Book Review: Sergeant Rex

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I love dogs.  You all know that.  So I am totally a sucker for books about dogs, but I was still completely surprised when this book was part of my Christmas gift from Carl.  Who knew he could find a dog book I had never heard of?!  Well, he definitely did and he picked out an amazing tale.  I brought it along on our Rose Bowl trip and I had finished it by the time we landed in Chicago on the way home.  I.could.not.put.it.down.

Sergeant Rex, written by Mike Dowling, tells the story of a Marine dog handler, his dog, and their amazing bond.  The pair was sent to Iraq in 2004; the first time the Marine Corps had sent dog teams to the front lines since Vietnam.  Dowling details firefights with Rex and raids in which his dog sniffed out weapon caches, IEDs, and bomb-making materials while dispersing short family and initial dog-training stories throughout.  He also excellently captures the camaraderie among the Marines deployed together.  The book gives the reader a glimpse inside the Iraq war while simultaneously building an attachment to Rex and his likability.  (While writing this blog I googled for a review only for an article to pop up stating Rex passed away in December; I teared up.)  This book was both captivating and well-written; I definitely recommend picking up or downloading a copy! 

The San Francisco Chronicle said it best: "The best kind of nonfiction -- an impossible-to-put-down true life story." 

Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake

It's no secret that Carl's the cook in the kitchen and I'd rather stick to desserts.  But since he is in North Carolina while I'm up north, I have occasionally taken on the daunting task of making dinner.  Casseroles and crockpot dishes are my go-to meals because they are usually simple and I can freeze a good amount of leftovers if I chose.  With that said, I made this chicken and spinach pasta bake a couple weeks back and it was so good I ate leftovers over the remainder of the week so there was nothing to freeze!

Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake
(adapted from this recipe)

8oz rigatoni pasta (can use any type of pasta, just no bigger than rigatoni)
1 Tbs olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 10oz package of frozen spinach - thawed
3 cups cooked & cubed chicken breast (I used canned chicken to minimize prep time)
1 14oz can Italian style diced tomatoes - undrained
1 8oz container reduced fat Philadelphia Chive & Onion cream cheese - softened
1 1/2 cups 2% milk shredded mozzarella cheese - divided use

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and prepare the pasta according to package directions.  

Spread the olive oil on the bottom of a 11x7 baking dish and add the chopped onions in a single layer.  Bake for 15 minutes and transfer to a large bowl.  Set aside.

Once thawed, thoroughly drain the spinach between paper towels.  Add the pasta, spinach, chicken, undrained tomatoes, cream cheese, and 1 cup of the shredded cheese to the bowl containing the onions.  Mix well.  Spoon mixture back into baking dish and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese.  Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.  Remove from oven, uncover dish, and bake for 15 additional minutes.

I loved this dish, however the rigatoni noodles seemed a bit big when mixing in with the other ingredients.  I will definitely be making this again, but next time I'll try a little bit smaller of a noodle.  Let me know which noodle you settled on using and what you thought!        

Prostate Cancer Awareness

Today is February 22nd and it's been 10 months since my dad passed away.  Two months from today will, of course, be the one year anniversary of when he ended his courageous battle with Prostate Cancer.  I'm not going to lie, the 22nd of every month is a difficult day, but April 22nd will naturally be the most difficult.  While this is looming in my mind, I know my mom and sister are also thinking about it.  And we wanted to do something in his memory.  We decided to start out with something small, so we've made a team for Zero's Prostate Cancer Run.

My dad and I would always watch for legislation issues regarding prostate cancer awareness and research funds.  Every time there was a petition, we would sign it.  We would dutifully email our respective house representatives and senators about these issues.  We kept each other up to date and one of our main resources was the Zero - The End of Prostate Cancer organization.  The organization facilitates the sending of the emails above, it lets you know about all the recent news regarding these important issues, and it does so much more to further the prostate cancer awareness cause.  My dad and I talked about issues like this often enough that Zero was one of the organizations we chose to name in his obituary in lieu of flowers.  Afterwards, I spoke with the representative who handles things of that nature and the customer service (for lack of a better description) further endeared this organization to me.

January 2012 - after shaving his head bald for chemo.

Our team will be participating in the Chicago area race, held on June 1st at the Advanced Urology Associates practice in Joliet, Illinois.  There are several options: a 5K run, 5K walk, or a 1 mile run/walk and everything is available for youth to participate as well.  This will be a great way to get together in memory of my dad while the funds raised go to a cause obviously extremely near to my heart.

We've made a team in his memory and named it Roy's Aces, as his cancer support group lovingly referred to him as Ace.  If you'll be in the area on June 1st, join our team!  We'd love to have you!  All you need to do is click on the Roy's Aces link above, click "Register Here," agree to the waiver, and click on "Join a Team."  Below the options, "Join an Existing Team" will populate with team options and you select us - Roy's Aces.  The rest is pretty well directed.  At the very least, please make sure you dads, uncles, grandpas, cousins, husbands, brothers, and all the important men in your life are aware of prostate cancer and the simple PSA blood test that can save a life.

Restaurant Review: Hops Supply Co.

As you all know, I'm on my Lent-imposed hiatus from baking.  While trying to come up with blogging ideas, I thought I'd write about some of the restaurants Carl and I have been to lately.  I think we've hit some real winners and want to share with you!

Back in November, Carl was promoted to Captain and I was able to pin on his new rank.  Afterwards, we decided to forgo Jacksonville eateries and head down to Wilmington for a nice afternoon.  Staying true to our style, we chose Hops Supply Co. American Gastropub.  The atmosphere was great, similar to Carolina Ale House and Front Street Brewery, but not quite as 'loud' as either of those joints.  More importantly, the food was absolutely delicious!  Since it was a celebratory lunch of sorts, we literally had everything from appetizers to desserts and drinks.  The restaurant had just opened and this was our first time there, so we went with the recommendation of a "Hopshead Favorite" and got the Tostado-Style BBQ Braised Short Rib Nachos.  I love a good plate of nachos, but I am also extremely picky when it comes down to it.  And these passed the test.  This plate had everything a good serving of nachos should with a little extra kick to round out the taste.  We stuck to sandwiches since it was lunch time, and let me tell you - the Cuban Sandwich does not disappoint.  To spice up the normal side of fries, they have sweet potato fries instead.  These are delicious and rather than being accompanied by normal ketchup, the chef serves a sauce reminiscent of marshmallow flavoring which compliments the sweet potato taste.

Moving on to dessert...it's normally hard for Carl and I to decide on a choice to split because I like rich and sweet while he favors fruit desserts.  Surprisingly enough we settled on the Brownie Sundae, but only because it boasted chopped pretzels & Kit Kat, dark beer fudge, & Chantilly cream.  The brownie base wasn't as sweet as I expected, but the overall dessert was definitely a good blend between salty and sweet tastes.

Drink wise, you all know me.  Of course I got the flight.  Hops Supply Co. offers a Flight of the Season so I was able to snag all the fall/pumpkin ales still...right up my alley!  If beer is not your thing, they have a bunch of trendy cocktails that look great and they even offer a couple draft cocktails, conjured up by combining hard liquors with either ciders or stouts.

I definitely recommend trying Hops Supply Co. American Gastropub - and let me know what you think when you do!!

Comparisons

Whew, it's been a week!  But for good reason.  My sweet husband (who is still rehabbing his shoulder in NC) showed up here on the front porch at 5am on Valentine's Day.  Um, yes, I will take that surprise over flowers!  He actually had a week break before his next physical therapy appointment and I don't start my new job until this Monday, so I took advantage of every spare second we got to spend together...and therefore slacked on blog updating.. Oops.

Anyhow, a couple weeks ago, I blogged about how much I loved reading the Beautiful Creatures novels.  Naturally, I was anticipating the movie so much we had to see it only a day after it was released.

Consider this a public service announcement:  The books are MUCH better than the movie; read them before you watch it! 

The books are so much different from the movie that at points during the show I caught myself almost not watching, but trying to piece together what was left out and what was actually happening instead.  My biggest pet peeve was that there is a large handful of very important characters in the book that are completely left out of the movie.  Of course, my other pet peeve was the serious changes to the story line.  I was expecting something of a Harry Potter or Twilight nature - easy to follow book to movie...not so.  You will not get that between this book series and this movie.  While there are four separate books in the series, the movie jumbles together events from the first three novels, making a sequel inconceivable.

I don't want to post any actual spoilers on here in case you have read the books and are planning on seeing the movie or vice versa, but I will link the article I read the second the movie ended:

The Daily Beast's 14 Notable Differences.

Also, this E! article touches on how readers of the series were disappointed with the film adaptation:

Beautiful Creatures: Why the Spell Fizzled at the Box Office.


So, have you read the books or seen the movie?  You have to let me know your thoughts if you have!!

Ash Wednesday

Happy Ash Wednesday!

Normally, I give up the whole shebang of bad foods - sweets, pop, junk food, and fast food.  And normally, it's difficult.  But times change.  I've decided to change my routine this year.  While I obviously know the latter three vices listed are still bad for me, fast food just may be a necessity for a quick minute while I get used to my commute into the city each day for work.  I'm not giving up junk food and pop because I haven't been partaking in either really much at all lately.  So, that wouldn't really count as giving something up I suppose.  But sweets.  Yes.  I am to the point where I want something sweet after dinner.  I need a little pinch of dessert.  And thus, I am still giving up sweets until Easter Sunday [when I will act like a 9 year old child and eat candy until I give myself a tummy ache.]  The new addition is to work out at least four times a week.  That way, by curbing the sweets and exercising, it's more about being healthy in general.  I'll let you know how that works out after Easter.

Because I am giving up sweets..ahem..I won't be baking.  Boo.  So hopefully I'll think of other things to blog about for a bit.. like books, movies, restaurants, healthy dinner recipes, etc.  I'm sure I can come up with a few topics and hopefully you'll still enjoying reading along!

Ciao!

Peanut Butter Honey Cookies

Who doesn't love the winning combination of peanut butter and honey?  It's most certainly one of my favorites.  I put it on rice cakes with raisins on top; I layer it on English muffins with sliced strawberries in between.  And I've eaten the latter for breakfast several times in a week, which got me to thinking....there has to be a cookie recipe that combines this wonderful duo.  Never fear, such a recipe does in fact exist.  I found it and baked it immediately.  Literally, because Lent starts on Wednesday and keeping with my tradition, I am giving up sweets.  Now I have less than two full days (I baked these bad boys yesterday) to eat an entire batch of cookies...who wants some?

Peanut Butter Honey Cookies
(adapted from this recipe)

1 cup butter - softened
1/2 cup Splenda sugar blend
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter, and honey.  Add in the baking soda, salt, and gradually the flour.  Mix until well incorporated.  Add in the chips and mix until just combined.

Drop dough in tablespoon sized dollops on the baking sheet and bake for 13 minutes or until the cookie bottoms begin to slightly brown.

Oh My Gosh.  I hope you all love these as much as I do.  They are so light and airy.  And I could probably eat way too many of them!  Make you sure you have someone to share with, as these make around five dozen.  

Enjoy!    

Wedge Me Over

For some reason, I am absolutely loving the wedge sneaker trend.  Seriously.  Sign me up, I need a pair ASAP.  I mean, come on, I love the trend so much I even felt the need to blog about it! 

It's no surprise that skinny jeans are my go-to wardrobe staple.  And since it's winter, I normally wear them with a variety of boots: rain boots, moccasin booties, slouch boots, riding boots, over-the-knee boots - you get the picture.  So what better way to mix it up then to throw a pair of wedge sneakers into the rotation?!  Um yes, I believe that is the answer.  Seeing as it's a trend and I'm not exactly sure how long it's going to last, I spent awhile yesterday searching for mid-priced pairs so that if it's over by August my wallet's feelings aren't hurt.

Wedge Sneakers - www.gojane.com - $36.30

Journee Collection Alana Wedge Sneakers - www.kohls.com - $64.99 (sale price); same picture shown for Hailey Jeans Co Women's Lace-up Wedge High-top Sneakers - www.amazon.com - $32.99

Make Me Chic via Shoes to Go site - $40.80 (sale price)

  

and I can dream right?

Ash (the queen of wedge sneakers) Bixi - www.amazon.com - $285

Signed with love for wedges, xoxo.

Nutella Crunch Cookies

As I was rooting around the cabinets yesterday, I noticed the Nutella was about to expire.  I mean, who knew Nutella expires?  It probably actually does not, but it does have a use by date.  I got to thinking about ways I could use the rest of it and settled on cookies.  Coincidentally, I had just tried the Fiber One 80 Calories Chocolate Cereal for breakfast yesterday and thought it could really add a tasty crunch to cookies.  Naturally, I combined the two thoughts together (reminiscent of my Cap'n Crunch Peanut Butter Cookies) and this is what I came up with:

Nutella Crunch Cookies

7 Tbsp butter - softened  
1/2 cup Splenda sugar blend   
1/2 cup Splenda brown sugar blend - packed  
1/2 cup Nutella  
1 egg  
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 cup all purpose flour  
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt  
1 cup Fiber One 80 Calories Chocolate Cereal - crushed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.  Cream softened butter with both sugars.  Once mixed together, cream in the Nutella, then the egg and vanilla.  Make sure these are all well combined, then gradually mix in the baking soda, salt, and flour.  Add the crushed chocolate cereal until it's just incorporated.

Place dough in tablespoon sizes on the baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Enjoy your tasty treat and crunch away!

Beautiful Creatures

So, we've all read the Twilight books, right?  I know I have.  And I never thought I'd really get into a similar series again.  I mean, I'll admit it, I never even read The Hunger Games or watched the movie...just didn't sound interesting to me.  However, a couple of weekends ago, Val [my favorite sister] suggested I read the Beautiful Creatures series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.  It's being released in theaters on Valentine's Day, so of course I'd seen the previews and it did look interesting so I thought I'd give it a go. 

www.barnesandnoble.com

Oh my gosh, download this book!  Better yet, download all four!!  Seriously, if you liked Twilight, I'm positive you will like this series.  It is definitely a southern gothic novel revolving around all kinds of characters: mortals, casters, demons of all sorts, seers, etc.  These said characters play out mysteries tangled in love stories all while perfectly set in a quaint South Carolina town.  The authors do a wonderful job of building each character and weaving them into the plot while not getting too carried away with extreme details.  Furthermore, the book combines the present world with this other world and even parlays back into Civil War era events.  Refreshingly, it is told from the mortal boy, Ethan's, perspective, which is a nice change.  Overall, the book is wonderfully written and keeps you on edge.  You won't want to put this down!

Happy reading!

Jillian Love

Let's talk about my love for Jillian Michaels for a quick sec, okay.  Uh, I swear, swear, swear by her DVDs.  Seriously, I love them.  I mostly obsess over them because: A) they are fast, like 20-30 minutes fast and B) you get results, quickly.  Who doesn't like that?! 

Today I tried Jillian Michaels: Shred-It with Weights (aka a kettlebell.)  It was good for strength training, but not one of my absolute favorites so far.  But hey, I'm sure that could all change.  Another one I like (but don't love just yet) is Jillian Michaels: 6 Week Six Pack.  Don't get me wrong - it's a great cardio and ab workout that makes you sweat, but as I've previously blogged about, I have a really bad right knee (ugh) and some of the moves in that DVD just really irritate it.

Onto bigger and better things.  These are my favorites:

Jillian Michaels: 30 Day Shred - Again, swear by it.  The DVD has three different levels of intensity, each about 20 minutes long.  This is the only workout I used to get fit and toned for my wedding.  And it worked wonders.  Actually, I should really start doing it again routinely because personally it's the best shape I think my arms have been in.  Ever.  And that's only staying on level 2!!

Jillian Michaels: Yoga Meltdown - Love it.  I've tried just the regular yoga class at your everyday gym (not a specialized yoga studio) and that was not for me...just a bit too low key for the exercises I typically chose.  But the Meltdown is basically power yoga, so you're never doing only one pose for an extended period of time.  Jillian instructs you to come in and out of the pose several times and then eventually you hold the pose for under a minute.  I've achieved great arm and ab results with this one!

Jillian Michaels: Ripped in 30 - This is hard.  It's four 24 minute workouts, so to me it's like an amped up version of 30 Day Shred.  I used this to prepare for the Wintergreen Adventure Challenge since it combined cardio and weights and I needed both for 7 miles of obstacles.  [Side note: let's be real, nothing prepared me for how hard this 'challenge' was, but we completed it with wonderful 2/6 friends so I wouldn't change it for the world.]  Also, I'm pretty sure that one of my bridesmaids used this to tone up for her wedding.  It's a winner!

I really want to try Jillian Michaels: Kickbox FastFix.  It's 20 minute segments of kickboxing.  Um, a quick kickboxing session - yes, please.  And the Jillian Michaels: Extreme Shed & Shred looks intense, but the workouts are 45 minutes.  I was originally drawn to her workouts because they're less than 30 minutes, I love that.  Anyhow, I'll be putting those on the workout bucket list.   

How much do you love Jillian??  Or are there other quick workout DVDs I should add to my collection??  I'm always on the lookout for a quick way to squeeze in a good workout so let me know!

White Chocolate Chip Snickerdoodles

Who doesn't want to combine the sugary sweetness of snickerdoodles with white chocolate chips?!  This recipe sounded genius to me.  And it was.  Simple and definitely sweet-tooth satisfying!

White Chocolate Chip Snickerdoodles
(originally found here)

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 Splenda sugar blend
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract 
3.4oz white chocolate instant pudding mix
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups white chocolate chips
1/3 cup cinnamon sugar mix for rolling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cream together the butter and sugars.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Mix well.  Add in pudding mix along with other dry ingredients, mixing the flour in gradually.  Once all the ingredients are well incorporated, add in the white chocolate chips and mix until just combined.  

Make dough into tablespoon sized balls and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture.  Place on baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the bottoms begin to golden.  Let cool for 3-4 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to wire cooling rack.

Enjoy!