I’m going to keep today’s post short and sweet. Like this munchkin.
I’M DOING A GIVEAWAY!
Yes. It’s true.
One of the biggest perks of my “job” is that I receive a ridiculous number of amazing cookbooks. Of all kinds. Cookbooks on avocados, gluten-free cooking, soda, and even dumplings. And while most of these books contain salt in the ingredient lists, they all spark my low-sodium creativity and result in heavenly meals at my low-sodium table.
But here’s the best part. My shelves overflowing. Which means it is time to pass this edible inspiration forward. It’s time to help you build your own library. And we’re going to start where it counts: with low-sodium cooking.
One lucky reader will receive FOUR (count ’em) FOUR books that will add information, inspiration, and delicious meals to your low-sodium life. In this wonderful grab bag we’ve got Eat Less Salt from the good folks at the American Heart Association, Don’t Break Your Heart Cookbook, the SaltTrax Salt Tracking System, and of course, Sodium Girl’s Limitless Low-Sodium Cookbook. BOOM!
This bundle is great for everyone, from beginners (just learning where sodium hides and how to get around it) to more adventurous experts (ready to make over grandmama’s favorite spanakopita). These books provide plenty of advice on spice and enjoying your time in the kitchen. And they also all go beyond the stove, with helpful hints on grocery shopping, dining out, traveling, and dating (wink wink).
Because what good is an amazing plate of Tamarind “Teriyaki” Chicken if you cannot share it with those you love.
So are you ready to dig in?
Starting right now you can enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below for your very own starter library of books. The giveaway begins today, Friday, June 28, 2013. So as soon as you are done reading this sentence, simply follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter Widget below and leave a comment on this blog post about where you find low-sodium inspiration.
The giveaway will close next Friday, July 5, 2013 at 11:59 PM PST. The winner be notified by email and announced on this blog and the Rafflecopter widget on Friday, July 12, 2013. All rules and regulations can be found at the end of this post and in the Rafflecopter Widget.
Are you hungry yet? I am. Let’s get this giveaway cooking!
Giveaway Rules:
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Winner must be a US resident in order to win. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email to claim prize before another winner is chosen. The name of the winner will be announced on SodiumGirl.com and the Rafflecopter Widget once the giveaway has closed. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Twitter or Facebook. Complete terms and conditions can be found within Rafflecopter Giveaway Widget.
Microwave potato chips. Use Salt Substitute (bothsides) and cook’em for 5 minutes instead of the recommended 3. Let sit 10 minutes to get crunchy.
Yay on this awesome giveaway! I get inspiration from YOU! Your blog really has helped me a lot! Thanks! Oh and cute wee one!
With blood pressure issues and diabetes to contend with, I am careful about my sodium intake, and rely on the Diabetes Association for healthy recipes, as well as the Food and Drug Administration. I enjoy using herbs inplace of salt; however, do not have enough confidence to experiment with them so I find the recipes at these sites very helpful. Sodium Girl is also turning out to be invaluable and I look forward to using more and more of these recipes in the future. Many thanks!
My inspiration comes from food bloggers and other “foodie” dietitians who have practical and tasty low sodium tips for patients. I take personal interest in low sodium cooking due to my husbands heart condition and absolutely love your site!
I am tired of all the hidden salt and the unhidden salt in store shelf and restaurant items that may have one small serving providing 30, 40 and even 50% of the RDA which most physicians and dieticians say is too high anyway.
I search out a lot of blogs and have actually connected to a few people and sites thanks to Pinterest! Even if I don’t win these books, I’m going to add them to my Amazon wish list!
Love your blog and I get a lot inspiration here. I enjoy experimenting when I cook so most often I use regular recipes that usually call for salt and just amp up the flavor with complimentary ingredients or by adjusting the amount of “flavorings” in the recipe. When entertaining I always offer a flaked or sea salt at the table along with a dish of herbs or spices that compliment what I am serving.
I am on a very strict low to no salt diet; 200-300 mgs per day. Finding inspiration has been a challenge until I diligently looked for low to no salt/sodium blogs, such as yours and purchased a couple of cookbooks.
Thanks for the chance to win!!
Desi
I am inspired by the profusion of produce at my farmers’ market, the long and healthy lives my parents lived, the desire to see my children have their own children, and your own proactive stance and matter-of-fact cheer and inventiveness. Brava!
I get a lot of my low-sodium inspiration from the patients and clients I work with. A lot are on a no or low salt diet and have found some really cool walls to limit their sodium. I’m always so proud of them – most do a good job!
finding your site has changed my outlook on the news my doc gave me about low sodium diet.
From you!
I’ve always cooked low sodium as a matter of habit so it was wonderful to discover Sodium Girl. Appreciate your original views and this wonderful giveaway.
I have quite a few health issues and diabetes , high blood pressure and I find I retain a lot of water. I have been trying to cut way back on my salt intake. I find most of my inspiration on the internet with blogs like yours and other health web sites. It’s amazing to learn just how many things contain sodium, it’s been a real eye opener. Thank you for a great site.
I was diagnosed with Metabolis Syndrome. I found that salt was my largest problem and with a water system with salt as a based I was slowly poisoning myself. I hookup a osmosis machione under the sink and that eliminated 98% of the salt from my system. I went on a diet and reducxed my salt to 500mg a day. Pressure has gone down, weight is slowly coming off and with the excersize I do not have diabetes period. A man by the name of Don Gazzaniga has been very supportive in my quest. He is an inspiration to follow. I would like your cook books to improve my health and to eat something different.
My husband has high blood pressure so I try to cut down on sodium as much as possible.
YAY! I believe that you can make food taste just as good if not BETTER than with salt!
I get inspiration from my own blog. 🙂 Most of the recipes at CK, in addition to being laughably easy and laughably inexpensive, have no added salt whatsoever.
You’re making a difference with what you write here. Keep it going!
Dan @ Casual Kitchen
I am a cookbook JUNKIE but, I find a lot of my inspiration on helpful blogs, such as this one, that are targeted to my dietary needs. I also like to look for recipes on Pinterest that might not be so healthy and work to find ways around it by making healthier swaps!
Anywhere, everywhere, but I especially enjoy reverse engineering ethnic flavors (next project – grow my own za’atar, so I can mix my own no-salt blend).
I search thru all the local stores for no salt added products, do a LOT of scratch cooking, and search the internet for recipes I can adapt. I really LOVE your site.
My husband has kidney disease so I have to cook low salt. Thanks alot.
I have high blood pressure, I use sea salts etc when I flavor my cooking recipes .
I love this site… i have heart failure & kidney disease so balancing salt intake is crucial…. this is my chance to say, “Thank you, Sodium Girl for your great blog & inspiration!”
I think this offer is a fantastic idea, because it further demonstrates that there IS help out there for those of us who have to have strict diets. I also have to watch taurine levels and avoid wheat so I NEED inspiration!!!
I am looking to you for information and inspiration! Unfortunately, I tend to crave and enjoy salty things 10 times more than sweets. I’m hoping to gain some discipline in this area. Thanks for your help with this (and for the giveaway!)
I have kidney problems and high blood pressure and the hidden salt in many food and drink products is a minefield for me to get through every day. Sodium girl columns and tips help me enormously. I especially love it when she mentions products that I didn’t know about and I go out and buy them right away to use in my daily diet.
thanks so much. Lois
My husband has recently been put on a low-salt diet. I follow your blog for healthy, tasty dishes for the two of us to enjoy!
I get inspired looking around the net at blogs like yours but really the ‘ah ha!’ comes from just eliminating salt from old recipes and noting that things actually taste better!
I have PKD , so I have to limit sodium in order to keep my blood pressure as low as possible and to lessen the stress on my kidneys.
I’ve had high blood pressure since my early 20’s…will be 40 in a couple weeks. I wasn’t always diligent about watching my sodium intake, but now that I’m pregnant, I look at the sodium content in everything. I want my pregnancy to continue with no complications and keeping my blood pressure within a healthy range is my top priority.
I have gotten my inspiration for low sodium cooking from my husband. He was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure about 2 months ago and our dietary world has changed forever. He could have been so unhappy, grumpy, anything but his happy self. He is allowed only 1500 mg of sodium a day and has really taken the challenge to heart (sorry about the pun :o) . He doesn’t even want to cheat. With his encouragement and my favorite cookbook (Sodium Girl’s Limitless Low Sodium Cookbook) I am learning how to cook all over again. Your recipes are great and we both love them. So, thanks for having a cookbook giveaway! Here’s to healthy cooking and eating!
Recently my beloved husband was diagnosed with congestive heart failure…..! When your name ends in a vowel everything italian begins and ends with cheese…. These books would be a God send to get me on our way to a new way of eating…. Thanks so much for the opportunity
As a fairly young personwith essential hypertension (mid 40’s), I’ve been on blood pressure medication for several years, with only minimal success in decreasing my blood pressure. I’ve stopped adding salt to my food recently and really stepped back from the potato chips, seeing a significant improvement. I stumbled upon you blog while surfing the internet this evening and am excited to continue to follow it and hopefully discover new ways to improve my diet.
Thank you for the help in leading a life with less sodium!
What a great giveaway! I have been needing to start looking into low sodium cooking, this would be a great way to begin!
Always looking for new low-sodium ideas! As a fellow Lupus patient Jessica is creative and inspiring so I get inspiration HERE!
Thanks for doing this and hope I win!
Inspiration–fresh veggies and herbs–I’ve never used too much salt and now try to use none.
My only difficulty is finding some prepared foods salt free or low.
I am so new to this game that I have a very limited source of inspiration. I have one awful cookbook, and this website. Beyond that I have just been making the recipes I have always made, and just omitting salt. Not the best solution. I need those cookbooks!
I get inspiration from the Sodium Girl!
PS Will you sign your book for the winner?
I have a kidney transplant and easily get swollen feet and a puffy face from too much sodium. Perhaps like Sodium Girl, a low sodium diet may be better for my kidney too — just a hunch. My inspiration is from nutrition labels. I like to see those low low numbers on the sodium line. My nemesis is all the fast food restaurants I drive by and all the sales on high salt processed foods at the grocery store.
just discovered your blog. I love it! so inspiring.
I get my cooking ideas from your blog… it has been so useful. =]
Thanks!!
I’m a lymphedema patient due to breast cancer. I find it hard to find low salt recipes in general internet searches. That is why I read this blog.
I always use my favorite blogs for inspiration. We also try to eat a lot of fresh foods with a lot of flavor… and fresh herbs, too!
I find inspiration simply in my motivation to continue eating according to my prescribed low-sodium diet so that I can live a healthy life without kidney failure. Anybody who has the self control to make healthy eating their way of life puts me in awe of them. Thanks Sodium Girl!
I love the creative ideas you provide on low salt recipes. I also refer to the low salt recipes in Donald Gazzaniga’s books, especially his bread machine recipes.
Thanks for some great recipes! I especially appreciate finding receipes for “staple” substitutes (taco seasoning, cream of mushroom soup, etc.). I’m always looking for better alternatives so I can make the same favorite foods and standbys but healthier.
I get my inspiration from you Sodium Girl! I look forward to your weekly posts to see what new, creative dish you come up with. Thanks for the great recipes!
I’ve been low sodium since 2009 after discovering heart problems. It takes some getting used to at first but don’t miss it anymore. Pizza is still a loved food I have a couple of times a year. This is a great site. Thanks for this site.
So happy to have found your blog! Since my husband’s diagnosis of “mild” hypertension, we’ve been watching the sodium content of our food even more carefully than before. Really appreciate your tips and recipes!
This sounds awesome. Crossing my fingers I win.
I find my low-sodium inspiration from you, Sodium Girl (duh!), and FitGirlFuel on Instagram. However, I do try and improvise in the kitchen on my own. Rather than using salt to add flavor to something, I take a look at the many spices I have in my kitchen cabinet and get creative. I will also use acid to add a different element to food.
I also read ALL food labels before purchasing, mostly for the sodium content. You learn and can be very inspired just from reading labels!
I have been to Barnes and Noble in Corpus Christi and McAllen, TX. Neither has SODIUM GIRL’S LIMITLESS . . . What a disappointment for someone that has Meniere’s Syndrome!
Those books are priceless to me!
In a way, I suppose it is kind of ironic that a diagnosis of lupus related kidney disease is behind my (relatively) newfound love of cooking. Surprisingly enough, I find that I feel better, happier, and more creative when I eat healthy foods, and I look to Sodium Girl to keep me inspired.
I’d also like to add that the possibility of winning the low-sodium cookbooks mentioned above is especially groovy!
Hi,
I have never blog before, I came to library to look for cooking ideas mainly for my sons lunches, but would benefit ou family as well. My son was born with an unusual situation, that brought many blessings from God that saved his life. With those blessings he has a very special kidney that a doctor made from very small parts of what was left of his two kidneys on his right side. This amazing story has been going on for 13 years, and it has been a journey that one day will be much more detailed out.
Low sodium is foul language, I am a nag, I need to cut slack, he is a kid he should be able to have the same stuff as his peers, he is a teen, but now he is a young adult and is starting to work and soon will be going to college. I am trying to get him to realize, He no longer can push it, he is the one who has to make the changes.
He is to be on 2000 mg or less of sodium a day, so I decide to help by researching and find new tasting easy lunch, dinners , snacks, that make it possible for him to start to enjoy. Then I ran across your blog.
Basically, I want him to live with him gifted kidney, not get worse. he is healthy right now, but as a mom I know his diet is a time bomb, and I am just trying to him motivated. He has to take the new steps, maybe if a bunch of books came to the door from someone he doesn’t know he would wonder how did sodium girl get my e-mail. So I may have entered to win the give-away, but I am also going to enter my sons name Daniel, he is a graduate from high school and is very gifted in music. I would love that he would win the books, I am not doing this for me. Just like you he needs to see it as an adventure, basically life is adventure embarrassing everything that is set in our path. Hopefully with his medication, hypertension, and learning to cook from some books a girl he doesn’t know he will begin to take hold of his health. Then I will just repeat the benefits of his good cooking. Thank you very much!
I have to follow a low sodium diet for health reasons (Lupus and PH) but find that with today’s foods that it should really be followed by more than those of us with health issues. Your story and blog gives inspiration to many!
My husband is my inspiration! To protect his heart and future good health we have become very aware of sodium within our diet.
With hypertension and diabetes running in my fam, this blog is perfect for inspiration for low sodium cooking! Thanks for the boundless inspiration and resources on your blog! xo
About 4 years ago I discovered that I only have one (partially functioning) kidney, and that my other has been non-functioning for potentially my entire life. Since then I have learned much about the ways of low sodium cooking, but on a budget, every day is a struggle. I find inspiration in those who can make this difficult diet work for them! Thank you for some great recipes!
What a great inspiration you are! Thank you
Wow! This is a great giveaway! For years, I was avoiding salty foods since I was diagnosed to have a kidney disease. Now, I feel great and healthy. I wish I will win this giveaway. 🙂
With high blood pressure in the family, I have been looking for ways to reduce salt in all I make and its really good to have come across your site. Thanks for doing this.
I discovered your site not too long ago and have been enjoying it. Hypertension runs in my family and I was advised to cut back on sodium. Once I started paying attention to it, I was shocked to see how much sodium is in food – sometimes more than half a day’s worth in a single serving of a food (processed, naturally).
Keep up the good work!
I grew up with heavily salted meals. My mother was english to the core. Salted the water everything was boiled in, salted the food as it was being prepared and salted it again once it reached the plate. When I finally moved out I discovered a whole new world of food and spices (other than salt!!). Today I LOVE to cook. I understand how salt brings out flavours in food but am also aware it’s not good for me. I have high blood pressure and any help I can get naturally to lower it…I’m all for it.
I’ve always led a low-sodium diet-one kidney since infanthood- so I usually find inspiration in food blogs simply knowing to cut out the sodium in them
My dad has to eat low sodium because of a heart condition, so one of our ways of bonding has been adapting recipes to have little to no sodium!
I’ve been on a low sodium diet for years due to a vestibular disorder. Love this site and the recipes!
I get my inspiration from my dad who has heart diseas, he was recently disagnosed with dilated cadidiopathy and it may be genetic. I need to make changes too for my life, and your recipes are a blessing THANK YOU. want to provide him with low sodium recipes which are the healthiest for him and me. Thank you for this blog.
I was diagnosed with high blood pressure in January…. Been doing a lot of digging, experimenting, researching… I love to cook, and obviously with HBP I have to cook pretty much every day. My biggest inspiration is you, Dick Logue, and the DASH diet. … I also still love Italian and Spanish food. Big fan of Jose Andres. I’ve had to get creative with my old recipes to make them work for a low sodium diet, but I love the challenge! 🙂
I’ve been making over my life to include more healthy habits and your blog gives me so many ideas to share with my friends and clients!
This is a great giveaway. I love recipes with less salt in it. I avoided high sodium diets after having acute kidney problems. Right now, I would like my kidney to function properly as I grow old.
It’s nearly impossible to find educated people for this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking
about! Thanks
My dad has a kidney problem and the doctor recommended to him that he must avoid salty foods. My mom is trying everything and doing a lot of recipe so that dad can enjoy the food with less or no salt at all. Anyway, I would love to have that low sodium cookbook. My mom will be happy for this.
This is so generous of you! I love cookbooks so much.
I think this is the perfect cookbook for me. I really would like to reduce my sodium intake. Also, I want my family to be healthy away from kidney problems. Thanks a lot! 🙂
What a great giveaway, thank you!
I have been on a very strict low sodium diet since I was 10 due to awaiting a transplant. I have had to learn how to eat healthier over these past 14 years. It has been a struggle. It’s not easy finding recipes or advice on low sodium eating and cooking . That was until I started googling the Internet. Luckily, I came across people blogging about the same salt restrictions and how to make it easier on ones self, however Sodium Girl has been the best site I have come across. You have made my transition of eating healthier and keeping my sodium restriction under control a whole lot easier to live with until I receive a transplant.
I wish I were in the US for this. I liked the books though, I’m probably going to go to Amazon and see if I can find em’. Could use some new recipes for the family gathering this summer!,.. 😉
I was inspired by being diagnosed with high blood pressure. After cutting back on my salt, exercising more, and eating less, I have it under control, but since I want to keep it that way, I continue to limit my salt intake. I create my own recipies using onions, garlic, ginger, and herbs with whatever veggies strike my fancy at the farmers’ market.