Book review: Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Good morning fellow bloggers, blog readers!

I hope you are having a wonderful morning! It is definitely turning into autumn out there isn’t it? Absolutely frrreeezzzinnng! Anyways, so today I thought it would be nice to do the first of many book reviews. I’ll give you a quick recap of my reading life…I loved to read when I was younger, then towards the end of high school/throughout my first few years at uni I fell out of the habit and almost entirely lost my love for reading.

 

So a few years ago, maybe towards the end of my 3^rd year at uni, my mum and I were looking through a charity shop (I don’t usually tend to shop in charity shops although I really should start because you do find some absolute bargains!) and I stumbled upon this beautiful book. It had a turquoise glittering cover with a gorgeous white ball gown on the front. And so, I read the summary on the back of the book. 

The story sounded similar to the novel ‘Practical Magic’ by Alice Hoffman. However, once I started reading Garden Spells, I found that it was quite different. Yes, it did have some similarities; two sisters, an evil ex-boyfriend and a sprinkle of magic but this story completely captured my heart. Maybe it’s because I haven’t actually read Alice Hoffman’s book and only seen the movie…but honestly, Garden Spells made me fall in love with reading all over again! I began to feel like a part of me had been filled. Not that in the sense of a loved one leaving an empty space in your heart, it was more like a space at the corner of my mind had been abandoned since I turned the last page of the very last book I read.  And Garden Spells had reawakened this old dusty, poorly maintained part of my mind…

Since reading ‘Garden Spells’, I have read all of Sarah Addison Allen’s novels and thoroughly enjoyed every single one. These days, you will rarely find me on my lunch hour without a book! If you feel that you have lost your passion for reading, pick up a copy of this book. Please, it is honestly a beautifully written tale and you will keep it with you for the rest of your life. I know I will… : )

 

xoxo

Healthy Breakfast Idea #1

Good Morning Sunshines!

  

 

 

I find it really difficult to get the nutritional breakfast I need without having to get out my bed earlier! I stumbled across this recipe idea on Pinterest. Also, with basic breakfast foods such as cereal, I find my tummy growling at me by around 10 am. These mini frittatas keep me full until lunch! Which is ideal when you have a busy job.

 

Ingredients

- Oil or butter

- 8 large eggs

- ½ cup whole or skimmed milk

- Salt & pepper

- 4 slices of turkey, chopped

- 1/3 cup grated cheese, cheddar or goats cheese is amazing!

- 2 spring onions

- ½ green pepper

- 2 handfuls of spinach

Total time to prepare and cook: 22 minutes.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 190°C.

Coat each cup on a mini muffin tray with either oil or butter. Whisk the eggs, milk, pepper, and salt in a large bowl to blend well. Stir in the turkey, cheese, and veg. Fill prepared muffin cups almost to the top with the egg mixture. Bake until the egg mixture puffs and is just set in the centre, about 15-20 minutes. Use a spoon to gently release the frittatas form the tray and either eat immediately or you can leave them to cool, and then put them in the fridge for breakfast. I heat mine up by popping two in the toaster which gives them the loveliest texture. I like to prepare a batch of these on a Sunday night as they last until Friday, which is perfect for a speedy breakfast.

These bad boys are about 30 calories each, so no need to feel guilty!! : )