Giveaway: Simple Food For Busy Families

By Jennie

I was recently sent a review copy of Simple Food for Busy Families: The Whole Life Nutrition Approach and was a little surprised when I got it in the mail. It wasn't a cookbook, like I was expecting, but something even better. It's really a lifestyle book, and it walks you through a switch from over-processed, packaged foods to a wholer, more nutritious way of eating.

The book is broken up into two main sections: 1) Whole Life Nutrition and 2) Everyday Cooking: Keeping it Real. I was completely drawn to the second section because it applied all the information to my everyday real life. There are recipes (like the below hummus recipe) but there are "mix-and-match" sections where you can build your own sandwiches, salads, smoothies, soups, pastas, and more by adding easy-to-find ingredients with a simple process.

Here's a snapshot of the sandwich portion:

You choose your "wrapper," your protein, your filling, and your condiment. Where lunch and grab-and-go meals are overwhelming to someone like me, this completely breaks it down. What do I have on hand that's on this mix-and-match menu? Combine those things and voila, delicious sandwich!

It simplifies eating, which isn't what everyone needs, but it's what I need. I really love this book.

Here's the hummus recipe I mentioned earlier:

Basic Hummus Recipe

1/4 C seasme tahini
1/4 C cold water
2 T freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 t ground cumin
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 (15-oz) can, rinsed and drained, or 2 C pre-cooked garbanazo beans
1 T olive oil

1. In a blender or food processor, blend together tahini, cold water, lemon juice, cumin, and garlic. Set aside in a bowl.

2. Puree the garbanzo beans and process until smooth, adding a little cooking liquid or water, if too thick.

3. Add the tahini mixture and process until mixed.

4. Put in serving bowl, add olive oil, and mix.

***

We're giving away one copy of Simple Food for Busy Families: The Whole Life Nutrition Approach to a Food Lush reader! Fine print section:

• How to enter: Comment with your last healthy meal or your favorite healthy meal
• Who can enter: Anyone in the U.S.
• Giveaway is open until: 11/9 at 11:59 PM EST
• Misc: one comment per person, winner will be selected via random.org, must be willing to provide your mailing address, and winner will be announed by 11/16.

Good luck!

***

Editor's note: I was given a copy of Simple Food for Busy Families without obligation of review or giveaway. All opinions expressed above are, of course, my own.

Comments

[Emily]

I made tofu stir fry last night. Just a block of tofu, some frozen vegetables from my local co-op, and teriyaki sauce. Delicious!

[Kelly P]

Every day for lunch I have a different soup made from scratch. This week it's vegetable, but I'm looking forward to next week's soup already: brocolli, cheese and potato. I'd love a new tool to help me continue my journey towards eating more 'real' foods. Thanks for the giveaway!

[Linda]

Chicken stir fry last night! We love it.

[Christy M]

Stir fry or grilled chicken and veggies are my favorites.

[Meghan]

Made salmon and roasted veggies last weekend. I so need something to help me eat better during the week

[Christy]

I'm on a homemade soup kick. This week I'm trying a different tomato soup.

[J]

Salad with chicken on it is the last one I made. It was okay, but I think I need this book! My salad seems dull! I'm sure I could do better with some help.

[Molly]

Asian style lettuce wraps- lots of fresh veggies, chicken or tofu, and a light splash of sesame ginger dressing wrapped in Bibb lettuce

[Kristina]

Goodness, I wish I could remember my last healthy meal! I've totally fallen off the wagon. I guess turkey tacos would be the last one. I could really use this book!!

[rebecca]

My eldest has digestive issues, and my two youngest are lactose intolerant, so I have had to up my game in regards to making food from scratch. There is hidden dairy in everything!!!! Last night was turkey meatloaf and mashed potatoes made with broth instead of milk. Now, with school in session and dance classes and all that crazy mom stuff combined with all my college classes, there is little time for time consuming recipes! This book sounds amazing. I may have to put it on my christmas list if random.org isn't my friend!

[Jesabes]

My favorite healthy meal is black bean tacos.

[Dee Worley]

I'm on a cabbage kick! Cooked cabbage makes a great lunch with some added protein--kielbasa or hot dogs added to it is great. Fried cabbage is also a healthy filling meal, and coleslaw is great with just about anything! Tonight I fixed turnip greens and had pears for desert. As a celiac with multiple allergies (dairy, soy, peanuts, tomatoes and eggs) most of what is left for me is protein, fruit and veggies-- living healthy!

[Kayla B.]

This week I made Melissa Clark's beet and cabbage borscht... twice.

[Culicurious]

I made a chicken tortilla soup on Friday. Loaded with fresh veggies and chicken!

[Megan]

Chicken tortilla soup! Yum!

[Katie]

Black beans with quinoa or brown rice.

[Nick Haglund]

Tortilla soup - Would love to get my husband off the processed foods!

[greyfavorite]

Had tempeh and sprouts yesterday - yum.

[Heather]

Our last truly healthy meal was last week when we had salmon and broccoli and pasta. Okay, so the pasta wasn't the healthiest, but the salmon and the broccoli helped immensely!

[Alice Arterburn]

Chicken tortilla soup. YUM!