When writer, food blogger, and photographer Jennifer Shun’s daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, her family’s life—and cooking—dramatically changed. Shun was already cooking with the seasons and using produce sourced from local farmers near her San Diego area home, but preparing meals now meant paying strict attention to carbohydrates and blood sugar balancing to save her daughter’s life.

She revised, tested, tasted, edited, and laboriously carb-counted to create this collection of healthy, blood sugar balancing recipes. It was of paramount importance that her daughter did not feel she was eating “special” food and that the whole family could adapt to this new lifestyle together.

Whether discovering new recipes on the blog or cooking from the cookbook, readers will enjoy seasonal food that does not feel restrictive.