In a World Full of T-Rexes Be a Brachiosaurus

Vegans and vegetarians get bad reps. People joke about them eating grass or are treehuggers, or any other combination of misunderstood allegations. So what exactly are the definitions of vegans and vegetarians? According to the Vegan Society (https://www.vegansociety.com/): Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.                      A vegetarian has a similar philosophy except some vegetarians will include eggs and dairy in their diet and choose to not eat meat and seafood as a health choice. A plant-based diet is usually the normal food choice for vegetarians.

Being a vegan or vegetarian isn’t an easy choice, and oftentimes it takes years of self-discipline and practice to make it work. I became a vegetarian at a very young age, and if you’ve read any of my previous posts, you’ll know that I chose not to eat meat due to witnessing animal cruelty. While choosing a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle isn’t for everyone, it can be one of the best ways of staying healthy with the right diet, exercise, and mindset.

As a vegetarian, I have found eating the right balance of food quite a challenge. Many years ago when there weren’t a lot of food choices for me, I had to get really creative. Now that the new generations are trying to be more health conscious – whether as a trend or just general upgrading of life – you can find many alternatives to protein and other products that keep us healthy and thriving. For any beginner vegans or vegetarians, I’ve compiled a list of foods that are alternatives to eating meat. Even if you don’t choose this lifestyle, you can still see what other food choices you can make to keep your body and mind healthy.

Vegan and Vegetarian Protein:

• Potato

• Brown Rice

• Spinach

• Quinoa

• Mushrooms of any type

• Kidney Beans

• Pinto Beans

• Green Peas

• Macadamia Nuts

• Lima Beans

• Wheat Bread

• Garbanzo Beans

• Lentils

• Pecans

• Soybeans

• Walnuts

• Hazelnuts

• Cashew Nutts

• Chia Seeds

• Oats

• Tofu

• Flaxseed

• Pistachio Nuts

• Almonds

• Hemp Seed

• Peanut Butter

• Pumpkin Seeds

You can add any of these plant proteins into your daily diet. Certain plants are high in amino acids which can generally be found in animal meat, but can also be found in these type of foods:

• Chia Seeds

• Yogurt

• Vegetables that include Cabbage, Broccoli, Carrots, Eggplants, and Corn

• Fruits that include Apples, Bananas, Cherries, Grapes, and Peaches

• Soybean

• Beans, Legumes, and Whole Grain

• Mushrooms

• Quinoa

• Dairy and eggs for vegetarians who consume them

Whatever your reasons are for not eating meat and choosing a plant based diet, know that there are many wonderful food choices out there. Whether you’re doing it for ethical purposes or for health reasons, there are many benefits to eating a vegan and vegetarian diet.

Start off slowly by eliminating certain types of meat and slowly incorporating more plant based food. If you have specific dietary or health risks, please make sure you check with a health professional before going completely vegan or vegetarian.

Wishing you all a healthy 2024!!!

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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***photos courtesy of ohmyveggies.com, Marthastewart.com, EatingWell

Reimagining Food Waste

When we think about food waste, what do you imagine? An abundant heap of food tossed into the landfills or throwing out barely expired food from your own kitchen? Well, all of those factors contribute to excess food that gets thrown in the trash which inevitably ends up in our streets, oceans, and clogs up our planet’s resources. Food waste is one of the leading causes of environmental degradation in the world. In fact, excess food waste is an ongoing major global problem and it’s up to us to find solutions to prevent it.

As parents we laboriously cook meals for our children, whether it’s an extravagant meal or something quickly thrown together. We hope our children finish the food off their plates and appreciate what we provide for them on the dinner table. But what happens to all the food that don’t get eaten or cooked?

Why is food waste such a problem, especially in the United States?  According to Foodprint.org, the US accounts up to 40% of food wasted and up to 160 billion pounds of food that gets thrown away. Add in to food lost that happens with bad weather at farms, fisheries, and manufacturing facilities, it’s incredible how much valuable food gets lost in the system. Consider that food insecurity is also a major problem around the world, what can one individual do to help prevent food waste?

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP PREVENT FOOD WASTE?

• Create a Zero-Waste kitchen. Start with planning all your meals in advance and make shopping lists. Check your refrigerator and pantry before grocery shopping. Date certain foods on the containers or if you plan on freezing them. Cycle older foods to the front of the fridge so you can use them up first.

• Compost. One of the easiest way of reducing your carbon footprint is to compost. While this may not be a miracle saver of preventing food waste, composting helps reduce waste in the landfills and can benefit the plants in your garden.

• Check the “best by” date, rather than the “expired date”. Many companies have changed their labeling to indicate a best by date since households around the world have various food preservation methods. In the past, food were wasted because consumers were afraid of eating food past the expiration date. Most food can last several days past the expiration date but to be sure, check for any type of mold, discoloration, or foul smell before consuming.

• Eat out less. Eating out is convenient and easy, but is also a big contributor to food waste. Consider that we don’t necessarily finish everything on our plates or want to take food home to eat later. Even taking food home doesn’t always equate to eating the leftovers. Restaurants waste a lot of food on a regular basis and we can do our best to eat out less whenever possible.

• Preserve food scraps. What happens to all the scraps of vegetable skins, fruit cores, and excess bones? Try making broths or stock from leftover meat, vegetables, and make jams from fruit skins and cores.

• Cook proportionally. Oftentimes families cook big meals because they want leftovers. While that may work for some families, for others cooking large portions end up wasted because food gets forgotten in the fridge or children decide they don’t want to eat the same food again. Cook according to your family size and proportion meals to age of your children. Younger children tend to eat less so big portions don’t really work for them.

• Support local and farm-to-table establishments. Many local eateries are small businesses who thrive on making fresh food and providing local options. Plus, in order to keep their finances in check, these small business restaurants and eateries are careful with what they purchase and produce.

• Donate. If you do end up with more food than you can eat, consider donating unopened food to food rescue centers. Food rescue center (or commonly known as food shelters) rely on donated food items. If you have canned food that are near the expiration dates, you can donate them to your local food rescue centers. Check ahead if they also take fresh produce as sometimes unpackaged food are not accepted.

• Grow your own food. The benefits of growing your own food are abundant. You are in control of what you grow, how you eat what you grow, and also giving them away to friends, family, and neighbors. It’s also a much healthier option than store-bought food.

• Don’t throw away unnecessarily. School-aged children might bring food from home for snacks and lunch. But I’ve witnessed tons of uneaten food thrown away or thrown in the trash after a couple of bites. Teach your children to bring home any leftovers, and pack accordingly to portion size. Remember that school-aged children don’t get a lot of time to eat during school hours, so they don’t need a five-course meal to take to school.

There are many ways to prevent food waste and food lost. Support local farms, contact city and state officials, grow your own food, and talk about the harmful effects of food waste with family and friends. Not only are you helping to prevent food waste, but also preventing wasting money on food that gets tossed out or you changed your mind on. The more we are aware of this devasting concern, the sooner we can help clean up our planet.

***photos provided by Foodprint.org and Shutterstock

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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Winter Wellness Tips

With the hustle of holidays finally over, and the reality of back to school and work upon us, it is now more important than ever to take care of our mental and physical health. Winter is an interesting season. It can effect people differently; some prefer the cold, crisp weather, while others would rather stay huddled in front of a warm fire. Whatever your constitution, it’s essential to take care of yourself regardless of the temperature outside.

Winter months typically harkens hot chocolate and layers of warmth and bundling of clothing. Aside from the common ways of keeping our bodies warm, our environment is just as crucial in living healthily and comfortabley. I’ve listed steps to take to keep your mental and physical health in top shape during these cold and blustering days.

WINTER WELLNESS TIPS:

• Using the right diet. When it’s cold outside and all you want to do is stay snuggled in bed, your body might react differently when you’re lethargic. Starting and maintaining a healthy and well balanced diet is key to staying healthy during the colder season. Start by eating seasonal foods that are fresher and grown in appropriate weather conditions. “Hot” foods that create a warming sensation in your body such as ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon naturally builds up immunity and warm your organs. Try these top 3 warming herbs in soup, hot water, or cooked into your meals.

• Exercise. While we may be inclined to not move much during colder temperatures, our bodies actually need more exercise to keep up our circulation. Stagnant energy harms our bodies and poor circulation can cause unnecessary pain in our bodies. Try basic warm up exercises that includes cardiovascular exercises such as jogging or running in place, walking around the neighborhood or a park, and arm and leg rotations.

• Drink plenty of fluids. Typically we think of drinking more liquids during hot weather. But intaking liquids on a regular basis is essential to maintaining a healthy balance. Beverages such as warm water, hot tea, even hot coffee can help keep up our circulation and prevent dehydration which can damage the body.

• Keeping your home clean. During colder months our bodies are apt to lay around and not want to move too much. We might not clean as hardily as during warmer weather which can result to more germs accumulated and pests entering the house. Keeping our house clean during winter can help prevent germs and illnesses that we bring in from the outside or from others around us.

• Grow your own food. You can easily grow your own food even during winter and in colder climate. If your backyard/garden area is too cold, you can grow most edible plants in pots and planters. There are also indoor planting systems that require very basic care but can help keep a steady stream of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Winter vegetables are great because they pack a lot of nutrients and flavor. Try winter season vegetables such as carrots, beets, squash, and cauliflower which can all provide important nutrients.

The winter season can bring illnesses and bad temperment for many of us. Keep yourself mentally and physically healthy by following the important steps above and be mindful of what we put in our bodies.

*Photo credit to Canva.com and Wenwuschool.com

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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Easy Eco-Friendly Tips for School

One the most fun things about going back to school is shopping for school supplies. You walk into a Target or any other school supply store and there is a dazzling array of notebooks, pens, pencils, and school bags. You skip down every aisle and see all the new princess or Star Wars themed pencil cases showing off their bright gowns and galactic spaceships. You breathe in the fresh scent of newly pressed lined paper, and your fingers itch to touch the backpacks lined neatly up high on the shelves. Everything you see at the store is tempting and a true escapism to what every child in the world wish they could have.

But before you grab a handful of pencils and notebooks and rush down the lanes to stock up on lunch fixings and afterschool snacks, take a step back to think of what your student really needs for the new school year. One of the easiest ways is to check your school or school district’s School Supply List, which can be found on their websites. These supply lists are merely suggestions, and oftentimes they are to fill a classroom throughout the school year.

It’s tempting to want to buy your children a new backpack, new binders, and new clothes. Whether you’re on a tight budget or not, it’s essential to reuse what you already have to reduce excess waste that just clutter our landfills. Plus, oftentimes last year’s school items work perfectly well, even with a few scratches. If they’re completely un-reusable, then remember to take extra care of their new school supplies so they can reuse them the next school year.

Here are ideas for easy and eco-friendly habits for the school year:

– Reusing backpacks or school bags: most backpacks are well made to withstand many years of use. Check for zippers, pockets, and lining in your backpacks/school bags. There shouldn’t be any large holes on the bottom of your bags especially if your child carries a school computer inside it. Ease tough zippers by rubbing wax over them. Stitch up loose seams. And give the backpack a good cleaning before school starts.

– If you must buy new, try to invest in high quality products that can grow with your child: these will most likely last several years as long as your children don’t abuse them. For instance, a high quality backpack from North Face, or Adidas can last several years. Some brands will even replace and repair their backpacks at no charge. Other high quality items should include laptops, student desks, headphones or wireless earbuds, calculators, and bookshelves. Other everyday items should include stainless steel reusable water bottles, binders, and sturdy lunch containers.

– Clothes swap: do a clothes swap with friends and relatives of similar ages and sizes. Your kids are bound to outgrow their clothes when they’re young, so investing in more expensive clothing can get costly. Host a clothes swap with others to help reduce waste and to refresh your children’s clothes each year.

– Reusable items: we all know kids will inevitably break things. But we don’t have to keep buying new items for them each time something breaks. Invest in reusable items that wouldn’t mind a few dents and scratches, such as water bottles (see my Mermaid Straw water bottles for a special 15% off discount), binders, pencil cases, lunch bags, and lunch containers. The items should be made from recyclable materials such as stainless steel and silicone.

– Carpool/Walk to school: if you live within walking distance then by all means walk to school. Gather some friends/classmates and walk to school together. Walking daily or even a couple times a week builds a healthy body and reduces vehicle usage on the roads. In fact, living car-free can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 2 tons of CO2e per year compared to a lifestyle using a car.

– Bring your own food: that school cafeteria pizza might look tempting, but it’s not actually very healthy. School food is okay once in awhile, but consuming them every day of the entire school year isn’t a healthy choice. While some schools throughout the world seeks high quality, local, and fresh food for their students, most schools still rely on mass produced lunch items. If you have to rely on school meals, try to get their salads or check the lunch calendar to see what’s offered for lunch. You can always pack some healthy snacks for school and eat when you get home. Because school meals aren’t very appetizing (but only fill the need to eat), most foods get thrown away thus creating unnecessary waste.

– Buy in bulk: sometimes buying bulk items can be a blessing, while other times it can be wasteful. Buying bulk items that you need on a regular basis cuts down on trips to the market, and package waste such as plastic wrapping and multitude of boxes and containers. If you find a great deal but just won’t use all of the items, consider sharing them with others or create a co-op of grocery with friends and relatives.

– Make your own clothing/school items: this might be a challenge but making your own clothes can be fun, economical, and eco-friendly. You can use premade patterns sold online or at fabric stores, or you can create fun and unique t-shirts by adding embellishments on them. Another fun and eco-friendly DIY is making school bags and pencil holders with heavy and colorful fabric.

– Grow your own food: this is one of the easiest ways of reducing your carbon footprint and living a healthy lifestyle. Plus, you are in control of what you grow and eat at home. You can grow food easily in planters, raised bed, or straight in the ground with some good soil. Fast growing food include peas, radish, carrots, and greens such as spinach and kale. You can also “re-grow” food such as cabbages and onions by sitting their cut bottoms in shallow water. They’ll regrow fresh leaves and scapes that can be enjoyed on a daily basis. Get your kids involved by giving them their own garden area so they can learn and grow along with their plants. When you grow easy, seasonal food in your garden, you will never go hungry.

Read here for: 10 Ways to Get Kids to Enjoy Gardening.

This school year, invest in helping to keep our planet clean, our bodies healthy, and our minds sharp and strong.

* Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. Purchases made through the clickable links could provide affiliate commission.

 

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

10 Important Skills Children Must Learn Before School Starts

Parenting is a thankless job. You might toil away hours of training, worrying, and go through all the stages of elation, wonder, and sadness. As parents we want the best for our kids, whether it’s giving them a head start with their education or buying the best clothes or making sure they eat healthily.

In the end, we just want our children to be happy, independent, and have a kind heart and soul. But besides teaching them important skills such as how to hold a fork or how to say thank you and please, we must also set great examples for our children. Our kids will inevitably learn from what they see and hear. If we model important, beneficial behaviors at home and outside the home, then we are teaching our children crucial first steps.

The new school year is starting soon and whether you are a parent who already has their act together, or a parent still scrambling to register their kids at school, know that we all face dilemmas before the first day of school. However, we can prepare ourselves and our children to have a successful, fun, and enlightened school year.

Before the start of the new school year, there are some important skills children should learn and practice. Certain skills teach kids to be independent thinkers and to learn the difference between right and wrong.

10 IMPORTANT SKILLS CHILDREN MUST LEARN BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS:

Collaboration Skills

One of the skills young children learn at school is how to get along with others. While that’s mostly taught at home in their early years, learning to collaborate, share, and getting along with other students is crucial to having a successful school year. Aside from developmental barriers, most students need to learn this important social skill while in school. If you feel you have a difficult time helping your child learn to collaborate with others, seek professional help before school starts or access the school district’s intervention programs, such as an IEP (Individualized Education Program), or something similar that’s offered.

Compassion

One of the most important facets of being a human being is feeling and expressing compassion. Compassion or empathy is an innate ability and most people are born with this character trait. For some it can come naturally, for others it must be taught and then nurtured. Developing compassionate skills require work for others, but it’s not impossible. Start by watching TV programs at home that fosters compassion and kindness. While outside of the home at a park or a grocery store, show your kids compassion by letting others go before you in line, or letting another child go down the slide first. Compassionate kids lead to a kinder world for everyone.

Respect Nature

Nature surrounds us in our everyday lives. When we are talking about nature, we are referring to the environment that includes animals, plants, and the ocean. It’s easy to pick up a pet at a pet store or an animal rescue. But teach and show your children that pets are not toys. Pets are living, breathing, little animals that rely on us to help them live happy and healthy lives…much like our own children. Same thing will be said for the plants we grow in our homes or see outdoors. The trees, flowers, even the vegetables we grow rely on human compassion and collaboration. And when it comes to the ocean or sea, we must teach our children to be respectful of the living things inside the sea. When we can respect nature, we can respect the environment at school and on school campuses.

Resourcefulness

I joke with my son that “back in the days” people had to be super resourceful. One couldn’t just easily go to the market and get a dozen eggs or drive down to the ice cream shop two cities away. While most people learn to become resourceful based on their own experiences, sometimes we have to teach our children this important life skill. Asks your kids what they would do if they couldn’t have their favorite foods all the time, or not understanding a certain subject at school. What would they do? Who could they turn to for help? And how do they use what they have learned? Teach your children your own ways of being resourceful by showing them various choices they can make and the outcome of those choices.

Consequences

One of the lessons I like to reiterate with the students at school is the consequences of our actions. A consequence can be good or bad, negative or positive. A consequence is the direct result of our action, whether it’s immediate or years down the line. Teach your children this important lesson before they start school. When children make bad choices and don’t learn to face their consequences, they may end up repeating these bad choices which will inevitably hurt not only others but themselves.

Conservative

Being conservative isn’t necessarily a hindrance. In fact, when we learn to reduce our usages and consume less, we are learning to be more resourceful. We live in a world of buy, buy, buy. The convenience of getting something online any time or day is an easy pitfall to get trapped in. When we teach our children to conserve our wants and needs that aren’t crucial to a healthy lifestyle, we are teaching them to reduce the need for wanting things they don’t truly need. During their school years, you will most likely buy endless supplies of lined paper, tissue boxes, pencils, and anything else the school or teachers require. But easy ways to conserve would be to reuse what you already have especially if the items aren’t damaged or broken.

Be Kind to our Planet

Whether your kids are young or older, we won’t always be there for them when they’re fully grown. Teaching your children to be kind to our planet helps them learn valuable lessons about taking care of their future. Climate change has affected everyone around the world. It might be a slow moving situation, but teaching our children to be more mindful of the environment can help prevent further damage to our planet. If you’re not already conserving energy by reducing plastic waste and consumption, then now is a great time to start with your family. Kids have the innate ability to want to be helpful. Give them opportunities to help the environment by using less plastic at home and at school, by reusing what you already have, and by walking to school with them or with a group of friends.

Independence 

The freedom to make our own choices can be quite enlightening. But just because we can choose our own path doesn’t always mean we know how to do it properly. When children are young, we are apt to keep eagle eyes on them, never letting them out of our sight for even a minute. While younger children benefit from the extra care and diligence of watchful parents, the older they become, the more they should learn to make their own choices. Independence breathes lives into making better choices down the road, and help us learn about the positive and negative consequences that might arise. When children are at school, they are mostly independent of their parents and rely on their teachers and school staff. But their teachers have to watch 30 or more children and can’t always keep your kids in check. Teaching your children to be independent thinkers give them chances to make great life choices.

Having their own Power

When our kids our younger, we tend to speak for our children or do things for them that they can do themselves. It’s the natural process of parenting because as they say, children don’t come with a handbook. Well, unless you count the ever popular “What to Expect” books. Parents are learning and navigating through the tricky current of parenting just as our kids are going through their own personal journeys. But kids also need to have their own power, their own voices. When they’re at school, they’re traversing through the tumultuous paths of friendship and not really knowing how to make and keep friends. By giving your children the power to have their own thoughts and voices, they can learn to speak up for themselves, defend their honor or the honor of others, and not be afraid to walk away from bad friendships.

Self-discovery

Wouldn’t it be awesome if we can all look into our future selves to avoid mistakes and hurtful people? We would wish that for our children too, if only to prevent them from getting hurt or damaged. Self-discovery is a journey to one’s own insight. We can all benefit from learning from our mistakes, learning from our past aggressions, and learning to make better choices. Teach your children to think before they might say something mean to another student or follow school bullies because they think they’re “cool”. Discovering one’s true self might take many, many years, and we are all still going through our own paths. But teaching our children to be their one self will greatly benefit them in their future.

Best of luck to your students starting school!!!

* Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. Purchases made through the clickable links could provide affiliate commission.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm

THE SECRET RECIPE OF ELLA DOVE Blog Book Tour – Book Review

Please join me and Simon & Schuster on a very magical book tour with Best Selling author, Karen Hawkins. The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove debuts on August 15, 2023 and can be purchased on Amazon and Simon&Schuster online bookstore.

ABOUT THE SECRET RECIPE OF ELLA DOVE

Three lives converge as a wildly talented baker returns to Dove Pond to face her past in this entry in the charming series that proves that sometimes miracles really do happen…

Ella Dove is an acclaimed baker whose desserts spark vivid, cherished memories in those who taste them. A restless soul, Ella goes wherever the wind takes her—but driven by a haunting dream, she’s coming home to Dove Pond. Years ago, her mentor, Angela Stewart Harrington, falsely accused Ella of stealing her beloved family recipe book, known as the Book of Cakes. Now, Ella believes it’s time for them to reconcile.

Angela has her own share of amends to make. Her daughter Jules has never forgiven her for divorcing her father, and they’ve been estranged ever since. But just as Angela begins to hope that she and Jules might mend their tattered relationship, a miscommunication turns into a lie that could destroy everything.

Meanwhile, Jules’s son Gray is shocked that Ella, his first love and his first heartbreak, has returned to Dove Pond. But even though he knows Ella is a wanderer and will soon leave, he’s unable to stop himself from falling for her once again. Can Gray find a way to convince Ella to give him, and their town, a serious chance? Or is he once again on the road to a broken heart?

With so much at stake, Ella, Angela, and Gray must learn to accept each other—flaws and all—forgive the many mistakes of their pasts, and trust that love can, and will, always find a way. For fans of Alice Hoffman and Sarah Addison Allen, The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove is a delicious and magical read that will warm your heart and charm your senses.

My Review:

The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove is a charming and magical book, giving off a small town feel that leaves you with a good feeling at the end. Karen Hawkins is a new author for me and I’ll be reading her other Dove Pond series: The Book Charmer (https://amzn.to/3KtgttN) and A Cup of Silver Linings (https://amzn.to/44Ug9fv). All three of her Dove Pond series feature the sisters of Dove Pond, each of them with a unique and special “magical” ability.

The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove reminds me of a Hallmark movie where the heroine faces some personal challenges that she must overcome in order to move on with her life. In fact, I would like to see this book turn into a Hallmark movie or even a series, much like The Good Witch TV series on Hallmark. While Ella and her sisters aren’t exactly witches, they do have influential powers based on their own personal abilities. Ella Dove, the sixth daughter of the Dove family possesses the ability to transform an individual’s memory just by eating one of her baked delicacies. Each person’s memory is their own and can be a different memory or recollection of the past, hence this power can be both a blessing and a curse. One doesn’t necessarily want to be reminded of the past as indicated in the story.

While the book doesn’t exactly explain why all the of Dove sisters have a special ability, this didn’t distract me from reading the story. My own inclination is that with the long history of the Dove family, one of the family members from centuries ago must have developed special abilities that later passed down to only the female members. But, I’m not going to delve into these magical abilities as this isn’t the central theme of the book.

In The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove, we find Ella leaving her plush life in Paris, France to journey back to her childhood hometown of Dove Pond. Tacked with a mysterious affliction and haunting dreams that forces her to return home, Ella realizes she must confront her past in order to move forward. The story itself begins with Ella as a young child living with her sisters and her mom. When her dad dies mysteriously, Ella is heartbroken and lost and became compelled to lead a life of solitude. Her father’s death must have brought on some kind of PTSD, which made Ella afraid of any sort of personal attachment and commitment. She may be committed to her baking and giving joy to her fans, but her personal life is in shambles. Thinking her journey back to her hometown of Dove Pond will absolve her of past misunderstandings, Ella is determined to do what’s necessary.

But what one wishes to happen doesn’t always come to fruition. In this story, Ella thinks that a past misunderstanding of a stolen book will absolve her strange affliction of random strawberry frosting popping up surreptitiously on her body. While this was Ella’s main goal, situations pop up that prevents her from getting what she wants. And what Ella wants is to just stop these random pink frostings appearing on her body. In this sense, I thought Ella was a bit selfish and self-serving. Perhaps this was the author’s intention, to make Ella just a bit egocentric and a bit self-absorbed. It didn’t make me dislike Ella but I wasn’t really rooting for her to win either.

The misunderstanding in this whole story was a bit far-fetched. If only Ella had stood her ground when she was accused of stealing a beloved cookbook that was the family heirloom of a neighbor. Instead, she ran as far away as possible across the ocean to another country. I felt something was missing in this aspect of the story. The author could have revealed more of why Ella ran away from her childhood and why she ended up estranged from her sisters and hometown for so many years. However, these points also make Ella somewhat endearing, and as I read further I became more sympathetic of Ella.

Ella’s journey throughout the story reveals feelings that she didn’t think she could have. If she could avoid any kind of personal attachment then she’d be happy. But was that what Ella really wanted though? Was she happy leading a non-committal life of just baking and being a social media mega star? What would really happen once she confronts her past? Will she really move on and away from her childhood home? These points slowly reveal itself as you read further and go on this journey with Ella. She might not be a warm and affectionate person, but she just wants to lead a normal and uncomplicated life.

I don’t want to reveal any spoilers, but there are some fun characters in The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove. There are a lot of side characters to keep track of but my favorites are Aunt Jo and Angela, the latter whom accused Ella of stealing the heirloom cookbook. Ella’s interactions with these two characters are a joy to read and you can’t help but feel a bit sorry for Ella when Angela keeps avoiding her. Other side characters such as Ella’s sisters and the Stewart family moves the story along and all play into the central plot of this story.

I give The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove a 4 stars out of 5, mainly because I didn’t particularly liked Ella herself. Yes, I know she’s the main character and she was written exceptionally well, but she seemed too self absorbed and a bit flighty. Overall, The Secret of Ella Dove is a well-written book that is easy to read and has light elements of romance and mystery. This book is good for ages 14 and up and has a clean romance, although romance isn’t the main theme.

Pros – Lighthearted, fun, and engaging story. The characters all have their own individual personalities and each one has something they are either avoiding or reaching for. Main characters and side characters are relatable. In fact, the relationship Ella has with her sisters reminds me of my own sisters. There are ups and downs to having so many siblings. There is a multi generational side story that involves a mom, grandma, sons, and their own personal misunderstandings and pitfalls.

Cons – a lot of characters to keep track of. I feel that the some of the side characters were fleshed out even better than Ella.

You can pre-order The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove on Amazon through my link: https://amzn.to/47od6hB or through Simon & Schuster: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Secret-Recipe-of-Ella-Dove/Karen-Hawkins/Dove-Pond-Series/9781982195922

Available August 15, 2023. If you pre-order now, the book will automatically be delivered to your Kindle on that date.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Karen Hawkins for the opportunity to participate in this book tour.

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* Happymomblogger received this Advanced Readers Edition to participate in the book blog tour. Under the Publisher’s copyright laws, Happymomblogger did not use quotes from the book without prior written approval from Publisher.

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