Interview with Veggie Bunny

Spring is in the air, so when indieBRAG announced they were having a Colors of Spring IndieBRAG Children’s Books Blog Hop, I just had to hop on and join the fun.

My second children's book, Veggie's Bully, won an B.R.A.G. medallion award, which is why there is a gold sticker on the front! If you're not familiar with my book, please check out Veggie's Bully book trailer. 

To be awarded a B.R.A.G. Medallion TM, a book must receive unanimous approval by a group of our readers. It is a daunting hurdle and it serves to reaffirm that a book such as, Veggie’s Bully, merits the investment of a reader’s time and money.

Check out Veggie's interview as part of the blog hop below!

Interview with Veggie Bunny

iB: What is your favorite Spring past time?

V: I'm getting started on my garden. March is the perfect time to plant tomato seeds. My favorite is Heirloom Tomatoes. They're so pretty and I eat them as soon as I pick them...after washing it off, of course.

 

iB: What are your favorite colors of Spring?

V: Can you tell that I love yellow and blue? There's something about that color combination that screams happy! 

iB: What are some of the fun Spring activities do you like to do with Carb Monkey and Uncle Bear?

V: We like to go out for frozen yogurt on really nice days and then take a walk afterwards.

iB: What is your favorite Spring time food?

V: It's hard to pick just one thing! Maybe the readers can list the foods they like in the comments below!

iB: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and what would you do?

V: This might sound weird, but I would love to go to Canada and find a tree to be tapped and sapped! I want genuine Canadian maple syrup. Yum!

iB: What is your most positive Spring time experience?

V: There was one time, Carb and I, were chasing butterflies in the rain. That was fun, especially when a butterfly landed on his head!

iB: What do you love most about yourself?

V: My heart and the love I show to people everyday. 

 End 

Thanks for stopping by and learning a little bit more about Veggie Bunny! Today, my ebook, Veggie's Bully is free! But if you comment below, with your email address, I'll mail you the paperback for free! (First one that comments with their favorite Springtime colors gets the prize!) 

Please check out the other authors participating. 

Event Schedule:

March 16-Katie French

March 17- Clarice Williams

March 18- PJ LaRue

March 19 – Gina LoBiondo

March 20 – Damon Wolfe

March 21 – Lynne Dempsey

March 22 - Stacia Deutsch

Link to Facebook Event

IndieBRAG Event Page

Prize & Giveaway

Prize and book giveaways starts March 16 and ends on March 24.

Click on the indieBRAG Website starting March 16 and comment to enter your chance to win a $20.00 Amazon Gift Card!

Each author is providing a print copy or e-book in the book giveaways. Be sure to visit their websites and comment on their post to enter a chance to win a copy of their book.

Rules:

-         The chance to enter for the prize and giveaways ends March 24. The winner will for the Amazon prize will be announced on the indieBRAG Website on March 25. And each author will announce the winner for their giveaways on their sites on March 25.

-         You must be 18 years or older to participate in the prize & giveaway.

-         Giveaway is open internationally.

-         Winner has 48 hours to claim prize and giveaway or a new winner is chosen.

The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton

I received an advance review copy of, The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton, from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It'll be available in March 2016.

From the publisher about this book:In need of a good adventure, Delaney Nichols takes the leap and moves to Edinburgh, Scotland to start a job at The Cracked Spine. She doesn't know much about what she's gotten herself into, other than that the work sounds exciting, and that her new boss, Edwin MacAlister, has given her the opportunity of a lifetime. Edwin has promised that she'll be working with "a desk that has seen the likes of kings and queens, paupers and princes," and Delaney can't wait to get started.

When she arrives, she meets her new Scottish family; also working at the Cracked Spine are Rosie, perpetually wrapped in scarves, and who always has tiny dog Hector in tow; Hamlet, a nineteen-year-old thespian with a colored past and bright future; and Edwin, who is just as enigmatic and mysterious as Delaney expected. An unexpected bonus is Tom the bartender from across the street, with his piercing eyes, and a rolling brogue -- and it doesn't hurt that he looks awfully good in a kilt.

But before she can settle into her new life, a precious artifact -- a previously undiscovered First Folio of Shakespeare's plays -- goes missing, and Edwin's sister is murdered, seemingly in connection to the missing folio. Delaney decides to do some sleuthing of her own, to find out just what the real story is behind the priceless folio, and how it's connected to the tragic death, all without getting harmed herself.

 1 out of 5 stars 

*

The sweet tea: The writing is in good form and in the end there is a mystery solved, but there's definitely more bitter than sweet with this story. I'm rating this story one star, because I'm sure that the great detail (information dumping) involved with this book could appeal to a specific audience, it's just not me.

The bitter tea: There is a lot of detail in this book that I'm sure was supposed to be used for something other than fulfilling a word count. For example, Delaney hears voices...or better yet, she audibly hears book quotes during random times throughout the book. How awesome would it be, if it helped the story along somehow, but it doesn't. There is a lot of Scottish dialect, which took away from the story to me, because after reading the various adjectives used to describe the book store, I didn't want to take more time, trying to sound/read what the characters were saying. It was boring for me and took me about three weeks to finish it. I'm sorry, but I would not recommend it.

My short character Twitter review:  The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton review here: http://ow.ly/WeKrc Dear Book, it's not u, it's me  #netgalley #goodreads #Amazon

The Lost Girl by R.L. Stine

I received a review copy of, The Lost Girl, by R.L. Stine from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

From the publisher about this book: Generations of children and teens have grown up on R.L. Stine's bestselling and hugely popular horror series, Fear Street and Goosebumps. Now, the Fear Street series is back with a chilling new installment, packed with pure nightmare fodder that will scare Stine's avid fan base of teen readers and adults. New student Lizzy Palmer is the talk of Shadyside High. Michael and his girlfriend Pepper befriend her, but the closer they get to her, the stranger she seems… and the more attractive she is to Michael. He invites her to join him on a snowmobile race that ends in a tragic accident. Soon, Michael's friends start being murdered, and Pepper becomes convinced that Lizzy is behind the killings. But to her total shock, she and Michael are drawn into a tragic story of an unthinkable betrayal committed over 60 years ago. Frightening and tense in the way that only this master of horror can deliver, The Lost Girl is another terrifying Fear Street novel by the king of juvenile horror.

So here's my breakdown for the book: 

  4 out of 5 stars 

****

The sweet tea: There are definitely some strange things about Lizzy Palmer that strikes me as weird and it doesn't take long for Michael's girlfriend, Pepper, to pick up on it. I definitely felt for the girl as the story progressed and Michael seem to become more interested in Lizzy. This is a story that I can see catering to its target audience. Beware: There is a section in the book that details a death scene with horses being starved and eating a body, is downright adult audience worthy! I thought it might have been a tad to gory for a 12 year old...maybe a 16 year old wouldn't care too much. 

The bitter tea: As stated above, the death scene and some blood being exchanged between characters were a bit sadistic. It has the makings of a great Halloween special on Teen Nickelodeon. In order to avoid spoilers, I won't complain about the cop out, I felt the author did at the end of the story to wrap this book up, but I get it. It's a short story for a younger audience. 

My short character Twitter review:  The Lost Girl by R.L. Stine review here: http://ow.ly/VyiTE Death scene might be 2 rough 4 juveniles #netgalley #goodreads #Amazon

Opening Belle a Novel by Maureen Sherry

I received an advance review copy of, Opening Belle, by Maureen Sherry, from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is due to be released in February 2016.

From the publisher about this book: 

"In 2008, Isabelle—a self-made, thirty-something Wall Street star—appears to have it all: an Upper West Side apartment, three healthy children, a handsome husband, and a high-powered job. But her reality is something else. Her trading desk work environment resembles a 1980s frat party, her husband feels employment is beneath him, and the bulk of childcare and homecare still falls in Belle’s already full lap."

And of course you include an ex-fiance who comes back into your life, richer and even more dashing than when he left you in the cold, and you got some drama that will intrigue you to read what happens to the characters. 

 Variety wrote about it earlier this year: 

"Reese Witherspoon and Bruna Papandrea’s Pacific Standard banner is developing a film adaptation for Warner Bros. of Maureen Sherry Klinsky’s upcoming novel “Opening Belle” with an eye to Witherspoon starring." 

By the time I did the research on this book, the author, and found out that Reese Witherspoon was interested in the film version of this book, I gasped. I literally gasped and said I must get a copy of this book. 

And so I did. 

So here's my breakdown of the book: 

  3 out of 5 stars 

***

The sweet tea: A great idea. Believable scenarios. (There's nothing more dangerous and tempting, than a handsome man -- especially an ex - with disposable cash and an intimate knowledge of your sweet spots.) The author took a series of unfortunate events and turned it into what could be a best selling book and hopefully a successful movie. 

The bitter tea: Quite a bit of financial jargon used. Some parts I did skip over. There were definitely some 'I am woman, hear me roar' parts I would have love to seen, but didn't. There were parts where I felt like, here we go, this is going to be the scene where it turns completely in her favor...and no. It didn't. That could be a plus to some people, but to me, I was like, crap. That sucked. 

My short character Twitter review:  Opening Belle by Maureen Sherry ARC http://ow.ly/V5JTS. Real life isn't always sweet, u just learn to reduce the bitterness. #netgalley

Eating Healthy in a Fast-Paced World

Eating Healthy in a Fast-Paced World

By Leslie Vandever

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” This advice by author/journalist/activist/foodie Michael Pollan has become famous because it’s just so down-to-earth sensible. “Eat food.” Well, yes. That is what we eat, right? Hmm. Not always, unless that Twinkie is food. “Not too much.” Also a smart guideline, given what happens when we do the opposite. “Mostly plants.” We could argue this one, but it’s true that plants are the best source of many of the nutrients we depend upon for good health.

The truth is it’s a challenge to eat healthy food in today’s America. There are fast-food places on every corner. Restaurants put a full day’s calories into a single meal. In the grocery store, aisles are stuffed with brightly colored packages of highly processed, easy-to-prepare foods. They’ve been lab-tested and perfected for color, flavor, texture and mouth-feel, but the ingredients are almost all bad for you. The “serving sizes” their calorie-counts are based on are so small and stingy a toddler would be insulted. They almost make you overeat.

What’s a person to do?

The good news is that eating a healthy diet isn’t hard, even if you’re so busy you can power through a burger and fries at your desk without really noticing. It will, however, require a little effort, mindfulness, and resolve. You’re up to it, though. Read on.

Think ahead

Give yourself a few minutes each evening to think about what’ll be on your personal menu tomorrow. Plan to get up in time to eat a healthy breakfast, even if you have to eat it on the go. Put ingredients where you’ll be sure to see and grab them. Have anything you need to prepare your breakfast on the counter, ready to go (such as the blender for a smoothie).

How about lunch? You can make a healthy sandwich (on whole grain bread) the night before. Keep fresh fruit on hand. Take a couple of pieces. And be sure to grab some quick, high-energy snacks, like single-serving packages of nuts, dried fruit, etc. to bring along for the afternoon doldrums instead of that candy bar from the vending machine.

When you eat supper out try to choose healthier foods off the menu. Most restaurants include calories on their menus these days. Use them. Some offer a “healthier” or lower-calorie section, too.

If your only option is fast food from a drive-through, try ordering the smallest burger or sandwich without cheese, mayo or “special sauce”; ask for a small salad rather than French fries which are high in sodium; and choose either ice water or a diet drink. Remember those snacks you brought along with you from home? Now’s when you pat yourself on the back.

Learning to cook from fresh ingredients works great for suppers at home. Consider getting a countertop grill—a quick, ultra-low fat way to cook meats deliciously. A steamer for perfectly cooked fresh vegetables is a good (and low-cost) investment, too.

Cooking fresh meals isn’t nearly as difficult as it sounds, and it’s way healthier. If you’re new at this cooking thing, I’d suggest getting yourself a copy of How to Cook Everything, by Mark Bittman. I just checked—a used copy, with shipping on Amazon.com can be had for under $5. You’ll use it, believe me!

Shop fresh

When you’re at the grocery store, turn right or left, eyes front, and continue on until you’re past all the center aisles. Now you’re ready to shop. Always shop the perimeters. The far sides are the fresh produce and baked goods sections; at the back are fresh meats. You are allowed to make brief forays into the dairy aisle, the beans and pasta aisle, and the frozen veggies aisle. Beware the aisles stuffed with snack foods and processed, boxed meals. Be strong.

With a little planning and shopping fresh, the rest ought to fall in place. But if you need more help finding ways to eat healthy, click here.

Leslie Vandever is a professional journalist and freelance writer. Under the pen-name “Wren,” she also writes a blog about living well with rheumatoid arthritis called RheumaBlog (www.rheumablog.wordpress.com). In her spare time, Vandever enjoys cooking, reading and working on the Great American Novel.

References:

·         Healthy Eating on the Go. (2013, Feb. 13) National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved on February 26, 2014 from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/news-events/matte25.htm

·         Healthy Eating for the Hectic American. (n.d.) Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Retrieved on February 26, 2014 from http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6442470191

·         Tips for Eating Healthy When Eating Out. ChooseMyPlate.gov. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Retrieved on February 26, 2014 from http://www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-eating-tips/tips-for-eating-out.html

·         Eat Well on the Go. (2011, May) Kaiser Permanente. Retrieved on February 26, 2014 from https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health/care/!ut/p/a0/FchBDoMgEADAt_iAzUq1svSmRL_Qwm1DiCWR1RBav996nEGPL_TC37RyTbvw9rcLUWosD_nUkq7FJ3r0R-E1MzrZIXB4x-u41BS2iK6zWg_j3cKwmA6Umlsg3WsgUu1EZu5v1uCRM51j0_wAikNEYA!!/

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90585146@N08/8326110454/">marsmet546</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>

All About The Squash Fries

Oven-Baked Summer Squash Fries

You can still find squash in the winter time! A summer squash has a strong resemblance, in flavor and texture, to a zucchini. You can, in fact, substitute zucchini in this recipe, but it will probably bake a bit more quickly.

Ingredients:

1 medium summer squash

2 eggs

1 ½ cups breadcrumbs (try Panko breadcrumbs for a crunchier texture)

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon mustard power

Salt and pepper

Olive oil

How to Make It:

Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease a large baking sheet with olive oil and set aside.

Cut your summer squash into wedges. Remove the seeds if they are quite large and set wedges aside.

Whisk the eggs in a dish and set aside.

In another dish, combine the bread crumbs, paprika, mustard powder and salt and pepper.

Start by dipping the wedges, one by one, into the egg mixture and then the bread crumb mixture. Place each wedge on the greased baking sheet. Continue until all the wedges are done.

You can bake the wedges as is for about 30-40 (until soft inside and golden brown on the outside) as is, but if you want a more golden texture, drizzle or spray some olive oil on top of the wedges. Flip half way through baking.

Serve with ranch or another favorite dip.

Yum and Yum! 

How to Grill Eggplant with Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs are best with this recipe, but if you don’t have any on hand, you can certainly use their dried counterparts. Just use a pinch of each herb if you’re using dried.

Ingredients:

1 eggplant

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

2 cloves minced garlic

¼ cup fresh basil, finely chopped

¼ cup fresh thyme, finely chopped

¼ cup fresh dill, finely chopped

¼ cup fresh oregano, finely chopped

Salt and pepper

How to Make It:

Cut the eggplant into slices and salt them lightly. Let them sit for about 15 minutes, so the salt can bring out the moisture of the pieces. Wipe them dry with a bit of paper towel.

Meanwhile, combine the oil, vinegar, garlic herbs, salt and pepper. Let site to absorb the flavors for about 15 minutes.

Brush eggplant with oil and herb mixture all over, ensuring that the herbs get distributed well.

Place on a lightly greased grill and grill for about 15-20 minutes, flipping half way through.  Mix with olive oil and garlic. Then let the flavors blend for about 15 minutes.