Contemplating an e-book...

I don't have an e-reader...no Nook, no iPad.  But I do have the Kindle app for my Android phone so I guess that counts.  I'm a fan of electronic books and get the appeal.  I'm currently reading one on my droid.  But I also have a soft spot for traditional books.  The look, the feel, the ability to take notes in the margin...

But I wonder, would Mom's Recipe & Activity Guide be even more desirable as an e-book?  One where you could easily look up a resource or use a recipe right from your iPad or e-reader?  It would be at the reader's disposal any time they wanted it.  And of course, the electronic version would cost less (but not have the keepsake pages included).

To e-book or not?  That is my question...

4 Ingredients...cooking couldn't be easier.

I've recently been trying to use my crock pot more to make providing healthy meals for my family easier.  I don't like to cook (unless I have a lot of time to think about it and prepare...which is rare being a mom).  

Enter 4 Ingredients - more than 400 quick, easy, and delicious recipes using 4 or fewer ingredients!  Developed by Kim McCosker and Rachael Bermingham, this book is jam-packed with recipes I just have to try!  Just listen to some of these recipes - Spinach and Ricotta Scrolls, Salmon Pitas, Orange and Yogurt Shake, Broiled Grapefruit, Southern Fried Chicken (one of my faves...our version in Mom's Recipe and Activity Guide)...and there are so many more.  

Check out this quick video of Kim in action...the recipes are so simple and perfect for someone like me; a non-cook / wannabe cook.

The 4 Ingredients cookbook is definitely one I'll be using for years to come. I wish there were pictures of the recipes...I always find that helpful. But I would definitely recommend this book to friends and family. I may even start giving it as baby shower gifts!

**Full disclosure, I was not compensated in any way for this review other than receiving a copy of the cookbook.

At home veggie gardening

Ah, it's spring here in the mid-atlantic and I've got at-home gardening fever again...even if my green thumb is a bit spotty still. 

No, my at-home garden does not look like this one, but I imagine it looking like that or the photo below it one day :)

To me at-home gardening is more than a hobby.  It's a way for me to get the fresh air, sun and exercise I crave, but also a way for me to teach my daughter that we can (and should) try to live more sustainably each day - providing the family with vegetables (and hopefully this year berries) that we don't have to buy at a store.  There is huge value in being able to plant a seed and watch it grow into something edible (and more tasty than store bought) with your child(ren).  I see how excited my daughter gets when she she's green things sprouting from the ground or when the flowers start blooming.  It is something worth all the dirt under my finger nails and mud on my shoes.

I've been pretty lax about blogging here on weeBgreen lately.  For good reason, though.  I've been training for my first 10-mile race coming up in early May and have had to turn off the switch on other interests to stay laser-focused on my fitness goals.  Hey, I had back surgery a little over a year ago, so being able to run at all let alone 10-miles is HUGE for me.  I'll also be training for my first sprint duathlon in the end of May. Yikes!

Anywho, I plan to track the progress of my at-home gardening experience this year more consistently.  For personal reasons I want to see if our garden fares better this year compared to last.  But I also just want to share with others my experience and prove that even someone who's had bad luck keeping house plants alive can produce edible, yummy vegetables in their own garden.  So stay tuned for video clips, photos, recipes, tips and more...watch me (try to) turn my spotted green thumb into a deep, vibrant green.

Tuna Noodle Casserole revived

Growing up one of my favorite dinners my mom made was tuna noodle casserole.  I love making it, too, because it's easy and I'm not much for slaving in the kitchen.  And my wee one can definitely help me with this one.

I recently stumbled on this amazing sight for healthy, easy recipes, and it just so happens there is one for "Skinny Tuna Noodle Casserole".  

Check it out and let me know what you think.  It's going our menu for next week!

Give back creatively this holiday season

This holiday season will be light on spending, gifts and material things for many this year (my family included).  

In America it's become standard to want everything now, now, now. 

I think our materialistic over- spending culture is doing a huge disservice to our children.  When did the holiday season (Christmas especially) become solely about asking for things we want and expecting to receive a gift on the 25th?  

I know it's not this way for all of us, but the media and all of the over-advertising is so much in our faces these days, even if you don't watch TV you still can't miss it.  I don't know about you, but I want my child to understand the real meaning of Christmas and to grow up valuing how it brings our extended family together...not just the fact that she is going to get presents on Christmas morning.

To do this, I'm planning to give back more this year than last and find ways to share stories that explain the meaning of the holiday with my daughter.  What are you planning to do this year to celebrate the season of giving?

As part of the season of giving, instead of donating just 5% of the proceeds from sales of Mom's Recipe & Activity Guide, I will be donating 50% of the proceeds from now until January 1st.  If you'd like to purchase a copy as a stocking stuffer, gift to a new mom, or a baby shower gift, please visit here.

Every family needs to get away...

We recently took a break from work, book promoting, etc. and went up to New York to explore the beautiful fall colors.  Here's a quick video of where we stayed and what we saw...

It's little adventures like these and times away from the "hustle and bustle" of life that help renew our energy and make me want to start writing again!  Soon...hopefully soon.

**Full disclosure, Hope Lake Lodge did provide us with a discounted room rate in return for sharing our experience with you...we had a great time and would definitely return!

Baking with preschoolers - Rainy Day Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here's one of our fave rainy day recipes from the book...can't wait to make them again this fall!

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• 1 cup butter
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2-3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter (optional—omit if anyone at home has a peanut allergy or if you are sharing with friends/classmates)
• ½ cup flaxseed (good source of vitamin B, protein, and zinc)
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, and sugar. Add eggs and mix thoroughly. Combine the baking soda, salt, flour, peanut butter and flax seed and stir into creamed mixture. Add oats and chocolate chips and stir until well blended. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake for 9-11 minutes. Makes about 24.