Diane Wolff is a widely published author and scholar who has written works about Asian history. Diane is the only independent publisher in the U. S. who has created a library of books for the patient population of those with swallowing disorders.

In the time of the healthcare emergency, Diane has made it her mission to educate the American public on the importance of preventive nutrition for seniors. Many seniors become depressed or suffer from malnutrition when diagnosed with a swallowing disorder. Better nutrition means a stronger immune system. That means fewer cases of the virus in the most vulnerable population, fewer hospitalizations and fewer deaths.

Writing cookbooks was an accidental career. Diane gave up the writer’s life to become her mother’s primary caregiver when her mom was diagnosed with a swallowing disorder related to dementia. Diane found out first hand that there were very few resources for home healthcare for dysphagia patients.

Encouraged by her mom's primary physician, Diane interviewed healthcare providers and discovered that they needed tools for patient and caregiver education. This became Diane’s purpose. Coming from a family of great cooks, Diane created a puree menu for her mom based on updated versions of family recipes for classic American comfort food. Essential Puree follows the diet of the Harvard Medical School of Public Health.

The late great Cathie G thrived on the diet for years--these were updated family recipes for classic American comfort food. She received enthusiastic support from an eminent speech language pathologist and the head dietitian at the Florida hospital where her mom had been a patient.

Essential Puree: The A to Z Guidebook, the book that started it all, was launched at a symposium of the Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2015. The Guidebook is an emergency response manual for setting up and running a dysphagia kitchen based on her own experience.

The Essential Puree Library has expanded to include twelve eBooks, including the Encyclopedia of Puree. The first of its kind, this is a seasonal approach to cooking in the puree kitchen with recipes using different cooking techniques through the year.

Diane does this work in memory of her mother, the late great Cathie G, that what was created for her mom may be of benefit to others.

To interview Diane or book her on your program, please email us at info@essentialpuree.com