I need your vote TODAY, please :)

I would appreciate you folks voting for my photo. Contest ends tonight. I have only one vote. Page 9, under "Phyllis S.", two birds on a bronzy feeder (see photo below). Thank you, I appreciate it! :)
http://www.birdfeeders.com/capturethebeauty/vote

CONTEST!! Ends SOON!!

On Facebook:
**CONTEST REMINDER!!** We are giving away a FREE MINI MATE!! All you have to do is post this as your status, tagging the Mini Mate. Here is the post: 
"@Mini Mate saves money up to $500 a year in spoiled food! "Like" them and post on their wall that I sent you and we could BOTH WIN A FREE MINI MATE!" 
 ..........Please make sure to include Mini Mate so that we can keep track of the LIKES you bring in. Thats right. A FREE Mini Mate for you AND a friend. Contest ends as soon as we reach 500 LIKES. So get to posting your status updates tagging us in it, get your friends to "like" our page, and post on our wall that YOU ("Delle Sherer sent me") sent them to win a FREE MINI MATE! Once again, contest ends when we reach 500 LIKES!
https://www.facebook.com/orderminimate?ref=stream

It's all in the simplicity!

I grabbed a couple of simple recipes from Alicia Silverstone's blogsite and I'm making myself eat these for my two main meals for at least a week, and little harmless snacks throughout the day. I made these in a batch large enough for a week, to freeze some.

Healthier Brown Rice:
Brown rice
Water
chopped Cilantro to taste
healthy sprinkle of each Oregano and Parsley (I didn't have any fresh parsley)
1/4 tsp Sea Salt & Blk Pepper
Drizzle Sesame Seed Oil (I didn't have so I used EVOO)
Nutritional Yeast (I couldn't find)
a good dash of Soy Sauce
Cook all in Rice Cooker or pot (follow bag directions)

Rinsed well a bag of Garbanzo Beans (Chick Peas) and cooked in my slow cooker with a heavy dose of Sea Salt on high for 4 hrs. Drain & Rinse well. (You can do the same with any beans)

Can be frozen and put up in one cup or two cup portions to be brought down later for your next couple of days.

I'll keep it mixed up a little of course by adding veggies and fruits on the side, etc. and I am still loving cereal or oatmeal for breakfast with bananas or fruit. Sometimes a gluten-free waffle with fruit, etc. Change it up, have fun, enjoy! :)


This is last night's supper while the food was fresh and hot :) I added sprouts because they were starting to go to waste.

 Today's lunch, straight out of the fridge and warmed for one minute in the microwave.

Dinner - Eggplant (and squash & zucchini) Parmesan

Slow Cooker Eggplant Parm 

Eggplant parmesan recipe for crockpot, made in layers with marinara sauce and cheese. 

Cook Time: 5 hours | Total Time: 5 hours

Ingredients:

4 medium to large eggplant, peeled

2 eggs

1/3 cup water

3 tablespoons flour

1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs (add more if needed, I did!)

2 cup Parmesan cheese

32 ounces marinara sauce

16 ounces Mozzarella cheese, sliced

olive oil, extra virgin

Preparation:

Cut eggplant in 1/2-inch slices; place in bowl in layers, sprinkling each layer with salt. Let stand 30 minutes to drain excess moisture; dry on paper towels. Mix egg with 1/3 cup water and flour. Dip eggplant slices in batter, letting excess drip off. Sauté eggplant, a few slices at a time, quickly in hot olive oil in a skillet. Combine seasoned bread crumbs with the Parmesan cheese. In crockpot, layer one-fourth of the eggplant, top with 1/4 of the crumbs, 1/4 of the marinara sauce and 1/4 of the Mozzarella cheese. Repeat to make four layers of eggplant, crumbs, sauce and mozzarella cheese. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours.

MY NOTES:

I made this tonight. Took me a LONG time to fry all the veggies, but it will be worth it! I took my time and did it right.

I had only one large eggplant and I added 1 each large squash and zucchini, added a teaspoon or so of oregano to the egg mix, used as much cheese as I wanted, and added a good sprinkle of parsley on top 30 minutes before it's done. Smells awesome & it tastes so goooood! :)

BOOK REVIEW: "Going Deep: Becoming a Person of Influence" by Gordon MacDonald

"Going Deep: Becoming a Person of Influence" by Gordon MacDonald

In this fictional setting from his critically acclaimed book, Who Stole My Church?, Mr. MacDonald identifies the crucial missing component in his community: people of true depth and real influence.

Through a conversation with his neighbor, Hank, Gordon is challenged to search himself and his church for deeper meaning of what it means to train his people. Really train them. Besides just being good people and worshiping God, what were they doing to really get people in church, to have them engaged, to get them to stay, to get others to be better leaders.

During another conversation, Gordon is asked what his Elevator Story is. An Elevator Story is a quick summery of what you do. It should only last long enough to ride the elevator approximately eighteen floors, but be convincing enough to have engaged the other person to want to know more about you. So much more, that they are willing to sink $2Mil into your business. Makes you think, doesn't it? When posed with this question, it really got Gordon thinking. You'll have to read the story to see how that turns out.

So, what's going to happen after Gordon gets on his knees and asks God for an idea that will have a powerful impact on his church and on him? Pick up the book and be transformed, not just fictionally, but mentally. Help yourself help others to become deeper. The real people that God needs in His army. 

Published by Thomas Nelson 2011

383 readable pages plus References

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Today's Lunch - Shrimp & Sausage Skillet

Shrimp & Sausage Skillet

Fettuccine, cooked in water or broth, with a bay leaf, drizzle of olive oil, and 1tsp oregano for 15 minutes

While that cooks, add the following to large skillet in this order, stirring well after every addition:

1 pkg mild (or your fav flavor) sausage, grilled on medium heat in a drizzle 1-2 Tbsp olive oil about 5-8 minutes. (I bought "RealTree" sausage because it was on sale but never again because it was full of hard pieces in every bite)

1 bag frozen, raw, large shrimp: thawed, rinsed, de-tailed

1 can diced tomatoes, drained

Small amount cilantro to your taste, finely chopped

1 tsp oregano

2 green onions, cleaned, chopped

Cooked Fettuccini (above)

S&P to your liking, (I didn't add)

Enjoy!

Ignore the Christmas cup, it was within reach while de-tailing the shrimp LOL

Last Chance to enter Green Mountain Naturals' Cool Summer Night's Contest!

https://www.facebook.com/GreenMountainNaturals/app_416346211738693

Win a FORD MUSTANG!

https://www.facebook.com/fordmustang/app_314028308664853

Nail Polish giveaway!

From Sassy Lacquer: nerd-lacquer-giveaway

Get a FREE Coffeemaker When You Buy 4 Boxes of Coffee

Get a FREE Coffeemaker When You Buy 4 Boxes of Coffee for $9.99 (plus S&H) at Gevalia.com! Click Here  This coffee maker alone sells for 59.95 !!! I did verify with company and called them , no commitment ,you can cancel after you get your first order 
I love this company! My fav coffee is the Breakfast Blend.