I’ve been cooking my way through my friend Connie Guttersen’s new book, The New Sonoma Diet Cookbook. I met Connie a year ago and twice we’ve cooked together at the Culinary Institute in Napa Valley along with Bush’s Beans. I’ve been anxiously awaiting her new book to try her recipes, and to read more about her philosophy, and I’ll tell you I’ve not been disappointed.
First of all, I want to say that The New Sonoma Diet book is really not a diet book. It’s a book that encourages healthy eating. You just live it out by eating the top twelve power foods and eliminating the junk from your diet (come on, we all know what is NOT healthy, right?)
The success of The Sonoma Diet is based on eating good foods, not avoiding them. Deprivation can’t be the focus, for the simple reason that it won’t work. Moderation, balance, and a mindful approach to making smart food choices are the keys to losing weight and gaining health. – Connie Guttersen
You can see all the pages I’ve marked as a great resources and amazing recipes. And we’ve been talking a lot about the “12 Power Foods” in my household, and incorporating them into our diet.
Top Twelve Sonoma Diet Power Foods
-almonds
-beans
-bell peppers
-blueberries
-broccoli
-citrus
-grapes
-olive oil
-spinach
-strawberries
-tomatoes
-whole grains
At this dinner party, I made Connie’s hummus and I was secretly hoping there’d be some leftover. Nope! None left over. It was scooped up and eaten in no time.
HUMMUS
(and it only takes 15 minutes to make!)1 15 ounce can garbanzo beans (Bush’s Beans are the best!), drained and rinsed
1/2 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
3 T. water
2 T. lemon juice (I used Meyer’s lemons)
1 T. extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, halved
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 T. flat-leaf parsley
Lemon juice (optional)
Mix together in a food processor (except parsley). Transfer to a medium bowl. If desired add more lemon juice, sprinkle with parsley.
Serve with baked pita chips or veggies.
Next time I’m making a double batch!
For me, food served at a dinner party is all about the connection with our friends–good conversation, love and understanding–paired with good flavor and abundance.
Now it’s your chance to win!
COMMENT TO WIN
Share with me why you’d like to win this book?3 Signed-COPIES GIVEN AWAY
Three people will win a signed copy of Connie’s NEW BOOK!CONTEST ENDS
The contest ends on Thursday midnight. Winners announced Friday 4/15. Please tweet or Facebook this giveaway for extra chances to win. Also become a “brand new” follower. Please come back to tell us if you did any of this for extra entries.
Good Luck, Friends!
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this "icon" portrays a great message. 
I want to share with you some of my favorite places to visit in blog-land, sites that I learn from and am inspired by, and some beautiful friends that I’ve met over the years.
I love cookbooks and healthy recipes in this book is a plus.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
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I appreciate Connie’s philosophy about food!
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It’s been a long winter here with bitterly cold temps and spring seems slow in trying to settle in. The scale has been slightly climbing and the book sounds like just what I need to lose a few pounds, and more importantly to become healthier. I’d love to have new recipes since I feel that I’m in a “cooking slump” lately…the same old things, over and over. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
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I’m going to try the hummus! It looks great. I would love to win the cookbook. I think the list of healthy foods is a great place to start!!!
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I really need this book because I need a new, healthier way to live! I simply must lose a lot of weight for health reasons, and this looks like the thing. If I don’t win, I’ll buy it. Love the blog.
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I am constantly trying to broaden my horizons about healthy eating. I think I have it down and I learn something new. This books sounds like it would have a lot of great info even for the seasoned healthy eater.
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My husband is on a gluten-free diet and I’m always on the hunt for good recipes that are all natural- gluten is in EVERYTHING! Hummus is his favorite- I’ll have to see if I can’t find the makings here!
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This is such a nice surprise, especially now when so many of us who plan our family’s meals are looking for a healthier approach. Thanks.
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This book would appear to fit right in with my idea of cooking and eating good for you foods. We make a very similar hummus. We like to change it up from time to time since we have it quite often. My latest trick is to add some smoked paprika to it. Delicious. You have to find just the right smoked paprika tho, the regular supermarket brand is pretty tasteless.
Keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll win a copy of this book.
Darla
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I would love to have this book. I am always looking for healthy recipes to try.
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I wrote about this giveaway on FB. I would dearly like to win this book, but I think I will buy it if I don’t win it. It sounds so good.
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I am always trying to find healthy ways to feed my family of 7. There’s a lot of JUNK our there. I want my kids to love the good stuff!
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I happened on your site through your article featured at crosswalk.com today. My husband & I are seeking to eat healthier and this cook / advice book seems like it would appeal to us because it sounds like very common sense stuff. Would really like to win it. Thank you.
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I feel so fortunate to live in the Central Valley of California where the farmer’s markets are open all year. These healthy fresh foods are always available. I’d love to have this book for additional inspiration on preparing the bounty of goodness and healthiness.
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My husband and I recently started eating healthier and I’m always looking for new recipes to try. This book would be perfect! Fingers crossed!
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It sounds like a wonderful book! I love the 12 power foods!
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I am always looking for healthy recipes. We’ve been trying to eat healthier for almost a year and tend to keep the same recipes in use. I’m sure the cookbook would be helpful in getting us out of our comfort zone.
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I would love to win this book because between work and my commute I am gone 12 hours a day and by the time I get home it is easier to eat a not so healthy meal out then to take the time to try and figure out what is healthy. I think this book would put me on the path to healthier eating. Thank you for offering this giveaway.
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My family is trying to incorporate a healthier lifestyle and I am also a cookbook fiend. Thanks for the amazing giveaway
mrsjohnson1982 at yahoo dot com
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I love this idea about getting the power foods in. I would love all the help I can get!!!
Thanks for the give-away!
Lynn G.
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Love your blog. This is my first visit. This is also the 10th month I have been on a weight loss plan with 70 down and 30 more to go. This cookbook is exactly what I need to get the whole family on a healthy lifestyle change!
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Just in time for some much needed Spring inspiration! Thanks for sharing!
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Always searching for great -healthy recipes to share with my family!
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Ohmygosh! Those power foods? All totally things I like. Maybe even love. I have had a life long battle with food – I’m finicky, my BF is finicky, and it’s really tough for me to get some veggies into our diets. I would love this cookbook so we can incorporate those foods into our diets, and get ahead in this battle – finally.
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So neat! We have people in our home all the time and I love the idea of cookbook that not only helps me create fun dishes but also values healthy eating. Sometimes it’s hard to find that combination. Thanks for offering it!
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The book looks great! I have two teenage boys who I am really working on trying to instill healthy eating – they eat nonstop but, I would love it to be healthy choices!
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I’d like to win this book to help myself start a healthier lifestyle!
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Diet, I NEED to jump back on that bandwagon!
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Healthier eating is at the top of my list for my family. Always open for new choices and recipes.
Thank you for this wonderful giveaway opportunity!
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I love cookbooks! I am always trying to find something that is healthy and something that the kids will eat. Variety is always good.
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ohh thanks so much for the great book review!
I have not yet read the ‘Sonoma Diet’ but it sounds very appealing, thanks so much for sharing!
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as an instructor of the Get Better Together healthy living program, i’m alert to new and healthy additions to my library ~ this seems to be one! would love to check it out. thx for the offer…
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MMMMmmm…love all the power diet foods listed!
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I’m always looking for new recipes, and new healthy recipes!! I LOVE cookbooks!
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FB’d it!
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I thoroughly believe in this, in eating REAL food and enjoying it rather than filling my family with “diet” foods. I wish we could encourage more of our family members to see the benefits and toss the junk, or have it just occasionaly.
I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to win this book because I’m trying to reign in my spending and I’m frequenting the library a lot but this would be a keeper, not a book to simply check out!
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I would love to peruse this new cookbook. This weekend, I brought up all my old eating healthy plan books and basically was left uninspired as they now seem a bit far-fetched. I would love to be able to cook dishes that use power foods for me and my busy family!
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Sounds like a lovely book….would love some healthy recipes to add to my “comfort food” staples! I’ve been looking for a good hummus recipe and this one looks like a winner! Thanks!
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I try to incorporate as many healthy options as I can!
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My now 5 year old had open heart surgery last year, so it will always be MORE important for her to eat a healthy diet than most people. Even though we should all eat healthy of course. SO I am slowly moving my family towards more whole foods, less junk and making substitutions in fun foods to make them healthier.
To say I am always looking for new ideas is an understatement and a new cookbook ALWAYS makes me happy!
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I love her approach! So realistic. I would love to share the recipes with my parents…my dad has recently had to “get serious” about eating healthily for health reasons and I think these recipes would help.
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I have the first Sonoma Diet cookbook and have literally worn the pages right out of it… many are loose from the binding. Love this way of eating, and would love to have some new recipes!
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Those are some of my favorite foods
Yum! Would love to win as I need more healthy and tasty recipes. Thanks for the chance!
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I would love one of these books as I am trying to put more light and healthy menus together for our family. We all need to lose some weight for our health.
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I would love to win this book! Her philosophies on food and healthy eating are fabulous! It’s nice to follow a “diet” without feeling like you are on one!
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I would love this book because I have recently begun giving my family’s diet a makeover, and am on the lookout for healthier options.
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I’d love to learn more about Connie’s “diet” and the yummy power foods. And can I tell you how hungry I am now that I’ve seen your hummus!?
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And I was just thinking about making hummus today! Looking forward to trying this recipe!
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I have recently been diagnosed as a diabetic and am in the process of changing my eating habits. I love to cook and try new recipes and this book seems like it would be a great resource for me!
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hmm…The New Sonoma Diet–wonder if I would be able to stick to this one for awhile? I SO need to!
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So true, we know how to eat we just don’t. I need new inspiration for summer cooking!
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Just discovered hummus! All 10 in our family loved it!! The cookbook looks great! I also just discovered your blog! I’ll be back!
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I would love to have a cookbook that is based on a healty principle. I have been trying to make changes in the way our family eats and I thinks this book would be a great choice for us.
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Love it! I always try to use many of those healthy ingredients when cooking for my family and I just love cookbooks that I can flip open and know that there will be a nice healthy recipe!
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I tweeted the giveaway!
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I shared the giveaway on facebook!
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After a couple years of some health issues resulting in a back surgery, I am now feeling better than I have in years and I need to work off some of this weight I’ve gained over time!!!
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I shared about this contest on Facebook!
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I tweeted about this contest!
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I am a brand new “follower” on twitter!
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Anything to help w/ cooking!
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I would enjoy winning because simple, heathy and fun sounds good to me.
Fondly,
Glenda
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I got on the scale yesterday and did *not* like what it said – Yikes!
I’ve gotten into the comfortable winter routine which obviously spells more calories and I *need* a new ‘fresh’ approach to get back on track.
I love how you said you cooked through the book. I’ve never done that and this one sounds perfect for that!
TX for the chance!!!!
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This is not a diet but a life style. I had lost 25 lbs on this diet four years ago, went back to some bad habits and really want to try this again. I can’t find my old book but if you are committed to it this really does work and the food is so good! I am happy to hear that the new version incorporates fruits in the first wave!
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Just shared on my biz page: fb.me/longabergerlifestyle
and my personal FB page.
Tx!!
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I love to entertain and always looking for healthy options! And I love cookbooks!
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I want to win because I LOVE the Sonoma Diet! Lost 20 pounds on it last year and am so excited to start again with the new book!
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I’d love this book because right now I could use all the help I can get in the “Healthy Eating/ Weight Loss” department. I am currently working out twice a day- and seeing little results…I, like every one wants instant gratification. I try to eat well, but I’m sure I’m not eating as well as I could be. Thanks for a great giveaway!
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I’d love to win this! I have really been trying to eat healthy (yet normal…something I can sustain) and excercise. I have lose about 22 lbs but I’m beginning to get tired of some of my “go-to” recipes. That is the point of this, that I continue to learn and grow and try new healthy recipes. This would be a wonderful addition!
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It would be great to have some new (and delicious!) recipes! A fun way to kick off spring!
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I’d like to win because … I’m trying to lose seven pounds and to eat food that’s good for me. Thanks for the giveaway! : )
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I would love to win because I enjoy cooking. I am trying to teach my family healthy lifestyles and this sounds like a perfect addition. Thanks for sharing your great finds.
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I have been on the Sonoma diet for the last 3 months and my family is enjoying it as well. I have lost 30 lbs so far and have been patiently awaiting the new cookbook. What a wonderful surprise it would be to win a signed copy. Cheers!
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I would love to own this book, It looks like the way I love to cook, and I know so many young mothers who need help feeding their family better and don’t know some of the basics of how to prepare a meal using good nutrition meal planning, I would like to have more recipe’s to share. I think eating healthy should be fun, healthy and tasty. It has been one of my goals for years to encourage good healthy eating habits to young people. this book would definitely get alot of use and alot of travel. Thanks for letting us know about it Sandy
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My husband and I are in the empty nest years and really working at eating healthy. It’s easier now that we don’t have to cater to kiddos’ appetites. This book looks like it is full of great ideas to keep us on track.
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I am trying to acheive a healthy lifestyle for myself and my husband and kids. Would love some direction like this!
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I would love to win this book because we are planting six of those Power Foods in our garden this year!!! I can’t wait to get planting – your gardening posts have been so lovely and inspiring too! I’m most excited for the blueberries bushes and the figs! Yippee!
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I love to cook and am always looking for a great cookbook with healthy recipes. Your cookbook has so many yummy things I’m sure I could get my 6 year old as well as my husband to eat! Gooid luck to all!
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I am moving to my first real apartment and the boy and I would love to start hosting people over. We love cooking together but don’t have any cookbooks yet to start with, not to mention we both could be eating better (who couldn’t). This would really mean a lot to us
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I would like to win because I am trying to get back to healthy eating again after being “off the wagon” for a good 6 months.
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Why I would like this book? Because you had me at amazing hummus. I’ve been looking for a great cookbook that would provide healthy alternatives.
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I find that if you don’t have something junk that you love the depriving will actually make you cheat. I’ve lost 37 lbs and in the last twelve weeks, 5 inchess off of my waist and chest. A few inches off of my neck, too. I knew my necklaces fit better. ROFL. Hummus is so good. It satisfies the dip craving I get. Instead of an unhealthy dip, I have hummus with Kashi crackers or veggies.
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Twitter: ConfidentMom
says:
I would love to win because I would love some new recipes to use fresh ingredients and this sounds like the perfect book! Our garden will have some yummy veggies this year which I am sure would be put to good use with these recipes!
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The books sounds a bit like Superfoods. We read that book a few years back together as a family and loved it. It is so much easier to focus on what to eat rather on what not to eat and the top foods happen to be some of our favorites. Would love to have this book!
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I turn 39 in a couple weeks & have made it a goal for myself, my two little boys & my darling husband to be the healthiest I can be on my way to 40
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Would love to be blessed by this book. Thanks for sharing the list and the recipe.
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I have a very simple for wanting to win this book; I LOVE cooking : )
Thank you Sandy.
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I would like to win this book for my family to have a balanced idea about diet. I seem to try to go all or nothing, and I would like to show my family a more in the middle way.
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I read cookbooks like novels. I’d love this one!
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I’ve been trying to cook healthier meals for my family and this cookbook seems like a great go to resource for new recipes using a lot of the foods we already like to eat. Can’t wait to try the hummus recipe, but my kids (3 & 1) both love it!
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I got this book from the library the other week and absolutely love it!!!! I would love for the chance to have my own copy!!!
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Sandy, I would LOVE to get my hands on this book. Sounds right up my alley.
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Just Facebooked this post
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Just Stumbled too! xo
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I would love to win it because not only do I LOVE to try new recipes, I don’t tend to make many “healthy” meals for my family, just because very few recipes I come across use “healthy foods”. At least with these recipes I can feel good about their nutrition!
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I’m a follower.
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I would really like to win a copy! I love cooking from cookbooks and I just had a baby 4 months ago (at age 39) and I’d like a boost at losing some baby weight. I am not a fan of diets, but this sounds like a very healthy way of eating.
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I am trying to help my family eat better as we could all use better power foods in our diet. Some days it is due to a limited food budget that I struggle, sometimes it is due to all the titles that are on my plate that cause me to not make the best food choices. But I do enjoy us eating at home instead of eating out and on the run. A limited budget has “forced” us to eat home more and for that I am thankful. I would love a cookbook that would give me healthy food choices and recipes for my family, and it looks like this book would be a great choice after seeing your “dog-ears” and like for it. Thank you Sandy for this recommendation, and for all your blog entries.
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I would really like to win because I have been feeling as if I need to try to eat healthier for quite some time now…and I think this book would be a great motivator for me to get started! Thanks for the chance!
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I “follow you” by subscribing to your email updates! Hope that counts! 8~)
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I love her top twelve Sonoma diet power foods and I want to eat healthier. Would love this book!
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We love the “12 Power Foods” – I would like to know more ways to use them!
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I look to cook, eat, and would like to cook and eat healthier!!
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I could use the encouragement for healthier eating and not just another “diet”book. This one seems to offer that encouragement and I love what I see of it so far. would love it!!
That hummus looks yummy no wonder there was none left : )
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would love a cookbook to help me feed my family on healthy-good-for-you food
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Yum, yum and more yum. And to me, delicious (and easy) is the only way I am actually going to eat healthy and stick with it – make it my lifestyle. I would greatly appreciate to receive this cookbook. Love your website – almost as much as your attitude of gratitude and graciousness!
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I recently started weight watchers and would love to win this cookbook! The hummus receipe looks delish! I cannot wait to try!
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I am an avid follower…..love your Facebook page and your blog! Thanks so much for sharing with us all!
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If you cook the garbanzo beans in the microwave for a few minutes, the hummus is the creamiest, velvetiest (is that a word?), best tasting thing you’ve ever put in your mouth.
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I would love to win Connie’s new book. I bought the first several years ago. I have made some healthy changes in my lifestyle but it is time to get serious as a family member has just been diagnosed with cancer.
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I am a 71 yeard old widow and have had several health problems over the last two years. I am now trying to get back on track exercising and eating right. This would be a great help to me.
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I am trying to eat better and exercise more. I’ve been good at exercising, now this cookbook would help me reach my goals.
Love your blog, but will take the extra step to become a follower today then I will try to tweet about it.
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