My Latest Read: "Triumph" by Carolyn Jessop

In May, my book club read "Escape" by Carolyn Jessop-a former member of the FLDS cult and the 5th wife of Merril Jessop, a high ranking leader in the cult.  "Escape" is the story of her life living in this polygamy community and then later finding the courage to escape with all of her eight children in tow.  I love reading about true stories.  This is definitely a book that will put you on edge as you read about the abuse and obstacles she endured and eventually overcome.  I finished it over a weekend- because it was giving me anxiety.  I couldn't wait to see how her story ended.

Last night, I finished "Triumph" by Carolyn Jessop- the sequel to "Escape".  In this book, she addresses the raid on the YFZ Ranch in El Dorado, TX.  She discusses at length the problems that UT, AZ, and TX face in trying to fight and prosecute the FLDS church.  It was disturbing to read about the abuse and neglect so many of these women and children have suffered.  It amazes me that we basically have our own little "Taliban" here on our US soil and we haven't been very successful in fighting it.  The FLDS are the largest polygamist cult and they also seem to be the most severe in their beliefs and practices.

In the second part of her book, Carolyn reflects back on the moments in her life that were the stepping stones that lead to her eventual escape from the FLDS.  Basically she answers the question, "What made me so different from all the other women in my religion?".  She shares more details and stories of her life in the cult.  Her overall message seems to be that it takes years to break free from the mind control of the FLDS.  But, little by little she was able to break free and overcome.  She also gives you an update on all of her children-whom you come to adore in reading both of these books.

I enjoyed reading both of these books.  More than anything it made me appreciate my role as a mother.  Carolyn was unable to show affection for her children while living in the cult-no praise, no hugging or kissing them.  So needless to say, I've been taking a few extra minutes here and there to savor the time I have with my babies.

Kristyn's Kitchen

I love to cook.  But, during the summer I love to do other things and therefore I don't have lots of time to spend cooking and preparing meals.  My dear sister in law Stephanie was the inspiration behind some quick, delicious, and EASY pasta dinners.

I decided to stock my pantry/freezer with a variety of ingredients that I could have on hand to whip up some easy pasta dishes.  Here's my list of pasta staples:

• Different varieties of pasta ( I purchased a bulk package of organic pasta from Costco which contained several different varieties.
• Different varieties of sauce: marinara, Alfredo, pesto, etc.
• A large jar of marinated artichoke hearts (Costco)
• Roasted red peppers, olives, sun dried tomatoes, canned tomatoes (if fresh aren't available)
• Variety of meats that you can freeze: ground beef, sausage, chicken, bacon, prosciutto, etc.
• Variety of cheeses - bags of shredded cheese make things simple.  I usually stock up when they go on sale and freeze them.

Now you have a stockpile of the basics.  I recommend purchasing your favorite fresh/frozen veggies: onions, broccoli, spinach, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, etc.  Or use whatever veggies you have on hand from your garden.  The beauty of this is you just throw together whatever sounds good or whatever you have on hand.

1. Here's another trick I learned from Steph.  Use your crock pot to defrost/cook your meat.  If I'm using hamburger or sausage- I usually toss it in my crock pot about 2 hrs before we want to eat.  You can stir/crumble whenever you walk by or just wait until its completely cooked and then take a fork and crumble. 
2. While meat is cooking/defrosting, cook your choice of pasta, drain, and set aside. 
3. After my meat is cooked- I throw in whatever veggies I want.  You can cook them in your crock pot, or steam them on the side- whichever you prefer.
4. Add your pasta to the crock pot or add your meat and veggies to your pasta pot.  Then I take about 1/2 of jar of sauce and combine to my pasta concoction.  I don't like too much sauce, but add however much you like. 
5. Stir in any extra flavors/seasoning-such as garlic, Italian seasoning, etc.
6. Depending on your method of cooking, you can: add your choice of cheese and finish baking it in the crock pot or transfer your pasta to a 9x13 pan and top it off with your choice of cheese and bake it off for about 25 minutes at 350 degrees. 
7. Serve with salad and bread and voila you have dinner plus leftovers if you have a small family. 

Here are a few of my concoctions:

1. Sausage, bacon, artichokes, red pepper, red onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, marinara sauce, penne pasta, and blend of Italian cheeses.
2. Chicken, broccoli, zucchini, red onion( veggies steamed with sea salt, butter, and garlic), gemelli pasta, Alfredo sauce, and blend of Italian cheese.
3. Sausage, artichokes, red onion, tomato, garlic, penne pasta, Alfredo sauce, and Italian cheese.
4. So many possibilities- my hubby likes to see what I will come up with next.

My Summer Reading List:

I am in a bookclub, but over the summer we took a break due to busy summer schedules.  I took the break as an opportunity and challenge to turn off the tv and catch up on some reading.  Here is my list:

1. “Triumph”- Carolyn Jessop-


2. “The Lovely Bones”-

3. “Shadow Rising”- Robert Jordan- check.  My brother in law Forrest and brother Rick got me hooked on this "Wheel of Time" Series.  I'm now on book 5.   I would recommend them to anyone that likes fantasy.  I never dreamed that I would acutally like reading this genre.

4. “The Secret Life of Bees”

5. “The Mermaid Chair” almost done.

6. “The Achlemist”- almost done

7. “The Handmaid’s Tale”

8. "Under the Dome" by Stephen King- this was our summer bookclub selection.  I read all 1100+ pages in less than 2 weeks (I borrowed it from the library).  This was my introduction to reading anything Mr. King.  The book is very intense and compelling- definately keeps you interested.  However, the ending fell way too flat in my opinion and it was a bit too violent for my taste.  However, I welcomed the challenge of reading something out of my comfort zone- that's what I love about bookclub.

9. “How to win friends and influence people” –Dale Carnegie

10. “Eat, pray, love” –Elizabeth Gilbert

11. “Love and Logic”- this is my parenting Bible.  I've actually read it, but I find that I need to refer back to it often for support and guidance.

12. ‘The Help”- Katherine Stockett
 
I want to know what books you are reading this summer?

Update on that Bucket List

Summer Bucket List:



1. Climb Table Rock- Check!  My sister in law climbed Table Rock early one morning.  It was a short, but intense hike.  The view of Boise was beautiful and peaceful especially that time of day.  I sprained my ankle the next day and have been unable to do much hiking since.

2. Play tennis- Check!  My husband bought rackets for all of us.  I definately need some major practice.   But it was alot of fun.  Can't wait to get back out on the court once my ankle heals.
3. Paint my daughter’s room-work in progress.

4. Landscape my back yard-work in progress.

5. Complete summer reading programs for myself and daughter-we have dropped the ball on this one a little.

6. Go to South Carolina-leave in a week.

7. Go to a Hawks Baseball game

8. Attend a summer concert with my husband

9. Go to the Shakespeare Festival-Check!  Some of my girlfriends watched "An Ideal Husband".  The play was okay, the company and food were fantastic.

10. Ride my bike on the Green Belt

11. Go to the drive-in theater with my family-Check!  We watched "Ironman 2"-disappointing and "Shrek Forever"- the whole family fell asleep for this one. ;)

12. Meridian Dairy Days Parade-Check! We had a blast with cousins watching the parade.  This is seriously the longest parade in Idaho.

13. Run a 5k

14. Camp-out with my family

15. Go to the Western Idaho Fair

16. Swim lessons for my daughter

17. Take my daughter to Starlight Mountain Theater

18. Lay out in the sun in my backyard and catch up reading all of my magazines. Check!  I so enjoyed that day.

19. Visit Eagle Island State Park

20. Visit Sandy Point Beach- Check!  The kids loved playing in the water and the sand.  Kya loves to lay on her float and just drift around in the water.

21. Have a girls night out or in.

22. Grow my garden-work in progress.  Although, I don't know what's up, but my garden isn't doing so great this year.

23. Host a “Swap and Talk” with friends

24. Host Award BBQ for “Better Me Challenge”

25. Make homemade jam.

26. Visit Emmett, ID and pick Cherries-check.  We went to the Cherry Festival, although we didn't get to pick any cherries.

27. Visit Syracuse Days-Check!  We almost didn't go due to unforseen circumstances.  But then Kaitlyn let me know that I was a "crappy mom" who always let work come first.  Needless to say, we packed up first thing on a Saturday morning and surprised my Mom and Dad.  My sister-in-law Kresta hooked the girls up with "VIP" passes to the carnival.  It was a short, but sweet visit.

28. Learn to fly fish

29. Go on 5 hikes around the Boise area

30. Have a garage sale

31. Dejunk and simplify my house so I don’t waste time managing “stuff”. -work in progress.

Summer Bucket List

Summer Bucket List:

1. Climb Table Rock
2. Play tennis
3. Paint my daughter’s room
4. Landscape my back yard
5. Complete summer reading programs for myself and daughter
6. Go to South Carolina
7. Go to a Hawks Baseball game
8. Attend a summer concert with my husband
9. Go to the Shakespeare Festival
10. Ride my bike on the Green Belt
11. Go to the drive-in theater with my family
12. Meridian Dairy Days Parade
13. Run a 5k
14. Camp-out with my family
15. Go to the Western Idaho Fair
16. Swim lessons for my daughter
17. Take my daughter to Starlight Mountain Theater
18. Lay out in the sun in my backyard and catch up reading all of my magazines.
19. Visit Eagle Island State Park
20. Visit Sandy Point Beach
21. Have a girls night out or in.
22. Grow my garden
23. Host a “Swap and Talk” with friends
24. Host Award BBQ for “Better Me Challenge”
25. Make homemade jam.
26. Visit Emmett, ID and pick Cherries
27. Visit Syracuse Days
28. Learn to fly fish
29. Go on 5 hikes around the Boise area
30. Have a garage sale
31. Dejunk and simplify my house so I don’t waste time managing “stuff”.

Better Me Challenge Update

My 8 weeks to a "Better Me Challenge" has ended with me taking 3rd place.  My super competitive sister-in-law Steph and her husband won 1st and 2nd place with only 1 point in between the 2.  If I were her husband I might demand a recount of her points, but then he'd probably find himself in the doghouse. 

I really learned a lot from this challenge.  I was disappointed because I didn't lose any weight.  In fact, I don't believe any of the female participants noted any significant weight loss.  The 2 guys that competed did loose several pounds.  (It is so not fair that men can lose weight faster than women).  In any case, I did tone up a bit. My overall cardio improved- I can definitely run and exercise for longer period of times.  I was also able to improve my minute per mile by over 3 minutes.  I was really bad out of shape prior to this challenge.  I really learned to balance my eating habits... making sure I ate enough fruits and vegetables, drinking lots and lots of water, and not breaking down for a late-night snack.  When I did decide to "lose a point" I had to weigh by options of "was that treat worth losing a point?" or "do I really want a Dr. Pepper today?", and if so "I guess I will have to follow through on the rest of my goals for the day".  The competition against others was also helpful.  It helped me stay motivated through-out the challenge.  And having to pay money to participate was another  great motivator because I actually had something besides time invested into the challenge. 

We have decided to turn this into an annual challenge.  We will be having a reward BBQ for everyone that participated.  I look forward to eating a lot of treats that were otherwise absent from my life for the last couple months.

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