Published: December 17, 2019
Genres: Health and Nutrition

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Description:

Are you craving junk foods? Feeling sluggish and tired all the time? Fueling yourself on caffeine and sugar? Then it's time to incorporate some Energizing Superfood Juices and Smoothies​ into your day. Jump-start your body with superfoods in the form of juices, smoothies, and meals, with vegetables and fruits selected to coincide with fresh, delicious, seasonal produce.

With over 40 unique and delicious combinations of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices, you can make these yummy green juices and smoothies right in your own kitchen, anytime you want. And if you want to keep the green goodness going, there are more than 25 tasty vegetarian meal recipes included. Plus, the convenient, seasonal shopping lists will never have you overbuying produce that can go to waste.

Review:

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group - Rock Point and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. 

"Did you know that our bodies absorb over 97% of the nutrients contained in raw vegetables and fruits? Compare that to vitamin supplements made in a laboratory, which have an absorption rate of 5 to 25 percent"

WHAT!?!?!?!? No, I did not know this. This fun little fact made me want to dive in and learn so much more. I learned a lot from this book and as a mom of three learning what it means to be healthy, I was very excited. I got a nice little history lesson about how "the hunt" for meat has been the focus of our ancestors instead of the focus on how much not meat they used to eat.... "It was common for our ancient ancestors to eat up to six pounds of leaves per day". This number is insane and blew my mind. With my nutrition portions, I am eating 4 cups of vegetables and 3 cups of fruit. Far from six pounds. 

After explaining "why to juice" and the equipment I would need to be successful, I then found a lot of delicious recipes... and they weren't all juices/smoothies. Eggs, sandwiches, salads, salsas ect. A great verity to keep my belly satisfied. 

I will definitely be recommending this book to my fitness girls and anyone who would be interested in learning to eat a little healthier. 

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet One Pot Cookbook by Ana Reisdorf, MS, RD, Dorothy Calimeris

Published: October 22, 2019
Genres: Health, Mind, & Body; Food & Wine

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Description:

The benefits of an anti inflammatory diet meet the simplicity of a single pot

An anti inflammatory diet is a huge step towards healthy eating—but the stress of suffering from pain may leave you feeling exhausted before you even enter the kitchen. With this guide, you can enjoy the benefits of anti inflammatory foods with the convenience of one-pot cooking.

Complete with labor-saving tips to keep your kitchen time short, these anti inflammatory diet recipes can be made in one bowl so you can enjoy fast, flavorful meals without the fuss. Fight inflammation and feel great with these one-of-a-kind, one-pot recipes.

This anti inflammatory diet book includes:

Path to wellness—Discover the health benefits of an anti inflammatory diet, complete with easy-to-read charts of foods to love, limit, or lose.Taste relief—Whip up fatigue-free dinners with 100 delicious recipes using everyday ingredients.No pain, no strain—Keep your energy up and cook times down with tips on everything from pre-cut vegetables to packing leftovers.

Cook your way to healthier living with this anti inflammatory diet guide—all you need is one pot.

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. There are a ton of amazing recipes. The part that I loved was the tips on how to set up your kitchen and what tools to best make everything work easier for you. Electric can openers for example are definitely a huge help with multitasking. While they open the can, you can be getting something else done.  I really enjoyed all the different recipes and how they could all be made in one single pot. This is very time consuming for todays world. With all the autoimmune diseases that are coming about, I think this would also be beneficial to people of that world. My mother in law is one of them and I will definitely be recommending this book to her! 

Spice Apothecary by Bevin Clare

Published: June 9, 2020
Genres: Health, Mind & Body

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Description:

Spices are universally recognized as a source of flavor and aromatics, but in cultures around the world, these plant parts have a long history as source of medicine. In Spice Apothecary, author Bevin Clare combines her training in herbalism and nutrition to guide readers in a return to the kitchen spice cabinet for better health and healing. Focusing on 19 common culinary spices that are easy to source and prized for their flavor, this practical guide highlights the health benefits of each spice for supporting wellness goals, with information on the best preparation for medicinal benefit, storage recommendations, and daily dosage guidelines. To bolster the immune system, chili, garlic, ginger, and mustard are best. Kidney health is supported by celery seed, parsley, and sage, while the respiratory system benefits most from ginger, mint, and thyme. Formulas for dried spice blends that amplify the effectiveness of individual flowers, roots, leaves, and seeds accompany recipes for delicious dips, soups, sauces, and even sweets that deliver flavor and healing. This approachable exploration of the world of spices puts at everyone’s fingertips new creative and impactful ways to incorporate key health-boosting spices into everyday life.

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. 

Wow this book was very informative. I have been an essential oil user for the last 5 years. I have dabbled in different herbs usually for teas or cooking. This took spices to a whole new level. I loved that it broke them down showing you how they effect your body and provided many delicious recipes that I  am eager to try. 

Child's Play by Danielle Steel

Published: October 8, 2019
Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary

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Description:
A senior partner at a prestigious New York law firm, Kate Morgan couldn't be prouder of her three grown children. Tamara, Anthony, and Claire all went to great schools, chose wonderful career paths, and would have made their father proud. A single mother for years after the death of her husband, Kate keeps a tight rein on her family, her career, and even her own emotions, never once asking herself if she truly knows her children . . . or if her hopes for them are the right ones, and what they want. She is about to find out.

During one hectic summer in Manhattan, Kate's world turns upside down. One child has been keeping an astonishing secret while another confesses to an equally shocking truth. A wonderful match and picture-book wedding are traded for a relationship that shakes Kate to her core. A totally inappropriate love affair and an out-of-wedlock baby complete the chaos. Challenged as a mother and as a successful independent woman herself, Kate struggles to keep up with a dizzying and escalating chain of events, and begins to realize that she has a part to play in the chaos. Because Kate too has kept secrets from her children.

Sometimes the surprising choices our children make are the right ones . . . better than what we wanted for them. More often than not, parenting is about letting go of our dreams and embracing theirs.

Review:

I have read a few of Danielle Steel's. I loved the cover of this one. She has definitely come a long ways with her covers.. am I right! Growing up, I would help my grandparents on a carnival so I had to see what it was really about! The story was really predictable. Each child starts sharing secrets and mama starts going a little crazy. I was kind of disappointed in the mother and how she handled each situation and how she made it all about how it made her look to other people. She acted like a 1980's mom the entire time. Needless to say, I was not a fan of her at all. I don't know how I as a mom of three will come to react in my children's life changing events but I plan to be as supportive as I possibly can. It blew my mind how she treated her one daughter because of an unplanned pregnancy but the other daughter who had been hiding a secret her whole life she seemed to think was no big deal. 

I think it is worth the read. It's not my favorite book of the year or by her. I do think it was a very fitting book for this stage of American history. We have a older generation right now that is struggling to figure out and accept what the younger generation is doing. I think this was a great portrayal of an individual slowly coming to terms and learning that its ok to love people for their differences and to keep on going with your own life. 

The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen

Published: March 10, 2020
Genres: Children's Fiction

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Description:

A beautifully illustrated new translation of a beloved Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale

Six young sisters live in the depths of the ocean, longing for the chance to see the beauty of the earth. Most eager of all is the youngest mermaid, who counts the days to her fifteenth birthday when her grandmother will finally allow her to rise to the surface.

Her first sight above the water is a large ship on which a beautiful prince is celebrating his sixteenth birthday. Immediately she falls in love, and so begins her determined quest to join the prince on earth as a human.

Full of wonder and heart, The Little Mermaid remains one of the most powerful fairy tales ever written, and this new, gorgeously illustrated translation gives it renewed life.

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. Disney's The Little Mermaid was my favorite movie growing up. I'm sure I watched it over a million times and at one point I could have recited it by heart. I just had to review this version as well. This book is directed at a middle school reader level. There is a few pictures, just enough to keep a child interested. Not too many where it would become a distraction.  I enjoyed this version of The Little Mermaid. There is a lot of commentary amongst the sisters so that different angle is cool to see. 

Wonder Art Workshop by Sally Haughey

Published:November 12, 2019
Genres: Arts

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Description:

The author's wonder-based approach reflects and synthesizes several child-centered educational movements, including Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and Montessori. 

Become a catalyst for cultivating your child’s curious mind through these steps and activities, which start with art and apply to other subjects, including science and literacy:Take stock for your wonder journey with helpful guidance on collecting materials, preparing a space, and nurturing the process while allowing children to make independent choices.Harness curiosity through a collection of sensory-based activities that use a variety of loose parts and other creative materials for open-ended play.Encourage experimentation by unleashing your child’s inner alchemist with “potion trays” they can use to mix color, create fizzing concoctions, make play dough, and more.Unlock literacy play with activities that inspire children to imagine and create their own characters, structures, and landscapes.Give your children the precious gifts of wonder and curiosity and help them become the best they can be with Wonder Art Workshop.

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. I liked that the book gave a lot of ideas for kids to try different things and find their inner artist. I'm torn between how it was received. As an adult, I was very annoyed at the way thing's were worded. However, as a book directed towards children I guess I can see how this would be fitting. The language seemed to be directed towards 4-6 year olds. I know my 4 year old wouldn't be able to read it though so she would be counting on me to read it to her. I'm torn.

The Ultimate Fluid Pouring & Painting by Jane Monteith

Published: November 12, 2019
Genres: Arts

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Description:

Discover and master the fun, creative, and colorful methods of fluid pouring and painting with 10 projects, customizable to your personal vision and open to endless variation.

Fluid pouring and painting can result in beautiful, organic, and abstract designs that can be captured on special papers, canvas and board substrates, used to make gorgeous lampshades, poured into molds or dishes to create coasters, geodes, and agate slices, and can even be formed into vases, vessels, and bowls. Join mixed-media artist and international instructor Jane Monteith, a master of the fluid artforms and creator of the stunningly beautiful and popular paintings called MOD Minis, in this wildly popular new art form.

For both novice and experienced artists, this expressive book shares detailed, comprehensive techniques for working with high flow inks and acrylic paints. The Ultimate Fluid Pouring & Painting Project Book guides you through a variety of different fluid projects, from fluid-painted collage to resin-poured paints on different substrates. You will:Learn to use various tools and solutions to create beautiful colors and textures on paper.Learn how to work with resin and avoid common mistakes to produce a flawless finish.Gain an understanding of basic color theory and which color combinations go hand in hand to create elegant designs.Become knowledgeable on what types of products to use to create various effects.Understand how to seal and protect your work for years to come.With these creative projects, you'll be making your own beautiful fluid artwork in no time!

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. I have been keeping my eye on this popular new art form. It looks very interesting and I am eager to try it. This book was very helpful and made me really want to get going on this new trend. I love how well it was broken down: what materials you needed, different project ideas and how to complete them.