I’ve got exciting news for you. Healthy bread does exist. And, to top it off, you can make it in less than 5 five minutes. Exciting, right?
Dr. Jeff Hertzberg and the lovely Zoe Francois have written a smart book full of helpful tips and pictures, showing you how to make healthy bread in five minutes. I’d consider them the Five Minute Gurus since they perfected the art of five-minute-bread-baking with their first book.
For a bread-baking novice, I welcomed their first book, Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, with open arms. Offering many delicious recipes using a simple starter dough, I’ve heard nothing but great things about this book. Their second book, Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day, promises to be an amazing followup. I have my eye on the Pumpkin Pie Brioche, Chocolate Tangerine Bars, Cherry Black Pepper Focaccia.
I know many of you are partaking in your own healthy journey and I applaud you. Working out, eating right, and enjoying yourself are all tenets of living a happy lifestyle. But I know it’s common for people to forsake carbohydrates, particularly anything sugary and sweet, maybe in the form of a donut or cinnamon roll. Or maybe you are allergic to gluten and have had to part ways with all things gluten.
Listen to me, reader. Baked goods shouldn’t be shunned because not all baked goods are alike. The recipes from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes boast many nutrients and ingredients that will make you and your trainer happy. There are even gluten free recipes in here for all you Celiacs! Brilliant, I tell you!
To kick start the new year off right, I am giving away one copy of the book to a lucky reader. To enter the giveaway, please follow these instructions:
In the comments section, write your experience or advice about maintaining a healthy, happy lifestyle.
Leave a valid email address, and first name.
Giveaway is for residents in United States or Canada only. Sorry, my international followers :(
Post all comments by 5 p.m. PST on Friday, January 15, 2010.
No late entries will be considered.
I will use a random number generator to pick the lucky contestant. Good luck!
Thanks to Anna and the folks behind Healthy Bread in Five Minuyes a Day for making this giveaway possible! And don’t forget, Zoe Francois writes about her baking adventures and posts recipes at her blog, Zoe Bakes. Be sure to check her out!
Slow Like Honey 
I just accidentaly bumped into your giveaway and it seems really nice!
For me, a healthy, happy lifestyle is joining all my family at my grandma’s house for a long wood stove cooked lunch!
Just perfect!
Best wishes!
PS – I’m portuguese, hope there is no trouble there!
Balance! Listen to your body and allow yourself to find center in all the chaos.
I’ve found that something that really helps with healthy eating is to sit down and make a meal plan for the week. it makes grocery shopping easier and we prevent ourselves from getting into food ruts. we don’t always stick to it and some days are left blank for when we have lots going on, but we’re a lot less likely to order take-out or just make a frozen pizza if we have a plan.
pinklotus17@msn.com, Tracy
:)
Eat as many fresh fruits and veggies as you like. Eat breads/grains, dairy, and meat/fish in moderation. Indulge in the sweet stuff only occasionally. (Man, oh man is this practicing what you preach stuff can be a pickle.) Get at least 30 minutes of exercise in at minimum 5 days of the week, and MEDITATE a little each day. I think that sitting quietly with just your thoughts is the most important thing you can do for yourself. Happy bread baking!
Healthy living is definitely something I am learning, and right now it’s a moving towards all natural – like whole, unprocessed, unrefined foods. I’ve been literally shocked when I read labels (something I never used to do) and surprised at how some of the simplest recipes with the simplest, whole ingredients make the best things. So that’s what I’m working on.
I find I’m happiest when I’m drinking plenty of water, getting enough fruits and veggies, and getting a good hard sweat 3 or 4 times a week.
I’m also happiest when I don’t beat the hell out of myself for not doing the above items… :)
my tip is for the gym, not necessarily for eating healthy… but for working a bit harder so you can feel healthy everyday. count the number of sit-ups you do by using the alphabet (x4, those 4 extra will feel good!) or by going through the states in alphabetical order (x2 if you like doing 100). it keeps your mind off the number, and its fun to remember them all! try the alphabet backwards for more of a distraction.
I haven’t figured out the maintenance part of a healthy lifestyle. I do know that sugar is my downfall and I’m currently seeing how long I can go without adding it to my diet. I’m sorry but natural sugar found in fruit just doesn’t taste as good as a hot fudge sundae. Or hot fudge on a spoon.
I do stay away from processed foods, focusing my shopping on the outer aisles of the grocery store. I also like to buy whole foods and see what I can do with them on my own. Additives and preservatives give me a stomach ache and a fat ass. It’s all very difficult.
I cringe when I hear about people going on the “low carb” diet. It’s about moderation and healthy choices. Eat carbs… but healthy carbs. This book sounds awesome! I love the idea of fresh, homemade bread in 5 minutes!!!!
The key for a healthy life is balance. Balance in how you eat, in how you exercise, and in how you live. Focus on all things fresh and whole food, not to deprive yourself, and remember everything is ok to eat….if you made it yourself like bread! :)
I try to cook a lot at home so that I can really know what is going into my food. I also eat lots of stuff from the farmers markets (just sucks now that it is winter and that gets harder).
I can imagine giving up something that you love to eat! I like to say that I run so that I can get chips and salsa when I want to!
Farmers Frozen Foods provides locally grown food frozen for winter consumption. The label includes frozen veggie, frozen fruit, herb cubes and combination meals (including specialty frozen meats and poultry from eligible USDA facilities). This is an alternative market expected to create opportunities for additional farmers and increase income options.
We could use support from healthy minded folks to get the word out to new members! “Celebrate the Harvest!
To a Peaceful, Healthy
2010!”
I am a lot like you in that I hate to forego my most favorite foods in order to eat a strictly healthy diet because I love life’s little pleasures and food is a big part of that for me. That being said, I do run every day, do yoga and pilates, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. And chocolate. And more chocolate.
everything in moderation!!
i try to cook most of what i eat, so i can have full control of the balance of fruits, greens, and grains. and i allow myself a couple of little treats every day like a glass of wine here or some dark chocolate covered almonds there! and lately, i’m a big fan of eating a big breakfast, a small lunch and a tiny dinner. thanks for the giveaway!
Hi Amanda!
I’ve been meaning to stop by and say hi since you commented on my blog last month…YAY for Sacramento girls! I bet you know all the places to visit :)
A healthy, happy lifestyle? Moderation. So cliche, I know, and yet so difficult to actually practice!
Haha Sacramento has a nice blogging community, doesn’t it??
I’m a dietitian and I see and hear so many “healthy eating tips” that are totally off base. Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what is fact and what is fiction. What I recommend to clients and follow on my own is similar to many of the previous posts: eat in moderation; don’t give up any one food group; allow yourself a treat once in a while; exercise daily or every other day [even walking the dog or taking the stairs at work is great!]; don’t stress about your weight in numbers, so much as how you feel you look and the way your clothes fit… I could go on for hours, but I’ll spare everyone. Great topic!
Cheers,
*Heather*
learn how to make healthy foods taste delicious and develop a taste for them. eat food you enjoy, but leave rich meat dishes and elaborate desserts for special occasions (and yes, a lazy saturday spent in the kitchen can definitely count as a special occasion!). sometimes eat just enough to not be hungry, that way sometimes you can eat until you’re going to burst, because you’re only human! move your body–any amount helps–and don’t stress about it too much. obsessing backfires big time.
i’ve been coveting this book. thanks for the giveaway!
moderation is the key! Enjoying cooking for yourself makes life a lot easier too. Try new recipes and give yourself the task of trying to make the recipe healthier by substituting. Also, exercise wherever possible even if its just a break at work for a 10 minute power walk!
I’ve been on a ‘get healthier’ routine since last September. I believe it’s 90% mental attitude. If one REALLY wants to be healthier, it’s usually possible. I’ve lost 30 lbs during this period, and I now look for healthier recipes…..(even though I do love sweets!!!)
Thanks for offering the cookbook.
My best advice to eating healthy is to cook more at home – you can control your ingredients and portions!
my advice is control the portions and what goes down- while cooking I drink green tea and water to fill up- I make plates for all- for me I half it and put it away for lunch the day or a meal when I am alone later in the week. Usually by not seeing the extra food I will not want it…I also stop before a full feeling and wait for the food to digest
Eat as many natural foods as possible, stay active, and don’t be hard on yourself if you slip up and eat that giant slice of cheesecake. There will always be more lettuce and carrots tomorrow!
First time commenter! Woo!
Watching a film like Food Inc was the real kick in the pants I needed to eat healthy. I’ve cut out all the processed foods, eliminated HFCS and added more veggies to my diet. Oh and eliminated soda and drink more water.
Something that helped me drink more water: get a cute refillable bottle/container that you love looking at and refilling. Hey, it works for me!
I’ve learned that it’s best to regularly exercise and to eat the foods that you enjoy in moderation. Going cold turkey is not very effective from my experience. And eating less meat and more fruits or veggies is a great tip as well.
I was just looking at this cookbook at Barnes & Noble the other day!
I don’t exercise as much as I should, but my healthy tip is not to keep junk food in the house! If I don’t have it, I can’t snack on it! I’ve been really in to fruit salads lately as a healthy snack :)
My husband and I don’t eat processed foods, we grow about half of our own vegetables the others we buy from the farmers market or co-op. Happy New Year and thanks for the chance to win.
kakihararocks@gmail.com
Wow, thank you for the lovely review. I hope you are baking up lots of tasty bread! Enjoy.
Cheers, Zoë
Eat real food and exercise! It really can be that simple
For me, it is all about staying away from processed foods. It doesn’t take much longer to prepare a delicious, home cooked meal and the added benefits and taste are worth the effort.
And of course, everything in moderation! :-)
It may be a struggle to get out of bed in the cold dark hours of the early morning, but I know that a workout to start the day will make me feel strong, powerful, and balanced. I try to just be conscious of what I put in my body and make sure I have a reason for it, even if the reason is just that I think a cookie will make my afternoon a little bit brighter.
One “duh” thing I realized recently is that if you do manage (by some crazy luck) to build some rock solid habits (such as eating sensibly), when your life goes crazy and you suddenly have NO TIME to think about what to eat, it’s ok–you don’t need to think, it just happens. Now I just need to work on that exercise thing.
I am making an effort to work out more (start small and once I get into a good routine go from there) and eat better. I’m also trying to go to the grocery store as little as possible, and be better about planning my weekly menus.
And of course the most healthy part of all is to make sure I sleep a lot and take time off when I need it.
What an awesome giveaway, thank you!!
The secret to leading a happy and healthy lifestyle? For me it’s always being grateful. I’m so grateful for everything in my life (my health, my husband, my family…you get it), and that, in turn, forces me to tend to those things to keep them going (sort of like a garden!). I’m thankful for my health, so we try to eat healthy and exercise daily. I love my family and friends, so I try to keep in contact, often.
Oh, and I bake lots and lots. That helps fill in the gaps. :)
I love a good sandwich, but it is hard to find a good bread that tastes good and is good for you. I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a lot of fruits and vegetables and swimming a lot
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
fruit! yoga! dark chocolate! snowboarding! red wine!
everything in moderation. i should remember my own advice more often :)
Listening to my body. I always feel great when I am physically and psychologically balanced, so I only try to put naturally good things in my body and mind. But I am a believer in indulging once in a while!
I absolutely love the first book in this series, and would love to have this one too!! I am finding, with the coming of the new year and my fresh start on healthy eating and exercising, that bringing balance to all things makes life a lot easier and the body feel very good!! Loving it!
My secret is exercise, exercise, exercise. And not denying myself something, because it always seems to backfire on me. Also having a great support system. My husband does that for me, but not in the “you shouldn’t be eating that!” way, but just in supporting my healthy choices, cooking healthy meals together, and giving me time to do what I need to do to take care of myself, and not make me feel guilty. He’s actually the bread baker–he’ll love this book too!
Everything in moderation! Eat rich foods sparingly, but don’t skimp on the real stuff! Just indulge in smaller portions :)
Tracking nutrition and exercise is HUGE for me in living a healthy lifestyle…
Thanks for the contest!
I try to eat mostly in season vegetables and fruit, and get in some form of exercise every day. I am sick less often and feel much better because of it!
moderation – don’t “deprive” oneself of any specific thing. and plenty of moderate, regular exercise.
For me, the key about maintaining a healthy and happy lifestyle is to focus on enjoyment rather than control. For years I tried to control what I eat and how much I work out (tracking everything compulsively in Excel!!) only to end up feeling exhausted and miserable. Now I eat what I enjoy and I move because it makes me feel good – I am in the best shape of my life and I love how I feel!
I have a chronic ilness which causes alot of widespread pain, but I make sure to wlk EVERYDAY – I accompany my son down to the bus stop every school morning -no matter how bad I feel or how cold it is [ were in Maine ]and the 1/2 mile trek does help, not matter how painful it is at the time. My hubby offer the truck, but I stand my ground, sometimes this is the only exercise I can ,anage all day, so i force myself to go for it!
Everyone reading this blog sounds healthy…
Thanks for supporting small family farms everywhere. In fact – everything we do on the farm is healthy – so buy a farm – is my advice!
Also, check out this article.
http://www.aarpmagazine.org/health/more_good_years.html