More books read Sept 20

  

 

Meal Prep for Weight Loss: 200 Very Easy Low-Calories Recipes for a Healthy and High-Energy Living | Including a 4-Weeks Inspiring Meal Plan by Rachel Dash

Table of contents were capturers are broken up into different aspects of meal prep planning.

Recipes are broken up into meal categories.

Intro talks about the book.

Each of introductory chapters features a different theme: how to lose weight, meal prep for weight loss, health and benefits and so on.

Like the chapters on equipment to have and even pots and pans and the benefits of the material they are made out of.

Each recipe starts with a title ready time, servings and level of difficulty.

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 list a LOT of ingredients be sure to have them all before you start.

Directions are given along with a color photo.

Nutritional info includes calories, protein, carbs, total fat, sat fat, sodium, figer, other vitamins are listed.

Love freezer meal section because I will usually use a crock pot or pressure cooker and make more than we can eat for 2 meals so will freeze it for later or vacuum seal for another day.

Not every recipe has a photo.  Recipe index is included at the end. 

Lots of fresh ideas with wraps.

Super Easy Recipes For Everyone: 111 Quick And Simple Dishes You Will Love (World Cuisines Book 10) by Slavka Bodic 

Intro talks about how this book will allow you to experiment.

Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and food groups.

Each recipe starts with a title, prep and cook times and some nutritional information per serving: calories, fat, protein and fiber.

Servings and 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.

Directions are given and there are NO pictures.  Some recipes list ingredients with US and UK measurements. NO pictures.

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Keto Diet After 50: the Complete Ketogenic Blueprint For Seniors with 200 Delectable Recipes to Stay Healthy, Eat Well, and Shed Weight by Helen C. Johnson

I know some people like the keto diet but please ask your doctor first because it can cause harm to your organs if not used properly.

Table of contents has recipe listed by meal and food groups.

Lots of intro material to bring you up to speed on what the keto diet is all about.

It's a combination of large % of fat, low % of car and protein.

30 day meal plan is included in chart format.

Each recipe starts with a title, prep and cook times and servings.

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.

Directions are given  and some nutritional information per serving: calories, fat, protein, carbs and fiber.

There are NO pictures.

Conversion charts and dirty dozen and clean fifteen are also listed.   2016 listings

Simple Clean Eating Recipes by J.R. Stevens
Free ebook offer.
Table of contents where recipes are in meal and food groups.
Intro talks about what clean eating is, and benefits.
Each recipe starts with a title, prep and cook time and servings.
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.
Directions are given and there are NO pictures and NO nutritional information.
Lots of different meals to sample, combination of spices and fruits make these sound very appealing to me.

Books read Sep 20 cookbooks

 

Bread Machine Cookbook: Quick and Easy Bread Machine Recipes by Louise Davidson

Table of contents where recipes are broken up into everyday, gluten free, fruit, spice and nut, vegetable, cheese and herb, sweet, specialty and holiday bread chapters.

Free ebook offer.  History of bread machines, different sections in this book, steps in making bread, ingredients and baking and tips.

Covers everything a beginner needs to know and even seasoned baker.

Each recipe starts with a title and servings.

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.

Directions are given and there are NO pictures.

Some nutritional information-not sure of servings size: calories, fat, NOT broken up into good or bad, carbs, sodium and protein.

Like that you do NOT need a specific bread machine.

 Some recipes have a LOT of ingredients, be sure to have them all first.

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end along with conversion charts.

A KEEPER because of the variety included.

Beef Everyday Cookbook 365 Beef Recipes by Marie Adams

Starts with table of contents where recipes are broken up into meal categories and food groups.

Offer of free ebooks.  Intro about healthy beef choices. Love part showing all the select cuts of beef from the animal and the important things about each cut.

Each recipe starts with a title and servings. 

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.

Directions are given on how to make and prepare and cook. NO nutritional information and NO pictures.

Very large choices in every meal category.

Like the combination of spices, never thought I'd use them with beef.

At the end the recipes have color photos, almost like it was a different cookbook or author.

Meatloaf Mania: In Search of the Perfect Meatloaf Recipe by J.R. Stevens

Offer of free ebooks from the publisher. TOC where recipes are not in any specific order.

Each recipe starts with a title, prep and cook time and servings.

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.

Directions are given and there are NO pictures and NO nutritional information.

Like seeing all the herbs and spices being used but not so much the canned soup products in the recipes.

Like the variety of stuffing used: different breads, we just use regular white bread or toast.

Some recipes have a large amount of ingredients, be sure to have them all first.

 

Vintage Recipes Vol. 3: Timeless and Memorable Old-Fashioned Recipes from Our Grandmothers (Lost Recipes Vintage Cookbooks Book 5) by Louise Davidson

Starts with table of contents where recipes are broken up into food groups and meal categories.

Each recipe starts with a title and summary of the dish, servings, prep and cook times.

Medium size color photo and 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.

Directions are  given and there is NO nutritional information.

Some recipes are missing pieces of information.  Other works by the author are highlighted at the end. Conversion charts are included.

So cool to have all these old fashioned recipes in one book, I do remember making a lot of them in my early years of cooking.

Pakistani Cuisine: Quick and Easy Authentic Recipes of Pakistan by J.R. Stevens

Free offer of ebooks and then table of contents where recipes  are broken up into meals.

Each recipe starts with a title, prep cook times and servings and a short summary of the dish.

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.

Directions are given and there is NO pictures and NO nutritional information.

Love some of the combinations of food, especially the spices and herbs used.

Other books by the author are highlighted at the end. 

Smoothie Copycat Cookbook: Recipes Inspired by Smoothie King by J.R. Stevens

Free ebooks offer. Listing of his other associated works is included.

Table of contents lists recipe name using: fitness blends, slim blends, wellness blends, angel food, , kids smoothies chapters.

Each recipe starts with a title, prep and cook time and servings.

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.

Directions are given for a blender. There are NO pictures, NO nutritional information but most use fresh items to make item.

Love fresh fruit recipes especially good tasting.

Nothing gets cooked but maybe they should use: total time rather than cooking time.

Sept 17 Book Review: Stalker Stalked by Lee Matthew Goldberg

 

Stalker Stalked by Lee Matthew Goldberg

A bit more creepier than I thought it would be. About a young woman and she's involved in many things.

Story goes back to her present boyfriends and past ones, the sex is not explicitly in detail but it's mentioned from time to time.

Like the drama of the society shows and the scenes that come to life.

At times she goes to extremes to get her boyfriend back by stalking him and also dressing in an animal costume to take sex pics of a girl she wants to friend and more.

She is also being stalked and watches for the shadows. She tries to prove to herself that she knows what to look for and she's better at stalking then the stalker them self.

Lexi has a run in with the doctor she sells pharma drugs to when he starts massaging her shoulders...

She fantasizes with the detective who questions her about the doctor and his complaint against her. She's very open...

Love the relationships she has with Pria and how she's there to get her up and dressed and cleaned up when she's been laying low for a several days with no contact.

Lexi does not reciprocate. Intervention from Pria and a lot of accusations about how Lexi is really turning into her mother sets Lexi's head on straight again...

Between reality shows and being on a new tv show you wonder what parts were the drugs and hallucinations and which were real.

She takes others advice and the outcome is quite a miracle. She has her own ideas of a new show, how to help others who are being stalked but she may not live to do much of anything...

About the author and their other works are listed at the end.

Kept my interest and couldn't put it down.

Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Books read Sep 16

 

A Cup of Christmas Tea by Tom Hegg

Told in a rhyming fashion.

Story of a man in high school that has received an invite to visit his elderly aunt. He remembers when she was so active and since the stroke he's avoided her, only wants to remember her the way she was.

He goes there and is amazed at how she still decorates every nook and tabletop with festive things. He is also amazed that she can still get around and makes them tea.

He can't believe she is also very much interested in the things he does. He was so dreading going and now he's thoroughly happy and to me it seems he will visit more often.

It's hard to visit those who are aging in front of our eyes and it's the visits they really count on no matter how much they really hurt us.

Had asked my spouse on a trip to Ohio several  years to go visit his aging uncle in a nursing home, he had dementia and didn't even know who we were but he enjoyed his time with us and remembering his brothers and wives and though we were one of them.

Hurt us but we really needed to go and last time there was last picture we have of him with us. Sad not many other relatives out of the hundreds who even lived closer wouldn't go visit.  

I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

 

Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

First time reading this author and enjoying the memories of the season.

1956 author lives with many relatives in Alabama and tells us of his memories around the autumn getting closer to Christmas. 

He gives descriptive details of all the scenes in front of him.  Woman lives still in her childhood days although she's  in her late 80s.

They take the baby carriage and go to the garden, it's used for everything they need it for.  They collected nuts for their first fruitcake , they want to make 30 of them.

Next day they will shop at the store and know exactly what they need. No money so how will they buy the groceries.

They've earned money all year long selling off some things at the farm. Like where they hide their fruitcake money. The woman has never been to the movie.

She gives him ten cents to go see a movie then sit and tell her about the movie.  Love list of everything she has done, classic.   They even made money killing flies in August.

Relatives decide it's time for him to enter the military and off he goes. He still gets fruitcake every year and he's amazed as to how she can do it  all herself.

Sad at the end but the memories are golden.

I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

The Christmas Tree Ship by Jennette Winter

Cute holiday story about a family that always brought Christmas trees to the city from the nursery they grew the trees to the city.

1887 along the Michigan waters Capt. Herman always brought the trees to the city of Chicago.  Wife and girls watched him go one cold winter morning.

Lake Michigan was quiet and he sailed along Chicago River to deliver the trees.  One year the ship hit a blizzard and the log had a message to his family.

Tree ship never made it to the city. Fisherman found trees caught up in their nets but no fisherman. Bottle in the message never made it to the family.

The wife and girls helped their mother carry on their fathers work.  They sang carols along the way and people of the city welcomed them.

Nice to hear of the tradition going on. About the author is included. Listened to this book and understand there are sketches in the book.

I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

 

Book read Sept 15, cookbooks

 

Dairy free baking cookbook easy and delicious dairy free baking and dessert recipes

Table of contents where recipes are broken up into food groups: cookies and cakes.

Introduction talks about book, very short.

Each recipe has a title and list of ingredients which you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sugar, low fat, low sodium and fresh vs. canned items.

Lots of ingredients, be sure to have them all first.

Directions are given.

There is NO pictures, NO nutritional information, no servings, Can't wait to try several of these recipes.

So many to choose from, large variety.

Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Two: 850 Amazingly Delicious, Easy and… by Laura Sutton 

850+ amazingly delicious, easy and foolproof recipes for the smart on Mediterranean Diet.

Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals, side dishes and food categories.

Introduction talks about the diet itself and benefits of the plan. Each recipe starts with a title, prep cook times and servings

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. There are NO pictures. There is some nutritional information: calories, carbs, fat and protein.

 Recipes to not always start at the top of a new page.

Like the idea of recipe for one or two but recipe format is bad. Have to keep turning the page to read the directions after finding out the amount of an ingredient.

Ideas of different herbs, species and even containers is very good.

Love the recipes and would tweak them to suit our needs.

SO many to select from. Conclusion wraps this book up nicely adding other aspects of the diet plan. 

Bavarian Cooking: A Bavarian Cookbook with Authentic Bavarian Recipes by BookSumo Press

Introduction, table of contents where recipes are listed.

Common abbreviations start this book. Each recipe starts with a title, 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.

Directions are given.

Servings, prep and total times.

Nutritional information included: calories, fat, NOT broken up into good or bad, cholesterol, sodium, carbs, protein based on 2k calorie diet.

Some recipes have US name of the dish.  Love soups and breads recipes the most with winter coming on. 

No pictures.

Artisan Bread Making for Beginners, easy bread recipes to make at home for kneaded, no knead, savory and sweet breads by David Martin

Table of contents lists bread categories: classic, sourdough, herbed, buns and rolls, vegetable and cheese, and sweet breads.

Free ebook gift offer by the author. Intro talks about how you can make these breads in your own home. Tips included.

Each recipe starts with a title and short summary of the item. Servings, prep, baking time.

List of ingredinets in UK and US measurements. Directions  are given and there is some nutritional information per loaf:

calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, carbs, sugar, protein, and sodium.

There are NO pictures. Easy to understand. Directions are given, in detail. Free Gift offer at the back along with authors other works.

 Very large variety to choose from. Conversion tables at the end.

Cast Iron Cooking, easy cast iron skillet home cooking recipes by Marie Adams

Book starts out with table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and food groups.

 Other works by the author are listed and intro about cast iron cooking are explained.

Tips on how to use and clean.

Each recipe starts with a title, servings, prep and cook times.

List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar, low fat, fresh vs. canned items.

Most have a large number of ingredients, be sure you have them all.

Directions are given. There are NO pictures, NO nutritional information.

Book ends with authors other works listings and conversion tables.

Lots of recipes to choose from, something for everyone.

The Khaki Kook Book A Collection of a Hundred Cheap and Practical Recipes Mostly from Hindustan by Mary Kennedy Core 

This book starts with table of contents where recipes are in food categories: curry, savory dishes,  split peas, Rice,  bujeas, breads, pickles and chutneys, chutney, and most everything.

Sketches throughout the book and intro about the book itself. Recipes at the start of a new food group have introductory material then the recipes.

Each recipe has a title of list of ingredients which you should be able to substitute for your dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.

There are NO picture and NO nutritional information. Directions are given with explanations about the ingredients and why they are important to the recipe. 

Some recipes just talk about the recipe, give you measurements in the  paragraph.

Recipes do NOT start at the top of a new page.

Confusing to actually list the ingredients. Some recipes tell you how to cook something as simple as rice and that we don't know how to cook it.

Other books are listed at the back of the book by the same publisher.

Not impressed with this book, format and recipes are just talked about you really have to read everything to figure out what you need to begin with.

Book Review: Seven Nights with a Scot (All The King’s Men, #1) by Gerri Russell

 

Seven Nights with a Scot (All The King’s Men, #1) by Gerri Russell 

1500s  Story starts out with Vivian and she's helped King James with her visions, keeping him and others safe.

He's ailing and wants her wed and knows just who. It's an elderly man and she takes care of him and within months he dies.

She leaves before his son Rupert takes over.  She's a witch and knows about the bounty over her head. She's now been promised to Reed. Quinn almost runs her over and he is able to save her life.

He tends to her wounds and tells her of the plans for his brother Reid to wed her.

On their journey they are held up with a bunch of men who want the witch.  Hand fights occur with his two riding partners.

They decide to go through the mountains where her maid approaches them, Gillis who joins their group.

While they hide out at Vivian's friends convent they are able to catch up on eating, sleep and healing.  Love the herbs and gardening talk and what herbs will cure which ailments, so cool!

Sister is trying to talk her into going after what she wants-Quinn rather than waiting for his brother Reid.

Love all the secret passageways that were there from time of the Templars and druids. Some history in those walls!

Like it when she trusts him with her secrets and they maneuver to different areas to keep away from harm.

Kidnapped again....  so much action and adventure and mystery.

Love this book because of the travel, history, romance, learning new words and explanations of herbs used and for what ailment, so educational, Templar mentioned.

So much to this story and hate to see it end, taking my time reading it...

Never imagined book ending as it does, wow!  Series listing of next books and excerpt from the next are included.

Endnotes are included where there is research material shared with reader about the time period and witches. Few sex scenes.

About the author is included at the end.  Can't wait to read more from this author.

Won this at Tule #8 birthday party from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Book review: Winter House by Joanne DeMaio

 

 Winter House 

Synopsis

From New York Times bestselling author Joanne DeMaio comes an enchanting novel about a beautiful old house and the love story it opens its doors to.

New England in December is a special world. Wreath-topped lampposts shine, balsam garland drapes across picket fences, and fresh snow dusts the land. Then there are the decorated houses: saltboxes, Victorians, farmhouses, Tudors. Tiny lights shimmer on front porches; candles glow in paned windows. But one imposing stone colonial towers dark in the night.

Since moving to town, Millie Ives has heard hushed whisperings of that house -- and of the mysterious man who lives and works there. A chance happening leads Millie to this Mr. Winter's spellbinding shop just past the bell tower. Surprisingly, he's not who she thought he'd be.

As the month unfolds, both find themselves on each other's minds and in each other's hearts. Yet when Millie tries to bridge a gap in his life, she risks losing him. Unless the spirit of the season can bring them back together at the Winter House.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Joanne DeMaio is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary fiction. She lives with her family in Connecticut and is currently at work on her next novel.

Joanne enjoys hearing from readers at Facebook.com/JoanneDeMaioAuthor.  

 

MY REVIEW:

Winter House by Joanne DeMaio 

This book starts out with dedication and then the table of contents. Story starts out with Dean on the west coast and a call from his father on the east coast with something to mull over.

Dean makes his decision and he's back in Addison living at the family house and running the lighting store on the side of it. His father moved to an apartment over the general store in town.  Dean is so busy with walk in customers and the train depot chandelier spruce up in time for the holidays.

The fence fascinates me with names.  Like the legend of the original owners, the sea captains and the reference Dean makes to Josiah. At first I thought it was a cat he keeps in the shop...

Millie Ives is out of a job, her boyfriend left and she has a room at her sisters til she's on her feet. While having lunch she looks over the jobs and finds one she knows she could do, puzzles: clerk: answer phones, scout scenes for new puzzles, marketing, etc.  She also then looks through house listings and finds the open houses for that weekend. She drives up to many of them an now they are beyond her budget or house is just too big for her.

She falls in love with farmhouse style cabin and it comes with some furniture. Love tour at night as a group walk around town hearing about the history of the area. Dean takes her mason jar light from her father. She tells him others think a Mr. Winter is a bit cold and tells him that, not knowing who he is. 

Scenes are just so very festive, the decorating is out of this world and light everywhere 

Love catching up with characters from past books, glad to know they are thought of during this time of the year. Gus with his snowocycle and Derek with his boat parade, etc.

Dean and Millie are often thrown together as others meddle with getting everyone together.

Turmoil between Dean and his father Hank and Dean is so stubborn to ask for help...

Story goes on with the festivities for all to enjoy while they also enjoy each others company.

Love all the town and family traditions, so magical and festive, brings the whole town out to celebrate.

Things go so well for Dean and Millie til they don't any more.... Angel mist, so cool!  Maybe it will bring them all back together.

Love hearing how Dean uses his hands to make a living, so cool! Procedures he follows are so detailed it's fun to 'watch' a career being done.

Millie also using photographs to make puzzles and that process are also explained.

Works by the author are listed at the end along with about the author. Can't wait for another book from her.

I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.