I am so very excited to present my first cookbook giveaway on The Fig Tree today! And what a cookbook to start with! :) This fantastic cookbook, Green Mango Café + Bakery Cookbook, was put together by the incredibly talented duo from A Couple Cooks – Sonja and Alex. I have been a huge fan of the A Couple Cooks blog for quite some time. I adore the photography and find the recipes to be very inspiring. I love their use of fresh, natural ingredients to make wholesome, healthy meals.
What really separates A Couple Cooks from the rest is Sonja and Alex’s kind, benevolent spirits and their willingness to make a change in this world. It takes a special kind of person (people) to look at the unfortunate circumstances of others and make the decision to lend a hand + make a change. This cookbook is a true testament to what they are all about. It’s a cookbook about making a difference. It’s inspiration to show that we can all make a difference.
Green Mango Café + Bakery Cookbook is a stunning piece of work with more than 40 delectable recipes. The first thing that comes to mind about this book is the photography is truly fantastic. Honestly, if I had three wishes – it would be to end world hunger, that everyone in the world would find peace and… that I had the ability to photograph food like Sonja and Alex. *hehe* So much talent! :) The cookbook also documents Alex and Sonja’s trip to Cambodia through beautiful photographs. It contains information about Cambodia itself and how to work with some of the most commonly used ingredients in Cambodia.
I was lucky enough to do some recipe testing for this cookbook. And I can say whole-heartedly that these recipes are true winners. The selection of recipes are globally inspired pulling from Cambodian, Thai, Mexican, Italian, French and American cuisines. All of the recipes are healthy and use fresh, readily available natural ingredients. Each recipe has a ton of delicious flavour and seasoning. And, as a bonus, all of the recipes are very easy to follow and quick to prepare. A few examples: Banana Bread French Toast, Cambodian Noodle Soup, Spring Rolls, Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich, Garlic Herb Focaccia Bread and Mango Pie. The Cambodian Noodle Soup was a real hit in our household, as was the Banana Bread French Toast. Mmmm!
But the very best part of this cookbook? 100% of the proceeds from this book go to funding Centre for Global Impacts‘ projects in Cambodia. In March 2012, Sonja and Alex spent sometime in Cambodia looking to write a cookbook that would benefit at-risk young females in Cambodia. It was to become their way of combining their passions in food + photography with the fight against human trafficking and modern day slavery. The cookbook itself benefits Green Mango Café + Bakery restaurant and culinary training program in Battambang, Cambodia. For more information, please see A Couple Cook’s post on The Green Mango Café and Bakery.
So, how can you enter to win a copy of this incredible cookbook? Just leave me a comment below (ie. just say hello or let me know which cause(s) you feel passionately about or may like to look further into.) For example, I volunteer for the Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan where we raise awareness about the plight of Afghan women. We also raise funds for various educational initiatives in Afghanistan. There is nothing more powerful than access and freedom to education – nothing more likely to change the world for the better.
For an additional entries, please “like” The Fig Tree on Facebook or follow The Fig Tree on Twitter. Please leave a comment indicating if you’ve liked or followed The Fig Tree and I’ll count your extra entries!
Winner will be announced at 5PM (CST) on Friday, October 19, 2012.
And while you are waiting to see if you’ve won yourself a copy, make sure to head to Centre For Global Impact website to pick up some copies of the cookbook for your family and friends!
Finally, please check out A Couple Cook’s post about how the book came together. It’s a great read!
(All photos by A Couple Cooks)
“Hello” : )
I wanted to comment on your post about the chilled pumpkin cheesecake, but my ipad was acting funny then, so I’ll just do it now.
This weekend my grandma took me out to baked expectations for cake and they had a pumpkin cheesecake on display. It was very beautiful but…yours looks better. : D
Mmmmm! The cheesecake at Baked is so very yummy! Last week I had a lemon cheesecake there and it was so perfect and creamy. Loved it. I can imagine the pumpkin one was awesome too!
i’d love to win this cookbook! it sounds amazing!!
It’s a good one! :) I own two copies. *hehe*
Wow, what an amazing cookbook! I know lots of authors donate portions of profits, but 100%?!? that’s awesome!
I’d like to look more into Nurses Without Borders now that I’m done with nursing school and I’m officially a RN. :-)
I know hey!? And it’s for such a wonderful cause. Very inspiring!
What a great cause! Congrats on finishing nursing school. Very impressive. It’s not an easy line of work. You will truly make a difference in your day to day.
Looks like an awesome cookbook! You, Sonja & Alex are all so inspiring! I also liked your page on FB awhile ago :0)
Awe, thank you! I appreciate it very much! :) I’ll count you in for two entries!
I love new cookbooks! Nothing more inspiring for a kitchen than a beautiful book filled with photography and great recipes. You have me intrigued with the banana bread French toast.
Be wel…Jenn
Hi Courtney!
This cookbook looks GREAT! And the cause is even better. Thank you for everything you do-I didn’t know that you volunteer for Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan-you are amazing Courtney!
For me, I feel strongly about educating others and preventing elder abuse. There’s a commercial that airs once in a while and I tear up each time. I’ve always wanted to raise awareness-it’s on my to do list:)
<3. You know I am a fan on FB and Twitter! :) Hope you are doing well my friend!
Oh man, I totally know which commercial you are talking about! It breaks my heart every time! I cannot believe such horrible things go on. Our elders should be respected and treated well. I think elder abuse is a great subject to bring to the public’s collective conscious!
Thank you for your comment :) xo
Neat! It looks like a beautiful book. :)
One can never have too many cookbooks!! :) I also liked your Facebook page, and left a comment there! As for causes I support – well, (having two rescue dogs of my own) I tend to favour causes such as animal rescue – I feel the need to speak for those who have no voice of their own.
It is fantastic that you have two rescue dogs! I very much advocate animal rescue and animal rights initiatives too. Where did you get your rescue dogs from? We may be looking to get one soon :)
My first, Delko, a German Shepherd Cross came from D’Arcy’s A.R.C. My second, Lady, a border collie came from Hull’s Haven Border Collie Rescue. There are more great rescues – Manitoba Mutts, Manitoba German Shepherd Dog, to name a couple. Also, Winnipeg Animal Services does adoptions, and of course, Winnipeg Humane Society. All of these groups have Facebook pages – and I know there are more, but these are the ones off the top of my head :)
This sounds likes such a great cookbook! I’d love to win it for my dad – he lived in Cambodia for a few years and his passion is cooking; I know that he’d really appreciate something like this.
I’m passionate about food-related organizations like the Food Label Movement and Food Matters :) Would also be really interested in learning more about organizations like Oxfam.
Very cool! Your dad lived in Cambodia? Neat! I’d love to visit Cambodia and South Asia.
I very much think your dad would like this cookbook if he also likes cooking :)
It’s great that you support so many causes. Food Matters is a really great project/initiative to support.
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thanks for this giveaway!
gkuroda(at)gmail(d0t)com
liked you on fb
gkuroda(at)gmail(d0t)com
I would love this book
I would really love to have this book. Thanks for the chance!
Hi there,
I think it’s important to raise your kids to ‘good food’.. so many people don’t realize that with junkie fast food they are poisoning their kids life! So that’s what is important to me and that’s the change in the world I want to bring.
I liked your page on fb :)
Thank you for this giveaway!
I’d love to have this cookbook!
I like you on FB!
I follow you on Twitter!
I volunteer for various different causes at walks and marathons, sometimes even on the planning committees. I volunteer at those events because I think keeping active is important for people’s health.
This cookbook sounds amazing! I have just liked your facebook page, I wasn’t aware you had one!
I definitely agree with you. Keeping active is definitely something to advocate. Being active lead to not only healthier bodies, but healthier minds. And more energy to make the world a better place :)
Courtney – Wow! Thank you so much for everything about this post — both the giveaway, and all the lovely things you said about the book and our photography. We are utterly grateful to you for your help recipe testing (especially some clutch last-minute needs!), all your feedback, and especially your heart for women around the world. And thank you for what you are doing for the Women of Afghanistan – your passion and generosity is such a blessing to them as well! We are so grateful for your support and friendship! XO Sonja (& Alex)
Thank you Sonja :)
It was a pleasure doing recipe testing for you! I had so much fun.
I very much respect and appreciate what you are doing for at-risk girls in Cambodia. Your passion is an inspiration!
Hi, I have just found you and love your blog. I work in a detention centre and care passionately about programmes to help ex offenders. I volunteer at other prisons by running a reading scheme for prisoners who are completely illiterate as I think this is one of the best ways to help them get jobs on their release x
Thank you so very much! :)
You have a fascinating job! I think it is great that you help ex-offenders and help illiterate prisoners learn how to read. Literacy leads to opportunity and to a better life.
Human trafficking is something that happens all over the world, and I think awareness on the subject will help to quell it. Thanks for the giveaway and supporting this important cause!
I definitely agree with you. Awareness is the first step to making a difference. And human trafficking MUST stop.
It’s only appropriate that I sign up for your cookbook giveaway since we connected through mine right? :) I’m passionate about the No Kid Hungry campaign that is promoting healthier lunches and practices for kids in school. I would love to get into something that promotes it here in Boston!
Of course I like you on facebook and follow you on twitter!
Have a great day!
*hehe* I agree! :) I’m glad you entered!
I think No Kid Hungry is an excellent campaign. I very much think kids need to have access to clean, healthy food. And to learn how to eat well and know where their food comes from.
I think spreading general acceptance of difference is key to many things. That being said, I very much subscribe to Michelle’s (Ocotober 17th, 12:50 AM) commetn about human trafficking needing more attention as a widespread and complex issue.
Ps. I also like you on FB + started following you on Twitter. :)
Thank you for entering and leaving a comment. I agree, human trafficking needs more widespread attention, so that we can make strides to stopping it for good. Excellent cause to get behind.
Hi Courtney! What a fabulous book! I am always looking to expand my cookbook collection, much to Hubby’s dismay! In this past year we’ve been passionate about schools in Kenya. My son even went there on his spring break to help build a school room!
Oh, do I relate! My boyfriend told me NO MORE COOKBOOKS! *hehe* Our bookshelf is busting at the seems with my cookbooks. *hehe* But alas, I just HAVE to buy one every few pay days. *hehe*
That is awesome that your son went to Kenya and helped build a school room. What a fantastic cause to get behind! Thank you for sharing :)
Courtney:
This looks like a great book. I would love to have a copy.
Your blog is great! Everything I have tried has been wonderful.
Please keep the ideas coming.
Bev Mulder
Thanks Bev! :) I may have to buy you a copy for Christmas if you don’t win the draw. :)
I love their blog too – not only do they come up with great recipes and photographs, but they seem like such good people too. I’d love to read through their cookbook – I already love the sounds of all the recipes you mentioned!
And I follow you on fb and twitter already :)
Thanks for entering :) The cookbook is really, really good. I highly recommend it if you like following their blog. They really do seem like wonderful people :)
What an amazing Couple! Like you on FB :)
I Volunteer for the Lakes Region United Way and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer :)
I think I’m sneaking in at the last minute…you said you’d choose the prize today so you may have already choosen it, but its early…so maybe I can sneak in. If you ever have another giveaway for a product which supports a good cause, please let me know over at suchfuntogive.blogspot.com and I’ll help you promote it.
A cause I care deeply about is Modern Slavery. Would like to see it end. So sad that slavery still exists.
Hello!
Have been following A Couple Cooks online for a few weeks….saw their post for a free cookbook giveaway…probably gonna buy it anyway but am so so so glad I checked out your website because ALL of the recipes listed on the side bar look AMAZING. Even if I don’t win the giveaway, I am still winning by finding your website (sorry for the cheese at the end!)
Ashley, Nebraska!
Awe, thanks Ashley for your sweet comment :) I am so glad we could connect through this giveaway. And don’t worry…I love cheese! You made me smile. Thanks!
Thanks for hosting this wonderful giveaway! I found you via A Couple Cooks and I love all of their stuff.
what an awesome project. high praise to them for taking it on and working so hard with regards to somthing they are passionate about. there is a world of difference between talking about a cause and living in support of a cause. i admire them for doing the later.
fruitcrmble AT comcast DOT net