21-Day Vegan Raw Food Diet Plan: 75 Satisfying Recipes to Revitalize Your Body by Heather Bowen – A Book Review

 

Let me say first that I do not strictly adhere to a vegan diet. I am always on the lookout for recipes that allow me to keep the food I serve interesting, tasty and healthy. Vegan recipes are one part of that. That said, I am very grateful to have received this cookbook from RockRidge Press in exchange for my honest opinion, and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. The introductory chapter provides wonderful information to those truly interested in embracing a vegan raw food diet, information regarding what the diet consists of, nutritional information, and health benefits. As the title indicates the author provides a 21-day meal plan designed to ease one into a plant-based diet and to create eating habits that conform to that diet. Given my motivation, I moved to the recipes, skipping the chapter on smoothies. In the breakfast chapter I found lots of recipes including whole grains and nuts. Since the recipes in this book are for raw foods, I was surprised to see items like pancakes, muffin tops, and bagels listed. These items are all prepared with a dehydrator! That is a kitchen appliance that I have actually been trying to use more often, and I am excited to try some of these recipes. Personally, not being a big fan of cold soups, I didn't find much there, but in the same chapter I found loads of yummy salad recipes. I plan on trying most if not all of them. In the entree chapter I found more opportunities to utilize my dehydrator. This chapter includes make-over recipes of traditional recipes like fettuccine Alfredo, lasagna, and mac 'n' cheese, as well as yummy sounding new-to-me recipes like a dragon bowl with tahini miso gravy, almond rawmesan cheese, and sunflower seedballs. I was just thinking yesterday about how much I miss potato chips, be in the snack chapter I found recipes for kale chips and zucchini chips along with lots of other savory snack ideas. For desserts, how could one go wrong with mint chocolate chip squares, key lime cheesecake, or walnut fudge? Most of the ingredients in this cookbook are readily available, and in our small town many more are becoming available. Here's to healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle!

Being Known by Robin Jones Gunn - A Book Review

   

Being Known is Robin Jones Gunn's latest book in her Haven Makers series. Like Becoming Us the story is highly emotional and stresses the importance of Christian fellowship, which is now often referred to as doing life together, and accountability. While many will enjoy Gunn's intense and insightful writing, this book and series seem to target women in their twenties to early forties who, like Gunn's characters, are balancing a variety of relationships from family to friends as well as distracting relationships, raising children, creating a haven at home, finding fulfillment in personal pursuits, and pursuing careers; all while growing in their relationship with Christ. There are times in this story when the reader will feel a great sense of contentment, and other times when she will feel like she is watching a train wreck about to happen. Robin Jones Gunn is a master at pulling readers in and tugging at their emotions.

I am grateful to have received a copy of Being Known from Multnomah via NetGalley, and for being included on this book's launch team. I was however asked only for my honest opinion, and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. I received no monetary compensation.

Easy Chinese Cookbook: Restaurant Favorites Made Simple by Chris Toy - A Book Review

    

Who thought a cookbook would be moving? Well, I was moved by the dedication in this one. Chris Toy has dedicated this book to his adopted parents, Alfred and Grace Toy. He was the first baby adopted from Hong Kong to the United States in 1958 through the International Social Services. As we celebrate following Christmas Eve services each year at a local Chinese restaurant in honor of our adopted granddaughter, this particular cookbook took on extra meaning. Chris Toy has been teaching Asian cooking for over three decades near Bath, Maine, and I appreciate that he is sharing his expertise with us through this cookbook, helping us to recreate our restaurant favorites at home. Toy in his introduction tells us that these recipes are both seriously easy and cheap. That's good news!

Chapter One, The Chinese Home Kitchen, includes valuable information on stocking one's pantry and essential and helpful kitchen equipment. Then it is on to more than eighty-five recipes from dumplings and egg rolls to meats, noodles and desserts. Most of the ingredients will be easy to find; some may require visiting the local Asian grocery. The directions are specific and easy to follow. Unlike most of the cookbooks I have reviewed lately, there are no nutritional facts or food sensitivity information for each recipe. Some may wish for more photographs of the finished products, but most of us can visualize these from our favorite restaurants. I say this cookbook is a keeper, and will inspire many meals to come.

I am grateful to have received a copy of this cookbook from RockRidge Press in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

Complete Dehydrator Cookbook by Carole Cancler - A Book Review

   

I am that person who is afraid to can, afraid I will botulize the whole family. We were gifted a dehydrator several years ago, and purchased a second one. I had mostly dried herbs and apples, but always wanted to do so much more. The books that came with the dehydrators didn't contain a lot in the way of recipes. I am so excited to now have 125 dehydrator recipes in Complete Dehydrator Cookbook. The book gives important information on storage of dehydrated food, troubleshooting, and rehydrating, among many other topics. In addition to the instructions I had expected for dehydrating fruits, veggies, meats, I was happy to find recipes for flavored teas, aromatic powders, seasoning blends, and recipes for which my dehydrated foods were ingredients. I am looking forward to utilizing this means of storing our garden produce, items from the farmers' market, and seasonal items from the local grocery. The cookbook is well organized, clearly written, and includes an interesting variety of recipes. I am very grateful to have received a copy from RockRidge Press in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

The Learning Cycle: Insights for Faithful Teaching from Neuroscience and the Social Sciences by Muriel I. Elmer and Duane H. Elmer – A Book Review

   

I found this book fascinating. As a retired teacher whose instruction during the last half of my career was largely based on the work of Dr. Marie Clay, P. David Pearson, and Ellin Oliver Keene, this teaching model resonated within me. The Elmers lay out the model in such a way that both application and justification can easily be understood by trained educators and those who find themselves in the role of instructor without formal training. While the model is presented as it relates to Christian education, it most certainly is not limited to that realm. There is something in this book that can be useful from kindergarten through college, although I will admit that those teaching in the primary and intermediate grades will need to do some additional thinking in the application of the model. That said, as a teacher in those grades, I would have been pouring over this book as I planned on how to best deliver instruction. The value in the Learning Cycle model is that it leads students to go far beyond learning for an assessment, to integrating and living out what they learn. This model applies not only to traditional educators, but to Scout leaders, Sunday School teachers, small group leaders, pastors, and even to those leading business meetings. To say that I am excited about this book, is a bit of an understatement, and I encourage those who want to make a difference in people's lives through the presentation of information, who want to assist people in learning for living not for parroting, to grab a copy of this book, a journal, and a pack of highlighters.

I am grateful to have received a copy of The Learning Cycle from InterVarsity Press via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

Simple Superfood Soups: 75 Nourishing Recipes for a Healthier You by Pamela Ellgen - A Book Review

   

When I picked up Simple Superfood Soups we were three to four weeks into the COVID-19 Healthy-at-Home order. We had placed our very first pick-up grocery order the week before, and our pantry and fridge were not overflowing with the fresh ingredients needed for many of these recipes. With minor substitutions we made the Chicken Chili Verde, and it was delicious, something I will definitely make again. (I had been wondering what to do with those tomatillos!) Once I can get back to browsing the grocery store aisles, I will be making more of these yummy sounding recipes, and may even discover what kombu is, and if it is available in our small town. Ellgen has provided lists of the best superfoods for soups and steps for stocking your superfood pantry. So, creating a shopping list will be easy.

Skipping over the chapter titled Cold Soups, Comfort Blends and Hearty Warmers contain delicious sounding recipes with ingredients we love. We will be trying Creamy Asparagus and Herb Soup, Sunshine Vegetable Turmeric Soup, Curried Lentil Soup, and Tomato-Lime Soup With Chickpeas to name a few. Soups are favorites year-round at our house, and I am very grateful to have received a copy of this cookbook from RockRidge Press in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Vegetable Gardening for Beginners: A Simple Guide to Growing Vegetables at Home by Jill McSheehy - A Book Review

   

In the introduction the author says that this is the book she wished she'd had as a beginning gardener. While my husband and I are not beginning gardeners,we are fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants gardeners, knowing that there is much to learn in order to increase our yield and to discourage pests. This book is wonderful for both types of gardeners. Some features that I found especially helpful are: the chart on companion planting, the full-season garden plan, the instructions for making your own soil mix, and the suggestions for maintaining your garden including ways to deal with common problems and pests. In the second part of the book, McSheehy provides specific information for growing thirty-five different food-producing plants.

I highly recommend Vegetable Gardening for Beginner. I will use it as a valued resource for years to come, and am very grateful to have received a copy from RockRidge Press in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

Becoming Mrs. Lewis (Expanded Version) by Patti Callahan - A Book Review

   

Reading Becoming Mrs. Lewis gave me the sensation of wading into the depths of troubled waters, then swimming only to find the choppy waves crashing about me. Often it was necessary to come up gasping for air. This work of fiction is based on extensive research into the real lives of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis, and those closest to them. Knowing this, made the arising emotions more real, more pertinent. Davidman's struggles to set aside the masks she wore, to understand the God she longed to grow closer too and to know herself as loved, were blessed by moments of epiphany, and lessons learned through pain. Lewis' oeuvre speaks to his Christian journey, many quotes from which are included in this book as he and Joy wrestle with understanding their pasts, and their relationship with God and one another.

The back matter included by Callahan is helpful in processing and discussing Becoming Mrs. Lewis. Thoughtful discussion questions, while beneficial for a book club, are great for personal reflection. A gem is found in Callahan's imagined second letter from Joy to Jack following those questions gives the reader the gift of extending the story. A timeline is included for all of us left-brained readers, and “Ten Things You Probably Didn't Know About Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis's Love Story” and more information on Oxford hold special nuggets of information as well. Finally the author invites readers to a seven-part podcast that explores in greater depth this beautiful love story.

I am so very grateful to Thomas Nelson for providing me with a copy of Becoming Mrs. Lewis, via NetGalley. All opinions stated here are my own, and I was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate - A Book Review

    

The Book of Lost Friends is not a book that you just close the cover and move on from. It is a book from which one must slowly emerge. One must ease their heartstrings away from Hannie, Juneau Jane, Missy, and Benny; to do otherwise would leave a tear that would be difficult to mend. The story bridges generations from 1875 to 1987, awakening those latter generations to the stories of their ancestors and their own self-worth, making it possible for them to begin to define themselves rather than to be defined by others. May it also teach us about our own value, to encourage us to take great risks in order to improve the world for present and future generations.

Lisa Wingate has created another story that is likely destined to top bestseller lists. I could not recommend it more highly. I am very grateful to have received a copy from Ballantine, an imprint of Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

The House at the End of the Moor by Michelle Griep - A Book Review

   

This excellently written story involves some weighty themes. The reader is lead to really care about the two protagonists, to care about their physical and spiritual well-being. The author creates great tension in the story as both of these things are threatened with no easy solution in sight. Readers will be challenged with the same questions as the lead characters. How do we demonstrate that we believe all life has equal value? How do we champion the poor, and how do we avoid reverse discrimination by not realizing the needs of the wealthy, different though they may be? How well do we truly know God, and how are we trying to come to know Him better? Are we honestly embracing mercy, grace, and forgiveness, both as givers and receivers? It takes a very talented writer to handle such deep thoughts while keeping her readers thoroughly entertained, and Michelle Griep is up to the task. I most highly recommend The House at the End of the Moor, and am grateful to have received a copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

Prayers for Prodigals: 90 Days of Prayer For Your Child by James Banks – A Book Review

   

Parents who pray for prodigals go through seasons. Sometimes the prayers come from their guts, and are heartbreakingly real. Other times they rise from Scripture given for just such a season. Then at other times they feel so repetitious, like they have been praying these same prayers for so long, and just don't know what else to say. This book will be such a wonderful resource for just such times. Parents will be given a fresh way of speaking to God not only for their child(ren), but for themselves as well. The book is divided into thirteen weeks, each beginning with a devotion which is followed by seven prayers. The subjects are real and relevant. The book is heavily Scripture based. There is much hope to be found in the pages of this book.

I am grateful to have received a copy of Prayers for Prodigals from Discovery House an affiliate of RBC Ministries via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

The Chisholm Trail Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo - A Book Review

     

As I read I saw the percentage quickly rise in the bottom corner of my Kindle screen and knew this book would end much too quickly. The Chisholm Trail Bride is the story of Eliza Gentry, daughter of the wealthy rancher, William Gentry, and Wyatt Creed, son of an alcoholic Texas Ranger. An unexpected and deadly event during a spring trail ride on the Chisholm Trail left their friendship fractured and filled with deceit. Nine years later they continued to live with the ramifications.

I really enjoyed this story although I will admit I wish it had ended on July 27, 1889. I won't spoil the story by telling you why. I do highly recommend this book and series. Each contributing author to the series is a stellar storyteller and accomplished writer. I am very grateful to have received a copy of the book from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Dead End by Nancy Mehl - A Book Review

  

My best advice is to be prayed up before you start reading this book. The message is much needed, but the content of spiritual warfare by nature includes the reality of pure evil. Those who enjoy psychological thrillers will be fans of this latest offering by Nancy Mehl,as they will the entire Kaely Quinn Profiler series. Readers can feel the tension of the battles between good and evil, a battle that Kaely is in the midst of throughout the series. Many readers will feel as though they battle alongside her.

I am grateful to have received a copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

Silent Shadows by Natalie Walters - A Book Review

  

While much of this story does not seem very realistic, it is a sweet romance filled with intrigue. The author carries the theme of God's allowing tough times in order to take us to a better place in our lives, a much needed concept in our current times. Some readers of Christian fiction may feel as if Natalie Walters skirted the borders of the genre, but I do feel that overall they will appreciate the story, writing style and message.

I am grateful to have received a copy of Silent Shadows from Revell via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

The Traitor's Pawn by Lisa Harris - A Book Review

   

Lisa Harris never fails to give her fans the intrigue and tension they long for in a romantic suspense novel, but this may be her best book yet! Just when readers think they know what direction the story is about to take, Harris has another surprise in store. The mental pictures she paints with her words are as clear and evoke as much emotion as watching the story play out on the big screen as evidenced by the number of times I felt that quick intake of breath when something unexpected happened, and at other times realized that I was holding my breath as I read. I am not including a synopses with this review because I want each of you to experience this story in the same way I did, with a clean mental slate.

I am very grateful to have received a copy of The Traitor's Pawn from Revell via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.