Showing posts with label book recommendations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book recommendations. Show all posts

7/08/2012

Annie's People, Vols. 1-3 (The Preacher's Daughter, The Englisher, and The Brethren) Review

Annie's People, Vols. 1-3 (The Preacher's Daughter, The Englisher, and The Brethren)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
It seems every Beverly Lewis book I read I can't put down. This book takes you to Lancaster, Pa. where the Amish people live. You get a warm feeling reading Lewis's books and this one is no different. Lewis takes you into the hearts and homes of the Amish and makes you feel like if these characters were real you would want to meet them and get to know them. All Beverly Lewis fans you are in for a treat with this series.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Annie's People, Vols. 1-3 (The Preacher's Daughter, The Englisher, and The Brethren)

Annie Zook is forced by her father, the bishop, to choose between her forbidden art and joining the church, the only life she knows.

Buy NowGet 27% OFF

Click here for more information about Annie's People, Vols. 1-3 (The Preacher's Daughter, The Englisher, and The Brethren)

Read More...

5/18/2012

The Golden Book of Chocolate: Over 300 Great Recipes Review

The Golden Book of Chocolate: Over 300 Great Recipes
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I flipped through this book for quite a while before I finally decided I had to have it. I'm a pastry chef and probably own 50+ chocolate specialty books -- I am now a proud owner of this one as well. The book just looks cool. I'll admit, I was suckered into it just because of the shiny gold cover. Each page edge is coated in a gold leaf that just makes the book feel rich. The recipes are all accompanied by full color photos, which is so important. I am always more tempted to cook things if I can see a photo first.
And the other thing I love is that most of the recipes utilize typical household ingredients that you should have in your pantry. Of course there are a few specialty ingredients here and there, but it's not like you'll be spending loads of money on ingredients to cook these recipes.
The book is very clearly organized into categories, consisting of Cookies, Bars & Brownies, Muffins & Cupcakes, pastries, elegant desserts, Pies & Tarts, Puddings & Creams, Tea & Coffee Cakes, Layer Cakes, Candy, Savory Dishes, Drinks, and Basic Recipes.
I would definitely recommend this to the chocoholic in your life, or dessert addict. I've already cooked quite a few of the recipes and have a bunch more bookmarked for future dates. Happy Baking!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Golden Book of Chocolate: Over 300 Great Recipes



Buy NowGet 36% OFF

Click here for more information about The Golden Book of Chocolate: Over 300 Great Recipes

Read More...

4/13/2012

Paula Deen Celebrates: Best Dishes and Best Wishes for the Best Times of Your Life Review

Paula Deen Celebrates: Best Dishes and Best Wishes for the Best Times of Your Life
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Just in time for the holidays, I got this book. I love Paula Deen's show and her cookbooks always have amazingly simple dishes to prepare.
The author's personal stories and remembrances are what really made this book for me. As a girl from the south, these recipes are like things your Mammaw and Mama used to cook up for the family for a special occasion.
These recipes aren't necessarily things that you would eat in your everyday meals; they're for celebrations. If you're looking for a Southerner to eat tofu and bean sprouts for Thanksgiving, you've got it all wrong and would do better with buying another book. I prefer my tofu marinated in soy sauce and stir fried with pea pods and broccoli, but I'd rather have a turkey and all the trimmins for Thanksgiving.
The recipe book, and I hesitate to call it that because it's more of an entertaining book, has wonderful meal planning recipes and ideas for celebrating with your family & friends. Although I'd have loved more entertaining ideas, maybe next time, Paula?


Click Here to see more reviews about: Paula Deen Celebrates: Best Dishes and Best Wishes for the Best Times of Your Life



Buy NowGet 34% OFF

Click here for more information about Paula Deen Celebrates: Best Dishes and Best Wishes for the Best Times of Your Life

Read More...

4/04/2012

Murder Boogies with Elvis (Southern Sisters Mysteries, No. 8) Review

Murder Boogies with Elvis (Southern Sisters Mysteries, No. 8)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I am a huge fan of Anne Carroll George. I love all of her books. "Murder Boogies with Elvis" is a wonderful continuation of her previous books. Her books are one continuing story of Patricia Anne, Mary Alice, Fred, Woofer - I could name them all but anyone who has read any of her books knows all of the characters by name, too. Unfortunately, the story is ending with this book. I am so sad that this is the last book. I want to "watch" Debbie's twin girls and Brother grow; I want to know about the birth of Joanna, Haley's baby; I want to know if Haley will let Patricia Anne keep Muffin when she and Philip return from Warsaw; I want to know about the next murder that Patricia Anne and Mary Alice will investigate. There are so many quirky characters whose lives make her books so interesting. It is very sad that Ms. George's life was cut short. I miss her, but at least we have the few books she wrote to keep us company.
This book is a must read for all fans of Ms. George. Her writing from one book to the next is so consistent - she never skips anything from one book to the next.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Murder Boogies with Elvis (Southern Sisters Mysteries, No. 8)



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Murder Boogies with Elvis (Southern Sisters Mysteries, No. 8)

Read More...

2/18/2012

Chocolate from the Cake Mix Doctor Review

Chocolate from the Cake Mix Doctor
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Now there are times when we can't prepare something from scratch, and this book is perfect for those times. By adding a few extra ingredients that are readily available in your pantry, you can turn somethin ordinary into something people will rave about, and beg you for the recipe. Meanwhile you have accomplished this with a boxed cake mix, and things you normally have in the pantry. I like this book more than the first book, as well it has one of the things that I enjoy the most.... Chocolate. This book is packed with all sorts of recipes for cake(Chocolate Sour Cream Cake), brownies (Kaluhua Cream Cheese Brownies), and many other tasty creations. The book is well written, easy to read and filled with serving suggestions and so much more. I would highly recommend this book to you if you are looking for something a little special.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Chocolate from the Cake Mix Doctor



Buy NowGet 34% OFF

Click here for more information about Chocolate from the Cake Mix Doctor

Read More...

1/30/2012

Naturally Thin: Unleash Your SkinnyGirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting Review

Naturally Thin: Unleash Your SkinnyGirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I felt very conflicted by this book. A lot of the advice was the sound advice that you've already read in all those women's magazine and seen on TV. You know, things like "calories in need to equal calories out", and try to eat a balanced diet, etc. Then the rest of the book teaches you neurotic, eating disordered behaviors.
Bethenny talks about how you shouldn't have to settle for a filling, healthy meal, when what you really want is a steak. Go ahead and order the steak, BUT you can only have 3 bites. Yep, 3 bites, she repeats that over and over again through the book. I don't know how you're supposed to live off of 3 bites. I can just imagine how concerned my friends and family would be if they saw me ordering food and then only have 3 bites. So what do you do with the rest of your food? You either A) throw it away B) pawn it off on your dinner companions or C) take it home and make your kids eat it. Frankly, I know a woman like this and I dread being around her whenever food is involved. She's constantly trying to pass off her food on everyone, including drinks (which Bethenny recommends). It's one thing if I'm like, "wow, that looks good", but I've never shown any interest in her meal. If I wanted to eat it, I would have ordered it! Then, if she does try to get some bland healthy meal, she stares at what I ordered, and begs for some. It's rude, annoying, and I hate going out to eat with her.
Next, Bethenny talks alot how when you're on a "diet" you act neurotic about food and obsess. Then she gives tips like, never eat a whole bagel, take half a bagel and then pull the bread out of it and eat only the crust. Same goes for english muffins. It also annoys me that she says repeatedly that she learned these eating habits from living in Italy. I'm a thin Italian woman and I EAT food.
Well, I guess if you ever wondered how these celebrities stay so thin, this book is the harsh reality. She gives a list of what she ate for 3 weeks as an example of how she lives. Here's one of the days: breakfast was 1/2 cup of coffee (couldn't possibly drink a whole cup!) and half of a egg white veggie omelet. Lunch was miso soup, glass of chardonnay, 2 prawns, and arugula salad with mushrooms. Dinner was a medium greek salad, a "skinnygirl" margarita, a couple chips with a small scoop of guacamole and roasted vegetables. Snack was a small handful of blueberry granola and almonds. I added that up to about 778 calories, and it's probably less than that since she never actually finishes food. Keep in mind she also exercises quite a bit.
While some of the advice in this book is solid, like "sit down to eat, eat slowly", the rest is actually quite unhealthy and eating disordered. Maybe Bethenny is confusing "naturally thin girls" with anorexics.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Naturally Thin: Unleash Your SkinnyGirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting



Buy NowGet 43% OFF

Click here for more information about Naturally Thin: Unleash Your SkinnyGirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting

Read More...

1/25/2012

The Belly Fat Cure: Discover the New Carb Swap System and Lose 4 to 9 lbs. Every Week Review

The Belly Fat Cure: Discover the New Carb Swap System and Lose 4 to 9 lbs. Every Week
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Please, before you judge or listen to the negative reviews let me say something. I started working this plan when very little information was available about it May of 2009. I did it when there was no book and only limited information available via the internet. Basically I took the 15 sugar 6 carb idea from Jorge and ran with it. So far I have lost 60 lbs on the Belly Fat Cure and I plan to lose 30 more to reach my goal. Those people writing negative reviews just want to open a book and have the weight fall off their bodies. You have to take control and want this for yourself. Read the book for insight and understanding and not just to be led around like a puppet.
Second, I live in a rural area with no Whole Foods Market or anything around and have to travel far for a health food store or order online to get some of the items that are in book. But not all of them. Jorge just gives the healthiest options, but you can make substitutions. If something is not available in your area, use something else. Most of us don't know that these healthier products exist. We let the mainstream dictate what we are putting in our bodies and feeding to our children. What we should be doing instead of attacking Jorge is to demand that these healthier options be made more readily available to us in our local markets. A lot of what he proposes include no artificial sweetners because of their alleged negative affects. If this isn't a concern of yours then make a substitution that includes artificial sweetners. I'm sure Jorge wouldn't advocate this but I have to admit that I do use some of the products that are on his Belly Bad List. I make the food and the plan work for me. For instance, Jorge doesn't like sugar free puddings that you can buy on the shelf because of the artificial sweetners. I try to avoid the artificial sweetners as much as I can but if I want a chocolate pudding then I'll have one. No biggie. Personal choice, hello?
I do not have a ton of money and was actually unemployed when I started this way of eating last summer. Yes, I think of it as a way of eating - not a diet. This is how I live now. So to those who claim its expensive that's not true. It doesn't have to be. The recipes in the book are simple and great tasting. They include normal foods that you probably already eat now. Its just about making it in a healthier way and making better choices. Things you would never think you could eat while losing weight. You do not feel deprived at all. It really is a mindset change more than anything.
I'm shocked and amazed at the people who complain about it being full of recipes, menu plans, and product evaluations?? Really this has me baffled. Isn't that what we all need anyway - the meat and potatoes of the thing? While Jorge explains an overview of the science behind why the plan works, do you really want a book full of technical jargon and trials and studies? If you google Jorge Cruise or take a look at some of his Youtube videos....he has interviews on there with experts that explain more indepth about the dangers of sugar. This is serious business, folks. Check them out.
I really hope that people will try this way of eating and don't judge the book based on the negative reviews. Its a shame because I know that I rely heavily on amazon reviews for nearly everything but this is one instance where I can truly say the negative reviewers have it all wrong.
Thank you, Jorge, for your passion for health and bringing awareness to this nation. The book and your wisdom have been a blessing to me and my family.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Belly Fat Cure: Discover the New Carb Swap System and Lose 4 to 9 lbs. Every Week



Buy NowGet 41% OFF

Click here for more information about The Belly Fat Cure: Discover the New Carb Swap System and Lose 4 to 9 lbs. Every Week

Read More...