By Deborah Szekely and Deborah M. Schneider
Stewart, Tabori & Chang, October 2008
$35 U.S./$39 Canada

Seasonality, to author and spa founder Deborah Szekely, means “nature giving you what you need when you need it.” Local, in-season foods rule at Rancho La Puerta, Baja California's famous fitness resort and spa.

The spa's sun-kissed orchards inspired Cooking with the Seasons at Rancho La Puerta. It's there that Creative Chef Jesus Gonzalez and Szekely find the fruits and vegetables that wow 6,500 guests each year.

Szekely pioneered the fitness resort and spa concept in 1940, when she opened the ranch amidst the orchards beneath Mt. Kuchumaa.

While it's not a diet book, the fresh, colorful ingredients and dishes in the book can't help but promote the same type of healthy lifestyle found at the ranch.

Readers will learn how to integrate local and organic ingredients, whole grains, and unusual fruits and vegetables into their dishes, and to be more environmentally conscious in the process.

The book offers plenty of creative inspiration for the seasons. Check out Mushroom and Spinach Beggars Purses in fall, Mexican Red Rice in winter, Jicama Slaw with Pink Grapfruit in spring, and Baja Fish Tacos and Aztec Guacamole in summer.