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The Gluten-Free Diner Cookbook Review and Giveaway

Disclaimer: You can click on the above image to learn more about The Gluten-Free Diner (downloadable) Cookbook. The image link is also an affiliate link and Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom will earn a small commission if a reader orders the cookbook from the above link or on the image in the lower left sidebar of this blog (50% of ALL net revenue earned from this blog will be donated to various Gluten Sensitivity causes).

That being said, this is a great cookbook and I want to share it with everyone, especially all the guys out there that might be wondering if the comfort foods of days gone by have disappeared forever, as their wives are feeding them more beets, Brussels sprouts, dark leafy greens and quinoa salads.  Yes, I am referring to my husband and sons. 😀

While they have been troopers with my food enlightening, there are times when I can see the longing in their eyes for some deep-fried goodness, like chicken wings and onion rings.  I am sure you can imagine their excitement when Diane from The W.H.O.L.E. Gang offered me a complimentary copy of The Gluten-Free Diner Cookbook to review on my blog (she is also graciously offering a second copy to one of my awesome readers!).

As I was browsing through the recipes to see just how bad this was going to mess up my veggie parade, I was enthusiastically pleased to see that as far as comfort foods go, the recipes in this cookbook are actually pretty healthy.  Diane doesn’t simply offer gluten-free, dairy-free versions of classic recipes (which often call for unhealthy ingredients), she demonstrates how you can cook better and still enjoy many old favorites, without the all the negative consequences.  The recipes are high in flavor, not fat and added sodium.

There are 48 Diner-inspired recipes in The Gluten-Free Diner Cookbook (click the link to see all the recipe titles that are in the cookbook).  I have only had the chance to make a few thus far, and I can’t wait to try more.  I surprised my guys one evening with Eggs and Potatoes on the Fence (that would be a bacon fence, LOL!) for dinner, all Mike could say was “Thank you Diane!”

**Quick ADD Tangent:  Over the past six months, I have been aggressively reducing our sodium intake.  Too much sodium in your diet can have devastating health consequences.  If you are interested in learning more, there is a great Mayo Clinic article, “How To Tame Your Salt Habit Now,” that is definitely worth reading.

As a parent (not a health professional), I cannot encourage other parents enough not to start a craving for salt with your children.  I have witnessed several of my friends add salt to baby foods, and I am personally guilty of allowing Sam to add salt to his carrot sticks at one point in time (because he saw me do it).  After I realized that I was setting him up for a lifetime of salt cravings that is hard to break and potential health consequences down the road, I began to make serious changes (I had the devil of a time kicking Sam’s salt habit, and he is only 6!).  Children come into the world with a relatively blank pallet and their taste preferences are influenced by what we feed them and what they see us eat.

One of the many ways I have cut back on sodium is by switching to a low-sodium bacon.  If you like bacon, I definitely recommend trying a low-sodium version, I buy Hormel’s Black Label Low-Sodium Bacon (it’s gluten-free) and we love it.  Each pan fried serving of low-sodium bacon has 230mg of sodium (vs. 330mg found in the regular Hormel Black Label Bacon), but moderation is still key!

In the end, it’s all about b.a.l.a.n.c.e. 😉

My personal favorite breakfast recipe in The Gluten-Free Diner Cookbook is the 3 Grain Hot Cereal.  Super easy to make in the crock-pot before you go to bed at night and when you wake up; a hearty, nutritious hot cereal is waiting for you!  Diane also gives a great tip for storing pre-portioned leftovers of this cereal long term so you can have a healthy breakfast in a jiffy.  This is a breakfast that I plan on serving often before school, high in fiber and protein to sustain growing boys and help them concentrate in class!  Sam and Luke both loved it (sans the bananas and walnuts, but I am working on that one!).  Waking up to the aroma of cinnamon and vanilla throughout your home is a great way to begin the day!

My favorite topping for the 3-Grain Hot Cereal is fresh bananas, chopped walnuts and sugar-free maple syrup.

Yesterday, I made the boys the Roasted Tomato and Basil Soup for lunch and it was another hit (the really cool thing is that it filled them up so much, they didn’t immediately start begging for dessert)!  This will be easy to send in a thermos to school for a healthy hot lunch.

I made a little tweak and I added some So Delicious Coconut Milk to make it creamier, which is the way my boys like tomato soup.

Because I still eat a little dairy (addicted to real cheese and Greek yogurt!), I made some Parmesan Basil Cheese Crisps to top my soup (then I went and hid in a closet to eat it)!  I feel a bit guilty that I am not completely dairy-free yet, especially since Luke is involuntarily gluten-free because of me…  I’m making progress though. 😉

Before listing the details for The Gluten-Free Diner Cookbook Giveaway, I want to wish my dear friend Shirley of Gluten Free Easily a wonderful Happy Birthday!!  Shirley, I made some gluten-free, dairy-free cream puffs in honor of you! 😀  Recipe and product review coming soon (not in The Gluten-Free Diner Cookbook).

**This giveaway is now closed.

Would you like a chance to win a FREE copy of The Gluten-Free Diner Cookbook?

There will be 9 different opportunities to enter this giveaway, simply do any or all of the following, then leave a comment to this post for each completed task you do (basically, you can earn one entry or nine, it’s up to you!) 😀

  • Share this Giveaway on Facebook and include a link pack to this post.
  • Tweet about this Giveaway on Twitter and include a link to this post.
  • Mention this Giveaway in a Blog Post and include a link back to this post.

Phew…

I will use a Random Number Generator to pick the winner on Thursday, July 15th, 2010, Good Luck! 😀

Comments

  1. I already

    * “Like” The W.H.O.L.E. Gang on Facebook.

  2. I am

    * “Follow” The W.H.O.L.E. Gang on Twitter.

  3. I

    * “Like” Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom on Facebook.

  4. I “Follow” Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom on Twitter.
    http://twitter.com/gracefullygf

  5. Sounds like a great cookbook, thanks for offering!

  6. I have

    Tweet about this Giveaway on Twitter and include a link to this post.
    http://twitter.com/gracefullygf

  7. OK. Here's what I've done so far. Signed up for their newsletter. I will also join you on FB but it's not working on my phone.

    And excellent point about salt. My kids are starting to ask for it.

  8. Courtney says

    Those creampuffs look amazing, Heidi! And the breakfast idea is so cute. I just began following you on Twitter. =) The cookbook looks awesome.

  9. I "Liked" the W.H.O.L.E. gang on Facebook!

  10. I suscribed to The W.H.O.L.E. Gang newsletter!

  11. I "Liked" Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom on Facebook!

  12. I shared this giveaway on Facebook and included a link back to this post!

  13. Susan Towner says

    I "LIKED" adventures of a gluten free mom on facebook. I really enjoy your blogs…

  14. Susan Towner says

    I "like" The W.H.O.L.E. gang on facebook…

  15. Susan Towner says

    I have signed up for the newsletters from the W.H.O.L.E. Gang. I am really excited about that.

  16. I was being blown away by all the other good stuff in this post, both from you and from Diane's recipes and tips, and then WHAM you surprised me with these fabulous birthday wishes–wow! Thanks so much, Heidi! We have the mutual fan club thing going on 😉 and I so appreciate your lovely birthday wishes! When can I expect the cream puffs to arrive? Should I stay home from work today just in case the delivery arrives and the puffs need to be refrigerated or eaten immediately? 🙂 Hehe. They looks great!

    Best of luck to all in your giveaway! Diane's Diner Cookbook is fabulous! Loved your hubby's response to her bacon, egg, and hash brown dish!

    xoxo,

    Shirley

  17. Sounds like a great cookbook. Would love to win a copy.

  18. I like the WHOLE Gang on Facebook.

  19. I am now following the WHOLE Gang on Twitter.

  20. I already subscribe to the WHOLE Gang newsletter.

  21. I“Like” The W.H.O.L.E. Gang on Facebook.

  22. I

    * “Like” Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom on Facebook.

  23. I like the Adventures of a Gluten-Free Mom on Face book.

    I am also excited to try the hot cereal, because I have not found a goo hot cereal.

  24. I will repost this on facebook

  25. I liked the W.H.O.L.E. Gang on Facebook.

  26. I posted a link on facebook about the contest!

  27. I am following the W.H.O.L.E Gang on twitter.

  28. Barb Berg says

    I posted a link on facebook, hit like for the W.H.O.L.E. gang and for Adventures of the Gluten Free Mom

  29. I put up a link on twitter about the giveaway!

  30. I have signed up for the W.H.O.L.E Gang Newsletter!

  31. I Like The W.H.O.L.E. Gang on Facebook!

  32. What a great review Heidi. I find this sort of thing really hard to do! You've done a great job – and taken some great pics. I've been wondering about the cookbook. Would it be good for a mostly vegetarian, egg-free and dairy-free family?

    • Maggie,

      All the recipes in the cookbook are dairy-free, in addition to being gluten-free. For people who do eat dairy, you can easily sub it in.

      Are you a chicken and fish vegetarian family? If so, there are quite a few chicken recipes and a shrimp recipe. All the burger recipes can easily be made with ground turkey/chicken. Diane has some neat burger recipes where the seasoning blends could be used in a veggie burger. Three of the burger recipes call for just one egg, so that would be easy to replace with a flax egg.

      For the pasta recipes you could easily sub in mushrooms for the meat or omit altogether.

      All the desserts are egg-free!

      So yes, I would say a vegetarian could get a lot of use out of The Gluten-Free DIner cookbook! The other nice thing about this cookbook is that Diane gives very detailed notes and even indicates other allergens in some of the products listed in the recipe, like soy and offers non-soy substitute suggestions.

      • Wow! Thanks for the detailed reply Heidi. I don't eat fish or chicken but Pete and the kids sometimes do. Sounds like a great resource.

  33. Liked W.H.O.L.E. Gang on Facebook!

  34. I subscribed to the W.H.O.L.E. Gang Newsletter!

  35. I already like adventures of gf mom, I love your blogs!!

  36. Would luv to win a copy of this cookbook for my gluten-free 10 year old!!!

  37. liked the whole gang on facebook

  38. liked adventures of a gluten free mom on facebook

  39. subscribed to the whole gang newsletter

Trackbacks

  1. […] Continue reading here: The Gluten-Free Diner Cookbook Review and Giveaway | Adventures of … […]

  2. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Heidi Kelly. Heidi Kelly said: The Gluten-Free Diner Cookbook Review and Giveaway http://bit.ly/cPK3V4 #GF #glutenfree #gfcf #celiac #dairyfree #foodallergy […]

  3. […] Thanks to everyone for participating in this great giveaway! […]

  4. […] Her giveaway is now closed, but you can see her review and versions of Diane’s recipes here. Stay tuned to gfe for more love for Diane’s Diner […]

  5. […] Diane’s recipes that Heidi (Adventures of a Gluten-Free Mom) made and sampled over at her site. Check out her review and giveaway here. Amy’s (Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free) giveaway of Diane’s e-book is also over, but you can […]