Forkfuls of Flavor by Breast Cancer Thriver Ellyn Caruso

 

Since the holidays are right around the corner, many of us are looking for ways to enjoy our favorite seasonal dishes without feeling like we've abandoned healthy eating.  Forkfuls of Flavor is here to help. This isn't a cookbook full of bland diet food or recipes that make you feel like you're sacrificing flavor for the sake of nutrition. Instead, it's packed with colorful, Mediterranean-inspired meals that prove healthy cooking can be satisfying, comforting, and worthy of a place on the holiday table.

What I found especially inspiring is the story behind the cookbook. Author Ellyn Caruso is a breast cancer survivor who turned a life-changing diagnosis into an opportunity to rethink how food fits into overall wellness. Rather than approaching healthy eating as a list of restrictions, she focuses on nourishing the body with wholesome ingredients and delicious recipes. She faced a difficult challenge and used the experience to help others discover healthier ways to cook and eat.

The recipes themselves sound absolutely delicious. From Pumpkin Walnut Linguini & Zucchini Zoodles to Baked Pistachio-Crusted Turkey Breast and Butternut Squash Mash, these dishes are perfect for Thanksgiving and holiday gatherings. They embrace seasonal flavors while incorporating ingredients that can help you feel good about what's on your plate. It's refreshing to see a cookbook that understands healthy food shouldn't feel like a punishment.

Many cookbooks focus solely on recipes, but Forkfuls of Flavor also encourages a more mindful approach to eating and meal preparation. Caruso shares practical ideas for stocking a healthier kitchen, planning meals, and incorporating more nutrient-dense ingredients into everyday life. Whether you're cooking for yourself or feeding a table full of family and friends, the recipes are designed to be approachable and enjoyable.

If you're searching for holiday meal inspiration that's both flavorful and nourishing, Forkfuls of Flavor is worth a look. More than just a collection of recipes, it feels like an invitation to celebrate food while making choices that support long-term health. Between the beautiful Mediterranean-inspired dishes and Caruso's inspiring personal journey, this cookbook offers plenty of reasons to gather around the table and enjoy every bite without the guilt.

Grab your copy of Forkfuls of Flavor on Amazon! 

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Coming in December! Chestnuts Roasting, A Domme Mom Murder Mystery

 

It’s beginning to look a lot like Kinkmas.

When local businessman and wax-play enthusiast Chester Conquest turns up dead minus his family jewels, Rhonda Campbell, aka Mistress Kali, trades her Christmas flogger for a magnifying glass. A suspicious fire, chocolate-covered nuts, and a holiday homicide packed with more surprises than Santa’s sack make this case too intriguing to ignore. Everyone has a nut to crack with the victim, but Rhonda intends to find out who shelled out some payback.

Detective Jason Dee returns from vacation to find himself dragged into a case as complicated as his feelings for Rhonda. Keeping his emotions under wraps is harder than untangling Christmas lights, especially when he’s supposed to be concentrating on a suspect in the hot seat. As the investigation heats up, the woman who gets under his skin could melt his defenses.

With tempers flaring and danger lurking beneath the tree, Rhonda and Jason have to stay one step ahead of this killer or Chester’s nuts won’t be the only things roasting on an open fire.

While you wait for the release, check out the first three books in the series, available exclusive on Amazon!

Unclaimed Mail from Fun Delivered - One Piece & Sunglasses

My mom, Maryann, is back with another round of packages from our Fun Delivered box of unclaimed mail! As always, the contents were a random mix of surprises.

The first package contained a One Piece statue. At the time, neither of us had any idea who the character was, but after the video, my kids informed me that it's from the popular anime series One Piece. Since they're not fans of the show, they'll be passing it along to one of their friends.

Next up was a pair of sunglasses claiming to be Celine Paris, but I'm not buying it. They're cute but not very high quality.  The final package contained a black hooded shirt. 

This batch wasn't packed with high-value finds, but it did offer a fun mix of collectibles, fashion accessories, and clothing. 

Check out the video below to see everything Maryann uncovered, and stay tuned because we still have plenty more Fun Delivered packages left to open!

Unclaimed Mail from Hot Mystery Boxes- Was this One A Dud?

Today I opened up the box of unclaimed mail I ordered from Hot Mystery Boxes for $19.99. Considering these boxes usually sell for $79.99, it seemed like a great deal. Now that I've started opening it, I'm not  as sure.

Before I get into the contents, it's important to remember that unclaimed mail is always a gamble. The whole appeal is the mystery and not knowing what you'll get. You should never buy one of these boxes unless you're prepared for the possibility that you won't get your money's worth.

So far, I've only opened three packages. Inside were a back brace, some clothing returns, and a chair cover. Unfortunately, none of the items seemed high quality. What disappointed me more was the overall feel of the box. Most of the packages appear to be returns, and many of them even had "DESTROY" written on the labels. Others looked more like overstock items that never shipped, since they didn't have any mailing labels. I don't mind receiving a mix of returned merchandise, and I fully expect some of that with mystery boxes, but this didn't feel like true unclaimed mail.

My friend Heather from I'm in A Zen Garden State of Mind also purchased one of these boxes and reported seeing the same general mix of items, so it doesn't appear that my experience was a fluke.

The good news is that I've barely scratched the surface and still have plenty of packages left to open. It's  possible there are some better surprises waiting deeper in the box. At this point, though, this isn't a box I would purchase again, even at the sale price. On the bright side, I'm glad the items weren't  destroyed. The products may not be my style, but someone can use them, and I'd rather see them find a home than end up in a landfill.

I also picked up one of Hot Mystery Boxes retail clothing boxes when it was on sale for $19.99, so I'm hopeful that one will be a better experience. Be sure to check out the video below, and stay tuned to see whether the rest of this unclaimed mail box changes my mind!

Nine Lives is FREE on Amazon!

Johnny might be a nerdy gamer, but not even death can stop him from protecting his kid sister. He’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe—even if he has to do it in the form of a mangy Tom cat.

This short story also includes a sneak peek at Laura DeLuca's full length novel, The Forgotten Pharaoh.

Print and eBook Available exclusively on Amazon.

Audible book available on Amazon and Audible. 

Blow the Whistle is Available on Audio! Narrated by Internet Sensation Maggie Weber/Refashioned Hippie

At Bayside Women’s Correctional Facility, justice isn’t just blind. It’s bound, gagged, and begging for mercy.

Rhonda Campbell thought she flogged her last case with the Atlantic City Police, but when an inmate turns up dead with telltale suspension marks, the cops come calling again. With the murder pointing to kink, coverups, and dirty power plays, Rhonda agrees to go undercover behind bars, where the guards are shady, the gangs are mean, and the jumpsuits are definitely not her color.

Meanwhile, Detective Jason Dee’s been reassigned from homicide to handling crop-wielding dominas and wayward subs. While Rhonda plays prisoner, he and his partner are stuck guarding the Dungeon. His feelings for Mistress Kali are as complex as her contract negotiations and just as dangerous, but when the prison gig needs a visitor with street cred, Jason’s all in, even if playing her pimp means risking more than just his dignity.

With lives on the line and secrets tightening like a velvet cuff, Rhonda and Jason need to blow the whistle on this prison scandal before another girl ends up permanently suspended.

Available on Amazon and Audible! Audio book is currently in production, narrated by Maggie Weber from Refashioned Hippie! 

Unclaimed Mail from Fun Delivered - Soccer Tee & Dog Probiotics

 Today's batch of unclaimed mail from my Fun Delivered box featured a little bit of everything.

The first package was a child's soccer tee. Next up was a container of dog probiotics. As any pet owner knows, you can never have too many health and wellness products on hand for your furry friends, so this was a great find.

The final package contained Nida face cream. I'm always interested in trying new beauty and skincare products, so this was probably my favorite item from today's batch.

While this wasn't the most valuable set of packages I've opened, it was another good example of the variety you get with unclaimed mail. One package might contain clothing, the next pet supplies, and the next a beauty product. You truly never know what's waiting inside until you open it.

Check out the video below to see everything I found! There are still plenty of small packages left to open from this Fun Delivered box, so be sure to check back soon for more mystery mail adventures.