Miami Vineyard LIVE Review & Giveaway

Back in January, I was blessed with the opportunity to review and give away a copy of Vineyard Music's I Love Your Presence worship CD. Now, I am even more blessed to review and giveaway another of Vineyard Music's CD's, Vineyard Miami LIVE. This CD is one that will lift you off your feet and dance!

About Miami Vineyard LIVE (released 10/18)
What happens when a group of 20+ musicians and 10+ songwriters steeped deep in their own musical traditions of Black Gospel, Latin, Caribbean, and Anglo come together to create a new tradition and sound? What happens when the fusion of Black, Anglo, Latino, Caribbean, and Cuban voices unite together to worship in one voice? Among the 2000 people that attend the Miami Vineyard Community Church, there are over a hundred singers, instrumentalists and songwriters that make up its eclectic worship ministry. For one night, these musicians joined together in worship and invited the church to document the sound that is uniquely MIAMI VINEYARD LIVE.

This distinctive bi-lingual liturgy is filled with many flavors, from Latino claves to gospel two-step to funk and soul to delay-laden rock guitars of modern worship, yet they all work together seamlessly to create a new sound and voice that is authentic and refreshing. From anthems of praise and proclamation to songs of intimacy and adoration, there is a common thread running deep throughout this recording and that is true worship of the Living God as an expression of His Kingdom breaking in on the streets and beaches of Miami, FL.

Tracklist
Holy Spirit Come (Live)

Gloria A Dios (With My Whole Heart) [Live[]
Lord Reign in Me (Live)
I Love Your Mercy (Live)
At All Times (Live)
If You Say Go (Live)
Everything to Me (Live)
With All of My Heart (Live)
Your Name Is Great (Live)
You Restored Me (Live)
Breathe (Live)
Hallelujah Anyhow (Live)
How Great Is Our God (Live)

I have listened to this over and over. I love the energy and excitement of the singers voice and the rhythm of the music that accompanies it. I think my favorite is Hallelujah Anyhow since it reminds me of a little church around the corner of where I used to live in Berkeley, CA when I was waaaayyy younger. i would sit outside and listen to the beautiful voices and the worship and praise that come out of the windows on Sunday morning. This is so much like that.

If you're more used to the traditional Christian music on the radio, then this CD will open your eyes to a new type of worship. This CD is mostly uptempo and vibrant. You definitely hear the Latin and Caribbean culture in the music with the undertones of traditional Black Gospel. For me, this CD strengthened my faith in Christ and really awakened my spirit.

Connect!
Go visit Vineyard Music's Website

Like their Facebook page    
Watch the Video

Buy it!
You can purchase Miami Vineyard LIVE here

Win it!
One lucky reader will win their very own copy of the Miami Vineyard LIVE CD. All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Giveaway is open from February 29, 2012 to March 14, 2012 at 11:59EST and is open to US entrants 18 years of age or older. Terms and conditions noted on the Rafflecopter form. Please keep in mind that any mandatory entries must be completed before you do any of the extra entries.

Three Hearts DVD Review and Giveaway

I was so very pleased to have the opportunity to review this DVD "Three Hearts." The Samaritan's Purse organization has been close to my own heart and I have participated in their Operation Christmas Child program for the last few years. We have played a part in their annual motorcycle run in Salt Lake and the church we belong to Calvary Chapel, Salt Lake is the regional collection center. So when this DVD was sent to me, I felt very blessed to review it. 


About Three Hearts:
A passionate team of people work to save the lives of three Mongolian children with life-threatening heart defects.


Graduating college senior, Cissie Graham Lynch, granddaughter of evangelist Billy Graham, takes on an internship at Samaritan’s Purse working with the Children’s Heart Project. This project is dedicated to saving the lives of children by providing medical procedures that aren’t available in many countries. Cissie is charged with supervising the arrival and surgeries of three Mongolian children suffering from fatal congenital heart defects.


But the task is not easy and filled with unexpected challenges. Cissie balances responsibilities as a newly married wife to a professional football player and her tasks with the internship. Meanwhile the Children’s Heart team turns to a Texas family who travels to Mongolia for the adventure of a lifetime to help bring the children to San Antonio for their surgeries. In Texas, two host families make sacrifices to care for these children and their mothers, while a team of doctors and nurses volunteer their time only to stare directly into the face of life and death. How far would you go to save a life?


It’s a fight for survival, a fight of faith, and a fight for a new life for these three hearts.


Here is a trailer preview.

This DVD kept me on the edge of my seat and I was drawn in almost immediately. The movie takes us into the lives and families of the three children from Mongolia. We are introduced to their parents and their lifestyles which is vastly different from what we have here. We watch these kids and their moms come to the US and experience things we take for granted; running water, dishwashers and a fun trip to Thrift Town. We are right there with them as they undergo lifesaving heart surgeries from preparation to the surgery. There is laughter, tears and a confirmation of faith in Jesus Christ. 


I loved this movie. I grew to love these kids in the 90 minutes of film. I see how dedicated these workers and volunteers with the Children's Hart project are and the passion they put into bringing these children here for treatment. This movie will stir your emotions and provide hope where sometimes hope is lost.  What Cissie is doing with the Children's Heart Project will live on in all of us. 


Learn more about Samaritan's Purse from their website
Like Samaritan's Purse on Facebook
For more on the Children's Heart Project, click here


Buy it!
You can purchase this DVD by going to the Christian Book and searching for Three Hearts


Win it!
One lucky reader will win their very own copy of "Three Hearts" DVD. All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below.



Giveaway is open from February 28, 2012 to March 13, 2012 at 11:59EST and is open to US entrants 18 years of age or older. Terms and conditions noted on the Rafflecopter form. Please keep in mind that any mandatory entries must be completed before you do any of the extra entries.

"The Birthday Chronicle" Review & Giveaway

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

I had the wonderful opportunity to receive and review "The Birthday Chronicle." This is a personalized card that makes a wonderful and unique birthday gift for anyone, whether 5 years old or 75 years old. 

Here is a description: 

A personalized (8 1/2 x 11) mini-newspaper front page, going back as far as January 1, 1900  up to December 31, 2010.  Your Birthday Chronicle includes a greeting, by name, from the then-President of the United States, plus newspaper headlines and stories from the year of your birth.

You will enjoy reading your Birthday Chronicle over and over again.  Always a conversational piece with groups young and old ... you will be able to read and reminisce about the academy award winners and the top music hits and songs from the year of your birth.

Great gift idea for a birthday, a party or just to hang in any room.

This is so very cool!!! This is organized just like the front page of a newspaper and contains all the relevant headlines at the time.  I had no idea the Dodgers won the world series the year I was born. I also learned that the Best Picture Oscar winner that year was "Tom Jones." I had to laugh at one headline "Congress Debates Consumer Prices" specifically talking about unaffordable house prices.  That could have been written today. Of course the "high" home price noted made me laugh.... you can't get a decent car for that price these days. I'm not going to give it away :-).

The picture above is a sample of what is offered for your personalized Birthday Chronicle.  

Win it!

Two lucky readers will win their own Personalized Birthday Chronicile. All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is open from February 28, 2012 to March 13, 2012 at 11:59PM and is open to US entrants 18 years of age or older. Terms and Conditions are noted on the Rafflecopter form. Please keep in mind that any mandatory entries must be completed before you do any of the extra entries.

Corn bread topped Hamburger Casserole

Here's a great recipe for leftovers. I had some spanish rice and black beans left over from a previous meal but it was not enough for 2 full servings for my husband and I. So, whats better then mixing it into a casserole? 

 

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef 

1 cups spanish rice

1/2 pound sliced mushrooms 

2 slices chopped cooked bacon 

2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix

1/2 red onion, chopped

1 can diced tomatoes

1/2 red pepper, chopped

1/2 can black beans drained 

1/2 cups water 

1 package corn bread and muffin mix 

1/2 can of corn

4 jalapeno rings, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

Brown onions and garlic. 

Add hamburger and brown 3-5 minutes. Add can of tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste. Add taco seasoning with 1/2 cup water. Add 1 can black beans, bacon, red pepper and mushrooms. 

Bring to boil. Pour in casserole dish.

Mix 1 package cornbread mix as package calls for. Mix in the corn and jalapenos and spread evenly on top of casserole mixture. 

Place in 400 degree oven and bake for 20-30 minutes (ovens vary).

Slice into 6 "pie" pieces and serve it with salad and my corn and black bean salsa on top. I love how the the pie has nice layers and the colors offset. And it's so very good!!

The Guardian Duke - Book Review & Giveaway

I love to read almost as much as I love to cook. Mostly I read cookbooks (isn't that obvious?), but I love to sink my teeth into a good story too. I like books where the characters that have depth and that I can identify in some way with. I have also been reading more and more Christian fiction which has opened up a whole new world of books and authors for me.

I was pleased to be given the opportunity to review the book "The Guardian Duke." This is a historical novel set in the Regency period and takes you on an adventure from England to Ireland. There is a Christian theme and references to God throughout the book which I find appealing.

Check out a trailer from YouTube:

The Guardian Duke by Jamie Carie

About the Book:The Guardian Duke is award-winning novelist Jamie Carie’s most exciting story yet, a uniquely arranged Regency-era romantic adventure where hero and heroine know each other through written letters but have yet to meet.

Gabriel, the Duke of St. Easton, is ordered by the King to take guardianship over Lady Alexandria Featherstone whose parents are presumed dead after failing to return from a high profile treasure hunt. But Alexandria ignores this royal reassignment, believing her parents are still alive and duly following clues that may lead to their whereabouts. Gabriel, pressured by what are actually the King’s ulterior motives, pursues her across windswept England and the rolling green hills of Ireland but is always one step behind.

When they do meet, the search for earthly treasure will pale in comparison to what God has planned for both of them.

About the Author:When she was six, Jamie’s parents met Jesus and soon after started a church. It changed everything. Road trips with her dad—to and from Bible studies across Indiana—were filled with talks of things beyond earth’s bounds – creation and the fall, God and Jesus and the rapture, the earthly walk compared to the spiritual walk, and how we are born for more than what we can see or touch.

The highlight of those nights was stopping at a truck stop in the middle of the night where her dad would spend a little of the offering basket on two slices of pie and a couple of Cokes. Nothing ever felt so special as a middle of the night slice of pie with her dad. And nothing could stop the writing pouring out of her.

As Jamie’s relationship with God grew, she discovered her heart was filled with songs and poetry. During high school she wrote lyrics for her brother’s band. (And she sang them too!) After college, Jamie married, had two sons and decided to stay home with them. While she homeschooled she wrote skits, poems, plays and short stories for school and church.

When her eldest son turned five she dove into the world of novels. She’d read romance novels for years, but couldn’t relate to the flawless, saintly heroines in Christian romance novels. So she decided to write her own.

Snow Angel was born on a frosty night in an old farmhouse in Fishers, Indiana, where the cold floor gave plenty of motivation for the snow scene. Jamie loves to write late at night when the house is quiet and the darkness seems alive. Elizabeth and Noah had been playacting in her head for a long time, so the story went fast.

Ten years later Snow Angel was published and won the ForeWord magazine Romance Book of the Year winner, was a National “Best Books 2007” Awards winner, and a 2008 RITA Awards® Best First Book finalist. It was the beginning of her dream career.

Jamie and her husband Tony have been married for twenty-one years and live in Indianapolis with their three sons and a giant of a dog named Leo.

If she could only say one thing to her readers it would be, “Live the dreams God has destined you for!”

My thoughts:

This book is very good. Although I have not read many historical fiction books in the past, I'm wide open to new genres (except maybe horror). This book is well written and detailed without going overboard. I was immediately swept into the story from the opening pages as I can feel Gabriel's anguish and despair over losing his hearing.  As he and Alex go on their journeys, the reader is taken right along with them as Alex follows clues to her missing and presumed dead parents and Gabriel is one step behind her. I love the feisty spirit of Alex and how she seems to be a woman ahead of her time. I really enjoyed the humor expressed throughout the book and I was left with wanting more. Those types of stories stick with me for a long time to come.

Of course I'm not going to give away the entire story. I know I'm leaving you hanging, however this book needs to be experienced by the reader and the visuals the book left me with is awesome.

Here's a bonus: If you are part of a book club, this would be a great book for discussion. In fact, there are four pages of discussion questions in the back of the book. So sit down, grab a cup of coffee and discuss!

How can you get your own copy?

Connect!Like The Forgotten Castles Series Facebook
Read the USA Today Review
Watch the Video

Buy it!
Purchase on Amazon
Visit the publisher

Win it!
One lucky reader will win their very own copy of "The Guardian Duke." All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is open from February 23, 2012 to March 8, 2012 at 11:59EST and is open to US entrants 18 years of age or older. Terms and conditions noted on the Rafflecopter form. Please keep in mind that any mandatory entries must be completed before you do any of the extra entries.

Skillet Bacon Jam Review

I was recently given a sample of Skillet Bacon Jam to try out and review. I love the flavor of bacon in some foods, however cooking with bacon frequently makes the food greasy. If you want the flavor of bacon without the fat and grease then this is for you,


Here is a description from Skillet:

We make this bacon spread condiment called bacon jam..you say what?.. that’s right, we use niman ranch bacon and render it down along with onions, balsamic and other spices. It cooks for several hours until it is a perfect blend of smoky, tangy, savory and slightly sweet….basically spreadable bacony goodness!  USDA approved.

Spreadable bacony goodness is an accurate description. Upon opening the container, it doesn't look too appetizing, but don't let that deter you. The aroma is like freshly cooked bacon and the taste is good, however a bit strong for me, but my husband didn't agree. The recipe below is from Skillet's recipe page with a "Lori Twist." I also equaled the bacon to mayo ratio and added garlic, one of my "go to" ingredients. 

Pink Salmon with Skillet Bacon Jam and Corn Flake Crust

This is a taste pleasing combination of flavors and textures that both children and adults like and is very easy to prepare. Rather then corn flakes, I used Honey Nut Clusters for it's sweet taste to compliment the bacon flavor.  It’s perfect in this recipe because it keeps the steaks moist and if you use fillets, they're thin enough to offer a good crunchy topping to salmon ratio.

Ingredients

1/2 cup crushed Honey Oat Cluster flakes
4 tablespoons Skillet Bacon Jam
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 - 4 to 5 ounce pink salmon steaks
2 cloves sliced fresh garlic
Olive Oil

Instructions

As a visual when chopping the pecans and crushing the flakes, keep them the size of a corn kernel.

In a small bowl, mix the Skillet Bacon Jam and the mayonnaise. 

Place the salmon, skin side down (if using fillets) in a casserole dish with the olive oil and sliced garlic on the bottom. 

Spread the top of the steaks/fillets evenly with the jam mixture then sprinkle and pat the honey nut clusters on top.

 

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until just cooked and serve immediately. Serves 2.

This was delicious! I paired it with corn and couscous for dinner. I loved the fact that there was no messy bacon grease to clean up and that the combination of bacon, salmon and the sweetness of the cereal was unique and tasty. Not only was this a fast and easy recipe, but it was so very good. I can't wait to use it again.

Want your very own bacon spread? The go to Skillet Bacon Jam's Website and shop online. They not only have this product but several others that look very good. You can also browse their recipes for some wonderfully tasty options. You won't be disappointed. 

For inquiries, email them at this address

eat@skilletstreetfood.com

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Thai Peanut Chicken with Noodles

I love Thai food and so does my husband. He's actually travelled to Taiwan and knows authentic when he eats it. I always wanted to try to cook Thai food but haven't yet until this past week. I made two dishes, Shrimp Curry and Thai Peanut Chicken. This post is about the chicken. 

Thai can be very intimidating since some recipes call for so many ingredients and/or steps to follow, but that didn't deter me. Here are the ingredients for this yummy dish. It's a recipe I found in a Thai book and I gave it the "Lori Twist"

1 13.5-13-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp packed brown sugar
1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
2 tsp red curry paste
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
2 clove garlic, minced
1/8-1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (depends on how spicy you want it)
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1- 1/2 lb dark meat chicken 
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 Tbsp fresh cilantro
2-4 Tbsp chopped peanuts
Thai noodles or hot cooked rice

1 - In a medium saucepan, whisk together coconut milk and peanut butter until nearly smooth. Whisk in broth, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, curry paste, ginger, 1 minced garlic clove and cayenne pepper. Bring just to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for about 15 minutes stirring occasionally.

2 - Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Combine flour, salt and black pepper into a shallow dish or plate. Coat the chicken with this mix (you may remove skin if desired). 

3 - In a large skillet, heat the oil and remaining garlic and cook the chicken until brown turning occasionally.Transfer the chicken to an ungreased casserole dish or baking dish. 

4 - Pour the peanut butter mix over the chicken and cover loosely with foil. Bake for one hour occasionally spooning the sauce over chicken. Bake uncovered for another 20-30 minutes or until very tender. Always make sure it's fully cooked. I use a digital thermometer. 

4 - Transfer chicken to a serving platter and skim any fat off the sauce. Pour the sauce over the chicken, sprinkle with the cilantro and chopped nuts. Serve with rice or Thai noodles.

 

I served it with Thai noodles. This meal is one that needs time so if it's one of those nights where you're rushed, I don't advise this one. However, this is perfect for a Sunday night dinner. 

How I love my timer, let me count the ways......

I was watching America's Test Kitchen a couple of weeks ago and they were reviewing gadgets. I love this segment because it shows many new items and gives honest opinions of each. Well, this time they reviewed a 5-in-1 Kitchen timer by DoneRight.

I was immediately in love.

This is awesome! It's shaped like a little stove and has a timer for the oven and all 4 burners. Where was this at Thanksgiving when I was cooking up a storm? I went on the site and their inventory was sold out but they directed me to another site and I snatched one right up. I ordered from Vat19 and it was delivered in 2 business days.

I got the red one and I just love it. I don't have to worry about setting the timer on the oven or microwave and not hearing when it goes off. This little guy is portable and I just bring it into the living room if I'm watching TV or the office if I'm working. I don't know how I lived without it!

Knorr Homestyle Chicken Stock Review

I have been a member of Smiley360 for a few months now. They are a social community with the opportunity to try new products and have our voices heard. I have just received a product sample of Knorr Homestyle Chicken Stock. I'm a big fan of Knorr Products for years. Their spinach dip recipe is a staple of my parties. So I was very pleased to receive a full sized Knorr chicken stock pack, a ladle and a recipe booklet.

 I chose to make the Lemon Chicken Primavera. You can't go wrong with chicken and I love lemon flavors. Of course I made some changes/adjustments to suit my own taste. My husband calls it "Lorifying" a recipe. 

Lemon Chicken Primavera

1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin 2 eggs, lightly beaten 3 Tbsp. Country Crock® Spreadable Butter, divided 1 green onion, finely chopped 1 cup water 2 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 tub Knorr® Homestyle Stock - Chicken 6 ounces asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch-thick diagonal slices (about 1 cup) 1/2 lb mushrooms, sliced 2 tbsp capers 1 clove garlic, sliced Combine flour with pepper in shallow dish. Dip chicken in eggs, then flour mixture; set aside.

Melt 2 tablespoons Country Crock in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and brown the chicken, turning once, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.

Melt remaining 1 tablespoon Country Crock in same skillet over medium heat and cook green onion, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in water and Knorr® Homestyle Stock - Chicken until Stock is melted. 

I had not used this before, so don't be surprised that it comes out in a lump. It blends very easy. 

Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring frequently. Add asparagus, mushrooms and capers and return chicken to skillet.

Reduce heat to low and simmer until chicken is thoroughly cooked and veggies are tender, about 3-4 minutes minutes. Stir in lemon juice and serve, if desired, with hot cooked rice. I also added a bit of flour to the broth to make it thicker and more like a sauce.

 

I served mine with garlic bread. 

I had not used any of the concentrated broths that are on the market these days and I wasn't sure if it would be full of sodium and lacking in flavor or have too much flavor. I was happy with what Knorr has come out with. The tub is easy to open, you just pull off the top. It is in a gel form and I was pleased with the way it melted into the hot water. No lumps, just easy to melt. I am very happy with the flavor. The herbs included add just enough and are not overbearing. They also have a beef flavor which I plan to try at some point. 

 

If you're looking for more information on the Smiley360 Knorr mission, click here. To find Knorr on facebook, click here. 

 

 I have not been compensated for this post. I was sent a sample of Knorr for free to try and then provide my readers with an honest opinion of the product. Thank you Smiley360.

Sausage, Spinach and Cheese Manicotti

I love Italian food. It is so versatile and can be made any number of ways. This is especially true for pasta. And, they make great leftovers. I had not made a manicotti in a long time. Manicotti is great when you have leftovers because you can fill them up with just about anything. I've done it with seafood, ground beef and even a spinach & mushroom vegetarian version. This recipe takes care of leftover Italian sausage and spinach. It's very easy to make and the end result was very tasty. 

Here are the ingredients to get you started:

1 tray (7) of American Beauty Manicotti tubes
1/2 of a 15 oz container of low fat ricotta cheese
2 oz shredded park skim mozzarella cheese
1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup frozen spinach, thawed
1/2 jar of Prego light pasta sauce
1 cup sliced mushrooms
2 diced Italian sausage
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp basil
butter
olive oil

First, boil the pasta on a low boil with a pinch of salt and a bit of olive oil until done. I add the olive oil while boiling to prevent the pasta from sticking. Rinse and set aside. 

Saute 1/4 of the sausage and sliced mushrooms in a bit of butter and olive oil. I use both since the butter adds flavor and the olive oil keeps it from sticking to the pan. Add the saute mix with the pasta sauce and crushed red pepper in a small saucepan and turn it to medium.

In a mixing bowl, add the remaining sausage, chopped garlic, Parmesan, spinach, 3/4 of the mozzarella, basil and the ricotta. Mix until it's all combined. Then fill the manicotti tubes with the mix. 

Lay them out into an ungreased casserole dish and cover with the sauce. Add the remaining shredded cheese on top and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

I served it with a Caesar salad and garlic bread. YUM!

PBS Cooking Shows Rock!!!

I don't have cable. Or Dish. Or DirecTV. We just get the ole rabbit ears with the local channels and the PBS and other independent stations. Saturday mornings, I grab a cup of coffee, sit down and watch the shows on KBYU and Create TV. Food Network is awesome, however I think a moment needs to be taken to pay tribute to these lesser known shows and chefs. Here are my favorites in no particular order:


Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito. She takes Italian cooking to a new level. I love how she tells us the origin of types of pasta and how she puts her personality in every dish. I've tried her squash gnocchi and I will say it was everything I expected it to be when I saw her make it on the show.


BBQ University and Primal Grill both with Steven Reichlen. Talk about the grill master!!!  Although my husband has that title at home, Steven Reichlen is the master of the coals. He rocks! BBQ U gives many step by step instructions to make even the most "grill challenged" into a pro in no time. Primal Grill will have each episode focus on a particular food group or event, such as tailgating.


America's Test Kitchen is another gem on my Saturday mornings. The host Christopher Kimball is adorable in his bow tie and he keeps me engaged explaining recipes and food origins. They even have a segment dedicated to the latest gadgets which to me is like opening the Toys R Us holiday catalog. I do love my kitchen toys.


Nick Stellino Cooking with Friends is another gem. Nick has personality to go around! And his recipes are unique and so yummy. I've tried one or two and was delighted in the flavor and aroma. Check out his Cheese Stuffed Eggplant recipe and you will not be disappointed. 


Simply Ming with Ming Tsai will re-energize your taste buds. Asian cooking is not my speciality, but after watching a few of his shows, I'm ready to dive in with my chop sticks. I've picked up a few tricks such as weaving bacon in and around shrimp and veggies on a kabob and I'm also not so afraid of using ginger like I used to be. 


So, tune into your local PBS station and Create TV channel. You will be delighted and your taste buds will thank you.

"Cooper and Me and the Military" Children's Book Review & Giveaway

With all the service members deployed overseas, they leave behind many family members that love them and miss them. This can be especially hard on children. My step-daughter is married to a Marine currently stationed in Okinawa, Japan. She is due to deliver a baby this month and also has a 7 yr old and a 2 yr old at home. They all certainly miss Daddy while he is away. It's very difficult for the younger child to understand why Daddy is away and what he is doing. So I was very pleased to be offered this opportunity to review the latest book in the Cooper and Me Series of children's books. These books are authored by Monique Peters and her daughter Alexa, who is just 11 years old!

About Cooper and Me

Explore life along with Cooper, a fun-loving black Labrador Retriever, whose entertaining adventures help kids navigate the emotions and challenges of everyday living. Created by mother-daughter team Monique and Alexa Peters and inspired by their real-life family dog, Cooper and Me provides adults and children with opportunities for meaningful conversation and tools for constructive problem-solving. Kids will laugh at Cooper’s antics, and adults will appreciate the resilience nurtured in their children.

I was sent this book, "Cooper and Me and the Military" to review. Cooper is a black lab and this book tells the story of Trooper, Coopers best friend, and his military family.

Here is an overview:

Meet Trooper, Cooper’s best friend, and learn how he was adopted by Gracie and Joe and their parents, who both serve in the military. Find out how this family stays close despite being separated.


A must-read during patriotic holidays and for anyone with friends and family in the military, this book helps children know, that even when loved ones aren’t with us, they still love us and think about us. This book, along with all the other books in the Cooper and Me series, includes these interactive features:


• A Special Memory Creation
• Life Lesson
• Connections
• Learning Together


In addition to a fun adventure, each Cooper and Me story teaches an important Life Lesson and features interactive materials at the back of the book to drive the message home. Included are activities that help children name and process their own feelings about what they’ve read.

My thoughts

I enjoyed this book! I find it to be a great way for children to read about and express their feelings about missing their loved one. It's a great story with rhyming verses and colorful illustrations that enhance what is read. The illustrations are adorable, the story is fun to read and it provides a great message about military families. It shows all of us that even though our military family members are far far away, they are still with us even if not physically. 

I really love how the back pages are devoted to life lessons. This section is interactive, cover important messages and also allow the child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story shared. There is a question and answer part where you can discuss the story and see that the kids thoroughly understand the story and it also opens up discussion.

Also included is a format of a letter your child can write to a service member. How cool is that? It's outlined and the child can fill in the blanks. This is a wonderful encouragement to children to correspond with those overseas who are missing their own families too.  

How to connect?
Visit their Website
Like Cooper and me on Facebook
Follow Cooper and Me on Twitter

Buy it!
Head on over to Cooper and Me and purchase this and other "Cooper and Me" books

Win it!
One lucky reader will win their very own copy of "Cooper and Me and the Military." All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Giveaway is open from February 3, 2012 to February 17, 2012 at 11:59EST and is open to US entrants 18 years of age or older. Terms and conditions noted on the Rafflecopter form. Please keep in mind that any mandatory entries must be completed before you do any of the extra entries.