Archive for May 1st, 2012

The Farm Fresh Southern Cooking cookbook for me is a taste and reminder of home. My mother being raised in the deep south brought to the table food that was just as tasty as it was comforting. I grew up enjoying meals that included many fresh pickings from our own and family and friends gardens. And am thrilled to be reminded and challenged to bring to my own family’s table delicious meals that are healthy and encourage us to know where our produce is coming from, supporting our own local farmers thanks to this great cookbook by Tammy Algood.

As you open the book, you’ll find a table of content which includes; Appetizers, Soups, Salads, Sides, Breads, Entrees, Desserts, Breakfast and Brunch, and Canning Instructions followed by acknowledgments and a helpful index. Each food catagory has a list of all the recipes in that section followed by Spotlights. The Spotlights are of local farms sharing about various fruits, vegetables, etc. For example one of the first spotlights in the book is on “Honey” the farmer being interviewed talks about how they craved a simple life of making honey and how and why they chose to do that. Reading the Spotlights in the book whether on honey, figs, herbs, or pecans, has been a real treat. In my eyes, this a cookbook that keeps on giving in more than one way.

The photos of the food are warm, inviting, and real. I love real photos when it comes to food! No airbrushing, or photo tunning. Real because that’s the way it should be presented as that will be how it looks coming to our own tables.

There are many recipes in this book, I’m just dying to whip up! The ingredients are usually something that I have in my own home and easy enough to find in your local store or farmers market. Over Easter, I happened to make the “Orange Hugged Carrots” and it was a hit with my family. So glad that even my very picky three year old even gave them a thumbs up!

If you are looking for a taste of home or just inspired to bring to the table something different from down south, I highly recommend this book. And with Mother’s Day around the corner, I’d think about presenting her with this one for sure.

Buy it: You can purchase Farm Fresh Southern Cooking: Straight from the Garden to Your Dinner Table on Amazon.com for 11.99 (Kindle Version) or $16.49 (print version.

I received this book free from the publisher through the Book Sneeze, book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Snails, Pails, and Puppy Dog Tails are definitely the things little boys are made out of. My little boy nearly 1 1/2 years old has taught me growing up with my four sisters and no brothers that boys go by some different rules for sure! He loves getting dirty, no the louder the better, he test the integrity of everything he comes across, and if any toy moves like a car or truck it’s a win. And that’s why I am thrilled to share about a fantastic Mini Vehicle Set recently introduced from Green Toys Brand new 2012 line that’s built with our little boys (or girls) in mind!

Green Toys is an awesome company that does everything it possibly can to reduce their carbon footprint and offer great products for children of all ages! I love this company and will continue to support them in buying products from their numerous lines for my own children and to share praises with everyone I know!

My nearly 1 1/2 year old son Owen, has lately been spending his days playing with the Mini Vehicle Set from Green Toys. This particular set comes with four vehicles: an white Ambulance, Blue Police Car, Yellow Taxi, and Red Fastback! These cars are mini sized making them ideal for the hands of young children and easier to control!

The unique design of this set of vehicles features no metal axles or external coatings. No BPA, phthalates or PVC. Packaged with recycled and recyclable materials and printed with soy inks. I for one am really loving the durability as my son has thrown, stepped on, gnawed (still teething), and put these cars through the ringer so to speak. We’ve let the kids play with these in tub, sand box,in and outdoors and still the cars look as good as brand new!

Overall I’m very pleased with these made in the USA set of vehicles from Green Toys. Honestly, you have to love a product that’s great for the environment being made from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs and that’s completely safe for your kids!

If you are thinking of purchasing the Mini Vehicle Set, it will cost you anywhere about $18 depending on where you purchase it. I found the Green Toys Mini Vehicle Set (4 Pack)on Amazon.com for $17.50 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on all orders over $25.00. (note that prices change often on Amazon so be sure to check the link to see the latest offered price).

Disclaimer: I was sent this set from Green Toys to review. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.