Cookbook Time- Books 6-11

While some wouldn't count this as reading, it did take time to look through and determine if the recipe would be worth trying with my family, so I'm counting them as books read this year!

Book 6  Crockpot Cooking 50 No Fuss Crock Pot Recipes by M. Smith and R. King

This book had 50 recipes designed to make Crock Pot cooking more exciting. The ones I marked for my family included Cheddar Cheese Cauliflower, Cheesy Chicken, Crock Pot Corned Beef-which I plan to try in March, Crock Pot Pizza- which we tried and liked, Honey Cooked Vegetables, Mozzarella Onion Soup, Simple Meatball Dinner, and Sweet Barbecued Chicken.

I plan out my meals in advance, so I'm planning on adding these to the menu and seeing if they are ones my family will request again.  Each family has different likes when it comes to food, so while I only found 8 that I was pretty sure my family would enjoy, someone else would most likely find more. 

I'd give this book 4 stars- might turn into 5 if the recipes are a success!


Book 7

Breakfast in a Flash by Amy Clark

We are bad about breakfast.  I'm not a breakfast person, I need time to wake up and usually a cup of coffee is all I need for that first hour or so that I'm awake.  My kids are the same in many ways.  This makes it difficult to get us up, and fed and out the door for school.  I found several recipes in this book that seem like they'd be worth trying for quick, easy and somewhat portable breakfasts.

The ones I'm planning on giving a shot are: Omelet in a mug, Breakfast sandwich, Fruit and Granola Bars, Chewy Crispy Granola Bars, and Eggs on Biscuits.

The recipes did also help me focus on some other foods that would be quick and easy to take with us for breakfast. 

I'd give the book 4 stars.

Book 8 30 Nutritious Snacks by Nicole D Richards

Snacks are always an issue to keep healthy. There are so many foods out there that are somewhat easier to get to and therefore we grab and go without thinking.

The recipes I marked in this book are Bacon Stuffed Potato Skins, Parmesan and Pepper Zucchini Chips, Cheddar Cheese Biscuits, Parmesan Pita Bread, Guacamole, Classic Hummus, Bitesize Cheeseburgers, Sweet Potato Tartlets, Pumpkin Seeds and Taco Style Salad.

I'm planning on getting some of these cooked up during spring break to see if we like them, and then go from there as far as adding them into the menu for sides for lunches or snacks to have on hand.

I'd give this book 4 stars

Book 9 Eat Healthy All Through the Year by Sidney McManter

With all the books and pins on Pinterest showing Paleo recipes I though I'd give this book a try.  While I did find 4 recipes that I might consider I also learned more about the Paleo diet.  I agree that we eat to many processed fatty foods, but I'm not sure that I'm ready to go to only eating foods the ancient peoples would have eaten.  It's an interesting concept, just not where I'm at right now.

I'd give this book 4 stars- not for me, but not bad for someone into the Paleo diet concept.



Book 10 Slow Cooker 101 by Perrin Davis

This book had lots of Crock Pot tips and some great recipes that I plan on trying.  From Ultimate Mac and Cheese to Sweet Potato Pudding. I use my slow cooker a lot so having new ideas is always great.

I'd give this book 4 stars

Book 11 31 Deliciously Easy School Breakfasts Recipes and Ideas For One Month of Making the Bus On Time by Tracey Bybee

As I mentioned earlier in this post, we're not really breakfast people.  This book had 9 different recipes and ideas that I think we might try. 

Again, it's about looking for what your family already likes when finding a recipe that is new and sure to be a hit.  Some of the ideas we will be trying from this book are Potato Bacon Frittata Muffins, Biscuit Egg Sandwiches and Quick French Toast.

I give this book 4 stars.