_bbR3iY5lLSjzaZNziPYc6VX6tk Inspiration CAN be found EVERYWHERE!: January 2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

The Fresh Diet Cookbook



I really really was so very excited when I first heard that TFD was creating a cookbook of their wonderful recipes so that those of us who didn't live in their delivery area (or like me couldn't afford to continue on the plan) could still follow along with their healthy recipes.  I think the day it was available for sale ........ I rushed to purchase it.  I sent my almost $25 dollars for the book (almost as much for the "cheapest" shipping as the cost of the book) and waited.

And I waited because of some changes that were being made, per the email I received but that it would be here before the holidays......... And it was JUST before the holidays that I received my copy.  I did do a real quick look through and saw that it was signed by Chef Yos - was one of the "benefits" that was received for ordering early.  I was really excited because as the cover says it has "99 recipes from the Fresh Diet kitchens that will please your palate and your waistline"

In the last week or so I have been going through the book and trying to decide if it was a joke or if they could really be selling this program as a "healthy" way of eating.  To say I am upset is an understatement.  They start out by saying that they have "coded" the recipes as "vegetarian", "gluten-free" or "favorites" - I found quite a few recipes that had "no" coding ..... or which, when you look at the facebook page you would think is a "favorite" .... but not coded as such.  They have 3 cheesecake recipes ... but only one is coded as a "favorite" and its not even one I've seen noted anyplace as a favorite.  I also believe this really needed a good proof-reading that it didn't get - or if it did .. some proof-reader needs to be fired.

There are so many recipes that should have been "expanded" instead of telling you to buy an ingredient at the store.   For instance - the Toasted Granola with Diced Pears & Honey Almond Ricotta Cheese ...... NOT listed as a favorite, although it appears to be THE favorite of most Facebook Followers (and one of mine too, as this was my picture) and you are suppose to go buy granola that has less than 10g of sugar ........
Now you are to add 1/2 cup of store bought granola - but they give you the nutritional information as 319 calories, 21g of Fat, 356mg of sodium, 7g sugar, 3g fiber and 10g protein. Not sure how that can be if all you are looking for is granola that's less than 10g of sugar ......

Another breakfast option is Apricot Cream Cheese Crepes with Fresh Oranges & Raspberries. The above picture is from CA kitchen. You have to go buy the crepes from the store....no other suggestions. And what is evaporated can juice sugar? Seem to be a lot of recipes that include this but not even listed in the "Well Stocked Kitchen" list, let alone where to purchase it. And this serving size is 2 filled crepes, 1/2 an orange and 4 raspberries for  - 458 calories, 22g fat, 586mg sodium, 4g fiber, 24g sugar and 16g protein.
This is the same meal from the NY kitchen. Yes same breakfast, different kitchen.   So which one is the stats for?

This is the Breakfast Veggie Burrito from the CA kitchen. The recipe in the book is for 4 servings, with each serving having 400 calories, 18g fat, 716mg of sodium, 3g fiber, and 20g protein. Kind of scary amount of sodium for breakfast! Though the Southwestern Scrambled Eggs with 9 Grain Toast isn't much better in the sodium department ...... 705mg! In the recipe for Southwestern Scramble,  it calls for 1 tsp (teaspoon) of fresh salsa (no recipe) in the ingredients but the serving size says 4 Tbsp (tablespoons) of salsa mixture?  Hmmm which is it?

Then we move on to lunch entrees.
I almost wish I had a picture of the "lunch" entree - Maple Glazed Ham Salad with Diced Pears, Toasted Walnuts, Dried Cherries, Baby Lettuce & Raspberry Vinaigrette ....... but then maybe not since the stats are 537 calories, 33g fat (more than 1/2 of your entire day), 1,168mg sodium (almost 1/2 of your entire day!) 21g sugar and 24g protein.


Oh and they also have a Crab Salad Sandwich on 9 grain bread that is 273 calories, 6g fat, 1,734mg sodium, 5g sugar and 27g protein. And THAT is for HALF a sandwich! Seriously??  The picture above, was one of the lunches I had from the NY kitchen when I first started in 2010 - as you can see it was a WHOLE sandwich.  I did see pictures from the CA kitchen (probably from later in 2011 based on what was with it) that was also a whole sandwich but was actually on a bread that LOOKED like a grained bread ... this was looked more like a "soft white" whole wheat (MAYBE) that you can get in the grocery store (think Wonder)




The Philly Cheese Steak Whole Wheat Wrap with Sauteed Bell Peppers & Mozzarella is another favorite of many but again not listed as such in the book. This is one of the sandwich wraps I received when I was getting my meals, and was one of those that "sold" me on The Fresh Diet, although this is a picture after I had been receiving my meals for a while and was seriously deficient in anything in the way of filling.   I seriously doubt there was any "meat" in this wrap, but that was the NY kitchen all too often.   The stats say it has 406 calories, 16g fat, 842mg sodium, 0 fiber, 27g protein.

This is the Tarragon Infused Salmon and Cheddar Melt on Whole Wheat Wrap from CA kitchen The stats for this recipe are 375 calories, 18g fat, 836mg sodium, 8g fiber, 3g sugar and 35g protein.  Now the recipe ingredients call for 2 10" Whole Wheat Tortillas, that yields 2 servings.  Until you read the serving size which says 1/2 wrap.  So are the stats for a whole wrap or 1/2 wrap?

California's version of the Thai Turkey Burger with Sauteed Bok Choy and Peanut Sauce
And then same lunch that I received from the NY kitchen.  The book says it yields 2 servings 1/2 burger on 1/2 of a 4"x4" roll.  But the recipe says shape the 8 oz of ground turkey into 4 burgers.  And then there is no direction for creating the Peanut Sauce, so another thing to purchase at the store without guideline.  But this whole recipe is 287 calories, 4g fat, 957mg sodium, 2g fiber, 3g sugar and 33g protein.  So how did they figure out these stats?? Using 4 oz of turkey or 2 oz ......... so confusing.  As you can see again a MAJOR difference between kitchens!

Now we go onto some of the dinner items.

The Walnut Crusted Chicken with Apricot Roulade that goes for 264 calories, 13g fat, 459mg sodium 1g fiber, 2g sugar and 28g protein. Can't tell you about the other items on the plate since they aren't part of the book.  Though the ingredients call for 2 whole apricots cut in half, then the instructions call for 1/4 of the diced apricots ..... these look "undiced" to me.  But I guess this is why when I got my version of this dish I always had just a tiny bit of apricot ... pretty much just chicken to be honest.  Now is it NY or CA that isn't following the recipe?  Or is the recipe in the book that is confused?


Here we have the Spicy Chickpea Patty with Cilantro Lime & Green Chilies that requires 1/4 cup of fresh salsa ... but again no recipe. Since it uses 3 15oz cans of chickpeas that will be made into a paste, I can't tell you if the 12 2oz patties (6 servings) it says to make will be enough or too much. But it does say 2 patties has 287 calories, 3g fat, 808mg of sodium, 10g fiber 11g sugar and 12g protein. The directions also tell you to put all the ingredients into a bowl after pulsing the chickpeas ..... then it tells you to put the vegetable oil into a pan (more oil or shouldn't have been in the mix?) and cook the patties for 2 minutes per side then remove to a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes ...... but it only takes 17 minutes to cook (2+2+15=17?) ??
Turkey Chili Con Carne was another one of those recipes that I really had to wonder about - and yes I did order this (that's my plate above) more than once, but always felt it needed something because it was bland (usually a little saved peanut sauce).   It requires 2 lbs of ground turkey?? so you can have 10 1/2 cup servings? Why would you make so much? And here's the stats JUST for the chili - 202 calories, 9g fat, 1,044mg sodium (again almost 1/2 of the daily values), 12g carbs, 3g, fiber, 6g, sugar and 21g protein.

Then we move on to snacks and desserts .... again a lot of OMG and missing ingredients.


Here we have Grilled Shrimp with Mango Salsa, is another one of those questionable ingredient/direction recipes.  Again you make 4 servings with the recipe that calls for 2 shrimp per serving but only lists 6 shrimp in the ingredients.  The stats are 20 calories, 182mg sodium, 2.8g sugar and 1.6g protein. 


Artichoke Bottoms with Creamy Garlic Cauliflower. This was one of my favorite snacks although I didn't get it as often as I should - I think it may have competed with the mini egg rolls with peanut sauce (that didn't get included in the book). It has 30 calories, 2g fat, 154mg sodium, 1g fiber, 2g protein.


Cucumber Cups with Herbed Cheese Topped with Capers was another one of those recipes that was missing an ingredient. It says to combine sour cream into the cream cheese ... but no sour cream listed in ingredients. The recipe is for 4 servings - each serving is 2 1/2" slices of cucumber. For this you get 77 calories, 6g fat, 184mg sodium, 0 fiber, 1g sugar and 2g protein. I had ordered this a few times but stopped because it was usually sitting in water in the container ....... did nothing for the cucumber slices.




Mini Sweet Potato and Turkey Shepherds Pie is another recipe that makes 8 servings (why?) that was never a favorite of mine to be sure. Sure didn't ever look all that appetizing either.  Although I will admit this is one of the better looking ones.  This is one I received early on in my meal delivery.  And to add to the wonderfulness of this dish - it has 134 calories, 5g fat, 234mg sodium, 1g fiber, 2g sugar and 13g protein

Cherry Maple Oatmeal Cookies, which appears to be 2 desserts not 1, based on the stats in the book. These cookies are made with 1 TBSP of dough each with a serving size of 2 cookies. For these 2 little cookies (remember this picture appears to be 2 servings) you get 197 calories, 4g fat, 142mg sodium, 2g fiber, 24g sugar, 3g protein.

Here we have Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookie, that really is a favorite (although not marked as such) and not offered very often. It has a lot of sugar in the ingredients including 1/2c of dulce de leche - which I guess you also have to buy at the store since there is no recipe for this either. AND you have to make 15 sandwich cookies but a serving is only 1 sandwich cookie! This one above is one that I received ... someplace in-between the cookies is the dulce de leche - I know I remember it there somewhere. For this cookie you get 176 calories, 4.6g fat, 118mg sodium, 0g figer, 19g sugar, 3g protein.

Gingersnap Pumpkin Cheesecake was one of those cheesecakes that I never got to try. For the most part it was only offered on the weekends when I didn't usually get my meals. You have to make 10 servings if you follow this recipe and to be honest I'm not sure if the nutritional information per serving includes the gingersnap crust or not. If it does then the stats are 282 calories, 15g fat, 260mg sodium, 1g fiber, 17g sugar, 8g protein. If not you have to add 116 calories, 6g fat, 120mg sodium, 7g sugar.

Key Lime Cheesecake is the only one of the 3 cheesecakes listed as a "favorite" Again we have that evaporated cane juice sugar and I still can't tell if the stats include the crust or not. You have to make 10 servings but you can only keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days...so hopefully this freezes well .. If it includes the crust the stats are 257 calories, 14g sugar, 289mg sodium, 1g fiber, 12g sugar and 8g protein. If not you have to add 89 calories, 5g fat, 148mg sodium, 1g fiber, 2g sugar and 1g protein.   If you don’t like the above cheesecake recipes, because of the high stats or serving sizes, you might want to check out culinary classes at accredited online schools, which should also be able to teach you how to make a low carb sugar-free truffle cheesecake.  Now that does sound good doesn't it?

I took a long time to do this post.  This review was in no way requested by The Fresh Diet, and they probably would have wished (if they see it at all) that I didn't post this review.  I really didn't want to give it a "bad" review, but I have to say there really wasn't anything more I could do.  There were so many things that proof-reading should have caught, way too many "store bought" items that gave no guidance,  and then some of the stats were soooo bad I'm not sure how this could be touted as "Calorie Controlled meals with an added unique twist to healthy cooking"  or even "anchors our belief that flavor and freshness are the fundamental ingredients in any healthy diet.  That's what makes our dishes not only healthy but inspiring!"    but way too much sugar and sodium from the look of the stats.

One of the things I may do, when I get a chance, is find a good program to recalculate these recipes and see if the stats are in fact correct or if this is another case of proof-reading gone bad.

Sorry Fresh Diet, this is a very sad "Fresh Take on Diets".  I almost wish this had been a "free" book I was given for review since the $25 I paid ($15 for book/$10 for shipping ) was too much for this considering you can get much better recipes from Taste of Home Diet Comfort Foods ANNUAL book  (380 recipes) for about what I paid before shipping.

Listen so you can Hear

Monday, January 30, 2012

500 followers?



I feel like I should be planning on doing something special for when I get to 500 followers, which could actually happen relatively soon.   I mean we only have a little more than 125 to go so I do have a little time to plan, but not too much time.

It seems like a good reason to celebrate, right?  What do you think?

What do you think would be a good way to celebrate?
What would you like to see to celebrate this milestone?

Are you going to be part of my
followers?

The Organized Cook

Have you met Toni yet?

Toni is The Organized Cook that has a fantastic idea that will help make you the hit of your family each and every time they sit down for dinner.   No more boring same ole, same ole meals.  No more fast food runs because there is nothing prepared.

Get Weekly Meal Plans sent to your email




You will receive a new tasty dinner menu every week
but that's not all.  You also receive
  • Convenient grocery shopping list
  • Cooking instructions
  • Lots of time and money-saving tips
  • Seasonal special planning guides
so it is so much more than just a meal plan.  You get get everything you need to make your dinners a success - without the stress that usually comes with dinner time preparation.  I know as much as I love to cook, I am always looking for ways to make meal time easier.

Just having the shopping list makes it a major bonus - no more "missing" ingredients as you start cooking and find ...... oh no I didn't pick up the "x" ingredient!  How many times has that happened to you?  Too many for me.   But thats a thing of the past because I'm getting my weekly list .... what are you waiting for ??  Hop on over and get yours today.


Weekly Meal Plans - The Organized Cookâ„¢


Sunday, January 29, 2012

Canon or Nikon Camera Giveaway

Are you like me, wanting/wishing for a fantastic new camera but thinking that you just can't afford to spend the money necessary for a really great camera?

Do you know what you are looking for?  Or at least what options are important?


Life's Cheap Thrills, one of the blogs I love to check out often, has found a perfect giveaway for us to check out.  
MCP Actions and PunchTab is giving away a camera!
The winner gets to pick between a Canon 5D MKII + 85 1.8 lens OR a Nikon D700 (Body Only).

If this is right up your alley ... you could


The giveaway ends on February 19, 2012 so you do have a little time, but there are options to give you more entries every day (shares and tweets) so the sooner you enter the better. 

The winner will be announced on February 21st.

Normal family??


That's right .... we ARE that family. Aren't we??

I'm sure your family is too ..... 
That's my story and I'm sticking with it!

Believe, Just Believe

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Keurig Elite Giveaway!!

Ok its BONUS time for giveaways!

I just found another one that, if you are a coffee lover, is definitely for you.  Personally I think that this should be a mandatory kitchen appliance ....... but then I do have a coffee "problem".




You want to hurry on over to Pawsitive Living for a chance to win a Keurig Elite .... Yes you heard me correctly a Keurig Elite which also comes with 12 sample K-cups, a K-Cup counter-top carousel, and a box of your favorite K-Cup variety!

Now this Keurig Giveaway ends on February 1st so you had better not be dilly dallying or you will miss out on one of my favorite kitchen appliances ...... HURRY.

KitchenAid Mixer Sweepstakes

Hmmm there MUST be something in the air ....... some fantastic giveaways are floating around and I have another one for you from a blog I frequent "This Lil Piglet".




How would you like to win a KitchenAid Mixer??  a KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer in Empire Red (ARV $349.99) to be exact!  If I didn't already have one (well not this model but a wonderful KitchenAid all the same) I would be entering this in a heartbeat!

This product can only be shipped from Amazon.com to addresses in the United States. If a Canadian winner is selected, they will receive a $300 Amazon.ca Gift Code and if an International winner is selected, they will receive a $300 Amazon.com Gift Code instead of the mixer because of shipping restrictions.

The giveaway is open until February 10th so don't be dilly dallying on this one either - and if you win you could have this beauty in your home by the end of February (if you live in US) and could be mixing away with some really awesome recipes.

I'd Rather have .......


How about you?

Found this one on my sister's Facebook page - she really is pretty cool that way ...... I even think this is her writing - gotta love cell phone cameras!

Thanks for sharing Shar!

Try Curves for YOUR Success Story



Well its almost a month into the new year........ can you believe its almost a MONTH into 2012?  I'm still find that hard to fathom. 

Did you make a resolution to lose weight this year?  Or to tone up to look and feel better?  Are you succeeding or are you having trouble getting to that place were you can be the star in your own Success Story? 

Every day, women who thought they couldn't get fit, find out that they can at Curves. You can burn up to 500 calories with their 30-minute workout, which combines strength training and cardio for a workout that works your entire body, from head to toe. It works every major muscle group and gives you results that last.

If you still want to try to make THIS the year that YOU find YOUR success - check out Curves.

New guests only. Offer not based on any enrollment. Not valid with any other offer. Some restrictions may apply. Valid only at participating locations in the US and Canada through 2/18/12.

VitaMix 5200 Blogger Giveaway!

I know I had told you earlier this year that I was going to be on the look out for some great giveaways to pass on to you.  Well I have got one for you that will KNOCK your socks off!




Wouldn't you just LOVE to win a VitaMix 5200?
You know one of those fantastic PROFESSIONAL looking blenders that can do pretty much anything and everything your little ole heart desires??

Well here is THE place to check out for one of those babies!  But don't be waiting too long since there isn't much time left (and yes I just found it) I believe by the end of the month someone is going to be doing the happy dance with their VitaMix winging its way to them.

You want to check out TheBlenderGirl for your chance to win (Expires midnight Jan 31st 2012 - US and Canadian residents only) .... and if you could please tell them Kat1126 sent you ..... Thanks!

And if you are the winner  (and I do hope you are) ...... could you come back here and let us all know that YOU won THE BEST blender on the planet!!

I wish I could afford to be the one giving this baby away ....... but since I can't (maybe one day) make sure you check out  TheBlenderGirl for your chance!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Gardening with Little Miss Greenfingers





I was given a copy of  "Gardening with Little Miss Greenfingers" by Anja Koch to review and I have to say it is a wonderful find for anyone that has that "itch" to do something with dirt and have something to show for it when they are done, other than a mess.

This is a wonderful ebook about Growing Culinary Herbs In Containers that are Healthy & Delicious!  This is a must read for anyone that wants to successfully grow herbs in either a garden or a container (my choice). So now there really is no excuse - no reason to not grow your own herbs anymore.  Container gardening with herbs is just as fulfilling as in the "outdoors".  You can put your containers pretty much anywhere, including inside your home .....

Inside this book, there are discussions on 17 popular culinary herbs, like Basil and Oregano and Mint, just to name a few, so I am sure you will find at least a few that
  1. you know 
  2. you use in your cooking or 
  3. have seen in recipes but never thought it was easy to grow your own.

Another thing I loved about this ebook was that it showed me where I went wrong in the past.  I have tried to grow my own herbs in containers on my deck but they never really "took hold" or if they did ... I never really got to use them more than once or twice, if that.

I got to see that either my dirt was too wet or too dry depending on the herbs I chose or I tried to put the wrong ones together.  You know what I mean - one that likes LOTS of sun and one that needs at least part shade.  Or one that likes moist soil or one that needs to be watered from the bottom so the roots don't sit in wet soil for too long or the stems are too delicate for moist soil.

I've even picked up a few plants (mint and oregano) to make my own new containers for my kitchen sill.  I am looking for a couple of more (basil and maybe thyme) to "round" out my selection, but I have started and know that this time it will work!

I really enjoyed this ebook.  You can see that growing culinary herbs really isn't something to afraid of.  It really is something that makes you feel good, you get to "play in the dirt", as my mom use to say, and have something really useful when you are done, that lasts a long time.

The ebook is also available on Amazon for your  Kindle


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Friendship Friday 3 – Inspiration

Friendship Friday Blog Hop

Question Of The Week
What Has Inspired You Most This Week?
(Submitted by Stacy at Scrap With Stacy)

I am amazed sometimes on what can inspire both me and others, sometimes its a picture or a joke (yes it does happen) or a quote. I am always looking for something that will make someone THINK.
This week I have been “jumping around” to some of the places that are on others blog rolls and I really have to say that there are some people out there that are really excelling in both survival and kindness. I don’t mean that in a bad way – its as if I have found folks that no matter what is thrown in their way …. they will survive and make US better for it.
I think I spent over an hour last night reading about the problems that have been going on with children and “undiagnosed” illnesses. And as sad is it was (thankfully they are still with us and still fighting) it showed me just how strong the parents and grandmoms are. And just how much faith can move mountains. And just how much better I have it … no matter how difficult things are at times – by comparison, I am in heaven already. I just hope that my subscriptions worked so that I don’t have to “find” them again (but I will if need be) because now I feel like those little children and their parents are part of my family too.
 

Now if you click on the link below the cute Friendship Friday Button, you can jump on over to Create with Joy and join in on the fun. You can enter your answer to this great question from Stacy and link up your blog to the list and find new friends as well. I know I will be there .... How about you?



This blog hop will be open all weekend so that you have plenty of time to post, link and mingle! Have fun making friends and be sure to join me next week for Inspire Me Monday and Wordless Wednesday!   Both of which are also being hosted by Create with Joy!  - She is just so good to us allowing us to link up with some great new friends.

Walk with Me by the Water.

I hope this poem has the same effect on you as it did on me.



Walk With Me by the Water

well worth the read...

A BEAUTIFUL POEM ABOUT GROWING OLDER:


Oh Crap!
I forgot the words.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Solar Lights.

Do you have solar lights in your yard? If not, you might want to pick up a few after reading this. Here's a whole new way of looking at those outdoor lights that help line your driveway or are pretty/cute little figurines in your garden.

I will be keeping a few relatively close to the house so that I can easily bring them into the house if we lose power this winter (shhhh I don't want to think about that scenario)


I have a friend who used her solar lights inside at night when her current was off during the hurricane. She stuck them in a jar or bottle and said they gave off plenty of 'free light'. She put one in each room and would put them back outside in the daytime and bring them in at night as long as the current was off. They are safe to use and cheaper than batteries. Bring in a solar light one night and test it.

Due to a thunderstorm, we lost power for about 5 hours. We were scrambling around in the darkness, looking for matches, candles, flashlights, etc. We looked outside, and noticed our solar lights shining brightly all around our patio, stairs, dock, etc. They were beautiful. My wife walked outside, and brought several of the solar lights inside.

We stuck the solar light pipes into plastic drink bottles containers and they made the nicest, brightest, safest, lighting you could ever imagine.

We put one in the bathroom, the kitchen, the living room, etc. There was plenty of light. There are all types of solar lights available. We bought ours at Harbor Freight. We put them all around our yard. They look nice and they do not attract flying bugs like the outdoor lights around our doorway.

The lights we have fit into the small (20 oz) water bottles and they also fit into most of the larger liter bottles. If you need a weight in the plastic bottle to keep them from tipping over, you can put a few of the pretty colorful "flat marbles" that they put in aquariums, and vases. (you can also use sand, aquarium gravel, etc., whatever you have available).

The lights we have were perfect inside our home. They burn all night long if you need them.

The next day, you just take your solar lights back outside and they will instantly recharge and be ready for you to use again any time you need them.

Perfect for power outages, hurricanes, etc.

I never thought of it and now you don't have to.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Maxine and the Umbrella

S6VQXE244PWB



Ok then, I'm thinking that Maxine will be carrying her umbrella EVERYDAY ..... how about you?  Is your umbrella your new "accessory"?

But you know Max .... you could "kill them with kindness" or drive them absolutely crazy trying to figure out WHAT you are smiling about..........

My Dear Diet Letter

Its a real good thing I didn't make a New Year's Resolution that was centered around Diet ...




Or I would be sending this out .......... but thankfully I didn't make any resolutions .. but I guess I should be doing something about my diet - seriously doing something!


 S6VQXE244PWB

3 Things times 2

Things you need to think about.

Things that you can't recover .....


or things you need to do.



See sometimes you just have to take a few minutes to reflect on what you are doing or what you aren't doing before you start your day.


 S6VQXE244PWB

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Give Me - A Tale of Wyrd and Fae


I just finished the BEST book!   What book you ask?  It was Give Me - A Tale of Wyrd and Fae
by L. K. Rigel.  I had stumbled upon the Facebook page and then website/blog site of the author last week because of a Facebook friend. 

This book is part romance and part adult fairy tale.  It deals with both possession and magic and the never ending belief in a forever love.  It was very well written and just drew you in.  I think some will be a little confused if you try to "analyze" what is going on, but if you just allow the story to take you ........ it will all make sense.   But be forewarned - it will be difficult to put down until you are finished.

It is a romance/love story that crosses to and fro the centuries because of a part fairy/part human woman in the present who becomes the bridge to righting a spell gone wrong.  Yes, I said fairy, but you will also learn of wyrders and fae and spells and love never-ending. 

I have to say that when I first downloaded the book to my Kindle App, I was reading another book, but thought I would get to this one soon.  Well soon was last night.  No I haven't finished the other book, but it was a feeling that I just NEEDED to read Give Me NOW.

I really am glad that I listened to that little "nudging" feeling I had - but of course now I am hooked and have to find the sequel Bride of Fae, that is noted as "coming soon".  I sure hope "soon" really is soon.

Meal Planning Made Easy

That's right, Food on the Table makes Meal Planning Easy for all the Busy People you know. 
Yes that means YOU!





Food on the Table is an easy meal planning service that is based on sales at local grocery stores. With Food on the Table, users will be able to: - 
  1. find thousands of easy, healthy recipes - 
  2. save money by knowing the items that are on sale - 
  3. simplify your shopping experience with a well organized grocery list. 

It's free if you do 3 meals of less a week, 
for more than 3 meals a week and more recipes, the member can upgrade to the premium version for a low introductory rate of $5/month

I'm Crispy!

Here's another one from my friend Elaine, she really does have the BEST emails in the morning!

I woke up,
I lifted my arms,
I moved my knees,
I turned my neck......

Everything made the same noise:

'CrrrrrraaaaaacccccK!'


BUT, THANK THE GOOD LORD, I DID WAKE UP.


So .... I came to a conclusion:

I am not old,

I am just crispy!!!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Google+ Follow us Monday Morning

Hey Hey don't forget what else today is.  It's  .......

Follow Us Monday Morning Google Plus Hop

Increase your G+ followers - especially if you are not a "blogspot.com" blogger.

I'm following all those on the list ... how about you??
Come on its fun 

The Year of the Dragon



Chinese New Year 2012 - The Year of Black Water Dragon

View some of the interesting things that are believed to be in store for us in 2012