Sunday, June 20, 2010

Review and GIVEAWAY- More with Less!*CLOSED*


I had already started down the road of wanting to live frugally and simply, and had just begun to scratch the surface of cutting out some processed foods. It had bothered me that most recipes I used involved some premade product or another. What if we moved to another country and there was no Pillsbury? What would I do then? I think that deep inside, I did not enjoy cooking was because I didn't feel good about what I was cooking. I wanted to learn to really cook but didn't know where to begin.

Enter More with Less, A World Community Cookbook by Doris Janzen Longacre. This cookbook has revolutionized my cooking and grocery shopping in a matter of weeks! What makes this cookbook so unique?

First released in 1976 and again in 2000 as an anniversary edition, this book is a collection of Mennonite recipes from all over the world answering to a call to respond to world food shortages by using the earth's limited resources more responsibly. The premise is that North Americans typically overeat protein (especially meat), sugar and processed foods. It recommends consuming smaller quantities of meat, and that "combinations of grains and dairy products or grains and legumes form complete protein." In the introduction Longacre also discusses our responsibility and the role of faith in responding to world need as well as tips on how to build a simpler diet.

What I love about this cookbook:

1. All the recipes are simple, but from scratch. In other words, it makes cooking from scratch simple!

2. All the recipes are tested, and it shows! The recipes we've tried so far have turned out every time (except for a couple of errors on the part of the cook ;).

3. It proves that simple and inexpensive does not have to equal tasteless or unhealthy. All the recipes I've tried so far have come out very tasty!

4. It is multicultural, yet still simple and almost all of the recipes involve easy to find ingredients and things we typically already have around.

5. Our spending on groceries has gone down significantly, and the shopping list has become much simpler.

6. Many of the recipes call for 1 or 2 cups of meat. We have started freezing our meat in one cup portions. This has really stretched our meat out and helped us have what we need on hand.

7. Since everything is from scratch, I'm learning the basics of cooking and already starting to experiment on my own.

What I don't like about the cookbook:

1. The only thing that I can think of is that some recipes call for sausage or just plain pork, which we do not eat much of. However, in all of those cases that I've seen so far, it can be substituted with ground beef or chicken and in many cases it can be completely omitted.

All in all, if you want to simplify your grocery list, cut down on your grocery spending, eat less processed foods and learn to cook just about anything from scratch, THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!

This cookbook correlates with the inspiration of this new blog as it assists in frugal, healthy, and simple living. I'm giving away one copy a way as a "kick off" for The Cheap and Choosy!

HOW TO WIN IT:

One Mandatory Entry: Simply leave a comment telling me what interests you about this cookbook.

Leave your email in the comment if it is not clearly posted on your blogger profile if you have one. You do not have to be a blogger to enter this giveaway! You just have to have a valid email address!

For Additional Entries:

1. Follow me on Google Friend Connect (right hand sidebar) and leave me a comment letting me know that you did.

2. Follow me on Twitter and leave me a comment to let me know that you did.

3. Tweet about this giveaway, including a link to this post, and leave me a comment letting me know you did. Please include the permalink of your tweet in the comment! (If you're not sure how to get the link, check out My New Life As a Mom's tutorial here.)

***You may tweet about this giveaway as many times as you want for the duration of this giveaway for an extra entry each time. Just leave a comment with the link each time!***

4. Subscribe to The Cheap and Choosy via email (right hand sidebar) and leave me a comment letting me know you did.

4. Email a friend who you think my be interested about this giveaway and CC it to me at cheapnchoosy@gmail.com, and leave a comment letting me know you did. (This will earn 3 entries! Just be sure to leave me separate 3 comments letting me know you did it.)

5. Blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment with the link to your post.
(This will earn 5 entries. Just be sure to leave 5 comments letting me know you did it!)

U.S. and Canada only. This giveaway is open until Monday July, 12 at 11:59pm EDT. The winner will be chosen using a random number generator. I will email the winner, who will have 48 hours to respond. If winner does not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen. I will post the winner when the selection has been made and confirmed by the recipient.

I am conducting this review and giveaway because I have found this book personally enriching and want to share it. The copy I reviewed and the copy for giveaway are purchased by myself personally. No compensation is being received by me or any other person as a result of this review and giveaway.

105 comments:

  1. This cookbook sounds fabulous! I actually have been changing my diet to eat like they did back in Biblical times. I have started doing the Maker's Diet and it has improved my health tremendously! I have been searching for recipes I can make that will fit in with my new diet. I had not heard of this cookbook but it sounds like I something I should check out! Thanks for sharing Amy.

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  2. Sounds Wonderful. I'm getting a new oven in two weeks and would love to try some new recipes out.
    Looking forward to the new tips from Cheap and Choosy.
    Thanks Amy!

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  3. my family is from italy and all of those recipes i do from scratch. but anything 'american' (anything that you eat in america that isnt italian!) is processed. please help!

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  4. I'm a little jealous of your dedication, ingenuity, and time efficiency Cous! But I love you, and now I'm interested in what sounds like a fantastic book!

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  5. That sounds like a fantastic book! Our family is trying to simplify and get back to the basics too. I plan to try your bread recipe this week.

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  6. this sounds like a great cookbook - i'm all about frugality (is that a real word?!?). i like the fact that the recipes call for little or no meat - makes it much cheaper, that's for sure!!

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  7. i just subscribed to email!!

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  8. This book looks great! I've recently started couponing & trying to make as many things from scratch as possible, both to be more frugal & healthy.

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  9. I blogged about your giveaway!

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  10. Your giveaway in on my blog :)

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  11. Excited to post about your giveaway on my blog :)

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  12. #4 about posting your giveaway on my blog ;)

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  13. Yeah for giveaways, its on my blog www.mycookingconfessions.blogspot.com!

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  14. i just emailed TWO friends about your blog and giveaway!!

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  15. I just heard that this book was a great resource for frugal cooking ideas, so I'd love to try it.

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  16. I love cooking from scratch. Looks like a good book! shondaet@gmail.com

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  17. This cook book interests me because I'm always trying to find new ways to cook things on a small budget and make every dollar count! :-)
    openmyeyeslord89@gmail.com

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  18. I now follow you via google friend connect!
    openmyeyeslord89@gmail.com

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  19. I wish this was open to Canada too... I'm very intrigued!

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  20. This just sounds like a great cookbook!

    je2kids(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  21. I've been trying to cut down the processed foods in our house but sometimes it's hard to find simple recipes that follow those guidelines. I'd love to check out this cookbook!

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  22. I posted your giveaway on my sidebar at www.recipesformoms.com - 1

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  23. I posted your giveaway on my sidebar at www.recipesformoms.com - 2

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  24. I posted your giveaway on my sidebar at www.recipesformoms.com - 3

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  25. I posted your giveaway on my sidebar at www.recipesformoms.com - 4

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  26. I posted your giveaway on my sidebar at www.recipesformoms.com - 5

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  27. I would love this book. I had a friend share one recipe from this book, and it is one of my favorite recipes. I would love to see what else it has to offer.

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  28. I love the idea of cooking from scratch easily!

    misusedinnocence@aol.com

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  29. I like the using less meat concept which is something my family tries to do on a regular basis.

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  30. I would love this cookbook! I try to cook everything from scratch and not buy processed food, but am always looking for new (and frugal) ideas!

    lovemygirls7702 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  31. I follow on GFC

    lovemygirls7702 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  32. I follow on twitter @live2laugh_love

    lovemygirls7702 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  33. Tweeted

    http://twitter.com/live2laugh_love/status/17108852058

    lovemygirls7702 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  34. I have the original version of this cookbook! Have you tried the cream of cauliflower soup? Amazing!!
    Following your blog now :)

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  35. I love to cook, and I am always looking for ways to cook great food that is better for us, so this cookbook would be great for me!

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  36. Emailed a friend about your giveaway (1)

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  37. Emailed a friend about your giveaway (2)

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  38. Emailed a friend about your giveaway (3)

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  39. i'm not entering but i wanted to say i love this cookbook too....it's one of my 'basic' favorites!

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  40. I'm now a follower via GoogleConnect :)

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  41. This sounds like my kind of cookbook. My favorite cookbook of all time is an Amish cookbook assembled 30 years ago. Timeless and simple recipes, but very filling!

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  42. Daily tweet!

    http://twitter.com/live2laugh_love/status/17379839154

    lovemygirls7702 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  43. following you on both Google Friend Connect and Networked blogs. :)

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  44. I'm always looking for ways to stretch the budget and am always looking for new foods to eat.

    We like variety but with frugal and healthy kept at the fore front.

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  45. This book looks awesome! I collect cookbooks, but the main reason I want it, is to learn how to prepare more "from scratch" meals..I have been eating healthier and am trying to cut out processed foods..Luckily, I LOVE veggies lol

    Thank you for the chance to win!

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com

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  46. Google friend connect follower as "JoeyfromSC"

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com

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  47. I emailed a friend and "cc'd" you also:

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com

    (1)

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  48. I emailed a friend and "cc'd" you also:

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com

    (2)

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  49. I emailed a friend and "cc'd" you also:

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com

    (3)

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  50. I tweeted about your giveaway:

    http://twitter.com/JoeyfromSC/status/17423504635

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com

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  51. Daily tweet

    http://twitter.com/live2laugh_love/status/17430053288

    lovemygirls7702 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  52. What interests me about this cookbook is that the recipes are simple and from scratch.

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  53. Tweet:
    https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/17438124737

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  54. This sounds up my sister's alley - she's a cloth diaper and all-green mommy, so this would make a great gift for her. Love you, Amos! stephbobb@hotmail.com

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  55. This cookbook interested me because I need to learn to stretch my dollar using less ingredients. I also want more cooking from scratch recipes. Fresh is best!! yay!

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  56. another tweet:

    http://twitter.com/JoeyfromSC/status/17514167725


    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com

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  57. Tweet:
    https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/17520758533

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  58. What interests me? I am always looking for ways to stretch a dollar and simplify my grocery list - the less time I spend grocery shopping the better!
    kady@thebeerguy.ca

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  59. Follow on GFC!
    kady@thebeerguy.ca

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  60. Follow you on Twitter as AMomsWord
    kady@thebeerguy.ca

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  61. Tweeted!
    http://twitter.com/AMomsWord/status/17540379822
    kady@thebeerguy.ca

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  62. email subscribe
    kady@thebeerguy.ca

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  63. Emailed a friend and CC'd you! 1
    kady@thebeerguy.ca

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  64. Emailed a friend and CC'd you! 2
    kady@thebeerguy.ca

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  65. Emailed a friend and CC'd you! 3
    kady@thebeerguy.ca

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  66. I want to win this- you mentioned it on my blog and it sounds terrific.

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  67. Tweet:
    https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/17598798894

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  68. Wow I love the idea and look forward to reading more about it. Thanks.

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  69. I also subscribed to your newsletter "the Cheap and Choosy". :)

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  70. And I am now a follower of your blog. :)

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  71. Tweet:
    https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/17688518882

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  72. Tweet!
    http://twitter.com/AMomsWord/status/17720414074
    kady@thebeerguy.ca

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  73. Tweet:
    https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/17741978857

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  74. I grew up in a mennonite town and really missed the wonderful food when I married and moved away. I would love to try these recpies!!

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  75. Tweet! 7/5

    http://twitter.com/AMomsWord/status/17787497926

    kady@thebeerguy.ca

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  76. Thanks for featuring this book. I had never heard about it and will be requesting it from my public library. It sounds like a book I would really enjoy as I only cook from scratch and detest most processed foods.

    Thanks!

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  77. Daily Tweet:
    https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/17813158766

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  78. Tweet:
    https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/17895147167

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  79. tweet:

    http://twitter.com/JoeyfromSC/status/17907293307


    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com

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  80. I like the fact that it includes recipes from various parts of the world.
    bkittie@hotmail.com

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  81. I am following you.

    wendy glutenfreegreenie(at)gmail(dot)com

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  82. I am following you on twitter.
    I'm 1artsychick there.

    glutenfreegreenie at gmail dot com

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  83. Tweet:
    https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/17976230496

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  84. This cookbook sounds great, I love the idea of eating less meat and saving money on groceries.
    andie.v107(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  85. Tweet:
    https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/18059909386

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  86. Karin (kbackus77@gmail.com)July 9, 2010 at 8:08 AM

    This would be wonderful, we are trying to eat better and I can use all the help I can get!

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  87. tweet

    http://twitter.com/JoeyfromSC/status/18131825705

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com

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  88. Tweet:
    https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/18141356729

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  89. tweet:

    http://twitter.com/JoeyfromSC/status/18200033501

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com

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  90. Tweet:
    https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/18220433387

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  91. Sounds like a great book, I am always looking for new recipes and would love more "make it from scratch" which often times carries the notion that it will take all day.
    Great giveaway
    kdanna1 at yahoo dot com

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  92. tweet:

    http://twitter.com/JoeyfromSC/status/18284388253

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com

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  93. Tweet:
    https://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/18285752383

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  94. I follow you on Twitter @glogirl3

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  95. This book would make me feel good about cooking. And ?Maybe? it would help me cook from scratch a little bit faster?

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