Happy Birthday to Me (and giveaway)

Well, it's that time of year again. No, not the time that you start allowing Christmas music to be played in your home (although that may be happening too). It's my birthday. Sandwiched in right after Thanksgiving and right before the Christmas hype gets out of control. At least it's an easy day to remember for the most part. The 1st of December. No crazy numbers.

I'm turning 27 this year. It's sort of crazy to me. I have not been afraid of aging. In fact I think there are many thrilling things about getting older, but something about entering my late 20s sort of gives me the freak out. Why? I really don't know. I suppose in all of my years growing up I imagined what I would do in my 20s and never really thought about life after that. Maybe what weirds me out most is that my sister is now 23 and in 2 months time my baby brother will be 20. 

So on this my Happy Birthday I wanted to share a few pictures of a younger Melanee. If you were wondering where my son got his eyes this should clear up any mystery there. I'm lovin' the fake backgrounds and such. I've been beating back my feelings of despair over my current size all day. I've been trying to focus on what I've accomplished in the last few months rather than on where I wish I was. What is it about birthdays that brings up so much self scrutiny? 

Since it is my birthday, and I can do what I want on my special day I have decided that it is time for another giveaway. It has been far too long. Don't get too excited, it is another book, which may not thrill everyone, but as I have said before, that is where my passion lies. But this time it is a cookbook. In fact it is THE cookbook that got me going on my path to better health. This is the cookbook that has the whole elimination diet in it. It is a wonderful book and one I have recommended to many people.

The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook. Look it up and see if it doesn't interest you. I learned a lot in the pages before the recipes. I love nearly all of the recipes I've tried (and there are a lot). I feel great when I eat better and this cookbook has really opened my eyes and helped me learn how to cook in a healthier way. I don't really like to cook, but I have really been enjoying this. Even better, it shows you how to change recipes to get rid of nuts, eggs, gluten, and other foods that are common allergens. So if you have someone with an allergy in your family, this book is an excellent choice.

So here's what you can do to enter the giveaway. You can enter once or all 5 times:

1. Leave a comment letting me know you want to enter.

2. Become a fan (you know you want to). Then leave me a comment.

3. Grab my cool new button and put it on your blog. Then leave me a comment.

4. Blog about this on your own blog (this is worth 2 entries). Then leave me a comment.

5. Tell about the giveaway on Facebook or Twitter. Then leave me a comment.

Good luck!