Book Review - Abraham Lincoln...

I have to say this is one case where I should not have judged a book by its cover, literally, because the back cover there is a picture of Abraham Lincoln holding a bloody head and an ax. This would not normally be a book I would have picked up randomly off the shelf, especially with a cover like that!

This was our June book club selection, obviously it was not my selection, but one of the girls had put a request in that we read it. And since I cannot pick the book every month, otherwise I would be in a book club of one, I went along with it. I think one of the benefits of participating in the book club is that I get exposure to books that I would normally probably not read. So while it was not something that I would have wanted to read on my own I am glad that I read it.

Book Title: Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

Book Summary (From Amazon): Indiana, 1818. Moonlight falls through the dense woods that surround a one-room cabin, where a nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln kneels at his suffering mother's bedside. She's been stricken with something the old-timers call "Milk Sickness." "My baby boy..." she whispers before dying. Only later will the grieving Abe learn that his mother's fatal affliction was actually the work of a vampire.

When the truth becomes known to young Lincoln, he writes in his journal, "henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose..." Gifted with his legendary height, strength, and skill with an ax, Abe sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House.

While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.

Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation.

Book Review: I have to say I enjoyed the book more than I thought I would. I was very skeptical going into this one, but I was surprised by it. Reading the book it almost made sense, it was an interesting 'theory' I will say. And while there certainly isn't any such thing as vampires during the civil war the story made it seem 'plausible' the way that he constructed the story line and weaved things into real events that happened. He made you 'believe,' in a way that made me want to continue reading the book. If nothing else the historical nature and accuracies of the book and events were very interesting. We all loved the ending as well, there were two parts right at the end that were really good I will say.

Movie Review: For book club we met for dinner to be followed by the movie, since it just came out in theaters. Not surprisingly the book was so much better than the movie, which is typical. The book is almost always better than than the movie. I was disappointed by the movie, they left out so much of the storyline that made it seem more 'plausible' and gave you so much more background, but I guess there was just far too much in the book and the movie would have had to be so much longer. I would pass on the movie, but the book was worth a shot.

Overall another great month of book club. I had a fabulous time with the girls for our monthly dinner, another delicious meal I might add. And I enjoyed reading a book I normally would not have picked up. The moral of this months book club was never judge a book by its cover :-) Cliche, I know, but it fits perfectly in this case.

Namaste

One of the items on my 30 by 30 list is to take yoga classes more regularly. I was making progress on this initiative for the month of May. As with all of my other hobbies or interests yoga classes at a studio can be add up pretty quickly and get expensive. Unfortunately my gym only offers yoga classes three times a week, one during the day on Monday's so that's out, one right before work on Friday mornings, which would be tough and the other one is immediately following step class on Thursday nights so that's not good either, so going to yoga classes at the gym is kind of out for me. 

I love a good groupon or living social deal and I am always on the look out for yoga related groupons, so when one came up again for a local hot yoga studio for a month of unlimited hot yoga for $30 I jumped on it. The voucher was for a place much closer to home than the last hot yoga voucher I bought last year and it turned out this place was much nicer as well. The studio is called Fire Shaper, and the name is just an indication of just how hot it is in the studio. 

I'm happy to say that for the whole month of May I happily went to my hot yoga class every Friday. It was the absolute perfect way to start the weekend. Hot Yoga to me is so cleansing. Literally. I have never sweat so much before in my entire life, you could wring my clothes out when I got home that how saturated with sweat they were. I would literally walk inside through my garage where the laundry room is, strip down and put my clothes immediately in the wash machine and run to the shower!!! The class was hard work, 90 minutes of intense 105 degree heat practicing yoga but I loved it. I was really sad when the voucher ended. Although I only used my unlimited voucher 5 times, once a week was enough for me, I don't think I could have done it more than that. 

Thankfully when that voucher was coming to an end another one already came up for another local hot yoga studio called One Love Hot Yoga. This one is a bit further away again, but not terribly far and my friend Lauren bought the voucher with me so we can go together. This was one either $20 for 5 classes or for an extra $10, it was $30 for 10 classes, so I spent the extra $10 to get another 5 classes, even if I only went one extra time, it would still be worth it. 

The best news is that my gym is actually opening a hot yoga studio inside come this fall. Although there will be an additional fee to take classes there, I am really hoping it won't be terribly expensive since that would be the most convenient. And I am hoping I will also get a staff discount now as well :-) 

In the meantime I'm also looking into another local yoga studio, Mindful Body, right down the block from the house. They have an introductory student price for a month of unlimited so I might give that a try this summer. They also have groupon deals come up from time to time as well for this place so I am hoping they do that again and that will give me a more traditional yoga practice. Although yoga is not about the cardio exercise the same way step is, it is such a good mental workout as well and I find it so cleansing. I would like to keep up with it and practice it on a regular basis. But I know I always have so many activities I always want to do and try!!! 

Wine & Cheese Treats

For Michelle's shower her sister asked me if I could help and bring some appetizers for the shower. I was so excited when she asked me,  she def came to the right place, my other job was also to take as many pictures as possible so they could send them to Lindsey in Afghanistan, boy did she come to the right place on both tasks. For the shower I made three dishes, a spinach dip in a bread bowl, tomato mozzarella skewers and these cucumber tomato salad served in phyllo cups.

Everything at the shower was a big hit, these three items included, the phyllo cups especially were a big hit, they were gone in just a couple minutes. I'm glad that I snagged two myself and got to try them. They were such a light and delicious appetizer, perfect for the wine and cheese theme, but also for any summer party. They were particularly easy to make you just needed to cut the cucumber, tomato and onion and then mix in the other ingredients. And the phyllo cups are pre-made, you don't even need to cook them. Simply thaw and put the salad right in them, and the presentation was great!

I def plan to make these for the next wine and cheese party we go to, or to the one I plan to host at our house sometime. I found a whole bunch of other great recipes that would fit the build as well. I found a recipe for Brie and Cherry Pastry Cups which I think would also be perfect, I want to try those out next time as well.

Cucumber-Tomato Bruschetta in Phyllo Cups
Source: Brown Eyed Baker

1 medium cucumber, finely diced
1 tomato, seeded and finely diced
1 small red onion, finely diced
¼ cup Breakstone’s Sour Cream
3 Tablespoons cream cheese, softened at room temperature
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 Tablespoons finely chopped chives
2 Tablespoons finely chopped parsley
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 packages phyllo cups (found in the freezer section)

Remove phyllo cups package from freezer – they will come to room temperature while you assemble the rest of the appetizer. In a medium bowl, toss the cucumber, tomato and onion to combine. Using a spoon, mix the sour cream and cream cheese in a small bowl. until thoroughly combined. Stir in lemon juice, salt, pepper, chives and parsley. Toss the vegetables with the sour cream mixture to combine. Spoon the bruschetta into each phyllo cup, filling each evenly. Top with finely chopped chives and serve.

Beautiful Winery Shower

It could not have been a more perfect day for Michelle's Bridal Shower. Everything was beautiful, from the location, to the weather, and especially the Bride. It was such a wonderful day. Michelle's sister and Maid of Honor, Julie did a fantastic job organizing the whole event. It was held at a local NJ winery, Old York Cellars, not far from Michelle's parents house. The winery was the perfect setting, it was beautiful, brought in the outdoors, and was simple yet elegant which describes Michelle's personality and style exactly.

To use the venue for an event you need to bring your own food in. Julie did a fantastic job planning and coordinating all of the wonderful and absolutely delicious food that was there. I did bring a couple of small dishes as well (more to come on that later). All of the food was so perfect for a beautiful afternoon of wine, lunch and bridal shower goodness!

The first course of appetizers, fit the wine and cheese theme perfectly! 

For the centerpieces, Julie cut old wine bottles in half and filled them with wildflowers!

The happy bride arriving!

Showing off her beautiful engagement ring

The only thing missing from this perfect day was Michelle's sister, Lindsey, who is currently serving in Afghanistan. She was certainly there in spirit and everyone was thinking of her! 

The wine tasting bar in the back, all of the wine was very good!

On to the main course, delicious sandwiches and wraps that were VERY tasty

The beautiful scenery outside, there was even a horse next door

The Bride & I, and the Bride with her Bridesmaids!

 

It really was such a beautiful day and so perfect. I couldn't have imagined a more fitting and perfect bridal shower for Michelle. From the location, to the food, to the wine it was such a great day. I really can't think of any other words to describe the day!

Craving Steak....

I'm not a huge steak person, sure I eat it on occasion, but nothing on a regular basis. My Mother-in-Law makes a fantastic flank steak that I would never pass up, but I seldom say "let me buy a steak for dinner." However on this particular day I was craving steak for some reason. I've heard they say if you are craving steak it is your body's way of telling you that you need more iron. And I don't really eat a ton of red meat so I could understand that if it were true. Therefore I set out to make a steak for dinner. My craving could have also been inspired by seeing this recipe and thinking it looked good and I should try it, in either case I'm glad that I did.

One this is ridiculously simple recipe to make, and two it is also just as equally easy to clean up since everything literally goes on one pan in the oven and poof its done (aside from the sauce). All you have to do is cut up some peppers and season the steak. It really couldn't get any easier than that. And I am happy to say the end result was fantastic, Mike loved it as well.

I think my favorite part of it had to be the sauce that you use on the steak, it was delicious. I never really experimented much with green salsa, but it was fantastic. As a note, when I was buying the green salsa, on the aisle where all the mexican food is it was kind of expensive, when I went over to the Goya section though there was a cheaper and larger bottle, score for that! I am already planning to use the leftover green salsa to make these Baked Chicken Taquitos I saw and I can't wait to make this ridiculously easy steak again!

Broiled Steak and Peppers with Easy Spicy Green Sauce
Source & Photo: Weight Watchers Recipe (4 pt +)

3 spray(s) cooking spray
12 oz uncooked lean flank steak
2 medium yellow pepper(s), quartered, seeded
1 medium poblano chile, quartered, seeded
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano, crumbled
1/2 tsp table salt
1 cup(s) cilantro, leaves
3/4 cup(s) fat free salsa, green (tomatillo or green chile salsa)  
2 Tbsp reduced-fat sour cream

Preheat broiler. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with nonstick foil, or line with regular foil and coat with cooking spray (or just coat with cooking spray, if you prefer). Place steak and peppers on prepared pan; coat with cooking spray.In a small cup, combine cumin, oregano and salt; sprinkle on both sides of steak and peppers.

Broil 3 to 4 inches from heat, turning peppers and steak halfway through cooking, about 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer until desired degree of doneness. Remove steak to a cutting board; let stand 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, put cilantro, salsa and sour cream in blender or food processor; process until smooth.
Slice steak thinly across the grain. Put steak and peppers on a serving platter and serve with salsa mixture. Yields about 2 1/2 ounces steak, 3 pieces pepper and 1/4 cup salsa mixture per serving.

Recipe for My Bridget

I'm posting this recipe for two reasons, one because it was really good, but two (and the main reason) because I think Bridget will really like it. It seems like it is right up her alley. I know she loves Skinny Taste recipes as much as I do (who doesn't?) and because I am pretty sure she loves all the ingredients in it. The original recipe calls for using escarole but I don't have any of that in the house, but I did have baby spinach which worked just as perfect, and I know Bridget loves spinach!!! 

This was one of those throw together meals since I had all the ingredients in the house and had to use up chicken sausage links that I had defrosted. Mike must have really liked it because he went back for seconds right away. My only problem is I am a terrible Italian wife because we did not have any parmesan cheese in the house but we managed to survive without it. He said this could def go in the make again pile.

Penne with Italian Chicken Sausage, Escarole and Beans (pts + 8)

Source: Skinnytaste

10 oz Ronzoni Smart taste pasta (or whole wheat or low carb)

1 tsp olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

12 oz uncooked Italian chicken sausage, removed from casing

1/2 cup fat free, low sodium chicken broth

1 cup cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 

1 medium head (7-8 cups) escarole rinsed and torn into bite sized pieces - Or baby spinach!

1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper, or to taste (optional)

salt and fresh pepper to taste

Rinse escarole (or spinach) and tear into bite sized pieces.Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente in a large pot of salted water. Reserve 1/2 cup water before draining. While pasta water boils, heat a large non-stick skillet on medium heat. Add olive oil; when hot add onions, garlic, salt and pepper until soft, about 4-5 minutes. Add sausage, breaking up with a wooden spoon and cook until golden, about 6 to 8 minutes. Set aside in a dish. Add chicken broth and beans to the skillet.  Add the escarole; stir and cook about 4 minutes or until wilted. Gently stir in sausage, pasta, red pepper flakes, 1/2 cup of the reserved water or more if needed and grated Parmesan. Adjust salt and pepper if needed and toss well; transfer to a large serving bowl. Enjoy with some extra cheese on the side.

Growing Garden

Lots of good garden progress! Another week come and gone and look how great they are growing in, so exciting, I love watching them grow. All seems to be going well so far!

Um, these are a hodge podge, I threw a couple of whatever seeds were left in these

We'll see how that strategy works out for me

Two different types of tomatoes

Believe its peppers on the left and squash/zucchini on the right

Tons of basil and scallions in these two!

Cucumbers (started at different times but both growing well)

Rocky supervising and checking things out!

Book Review - Cinderella Deal

First let me start by saying I was pretty excited that I didn't have to pay for this book, it was my first library ebook, pretty cool. I had this book on my long amazon wish list of books so I was delighted when I saw it was on the library page. I 'got in line' to wait for my ebook and it took almost no time at all for me to get it. Score for not having to buy it and could borrow it for free. Although I am pretty sure when I put it on my wish list it was listed for a price of $2.99, which having read it I would pay the $3 to read/own the book, but today I saw it was listed for $7.99, that seems a bit steep to me, for that price I would probably pass on it and say to save your pennies, I could buy almost 3 books for that price.

Book Title: The Cinderella Deal by Jennifer Cruise

Book Summary (from Amazon): New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Crusie brings humor and storytelling magic to this modern-day romance of a match made anywhere but in heaven—but destined for a fairy-tale ending.

Daisy Flattery is a free spirit with a soft spot for strays and a weakness for a good story. Why else would she agree to the outrageous charade offered by her buttoned-down workaholic neighbor, Linc Blaise? The history professor needs to have a fiancée in order to capture his dream job, and Daisy is game to play the role. But something funny happens on their way to the altar that changes everything. Now, with the midnight hour approaching, will Daisy lose her prince, or will opposites not only attract but live happily ever after?

My Review: I thought this book was very cute, it's another short, quick, light read, nothing heavy. I pretty much read the entire book in two short sittings. I've come to the conclusion that these type of $2.99 chick lit books are all the same, and are usually pretty predictable but as long as I enjoy the characters and the storyline I don't mind the cliche predicability of them. I still maintain that it beats watching bad television any day.

I did enjoy the characters very much in this book, they were well developed and you could see what both of them were looking for, you could relate to each of them. I actually had my own assumptions as to what I thought was going to happen and I have to say it did unfold slightly different which was nice so it wasn't totally predictable. The main character was refreshing and I liked how she was in control of her own situation and destiny (for the most part). I was happy with the ending and I would def tell others to read it, that is if you can get it from the library or for the price of $2.99 it's worth it for a cute read.

Washington DC - Day 3

For our third and final day in DC we decided we wanted to get out of the city, not because there wasn't a ton left to see and do, but it was really the heat and the fact that much of the city was shut down for parades. At the suggestion of Mike's friend Joe, we decided to head out to 'the country' to see Mount Vernon, George Washington's Estate. It really wasn't far from the city at all, although it was in the wrong direction for us heading home but it was worth it.

For a small fee you can walk the grounds, tour the house and take it all in. For another additional small free, only $5, you can also sign up for the National Treasure Tour, based on the movie scenes that were shot at the Estate, we opted to do that tour. Before our scheduled tour began we walked around the grounds and admired the beautiful gardens they had planted. I did this carefully, hoping from one shadow spot to another, after getting scorched the day before the last thing I wanted to do was be out in the sun again, hence the black sweater over my dress, it was disgustingly hot again but it provided my sunburn with a bit of protection and was worth sweating.

It's pretty cool to think that this estate was built by Washington himself over 200 years ago and still remains in tact. They just don't make things like this anymore!

As part of the National Treasure tour, you got to go in the basement under the house were a lot of film was based in that Nicolas Cage's character kidnapped the President and brought him down there. It was cool to hear about how they shot the movie and also the history of the house. We both enjoyed the National Treasure tour and it was well worth the added $5 fee.