#52ListsProject - Favorite Meals and Treats

I purchased the book, The 52 Lists Project for my 43rd birthday. The book focuses on weekly journaling based on lists.  I love making lists and thought this sounded like a great way to remember a year. I plan to complete  a list every week for this next year. Even though the journal begins in Winter with Week 1, I started my list during Fall with Week 40. So, I'll be moving through the book a bit backwards, which is hard for my organized brain, but I didn't want to be writing about winter topics in spring or summer in winter.

I'll be sharing my lists here, hopefully, one a week. To see my previous lists, click on the tag 52 Lists Project at the bottom of this post.  It's my hope that by sharing my lists, you'll get to know me a bit better and maybe be reminded of something that brings you joy!  Some weeks the topics may be too personal to share completely on here, but I'll at least tell you about the lists and some of the things on it. 

Since I started this the week I turned 43, I am a bit behind schedule to get these lists all done by the time I turn 44, but I'll try and catch up. Sometimes I have to think about the things I want to add to my lists for a few days! 

This week's list is My Favorite Meals and Treats. A lot of them came really easy to me and it only took me a day to fill up both pages, with an extra late entry. I love all the photos in the book as well. They are so vivid and fit perfectly with the categories.

At the end of each list, the author offers an idea to expand on that week's list. This week's action plan is to choose a favorite treat or meal this week and share it with someone you love. Cook something for the people you love or make a date and treat someone special to a delicious meal out. While making this list, I made Apple Banana Salad which is a favorite from my childhood and now a favorite of our kids as well. But, this list has reminded me of many other dishes I want to make soon!

If you are interested in learning more about THE 52 LISTS PROJECT, click HERE to be taken to the author's website. You can also purchase the book, HERE. 

FAVORITE MEALS AND TREATS

Mom's Chicken and Dumplings

Mom's Caramel Cinnamon Rolls

Lemon Meringue Pie

Fettucine Alfredo ~ Olive Garden

Butternut Squash Ravioli ~ Biaggi's

Pita Bread and Hummus ~ Barberry Fig

Enchiladas, Rice, and Beans ~ Hacienda

Mongolian Beef ~ NYC Chinese Restaurant

Cooked Carrots ~ Cracker Barrel

Filet Mignon

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Blueberry Pancakes with Blueberry Syrup

Fish Tacos

Reuben with Turkey

Crispy Bacon

White Chocolate Hot Cocoa

Mimosas

Cheesecake, any kind

My Ham and Potato Soup

Julie's Cheeseburger Soup

Ham Balls

Cheesy Potatoes

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups/Eggs/Pumpkins

Moscato d'Asti

Double Stuff Oreos

Pepperoni, Mushroom, and Black Olive Pizza

Apple/Banana Salad

Honey Crisp Apples

Apple Cider

Toffifay Candies

Mom's Fluff Salad

Every one of these meals and treats would bring a smile to my face. I could live for the rest of my life on these foods. 

If you would like to purchase a copy of THE 52 LISTS PROJECT, click the photo below:

Product Review: Viva Labs Organic Hemp Protein

I have been using protein powder in my smoothies for quite awhile. But after being approached to try Hemp Protein, I was curious because I had never heard of it. If you need a vegetarian or gluten-free protein option, Hemp Protein is for you. Viva Labs harvests the very best hemp from Canada where they carefully shell and press the seeds to extract that nutty flavor. It is then sifted to a very fine powder that removes the grittiness found in other hemp products. Since the hemp is cold-milled and never heated, it maintains the highest protein value for the greatest absorption. Viva Labs Organic Hemp Protein provides a solvent and preservative free product full of fatty acids, magnesium, iron, and other nutrients. 

I used the Hemp Protein in place of my regular protein powder in my usual fruit smoothie recipe. I didn't change any other ingredients except for the protein powder.  The biggest complaint about Hemp Protein is that it is grainy and gritty and doesn't dissolve well. I can report that this is NOT the case for the Viva Labs Organic Hemp Protein. I didn't notice any grainy texture or grittiness while drinking the smoothie. I did notice the flavor was slightly different compared to when I use a whey protein powder. I also shared the Hemp Protein with my cousin who has been trying to find the best Hemp Protein and had been really disappointed with the gritty and grainy ones she had been trying. After she tried the Viva Labs one, she was thrilled. She said she hardly tasted the powder and said it was not gritty at all. Two happy customers for Viva Lab's Organic Hemp Protein!

If you are looking for a gluten-free or vegetarian way to add protein to smoothies and other dishes, then I highly recommend the Viva Labs Organic Hemp Protein. You can see in the photos above, that the protein in the package is a very fine powder which will make it dissolve easily when mixed with other products. This is THE Hemp Protein to use and be sure you have a smoothie without that gritty texture!

If you would like to purchase a 1lb bag of Viva Labs Organic Hemp Protein, you can do so from their website, HERE. You can also purchase it in a 3lb quantity from Amazon by clicking the photo below:

Thanks to Viva Labs for sending me the product for the purpose of this review. I was not compensated in any way for this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase the product 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. 

Book Review: Too Blessed to Be Stressed Cookbook By Debora Coty

TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED COOKBOOK
A Busy Woman's Guide to Stress-Free Cooking (in 20 Minutes or Less!)

By: Debora M Coty

To Be Published: November 1, 2015

Publisher: Barbour Books

NonFiction/Cookbook/Christian

I became a fan of Debora Coty's writing when I saw her book, TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED in 2011. It held several A-HA! moments for me and I felt like Coty understood how easy it is to get in the cycle of "busyness" without slowing down and enjoying the moments.

Coty knows what it is like to balance a home, a career, and your family while trying to provide a nutritional meal every day of the week. She has compiled some of her tried and true favorites from Dump Dishes (One -Stop Schlopping Dinner in a Pan) to Southern Favorites including her Grandma's best recipes to Heart Healthy Dishes and even Desserts. She has stock-piled these recipes over the last forty years and has compiled them together into one cookbook for busy women. Recipes cover all culinary tastes and can be adapted to families or empty-nesters.

I liked how all the meals used pretty basic ingredients and for the two recipes I tried, I just needed to buy a couple ingredients that I didn't already have in my pantry. Coty shares her recipe fumbles and successes along with stories of why a particular recipe is a favorite. Each recipe is thoroughly explained and takes little time to prepare.

Even though I highlighted numerous recipes that I want to try, I chose the Impossible Meat Pie and Pizza in a Pot for my first two dishes. Both were quick and easy and with a few minor changes allowed me to feed our family of five. I added the side dishes to complete the meal.

Impossible Meat Pie uses Bisquick, hamburger, mixed veggies and cheese as the main ingredients. It lacked a pop of flavor, but was simple to mix up and pop in the oven.

The Pizza in a Pot tasted more appetizing than it looks. I wish I hadn't put all the sauce in that the recipe called for because I felt like it was too much. But, since I cooked it in the slow cooker, I didn't want it to get to dry. It actually tasted pretty good if you can get past the look of it. The recipe includes lasagna noodles, pepperoni, ricotta, cheese, and spaghetti sauce. It only took 4 hours in the slow cooker on low, so it isn't something you could put in before you go to work. It's more of a weekend dish, which is when I cooked it. Serving it with rolls or garlic bread to dip in the extra sauce was a plus as well.

Overall, I really liked her cookbook and stories she shared about her family, her faith, and tips for women in general. I read this on my Kindle before the book was published. There were some formatting issues, like the letter "f" was missing throughout the entire book. Once I figured it out, it wasn't a huge issue, but was a bit odd. A couple other recipes had missing steps in the recipe description, but most women comfortable in the kitchen would figure it out. Again, these will likely be fixed for the print edition. There were some recipes I have seen before, but had forgotten like Oyster Cracker Eaties. I haven't had them in ages and want to make them for our next gathering with friends.

Coty closes the book with menu suggestions and ingredients list for three days worth of meals which is a great idea to help with meal planning. If you are looking for new suggestions to add to your family meal rotation, this cookbook will offer lots of ideas.

Debora Coty - source

A poster child for "It's never too late to chase the dreams Papa God places in your heart,"Deb began writing professionally after her youngest chick flew the coop back in 2002 Since then, Deb has been blessed with over 140 published articles, and 15 award-winning inspirational books. She loves to swat a tennis ball around a court and hike in the mountains. Deb lives, loves, and laughs in central Florida with her husband of 36 years, Chuck, and her desperately wicked pooch, Fenway. For more on Debora and her books, check out her website, http://deboracoty.com/. 

To purchase a copy of this book, click the photo below:

Thanks to the publisher for sending an eBook for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase a copy of the book 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. 

Halloween Literary Character Quiz

In celebration of Halloween, I'm sharing this fun Halloween quiz created by Grammarly. I'm sorry if the picture below creeps you out. It does me too! But, this is who I got after taking the quiz.

Since I am such a scaredy cat, I can honestly tell you that I haven't read a single one of the books mentioned in this quiz. Reading one of these would give me nightmares for weeks.

But, if you like a good scare on Halloween or anytime, take this fun quiz to see which Literary Monster you could be!

Grammarly is the world's best grammar checker. Students, teachers, and those in the business world can benefit from Grammarly. This handy website will check your report, paper, or assignment for all those little mistakes you make.  To find out more about subscribing to Grammarly, click HERE.

Children's Book Review: The Christmas Cats Fear for the Deer By Constance Corcoran Wilson

THE CHRISTMAS CATS FEAR FOR THE DEER

By: Constance Corcoran Wilson

Illustrated By: Gary McCluskey

Published: August 18, 2015

Publisher: Quad City Press

Fiction

I'm participating in a book tour with Virtual Author Book Tours. For more stops on the tour check out the bottom of this post. Blogs on the tour will be featuring reviews, author interviews, and giveaways.

THE CHRISTMAS CATS FEAR FOR THE DEER is the fourth story in the Christmas Cats series. I have previously reviewed the second and third story. To see those reviews, click on the titles of the stories below.
THE CHRISTMAS CATS CHASE CHRISTMAS RATS
THE CHRISTMAS CATS ENCOUNTER BATS

This time, the Christmas Cats have to handle a problem involving the deer in a local park. The deer in Scott County Park are harming the trees by eating all the bark. So, the hunters have come out to take care of the problem in the park. The Christmas Cats are summoned to save the deer from the hunter and find them a new, safe place to live.

Many of us adults can relate to the problems deer can cause in our yards and gardens. This story shows the other side of deer desperately trying to find a place to live and eat during the long winter months. Through rhyme and humor, the Christmas Cats are able to find the perfect place for the deer to live that will keep everyone happy. The illustrations are vivid and show the personalities of the cats and the deer. The deers' faces show fear, disappointment, and happiness without even reading the words on the pages. This story shares the lessons of helping others and the determination to find the best solution. Lower-elementary-aged children will enjoy these tales of the Christmas Cats.

This book makes another great addition to the series as well as to your Christmas book library. The end of the book includes a coloring page and maze. For additional fun and games related to the books in the series, visit www.thexmascats.com.

Constance Corcoran Wilson with her granddaughters.

Constance Wilson graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in English and Journalism, but she began writing for her hometown newspaper in Independence, Iowa, at the age of ten. Connie holds a Masters in English, Journalism, and Education. Her career path led to teaching 7th and 8th-grade language arts and teaching writing at colleges and universities. She lives in East Moline, Illinois with her husband, Craig and with her son's family in Chicago. Her two granddaughters Elise and Ava are the inspiration behind each of these stories and have contributed numerous story ideas. For more, visit the author's website, www.conniecwilson.com.  You can also find the author on Twitter, HERE.

For other stops on the book tour, check out these blogs on the date featured:

Christmas Cats Fear For the Deer Web Tour Schedule

So Many Precious books Oct  23  Review & Giveaway

Life in a House of Testosterone Oct 27  Review

Kira Mommy Makes Time Oct 28  Review

Sincerely Stacie Oct  30 Review                                     

Words on Words Nov 2  Review                                     

The Crypto-Capers Review Nov 3  Review                                               

booknerd Nov 4  Review                                    

Lisa-Queen of Random  Nov 6  Review & Interview

The Mommies Reviews Nov 9  Review & Interview

Cassandra M's Place Nov 10  Review & Giveaway

VW Stitcher Nov 11  Review

Gramma Knows Best Nov 13  Review & Giveaway

Lisa's Writopia Nov 16  Review                                                   

Deal Sharing Aunt Nov 17  Review                                              

Pen and Muse Book Reviews Nov 18  Review & Giveaway          

Pratr Nov 19  Review                                         

Rockin' Book Reviews Nov 20  Review

Bound 4 Escape Nov  23  Review

Krazy Kat Freebies Nov 24  Review & Giveaway

JBronder Book Reviews Nov 25  Review & Interview

Infinite House of Books Nov 27  Interview

Sweet Southern Home Nov 30  Review    

To purchase a copy of the book, THE CHRISTMAS CATS FEAR FOR THE DEER, click the photo below:

I will be linking up this review with other bloggers on Booking Mama's Saturday feature, Kid Konnection. Click HERE to see other great posts about children's and YA books from other bloggers. 

Thanks to the author for sending me a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase the book 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. 

#52ListsProject - Things That Make Me Feel Peaceful

I purchased the book, The 52 Lists Project for my 43rd birthday. The book focuses on weekly journaling based on lists.  I love making lists and thought this sounded like a great way to remember a year. I plan to complete  a list every week for this next year. Even though the journal begins in Winter with Week 1, I started my list during Fall with Week 40. So, I'll be moving through the book a bit backwards, which is hard for my organized brain, but I didn't want to be writing about winter topics in spring or summer in winter.

I'll be sharing my lists here, hopefully one a week. To see my previous lists, click on the tag 52 Lists Project at the bottom of this post.  It's my hope that by sharing my lists, you'll get to know me a bit better and maybe be reminded of something that brings you joy!  Some weeks the topics may be too personal to share completely on here, but I'll at least tell you about the lists and some of the things on it. 

At the end of each list, the author offers an idea to expand on that week's list. This week's list is THINGS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL PEACEFUL and her action plan is take a few hours or a whole day completely away from technology to instead do something by yourself that makes you feel calm and at peace. Even though I can't commit a full day to some of these things, I can do some of them at some point. Just Sunday, I was able to wake up to no alarm and that was such a peaceful way to start my morning.

If you are interested in learning more about THE 52 LISTS PROJECT, click HERE to be taken to the author's website. You can also purchase the book, HERE.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME FEEL PEACEFUL

Sitting on the porch listening to the birds

Crawling into bed after a long, exhausting day

Going to bed knowing I don't have to set the alarm

Listening to my favorite hymns

Spending time in God's Word

Prayer

Being on the beach, listening to the waves

Hugs from my kids

Snuggling with my husband

A completely finished To-Do List

Going "Home" to my parents

Watching a favorite movie

A Perfectly Peaceful Day

Awake to no alarm

Drink coffee leisurely on the porch while the birds sing

Pancakes for breakfast with the kids

Back to the porch to read

Take a walk with a friend

Take a nap

Go out for a leisurely dinner

Popcorn and favorite movie at home

Snuggling with my husband

That sounds like a perfect day in my book! Even though it is too chilly to be on my porch now, I could still add any of these to my day and find a peaceful moment. I hope that you can take time to add some peaceful moments to your week!

If you'd like to purchase THE 52 LISTS PROJECTS and journal with me, click the photo below:

Book Review: The Italian Wife By Kate Furnivall

THE ITALIAN WIFE

By: Kate Furnivall

Published: October 6, 2015

Publisher: Berkley

Fiction/Historical Fiction



Fans of Kate Furnivall's THE RUSSIAN CONCUBINE will be thrilled to be wrapped up in her next novel, set in Mussolini's Italy. Isabella Berotti is a widow, after her husband, a Blackshirt in Mussolini's army, was shot and killed. Ten years later, Isabella is now an architect, building for one of the new Italian communities after the draining of the Pontine Marshes. While sitting at a cafe during a beautiful autumn morning, a woman approaches Isabella and asks her to watch her daughter for a moment, briefly mentioning her dead husband. Isabella then watches the woman step off the edge of a tower to her death. Isabella is determined to find out the connection between this woman and her husband. A photographer, working for Mussolini's government, documents the woman's death and agrees to help Isabella figure out their connection and protect the child left behind.

Even though this is a fictional account of Mussolini's regime, it is based on factual events. Furnivall's research is thorough and tells a spell-binding story of greed, control, and betrayal. It is both suspenseful and emotional. I was fairly uneducated about Mussolini's reign during the 1930's and was appalled by the similarities to Hitler and his brutality.

Isabella was an impressive woman, working as an architect during a time when women were not valued beyond motherhood in society. Isabella was fiercely loyal to her father, her husband, and to her country. As she realizes the destruction and deception happening in her community she risks everything to get to the bottom of it.

Roberto, the photographer, has a dark past, but becomes Isabella's confidant and partner while they try to find out who is behind the corruption.  Other secondary characters are well-developed, offering key insights and adding to the development of the story.

The descriptions of Italy and the architectural designs are vividly detailed. The plot develops quickly and each chapter adds another layer that will keep you turning the pages. The romance that develops between two characters doesn't dominate the story, but yet enhances it by Furnivall's details. THE ITALIAN WIFE grabs your attention from the start and holds it until the final page is turned.

Note: There are two covers depending on which website you look at. I'm not sure why, as I feel cover recognition is important to a book when it first debuts. I actually like the above cover better, but the one below is used on the author's website. It's possible the below cover is the UK version since the author is from Wales. ~ Update: Author Kate Furnivall has confirmed that the cover below is the UK version.

Favorite Quote:  "We all keep secrets. We hide our secrets from each other. From ourselves. But how do we know when the time has come to undo the locks on the secrets?" Page 235

Kate Furnivall - source

Kate Furnivall was raised in Penarth, a small seaside town in Wales. Her mother, whose own childhood was spent in Russia, China and India, discovered at an early age that the world around us is so volatile, that the only things of true value are those inside your head and your heart. These values Kate explores in her bestselling first novel, THE RUSSIAN CONCUBINE. Kate is the author of eight novels. Her books have been translated into more than twenty languages and have been on the New York Times Bestseller list. For more on Furnivall, visit her webisite, HERE. You can also find her on Facebook, HERE, and Twitter, HERE. To see all of Kate Furnivall's books, click HERE.

If you would like to purchase a copy of THE ITALIAN WIFE, click the photo below:

Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this novel for the purpose of this review. I was not compensated in any way for this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase the book through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com.