I’m celebrating the launch of my latest eBook, Kitchen Stewardship in the Big Woods: A Family Camping Handbook with Real Food Options by using it and giving it away! We’re preparing to camp this weekend with my husband’s sister and her husband, so I’m using the weekend meal plan plus some extensions from the book, and we’re running through all the checklists getting ready.

In the meantime, I’d like to share. One winner will get three items, a $60 value. AND THE WINNER IS…

Out of 419 entries, random.org chose number 108: Shannon Wampler (Congrats! Please email me your contact info for the companies to send your goodies.)

4-cup round FoldTuk bakeware ($15.99). This bowl can not only accordion-fold flat, but it can go in the oven, freezer, or microwave. It’s great for camping because when you don’t need it, it doesn’t take up much space, and you can even fold it partway down to create a smaller bowl after you’ve eaten some of the food. That makes more room in your cooler for fresh cut melon or icy cold beverages for after that long hike. (See more on materials below.)  I also use mine as a container to put restaurant leftovers in, since I can slide it into a small space in my already cluttered minivan, then go right to the toaster oven the next day for lunch.

Ecousable’s 25 oz. Stainless Steel EcH2O filtered water bottle ($39.99). With a built-in Ionic-Adsorption Micro-Filtration System that gets out lead, chlorine, and up to 99.9% of pollutants (more than a Brita filter!), you can even put lake or stream water into the bottle and drink it right away. When I received a bottle like this one at Gleek Retreat, I knew right away I would contact the company to try to get one for you guys, too. The bottles have a padded bottom that adds stability (I haven’t dented mine yet!) and gives them some grip when set on a table. They’re a safe material, made by an eco-conscious company, have a sleek design and are oh, so gratifyingly practical. I use mine every day!

And of course, your very own copy of the Family Camping Handbook ($4.95) to enjoy. (If you’ve already purchased, a refund will be awarded.) This eBook is partly about taking real food camping with you, partly about the basics of back woods camping for rookies, and partly about having courage when camping with babies, toddlers and preschoolers. You can see more about the book and purchase your own copy here.

More on FoldTuk, Ceramber, and Materials Safety

I am generally super conscious and largely suspicious of new materials and conservative to a fault in sticking on the safe side. I’m not sure what possessed me to accept a product sample of this new-fangled material, but I did ask for the Materials Safety Data Sheet first. FoldTuk’s products are made from Ceramber, a proprietary (i.e., “secret”) material that is some sort of blend of ceramic and silicone. Silicone is generally spoken of as a safe substance (here is an article on silicone and the environment). It is non-reactive, doesn’t offgas, and is a natural substance in the earth that doesn’t take any more resources to mine than metal and less production energy than glass (1). I’ve never heard anything bad about ceramic. Could the two together be so bad?

The silicone also has a naturally slick surface, which makes the products act non-stick for all intents and purposes, without the chemical hazards of PFOA (Teflon). It really is quite easy to clean up.

I can’t say for sure that this material is safe. In fact, when I bake with the humongous roaster (that folds down to 1/3 its size and does fit in my fridge, I smell the silicone. I had hoped it would be just the first time baking, but it’s been in and out of the oven at least four times now, and I’m still smelling the “new car smell”, except it’s “burning new car smell.”

Isn’t that roaster the funniest thing you’ve ever seen? It looks like a clown dish. The lid even squashes somewhat flat for storage, even while there’s food in there. My only complaint other than the smell is that you really have to take care not to let the sides collapse while it’s full of food and you’re handling it. It always requires two hands to move it. The roaster is very deep, though, and you could make a large chicken or turkey in there, or just a super deep dish, 10-layer lasagna.  Mmmmm.  I’ve made stuffed peppers (recipe to come) and my sausage zucchini bake in it so far.

UPDATE: A reader emailed this: My husband is an enigneer in Material Science and he will not let me buy any cookware or untensils made of silicone. He says when it gets heated up, it gives off “stuff”. Can’t remember exactly what that “stuff” was right now. But you had mentioned that smell when in the oven…research silicone before you cook too much with it. My husband, the material science engineer will not touch the stuff. I can smell my next project coming…

UPDATE:  Here is a response from the FoldTuk company:

Having read your earlier article on FoldTuk Roaster, our company conducted an internal investigation over the roaster line. I have to admit and apologize the sample you’ve received is a bad one, specifically in regard of the smelling issue. The reason the roaster smells is because the particular piece you’ve received is inadequately cured. All of our roasters go through a curing process when the production is finished, so to eliminate the smell when actually being in use. Again I apologize that the particular piece you received didn’t represent the overall quality, and thereby any unpleasant experience.

In regard of the “collapsible” feature of the product, the roaster collapses when user proactively applies a force of 10lb and above on the handles. It won’t collapse down itself, or without adequate pushing forces on the handles. The engineer designed the feature as such (only collapse when applied 10lb force on the handle), so for an average person to fold it down without applying too much force on the handle, at the same time making sure it won’t collapse too easily and cause the food content to spill.

Also your reader has reported about her husband’s comment on “cookware or untensils made of silicone”. Silicone material only happens as described when “industrial grade silicone material” is heated. The silicone material you find in FoldTuk Roaster is made of “food grade silicone”, which has a different usage and functionality than industrial grade silicone material, therefore wouldn’t affect cooking experience or health issue.

I simply posted the response, which doesn’t indicate my agreement or disagreement, or even that I’ve pondered or researched their claims.

How to Enter the Giveaway

All the entries for this giveaway will be tallied in a survey, from which I will choose the winner at random. Comments on this post ARE NOT ENTRIES.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR ENTERING!

Click HERE to enter the giveaway (via survey)
The survey will open in a new window so you can refer to the list below for your extra entries.

There are 9 possible entries! Here’s what you can do to win:

1. Mandatory Entry: Tell me why you are interested in the eBook.
2. Subscribe in a reader or via email to Kitchen Stewardship (or tell me if you already do).
3. Follow @kitchenstew on Twitter AND tweet this:
   I’m goin’ campin’ with @kitchenstew…especially if I win this #green giveaway package! http://bit.ly/cU6ApC
4. “Like” Kitchen Stewardship on Facebook.
5. Visit Ecousable and choose a color or other item from their site for your “wish” list.
6. Visit FoldTuk and tell me something you learned at their site.
7. Email 5 friends about this giveaway along with the link to it. (Email subscribers can forward their message.)
8. Stumble or Digg your favorite post or recipe at Kitchen Stewardship (you can use the Share This icon at the bottom of the post). What is Stumble?
9. If you have a blog or website, post about this giveaway linking back to this post.

I will use random.org’s integer generator to choose the winner.  The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.  Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, July 19th, and I’ll post the winners the very next day.

If you missed the last Monday Mission, click here.

Kitchen Stewardship is dedicated to balancing God’s gifts of time, health, earth and money.  If you feel called to such a mission, read more at Mission, Method, and Mary and Martha Moments.

Disclosure:  I received a FoldTuk dish and roaster as a free review sample, but I did not receive any incentive to run this giveaway. Ecousable simply offered a giveaway prize – and has more in store for back-to-school! See my full advertising disclosure here.