In the Kitchen- Real Food Basics eBook (Interview and Giveaway)

In the Kitchen- Real Food Basics eBook (Interview and Giveaway)

ByKeeper of the Home

whisking eggs in pyrex

Are you still new to real food or making slow but sure changes? Would you love to have a simple, affordable resource that will give you more info, more resources and more recipes and kitchen how-to’s?

Many of you have already met Kate as one of the fantastic contributing writers here at Keeper of the Home, or perhaps you’ve visited her blog, Modern Alternative Mama.

modern alternative mama in the kitchen ebook

Passionate about sharing the things she has been learning, and that have changed her family’s health dramatically, she has written a stellar handbook called In the Kitchen- Real Food Basics for those in the early stages of their “real food” journey. When I reviewed this book, I knew that it would do well because it is so readable, full of helpful and inspiring information, and offers easy cooking ideas with recipes that are both frugal and family-friendly.

Even better, the cost is a mere $6.95. It doesn’t get much more affordable than that! I know that for many of you, you’ve been drawn to the eCourses on real food and longed to take one, but you’re in a very tight place financially. This eBook might be the right option for you!

Keeper of the Home readers can pick up their own copy with the coupon code “KOTH25” for an extra 25% off!

To help you get to know Kate, her own real food journey, and her new eBook just a little bit better, I’ve asked her a few questions:

1) How did you first become aware of real food and what did that mean to you at the time?

“Real food” actually slowly dawned on me. We always tried to eat well, and a lot of “fake” foods just never made sense to me. I couldn’t wrap my head around how some artificial sweetener could be better than sugar, or why I would want to eat margarine instead of butter. I went back and forth.

I tried to eat lots of greens, things without added sugar, real meat (instead of processed lunchmeats), plain milk, etc. Basically things that looked like food. But I was still fooled by fortified foods, low-fat foods, etc.

2) What does real food mean to you now?

It was after we realized my daughter had so many allergies and issues with foods and additives that we started to find “real food,” though, as defined by the “real food movement.” We ultimately found out she could tolerate food that had been raised and prepared traditionally, which was a huge relief!

So to us it means grown naturally (without pesticides), animals raised on pasture, food that’s processed as little as possible (raw milk), and which has been traditionally prepared (sprouting, soaking, fermenting).

3) What prompted you to write this book and who did you write it for?

I have a lot of friends, and a lot of readers, who come to me and say, “I’m new to this whole real food thing and it’s confusing. I need beginners’ tips. Also, I have family members who are wary of all these changes.” This book was written for them.

It’s meant to be a beginner’s guide. It explains why you should make changes to your diet in the simplest possible way (there’s a lot of food science there but most aren’t interested in reading through so much of it, at least not at first), how to do it, and it contains lots of familiar recipes.

I know that a lot of people who are starting to make the switch feel deprived of their favorite foods, which makes them less likely to stick with the changes. This book has recipes for pizza, ice cream, French fries, cookies, meatballs, and tons of other familiar family favorites! They don’t contain weird, hard to find ingredients, either.

The book is only 66 pages long, so it’s not a time-consuming read. It’s not expensive, either. I wanted something that people could feel good about trying without spending a ton of time or money on. Why not try it?

homemade pizza

Image by thebittenword

4) What is your favorite recipe in the book?

Gosh…to pick just one! Probably the chicken marinade, because it’s so versatile. I’ve used it for a number of different recipes (several options are mentioned in the book). It’s simple to prepare, involves ingredients I always have around, and delicious. I do love many of the recipes in the book, though!

5) What one thing do you wish you could tell the world about real food?

Real food doesn’t have to be weird, or hard, or “specific.” What’s on each family’s dinner table can look entirely different and entirely “normal,” and yet still be so nourishing and delicious. You don’t have to be deprived, you don’t have to eat unusual things like oysters and liver (though both are very good!) in order to be healthy. You can still have all your favorites, with small modifications. It can be simple, recognizable, delicious, and healthy!

Would you like to win a copy of In the Kitchen- Real Food Basics eBook?

I have 3 copies to give away! Here’s how to get entered to win (remember to leave a separate comment for each entry):

1) Leave a comment and tell me why you would like to win this book!

2) Subscribe to Kate’s blog Modern Alternative Mama, as well as to Keeper of the Home, either by RSS or by email (or let me know if you already do).

3) Share about this giveaway on your blog, or through your favorite social media (you can find Keeper of the Home on Facebook and Twitter). One extra entry per social media share.

Giveaway ends Monday, November 1st, 2010. Giveaway has now ended.

Top image by Bill HR

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243 Comments

  2. I would love to read this book! I am really excited to see the recipes and get started on feeding my family healthier foods!

  4. I love reading more and more about ‘real food’. Although we have been taking baby steps the last 2-3 years (and have made them “stay” in our home successfully!), we still don’t do some things that I just need to learn more about/try faithfully. And of course I’m always looking for “healthy ice cream” 😉

    Sarah M

  6. I’m very new to real food and about to have our first child. I’m due on Sunday 🙂 Nutrition and real food are increasingly important to me as I approach becoming a mother for the first time. I want to do everything in my power to help my children grow up strong and good, and at a bit of a loss of where to start. I would love to have this book as a stepping off point on our family’s real food journey.

  7. After reading a few books, making changes to our diet, and feeling pretty confident that we were “real food” eaters, I have realized that I am still a beginner when it comes to making real food and cooking from scratch. I’d love to have some more tips and recipes to help me progress.

  9. I am new to the real food thing and although we are trying it is very overwhelming. I would love to have stepping stones on where to start.

  11. Hey, I love your blog and would love to win the ebook, I just subscribed to Modern alternative Mama. We have been on the Real food journey for about 5 months now and I would love to get this great info for my family and to share with some of my friends who have also started out on this journey!! 🙂

  13. I just recently became aware of real food and this book would be such a help in learning more!!!

  15. I’d love to win this book because I am an newbie and am trying to get my family on board. I think this book would be a great help!

  16. I would love to win because I’m still pretty new to the “real foods” journey, and would love some recipes and guidance – especially info to help my husband come on board. 🙂

  17. I’m interested in trying new recipes that use real foods. I love to cook and trying new recipes has been my “hobby” lately. I also would like to find out how to incorporate more real food into our diet.

  18. I would love to win a copy of this book because we just began our whole food journey this year and I’m still learning the basics and also trying to juggle a busy household of 6 while providing nourishing foods for my family.

  19. I would like to win because I am new to the real foods idea, but I am very interested in finding ways to help my family improve our nutrition and I need recipes that are tasty and frugal.

  20. This looks like a great book. While we have been eating “real” food for awhile, I would love some new recipes, and then be able to pass the book along to my sister who is in the midst of trying to get her kitchen conquered. She is lost in the kitchen and it shows in her boys. I am trying to help her out but we are very far away from each other, so it’s hard.

  21. I am a subscriber to Keeper of the home, but I also subscribe to Modern Alternative Mama now.

  22. I am pretty new to the idea of eating real foods, so I do not know very much at all. It would be great to have a good resource to get our family started!

  24. I grew up a latch-key kid, so I was never taught how to eat regular healthy meals. I struggle with making breakfast especially because for me it was usually pop-tarts or doughnuts on the way to school, chips and pop for lunch and most dinner’s were take out. I’m doing great with lunches and dinners and this year we had an amazing garden so I was able to have lot’s of fresh, completely organic veg for cooking. I need menus planned or i fall back into old habbits. Thank you for this offer!

  26. I am on the journey of learning about ‘real foods’. I am especially interested in sprouting grains. This book looks like it’s very worthwhile to read.

  27. I like the science of food and have become more aware of real foods as my allergies to preservatives, additives and especially msg increased my need for more natural non-processed food items. This book would be a great addition to my food library. Thanks for the give-away!

  28. I am gradually getting into cooking real, healthy food for my family and would love to have this as a resource!

  31. My wife is (finally!) learning how to cook good meals for our family, and I would love to win this book for her.

  32. This book sounds so perfect for my husband to read and get caught up with my “vision” for our family’s food intake.

  34. I would love to see the recipes and how she does things. I need to get back to my learning but more important my “implementing” these changes.

  35. I would love to have this book as I try to make intentional choices about the food we eat. I need fresh and practical ideas!

  37. This year my family has started a “journey” of back to the basics. We are saving money and regaining our health by eating “real foods”. I’m sure this book would be very helpful to us.

  38. I would love to win a copy of this ebook! My then 4 year old daughter had open heart surgery in January, and she is doing great! But it will always be more important for her than for the rest of us to eat a heart healthy diet. We don’t think this means “better living by science”, so we are slowly moving towards a whole/real foods diet. It is not easy when you have to go slowly so your children keep eating, but you know it is so important for the health of your children!

  39. I would love to have one of these to give my mom…she’s trying to get on board with eating healthy (after growing up on cheese puffs, canned spinach and Kraft mac n’ cheese), but sometimes sees it as “too hard” and kinda kooky. She’s got maybe three recipes from me that are “real food” recipes but won’t take the time to find anything else…oy.

  40. This book would be awesome! We’ve just started on the journey of eating “real food.” I’ve spent my whole life so focused on lowfat/low calorie eating….it’s been difficult and interesting to make the switch to eating butter instead of brummel and brown or real sugar instead of sweet n’ low. Our goal is to teach our children to eat right while they are young so they don’t have the same struggles that my husband and I have had.

  41. I would really love to have the book to guide me in providing healthier food for me and my family.

  42. I’d love to win this book because I started the real food journey in July after some watching/reading some revolutionary movies/books. I’m figuring out how it works on my own, so I’d appreciate some ‘tried-and true’ advice!

  43. Oh me! I’d LOVE to win this since I’m planning on buying it anyway. I can always use good info and recipes as we undertake our healthy eating journey. 🙂

  44. I also subscribed to Modern Mama in my Rss reader. I already subscribe to Keeper of the Home.

  45. My whole family is new to the real food movement. It has been a little difficult getting my husband on board with some things. This book would be great for both of us to get on the same page…pun intended! Thanks!

  46. I am new to whole foods, up until 3 months we were eating dinners from a box. No more, so I would love to have some new recipes to try that my family will like.

  47. I would love to win this book because I am new in the journey of being a “real foodie.” I would love ideas on how to cook and shop for foods that I feel confident in feeding my family.

  51. I’ve been wanting to make ‘real’ food changes but have been overwhelmed and this sounds like the thing I need to help me get started!

  52. I subscribe to Keeper of the Home (via email) and Modern Alternative Mama (via RSS).

  55. I would love to win this book! We eat rather “healthily” with minimum processed foods, lots of veggies, fruits, and beans, but I know I have much to learn. Other books have just been too much to get into for this Mom!

  56. I could use some fresh recipes for real food to try instead of my trial and error on working with a traditional cook book.
    Thx

  57. I always want to cook real food but don’t take the time to start, we have made small changes and are ready to take some more steps!

  59. I would love to win this book…mostly for my husband…who I am having a hard time converting to the whole real food mentality. Since he is tall and skinny and has always been able to eat junk…he doesn’t seem to understand.

  60. I love learning more and more about real food & how to be informed about the choices I have in feeding my family. Easy, delicious, and healthy choices are the best as we have three little ones with another on the way!

    Thanks for this giveaway!!

  61. I am trying my best to go “real foods”. I tend to get sucked in to things as I walk by the bakery near my workplace (evil!), but otherwise, I try to be as unprocessed as possible at home. I would just love a few new recipes to try!

  62. I would love a copy of this book because I am always looking for nutritious recipes to cook for me and my husband.

  64. We’ve changed some things about how we eat, but are stuck in a rut now. I would love to read this book to help me move on out of the rut towards even more healthier eathing.

  65. I would love to learn more about the first steps of eating real food – especially with hesitant family members!
    Thanks for a chance to win!

  66. I’ve been trying to serve my family “real food” meals this year and I’m still learning a lot about how to make that happen. This would be really helpful in my journey!

  67. i’m still in college, so for my age i think i am a very good cook, but there’s always more to learn!

  69. I have been struggling since 2005 with strange body ailments, fatigue, and body pain and have recently discovered in the last six months that most of the problems are being caused by food-related allergies. I now have a husband and three kids under the age of 4, and it appears my daughters are sharing my sensitivities to milk, wheat, and dairy – but it’s so hard to figure out what to make to eat that’s affordable, nutritious, and delicious. When I found your website recently, I was so relieved I cried, and thanked God for getting me to your website.

  70. I’m am excited to be discovering so much on real food, as well as so many kindred spirits through blogs. It makes me feel much less oddball surrounded by SAD eaters. I’m always on the lookout for good recipes that aren’t strange, and feel so content when I offer my family healthy food.

  72. I’d like to solidify some of the changes our family has made in the real food department and, hopefully, add some new recipes and flavors into our meals.

  74. I would love to learn how to make “real food” so that it doesn’t feel overwhelming and too much in this world of motherhood busy.

  76. I would love to win this!!! Over the past few months I have been trying to incorporate more “real foods” into my family’s diet, and I would love this as a resource! Thanks for the giveaway!!

  77. I’d like to win this book b/c I am always looking for recipes that better the health of the family. Right now, for my new recipes, I have learned to make yogurt, cheese, whey, and home baked goods. 🙂

  79. I would LOVE to win this book. I just had a baby and am getting back in the swing of cooking again!

  81. In all the research I have done to try and figure out the best foods to incorporate into a healthier meal plan for my family I seem to either get more confused or more overwhelmed! I am a young mom trying to make the change from boxed/canned/processed foods to more natural whole food choices- this book would be a BIG help to me 🙂

  82. I would love to win a copy of this book. I have been overweight most of my life. For several years we have really improved our eating and physical activity. We LOVE to eat raw foods. I am just really looking for more ideas on how to incorporate these even more into our daily life. Thanks!!

  85. I wrote about you on facebook (both of my pages) I have a personal fb page and a Natural Momma 4 U facebook page. Thanks!!

  86. I have been wanting to move towards a real foods diet, but find it overwhelming when I try to get started. This book sounds like a good start and I like that it’s a beginners guide – almost like a good first ‘push’ to get me started/motivated.

  88. This blog is one of my newest hang outs! I have been incorporating many things I have learned here and I hope to contribute at some point!

  89. oh I forgot to mention why I’d like to WIN :)…. we are maxed out in many areas of our lives right now and I could use a little help/ease in keeping the food REAL. what better way than with a well written (I love her casual style) book to reffer to with nuggets of goodness all in one place!

  96. I want to simplify my meal plans for the family. I am now back in nursing school(!) and still have kiddos who demand good tasting foods, while I demand healthy.

  98. I would love to win this ebook. I’ve just started learning about the “real food” movement and could use some recipes that would help my family adjust to these
    changes.

  99. I’m already receiving your email and subscribed to the Modern Alternative Mama email today.

  100. I would love to have this book as a way to share info with friend and family. I am on a good course with real food, but I find it difficult to articulate why I cook the way I do to others.

  102. I’m just beginning to start thinking and living green/whole/organic. This would be so great for a reference!

  104. I’m flirting with “real” foods and I would LOVE to make a commitment. (And this blog always points me in the right direction.)

  107. I’d love to get my hands on this book so I could try the recipes–my biggest struggle in transitioning to a healthier diet has been finding ways to incorporate or swap better ingredients in the recipes we already like.

  109. I’m struggling with infertility and PCOS right now. I know I need to eat more real foods to conceive successfully. This sounds like something to put me in the right direction!

  112. I would LOVE to win this book! My husband (he has RA)and I(have Lupus) both have health issues. And I just feel like I could be doing more or maybe eating better anyway than we are right now.
    I already subscribe to this blog. Which I love and plan on skipping over to Modern Alternative Mama and subscribing to that one as well. Keep up the great work that you do.
    Blessings, Sonya

  113. I would like this book because I am just starting my journey in the real world and need all the help I can get.

  119. I’m trying to incorporate more real foods into our menu plans, and am always looking for new, great resources! Thanks.

  120. I subscribe to Keeper of the Home and Modern Alternative Mama via e-mail and would love to win this book! Thanks.

  121. I would love to win a copy – I need help! I’m so overwhelmed with my options and things to learn.

  126. I’d like to win the book to keep learning more of how to work “real food” cooking into our diet.

  127. that sounds incredibly helpful, especially as we just added our 4th baby (4 kids 5 and under) I don’t always have time to research (or think at all really! 😉 ) way to eat healthier and achieve that within our budget. thanks

  132. With a baby on the way, I am really trying to adjust our diet to one with healthier, more “real” foods.

  135. This book looks like a great resource for making some favourite foods more healthy(things that I thought would be out of the question when switching to real food)!

  137. Since I’m pretty new to this real food thing – I would love some common sense basics!

  141. I’d love to win this one. I’m constantly growing my quest to understand how we can better steward our health and still enjoy what we’re eating.

  143. We’re trying to eat mainly unprocessed foods now. I’m sure this book would help a lot with that!

  144. I just came across your blog and Modern Alternative Mama while looking for a recipe for homemade laundry soap, believe it or not. I think I am hooked! I have subscribed to both of your blogs because I can’t wait to read more. And I put both of you on facebook hoping my friends will get the hint, too, that you are pretty super ladies.

    My husband and I are embarking on a new way of thinking that we are both very excited about. Along with looking for ways to be better stewards of our time and finances, we are also looking for ways to be better stewards of these bodies we have been blessed with (i.e. healthier, more “whole” foods, not popping allergy meds whenever we feel sick, etc). I would love LOVE to win this book giveaway and read up on ways we can feed our bodies better! 🙂

    Thanks for all you share on this site, and I can’t wait to keep reading!

    Blessings,

    Christine

  145. This sounds great! I just started a fitness and healthy eating blog called RunningFreeInHighHeels.wordpress.com and would love to read this and share it with my readers.

  146. I have been slowly moving toward more “real” foods over the last year. I need all the help I can get! My sweet tooth is my biggest problem at this point, that and a very tight budget! 🙂

  149. I am new to this, but excited about trying to do this for my family, but I need help! I think this would be a wonderful resource!

  153. I would love to win a book because I’m struggling to start to change to real foods. I always thought that I was healthy and I’m now trying to become truly healthy. Your blog is a huge inspiration!

  156. 2nd attempt to post, sorry if I end up repeating…
    I already subscribe to Keeper Of the Home, and I just joined the feeds from Modern Alternative Mama via iGoogle.

    Thinking about the chicken marinade she mentions gets me excited!

  157. I’d like to win it since I’m always looking for new books to read like this to encourage me and help me!

  158. I’m a health care practioner who is always looking for new ways to introduce real food to patients. I appreciate everyone who tinkers with food to make it appetizing and healthy! I’d love to win the book myself as I love to cook and eat!

  159. I have been following your blog for several months b/c I know whole foods make sense. But it isn’t easy. The few changes we’ve made are tiny and going not so well. Would love to see what she has to say!

  160. I would really love to win this for my parents. My mom is diabetic and they do not live close by. It seems they are stuck in a white bread world and the little hints and advice I try to give them gets lost in translation or misunderstood. I would love to be able to give mom a book that she could refer to and hopefully begin some new habits in their kitchen.

  161. I am a subscriber to your blog and just signed up to follow modern alternative mama (what a name 🙂 with My Yahoo. Thanks

  162. I subscribe to Keeper of the Home (thanks for a fantastic blog!) and have just subscribed to Modern Alternative Mama.

  163. I would so love to win this book. Due to a medical condition, my husband has had to eliminate all white, starchy food from his diet. It was frightening to think of serving meals where bread and other carbohydrates would not be included. What was I going to feed them? Would my toddler eat this whole wheat stuff? As I try to figure this out, my eyes have been opened to the unhealthy habits I had fostered in my home, and I am grateful for the chance to start over. I would love to get inspiration and new ideas!

  169. I would like to win! I’ve been slowly but surely making modifications to our eating habits to make them healthier, but I’d love to see what tips & tricks this e-book shares that I hadn’t thought of.

  170. I would love to win this book. Our family is just starting out with trying to switch over to eating more real, whole foods and any guidance is great.

  171. We soo need to eat better, but I often feel daunted by the cost and/or work involved. Anything to help make it easier!

  172. I would love to win this book b/c I am just beginning to learn about the real food movement, and I often feel overwhelmed. I would love to have something to “hold my hand” as I begin this journey.

    I already subscribe to this blog!!

  173. I would love to win a copy of this! We are making changes to our family’s eating habits starting a couple weeks ago. It is always nice to read encouragement in a sometimes challenging endeavor.

  174. It was great meeting/rooming with you at Relevant, Stephenie!! Loved the chats and pumping sisterhood. 😉 Anyway, I’m subscribing to both! 🙂

  176. I would love to win this book for the recipes. I’d also like to pass it on to my parents who desperately need to incorporate “real food” into their lives.

  187. I’d love to have this book!!! We’re working to learn how to use real food, and really, the recipes for “normal” stuff would be awesome!

    Thanks!

  188. I’d love to win this book, it’s so hard to find easy ways to improve our diet! And now that I have a little baby and another coming, I can’t be picky enough about what I cook for my family. This book sounds amazing!

  190. I would love to win a copy! I am slowly changing our family’s diet to whole grains and getting rid of the prepackaged foods. My fridge is empty of the “crap” now and it feels good!

  192. Just ran across your blog and now 2 more good ones to boot! Thanks for the giveaway, I now subscribe to all 3!

  193. This sounds like a great book to get started w/ whole foods–I am just beginning that journey.

  197. I’d like to win the book because I’ve been trying to move more toward the idea of ‘real foods’…whole, organic, etc…but find it all COMPLETELY overwhelming! Maybe this book would help me!!

  198. I would like to win this because I would like to start my family eating healthier and this would be a way to get us started.

  199. I follow u on fb, and am an avid health reader. I love healthy and good for you foods, and do not ever buy processed foods. Thanks for the opportunity to win this 🙂

  200. I would truly love to win a copy of this book because I am thoroughly interested in health, nutrition, and learning the best ways to provide good wholesome meals for my family.

  201. I would love to win a copy of this ebook because I’m looking for ways to change our eating habits for the better.

  205. I would love to win because my husband is not completely on board with real food and I would love a simple book for him to read that isn’t NT (very overwhelming for him) and has simple versatile recipes!

  209. I would like this book to get more familiar with soaking, sprouting, and fermenting especially.

  210. This book looks like just the thing I need. I really detest cooking, but am determined to serve real, whole foods to my family. Anything that makes that easier, is very welcomed into my kitchen.

  212. I would love to win this. Just a few weeks ago I found out I have Chronic Lyme Disease. In our research for what was wrong with my family’s health, we went gluten, sugar, yeast, and milk free in Sept. With 3 boys 5, 3, & 1.5 yrs, it has not been real easy. And I am always looking for new recipes and creative ways to make food, and in an easy and simple manner, as I have very little energy. One day we will be able to eat gluten and milk and yeast, but I won’t ever add sugar back. The more I learn the more I change.

  213. I subcribed!! I’ve been following you on FB for a while now. And have enjoyed your posts.

  214. I would love to have a book that I can flip through easily and learn new ideas for healthy living/eating.

  217. Sounds so yummy! I love basic recipes to fall back on, and can’t wait to share this with friends who are apprehensive about eating more real food.

  220. I’d love to win this book. I often find myself waffling with real food. I get really serious about no more junk, and it slowly creeps back into the house. I’m hoping there will be some practical pointers on how to stick with it 🙂

  224. This sounds great. I’ve made many improvements but am always looking for more recipes and ideas.

  225. I would love to win this book! I need the energy that real food provides…chasing little ones around is alot of work:)

  227. I would love to win this eBook! I am just learning about eating ‘real food’ and this would make it a look easier for me 🙂

  228. I would love to win the book as I am new to real food cooking and could use some ideas & motivation 🙂

  230. I also would love to change my family’s eating habits. We’ve done pretty well for a while, but this book would be a great kickstart to eating more ‘real food’.

  234. I’d like to win this for the “real food” real food recipes. I am missing stuff like chicken nuggets and french fries. And when I give in and eat the junk I feel just awful. So I am hoping that this will be the answer to my taste buds prayers!

  237. i would so love a copy of this book! we are trying to find our way down this path; we are exploring this as a result of our daughter’s allergies also and it can all be so overwhelming!!!

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