Live to Love on the Edge Blog

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Cannellini & Pasta

pastaSunday was one of those lazy days and neither hubby nor I wanted to cook. Plus, I had done some food shopping and there were some things we had to use so they would stay fresh. Hubby recalled a recipe he had seen on TV and did a little improvisation. You can as well and end up with a healthy, hearty and economical meal!

So today’s Tuesday tip is a recipe for Cannellini & Pasta! Now the fun thing about this is that if you some protein in the meal, you can use either ham, chicken, sausage or even shrimp.

  • Bob’s Cannellini & Pasta:

    • Ingredients:
    2 cloves Garlic
    1 tsp red pepper flakes
    1/4 cup Olive Oil
    28 oz can Crushed Tomatoes
    1 16 oz can cannellini beans
    2 handfuls fresh spinach (baby if possible, if not, please chop)
    1/2 pound pasta (preferably a rigatoni, penne, etc. This is for 2 people. Make it a pound for more than 2 people)
    Optional: 1/2 pound protein (ham, chicken, sausage, shrimp)

    Directions:
    Saute garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil until garlic is soft.
    Add canellini beans and also, the liquid from the can. Saute for a few minutes and then add crushed tomatoes. Reduce sauce until it begins to thicken. Add chopped spinach. Allow spinach to wilt. Spinach has a lot of natural water, so you will need to reduce the sauce a little more.

    If you are going to add the ham, chicken or sausage, cook this first with the garlic and red pepper flakes. If you’re using shrimp, you don’t want to overcook them and should add them with the spinach.

    Hope you enjoyed this Tuesday’s Tip. Also, don’t forget about the Brenda Novak auction and some fun news for you – we’re having a guest blogger tomorrow – Kathye Quick. Kathye is a dear friend and the author of several books. Tomorrow she’ll be blogging about her latest CYNTHIA AND CONSTANTINE. Here’s a little blurb about it! Also, if you drop by and leave a comment, you will be eligible to win a CALLING T-shirt!

    Lady Cynthia of Abertaine is trapped. Not only has her fiancé. Sir William Leyborne, not been back to the castle for over ten years, but she’s also not a titled Lady. Lord Simon of Cowell, a renegade warlord aligned with Mordred against Arthur and his Knights, has declared himself sovereign over Leyborne Castle and everything that once belonged to Sir William – including Cynthia. Sir Constantine, Knight of the Round Table, has come to the shire to give Cynthia the news that her fiancé has fallen in battle. With him is William’s oral will giving all he owns to Cynthia as though they had been wed. But when he finds Cynthia and discovers that the shire under the control of an evil warlord, he knows he cannot leave without first driving Simon and his soldiers from the land. Drawn together by an attraction older than time, Cynthia and Constantine soon discover that though a vow made by a knight’s honor has brought them together, it may just also cost them their lives.

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    Guilty Pleasures Monday – Shemar Moore

    This Monday’s Guilty Pleasure is Shemar Moore who is currently appearing on one of my must watch shows – Criminal Minds. Unfortunately it’s up against LOST which means I usually catch it on the DVR.

    Shemar is an Emmy award winning actor who spent some time on The Young and the Restless and was also a male model. On Criminal Minds he plays Derek Morgan who seems to be the muscle and law enforcement type on the show. Shemar has also appeared a number of other series and movies.

    Also want to share with you some items that are available at the Brenda Novak Diabetes Auction! First there is this amazing Sabor Latino basket put together by my friend, Olga. Besides some of my novels, there are some wonderful food items as well as a lovely pair of silver earrings and matching pendant.

    elsaborlatinobasket

    To bid on this item, you can click here or paste this link into your browser:
    http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/Bidding.taf?e=rb&id=1306195

    You can also bid on the following items that I’ve donated for the auction:

    A signed ARC of SINS OF THE FLESH (A June 2009 release)
    A signed copy of FURY CALLS
    A t-shirt for SINS OF THE FLESH
    http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/Bidding.taf?_function=detail&Auction_uid1=1379107

    Complete set of The Calling Vampire novels – PLUS — Calling T-shirt. Novels: DARKNESS CALLS, DANGER CALLS, TEMPTATION CALLS, DEATH CALLS, DEVOTION CALLS, BLOOD CALLS, HOLIDAY WITH A VAMPIRE, DESIRE CALLS and FURY CALLS
    http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/Bidding.taf?_function=detail&Auction_uid1=1341802

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    Fun Friday – Tough Movie Choices

    Superheroes or outerspace? Futuristic versus anarchistic? I am in the throes of making some tough movie choices this month since I’m trying to be more frugal, but there are three – count them three – movies that so need to be seen on the big screen! Such tough choices.

    First there’s X-MENS: ORIGINS WOLVERINE. Hugh Jackman. What can I say. Very hot. Love superheroes. But, I suspect there aren’t as many big screen action scenes in this one compared to the other two. Here’s a trailer for you to watch!

    Then there is the latest installment of the STAR TREK franchise starring sexy Chris Pine playing a bad boy Kirk. It looks like this would be a good one to watch on the big screen and it’s a tough choice between this one and my last possibility. What do you think? Does the trailer snag you?

    Finally, the one that will probably win the battle since both hubby and I looked at one another and said, WOW! It’s got hottie Christian Bale, although his latest antics have worn away a lot of the hotness factor. Still, this is another franchise that I love and as Arnold said, “I’ll be back.” The franchise is back and it’s looking really good. What do you think?

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    Thoughtful Thursday – Parking and the Economy

    parkI’m usually at the train station between 5:40 and 5:50 so I can catch a train to work. Ungodly hours, I know, but even at that hour, there would only be a few spots left to park.

    Not so anymore. In the past few months, I and the rest of my fellow train pals have noticed an ever-increasing number of empty spots. In addition, the one train which was always packed now regularly has empty seats.

    What should I think about that? There’s always a drop-off in early June as schools have let out and students and teachers take the summer off. But it’s not early June and this trend has been growing for some time.

    My train pals are saying that it’s on account of layoffs and sadly I don’t think that they are mistaken. With many New York businesses feeling the impact of the financial sector meltdown, retail store closings and the economy lagging, I suspect that there are people who are either being furloughed or laid off.

    Have you noticed any such signs in your neighborhood?

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    Wicked Wednesday – SINS OF THE FLESH

    sinscoversmallThe cover gods have been very very good to me! Just look at the stunning front and back covers for my November release SINS OF THE FLESH. A big thanks to my publisher – Grand Central Publishing – and all involved with producing such works of art! And because its Wicked Wednesday, I’m giving you a little tidbit from SINS OF THE FLESH as well as the enticing back cover copy!

    Back Cover Copy:
    Caterina Shaw’s days are numbered. Her only chance for survival is a highly experimental gene treatment – a risk she willingly takes. But now Caterina barely recognizes herself. She has new, terrifying powers, an exotic, arresting body — and she’s been accused of a savage murder, sending her on the run.
    sinsbacksmall
    Mick Carrera is a mercenary and an expert at capturing elusive, clever prey. Yet the woman he’s hunting down is far from the vicious killer he’s been told to expect: Caterina is wounded, vulnerable, and a startling mystery of medical science. Even more, she’s a beautiful woman whose innocent sensuality tempts Mick to show her exactly how thrilling pleasure can be. The heat that builds between them is irresistible, but surrendering to it could kill them both . . . for a dangerous group is plotting its next move using Caterina as its deadly pawn.


    Prologue

    The day the music died, Caterina Shaw did as well.

    Not physically, although she understood the death of her body was inevitable. She had come to terms with that reality some time ago. She had even managed to deal with the blindness caused by the tumor eating away her brain. But then the pain had become so great that it had silenced the music, stealing away the only thing that had made life worth the anguish.

    “You understand this treatment is new and uncertain,” Dr. Rudy Wells explained, his voice smooth and comforting. The touch of his hand, warm and reassuring, came against hers as it rested on her thigh.

    “I understand,” she said and faced the direction of that calming voice.

    Another person abruptly chimed in, his tones as strident and grating as a badly played oboe. “We’ll begin with laser surgery to remove the bulk of the tumor followed by two different courses of gene therapy.”

    Two? she wondered and sensed Dr. Wells’ hesitation as well from the tremble that skated across his fingers. He removed his hand from hers and said, “Dr. Edwards believes that we can not only shut down the tumor growing in your brain, but possibly regrow the portion of your optic nerve that the tumor damaged.”

    Caterina’s only wish when considering the experimental treatment had been to stop the pain so that she could play her cello once again. So that her last months would be filled with the vitality her music provided.

    It was through her music that she lived. That her mother lived, Caterina thought, recalling the passion she had felt as a small child when her mother had played the piano for her; the way her mother’s fingers had coaxed life from the keys much like she now did with a stroke of her bow and the deft touch of her fingers on the strings of her cello.

    Or at least like she had up until the cancer had put an end to her music, bringing her life to a close. Except now she was being told something different.

    Caterina had never thought about eliminating the tumor. Every prognosis so far had been that she was terminal. Now these new doctors told her not only that might she live, but that she might actually see again too. She didn’t dare believe that she would be able to get her old life back completely, as well as her sight but . . .

    “You think I’ll be able to recover? To see again?” Caterina asked, needing to be sure she had understood correctly.

    “The risks are great, my dear,” Dr. Wells urged gently.

    “But you qualify for the human trials because of the advanced state of your illness, Ms. Shaw,” Dr. Edwards added, annoyance at his partner evident in the staccato beats of his voice.

    Her advanced state which could possibly bring death even with this treatment, Caterina thought. Not that she feared her end. What she did fear was letting the pain in her head rob her of the one thing she could not live without.

    Her music.

    She knew without hesitation that it was worth any risk to regain that part of her. To drive back the illness so she could play her cello once more and reanimate her heart for as long as she had left if the treatments couldn’t stop the tumor.

    “What do you need me to do?”

    Copyright 2009 Caridad Pineiro Scordato

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    Tuesday Tip – When Pigs Flu!

    pigHearing the news over the last few days, I find myself wondering whether this is really a pandemic or whether it’s all getting blown out of proportion. Regardless of which it is, it seems to make sense to take some common sense steps about the swine flu and to know a little bit more about it. So today’s Tuesday Tip is all about When Pigs Flu!

  • What is Swine Flu?

    • It’s any kind of influenza that’s common to the swine population.

  • Who can get it?

    • People who work with pigs, expecially in close contact, are at greater risk of infection, especially if they come into contact with a strain that has mutated into a form that can infect humans. The current outbreak is of a strain that mutated to allow for cross species transfer. Click here for more.

  • What are the symptoms?

    • According to the CDC, “(t)he symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.”

  • How does it spread?

    • Coughing, sneezing, touching objects which have been touched by someone who is contaminated with the flu.

  • How can you avoid becoming contaminated?

    • According to the CDC, you can avoid becoming infected by “wash(ing) your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.”

  • How do I know if I have swine flu?

    • Since swine flu has many of the symptoms of regular flu, you will require testing to confirm whether or not you have swine flu. According to the CDC, if you live in an area where there are cases, like in NYC, contact your health provider if you start exhibiting symptoms.

  • Can I catch swine flu from eating pork?

    • Nope! So, hello baby back ribs this summer.

    So, please stay safe, be cautious and if you start feeling under the weather, don’t delay. Go to see your doctor to make sure you are okay.

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    Guilty Pleasures Monday – RT Convention 2009

    As you know, I was away this week at the 2009 RT Convention in Orlando, Florida. I had a wonderful time participating in panels, meeting with old friends and fans and also making new friends and fans! This Guilty Pleasure Monday I’m going to share some of my adventures and photos.

    I arrived late on Tuesday, but got to share a plane ride with a totally interesting gentleman who was a gun collector. Talked him into answering some questions for the Liberty States Fiction Writers since he is an expert on all kinds of guns.

    Wednesday I hit the ground running, starting with a mixer to honor the bookseller of the year. Here’s a photo of me with some of the wonderful performers at the mixer.

    As I was heading out of the mixer, I had a big WOW as I noticed the Grand Central Promotion and saw the cover for SINS OF THE FLESH. Check it out! It’s gorgeous. I’m going to try and get a cleaner version for you.

    Then I hit the ground running for the first of my many vampire, multicultural and series panels (over the course of the next few days). Check out me, LA Banks, AC Arthur, Kimberly Raye Terry and Megahn Hart on one panel.

    Also got to savor the jungle-themed Ellora’s Cave party. Here’s a photo of the Ellora’s Cavemen doing a dance at the party.

    Harlequin held a great mashed potatoes martini bar luncheon to celebrate its 60th anniversary and had samples of its covers from over the years as well as some great contests for bags filled with books and some SONY E-readers. Here’s Vivi Anna and me hamming it up in front of one of the covers.

    From there it was more panels, more nightly festivities and an unexpected adventure which I must share.

    My friends and I returned from one of the workshops and decided to take a break by partaking of a single glass of wine on the balcony of our room. First problem, a security bar that wouldn’t go up. Being independent and strong women (and determined to enjoy a beautiful spring day), we got the bar up and opened the sliding glass door. We went out onto the balcony to take a break, but to avoid bugs in the room, decided to close the door.

    My friends warned me the door was hard to close, but with one easy push (those weight training sessions must be working better than I thought), the door slid closed.

    Just one problem – that sticky security bar. In slow motion it came down and landed perfectly in its little receptacle, locking us out on the balcony door!

    What to do? A hotel staff member drove by on the path by our room in a little golf cart and we shouted and waved to him. He waved back and grinned broadly. What else did we expect when 3 lovely women were so enthusiastically beckoning him?

    Realizing we would not be freed at that moment, we imagined ourselves to be the heroines in our books who would take the bull by the horns and do something. So we formed a human chain, eased over the railing and made it to the ground.

    NOT!! Luckily a gentleman came by and we caught his attention. He quickly phoned security and even came back to check if we needed anything, like more wine. LOL!

    Did I mention that in addition to the security bar the door to the room was double-locked and the bar was in place?

    Luckily, security did not delay too much and two of them – a man and a woman – arrived to open the door to the room and then, laughing quite uproariously, pick up the pesky security bar so we could open the sliding door.

    A happy ending so we could head to the RT Awards where I cheered on my friends Vivi Anna, Anna DeStefano and Debra Webb, all winners of RT Reviewers Choice Awards this year. Anna and Debra are also Dangerous Women Writing group!

    I missed the Faery Ball that night as I had a wonderful dinner with my publisher and fellow Grand Central authors, including Rita Herron, another of the Dangerous Women Writing group.

    The Vampire Ball the next night was a blast. Ran into some women babysitting a ghoulish baby!

    Also ran into a former Mr. Romance at the book fair who was kind enough to pose with me. What a smile! (Okay, the rest is pretty good also!)

    Had lots of fun and am already thinking about heading to next year’s conference in Columbus, Ohio.

    Here’s some more photos for you from the conference!

    For another look at the photos, please click here or visit this link:
    http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2021814&id=1130005412&l=dc05fc54a2

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