The Belly Fat Cure Sugar & Carb Counter
by Jorge Cruise is the guidebook to the author’s diet plan to help lose weight
by cutting out hidden sugars and carbs in your diet. Learn how to do it quickly
with this book and then use it daily as a guide to staying on plan to lose
weight.
Book
Description
“Based on
the revolutionary #1New York
Timesbestseller that is
changing the way America eats, this is the only supermarket guide that exposes
the true cause of belly fat and disease: hidden sugar!
Transforming your health, energy, and waistline is
as easy as 1, 2, 3:
1. Unlock the secret to fat loss that food
conglomerates don't want you to know.
2. Follow the one simple menu that tells you
exactly what to eat to melt up to 9 pounds this week.
3. Discover thousands of "Belly Good"
items that make shedding pounds each week a snap.
With a bonus dining-out section featuring menu
items from some of your favorite restaurants, this comprehensive guide will
help you look and feel your best in no time at all!”
– The Belly Fat Cure
Sugar & Carb Counter
My Thoughts
The Belly
Fat Cure Sugar & Carb Counter is the book in Jorge Cruise’s program
that acts as a handy little guide to counting your daily sugar and carb
allowances. It doesn’t spend very many pages explaining the diet or giving you
pre-designed meal plans. It does however give a very fast intro to the diet, in
an easily understood manner to get started with it right away. Personally, I
really like this about it. I don’t think it needs a hundred pages to explain
something that is rather straightforward, so I like this short and simple
approach to it.
I won’t say how many grams of sugar or carbs are
allowed on this diet (buy the book to find that out!) but it is rather doable
for most people, I think. Losing up to 9 lbs in the first week is enough to
make me want to try this diet out soon. Plus, it doesn’t eliminate carbs and
sugars all together like many other diets do. Those don’t work for me, so just
cutting back and not eating the hidden sugars will hopefully work for me.
If you want to cut sugars and carbs down in your
diet, but still eat some and lose weight, this is definitely a plan you’ll want
to look into. I recommend checking it out and of course, before starting any
diet plan, talk to your doctor.
* Thank you
to the publisher of The Belly Fat Cure Sugar & Carb Counter, Hay House, for providing me with a copy of
this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Art of True Healing by Israel
Regardie and edited by Marc Allen is a book on Western mysticism that unveils
how to use meditation exercises to help heal your body, mind, and spirit.
Book
Description
“The Art of True Healingdetails
a powerful exercise that stimulates the body, mind, and spirit to help us
create physical health and personal success. Originally published in 1932,
predating by more than a half century the current interest in the mind’s power
to heal, this concise work guides readers through what Israel Regardie calls
the Middle Pillar meditation — a technique that combines the mystical concepts
of yoga’s chakras and the Kabbalah’s Tree of Life to create a simple and
effective healing tool.
In this edition,
editor Marc Allen brings Regardie’s work into the twenty-first century —
showing us how to unleash energy to heal our bodies and, ultimately, every part
of our lives. Like few books before or since,The Art of True Healing provides both the theory and
practices necessary for attaining well-being and fulfillment.” – The
Art of True Healing
My Thoughts
The Art of
True Healing is a magical little book filled with pages that can truly help
to heal your physical body and your soul. You will learn about the force of
life, how to awaken your energy center, the art of healing, tuning in to the
infinite, and much more.
The “Middle Pillar” meditation can be used by all
of us, not just those who have practiced meditation for years. Beginners may
even be highly surprised by just how much they can benefit from reading this book
and doing this meditation. After all, who doesn’t want to try something to help
improve their lives and heal their health without the use of medications?
I like doing the meditations in this book because
you can alter them to suit your needs. They aren’t something you have to do
exactly like what is outlined, and for outside the box thinkers like myself,
that is perfect! I highly recommend this book to all.
* Thank you
to the publisher of The Art of True Healing, New World Library, for providing me
with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
“The Sims 3: Seasons”
is the expansion pack that is all about the changing seasons and different
weather to expect during each one. Now your Sims will be able to experience the
different holidays and activities that each season brings with it. If you love “The
Sims 3” games, this is definitely an expansion pack you don’t want to skip!
Game Description
“Let your Sims swim in the ocean on a
hot summer day, bob for apples in the autumn leaves, test their snowboarding
skill on the half pipe, or welcome spring showers with a walk in the rain and a
colorful umbrella. All-new activities, like soccer, and big seasonal festivals
and celebrations bring the spirit of each season to life. Your Sims can pucker
up at the kissing booth at the spring festival, or see what Halloween surprises
await in the haunted house. Dress for the weather with seasonal fashions from
sun dresses to raincoats and snow gear. With new foods, décor and weather
effects, your Sims can enjoy the bounty and beauty of the ever-changing seasons
and play with life like never before!
Key Features
oDelight your Sims with new
activities for every season: Whether building an intimate igloo, carving a
scary Jack o’ lantern, taking a plunge off the diving board, or setting off
all-new fireworks, your Sim can always find new things to do throughout the
year.
oJoin the fun with seasonal
festivals: Sims can get in a snowball fight at the annual winter festival, get
their faces painted at the summer festival, whoop it up at the spring dance, or
bob for apples during the fall festival.
oExperience the joy and challenge of
changing weather: New weather effects and Sim reactions capture the power and
beauty of nature! Sims can get a tan, be struck by lightning, or catch a cold!
oBring the outdoors inside: Your Sim
can now learn the recipe for pumpkin pie or style their home with new furniture
and décor. There are a host of new items to ring in each season. Get a tanning
booth in time for summer, or ring in the holiday spirit with house lights and
decorations.
oDress for the weather: Outfit your
Sim in new styles for the season, including snow gear, wetsuits, raincoats and
umbrellas, and new Halloween costumes!
oWelcome mysterious visitors: New
weather patterns aren’t the only things appearing in the sky! Befriend an alien
visitor and use their UFO to abduct a neighbor, invade a community lot, or
travel to the stars.” – The Sims 3: Seasons
My Thoughts
As
a very serious Sims player, I have been waiting for a long time to be able to
change the weather or seasons in the game. When I first heard that we’d have
that option with this new expansion pack, I was thrilled! Thankfully, after
playing it for about a month now, I can honestly say that I am continually
surprised by it and still love having it be a part of my gaming experience.
This is not an expansion pack that can get boring or overused because it is
integrated so well within your neighborhoods. I really enjoy it, and if you are
a Sims player, I think that you will too.
The
weather added to the game includes: sunny, rain, lightning, hail, snow, and
fog. Sims can experience many of the things that we can experience when dealing
with the weather. They can get stuck in the snow, have visible mist from their
mouth when it is cold, get struck by lightning, splash in puddles, and even get
sunburns if out in the sun for too long. Sims can also get sick now, so be sure
that they are in good health! If your Sim town is hit with an epidemic of the
flu, don’t worry, they can be cured with a vaccine.
One
of the additions I really like is that Sims can now swim in the oceans in the
game. I always wondered why they couldn’t before, but finally they can! If you
have pets though, they can’t swim out there with you. Probably for the best,
you wouldn’t want them to be some tasty shark bait, would you?
I
really enjoy all of the winter activities, so the snow addition is my favorite.
My Sims enjoy snowboarding on the half pipes, which can also be used year round
thanks to artificial snow. Sims can also build snowmen and igloos, which is
really fun for Sims of all ages to do. Sims can freeze, so don’t leave them
outside for too long.
There
is also a new lifestate that was added in “The Sims 3: Seasons” for aliens. I
love this addition, and am very glad that they added this lifestate again. I
haven’t had too much time to devote to this lifestate, but I hope to get to
make a whole alien colony in a neighborhood one day.
The
only thing I was a little bit disappointed about was the new clothing for the
Sims. Not very much was added for this expansion pack, but what was added is all
quite nice for seasonal wear. I could always use more clothing in the game, so
this is probably something only certain types of players would want more of.
Overall,
I really enjoy this expansion pack and think that it is one that everyone who
plays “The Sims 3” will enjoy. I highly recommend it.
* Thank you to
the publisher of The Sims 3: Seasons, Electronic Arts, and Gamers
Gate for providing me with a
digital copy of this game and allowing me to review it. All experiences and
opinions expressed are my own.
The Blood Gospel by James Collins
and Rebecca Cantrell is a supernatural action novel that is unlike many books I
have read. It features vampires, Catholicism, history, and makes for a vampire
series like no other out there.
Book
Description
“In his first-ever collaboration,New York Timesbestselling author James Rollins
combines his skill for cutting-edge science and historical mystery with
award-winning novelist Rebecca Cantrell's talent for haunting suspense and
sensual atmosphere in a gothic tale about an ancient order and the hunt for a
miraculous book known only as...The
Blood Gospel
An
earthquake in Masada, Israel, kills hundreds and reveals a tomb buried in the
heart of the mountain. A trio of investigators—Sergeant Jordan Stone, a
military forensic expert; Father Rhun Korza, a Vatican priest; and Dr. Erin
Granger, a brilliant but disillusioned archaeologist—are sent to explore the
macabre discovery, a subterranean temple holding the crucified body of a
mummified girl.
But
a brutal attack at the site sets the three on the run, thrusting them into a
race to recover what was once preserved in the tomb's sarcophagus: a book
rumored to have been written by Christ's own hand, a tome that is said to hold
the secrets to His divinity. The enemy who hounds them is like no other, a
force of ancient evil directed by a leader of impossible ambitions and
incalculable cunning.
From
crumbling tombs to splendorous churches, Erin and her two companions must
confront a past that traces back thousands of years, to a time when ungodly
beasts hunted the dark spaces of the world, to a moment in history when Christ
made a miraculous offer, a pact of salvation for those who were damned for
eternity.
Here
is a novel that is explosive in its revelation of a secret history. Why do
Catholic priests wear pectoral crosses? Why are they sworn to celibacy? Why do
the monks hide their countenances under hoods? And why does Catholicism insist
that the consecration of wine during Mass results in its transformation to
Christ's own blood? The answers to all go back to a secret sect within the
Vatican, one whispered as rumor but whose very existence was painted for all to
see by Rembrandt himself, a shadowy order known simply as the Sanguines.
In
the end, be warned:some
books should never be found, never opened—until now.” – The
Blood Gospel
My Thoughts
The Blood
Gospel is a vampire story that is unlike many out there today. It doesn’t
have glittery vampires falling in love with humans, and focuses instead on a
psychological, supernatural theory that vampires are actually in the Catholic Church.
How very intriguing, huh?
In this story, there is a cryptic order is in
search for a forbidden book that was rumored to have been written by Christ’s
hand, in his own blood, which holds the secrets to his miracles as described in
the Bible. Three investigators uncovering an ancient tomb find more than they
bargained for, and realize that some things should never be found. (No spoilers
here!)
I love vampire stories, and this one is seriously
a series I am very happy to be reading. It is a mixture of the vampire lore I
love, and the creepy historical accuracies that make portions of this story very
real. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, and can’t wait to read the
future books in the series. I highly recommend it.
* Thank you
to the publisher of The Blood Gospel, William
Morrow, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions
expressed are my own.
The Secret Gospel of Ireland by James
Behan and Leo Behan is a look at how Christianity was spread to Ireland, and
what it meant for the rest of the world after it happened. History lovers and
those of Irish decent will definitely want to read this book to learn more
about it!
Book
Description
“As the light of their empire faded into
history, the ancient Romans made one last-ditch effort to plant the seed of
their civilization in a foreign land—they launched a mission to bring
Christianity to Ireland. And there, on a little Emerald Isle that had never
been conquered and occupied by Rome, something extraordinary happened. In the
process of converting from paganism to Christianity, the ancient Irish
developed a remarkable approach to the Christian faith that would one day make
science, democracy, and our modern world possible.
In this joyous and illuminating journey through
more than ten centuries of history, James and Leo Behan follow the astonishing
story of how the holy men of Ireland shepherded the West from antiquity to the
modern era. With their powerful brand of “Irish Christianity,” the monks of
Ireland transformed Europe and produced the key that would ultimately unlock
the awesome potential of the Christian faith.
Sure to intrigue, entertain, transform, and
capture the imagination, The Secret Gospel of Ireland lifts the veil that has
for so long separated science and democracy from their Christian roots in
ancient Ireland. More than a book, it is a revelation in which history,
philosophy, and theology come together to show how our civilization floats in a
sea of faith that was born on the Emerald Isle centuries ago.” – The
Secret Gospel of Ireland
My Thoughts
The Secret
Gospel of Ireland is an extremely well written book about Christianity in
Ireland. It is thoroughly researched, but is still a book that is easily read
by anyone interested in the subject. It isn’t just for scholarly types or those
only interested in theology.
As someone who loves history, and is of some Irish
heritage, I love all things Celtic and Irish. I’ve read and watched many things
about Ireland, but this book enhanced my prior knowledge about it, and went
well beyond it. If you are of Irish decent as well, I think this book would
definitely help you to better understand where your ancestors came from.
The authors of this book does an excellent job of
educating and enlightening both the average person interested in history, and
the history buff that watches the History channel religiously. If you fall into
this category, this is a book that I think you will find very entertaining. I
highly recommend it.
* Thank you
to the publisher of The Secret Gospel of Ireland, Skywest Publishing, for
providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my
own.
The Tree of Enchantment by Orion
Foxwood is a book that takes the reader on a soul journey to better understand
the lower, middle, and upper realms. It is not for those merely interested in
it, but for those with a serious awareness about it.
Book
Description
“In Faery Seership the truths we seek can only be found
within ourselves, within nature, and within our relationships to nature. At the
center of the Faery Tradition lies the Tree of Enchantment: the symbol for
these relationships and for the threefold life of humanity. At each level of
the tree, there are attending spirit forces that vary from beings of light to
beings of shadow, from the ancestors of humanity to the architects of form and
nature, from the destiny of our planet to the creation forces of the universe.
The tree's roots grow through the lower world, where all life originates and
the dead travel, its trunk and lower branches reach out across the middle
world, where elemental forces and the four directions guide us, and its highest
branches reach the into the upper world and the Star realm.
Weaving together
folk tradition and extensive academic research, Orion Foxwood has created an
accessible, beautifully written pathway into the Old Religion of Faery
Seership. Based on Appalachian traditions, Wiccan studies, Celtic oral
traditions, and the Craft from Western and Northern Europe,The Tree of Enchantment offers
the student of Faery Tradition both introductory and advanced visionary
practices and authentic tools to learn to navigate the three realms of
humanity. With diligence and an open heart, the reader will learn to cross The
River of Blood, pass through The Gate of Awakening, and over The River of Stars.” – The Tree of
Enchantment
My Thoughts
The Tree of
Enchantment is another marvelous book by Orion Foxwood. This one guides the
reader to understand and then communicate with the three realms. I didn’t
personally do this, but I still find the whole book and process of it highly
fascinating and is something I want to venture into one day.
As I said, this type of work is not something to
be taken lightly, and I personally wouldn’t do these guided visualizations or
exercises without being fully grounded and in complete understanding of what I
was getting myself into. I don’t feel that I am there, so for me, just being
able to read and learn more about it is satisfying for me. If you are where you
think you can do it, then by all means, go for it (and let me know how it
went).
Foxwood’s magical way of writing is weaved
throughout this book, and is truly enjoyable. If this is a subject that
interests you, I highly suggest this book.
* Thank you
to the publisher of The Tree of Enchantment, Weiser Books, for providing me with a
copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Queen of the Night by Sharynne
Macleod Nicmhacha is a historical and spiritual book about the ancient Celts,
and how they used the moon in some of their practices. Discover how they used
the moon for power, and how you can use it in your life, too.
Book
Description
“Queen of
the Nighthelps readers understand the role and power of the moon in
the ancient religions, folklore, and mythology of Ireland and the British isles
and then discover how to tap that power in their daily lives.
Queen
of the Nightis a journey
into the world of Celtic cosmology, shamanism, and sacred animals, as well as
Celtic language, art, and culture, to discover the power and centrality of the
moon. Since the earliest times, from stone circles and passage graves to the
rites and customs of Druids, the moon has been the symbol of the Goddess and
has played a crucial role in worship and celebration.
In
13 chapters representing the moon's monthly and annual cycles, NicMhacha tells
the story of Celtic moon mythology, as well as touching upon Greek, Hindu, and
Norse traditions. Each chapter sets forth the role of the moon in Celtic
tradition and culture and includes poetry, quotes, or prayers honoring the
moon. At the end of each chapter, she offers meditations, ceremonies, and exercises
to help readers connect with the moon and apply its power to their lives.
From
the world of fairies to bards, seekers, and shamans; from the moon's role in
the secret meetings of women spinners to the role of sacred animals and mythic
beings,Queen of the Nightis a lively, informative, and
transformative book for anyone who wants to understand and experience the power
of the moon.” – Queen of the
Night
My Thoughts
Queen of the
Night is a book that I was really excited to read. I love Celtic lore and
am quite interested of anything having to do with the moon and lunar cycles.
This book does not disappoint. It is actually much better than I thought it
would be. Sharynne Macleod Nicmhacha lays out the book magically, and I enjoyed
all of it.
I enjoy learning about history and spirituality,
and this book is a fantastic mixture of both. It isn’t just a basic “101” style
book that covers the same information covered in a hundred other books of
similar content. It goes into much more depth and you can actually tell that
the author did an excellent job researching the subject. As a reader and a
scholar, I appreciate this tremendously. I enjoyed reading this book and will keep it handy for future reference and use. I highly recommend it.
* Thank you
to the publisher of Queen of the Night, Weiser
Books, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions
expressed are my own.
The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies
by Ammi-Joan Paquette is a magical book about finding fairies in your own
backyard or a local park. Designed for children to be inspired to start a fairy
finding adventure of their own, this beautiful book is likely to inspire the
adults who read it, too!
Book
Description
“Could a tulip be a good place for hide-and-seek? Could a
bitof dandelion fluff be a pillow? They could be, if fairies live nearby. This
book invites kids to have a backyard adventure searching for the tell-tale
signs of fairies who might be residing all around them. Not only can children
search for fairies in the book's unique blend of art and photography, but they
will also be encouraged to discover the wonder and magic in nature, whether in
a backyard or a local park. The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies is a perfect
title for summer!” – The Tiptoe
Guide to Tracking Fairies
My Thoughts
The Tiptoe
Guide to Tracking Fairies is such a delightful book for kids and adults
alike. Those who love fairies will truly enjoy reading this book with a little
one, and sharing with them the wonder and fantastical element of fairies. The
artwork is absolutely beautiful, and enhances the book with everything fairy
dust could imagine.
The author sends the kids off on a backyard
adventure that will have them looking for the elusive little fairies who may be
living nearby – if one only cares enough to look. This encourages them to get
out in nature and also be kids and have fun.
This is a perfect children’s book about fairies,
and I highly recommend it!
* Thank you
to the publisher of The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies, Tanglewood Press, for providing me
with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Eat to Lose, Eat to Win by Rachel
Beller is a diet book that will change your view on “diet” foods and “healthy”
foods for life. Many of the things you think are healthy actually aren’t, and
Beller gives examples of this and provides healthier options instead. This book
is packed with information, pictures, and much more for foods and meals that
are truly healthy, and can help you to reach your goal weight.
Book
Description
“Every year millions of Americans vow to lose weight, but
instead of approaching diets in a healthy and sustainable way, many obsess over
calories, carbs, and diet fads. The result: frustration and even weight gain.
Now Rachel Beller, America's get-real nutritionist, delivers the first book
that combines science-based advice with step-by-step action plans for weight
loss and optimal health. While most diet books focus on what you can't eat,Eat to Lose, Eat to Winemphasizes what youshould eat—putting skinny
solutions into shopping carts and onto plates. In her signature fun-to-read
style, Rachel shows you how to do it all.
Flip your high-calorie meals for skinny success
Shop to drop pounds with handy Buy This guides
Discover inside secrets about your favorite foods with Food
Autopsy™ alerts
Get rid of guesswork with recipes for every meal
From
meal planning to shopping to eating,Eat
to Lose, Eat to Winguides
you step by step and bite by bite through the world of real, science-based
nutrition.” – Eat
to Lose, Eat to Win
My Thoughts
Eat to Lose,
Eat to Win is an easy and fun to read book about nutrition and your food
choices. If you’ve read a few diet books or watched “Dr. Oz” on TV, most of
what Rachel Beller says won’t surprise you. Eat less sugar, eat more fiber, eat
less carbs, eat more veggies, etc. However, how she goes about it is fun, and
the full-color pictures of the foods and meals helps make you want to actually
try the food and change your bad dieting ways.
The book includes guides for shopping (what to
buy, what not to buy) that you can actually use easily. Nothing added in the
recipes is hard to find or hard to cook. The recipes aren’t too hard, and
Beller’s sassy guidance definitely helped me want to try out what she said.
Boring diet books don’t work for me, but this one did help to teach me a few
things and remind me of much more of what I should be doing for my body.
Overall, I think this is a great diet book for
everyone. If you know a lot about nutrition, it works as a fun refresher, and
if you know next to nothing, this book would be a very valuable resource for
your nutritional needs.
* Thank you
to the publisher of Eat to Lose, Eat to Win, William
Morrow, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions
expressed are my own.
What do you think of my polyvore fashion set for the Sundance Film Festival for 2013? I really like how it turned out. I'm not sure who all is going or which movies are up for it, but my favorites on any awards show usually don't win anyways. If you are following it, who do you want to win?
