Monthly Archives: November 2016

Skinnytaste Fast and Slow, a Review

15 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by in Books I LOVE, Family, Food

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skinny-taste

 

I am a long-time raving fan of Gina Homolka, the author and blogger of skinnytaste.com.  In a frantic search for dinner ideas a few years ago I stumbled upon her blog and new instantly I had hit the jackpot. I love Gina’s recipes for many reasons including their simplicity, flavors, and fresh takes on old favorites. If you aren’t familiar with Gina and skinnytaste.com, it’s time to visit her blog and be blown away by the endless dinner ideas and meal plans!

To say that I was excited to get my copy of skinny taste Fast and Slow,  would be the understatement of the year. First of all, this cookbook is beautiful. The pictures inside are lovely and definitely inspire me to cook everything in the book! Secondly, the cookbook is well organized, with sections devoted to healthy mornings, one-bowl meals, to meatless mains and so much more. Each recipe also has a key (just like her blog) labeling it quick, pressure cooker, slow cooker, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and/or freezer-friendly. Every recipe has nutrition information and well thought out instructions.

pasta-e-fagioli

Because I am long time fan, I have already tested and tried a few of the recipes in this skinnytate Fast and Slow. I have made Gina’s Avocado Toast, Lasagna Soup (ah-mazing), and One-Pot Pasta and Broccoli. Last night I made her Pasta e Fagioli.  I am embarrassed to admit that I love the Olive Garden for this particular soup. If I am there, Pasta e Fagioli is what I eat.  I love Gina’s take on this classic soup because it is light and healthy.

pasta-e-fagioli

It so happens I had company last night and I made the soup two ways. One of my guests has a disease that requires her to eat vegan with no animal fat or any fat of any kind.  You can find Gina’s recipe here. I made her version with one exception. I added my basil to the blender with the beans so my kids wouldn’t detect it and I wouldn’t have to chop it.  For my vegan friend, I cooked the onion and garlic in a little bit of water instead of oil and omitted the Parmesan cheese rind. (which by the way does something amazing to the soup. I love so many of Gina’s recipes.This one will become part of my regular dinner menus because my kids ate it with gusto and asked for seconds!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books. I was not obligated to give this book a positive review. However, in all honestly, I would have purchased this book if I had not received a review copy! It is a cookbook worth its shelf space.

The Lord’s Prayer & Rick Warren

09 Wednesday Nov 2016

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the-lords-prayer

 

I love this simple and lovely children’s book published by Zonderkidz. It is the Lord’s Prayer written in the King James Version, which is the version most of us would have memorized as children. Also included with each line of the prayer is a simple explanation of the verse written for children by Rick Warren.

This book is appropriate for children ages birth (it is never to early to start reading to your kids!) to five or six years.  The cover is hardback and I would call this a board book. The pages are not paper but board. Inside, the illustrations are muted in color. The children pictured on each page appear real to life and are different ethnicities and varied ages. I love this book as a Christmas present for a baby or toddler on your list. It would definitely be treasured by the family that receives it.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher. I was not obligated to give it a positive review and all my opinions are own. I was interested in this particular book because of its content and the contribution of Rick Warren.

Do Grown-ups Color?

06 Sunday Nov 2016

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everything-is-beautiful

 

Do grown-ups color? I know they paint and sculpt, but do they really color…in coloring books? I will be the first to admit that when my kids were young enough to have coloring books, I would color with them. There is something relaxing about it. My two boys rarely color anything unless compelled to for a school project I have seen adult coloring books in stores recently and I have been more than a little tempted.

My interest was definitely piqued when I saw this amazing book by Waterbrook. Not only are the pages filled with beautiful design, but also with Bible verses and inspirational quotes. Some of my favorites include:

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 

Psalms 30:5 Rejoicing comes in the morning. 

“When in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made.” – Stuart K. Hine

And a sample for you:

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Yes, I think grown-ups can color! These images are beautiful and would look lovely around my house. (Provided I stay in the lines!) This book would be perfect for a daily quite time, a road trip, waiting on appointments, as a gift, or even for relaxing before bed as long as you are not OCD.

I counted 45 lovely pictures to color. Each picture is on card-stock type thick paper. On the back of each picture is the verse and reference or quote and author. These can definitely be framed. I received a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher. As a bonus, the publisher has included a soundtrack in the back of the book via Spotify  to enjoy as you color!  I was not required to give it a positive review!

I had a hard time finding it on amazon, so click here to find it!

A Devotional from Francine Rivers!

06 Sunday Nov 2016

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earth-psalms

 

The book I recommend first to those who ask is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It is my go to, must read for anyone who wants to read for enjoyment and substance.  I have yet to find someone disappointed with the book. Francine Rivers is a  gifted writer and ANYTHING she has written is well worth the read. Earth Psalms by Francine Rivers with Karen Stock Buursma is the same kind of wonderful.

Earth Psalms  is a weekly devotional, one for each week in a year. Each devotional includes beautiful pictures, writing from Rivers, an opportunity to reflect, apply what you have read, and connect with God. A few of the weeks really stood out to me personally. Number Forty-three, Letting God Be the Judge, encourages us to know that when we encounter people, we are only seeing part of who they are. People are like icebergs, and not everything about them can be seen. Week Forty reminds us the importance of staying in God’s word. In this week, I loved River’s illustration of the flamingo. Flamingo’s color comes from the food they eat. Pink flamingos get their color from pink shrimp. However, some flamingos are white from dining on small fish and frogs. Our diet of scripture, or lack there of is often obvious in our actions and attitudes.

I was so excited to get my copy of Earth Psalms. Francine Rivers is a personal favorite of mine and I knew this devotional would be lovely. Earth Psalms would make a lovely Christmas gift, birthday gift, or get well gift. I received a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher. I was not required to give it a positive review.