Tuesday, August 31, 2010
A Scattered Life: Book Review
One of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon alone is curled up somewhere quiet with a good book. Since this doesn't happen often, I'm very picky about the books I choose.
I recently received a copy of A Scattered Life by Karen McQuestion. Originally, the book was self-published on Kindle using Amazon's Digital Text Platform. The book was a hit, becoming a bestseller (along with McQuestion's other writings), and it has been optioned for film. In August, AmazonEncore published a paperback version of A Scattered Life (retail, $14.95).
I started reading, not knowing much about the book at all, and was instantly drawn to the characters. McQuestion's writing style allows readers to see every detail of the story, and the characters are developed so well. Throughout the book, I found myself learning more and more about them, their thoughts, their actions, their flaws. Once I started, I didn't want to put the book down, and I found myself smiling (and crying) along with the characters.
Set in rural Wisconsin, A Scattered Life follows the lives of three women, all in various stages of life, motherhood, and marriage. During only one year, they learn more about family, life, and love than they ever expected.
I found myself relating so easily to each of the main characters. Skyla Plinka is a young stay at home mom. While she loves her family and life, she has a sense of restlessness, a need to do something different. She finds a sense of belonging working at a bookstore and a friendship in her new neighbor, Roxanne.
Roxanne is one of those moms that we all know. From the outside, her life looks like pure chaos, but looking closely, you realize that she puts her family above all else. And honestly, what matters more, loving on your kids or cleaning the kitchen?
Finally, there's Audrey, Skyla's intrusive and controlling mother-in-law. Again, Audrey is the mother-in-law (monster-in-law) we've all seen, needing to have an opinion on every little thing, and at times, making life much more difficult than it needs to be.
These three ladies face so many obstacles throughout the book. Often times, I found myself wishing everything would just get better for them all. The book made me think about how short life is and how we often take things for granted.
A Scattered Life is about friendship, it's about family, it's about belonging and loss. At every turn, it was a wonderful read, and I would highly recommend it.
A copy of the book was provided for review. All opinions are my own.
I recently received a copy of A Scattered Life by Karen McQuestion. Originally, the book was self-published on Kindle using Amazon's Digital Text Platform. The book was a hit, becoming a bestseller (along with McQuestion's other writings), and it has been optioned for film. In August, AmazonEncore published a paperback version of A Scattered Life (retail, $14.95).
I started reading, not knowing much about the book at all, and was instantly drawn to the characters. McQuestion's writing style allows readers to see every detail of the story, and the characters are developed so well. Throughout the book, I found myself learning more and more about them, their thoughts, their actions, their flaws. Once I started, I didn't want to put the book down, and I found myself smiling (and crying) along with the characters.Set in rural Wisconsin, A Scattered Life follows the lives of three women, all in various stages of life, motherhood, and marriage. During only one year, they learn more about family, life, and love than they ever expected.
I found myself relating so easily to each of the main characters. Skyla Plinka is a young stay at home mom. While she loves her family and life, she has a sense of restlessness, a need to do something different. She finds a sense of belonging working at a bookstore and a friendship in her new neighbor, Roxanne.
Roxanne is one of those moms that we all know. From the outside, her life looks like pure chaos, but looking closely, you realize that she puts her family above all else. And honestly, what matters more, loving on your kids or cleaning the kitchen?
Finally, there's Audrey, Skyla's intrusive and controlling mother-in-law. Again, Audrey is the mother-in-law (monster-in-law) we've all seen, needing to have an opinion on every little thing, and at times, making life much more difficult than it needs to be.
These three ladies face so many obstacles throughout the book. Often times, I found myself wishing everything would just get better for them all. The book made me think about how short life is and how we often take things for granted.
A Scattered Life is about friendship, it's about family, it's about belonging and loss. At every turn, it was a wonderful read, and I would highly recommend it.
A copy of the book was provided for review. All opinions are my own.
Friday, August 27, 2010
The Big Hit Avocado Blog Tour
I didn't grow up eating avocados. To be honest, I don't think I even tried one until just last year. After hearing so much about the benefits of adding them to your diet, I had finally decided to pick one up at the grocery store.
We've been using them in our house ever since.
Recently, my diet has changed and I've had to rethink and relearn a few things in the kitchen. Being gluten-free means no breads, no rolls, no flour tortillas. But it also means feeling better than I have in years and having so much more energy.
There are several things I miss eating, but I've found ways to alter my favorite foods so that I can still enjoy them alongside my family.
Gluten-Free Philadelphia-Inspired Cheese Steak Taquitos with Avocado Cream
Ingredients:
8 Corn tortillas
1 lb thin cut steak slices (or Steak-ums)
1/2 cup thin sliced peppers (we use red, green, and yellow)
1/2 cup thin sliced onion
2 Tbs olive oil
1/2 cup shredded cheddar (substitute your favorite)
2 cups oil for frying
1 medium avocado
1/2 cup sour cream
2 Tbs fresh lime juice
1. Mix mashed avocado, sour cream, and lime juice in blender until creamy and well mixed. Put in fridge to chill.
2. Heat olive oil over medium heat, then add peppers and onions and cook until soft.
3. Add steak to pan and cook thoroughly.
4. Warm tortillas in microwave for 30 seconds or until pliable.
5. Add small portion of steak, peppers, and onions to warm tortilla and roll up. Secure with a toothpick.
6. Picked up rolled tortillas and drop carefully into hot oil with tongs. Cook until crispy.
7. Top with cheddar cheese and serve with avocado cream. And enjoy!
Did you know?
Avocados are only 50 calories per ounce (around three slices) and are sodium and cholesterol free. Also they contain nearly 20 different types of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in a one ounce serving.
The "Big Hit" Contest and Avocado League
Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA) is launching the Big Hit contest exclusively for those participating in this blog tour:
The Avocado League is featuring hometown recipes in Atlanta, Boston, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York and Washington, D.C. MHAIA will choose 8 bloggers, one from each featured hometown, with the best recipe from the blog tour as members of the Avocado League, with public voting of their dishes to take place in late September. Avocado League participants and their dish will be professionally photographed and have their own personal profile on the Big Hit microsite.
The Avocado League recipe with the most votes during the Big Hit contest will win the title of Avocado League MVP and the grand slam prize a $5,000 grocery gift card! Second and third place winners will receive a $2,500 and $1,500 grocery gift card, respectively. Each of the top three winners will also receive a year's supply of avocados! The five Avocado League runner-ups will each receive $100 grocery gift cards.
Any consumer can submit their avocado recipe and may be featured as an "all-star" recipe. All voting and recipe posting will take place at the Big Hit site.
I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate
We've been using them in our house ever since.
Recently, my diet has changed and I've had to rethink and relearn a few things in the kitchen. Being gluten-free means no breads, no rolls, no flour tortillas. But it also means feeling better than I have in years and having so much more energy.
There are several things I miss eating, but I've found ways to alter my favorite foods so that I can still enjoy them alongside my family.
Gluten-Free Philadelphia-Inspired Cheese Steak Taquitos with Avocado Cream
Ingredients:
8 Corn tortillas
1 lb thin cut steak slices (or Steak-ums)
1/2 cup thin sliced peppers (we use red, green, and yellow)
1/2 cup thin sliced onion
2 Tbs olive oil
1/2 cup shredded cheddar (substitute your favorite)
2 cups oil for frying
1 medium avocado
1/2 cup sour cream
2 Tbs fresh lime juice
1. Mix mashed avocado, sour cream, and lime juice in blender until creamy and well mixed. Put in fridge to chill.
2. Heat olive oil over medium heat, then add peppers and onions and cook until soft.
3. Add steak to pan and cook thoroughly.
4. Warm tortillas in microwave for 30 seconds or until pliable.
5. Add small portion of steak, peppers, and onions to warm tortilla and roll up. Secure with a toothpick.
6. Picked up rolled tortillas and drop carefully into hot oil with tongs. Cook until crispy.
7. Top with cheddar cheese and serve with avocado cream. And enjoy!
Did you know?
Avocados are only 50 calories per ounce (around three slices) and are sodium and cholesterol free. Also they contain nearly 20 different types of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in a one ounce serving.
The "Big Hit" Contest and Avocado League Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA) is launching the Big Hit contest exclusively for those participating in this blog tour:
The Avocado League is featuring hometown recipes in Atlanta, Boston, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York and Washington, D.C. MHAIA will choose 8 bloggers, one from each featured hometown, with the best recipe from the blog tour as members of the Avocado League, with public voting of their dishes to take place in late September. Avocado League participants and their dish will be professionally photographed and have their own personal profile on the Big Hit microsite.
The Avocado League recipe with the most votes during the Big Hit contest will win the title of Avocado League MVP and the grand slam prize a $5,000 grocery gift card! Second and third place winners will receive a $2,500 and $1,500 grocery gift card, respectively. Each of the top three winners will also receive a year's supply of avocados! The five Avocado League runner-ups will each receive $100 grocery gift cards.
Any consumer can submit their avocado recipe and may be featured as an "all-star" recipe. All voting and recipe posting will take place at the Big Hit site.
I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate
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