Geogia Pellegrini's Tips To Living More Self-Sufficient

Georgia Pellegrini's Modern Pioneering is the Ultimate guide in learning how to live off the land.  It includes more than 150 recipes, projects and skills for a self-sufficient life.  I found it extraordinary and full of new ideas for those of us who have made the most of mother nature in our lives.  As a young girl back in the sixties, I recall my Italian grandmother and her friends picking dandelions to use for dinner.  Ms. Pellegrini includes recipes for dandelions as well as other edible flowering plants and they sound quite delicious.  There is imperative information on how to make your own planting seeds; make tea from scratch; where to grow certain plants and a wealth of information too long to list here.  It's a wonderful guide for those who enjoy growing and preserving as well as for those who enjoy creating.  I was given the awesome opportunity to read this book for blogging for books in exchange for my thoughts.  I consider it a must read and will treasure it for years to come.  For more information Modern Pioneering.

Shauna Niequist's Bread & Wine

Shauna Niequist's Bread & Wine A Love Letter to Life around the Table With Recipes really hit home for me.  In my younger years, our family lived upstairs from my Grandmother DiFalco who spent the entirety of her days making pasta and meatballs from scratch to serve to family and friends come dinnertime.  Cooking and sharing her meals was her way to show love and there was always plenty to go around the table no matter how many people showed up.  Everybody looked forward to dinnertime where we all enjoyed the meal and sat long afterwards sharing stories of our day.  My uncles always told hilarious jokes and nobody would miss out on being around the table. Of course being raised the way that I was, I followed in my Grandmother's footsteps.  I enjoy cooking and inviting a lot of guests over.  In this way the author won over my heart.  She speaks of the importance of being together and enjoying even a small meal (bread and wine) or whatever you feel to create.  Shauna shares her experiences as well as delights us with many recipes.  The book spoke to me while conjuring up warm memories of many pleasant evenings.  I recommend this book highly to anyone who enjoys entertaining as well as housewives and hostesses.  It was my honor to read this book in exchange for my review for the Handlebar Network.

 

T0RANI~Sweet Festive Taste Without The Calories

Ladies, just in time for the holidays... a sweet treat for

your family and friends.  Torani syrups come in a variety of delicious flavors which you can add to your coffee and/or enhance your baked treats.  With over 120 flavors in sugar-free and regular there will be plenty of ways to satisfy everyone on your guest list.  I was the fortunate recepient of both the salted caramel  syrup and the gingerbread syrup as a sponsered post for SheSpeaks and Torani.  The sugar free syrups equal zero calories yet satisfy your sweet tooth.  For Thanksgiving, I brought my bottle of  Torani Gingerbread Syrup down to my mother-in-laws and we all indulged in our festive flavored coffee.  For a fraction of the price, Torani makes it possible to enjoy your favorite drinks at home.  Torani was an instant hit with my relatives, I am looking forward to purchasing a few other flavors to take down for Christmas day!  They also would make a hot holiday gift!  Once home I incorporated the Torani Gingerbread Syrup in with my favorite pumpkin pie recipe.  You guessed it, another success~  My family gobbled the pie down within one day.  Here is the recipe for you to enjoy!
                                                        FESTIVE TORANI PUMPKIN PIE
Ingredients:
1 15 oz can of pure pumpkin no preservatives
1/2 cup of sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons Torani Gingerbread Syrup
1 can evaporated milk
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
dash of salt
one nine inch ready to fill graham cracker pie crust
Baking Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Mix all ingredients and pour into pie shell.  Bake at 425 degrees for fifteen minutes.  Turn oven down to 350 degrees for 45 more minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool before serving.

Sit back and enjoy the smiles on your loved ones faces when they devour your treat.  Have Torani help in spreading this years Holiday Cheer!