Independence Day Flash Fiction - Harry Potter Style

Let me preface this post by stating very clearly - I HAVE NOT READ ANY OF THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS. I love the movies, but have not read the books.

Last night, my hubby and I went to the Harry Potter finale double feature. HP part 2 was awesome! I loved it! This morning, when I got up to write for Ali's flash fiction blogfest, Harry Potter was totally on the brain. And I started to imagine what the celebration banquet might have been like. What might have happened? Who would attend? I didn't want to write a typical Harry scene, so decided to go with one of my favorite characters - Luna Lovegood. So here - in 250 words - is just a small sample of what I would imagine just might happen.

Torches filled Hogwart’s Great Hall once more, chasing the shadows from every corner. A symbol that the Dark Lord was truly defeated. A celebration banquet was in full swing. Tables groaned under the weight of the food, a cacophony of voices filled the room. Some recounted their part in the war against Voldemort, others shared tender memories of their loved ones who sacrificed their lives for freedom.

“How are you, my dear?”

Luna smiled at her father. Since their reunion, he had not been far from her side. New wrinkles lined his face, but happiness shone from his eyes.

“I’m happy, Father. Isn’t it wonderful to have our friends together?”

Luna looked around, marking her friends’ spots at Gryffindor table. Harry, Hermoine, and the Weasley family were partway down the table. And Neville – her sweet, heroic Neville – sat across from her. 

The torches flickered and the Great Hall grew quiet. Tension reflected from her father’s face. Then suddenly, the room was filled with the spirits of all who had lost their lives in the war. Luna heard Mrs. Weasley gasp. Luna searched, and yes, there was Mrs. Weasley’s son at the front of the room. But there in the middle of them all was Dumbledore.

“My dear, dear friends. Tonight we gather to reflect and celebrate. We fought a great war – each of us united. Let us mark this event forever in our memories as the day we took a stand, fought for the right, and won independence from evil.” 

- 250 words

Yummy Delicious (and Kid Friendly!) Low-Sodium Cookbook

About Bless Your Heart:

My long-awaited low-sodium cookbook has finally arrived! Now you can own this collection of over 80 recipes designed to make your heart happy and your taste buds even happier. You will learn how to make ...

Bavarian Pot Roast

Almond-crusted Salmon

Pepper Beef Stroganoff

Chicken Carbonara

Texas Sheetcake-style Brownies

Carrot Cake

and much, much more! You won't feel as though you're sacrificing a thing by making the decision to lower your sodium. Instead, you'll be eating delicious food, your family will be happy, your time spent in the kitchen will be minimal, and the whole time, you'll be coming closer to your heart-health goals.

 I'm thrilled Tristi Pinkston's low-sodium cookbook, Bless Your Heart, is coming out! I had the priviledge of test kitchening some of her recipes. Oh, so, so yummy! Our family favorite is the Cashew Chicken. My daughter has asked me for the last three years to make it for her birthday dinner. She absolutely LOVES it! 

So yes, the recipes are not only delish, but totally kid friendly. 

I also got to pick Tristi's brain in a short interview . . .

Tristi, I know you're a prolific fiction author and have published in multiple genres. Now you're diving into the non-fiction realm. What prompted you to put together a cookbook? 

A couple of years ago, my doctor suspected I might have Meniere’s Disease, which is an excess of fluid in the ear and causes vertigo and hearing loss.  One of the ways to treat excess fluid is to go on a low-sodium diet, which I lived for a month.  The recipes I found online were all hard to make, expensive, and time consuming, and I decided that the only way to survive it was to make my own recipes.  In the end, I didn’t have Meniere’s Disease, thank goodness, but I had a whole bunch of great new recipes, and I decided to share them with others who might be looking for alternatives to eating cardboard the rest of their lives.


Why are low-sodium recipes important to you?

There are two reasons.  First, going low sodium helped me out with many of the health problems I’d been having, such as headaches, nausea, and muscle pain.  Second, when you have too much sodium in your diet, you are stressing your heart and your kidneys.  With heart disease taking lives every single day, I want to share the news that you don’t have to be a statistic, that you can protect your heart and live a long, healthy life by watching what you eat.


How do your kids feel about the low-sodium meals? What's their favorite recipe?

My kids were a little hesitant at first.  But as they tasted more and more of my creations, they began to realize that it wasn’t torture, and then they realized that hey, this food was actually really good.  It was a process for them, though, as it always is with kids.  They like the pasta dishes the best, and they really like the Texas Sheetcake-style Brownies.


If you had to choose just one recipe in the book to keep and the rest would be deleted forever from your hard drive, which would you choose?

I hope you’re not predicting the future and trying to warn me that a calamity is about to befall me … I think I would choose the Carrot Cake.  It’s really, really good. I mean, really good.  You haven’t had carrot cake until you’ve had mine, and you’ll never know you’re eating low sodium.


Uh oh. My hubby loves Carrot Cake. I see a new birthday cake request coming! What was the best part about putting together this cookbook?

Well, tasting all the food, of course!  But in addition to that, I loved finding things that I could eat and that I would enjoy eating, and then anticipating how I could help others who are also searching for answers.


Where is the cookbook available to purchase?

It will be on Amazon.com shortly.  But for now, you can preorder by sending me an e-mail at tristipinkston AT gmail.com.  You get over eighty delicious recipes for just $9.99 plus shipping.

Thank you, Tristi!

You can find out more info about Tristi's books on her website.

Save The Date: Overland Park, KS Signing & Fundraiser for Christian Youth Theater

I am so, so, so excited about my upcoming signing and fundraiser for the Christian Youth Theater - Kansas City! First, the important info:

Date: Saturday, July 30th

Location: Barnes & Noble @ Oak Park Mall

11323 W. 95th St., Overland Park, KS

Time: 11 am - 4 pm 

Book signing: 2-4 pm 

Of course, I'll sign books for anyone during the event as well. 2-4 pm is my official man-the-table-and-sign-books time.  =)

This fundraiser is Nation-wide. A portion of every purchase* at any Barnes & Noble in the United States that uses our Book Fair ID # 10512580 will go towards the HEART Program scholarship fund.
*There are a few items that do not count towards the fundraiser - magazines, ebooks, and some electronics. BUT books, Nooks, cafe purchases, audio, book marks, and just about everything in the store DOES count.

What's the HEART Program?

It's a scholarship program that allows children and teens with special needs to participate in acting, dance, or singing classes WITH an aide for FREE. The scholarship recipients also have the opportunity to be in plays, productions, and dance recitals.

Do they need to earn a certain income to qualify? NO. The program is for any child with special needs who wants to be involved with the Christian Youth Theater- Kansas City. My daughter has taken dance classes with some of the special needs kids & they just absolutely love the program! The Christian Youth Theater also sets an example for all their youth about how to love and work with their peers with special needs. Many great friendships have been forged through this program.

And now here's the FUN stuff! Fundraiser Events:

A fundraiser isn't fun unless you have events! Check out all the awesome stuff we'll be doing. Trust me, you want to come and bring your kids!!!

11 am – Barnes & Noble Story Time

11:30 am – CYT Performance featuring favorites from Annie, Wizard of Oz, Mulan & The Sound of Music

12 noon – Meet the Author and Q&A with Danyelle Ferguson

Christian Youth Theater’s H.E.A.R.T. Program and Q&A with director, Josie Strickler

H.E.A.R.T. is a full inclusion theater program for youth with special needs

1 pm – Tea Party with your favorite Storybook Princesses and characters from Seussical, Alice in Wonderland, and more!

1:30 pm – Cookie Decorating contest with special guest judges

2-4 pm – (dis)Abilities and the Gospel book signing with author Danyelle Ferguson

2 pm – CYT Performance featuring favorites from Peter Pan and Seussical

2:30 pm – Dr. Seuss Story Time featuring The Cat in the Hat and other guest readers

3 pm - Kids in Theater Intro – Have you wondered what it is like to audition and be in a show?

      3:30 pm - Intro to Theater Make-up – From realistic to fantasy to bumps and bruises.

Can't make it on July 30th? Don't live in Kansas? No problem!

The Book Fair runs from July 30th - August 3rd. Any purchases made at Barnes & Noble - in-store or online - AND uses our Book Fair ID # 10512580 will go towards the HEART Program.

Visit bn.com/bookfairs to support us online. Be sure to enter Bookfair ID 10512580 at checkout.  

My goal is to raise at least $2000 for Christian Youth Theater's HEART Program. Please share this event with your friends and family and give them the opportunity to help youth with special needs develop their talents.