October Fresh Savings at Publix – Going on Right Now!

If Publix is near you (besides being lucky for having my favorite grocery store nearby) you can also save big this weekend on your weekly trip to the grocery store!

From October 9 – 15, you can save:

• Save $2 when you buy any one (1) Hellmann’s® Mayonnaise (22oz or larger) and Deli Item (any variety, $2 minimum)
• Save $2 when you buy any two (2) boxes of Quaker® Chewy® Granola Bars and Sliced Deli Meat (any variety, $2 minimum).
• Save $2 when you buy any one (1) Nature Valley™ Protein Granola Cereal and Fresh Fruit (any variety, $2 minimum).
• Save $2 when you buy any two (2) Propel® items (6pk 500ml) and Fresh Fruit (any variety, $2 minimum).
• Save $1 when you buy any two (2) Knorr® Sides and Meat (any variety, $1 minimum).
• Save $1 when you buy any one (1) Betty Crocker™ Potatoes (3.7 - 6.6oz) and Meat (any variety, $1 minimum).
• Buy 2 Get 1 FREE Lipton® (128fl oz)
• Buy 1 Get 1 FREE Lipton® Tea (100ct)
• Buy 1 Get 1 FREE Progresso™ 100% Natural Broth
• 10 for $10 on Betty Crocker™ Potatoes (3.7 - 6.6oz)

My favorite part about this savings event is that it is going to save money on sandwiches for lunches! The Publix deli is seriously one of my favorite parts of Publix because they have such good deli meat and cheese! Plus, a little mayo to go with the meat leads to savings with this event! Win-win!

Another favorite from the list here is the Buy 1 and get 1 FREE on the Progresso broth. This can make some great soups which are great for this time of the year.

Before you go to the store, be sure to go online to publix.com and see your weekly local ad for extra savings or coupons you can use while there!

“Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op.”

Publix Flavor Excursion Sales Event

My family and I love homemade Mexican inspired meals. Not only are most of the ingredients gluten-free (which is a mandatory deal for one of us), they are also delicious and don’t break the bank when it comes to meal planning.

I love, love, love chicken quesadillas. I just have to be sure to get the corn flour ones (they are a little bit smaller, but I cannot eat the larger “flour” ones made from wheat). I also enjoy homemade tacos with chicken, ground beef, or ground turkey. Leftover meat is also saved and thrown on some nachos for the next day, and all of it is…. gluten free! I love it!

Need some inspiration? Check this out….

Publix Flavor Excursion Sales Event

In-Store Savings

Coupons available in-store, look for the Flavor Excursion display with products at your local Publix. Display will be available in most stores between 9/11 and 9/24. Savings available with coupons:

·         Make Spicy Roasted Soft Vegetable Tacos and save! Save $2 off Produce (minimum $2 purchase) when you buy Any Four (4) participating products*. Participating products: Old El Paso™ Seasoning Mixes, Enchilada Sauce, Refried Beans, Taco Shells, Ro*Tel® (10oz or larger), Hunt’s® Diced Tomatoes (14.5oz or larger), KRAFT Natural Shredded Cheese (6-8oz

·         You can also save on an Italian inspired recipe, Sautéed Italian Chicken and Beans! Save $2 off Publix® Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts when you buy Any Four (4) participating products. Participating products: Progresso™ Bread Crumbs, 100% Natural Broths, Beans,KRAFT Salad Dressing (16oz), Natural Shredded Cheese (6-8oz), Hunt’s® Diced Tomatoes (14.5oz or larger).

Coupons available in-store, look for the Flavor Excursion recipe and coupon standee display at your local Publix. Display will be available in most stores between 9/11 and 9/24. Savings available with coupons:

·         Save $1.00 off Any Five (5) Ro*Tel® Tomatoes (10oz)

·         Save $2.00 off Any Two (2) KRAFT Natural Chunk Cheese 7-8 oz

·         Save $1.00 off Any Five (5) Hunt’s® Tomatoes 14.5oz

·         Save $1.00 off Any One (1) Bisquick™ 40oz

·         Save $1.00 off Any One (1) Old El Paso™ Frozen Entrée

·         Save $2.00 off Any Two (2) KRAFT Natural Shredded Cheese 6-8oz

Looking for a new twist on dessert? Try another Flavor Excursion recipe, Crème Brulèe Cheesecake Bars. Find the recipe and a $1.50 off any two Betty Crocker pouch Cookie Mixes coupon on the Betty Crocker display in-store.

Plus… find these items on sale this week. No coupon necessary, available at Publix:

·         Green Giant Frozen Bag Steamers 11-12oz on BOGO

·         Pillsbury Crescents and Pizza 3 for $6

Printable Coupons

Want more savings to make your favorite Flavor Excursion recipes? Visithttp://readyplansave.com/flavor-excursion/additional-savings to print your coupons. Available while supplies last.

·         Save $1 when you buy FOUR Progresso™ products

·         Save $1 when you buy THREE Old El Paso™ products

·         Save 75¢ when you buy ONE BOX Old El Paso® Bold Nacho Cheese Flavored Stand 'N Stuff® Taco Shells OR Dinner Kit

·         Save $0.50 when you buy ONE 20 OZ. OR LARGER Original Bisquick® OR Bisquick Heart Smart® Baking Mix

·         Save $0.60 when you buy THREE any variety Green Giant® Seasoned Steamers™ or Valley Fresh Steamers® Frozen Vegetables.

·         Save $0.40 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Crescent Dinner Rolls

·         Save $0.40 when you buy THREE CANS any size/variety Pillsbury® Refrigerated Grands!® or Grands! Jr.® Biscuits

·         Save $1 when you buy any flavor or variety of Old el Paso™ Froze Entrees

Digital Coupons

Visit, https://publix.couponselectionpage.com/offers/all, to find and instantly select digital coupons. Including the following from ConAgra. Available while supplies last.

·         Save $0.40 off any TWO (2) ROTEL® products

·         Save $1 on any FOUR (4) Chef Boyardee® canned pasta or microwave cup

·         Save $1 on any ONE (1) Orville Redenbacher’s® Gourmet® Popping Corn (6-pk or larger)

·         Save $0.50 on any ONE (1) Super Snack Pack® 6 pack

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op.

Outnumber Hunger

Did you know that 1 in 6 Americans is struggling with hunger? That is more than 49 million in the United States of America, or about 13 million families.

Thanks to General Mills who has teamed up with Feeding America, Big Machine Label Group, and Target, we can help to “Outnumber Hunger” in your community. It is simple to do, and you probably don’t even have to do or buy anything extra to help. Simply purchase the specially marked General Mills products and enter in the code online at www.outnumberhunger.com. For each code that you enter by January 31, 2015, General Mills will donate 55.5 cents to Feeding America – which is enough to secure 5 meals for the local food bank.

When you buy 5 of the select food items (with codes) at Target, you’ll also receive a free Outnumber Hunger Now CD ($4.99 retail value, while supplies last), featuring artists from the Outnumber Hunger concert, listed below.

• Florida Georgia Line: “Cruise”
• Rascal Flatts: “Changed”
• The Band Perry: “DONE.”
• Cassadee Pope: “Wasting All These Tears”
• Thomas Rhett: “It Goes Like This”

The Concert event for it was great, too. If you missed it, check it out on YouTube, or watch below.

To view more on how you can help to outnumber hunger, watch this video on YouTube…

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by General Mills via Platefull Co-Op.

Target - Big G New Cereal Flavors

Cereal is one of my family’s favorite things to eat for breakfast. It is tasty, and fast and easy to make before running out the door to work or school. We also like it as a snack, so getting a variety is essential so we don’t get sick of any certain flavor too quickly.

When I found out that General Mills was going out with new types of some of our favorites, I was really excited. I knew my family would appreciate some more variety into their breakfast routine, and if your family also enjoys their cereal, I’m quite sure that you’ll also enjoy the added variety these new types bring to your table.

We tried out these 3 new Big G cereals:

*  Multigrain Cheerios Dark Chocolate Crunch

*  Fiber One Protein

*  Chocolate Toast Crunch

As someone who used to seriously enjoy Cinnamon Toast Crunch when I could eat it (I can’t have wheat anymore), I was truly bummed I couldn’t try this one for myself. However, my family all agreed how delicious it was and probably enjoyed taunting me on this. They also found the Cheerios Dark Chocolate Crunch to be equally as delicious. However, they preferred to eat these cereals at night in place of a dessert. The Fiber One Protein cereal was their overall favorite and is now the number one go-to cereal for breakfasts in my house.

If you want to try some (or all) of these new cereals, I definitely recommend for you to do so. Go to http://www.cheerios.com/ and get a Cheerios coupon for buy one and get one free that you can get and use until February 15^th.

“Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op.”

Dark Chocolate Multigrain Cheerios

My family loves their Cheerios. They also love chocolate. When I got the chance to get them a box of the new Dark Chocolate Multigrain Cheerios, I was thrilled. This would be the best of both worlds for them, and something they could eat for breakfast that was almost like dessert.

Although I can’t eat it because it has wheat in it, my family really enjoyed this new cereal. They said that it is a perfect balance of multigrain and chocolate, but it needed a bit more of the “crunch” that was in it. Overall though, they really liked it and will definitely be buying it in the very near future for breakfast and late night snacks.

Try it for yourself. Go to http://www.cheerios.com/ and get a Cheerios coupon for buy one and get one free that you can get and use until February 15^th.

“Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op.”

Weight Watchers Approved Products at Publix – On Sale!

If one of your goals this New Year is to lose weight or be healthier, you probably know about the Weight Watchers products and approved products that help you keep track of your points. Even if you aren’t following their diet plan, you know that they are generally going to be low in calorie and helpful to reach your goals, too.

“Diet” food is not cheap though. This week, Publix is having a sale from Jan 2 – 12 on some of the Weight Watcher approved foods you can enjoy on your road to health. Check out the following sale, and see what you can stock up on before time runs out!

·         Progresso Light Soups: BOGO

·         Green Giant Frozen: BOGO

·         Yoplait: 20 for $10

What I really like about these foods is that most of them, I can get gluten-free versions of. That makes me happy because as someone with Celiac disease, it isn't always easy to find those foods on sale. Just be sure to look for "Gluten Free" on the label or check out the product's ingredients.

For more information, check out Publix’s website.

“Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.”

Tropical Island Chex Party Mix – Gluten Free and Delicious!

Not sure what to make for a gluten-free holiday party? How about some homemade Tropical Island Chex Party Mix? It is seriously tasty and everyone can enjoy it, even someone with a gluten sensitivity.

Chex Mix is one of those things that people with Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance should always have handy. You can have it for cereal or make some delicious party mix with it. This is perfect for keeping around the house for you, or taking it to a party so others can enjoy. Plus, with this snack, you know it is 100% gluten free – so you can eat it, too.

This is an exclusive recipe that I get to share with you for the holidays (or any time of year) for you to enjoy. I hope that you try it and like it as much as my family and I do.

Tropical Island Chex Party Mix Recipe

• Prep Time: 15 Minutes
• Start to Finish: 15 Minutes
• 20 Servings (1/2 cup each)

Ingredients:

• 8 cups Rice Chex cereal
• 1 cup shredded coconut, if desired
• 1 cup dried banana chips
• 1 package (7 oz.) dried tropical fruit mix
• 1 jar (3 oz) macadamia nuts
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup frozen (thawed) pineapple or orange juice concentrate

Microwave Directions:

1. In large microwavable bowl, mix cereal, coconut, banana chips, tropical fruit mix and nuts.
2. In microwavable measuring cup, microwave butter uncovered on high about 30 seconds or until melted. Stir in brown sugar and pineapple juice concentrate. Microwave uncovered on high about 30 seconds or until hot; stir. Pour over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly coated. Microwave uncovered on high 6 to 8 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes, until mixture just begins to brown.
3. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool. Store in airtight container.

Oven directions:

1. Heat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. In ungreased large roasting pan, mix cereal, coconut, banana chips, tropical fruit mix and nuts. In 1-quart saucepan, heat butter, brown sugar and pineapple juice concentrate over medium heat until hot. Pour over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly coated. Bake uncovered 30 minutes, stirring after 15 minutes. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container.

This is a great recipe for Chex Mix. I will definitely make it again, and share at parties in the future. I would change only one thing with the directions. When it says to add in the tropical fruit mix before heating, I would not. Doing so made the fruits not taste as good, so I’d hold off on adding this until the very end. Otherwise, I love it!

Comments? Suggestions? Ideas to Share?

Do you also enjoy making your own Chex Party Mix? Have you tried some other delicious recipes that you would want to share with me? Will you try this one? Do you want to know more about Celiac disease or gluten free foods or recipes? Think my cooking and photographing skills are amazing? Share in the comments section, I would love to hear about it!

* Disclaimer: The recipe and ingredients for this yummy snack were provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op.

Old El Paso Frozen Entrees for Two

Mexican dishes are one of my family’s favorite types of foods to cook. It is usually quick, easy, and we all love it. I don’t have a lot of time to cook, so finding some delicious Old El Paso frozen entrees for two was fantastic! It saves even more time and still tastes great.

Frozen Entrees available from Old El Paso include:

• ·         Chicken Burritos
• ·         Chicken Enchiladas
• ·         Chicken Fajitas
• ·         Chicken Quesadillas
• ·         Shredded Beef Burritos
• ·         Shredded Beef Enchiladas
• ·         Steak Fajitas
• ·         Steak Quesadillas

My family loved the chicken quesadillas and steak fajitas. They are seasoned very well and actually don’t end up soggy or bland at all. The flavor is right on and it doesn’t taste like it was frozen. I’d definitely get this again and would recommend it for anyone who enjoys Mexican food.

Which of these entrees would you like to try?

“Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.”

Saving Lids to Save Lives

October is breast cancer awareness month, and Yoplait is joining the fight against cancer with their “Saving Lids to Save Lives” event going on right now. It is an easy way that you can participate in supporting breast cancer research by simply buying foods you were probably going to buy anyways.

This year, you can also participate in “Pledge Your Part” which is a new online initiative that was designed to encourage people to take a pledge to help fight breast cancer. It could be by simply taking part of the saving lids event, walking in an awareness event, or any other way you choose.

For me, I’m choosing to help out by taking part in the saving lids event by getting Yoplait yogurt at Publix. It is quick, easy, and can help to make a difference. How do you plan on helping this October?

The following items are currently on sale at Publix® as part of the Yoplait Saving Lids to Save Lives event.

·         $1 off any one Large Size, Light with Granola or GoGurt (coupon on select products) - Dates: October 2 - October 18

·         20 for $10 on Yoplait Core cup - Dates: October 3 - October 9

·         Light with Granola BOGO - Dates: October 5 - October 25

                                         

“Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.”

Green Giant – Make a Difference

I try to eat healthy throughout the year, and one of the foods that I buy frequently is Green Giant frozen vegetables. These leafy greens and mixed variety vegetables are great for someone on a diet and of course a great addition for meals when just wanting to eat right.

Sometimes when I’ve been on diets, I’ve felt ‘hungry’ a lot because of the limited amount of foods I could eat, but with vegetables, I found you can eat a lot, feel full, and still have a low caloric intake.

Green Giant has steamed, crunchy, and fresh vegetables that are already seasoned with low fat sauces and spices to give it the flavor that can really make a meal yummy. They also have 27 varieties that are under 100 calories.

Do you also like to buy Green Giant to help with your weight loss goals, or health maintenance? Which varieties do you like best?

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by Green Giant® through MyBlogSpark.

Publix Breakfast Savings

Eating breakfast at home is always a great value, and it's an even better value at Publix during the week of September 5th through 11th where select General Mills kid cereals are BOGO! 
Offer valid on Trix 14.8oz, Cinnamon Toast Crunch 16.2oz, Cocoa Puffs 16.5oz, Kix 12oz, Honey Kix 12oz, Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Crème 10.9oz. Offer available in Publix stores from 9/5-9/11.

Saving money on breakfast is something I do daily. I’m not usually a huge fan of breakfast, but cereal (gluten free, of course) is something I enjoy in the morning before heading out the door to nursing school. Additionally, on hectic days, it is also a good dinner, or snack while studying before a big exam.

If you like to save money on food, and honestly, who doesn’t? You should stop by Publix this weekend (September 5-11, 2013) to save on some yummy cereals. Some that you can save on is: Trix 14.8oz, Cinnamon Toast Crunch 16.2oz, Cocoa Puffs 16.5oz, Kix 12oz, Honey Kix 12oz, Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Crème 10.9oz. Offer available in Publix stores from 9/5-9/11.

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by Publix® through MyBlogSpark

Bless This Food by Adrian Butash

Bless This Food by Adrian Butash is a collection of prayers and blessings to say at mealtime. It features 160 such blessings from a variety of cultures and religions. If you enjoy saying mealtime blessings for your family, this is a book you’ll want to read!

Book Description

“Grace before meals is the prayer said most often in homes around the world, an act of worship common to every known society. The universal experience of sharing food fundamentally connects people to one another, to nature, and to the infinite. Expressing thanks for food represents a wonderful tradition that acknowledges bounty and our daily sustenance as gifts from the divine.

Bless This Food presents 160 timeless mealtime blessings in an easy-to-use format. The eloquent prayers and poems have been carefully selected from the world’s major religions, ancient traditions, and the work of great poets and thinkers, with sources ranging from Shakespeare to Starhawk, Tecumseh to the Tamil tradition, the North American plains to Pakistan. Each grace is introduced with cultural context and details about its history and evolution. Also included are two prayers in American Sign Language and the short prayer “bless this food” in nineteen languages. The result is a unique kind of soul food — and a recipe for gratitude at any mealtime gathering.” – Bless This Food

My Thoughts

Bless This Food is a beautifully gathered collection of prayers of gratitude for the food we eat. If you and your family say a blessing before meals, this is definitely a book that you would enjoy reading and incorporating some of the blessings into mealtimes in the future. The explanations on the blessings are also great mealtime conversation that will help everyone learn more about the different cultures covered in the book.

Overall, this is a fun and educational read. I especially liked reading about the history of the different blessings. I enjoyed reading this book and learning more about the other cultures that differ from my own when it comes to these mealtime blessings. I definitely recommend this book, and I also think it would make a great present for someone you know who enjoys saying mealtime blessings, too.

* Thank you to the publisher of Bless This Food, New World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Gluten Free Baking with Betty Crocker

I am gluten free because I have to be. If I eat something with gluten (even just a few crumbs) I get terribly sick. One of the hardest things about staying gluten free is all of the things that I used to eat (and love) don’t taste like “normal” foods anymore. Gluten free bread, gluten free cakes, and the like usually taste a little dry and “strange.”

It has been a few years since I’ve been fully gluten free now, and I have discovered a few amazing replacements to eat that are gluten free and still taste almost 100% like normal foods that contain gluten. One of them is the Betty Crocker baking mixes. These are a lifesaver, especially during holidays or events because I can make these, bring them to the party (or keep at home) and still feel like I’m able to have a relatively normal birthday, Christmas, or whatever. They are delicious and gluten free, so it is really a win-win for everybody who gets to eat it!

Betty Crocker Gluten Free Info

Now, Gluten Free baking gets even easier (and tastier!) with two all-new additions to the delicious line of Betty Crocker Gluten Free baking products – introducing Gluten Free Sugar Cookie mix and All-Purpose Gluten Free Rice Flour Blend. 

Smart moms already trust the great taste of Betty Crocker Gluten Free Brownie, Cookie and Cake mixes that the whole family can enjoy, and now beginner-to-expert bakers can use mixes or create from scratch delicious recipes year-round! 

So why are Gluten Free moms choosing Betty Crocker?

• Taste – Our consumers rave about the great taste of our Gluten Free products. Check out some of the great comments here.
• Shareable – You can make one dessert for the whole family.
• Normalcy – You can feel “normal again” baking for your family just like before you went gluten free.

To find out more about Betty Crocker gluten free mixes, check out their website.

My favorite mixes are the brownie and cookie mixes (made into chocolate chip cookies of course)! Have you tried any of these gluten free mixes? Have any recipes or funny baking stories to share? I’d love to hear all about it!

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Running Out? Run In – Event at Publix

Do you stock up on products at the beginning of the month, but seem to run out of them around the middle of the month? If so, you’re in luck!

From May 15^th – May 22^nd, stop by Publix for the “Running Out? Run In” event to save on some of your favorite brands from General Mills and Procter & Gamble. Plus, if you buy $30 worth of participating items during this time, you can mail in to get a $10 Publix gift card for your next shopping trip there to save on whatever you want.

Participating Products:

Wheaties®, Cascadian Farm®, Honey Nut Cheerios® Medley Crunch and Total® Whole Grain Cereal (assorted varieties); Hamburger Helper® and Suddenly Salad® (assorted varieties); Totino’s® Party Pizza (assorted varieties); Totino’s® Pizza Rolls (40ct, assorted varieties); Yoplait® Light Yogurt with Granola (assorted varieties); Yoplait® Go-Gurt (8ct pkg 2.25oz, assorted varieties); Gain Laundry Detergent (100oz, assorted varieties); Dawn® Dish Detergent (20-24oz bottle, assorted varieties); Charmin® Basic Bathroom Tissue (12 double roll pkg, assorted varieties); Bounty® Dura Towel and Bounty® Paper Towels (1 King Roll, 1 Big Roll); Crest® Toothpaste (8.2 oz) + Oral-B Indicator & Complete Manual Brush (1ct) assorted varieties; Herbal Essences® (6.0 -10.7oz, assorted varieties) and Vidal Sassoon Shampoo/Conditioner (12oz, assorted varieties) 

If you’ve never shopped at Publix before, this is a great time to stop in and see my favorite grocery store. It is where shopping is truly a pleasure, and you can also save money on great products.

“Disclosure: The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills and Publix® through MyBlogSpark.”

Yoplait Greek 100 Yogurt

I love yogurt and found a great deal to share with all of you on Yoplait Greek 100 yogurt.

From May 11^th – 31^st Publix is offering this delicious yogurt for 10 for $10. Try flavors such as Black Cherry, Lemon, Mixed Berry, Peach, Tropical, and many more! Figure out which are your favorites, and enjoy the yummy goodness!

This is seriously my new favorite yogurt because it is delicious, and only 100 calories! I’m not gonna lie and say it completely fills me up like a whole meal would, but it is very satisfying and helps curve my appetite, which is a good thing.

So, if you are looking for a new snack to try, stop by Publix and check out this yogurt during the promotion, and let me know what you think of it.

Disclosure: "The information and gift pack were provided by General Mills and Publix® through MyBlogSpark."

Cascadian Farm Crunchy Granola Bars at Publix

Cascadian Farm’s new crunchy granola bars are made with 9 or less pantry ingredients per bar. This means there aren’t as many of those “other things” in it that other companies add to their products to give a natural flavor or color, that isn’t actually natural at all.

Granola bars are one of the things that my family loves to grab and go to eat. I can’t personally eat them because they aren’t gluten-free, but they sure enjoyed these Cascadian Farm granola bars (and are probably glad I can’t eat them, because now they can eat them all). The “Oats & Honey” and the “Peanut Butter” flavors were enjoyed, and will be something I continue to buy for the family.

Pick these up at your local Publix store, and check out some of the other amazing products that Cascadian Farm sells. My family also really loves their cereals, so this may be something you want to try, too.

Do you like Cascadian Farm foods? If so, which are your favorites?

Disclosure: "The information, products and General Mills gift pack were provided by General Mills and Publix® through MyBlogSpark."

Feeding the Hungry Ghost by Ellen Kanner

Feeding the Hungry Ghost by Ellen Kanner is about cooking great food, and savoring the experience of a good meal with family and friends. The recipes included are vegan, but that doesn’t mean you have to be in order to enjoy them. Try the recipes, enjoy the stories, and have fun and truly enjoy food again.

Book Description

“What do we turn to for both everyday sustenance and seasonal celebration? Food. Often, though, we’re like the hungry ghosts of Taoist lore, eating mindlessly, wandering aimlessly, and wanting more — more than food itself can provide. Ellen Kanner believes that if we put in a little thought and preparation, every meal can feed not only our bodies but our souls and our communities as well. Warm, wicked, and one-of-a-kind, Ellen offers an irreverent approach to bringing reverence into daily living — and eating. She presents global vegan recipes that call you to the table, stories that make you stand up and cheer, and gentle nudges that aim to serve up what we’re hungry for: a more vital self, more loving and meaningful connections, a nourished and nourishing world, and great food, too. Feeding the Hungry Ghost will challenge you to decide: keep reading or start cooking?” – Feeding the Hungry Ghost

My Thoughts

Feeding the Hungry Ghost is a beautiful mixture of stories with recipes to feed your body and soul. This is a vegan book that reminds us that food is meant to be shared with family and friends, and enjoyed. Food is good and even better when it is bought locally when it is in season.

Although the author does stress going vegan, it is not something that is for everyone. However, everyone can enjoy the recipes and stories included in the book. Make some of the recipes for yourself and see if you like them, and want to incorporate them into your meals throughout the seasons.

Some of my favorite recipes included in the book:

• Lavender Tea
• Down and Dirty Rice
• Unconventional but Seductive Veggie Paella
• Moroccan Carrot Salad

I enjoyed reading this book and discovering some truly new and tasty recipes. If you like food (and honestly, who doesn’t?), try this book and the recipes in it. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Feeding the Hungry Ghost, New World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Belly Fat Cure Sugar & Carb Counter by Jorge Cruise

The Belly Fat Cure Sugar & Carb Counter by Jorge Cruise is the guidebook to the author’s diet plan to help lose weight by cutting out hidden sugars and carbs in your diet. Learn how to do it quickly with this book and then use it daily as a guide to staying on plan to lose weight.

Book Description

“Based on the revolutionary #1 New York Times bestseller that is changing the way America eats, this is the only supermarket guide that exposes the true cause of belly fat and disease: hidden sugar!

Transforming your health, energy, and waistline is as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1. Unlock the secret to fat loss that food conglomerates don't want you to know.

2. Follow the one simple menu that tells you exactly what to eat to melt up to 9 pounds this week.

3. Discover thousands of "Belly Good" items that make shedding pounds each week a snap.

With a bonus dining-out section featuring menu items from some of your favorite restaurants, this comprehensive guide will help you look and feel your best in no time at all!” – The Belly Fat Cure Sugar & Carb Counter

My Thoughts

The Belly Fat Cure Sugar & Carb Counter is the book in Jorge Cruise’s program that acts as a handy little guide to counting your daily sugar and carb allowances. It doesn’t spend very many pages explaining the diet or giving you pre-designed meal plans. It does however give a very fast intro to the diet, in an easily understood manner to get started with it right away. Personally, I really like this about it. I don’t think it needs a hundred pages to explain something that is rather straightforward, so I like this short and simple approach to it.

I won’t say how many grams of sugar or carbs are allowed on this diet (buy the book to find that out!) but it is rather doable for most people, I think. Losing up to 9 lbs in the first week is enough to make me want to try this diet out soon. Plus, it doesn’t eliminate carbs and sugars all together like many other diets do. Those don’t work for me, so just cutting back and not eating the hidden sugars will hopefully work for me.

If you want to cut sugars and carbs down in your diet, but still eat some and lose weight, this is definitely a plan you’ll want to look into. I recommend checking it out and of course, before starting any diet plan, talk to your doctor.

* Thank you to the publisher of The Belly Fat Cure Sugar & Carb Counter, Hay House, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.