Weeknights with Giada Book Review

Weeknights with Giada

Quick and Simple Recipes to Revamp Dinner

Giada De Laurentiis

In terms of cooking with Giada, I find that her cooking recipes are by far inspirational and fun!

It is hard though on a limited budget or lack of some of the ingredients to fully utilize this book on a practical every day basis.  However I did find that I was able to take a few recipes and make them "our own" with what we have on hand.  

I find that Giada has always been centered around her family and her culture.  She is a great example to all cooks out there who just cook what they know from growing up.  She loves her family and it is evident not only through her cooking shows, but also through this cook book of hers.  

In terms of would I purchase this book or recommend this book?  For moms who are on a budget I do not fully recommend this book.  Only because some of the recipes call for some very high end ingredients that I could not justify purchasing on a weekly basis for our household.  Plus, some of the ingredients called for are just not available in our grocery stores.  

But I do recommend skimming over the pages and getting inspired to recreate the dishes she has if it is in the library or if a friend happens to have a copy of it.  

Disclosure: I received a free digital copy of this book to read and to review compliments of Netgalley.com.  I was not compensated in any other way.  All opinions are my own.

Doing Virtuous Business Book Review

I was rather excited to read this book as I had started dabbling in a little bit of business as a Mary Kay Consultant.  As I jumped into this book, I had expected a book that would help grow a business and have Biblical truth in governing the affairs of my business.  It was a bit of a tiresome book to read, and at most, I got a few basic principles out of it.  I was however surprised at how the author utilized a number of different religions.   It seems for Malloch, author of Doing Virtuous Business, being a Christian is a rather vague term.    He uses a variety of religious and non religious people and examples to prove or to explain a point.  I would have rather have Biblical facts and values and then examples, but the way he came up with his points was somewhat sporadic and based on what people have done or said.  

However from a non biblical point of view, sure I'd say that this book was alright.  It had great ideas on having a business that strives for being great and good and not just merely money hungry.  

Ultimately It was just not my cup of tea.  I felt like it was really hard to read, and really felt like I could have read the Bible and get more out of the bible in dealing with my business than by reading this book.

Disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book from Booksneeze in order to share my honest opinions.

Polar Express is Coming to Mount Hood Railroad!

All Aboard! 

The Polar Express comes to life this holiday season as the Mount Hood Railroad rolls out of the station bound for the "North Pole!" Come early and climb aboard with your family to cozy-up and enjoy our festively-decorated vintage train cars.

Dancing chefs deliver hot chocolate and a cookie to each guest to savor while music from the Polar Express movie plays en route to the North Pole. Make sure to have your tickets handy, because your conductor will be by shortly to punch each child's ticket. Before arriving at the North Pole, the iconic book, The Polar Express is read as your Chef turns the pages to share the beautiful illustrations in the original book. With the station far away,

The Polar Express magically arrives at the outskirts of Santa's North Pole village, where Santa Claus himself and his elves joyously welcome the train! As you stay comfortably settled and warm in your seat, Santa and his helper elf board the train!

 During the return trip, Santa will greet each child with his signature holiday spirit and the first gift of Christmas: a bell cut from his sleigh. It is said that only children and those who still believe can actually hear the bell ring.

Join in the singing as your Chef or Conductor lead Christmas caroling on the 30-minute return trip. For those wanting the magic to last or to do a little Christmas shopping, visit our gift shop in the station for special Polar Express gifts and merchandise. Oh, one last thing, children are encouraged to wear their PJ's; adults who still believe have been known to wear them, too! So, are you coming? All Aboard!

All Aboard the Polar Express is coming to the Mount Hood Railroad, visit http://www.mthoodrr.com/ or call 1-800-872-4661 to climb aboard.