Book Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I confess, being around books as much as I am has made me jaded and vaguely suspicious of almost everything I read. Very rarely do I get excited about reading something enough to wholeheartedly recommend it. Having said that, READ THIS BOOK. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows is simply wonderful. The story takes place on Guernsey island in 1946, shortly after its liberation from Nazi occupation and is told through correspondence between a young English writer and the members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. The society was formed during the war to protect its members from German attention since the Nazis professed to "encouraging the arts" wherever they invaded, even as they forced the inhabitants of the area into slavery. The writer, Juliet, is drawn into the club - and eventually joins - when one of the members finds a book by Charles Lamb and tracks it to its former owner, Juliet, who considers the club's story for her next article. One by one, the Literary Society relates their own stories, eventually revealing a common thread: the spunky and brave co-founder of the club, Elizabeth McKenna. Through a shared love of literature, the group summons the strength to survive the stress of Nazi occupation, courage to take a stand, and even finds compassion for their tormentors. I loved the way this book was written, so reminiscent of Sue Monk Kidd, in lush description, tearful revelation and ballsy humor. I don't laugh out loud very often when I read (especially when there are Nazis involved), but this book was a surprising exception. Sadly, the first-time author, Mary Ann Shaffer, passed away before the book was completed and her niece, Annie Barrows, stepped in to finish the task. I think Ms. Shaffer would have been pleased with how it turned out, further confirmation that love and friendship endures no matter how strenuous the circumstances. I loved this book so much I'll even forgive the vile description of Potato Peel pie - potato pie flavored with sweet potatoes and a crispy peel topping - and chalk up this culinary horror to war rationing. Nonetheless, this novel remains a tasty morsel for book clubs everywhere.

Baby Coming To Houston

Baby and her owner, Jana Kohl, are coming to Houston! Earlier, I blogged about Baby and her tragic life in a puppy mill told in a new book, A Rare Breed of Love. If you want to meet Jana and Baby, mark your calendar for October 12th at the Brazos Book Store on Bissonnet. I can't wait to meet her!

Wellness #41: Still Going Green Pt. 2

How cute is this??! I could definitely see myself tooling around town in this adorableness. Trouble is, here in H-town, where every third car is a truck or SUV (still!), you've got to have a death wish to get on the freeway in one of these. At the risk of channeling Mao, wouldn't it be great if EVERYONE had to drive one? I wonder what the accident stats would be if a fender bender is the worst that could happen? The mpg's are not as good as a Prius, but at under $18k and no 3 year waiting list, it's looking pretty good.

The websites were interesting but nothing new. I did like the DIY sites with recipes for greener household cleaners. Seems that if you have baking soda and vinegar in your pantry, you're good to go for just about everything. Sometimes, though, you have to go easy with the vinegar. I'm still not clear about HOW vinegar gets odors out. Has anyone ever smelled vinegar???

The tip that I'd like to do better with but would require more commitment is turning the A/C temp up. I'm already keeping the thermostat at 79°, living in HOUSTON and teetering on the cusp of menopause. If I could sleep in a meat locker, I would. Just my luck that global warming issues are at the forefront precisely when internal warming is my personal nemesis. *sizzle*

Wellness #41: Going Green Pt. 1

It's not easy being...well, green. Asking someone if they'd like to go green is like asking, "Do you like puppies and flowers?" Of course you do -- or at least, you wouldn't admit it if you didn't. It's just that "going green" is an inconvenient truth. Organic veggies, hybrid cars, biodegradeble containers are more expensive. And while I'd love to ditch those plastic bags at the grocery store in favor of those teeny cloth ones, I'd probably need to haul 20 of them with me every time I go. Whether you admit it or not, convenience sometimes wins out over concern for the environment. Don't get me wrong, I've bought those Dairy Queen swirly light bulbs for the house. They're supposed to last 5 years or more but I had to wince at the cost - $5 each. I realize that over time, it pays for itself but I can see where the initial output can be off-putting. Serving only organic fruits and vegetables can also be cost-prohibitive. What's a conscientious single mom to do? The exercises were interesting, if not helpful. I know they're designed to motivate but sometimes, they just serve up guilt. I did like the calculators that show you which produce is more susceptible to pesticides so I can pick and choose which to invest in. I've been to the Farmer's Market - and loved it - but how much gas will I burn driving across town to buy $6 a basket organic strawberries? Excuses....perhaps, but also pragmatic rationale.

Wellness #40: You're Kidding, Right?

Arrrghhh! The dreaded fitness assignment. *groan* But seriously, we need to exercise AT OUR DESKS? If I did this at the circ desk, the customers might think I had a bit more fiber than I should have had. Anyone who pays the slightest bit of attention to the media nowadays knows that exercise is good for you. In fact, I've marveled at the finely honed bodies this week while I've been watching the Olympics. "What physical prowess!" I thought, as I wiped my Cheeto-encrusted fingers on a napkin. Why, oh why, can't I be like that? In truth, I have a membership at a gym. In truth, I haven't been there in over 4 months....okay maybe I'm fudging that number (mmmm....FUDGE). I guess it's clear why. I do need to go and make it a priority. I did the exercises, including the BMI (Big Mama Indicator) and also the Questionaire. Apparently, thanks to Asian genes and grandparents who lived to be over 90 years of age, I have a life expectancy of 92.8 . Actually, that's about 8 years longer than I *want* to live. Who wants to end up toothless and arthritically frozen in a prenatal position? I guess that all depends on if I ever get to that gym.

"Go Big Or Go Home" With a Silver Medal!!!

Update: SILVER medal for Jonathan Horton on High Bar!!! Congratulations!

Wellness #39: Nutrition

What!!??? HOW can this not be good for you?? Behold the "Hillbilly Homewrecker," 3.5 lbs of deep-fried goodness including a 15" dog, peppers, onions, nacho cheese, chili sauce, jalapenos, mustard, ketchup, coleslaw, tomatoes, lettuce and shredded cheese. Basically: Food Porn. Offered at Hillbilly Hot Dogs (you must go to this site just to listen to the theme song) in W. Virginia, a paltry $14.99 OR, if you can consume it in under 4 minutes...it's FREE. Yeah, baby! I'm assuming that cardiovascular consultation (or resuscitation) is extra....

Okay, okay...I get it. Bad-for-you. Pppfffttt!! This exercise, however, is good for you. I found Nutritiondata.com interesting and (grudgingly) helpful. Although like a lot of folks, I scan the labels at the grocery store and nod my head as though I understand what it says, I really don't. I feign enlightenment as I choose one brand of Cheez Whiz over another. Clearly, this one is far superior. Ha! I was not surprised to see that my favorite Stouffer's French Bread Pizza has 895 calories per piece (yeah but I eat both of them!) and 1720.4 mg of salt. Bad news for those of us on blood pressure meds.

In the next exercise, I entered my previously posted Pork and Chive dumpling recipe into the site recipes.sparkpeople.com. Here's the recipe:

2 tbsp. canola oil, plus more for frying dumplings
1 cup diced onion
3 tbsp. minced garlic
2 tbsp. minced ginger
1 cup chopped garlic chives
1 1/2 lbs. ground pork
1 8-oz. package silken tofu
2 tbsp. hoisin sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
1 16-oz. package dumpling wrappers (look for the Twin Marquis brand, Hong Kong style)
1 egg, beaten and reserved in a small bowl
1/2 cup of water or chicken broth

Nutritionally speaking, here's what I found out: calories 234 cal total fat 6g cholesterol 81mg sodium 403mg carbohydrates 28g fiber 1g. Sodium, as always, a problem. I suppose it depends on how fatty the pork is and what kind of oil used for frying. But Chinese people believe that a chubby face, shiny with grease, is a sign of prosperity. I've always maintained that I want to die with a huge greasy smile on my face!

So...the Hillbilly Homewrecker is not an option in my lifetime, brief though it may be. *sigh* I did notice, however, that one of the ingredients was lettuce. Um...does that count??

Congrats to Jonathan Horton

Bronze medallist Jon Horton





But we remember you on another team. Way to go!

Devastating Tropical Storm Edouard Damage in Houston

May be too disturbing for sensitive viewers.