One of my favorite things about the holidays is the opportunity to splurge on gift books. Finding the perfect one for a friend is like striking gold. There’s nothing more personal and rewarding than the gift of words in a pretty package to show how well you know someone and how much you care.
We have two wonderful books to give away that will brighten your day and satisfy your salt cravings! And if you’re anything like me—and I think you are—you will absolutely love them.
First up is
Instant HAPPY: 10-Second Attitude Makeovers by Karen Salmansohn. This gorgeous little hardcover contains humorous and uplifting insights that will make you smile or say
, “So true!” Each page is loaded with full-color graphics and a clever saying to brighten your day. The book uses a psychological tool called “pattern interrupts” to stop negative thoughts in their tracks. Each inspirational flashcard will give you a reality check and help put things into perspective.
Writers will find inspiration for every emotional step of the writing process—you know the ones I’m talking about . . . self-doubt, confidence, courage, rejection, and more! For example:
“You Know You’re Making Progress When You’re Making Mistakes.” or
“When one door closes, try a window. Then try a new door. Then try a new window. The world is full of doors and windows. Eventually you’ll find one that stays open.” Here are a couple of flashcards from the book:
Feel a little better already? The author, Karen Salmansohn, is a motivational speaker, designer, and best-selling author of more than twenty-five books, including
How to Be Happy, Dammit;
Enough, Dammit; and
The Bounce Back Book. She’s also an online columnist for
O, The Oprah Magazine;
Psychology Today;
The Huffington Post;
Positively Positive; and AOL, and she has worked as a creative strategist for the likes of MTV, Nickelodeon, L’Oreal, and Avon. Find out more about Karen by visiting her website:
www.notsalmon.com. With Karen’s help and contagious optimism, you will be ready to take on the world!
Instant Happy: 10-Second Attitude Makeoversby Karen Salmansohn
128 pages, 6" x 7"
ISBN: 978-1-60774-368-2
Ten Speed Press (October 2012)
---- While not exactly a gift book and more of a cookbook,
Salty Snacks by Cynthia Nims is gorgeous, fun-sized, and a great gift for those who love savory snacks. We often have the snack discussion here at WOW! When asked what types of snacks writers most like to munch while writing, it’s a near draw between sweet and salty.
Me? I’ve always had a love affair with salt. Give me a bag of chips over a doughnut any day. And if you’re like me, your mouth will start watering from flipping through the pages of this book.
This collection of 75 easy-to-follow recipes for puffs, chips, breads, nuts, veggies, and meats puts a fresh, crunchy spin on homemade snacks. From the crispy to the doughy to the gluten-free, some seriously mouthwatering offerings fill each chapter with a wide array of choices that are instant crowd-pleasers for cocktail parties, food gifts, at arm’s length while writing, curling up with a good book, or whenever you want a delicious treat.
With all the excess sodium and hidden preservatives in prepackaged foods, it’s smart to make your own savory bites from scratch. The book contains recipes like Kale Chips with Lemon and Ginger, Sichuan Pepper Apple Crisps, Cumin Lentil Crackers, Blue Cheese Straws, and Parmesan Thumbprint Cookies with Tomato-Tart Cherry Jam. Meat lovers will also appreciate an assortment of recipes, such as Crisp Beef with Lemongrass, Smoked Salmon Rillettes, and Five Spice Duck Skin.
The author, Cynthia Nims, studied cooking at La Varenne Ecole de Cuisine and has authored and co-authored 12 cookbooks, including
Gourmet Game Night. President of the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP), she has been the editor of
Simply Seafood magazine and food editor for
Seattle Magazine. Cynthia contributes to
Cooking Light,
Coastal Living, and
Sunset. Visit her blog, Mon Appétit:
www.monappetit.com. Yum!
Salty Snacks: Make Your Own Chips, Crisps, Crackers, Pretzels, Dips and Other Savory Bitesby Cynthia Nims
168 pages, 7" x 8"
ISBN: 978-1-60774-181-7
Ten Speed Press (September 2012)
~*~ BOOK GIVEAWAY ~*~
Enter to win
Instant HAPPY: 10-Second Attitude Makeovers by Karen Salmansohn and
Salty Snacks by Cynthia Nims by filling out the Rafflecopter form below. One lucky winner will be chosen at random.
a Rafflecopter giveawayGood luck!
My warm-up drawing for the day turned into a cookbook cover. I consider it a rough, mock-up. I could tweak, change and alter this thing forever, if I let myself.
…And now I think I need my own cookie fix… : )
Re-posted with permission from Desiree Glaze of WeeShare:
I love bread. In fact, my entire family enjoys eating bread. Did you know that this is National Bread Month? I am pretty sure this calls for a celebration– let’s all go eat some bread!
The great thing about bread is that it and other grain foods actually provide many essential nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy and help fight diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, some cancers and birth defects. I try to choose breads and even cereals that use whole grains, as whole grains are a great source of complex carbs and fiber and they are naturally low in fat. Enriched grains are a great option as well because not only do they contain complex carbs, but they are also one of the major sources for iron and folic acid in our diets.
The key to maximizing your health and your energy is to take a look at everything that is on your plate. Balance is essential. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eating six one ounce servings of grain foods each day. This can come in the form of buns, sandwich bread, tortillas, bagels, crackers, and a variety of other grain foods.
One really easy way to incorporate grains into your diet is with a sandwich. You can add some meat, fresh veggies, and cheese, and suddenly you’ve got an entree that is packed with ingredients from many of the food groups!
2012 actually marks the 250th Anniversary of the Sandwich! America’s love affair with the sandwich dates back to England in 1762 when Sir John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, didn’t want to put his cards down in the midst of a marathon game of poker, so requested his meat be served to him between two slices of bread. A fabulous new “food form” was born – and our passion for sandwiches continues to this day. With Americans consuming over a billion sandwiches a year – for breakfast, lunch and dinner – sandwiches may in fact be our most popular national dish.
Why does it seems that we love sandwiches so much? Well…
- Sandwiches are one of the easiest, most versatile and convenient ways to make a healthy meal for individuals or families.
- Bread is the most important ingredient in making a healthy and delicious sandwich; it is the foundation of a great meal any time of day.
- The complex carbohydrates in bread and other grain-based foods provide lasting energy the human body needs on a daily basis.
Sandwiches are definitely a part of my family’s life. Growing up, I remember frequently taking peanut butter sandwiches in my lunch to school. Now, I highly prefer a BLT. I know that some people like mayo on their BLT’s, but I stick with lightly toasted bread, crispy bacon, tomato {preferably with a touch of salt}, and some iceberg lettuce. My little vegetarian daughter prefers her sandwiches with bread and a slice of Muenster cheese. My husband likes to pile his up with a variety of meats and cheeses as well as tomato, lettuce, and a variety of other toppings.
We eat sandwiches whenever we’re spending the day outdoors hiking, kayaking, or at the park. Nothing beats a family picnic in the beautiful sunshine. We’ve also been known to enjoy sandwiches at home for lunch or even as a light dinner. Sandwiches truly are versatile.
Since it’s National Bread Month and the 250th Anniversary of the Sandwich, the Grain Foods Foundation has teamed up with celebrity chef Bryan Voltaggio to share four exclusive sandwich recipes.
Chef Voltaggio has been around food virtually his entire life. He grew up in an agricultural community where he tended the garden and baled hay right alongside his family. After attending the Culinary Institute of America, Chef Voltaggio worked alongside many other famous chefs both here and abroad. Now, he is getting ready to open his third restaurant, which will be located in Washington DC.
You can view all four recipes that Chef Voltaggio created for the Grain Foods Foundation by visiting their website. However, I wanted to highlight one of them– the Avocado CLT. Just looking at this sandwich makes my mouth water. Perhaps that’s what I get for viewing recipes when I’m hungry! This sandwich features whole grain bread as well as tasty ingredients like avocado, cucumber and tomato. There are also directions to whip up a goat cheese mousse and spread to use on the sandwich.
So, this month as we all celebrate National Bread Month and the 250th Anniversary of the Sandwich, I’d love to know… what’s YOUR favorite sandwich to eat?
Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of the Grain Foods Foundation. I received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
image from Carla’s Sandwich – written by Debbie Herman, illustrated by Sheila Bailey
Flashlight Press responds: Carla would make these recipes and eat the results. They’re all favorites!
Chris Smith The Diabetic Chef® Autographing his first cookbook: Cooking with The Diabetic Chef® (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This is a quick heads-up for whomever drops in today. I have a guest blog up this morning on Pat McDermott’s all things cooking website.
I disclose my experience with writing a cookbook for the first time. It hasn’t been the hardest project I’ve taken up, but it has been the tastiest. When you develop new recipes that hold restrictions like cakes with no sugar or low sodium meat entrees, cooking becomes a double challenge.
That’s what my cookbook partners and I are dealing with. At the end of the process, and before the last “T” is crossed or “I” dotted, we’re having a Taste-Testing party with our appetizers and desserts, invitation only. That’s a lot of work for senior women with a passion for food, but it’s work that satisfies in more than one way.
If you get the chance today, stop by Pat’s kitchen to see what’s cooking. If nothing else, you’ll find sumptuous recipes with full photos. Food lovers beware. You may be there a while once you walk in the door.
Enjoy yourselves and your little detour today.
A bientot,
Claudsy
0 Comments on Guest Blogging with Food as of 5/9/2012 9:48:00 PM
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Seapoint Books will be publishing a cookbook by the rock band Smash Mouth. Smash Mouth: Recipes from the Road: a Rock ‘n’ Roll Cookbook hits bookstores on October 16th.
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I love finding out about new books and authors new to me. Both sound like fun reads. And who doesn't love a snack? I keep meaning to try to make kale chips- my friends love them.
I like pretzels but I accidentally bought two big bags of "lightly salted" for the holidays. More like "unsalted" Dang! I'm gonna eat 'em anyway.
I love to make my own snacks and I'm always looking for great ideas for myself and my readers!
Can't wait to read Instant Happy!
Happy New Years everyone!!
I could always use a book that helps me hack away negativity! And salty snacks aren't as easy to come by as chocolate/sweet treats. The pictures on the cover look scrumptious. Thanks for the opportunity!
What a good idea - a snack cookbook. That way I (or a friend) can alter recipes to meet tastes or other needs. Yum. And the happy book? Oh, yes - that would be a nice thing for my desk and I might even want to leave one lying around the office at my part-time job. Yes.
Pretzels!! My mom makes a great snack mix with pretzels, cheez-its, M&Ms, and chex. Can't stop eating it.
Thank you for this opportunity - both books look incredible and will be a gift for me and then passed along if I win!
thanks for the opportunity and for reading,
Sarah Butland author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales Volume One and Arm Farm
Popcorn, that's my favorite salty snack, although it hasn't always been...I went through a phase in high school when Corn Nuts were my go-to secret fave....I say secret because I was embarassed to be seen with them! I couldn't imagine a cheerleader or any of the fashionistas at school downing a handful of them!! Cashews, roasted, lightly salted are my second favorite.