Fabulous cookbook for healthy eating

Finally forgiven......When I received the latest version of Trim Healthy Mama, I was incredibly disappointed that there were no recipes, only the hows and whys of the sister duo's ways of cooking and eating healthy and losing weight in the process.  Well, I can now forgive the ladies because they have introduced a cookbook full of recipes that dwarf what was offered in the original book.  From one pot meals (my personal favorite) to breakfast foods to sweets and hearty main dishes, this book contains over 350 recipes, several of which are destined to become favorites.  Some of the recipes have ingredients that you may not keep in your pantry if you are not already a Trim Healthy Mama cook but all items are very easy to acquire at your local grocery store or health food store--also easily available on-line. (This comment probably applies more to baked goods than other recipes.) One of the unique features of this cookbook is that the sister's personalities still shine just as in Trim Healthy Mama when they take turns sharing the history of the recipe of tips.

As for the book itself, I will always wish cookbooks were either loose leaf or spiral bound so I can easily lay them on the counter and cook from them.  However, a nice slick paper was chosen so it is easy to wipe away small drips and spills from the book.

Lest you be misled, the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook isn't just for those who want to lose weight.  Eating healthy foods will make  you feel better and give you more energy than you have had for years.  Give it a try.  It isn't necessary to have the cookbook to eat healthy but it sure does make it a bit simpler. 

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one.

Best coloring book ever

Who doesn't love to color?  It has to be one of the most relaxing activities ever and it isn't just for kids anymore.  Adult coloring books are everywhere now. 

We all know that we need to spend time with the Lord each and every day and in His word.  What could be more incredible than doing so while coloring?  Each page has a pictures just waiting for color and a short scripture or quote to meditate on and memorize while you are coloring.  On the verso of many of the pages is the entire scripture, words to a hymn, or the reference where the quote originated.  The paper is a heavy stock, but not card weight.  Each illustration is the work of one of a dozen different artists.  The book is bound and pages would be difficult to tear out so you can either look at it as an entire work that can stand the test of time and not be concerned about pages falling out or get out the scissors if you want to share or frame.

I can already tell that I need to begin looking for my next volume because this one won't last long.  Off to purchase a new box of colored pencils with as many color options as I can find.

I did receive this free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one.

Silent no more

WE CANNOT BE SILENT:  Speaking truth to a culture redefining sex, marriage, and the very meaning of right & wrong.  In some aspects, the title says it all.  Our world seems to have taken everything good and holy and deemed moral and turned it into something shameful.  In his latest book, Al Mohler claims that this cultural revolution is far from over.  He says that what we, as Christians, have determined as the "straw that broke the camel's back" (my words, not his) in redefining marriage as anything other than being between a man and woman is not the start of the changes and certainly will not be the end.  As Christians, we have a choice to make during these times.  What should a Christian and the Church do in today's world? 


Mohler's book sheds light on the historical path that led us to where we are now, from the acceptance of divorce to the homosexual movement  and same sex marriages to the transgender movement.  After revealing our treacherous path, Mohler takes us into Scripture to look at what the Bible says about sex and marriage and the proper response Christians should have in the wake of our times.  Are we nearing the end of religious liberty and marriage?  Mohler fears we just may be and today's church could be partially to blame.

To be honest, this isn't a book I wanted to read but I simply couldn't get it off my mind once I saw it.  Fairly vocal on a normal basis, I didn't feel equipped to address this issue nor did I think I wanted to.  However, it seems to me that if no one ever takes a stand, what is to keep the United States from being a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah?  I call home a certain state that has been in national news for months because a woman refused to issue a marriage license to a homosexual couple.  I admired her fortitude.  Would I have done the same?  It was time to discover exactly what my reaction should have been.


Mohler's book is a challenging one. It was provoke you to think about sexuality and marriage and your own beliefs at a deeper level than ever before.  Is it one that is going to leave you feeling good about the world when finished? Probably not.  However, I want to personally challenge each of you to pick up a copy and read it for yourself.  His writing is straight forward and easy to understand.  Read it over time though.  Don't look at it as something to get read to check off your list. Read it and digest it as you go.  Two thumbs up to Mohler for authoring a book that confronts this touchy, sensitive issue.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive one. 

A handbook of owls

Owls are loved by many and collected by some but who knew there were so many varieties of these winged friends?  I certainly never knew there was an owl small enough to fit into a pocket.  Matt Sewell takes the reader all over the world from the tropics to the desert, woodlands, and wilderness to introduce forty-seven different owls.  While the narrative is easy to understand and captivating, it is the watercolor pictures of the owls that make this such an intriguing small book.  They are beautiful.  As for the narrative, the author's voice comes through loud and clear making it an interesting read for older children and adults alike. Originally published in 2014 but now introduced in a different form.  An unusual feature the author also included is an illustrated checklist in the back of the book for bird watchers to keep track of the owls they are fortunate enough to spot.


This volume is perfect for any bird enthusiast or owl lover but also very appropriate and will capture the attention of children so a good choice to use in encouraging them to read non-fiction.  Who knows, perhaps your little person might pick up bird watching as a hobby. As for my copy, I have an owl lover on my Christmas list so off to the wrapping table I go.

I did receive this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive one. 

Four wonderful children's parables in one volume

My children were the perfect age for understanding the deeper meaning behind Liz Curtis Higg's Pumpkin Patch Parable when I first learned of it about a dozen years ago.  Soon after, I was made aware of The Pine Tree Parable which was a must have for us as a family who loves just about any Christmas themed story.  Little did I know when I bought each of them how they would touch my own heart and speak to me, not just my children.

This volume not only contains my two favorite mentioned above but also The Sunflower Parable and The Parable of the Lily.  Each of the four are set in a different season and use common plants to remind us of God's love, provision, and character--all attributes that we, as Christians, should aspire to mimic.  Bright beautiful illustrations are provided by Nancy Munger and add to the beautifully written parables.  Most pages also contain a Bible verse either verbatim or paraphrased that add to Higg's heartwarmng stories. 

The advantage of this volume over owning each of the original books individually is that they are easy to grab the collection all at once, the extra sturdy cover, and price.  The entire volume costs under what two of the original parable books did when I purchased them.  Even for an unbeliever, I think this book would make an excellent baby, child's birthday or Christmas gift.  God says that we must have the faith of a child so why not use this beautiful book to reach the hearts of parents and children alike?

I love it!  I think I will hold on to it to replace my original copies.  Thanks again Mrs. Higgs for using your talents and sharing them.  I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive one. 

Mexican food waiting when you get home

Deborah Schneider has give busy cooks the gift of serving a tasty hot dinner with a bit of advance prep time for even the most hectic of days. Mexican is one of our family favorite and I look forward to trying each recipe.

The 138 page recipe book contains an assortment of soups, main dishes, street food favorites such as various tacos, tostadas, burritos and enchiladas, a variety of sides as well as dessert recipes guaranteed to please.  Ms. Schneider begins with some basic information regarding using a slow cooker for Mexican foods which includes a guide to the varied chiles used in the dishes, which may be the most challenging ingredient to find depending on what is available in your local grocery.  Another challenge could be locating a spice or two but I wouldn't let that keep me from either leaving it out or locating a substitute. Scattered throughout each section is some educational information from making tamales, making tortillas, and varieties of beans along with color photos of select recipes.

Bound in paperback, this book offers several of my family favorites that can now be an option when I  work all day.  I am always looking for some good slow cooker recipes that will be ready to dish out when we arrive home. Like most paperback recipes books, it is somewhat challenging to keep the book open to the recipe but not impossible.

I give this book four stars out of five. I would like to see the book spiral bound, additional color photos of the prepared recipes, and suggested substitutes for the less common ingredients.  I revived this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way obligated to write a positive one.

Mama's prayer

Every Christian mother prays for her child before he/she is born and along every milestone from birth to first steps to when they go to school and beyond.  We even pray and love when our children are disobedient.  What a beautiful way to share with your child and remind them of your prayers through the story of Baby Bear and Mama Bear.  Each page contains beautifully created illustrations by Frank Endersby to enhance the words written by Ms. Fischer as Mama tells Baby Bear how and what she prayed for before he was born and through his childhood and even when he is grown.

I love this book!  The heavy board book format is perfect for little hands to grasp and turn the pages.  The watercolor illustrations are precious.  I think it is perfect gift to give to any new arrival or expecting Mom.  Very reasonably price as well. It beautifully shares with a child how much they are loved and cared for, a reminder every child needs daily whether born naturally to his or her mother or adopted into the family.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one.  Two thumbs up toe Ms. Fisher and Mr. Endersby!

Destined to be a classic Bible story book

In modern day, is there anyone who has lived who is wiser than Billy Graham?  Not in my opinion.  Who better to teacher our children and our children's children about God's love? 

God's Good News Bible Storybook contains over 70 Bible stories from both the Old and New Testaments perfect for a family devotion for those with children older than toddlers.  Each story is beautifully illustrated by Scott Wakefield and is 1 to 3 pages in length but what really makes this volume special is that some/many of the stories contain a special message and reminder from Dr. Graham.  Having turned 97 I believe this week, Dr. Grahams words of wisdom aren't published every year anymore.  I think this volume is destined to become one that lasts through the ages. 

All of the old favorites are included but this book also has some of the less familiar Bible stories--The Tower of Babel, Gideon, Josiah, Saul, Lydia, and Paul's letters from prison.  Few volumes go past Jesus' resurrection so I give two thumbs up to Dr. Graham for going past the book of Acts in the New Testament stories.

If I had to say anything negative about the book, I think it might have to be just a few of the illustrations but that is searching hard.  It isn't that there is anything at all wrong with the portrayal, I simply think that some of them could limit the audience just a bit but they are perfect for pre-school and elementary age children.

The cover is quite sturdy and will last, with care, for generations to come. I certainly plan on it being around our family for that long.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to write a positive one.  Thank you Booklook Bloggers for publishing such wholesome materials and for the opportunity to review Billy Graham's latest work.