Wordless Wedenesday: Art

Harry Potter is Now an eBook - Nook and Kindle

Imagine my surprise when I opened my email this morning to some news I thought I would never see.
Who ever thought this day would come?!? J.K. Rowling has finally allowed the Harry Potter books to be read digitally. According to the FAQ it's in conjunction with the Pottermore launch. So, go sign up on Pottermore and then buy your Harry Potter collection so you can stop hauling those books around like you have for the last decade. Or order a new set for the kid who isn't going off to college.

Also available on Kindle

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Shari's Berries Half Off

Just in time for Easter, LivingSocial has teamed up with Shari's Berries for a great deal that expires in 9 days (April 4, 2012). Two years ago the Hunk got me some for Easter, and they were loved by all in the house. Especially me :-D

To take advantage of this deal click here.

"We've always been told that cheaters never win, but when it comes to satisfying your daily fruit-intake requirement, today's deal offers a sweet way to cut a few corners: Pay $12 for $25 to spend on gourmet dipped strawberries, gift baskets, and treats from Shari's Berries. Take the circuitous approach to satisfying dietary demands with an order of Gourmet Dipped Swizzled Berries -- dunked and drizzled in an array of delicious delights.

Find fresh and festive Easter gifts like bunny-shaped cake pops, berries dipped in pastels to resemble Easter eggs, and Easter cookie bouquets. Or, earnestly earn the adoration of your coworkers with Shari's selection of corporate gifts, ranging from cakes and wine to gift baskets full of fresh fruit. Succulent and sweet, Shari's has sold 35 million berries, which proves that missing this deal means you're only cheating yourself.

PAID VALUE DOES NOT EXPIRE
PROMOTIONAL VALUE EXPIRES ON JULY 31, 2012"

'via Blog this'

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Photo Friday: Rain

What a downpour we had on Sunday!

See more rain photos at Photo Friday.

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• FWD: Tips for Driving in the Rain (stuffmymomforwards.com)

3 Things Bootcamp Taught Me

1. If I ever do another squat, it will be too soon. Also, I can't do a lunge without falling over unless I brace my forward leg with my hands. Absolutely no core strength. Period.

2. I couldn't do a burpee even if you held a gun to my head.

3. I don't get a high after a workout. I get surly and unsociable. Unlike the Hunk who is channeling Tigger at the moment. What the hell???

Bonus Item: I ★can★ do a plank for a minute if I just zone out.

I'm going to take a shower now.

If you don't know what a burpee is, watch this:

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

A bowl of chicken and dumplings with vegetables served at Nicoll's Cafe, 255 Main Street, Pine City, Minnesota (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 6-8 hours
Total time: 8 hours, 25 minutes
Yield: 4-6 servings
Ingredients


Chicken Stew

• 2 lbs chicken, chopped into 1" cubes
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 1 large potato
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped or 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 14 oz low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 9 oz frozen peas
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning

Dumplings

• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 6 tablespoons butter (or 1 cup half & half instead of milk+butter)

Cooking Directions

1. In a 4-6 quart slow-cooker, layer potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic, mushrooms, and chicken. Mix broth and Italian seasoning and pour over chicken and vegetables.
2. Cover crockpot and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours until chicken is thoroughly cooked and no longer pink in center. Add peas and cover again. Cook on HIGH for 20 minutes until peas are hot.
3. In small bowl, combine flours, baking powder, salt, milk, and melted butter and mix just until combined. Do not over mix.
4. Drop dumplings by tablespoons onto hot, bubbling chicken stew in crockpot. Cover and cook on HIGH for 20-25 minutes until dumplings are cooked through, fluffy, and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

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Menu Plan Monday–Irish Edition

Ok, not really. But I have to do something with this left over Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage. Luckily it’s Sunday and typically our cheat day, so I’m going to take advantage of that.

Sunday: Corned Beef Shepherd’s Pie
Monday: Spicy Garlic Lime Chicken with rice and veggies
Tuesday: Coconut Curry Tofu (I’ll substitute chicken or white beans – no one here eats tofu) with salad greens
Wednesday: Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
Thursday:  Let’s try Zucchini Parmesan again (it got skipped last week) with salad
Friday: leftovers
Saturday: Leftovers

What's on your plate this week?

Related articles

• A Quick & Easy Lunch Using Leftover Corned Beef
• Menu Plan Monday: March 12

Photo Friday: Unwind

See more "Unwind" photos at Photo Friday.

Wednesday Night Lights

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Menu Plan Monday: March 12

This week I still have a lot of ingredients from last week. The White Bean and Chicken Saute lasted two days plus lunches, the Moroccan Chicken Stew lasted 2+ days (it's still in the fridge. Apparently I'm the only one who really likes couscous when it's made from scratch and not packaged). The Thai Chicken/Mango/Pineapple was a hit and disappeared pretty quickly.

Lesson learned: Only one stew/soup per week!

So this week we'll have:
Monday: Steak Salad -- I started marinating the steak last night for dinner but other plans got in the way so we're having it tonight.
Tuesday: Curried Veggie Cubes
Wednesday: Crockpot night - lets try that Sweet Potato and Chicken Stew again.
Thursday: Cajun Salmon with veggies for me and rice for the kids (I cut out starches for myself and the Hunk most nights) and Rosemary pork chop for the one person who doesn't like salmon.
Friday: Zucchini Parmesan with salad greens
Saturday:  It's St. Patrick's Day! I'll be heading to Oakmonster's for her traditional Guiness Stew, but I'll be making Corned beef and Cabbage for the Hunk if he doesn't join us.

What's on your plate this week?

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Photo Friday: Floral

See more photos at Photo Friday

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Menu Plan Monday

Last night I discovered Pepperplate in the in Nook Color app market, I think I am in love. Menu planning may have just gotten enjoyable (along with cleaning the toilet, it's one of the chores I hate the most). It's much easier to use than BigOven or Allrecipes. I feel like I'm taking pictures to the grocery store.

I already have a bunch of recipes pinned on pinterest,  and it's been a cinch to go to that board, pick the recipes I want, open the source page, and hit the pepperplate bookmarket. Within seconds it's on my Nook. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but I'm going from a source other than straight from the web. This will make menu planning so much easier! I can search for vegetarian on EatingWell, other people's recipes on pinterest, and of course, I have almost 10 years of favorite recipes on Allrecipes, most of which I have printed into my own personalized cookbook, but it would be nice to have them digital again.

I like the fact that from the website or the app I can add to my weekly menu or shopping list. Much slicker than BigOven.

From the Nook app, if you click on share, you get the typical Android share menu -- mine includes Dropbox, Email, Seesmic, Springpad, Stumble, Taptu, Taptu Food, and Twitter. This was shared from the app to twitter

Check out my recipe for Thai Chicken, Mango & Pineapple Salad on Pepperplate!bit.ly/w1ctaU
— Annette(@daNanner) March 5, 2012

My only beef with Pepperplate is that the shared recipes do not show the picture.

The menu
I have Monday and Tuesday ingredients on hand, but I'll have to go grocery shopping for the rest of the week. We've been eating down to (almost) bare cupboards again -- I only go grocery shopping about every three weeks -- which is a savings, even if my kids think they are starving! I've also discovered that no matter how much I love leftovers, my son (aka the Human Garbage Disposal) won't eat them, and The Hunk and I get tired of eating the same thing three days in a row for lunch, so I now only make 4, maybe 5 portions. Portion control is the only reason I am still losing weight!

Monday: White Bean and (Chicken) Sausage Saute 
Tuesday: Moroccan Chicken Stew
Wednesday: Crockpot night - Sweet Potato and (Chicken or Pork) Stew
Thursday: Chicken & Mango Salad
Friday: Curried Veggie Cubes
Saturday: Sweet Potato Veggie Burger

What's on your plate this week?

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Related articles

• BigOven Launches Menu Planning Calendar for Home Cooks (prweb.com)
• NookColor Price Slashed To US$169.00 (mikecanex.wordpress.com)

Photo Friday: Blaze

See more blazes on Photo Friday.