Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Books read Sep 20






Give Thanks: Thanksgiving Stories for Kids by Uncle Amon
This book starts out with a table of contents and the offer of a free book.
Story starts out with Sam offering to help his mother in the kitchen and she almost drops the platter she's holding because he never asked before...
It's Thanksgiving time and he just wants to show appreciation for all she does.
Love that each around the table has to state what they are thankful for-we do the same thing. An activity is also given for your family to try.
Other stories tell of how thankful others are in their homes and communities. Love giving back.
Sharing dinner with others and jokes for the holiday are also included.
Very colorful Thanksgiving themed pictures throughout the book.




Donuts free audio book an illustrated story about a squirrel, his wish and a loyal friendship
This colorful children's story starts out Merl the squirrel and he's the last one. He wishes for a nut to grow on the oak tree....
He is so hungry just eating leaves and grass and he meets a man sitting on the bench with a donut. Before he knew it the crumbs made a donut tree and everybody came to see it.
The acorns flew one day and spelled out a special word! 
Some words are difficult to see because the background color is too near the color of the font. Also not able to click to magnify the pages.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.



A Perfect Pet for Sam and Sarah by Carla Roman
Colorful children's story about Sam and Sarah and they want a pet but are not sure what to get. This is a bilingual book where English words are at the top and Green words at the bottom.
They go through different choices that show the animal doing things unnormal for them=a dino eating pizza, monkey reading a book. So silly.
Great educational tool as there are lots of different colors and animals to name. They finally make a wish...
Great question: what would you wish for and there's a page showing all other types of animals and insects to select. 




Budding Reader Book set 1: Cat and Rat By Melinda Thompson and Doug Oglesby with Melissa Ferrell
This book starts out with other books in the set
There are no words, that I can see, just pictures of a cat and a rat. I think you are to ask what is happening and the child can create their own story.
Second book is called See and using the same pictures from the first story you can 'see' what others are seeing.
See the rat is next 'the rat' is highlighted word to learn
Cat is next word in next chapter to learn. Can is the next.
You, at, look, and, stop, that are new words and look at the sentences you can create.
There is also a free parent guide available.
 



123 to the farm
very colorful children's book showing things on a farm and the pages ask questions about how many items you see., very basic question and answer. 10 animals and then we get into colored animals.
Cute story, so educational for numbers and letters and colors. and things found on the farm.





Bored No More: A Children's Book about Creativity by Jen Burn
Children's book about how to entertain yourself. Starts out with the kids are so bored because they cleaned the day before.
On his way to take the trash out he notices a bin of reyccling things and thought he could do things with them.
They used the cardboard boxes, glue, scissors and other things. Mom was amazed at what they had done.
Bit hard to read at times as the font changes constantly among the diagrams of things on the pages.
Some are double lettered and in color.  Love team work.
Also included is a note to parents. Free printables are available.
Another book in this series is also available: book about decluttering among several other books.





Upcycling Crafts: A Compilation of 197 Upcycling Crafts for Beginners - Includes All of Kitty Moore’s Best Selling Upcycling Books! 
Like the ideas in this book about how to use old clothes and recycle them for a different use.
Problem I have is the link to view the picture online takes you to a site but they want you to sign up and the images aren't viewable right away.
Each project comes with a title, link to an online image, material and step by step instructions on how to make.
Like the authors other books this one contains a lot of ads for other things and other places on the net.
Says to click for instant access to the images-they are not even visible.
I tire quickly from a book when it doesn't deliver what it says.



Upcycling: 31 Crafts to Decorate Your Living Space & Refresh Your Home (3rd Edition) by Kitty Moore
Starts out with an introduction about this guide and how easy it is to use.
Each item has a title and a link to see the image on the net-not sure why they can't include it in the book but there's a lot of other popups on the net page and it's hard to actually find the item.
Includes in the book a list of materials you will need and instructions step by step.
Ads for free bonus books in the book. They should keep them to the front of the book or back, not in between the projects.
Some projects are very easy, common sense rules.
More ads for things than there are for projects. Poor choice.


Let’s Meet In The Kitchen: From Drawers to Dinners: Easy Organizing Tips for the Kitchen
Have downsized a few times over the past several years and want to just use what I have on hand rather than buying the latest gadgets.
Book starts out with getting an inventory of what you have.. Then organize. Has list of things to think about: what do you like, what works well, don't like and doesn't work well.
Same approach to cabinets and other areas-a type of downsizing. Great time to also clean off the shelves, spring cleaning.
Also a section on how to place things on countertops. Works well in refrigerator and for making grocery and shopping lists.
Time management and communication skills are discussed.


Exercising For Health: How Exercise Extends Your Life by C.D. Shelton
Starts out with a preface and then Grandpas' story then onto the health benefits of exercise.
Which exercise regimen can prolong your life is discussed.  Lots of statistics are quoted and conversations between different people to prove a point.
Use a fit tracker and I can tell not only have my steps increased, more REM sleep but I go for longer periods of time -endurance and stamina along with weight training to get back loss muscle.



Natural Yogurt: How to Make Homemade Yogurt by Liz Vidal
This book explains how to make yogurt with a yogurt maker. We have an electric pressure cooker that can make it overnight. Want to see if I can learn any other secrets as it comes out different every time.
Benefits of making are discussed along with it being a weight loss super food. Lots of pictures along the way through each stage.
as it explains what is happening. Also includes recipes with healthy ingredients, no pictures there and there is no nutritional information.
Muffins look easy and quick to make and along with adding a flavoring or zucchini, carrots or bananas it'd be real good.
Other books by the author are highlighted at the end. Also table of contents is listed.



Instant Pot Cookbook: Easy & Tasty Pressure Cooker Recipes for Everyday
Starts with an intro about the book and what it's based on, a guide and how easy it is to use, simple, savings, clean and safe.
Shows different parts of instant one pressure cooker and how it all works.
Tells you what buttons on the cooker will help you do and what to cook using it.
Recipes start with a title, list of ingredients using metric and how to cook. Some substitutions should be made to meet your dietary needs. Shows prep, total servings, calories, protein and total fat  NOT broken up into good or bad, and total carbs along with a small picture.
Not sure why in the same recipe they use grams and cup measurements, hard to figure ingredients out.
Vegan and vegetarian recipes also but not worth my time translating into American English terms.


PRESSURE COOKER: DUMP DINNERS: Delicious Quick and Easy Recipes for all the Family by Charlotte Moyer

Starts with an introduction about pressure cooker and how its been updated since the 50's. Recipes start with a title, ingredient list and servings and prep time and how to make.
You should be able to substitute for low fat low sodium products for your dietary needs. Problem I have is there is no regulator on new cookers to set, it's all in the lid and gasket. Not a good translation from older cookbooks to machines of today.
We also can not set for pounds of pressure. we have low medium and high settings.
Recipes look good but not directions on how to cook them.
Some of the recipes are also in metric not American measurements. Not sure why the mix, why not just one or the other?
One recipe says to cook until the whistle blows-not pressure cookers of today.
Conclusion and other works by the author and the second half is in a foreign language-Spanish translation.



Fat For Energy Cookbook: 50 Weight Loss Rule Breaker Meals-Rev Up Your Body’s Fat Burning Engine by Brian Clifford
Book starts out with a table of contents and introduction about the ketogenic diet, low carb, high fat diet which makes your glucose levels go down. Also helps lose weight and helps fight other diseases.
Chapters on understanding the diet plan along with nutrient guides also included.
Recipes includes a title, ingredient list and how to make.



Air cheesecake. Cookbook: top 25 recipes (baked and no-bake cheesecakes) by Daniel Hall
Book starts out by offering a free ebook gift, table of contents where it shows the different categories of cheesecakes: chocolate, fruit, peanut butter,and no bake and pudding and cream cheesecakes.
Introduction talks about 3 different methods for baking a cheesecake and talking a bit about that.
Recipes start with a title and color photograph, Prep and cook time and servings.
List of ingredients and directions on how to make. There is no nutritional information. You might be able to substitute some items for low fat, low sodium, fat free for your dietary needs.
Some recipes also call for canned pie filling and store bought cookies.
Very rich for my tastes.
Conclusion talks about calories in a slice of cheesecake along with fat content. Talks about health benefits of cheesecake and how no bake ones are a bit healthier as they contain less calories and less fat.


Pie Cookbook: 52 Best Baking Recipes For a Festive Table (Baking Series Book 3)  by Jane Willan
Start out with table of content and introduction where it talks about different pie crusts and different fillings that could even be used for everyday dessert.
Each recipe includes a title, ingredient in metric measurements for tart and ingredients for filling along with how to prepare it.
There are no pictures and no nutritional information.
Half way through the book the ingredients are listed in parenthesis for American English. Not sure why the two formats.
Not sure how to measure one glass of sugar as I have many different sizes and shapes of glasses to choose from.



Summer ideas for stuffed fruits. 25 easy recipes for every day by Daniel Hall
Starts out with an offer for a free book, table of contents and introduction page about how healthy fruit is.
Each recipe starts with a title, a small color photograph of the finish item, cooking time, and servings. Ingredients are listed and you should be able to substitute for a healthier choice: low fat, low sodium, fat free, etc.
Step by step instructions are included. There is NO nutritional information.
Think chocolate strawberries without ice cream would be my choice.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.



30 Delicious No-Bake Refrigerator Cake Recipes by Lori Burke
Starts with an introduction and how the author got started on making special cakes.
Next chapter talks about healthier options and gives you a list of substitutions that will help you when making the items.
Each recipe starts with a title, ingredient list and how to amke
There are no pictures. There is no nutritional information.
Some recipes call for prepackaged items like cookies, boxes of pudding  or cake mixes.
Defeats the purpose if you can't see what it's supposed to look like. Some sound really good.
Table of contents is at the end of the book



DASH Diet: The DASH Diet for Beginners: Quick and Easy Steps to Lose Weight in 14 Days with DASH Diet (Low Fat, Low Blood Pressure, Prevent Diabetes, Low Cholesterol, Fat Loss, Weight Loss Diets) by Emma S Fisher
 This book starts out with an introduction talks about what DASH means and how it will improve your health.
Discussions on rising overweight people and the history of DASH . It also has to do with eating the right foods, exercise and sleep. There are substitutes for the food you eat now, low sodium, low fat, fat free and light varieties.
Menu talks about different food groups you should have and what foods are in them.
Also how many servings and calories one should intake.
Recipes start with a title, servings and list of ingredients and how to make it There are no pictures and nutritional information includes servings, calories, total fat, carbs, . Some dishes include also sat. fat protein, fiber, sodium, potasium, magnesium and calcium
Some also include old and new point WW system and different list of sodium without salt and cholesterol.  Not sure why the same listings aren't used throughout-probably copied from another book?
Handful of meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Would be hard to locate a recipe for a certain food item as there is not an index or table of contents.




Donuts  The Ultimate Recipe Guide – Over 30 Delicious & Best Selling Recipes by Danielle Caples, Encore Books
Free bonus books available and then table of contents where donuts are broken up by main ingredients: buttermilk, yeast,, etc
Each recipe starts with a title, prep and cook time and ready in along with servings.
List of ingredients and directions on how to make.There are no pictures and there is no nutritional information. Some recipes use prepared dough making it very high in sodium. Some are fried also.
Not sure you can substitute for your dietary needs. We have made healthy cake donuts with low fat, low sodium products.



50 Superfoods Recipes - 50 Nutritious, Healthy and Delicious Breakfast, Dinner and Side Dish Recipes by Rebecca Fallon
Starts out with table of contents then introduction about what superfoods are giving each a paragraph to explain their special properties.
Recipes start with breakfast, Each has a title, prep and cook time, servings. List of ingredients and how to make. Comments follow also.
There are no pictures. There is no nutritional information but most of the ingredients are freshly picked and not from cans or processed.  You should be able to substitute for low sodium, low fat or fat free products.
Recipes also include some smoothie drinks.
Another section is about dinner dishes.  Like the idea of making your own catsup and snack bars.


American Pies: Delicious Homemade Pie Recipes by Roselyn Heart
Enjoy making healthy pies now that we use my mother in laws recipe for the crust. Love combinations and textures and like having something a bit more fancy for a family gathering than just cookies.
Starts out with an introduction and then onto the recipes. Each recipe has a title and list of ingredients-not sure if you can substitute the butter for a healthier option as it will change the consistency of the dough.
Directions on how to make is included. There are no pictures. There is no nutritional information.
Like all the different fruit flavors in the recipes, quite a variety.



Power Pressure Cooker XL Cookbook: 200 Irresistible Electric Pressure Cooker Recipes for Fast, Healthy, and Amazingly Delicious Meals by Vanessa Olsen
Starts with an introduction about using your cooker and staying healthy.
Chapters on how the pressure cooker works and health benefits. Owners manual guide shows settings and what they are used for.
Starts right in with mac and cheese recipe that includes a title, list of ingredients-not sure if you can substitute for your dietary needs and how to use the pressure cooker..
Cleaning section is one of my favorite as we use an electric pressure cooker with a seal inside. Has common problems and solutions section.
Like the section on converting slow cooker recipes to the pressure cooker. My cooker actually has a slow cooker button.
Next chapter is about breakfast items. Each recipe starts with a title, servings, time to make along with a paragraph about the dish.
List of ingredients and how to make it.
Nutritional information includes total calories, pretein, carbs, fat-NOT broken up into good and bad, fiber and no sodium levels are listed either.
Should be able to substitute for healthier options for ingredients; low sodium, low fat.
I always select manual and might try the rice/risotto button instead.
Other chapters are beef, poultry, lamb, pork, seafood, soups and stews, pasta and rice, sides and snacks, Paleo dishes, vegan and holiday foods, stocks and sauces,  and desserts.
Other books by the author are highlighted at the end.
chocolate chip cookies, 2 of them sound like a great idea.




101 Quick & Easy Chicken Recipes by Victoria Steele
Introduction and then table of contents then onto the recipes.
Skillet chicken dishes are first: each recipe has a title and a tip on certain things and a list of ingredients. Should be able to substitute for healthier options by using low fat, low sodium products.
Instructions and servings are included. There are no pictures. There is no nutritional information.
Baked is another section, baked with bones, grilled, salads and sandwiches, soups, chilies, stews (some of these use canned processed foods),
slow cooker recipes and microwave.


The BEST Holiday Cooking Recipes: Easy Party Recipes for Special Occasions by Emma Buckley
Table of contents and introdction about traditionally feasts. Love that they tell you to substitute ingredients!
Appetizers start out the recipe section.
Each recipe has a title and a few paragraphs about the dish. List of ingredients and directions. Servings at the end of the recipe. There are no pictures and no nutritional information.
Other sections include: soups, side dishes, party dishes and casseroles, cookies and sweets, desserts, and beverages
Don't think there is much you can substitute 3 sticks of butter with and not change the texture of the dish-will be hard to make them healthier.
Nothing that really stood out for me to try.



Your Perfect Steak: Signature Steaks by You by Bell Parc
Starts out with what a signature steak is and anintroduction to the author and how he was raised.
List of reviews from authors other cookbooks at Amazon.
Disclaimer and dedication pages.
Introduction about what  a signature steak is.
Chapters on where, what and why. Sidenotes also are highlighted in a different background color so you get the key notes easier.
Steak terminology is next. I don't know about you but I just really want to get to the cooking part. I don't think I really need to know the intricate details.
Charts, diagrams and how to select your steak.
Colorful pictures throughout.  Everything you need to know about grilling, cleaning, etc. Liked the story of him visiting his Aussie friend to discover the filthy grill he had to clean first.
Recipes, once you get to them show a colorful photo and list of ingredients. Not sure if you can substitute for healthy dietary needs. Preparation and cooking instructions are included.
There is no nutritional information.
Different utensils needed for the grill are shown and discussed at the end.
Didn't care for this book because it was so long I just wanted a brief intro and then onto the recipes. This is anything but that. It's so involved and at times complicated.


Freshly baked bread at home in the oven by Ryan Hart
Starts out with a free bonus book and then disclaimers.
Table of contents and then introduction about how easy and less ingredients your really need to make bread.
Explains the differences between whole grain, multigrain, enriched, bagel and crackers.
Each recipe has a title, color photo, prep and cook time and servings.
List of ingredients where measurements in the same recipe are American and sometimes metric.
Directions are very precise step by step. There is no nutritional information and I do not think you can substitute for healthier dietary needs.
Lots to choose from.






Superfood Salad Recipes: A Clean Eating Cookbook for Easy Weight Loss and Detox: Fuss Free Dinner Recipes That Are Easy On The Budget by Vesela Tabakova
Table of contents then introduction about how superfoods are found in our own back yards. The reason they are called superfoods is discussed in detail.
Next section goes into each food (not all are vegetables) alphabetical order with a paragraph on each.
Herbs and spices are next talked about in alphabetical order.
Salads themselves with main ingredients: chicken, turkey, beef, fish and ham recipes follow.
Each recipe has a title, servings and list of fresh ingredients along with how to make.
There are no pictures.  There is no nutritional information  but you should be able to use a substitute for your dietary needs for olive oil, iceberg lettuce (use romaine) use low fat sour cream.
Don't care for the inconsistency in measurements: 1/2 cup or .50 all within a recipe. keep it uniform.
Like that the ingredients are not canned or processed but things you can pick out of your garden.
Lots of choices. Bonus recipes at the end for making homemade beatury solutions.


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