This isn’t reading-related, but I really didn’t do any reading this weekend, so let’s talk about some other things.
One of my goals for this year was to get more confident in the kitchen and to master some quick, easy, fresh, and healthy weeknight recipes. I was watching The Pioneer Woman the other morning and she was making 16-minute recipes, including this Beef with Snow Peas stir fry. I happened to have a bag of snow peas in the fridge, so I figured this was a good way to use them up. This recipe was actually pretty easy to make and while it was more like a 30-minute meal for me (I am the slowest at prep, especially because I like to clean as I go), I definitely think I’ll be adding it to the rotation. The only complaint we had was it is a bit sweet, so I need to figure out what I can do to balance the sauce out a little better. Also, next time I need to do rice in the rice cooker instead of using the 90 second microwave rice (I love you, Uncle Ben, but holy cow, the sodium). But all in all, this was a good starting point for a weeknight family dinner.
Another one of my goals for this year was to get some exercise. I ended up with a couple credits at the yoga studio where I did prenatal and mommy and me yoga classes, but we’ve kind of outgrown both of those, so I decided to do a drop-in yoga class on Saturday morning. It was a challenging class and I left feeling like I got a good workout. I definitely want to go back and would like to try to incorporate a yoga class into my schedule once a week. My biggest concern is with scheduling, as it is hard to have to make the choice between time with my daughter or exercising.
And while this has nothing to do with my goals for this year, I’ve been binge-watching Game of Thrones lately and am getting into it more than I thought I would. The characters are complex and interesting. It is a fascinating study of leaders and leadership tactics. It’s just way more exciting than I thought it would be. Now I am actually considering reading the books. Are they worth reading if I like the show so much?
Don't Take My Books Away 
I love Game of Thrones, and I think the show is actually really well done, but the books are even better! If you even somewhat like the show, the books are a must. Certain events and relationships (Drogo & Danerys comes to mind) are just so much more developed.
I’ve been trying to expand my cooking repertoire lately too. I started eating vegetarian on the first of the year so that has forced me to research and try some new recipes. Prior to going vegetarian I had tried and liked several of Pioneer Woman’s recipes.
Thanks for weighing in on the books– I will have to try them!
It’s funny, my husband really doesn’t like the Pioneer Woman (they are from the same town), so he wasn’t thrilled I was trying one of her recipes. But it turned out pretty well! I think I am actually making a vegetarian dinner tonight. It’s been a few years since I’ve made these, but I had leftover lentils I needed to use! http://www.marthastewart.com/318248/spicy-lentil-walnut-burgers
I’ll echo Kim’s comment above, the show is great, and the books provide an amazing amount of detail and richness.
Thank you for weighing in. I’ve been eying the books on Amazon, may have to click the buy button now!
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