“Dollars to Donuts” Book Review & Giveaway

By Shannon Gurnee
In Book Review
December 16, 2009
213 Comments
4502 Views

Dollars to donuts cookbookAre you a busy parent living on a budget? If so, I have a book you will be interested in checking out!  Dawn Welch, a proprietor of the historic Rock Café on Route 66 in Stroud, Oklahoma, has come up with a book that guides us family on making the most of every moment and dollar spent in the kitchen.  While budgets have become tighter, our desires for good food hasn’t changed.  In her new cookbook, Dollars to Donuts: Comfort Food and Kitchen Wisdom from Route 66’s Landmark Rock Cafe, Dawn helps her readers to cook and plan delicious meals that won’t break the bank or bore the taste buds.

The book reads: “Which meals are best for your family? The kind that taste great, don’t break the bank – and most importantly, don’t keep you chained to the stove all day. As the sole proprietor of her own restaurant and busy wife and mother of two, Dawn Welch has perfected the art of cooking smart, using short-order strategies and a little bit of advance planning to rack up huge savings of time, money, and effort at home on a daily basis, and now you can, too.  These days everyone is keeping an eye on the bottom line, and Dawn is no different; she shares her best tips and tactics for stretching your food budget without giving up the favorite foods and special treats that make mealtime the best part of the day. Who wants to live on a steady diet of pasta and canned tuna? In Dollars to Donuts you’ll find plenty of savvy ways to serve up steaks, seafood, even luscious chocolate desserts without letting costs spiral out of control. She also dishes up great ideas for transforming basic foods – baked ham, roast chicken, meatball mix – into sexy new offerings that no one will recognize as a leftovers and offers great advice on how to stock your pantry and freezer for last-minute drop-ins and impromptu entertaining.  Each recipe indicates cost per serving so you can choose the dishes that suit your budgetary needs, and a weekly meal planner helps streamline the process of pulling together menus and making the best use of your time and pantry. Icons throughout show which recipes are kid-friendly, which freeze like a dream, and much more.  Think cooking healthful, cost-effective, crowd-pleasing meals is beyond your reach? Take a page out of Dawn Welch’s info-packed book and dollars to donuts, your family will be eating better than ever before and having more fun in the process!”

If you are on a budget, but still want to eat great meals while spending as little money as possible, you should definitely check out this book!  It retails for $19.99 and is available in bookstores and online!
1 lucky reader on The Mommy-Files will win a copy of Dollar to Donuts!!!
WIN IT!!! (MANDATORY ENTRY)
– Tell me in a comment why you want to win this book.

EXTRA ENTRIES!!

– Vote for The Mommy-Files on Top Mommy Blogs (simply click on the button on the sidebar) – 1 ENTRY
– Follow The Mommy-Files on Twitter – 1 ENTRY
– Tweet about the giveaway – 1 ENTRY DAILY
– Become a Fan of The Mommy-Files on Facebook – 1 ENTRY
– Follow me through Google Connect (new on the right side of the blog) – 1 ENTRY
– Subscribe to my blog – 1 ENTRY
– Add my Mommy-Files button to your blog and include the URL – 1 ENTRY
– Add my Holiday Gift Guide button to your blog – 1 ENTRY
– Comment on any Non-Giveaway post on The Mommy-Files – 1 ENTRY per post comment (no limit)
– Blog about this giveaway and include the URL – 5 ENTRIES

RULES!!

– Contest will close at 11:59 p.m. PST on Sunday, December 27th, 2009! Any entries after this time will be deleted!
– Contest open to U.S. residents only.

Gift Guide

For more holiday gift ideas, visit Rockin’ Mama.

I received a copy of “Dollars to Donuts” from Rodale Books so I could review the book and write this post. All opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine!

About Has 6454 Posts

Shannon Gurnee is the author of Redhead Mom formerly "The Mommy-Files", a national blog with a loyal following. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Marriage, Family, and Human Development with a Minor in Business Management. Shannon and her husband, Frank, have a large family with 6 awesome kids and love living on the Central Coast near San Luis Obispo, California, as well as traveling around the world. A full-time Social Media and Professional Blogger, Shannon also serves as a National Brand Ambassador for many well-known companies. Her blog focuses on motherhood, family fun activities, traveling, fashion, beauty, technology, wedding ideas and recipes while providing professional opinions on products, performances, restaurants, and a variety of businesses.

213 Responses to ““Dollars to Donuts” Book Review & Giveaway”

  1. angie says:

    follow on twitter ID shopannies
    shopannies@yahoo.com

  2. Tweaked up comfort food with some money saving tips thrown in—sounds like a great read!

  3. Jessica H. says:

    I would love to win this book as my family is on a very tight food budget and I would love to be able to fix them some new frugal recipes that they will enjoy. I am sure they are tired of just rice and beans!

    Thank you for the chance to win!

    girlygirlugh at gmail dot com

  4. Jessica H. says:

    I clicked the button on the sidebar to vote for your website. good luck!

    girlygirlugh at gmail dot com

  5. Jessica H. says:

    I follow you on twitter. My screen name is: girlygirlugh

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  6. i’m your facebook fan (Jen Viray)

  7. Jessica H. says:

    I tweeted!

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  8. Jessica H. says:

    I am a fan of yours on facebook. Screen name: Jessica Hendrickson

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  9. Jessica H. says:

    I follow you with google friend connect. Screen name: girlygirlugh

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  10. PostModernJen following you on twitter.

  11. Jessica H. says:

    I am an email subscriber.

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  12. I’m an email subscriber

  13. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jen, Jessica H.. Jessica H. said: Dollars to Donuts book giveaway on The Mommy Files at http://www.themommy-files.com/2009/12/dollars-to-donuts-book-review-giveaway/ […]

  14. Linda Kish says:

    Sounds like some good ole southern wisdom.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  15. Linda Kish says:

    google reader follower

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  16. gosfam says:

    I need this book, especially since I quit my job and money is going to get tight, and I have a picky husband so I would love to serve him things he likes, and still do it affordably (not a real word–LOL)

  17. gosfam says:

    I voted for you on Top Mommy Blogs!!

  18. gosfam says:

    I follow you on twitter: Gosfam

  19. gosfam says:

    I am a fan of The Mommy-Files on facebook

  20. gosfam says:

    I follow through Google Friend Connect

  21. gosfam says:

    I subscribe via e-mail

  22. gosfam says:

    I have The MOmmy-Files button on my blog

  23. gosfam says:

    I have the Holiday Gift Guide button on my blog

  24. gosfam says:

    I commented on Wordless Wednesday “Cheese” post

  25. gosfam says:

    I commented on Tell Your Good News Tuesday post

  26. gosfam says:

    I commented on Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones…..post.

  27. Terri L says:

    I love to read

  28. Terri L says:

    I subscribe to your blog

  29. denise says:

    I would like to win because it may give me some new ideas.

    denise_22315 at yahoo dot com

  30. denise says:

    I subscribe.

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  31. denise says:

    I follow as wiscmom24 on Twitter.

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  32. denise says:

    I tweeted.

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  33. jennifer says:

    I would love to win this because, lately, my husband has been wanting to cook in the kitchen and explore new creations – this is kinda like our new bonding- we have a blast together! So this would be awesome for the both of us!

  34. jennifer says:

    I subscribe to the mommy files via e-mail!

  35. jennifer says:

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  36. Pam says:

    I just moved into a house with a BIG kitchen and I would love to start cookinggreat meals for my family!

  37. Pam says:

    I follow thru google friend

  38. Carol W. says:

    What can I say…I enjoy new cookbooks! This one sounds chock full of interesting and helpful information. I’d love to have a copy.

  39. Carol W. says:

    I subscribe by email.

  40. Carol W. says:

    I follow with Google Friend Connect.

  41. Melissa says:

    I’d like to win because I’m always looking for new recipes that are frugal, quick, and fun! Thanks for the chance to win!

  42. Sarah Coulsey says:

    I am huge on saving money. I dont buy anything withouta coupon or some sort of discount. But I find that I cook the same things over and over again. I need this book to give me ideas for different better meals for a family of four!!!!

    Great giveaway. I hope I win!!!!

  43. Sarah Coulsey says:

    I voted for you

  44. Sarah Coulsey says:

    I am a fan on facebook

  45. Sarah Coulsey says:

    I follow through google connect

  46. Sarah Coulsey says:

    I am an email subscriber

  47. Sarah Coulsey says:

    I have your holiday button on my blog

    sarahsblogoffun.blogspot.com

  48. Vickie Riddle says:

    I would love to win this cookbook because I recently lost one of my jobs from downsizing, so now I just have a part time job, and that means I’ve lost some dollars and we can’t just eat donuts! LOL Seriously this would help our household through this bump in the road. Thank you for the opportunity.

  49. Vickie Riddle says:

    Subscriber to your blog.

  50. Vickie Riddle says:

    Google friend connect/Vickie Riddle

  51. sandy says:

    love cookbooks and the ideas

  52. Jessica H. says:

    Daily tweet:
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  53. Jennifer T. says:

    I’d love to have this cookbook because I’m always looking for ways to extend and use the pantry staples I have in new ways.

  54. Jennifer T. says:

    I follow through Google Friend Connect.

  55. Jennifer T. says:

    I’m an e-mail subscriber.

  56. Cee says:

    After reading your review and looking over the reviews on Amazon, I would love to try these recipes. I especially am interested in the pies mentioned in some of the reviews, and I like that it includes hints on how to substitute meats, seasonings, etc.. What a great addition to a cookbook library!

  57. Cee says:

    I voted!

  58. Cee says:

    I follow via Google Friend Connect — Cee

  59. Wendy M says:

    We are living on a very tight budget and would love a cookbook that is geared to help with that.
    wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

  60. Wendy M says:

    I am a Facebook Fan
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  61. Wendy M says:

    I follow in Google Reader
    wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

  62. Wendy M says:

    I follow in Google Friend Connect
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  63. Jessica H. says:

    Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/girlygirlugh/status/6819933138

    girlygirlugh at gmail dot com

  64. *LyndiLou* says:

    I would love to win this book because I think my husband would have a great time with it! 🙂 I love collecting recipes and he loves cooking them! This book sounds fun and interesting… thanks for the chance to win!

  65. *LyndiLou* says:

    I follow you on Twitter!

  66. *LyndiLou* says:

    I follow you through Google Connect!

  67. *LyndiLou* says:

    I am your fan on Facebook!

  68. *LyndiLou* says:

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  69. *LyndiLou* says:

    I have your holiday gift guide button on my blog!

  70. Denise B. says:

    I am a big foodie and love to cook, bake, and eat.

  71. Mildred says:

    I want to win this cookbook since I like cookbooks like this one — ones with easy-to-prepare, tasty recipes that we want to eat again and again

  72. Rosie says:

    I love to try new recipes in cookbooks. I also have back problems and finding great recipes that will allow to spend as little money and time on my feet as possible always helps.

  73. Lynn says:

    I really need to learn how to budget and cook on a budget and this book would really help!

  74. Lynn says:

    I follow on Twitter.

  75. Lynn says:

    I follow on Google Friend Connect.

  76. Lynn says:

    I am subscribed to your blog.

  77. Lynn says:

    Your button is at my blog: http://bit.ly/jIbPb.

  78. Kimberly L says:

    I would love to win this , its hard to find good cookbooks with comfort foods that the entire family would love.

  79. Kimberly L says:

    Email Subscriber

    brn2lisn(at)gmail(dot)com

  80. Kimberly L says:

    I’m a follower thru GFC

  81. Jessica H. says:

    Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/girlygirlugh/status/6848499582

    girlygirlugh at gmail dot com

  82. dorothy l says:

    I want to win the book because it sounds like the recipe are practical for every day
    con5459(at)gmail(dot)com

  83. Jessica H. says:

    Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/girlygirlugh/status/6878367011

    girlygirlugh at gmail dot com

  84. islandrogue says:

    Following on google. Would love to learn to make new kinds of comfort food and how to make it on a budget. My kids are picky and need new ideas! Like the idea of meal planning too. 🙂

  85. Sheila P says:

    I would like to win this book because it sounds like it has alot of good recipes that help when your on a tight budget.

  86. Jessica H. says:

    Daily tweet:
    http://twitter.com/girlygirlugh/status/6913171520

    girlygirlugh at gmail dot com

  87. Jason says:

    If there is a cook book that can help me spend less time in the kitchen, I’m in!

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

  88. Jason says:

    twitter follower

    parkerozgood

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

  89. Jason says:

    Tweeted

    http://twitter.com/parkerozgood/status/6936395401

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

  90. Jason says:

    GFC follower

    nickolay

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

  91. I’m looking for quick and easy meal ideas that my 2.5yo daughter will eat! That are also affordable. I’m looking for inspiration everywhere I can get it…

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

  92. Follower through Google connect

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

  93. Subscribed to your feed.

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

  94. Follower on twitter: moziesme

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

  95. We posted about this giveaway at winning readings; http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/12/dollars-to-donuts.html

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com
    #1

  96. We posted about this giveaway at winning readings; http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/12/dollars-to-donuts.html

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com
    #2

  97. We posted about this giveaway at winning readings; http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/12/dollars-to-donuts.html

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com
    #3

  98. We posted about this giveaway at winning readings; http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/12/dollars-to-donuts.html

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com
    #4

  99. We posted about this giveaway at winning readings; http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/12/dollars-to-donuts.html

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com
    #5

  100. Susan D says:

    Mom loves cookbooks and I know that she loves books with comfort food recipes, so I would like to win this book for her

  101. Beth says:

    Ooh! I love all cookbooks and this looks especially lovely! I’d love to win!

    BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

  102. Beth says:

    I’m a Google Friend Connect follower.

    BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

  103. Beth says:

    I’m a Facebook fan (Beth Book Review).

    BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

  104. Beth says:

    I’m a Twitter Follower (BethsBookReview).

    BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

  105. Susan D says:

    I just voted for The Mommy-Files on Top Mommy Blogs a few minutes ago

  106. Maria says:

    I heard about this book from hungry girl. I live in the country and like to cook simple meals. Fast food is not my choice. I would love to try some of the recipes in this book and save some money also. I am trying to teach my 16 year old daughter the basics of cooking and this book sounds like it is the ticket.

  107. Mildred says:

    For an extra entry and to add to your votes of support, I voted via the click link for The Mommy-Files on Top Mommy Blogs

  108. Pat W says:

    I would love to win this book because I just read about it on Hungry Girl and then I googled and read it on your blog too. Now I am hooked on your blog and if I don;t win the book. at least I found a great blog!!

  109. Cheryl Bradley says:

    We definitely need to save money now that my husband got laid off. I’m a SAHM so the only income we have right now is his unemployment, and it’s tough. Part of staying in the budget means cooking more meals at home, but I know I don’t get the most bang for my buck cooking at home. Often, I will buy an ingredient called for in a recipe, use a little of it, and then the rest gets thrown out or sits around unused forever.

  110. Cheryl Bradley says:

    voted for the mommy files
    cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com

  111. Cheryl Bradley says:

    follow the mommyfiles on twitter as cln1812

  112. Cheryl Bradley says:

    facebook fan of themommyfiles (Cheryl Newman Bradley)
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  113. Cheryl Bradley says:

    follow you thru google friend connect (Cheryl Bradley)
    cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com

  114. Cheryl Bradley says:

    email subscriber to the mommy files
    cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com

  115. sarah says:

    i love to try new recipes!

  116. Melissa D says:

    Cookbooks are my absolutely favorite things to buy, and this one looks great! Thanks and Happy Holidays!

  117. Tammy says:

    ould always use another cookbook for ideas

  118. Becca says:

    I would love to win because I like the thought of eating well for cheap, thanks!

  119. Becca says:

    I am following you on twitter (I am sbshortie)

  120. Becca says:

    I am your fan on facebook as Becca Okaneko

  121. Becca says:

    I follow your blog. sbcashortie (at) hotmail (dot) com

  122. Becca says:

    I am an email subscriber.

  123. Becca says:

    I have your holiday gift guide button up on the right at http://beccascontestlist.blogspot.com

  124. christopher h says:

    i need this, like everyone, because of the current state of the economy, saving money is important

  125. James Coyne says:

    I want to learn how to cook. I figure this will have alot of good receipes

  126. Amanda D. says:

    I want to win this simply because I love to cook and I’m always looking for new recipes. macd82 at gmail dot com

  127. Daniel M says:

    i want/need this book because i’m a terrible cook and need all the help i can get, plus i love comfort food!

  128. Hesper F says:

    I would love to win because I love to cook and collect recipes!

  129. Hesper F says:

    I follow The Mommy Files on Twitter. (eveningstarr1)

  130. Hesper F says:

    I am a fan of The Mommy Files on Facebook.

  131. Hesper F says:

    I follow via google friends connect.

  132. Erma says:

    I’d love to win this cause it looks so interesting.

  133. Jeanine says:

    I’d love to win this book for my daughter so that she can learn to prepare a variety of dishes without spending alot of money.

  134. Carrie H. says:

    I am a facebook fan of TheMommyFiles because I LOVE The Mommy Files! This cookbook sounds especially enticing. Go Mommies!!!

  135. Ed Nemmers says:

    I adore fun recipe books; this looks like one!

  136. Karen Gonyea says:

    Looks adorable and fun 🙂

  137. Mia J. says:

    I want to win this because I like cookbooks and I love comfort food.

  138. Heather B says:

    Not only do I want to win it because I collect cook books but also because it looks like one I could really put to use

  139. theodore esteghamat says:

    I like cookbooks with easy recipes.

  140. Jessica says:

    I would love to win this book because I have a lot of mouths to feed and not a lot of money! This book sounds great!

  141. angelo says:

    this is a very nice idea. thanks for the chance.

  142. chastidy says:

    Im always looking for some help in the kitchen 🙂

  143. blueviolet says:

    I’d love this for help in stretching food dollars while not spending a lot of time in the kitchen!!

  144. blueviolet says:

    I follow on twitter (blueviolet)

  145. I’d love to have the book to help stretch our dollar!!
    thanks
    bleatham(at)gmail.com

  146. I voted for you
    bleatham(at)gmail.com

  147. follow on twitter as sleatham1
    bleatham(at)gmail.com

  148. facebook fan
    id–sleatham1
    bleatham(at)gmail.com

  149. following on google friend connect
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  150. email subscriber
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  151. your button is on my blog
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  152. your holiday button is on my blog
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  153. Deborah Wellenstein says:

    We’ve suffered a job loss in our family in the past year, so this cookbook will help us stretch our budget. Thanks!

  154. Tamara says:

    I love cookbooks and need to start cooking more to help save money! This would be perfect for me!

  155. Deborah R says:

    I want to win this book because, like most folks, we have to find ways to cut every area of our budget, including food…yet we still need to maintain good nutrition and keep a positive attitude. So, I’m very interested in new ways to present meals that are basic and budget stretching.

  156. Maja Meza says:

    i want to win this for my mother in law. she would have a use of it.

  157. Maja Meza says:

    subscriber

  158. Maja Meza says:

    follower

  159. JoAnn L. says:

    I’m always looking for new recipes and with the economy like it is now I have to really pinch pennies.

  160. Susan says:

    It would be nice to find a way to “jazz” up everyday food so the meals don’t get boring.

  161. Susan says:

    voted for The Mommy-Files

  162. Susan says:

    The Mommy-Files fan on Facebook

  163. Susan says:

    The Mommy-Files follower via Google

  164. Susan says:

    The Mommy-Files email subscriber

  165. kathy pease says:

    i love trying out new recipes and giving my family new dishes to try 🙂

  166. kathy pease says:

    following on twitter klp1965

  167. kathy pease says:

    google friend klp1965

  168. kathy pease says:

    subscriber

  169. kathy pease says:

    fan on facebook kathylpease

  170. I would love to win this because we are trying to eat frugally and I need some new recipe ideas!

  171. I voted for you on Top Mommy Blogs

  172. I follow you on Twitter (tobinsmommy08)

  173. I follow you through Google Connect

  174. I subscribe by e-mail

  175. I commented on the “Yep…I’m Still Alive” post

  176. Beverly says:

    I love to cook and read cookbooks and this cookbook looks interesting. Thanks for having the contest!

  177. heather c says:

    I used to shop in Stroud before the big tornado wiped out the whole shopping area! I’d love it just to remind me of home.

  178. heather c says:

    I follow themommyfiles on twitter – choochoo428

  179. Angela Winesburg says:

    I love trying out recipes, thanks for the chance!

  180. Melanie says:

    I want to win because we need to eat on the cheap! Times are tough!

  181. We are always looking for ways to stretch our home dining dollars with meals that are quick & easy! This looks like a good book that may help.

  182. I follow you (publicly) through Google Connect / Blogger

  183. I have your main button on my sidebar..

    at http://cakeblast.com

  184. Gianna says:

    I am always looking for new recipes and I love to cook 🙂

  185. Michelle H. says:

    I love cookbooks. I am a foodie who loves cooking and getting new ideas to try in the kitchen.

  186. Michelle H. says:

    Email subscriber.

  187. Veronica Garrett says:

    I want to win this book because I want to serve my family great meals on a budget. My husband, like a lot of people, lost his job.

  188. Betty C says:

    I’d like to win this because I need more ideas for stretching my food dollars. Having to work more than one job just to meet the necessities stinks.

  189. Betty C says:

    I follow on Twitter as willitara.

  190. dawn says:

    I need more ideas for stretching my food dollars.
    mightynaynay(at)cs.com

  191. Lily Kwan says:

    I want to win this book because it looks very interesting!

  192. Lily Kwan says:

    I became your Facebook fan.

  193. Lily Kwan says:

    I subscribed to your blog.

  194. […] winner of the cookbook, “Dollars to Donuts,” is #107. Congrats to […]

  195. The Art Of War…

    …You might want to take a look at…

  196. LISA says:

    IM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW IDEAS IN THE KITCHEN!I THINK THIS WULD HELP ME.

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