Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Summer Reading List (Stand Alone Books)

I have never been a reader.  That changed this year.  I had watched The Hunger Games, and I was curious to what all the movie had changed from the story in the book.  So I got the book and read it....in one day.  My kids probably felt ignored, and they may or may have had pizza for every meal that day.  OOPS.  Since then, I have ready about 70 books.  WOW!  I still can't believe I have read that many this year.  But I can't believe even more that I have missed out on so many amazing stories and characters from books all of my life.  I feel like I will never be able to catch up with what I want to read.  And I know that is true.  There are so many amazing books out there.  So I thought this newbie reader (me) would share the books that I have started with and love!

I am a Young Adult fan.  And all I read are YA books.  I thought I would start with single books first.  I don't read single books much, so there aren't many.  Here is my list!

The Fault in our Stars
This is by far the best single book I have read thus far.  It is about a girl, Hazel, who is dealing with cancer.  The book follows Hazel in life and shows how she deals, or doesn't deal, with dying.  It has family, friends, treatments, remission, death, and even love.  I have never cried on one sentence, then laughed on the next until this book.  There were many, many tears.  But there were just as many laughs.  AND, this book is being turned into a movie!  I can not wait to see how they portray this amazing story.


The Sky is Everywhere
The Sky is Everywhere is about a girl who sets in the shadows and on the sidelines with her sister in the spotlight.  Her sister dies suddenly, and Lennie finds herself thrust into the spotlight.  She has to learn to deal with the loss of her sister, while becoming the person she was meant to be.  She deals with death, friendships, and love.  I also found myself crying to this many times, but it was a good cry.


Second Chance Summer
Second Chance Summer is about a family in their own worlds.  Not spending much time together.  And not close.  They receive devastating news and the parents decide to take a trip that they haven't done in many years.  Over the summer the family realizes what is important and reconnect.  This book was great.  It really made me re-evaluate my own life and the time I spend with my family.

I am on Good Reads and I would love to link up with you there if you are too!

Do you have any books that you can't help but tell others about?  Please share them with me in the comments!

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Thursday, July 25, 2013

"Paleo" Chocolate Almond Butter Cups

Hi Everyone!

With summer wrapping up, and schedules getting a little back to normal, I'm back!  I have missed connecting with all of my friends and readers this summer.

I have recently begun getting serious about my eating  If you follow me on Instagram, then you have seen my recent changes.  I'm not getting any younger.  And after three kiddos, my body has seen better days. ;)  I have cut out all processed foods, and sugars.  I have been able to tell a huge difference, but I do still crave sweet things every now and then.

Chocolate Almond Butter Cups


Ingredients:
Bottom Layer:
1/4 cup coconut oil 
1/2 cup almond butter
2 tbs organic maple syrup

Top Layer:
6 tbs coconut oil
1/2 cup enjoy life chocolate chips
1 tbs vanilla extract

Directions:
Put paper cupcake liners in muffin pan.  Melt bottom layer of coconut oil, remove from heat and add in almond butter and maple syrup.  Mix together.  Put 2 tbs of bottom layer per cupcake liner.  Place in freezer till hard.  

While bottom layer is in freezer, melt top layers coconut oil.  Add in chocolate chips and melt.  Remove from heat and add in vanilla extract.  Remove bottom layer from freezer, and spoon 2 tbs of top layer on top of bottom layer.  Place back in freezer till hard.


These will need to be kept in the refrigerator or freezer to remain the right consistency.
Makes 10
Adult and Kid Approved!

Recipe adapted from Mommy Potamus 

I will be linking up to these parties.
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