Review: iCookbook App

Summary: Designed to be the cooking application for everyday cooks, iCookbook™ was developed by Publications International, Ltd., a recognized industry leader that publishes and sells more than 9 million cookbooks a year.
 
The iCookbook app includes more than 2,000 recipes specially selected by our editors, all from the family-friendly food brands you know and trust. Each recipe can be made with easy-to-find ingredients, has been kitchen-tested and features a beautiful full-color photo.

iCookbook enables home cooks to find—not just search for—great recipes that they can prepare with confidence.

When I was contacted a few days ago about taking a look at the new app iCookbook, I jumped at the chance. There are few things I love as much as looking at recipes and getting new ideas for dinner. I honestly could look through multiple cookbooks every day just because I enjoy seeing the ingredients as well as the pictures. In addition, I don't love to cook the same old boring meals every week, so I get very excited when I discover a new recipe or two that my picky family might like.

While I do love looking through actual cookbooks and I don't think that will ever go totally away, I've found that I've been turning more often to my computer (and for the past year or so, my iPad) to get new recipes. I have downloaded a few apps for my iPad and they are okay, but it wasn't until I played around with iCookbook that I finally found an app that really exceeded my expectations.

And you don't have to just take my word for it. iCookbook has already received loads of recognition including:

• Named by Apple as the best of the iPad Lifestyle category in App Store Rewind 2011
• New York Times winner of the Pogie Awards celebrating the year’s best innovation technology
• 2012 Appy Awards winner in the Cooking category by Media Post
• Macworld Appalooza Top 25 placement on Greatest Apps of All Time contest
• 2011 Best App Ever Award winner by 148apps.com
• Mom’s Choice Awards Gold Recipient

Besides the thousands of brand-name recipes, iCookbook has some other wonderful features. I can hardly capture all of them in this review (namely because I'm still learning everything this app has to offer), but I especially appreciated the user ratings -- both for difficulty and taste. I guess you could say I'm a bit of a follower, but I take comfort in knowing that others have found a recipe worth making. In addition, I like that I can look at a recipe and just add the ingredients to to my grocery list with the click of a button. I also appreciate that collect my favorite recipes in My Recipe Box.

Another really cool thing about iCookbook is that it really is an all-in-one cooking tool. I can search for recipes by almost anything including top rated, dish, ingredient, theme, cuisine, occasion, and even brand. If I find a recipe I like, I can also easily share it on Facebook or email a friend. There are also conversion and substitution charts along with a built-in timer and some how-to videos.

And finally, one of the best things about iCookbook is how it presents the directions for the recipe. It divides the recipe into steps (like many cookbooks), but it also shows what's next down below the current step. And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the Voice Command function. Rather than touching the Next button with my dirty hands, I can just say, "Two" to see the second step. So awesome, right?

Check out this video to see how cool iCookbook is. It really says it better than I ever could!



iCookbook is available for the iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows 8. You can purchase the iCookbook app for your iPhone or iPad for $4.99 from iTunes. Check out the iCookbook website for how to purchase the other platforms. I think that's a terrific bargain when you compare that with the price of cookbooks!

I loved playing with the iCookbook app and I can't wait to start testing some of the recipes. As far as I'm concerned, this is a must-have for any one who loves to cook (or even some one who enjoys looking at recipes!)

Thanks to Appency and iCookbook for providing a review copy of this very useful app.

Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth Fish Reads and is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the welcome post.

Discovery Girls Cover Creator App & Giveaway

Discovery Girls Magazine has been a huge hit in our house! Booking Daughter absolutely loves this magazine that's geared towards middle grade girls... just like her. And I adore it because it's a wholesome magazine with tons of great advice for young girls. If you have a girl in your life between the ages of 8 and 12, you must check out this fantastic magazine -- you can read our entire review here.

A few months ago, Booking Daughter was looking through her latest edition of Discovery Girls and she was very excited about their new app, Cover Creator which is available for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. The idea is that users can create their own magazine cover with any photo from their album or take a new picture with the camera. There are hundreds of templates to choose from with designed titles, cover lines, and embellishments. They can even create their own unique design where they add their own text and drawings!

A few weeks later, I was asked to review the Cover Creator app by the wonderful folks at Discovery Girls. Booking Daughter was beside herself and she immediately began taking pictures around the house of various books, her little brother, and even me. Here are some of the fun designs that she created:

When Booking Daughter sent me her "cover creations," I had to admit that they looked pretty darn good! She even sent a few of her creations to Discovery Girls  -- the app allows the user to email the covers directly to the magazine or friends. Needless to say, she had a great time playing with the app. Here are her thoughts:

I am a huge fan of Discovery Girls magazine. I was so excited to see that Discovery Girls magazine created a new app called Cover Creator. I love the app, and I could barely put it down. I had so much fun while I created covers for my friends and family. I spent an hour taking pictures for my magazine covers! I would definitely recommend this to any girl (9-12) who loves Discovery Girls or loves to play creative games. 

The Cover Creator app is a bargain at $1.99! Highly recommended by Booking Daughter and me!

Giveaway alert: Discovery Girls Magazine is offering a one lucky Booking Mama reader a copy of the Cover Creator app along with a one-year subscription to the magazine. To enter, just fill out the form below before June 19th at 11:59 p.m. ET. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. addresses only. Good luck!

Review: The Night Before Christmas App

Summary: It's America's favorite holiday poem -- bringing the joy of the holiday season magically to life. Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without Clement C. Moore's classic tale.

In this first ever book from the iconic folk group Peter, Paul & Mary, this heartwarming poem is magnificently illustrated by acclaimed painter Eric Puybaret and rendered magically interactive by Touchoo...

So gather the family, turn on your iPad, iTouch, or iPhone, and experience "The Night Before Christmas" as never before!

Featuring:

• Magical music and sounds by Peter, Paul & Mary
• Acclaimed painter Eric Puybaret's magical art
• Enchanting narration by Mary Travers on her last performance
• Captivating and rich interactivity
• Full control over the experience: Read myself, read to me, and record myself
• Control over sounds and music
• Auto page-flip for little ones
• "This book belongs to" to fill in your child's name

Join the many who already enjoy this magical book in its physical form -- on your touch devices! -- Imagine Publishing

Booking Son loves to play with my iPad, so when I discovered that there was a new app based on the classic poem "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement C. Moore, I just knew I had to share it with them. Just this past week, I found him reading the book to himself with a big smile on his face. And it's also a family favorite since my daughter dances in a "Twas" show every other year. (The "Twas" recital tells the story of "The Night Before Christmas" though a variety of dances along with Mrs. Claus' reading of the poem.)

But before I shared this app with Booking Son, I thought I'd check it out for myself. I wasn't surprised to find that I enjoyed it a great deal. I loved having the story read to me while I played with all of the blinking icons. Honestly, this app is for kids of all ages from a young preschooler to an older grandparent, and there really is something for everyone.

For the youngsters, there is the read-to-me option as well as auto page-flip. There are also lots of lights and blinking objects that children can touch and bring to life. And the sound effects and music by Peter, Paul & Mary make this app extra special. However, this app can also be appreciated by older children and even adults. In addition to all of the fun things I mentioned for little ones, there is a read myself or a record myself option. 

Both Booking Son and I had a great time interacting with "The Night Before Christmas" app, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how beautiful the illustrations are. I was so caught up in what the app could do that I didn't appreciate the artwork until my second time through. Mr. Puybaret's paintings are the perfect complement to this classic story.

I can only imagine how many times Booking Son and I will play with this app during this holiday season. It's a wonderful way to revisit this timeless story and I highly recommend it!

The app is available for your Apple or Android device. Click here for a sneak peek!

Thanks to Charlesbridge for this offer.