DIRECTIONS: For the pork: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly spray the pan with oil and brown the pork on all sides, for about 7 - 8 minutes. Add the broth, soy sauce, vinegar, honey and garlic to the crock pot. Stir to combine. Add the pork and set the slow cooker to 8 hours on low. Thirty minutes before the timer goes off, remove the pork and set it aside to rest for at least 10 minutes. Add the mushrooms to the crock pot, cover and cook on low for the remaining 30 minutes. Meanwhile, make the polenta. For the polenta: Bring water and salt to a boil in a medium pot. Add polenta and reduce heat to low. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until liquid is absorbed and polenta is creamy. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 1–2 minutes. While the polenta is cooking, shred the pork using two forks. When the time is up, add the shredded pork to the crock pot and mix well. To serve: Spoon ½ cup polenta onto a plate, top with pork and mushrooms and garnish with parsley. 

NOTES: Use a pork shoulder roast, pork butt or boneless pork shoulder if you want a more tender cut of pork. Pork tenderloin would work as a leaner option. Serve it with mashed potatoes in place of polenta. Swap the vegetables with carrots in place of mushrooms. If you want to do this the night before, you can set it all up and leave it refrigerated, then turn it on in the morning. 

NUTRITION INFO: Serving size: 3 ounces pork + mushrooms + 1/2 cup polenta, Calories: 361kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 33g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 72mg, Sodium: 754mg, Fiber: 1.5g, Sugar: 7g - WW Points: 8

(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)

TITLE: Atomic Habits (audiobook)

AUTHOR: James Clear

NARRATOR: James Clear

RATING: ★★★★

REVIEW: I tried several times to read this book, but I never could get into it, so I decided to listen to it on audiobook. Well, for some reason, that did the trick, and once I started it I really enjoyed it. James Clear is the narrator, and his voice is very clear and engaging. I loved his tips and information, and I’ve even started using them in my own life. (So far so good!) This isn’t difficult advice to follow either. Most of it is straightforward and easy to understand. You just have to do the work. I had plenty of “aha” moments while listening to this book, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to change their habits and improve their life.

For the crust: 

For the cheesecake: 

DIRECTIONS: Line a 9-inch spring form pan with parchment paper on the bottom. Spray the sides of the pan with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350°F To make the crust: Place graham crackers, sugar and butter into a food processor and pulse a few times. Add 1 tbsp water and pulse a few more times until it has a texture of coarse meal. Gently press the crust into the lined pan. Set aside. To make the cheesecake filling: In a blender add the cream cheese, cottage cheese and lemon zest and blend together until it is really smooth. Add the eggs one at a time and mix. Add the vanilla extract, sugar and flour into the cottage cheese mixture and pulse until blended. Pour the cheesecake batter into the pan. Bake in the oven for about 45 minutes, until the cheesecake is set. Let it cool on a rack, then place in fridge for at least 4 hours or as long as overnight. Top with fresh berries if using (or topping of your choice) and cut into 12 slices. 

NUTRITION INFO: 1/12th slice, Calories: 159 kcal, Carbohydrates: 15 g, Protein: 6.5 g, Fat: 10.5 g, Saturated Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 60 mg, Sodium: 243 mg, Fiber: 0.5 g, Sugar: 3 g

(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)

AUTHOR: Emily Henry

RATING: ★★★★

RELEASE DATE: April 23rd, 2024

REVIEW: This was a good story, and I enjoyed the main characters, Daphne and Miles. They are both emotionally screwed up in different ways, but they manage to "find" themselves when they get together. The plot was well developed, and there were aspects of Daphne's character that I could identify with. I laughed. I teared up. I sighed. It had all the elements of a good love story. The only gripe I have, and I believe I said this in my review of Happy Place also, is that the author really should write her 30-something-year-old characters acting more like grown ups. If they were in their late teens to early 20's I could probably understand the pot smoking and whatnot, but it's very hard to relate to characters in their mid to late-30's who smoke weed and act like 20-something wannabes. Overall, I would still recommend Funny Story, but unfortunately I won't be anxiously awaiting the author's next book and pouncing on it, like I usually do.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and blessed 2024! 

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a medium bowl, combine strawberries and sugar. Pour the strawberries on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Place in the oven and roast for 12 to 15 minutes until the strawberries start to release their juices but are still firm. Carefully pour the roasted strawberries and their juice into a blender along with cottage cheese, milk, ice and chia and blend until smooth.  

NUTRITION INFO: 1 smoothie, Calories: 213 kcal, Carbohydrates: 33 g, Protein: 16 g, Fat: 3.4 g, Saturated Fat: 0.5 g, Cholesterol: 5.5 mg, Sodium: 360 mg, Fiber: 7.5 g, Sugar: 27 g

(Recipe and photo courtesy of Skinnytaste)

AUTHOR: Viola Davis

NARRATOR: Viola Davis

RATING: ★★★★

REVIEW: I've always admired Viola Davis as an actress. She moves my soul in every role she plays, so I knew I would enjoy her memoir before I even started it. I went with the audiobook version, and I'm so glad I did, because I believe that's one reason I enjoyed this book so much. Viola has a very strong presence, even when you're just listening to her and not actually seeing her. She has a deep voice that captures your attention and pulls you in. Her story is full of heartbreak but there is also joy. There were many times I caught myself crying because I understood on a personal level that little girl who struggled with her parents/home life and a low self-esteem. I would recommend this book to anyone, but I will say that if cursing offends you, then you might want to pass on it, because there is a lot of it. I'll admit there were times it was a bit shocking and distracting, but overall it wouldn't stop me from recommending this book.