Book Feature: From One Small Garden Recipe Book + Exclusive Author Interview with Lillian and Dave Brummet

One of the silver linings of staying at home was the fact that many of us discovered our love of plants and gardening. Whether it was for ornamental plants or a vegetable and fruit garden, one thing was for sure. Our inner green thumb was brought to life.

And it doesn't stop there... Surrounded by all this greenery and a growing vegetable and fruit garden, we can't help but be inspired to have a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. 

The book, From One Small Garden - Over 300 Delicious Nutritious Recipes is loaded with interesting historical & nutritional information, this is more than just a collection of recipes - it is a way to treat yourself to healthy, delicious garden-fresh produce.

Lillian and her husband Dave are behind Brummet Media Group and here's our exclusive interview with them as they share more about their book, From One Small Garden - Over 300 Delicious Nutritious Recipes.

1. Can you share with us something about the book that isn't in the blurb?

Yes, thank you for asking - this book also helps with chemical exposure, budget issues, and waste reduction. For instance, the final chapter offers frugal ways to make natural hair spray, herbal tea mixtures, pest deterrents, and air fresheners, from common ingredients found around the home. We also offer alternatives to boxes of little envelopes of chicken coating and taco seasoning... further reducing the reader's waste stream.

2. What inspired the idea for your latest book?

This book began after a car accident, as a hobby - collecting all the recipes we created and putting them in a binder for our own use. Over the years the binder was revised a dozen times or more and printed out for our own use more times than that. Eventually, we had perfected the recipes, reducing the volume to about 320 some odd recipes. We used them for hosting our weekend drum workshops, or day-long workshops - serving meals and snacks to our participants. We also used them in the spa we managed for a short time. It was the responses to these experiences that made us consider publishing it. We were hesitant because we aren't famous and we felt it would not have much of a market. However, we soon saw there was indeed a market for this book and the long work on the manuscript began. The book honors people who inspired us and celebrates a number of friends and family members who are no longer with us - sharing our versions of their inspiring recipes.

3. How long did it take you to complete the book?

The car accident (a 3 car pile-up) was in 1998... and that was when the random collection became more organized. The sincere work taking that binder to the draft manuscript stage really began in earnest in 2019 or so. The manuscript was set aside during that time frame while we continued house renovations and garden development. We were so excited to have it published on January 18, 2021, and officially available for purchase as of February I think. What a thrill to have our own copy in our hands!

4. What part of the book was most challenging to write and why?

The most challenging was the marketing blurbs, inside cover blurbs, and the text on the cover itself. Trying to convey what was in this 275-page book, the value and the wide array of textures and cultural foods, and the extra recipes we have at the end... it was not easy to create a tasteful enticing text for all of this.

5. What do you hope your readers take away from this book?

We hope that readers will become more excited about cooking fresh foods at home. We encourage our readers to shop at farmer's markets and via local food producers. We also encourage gardening, as even just a few pots on the doorstep can help supplement the menu plan. We educate the reader by showing them interesting historical, agricultural and nutritional tidbits. We help them reduce waste, save money, create nutritional menu plans and take advantage of peak harvests.

6. If you’re planning a sequel or write the next book, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?

The next book project is actually a 3-book series that we are starting work on in the next few weeks. This project is in honor of Dave's dad, Frank Brummet. He was a popular writer, speaker, and poet in the Okanagan, Boundary, and Kootenay regions of BC, Canada. We hope to publish his poetry, photos, and short stories/memoir this year. Frank's Wanderings, Frank's Pondering's, and Frank's Tales are the tentative titles we are mulling over.

7. Where can they buy your books or find out more about you?

The best place to go is our Amazon Central Page: https://amazon.com/author/lillianbrummet

Our main website is: www.BrummetMedia.ca or people can also visit our main blog where we have several additional pages such as book reviews, media appearances, pictures of Dave and I and our furkids, and more: http://www.consciousdiscussions.blogspot.com/

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Thank you, Lilian and Dave, for agreeing to this interview. We are inspired by your new book project and can't wait to have a healthier and sustainable lifestyle by cooking freshly cooked meals at home and implementing eco-friendly practices. 

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We love supporting authors! Do you want to promote your book? 

Here's how: https://www.mymetrolifestyle.com/p/do-you-want-to-promote-your-book.html

Gift Ideas for the Tech-savvy from SM's Call to Deliver

Whether it's father's day or any other celebration, you can never go wrong with a gift of creativity, coolness, and adventure with hot gadgets from The SM Store. 

Thus, we are happy to share with you these Top 9 Gift Ideas for the Tech-savvy:

1. DJI Mavic Air 2S Fly More Combo - This Fly More Combo Drone includes a charging hub, a shoulder bag, an ND Filter Set, three intelligent flight batteries, and other practical accessories, allowing you to travel with fewer limitations and more creativity.

2. DJI Mavic Mini 2 Fly More Combo. Fly farther to capture 4K aerial videos with the Mini 2 Fly More Combo from DJI. Utilizing DJI’s OcuSync 2.0 2.4/5.8 GHz wireless transmission technology, the Mini 2 can be operated from up to 6.2 miles away while still providing you with video of what the drone sees. Compact and foldable, it’s small and light enough to take with you almost everywhere.

3. Go Pro Hero 9 Black - More power. More clarity. More stability. GoPro upgrades its waterproof action camera providing high-detail 5K30 video and 20MP photo capture. The front display is now larger and offers a live view, allowing you to frame shots for vlogging and similar uses. You can also use it as a webcam and for 1080p Full HD live streaming, providing a comprehensive solution for all your action cam adventures.

4. Go Pro Hero Max - Take panoramic photos and videos without actually panning your camera GoPro MAX 360 Action Camera. Using opposite side lenses, the MAX can capture everything that happens in a 360° view in high-resolution video and still photos. The MAX supports multiple modes for creative video and photos – the PowerPano mode, which can take 270° still photos without distortion; and the TimeWarp mode which allows you to record in standard HERO mode with a variable speed function.

5. Canon M50 MKII 15-45MM KIT - Content creators, vloggers, and all tech-savvies will find what they’re looking for in this black Canon EOS M50 Mark II. A versatile multimedia camera with a well-rounded photo and video feature set.

6. Insta 360 X2 Pocket - The ONE X2 is Insta360's pocket-size spherical VR solution with dual- and single-lens modes. Designed with 33' waterproof as is, without any waterproof housing required so you can take it underwater with you as well as use it in the rain.

7. AXCS Gaming Earphones CA129 - The gaming headphones earbuds produce top quality and clear sound giving a comfortable fit for a prolonged period. Bluetooth 5.0 and IPX5 water-resistant – the latest Bluetooth version that offers a faster and more stable connection.

8. AXCS Gaming Headphones - give a surround sound and full coverage earmuffs. With USB and 3.5mm connector.

9. This AXCS Bluetooth Speaker with Phone Stand - uses international advanced bluetooth chip and circuit design techniques that support all Bluetooth devices. With HiFi Speaker for clear and bright sound quality.

BONUS: If you are not keen on gadgets but want to give something cool. :) You might want to consider the AXCS Men’s 3 in 1 Motorcycle Set includes gloves, masks, and eyewear for motorcycle and bicycle rides.

The best part? You can order these from the comforts of your home and they can shop for you. I have been using their Call and Deliver since last year and I am truly happy with their service. All you need to do send them a message on Facebook at bit.ly/CTD-Messenger or Viber bit.ly/JoinSMViber. ( I prefer Viber though.) 

You can also call #143SM (#14376) and talk to a personal shopper to enjoy a more personalized shopping experience. Don't forget to visit thesmstore.com for more Father’s Day gift ideas.

TIP: Once you talk to your personal shopper, try to ask them about the existing promotions or ask them to check on sale items. I have saved a lot of money from my purchases because my personal shopper has been truly helpful in suggesting better options. 

Gadget Review: Logitech C922 Pro HD Webcam

This is not a sponsored post. 

As a virtual assistant, online meetings and webinars is part of my daily grind. It is hard to communicate if my video is faded or pixilated thus, it very important to have a reliable HD webcam. 

Its ability to match the frame rate of what you are broadcasting where everything moves in a single fluent motion can provide a better experience for both you and your audience or the person you are speaking with. 

Thus, this is one of the top considerations you should have when choosing a webcam. Luckily,  we found the C922 Pro HD Webcam from Logitech.  You can watch the full video review here. 

But what makes it different from the older Logitech C920 model? 

Just to give you a background, The Logitech C922 is the improved version of the Logitech C920. All features between these two webcams are the same except that the C922 Pro has a faster frame rate which supports 60 FPS at 720p and a background removal tool.

What are the features of this webcam? 

• The cam has built-in microphones on both ends.
• It has 6 feet or 1.8 meters long cable with a male USB connector.
• The webcam itself is plug-and-play. You do not need to install a driver to make it work.
• To maximize the full potential of this webcam, it comes with a free application called Logitech Capture. 

The C922 Pro HD webcam also comes with a 5-inch-long tripod that can extend up to 8 inches as well as a complimentary XSplit license for 3 months. 

Should I buy the Logitech C922?

Well, it depends on your budget. It is not really cheap as it retails around Php 5,500 ($120) here in the Philippines. However, we think it is worth the investment especially if you are using this professionally. 

To sum it up, here are 5 things that we liked about this webcam:

• The image and video quality of this equipment is terrific.
• The backlight return is very good and can be maximized depending on the lighting.
• The Logitech Capture allows the user to have Full HD on a 24, 25, or 30 frames per second for a better video quality. 
• If you are on the go and no time to put on your makeup, just set your C922 Pro to 720p on 60 FPS, and you will look flawless on screen.
• Lastly, the autofocus works perfectly and keeps your video clear even if you move closer or far from the camera. 

How about you? What do you think about the Logitech C922? Do you have other webcam recommendations? Feel free to comment below.

All Day Supermarket Bacolod is now open and THEY DELIVER!

The delivery services here in Bacolod are outstanding. I mean almost all essentials can be delivered and this made it possible for us to literally stay at home for more than a year already. You can read our quarantine story, here. 

It also helped that we have local online communities just like the Bacolod Food and Supply Sources that allowed us to meet local sellers (individuals and establishments) to help us source food, essentials, and other needs without going out of the house. By simply commenting or sending a private message, you can readily place an order and arrange delivery

Thus, if you are from Bacolod or nearby areas, feel free to join the community.

Truly, online shopping and delivery service is a big part of our lives now and this is why we are excited to share that All Day Supermarket Bacolod is now open and THEY DELIVER! 

We were able to try their service twice and here are 5 things that we loved about All Day Supermarket - Bacolod

1. They carry hard-to-find products. All Day Supermarket sells imported goods such as ice cream, snacks, nuts (Wonderful Pistachios), drinks (Dr. Pepper, A&W Rootbeer), and many more. Since we don't have Landers and SnR in Bacolod then this is a good option.

If you have been following me, you'll know that I have been looking for Century Tuna Bangus Belly here in Bacolod for quite some time and finally I was able to find it here. Delimondo Corned Beef Caldereta is also another one.

If you are not a fan of dried fish that are exposed/ sold in the public market, they also have prepacked dried fish which is really meaty and delicious. 

If you are planning to have a Korean BBQ night, this is the best place to get what you need as they have quality meats, soju, kimchi, etc.

They also have a wine section that offers many choices. Yay!

2. The fresh/ meat section is great. The meat section has a wide selection of fresh meat. Quite pricey but prime and good cuts are available. They also carry zucchini, celery, different herbs that are not so easy to find. One concern that I have when online shopping is that I don't get to pick the vegetables myself but with All Day Supermarket, we are happy with the quality.

3. They offer same-day delivery.  They deliver the same day even if you order late. I think the cutoff is 6pm. Based on our experience, we ordered around 4pm and we got our groceries around 7pm. 

4. Different payment options. You can pay via Credit/ Debit Card, GCASH, and Bank Transfers or you can opt for Cash on Delivery. If you are paying via GCASH, all you need to do is ask for a QR code. 

5. Personalized Service. Even if I order directly from the website, I love that I still get to talk to a live person regarding my order. You can contact them via Viber. Their staff is really friendly and helpful. (Special shoutout to Joanne who had been assisting me ever since!) 

So, in case you are interested to order from ALL DAY SUPERMARKET. All you need to do is go to their website, https://www.allday.com.ph/ 

Don't forget to use AD8DELIVERY to get free delivery for a minimum purchase of Php 2,000. This is valid until August 31, 2021.