Breakfast - the most important meal of the day!

No compensation was received for this post. As a Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger, product samples, coupons and information were provided. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

I know that I have heard and read, time and again, about the importance of breakfast. It helps to fuel the start of the day and from what I have read gets your metabolism restarted (from 'idling' overnight). No matter the hurry we face, we always make time for some form of breakfast to start our day.

At our house, breakfast is frequently a meal that is eaten as individuals and varies widely from person to person and day to day. Breakfast can consist of cereal, or Oatmeal, or toast, or English muffins, or a bagel, or protein bar, or protein shake, or cinnamon rolls, or perhaps a traditional hot breakfast, or be as simple as a banana. Sometimes, it even consists of a few of these items.

On school mornings, timing can be a challenge. I am usually trying to get upstairs after my workout class to get my shower and head off to school when my kids are ready to eat breakfast. This can be a real struggle if they are undecided or want to choose a different type of cereal from our stash. I tend to take my breakfast to go, consuming a shake on my drive and a banana later in the morning.

Weekends allow for a more relaxed pace (usually). This is when making a batch of Cinnamon Rolls for the kids or pancakes or bacon and eggs can be a reality, although the truth is even that is still rare. I really love breakfast foods though, which is probably why I tend to make them a lot for dinner!

The new Hormel Compleats Good Mornings might just be a quick way to enjoy a warm breakfast any day of the week (or time of day).

Hormel® Compleats® Good Mornings – Breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day, but it’s frequently skipped – in fact, while 84% of Americans believe that eating breakfast is an important part of their morning routine, 56% skip breakfast several times a week or more*. Fortunately, you can have the extra shut eye you desire and a hardworking breakfast to start the day, with four hearty new breakfast varieties of the Hormel Compleats lineup! Ready in just 60 seconds, select varieties of these convenient meals are made with real eggs and contain 17-21 grams of protein. Must-try additions to the portfolio include:
- Bacon Breakfast Scramble
- Sausage Breakfast Scramble
- Sausage Gravy & Roasted Potatoes
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

* According to a recent study conducted by global polling firm Penn Schoen Berland

We have had a chance to try the Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal and it was a nice change of pace. We also have a couple of the other varieties, but haven't yet given them a try.

What would you do with the extra time you save with Hormel® Compleats® Good Mornings?

No compensation was received for this post. As a Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger, product samples, coupons and information were provided. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.

It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren

No compensation was received for this post. A complimentary review copy was provided so that I could read the book and share my thoughts. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family.

I recently had the opportunity to read It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren. This is the second book in her A Christensen Family Novel series, but that did not serve as a disadvantage in reading this novel.

It Had to Be You is a story about Eden Christensen. Eden writes obits for the local newspaper and spends her free time looking after her brother, who is in his first season in the NHL and learning to adapt to having fame and fortune. Unfortunately, all of this focus on her brother has left her unfocused on her life. When she gets frustrated, she starts to explore who she is and what she wants out of life. There are a few stories that are going on around Eden, that the author also does a good job of exploring...mostly to help share the stories of Eden's life.

I enjoyed reading Eden's story, her journey of discovery. Susan May Warren does a nice job developing her characters and making you feel like you are a part of their family too. The strong faith of the family is evident throughout the book. The author does occasionally reference back to events from the prior story, but there is no loss in starting in at book two because everything you need to know, she shares. That being said, I still think I might go back and try to read the first one too.

The version of the book that I received also has the series prequel inside that tells the story of her parents - "the love story that started it all!". I enjoyed having the chance to read their story.

I found that the book was one that was easy to fit into my life and I didn't struggle to pick up where I left off, which in my life is a good thing - since reading for 10 or 15 minutes at a time seems to be how most of my reading is done.

I look forward to reading more books by Susan May Warren in the future.

About the book: A Christensen Family Novel.
Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen's cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter, but is stuck writing obits---and starting to fear she doesn't have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.

Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior---on and off the ice. Now at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he's getting from Eden Christiansen isn't making things any easier. But when Owen's carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together . . . and begin to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.

Learn more and purchase a copy at Susan's website.

About the Author: Susan May Warren is the bestselling, RITA Award-winning author of more than forty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. She served with her husband and four children as a missionary in Russia for eight years before she and her family returned home to the States. She now writes full-time as her husband runs a lodge on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota, where many of her books are set. She and her family enjoy hiking, canoeing, and being involved in their local church. Several of her critically acclaimed novels have been ECPA and CBA bestsellers, were chosen as Top Picks by Romantic Times, and have won the RWA's Inspirational Reader's Choice contest and the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award. Five of her books have been Christy Award finalists. In addition to her writing, Susan loves to teach and speak at women's events about God's amazing grace in our lives. She also runs a writing community for authors. Visit MyBookTherapy.com to learn more. You can learn more about the author on her website.

No compensation was received for this post. A complimentary review copy was provided so that I could read the book and share my thoughts. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family.

Menu Plan Monday

In a strange and rare case, I was able to do my grocery shopping on Saturday this weekend. I went in the evening and the store was quiet. I had actually only planned to grab milk, but decided that I could assemble my meal plan on the fly and did my shopping for the week - no coupons, no list. I did pretty good completely unplanned, but then my son decided that he wanted to make dinner one night, so I headed back on Sunday to buy his ingredients for him. He made Sunday night's dinner - I helped with chopping the cabbage for the slaw and draining the meat after it cooked, but he did most of it himself - sometimes after I showed him technique. It was a good meal - not the best for a diet, but still a tasty treat.

Sunday
cereal
leftovers
Bacon Cheeseburger Roll-ups, Fruited Slaw and fries and Caramel Apple Slushies for dessert

Monday
Fish in Coconut Curry (it was okay, but I want to tweak the spice blend next time - if that works, then I will share the recipe)

Tuesday
English Muffin Pizzas

Wednesday
Pasta Primavera

Thursday
Prosciutto Asparagus Parmesan Spaghetti (new recipe)

Friday
Fish Tacos or Parmesan Encrusted Tilapia

Saturday
TBD

The kids have hot lunches from the school or the occasional packed lunch. My husband and I continue to rely on leftovers, frozen meals and sandwiches for lunch.

This post shared at Menu Plan Monday.

Menu Plan Monday

Spring is less than a week away. The sun is shining trying to make you believe that it really could be spring, but the temperature is still all over the board. I am certain that when I went into the store on Sunday, the temperature dropped by 20 while I was shopping. I know it didn't really, but the wind picked up and when I walked back to my car, I was freezing. We are supposed to have a brief stint near 50 and then back to the lower 40s we go. Next week, snow in the forecast. I like the cuddle factor of winter (sort of like a rainy day) but I think I might be close to cuddled out.

The menu this week is a reasonably simple one and not really anything new that we are trying. I did though, on Sunday make up a batch of Crispy Parmesan Wonton Chips and they are tasty. We ate through them in no time flat.


Sunday
cereal
Chipotle
leftovers

Monday
English Muffin Pizzas

Tuesday
Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteak

Wednesday
Chicken Tacos

Thursday
Chicken Rollatini and Roasted Red Pepper Cauliflower Soup

Friday
Parmesan Encrusted Tilapia and homemade slaw

Saturday
cereal
sandwiches
pizza or Thai

The kids have hot lunches from the school or the occasional packed lunch. My husband and I continue to rely on leftovers, frozen meals and sandwiches for lunch.

This post shared at Menu Plan Monday.

IT HAD TO BE YOU $100 Visa Giveaway from @SusanMayWarren!

No compensation was received for this post. The information was provided by the publisher.

Susan May Warren is celebrating the release of her newest Christiansen Family novel, It Had To Be You, with a $100 Visa cash card giveaway and offering readers a free book club kit.

One winner will receive:

• $100 Visa cash card
• Take a Chance on Me and It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 29th. Winner will be announced April 1st on Susan's blog. Also, visit her website to learn more about the It Had To Be You backstory and Susan's free book club kit.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Susan's blog on April 1st to see if you won.

Watch for my review - coming soon!

No compensation was received for this post. The information was provided by the publisher.

Menu Plan Monday

What a fun weekend. We planned for a snow storm that thankfully was nothing more than a snow shower. My daughter and I got in some time visiting with family - we hung out on Friday night with my cousin, her husband, children, mom and other relatives including my parents. Then, Saturday we went to my nieces birthday party. Sunday, which was mostly unplanned because of the expected weather, we spent rollerskating with friends and then went out to dinner with them. What was strange is that we went to the open skate and ran into some other friends who were there for a family birthday party.

It's another week where we are trying several new recipes. Sometimes, it feels like things are a little blah, so we like to mix it up with new recipes. Sometimes, when I think, I should insert one new recipe, I find five that I can't choose between, so I insert them all! I expect that some of the dishes will be more popular with the family than others, and that will drive how frequently we see it on future menus. Wednesday I am making two soups, because I know my husband won't do the cauliflower soup.


Sunday
cereal
sandwiches
Panera

Monday
Buffalo Chicken Cupcakes

Tuesday
Creamy Bacon Carbonara

Wednesday
Chicken Corn Chowder and Red Pepper Cauliflower Soup

Thursday
Best Chicken

Friday
Parmesan Encrusted Tilapia

Saturday
cereal
leftovers
Hoagies

The kids have hot lunches from the school or the occasional packed lunch. My husband and I continue to rely on leftovers, frozen meals and sandwiches for lunch.

This post shared at Menu Plan Monday.

Princess Ever After

A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

Who hasn't had a dream about being a princess? I'm sure that many have, but it doesn't come true for most. Sure, there are those few that marry into a royal family, but what if you found out you were a princess by birth and no one had ever told you? What if you had recently quit your job and were pursuing your dream and suddenly someone comes to you and tells you that you are a princess, an heir to a throne? That is what happened to Regina Beswick in Princess Ever After.

Rachel Hauck does a great job telling the story of Regina "Reggie" Beswick. She creates characters that you can't help but find yourself attached to. You find yourself cheering her on as she finds a love for not only her grandmother's home country but also a love for her life. Reggie relies on her faith and prays for signs to help her make the right decision about her future. You feel the emotions that Reggie is feeling, as she comes to terms with her true ancestry and determines where her future lies.

Princess Ever After is the first book by Rachel Hauck that I have read and I am ready to read another. I really would like to read another installment about Reggie, but am not sure that there will be another one, so I might have to check out the first book in the Royal Wedding Series or one of her many other books.

About the book: part of The Royal Wedding Series

Regina Beswick was born to be a princess.

But she's content to be a small-town girl, running a classic auto restoration shop, unaware a secret destiny awaits her. One that will leap from the pages of her grandmother's hand-painted book of fairytales.

Tanner Burkhardt is the stoic Minister of Culture for the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg. When he is tasked to retrieve the long-lost princess, he must overcome his fear of failure in order to secure his nation's future---and his own.

Yet lurking in the political shadows is a fierce opponent with sinister plans to abolish the throne forever. Overwhelmed with opposition, Regina must decide if she's destined to restore old cars or an ancient nation. Together---with a little divine intervention---Regina and Tanner discover the truth of her heritage and the healing power of true love.

Purchase a copy here.

Meet the author: Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, best selling author of critically acclaimed novels such as RITA nominated The Wedding Dress and RITA nominated Love Starts with Elle, part of the Lowcountry series, the Nashvegas series and the Songbird Novels penned with multi-platinum recording artist, Sara Evans. Their novel Softly and Tenderly, was one of Booklists 2011 Top Ten Inspirationals. A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, she worked in the corporate software world before planting her backside in an uncomfortable chair to write full time in 2004. Rachel serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and leads worship at their annual conference. She is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker. Rachel writes from her two-story tower in an exceedingly more comfy chair. She is a huge Buckeyes football fan.

Learn more about Rachel Hauck on her website.


No compensation was received for this review. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. A complimentary review copy was provided to me.