*I just lost this entire post and my laptop restarted itself twice. I need a new laptop and some computer skills. Boo.
Okay, where was I?!
Oh, I was on Thursday because all week I’ve thought it’s Thursday. Maybe tomorrow I’ll get it right.
I had to be at work earlier this morning, luckily my schedule only called for 3 miles and strength. I did my 3 and then rushed home for a quick breakfast. I about to make toast when I realized a yogurt bowl would be quicker. It’s been so long since I’ve had one of these babies!
In my favorite polka dot bowl: Honey Oikos, Pumpkin (heated with stevia and pp spice), Cereal, Chia seeds, Banana, PB on spoon
After my client I did my own strength workout – biceps, back and abs. Then, I rushed home hungry and ate a bunch of blueberries while making a protein shake (review and giveaway of this new powder coming soon!).
A few weeks ago I received the Carb Lovers Diet Cookbook courtesy of the publisher. They must have heard I’m “team Carbs” biggest fan!
I was already familiar with the Carb Lovers Diet from Health Magazine. The mag often features recipes and/or a full day of eats on the plan. 
I never follow a recipe exactly, but I love looking at cookbooks (and blogs) for inspiration and ideas. I love that the book is full of great food photography. Aren’t you more likely to make something if looking at it makes your mouth water?
The book has recipes that are quick, easy and for one person as well as more complicated and/or servings for bigger parties. I prefer the fast recipes since I’m always hungry 
I appreciate that it even has a section for low calorie cocktails! I love when diet plans are realistic and realize ladies want a drink every now and then.
Speaking of drinks, I wouldn’t mind enjoying one with my triple D obsession friend, Guy Fieri (who contributed a recipe)…
In addition to recipes the book provides a set meal plan for a few weeks to get ya going. There is a separate book for the plan (not a recipe book), but I think this one hits all the bases you need.
And I was able to interview Ellen Kunes, co-author of the book and Editor-in-Chief of Health Magazine. 
(image source)
Here’s what I asked…
Monica: Why do you think the Carb lover’s diet is effective?
Kunes:It’s a “recipe” that really works: A science-based, proven weight loss formula delivered through delicious recipes and an effortless-to-follow plan. The recipes are their own proven formula: Each one has been created to pack the perfect ratio of nutrients that research shows help to melt fat, curb hunger, rev your metabolism, promote good health, and get you a much flatter belly.
Monica: But everyone says protein and fats are what keep you full – what do you think about this?
Kunes: Here’s what I know: Cutting carbs almost never leads to permanent weight loss; most people end up gaining more weight after a low-carb plan than they started at. Scientific research cited in the book supports this. That’s why I wrote The CarbLovers Diet Cookbook. I wanted to share the evidence that a yummy, satisfying, carb-diet rich is the best way to get and stay slim for good.
Monica: What is your favorite recipe from the book?
Kunes: I am partial to all the desserts, especially the Coconut Cake with 7-Minute Frosting on page 244.
And now I’m passing on the Carb Love to you! Want to win a copy?!?!
To Win a copy of The Carb Lovers Diet Cookbook: Leave a comment on this post.
Contest ends 2/23/12 at 6pm PST. Open to all residents of Earth. The book was provided to me free for review. All opinions are my own.
This book looks great! Recipes look delicious and healthy! I would like to try!
Great post, awesome pictures, I too love collecting delicious, healthy recipes. Would love to win the book to add to my collection.
Am Losing weight the right way, (healthy eating lifestyle) and loving it.
Hi Monica
I rely Love when somebody write as you do…Love your blog 🙂
Keep it up!
hi this is and awesome site it really help people to understand the truth about being in good shape and plus eating what you like
i love this blog ; keep doing this, that’s a way to go!!!!
I want the book just so I can make 7-minute frosting!
That cake sounds delicious!
awesomesauce! There-thats excitement and a carb all in one 😀
That cookbook looks great! Would love to win it!
Midwest girls love love love carbs!
I love paging through cook books too!
MMMMM….carbs!! I dont’ think it’s ever a good idea to completely eliminate one type of food – unless that food is fish (I’m from Nebraska).
I’ve seen this book a lot in Health Mag too and have been curious about it!
Who WOULDN’T want this??
I’d like to know more about the 7-minute frosting. Although, that could be dangerous.
Hot diggity! Sign me up!!
Yum 7 min frosting??!?
must have! 🙂
I’d really love to win this, but if not, can you at least send me your breakfast? k Thanks.
I love carbs! Anddd cookbooks!
Every carb lovers dream! What a great find!
love carbs…love cookbooks! 🙂
I am def a carb lover!
I seriously could not live without carbs! I’m a pasta 5 times a week kind of girl!!!
I am SO HAPPY to have found your blog on fitbie/msn! You’ve found yourself a new subscriber.
Carbs and I are besties. Seriously. Now I’m hungry.
I am impossible to live with whenever I try low-carb diets. It turns me into a depressed shrew with no energy! So glad to hear I’m not hopeless if I keep up my carb habit…
I love carbs!! My diets always fail because I can’t give them up long-term. When I add them back into my diet, I regain all of the weight I’ve lost. Hopefully this book would help.
How could anyone live without carbs? And who would want to? Looks like a great cookbook!
I’m so sick of the low-carb thing! I’d love a copy of the book, and see if I can incorporate some yummy carb-age back into my life!
perfect diet-who wants to live without carbs?
suuper interested!
Eat carbs and lose weight- I’m in!
I heart carbs too!! This book sounds perfect for me. I need to check it out!
I love carbs and agree that you should not give them up when trying to lose weight! I would make a lot recipes for this book
Ooo, I have seen a few recipes from this cookbook, and they look great! I’d love to get my hands on one! And PS I am obsessed with Guy Fieri and Triple D too, so now I really must have it! 😉
I think we can all agree……CARBS RULE!! 😉
Just found your blog from the article on msn. I think it’s just what I’m looking for!
carbs are ESSENTIAL for running fast. awesome giveaway!
Just found your blog and it is wonderful. I love carbs and have found if I try and cut them out of my diet I will pig out from craving them.
I wish I were eating pizza RIGHT NOW.
Carbs are yummy. This looks like a book that has the facts straight. Would love to win a copy. Thanks.
My name is Jules and I’m a carbasaurus. ((HI JULES.)) I’ve been carb free since never.
OMG I have got to get this cookbook. I am a carb queen. You DO NOT want to be near me if i haven’t had them. 🙂
I can’t live without my carbs!
Just found your blog and I’m loving it! Would love to try this cookbook! I’m constantly trying to find a way to balance the foods I love and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Just found your blog thanks to MSN and I love the idea of this diet! I never feel full unless I eat carbs!
I love carbs!! So glad to see a diet that includes them!
I love carbs and will never understand how you would want to go on a low-carb diet, life’s too short!
Ohhhh carbs, how I love thee!
um yes. i love carbs. that is all.
I almost always lean towards protein and fiber to keep me full in between meals and at meals themselves because I can’t eat gluten, but it’s interesting to hear her say that carbs are necessary too..
I love carbss!!!
I love cookbooks, I love diet-cookbooks and I love carbs (even though I know that a low-carb diet works for me!).
And I love that this is a world-wide-giveaway.
so – I’m in!
I am looking for a new cookbook with healthy and hearty foods to feed my family. This seems to be the ticket!
I believe in the carbs! Eating enough carbs staves off the deprivation feeling and keeps me from binging.
That cookbook looks awesome!
I pretty much ate baked goods for dinner last night. Definitely need this book!
Ah, carbs. I’m glad they devoted an entire book just to us addicts! 🙂
I’m in, commenting, I mean. Let’s see
Breakfast: Crackers or bread with PB
Mid morning:Digestive biscuits
Lunch: Sandwich aka bread or oatmeal
Tea snack: Crackers or bread with PB
Dinner: Noodles, pasta or rice
A whole of carbs there!
I love this thought – carbs = weight loss! Cuz I love me some carbs!
I WANNA WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As a mega carb lover – This cook book would be great to have!
I didn’t know there was such a thing as a carb lovers diet! That’s definitely for me 🙂
i want this book!
I love carbs. I love cooking, and I need this book to balance out all the low carb ones I bought in the South Beach days :O)
I’ve heard of this book and, as a member of Carbaholics Anonymous, would love to win a copy!
Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
I have been wanting this book for a while! yum!
I love carbs! And I would like to be skinny. So winning would be awesome. 🙂
I tried the south beach diet once…that lasted about three days. id love the book!
(sung to the tune of “Hair”)
Give me some of those carbs! Smooth, starchy ca-arbs!
Carbs (and froyo) are a girls best friend!
I would LOVE a copy of this book!!! Excellent!
I love carbs! So tired of all the no carb and no sugar people, everything in moderation. Would love this book to try out some of their recipes.
I heart Carbs 🙂
This looks awesome! (I especially like the drinks section)!
MMMM CARBS…
I love carbs!
I’m a carb whore…that is all…
A carb diet sounds awesome and those recipes look delicious. I’d like to enter to win, please! 🙂
I was just checking this cookbook out!! I’d love it!
Alrighty, I’ll take my chances in the cookbook drawing, but mostly I just wanted to say how much I love all your food medley bowls! You’ve given me some great ideas and I thank you! 🙂
i want to win! 😀
I love looking through cookbooks, too! That counts as educational reading, right?
I’m a carb addict, so any diet that keeps them in is much needed! I am struggling to lose 15 lbs and I know cutting carbs always back fires….I’m torn.
I’ve had this cookbook on loan at the library for ages, I would love to own a copy!
I LOVE Carbs! I’m temporarily cutting back because of the way they affect a medication that I’m on, but I LOVE my carbs! Put a bread basket in front of my face and I WILL finish it… 😉
I am definitely a big fan of carbs!
Oh carbs…how I love you so! My favorite carb is pasta, pasta, pasta and that pasta dish on the cover looks amazing!
I would love this book! Hopefully they have yummy vegetarian meals too!!
I started running in October and my very first half marathon is this Sunday. My favorite part about running is saying “you know, I had a long run today” as I stuff carbs into my face.
I would looooove this book since I am a carb lover too! Yay! 🙂
That cookbook looks awesome…especially since I am totally on Team Carb as well.
Love carbs!
Team Carbs!
I could definitely use a cookbook that incorporates some low-cal cocktails.
I love carbs!
i hope this book has some yummy bread recipes! i’ve been trying to convert to home made bread lately and a book like this would really help 🙂
I love carbs…and cookbooks! Hope I win! Thanks for the opportunity!
I love carbs… So I want to win! 🙂
I think you should give this to me because I just got engaged and I need to lose some lbs before the big day! 😉
I heart carbs so much even though my bf wants to go low carb
Being a high school crosscountry and track athlete, I am definitely a carb lover 🙂
Eating pizza now…live on carbs.
This cookbook looks perfect. Who doesn’t love carbs? And I totally agree that you gain more weight after a “low-carb” diet because when you’ve reached your goal weight, you inevitably think that you can start eating everything that you’ve given up and before you know it…you’re worse off than when you started!
I loveeeee carbs!!!
Okay, count me in! I want this! 🙂
A carb lovers diet will make the world a better place! Team carbs all the way! 🙂
This looks like a great cookbook!
I love carbs. The end.
So, it’s Ash Wednesday today, the beginning of Lent. Aaaand I could never give up carbs. Nope, no way hosay, not ever ever. But, maybe this book can help me be more healthy about them 😉
Does this recipe book feature clean eating, like using whole wheat pasta, brown rice etc? Just curious I haven’t heard of it.
Is butter a carb?
I’d love a new cookbook! It looks so pretty. 🙂
This is a dream come true! Carbs and diet in the same title!!
The book looks great! I too like to look through for ideas. Now if only doing that didn’t make me so hungry!
I would love to win this–I have the carb lovers diet book and would love to add this to my collection!
I am definitely definitely a carb lover! I want to win!
I would love to win! I’m a recent new reader of your blog & i’m loving it! Especially all the opportunities to win giveaways 😉 maybe this will be my lucky one!
I love carbs, probably a little too much! Your breakfast looks really good. I always forget about pumpkin, and it reminded me I need to buy some!
Carbs are my world…I would starve without them 🙂
Want!!! Carbs are great!
I want to make that smoked salmon toast…that looks lovely 🙂
The Carb Lover’s Diet is a great one… would love to have the cookbook. Thanks for the opportunity!
I’m going to school to become an R.D. and love looking at recipe books for new ideas! Most people love their carbs so this would be very handy!
Sounds like my kind of cook book I’m a carb girl all the way!
I love looking at cookbooks, I love cooking, and I love eating! Sign me up, please!
🙂
Thank you!
I recently rediscovered the joy that is peanut butter toast with a sliced banana on top. It happened because we ran out of jam. Now I don’t even care when it gets re-stocked 🙂
Yes please! I hate low carb diets sooooo much. Just today I was thinking that if one more person tells me to cut carbs I will lose it! Not happening! Just not realistic and I don’t want to hate my life!
I definitely need inspiration for new meals right now. I’m burnt out on so many things and this crazy fall/winter/spring weather thing So Cal is having doesn’t make things easier – I threw a taco soup in the slow cooker the other morning and it turned out to be 80 degrees that day – ughh.
Yes, I love carbs but Im curious about the Click protein powder. Does it taste good?
Who in their right mind wouldn’t want that cookbook??? Something that tell you how to eat carbs and lose weight, sounds like my dream book!
Always live a good cookbook!
oh, how i love thee, carbs. i could never give you up!
That cookbook looks awesome. I love myself some carbs!
Carbs + diet? Count me in.
I have the Carb Lovers Diet book, and the cookbook would be a nice supplement to that book. And being Portuguese, I love carbs! Who else has potatoes, rice & bread all in the same meal!!! 😉
Yum! I also prefer cookbooks with photos! I like to know how my food will/should look. 🙂
if i could live off carbs the rest of my life, i would. bread it my favorite!
I love new cookbooks, and all things carbs!!
I’d love to win this! I checked it out from the library but I’m WAY down on the list–having a copy of my own would be great!
Always looking for some new recipes to try out.
Hi. My name is Julie and I am a Carb-A-Holic!!
I would love to win the cookbook! I love reading recipes….my husband thinks I’m so weird!
LOVE carbs, I hope I win this book!!
I’m skeptical, but I’d love to read this book! I’m all for carbs, but I don’t find them as sustaining as protein and fat. That said, I can’t deny a good recipe for coconut cake!
I love looking through cookbooks for healthy recipe ideas!
AHH this book is right up my alley! I love carbs so much and when people ask how I can run marthons I always say.. I run so I can carb load!!
Monica- I’ve just started reading your blog and you really are an inspiration on getting me out the door running. I like that you have a natural out look on life and always jump back on your wagon when you feel you have fallen off. Keep up the great posts, I love reading them!
I mainly stick to high protein eating plans, but this book looks interesting. I do <3 me some carbs.
I love bread-but it doesn’t do much for me nutritionally. so I am all about checking out the carb-lovers diet!
I LOVE CARBS!
I heart carbs!!!!
happy almost thursday
Mmm…cake
I LOVE CARBS! protein is so…. eh. Fresh baked bread FTW!!
I never follow a cookbook recipe exactly the way it is shown. I like reading them more for ideas. Baking on the other hand, I will cook exactly how it is laid out in a book – can’t really cover up baking mistakes 😉
mMMmmm….I love carbs!! But I know I need to cut back on them…I would love to try out these recipes!
I’d love to win a copy of this cookbook! I LOVE carbs!
I love my Carbs!! I could not get through running without them!
I am soooo Team Carbs as well. I would love this book. I have recently started to cook more and stop relying on frozen food or fast food and this would give me some great ideas. Plus when I’m hungry I need it fast, lol!
I am a carb lover for life!
I agree low carb diets just don’t work …not to mention carbs are tasty and can be healthy…looks like a great cookbook and I have been looking for some new inspiration in the kitchen lately!
Fun! I’d love to get my hands on this cookbook.
I am literally a carbaolic! I’ve heard great things about the book, would love to try it!
Who can really give up carbs anyway? That’s just silly.
And I love “diets” that realize that cocktails are necessary every now and then too!
I would love to win this… diet recipes with carbs (wipes drool).
That looks like a book I’d like to try – I am always struggling with trying to eat the “right” kinds of foods, and end up just eating a bunch of carbs when I’m starving later on!
I LOVE CARBS and would love this book!
I’d love to check out this cookbook!
i love carbs! i have been craving a bagel- i might need to stock up for the upcoming week.
This cook book looks awesome!
I’m a firm believer carbs should be in every meal. And if chocolate also happens to be in those meals, it’s a great day! I’m a carb-lover & eater!
I love how it’s a realistic approach WITH carbs and some drinky-drinks! I’ll have to check this out!
I am leader of team carb. In fact, when I was a kid and thought that vegetarians only ate vegetables (this makes sense when you’re 6) I decided that when I grew up I wanted to be a breadatarian. I’m pleased to say that I have pretty much reached this goal.
This cookbook would be awesome. One i’m a carb lover to the end and two because one of my best friends asked me to help her get healthy in time for her wedding this august. This cookbook would give us some great ideas of things to make together and for our families!!
As a pasta-bread lover I think this book’s recipes will be more than welcome!
I just bought the diet plan book and have made a few recipes from it. They are absolutely delicious. Adding this book to my collection would be an awesome way to get some more variety!
OMG I’d LOVE this! Last night my dinner was a HUGE ciabatta roll. And fruit. I LOVE CARBS!
I like that it seems like you could get a lot of good ideas from this recipe book without having to completely subscribe to the specific diet part of it. I’m a carb-lover too!
I am struggling to lose the “last 10” pounds and this book sounds great!
I would love for an opportunity to have a copy of this book! I looove carbs! =]
Would like to add another cookbook to the collection!
I’ve never tried adding warm pumpkin to yogurt.. genius!!
And I read about this cookbook in Health magazine, all of the recipes sound really good!
I am totally intrigued by this as I have not been able to reach my goals while following a low carb diet and training for various races. This seems like it may provide a good balance of being able to fuel and refuel the way I need to and also losing some weight in the process!
I’m dying to have this cookbook, seems perfect for me and easy to use. I’d love to have new entree and cocktails ideas that my boyfriend even likes that aren’t “diet food”!
Another carb lover here!
Look up carb lover in the dictionary and you will probably see my face 🙂 I would loooove this cookbook!
This book sounds interesting, mostly because you mention there are easy and single-serving recipes! I am the most anti-cooking person I know, but I REALLY need to get better at it :-/
Broiled Bananas on Toast?! I want to win this book just so I can see the rest of that page!! 🙂
I spotted Chia seeds at the grocery store last night. After seeing you mention them a few times, I decided to pick them up. I put them in my lunchtime green smoothie, and I plan to try them a few more ways as well. I’ll be keeping an eye on how you use them. 🙂
I hadn’t heard of this book before, but it sounds great! I would be miserable on a low-carb diet. In fact, almost everything I’ve eaten today has been carbs :/ oops.
I would love to check out some of these recipes! I heart carbs!
Ive been eyeing that book for a few weeks!
I have been eyeing this cookbook since it first came out! I absolutely LOVE carbs and have never been able to restrict them in my diet.
Totally Team Carbs but would love to mix it up a bit 🙂
I love cookbooks too. I rarely make a recipe as it is laid out.
I’m right there with you on the carb loving bandwagon. I’ve never tried doing low carb dieting, and I never will because a.) I love them too much and b.) we need them to be able to run….duhh!
I love cookbooks. I also have a tendency to buy diet books at book sales just for the recipes.
ummm, because last year for Lent (I’m Jewish!) I gave up eating pasta twice a day, because that is how much I love carbs. And no, that didn’t stick, at all.
Mmm…carbs.
That coconut cake she talks about sounds SOO good right now.
Team Carb! I saw the author on Good Morning America, and I was excited to see people use – gasp – pasta and bread in “diet” recipes.