Thursday, December 20, 2012

Crazy Sexy Kitchen | Book Review

With the year ending and a new one approaching, of course New Years resolutions are on everyone's mind.  Most of the resolutions are to build a new and better self.  Where else to start than with what you are using to fuel your body.

A wonderful new way of eating that you should consider is a plant based diet.  In Kris Carr's new book Crazy Sexy Kitchen she shows how a plant based diet looks now.  New and improved!  We used to think of vegetarian food as boring and bland or tasting like cardboard and plain tofu but, Carr shows us how a diet based off of plants can be fun, flavor full, and let's not forget, healthy!!!

The book itself is split into courses.  Who doesn't love a cookbook that is broken into courses instead of chapters.  So fun!  The first few courses of the book are all about prepping for a new way of living.  Carr gives you all the information  and tools that you need to live a wonderful healthy life.

The fourth course of this book is where all the nourishment lies.  Amazing recipes that hold a wealth of vitamins and minerals that will feed the body without weighing it down.  These recipes are like hitting a reset button in your system.  You will detox yourself of all the extra unwanted chemicals that are added to the processed food and meat that we eat and fill yourself with building blocks of good nutrition.

Carr even has menus all planned out for special occasions.

I have to say that of all the gorgeous recipes that are included the juice and smoothie ones are my favorite.  When looking at some of the ingredients that are included in each recipe there are a few that might be hard to find but, if you have a Whole Foods type of store it shouldn't be too difficult to get a hold of them.

So....what are you waiting for?  You know your resolution is to lose weight or get healthier....Make the right changes in this coming year and go get this book.

Your body will thank you!!!


"I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this  review." 


25 Days of Christmas | Day 15

I know that I have gotten behind.  There have been many things that have taken my attention away from this blog but, hopefully, they are past.  So...since I am 5 days behind I will extend my Days of Christmas for 5 days.  I don't want to bombard you with 5 new songs right now since that would be overwhelming.

Enjoy!!!
O Come Emmanuel - Celtic Christmas Carol


Friday, December 14, 2012

God Bless The Little Children 12-14-2012


In light of the Connecticut Elementary school shooting (hours ago) I wanted to ask that everyone that sees this post or is a regular reader of my blog to please pray for the families that were affected.

So hug your loved ones tight and let everyone that you love know that you love them.   You never know what can happen.  Those families didn't know that when they sent their children to school that they might not be coming home.

We take way to much for granted and it needs to be changed.  


25 Days of Christmas | Day 14

What's Christmas without the Grinch Song.....
Your a Mean One, Mr. Grinch!


Thursday, December 13, 2012

True Woman 101 Divine Design | Book Review


The next best makeover…

That’s what we are all really wanting right?  We love the new shoes, clothes, makeup and we can’t forget the new haircut.  A day of pampering and feelings of newness.

Of course you can makeover the external you all you want but, what about the internal you?  What about the part of you that no one will ever see?  Or is that really the case…  The Lord sees everything that goes on inside of us.  Our thoughts, feeling, and true passions.  So…is it time for an internal makeover?

Of course it is but, a makeover from a bible study???

True Woman 101-Divine Design by Mary A. Kassian and Nancy Leigh Demoss is the place to start if you are wanting a makeover that no stylist, except for the divine stylist-God, can ever give you.  

Divine Design is an eight week study on what TRUE biblical womanhood is all about.  Take all of what you think you might know about living a truly biblical life or being a true biblical woman and throw it out the window.  Living a biblical life doesn't mean being a doormat like some might think. It's about showing the world the glory of God as He lives within you.

Each of the eight weeks is broken down into an introduction, 5 days of studies with wonderful thought provoking questions, and a review of the week that has additional questions, URL for the accompanying videos and a journal page for you to ponder your thoughts.

True Woman 101-Divine Design is a full colored text book for a brand new you.  This book is definitely a course on being a biblical woman but, in a whole new way.  This is one feminist movement that I am happy to support.  You don’t have to have a man’s job or do things better than a man to feel like a true woman.  All you need to do is read this book and find out what it’s really like to be a truly biblical woman.

Are you going to take the course with me?  Get the book and get ready to start a brand new life.  

~This book is an amazing study for your church or bible study group but, it’s also wonderful all by yourself.~ 


"I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this 
review."




25 Days of Christmas | Day 13

R & B time!
Brian McKnight- Christmas Time Is Here


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

25 Days of Christmas | Day 12

Time for a little sothing music to take away
all the stress of the holidays!  Enjoy!
Kenny G- The Christmas Song


Tuesday, December 11, 2012

The 5 Love Languages of Children | Book Review

Image Credit: Books A Million


Kids are a mystery.  You never know what is going through their heads and what they are going to do next.  The one thing that still evades most parents is how are children showing you they love you especially if they don’t say “I love you” very much.  Well, that’s where The 5 Love Languages of Children comes in.

Gary Chapman, PhD (author of The 5 Love Languages) teams up with Ross Campbell, MD to bring you a new book on the languages of love your children speak and how to speak those languages back to them.  It’s time for parents to become multilingual.

Things you will learn in this book:

What the 5 different languages are and  a description of each.
How to identify which language is your child’s primary.
How to effectively discipline your child without affecting their love tank.
Using the different languages as applied to learning and anger.
How to apply the strategies in a marriage or single parent family.

This book should be given out to EVERY parent when they have a new baby.  Granted, according to the authors, it may not necessarily apply to them until they are around the age of 5 but, it’s worth reading since it will help you become a better parent and better understand why your children are acting a certain way.

Chapman and Campbell explain everything in a way that the reader has no problem understanding and can relate to.  It is very easy to implement all of the strategies included in this book.  They even include a list at the end of the 5 love language chapters to give you ideas of how to use that language to speak to your child.

While I was reading this book I came to realize what the language of one of my children was but, since my other one is under the age of 5, it’s still undecided.  According to the book children under the age of 5 are still using all of the languages to show love without having a primary one.

I know that it has made a difference in my parenting just in the short time I have been using these methods. I can speak a language that shows my child that I love him using the language that means the most to him.  I have even realized what MY love language is and how to make sure I use my language combined with my children’s.

If you want to find out your Love Language or your children’s there is a short test you can take over at the 5 Love Language website.  Have fun….I guarantee it will change your parenting and possibly your life.  I know it has for me.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.  







25 Days of Christmas | Day 11

Another version of O Holy Night sung by Martina McBride.
Lovely!!!!


Monday, December 10, 2012

Believe


To go along with the song that I posted for today (Believe by Josh Groban) I wanted to talk about something I have been thinking about lately.

Why is it so bad if kids believe in Santa?  I know that he was something that most of us believed in when we were younger but, grew out of.  We all waited till Christmas morning wanting to see what he put under the tree for us.  What happened with that belief?

When did believing in Santa become wrong?

I, for one, have no problem with my kids having a belief in Santa.  This time of year is all about magic, love, peace, and happiness.  If believing in Santa makes my kids happy, well then, by all means have your belief.

I thought it was ok to have belief in something bigger than ourselves.  Most of us believe in God, right?  Yeah, sure, maybe it doesn't seem logical that one man can deliver presents to all the good children in the world in one night but, we can't always find the logic in miracles that are delivered by God either.

My children learn about Jesus, Advent, Hanukkah, and Santa.  He was an actual person if you remember right.  We have a lot to talk about during the month of December and that's perfectly fine with me.

During this time of year, I want my family to have the happiness and magic that this time brings.   If believing in Santa brings them that happiness then......

We Believe

25 Days of Christmas | Day 10...again

Since my day 10 got all messed up I thought I would
share another song for today.  I love this song so much
 since all we need to go is believe.  Believe in Jesus.
Josh Groban- Believe


25 Days of Christmas | Day 10

Not really a Christmas song but, its from my favorite Christmas movie.
Love, You Didn't Do Right Be Me--Rosemary Clooney


Saturday, December 8, 2012

25 Days of Christmas | Day 8

This Christmas is a wonderful song.  I know that a lot of people don't like
Chris Brown anymore but, this video and his rendition of this song 
are beautiful.   I hope you will take the time to watch.


Friday, December 7, 2012

54 Christmas Trees in White House....Really


I have a huge problem with 54 Christmas Trees, 300 pound gingerbread house and various other decorations in the White House.

With the way the economy is going I feel that the money spent on such items could have been spent elsewhere.  So, Mrs. Obama is all for taking care of children and an advocate for children.  Hmmmmm....doesn't seem like it to me (unless its just for her own children.)  Shouldn't she have taken some money and oh...I don't know, maybe fed some hungry kids or given them some presents.  Sounds like a much better use of funds than 54 Christmas Trees.

Now don't get me wrong.  I love Christmas and have no problems with decorating the White House.  My issue here is the amount and over-abundance of trees and decor. 300 pound gingerbread house...Really??? We are in the midst of a HUGE economic problem and you can find the funds to decorate like that.  A little overboard don't you think.  But, hey...what do I know?

I guess now that they have been re-elected there is no reason to skimp on anything.

Ok...so you want to spend funds (which are needed else where) on 54 Christmas Trees.  Be my guest BUT, how about donating them to children that don't even have 1 tree for Christmas   Sounds like a pretty good idea to me.  How about you?

It seems to me that our county has it's priorities a little mixed up.  We allow our veterans to go homeless, kids to go unfed, families sleeping on streets, but we can spare no expense when it comes to decorating the White House.  I think that's a little backwards.

But, it's like I said earlier...What do I know????

25 Days of Christmas | Day 7

Little Late this morning but....
Gotta have some Chipmunks.
  

Thursday, December 6, 2012

25 Days of Christmas | Day 6

Today's song is one of my all time favorites.
Where Are You Christmas---Faith Hill

(This video take a minute to load.  Please be patient)

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Sunday, December 2, 2012

25 Days of Christmas Carols | Day 2

Another Favorite...Do You Hear What I Hear.  
Sung by part of my all time favorite group Celtic Woman.


Saturday, December 1, 2012

25 Days of Christmas Carols | Day 1

My all time favorite Christmas Carol.  O Holy Night.  Celine Dion sings it wonderfully.