Hello there my reading loving friends. Today is the day. I am announcing my e-book reading challenge categories! Now notice I keep saying e-book. There is a real good reason for this. A few weeks ago I opened up my kindle and noticed I had a TON of books. I'm a digital book hoarder folks. The struggle is real. I think I enjoy downloading books more then reading them. Odd. I know. So it got me thinking that there's got to be others out there like me.

Now the original thought was to set up categories and have you pick books out of all the books that are already downloaded to your e-reader. It sounded fun and all, but I can also understand that there are people out there who DO NOT hoard books like me. So in order to make this a fun affair, I want to invite all e-readers into the challenge.

Now here are the rules:

*The challenge will run from March 1st to May 31st. Books you are currently reading are not eligible to be used in this challenge. You must start these books on March 1st.

*All books MUST be available on e-readers. I will check to make sure it is as I am offering a prize at the end of this.

*You must finish all books by the deadline. A no brainer, I know.

* Additional points will be added to those who do pick all books from books already downloaded onto their e-reader. Now we are going with the honor system here folks, so lets be honest.


Now here's the categories:

#1 A book with a one word title - 5 points
#2 A book already downloaded that you have not read - 4 Points
#3 A book you would be embarrassed to admit you read (And tell us why) - 3 points
#4 A book with a color in the title- 4 Points
#5 A non-fiction book that will better your life (Example: The Happiness Project) - 4 points
#6 Pi Day is March 14th- Pick a book with 314 pages (Pi = 3.141592653) - 4 Points
#7 Daylight savings is ending and Spring is coming- Pick a book with the word Spring, Daylight, or Savings in the title. - 4 Points
#8 April Fool's day is coming, read a humorous book - 4 Points
#9 April 22nd is Earth Day. Read a book about Nature, the Earth, or living "Green"- 4 Points
#10 May is the kickoff of Summer and a time where we remember our veterns: Read a book with Summer or Remember in the title.  4 Points

You can accumulate 40 points if you follow this list exactly. If you are able to pick a book from each category that you already had downloaded on your e-reader I will give you an additional 5 points for each book. If you pick all of your books from current downloads your points will double so a total of 80 points. Again please be honest with this. I can not physically see each one of your e-readers to check so please be honest when logging your books.

I will give away a $25 Amazon gift card at the end of the challenge. All participants must be signed up (by linking up to this you are signed up!) to be eligible for the drawing.

Thank you all and good luck! Can't wait to see what everyone will be reading!

I have been doing some much needed soul searching this week. If you follow me on Twitter, you probably saw a few posts about sticking up for yourself. While in my counseling session this week I was talking about how I feel left out in a lot of areas in my life. Whether it's not being invited out  with friends or being completely ignored when I have an idea. I was told that no person has a right to discount my feelings or thoughts no matter what the purpose.

I have always had a hard time sticking up for myself or speaking up. I let people talk over me because it has been happening for so long I just assume anything I have to say doesn't matter. Last week in my yoga class we talked about the Chakra that has to do with the throat and our voice. It was said that we need to let it all out and stop making ourselves a prisoner in our own bodies. 

I started with a post on Facebook, speaking my concerns and was overwhelmed with all of the responses I got. All encouraging and all true. I need to start taking action in my own life. I need to feel empowered in all of the achievements I have reached. I do not deserves to be lied to or made to feel like I do not matter.

And just like that I received a letter in the mail from a dear friend, like she knew I needed cheering up. Sometimes life works in mysterious ways. I think opening up the idea of feeling empowered helps to move into that state of mind. I am hoping from now on I can do that and stop discounting myself. 

I wonder how often this happens. Do you feel this way sometimes? I'm curious to know! Please feel free to share your stories.

Yesterday I posted an Instagram photo of one of my favorite Valentine's day treats. It is super easy and super delicious. You can whip this up in under an hour. Be prepared to get asked a lot for the recipe because it's that good. Now prepare to be wowed at how easy this is.


What you need:
1 box of brownie mix (Choose any kind)
2 Eggs
Oil
Water
Heavy Cream
Baileys Irish Cream
Powdered Sugar

Instructions:
Follow directions on brownie mix. Cut the water measurement in half and add the Irish cream as your other half. Bake brownies an extra 5 to 6 minutes.

While the brownies are baking get out a mixing bowl. Pour half a pint of heavy cream in and mix on low. Add half a cup of Irish Cream and 1/4 cup of powdered sugar. Whip on high until you have a stiff cream. Chill in refrigerator.

Allow brownies to cool. Once brownies are completely cooled (this is important), cut into squares and set on a baking sheet. Spread a big scoop of the Irish Cream whipped cream onto each brownie. Place the brownies in the freezer for 15 minutes.

Now wasn't that easy? Serve chilled and enjoy!