Wild Blueberry Smoothie #Recipe

Delicious and filling, this blueberry smoothie breakfast keeps me satisfied until lunch. Try it!

Lots of studies have shown that wild grown blueberries are a very healthy fruit choice and one of the most nutritious foods you can buy. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components of these superfruits have been scientifically connected to heart health, brain health, gut health, cancer prevention, reduced risk of diabetes, and urinary tract health. Wild blueberries have high concentrations of an antioxidant called polyphenols (along with other plant-based foods like dried peppermint, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, black currants, and hazelnuts). Wild blueberries contain 30% less sugar than highbush blueberries. And did you know you can get 25% of the RDA of fiber just by eating 1 cup of of these little beauties? It’s true.

I buy my wild blueberries in the freezer section of my grocery store. Make sure the bag states “Wild Blueberries.” I love having these healthy and nutritious berries on hand whenever I want them.

Wild Blueberry Smoothie  

Blueberry Smoothie

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup frozen wild blueberries (do not thaw)
  • 3/4 cup vanilla flavored almond milk, unsweetened
  • 1/4 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup organic baby kale or spinach
  • 1 tablespoon black Chia seeds

Place all ingredients in a blender (I have a Ninja Smoothie Maker) and blend until smooth.

Enjoy!

Reclaim My Heart is the story of second chances.

Reclaim My Heart

 

3 Affirmations for Bedtime

Speaking bedtime affirmations can be life changing. This practice fosters positive-thinking and self-empowerment. Developing a positive mental attitude can help you achieve success in life, in love, in…anything. When we sleep, our conscious mind takes a break and our subconscious mind takes over. Our subconscious mind is powerful and influential. Bedtime is the perfect time to communicate with our subconscious.

Affirmations

Thomas Edison said, “Never go to sleep without a request to your subconscious.”

Here are 3 affirmations to speak—right out loud—before going to sleep.

  1. Show me how good life can be.

When you awaken after making this request, your subconscious mind will start nudging you to notice more and more good things that happen to and for you.

  1. Everything is always working out for me.

What a wonderful affirmation. Rumi, the 13th Century Sufi mystic said, “It’s rigged—everything—in your favor. So, there is nothing to worry about.”

  1. Thank you for showing me that [a current issue in your life] has been resolved.

Showing appreciation that a solution to your problem has come will lift your spirits and help alleviate your anxiety. Gratitude causes you to feel more positive emotions, savor good experiences, and deal more easily with adversity.

Scientific studies have shown that people who consciously nurture positive emotions are happier, healthier, learn better, and get along well with others, Positive people live longer, too.

Speaking of living your best life…

What’s better than romance novels with happily-ever-after endings? Today, I’d like to tell you about my Black Bear Brothers Series.

Makwa men are solid, trustworthy, and above reproach. Mat. Dakota. Chay. Three men successfully making their way in the world… until each is hit with an unexpected tragedy that sends him reeling. Mat takes on an overwhelming responsibility in AN HONORABLE MAN. Dakota is struck by a shocking betrayal in THE WOMAN OF HIS HEART. And Chay experiences a nightmarish crisis in HEALING CHAY.

One by one, the men return to Misty Glen Reservation—the place they were raised by their shaman grandfather. Home… where the story begins.

Black Bear Brothers Series

Corn Pudding #Recipe by @Donna_Fasano

Corn Pudding is a side dish that’s served in many homes in Southern USA. If you’ve never tried this, you are in for a treat. It’s very easy to make and it tastes so good. I should point out that other Corn Pudding recipes call for up to 1/2 cup of sugar. I find that way too sweet. One eighth cup of sugar adds plenty of sweetness for me and my family. Oh, I also should mention that this casserole cooks from the outside in, so don’t skip the last instruction to stir the ingredients half way through the baking time. This step assures that the pudding will be cooked all the way through. Remove the corn pudding from the oven, stir thoroughly, then return to the oven for the final 30 minutes of baking time.

Corn Pudding

INGREDIENTS:
  • 12 ounces frozen whole kernel corn
  • 2 (17-ounce) cans cream-style corn
  • 5 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1⁄8 cup sugar
  • 4 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 1⁄2 teaspoons McCormick’s seasoned salt
  • 1 1⁄2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 1 shallot, finely minced
  • 1⁄2 cup whole milk
  • 1⁄2 cup butter, melted
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Stir together the whole corn, the cream corn, and the eggs in a bowl and set aside.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine corn starch, seasoned salt, dry mustard, and shallot.
  3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined.
  4. Stir in the milk and butter.
  5. Pour into an oiled 13-inch x 9-inch pan. I use cooking spray.
  6. Bake at 400 for 60 minutes, stirring thoroughly after 30 minutes.

This month, my publisher is offering my book – RECLAIM MY HEART – for 50% off the cover price. This book is available for Kindle Unlimited members.

Reclaim My Heart 1/2 price

This is my USA TODAY Bestselling Romance. I am proud that so many readers have enjoyed this books.

About the book: When her teenager lands in serious trouble with the law, Tyne Whitlock knows she must reach out to the boy’s father—a powerful attorney who is unaware he has a son.

End of Summer Peach Buckle #Recipe by @Donna_Fasano

Early each summer when fresh blueberries are plumb and ripe, I make Blueberry Buckle. At the end of each summer when the peaches are fragrant and juicy, I make Peach Buckle. This cake is buttery, moist, and delicious. It tastes like sweet summer sunshine. I hope you’ll give it a try.

Peach Buckle

Peach Buckle

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated white sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 large, ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and cut into bite-size pieces (about 2 cups)
  • 1 tablespoon coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Prepare a 9-inch springform pan by lining the bottom with parchment paper and spraying the paper and side wall with baking spray. Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, add flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine. Set aside.
  3. In a medium sized bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until sugar is melted and mixture is smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until fully incorporated. Add vanilla and mix it in well. Batter will be stiff. Stir in the peaches until they’re mostly coated with the batter. Use a rubber spatula to transfer the batter to the pan, making sure to get every last drop of batter. Spread batter evenly in pan.
  4. In a small bowl, combine the coconut sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the batter.
  5. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes, then run a sharp knife around the side wall before opening the spring and removing side wall. Enjoy this cake on its own or with softly whipped cream. It’s also great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Looking for a great Beach Read? RECLAIM MY HEART is sure to satisfy your need!

Reclaim My Heart

USA Today Bestseller

Sixteen years ago, Tyne Whitlock cut all ties to her past and left town under the shameful shadow of a teenage pregnancy. Now her fifteen-year-old son is in trouble with the law, and she is desperate for help. But reaching out to high-powered attorney Lucas Silver Hawk will tear open the heart-wrenching past in ways Tyne never imagined.

Forced to return to the Delaware Indian community where Lucas was raised, Tyne and Lucas are tempted by the heated passion that consumed them as teens. Tyne rediscovers all the reasons she found this man irresistible, but there are scandalous secrets waiting to be revealed, disgraceful choices made in the past that cannot be denied. Love is a powerful force that could heal them both—if the truth doesn’t rip them apart.

Available for Kindle worldwide.

Available in Paperback and an MP3 CD and in Audio. The audiobook is FREE with a free trial of Amazon Prime.