Eat Like a Dinosaur Book Review (and giveaway!)
Disclaimer: I received a copy of Eat Like a Dinosaur for free in exchange for a review of the book. This in no way influenced my review, which is true and honest.
CONGRATS to Kelly, the winner of the book giveaway!
I was very excited a few weeks ago to be contacted by the Paleo Parents asking if I would be interested in reviewing their new book, Eat Like a Dinosaur: Recipe & Guidebook for Gluten-free Kids. This is a cookbook geared towards gluten-free kids and their families. The recipes in this book are all free of grains, dairy and legumes. But it is so much more than that – it is a guide to helping parents navigate the murky waters of raising children with multiple food allergies, learning how to overhaul the SAD (Standard American Diet) as a family and having a great time preparing and eating good food at the same time!
I don’t often agree to do cookbook reviews because frankly, most cookbooks don’t cater to my dietary needs and the needs of many who read this blog. I don’t mind doing extra leg work to translate standard recipes into gluten-free, allergen-friendly, WAPF eating but I don’t expect that everyone who reads this blog has the time or inclination for that. So it was really fun for me to read through this book and realize that I could eat everything in it – and so can many of you! Not only that, but the recipes are interesting, simple, fresh and delicious looking. Although I do eat dairy, legumes and some grains, it is refreshing to have a cookbook where I don’t have to think; I can just make it, worry free.
So I am obviously not a kid, nor do I have young children living at home with me (yet!) but when it comes to food, there is a kid in all of us! We all enjoy comfort and nostalgic foods, so many of which come from our past and are not allergen or traditional food friendly. I think some of these recipes will hit that childlike sweet spot in all of us: spaghetti with meatballs (using spaghetti squash), shepherd’s pie, sweet potato fries, chocolate chip cookies, milkshakes, puddings and cupcakes as well as recipes for ketchup, barbecue sauce and mayonnaise. There is also something in each section for more mature tastes: lemon dill salmon, curried mussels (not muscles), black olive tapenade and several recipes for making jerky at home (how cool is that?).
For families that have children with allergies beyond grains, gluten and dairy, Eat Like a Dinosaur is super handy, there is a key for the top 8 allergens: fish, shellfish, tree nuts and eggs and although there is no dairy, wheat, peanuts or soy in any of the recipes, their icons have also been included on the side of each recipe just for reassurance! So you can see at a glance the recipes that are perfect for you and your family! There is also a helpful guide to ingredients at the front of the book explaining what various ingredients are and resources for getting them. Honestly, even if your kids don’t have allergies but you are a busy parent looking for healthy foods that your kids will eat, you should really consider this book as well. The farther away we can get from the SAD and start cooking more at home, the better off we will all be! This book takes the guesswork out for you.
Some other great features geared specifically towards the kids are a section in each recipe showing steps that kids can participate in to help create the meal, making mealtimes a true family event. There is also a very cute illustrated story about food allergies and health just for the kids – to help them understand in a fun way why eating like a dinosaur is super healthy!
I really like this book, not only do the recipes look great but you can tell that the Paleo Parents really care, not just about their own family but about yours as well. They know first-hand how difficult a transition from the SAD to a whole foods diet can be and they have made themselves a resource to you every step of the way, from how to talk to your kids about it, to ways to deal with family and friends that just don’t understand your new eating habits or maybe don’t understand how serious defaulting on that diet can be.
I thought about giving away my copy of Eat Like a Dinosaur to one lucky reader, but you can probably understand now why I want to keep it! But I do want to get this book out to more people and support the Paleo Parents and all their hard work in preparing this great resource for all of us. So I am going to give away a copy of this book to one of my readers. Please let me know why you need this book and I will pick a random winner!
How to Enter The Eat Like a Dinosaur Giveaway:
Anyone is welcome to enter, provided doing so does not violate any local laws of your place of residency. US entries only for this one, due to shipping restrictions, and all participants must be over the age of 18.
Please remember that for your entry to count, you must leave a separate comment for every entry you make and make sure to include your email address in the spot provided when you fill out the comment form so I can get in touch with you if you win.
1) DO THIS FIRST (REQUIRED): In the comments, tell me why you need this cookbook.
Optional ways to get more entries:
2) Blog about this giveaway describing why you want to win the book, and link your post to this giveaway. (1 extra entry)
3) Subscribe to The Leftover Queen RSS feed. (1 extra entry)
4) Enter your email address (on right hand sidebar) to Subscribe to Email Updates. (1 extra entry)
5) Subscribe to my newsletter (see box on top right of my blog). (1 extra entry)
6) Tweet and tell your friends to “sign up for @leftoverqueen Daily Emails or RSS feeds”. (1 extra entry)
7) Fan The Leftover Queen on Facebook. (1 extra entry)
8) Follow The Leftover Queen on Twitter and tweet @leftoverqueen and @PaleoParents with a link to the giveaway. (1 extra entry)
If you are already a fan of The Leftover Queen and have done all or some of the above, and wish to enter the contest just write that you already subscribe to the newsletter, facebook page or RSS feed, by email, etc. Make sure to leave a separate comment for every entry.
Why Enter?
1) Because it is free
2) This cookbook is awesome
3) To support bloggers!
The winner will be announced on this post Friday, March 16, 2012. The winner will be drawn at random and contacted on March 16th. The winner has until Monday, March 19, 2012 by 10 AM, EST to respond before another winner is chosen.
Stacy - March 12, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Wow, thank you SO much! We’re so grateful that our hearts being poured into this book is resulting in something people, families and kids are enjoying. What a great idea for a giveaway, can’t wait to see who wins!
JenP - March 12, 2012 at 1:22 pm
I’ve recently had to go gluten and dairy free due to myriad health issues. I think my son has some of the same issues, and I am THRILLED to see Eat Like a Dinosaur come out!!!
Leslie - March 12, 2012 at 1:22 pm
I am trying to transition my 4 year old into a primal/paleo way of eating, and this book would be such a great tool in doing that! I am excited to go through the book with her and make some recipes together!
Leslie - March 12, 2012 at 1:22 pm
I liked you on FB for a bonus entry!
Rosa - March 12, 2012 at 1:25 pm
A great review and interesting book!
Please don’t count me in as I have no kids… Better give it to somebody who’ll have a better use for it. ;-P
Cheers,
Rosa
Jackie - March 12, 2012 at 1:26 pm
What a GREAT way to start spreading good eating habits! I NEED this cookbook – I’ve been gluten-free for 2 years now and need some new, updated, fun, young recipes to add to my regimine!!! Thanks for sharing!
Jackie - March 12, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Subscribed to The Leftover Queen RSS Feed. 🙂
Jackie - March 12, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Subscribed to email updates.
Jackie - March 12, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Tweeted!
Jackie - March 12, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Like you on Facebook
Jackie - March 12, 2012 at 1:35 pm
Following you on Twitter and just tweeted mentioning you and Paleo Parents!!
Sheryl - March 12, 2012 at 1:56 pm
Omg… I been so wanting this book! My son has been diagnosed (all within a 9 month span) ODD, PDD-NOS, and ADHD (I believe he may be dyslexic too). I have been doing a lot of research on diets and am in transition of going gluten-free (among others). This book would be such a great help!!! Just learned my pasture in expecting and she is GF, what a fantastic hand me down this will make in a couple years.
Michelle P - March 12, 2012 at 2:12 pm
I would love to win this book. I recently gave birth to a miracle son after 12 years of trying, and I want to bring him up eating healthy the right way, and this book would really help.
Debra - March 12, 2012 at 2:17 pm
I would love to win a copy of this cookbook. We have recently switched our whole family to this healthy way of eating, and although my two little boys have been doing really well with it, there are still the harder times when their friends get to eat things they cannot. My older son also asks me often if he can help in the kitchen, and I would especially love to have him helping me cook through this cookbook! Creating lots of happy memories cooking together AND eating healthy? That sounds like a win-win to me!
Cara - March 12, 2012 at 3:05 pm
What a nice review! I’d love to have a copy of this book because every day I contemplate whether I should be going gluten & dairy free. I haven’t taken the plunge from “dairy and gluten in moderation” to “total avoidance” yet, but if I do, I’m sure this book will help.
Kelly - March 12, 2012 at 3:23 pm
My family of 6, started Paleo 8 weeks ago today. We are learning alot and we are loving how great it is! My children are 15, 12, 6, and 2 (her bday is today!) and we would love to win this book to help us on our journey of learning to eat healthy the Paleo way!
PS. Even if we don’t win, I will def be checking this book out and adding it to our NOOK for future reference. THANKS!
Kelly - March 12, 2012 at 3:23 pm
“LIKED” you on my FB profile, and my FB page! =)
Kelly - March 12, 2012 at 3:24 pm
subscribed to your emails =)
Kelly - March 12, 2012 at 3:24 pm
subscribed to RSS newsfeed on Yahoo! =)
Kelly - March 12, 2012 at 3:36 pm
totally off subject here, but why is my pic not showing up? TIA!
City Share - March 12, 2012 at 4:24 pm
How fun that you got a copy of the book. I have seen it in their sidebar. I love the title. They have a whole line of t-shirts too that are really cute.
Willow - March 12, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Your review couldn’t have come at a better time. I have been struggling with my family’s diet for years — vegetarian, then soy-free, then dairy-free, then completely organic & GMO-free (though no longer vegetarian). Still with all this effort, our son is exhibiting a lot of the signs of early Autism. He’s only 2, but we knew there was a risk for him, genetically. The only thing I haven’t tried yet is a gluten-free diet, and by now we’ve given up so much that I’m struggling to see how to make it work. Regardless of the drawing, I will definitely try to get my hands on a copy of this book ASAP. Thank you so much.
P.S. I’ve been a subscriber to your RSS feed for a good while now. I also enjoy your homesteading blog. 🙂
Donna Kindberg-Perron - March 12, 2012 at 5:03 pm
This book sounds fantastic. So healthy and informative and I love the Cover.
Please pick me
Jennie - March 12, 2012 at 7:37 pm
I am a mom of a family of four and we all live a pale lifestyle. I have a 3 year old who loves to cook and I know would love this book. I’m hoping that in the future, my 9 month old will love it too!
Jennie - March 12, 2012 at 7:39 pm
Liked you on Facebook!
cat @ neohomesteading.com - March 12, 2012 at 7:48 pm
(I’m not entering, – seeing that I’m lucky to have a copy.)
My boys really do love this book. Anytime cookies were a huge hit, they love looking at the colorful pages and seeing other kids. I love that I don’t have to say “no we aren’t making that.”
Francesca De Grandis - March 12, 2012 at 8:10 pm
Me, me, I want it! Wow, I am allergic to everything, so I never want a cookbook bc I always have to adapt them so much. This would be a nice change. Um, why else do i want it? Well, I wld be dead if I had not changed my diet in 1980, and had not continued to refine it. But wait, hm, i do not use honey, rice syrup, maple syrup, or the like so if the cookbook uses natural sweeteners other than dried fruit or fruit juice concentrate, don’t throw my name in the hat. Thank you for offering this. Oh, if the fact that we are friend disqualifies me, I am okay with that, i don’t want anyone thinking you rigged the draw. Love, moi
Daisymae - March 12, 2012 at 8:37 pm
I would so love this book!! It sounds amazing. I have to follow a gluten free diet and need some resources. It would also be nice to shed some light and allow my friends to see and understand what this entails. They just think its weird to be gluten free and not eat the SAD diet.
Shawna - March 12, 2012 at 9:24 pm
I NEED this cookbook because our household has recently gone paleo, andour 4 yr old has a nut alergy. It’s extremely difficult to make dishes without almond meal or coconut. I am running out of ideas and I’m sure ELaD is the perfect solution for our sensative toddler. Thank you for giving away a free copy!
Shawna - March 12, 2012 at 9:27 pm
Just ‘Liked’ The Leftover Queen on FB!
Shawna - March 12, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Just subscribed to the newsletter. Yipee! All of these are actually a win-win for me!
Selvi - March 12, 2012 at 11:25 pm
Would love to explore this my 5 yr old! Thanks.
Arlene (Mom) - March 13, 2012 at 11:27 am
What a positive review. Sounds very HEALTHY. Maybe one of these days you will be inspired you write your own cookbook….
Carolsue - March 13, 2012 at 10:20 pm
I need this book because I want to steer my kids towards healthier eating and avoid some of the allergy complications they always seem to be coming up with. I believe this may help me.
Carolsue - March 13, 2012 at 10:21 pm
I subscribe to your newsletter via e-mail.
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Carolsue - March 13, 2012 at 10:21 pm
I subscribe to your newsletter via Google Reader
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Carolsue - March 13, 2012 at 10:22 pm
I subscribe to your newsletter
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Carolsue - March 13, 2012 at 10:23 pm
From above, I subscribe by e-mail to your newsletter AND e-mail updates (to clarify)
I also like you on Facebook (Carolsue Anderson)
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Darla - March 14, 2012 at 1:25 am
Almost a year ago, we took my daughter off of gluten. Since then, I have been playing detective full time, trying to figure out what is left that she CAN eat. This book looks like it will be a life saver. I can not wait to get my hands on it! Thank you for this blog and the chance to win!
Darla - March 14, 2012 at 1:41 am
I like you on Facebook! 😀
Soli - March 14, 2012 at 10:29 am
I always need new cookbooks and more ideas for food prep. Maybe this will have some more ideas of batch cooking I can do for lunches. Also, BIG fan of mussels!
Soli - March 14, 2012 at 10:31 am
Signed up for the newsletter
Soli - March 14, 2012 at 10:32 am
Already signed up for RSS
Erica - March 14, 2012 at 5:11 pm
It sounds like a great book!I would love to own it….I have two kids and it is great to have a book like that one!
Nuria - March 16, 2012 at 4:05 am
It looks like a great, fantastic book! There’s so many kids with this kind of allergy now, here in Spain too! A great job, Jenn!
Darla - March 18, 2012 at 12:12 am
The suspense is killing me. I can’t wait to find out who won!