SUPER PALEO SNACKS and a GIVEAWAY!

Have I got a treat for  you! I'm really excited about this post today because not only am I reviewing a great new cookbook, BUT I am also offering a GIVEAWAY of a copy to one of you!  Sooooo cool!  My dynamite friend, Landria, has written a cookbook completely dedicated to Paleo snacks.  First of all let me tell you what I mean when I say dynamite.  I met Landria years ago when she would come to my body sculpting class. I am so glad to know her!  Not only is she a beautiful girl, inside and out, she is a nutritional consultant, public speaker, professional photographer, blogger AND now she can add author to her already amazing achievements.  Oh, and did I mention she is a wife and mom to two super cute kids?  Check out her Food Blog, Stir It Up, to get a taste of her website filled with wonderful, easy Paleo recipes, along with beautiful photos of the delicious food, and the adorable children.  You can see how much she loves preparing and serving these wholesome, yummy foods to her family.  I can't quite figure out how she accomplishes all this in a mere 12 hour day . . . she makes me feel awfully lazy!I am so impressed with anyone who has gone through the process of writing and having a book published.  I mean, how cool is that?  I knew she had the book in the works so I was excited to check it out when she sent me a copy.  However, I will say in all honesty I wasn't sure about what I would find in the way of recipes.  I have definitely been trying to clean up my whole eating game, but I haven't been about jumping completely into a total Paleo diet.Let me be the first to say, whether you are only Paleo or just want some different healthy food options, even if some of the ideas are not used for snacks, this cookbook is easily for you.  Landria does a great job in presenting the book and her personal story of why this way of eating is best for her.  She has done the research and homework in explaining just what a Paleo diet entails.  I also really appreciate the way she sets out all of the ingredients she uses throughout the book and explains what they are and how they are good for our health.  I really enjoyed reading the book and being educated,  and the straightforward way she presents information.Now, to the recipes.  I read every single recipe in the book and earmarked certain ones to try.  I am forever looking for breakfast ideas and was thrilled with some new options.  Vegetable sides are always in demand around here and there were some new ideas for me.  Lastly, since the Third Son is a sweet tooth monster, I was really interested in trying some of her ideas.The first recipe I prepared was ZESTY WALNUT BRUSSELS SPROUTS.  These were a side to grilled salmon and some quinoa.  Now I have to say my photos looks nothing like the scrumptious looking photo in the book, but they were sooo good.  They were also just as good the next day for lunch.  Big thumbs up from my house on these!One of the snacks I thought would be a good breakfast option were EGG MUFFINS.  I made a batch on Sunday to have throughout the week.  I have to come clean and say that I did not have ground sausage, so substituted Turkey Kielbasa sausage, cooked and chopped into small pieces.  I also had to substitute finely chopped broccoli for the spinach that the recipe calls for, as I decided to try these before heading to the store first.  These are really, really good and SO easy to heat up on a busy school morning and any other time of the day for a filling snack.  In fact, one day for lunch I had an egg muffin with some veggies.  Perfect.   These also get a thumbs up.  I will be doing these again without substitutes!When the Third Son comes home from school and wrestling practice, the first thing he does is head to the pantry for a snack.  Yesterday, I stopped him in his tracks and told him I had a special treat for him.  Being the wise soul that he is, he immediately gave me a skeptical look asking what it was.  I told him I was making him a chocolate treat.  "Mom, are you just going to make me something healthy that you know I'm not going to like?"  was his question.   Hmmmmm, smart boy.  Of course, I acted all shocked and told him "No Way!"The EASY-BAKE CAKE CUP takes all of 90 seconds in the microwave.  Not bad for a warm, chocolaty treat.  AND, he liked it!!  It made me think of that old Life cereal commercial where Mikey tried the cereal and his sister says, "He likes it! He likes it!"  Do you remember that one?  (You might not be that old . . . )  Anyway, since I got a high five for this treat, it gets a huge thumbs up!So, these are the three recipes I have tried this week.  I still have others dog-eared ready to go!  I think next I'll try the PANCAKE-WRAPPED SAUSAGE.  Who wouldn't like that for breakfast??So, have I sold you?  You know you want a copy of this book!  AND I'm here to give you a chance to get it . . . FREE!  All you have to do is TWO things.  First of all, leave a comment BELOW about your favorite snack (not on my Facebook page, sorry): - here on the blog) AND click on  Landria's Facebook Page and LIKE it.  This GIVEAWAY is open until MIDNIGHT Wednesday.  A winner will be chosen randomly so make sure you leave your email in the comment!  AND if you are NOT the lucky winner you can grab a copy of Super Paleo Snacks on Amazon. What's your favorite snack?  Are you a snacker?  Have you tried or do you follow a Paleo diet?ENJOY YOUR DAY AND WEEKEND!  **This is not a Sponsored Post.  While I did receive a copy of the book for review, all opinions are mine, all mine!**