And may the odds be ever in your favor...

I have tried this before, the whole book club thing. And it was with only ONE person I personally knew, and I felt this overwhelming pressure to read and felt almost intimidated by the level of participation that some members were contributing. Plus, we were tackling the 101 Books to Read before you die - a little too heavy for this point in my life. (With 3 little kids, a full-time job and a full-time husband, LOL)

So, on to attempt #2. 'For the Love of Reading' is what it is called, until (and if) we ever come up with a more clever name. July has been our first month and we read THE HUNGER GAMES! The Facebook group has been casual and laid back. A good amount of book chatter and I am excited to visit it when I have the extra time. It is made up of 5-10 people who all know each other personally or through someone else. I think this time we found something that works for us. And if you ask me - I could not be happier.

On to the book.

I worked at Borders for years, and was there during the Hunger Games craze, and apparently - I am too cool to follow the popular crowd, and read what they are reading. This makes me both sad and relieved. Sad: How did I wait so long to read this? Relieved: I would have never made it through having to wait for the 2nd or the 3rd one to come out! I would have been in a straight jacket with padded walls. For real! Suzanne Collins is a genius. This genre has never appealed to me, but the emotions I felt for the characters in District 12 and the others I met throughout the 74th and 75th Games. Brilliant. It was a roller coaster for 3 solid books. There was little to none when it came to smooth sailing with this series;  even with the main character, Katniss, was all alone in a tree with just her thoughts - you were on edge. I felt like I was Katniss. I felt the confusion that young love brings. I felt the pain she felt when Primrose's name was called at the Reaping. I felt the anger and the excitement as she prepared for the Games. I felt myself fall for that damn bread boy. I felt it ALL. And I couldn't take my eyes off the pages until I knew what happened next!

I felt right with Katniss and the rivaling emotions with Peeta and Gale. My mind goes back to a conversation that Peeta and Gale had, where Gale tells Peeta something along the lines of "Katniss will choose who she needs the most." I was torn with this statement for many reasons:

1. Throughout the trilogy, Katniss was the stronger of the 2 tributes. Peeta is smart with regards to the camouflage, but a warrior - no.
2. Gale is a provider, a hunter and a "man's man."
3. I thought this statement was meant as a blow to Peeta at the time. I felt like Gale knew he was the smarter choice. The one (in a survival state of mind) that Katniss would need the most.
4. Peeta is a more privileged Baker's son. I feel like they always thought they were beneath him.

In the long run, I think Peeta was always the one. She never forgot what he did. He has this unending desire to take care of her. It might not be in the way she is used to, with the coal miners - but she is not the normal girl either. There were little cues throughout the book that were unspoken signs of her feelings for him. With Gale, it was more of losing her best friend.

I looked throughout several discussion questions that were given in regards to these books. And I just relived them all over again. What happened to Cinna, the Avox's, the controlled environments of the districts, and the raw emotions. The one thing that killed me, even more than the death of Rue; was Prim's seemingly unnecessary death. It broke my heart on so many different levels. And the fact that it was left unanswered as to who was at fault. I know that was a pivotal point in the relationship of Gale and Katniss - I just hated it.

Finally, overall, I give this entire series a FIVE. It was so well written, and I cried and died a little inside for the characters.  Even though this series had an epilogue, which I despise - it was what the readers needed to have closure. I wanted a book about how Peeta and Katniss got to that point. I love the details, the background and more.

Our 1st book club meeting was at Cheddar's! (Nom nom nom, Monte Cristo!) It was fun, casual and very laid back. We talked about who we loved, the differences in the book and movie, which characters were your favorites and not so favorites, saddest point and how we would have done it differently. It was only 4 of us this time, but still a blast!

For the month of August, we are reading Life of Pi and having book club at Mugshots! :) Cannot wait!

My imagination has ran WILD!

When I started reading the Stephanie Plum series, I swore to you I saw Ranger and his endless supply of Rangeman vehicles in their signature black EVERYWHERE I drove. (Mind you, I do not live in New Jersey, and I am sure he has zero reason to be in Mississippi.) I dreamt of Dublin for weeks while reading the Fever series, and saw flashlights and headlights (MacHalo) everywhere I turned. I am definitely more sarcastic when reading Darynda Jones, my co-workers would vouch for that. And the list could go on. I take on what I am reading with FULL FORCE. I don't think it I mean to. It kind of reminds me of when certain people go on vacation and come back sounding Canadian. (Eh?)

That is me with books. When I visit new towns, countries, dimensions - I lose myself. I spent 6 books with Richelle Mead in Montana and a few other places like Russia. Currently, I have to concentrate really hard to find a gateway so I can visit the Shadowlands with Michael and Nikki. (Thanks Michelle Rowen) I need to invest in a world map, and place thumbtacks where I read-visit. :)

I am starting the Hunger Games book as the start to our "For the LOVE of Reading" bookclub. It is our first choice, courtesy of Katy! I just love that a group of almost and barely 30's WANT to take the time out of life to talk books. It just warms my heart like nothing else quite can. I am so excited for the end of the month for when we first meet up!

Reading has also caused me to find PINEREST-like crafts for bookcases and such. I am gathering supplies for some awesome stuff. I am LOVING life, even with all its bumps. I will see you soon blog! Very soon!

An 8 Year Old, a 4 Year Old and a 3 Year Old...

A broken laptop and 50 Shades of Grey can cause someone like me to be MIA in the blogverse for 6 months. BUT... Have no fear:

my kids may still be 8,4 and 3... But, my laptop is working and I am done with the obsession known as Fifty Shades of Grey. :-) I am still Crockpot Crazy, Frugal as I can be while working full time and finding time to sleep when I am not reading. Which leads into my next portion of the lost 6 months...

Fifty Shades, Crossfire, the Host, a little Janet Evanovich, some Karen Marie Moning and Real Vampires with Gerry Bartlett... I have been all over the world in the last 6 months. While my husband will claim I haven't left the couch... These books took me places. Almost 2 years since Borders shut their doors, and I am still the crazy person who packed FIVE books for an 8 day vacation with my 2 youngest. I read TWO! Charlie Tango sighting ever since. One day, I will find myself embracing the book world for a living again. I ask one thing of each of you - DO NOT forget the adventures you had reading Goosebumps or Hardy Boys. The love you felt reading Twilight, for you TWIHARDS. Or the first time you stayed up til 2 in the morning reading a sci-fi book because you couldn't figure what was going to happen, and YOU couldn't go to sleep not knowing. I remember in 10th grade, when I first picked up Harry Potter. That was 1999-2000, and it wasn't until 10 years later when the saga ended. It was a part of my childhood. And if you read on your Nook, Kindle or that good old fashion PAPER book, don't ever stop. Our kids need to love getting lost in a book. My kids love bookstores and libraries. (THANK GOD for that, or they would be bored at the amount of time I spend in them.) I hear parents talking their kids out of the book they are asking for and offering a toy instead. ARE YOU CRAZY? Your kid wants to read!!! Embrace it. When they are in high school and have to read Dickens, Austen, Shakespeare and so on... They will have no fear... and NO cliff notes at the last minute in lieu of the novel...*off my literary soapbox now*

In short, I am back and curious as to what I am going to cook in my Crockpots next... For now, I am off to work y'all! Have a margarita for me on this chilly Cinco de Mayo!

Til next blog...

sMashed Potatoes (#24)

Thanksgiving Eve.

Just got off work, heading to the store for the items I forgot when I was pre-planning. Haha. I am doing a lot of firsts this go around. I don't do pies and I am making a low-fat Chocolate Cream pie and a Gluten Free Sweet Potato pie for my little sister-in-law. :) (And an apple pie!) Thinking I will head to the store in the morning, and try my hand at a Strawberry pie - kind of in a pie mood.

But the magic happened in my Crockpot. My in-laws are the masters of instant mashed potatoes. They are good, but this gal grew up with boiled, peeled and mashed deliciousness of homemade smashed potatoes. Crockpot mashed potato recipes are all over the Internet, but most start with boiling on the stove. I consider it a CP recipe if I cook it ALL in my partner in crime, Sir Crockpot.

Finally, I found one. I didn't add all the extra ingredients that the author of the recipe did. I just needed to know how long they needed to cook in the CP. I like potatoes enough to know they don't need all the bells and whistles.

What you need:

*5 pounds of potatoes (I used russet this time, but Red and Yukon's work great too!)
*2 cups of chicken broth (or 2 cups of water and a bullion cube)
*Milk
*Fat Free Cream Cheese

The How:

1)Quarter the potatoes and toss into the Crockpot.
***You can peel or leave the skins on. I am a fan of the skins and I use the excuse with others who don't like them, that they are where you get the good stuff from. You can also cut them smaller if you need them to cook quicker. Add your chicken broth, or water if you prefer.

2)Cook on high for 4-5 hours, low for 7-8 hours - and then mash. (Depending on the amount of liquid left in the potatoes, you might want to drain. I had very little, and left most in for flavor)

3)The rest is really to taste. Everyone has a preference with smashed potatoes: fluffy, thick, chunky, etc. You add 1/2 block of FF cream cheese, and blend. (More or less to your taste) And then slowly add milk until you reach the consistency that you love.

I have to tell you, these taste incredible. And plus, it left a spot on the stove top open and allowed me to nap while I was waiting for the oven to open up for my bird. I love turkey. :) I hope everyone has an incredible holiday. Make sure you thank God, not only today - but everyday, for all he has and will continue to bless you with. My pastor said something that has stuck with me all week:

"If you woke up this morning with only what you gave thanks to God for yesterday, what would you be left with?"

Now, that is food for thought! Till next time...

How Do I Feel About Food?

That is a BIG question for me.

 

In the last several years I have realized this is how my Mother showed me her love, as well as my Grandmother. Being raised in a Mexican household, this love consisted of tons of lardy tortillas and plates that large enough to feed a small army. Even when combating diabetes and other health problems, my family never budged on their style of eating.

 

When I entered adulthood and moved to Mississippi, not much changed. In the South - love = food in the form of fried chicken and just about fried everything. I found that I one of the ways I show Michael I care is making sure I cook dinner every night. The kids and I love to cook together. It is one of my favorite times with them. Yum! In 2010, I began the fight. And I was very successful. And proud of how I looked and felt.

 

During the last year, I have slipped quite a bit. Not in the weight department so much, but on how I was eating and feeding my family. The result was a sluggish feeling throughout the day, and feeling tired after a full night of sleep. I woke up this morning, and realized that is how I used to feel. And I did not like it then, and I certainly do not like it now, especially since I am well aware of how awesome the extra energy and less pounds feel.

 

11/18/12

marks the day that I make the permanent change in our lives. Yes, there will be some things I cut out completely that I will not expect my husband to cut out, like soda. Although, since I do the majority of the cooking, this change will be for everyone in my house. I am very excited to begin again, and I look forward to the extra energy.

 

A few things that will become staples in my life will be:

 

1) No soda. I don't particularly like soda. I am a social drinker. (Haha, sounds funny - but true) I genuinely love ice cold water, and I will just get used to the crazy looks I get when I order just water.

 

2) 3 miles of walking or running - 3 days a week. I am going to work my Netflix workouts back in too, but the little ones make it difficult to commit to a certain amount each week.

 

3) Pack my lunch EVERY day.

 

I look forward to updating my blog with my success that I am sure will be incredible. :)

 

4) - Positive thinking.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup (#23)

On nights when Michael works, the kids and I can indulge in soup. My hubby is not much for soup eating. I, on the other hand, LOVE soup! And tonight, we have Loaded Baked Potato Soup in the Crockpot!

The finished soup, garnished with basil
from my kitchen herb garden!

The Ingredients

2.5 Pounds of Russet Potatoes

2 Cloves of chopped Garlic

1/2 Chopped Yellow Onion

32 Ounces of Chicken Stock (low sodium)

1 Block of Cream Cheese (fat free)

Bacon (low sodium Turkey bacon)

Parmesan Cheese

 

 

Chop up your potatoes, we like bite-size chunks in our soup, so ours are a little bigger than we see at the restaurants. It is really what you prefer. I also leave the skins on because it is the good for ya part of the potato, and they are YUM. Toss in your garlic, onion and chicken stock and cook on low for 8 hours.

 

The first time I made this, I followed the recipe to a tee. They instructed to puree the cream cheese in the soup. It was more dishes to transfer the soup to puree it, and I found that having the cream cheese sit for about 30 minutes, and adding it to the Crockpot works wonders. It does require a little attention with the stirring, but I prefer to keep the large chunks of potatoes. Makes the meal seem more filling that way.

 

On to the garnish. :-) My favorite part. I substitute pork bacon for Turkey bacon, our local store has an amazing low sodium Turkey bacon that is to die for. My kids don't really know pork bacon, so they don't taste a difference. I chop up the bacon, cook it and stir it in the soup. True, that doesn't make it a garnish really, but I like bacon throughout. Low-fat Parmesan cheese is sprinkled on top and served.

 

This is one of my favorite soups, and GREAT for those cold winter days. I do hope you enjoy this version of Loaded Baked Potato Soup. So happy for it to be winter and the soup making to commence! Until next time...

 



Beer Chicken!!! (#22)

I have been in a rut! I have resorted to a good 10 to 12 Crockpot meals that are a guaranteed win for this family, and have not really ventured out of my comfort bubble. While watching all the morning shows that I do not normally get to watch with work - I heard someone talk about their 'go-to' meal of Beer Chicken.

Hmmm.... Can I do this in the Crockpot?

Yes I can, according to a fellow blogger at http://www.mydailydish.com/.

The Ingredients!!!

Ingredients

4-6 Chicken Breasts (You can use a whole chicken also, fresh or frozen.)
1/2 tsp Basil
1/2 tsp Pepper
1/2 tsp Sea Salt
1/2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper
1 bottle Beer






Toss it all in your Crockpot and walk away. How long do you ask? It depends:

FRESH CHICKEN
3-4 hours - HIGH
7-8 - LOW

FROZEN CHICKEN
4-5 - HIGH
8-10 - LOW

The recipe I found used Garlic Powder, Basil, Paprika, Salt and Pepper. She also stated, she used those because that is what she had. :-) Good deal, because I was out of Paprika, and we LOVE LOVE LOVE Crushed Red Pepper in the Crockpot! So please, take chances with the spices you and your loved ones enjoy! You know your taste buds best!!!

The finished product!
 

The Verdict:

YUM! Kids ate it with Mac & Cheese, Hubs ate it with Beans and Rice, and I ate my wrapped up in a corn tortilla. Totally a new one in the Crook Family rotation!!!