Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Review: Robin Takes 5 by Robin Miller

ROBIN TAKES 5: 500 Recipes, 5 Ingredients or Less, 500 Calories or Less, for 5 Nights/Week at 5:00 PM
By:  Robin Miller
To Be Published November 1, 2011

Cookbook Description:
It's 5:00 PM. Everyone's hungry. It's takeout or fakeout, meaning nuking a processed meal from the freezer. But there's a third option that doesn't include processed food or an unhealthy heap of calories and fat--ROBIN TAKES 5.

Imagine quickly preparing delicious meals for yourself, your friends, and your family with just 5 fabulous ingredients. Does it get any better? Absolutely, with ROBIN TAKES 5. The book features 500 recipes and each dish is a mouthwatering 500 calories or less. Two-color recipe text complements full-color photography inserts. In addition, helpful icons note ideal recipes for holidays and entertaining as well as recipes with less than 500 mg of sodium. That's not all--nutritional information is given for each recipe.
In ROBIN TAKES 5, 500 recipes highlight at least 10 different ethnic cuisines, and dishes range from soups, pizzas, and pastas, to chicken, beef, pork, seafood, side dishes, and desserts. Consider 70 recipes just for chicken, such as Cashew Crusted Chicken with Roasted Jalapeno-Mango Chutney, and 50 dessert recipes, such as Orange Marmalade Tart with Chocolate Covered Almonds. Consider yourself armed for mealtime. The next time the clock strikes 5:00 PM and you want both noshing and nourishment, check out ROBIN TAKES 5.


I have been a huge fan of Robin Miller's ever since her debut on THE FOOD NETWORK.  I have her best-selling QUICK FIX MEALS Cookbook and have made several things from there.  So, when I had the chance to review her newest cookbook, I was super excited.  There were so many delicious recipes to choose from.  I also wanted recipes that mainly had ingredients already in my home.  So, with that, I chose the following 2 recipes to try.

PHILADELPHIA STYLE PORK CHOPS WITH ONIONS AND PROVOLONE
Serves 4 - Prep Time: 10-15 Minutes - Cook Time: 10 Minutes

1 Tbs Olive Oil
1 Yellow Onion, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
4, 5oz Boneless Pork Loin Chops
1 Tbs Onion and Herb Seasoning (I used Mrs. Dash)
1/2 Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth
4, 1oz Slices of Provolone Cheese

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the onions and cook for 5 minutes, until soft and golden brown.  Remove onions from pan.
Season both sides of the pork chops with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and the onion-herb seasoning.  Add the chops to the same pan over medium high heat and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until golden brown.  Add the broth and bring to a simmer.  Simmer for 3 minutes, until the chops are tender. Arrange the cheese slices on top of the chops and cook for 30 seconds, until the cheese melts.  Transfer the chops to a serving platter and top with the onions. 


Philadelphia Style Pork Chops with Onions and Provolone


These chops were super simple and quick to make.  They were really delicious with the cheese and onions over the top.  I have made chops several times and have never thought to cook them this way.  These chops got a big thumbs up from Pat and the kids!  We will be making these again!



NO BAKE CHOCOLATE-PEANUT BUTTER OAT COOKIES
Makes 24 Cookies - Prep Time:10-15 Minutes

3 Cups Milk Chocolate Chips or Chunks (I used 2 11.5 oz bags of Nestle Milk Chocolate Chips)
1/2 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
3 Cups Rolled or Old-Fashioned Oats

Line two baking sheets with waxed paper.  Melt the chocolate in the microwave.  Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until creamy.  Fold in the oats and mix well.  Drop the mixture by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet.  Let the cookies cool until set.  You can also place them in the fridge or freezer to speed up cooling. 



No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Cookies

Again, this was another super-simple recipe.  They were very much like my mom's chocolate oaties but just a little simpler version.  They were very tasty and it was nice to have some in the fridge for whenever you wanted a little chocolate.  They are also nice because you can make them as big or small as you want.  Also a big thumbs up from our family!

If you are new to Robin Miller and her cooking, you should check her out on Food Network.  Robin has been a food writer and a nutritionist since 1990. Her popular show Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller currently airs on the Food Network. Her primetime show Robin to the Rescue premiered on the Food Network in March 2007.

I really found a lot of excellent recipes to try in this cookbook.  I have no doubt this will be another successful cookbook for her.  To pre-order this cookbook for $18.99, check out Amazon.  Thanks to NetGalley for providing this cookbook for my review. 

I was provided with a e-book copy of this book for review.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.  I wouldn't review anything that wouldn't benefit myself or my family. 







Monday, August 22, 2011

What I Learned from 1 and 2 Kings - Reading the Bible in 90 Days

As you know I have started reading the Bible. I have 90 days to complete it and I am reading it with hundreds (1200+ to be exact) of other women. Each week (and even day to day) we check-in with each other on our progress, to pray for each other, and to share our thoughts. How cool is that?

So, I thought I would take each Book of the Bible and share my thoughts, verses, or people that stood out or spoke to me on that particular day. I have been doing most of my reading in the mornings  reading whenever I can, but some days I have to finish up in the afternoon or evening..or even the next day! The key is to get it done. If you get behind, you keep at it....catching up in chunks each day. The readings have been manageable and I am still praying it stays that way for me. I am currently several days behind schedule, but, I know I will catch up.
So, here are my thoughts from the Books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings:

1 Kings 3:9-14 Solomon asks for discernment and a servant's heart from God, not riches or a long life.  What a great lesson!

1 Kings 3:16-28 I love how this was a sign of Solomon's God given wisdom and a story of true devotion and love by a mother for her child.

I am looking forward to hearing more of Solomon's wisdom in Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs.

1 Kings 6:7 It is amazing how no hammering was done at the site so there was a silent reverence to God while the temple was being built. 

1 Kings 7:1 It took 13 years to build the temple.  A great lesson on patience for me while I am impatiently waiting 3 weeks for our porch to get done!

1 Kings 8:57-59 Solomon's blessing - May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. Mayh he turn our earts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands, decrees and regulations he gave our fathers.  And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night.

1 Kings 11:3 Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines......Holy Cow!  How did he keep them all straight?????

1 Kings 13:18 A lesson in being aware of false prophets who claim to be speaking God's word.  A reminder to keep reading the word so I can discern false from truth.

1 Kings 17:7-24 I love this story of Elijah and the widow at Zarephath.  A wonderful story of great faith.

Another prominent instrument in the Bible is the Harp.  The trumpet has been repeated many times and now the harp is starting to show its importance.  As a child I always wanted to play the harp, but learned the piano instead. 

2 Kings 4 I loved ths miracles told in this chapter. 

2 Kings 6:28-29 Horrified at the thought - can't even reprint it.

2 Kings 11:21 Surprising that Joash was only 7 years old when he began to reign as king.  Many others were also young, ages 9, 12, etc.

2 Kings 12:15 They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty.  Not how our world works today! Wow!

2 Kings 21:12-13 ....I will bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle.....I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. Quite an amazing vision that brings to your mind. 

On to 1 and 2 Chronicles..............

6, 5......1

Today we are officially the parents of a 6th Grader, 5th Grader and a 1st Grader.  I know everyone says it, but my how the time flies!  Even though we had the most summer days ever, it still seemed to go by in a flash.  We didn't get everything done that we wanted to, but we can hopefully fit some things in on weekends before it gets too cool out.
Some of our highlights from the summer:
-Our day at Adventureland Park and weekend in Des Moines

Waiting for the train at Adventureland
 -Reagan's first season of T-Ball and the boys baseball games
-Many nights just hanging out with our good friends and their kids.
-Traveling to Northern Minnesota for a weekend with our cousins at their cabin!
The kids' first dip in the lake


Me with one of my favorite people in the world - My cousin, Melanie


Love these kids!
 - Weekend celebrating my parent's 55th Wedding Anniversary
-Enjoying spending afternoons and evenings sitting in our new screened in porch!


 And now, the school year has begun.  I have my days back-for now-until the school starts calling me for subbing.  This year I don't plan to do any long-term sub jobs, so am hoping to have a year to focus on my priorities.  I am going to try to get "caught up" here at home, do some reading, some more blogging, and hopefully some lunch dates with Pat.  Tomorrow, I am going to THE HELP with a couple girlfriends and I can't wait!!!  And so it begins..........................


Friday, August 19, 2011

Things I Love....In the Kitchen - Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer

Things I Love...


This is my feature where I get to share something that I just love. Since you are my friends, I like sharing things I love with others. It could be anything from a new product, food, recipe, song, image, to a person and everything in between. This will be something I am completely doing on my own, without pressure or compensation from a company, author, PR/Marketing firm, friend, business owner, etc. This will just be something that makes me happy and I want to share it with you. Enjoy some love!

For the next few weeks I am going to focus my Things I Love on things I love in my kitchen. I love to cook and bake and there are a few things that I Could. Not. Live. Without.

Today's love is.............................My Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer

I have had my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer now for several years thanks to my husband getting me one for Mother's Day.  I honestly don't know how I ever lived without one.  I don't even put mine away because I am probably using it once a week.  It has a spot on my counter and is always ready and waiting to be used.  It makes baking time much quicker because while the cookie dough is mixing, I can be getting the next ingredient ready.  I haven't used the bread dough hook yet (using yeast and making bread scares me), but maybe someday I will get the courage to try it.  There are also lots of other attachments that can be added to the mixer like a meat grinder, ice cream maker, or a pasta maker.  But, for me, I just use the paddle and the whisk attachments. 

The Kitchen Aid Stand Mixers can run $200 and up, so it is really an investment, but as much as I use mine, I have gotten my money's worth out of it.  If you really want one, watch sales ads like Younkers or Kohl's, save up your reward bucks, or ask for gift cards and save them up to get your mixer.  You won't regret having one!




If you choose to purchase through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Summer Reading

As I mentioned at the beginning of the summer break, I expect the kids to read during the summer to keep their brains active.  We got the Barnes and Noble summer reading forms and started keeping track.  Since Barnes and Noble required 8 books to be read, that is what I required too.  I told the kids if they read 8 books, they would get a free book from Barnes and Noble's list and would get to pick out a free book from me as well. 

On Monday, we traveled to Barnes and Noble to get our books.  After we were there for a bit, I overheard our son, Bennett, say, "This is my favorite store.  I could spend all day in here!"  My heart swelled to hear that because I feel the same way.  I LOVE bookstores and libraries!  After over an hour, everyone had their picks and we headed for the checkout.  I'm not sure who was more excited, the kids over getting new books or me watching their excitement!  I am so proud that our kids love to read!

If you are looking for some great books for your kids, all the books come highly recommended for kids their age!  Here is what they read this summer:

Patrick, Age 11 - 6th Grade
SLAM DUNK by Matt Christopher
HOT SHOT by Matt Christopher
LONG-ARM QUARTERBACK by Matt Christopher
DOUBLE PLAY AT SHORT by Matt Christopher
LAWN BOY by Gary Paulsen
BIG NATE by Lincoln Peirce
BIG NATE STRIKES AGAIN by Lincoln Peirce
BIG NATE FROM THE TOP by Lincoln Peirce

Bennett, Age 10 - 5th Grade
HARRIS AND ME by Gary Paulsen
TROUBLE WITH CHICKENS by Doreen Cronin
LAWN BOY by Gary Paulsen
LAWN BOY RETURNS by Gary Paulsen
BIG NATE by Lincoln Peirce
BIG NATE STRIKES AGAIN by Lincoln Peirce
BIG NATE FROM THE TOP by Lincoln Peirce
THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA by Tom Angleberger

Reagan, Age 6 - 1st Grade
SAVING SHADOW by Dara Dokas
CLASS MOM by Margaret McNamara
JELLY BEANS AND THE BIG CAMP KICKOFF by Nate Evans
A BALLOON FOR ISABEL by Deborah Underwood
THE PRINCESS AND THE POTTY by Wendy Cheyette Lewison
RAINBOW MAGIC: A FAIRY BALLET by Daisy Meadows
RAINBOW MAGIC: THE RAINBOW FAIRIES by Daisy Meadows
DORA'S BOOK OF MANNERS by Christine Ricci
Reagan read lots of other books beside these eight this summer.  She is such a little reader!

Now these are the books we got free and purchased from Barnes and Noble:

LITTLE LUCY by Ilene Cooper - Reagan's
EXTRA CREDIT by Andrew Clements - Free One - Boys'
SUMMER ACCORDING TO HUMPHREY by Betty G. Birney - Free One - Boys'
FRINDLE by Andrew Clements - Boys'
STAR WARS: BEWARE THE DARK SIDE by Simon Beecroft - Boys'
MERCY WATSON THINKS LIKE A PIG by Chris Van Dusen - Free One - Reagan's
BARBIE I CAN BE A ROCKSTAR - by Mary Man-Kong - Reagan's
BIG NATE OUT LOUD by Lincoln Peirce - Boys'
SISTERS OF THE SARI by Brenda L. Baker - For Me!  I had to get one too!!!

Happy Reading!

Monday, August 15, 2011

55 Years of Blessings

This weekend we celebrated my parent's 55th Wedding Anniversary.  We traveled to the home I grew up in on Friday night and spent the weekend.  I ended up sitting up late with my parents Friday night talking and hearing stories that I had never heard before.  Then on Saturday my 2 sisters and their children and grandchildren came over.  Even though there were a few short rain showers to deal with, the kids didn't seem to mind.  They continued to play, even in the rain!  Two of the grandkids weren't able to make it, but all the great grandkids were there.  The grandkids range in age from 6 years-30+ years and the great grandkids range in age from 3 weeks-11 years.  As you can imagine, there was a lot of activity!  The kids loved splashing around in the sprinkler and wading pool and then running to the soft-serve ice cream machine for a cone or dish of ice cream.  Yes, my parents have a soft serve ice cream machine!!  My mom LOVES ice cream and is always looking for a reason to start that machine up!


My parents


Our family with my parents
 Saturday night ended with a bonfire and smores!  I asked mom what she remembered most about their wedding day.  She said it was well over 100 degrees that day and everyone was so hot.  She remembers the best man passing out.  She remembers being chivareed (sp?) Chivaree is an old custom to welcome the newlyweds to their home by doing things like taking all the soup can labels off, shortsheeting the beds, moving furniture outside, etc.  My mom had bought several flats of peaches to can and they ate all my mom's peaches which she wasn't happy about!  Mom also said it was special to have her mom there for her wedding.  My grandma was only able to see her oldest of 5 daughters get married as she passed away one month before my parent's one year anniversary.

Sunday morning was full of more delicious food.  Mom made her famous cinnamon rolls, and there were pancakes and bacon.  And, of course, we had to finish up the ice cream that was in the machine!! It was the perfect ending to a great weekend. 

I know how blessed I am to have both my parents with us and still married.  It seems to be a rarity in our world today.  My husband and I will have to still be married in 2054 at the ages of 84 and 82 to enjoy our 55th.  I can only hope and pray that happens!  Mom and Dad didn't have it easy in their early years and I can admit that I didn't make life easy for them when I was growing up.  But, I know I saw in their eyes this weekend, how proud they are of their family.  All they wanted was for all of us to be together and that is just what they got!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad and here's to many more!

DaGeDar Winner

The Winner of the DaGeDar toys is........

True Random Number Generator



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Comment #6 was frugalmommieof2 said...


I would give this to my 6 year old son.


I will be contacting you shortly!  Congrats to frugalmommieof2 and thanks to all my new followers!!  Stay tuned for a VeggiesTales giveaway coming up soon!!!