This giveaway is now closed. But please read the post anyway….it’s a goodun.
(Hey friends. This is a long post. Please stick with it. It’s a good one. Plus, there’s a giveaway tucked in there you don’t want to miss!)
When Nate and I were newlyweds, we loved watching The Naked Chef. (Now that is a good opening line for a post, no?) The Naked Chef was Chef Jamie Oliver’s first T.V. show. We loved it…the whole idea was to get the food naked, strip it down to the essentials. Jamie has stayed true to that philosophy over the years and has taken it to a whole new level, a “revolution” if you will. Have you heard about Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution? In Jamie’s own words, this is what it’s all about: “I believe that every child in America has the right to fresh, nutritious school meals, and that every family deserves real, honest, wholesome food.” That’s it folks. Simple, right? Nope. Unfortunately, it’s unbelievably complicated.
If you haven’t gotten a chance to watch Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution on ABC, you can watch the full episodes on the website. So, get yourself caught up and make sure to tune in tonight for Episode 3. I love this show. It’s eye-opening. It’s frustrating. It’s inspiring. It’s touching. It’s downright awesome. I think what got to me most were the USDA regulations governing what food has to be served in the schools. The “health” guidelines are so misguided, and the red tape is stifling for administrators. Simply put, the system’s a mess. It all makes me a little crazy.
I received an email from Jamie’s PR firm a few months ago about the Food Revolution. Since I was a fan of Jamie, I actually read the email and then I hopped over to Jamie’s website, signed his petition and called it a day. Then I saw the premiere of the program on ABC two weeks ago and decided this was something I really wanted to share with all of you. So here we are!
If you’d like to sign the petition, which Jamie will take to the White House, click here! And please spread the word to get others to sign as well! Jamie was the catalyst for some great changes in the U.K. school lunch program. There’s no reason we can’t do the same thing here in America!
Oh! And I do have a giveaway for you! Leave a comment on this post to be entered for your chance to win a copy of Jamie’s Food Revolution: Rediscover How to Cook Simple, Delicious, Affordable Meals. Post your comment by Midnight PT, Wednesday April 7. One randomly-selected winner will be announced on April 8. (Prize must be shipped to a U.S. address, thanks!) Big thanks to Jamie’s PR firm for the giveaway!
And, because this post just simply is not long enough (ha!), click ‘more’ for some simple & healthy salad dressing recipes from Jamie’s book!
French dressing
Peel and finely chop ¼ of a clove of garlic • Put the garlic, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons of white or red wine vinegar, and 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil into a jam jar with a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper • Put the lid on the jar and shake well
Yogurt dressing
Put 1/3 cup of natural yogurt, 2 tablespoons of white or red wine vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil into a jam jar with a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper • Put the lid on the jar and shake well
Lemon dressing
Put 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil into a jam jar with a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper • Squeeze in the juice of 1 lemon • Put the lid on the jar and shake well
Balsamic dressing
Put 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar into a jam jar with a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper • Put the lid on the jar and shake well
Hello! My name is Jane Maynard and you've landed yourself on my blog, This Week for Dinner™. Every Sunday I share a weekly menu...and then count on you to share your own! You'll also find other deliciousness that I hope you'll enjoy!
I’d love to get this book. I remember what school lunches were like 15 years ago, they can’t be much better now
Awesome!! I haven’t seen the show but heard a lot about it and the book.
I saw the “Food Revolution” last night. Very interesting to see what our kids eat at school. Makes me so sad because they aren’t getting enough nutrients. I think french fries should be banned in the school system! Heck, all fried foods should be banned! Thanks for blogging about it and offering a giveaway!
I’ve heard of Jamie’s revolution, but not had a chance to watch the show. I’ll check out the website to see it though. I think it’s important to feed our kids good food and when so many kids get their only nutritious meals at school it’s even more important!
I haven;t had time to watch the show but I believe in Jamie’s mission.
I caught a little of this show and am excited to see more!
Would love to win the book and have the revolution start right here at home- I would love the help!
Would love it!
Sign me up.
Thanks about bringing the petition to our attention. Sign me in for the giveaway!
I agree wholeheartedly!
Simple, delicious, and affordable? Sign me up please! Thanks!
I would love to win a copy of this book!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Amy B.
adennispac@Yahoo.com
I’ve been watching the show and love it! Hope I win!
Just saw the show for the first time. I was hooked (and enraged) the minute I saw the food director pull the pasta salad with fresh veggies and replace it with french fries to meet the school lunch veggie quota!! I would love to read his book.
Jamie Oliver is so inspirational! If anyone can get the powers that be to change what kinds of foods are served at school – he can! I signed the petition because I feel so strongly that what our children are being served to eat is in direct relation to childhood obesity among other things like too much time spent in front of the tv/video game/computer. I would just love his book and help my family eat a bit better!
I too am fascinated by Food Revolution!
Love the show and his vision/mission.
I love jaime oliver, he is such an inspiration!!
I really need to start eating healthier. This would be a big help!
Fantastic!!! Love Jamie Oliver….
Love him, I’ve been watching with my 8 year and we both really like the program! Now if only Alice would get on board……
Great show! I would love to have the recipes for the dinner the high school students made. I will definitely be tuning in every week.
What an inspiration. I love you Jamie Oliver!
We absolutely LOVE Jaimie Oliver at our house:)! It would wonderful to win a copy!
i was shocked when the school kids couldn’t name the veggies jamie held up during an episode. very interesting.
I have been loving Jamie’s new show & would love to check out the book!
I just saw this show for the first time & loved it! Doesn’t hurt that he’s Australian…accent + good food = wonderful
I am really enjoying this show. That chicken nugget demonstration was eye opening.
Love the show…and hope that some changes can be made to our school systems!
I LOVE this show although it is often frustrating to watch.
What a great show! I HOPE its opens more people’s eyes, but I know its a long road.
What fun. I was very inspired by Jamie’s talk at TED this year. We don’t have cable so I hadn’t seen what Mr. Oliver has been up to. Our country, our schools, definitely need a revolution. We try to eat well and involve my daughter in cooking and gardening here, but even she is a big fan of “Old McDonalds” when we go on a road trip. Need to break that habit somehow!
I found the show very enlightening.. and have been thinking about it ever since. I’d love his cookbook!
Perfect for my wife. We have really gotten into his show, too.
I will definitely tune into this show now that I know about it thanks to you! I would LOVE his cook book!
I was hopoing Jamie would do this in the US. I watched some of the UK version and knew we needed it too. It’s criminal what we’re doing to ourselves and to our children. I have my fingers crossed it will make a difference.
cool stuff! Thanks for the giveaway!
I was on vacation last week and missed that episode, but I am looking forward to catching up with my DVR! I think it is wonderful what he is doing!!
How awesome! I love his show!
pick me, pick me!
About 10 minutes into the first Food Revolution show I was hooked. I’d love to get a copy of his book.
I’d love a copy of the book! Thanks for the opportunity
Haven’t had a chance to check out this show, but have seen previews and it looks interesting. I’ll try to watch this week. Thanks!
Good for Jamie! Hope his revolution succeeds! Great book.
Petition signed! Thank you for the opportunity to own a copy of the book.
I love Jamie Oliver’s revolution — it’s much needed. Thanks for the giveaway!
I, too watched the naked chef. I’ve always loved Jamie Oliver and I’m loving Food Revolution! I signed the petition a couple of weeks ago. I would love to have the book!
I can’t resist the cookbook giveaways. I love Jamie Oliver and would love this cookbook! Thanks.
I only caught bits and pieces of the first show, but the second show was fabulous! It is a real eye opener.
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway!
I am all for what Jamie is trying to accomplish-but we really need to start with the parents who start giving their children chicken nuggets & french fries as soon as they get teeth!!!! Thats why we are such a FAT society!!!! I would love to change my way of cooking and start eating healthier and love Jamies show!!! What an inspiration to get motivated.
would also love to win the cookbook and start making changes!!
I’m all over this. Hook me up with that book!
I love this show! It’s amazing and sad at the same time. The “healthy” lunches that we feed our children are a joke. I’ve started packing lunches for my children. Rock on Jamie – I hope you beat the system.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the SHOW! He needs to come to the MidWest!
Cool! I’d love that book
I am loving the show! Someone has needed to shake up the school lunch system for a while now! Thank you Jamie! And thank you Jane for posting a link to the petition! I am begging all my Facebook friends to sign also!
I caught the second and third episodes and have learned a lot! I grew up going to a private school where we didn’t have a cafeteria, so the school piece has been particularly enlightening to me. I had no idea how bad that food was!
I heard about this show, but just haven’t had time to sit and watch it. I will be catching up online tonight after reading this, though, and will be dvr-ing it from now on. Signing the petition now.
I LOVE Jamie’s cooking, philosophies, and his new show! It’s definitly time for a food revolution! I will be signing his petition and hope some changes come about from it. It’s a start!
I missed the first three episodes but was able to find the show on Hulu and I’m hooked. I am inspired and encouraged by Jamie’s passion and his genuine concern for the health of the children.
I teach High School Foods and Nutrition. Sometimes I feel like I am not reaching my tudents about the importance of a balanced diet. I am planning on showing Jaime’s show in class! I see everyday how poor nutrition is affecting our children.
I loved Jamie’s new show (and his accent!). I hope to bring this to our company’s daycare center.
i hope they change nutrition in schools before i have kids!
I generally didn’t eat the cafeteria coleslaw. Nasty!
I love Jamie’s passion, and love for all the kids. People could do a lot worse than fix food from scratch.
The Naked Chef rocks!!
I love and respect Jamie’s goals and ambition. YES, I’d love this book. Thanks for the opportunity.
Laura
Our sons’ school started a healthy lunch program 3 years ago that every school in the district has copied since. We are so proud that our kids have a healthy hot lunch choice (when they aren’t eating our healthy cold lunches). Way to go Jamie! P.S. I would love to win his book too!
Again?! So awesome, Lisa
I would love to read this book. I have heard a lot about his new show and I would love to read up and get caught up on everything.
What a great giveaway! Thanks.
green is my favorite color, especially now!
My husband and I love watching Jaime’s Food Revolution. We don’t have kids yet, but when we have little ones in the future, I definitely do not want them eating what they are serving in schools today. I am also super thankful that my mom packed me lunch every day when I was a child!
Pack lunch for my kiddos everyday. Plus-I’m so lucky to have boys who LOVE broccoli and spinach (thanks popeye!) We eat lots of fruits and veggies at our house and I’m so glad!
Love the show and would really love his book!
Already my favorite TV show and I would love to win his book!
Here’s to hoping for another gem to add to the collection!
thank you to jamie oliver for bringing awareness to this issue!
We also love his show and think the work he is doing is wonderful. Enjoyed reading your post.
I’d love a copy!! We love watching this show!!
It was so inspiring to see the kids cook a whole meal in last week’s episode. We shouldn’t dummy down the food they eat b/c they are kids. They should learn from home and demand quality food at school. I still can’t believe my child is eating the same food I ate 30 years ago so that’s why I pack his lunch every day. Hoping this Food Revolution will catch on.
As a work at mom of a 5yo & a 3yo, I am even more grateful than prior to having children for Jamie. Grateful for simple but incredible recipes and grateful that he has stepped up to make changes in our school systems.
I’ve been so impressed that someone has finally found the fortitude to SAY something! My 10 year old grandson is watching the programs (and now he won’t eat chicken nuggets, lol) But Jamie is right, this is where we need to start, it’s going to take several generations to undo what we’ve done for the last 2 or 3 generations.
Love Jamie’s Food Revolution! Not only is the concept awesome, the recipes are great too!
fingers are crossed!!!
I have signed the petition and I have the book, it’s great! I think everybody should go out and get one!
My family and I love watching Jaime’s Food Revolution. And I love Jamie’s passion, and love for all the kids. Good job, Jamie!