The Oh She Glows Cookbook: Review

My daughter gave me this wonderful book for Christmas, The Oh She Glows Cookbook and I've enjoyed experimenting with some new recipes and tasting them at the table. Below you will find a smoothie recipe that goes with the book meme on page 56.

About The Book

After a decade of struggling with an eating disorder and subsisting on diet, low-calorie processed foods, Angela Liddon vowed to get healthy once and for all. Done with feeling sick and tired, she threw out her fat-free butter spray and low-calorie frozen dinners. Instead, Angela embraced whole foods that made her glow from the inside out. But first, she had to learn to cook-and eat-right. Five years ago, Angela started a blog, ohsheglows.com, to spread the word about her journey to health and the powerful transformation that food can make in our lives. Almost overnight, her energy and authenticity attracted readers eager to create their own positive life changes. Today, Oh She Glows attracts millions of visitors every month, making it one of the most popular vegan recipe blogs on the Internet.

The Friday #56

"Adding greens to smoothies is a trend you see everywhere these days, but when I first started adding spinach to my smoothies in 2009, many of my blog readers, family members, and coworkers were both horrified and intrigued by the weird-looking drinks that gave me so much energy."

I've never made a smoothie with greens before. Guess I'm brave enough to try it. I've always added blueberries and other types of fruit in mine. How about you?

Glowing Mojo-ito Green Monster 

1/2 cup watermelon cubes (optional but recommended)

1 to 1 1/2 cups baby spinach or other leafy green

1 cup coconut water or water

1 large sweet apple (such as Gala or Honeycrisp)

3 Tbl avocado

1 to 2 Tbl  fresh lime juice

5 to 10 large mint leaves, to taste

5 large ice cubes

Makes 1 (3 - cup) smoothie

Prep Time: 5 mins.

1. Freeze the watermelon cubes (if using) overnight or until frozen solid.

2. In a high-speed blender, combine all of the ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and toast to green drinks!

Tip: If using water instead of coconut water, you might want to add a bit of liquid sweetener to make up for the lack of sweetness.

Book Review

If you're looking for healthy plant-based recipes from whole foods that are free of chemicals and additives, then look no more. I'm a huge fan of meals that taste good and the author delivers yummy food to create from this beautiful cookbook. At the beginning, we get a glimpse as to what tools can and should be in everyone's kitchen. You'll find 10 breakfast ideas, plus 11 smoothie recipes. Then we have an excellent appetizer section that I personally like. I have created a few recipes that I really enjoy serving my family. For example, the Glowing Strawberry-Mango Guacamole is fantastic, sweet to the taste with refreshing colors to look at! You can't go wrong with snacking on the Taco Fiesta Potato Crisps and the Classic Hummus. Next, you'll dive into 8 dynamic, healthy vibrant salads. The Roasted Beet salad with Hazelnuts, Thyme & Balsamic Reduction is a favorite of mine. Dive into 15 Entrees with some delicious bean and lentil recipes. Move on to the 9 Power Snacks section to explore. Towards the back of the book,  you'll find a Homemade Staples section for Grapeseed Mayonnaise, Pumpkin Butter and much more. Now the book is complete with a Basic Cooking Chart for many kinds of rice measurements in the end notes. The food photography is very professional and the recipes are so delicious. I find this one to be one of the best Vegan Cookbooks overall. Get it!

5/5 stars! Highly recommend.

Pyramid Poem

I have been working with my grandson on writing stories and especially working with poems.

                                                                        T

                                                                    Tulips

                                                               Terrific Tulips

                                                     Terrific Tulips Tip-Toe

                                             Terrific Tulips Tip-Toe Tenderly

            

You will find great writing resources here. Be sure and check out their shop!

WriteShop Primary Book Set

A Prayer for Spiritual Beauty

These gorgeous tulips were a gift from my sweet husband. The bulbs are now located in our planter box for many more seasons to enjoy!

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. - Ecclesiastes 3:114

Skywatch Friday

Spring is here in SoCal and sometimes the sunlight dances on top of the valley fog!

Happy reading and skywatching!






“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2015 – All rights reserved
LadyD Books

Review: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

About This Book

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. 


The Friday #56

I had heard a lot about this book and was anxious to dig in since it was on the #1 Best seller list!

"Yeah, I know," I answered. "We're kind of like Beauty and the Beast."

My Review

It's a story about a loving family that deals with and endures everyday challenges that probably you and I have never had to experience. Woven throughout the story is a theme of unconditional love that family and friends have for Auggie who has a badly disfigured face. If that's not enough of a struggle to daily accept, then add to the mix that he's a 5th grader but so sensitive, funny and very intelligent. The detailed account of students and adults inflicting cruel wounds is so painful to read but the rewards of seeing the display of kindness is monumentally triumphant. The short chapters spoken from various characters is a refreshing approach, making the book a quick read. The author's style of writing is warm and she really draws you in. I cried at the very end with such a huge emotional release as I know you will, too. Auggie's journey will inspire you to practice kindness to all because we really don't know what each person we meet is going through. This story is so inspirational. This is a must read and a great addition for home and school libraries. I loved reading this one!

5/5 stars. Highly recommend!

Happy Reading!

Skywatch Friday

Although the winter night temperatures can get pretty low in December, sometimes the sunrises here in SoCal are so glorious... that there are no words!

Happy Skywatching!

 “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2015 – All rights reserved
LadyD Books

Review: Help! I'm Trapped In My Teacher's Body

About The Book

The first and original book in Todd's world-wide best-selling Help! I'm Trapped in... series. This hysterically funny book about the misadventures of Jake Sherman and his friends have sold more than five million copies worldwide and have been translated into numerous languages.

The Friday #56  (56% reader)

"Great... er, I mean, terrible," I said. "I had Jake, I mean Mr. Dirksen in my body, hang upside down and drink water until it ran out of his nose and he still doesn't want to be in his own body again."

Why I Like It

An exciting storyline involving a student getting into trouble named Jake Sherman and Mr. Dirksen who is a boring science teacher. I really enjoyed the story because it held my attention, shows empathy for others and I feel it's just right for middle graders. It's a fun, fictional read that is full of humoresque adventures between a dorky science teacher and a student who end up living in each other's body and liking it for awhile... but will they be forever trapped? Read on for the exciting conclusion.

5/5 stars. Recommend it.

About The Author: Todd Strasser

Todd Strasser is the author of more than 120 novels for YA and middle graders. His YA novels including such award winners as No Place, If I Grow Up, Boot camp, Can't Get There From Here, Give a Boy a Gun, Wish You Were Dead, Blood on My Hands, Kill You Last, the Impact Zone series, and the DriftX series.

His books for middle graders include Abe Lincoln for Class President, Byte barkley: Secret agent K-9, Don't get Caught in the Girls' Locker Room, Grizzly Attack, and the best-selling 17-book Help! I'm Trapped in... series.

His most recent novel for grades 5 and up, FALLOUT, received a stellar review in the New York Times and was named a must-read middle school book by School Library Journal.

Todd lives in a superb of New York and speaks frequently at schools.



Skywatch Friday

Looks like one big fish and so many little fish to me. What do you see?

Happy reading and skywatching!






“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2015 – All rights reserved
LadyD Books

The Tastes of the Planets: Review

Book Beginning

"If there was one thing that Balu Baldauf hated, that was dinner time. In how many words can you say yucky or yummy? He wondered."

The Friday #56

"Mars wanted to cook something that was brave like him. So he cooked BITTER tasting foods like dark leafy greens like kale and lettuce, coffee, dark chocolate, bitter melon, dandelion root, rhubarb, turmeric and neem leaves."

"And they all got together and had the best potluck picnic ever because delicious food comes in every taste."

Linking up with The Book Nook

Book Review

In this 4th book of the series, children will learn food types that are different on other planets, such as  bitter, sweet and spicy tastes. The many colorful and cheery illustrations complement the simple text for older children to self-read and young ones to hear aloud. It's a cute story plot about the sun hosting a picnic and the gathering of the planets providing various food groups to enjoy. What a fun way for children to learn about food from all over the world, as bright and energetic Balu, embarks on this journey with a renewed perspective for cooking a unique flavor that he likes.

5/5/ stars!

Book Description

How many ways can BeBe say something was really tasty or yucky? Describing food is not as easy as it would seem. Read the book to learn six different tastes and flavors. 

In this book Sun is having a picnic and invites his friends to cook and bring food of different tastes. BeBe tries to find ingredients for cooking and tries different tastes from chocolates to chili sauce. 

This insightful beginner reader’s eBook will teach your child about different tastes and flavors, foods, fruits and vegetables for each type of taste. It will encourage your child to experiment new foods and tastes. This book is inspired by ancient Eastern astrology. 

Your kids will enjoy cute full-color illustrations of BeBe and delicious foods. With simple text and 18 colorful illustrations, it is sure to captivate your kids' hearts. 

The tastes of the planets! is a sweet children's book written especially for you and your kids ages 2- 8. The story is suitable as a read aloud book for preschoolers or a self-read book for beginner readers. Although this book may be ideal for young kids, it also enjoyable for the whole family as well! This is the fourth book in the Balu Baldauf series. Follow the entire series and look for new titles for your Kindle.

"Balu Baldauf is trying to cook up his own flavor, too."

Biography

Ruthz SB is a children's book author and illustrator, she lives with her husband and daughter in southern California. After a few years at work, she followed her passion - drawing and writing. Currently, she thrilled with her picture book series. Her favorite topics - cooking, astrology, music, nature, spirituality, friendship, vegan and life lessons.

You can get Ruthz SB's book by clicking on the following link:

Children's Picture Books

Happy reading!






“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis

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Zippy Garlic Sky

About the Author

Kristen Feola is the author of the best-selling book, The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast, an encouraging and engaging resource for individuals, small groups, and churches participating in the Daniel Fast. Her blog, http://www.ultimatedanielfast.com, inspires thousands of people around the world. Kristen is a frequent contributor to Pentecostal Evangel magazine, and her writing has appeared in a variety of Christian and health-related publications. She has worked as a personal trainer, fitness instructor, and nutritional consultant. Kristen lives in Springfield, Missouri, with her husband and two daughters.

Book Description

 

The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast is an inspiring resource for Christians who want to pursue a more intimate relationship with God through the 21-day commitment to prayer and fasting known as the Daniel Fast. As you deny yourself certain foods - such as sugars, processed ingredients, and solid fats - you will not only embrace healthier eating habits, you’ll also discover a greater awareness of God’s presence. Author Kristen Feola explains the Daniel Fast in easy-to-understand language, provides 21 thought-provoking devotionals for each day of the fast, and shares more than 100 tasty, easy-to-make recipes that follow fasting guidelines. In a conversational style, Feola helps you structure the fast so you can spend less time thinking about what to eat and more time focusing on God. You will also discover that “to fast” means “to feast” on the only thing that truly nourishes?God’s powerful Word. For more info, please visit www.ultimatedanielfast.com.

The Friday 56 

"Garlic is one of my favorite herbs because it adds a unique, distinctive zip to any dish. Just think of what pesto would be without garlic. Bland, and boring."

I really like this book so far and I'm looking forward to posting my review.
What are you reading?

Skywatch Friday 

It sure pays off to wake up early and see a majestic sunrise. It's raining today and oh, how we welcome the much needed water for SoCal. This particular photo was taken while observing a glorious early November sun rising over the eastern mountains. I was thinking of all the garlic I use when I prepare meals for my family. After reading the above snippet, I thought why not... a zippy garlic sky!

Enjoy the weekend!

If you enjoyed this blog post, please consider following on Bloglovin' Keep in touch with me on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, YouTube and Pinterest, too!

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis

Friday 56: Natural Cosmetics

My mother-in-law gave me this cool paperback book to read. It's called,

COMPLETE BOOK OF NATURAL COSMETICS: AN AUTHORITATIVE GUIDE TO NATURAL BEAUTY AIDS THAT CAN BE PREPARED IN THE BUYERS OWN KITCHEN

 I quickly skimmed through the contents and discovered the use of fruits and vegetable cosmetics, such as... grapefruit, apples, lemons, limes, strawberries, cucumber, pineapple and papaya. Then there's the use of teas and herbs, like licorice, slippery elm, rose-water, honey, oatmeal and lavender.

Have you used natural substances in your hair or put them on the face before? And were you pleased with the results?? As I get older, I'm constantly reading food labels everywhere I go. I guess the same applies with cosmetics, sunscreen, etc.

So, dear readers... what do you slather and lather, rub and spray on your face?!

Snippet

I noticed one recipe that was marked in the book called, Golden Scarecrow Beauty Drops.

1 egg
2 Tbl. sesame oil
2 Tbl. honey

Separate the egg, drop the yolk into a small jar, then add the sesame oil and the honey. Hand-stir until thick, rich and smooth. Now add the egg white, close the jar, and shake hard. The mixture will thin out somewhat and become even smoother. And so will you, when you dab it on in dry-skin or wrinkle areas-- throat, elbows, upper lip, and especially those nasty crow's-feet around the eyes. You wondered why I called this "Scarecrow," didn't you? Try it, and you'll find out!

 

The Friday 56 

 

 "You now have a cup and a half of the most luxurious, skin-loving lotion you've ever met, with a "pH" (acidity or alkalinity level - in this case, acidity) in the normal-skin range - about 5.5. It's a pale-green emulsion, rich in feel, with the skin-loving qualities of cucumber and apple pectin, the protein content of egg and yogurt, the astringency of witch hazel, and the emolliency of apricot-kernel oil." --Beatrice Travern

 Kirkus Reviews

"As commonsensical and easy to do as squeezing a grapefruit into ethanol alcohol. Presto! - a zingy astringent."

 

About The Author

Beatrice Traven, author of the first modern book on cosmetics to be made at home, Here's Egg on Your Face, was hailed by Mademoiselle as "the Julia Child of cosmetic cookbooks."

COMPLETE BOOK OF NATURAL COSMETICS: AN AUTHORITATIVE GUIDE TO NATURAL BEAUTY AIDS THAT CAN BE PREPARED IN THE BUYERS OWN KITCHEN





 “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis

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Review: The Call To Follow Jesus by Kim Lailberte

 Amazon Snippet

 

The Call to Follow Jesus is a manual for kingdom living. This interactive book features nine weeks of looking into the life and times of Jesus by going through the Gospel of Mark verse by verse. In it you gain an understanding of how Jesus called, taught, led and changed His disciples. How they learned to "see" and "hear" transformed them into world-changers. It is the same process God uses in our lives today. Written as a companion for sermon study groups, small groups, women's studies or as a stand alone handbook and guide through the Gospel of Mark, this book will change you. This study explores topics such as Getting in touch with the gift of pain; The me I don't want to see; Faith concealed, revealed and rewarded; and When seeing malfunctions: Truth twisting.

Product Details

• Series: Kingdom Living in a Twisted World
• Paperback: 214 pages
• Publisher: WestBowPress (June 24, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1449795927
• ISBN-13: 978-1449795924

The Friday 56

"But I also trust you've gathered the cloak of hope around you as you have seen Who has the power over evil; Who has the power to save; Who has the power to change us from the inside out." -- Kim Laliberte

My Review 

 

An engaging study, verse by verse you'll gain new insights into the Gospel of Mark. A fresh approach from a lawyer's perspective, the author asks many thought-provoking questions that will cause the reader to dig deeper and find new understanding in God's word. I especially like the layout of the book. There are 9 Chapters with each one yielding a 5 day approach, along with an hour of daily homework (more or less) in writing out your newly discovered answers. 

The Background Information provides cultural insights, while The Disciple's Perspective offers clues on what Christ's disciples experienced. You will be enriched by the Historical Quotes, plus the Parallel Passages offer more clarity on scripture. Getting to the Heart of the Matter is my favorite part of the study, so rich in personal application. This is a wonderful series for everyone and you will not be disappointed. I highly recommend this one for study groups, women's studies and a personal study that will greatly impact your life, causing you to be a contagious Christian!

5/5 stars!

About the Author

Kim Laliberte graduated from Biola University with a BS in Christian Education. She later attended law school. She is a former law professor and currently practices civil appellate law in Southern California. She taught adult Bible studies and trained leaders for many years at her local church where she also served on staff as the director of women's ministries and director of adult education. She is a popular Bible teacher and speaker at retreats, luncheons and conferences. She and her husband John have one son. They are recent transplants to San Diego County where they are experiencing and adjusting to country living for the first time.

Personal Note

I had the privilege of getting to know the author over a period of nine weeks at my home church.  Kim is a bright light in the community. Along with being an excellent speaker,  I  found Kim to be kind and loving, sensitive and gracious, and a strong encourager. I appreciate her labor of love from The Series Kingdom Living In A Twisted World. You ask, what golden nugget did I receive? Well, to 're-frame the lie, trust the word and hold on to the rope of hope. I'm going to keep pedaling, knowing God is always with me and enjoy the view!

More Reviews  

 

See what others are saying about Kim's book and visit her website, http://www.kimlaliberteministries.com

The Call to Follow Jesus: Studies in the Gospel of Mark: From the Series Kingdom Living in a Twisted World




 “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis

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Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now

 The Friday 56

"If I am comfortable inside my skin, I have the ability to make other people comfortable inside their skins although their feelings are not my primary reason for making my fashion choice."  -- Maya Angelou

 I liked reading this excerpt so much that I thought I would continue along with the author's thoughts..
Quotes from Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now (Paperback) by Maya Angelou

"If I feel good inside my skin and clothes, I am thus free to allow my body its sway, its natural grace, its natural gesture. Then I am so comfortable that whatever I wear looks good on me even to the external fashion arbiters."

"Dress is important to mention because many people are impressed by powerful dictates on what is right and proper to wear. Those decisions made by others and sometimes at their convenience are not truly meant to make life better or finer or more graceful or more gracious. Many times they stem from greed, insensitivity, and the need for control."

"I have been in the company, not long to be sure, but in company hwere a purveyor of taste will look at a woman or man who enters a room and will say with a sneer, That was last year's jacket." As hastily as possible, I leave that company, but not before I record the snide attitude which has nothing to do with the beauty or effectiveness of the garment, but rather gives the speaker a moment's sense of superiority at, of course, someone else's expense."

"Seek the fashion which truly fits and befits you. You will always be in fashion if you are true to yourself. You might, of course, rightly wear that style which is emblazoned on the pages of the fashion magazines of the day, or you might not."

"The statement "Clothes make the man" should be looked at, reexamined, and in fact re-evaluated. Clothes can make the man or woman look silly and foppish and foolish. Try rather to be so much yourself that the clothes you choose increase your naturalness and grace."

Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now (Paperback)




 “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis

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