Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts

Sunday, January 29, 2012

And the Winner of The Vegan Slow Cooker is . . .


Thank you to everyone who left a comment and entered my blogger giveaway for a copy of Kathy Hester's The Vegan Slow Cooker. I've got Kathy's Carrot Cake and Zucchini Bread Oatmeal in my slow cooker right now and I can't wait for tomorrow morning.

The winner is entry number 79, Sara, who made the following comment:

"1) I use mine to cook a batch of dried beans every week. After cooking, I put it in pyrex, and then use the beans all week. Sometimes in the winter, I use it to cook a single serving of steel-cut oats (using this method:http://annkroeker.com/2008/03/25/overnight-crockp... overnight for me to eat before work. I also use mine as an "air freshener" in the kitchen, often after cooking the beans! Basically, fill your crockpot with water, baking soda, and a bit of an extract (I usually use peppermint extract), turn on low (WITHOUT the cover on), and allow it to rid your kitchen of cooking smells.

2) I'm pretty confident in modification, but not so much in developing my own recipes. Creating my own recipes is something I'd like to work more on. I always stir-fry with vegetable oil broth, and always add tons more veggies (e.g. an entire pound of greens to a big pot of soup) than recipes call for. I'm much more confident tweaking some types of recipes (such as soups and stir-fry) than others, such as casseroles, and other baked dishes. A lot of vegan baked dishes use nutritional yeast - which contains MSG, which I'm allergic to - so I always have to modify those recipes. What I normally do is follow the recipe as closely as I can given the ingredients I have on hand or am willing to purchase (I don't usually buy things that I can never see myself ever using up), because I'm always curious to know the taste that the author intended. After that trial, I modify it to fit my preferences. Regardless of the author's intent, I always up the veggie content"


So Sara, please e-mail me at healthygirlskitchen@gmail.com to claim your prize!

Have an excellent week everybody. Back tomorrow with another muffin recipe to go with all of these soups and stews we're all making.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The Vegan Slow Cooker: Review and Blogger Giveaway!


A few weeks ago I contacted cookbook author Kathy Hester and asked her for a review copy of her new book The Vegan Slow Cooker. I was very intrigued at the concept of this book and even purchased it as a birthday present for a Vegan friend a few months ago. I mean, who doesn't want delicious meals that magically appear at the end of a long day?

Kathy also has a very active blog, Healthy Slow Cooking, with loads of slow cooker recipes. She graciously agreed to do a blogger giveaway of The Vegan Slow Cooker, so make sure you enter by leaving a comment on this post. Thank you Kathy!

Little did I know that Kathy uses the slow cooker for far more than soups and stews. Oatmeal, seitan, bread, sandwich fillings, sauces, and on and on. Kathy is one very creative slow cooking chef!

Once receiving the book, I quickly set out to test a few recipes. Her Soy Chorizo Black Bean Stew was absolutely delicious, with my addition of a head of Swiss chard at the end to get some greens in. And her Chick'n Mushroom Casserole was the thing that finally got me to make homemade seitan. Although I opted for a quicker method than the one she outlines in the book, I used my seitan in Kathy's casserole recipe and the results were outstanding. Total comfort food.

Kathy even got me back to eating oatmeal in the morning. Just hearing that you could make oatmeal in a crock pot was intriguing to me, and I followed Debby's, The Healthy Librarian's, recipe for "Heart-saving" Chocolate Oatmeal. Next on my list? A modified version of Kathy's Carrot Cake and Zucchini Bread Oatmeal.

But a word of caution about this cookbook. I'm not sure anyone would be able to lose weight eating these recipes (look, the book doesn't say anything about being low calorie, it just promises deliciousness and it does deliver). They are, as Chef Aj likes to say, rather "plant indulgent." Do you need to make a meal that is going to wow the Vegan skeptics in your life? This is the book to turn to. Fun, creative, delicious slow cooked Vegan fare is Kathy's specialty. But as a daily source of low calorie, high volume food? Not so much. To be totally fair, the book never promises to be low calorie/high volume. That's just our schtick!

But that's no different than the vast majority of Vegan cookbooks on bookstore shelves right now. So I hope you are becoming good at modifying recipes to make them far more Nutritarian. I think I have become a master at this, so The Vegan Slow Cooker will have a prominent spot on my bookshelf for years to come. It serves as wonderful inspiration for some really Plant-strong food I hope to slow cook up this winter.

Thanks again Kathy!

Would you like to win a copy of The Vegan Slow Cooker? Just leave a comment here answering the following questions:


(1) What's your slow cooker story? Do you own one, does it sit on your shelf or do you use it frequently? Do you want to use it more?


(2) How comfortable are you at modifying recipes to make a non-Nutritarian Vegan recipe into a keeper? Do you automatically eliminate the oil and up the vegetable content? Or are you less confident in your abilities as a Plant-strong cook and stick to already perfected Nutritarian recipes?

Have fun! Contest closes at midnight on Friday night, January 27, 2012. Winner will be selected at random and announced on Monday, January 30th.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

And the Winner of Everyday Happy Herbivore is . . .



Comment #14


Congratulations Quiltspinner!

"My four kids and spouses have mostly decided to eat plant based. It is very exciting. They all contribute plant strong dishes. When traveling we try to eat Asian, or Mexican because we can always get a meatless meal. The fat content can be high but I think flexibility not rigidity is the key to all things in life. We eat very well at home, and if while traveling, we have to eat white flour, rice, or a little extra fat a meal, oh well. Over all our diet is excellent and can take handle a diversion once in a while. When I have allowed myself a chocolate treat or piece of pie for my birthday or Thanksgiving I do not feel well. So there is no likelihood that I will revert to old ways."

Quiltspinner, please contact me at healthygirlskitchen@gmail.com to claim your prize!

And everyone, please check back here tomorrow for the posting that I have been slaving over for a week:

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Giveaway! Travelling, Eating and the Everyday Happy Herbivore Cookbook Giveaway


Greetings from Marco Island, Florida! Thanks to everyone who left holiday wishes on HGK. It really meant a lot to me.
Thanks to my genergous in-laws, my family and I are on our annual beach paradise vacation, escaping the frigid cold of Cleveland for one short week and a half.


As we all know, when it comes to eating, travelling can be quite challenging for the Plant-strong. The food on this island paradise is predominantly fried, so I've got my work cut out for me. Luckily, we stay in a condo on the beach with a full (well, pretty basic as far as the utensils and appliances go) kitchen. I can cook as much as I want, assuming I can get the ingredients that I want to cook with. And my kind in-laws even schlepped down a decent blender for me so that I wouldn't have to miss my VitaMix too much.

Last month I was contacted by Lindsay Nixon's peeps and asked to do a review and giveaway of her newest cookbook, Everyday Happy Herbivore. I didn't get a chance to do it before we left town because the end of the year is so crazy for me at work, so I decided that the best thing to do would be to try out Lindsay's newest recipes from Florida.

So here I am, testing recipes, taking walks on the beach, grocery shopping, fooling around on Pinterest, playing tennis, finding new and cool things to do on HGK in 2012 and otherwise enjoying my downtime.

So far, I have prepared Lindsay's Fiesta Bake, Chickpea Tikka Masala and Teriyaki Rice. All three recipes were quick, easy and very tasty, just like the book promises. My husband and the adults in the extended family all really enjoyed the Fiesta Bake for lunch on Saturday. And today for lunch, my 12 year old daughter, husband and I loved the Chickpea Tikka Masala.

My only criticism would be that they could all use more vegetables, but in a way, that's how the recipes are all prepared very quickly. There's no time spend chopping onions or garlic because Lindsay's recipes call for onion powder and garlic powder.

So if you just don't love to cook or are looking for fast and filling Vegan recipes for weeknight meals, look no further than Everyday Happy Herbivore.

And one lucky HGK reader will win a free copy. Just leave a comment here with the answer to one of the following questions:

How are you staying Plant-strong this holiday season?
or
How do you stay Plant-strong when you are on vacation/travelling?
or
What are your biggest obstacles when it comes to remaining Plant-strong when on vacation/travelling?

One winner will be chosen at random on Thursday, December 29th at 6 pm EST.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Super Immunity by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, The Review and GIVEAWAY!

The people over at PEERtrainer beat me to it. They wrote an amazingly comprehensive review of Super Immunity, the new book by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. I highly recommend reading their summary if you are interested in some of the incredible nutritional information that is packed into this work.

What's left for me to tell you?

This: everyone should read this book.

It's not a book about weight loss, although that could be the natural result of eating loads of vegetables. It's a book about our health and the medical establishment. About why doctors and pharmacutical companies should not be relied upon for health. We need to take responsibility for our own health, and eating the right food everyday makes a huge impact on our bodys' ability to be disease-resistant.

I thought I knew about food.

I for sure knew nothing about medicine.

Now I know something about both.

Of particular interest to me was the argument that instead of treating colds, fevers, coughs and flus with remedies, that is, after the fact, we can improve our nutrition to the point that these sickness occur far less frequently and when they do occur, with far less severity. Personally, living with three young children, Chapter Four, "Colds and Flu--What We Need to Know" was hugely eye-opening. Fuhrman reviewed the science on what works, what doesn't work and why. And do you know what I am left feeling?

Empowered.

It's just what I needed. I was really struggling with "pushing" vegetables on my kids. My eleven year old eats lots of cooked vegetables, but nothing raw. My six year old will eat raw carrots and that's all. And forget about my three year old.

I didn't know how to make them eat the food that I wanted them to eat. I figured they would learn to love vegetables, just like I did, when they got older. I figured there was still time. I didn't realize the impact it was having on their health right now.

And as if that weren't enough, the back of the book is full of delicious Nutritarian recipes like this, this and this:



Just when you thought you had seen the last of the days of enjoying rice pudding! This can be devoured for breakfast or dessert, even topped off with a little frozen banana soft serve. It's soooooooo good.

Forbidden Rice Pudding
adapted from a recipe from Super Immunity by Dr. Joel Fuhrman

2 cups cooked black (Forbidden) rice (I used a rice cooker or you can follow the package instructions)
2 cups unsweetened almond or soy milk
1/2 cup dried apricots, diced
1 cup frozen blueberries
2 large or 4 small dates, pitted and chopped
1 Tbsp currants
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp chia seed

Place all ingredients, except chia seed, in a medium-sided pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat then reduce heat and simmer on low for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat, add the chia seed, stir well, cover and let stand for 5 minutes.



The kind people over at Dr. Fuhrman are providing one copy of Super Immunity for HGK to give away. How nice is that? Here are the rules for the giveaway:

One lucky winner will be chosen at random. All you have to do is this:

Leave a comment with your name and the answer to the following question:

Name one whole food item that you keep in your kitchen that 5 years ago, you had never heard of, let alone enjoyed eating on a regular basis.

Contest ends Tuesday, September 26, 2011 at 11:59 pm PST. One winner will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday, September 27, 2011.

Friday, September 23, 2011

And the Winners Are . . .

Thank you so very much for entering the HGK Giveaway of two copies of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Plant-based Nutrition by Julieanna Hever.

Without further adieu, here are the winners!

Becky and . . .



Heather L

Congratulations to you both. Please e-mail me your full name and address to: healthygirlskitchen@gmail.com.

Ms. Hever is so kind and has volunteered to answer the three most popular questions in a guest blog post right here on HGK. Here they are, summarized by me:

(1) Children on a Plant-based diet.

 How can I make sure that my children are getting their nutritional and calorie needs met on a plant-based diet? Specifically, protein, fat, vitamin B12, iron, Omega 3s, vitamin D. Do children need supplements? Is it okay for children to eat meat or dairy on occasion?

(2) Adults on a Plant-based diet.

How do I know if I am getting enough of the right balance of nutrients? Vitamin B12, zinc, iron, calcium, vitamin D? Should I supplement? We had a lot of readers asking questions specific to calcium. How can they get it from food? If they should supplement, what is the best way?

(3) The Protein Question

What is the right amount of protein? How do I know if I am getting enough? What if, due to a medical condition, someone cannot eat beans or tofu?

Once again, thank you to everyone who entered. And thank you in advance to Ms. Hever for answering our most popular questions.

If you would like to purchase your very own copy of this extremely valuable reference guide, you can get it here:


Thanks Julieanna and Alpha Books!

Have a great weekend everyone. I'll be back on Monday with another great giveaway. Whoo-hoo!!!!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Blogger Giveaway! Two Copies of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition

Ever had specific questions about plant-based nutrition?

Should I be worried about vitamin B12?

Is it okay for me to eat coconut?

How about nuts? What about seeds?

Is the raw food diet better than a combination of cooked and raw vegan food?

These are just some of the burning questions I've had on my quest to find my best health. What are yours?

Well, lucky for us, there's now a brand new Complete Idiot's Guide that should answer each and every question about a plant-based diet that we could ever have. And the wonderful people at Alpha Books (a member of the Penguin Group) are providing HGK with two copies to giveaway. How nice is that?


The author, Julieanna Hever, M.S., R.D., C.P.T. is a Plant-Based Dietitian and an ACE-Certified Personal Trainer. She owns To Your Health Fitness and Nutrition in Southern California. Julieanna's website can be found here.

Here's how Julieanna describes herself:

"I am a passionate advocate of the miracles associated with following a whole food, plant-based diet. I am the nutrition columnist for VegNews Magazine, author of The Complete Idiot�s Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition, and co-author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Gluten-Free Vegan Cooking. I maintain a private practice Los Angeles and lectures throughout the U.S. As co-producer and star of the �infotainment� documentary To Your Health, I interviewed a host of the plant-based world�s most respected doctors and researchers to bring this important information to a broad audience. As Executive Director of EarthSave, International, I have had the opportunity to bring nutrition to the forefront of efforts to improve the current global health crisis."

Isn't she cool?

Yeah, I think so too!

Here's some of the stuff you will find in the book:

� Where to get nutrients that others get from meat and dairy.

� How to avoid the vegan pitfall of overfed but undernourished.

� How to spot hidden animal ingredients in packaged foods.

� Tips for eating at restaurants.

� Special considerations for children and seniors.

The book is designed for people who know little about plant based nutrition, and for those who are fully knowledgeable. The book may be read cover to cover or the reader can pick out items from the Table of Contents which may be of particular interest to them.

Wanna win a copy of this very exciting new book? Here's what you've gotta do for a chance to win:

(1) Subscribe to Healthy Girl's Kitchen by e-mail or RSS, if you haven't already.  You can do that in the upper left of this home page, and be sure to follow the confirmation e-mail instructions that will land in your inbox. Thank you to all of you who already are!

(2) Become a fan of Healthy Girl's Kitchen and The Complete Idiots Guide to Plant-based Nutrition on Facebook, if you aren't already, that is. And thank you to all of you who already are!

(3) Answer this question in the comments section below:
What is your most pressing plant-based nutrition question or concern?

Ms. Hever is so kind and has volunteered to answer the three most popular questions in a guest blog post right here on HGK. Look our for that in the very near future. Make sure if you are commenting as "anonymous" that you include your name in your comment, that way if you win, I know who you are! Contest closes Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 11:59 pm. Two winners will be selected at random and announced on Friday, September 23, 2011.

Monday, August 22, 2011

And the Winners Are

Congratulations to our two winners of Plant-strong Pride bracelets! Anonymous and Anonymous. (It really and truly is random.)

Comment #31
Anonymous said...


I would love a plant strong bracelet and would wear it proudly!
I was going to ask you where I could buy one and would certainly purchase one or more if they were available. I need to lose approx. 50 lbs and would love to have a bracelet for a reminder of my commitment.



Comment #64
Anonymous said...


I would love to wear one, to inspire me to keep going when I run and remember how I fuel my body.
I would purchase one, if given the chance.
I am at a healthy weight, but want to keep my body strong and fit with fabulous veggies and healthy food!


You winning commenters know who you are! Please contact me with your name and shipping information at healthygirlskitchen@gmail.com



Oh, and thanks for entering my Plant-strong Pride bracelet giveaway!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Plant-strong Pride Giveaway and Beck: Day 10-Set a Realistic Goal


Time for another exciting blogger giveaway! I'm giving away two Plant-strong pride bracelets to two lucky winners, chosen by a random number picker.

I wear my bracelet every day. It's great positive reinforcement and also an interesting conversation starter!

Here's what you have to do to enter:

Leave a comment to this post answering the following questions:

(1) Do you want a Plant-strong bracelet? Why?

(2) If you don't win one in this give-away and you have the opportunity to purchase one, would you?

(3) See below for final question.

Enjoy and good luck! Contest ends Monday, August 22, 2011 at 10 am EST. Winners will be announced shortly after contest ends.
__________________________________________

On another note, we are on Day 10 of The Beck Diet Solution. Our task for today? Set a realistic goal.

Wow, have I lost sight of that doozey! I have been playing head games with myself again. If I eat this way then I will lose this much weight by such and such a time . . .

Sound familiar?

Well, thank the universe for Beck! I am happily brought back down to earth and reminded that those thoughts are not going to help the situation, and that I would do much better just to work in increments of 5 pounds.

So what's my goal? Lose 5 pounds. Not only that, but give it a realistic and HEALTHY time frame. Like 1 pound per week. Even 1/2 a pound per week is healthy. If you can make lasting changes that allow your body to drop 1/2 a pound per week, then it really doesn't matter how long it takes you to lose "the weight." All that really matters, when it comes down to it, are that the changes are real and lasting.

Works for me!

And now for the final giveaway question:
(3) Do you have a weight loss goal? Or are you at your happy weight?