Friday, December 31, 2021

2021 movies watched

  

Noelle
vikings season 6b
rogue trip
oak island
wanda vision
news of the world
Jujitsu
Ammonite
Tulsa
nomads land
warrior
Dissentent
witches
the luminaries
The Honest Thief
Shadow  wolves
scarlet
wanda vision
star wars heroes
Hero Dog
Killer Inside: aaron Hernandez story
bad trip
The Lost Viking
Sky Blosssom
Keanu
thunder force
wrath of man
Gladiators
outside the wire
chaos walking
Loki
heaven is real
The Dig
the tomorrow war
the courier
My wife's bodyguard
tenet
trigger point
Black Widow
The Best of Enemies  
Ternales
The American-george clooney
redemption day
army of one
van hesions
f9 fast and furious 
jungle cruise 
Skinwalkers
outer banks
vanquish
SAS red notice
The green knight
solos
turner and hooch
We are the heroes
Sublet
sweet girl
hollow point
brinstone
stillwater
out of death
cage in ghostville
jack ryan 
catch teh bullet
cop shop
just beyond
old henry
Dune
An Autumn Romance
 Vanquish
Army of one
Shang Shi
the vault
hawkeye
No time to die
Finch
unforgiveable
Witcher
The last shootout
Hanna
1883
Yellowstone

Thursday, December 30, 2021

Cookbook recipes: Dec 30

   







50 Delicious Pumpkin Cake Recipes - Holiday, Celebration and Everyday Recipes For Pumpkin Cake (The Ultimate Pumpkin Desserts Cookbook - The Delicious Pumpkin Desserts and Pumpkin Recipes Collection) by Pamela Kazmierczak
I love my Bundt pan because i can slice the portions smaller for our dietary needs and cakes you can decorate to make them look fancy with icing drizzled on top and sliding off the edges.
Book starts with  recipes, not in any specific order.
Short intro about pumpkins. Thank you page from the author with more free books at her site.
Each recipe starts at the top of a new page and starts with a title.
Short summary is included. List of ingredients are given and you should be able to substitute fo ryour healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat and low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given along with serving suggestions.
There are NO pictures and NO nutritional information.
Love pumpkin and I have a collection of recipes I can't wait to try from thsi book.
Some recipes have a LOT of ingredients, be sure you have them all first.
Author page is included at the end and enourages you to rate the book.


 






50 Delicious and nutritious Snacks by Pamela Kazmierczak
This book starts out with table of ocntents where recipes are broken up into  meals and food categories.
Intro talks about healthy snacks and how making them yourself you can make them healthier.
Offer of free ebooks at her site.
Each recipe starts with a title and summary of the item. List of ingredinets and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar, low fat and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and serving suggestions are included.
There are NO pictures and NO nutritonal information.
Love the idea of fruit kabobs as everything can be fresh and no added salt or oils are needed.
Lot of the recipes I'd ditch the oils and use something more healthier and also I'd be using low fat, light or something similiar for items in the list.
Author page is inlcuded and you are encouraged to rate the book.







 Arizona Cookbook: Discover Authentic Mesa and Southwest Cooking with 50 Delicious Arizona Recipes by BookSumo Press
This book starts with offer of other books by the author, about the author and short intro about the book.
Table of contents are included where recipes are  not listed in any specific format.
Common abbreviations are charted.
Each recipe starts with a title and list of ingredients which you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat and low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and servings, prep and total time are included
Some nutritonal information: calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, cholesterrol, sodium, carbs and protein.
There are NO pictures. Like th eidea of all the spices used and beans-I'd use fresh and soak them overnight instead of from a can where they've absorbed all the sodium from the fluid.
Some recipes have a LARGE amount of ingredients, be sure to have them all.
Like translation of some Spanish words into English, so you know what the title is.
Ending has books for free when you join the club, authors social media sites are linked.







Easy Brazilian Cookbook: Simple Brazilian Recipes for Delicious Brazilian Foods by Book Sumo Press
This book  starts with a table of contents where recipes are not listed in any specific order.
There are full page color photos that show the scenery of the country, they belong in their own book, not this cookbook.
Each recipe starts with a title. To the far right corner soemtimes in a yellow background is info: rep and total times, servings and some nutritonal information: calories, fat, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium.
Main part of the page shows the list of  ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. There are NO individual recipe pictures.
Similar to another book by the author, maybe a different edition with some of the same recipes, just in a different format.








Chicken curry cookbook: 50 delicious chicken curry recipes, 2nd edition by Booksumo Press
This book starts with a table of contents where recipes are not in any specific order.
There are full page color photos that show the scenery of the country, they belong in their own book, not this cookbook.
Each recipe starts with a title. To the far right corner soemtimes in a pink background is info: rep and total times, servings and some nutritonal information: calories, fat, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium.
Main part of the page shows the list of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Some recipes have a LOT of ingredients, be sure to have them all.
Directions are given. There are NO individual recipe pictures. Can't wait to try a few of these curry recipes.


 






Coo Coo For Coconuts! 50 Delicious Coconut Recipes! ( Cooking With Coconut Products, Coconut Oil Recipes, Coconut Flakes, Coconut Cream by Samantha Sterling
Sign up for free newsletter from the author is included and starts with table of contents where recipes are not in any specific order.
Most recipes start with a color photo (not all), title and then list of ingredients which you should be able to substittue for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sodium, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Some recipes have a LARGE amount of ingredients, be sure to have them all.
Directions are givne and some nutritonal ifnormation is included: calories, total fat, sat. fat, carbs and protein.
Quite a different blend of flavors, coconut shrimp and spciy peach dip sounds like a winner.
There are so many that sound really good and I wonder how the combinations of flavors will work. 






Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Cookbook review Dec 29

  


 
Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners: 1000+ Days Quick & Tasty Recipes to Eat Clean and Build Healthy Habits | 28-Day Meal Plan to Lose Weight and Improve Your Wellbeing by Arianna Leone 
This book starts with title with a different author's name. Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and food catagories.
Intro talks about the diet plan itself, how it works and how your body will benefit from the food groups.
So much more specific information about portion size and what foods to eat, etc.
Exercise and sleep also help in this plan.
Each of the recipes start with a title, prep, cook times and servings.
List of ingredients is given and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and some nuttional information per servings: calories, fat0NOT broken up into good or bad, fiber, carbs, and protein.
There are NO pictures of the foods made.
Lot of the recieps call for specific items, be sure you have them before you start.
There are a lot of different flavor combinations, some sound like they'd taste really good and are marked on my list to make.







Keto Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners: 150 Quick & Easy Recipes to Fry, Bake, Grill, and Roast Delicious Low-Carb Meals by Emma K. Williams
TOC where recipe recipes are broken up itno  meals and food categories.
Intro talks about losing weight keto style.
Air fryer basics and how to use them is also included.
Keto diet is then discusssed and what foods to eat. Each recipe starts with a title, and servings.
List of ingredinets are given and you might be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sugar, low sodium and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and time to cook is included.
Nutritonal information : calories, carbs, protein, fats.
There are NO individual pictures for the recipes.
Conclusion is listed at the end along with an index.
References are included along with cooking conversion, weight and temperature charts.







Air fryer Cookbook 2022: +600 Quick & Easy Recipes with Tips & Tricks to Fry, Grill, Roast, and Bake Your Favorite Daily Meals by Carmen Rose
This book starts with table of contents where recipes are listed  as meals and food categories.
Intro is about air fryers and the outcome using them.
Recipes start with a title, prep and cook times and servings. They do NOT always start at the top of a new page.
Most do NOT have a photo.
List of ingredients is given and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs; low fat, low sugar, low sodium and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and some nutritonal information: total fat, total carbs, protein, and calories.
After recipe 6.44 there is a large listing further but the recipes are not included in this version.
Definitely a large selection  of very different foods for meals to choose from.






Book Review: Iranian Protocol by Ethan Jones

  



 
Iranian Protocol by Ethan Jones
This book starts out with a note of thanks and site to sign up for announcements of new books to read from the author.
Synopsis of the story is included, Praise for the authors work, dedication page, proverb from Arab and Russia. Prologue where the story starts out with the helicopter ride.
Mission for Justin this time to find a defected scientist and to also figure out who's sabotaging the whole plan. He has contacts that he relies on to help him with information and other setups to gain knowledge and gather clues as to who it could be that is out to get them.
There is a lot of travel to locations I am so unfamiliar with that it is interesting to learn about as they are not portrayed to the fullest effect in a TV show. Author does a great job of detailed descriptions.
So much action and adventure with his partner Carrie and he gets a few moments to talk to his grifriend Amy as they try to make plans to escape for a few days when his mission is over. 
Plans are made and missions are carried out but they meet with resistance and others lose their lives when things go south.
Love water adventure and he did warn them about gas leak. 
Mystery, action and adventure, fast paced scenes, so many weapons and terminology that is new to me, love learning  what new words mean.
Story ends where he sums up the events and is handed his next assignment, starting right away.
Next story in the series has excerpt of three chapters. More works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Dedication page ends this book.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

 









Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Dec 28 Book Review: A Deadly Endowment by Alyssa Maxwell

 


A Deadly Endowment by Alyssa Maxwell
The reason why I wanted to read this book is because of past works by the author based in Newport, RI where I live near.
This book starts out with other works by the author, dedication page and acknowledgement pages.
Story starts in 1921 Cotswolds, England in a mansion and the sisters live there with their grandparents. Julia has her own baby and she has money enough to live on.
The girls come up with a scheme to make money from things others have done-allowing a tour of the house.
They have the plan in place and their grandfather wants to give them a chance. The grandmother is not so open to the idea but sets rules-no one upstairs.
The very first tour starts off with a busload of kids and their teacher.  One woman gives the tour and answers questions and she often has to ask another sister to go find one who wandered off.  That happens often and I enjoy learning about the history of the mansion during the tour. Like how they interact with the guests, most from the local historic society.
A missing woman is found.... Miles is one of the local cops that has been dating one of the sisters.. Everybody is questioned and the girls take it upon themselves to also accumulate clues.
Man in question is actually the murdered mothers son, he's got a lot to gain monetarily and the estate.  Others who attended were quite suspicious also, magazine reporters and authors and they wanted to wander into other  rooms not on the tour.
A break in and only a photo was stolen...A hidden treasure and another murder...
Love the politeness and manners.
Some visit the suspects at their house and even have tea and sweets.  The women compare notes and also have warned others that the one the cops were holding has been released so real killer is on the loose.
Very detailed descriptions of not only the houses but the gardens and the clothes they wear.
Never thought that it was the person who murdered others. Also treasure, wow where it was found.
Can't wait to read more from this author. Lots of action, adventure, mysteries, murders, clues home life and travel.
I received this review book from Kensington Books via Net Galley and this is my honest opinion.
 #ADeadlyEndowment #NetGalley.
 


Monday, December 27, 2021

Cookbooks Reviewed: Dec 27

  







Homemade Pizza cookbook, the best recipes and secrets to master the art of Italian pizza making by Owen Conti
This book starts with the table of conents where the recipes are not in any specific order. Not only the dough, but specific areas of Italy and the sauces that go on top along with special pizzas.
Intro talks about the Italian doughs and there are colorful pictures to go along with the story.
Recipes starts with a title and list of ingredinets in american and UK measurements and you should be able to substittte for your healthier dietary needs: low sugar, low fat, low sodium and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. There is NO nutritonal information and NO pictures. The beginning of each chapter does have a medicum size color photo.
Some recipes start with a title, prep, servings, difficulty level, cost and any notes.
The remainder of the recipes are the same as above.
Some recipes have a LARGE amount of ingredients, be sure to have them all.
There are many varieties to choose from, all kinds of comibnations-never thought of a seafood pizza before.
Types of cooking, Q&A and tips and conclusion end this book.







 nstant Pot Cookbook For Two: 300 Verified, Effortless and tasty IP Recipes For Beginners. by Michelle Sanders
Like the idea of only making enough for two but we really enjoy leftovers so i'd double the recipes.
Table of contents list recipes in food groups. Like this so you can decide what meal you want to make.
Intro about the instant pot and the recipes.
Each recipe starts with a title, servings, prep and cook times.
List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Some recipes have a LOT of ingredients, be sure you have them all.
Directions are given and there are NO pictures, NO nutritional information.
Hard to believe that to make mashed potatoes for two they want you to use 2 pounds of potatoes?
What am I missing here? There are many recipes for potatoes with the same mistakes.
Thought this was a cookbook for only two people but some recipes are for 4 and some for 6 people.







The Pioneer Woman cookbook recipes: easy for dinners, desserts and over 50... by Ashley Hutchinson
Table of contents that lists recipes not in any specific order.
Each recipe starts with a title, small color photo and list of ingredients which you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Some recipes have a LOT of ingredients, be sure to have them all before you start.
Directions are given.
There is NO nutrional information.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.
Chicken stock I can imagine the smell as it boils.
Wow they must've been living in salt water ocean to have salmoon and lobster meals.
Hmm spanish rice using lobster stock.  Watching 1883 and they have no food like this on the menu.







Seafood Cookbook: 20 Healthy Recipes To Maximize Health And Lose Weight (Supercharge Your Health! Book 3) by Gianni Martini
Table of contents starts this book. Categories of meals and intorduction material how to cook seafood tips.
Into talks about why we should be eating seafood and include it in our diet plans. 
Each recipe starts with a title and servings.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, and low sugar, fresh vs. canned items.
Some recipes have a large amount of ingredients, be sure to have them all.
Directions are given and there are some pictures, NO nutritional informaiton.
Love the tips included in with this book especially how to purchase fish and seafood in various forms to make sure you're getting the best they offer.
Lot to select from in this book and various meals.





 

Plant Based Cookbook 2022: 600 Easy to Make and Delicious Plant Based Recipes to Choose From, Stay and Eat Healthy Throughout the Year by Aileen Hall
This book starts with TOC where recipes are borken up into meals and food categories.
Intro material discusses what the plant based foods are all about along with color photos.
Each recipe satrts with a title,  some include a medicum size color photo and prep time and servings.
Nutional information: calories, probably for one serving.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sugar, low fat, low sodium and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. No nutritonal informaiton except calories, NOT many pictures of recipes and recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.
Soup recipes really attracted me to this book, they sound great with all the different things they toss in.
There is even an air fryer section and recipes. 






The Complete Mediterranean Diet Cookbook For Beginners 2022: 1000+ Quick & Easy Flavorful Recipes; A Step-By-Step Guide to Changing Your Eating Lifestyle with Easy Recipes ready in 30 Minutes by Jill Vegan, Anthony Ricci Marino
Table of contents where recipes are sorted by meals and food categories.
Intro talks about the diet plan  and what it is, basics, benefits and so much more.
Each recipe starts with a title, prep and cook times, servings.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Some recipes have a LOT of ingredients, be sure to have them all before you start.
There are no pictures and there is some nutritonal information: calories, fats and proteins.
Some recipes also offer sat fat, carbs, fibers, sugars. NOT consistant throughout the book.
Even measurements are all diffferent, i wonder whose recipes they belong to with such changes.
Enough recipes here for years.










Book Review: Revenge is Reason Enough by Isabella Steel

  








Revenge is Reason Enough by Isabella Steel 
What I like about this series is the fact there are many stories that all tie together.
Amazing how it all unfolds before your eyes and the big wham at the end to throw you off.
There is action, betrayal, travel, romance, sinister plot to get back at the government because what they did to his family.
The plots are so detailed and no crumbs left behind. I can really see some things in this book really happeneing, espeically with the whole pandemic still here, years after it started.
Suspense and a bit of a thriller, there is so much to tally up including the deaths all around.
Love how they are able to transform themselves with surgery and go ahead to lead a normal life as if nothing ever happened.
Enjoy the series because it involves things I've heard about on the news, going on in todays world and ot get a glimpse of how thins could be so different.
The author never lets you wander off, keeps your attention throughout.












Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Cookbooks reviewed: Dec 22

  






Easy smoothie recipes: smoothie recipes for kids by Debbie Madson
Starts with a note from the author and other links for kids activitiies.
Explains how to get your kids invovled  and how to sweeten things up healthy wise.
Tips are included.
Table of contents were recipes are broken up into flavor categories.
Each recipe starts with a title and list of ingredients. Format is not the same for each recipe.
Some have directions in what to do with the ingredients.
Doesn't state how many servings so I assume one, as per the ingredients would not be enough for two or more.
At the start of a new chapter there are color pictures, medium in size.
The recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page. There are NO recipe photos and NO nutritonal information.
Like flavor combinations but not so much canned juices, use fresh so you don't get added sugars and sodium.
There are hundreds of recipes, you should be able to find several you can't wait to make.








Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners: 1000 Quick & Easy Delicious Recipes Ready in 30 Minutes, To Build Healthy Habits | 12-Weeks Smart Meal Plan Included by Agnese Romani
This book starts out with table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and food groups.
Introduction starts with a color photo and discussion about the diet plan and what it is. Pyramid is a bit different than when you grew up but shows portion sizes of food groups.
Lots of intro material even listing what you should be eating and what to avoid and so much more.
12 weeks of meal planning is included.
Each recipe starts with a title, prep and cook times and servings. 
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there is some nuttional information: not sure of servings size: calories, protein, carbs and fat, NOT broken up into good or bad.
Recipes do NOT have a color photo and are NOT always at the top of a new page.
Some recipes have a large amount of ingredinets, be sure to have them all before starting.








Copycat Recipes of Mediterranean Cookbook: Quick and Easy ways to make the most popular Recipes from Mediterranean Restaurants at Home by Karla Garten
Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals. Intro talks about how nutritious the items are, i hate to disagree but once you see the ingredinet list you can decide for yourself.
Also disucussion about the Med diet plan.
Each recipe starts with a title, summary of the dish and color photo, Cook time and prep and servings.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substittute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar, low fat and fresh vs. canned items.
There is NO nutritonal information. Quite the variety of restaurant foods available.
End of book has FAQ section.

 






Survival Foods to Stockpile: Create your Own Perfect Pantry to Survive 365 Days Without a Corner Store by Diamond Press
Table of contents where all the important items are listed.
Intro talks about food sources for a long period of time and how you can accomplish it.
Different types of stockpiles are listed, how to start and how to calculate it all.
Love the list of things you can keep 3-5 years. This book helps you make a list of what you can stockpile for your own needs.
Organize and budgets are also discussed.  Lots of resources listed to help you along the way.
Each chapter also has a summary if you don't want to read some articles, there is one for pet supplies also.
How to preserve and use of spices are most helpful.
Meal plans are given and charts showing how much of an item you should store.
Recipes start with a title and list of ingredients and how to make.
There are no pictures and no nutritonal information.
There are optional tips to make the flavor different everytime you make it.








the Ultimate Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook: 800 Wholesome and Delicious Plant-based Recipes for your Pressure Cooker by Joyce J. O'Donnell
Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and food groups.
Introduction talks about the instant pot, vegan diet basics and how to use the instant pot.
Chart of what should be in your pantry is included along with 28 day meal plan.
Each recipe starts with a title, prep and cook time and servings.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sugar, low fat, low sodium, fresh vs. canned items.
There are NO pictures and NO nutritonal information. Some recipes have  a LOT of ingredients, be sure to have them all before starting.
Measurement conversion charts and chart showing dirty dozen and clean fifteen are shown along with appendix and index at the back of the book.
Lots to choose from, watch out for canned items, make em fresh.





Friday, December 17, 2021

Cookbook reviewed: Dec 17

  



Christmas Super Value Pack - 600 Christmas Recipes - Dinners, Desserts, Pies, Candy and Cookies For The Holiday Season (The Ultimate Christmas Recipes and Recipes For Christmas Collection Book 16) by Pamela Kazmierczak
Starts with TOC where recipes are broken up into meal and food categories.
Introduction talks about enjoying the book and other material about the authors website where free ebooks are available.
Book one has Christmas Dinner, Book two has desserts,  Book Three: christmas cookies,  Book four has Christmas candy recipes,  Book five has Christmas Pies,  Book Six has Christmas drop cookies,
Book seven has Christmas bar cookies,  Book eight has refrigerator sliced cookies,  Book nine has chocolate christmas cookies, Book ten has Christmas cutout cookies, Book eleven has Christmas spritz cookies,  Book Twelve has Christmas thumprint cookies.
A lot of crossover recipes can be found in many of the sections.
Intro talks about enjoying the recipes and head to the authors site for more free ebooks.
There are a lot of spaces in the recipes: after the title there are two empty lines, summary of two lines, then two blank lines, word ingredients and then 3 more blank lines, each line after an ingredient is another empty line, 3 lines blank after the list is finished, directions then three blank lines, you get the idea... making this a very large size book. Not all the recipes are the same format, some have hardly any blank lines, abbreviations are different also.
For the most part each recipe starts with a title, summary of the dish and list of ingredients. Directions are given.
There are NO servings, NO pictures and NO nutritonal information. Just a bunch of recipes from many different sources combined into one book.
Wish there was more substance to this book. Pictures and nutritonal information go a long way, even serving size.


 


 
 Christmas Value Pack III - 200 Christmas Cookie Recipes - Chocolate Cookies, Thumbprint Cookies, Spritz Cookies and Cutout Cookies (The Ultimate Christmas Recipes and Recipes For Christmas Collection) by Pamela Kazmierczak
Intro talks about enjoying the recipes and head to the authors site for more free ebooks.
For the most part each recipe starts with a title, summary of the dish and list of ingredients. Directions are given.
There are NO servings, NO pictures and NO nutritonal information.  
 





 
Christmas Value Pack I - 200 Recipes For Christmas Dinner, Christmas Desserts, Christmas Candy and Christmas Pies (The Ultimate Christmas Recipes and Recipes For Christmas Collection Book 13) by Pamela Kazmierczak
Intro talks about enjoying the recipes and head to the authors site for more free ebooks.
For the most part each recipe starts with a title, summary of the dish and list of ingredients. Directions are given.
There are NO servings, NO pictures and NO nutritonal information.  
 


 
 50 Christmas Bar Recipes - Traditional Bar Cookies, Cheesecake Bars, Brownies and Blondies (The Ultimate Christmas Recipes and Recipes For Christmas Collection Book 7)
by Pamela Kazmierczak
 Intro talks about enjoying the recipes and head to the authors site for more free ebooks.
For the most part each recipe starts with a title, summary of the dish and list of ingredients. Directions are given.
There are NO servings, NO pictures and NO nutritonal information.  
 

 
Christmas Value Pack II - 200 Christmas Cookie Recipes - Assorted Christmas Cookies, Drop Cookies, Bar Cookies and Sliced Cookies (The Ultimate Christmas Recipes and Recipes For Christmas Collection)
by Pamela Kazmierczak
Intro talks about enjoying the recipes and head to the authors site for more free ebooks.
For the most part each recipe starts with a title, summary of the dish and list of ingredients. Directions are given.
There are NO servings, NO pictures and NO nutritonal information.  
 



 
51 Christmas Drop Cookie Recipes - Traditional Drop Cookies, Seasonal and Unique Drop Cookies (The Ultimate Christmas Recipes and Recipes For Christmas Collection) by Pamela Kazmierczak
Intro talks about enjoying the recipes and head to the authors site for more free ebooks.
For the most part each recipe starts with a title, summary of the dish and list of ingredients. Directions are given.
There are NO servings, NO pictures and NO nutritonal information.  
 


 

Cookbooks Reviews: dec 16

  



 
Dash Diet Cookbook 2021: A Guide to Understand Dash Diet including Delicious and Easy to Make Recipes to Keep your Health in Balance. by Dr. Mike Morens
This book starts with a table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and food categories.
Intro talks a lot about blood pressure and how the DASH diet can keep your health in check. It's not just for those who suffer from high blood pressure but for everyone.
It's very nutritious and other important diseases that would benefit from this diet plan. 
There are also sections on shopping and cooking the foods.
There is so much intro discussions and the parts I liked were about muscle and fat loss and how to just lose fat and retain and build muscles.
Each food recipe starts with a title, time in minutes, servings and difficulty level.
Nutritonal info shows calories, fat, total carbs and protein, all in grams for one serving.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given.
Individual recipes do NOT have a color photo, only the first recipe of the chapter.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.  Some recipes go with others and share a common directions section.
For the large majority of recipes they are using fresh and healthy items.
Can't wait to try zucchini recipes and seafood ones. Even a healthier sugar cookie recipe than what I use.
Conclusion wraps this book up. wow my mouth is watering and I'm not hungry.
KEEPER!  for the variety of foods that are rich in protein which will help build muscles mass.




 
Bread cookbook delicious and easy bread recipes by BookSumo Press
TOC starts this book with recipes thats are not in ansy specific order.
Drawings of food related images are shown  throughout the book.
Each recipe starts with a title, to the very far right there is a colored box (on some pages) that has  prep and total time, servings, calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium.
Main part of the page has list of ingredient sand you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sodium, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. There are full page color photos but not sure which recipes they go with.
Lots of variety and combinations of  flavors that will be interesting to experiment with.


 

 

A Taste of Greece: Greek Cooking Made Easy with Authentic Greek Recipes (Best Recipes from Around the World Book 1) by Sarah Spencer
Starts with table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and food categories.
Intro about the Greek cooking culture and items that make up the diet plan. 
Cooking methods are also described.  Each recipe starts with a title and most will have a medium size color photo.
Servings, prep and cook times also listed.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar, fresh vs. canned items.
Directons and given and there is no nutritonal information.
Love the pictures and flavors of different ingredients together. Can just imagine the smell.
There's one for lamb that I can't wait to try.
Lemon potatoes with fish tonight sounds like a winner! So many of the dishes I had not realized they had  Greek origins that I use every week.
Offer of free ebook gift ends this book.

 



Indian Kitchen Secrets: 52 Easy-to-Make Indian Recipes for Beginners by Mish Sen
Book starts out with about the author and their life in India growing up and cooking.
Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and other food groups.
Introduction talks about how to use the book, getting kitchen ready, grains and lentils with pictures,  cooking oils, Spices explained with pictures also along with health benefits.
Herbs and utensils are discussed. Each recipe starts with a title in India language translated to US, prep, cook times, difficulty evel, diet tag and servings.
List of ingredinets and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugars and fresh vs. canned items.
Some have recipe photogrpahs.
There are a TON of ingredients in some recipes, be sure you have them all before starting. Directions are given, notes and tips are included. There is NO nutritonal information.
Ends with a note from the author and to leave a review, then back to more recipes, more categories.
Great section on flatbreads. Acknowledgements and about the author, Glossary and index along with a note from the author to leave a review.
Very educational with spices and herbs especially.









Thursday, December 16, 2021

Cookbooks Reviewed: Dec 16

 


 
5 Ingredients Smoothie, 5 Exercises, 5 Days Results: Detox, Cleanse and Weight Loss Smoothie Recipes Book by Kate Dowers
Starts with full page color photograph, other works by the author for free, Table of contents where recipes are not listed in any specific order.
Introduction discusses how to lose weight considering the food categories you eat.
7 steps to making perfect smoothie and they are detailed with a header.
Lots of tips and tricks are offered. How to choose right blender, difference between fresh and frozen items and so much more.
Each recipe starts with a title and paragraph about the drink and what it contains.
Servings are listed and prep time.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substittue for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sugar, low sodium and fresh vs. canned items.
Nutritional information : calories, total fat, sat. fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs, dietary fiber, total sugars, protein, calcium iron and potassium.
Directons are given how to make the drink. There are a handful of color photos of some recipes. 
Detox is also discussed and why it's important to your body.
Recipe format is the same, lots of nutritonal information.
For 5 days there are charts for measurments and type of exercises to do, foods to eat and when then more exercising, etc.
Place at the end of your notes to write in other notes. I like the ideas of the bowls also rather than just smoothies.
Conclusion ends this book.

 


  

Christmas Cocktail Recipes: Christmas drinks to liven up the Holidays by Hannie P. Scott
This book starts with a saying/dedication type page then table of contents where recipes are not listed in any specific order, they are all drinks.
Offer of a free ebook gift.
Abbreviations used and conversions are noted also and paperback copy now available.
Each recipe starts with a title and servings.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your  healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sodium, low sugar products.
Directions are given.
There are NO pictures, NO nutritonal information.
What I do like are the Christmassy names of the drinks as colors of the drink coordinate with the name.
Note from the author to leave a review at the end. Other works are highlighted at the end.


 

 


Christmas Crock Pot Recipes (Easy & Tasty Holiday Meals For Your Family): Delicious Christmas Crock Pot Meals Made Easy (Special Christmas Recipes) by Kelly Michaels
TOC where recipes are listed , not in any speicifc order.
Each recipe starts with a title and servings.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar, low fat and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there are NO pictures, NO nutritonal information.
Lot of old time recipes all in one place. Not sure why you'd want to put your squash wrapped in foil and for 4 hours cook  it in the pot.
Like ham dinner, such a basic and easy thing..
Just a handful of recipes but can be used for any meals, not just the holiday, they are so good.




50 Ways To Change The Way You Think About Healthy Eating : 50 Easy, Healthy, And Delicious Recipes by Michele Cherry
This book starts out with table of contents where the recipes are listed in meal categories. Introduction has highlighted sections that they will go into detail and how the meals in this book are interchangeable for any meal.
Aspects of healthy eating are discussed. Each recipe starts with a title and brief summary of the dish.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substittute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sugar, low sodium and fresh vs canned items.
Directions are given.
There is NO nutritonal informat and NO pictures.
Some recipes like chicken soup have a lot of ingredients be sure to have them all, can't wait to try this one, a lot of new flavors in it.
Even tomato soup is made with fresh ingredients and i'd swap for low sodium chicken stock.
YUM banana carrot muffins, this will be for our hikes when we take a break after a few miles in...
Enjoy the book but love pictures and nutritonal information also.


 

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Cookbook Review: Dec 15

 






Air Fryer cookbook quick and easy low carb air fryer recipes to lose weight by Francesca Bonheur
This book starts out with table of contents where recipes are broken up into meal categories.
Intro talks about how healthy it is to use the air fryer and discusses that in details.
Tips for using the air fryer are included.
Each recipe starts with a title and cook and prep times and servings.
Notes are included.
List of ingredients and some have a LARGE amount of them, be sure you have them all.
Directions are given and there is some nutritional information per serving: calories, fat, NOT broken up into good or bad, total carbs and protein.
There are NO pictures. Recipe index is included at the end.
Conclusion wraps this book up along with a note from the author and her listing of her other works.
About the author is included.   Listing of other air fryer books are highlighted at the end.
Not impressed with the large amount of ingredients you have to have to make some items. This would be a weekend experiment to just make one item. Very time consuming for me.

 







The Dash Diet Cookbook: 2 Books in 1: 400+ Healthy And Flavorful Recipes To improve Your Weight Loss And make You Feel Strong | A 14-Day Meal Plan To Jumpstart Your Weight Loss | Vegetarian And Vegan by Sarah White
TOC starts this book off with chapters broken up into meals. Second book included also lists chapters by food and meal categories.
Intro talks about the die plan and what food you should be eating and which to avoid. 
Charted meal plan is included for 2 weeks time for 3 meals per day.
Recipe starts with a title, some have a medium size color photo-NOT all, prep and cook times, and servings.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sodium, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and some nutrional information is given: calories, fat, carbs, protein and sodium, not sure of portion size.
There are a lot of ingriendents in some recipes, be sure to have them all before you start.
Regular day meals and some special ones to jazz things up a bit are included, quite the variety to choose from.
Some recipe include MORE nutritional information than others, like it's from a different source.
First book ends with a conclusion page highlighting main points of the diet plan.
..
Dash Diet Cookbook for Beginners: The Ultimate Guide To Boost Weight Loss And Lower Blood Pressure, Including Quick and Healthy Dash Recipes. Special Vegan & Vegetarian Dishes Dedicated Section. by Sarah White
Introduction discusses the meal plans and aspects of it.
Each recipe starts with a title, some include a medium size color photo, MOST do not have the photo, prep and cook times, servings.
List of ingreients is included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs canned items.
Directions are given and there is some nutritional information but not sure of portion size: calories, fat, sodium, potassium, carbs, fiber, sugar and protein.
Some recipes are different, the measurements are abbreviated different than others in this cookbook, the nutritonal information is also different. This source is totally different than the some of the recipes.
Wonder why the different sources of nutritional information and why isn't it the same throughout.
Lot to choose from, you be the judge.






 
Dash Diet Cookbook for Beginners: The Ultimate Guide To Boost Weight Loss And Lower Blood Pressure, Including Quick and Healthy Dash Recipes. Special Vegan & Vegetarian Dishes Dedicated Section. by Sarah White
Introduction discusses the meal plans and aspects of it.
Each recipe starts with a title, some include a medium size color photo, MOST do not have the photo, prep and cook times, servings.
List of ingreients is included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs canned items.
Directions are given and there is some nutritional information but not sure of portion size: calories, fat, sodium, potassium, carbs, fiber, sugar and protein.
Some recipes are different, the measurements are abbreviated different than others in this cookbook, the nutritonal information is also different. This source is totally different than the some of the recipes.
Wonder why the different sources of nutritional information and why isn't it the same throughout.
Lot to choose from, you be the judge.









50 Christmas Cutout Cookies - Delicious and Easy Cutout Cookies For Christmas and Beyond (The Ultimate Christmas Recipes and Recipes For Christmas Collection Book 10) by Pamela Kazmierczak
Table of contents starts this book where recipes are not listed in any special format.
Introdcuction is about holiday season and cutout cookies and included frosting recipes.
Website offers listing of free cookbooks. Each recipe starts with a title and list of ingredinets.
You should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sugar, low fat, low sodium and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there is NO nutritonal information and NO pictures.
There are a lot to choose from, you can even make some of these weekly why save them just for the holidays.
Some recipes offer a summary of the cookie before the ingredient listing.
Quite a few flavor combinations sound real appealing. Frosting recipes are not in same format as the cookie recipes-they do NOT start at the top of a new page.
One basic direction, mix everything and spread on cooled cookie.
Author page is included at the end.








50 Chocolate Christmas Cookies – Chocolate Cookies To Bake and Share For The Holidays (The Ultimate Christmas Recipes and Recipes For Christmas Collection Book 9) by Pamela Kazmierczak 
Table of contents shows recipes, not in any specific order. Introduction discusses use of cookie press or just use the recipes as drop cookies.
Thank you note from the author about her other works and her website noting that days free cookbooks.
Each recipe starts with a title and list of ingredients.
You should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sugar, low sodium and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. There are NO photos and NO nutritonal infromation.
No bake  chocolate thumbprint cookies would be my choice but to give them away as we can't have butter in our diet plan and other forms of fat the cookie would not come out right.
Lots of chocolate here, enjoy!

 



 

Book Review: Merry Ever After (Miami Nights #3.5 (Nochebuena)) by Vi Keeland

 





Meery Ever After  by Vi Keeland and others
Starts with the authors and blurbs about their selection in this anthology.
I read the story from Marie Force, Nochebuena.
Love learning about this Cuban holiday and how it's celebrated. I was not familiar with the characters but the author makes it easy to understand who's paired with who.
Love how the family reacts to many events that take place during the celebrations.
Super love all gathering where the whole family is there.
The food, yum yum yum.  Realistic events of things others are going through and some completed tasks.
Gives you the list of where to find the couples in their own books, in their own series.
Each chapter has a name of one of the characters and what the holiday means to them.
About the author and all her other works are listed at the end. Links to her social media sites are included.
Acknowledgements are listed.
Received this review copy from Bookfunnel and this is my honest opinion.

Dec 15 Book Review: 1-800-NEW YEAR (Flipping For You #5) by Josie Riviera

  



1-800-NEW YEAR (Flipping For You #5) by Josie Riviera
Starts with an introduction where author talks about her news and signing up for her newsletter.
Praise for the authors works from readers.
Shannice is crusing the dating apps... She hadn't felt her old boyfriend even listened to her.
Her first boyfrined left an impression on her, Lincoln Reid. He is a divorcee.
She needs to move forward....
story also follows Lincoln and he's returned to the town. He has plans to relocate the toy store he and his sister run to that little town.
He even looks at Shay's farm house. He tells her a bit about his plans...
Love small things like thrift store and fire pit. So many secrets come to light and he tells her his new plans..
She's devastated that he's not paying for her farmhouse, she really needed the money... 
She's hurt and didn't wait to hear what else he had to say....You wonder if they will ever get together...
Love learning about the holiday, Kwanza and all it stands for.
Like hearing more about their careers, using their hands, priceless!
Love the charity work everybody is involved in.
Recipe included.  Note from the author about the book and series. 
1800 cupid excerpt is included at the ned. Other works by the author are listed.
Dedication page and about the author are  listed at the end.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.


Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Cookbooks Reviewed: dec 14

 





The Complete Instant Pot Cookbook: The Ultimate Instant Pot Beginners and Advanced Users Guide 1001 | Delicious Recipes Your Whole Family Will Love by Marina Roberts
Starts with colorful pictures then table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals.
Each recipe starts with a title, prep cook time and servings.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substittue for your healthier dietary Needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar, fresh vs. canned item.
Some items have a LARGE amount of ingredients, be sure to have them lined up ready to go.
Directions are given and there is some nutritional information per serving: calories, fat, sat. fat, trans fat, carbs, fiber, sodium and portein.
There are NO individual pictures for recipes.   Great collection of recipes for beginners and advanced users of the Instant Pot.
Broth recipes from the start are what we start a lot of our recipes with, homemade and NO salt added. we use spices and herbs, as this book does to flavor the dish.
A KEEPER for simplicty of making new meals with accessories.









Mediterranean Diet Cookbook For Beginners: 500 Easy and Healthy Mouth-Watering Recipes for Living and Eating Well Every Day. 4 Weeks Meal Plan To Jumpstart Your Journey To Lifelong Health by Daisy Smith
Table fo contents starts this book where recipes are divided into chapters with food caltegory and meal categories.
Lots of introduction material, the diet plan, meal plans, basics of the program
Each recipe starts with a title, prep and cook times and servings.
Nutition information: calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad,  carbs and protein.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healtier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar ad fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given.
Recipes do NOT have a picture and do NOT always start at the top of a new page.
So many new ideas for me to try. Sound appetizing with list of ingredients and colors of ingredients.
Some have a large amount of ingredients, be sure to have them all.
Note from the author concludes this book.





 
 


Jamaican Cookbook: Real Jamaican Cooking Done Simply
About the author and intro, table of contents where recipes are not broken up into any specific categories.
Common abbreviations are listed in a chart.
each recipe starts with a title and list of ingredients which you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sugar, low sodium, fresh vs. canned items.
Some recipes ahve a large amount of ingredinet,s be sure to have them all.
Directions and given along with notes.
Prep and cook and total times are listed.
Nutritional information: calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium based on 2000 calorie diet.
There are NO pictures.
Might have a hard time finding some spices in your local grocery store, might need to go to a specialized store.
What I really like are the seafood recipes, fresh out of the water.  No pictures at all. Hard to imagine what the comibnation of ingredients will look like. Sound appetizing and spicy.





Water Bath Canning And Preserving Cookbook For Beginners: The Only Guide You Need to Water Bath and Pressure Canning | Learn Granma’s Secret Recipes to Can Meat, Vegetables and Much More by Alexa Reed
I have done canning and preserving when my mother was alive and not so much now.  Interesting in some certain vegetable and fruit preserving so thought I'd give a look through this book.
TOC has recipes different items: chutney, james, kellies, marmalade, pickles, relish,  and salsa.
Intro talks about what it means to do canning and the different methods. Food safety is also discussed.
Lists things you will need and how to actually do the work.  Really good primer for those who've never done it and great refresher course if you have done it before.
Each recipe starts with a title, medium size color photo, servings, prep and cook times.
List of ingredients along with directions. Nutritional information includes: calories, total fat, total carbs and proteins
Note from the author at the end.  Lots of inspiration in this book.





The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook: The complete Guide of 500 Vibrant, Kitchen- Tested Recipes To Build Healthy Habits. 28-Day Affordable Kickstart Meal Plan and Expert Guidance for Lifelong Radian  by Daniel Neman
Starts with table of contents where recipes are listed in meal and food categories.
Lots of introduction material about the diet plan itself and what foods to avoid, parts of your body that can benefit and tips.
Healthy exercise and sleep can also benefit your body.
 Each recipe starts with a title, small color photo and prep and cook times and servings.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healtier dietary needs: low sugar, low fat, low sodium and fresh vs. canned items.
Some recipes have a lot of spices and herbs, be sure you have them all before you start.
Directions are given and some nutritonal information is included: calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, fiber and carbs and protein.
NOT all recipes have a color photo and some do NOT have same nutritonal information values listed as others, like they came from a different source (some of ingredient listings are totally different also).
Some list ingredients all mixed up in one paragraph, not one item per line. Some have sodium listed also in nutritional information. not too happy about all the different versions. I need uniformity throughout.
Have no idea what some ingredients are: holy messenger cake?, holder of frozen cusion, and matcha powder.
Note from the author ends this book.
Lots of recipes but different formats for each. Consistency of format is off also.