Today was the second meeting of our cookbook club. I just have to say it was absolutely fantastic. We had selected Cook Yourself Thin: Skinny Meals you can make in minutes which features over 50 recipes that are low calorie (or maybe just a little bit healthier than your traditional recipes). Our lunch bunch made Oven-Baked Crispy Chicken Tenders with Coleslaw, Ultimate Sausage Cheese Pizza, Mac and Cheese, Tomato Fennel Soup and Turkey BLT, Mushroom and Spinach Quiche with Potato Crust and for dessert, Cookies and Cream Milkshakes. The low-cal recipes in this book are friendly to novice and experienced cooks alike. Discussion of the recipes allowed each person to provide their suggestions and alterations.
Before I head off to a corner for a nap, I want to mention that our next Cookbook Club will be held Friday, April 23rd @ 1:00 pm. Stop by the library before then and pick your recipe from Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics. Join us to sample the recipes, browse the cookbook collection, meet new friends, and have some fun.
Showing posts with label non-fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label non-fiction. Show all posts
Friday, March 26, 2010
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Balanced Mom
The Balanced Mom: Raising your kids without losing yourself by Bria Simpson
I came across this book in our Parenting Collection and thought "why not, it looks fairly short and I could always use advice on the balancing act". The book is filled with tips for busy moms on how to achieve balance between being mom, being a spouse, work, and household duties. While I found parts useful, there was a lot of repetition like make time for yourself, don't over schedule your kids, and you don't have to be perfect. There were some good strategies on how to make time, limiting children's activities (extracurricular), and including the whole family in household responsibilities (aka chores).
Each chapter begins with a quote. My favorite is "When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they're finished, I climb out." -Erma Bombeck
If you are looking for ideas and tips on balancing your busy life and being the mom you have always dreamed of being, take some mom-me time and check out this book.
I came across this book in our Parenting Collection and thought "why not, it looks fairly short and I could always use advice on the balancing act". The book is filled with tips for busy moms on how to achieve balance between being mom, being a spouse, work, and household duties. While I found parts useful, there was a lot of repetition like make time for yourself, don't over schedule your kids, and you don't have to be perfect. There were some good strategies on how to make time, limiting children's activities (extracurricular), and including the whole family in household responsibilities (aka chores).
Each chapter begins with a quote. My favorite is "When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they're finished, I climb out." -Erma Bombeck
If you are looking for ideas and tips on balancing your busy life and being the mom you have always dreamed of being, take some mom-me time and check out this book.
Friday, November 20, 2009
The Economic Naturalist's Field Guide
The Economic Naturalist's Field Guide: Common Sense Principles for Troubled Times by Robert H. Frank
"You're reading a book about economics. How boring!" How many of you thought that when you saw the title? Well, I found Mr. Frank's essays to be interesting to a point. The entire book is a collection of selected columns which the author states were originally in the New York Times (between 1999 and 2008). It is fascinating to see the relationship between cause and effect in the economy, how everyday decisions about spending and saving make a difference. Other topics include tax policy and financial investments.
"Why do Hockey Players feel they need Helmet Rules?" shows how unrestricted choices by rational individuals often yields results that no one favors by looking at hockey players. If hockey players were allowed to choose, most would not wear helmets because they could perform better and increase his team's chances of winning. But, if all of the players aren't wearing a helmet the advantage disappears. The playing field is the same either way.
Earlier I stated that I found the essays to be interesting to a point. That is because by the time I reached the second half of the book, many of the points being made were redundant. Maybe a different title and different situations but I felt like I was reading the same thing. Maybe, this is because we learn better by repetition and maybe it was so there was enough pages in the book. I would still recommend reading this book with an open mind about the subject. Frank's approach makes the subject relevant to life with current examples and a look at why we spend the way we do.
"You're reading a book about economics. How boring!" How many of you thought that when you saw the title? Well, I found Mr. Frank's essays to be interesting to a point. The entire book is a collection of selected columns which the author states were originally in the New York Times (between 1999 and 2008). It is fascinating to see the relationship between cause and effect in the economy, how everyday decisions about spending and saving make a difference. Other topics include tax policy and financial investments.
"Why do Hockey Players feel they need Helmet Rules?" shows how unrestricted choices by rational individuals often yields results that no one favors by looking at hockey players. If hockey players were allowed to choose, most would not wear helmets because they could perform better and increase his team's chances of winning. But, if all of the players aren't wearing a helmet the advantage disappears. The playing field is the same either way.
Earlier I stated that I found the essays to be interesting to a point. That is because by the time I reached the second half of the book, many of the points being made were redundant. Maybe a different title and different situations but I felt like I was reading the same thing. Maybe, this is because we learn better by repetition and maybe it was so there was enough pages in the book. I would still recommend reading this book with an open mind about the subject. Frank's approach makes the subject relevant to life with current examples and a look at why we spend the way we do.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Little Heathens
Little Heathens: Hard times and high spirits on an Iowa farm during the Great Depression by Mildred Armstrong Kalish
Little Heathens is the term used by the author's grandmother to show her disapproval of the behavior of the children in this book. In a time where hard work and respect for elders was paramount, Kalish grew up on a farm during the Great Depression. While the time frame is significant to history, the author's childhood brings back fond memories of preparing meals, farm work, pets, and making due with what is available. I found this quick read to be a gentle reminder of how technology, money, and the speed of life now can take us further from living simply and enjoying what is around us. This is a "those were the days" kind of book in the sense that the reader is taken to a time where families were self sufficient and children respected their elders. On the other hand, Kalish shows the hard work involved in just making sure there was enough food on the table. If you're looking for some old fashioned recipes and cures, she has also included this information as well like the recipe for pheasants (disjoint four ring-neck pheasants...) and how to start a neverfail fire. A nice book for nostalgia as well as a peek into a world that today's children will never see.
Little Heathens is the term used by the author's grandmother to show her disapproval of the behavior of the children in this book. In a time where hard work and respect for elders was paramount, Kalish grew up on a farm during the Great Depression. While the time frame is significant to history, the author's childhood brings back fond memories of preparing meals, farm work, pets, and making due with what is available. I found this quick read to be a gentle reminder of how technology, money, and the speed of life now can take us further from living simply and enjoying what is around us. This is a "those were the days" kind of book in the sense that the reader is taken to a time where families were self sufficient and children respected their elders. On the other hand, Kalish shows the hard work involved in just making sure there was enough food on the table. If you're looking for some old fashioned recipes and cures, she has also included this information as well like the recipe for pheasants (disjoint four ring-neck pheasants...) and how to start a neverfail fire. A nice book for nostalgia as well as a peek into a world that today's children will never see.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
The Tipping Point
The Tipping Point: How little things can make a big difference by Malcolm Gladwell
Gladwell provides an entertaining looks at what causes things to become an epidemic. He looks at not just clothing trends but also crime, disease, rumors, and smoking. There's also a discussion of what made Sesame Street popular and what the children's show Blue's Clues did differently to make it even more appealing. Read the chapter about Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen to find out what type of person you are and where you fit into the spread of a trend.
See Wikisummaries for Chapter by Chapter summary:
http://www.wikisummaries.org/The_Tipping_Point
Gladwell provides an entertaining looks at what causes things to become an epidemic. He looks at not just clothing trends but also crime, disease, rumors, and smoking. There's also a discussion of what made Sesame Street popular and what the children's show Blue's Clues did differently to make it even more appealing. Read the chapter about Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen to find out what type of person you are and where you fit into the spread of a trend.
See Wikisummaries for Chapter by Chapter summary:
http://www.wikisummaries.org/The_Tipping_Point
Friday, August 8, 2008
River of Doubt
A work of non-fiction that reads like fiction. Teddy Roosevelt searches for adventure by taking a trip down uncharted waters of the Amazon in 1912. The crew was ill prepared for the journey. The boats they took were not suitable for the river so they had to use Indian dugout canoes, they didn't pack enough supplies, Roosevelt contracts a disease and is almost too weak to travel. The author keeps you interested throughout the whole story. A good read!
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