting it with Garlic and Olive Oil has been my favorite way to eat it. This recipe takes that concept to the next level.

I can't wait to use this sauce on Chicken Tenders and sprinkle a little Blue Cheese over it on a bed of salad greens!

If you are shy about heat, make sure to use a very mild hot sauce, as it intensifies when reduced.

Fixate Snack Recipes

almond protein bars by cecilia

Almond Chocolate Protein Squares

Review by Cecilia Rodriguez

The Almond Chocolate Protein Squares tasted very "healthy" and had a grainy texture.

My children and my neighbors also tried the recipe. One of my daughters enjoyed it, however, for the most part it was not a recipe that was well liked by most as they thought it was too "healthy" and was too soft for a bar.

I found the recipe extremely easy to make and liked that it offered options of how to "make your own" ingredients.

I would make the recipe again, but I need to tweak it to make it thicker--- meaning it was too "soft" to be a bar.

Is there anything you would change about the recipe? As mentioned above, it was too soft and instead of drizzling the chocolate, i made it cover the top.

pumpkin muffins by kathleen

Pumpkin Muffins with Maple Cream Cheese

Review by Kathleen Malick

It tasted 'Healthy' but it was kinda bland. I like sweet and this was very not sweet. The pumpkin part of the recipe could have used a bit more sugar/sweetness.

It was easy to make & the directions were clear, but it really should say ‘softened cream cheese’.  It uses a lot more pumpkin seeds than I think it needs. I don’t think it need the nuts on top, but it does add for interest. I only use 1T, instead of the 2T. I did use Walden Farms Pancake Syrup instead of real maple syrup.

The recipe turned out like the photo in the book! I was surprised because many times it doesn’t! The cream cheese part was delicious, but the pumpkin part was just ok.  It was a bit crumbly, but not by much. I'm unsure if I would make this recipe again. My version: 150 calories, 7g carbs, 12g fat, 6g protein.

spiced nuts by katie r

Spiced Nuts

Review by Katie Ressler

Well, now I know what I'll snack on at night while watching TV!

These Spiced Nuts were super easy to make, and felt like a decadent treat. Just a hint of heat, and luxurious crunch.

This was one of my first uses of Coconut Oil, and I was very pleased that I made that choice.

Seriously, try these. You'll be glad you did!

Zucchini Chips

Review by Nikki Harris

I <3 them. They are a wonderful chip sub. They had what I love most about chips, that crispy crunch.

I used a mandolin so my zucchini was really thin and didn't take as long to cook. I have also used other seasoning besides salt (southwest is my fave).

 Check out the Fixate Cookbook.

Fixate Dessert Recipes

almond milk panna cotta by jackie

Almond Milk Panna Cotta with Blueberry Jam and Italian Meringue

Review by Jackie Miller

It tasted light and the texture was spot on (gelatinous :-). The blueberries had great flavor.  The pana cotta was easy to do, as was the blueberry sauce. The Italian meringue was putsy.

Next time i attempt this recipe I'd add the honey into the pana cotta, and skip the meringue (which started to separate with a little time in the refrigerator). I'd also purée, and maybe strain, the blueberry sauce. The texture was not good with that.

My 4 year old tried it and stopped eating it after a few bites. I even put whipped cream on it and he still didn't like it. I also gave some to my husband and he just thought it was gross. Sorry.

chocolate chia pudding by stephanie

Chocolate Chia Pudding with Strawberries

Review by Stephanie Lehnert

Tasted absolutely delicious, and definitely soothed my chocolate craving without overindulging. Made it to take as a dessert dish to a party and everyone thought it was great, especially the kids!

It was incredibly easy to make, so easy in fact, I was worried for a moment that I'd forgotten a step. I loved the rich, creamy texture of the pudding, and the chia really made it have kind of a tapioca feeling for me.

The one thing we changed is that we added a 1/2 teaspoon of honey over the strawberries when it was served, and it really made the flavors meld together. I plan to make it many more times!

chocolate chip cookies by kerri r

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Review by Kerri Ritchie

The recipe tasted really good. I actually had to stop myself from eating the batter. It tastes healthy because I had to grind my own almonds to make the cookies and they didn't get super fine. I plan to try it again with store bought almond flour and see if there is a difference with the texture.

The recipe was easy to make and the directions were clear. The only change I would make to the recipe is to mix half of the chocolate chip into the batter and reserve the other half to press into the top of each cookie. Most of my cookies didn't look like chocolate chip since you couldn't see any chips.

This is definitely something I'll make again. It was a bit of a pain to grind the almonds myself (since I didn't know how much I would need at once) so it took 3 grindings. I thought I had almond flour already at home, but it was coconut flour.

The only other thing is that I baked my for 13 minutes after the ones done to 14 minutes (recipe calls for 14-16) were a bit browner than I like. I could have tried for 12 minutes too.

chunky monkey ice cream by melissa r

Chunky Monkey Ice Cream

Review by Melissa Rife

This recipe was amazing. I couldn't believe it was so healthy. My daughters 11 and 6, my mother and sister also tried this recipe and also loved it. My daughters would eat it all the time if it was available. My mother and sister said they are going to make this at home.

This recipe was fairly easy to make, my 11 year old daughter helped me make it. There are only 5 ingredients and only 3 steps to making this dish. The directions were clear and simple. The only thing I would recommend doing is peeling your banana's before you put them in the freezer. (The directions did not explain this). I just put the whole banana in the freezer and it was very hard to peel to cut up. Rookie mistake.

I liked this recipe because it was so easy to make and it's a very healthy and cheap alternative to the store versions. I made this recipe on 2 different occasions and will be making it again in the future.

flourless chocolate brownies by melissa r

Flourless Chocolate Chickpea Brownies

Review by Melissa Rife

This recipe was fantastic. These Brownies are so delicious. We couldn't tell they were made with chickpeas.

I made this recipe twice within the past few weeks. My husband, 2 daughters, my brother and a co-worker who has to eat a gluten free diet all tried and loved this recipe. When I told my brother how they were made he said "I would have never known if you didn't tell me".

My husband loved them. He thought the texture and flavor were good. He also said "I would have never know they were made with chickpeas instead of flour". My daughters really enjoyed them too and have asked for them several times. My co-worker liked them as well. The recipe is fairly easy to make and the instructions are clear and simple to follow.

I like the fact that this recipe is pretty inexpensive to make and the brownies can be made pretty quickly.  There is nothing I would change about this recipe. I thought it was perfect the way it is.

I really hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as we have. It really is tasty.

Peanutty Peanut Butter Squares

peanut butter squares by melanie f

Review by Melanie Fish

I thought the recipe was full of flavour and loved the peanut butter taste. Very filling and satisfying and great with milk.  My children tried the Peanut Butter Squares and they loved it. They said that it's light and fluffy and a healthier cake option. Very filling and so peanutty!  My husband like it so much that he said I can't stop eating it its so good. It gets rid of my craving for food.

The recipe was extremely easy to make and directions were simple. Five ingredients in this recipe and tasted amazingly.

Dislike:  If you make a double batch you have to cook longer and the top gets chewy and hard. Like: It's healthy and my children loved it is great food item to have!

I definitely will make this again!  Once in a while might treat the kids and through in a little bit of chocolate chips but, no it doesn't need anything else.

I'm very thankful that Autumn made this Fixate cookbook, I've been struggling for food ideas and love the idea of this book! Very happy with the Fixate Cookbook and would recommend it to anyone!

Jacqui's note:  The Peanut Butter Squares are flourless so are naturally gluten free!

raspberry cookie bites by maryann p

Raspberry Filled Cookie Bites

Review by MaryAnn Perez

These recipes should come with a skill level attached. I think this one required a highly skilled baker.

I did the recipe exactly as written. Problems occurred when I added the hot honey to the beaten egg whites. I did get the golden peaks but they were not firm. They looked like they were over beaten. (When I began, the egg whites were soft - not firm peaks as directed). When I put the meringue mixture in a bag to make the "wafers", there was lots of liquid at the bottom of my bowl. I proceeded anyway. The recipe was supposed to make 12 cookies. I was lucky to get 4. The wafers stuck to the prepared cookie sheet and crumbled when taking them off.

I'd like to say that all was worth it and better once I filled the cookies with the jam mixture ... but, alas, I can't.

The raspberries were tart and couldn't compensate for the blah meringue wafers. If the fruit jam was sweet, it might have been better. These cookies were a lot of work for something that a )didn't make that many and b) weren't good. On the plus side, they almost look her picture... just a lot less.

Unfortunately, I made this recipe while visiting my mom, and of course mom had to share this story with my brother, and now my brother has more ammunition for my lack of cooking skills - as now I have two mistakes (one was forgetting the sugar in a cheesecake pie in high school - and now this). Ugh!

Fixate Shakeology Recipes

Banana Peanut Butter Bliss

Review by Jacqui Grimes

What a great recipe to review because this is how I make my Shakeology almost every single morning, except I use regular chocolate instead of vegan.  I use an entire cup of unsweetened almond milk instead of a half cup, because I want the calcium in my diet and it only has 40 calories for an entire cup.   I'll often use PB2 instead of peanut butter.

Tastes like a frosty peanut butter cup.  I don't have to tell you that the combination of chocolate, banana and peanut butter is heavenly.  Definitely a winner!

blueberry basil shakeology by katie r

Blueberry Basil Delight

Review by Katie Ressler

This Shakeology recipe is delightfully refreshing! I used frozen blueberries, fresh basil, and 1/2c of ice cubes because that's what fit into my single-serve Ninja container, and the consistency was perfect.

My husband (not a fan of shakes) thought it was tasty, too. This will be a staple for me!

Skinny Cocktails

skinny margarita by katie r

Skinny Margarita

Review by Katie Ressler

This version of a Margarita was a little watered-down, but still tasty.

The fresh fruit was delightful! I rimmed my glass with a bit of Kosher salt. Cheers!

skinny pina colada by jackie m

Skinny Pina Colada

Review by Jackie Miller

It tasted delicious and still somewhat light. It was very easy to make.

I liked that, texturally and flavor wise, it was pretty traditional. But very weak with just 1 oz of Malibu in it.

I would make this again but would look to add 1/2 oz of pineapple rum to it.

skinny coconut berry refresher by jackie m

Skinny Coconut Berry Refresher

Review by Jackie Miller

It tasted kinda gross. Like a bad sports drink.  My husband tasted it too and didn't like it. Thought it tasted weird.

It was easy to make, but tasted overwhelmingly of the coconut water and not much else.  I would not make it again.

Maybe if you used 1/4c coconut water and 3/4c sparkling water and added some stevia it would be ok. Not great to me though.

skinny cucumber cocktail

Skinny Cucumber Cocktail

Review by Jackie Miller

The Skinny Cucumber Cocktail tasted fresh and healthy.  My hubs tasted it. He thought it tasted" different and watery."

It was easy to make.  The drink wasn't sweet enough for me, so I added 2 drops of stevia but still didn't like it.

I think it's just not a sweet enough drink for me.

My readers are pretty impressive!  THANK YOU to everyone who submitted reviews and photos for this blog post.  Your input made this review so special.

If you'd like to purchase your own copy of Fixate, just click here.  

Happy cooking!

PS:  I help coach ladies through the 21 Day Fix program every month.  If you'd like to learn a simple system for portion control clean eating and rock a 30 minute daily workout, please contact me.  I'd love to help!

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