The Daily Balance

The Blue Heron Ranch Cookbook, based on Cooking Off the Grid, also by Nadia Natali, blends 126 tasty, healthful recipes with lively tales of the Natali family’s adventures living close to the land-in the wilds of California’s Los Padres National Forest. Nadia Natali’s varied dishes, suitable for any group or family, are presented in a simple style that makes them both visually appealing and effortless, as a sequence of ingredients that correspond to numbered directions. Each chapter opens with a vivid account of the family’s trials and triumphs at Blue Heron Ranch, followed by a particular category of recipes, arranged in seven groupings. Whimsical illustrations adorn the recipes and embellish the sometimes poignant, often hilarious stories about raising a family in the wilderness, running a meditation center, and facing nature’s seemingly endless challenges-with the Blue Heron Ranch kitchen being the center around which these events unfold. Recipes include Blue Heron Ranch Potato Leek Soup, Saturday Market Quiche, Miso Pine Salmon, Ojai Bouillabaisse, Early Morning Rice Cream, Aunt Ev’s Cardamom Bundt Cake, and Honey Almond Chai. The Blue Heron Ranch Cookbook offers culinary and spiritual sustenance to anyone who wants to experience, or revisit, the pleasures of comforting, communal meals at Zen and other retreat centers.

I was so excited when I finally received this book! Each section of healthy recipes is prefaced by one of Nadia’s family adventures. It’s fun to read along and discover the story behind each of her recipes.

The recipes are extremely easy to follow and I ADORE the accompanying illustrations! I’ve earmarked several recipes that I plan on making ASAP, so I’m sure you’ll be seeing lots of delicious results on the blog soon.

Blue Heron Ranch Cookbook

For the oatmeal lovers!

'Tis the season

Lucky for you, you can give them a try, as well! Nadia has graciously offered a copy of her book to one of YOU.

3 ways to win!

1.) Leave a comment on this post

2.) Tweet about the contest (with a link to this post)

3.) Link to the post on your own blog or if you don’t have a blog, tell a friend of family member (just let me know you did so in the comments so I count the extra entry!)

I’ll use my good friend, the random integer generator, to select a winner!

GOOD LUCK!

68 Responses to “Try it for yourself! – COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY”

1. brandi said:

   This cookbook sounds so neat! The recipe titles sound so good.

   Posted on October 27, 2009 at 8:59 am | Reply
2. Kerri said:

   I love easy, healthy recipes…this looks perfect!

   Posted on October 27, 2009 at 9:08 am | Reply
3. Maria said:

   I am always up for a new cookbook! Thanks!

   Posted on October 27, 2009 at 9:24 am | Reply
4. Kelly said:

   I would love this cookbook! I always want to collect cookbooks, but wind up finding most recipes online. This would be a great start to my new “collection” !

   Posted on October 27, 2009 at 9:26 am | Reply
5. VeggieGirl said:

   Sounds like a STELLAR cookbook to add to my collection!

   Posted on October 27, 2009 at 9:53 am | Reply
6. Lauren Christine. said:

   mmmmmm, thanks for the giveaway!

   Posted on October 27, 2009 at 9:54 am | Reply
7. Joe C said:

   Sounds like another book to have! Hope I win!

   Posted on October 27, 2009 at 10:01 am | Reply
8. Joe C said:

   Sent some emails for friends. Blog is down:(

   Posted on October 27, 2009 at 10:04 am | Reply
9. Kate said:

   I love new cookbooks! This looks like a great one. I am especially interested in the “Saturday Market Quiche!”

   Posted on October 27, 2009 at 10:07 am | Reply
10. Grace said:

    Sounds like a great cookbook!

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 10:11 am | Reply
11. Emily L. said:

    I’m always looking for new, fun recipes. This cookbook sounds ADORABLE and fun.

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 10:13 am | Reply
12. Diana said:

    Aw, that sounds like a cool cookbook. I like it when cookbooks are more than just recipes. It’s like a labor of love when people add a bit of them into the cookbook.

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 10:53 am | Reply
13. Laura said:

    Oh, this cookbook looks great. I’m working hard on a turnaround for my boyfriend and myself to a healthier way of life and of course healthy cooking is top priority. Hope I win!

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 11:08 am | Reply
14. Mara @ What's For Dinner? said:

    OOH love the cookbook! I’d love to win it

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 11:19 am | Reply
15. suzanne said:

    That sounds like a wonderful cookbook. I’d love to make a cup of tea put my feet up and spend a night going through it

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 11:25 am | Reply
16. Jess said:

    These recipes sound like they would be healthy and delicious! I hope I win!

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 11:27 am | Reply
17. Valerie said:

    That cookbook looks amazing!

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 11:45 am | Reply
18. Valerie said:

    I told my mom and sister about the cookbook, and both are now on the hunt for it!

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 11:45 am | Reply
19. Jenn (Eating Bender) said:

    YUM! Can’t go wrong with a cookbook giveaway

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 12:33 pm | Reply
20. Gina said:

    Looks like a great cookbook!

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 12:34 pm | Reply
21. Marie-Eve said:

    Love cookbooks! Thank you so much for this giveaway!

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 12:43 pm | Reply
22. pattibevans said:

    This cookbook looks great! I’ve been on the lookout for new ones, I’m so sick of the ones I have!

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 1:24 pm | Reply
23. Lisa said:

    Hi DB! Thank you so much for this offer! How fun! I read cookbooks like other people read novels.

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 1:55 pm | Reply
24. rhodeygirl said:

    What a great giveaway!!! Count me in!

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 1:56 pm | Reply
25. Tiffany said:

    That is such a cute cookbook!

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 2:19 pm | Reply
26. eurydice said:

    great giveawaY!

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 2:32 pm | Reply
27. Marina said:

    Aww, it looks so cute!And sounds very interesting

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 2:43 pm | Reply
28. Emily said:

    I’m excited about this!

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 2:59 pm | Reply
29. Miri said:

    I think you’d really dislike my blog. But I AM trying..

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 2:59 pm | Reply
30. junghwa said:

    i’m always looking for new cookbooks to learn from. great contest!

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 5:15 pm | Reply
31. Ashley said:

    I’ve always been scared to use cookbooks so this cookbook sounds great!

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 5:41 pm | Reply
32. Low said:

    I love it when cookbooks tell stories along with the recipes, it makes them more special.

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 5:43 pm | Reply
33. teddygirl said:

    looks like a lot of people want to win! me too!

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 6:57 pm | Reply
34. Jenny said:

    you had me at “oatmeal lover” .. bah! this chick needs some new recipes

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 9:07 pm | Reply
35. Erika said:

    Any cook book with a pumpkin pie recipe is a winner in my eyes!

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 9:55 pm | Reply
36. Brittany said:

    The Blue Heron Ranch Cookbook looks awesome. I’m with jenny in that you had me at “oatmeal lover”….

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 10:18 pm | Reply
37. Laura said:

    Oatmeal recipes? Please!

    Posted on October 27, 2009 at 11:33 pm | Reply
38. Kim & Scott’s Pizza Pretzel « The Skinny Plate said:

    [...] awesome giveaways: Nimli Pashmina, Graffiti Zoo, Mother’s Cookies, Granola+, Nature Valley, Cookbook, & Progresso Broth Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Trader Joe’s Wheat [...]

    Posted on October 28, 2009 at 2:58 am | Reply
39. theskinnyplate said:

    The cookbook looks so cute. I like the fun illustrations.

    Posted on October 28, 2009 at 3:08 am | Reply
40. theskinnyplate said:

    Link back here, hyper-linked to “cookbook”:

    http://theskinnyplate.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/kim-scotts-pizza-pretzel/

    Posted on October 28, 2009 at 3:09 am | Reply
41. theskinnyplate said:

    My tweet:

    http://twitter.com/TheSkinnyPlate/status/5224657721

    Posted on October 28, 2009 at 3:10 am | Reply
42. Laura said:

    Would love that cookbook. Trying to eat better and looking for tasty ways to do so!

    Posted on October 28, 2009 at 7:13 am | Reply
43. GeorgiaMist said:

    I NEED some fresh cooking ideas! I’ve lost 62 pounds and am getting into a bit of a rut with food ideas!
    Linking back to my blog and making a Tweet!

    Posted on October 28, 2009 at 8:25 am | Reply
44. Lizzy said:

    i would love this cookbook. i’m not good at creating my own things just yet,but following a recipe is something i can do!

    Posted on October 28, 2009 at 8:38 am | Reply
45. Petra said:

    I will give it go! Count me in!
    
    Petra

    Posted on October 28, 2009 at 10:01 am | Reply
46. Maureen said:

    I looked up the book on Amazon and read the reviews. This sounds like my type of cookbook. I like how there is a food and supply list in the book for easy reference too to help.

    Posted on October 28, 2009 at 10:08 am | Reply
47. Cheryl W said:

    Please enter me, this cookbook looks awesome.

    Posted on October 28, 2009 at 10:25 am | Reply
48. Favorite Job So Far « said:

    [...] – Cookbook giveaway over at The Daily Balance! [...]

    Posted on October 28, 2009 at 1:31 pm | Reply
49. Kelsey said:

    this looks like a great cookbook. the illustrations are so cute!

    Posted on October 28, 2009 at 1:41 pm | Reply
50. Jessica @ How Sweet It Is said:

    Awesome giveaway!!! I love cookbooks!

    Posted on October 28, 2009 at 1:45 pm | Reply