Student publishes cookbook with healthy recipes

Although it usually takes an author a few years to publish a book, one UNC student has accomplished just that in a matter of months.

Torie Christensen, a senior nutrition and dietetics major, published her own cookbook this past May. Her book, "A Bite of Heaven," has recipes with names that not only sound "heavenly," but are also dishes everyone can enjoy. The book includes traditional recipes and ones that can be adapted for specialty diets, including gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and allergen-free concoctions.

"I've had (the idea for the book) in the back of my head for a few years, but started writing and publishing it last spring," Christensen said. "I wanted to share recipes with people with and without dietary restrictions."

Since May, Christensen has sold about 180 copies of her book, which she created and published on her own.

"It was a huge learning process, from creating recipes to writing and taking photos to choosing colors that complement the food so the food stands out," Christensen said. "Publishing took a lot of research. I self published it because I had a vision for it, and I didn't want to change it. So I purchased the software and created the pages and laid it all out. It made it that much more rewarding to get the book in my hands."

All of the recipes found in the book are original or adapted from Christensen's family recipes. They include treats like Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bake, Chile Rellano Pull-Aparts, Croissant Cordon Bleu Burgers, Creamsicle Cheesecake and Peppermint Hot Cocoa Coffee Cake. She said all of the recipes are really fun and easy. Christensen began her career at UNC as an education major.

After her own food and dietary restrictions, she said she decided to change her major to learn about the science of food and help others learn how to eat healthy.

"Most people don't want to eat healthy if it doesn't taste good, so I like to make healthy foods that are culinary and taste good," she said.

Christensen will graduate this December and is currently looking for a dietetics internship. After her internship, Christensen said she will become a registered dietician. She said she wants to start her own business someday.

"My ultimate goal is to open a nutrition center, cooking school and bakery that focus on ingredients like whole grains and gluten-free products," she said. "I want to start my own private practice."

Although she has plans for the future as a dietician, Christensen said she has not ruled out the possibility of writing a second book.

"It's a thought in the back of my head; I wouldn't say no, so it's a consideration," she said. "I liked putting it together and sharing it."

To learn more about Christensen's book, visit her website, www.biteoheaven.com. "A Bite of Heaven" is available at The Book Stop and Barnes & Noble.