Before you all start leaving me "Congratulations!" messages, I have to say that I'm not pregnant with #2 (yet). That's just the title of the book that I'm reviewing today.
Published by DK Publishing in 2007, "I'm Pregnant! Now What Do I Eat?" is written by Dr. Hope Ricciotti, an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and a member of the team of LLuminari experts.
The book offers "nutrition advice and more than 60 easy-to-make recipes to satisfy every expectant mother."
Stylistically, I would give the book an A+. The cover features a healthy-looking and vibrant pregnant mom who is pretty, but not air-brushed. The pages are made of glossy, magazine-style material and feature beautiful photographs of normal-looking pregnant women that span a variety of ages and ethnicities. I especially appreciated the fact that the women really looked pregnant and that they wore "lounge-worthy" clothing (yoga pants, tank tops, etc.). They weren't the women that you typically see in maternity advertisements: ultra-thin with a belly bump (wearing four inch heels and a trendy outfit).
There are also full-color photos of delicious meals and snacks spattered throughout the book. The presentation of the book itself is captivating and it is sure to be one that moms will want to pick up off the shelf when book-browsing.
The content is equally impressive. The first half of the book delivers sound nutrition and exercise advice for women pre-conception, during each trimester, and postpartum. Readers learn what foods to avoid, what foods to stock up on, how much weight to gain, and what physical changes to expect in each stage of pregnancy. I appreciated the objective, informative presentation of facts and the author's choice to stay within the confines of her expertise (you won't find her veering off into other topics like how-to-care for a newborn, whether or not you should breastfeed, etc.).
The second half of the book features recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and snacks. There are enough photographs to keep your attention and to inspire your palette. The meals look incredibly appetizing and I can't wait to try the Baguette Pizzas, the English Muffin Melts, the Dark Chocolate-Dried Cherry Scones, the Chilled Pasta with Broccoli, Spinach, and Tomatoes in a Creamy Dressing, and the Chicken, Corn, and Black Bean Enchiladas.
Hungry yet? :) You can purchase the book on Amazon.com for under $12.
Pajama Mommy suggested that moms give this book as a baby shower (Or...I might add...a "Congratulations! You're pregnant!") gift, "Place it in a wicker basket with ingredients for one of the recipes and tie a big gossamer ribbon on the handle." I second that suggestion!
P.S. If you're a pregnant or nursing mum, stay tuned this weekend! There will be reviews and giveaways that pertain to you!
WIN IT! DK Publishing has graciously offered to supply three books as prizes. Three mamas will each receive a copy of "I'm Pregnant! Now What Do I Eat?" by Dr. Hope Ricciotti. To enter, leave a comment and your e-mail address on this post prior to Friday, Feb. 29, at midnight. The winners will be announced and contacted on Saturday, March 1. * Winners must provide U.S. mailing addresses.
* UPDATE * The winners are #15 anonymous, #69 ssmina, and #43 Rachel C. Congratulations!
I wish I had had this book when I was pregnant. I don't (personally) think I ate anything that great. xD
My daughter-in-law would really like this book.
Trying for #2 here!
P.S. like your new pic!
I'm 16 weeks and could use some guidance in the food department.
Sounds like a great book to reference. Thanks!
mccammacks(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
I would like to have this.
please enter me thanks!
Fantastic!!! Best of luck to all who enter
I hope to use this if I ever get blessed with having babies. if not, then i'll pass it on to any of my friends who may so be blessed
Add my name in! (says she who is snacking on way too many cheese cubes at the moment lol)
My favorite question is now that i'm pregnant with really bad morning sickness.. what can I eat that will stay down?
great contest!!
Would love to own this book - thanks!! great for my daughter in law!
I have no idea what all to eat that is good for us and would love some awesome recipes.
Jennifer
jojoanddash@yahoo.com
We're getting into the baby mindset so this would be nice to quell some fears!
Thanks for offering this book!
schwartz.lori@gmail.com
great book
Sounds like a great book! deanna@count.com
I added you to prizeatron! :)
http://www.prizeatron.com
I just ate cookies! I need this fast!
Sounds like a good book!
shan9452 (at) hotmail (dot) com
resourse book
Sounds like this'd be alotta help.
REally neat! :) Between my two kids, I've been nursing continuously for five years!
Would love to win...as I'm pregnant and could use some good recipes :)!
Muellerlm @ gmail dot com
would love to win :)
I could use this book!
Sounds like a great read.
I could really use this!
This could be a touchy gift, n'est ce pas?
Very cool, does it account for gestational diabetes?
Wow!!
sounds like a good reference book
I'd love to be entered...hoping for a second pregnancy - lost the first to miscarriage, so I definitely want to eat right this time!
Boy do I need this book; I've been eating very bad.
were ttc so I'd love this
I'd love one! Thanks!
agoodfellow@cox.net
Sounds like a great book!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Count me in!
Count me in!
Hopefully I will be able to put this to use soon - trying for #3. Every time I get pregnant, something "new" is out as to what to do/what not to do. This would be a great help!
Id love this for my BFF who just found out shes preggo yesterday!!! :)
dansan826 at yahoo.com
Great giveaway!
ksk103@hotmail.com
thank you
want to win this
My boss's wife is pregnant and this book would be perfect for her.
oooh! I would love to read this!
cool gift item, I'll enter.
Please enter me.
I just found out my best Friend is Pregnant..this would be perfect for her.
would love it!
mrsbernhard@yahoo.com
Great Resource!
please enter me
wonderful, i am trying to conceive.It would be great to have this book handy. Thank you
doozercries@yahoo.com
Ok, I totally need this book! I am feeling lousy and need new food ideas badly because nothing sounds good! sassysandyj@aol.com
It would be great to have a book like this. Thanks for the thoughtful review!
It'd make a terrific gift.
As a dietitian in training, I get this question ALL the time. As a hopeful future preggers woman myself, I would love to have one book that sums up all the information! :-)
jules0512@yahoo.com
Good thing you had a disclaimer in the first sentence - I was SO excited for you when I saw the title of today's post! :) I'm not expecting again YET either...but would love to win this book for when I am.
Count me in
would love to have this book for pregnancy!
barbara_guerra2000@yahoo.com
Yum yum enter me please.
Enter me, please.
i would love to win
sounds like a great book!
This sounds like a great book! I did not eat very healthy during my first pregnancy, this book would be great for when I am pregnant with #2. Thanks!
katebeth45 at gmail dot com
Wow I wish I had this when I was preggos with #1, so I'll save it for #2. Thanks for the cool giveaway Steph! hellomary018 AT yahoo DOT com
This book looks wonderful! I am also curretly ttc #2 and my last baby was/is a preemie. No one knows why my water broke early, but I suspect it had to do with my (lack of) nutrition. This time I am going to be 100% more careful. Seems like this book would be a great resource.
What a GREAT book! This would be wonderful to win!
dbstout(at)juno(dot)com
I'd love to win this book! Looks great!
Count me, we just found out that we are expecting!
Thanks so much...I need all the direction I can get!! stbaisch[at]yahoo[dot]com
I would love to win! Thanks for your insight!! Mena
mena827@yahoo.com
Wonderful….I hope the book covers something on gestational diabetes.
watson at zerostreet dot net
Sounds yummy!