Light Whipped Topping: 

Parfaits: 

DIRECTIONS: To make the lighter whipped cream, place a metal mixing bowl and metal beaters of a hand mixer into the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. Place the sugar into the mixing bowl and add the whipping cream. Using a hand mixer, beat just until the cream and vanilla reaches stiff peaks, about 2 - 3 minutes. Fold in the Greek yogurt. In 8 oz jars or clear plastic cups place 1/3 cup mandarin oranges in each, then 1/3 cup pineapple. Top each with 3 tablespoons of whipped cream. 

NUTRITION INFO: 1 parfait, Calories: 151kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 3.5g, Cholesterol: 19.5mg, Sodium: 20mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 21g - WW Points: 5

(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)

AUTHORS: Lauren Layne and Anthony LeDonne 

NARRATORS: Tim Paige and Brianna Cohen

RATING: ★★★★★ 

REVIEW: What a great story! I’m a new listener to audiobooks, and I decided to give this one a try while traveling recently to my son’s home in Alabama. (A six hour drive one way). First off, the narrator’s are perfect - very soothing, easy to understand, and charismatic. Secondly, the story itself has a little bit of everything for every reader - romance, humor, drama, etc. It pulled me in from the start and kept me interested the entire time. It definitely moved to first place on my rom-com list for the year. My favorite parts were the snarky comments between the two main characters, which made me laugh out loud SO many times. Truly wonderful writing! It was also very emotional and relatable in many ways, so I’ll admit I shed quite a few tears too. I could see this story playing out in my mind so clearly, and I believe it would make such an amazing Hallmark movie. I would happily recommend Emergency Contact to everyone, and I look forward to reading more from these authors in the future. 

(DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicon baking mat or parchment paper. If using parchment paper, spray with oil to avoid sticking. In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt and whisk well. Add the yogurt and mix with a fork or spatula until well combined, it will look like small crumbles. Lightly dust flour on a work surface and remove dough from the bowl, knead the dough a few times until dough is smooth and tacky, but not sticky, about 15 turns (it should not leave dough on your hand when you pull away). Dust your work surface and a rolling pin with more flour. Roll the dough out thin into a rectangle. Slice the dough into 1/4 inch thick slices. Wrap the dough around each hot dog half leaving room for the eyes and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining hot dogs and dough. Brush each with the egg wash and bake in oven for 12 minutes. Using mustard or ketchup, “glue” the eyes on. Allow to cool for 10 minutes and serve. 

NUTRITION INFO: 1 dog, Calories: 81kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 2.5g, Saturated Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 15.5mg, Sodium: 342mg, Fiber: 0.5g, Sugar: 0.5g - WW Points: 2

(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)  

RATING: ★★★★

REVIEW: I fell in love with the Fonz when I was a teenager. He was so good-looking, charismatic, and he had the sweetest heart. Well…he and Henry Winkler really aren’t so different. I rarely listen to audiobooks, but his familiar voice pulled me right in. I love that he narrated his own book, and he has such a wonderful way with words and emotions. When he talked about his horrible parents and struggles with dyslexia, I could honestly feel his pain, and I smiled so big at his excitement over acting roles and how he gushed with joy over his wife and children. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is because I didn’t care much for Stacey (his wife) and the way she narrated her parts of the book. Her voice is very monotonous and totally opposite from Henry’s. Still, I would recommend it to everyone. I learned a lot of new things about this man I’ve admired for many years, and it was such a treat.

(DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)

DIRECTIONS: In a large bowl combine the chicken with Italian dressing, adobo seasoning, dried Italian herbs, kosher salt and optional sazon. Air fry the chicken in an even layer, in batches as needed at 400F for 12 minutes, or until browned and cooked through, shaking the basket halfway.

NUTRITION INFO: Serving: 1/8th, Calories: 233 kcal, Carbohydrates: 1 g, Protein: 38.5 g, Fat: 7.5 g, Saturated Fat: 1.5 g, Cholesterol: 124 mg, Sodium: 1 mg, Fiber: 0.5 g, Sugar: 0.5 g

(Recipe and photo courtesy of SkinnyTaste)

AUTHOR: Louisa May Alcott 

NARRATOR: LibriVox (Spotify) 

RATING: ★★★★★

REVIEW: I started 2023 with a goal to read at least three classic books by the year’s end. I started several and put them down just as quickly. I don’t know why, but I’ve never been able to enjoy the classic’s. I’ve lost count of my attempts at reading Pride & Prejudice. (I believe chapter two is the farthest I’ve gotten). So, I decided to try something different to reach my goal, and I resorted to audiobooks. Now, don’t stone me for saying it, but I’ve never cared much for audiobooks. (When a woman narrator speaks for every character, including the men, it really throws me off - and vice versa). But one day I stumbled upon a dramatic reading of Little Women by LibriVox on Spotify, and I noticed there were several male and female narrators, so I decided to give it a shot. Well…I LOVED IT! My drive to work takes 45 minutes, so I used that time to listen, and it didn’t take long before I was fully immersed in the story. Louisa May Alcott was an amazing writer, and she had such a beautiful way with words. I fell in love with Jo, Amy, Meg, Beth, and Laurie. I smiled. I gasped. I laughed. I cried. I was genuinely sad when I finished it, and I would highly recommend Little Women to every reader. So…now I’m on to my second classic book. Who knows, maybe I’ll look for a Pride & Prejudice audiobook and actually finish it this time. We shall see.