First Word

  Mary Lannie Video Review: Ant Trails and Butterfly Dreams Watch: https://youtu.be/D_2MBO2NAug Purchase: https://3l-publishing.myshopify.com/products/ant-trails-and-butterfly-dreams-a-story-about-happiness-pre-sales Summary of Book: Arney the Ant feels sad and wants to be happy like his three buddies, Manny Monarch, Terry Swallowtail, and Breezy Bee. His friends explain how he can use a super magical trick to easily switch from sad to happy. Soon, Arney uses the magic trick and he, too, becomes happy – and the garden is full of glee. In this gorgeously colorful world, the four friends teach readers how to “choose” to be happy.     “Sometimes Happiness is a feeling… sometimes it’s a decision.” ~ Unknown

I am an asparagus-lover. You can make this recipe as a side dish or just eat it as a main dish, which is what I did. It's super easy to prepare.  The real challenge is to find a wonderful produce stand that sells it right from farm to fork -- that is, if you want the succulent kind that you see in this picture. Most markets sell mass produced and often thin sticks of asparagus. Near where I live I found these beautiful spears from the local Pedrick's produce stand.  I was walking through the aisle and spotted these succulent-looking spears, and even though I wasn't in the market to buy asparagus, I purchased them anyway. They looked too good to pass up. If you're not lucky enough to have a produce stand, then the regular market variety will do.  INGREDIENTS ASPARAGUS (AS MUCH AS YOU WANT TO EAT) 1/4 CUP OLIVE OIL 1/2 FRESH LEMON 2 TBSP GARLIC AND HERB SPICES BLACK PEPPER SALT 1. Take a large frying pan and coat it with olive oil.  2. Cut off sinewy bottoms of asparag...

  Small Press Bookwatch: April 2021 James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief Midwest Book Review 278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575   http://www.midwestbookreview. com/sbw/apr_21.htm#selfhelp   The Self-Help Shelf   Stop Drifting David R. Ibarra 3L Publishing http://3lpublishing.com/3l 9781733915090, $21.99, HC, 136pp Purchase: https://3l-publishing.myshopify.com/products/stop-drifting-become-the-switch-master-of-your-own-thought-pivot-to-positive   https://www.amazon.com/Stop- Drifting-Become-Thought- Positive/dp/1733915095   Synopsis: For Tom Stanley, a slightly overweight lost soul, life has lost its luster. Rather than face the daily grind of life working at his Chevrolet dealership, he'd rather sleep his days away. Just when Tom's malaise seems like it can't get any worse, a chance meeting with fellow car dealership owner Daniel Santos changes everything. Tall, tan, and fit, Daniel is renowned for his success and decides to take Tom under ...

We all like to snack here and there -- and there's nothing wrong with a few fun bites. Problem is, you might like to eat in front of the TV. Maybe your preferred snack food is popcorn or potato chips, which we all know aren't the best choices. Well, popcorn without all that "butter" and salt could be a good choice, but let's be honest, no one eats it that way.  So, what is a great, healthy and (of course) crunchy replacement? Red bell peppers!  They are naturally sweet, loaded in high antioxidants, and they most importantly CRUNCH! It gives you the "chip" noise without the unhealthy chip involved. So, cut them up into small, square pieces, place them in a bowl, and crunch away! I personally love bell peppers, and it's such an easy snack food.  

  Peppery Celery Chicken is a crisp, clean tasting spring dish. It's easy to make and flavorful. As always, I try to keep these meals simple and fast. People are more likely to quit the Challenge if they have to invest too much time in the recommended dishes. Of course, some of the recipes will be a little more complicated than others, but this one is a quick and satisfying dish.  So let's get started...   INGREDIENTS 4 CHICKEN TENDER PIECES 2 PIECES OF CELERY 4 TBSP OLIVE OIL 1 TBSP BLACKENED CAJUN SPICE 1 TBSP BLACK PEPPER SALT TO TASTE 1/2 CUP FLOUR FRESH TOP RAMEN NOODLES  4 CUPS WATER 1. Cut up chicken tenders into small pieces.  2. Mix cajun spice, black pepper and flour into a small bowl.  3. Pour olive oil into a wok and let it heat up for about 5 minutes. 4. Take chicken pieces and coat in spice and flour mix. When the wok is sufficiently heated, pour chicken pieces into it and stir around until chicken is white on both sides. Then take the celery ...