Enter to Win a Copy of Mark Bittman’s New E-Book

‘Cooking Solves Everything’ by Mark Bittman

The cover of Mark Bittman's new book, 'Cooking Solves Everything'

Mark Bittman is a TakePart favorite. He’s known for his minimalist style of cooking, down-to-earth advice, and no-frills approach to working in the kitchen. This week, we’ve paired up with Byliner to give away copies of Bittman’s new e-book, Cooking Solves Everything.

Here’s a brief excerpt of Bittman’s wisdom:

Cooking is like exercise or spending time in nature or good conversation: The more you do it, the more you like it, the better you get at it, and the more you recognize that its rewards are far greater than its efforts and that even its efforts are rewards. When you become even marginally good at cooking, you begin to enjoy the process. Even the shopping. Even, sometimes, the cleanup.


To enter to win a FREE copy of the e-book, all you need to do is leave a comment below answering the following question: Why do you love being in the kitchen?

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. CONTEST IS OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 U.S. AND D.C., 18 YEARS AND OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Contest begins on or about 11:00 am PDT on October 3, 2011, and ends at 6:00 pm PDT on October 3, 2011. Prize ARV: $2.99. Subject to Official Rules. Sponsor: TakePart, LLC, 331 Foothill Road, 3rd Floor, Beverly Hills, California, 90210.

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Comments 31

Submitted by pumukli on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 4:46am
thanks for the ebook!! :)

Submitted by Cameron Krein on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 9:46am
I love being in the kitchen because that is where the family gathers and creates together and the lines of conversation flow so smoothly. We can exchange ideas and discuss healthy options and just how our day went.

Submitted by Betty Donohue M... on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 9:15am
I love being in the kitchen because its the heart of the home. When my kids and husband come home they are drawn in by the smells emanating from our kitchen. It is also a creative place for me and I like to be in control of what goes into the bodies of my loved ones and myself. Home cooked meals make life richer and sweeter, and bring families together, physically and spiritually. Anyway, everybody loves a great cook and homemade food that's made with love. It just feels good!

Submitted by Mark Boerboom on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 6:22am
It started when I was seventeen with a low carbon wok. I really enjoy exploring different cultures through food.

Submitted by bluedo on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 6:03am
I love being in the kitchen because most of my favorite gadgets and flavors are there. I love cooking reliable standbys as well as adventurous new recipes that tempt and delight. Cooking brings back memories from favorite trips and allows me to take mini-vacations when time and money prevent me from actually getting somewhere!

Submitted by shelleyp on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 5:03pm
I love being in the kitchen because when I'm not, I'm almost always on the computer. When I'm on the computer, I'm reading news stories about another puppy miller closed down, or another community fighting a CAFO being built in their neighborhood. I'm reading about this terrorist explosion or that corruption charge, or yet another Republican declaring his or her intention of running for President. Outside my kitchen, the world is sometimes too big. When I'm in the kitchen, my world consists of four walls, a few appliances, an open pantry filled with good, simple ingredients, and the smell of whatever is cooking or baking.

Submitted by Jessica Abbate on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 4:46pm
I can NOT honestly say I love to be in the kitchen. I am not an excellent cook but I am trying. My efforts to feed my family in a healthy, local and organic way has been a challenge. I struggle to find a balance between picky eaters and an all new menu. I have several local farms that I shop at and even barter with for groceries but I am just learning how to prepare my bounty. I think with time and guidance I will learn to LOVE the kitchen. The secret I believe is to find success in a few new recipies featuring my garden fresh choices and go from there...

Submitted by SimmaDown on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 4:17pm
I love being in the kitchen because it is like an experiment every time I enter. I never get bored- there is always another recipe to try out, a new ingredient I only just discovered, or a different combination of dishes to put together. And most of the time it works out deliciously!

Submitted by ovenbird on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 1:38pm
It's super relaxing being in the kitchen and it's my domain.

Submitted by KirkW on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 1:17pm
We've learned to love it because, really, who else is going to prepare food for us and our children? Us: Choosing quality ingredients that keep us eating well at a reasonable cost. Them: Assembling a professionally engineered and marketed mix of commodities and chemicals that is designed to be 1) addictive, 2) hopefully not lethal until the next quarterly earnings report, and 3) produced as cheaply as possible by cost-cutting corporations and their abused suppliers. Tough call!

Submitted by Sharon Engel on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 12:53pm
I am addicted to yummy, organic, healthy, delicious vegan food. I love being in the kitchen because those are the results I get.

Submitted by pumukli on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 12:39pm
I love being in the kitchen because cooking is such an interesting creative activity for me. And it's so amusing to feel that even if you cook the same recipe for hundred times, you won't ever get the same result. I'm quite an amateur cook, so I always discover something new, and keep on experimenting :D It clears my head, makes me forget about my worries. The kitchen is both an ispiring and relaxing place for me :)

Submitted by WebPixie on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 12:39pm
I'm just starting to try to cook more so that I can eat less processed food. I need a minimalist approach because I have what my sister and I call "a one-butt" kitchen. Only one butt can fit in there at a time!

Submitted by Jessica Rupp on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 12:36pm
I love being in the kitchen because I know the food I cook won't try to slowly kill me with preservatives, aspartame and high fructose corn syrup.

Submitted by rebeccahopkins on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 12:16pm
It is my creative expression of love for myself and those around me. Whether it be simple grilled cheese on toast, spicy beef stir fry, or 12-hour braised pork, the kitchen is a place of solace where I am reminded of the basic human desire to be nourished, connected, cared for and loved.

Submitted by Renata H on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 12:13pm
I love being in the kitchen because that's where I learned how to cook safe foods for my food allergic child to eat. Our whole family eats better (healthier, more fresh) now thanks to his food allergies.

Submitted by Catherine Jennings on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 12:06pm
I love being in the kitchen cause it's cozy :)

Submitted by SMacleod on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 11:59am
I love being in the kitchen because when my teens come home, they immediately say "what did you make today?" I love being in the kitchen because I have witnessed firsthand how eating non-processed, made from scratch, mostly organic food has positively impacted my husband's arthritis to the point where it is barely an issue.

Submitted by Limo Bill on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 11:48am
I love being in the kitchen because it allows me to be creative, to be in control of my dietary intake ... and to 'bond' with many healthy dishes that i proudly create.

Submitted by leeannefitzy on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 11:45am
I love being in the kitchen because cooking allows me to be in charge of my life, in charge of what I put in my mouth, in charge of how I feel at the end of the day. I love experimenting, having fun with it and making mistakes but eating them anyways!

Submitted by Michael LaCroix on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 11:40am
I love being in the kitchen because I love to eat well, and want my family to eat well, even though I don't have a lot of money. Cooking good food makes me feel rich in spirit, as though I am doing something more than just preparing fuel. When I cook, I feel more connected to my family; my immediate family as well as relatives far away, and those past away, especially my grandmother. My dad still calls me up a few times a week, and we inevitably discuss what meals we've enjoyed cooking recently, and what food we're hoping to eat soon. (I should mention, though, that I really dislike doing the dishes, and love our dishwasher.)

Submitted by Alix Brewer on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 11:37am
It allows me to create. I have a passion for food and a passion for art and being in the kitchen allows me to unite the two. The best kind of masterpiece is the one also best enjoyed with friends.

Submitted by Alix Brewer on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 11:36am
It allows me to create. I have a passion for food and a passion for art and being in the kitchen allows me to unite the two. The best kind of masterpiece is the one also best enjoyed with friends.

Submitted by Julie Roth on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 11:36am
I feel creative while cooking and I can control what goes into my body. Also, it makes the kitchen the warmest room in the house in the winter! Cozy and smells great, too!

Submitted by Bethany Stephens on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 11:34am
I'm pretty new to cooking, but I love being in the kitchen because it makes me feel like Wonder Woman when I'm able to take a bunch of stuff and make something delicious. I like it even better when I'm able to say (with false humility), "Oh, this? I made it from scratch."

Submitted by mnfairman on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 11:33am
I love being in the kitchen because then I know what's in my food!

Submitted by emsgirl72 on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 11:30am
The kitchen is time for my daughter and I to spend time together, with each other and with our food. I don't want her growing up disconnected from what we eat. It's a practice for us, in being mindful, and taking time for appreciation.

Submitted by ConLem on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 11:28am
Hey, I'm Greek....cooking is what I do!!! YAY for REAL food!!!

Submitted by Selina Padilla on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 11:16am
Baking and cooking brings down my stress levels, gives my mind a much needed break, and helps me feel productive!

Submitted by Elizabeth Bookout on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 11:11am
I love being in the kitchen because of the connection it cultivates with my food and the ability it has to unleash my creativity. I think it is an overall investment in my health and wellbeing.

Submitted by kesaia on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 11:07am
I love being in the kitchen because it brings me back to my childhood...the smells, the tastes, the simple life!