Winter Wonderland and Cookware Preview

I'm excited to announce another partnership with CSN Stores, an online shopping site that features furniture and home decor.  They offer a variety of useful and luxery items, including anything from swing sets to tea sets, fixtures to jewelry.  The winter has been harsh on my kitchen crew, and several vital members pooped out in the chill (ahem, Mr. Blender).  Stay tuned for a cookware product review!  In the meantime, Boston's winter wonderland is slowly thawing.  It's oh so slow.

 One of the many January storms. Trudging to work; no snow day at the hospital!

October 2010

How is your kitchen crew doing?  

What's #1 on your kitchen wish list?

Rach

Giveaway winners!

Unusually warm day last weekend.  Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

Congrats to my recent giveaway winners!  First place prize, the Women's Home Exercise Bible goes to Melinda from Nutrition, Food, Travel, and More.  My second place prize, the updated 2011 edition of Calorie King, goes to Alison.  Thanks everyone for participating.

View of Boston from Cambridge.
If you squint towards the middle-right, you can spy the gold dome of the Boston State House.

See you next time,

Rach

Giveaway! Jumpstart Your Winter Exercise and More...

I have three ways to confirm winter's chilly arrival: my lips begin to chap, I no longer need to referigerate my fruit, and I start wearing a pair of gloves to bed.  Oh, and one more thing.  On these frigid New England mornings, I find it impossible to jubilantly spring out the door for an early jog.  Brrr.  I don't own a gym membership, but fortunately there are other ways to keep my blood pumping and muscles working from within the comforts of home.
No matter what temperature your thermostat registers, check out this giveaway to get your winter exercise groove on!

First Place: Women's Home Workout Bible

The first place prize for my giveaway will be this handy dandy workout book, Women's Home Workout Bible published in 2010.  Glossy pictures demonstrate step by step strength training and resistance training exercise moves utilizing body weight, exercise bands, exercise balls and free weights.  The book also offers tips for equipment purchase and plenty of weekly workout plans.

Second Place: 2011 Edition Calorie King. 

I received several copies of this new 2011 edition at FNCE (my first time attending!), so I want to share one book with the second place winner.   Calorie King-Calorie, Fat, and Carbohydrate Counter is a book that lists nutrient info for various foods, beverages, snacks, and even restaurants.  Small and compact, it easily fits into a purse or desk drawer, perfect for speedy page-flipping for quick reference.
To enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post.   Please share what you do for exercise, or a physical activity that you enjoy!
2. Tweet this post for second entries.  Can use this shortened link: http://bit.ly/9vHqP2 

Open to U.S. residents only.  Deadline to enter is Tuesday November 16th by 12noon EST.  I'll pick two winners through random.org and announce the lucky people next week.

This giveaway is now closed.
Cheers,

Rachel

Giveaway Winner

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway.  I picked a winner through random.org, and am pleased to announce Emily from The Health Nut as the winner!  Congrats Emily.  Please email me for the gift card promo.

Other news.  Vintage fun from Sowa Open Market.  Went with a friend last Sunday.

If you're in Boston's South End, make sure to stroll by!

Remember that insatiable pizza craving I mentioned on Monday?  Yup, it's still here.  My family is visiting Boston, and we went to a new restaurant near Tufts Medical.  Why hello again pizza!

Thank goodness it's Friday!  Today is my last day on the ICU units.  

These past three weeks my motto has been "One breath at a time."  Even still, I'm sad to leave.

Your plans for the weekend?
Goodbye,
Rachel

Weekend Pizza Crumbs. And Giveaway!

Goodmorning!  Let's start this week with a $40 gift certificate giveaway.  Thank you CSN Cookware!  CSN is currently featuring a variety of dinnerware sets, however their website offers a plethora of culinary treats for whatever strikes your fancy.  (My wish lish includes a measuring scale, popsicle molds, and a yogurt maker!)  Keep reading for giveaway details.

Last week I ceded my oven strike to a delicious Sausage Squash Pizza.  Slap down that easy Trader Joe's whole wheat pizza dough, and top with tomato paste, onion, chicken apple sausage, sliced tomato, and fresh CSA summer squash.  Garnish with grated mozarella.

That homemade pizza aroused a craving.  So this weekend I ventured arm in arm with fellow dietetic intern and friend Renee into Boston's South End. We set out for a charming placed called PICCO, Pizza and Ice Cream Company.  Oh yum.  Renee and I were easily romanced by the corn soup and herb ravioli starters, leaving us completely vulnerable for the undeniably delicious carmelized onion and eggplant pizza.

By the time we tasted the Coconut Chip Ice Cream, our defenseless hearts were taken.  

Here's the sad news: this weekend my roommate left for India for a three week visit with family.  I miss her already.  But there's nothing like frozen yogurt for a proper goodbye sendoff.  

Berryline.  Harvard Square, Cambridge 

Kitchen Splurge Giveaway!  

With all the heat and mess they put up with, I think it's time to pamper your kitchen.  How about a $40 gift certificate to CSN Cookware for starters?
To enter, leave a comment on this post.   Please tell me about your weekend crumbs, or share your kitchen's wishlist.
Of course, second entries for tweeting.
Deadline: Thursday August 19th, 12noon EST.  

This giveaway is now closed.

Happy Monday!

Rach

Cookware Winner and Library Love

Looking across the Charles River to Boston.  

The sailboats came out this weekend, so does that mean spring is here?

Giveaway Results
Thanks everyone for your entries!
From your comments, it looks like the yogurt maker won the popularity contest.  In addition, it seems that most of you would rather beat the eggs and bake a cake, than chop the veggies and stir the stew!
I'm also proud to congratulate the cookware giveaway winner, Alison Vaux-Bjerke!
She chose the Baguette Pans and Silicone baking mats.  Alison, please email me at coconutcrumbsblog@gmail.com with your address.  Thank you everyone for participating!

A Weekend Discovery
How was your weekend?  Mine was full of note-writing, computer screen-induced headaches, and pitiful do-it-yourself neck massages; I felt like I was holding my breath.  For class I'm working on a research proposal analyzing adolescent bariatric surgery, and I spent this weekend scouring PubMed for the background literature.  After turning in the first part this morning and then cramming for an afternoon midterm, I'm finally ready to exhale.

But some good came out of all that studying.  I ventured into MIT land!

The MIT Dome.  

Best of all, I discovered the MIT Hayden library!  Last week I went there for the first time to borrow a book, but I didn't linger to explore.  So on Saturday I sauntereed into the science and humanities library.  It didn't take long for me to become enthralled with the wall to ceiling windows and the plump armchairs tucked into sunny corners, just beckoning for a cozy afternoon immersed in a book.  Did I mention the free wireless and the pungent scent of "smartness" that clings to your clothes?  Oh yeah...I love libraries.  Next week I'm going to infiltrate Harvard.  Shh, don't tell.

  Soaking in the late afternoon sun with a crunchy snack.  

I didn't realize how much I missed the sunshine.

Where did you go this weekend?
Sincerely,
Rachel

Take Your Pick: Cookware Giveaway!

Culinary Treats, Just for YOU!
This giveaway is closed.  Thanks!
March is National Nutrition Month^®, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate than with a culinary give-away!  Let's give a round of applause to the sponsor, cookware.com from CNS Stores.  They also own a kids furniture store at allchildrensfurniture.com.  I'm very thankful, so please check out their sites!
As you can see, I had great difficulty trying to narrow down one item for the giveaway.  So I've selected a sample of culinary treats for you to choose from.  Thank you for your comments on the giveaway preview- I tried to feature some of your requests!

Have fun shopping!

Rival 3 Qt. Stainless Steel Fondue Set List Price $52.99*
*The list price and actual price will vary.  But I wanted to promote the higher value of each item!*

Paula Deen Stoneware Sunflower Fluted Mold Pan List Price $39.99

Paula Deen 2 Piece Slotted Wood Spoon Set Price $9.95 

(Comes with the Mold Pan, above!)

Cuisinart Spice and Nut Grinder in Brushed Stainless.  List price $54.95
Ooo-la-la!

Chef's Choice Pronto Diamond Hone® Manual Knife Sharpener List Price $52.99
I need one of these!  Do you?

Tribest Yolife Yogurt Maker.  Originally valued at $50.
I've recently wanted to try making yogurt!  This looks fun.

Paderno World Cuisine Non-Stick 4 Baguette Pan List price $20

Cookware.com didn't have french bread pans, but this is awesome too!

Paderno World Cuisine Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mat List price $23.34 

(Comes with Paderno Baguette Pan listed above!)

Polder Digital Glass Top Kitchen Scale List price $49.95

Perfect for measuring food portions.  Yes please!

Rachael Ray 8" Porcelain Enamel Open Skillet in Yellow Price $19.95

I love this color!

Rachael Ray 4-Piece 3 oz. Dipping Cup Set Price $12.95

(Dipping cups come with the above yellow Skillet!)

Cuisinart Round Classic Wafflemaker in Brushed Stainless.  Valued at $39.95

To enter
1. Please comment and tell me which ONE item you want. (Note-the Paula Deen set, the Paderno World Cuisine set, and the Rachael Ray set come with two items!)  Also, please humor my curiosity by answering this question: Although cooking and baking both produce happy endings, which do you prefer and why?
2. Earn a second entry by mentioning this giveaway on your blog!  Please comment again to let me know if you've included the link in your blog.

This giveaway is open to residents in the Unites States and Canada.
The giveaway will end at midnight (EST) on Sunday, March 7th.  I'll use random.org to choose one winner and announce it on Monday, March 8th.
Enjoy!
Rachel

Cookware Giveaway Preview!

Good morning!  
What a weekend.  The people of Chile are in my prayers, and I'm thankful for the safety of everyone in Hawai'i.
With a fresh week ahead, I'm glad to greet you with some exciting news: I'll be hosting a new giveaway!
CNS Stores contacted me last week about doing a giveaway from one of their online stores.  The first site that I went to features all kinds of kids furniture  (allchildrensfurniture.com).  Too bad I'm not a mommy blogger, because I would love to do a giveaway from their extensive collection of decor, furniture, toys, and games.  However in the honor of nutrition and food, I thought you might enjoy a culinary treat.  So I'm going to select a giveaway item from one of their other sites, cookware.com.  

What's on your culinary wish list?  (I can't promise anything, but it's helpful to get ideas.)
I'll announce the giveaway details either tomorrow or Wednesday.
Also, March is National Nutrition Month!  


Happy Monday, and Happy Nutrition!
Sincerely,
Rachel

Giveaway Winners!

Good morning!
I fell asleep at 8pm last night.  (I was trying to study US health claims policy for food labeling, and clearly it knocked me out.)  When I woke up 4 hours later, it was time to choose two lucky winners on random.org for my book giveaway!
Congratulations to:
Jenn of Jenn Cuisine.  1st place winner for Michael Pollan's newest book Food Rules!
My entry prompt was, "What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book?"  Jenn is currently reading only French workbooks, since she is trying to improve her French skills!

Brooke of Famished to Fantastic.  2nd place winner for More Vegetables, Please! 
Brooke is currently reading Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think.  (By the way, this book is great!)

Thank you to everyone who participated!  This was fun, and I enjoyed hearing what books you are reading.  I have a few additions for good ole' Boston Public Library : )
Have a lovely Tuesday,
Rachel

Giveaway! Michael Pollan's New Book and More...

This giveaway is closed.  Thank you!
Two Fabulous Books for the Taking!

1st Place

Food Rules: An Eater's Manual 

I am delighted to give away Michael Pollan's latest book.  Pollan, (bestselling author of The Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food) starts Food Rules with seven words of wisdom: Eat food.  Not too much.  Mostly plants.  He then embelishes this manifesto with 64 rules for eating wisely.

I like Rule #19, "If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don't."  Since publication the book has sparked controversy, as some people question the simplicity of Pollan's rules.  For example, adhering to Rule #12 (Shop the peripheries of the supermarket and stay out of the middle.) exludes many healthful foods such as whole grain pasta and dried fruit from your shopping cart.  Although I love this book (I am in total awe of Pollan's writing career and nutrition influence), I feel that his numerous "do not's" and "avoids" may overshadow other important food factors such as flavor, taste, and enjoyment.  For other perspectives check out Pollan's article on The Huffington Post or Nutrition Unplugged "Some Rules Are Meant to be Broken."

This book is hot!  Enter to win, and read it for yourself!

2nd place 

More Vegetables, Please!

I have a friend from a dieting website company who recieves lots of free books for promotions.  He passed on this book, and I'm excited to give it to you!

This veggie-friendly cookbook provides delicious answers for those who struggle to incorporate green crunchies into family meals, or for those who simply need some novel veggie-licious recipes.  Seasonal eating tips, kid-friendly variations, and health notes scatter the margins of every page.  Plus a vegetable glossery kindly explains the difference between leafy greens, stems and stalks, and roots and tubers.  Published 2009.  Enjoy!

*Note: I am not being paid by any publisher to market these books.*

To Enter 

1. Please comment on this post by answering one of the following questions: What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book (fiction, nonfiction, cookbook, picturebook)?  Please leave an email contact too.
   
2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet @CoconutCrumbs Food Rules book giveaway.  Please link your tweet back to this post.

Each method will count as a separate entry, doubling your chances to win.   The deadline to enter is midnight (Eastern Standard Time) on Monday, January 25th.  I'll use random.org to pick two winners, and announce them next week Tuesday, January 26th!  Good luck : )
This giveaway is closed.  Thank you!