Recipe ~ Low Fat Cajun Chicken Pasta

I found this recipe on Tasty Kitchen and I thought that I would share it with you all.  If you click the link it will take you to the recipe's page.

Low Fat Cajun Chicken Pasta

Prep Time 30 Minutes
Cook Time 15 Minutes
Difficulty Easy
Servings

Recipe Description

Creamy, spicy, chicken goodness without all the calories!

Ingredients

• 16 ounces, weight Chicken Breasts (approximately 4 Breasts)
• 2 Tablespoons Blackening Seasoning
• 1 package Creamy Garlic Alfredo Sauce (in The Seasoning Packet Aisle, 1.4 Ounce Packet)
• 3 pieces Laughing Cow Cheese (from An 8-piece Round)
• 1 cup Low Fat Milk
• 4 cups Cooked Wheat Pasta
• Parmesan Cheese (garnish, If Desired)
• Parsley (garnish, If Desired)

Preparation Instructions

Season chicken breasts with blackening seasoning and cook them (pan fry or grill). Set aside.
Combine the package of alfredo sauce mix, milk and Laughing Cow wedges in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stir for 1 minute and turn the heat off. The sauce will thicken as it stands.
Cook the noodles (you want 4 cups after cooking), drain and return to the pot. Toss with parmesan cheese.
Assemble in 4 bowls by layering the noodles, sauce, chicken and topping with some more sauce. Garnish with parsley and parmesan cheese (if desired) and serve.

 

Review ~ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Genre: YA/Fantasy
Series: Harry Potter #1

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis:

Harry Potter has never been the star of a Quidditch team, scoring points while riding a broom far above the ground. He knows no spells, has never helped to hatch a dragon, and has never worn a cloak of invisibility.

All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley—a great big swollen spoiled bully. Harry's room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in eleven years.

But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to an incredible place that Harry—and anyone who reads about him—will find unforgettable. For it's there that he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic in everything from classes to meals, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him... if Harry can survive the encounter.

Review:

I feel like I'm one of the last people on the face of the planet to read the Harry Potter series.  I haven't seen any of the movies either.  I may have to remedy that situation as well as continuing on with this book series.  I read many reviews for this book/series on goodreads and I felt that it was time for me to jump on the bandwagon.

I see all over the place that there are about a "million" 5 star reviews for this book. As much as I really liked Harry I wasn't able to give it a 5 star rating.

Like I've already stated, I really enjoyed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.  I didn't LOVE it though.  For some reason it didn't captivate me and cause me to read it straight through. I really did enjoy the world that J.K. Rowling created.  Harry was orphaned as a baby and as a result ended up with his abusive aunt, uncle and cousin (The Dursley's).  Then when Harry turns 11 and receives, by owl, a letter of admittance from Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.  The arrival of this letter sets off a chain reaction of events that lead up to Harry going to Hogwarts.

As this is the first book in the series I think that it did an excellent job of setting up the foundation for the rest of the books.  Everything from Harry's relationship with The Dursley's.  To his friendships with Ron, Hermoine, Hagrid and Neville.  The animosity between Harry and Malfoy.  His relationships with the professors that he comes in contact with at Hogwarts.  To me the world seemed vivid with TONS of interaction between all of the characters, even the minor characters.  I was pretty amazed that this entire world was built in a little over 300 pages!

Overall, I really enjoyed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and really look forward to reading the other books in the series as well.

In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.  In My Mailbox is an opportunity to share with other book bloggers the books that you bought, swapped, received for review, got from the library or sold your sole to get (HAHA I made a fun).

*Bought*

The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate

*Library*

Hounded by Kevin Hearne

Breaking Point by Pamela Clare

The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks

Huntress by Malinda Lo

 No Place To Run by Maya Banks

Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

Abandon by Meg Cabot

After The Golden Age by Carrie Vaughn



All By My Selves by Jeff Dunham

Department 19 by Will Hill

Friday Follow (2)

Q. In light of the Summer Solstice. Also known as Midsummer...let's talk about fairies. What is your favorite fairy tale or story that revolves around the fae?

My personal favorite story growing about fairies was always Peter Pan.  I don't know what it was about it but it seemed to grab my interest and not let go.  Right now though...I'm really into Julie Kagawa Iron Fae series.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (2)

 

It's Monday!  What are you reading is a weekly bookish meme that is hosted by Sheila from

Book Journey.  All you have to do to participate is do a simple post of what books you have finished reading for the past week and what you plan on reading in the coming week.  This is a great way to find more great books that you may enjoy reading.  After you post your post head over to Sheila's blog and link up your post in the linky form at the bottom of the meme's post.

 

 

 

 

My goal from last week was to get 1 of the 4 books that I had been reading completely read.  I did manage to accomplish that goal.

I just posted my review, which can be read here.

What I PLAN to read:

New from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, a dark, fantastical story about this world . . . and the underworld.
Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.
But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.
Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.
But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

Years ago, a young girl was beaten and raped while onlookers did nothing. Now those witnesses are becoming victims themselves…

Baltimore city Homicide Detective JD Fitzpatrick has seen a lot of horrific violence, both as a cop and during his deployment in Afghanistan, but nothing like the trail of tortured bodies that are turning up throughout the city. He’s up against a brutal killer with a very personal vendetta. And now JD is beginning to suspect that his medical examiner may be shielding some crucial evidence linked to the case.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Lucy Trask is intrigued by JD’s compassion, but she isn’t about to mix work with pleasure. Not while there’s a ruthless killer on the loose. And definitely not while she’s keeping a dark secret that could connect her to these vicious killings—and put her next on the killer’s hit list...

What's your plan for the week?

What I Read this week:

Book Review ~ Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Title: Blood Red Road
Author: Moira Young
Genre: YA/Dystopian
Release Date: June 14, 2011

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis:

Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.
 
Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.

Review:

Blood Red Road is easily on the Top 5 Best Books I've Read in 2011 list!  At first the writing style was a bit weird to me.  I'm so used to reading books that have been edited the crap out of so you the reader are pretty much reading "proper" English.  With Blood Red Road the dialouge is written in a "less is more" type fashion.  I read several reviews on Blood Red Road on goodreads where several reviewers thought of it as what I percieved to be a distraction.  Once I was aware of the style and got my head wrapped around it it was pretty smooth sailing for me.

What I really enjoyed a lot about this book was Saba.  In my opinion Saba is my #2 Kick Ass Chick of the year.  In the beginnig of the book Saba is a follower, she's constantly following around in her twin brother Lugh's shadow.  But all of that changes when Lugh is kidnapped, their father is murdered and Saba is left with her baby sister Emmi to find Lugh.  As the book progresses transitions from a follower into a leader.  As the book progresses Saba becomes meaner and more aggressive, majority of the time her life and the lives of the people around her are dependent upon that meaness and aggression.

I think Jack was the perfect fit for Saba.  Jack is pretty fearless, has been for a good chunk of his life.  Then Saba happens. They both have their own daemons and I think that the budding romance between Jack and Saba brought the humaness back to Saba's mean and aggressive exterior.  I'm not quite sure that I would call the romance "epic" at this point but it certainly did build up to any future books that are forthcoming.

The action in this book is pretty non-stop.  To quote author Nancy Farmer from the back of the book..."The pace never lets up.  No situation is so bad that it can't get worse in the next couple of pages."  Which for me personally, made for a pretty intense reading experience (in a good way of course).  My personal favorite action sequence was the final showdown.  This scene too leads up to any forthcoming books, when a certain character escapes from the showdown after saying "Until next time."

Overall, I would recommend Blood Red Road to anyone who enjoys the Dystopian genre or is looking for a book that is similar to The Hunger Games trilogy or Divergent.  If you crave action in your reading there is plenty to be had in Blood Red Road.

In My Mailbox (1)

In My Mailbox is a weekly book meme hosted by the loverly Story Siren.  In My Mailbox is a way to share the book love with other book bloggers by showcasing the books that you purchased, received to review, got from the library, or swapped.

Leave me a comment in the comments below with what you received this week and I'll be sure to drop by and visit!

Bought - Bound books:

Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.
Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.
Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.

"Every single lifetime, I'll choose you. Just as you have chosen me. Forever."

Luce would die for Daniel. And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way. . . .

Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime . . . going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel . . . and finally unlock the key to making their love last.

Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history.

Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames . . . forever.

Years ago, a young girl was beaten and raped while onlookers did nothing. Now those witnesses are becoming victims themselves…

Baltimore city Homicide Detective JD Fitzpatrick has seen a lot of horrific violence, both as a cop and during his deployment in Afghanistan, but nothing like the trail of tortured bodies that are turning up throughout the city. He’s up against a brutal killer with a very personal vendetta. And now JD is beginning to suspect that his medical examiner may be shielding some crucial evidence linked to the case.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Lucy Trask is intrigued by JD’s compassion, but she isn’t about to mix work with pleasure. Not while there’s a ruthless killer on the loose. And definitely not while she’s keeping a dark secret that could connect her to these vicious killings—and put her next on the killer’s hit list...

Bought - Ebooks:

 
Give a SEAL an inch, and he’ll take your heart.

An Out of Uniform story.

Lieutenant Will Charleston has waited fifteen long years to show up as anything other than a one-pixel blip on Mackenzie Wade’s romantic radar. If a powerful storm is what he needs to send her into his arms, he’ll take it. Once the hot sex is over, though, she seems determined to kick him right back into the friend zone.

Not this time. This time, he’s going to teach her the meaning of tenacious.

Mackenzie has always had feelings for Will, feelings she fights with all her strength. He’s her best friend, her safety net. The one man who’s not scared of her accursed psychic gift. No doubt he drives her wild in bed, but their night of passion was more than a mistake. It generated a tragic vision of the future, one that leaves her more confused—and afraid—than ever.

Problem is, Will knows her too well. Plus he’s a SEAL to the bone. And they don’t like to lose…

In this heat wave, anything and everything goes. A Red-Hot Summer story. Shelby Harper has lusted over Navy SEAL John Garrett for over a year, but no matter how many sexy signals she sends out, the man shows a complete lack of interest in getting naked. Then she overhears Garrett talking to his SEAL teammate--a discussion in which they conclude she's vanilla. Stung, Shelby sets out to show them exactly how un-vanilla she is.

Garrett can't believe it when sweet, sexy Shelby suggests a wild and sweaty menage. He's been trying to figure out how to ask her out without coming off as a guy who only wants to get in her pants--her friendship is too valuable to him to risk it. But if a crazy, heat-wave three-way is what Shelby wants, then he's ready and willing to give it to her.

Once she gets it out of her system, however...well, then he'll let her know he wants her all to himself.

Warning: This title contains two dangerously hot Navy SEALS and a heroine determined to get it on with both of them. Be prepared to take a cold shower (or maybe two) after reading this heat-wave menage.

 
On the road to forever, anything goes-

An Out of Uniform story.

Carson Scott is the king of one-night stands, so a naughty encounter with a sexy brunette in a nightclub supply closet is right up his alley. When his mysterious seductress disappears, he-s blindsided by an unfamiliar emotion-disappointment. One thing-s for sure-if he ever encounters his lady of the evening again, he won-t let her slip away so easily.

Between her catering business, family issues, and her broken heart, Holly Lawson has too much on her plate to think about committing to a serious relationship. Hot, sweaty, anonymous sex with a Navy SEAL-now that sounds like the perfect appetizer to take the edge off. With no plans to ever see him again, she indulges in a fling. Only to come face to face with him weeks later while working a wedding.

Worse, Carson is hell-bent on the one thing she doesn-t want. The R word. She has no intention of falling for him, but in the face of his seductive, mind-changing methods, her resistance is crumbling-

Warning: This title contains a ridiculously hot Navy SEAL, a sassy heroine, and sex in a supply closet. Read only if you have time to take a cold shower afterwards. Graphic sex, explicit language.

Letting her into his life is not an option. Letting her go…impossible.

Out of Uniform, Book 4

One look at Thomas Becker’s seriously ripped body, and Jane Harrison is having trouble remembering why she tracked down the Navy SEAL. Oh, yes, that hot scoop for her magazine. Instead they get trapped in an elevator together—and she gets sizzling hot sex.

After the delicious encounter is over, Becker’s out of there, she’s left off balance, and even more determined not to take no for an answer. Either for that interview, or another chance to find out if he always goes commando.

One minute Becker is making it plain his answer is no. The next, he’s using the only weapon at hand to calm her confined-space panic attack—a kiss. And caving in to a fierce, unexpected need that wasn’t even on his radar. Long term? Hell no—not after the divorce that just spit him out. But a fling with the redheaded reporter with a brutally honest mouth and a body made for sin? Abso-effing-lutely.

Trouble is, when the week is over, she isn’t even close to being out of his system…

Warning: Contents under pressure. Hot elevator sex, a redhead who knows exactly what she wants, and a Navy SEAL who can’t help but give it to her. May cause spontaneous combustion. Be sure to fan yourself frequently.

 
When the heat is on, anything that can happen…will.

 
Out of Uniform, Book 5

 
When her long-time fiancé breaks off their engagement, saying he needs to “explore other avenues”, Annabelle Holmes has no trouble reading between the lines. Bryce thinks she’s a prude. Funny, since when it comes to acting out sexual fantasies, he’s always been the squeamish one.

 
Determined to prove him wrong, she sublets an apartment in San Diego, grabs pen and paper, and lists all her sexual fantasies. Intending to surprise Bryce with it as soon as possible. Only the list winds up in the wrong hands—or are they the right ones?

 
Navy SEAL Ryan Evans is expecting a little impromptu fun with his always-willing, blonde-and-leggy neighbor. But when he slides into her bed, he finds horrified, brunette-and-curvy Annabelle instead—along with her naughty list.

 

Embarrassment doesn’t begin to cover it when Annabelle realizes where her list has ended up. But then Ryan makes her a delicious offer: The chance to check off every last wild, wicked item—with the help of his equally hot SEAL team buddy, Matt.

 

A harmless fling is easy to add to her list. Then something unexpected happens that’s not so easy to cross off…

Warning: This title features a sassy heroine, a Navy SEAL hero, and a sex list—being organized has never been so much fun! Be prepared for hot sex on the floor, in public, and even with someone watching…

As a Navy SEAL, Matt O’Connor specializes in Bad Boy. At least, that’s what he thinks…until he finds himself face down on the floor during a bank robbery, arguing with a sexy, bad-girl blonde who wields her sharp tongue with surgical precision.

Just like that, Matt begins to wonder if maybe the idea of settling down with one woman isn’t as crazy as he thought.

Savannah Harte is addicted to first kisses and whirlwind romances. Once the thrill is gone, though, she’s outta there. She’s eager to follow the adrenaline rush she feels with Matt into the nearest bed, but when tangled sheets begin to feel like tangled heartstrings, her first instinct is to cut him loose. There’s only one problem: Matt’s not going anywhere. And not even a steamy threesome seems to dull her growing feelings.

Which leaves Savannah having to decide what she wants more. The casual thrill of now…or the scary thrill of forever.

Product Warnings: This title features a hot threesome with explicit sex, a bad-girl heroine, and two Navy SEALs guaranteed to make you sweat.

PROTECTING HER WAS HIS PASSION High-born though she is, Kate Campbell isn't afraid to draw her sword. When raiders strike, she rushes into the fray...and is lucky when a mysterious Highlander shields her from a deadly blow. Swept onto his stallion, she soon discovers that her rescuer is her clan's most hated enemy; Callum MacGregor, the man they call The Devil. Yet she cannot ignore his achingly tender touch or the way his fiery gaze leaves her breathless.
POSSESSING HER WOULD BE HIS PLEASURE Callum MacGregor has taken many Campbell lives, but he's never saved one ;until now. Mesmerized by this spirited lass, he wants her by his side, even if it means holding her for ransom. As his fingers graze her sumptuous curves and tangle in her unruly tresses, Callum realizes Kate Campbell is his most dangerous foe of all. For he can't make love to her without betraying his kinsmen and his honor...and surrendering his heart forever.

Friday Book Blogger Hops

Hi!  Welcome to my brand new blog.  So far I have book related posts on here but I'll be blogging about not only books but life and everything in between.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Question for this week:

Q. Genre Wars! What's your favorite genre and which book in that genre made it your favorite?

I read a little bit of everything to be honest.  Lately though I have been reading a lot of YA and mostly of the dystopian flavor.  So far my favorite dystopian books (I can't choose just 1) are The Hunger Games trilogy and Divergent.  Though I'm just about done with Blood Red Road and that one is right up there too.

“How many books are currently in your To-Be-Read (TBR) Pile?”

I just started my blog but right now I have about 150 or so books on my TBR pile and that number keeps growing with all the AWESOME new books that are coming out!  I have so many unread books right now that I am out of bookshelf space.  I have books piled up all over the place in my bedroom.

Booking Through Thursday: Interactive edition

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme about (mostly) books and reading. This weeks question is: With the advent (and growing popularity) of eBooks, I’m seeing more and more articles about how much “better” they can be, because they have the option to be interactive … videos, music, glossaries … all sorts of little extra goodies to help “enhance” your reading experience, rather like listening to the Director’s commentary on a DVD of your favorite movie.
How do you feel about that possibility? Does it excite you in a cutting-edge kind of way? Or does it chill you to the bone because that’s not what reading is ABOUT?

Personally, I like the idea of all of these possibilities.  I have an ereader, the first "generation" of the Barnes and Noble Nook and of all the books that I have on there I really enjoy the "bonus" features that come with e-reader ownership. I think with future releases and technological advances I think that I'll be ok with all the nifty cool extras just as long as they are exactly that...EXTRA.  I could very easily be turned off to the whole eBook phenomenon if the extras become TOO much of a distraction.  I'm hoping that if this is the way things are going to go in the future the creators won't get too crazy. 

Extras are good but TOO much interactiveness is a major :(

WOW (1) ~ YA Edition

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

These are the books that I'm eagerly waiting on:


Expected release date: October 25, 2011


Expected release date: December 6, 2011



Expected release date: August 16, 2011

Teaser Tuesday (1)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teasers:

From Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone -

"Unfortunately, the teachers seemed to be thinking along the same lines as Hermione.  They piled so much homework on them that the Easter holidays weren't nearly as much fun as the Christmas ones."  pg. 229

From Blood Red Road -

"The faded sign creaks on its hinges.  The painted head of a man glares down at us, a bloody hole where one of his eyes oughta be." pg. 304

From XVI -

"Even if we never ever talked about Sal, just being around her would make me feel so much closer to normal. Closer to the way I'd been before my life had been turned upside down."  pg. 189

From One Good Dog -

"I was good in the pit, but I knew that there would always be the day when I'd be beaten - either by another fellow or by my boys.  Beaten as punishment for being beaten." pg. 26

It's Monday! What are you reading (1)

Hosted by Sheila of Book Journey.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between!  D  This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Hello!  Thank you for stopping by my brand-spanking new blog.  I figured if I'm going to blog about books in addition to just about everything else I might as well jump right into some of the really cool meme's I've seen.  I hope you'll drop by in the future to visit as well.

What I've read this week:

NADA

What I'm currently reading:

I feel like one of the last people on the planet to be reading this series.  So far I'm really enjoying what I'm reading.  Great build up to what I've heard is greatness in the later books.

So far so good.  The premise of the book is a little creepy but I'm enjoying the book so far.

I'm really enjoying this book as well.  Told from the point of view of both main characters.  Was hooked from the very beginning.

I just started this one.  Very interesting writing style.

What I plan to read next week?

I have no idea at this point.  I want to get through at least 1 of these books before I add anymore to my "currently reading" pile.

Welcome

Hi there! 

Welcome to my blog.  You may be thinking "why Bumps in the Road?," well there certainly are a lot of bumps along the road of life aren't there?  Any way.  Thank you for stopping by my blog and hopefully saying hi.

What will you see/read here?  Well I like to read books, A LOT, so there will be book reviews.  I also do a lot of knitting and digital photography too.  Movies are near the top of my favorite things list as well, so I might throw in some movie reviews as well, just to keep things interesting.  Besides those things I'll be posting about my real life as well.