Fallen Angel Reviews has posted the author interviews for the month of January. Tammy interviewed me. If you really want to learn a bit more about me or are very bored, click here:
http://fallenangelreviews.com/Interviews/2007/Jan07-Tammy-DianeCraver.htm
I knew there was a sale at Kohl’s this week on athletic women’s shoes so I went there this morning. I need new ones and I want to start my daily walking again. I think that’s one of my resolutions - okay I know that is definitely one of my goals for 2007. I’ve just been putting it off this month but cleaning out messy closets is exercise - right? Yes, I know it’s freezing here and is going down to 15 degrees tonight, so I’m not planning on walking in the park like I did a few months ago. I thought I might go early in the morning and join the mall walkers. Or use our treadmill. Or somehow get 30 mintues of walking in.
I have a motive because I’d really like to lose weight before Author Day on February 24th. The Clermont County Library is sponsoring it and the workshop’s title is “The Romance of Writing:Discover your Inner Author.” Other local published Ohio authors who will be there are: Shelley Galloway, Pamela Lewis, Cathy Liggett, Teresa Slack, and Heather Webber.
I truly went to just look at shoes. I also looked at dress shoes to wear with my suit for this big day. I didn’t find any athletic or dressy shoes that fit. The truth is I have wide feet so it’s not easy for me to find shoes I like in a wide width. But it was not a wasted shopping trip. I did buy a white sweater on clearance that I couldn’t resist. I wasn’t planning on buying a sweater but after trying it on, I decided for the price I couldn’t afford not to buy it.
Do you ever go to the store planning on making a certain purchase but end up buying something else? Come on, fess up.
When I started my blog, I mentioned giving some health tips, and I haven’t done this yet so thought today is a good time to mention two things I use in my daily diet.
A good friend, Angela Hoy, told me how she sprinkles cinnamon over the coffee grounds before brewing her coffee. She told me that it’s good in helping to prevent Alzheimer’s Disease. I have researched this and found that in a study that cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory. Also this study mentions just smelling the wonderful odor of cinnamon can boost brain activity. Chewing cinnamon flavored gum even helped the study participants’ cognitive processing.
I sprinkle cinnamon over my coffee grounds daily. I like the idea that cinnamon might help my cognitive processes. My brain can use all the help it can get! It’s a good way for me and my husband to get this spice daily. And coffee tastes great with the cinnamon flavor.
Here are a few more benefits of using cinnamon:
1.Studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.
2.It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.
3.Cinnamon is a great source of iron, calcium, manganese, and fiber.
4.When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.
5.Some studies suggest that cinnamon may help people with Type 2 diabetes improve their ability to respond to insulin.
6. In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significiant relief in arthritis pain afer one week and could walk without pain within one month. I haven’t tried the cinnamon and honey yet but I do have arthritis pain in my knees so will try it and see what happens.
I read recently to use organic cinnamon so I might check this out further. I’ve been using the regular cinnamon I buy in the grocery store.
Cinnamon toast, french toast, sprinkling cinnamon in oatmeal, zucchini bread, carrot cake, tea, hot chocolate, and making your own granola cereal with cinnamon are some other ways to include this spice in your recipes.
By the way, cinnamon is one of the oldest spices known. It was so highly treasured in ancient Egypt that it was considered more precious than gold. Also cinnamon is mentioned in the Bible.
Green Tea
There have been many things listed about the advantages of drinking green tea or taking green tea extract pills. I’m only going to mention the one I have found to be true. I do believe that green tea increases metabolism to burn calories, kills fat cells and blocks formation of new ones. I have noticed when I drink green tea or take the pills, I don’t gain weight and lose a little. You still need to restrict calories but I really think it has helped me in my weight control when I take the green tea pills daily or drink green tea. The pills I buy have 150 mg in each one and I take 2-3 daily. Space them out by taking them before meals. It’s the EGCG, an antioxidant in green tea, that is the fat fighter and a daily dose of 270 mg to 325 of EGCG for this purpose is recommended.
I enjoyed very much reading the comments all of you posted. Thank you for taking the time to read the excerpts from A Fiery Secret.
CONGRATULATIONS TO PAMK! Since Amanda drew your name, you may choose a free download of any of my three Samhain books.
By the way, I did receive a 5 rating for A Fiery Secret from GottaWriteNetwork.com.
Here is part of it:
“Author Diane Craver has a way with mystery. This enchanting Chick Lit voiced novel will have you suspecting just about everyone when it comes down to just who killed the janitor? And why? She keeps investigative reporter, Catherine Steel on the chase, not just for her story, but her hot co-worker, Jake Michaels, as well…Without thinking about her own safety, Catherine ferrets out the truth behind the news.”
©JoEllen Conger, gottawritenetwork.com
If you want to read the whole review, here’s the link: http://www.gottawritenetwork.com/afierysecret.html
Annmarie Taylor won a previous blog contest. After she finished A Fiery Secret, she said, “I am so impressed at the depth of your characters primary and secondary. I had no problem picturing their world in my mind as I read about them.”
Their comments made my day since I loved writing this book!
Seventeen years ago we were blessed with our fifth daughter, Amanda. She was beautiful and weighed seven pounds. After she was delivered by C-section (breech position), Tom held my hand tightly and immediately said to me, “I think our baby has Down syndrome.” He noticed her almond-shaped eyes because thirteen years earlier we had already experienced the same situation when our first daughter was born with Down syndrome. In all honesty, I didn’t handle it very well and was depressed. I was afraid Amanda would have some of the same problems Sara had and just couldn’t imagine how I could cope.
But I was in for a surprise. Amanda is one of my biggest joys in my life. We all love her and she has personality plus. She makes life so much fun. Almost three years ago, I wrote a book about what it was like to have a second child with a handicap and how I overcame my depression. Celebrating And Caring For Your Baby With Special Needs is published by Booklocker.com. She has a great sense of humor and has an enthusiasm for life that is heartwarming. Sure she has limitations but within those limitations, she is a bright young lady. Amanda is a typical teenager since she enjoys shopping, movies, music, talking, sports, and boys.
She did have Grave’s disease for three years and that was a difficult time with all the blood tests. Since she never went into remission, she had thyroid surgery. Because of cancer cells found in her thyroid, she had to go through tests to be sure cancer wasn’t elsewhere in her body. It wasn’t. She still has many routine checkups for her hearing losses and to make sure her synthroid medication is the right dosage.
So today we celebrate Amanda’s 17th Birthday. Of course, she wants her favorite food - pizza and a cake that is a recipe from Samhain author, Annmarie McKenna.
I didn’t take a birthday picture of her yet so this is from this past Christmas. She loves to wear Santa’s hat and to pass out the gifts each Christmas.
Because the character, Miranda, in my book, A Fiery Secret, is based on Amanda, I’m sharing two small excerpts. Enjoy them and post a comment to be entered in a drawing. The winner can choose a free download of either No Greater Loss or A Fiery Secret. Or if you don’t mind waiting, the winner might want to choose my newest book, Never The Same which will be available on Feb. 13th.
1st Excerpt from A Fiery Secret
Jake and I drove straight to the coffeehouse. I mentioned getting my car, but he said, “You’re not ditching me yet. We’ll get it later.”
Miranda saw us enter and when I saw a hopeful glint in her eys, I knew what she was thinking.
“You have a boyfriend now.” She smiled at Jake. “You’re hot.”
I rolled my eyes. “He’s not my boyfriend. We work together at The Messenger.”
Miranda shrugged. “That’s too bad. You should have a boyfriend.”
Didn’t Miranda and I have this boyfriend conversation recently? And she’d keep on me until I told her I’ve got a boyfriend. I moaned. “You’ve been talking to my mother again.”
“You’re twenty-five.” Miranda fingered a tea towel in her hand, eyeing my ancient face, probably looking for wrinkles. “I have a boyfriend and I’m sixteen.”
Jake winked. “I agree with you, Miranda. Catherine should have a boyfriend. And I’m sure she will soon.”
“My boyfriend Kevin and I want to double date, so I hope it’s soon. He can’t drive.”
Jake pushed his hands into his pockets. “Would you and Kevin like to come to my parents’ house for a Halloween party? It’s next Friday night.”
“That’s not trick or treat night, is it?” Miranda asked.
I recalled how she’d talked about going out on Beggar’s Night. Wearing a costume and walking around her neighborhood was a big deal to her since her mom had said this was her last year to go. “It shouldn’t be on Friday. It’ll probably be on Sunday or Monday night. If it’s okay with your mom, I can pick you and Kevin up for the party.”
# 2 Excerpt
Miranda and Kevin were waiting on the porch for me, so I didn’t get out of the car. Mrs. Carter waved from the doorway. I thought it was cute when Miranda didn’t get in the front seat with me, but got in the back seat with Kevin.
I turned around and smiled at the young couple. “You two look great. I love your costumes.” Miranda, dressed in a bodysuit with an attached light green skirt and wings, made an adorable pixie Tinkerbell. Kevin looked good as Peter Pan, wearing a jagged tunic with a rope tie, matching tights, and a hat with a red feather.
“Thank you, but I wanted to be Wendy instead of Tinkerbell. Mom couldn’t find a Wendy costume.”
I put the car in reverse and backed out of the driveway. “Sorry you couldn’t be Wendy. I’m surprised Tinkerbell wasn’t your first choice. I do like you as a little fairy.”
“But Wendy gets the guy.”
I nodded. “You have a point.
Don’t forget to leave a comment so you can be in my drawing. I’ll have Amanda draw the winner on Friday, Jan. 12th when she gets home from school. Contest ends at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. I’ll post it here and at the cafe. Thanks for reading this!
