Try It Tuesday: Saffron Road Baked Lentil Chips #healthysnacks

Oct9

TRY IT TUESDAY

Saffron Road Baked Lentil Chips

I love snacks, especially chips. I know it is mostly habit, but when I eat a sandwich I love having a side of chips. My favorite snack combo is to eat tortilla chips with salsa.

Lately, I have been looking for a healthier option. I have been trying to modify my diet and switch to foods that are lower in fat, calories, and have more nutritional benefits.

That is how I found Saffron Road Baked Lentil Chips.

Lentil chips are lower in fat and higher in protein.

Here is how they compare with two of my faves Baked BBQ Lays potato chips and Tostitos tortilla chips.

Lentil (serving size 20 chips) Baked Lays (serving size 15 chips) Tortilla (serving size 7 chips)
Calories 120 140 140
Total Fat 3g 3g 7g
Carbs 19g 25g 19g
Sodium 135mg 230mg 115mg
Protein 4g 2g 2g

After comparing the numbers I decided to try and see if I liked the taste. I bought the Sea Salt ones and they don’t have much flavor on their own. The texture reminded me of kettle chips. Very crunchy.

Because they are thicker, I found that they great for dipping. I ate with hummus, salsa, and cheese dip.

While eating, I could tell the chips were different than what I was used to eating, but it was not bad.

This is not exactly a low carb option, but you will find this is for you if you want a snack that is lower in calories and fat.

TOW Final Word: Saffron Road Lentil chips are a good substitute for potato or tortilla chips. Good source of fiber, gluten free, and less fat.

Midnight #nightmaredragons #romance

Oct5

Midnight (Nightmare Dragons Book 1

Synopsis
Nathan Lancaster. Elusive billionaire. World-wide philanthropist. Monster.

From the moment he was born, Nathan knew he couldn’t let anyone know who, or what, he was, but that hasn’t stopped him from trying to make his way in the world. And he’s fine alone, seriously. Until a curvy, persistent reporter steps up and turns his whole world upside down. She’s lighting up all the corners of his darkness and endangering the secrets he has always held so dear. So why can’t he imagine ever letting her go?

When journalist Lillian Goss discovers that the world’s most eligible bachelor might be a criminal, she isn’t afraid to get the scoop at all costs. Unlike the rest of the world, she isn’t dazzled by Nathan’s easy smile, scorching blue gaze, or notable philanthropy. She’s determined to expose his dark side, until she manages to get up close and finds Nathan altogether different than she thought. He’s even willing to grant an exclusive, if Lillian is willing to walk into the shadows that surround his life and heart.

The more Lillian gets to know Nathan, the more complicated her feelings get for a man who’s much lonelier than anyone knows. Yes, he has secrets, but he also is braver, and kinder, than she ever imagined. But as attraction burns hot between them, and an unknown stalker enters the picture, one questions arises for Lillian above all… Where does Nathan go after Midnight?

Midnight is the first book in the Nightmare Dragons series. These books contain intense themes, some dramatic violence, and tortured shifter heroes who might just make some people afraid of the dark.

Opinion
When this was released I was so stoked that Terry Bolyryder had a new book !!!!

I got an advanced copy to read and I am giving an honest review.

First, let me say that this book is darker than any in her previous series. Nathan has a monster in him. He is the thing that nightmares are made of. At midnight, he is compelled to change into the monster and “feed”. Sounds ominous.

I didn’t know if I was going to be rooting for him or not. His sweet side won me over. Plus, he does all he can to help people.

Lillian is a journalist who is determined to find the dirt about Nathan. She was so sure that he is evil that she is doggedly persistent in trying to find out more about him so she can write the investigative story of her career.

Nathan is trying to balance dealing with the monster inside of him and his budding feelings for Lillian. I could understand why Nathan was not more forthcoming. He did not exactly have the most nurturing upbringing. There was no point of reference for him to know what was love or family or even happiness. I felt sad for him because he did not have any hope of his situation getting any better. He was so drawn to Lillian that he chose to love, knowing that he would eventually lose her once she knew his secret.

At the same time, Lillian is dealing with the fact that she is a woman who does not like keeping secrets, but she is hugely attracted to man who has this secret life after midnight! Even with all that, Lillian seemed to be too bitter for me. But considering her past, I made allowances for her behavior. I am glad that she gave Nathan a chance because he deserved to be loved.

TOW Final Word: Buy, Borrow, Pass?
BUY. Overall, I loved this book because of Nathan. He was a good guy trying to make the best of a bad situation.

Book details
Series: Nightmare Dragons
Heat Level: 🔥 🔥 🔥
Print Length: 257 pages

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20 Questions – Book Tag #booktag #bookaddict #amreading

Sep25

Hey everyone and happy Tuesday to you all!

I saw this tag over Galit Balli’s blog-Coffee n Notes and I thought I would participate since I have not done one of these is a long while.

 

How many books are too many books in a series?

If the series is about the same couple, then 3 is my max. If the series is about a large family of siblings and extended family with each book being about a different character’s romance? As long as the stories are varied (don’t rehash the same plot), there is no such thing as too many.

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How do you feel about cliffhangers?

I hate cliffhangers in series! Detest them with a passion! If a book has a cliffhanger, the author needs to tell me before I buy the book. I will decide if I want to wait and buy all the books to complete the story or leave it.

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Hard copy or paperback?

Paperbacks. Hardback books get heavy and I like to read on my back. Almost put my eye out one time…

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Favorite Book?

ALL time favorite: A Wrinkle in Time. #allthefeels #loveiseverything

A least Favorite book?

I cannot remember the name. If I don’t like a book, I put it out of my mind and forget it completely.

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Love triangles, yes or no?

I hate love triangles like I hate cliffhangers. Love triangles annoy me because I like to mentally prepare myself for who will be end up with who by the end of the book. In a love triangle, I don’t know who to root for. My heart cannot take it.

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The most recent book you just couldn’t finish?

It was A SEAL’s Oath by Cora Seton. I usually like her books but this one was not doing it for me. I might try to read it again another time. I have not deleted off my kindle, so there’s that.

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A book you’re currently reading?

I am reading Dragon Craving: Emerald Dragons book 3. I wanted a book about dragon shifters and I have read other books by Amelia Jade.

Last book you recommended to someone?

I recommended Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter to a friend who said they wanted to read a suspense.

The oldest book you’ve read?

I think Jane Eyre. It was published in 1847.

The newest book you’ve read?

6+ Us Makes Eight by Nicole Elliot. It was published in May 2018. Despite what you might think, it was not as cheesy as it sounds.

Favorite Author?

Who has just one ???? I love so many: Cara Bristol, Terry Bolryder, Tessa Dare, Jasinda Wilder, Amanda Quick, Anna Hackett

Buying books or borrowing books?

I am 50/50 on this one. I buy A LOT of books, but I also borrow just as many from the library. That being said, I still have not signed up for Kindle Unlimited yet.

A book you dislike that everyone seems to like?

Probably The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I mainly dislike it for the length. I like reading books in one sitting. This book is too long for me to do that. Plus I don’t like books with the time travel element in the plot.

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Bookmarks or dog ears?

I don’t usually use bookmarks, because I read in one sitting. But if I needed to, I would definitely use a bookmark!

A book you can always re-read

Wrinkle in Time, any of my Amanda Quick books, any Terry Bolryder or Cara Bristol books

Can you read whilst hearing music?

Nope.

One pov or multiple pov’s?

I love a multiple POVs told from a third person point of view.

Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?

I read books in one sitting. I have to finish otherwise I cannot think about anything else. I obsess over it until it is done.

 

One book you read because of the cover

There are too many to choose from because I do this ALL. THE. TIME. It works out for me sometimes. Like with the entire Dragon series by Terry Bolryder. But there are times, when I will include in my review that they need to pick a different cover..

Wow, that took longer than I expected, but I am glad I finished it. If you love books like me and want to do this too, consider yourself tagged! If you do take on this tag, don’t forget to link your post to me so that I could read your amazing answers!!! 

Foodie Friday – Brandy Ho’s @brandyhos #BrandyHos #Chinese #HunanFood #SanFrancisco #Foodie

Sep21

Brandy Ho’s Hunan Food www.brandyhos.com

When we were in San Francisco, we stayed in Chinatown.

We ventured out to check out a local place for dinner. Of course, we wanted Chinese food.

We found Brandy Ho’s Hunan Food. This is a family owned and run restaurant located in San Francisco’s old red-light district. They are known for their authentic, deliciously spicy Hunanese cuisine. From their website, they explain, “Hunan cuisine is infamous for its use of the chili pepper. They are also known for using smoking techniques in their cooking as well as mixing in lots of shallots and garlic.”

When we entered the restaurant, it did not seem too crowded. After looking at the menu, we decided to try it.

I ordered the Shredded Pork With Celery $11.95 and added Jasmine Rice + $1.95 . This dish consisted of pork sauteed with celery, carrots, bamboo shoots in a spicy ginger sauce.

I also ordered Egg Rolls $6.00 (Stuffed with vegetables & tree ear mushrooms).

Hubby ordered what he orders at every Chinese restaurant: beef and broccoli.

TOW: The food was tasty but spicier than anticipated. I like spicy food, but was not prepared for the heat. Even hubby mentioned that his food had more chili pepper in it than he was used to having.

I thought the business was slow (since it was not crowded), but as we sat there, I saw a lot of pickup orders. I guess most people chose not dine in but carry out.

If you are in the area, check them out!

217 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94113

Phone 415.788.7527

#review Alien Attraction #carabristol #alienromance #scifi #alienmates

Jun30

Alien Attraction (Alien Mate 2)

Synopsis
How insane is it to marry an alien as a publicity stunt?

I’m Sunny Weathers. You probably recognize me from my reality show, Sunny Weathers’ Excellent Adventures. I’ve had to perform a lot of crazy stunts in my career, but this one takes the cake! The producers are sending me to another planet to become an alien’s mail order bride. I’m not allowed to tell anybody it’s a gimmick, and as soon my contract is up, I’ll be leaving planet Dakon. Unfortunately, I hadn’t counted on my attraction to Mr. Tall, “Darq,” and Handsome…

I’m Darq. The moment I laid eyes on the female with pretty mud-colored hair and a sunny smile, I knew she was mine. Competition for females is fierce, and I was determined to claim a mate from the latest shipment from Earth, so I broke the rules. If anyone finds out, my own brother would banish me to the icy wilderness, and I’d lose my mate. I will do anything to keep her…

Opinion
I was gifted this book back in April in hopes I would provide an honest review. Every time I tried to write the review, i ended up rereading the book. I wanted to stay in this world, especially since everything works out in the end.

This is the second book in the Alien Mates series. In this one, Bristol did not disappoint.

I thought that Sunny was getting a raw deal all the way around because she did not want to do another season of the reality show but needed to money to help her nephew. I was worried how the story was going to go because Sunny is trying to have a relationship that was real enough for the cameras and her contract but not too involved that she would break his heart when she left. I knew they would have crazy chemistry because it is a romance, but I was still stressed.

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Then when Sunny realized she wanted to be with him and wanted to keep it private, I hoped she could get rid of all the cameras. I liked her feisty attitude in dealing with the TV station. She knew they were exploiting her but she had her plan to use them. And she did what she could to “accidentally“ kill a few of their cameras along the way.

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I was not sure where the real conflict would come into the picture. I wondered if the studio Apogee was going to make Darq look foolish for the ratings. How was he going to react when he found out about the cameras?

Thankfully, he had his own little deception to keep him on edge. Dakonian lottery is still in full effect, with so many unintended consequences. As a result, Darq could be in deep trouble if he dishonesty is revealed.

Because both of them had their secrets, they were so appreciative of their time together. It was as if they were thinking that once the truth was revealed they might lose each other. That made the story even sweeter.

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Even though I am usually a fan of the truth being revealed, in this case, I had hoped that he would get away with his little act of dishonesty. There were still some unexpected things to happen that enhanced the story.

In the end, I am glad everything is resolved to my satisfaction and I am looking for to the next book. I already think I know who it is going to be and I am excited but conflicted. Read this book and you will understand!

TOW Final Word: Buy, Borrow, Pass?
BUY. Overall, I loved it. Like I said, I read it multiple times already. I’m glad everything was resolved, with all the questions answered by the end.

Book details
Series: Alien Mate
Heat Level: 🔥 🔥 🔥
Print Length: 248 pages

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