Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Eat Chocolate, Lose Weight by Will Clower - Review

Eat Chocolate, Lose Weight
Author: Will Clower
Publisher: Rodale Books
ISBN:9781623361273

About the Book:
Eat Chocolate, Lose Weight is a game-changing look at the world’s most surprising (and luscious) health food: chocolate.

Based on new groundbreaking research and the amazing results of his clients, who have lost more than 100 pounds, nutritionist and neuroscientist Dr. Will Clower dispels the myth that chocolate is just a "junk food" by revealing how this succulent food contains healthy antioxidants that can actually help you lose weight.

All you have to do is take the Chocolate Challenge: an 8-week plan that reveals which type of chocolate is the healthiest and exactly how you should be eating it to maximize all of its surprising health benefits, including:

Weight loss of up to 20 pounds in 8 weeks

Reduced food cravings and appetite

Prevention and reversal of diabetes

Improved dental health

Significant improvement in blood pressure

Enhanced energy levels (up to 50%!)

Increased skin moisture and UV protection

And more!

With Eat Chocolate, Lose Weight, Dr. Clower is finally bringing his incredibly successful—and delicious—plan to chocolate lovers everywhere!

My Thoughts:

Since I decided to start eating better, I have been doing research on which foods will help and which will harm my body. One thing that I LOVE is chocolate, but I have been avoiding it because of the sugars that many candy bars contain. In my searches, I found that cocoa is an antioxidant, and is healthy for you, but how does one use it? I mean, chocolate and sugar have to go together, right?

When I discovered Eat Chocolate, Lose Weight, I HAD to read it. It had claims that I just couldn't fathom to be true, so my idea was to mark this one off as a hoax. Ahhhh, that was before I read and tried it. Since then, I've become a believer!

Yes, chocolate is an amazing food! It does help the body and raise metabolism. It is, in my book, a wonder-food! How can I say that? I've been using the book for more than 2 months now and I am so very pleased to report that I am losing weight (even over the holidays!) and I am NOT sacrificing, but instead taking care of my chocolate craving. When I went for my check-up, I was worried because the last time my blood pressure was higher than it should be and I was told we'd probably be looking at blood pressure meds next visit. Well, my BP was down to NORMAL!! And that's just the start.

My husband is diabetic, so he's limited - very limited. He decided to try chocolate for his diabetes and his last check-up was so good that they cut his meds in HALF and have said if it continues that he will be off meds soon!

Am I a believer? YOU BET! This book explains everything from the science behind chocolate to how much to use, etc. It's long and detailed, and very well written. Although there are times I felt that things were repeated more than I'd like, but overall, that is just a small irritant on my end.

This book is worth its weight in gold (in my opinion), but don't take my word for it. Get your hands on a copy and try it out. It will make a believer out of you - and make you more healthy. What do you have to lose?!


  I received a copy of this book from NetGalley courtesy of Rodale Books. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

Tin Star by Cecil Castellucci - Review

Tin Star
Author: Cecil Castellucci
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
ISBN: 9781596437753
Hardcover: 240 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi

About the Book:
On their way to start a new life, Tula and her family travel on the Prairie Rose, a colony ship headed to a planet in the outer reaches of the galaxy. All is going well until the ship makes a stop at a remote space station, the Yertina Feray, and the colonist's leader, Brother Blue, beats Tula within an inch of her life. An alien, Heckleck, saves her and teaches her the ways of life on the space station.

When three humans crash land onto the station, Tula's desire for escape becomes irresistible, and her desire for companionship becomes unavoidable. But just as Tula begins to concoct a plan to get off the space station and kill Brother Blue, everything goes awry, and suddenly romance is the farthest thing from her mind.
My Thoughts:

Wow! This book was a surprise and not at all what I had expected. Being a YA Sci-Fi novel, I had expected a lot of space battling and more of a"Star Wars" type story. I was thrilled to find that this story was so much more. It had a wonderful, strong female main character, Tula, who was someone that I came to love. She was tough, smart, and learned how to survive in a place where humans were not wanted. Under all that toughness she had a vulnerability that ended up putting her in a situation that changed everything.

A fast paced, must read, "Tin Star" is one of my favorite YA Sci-Fi's of all time! I has an appeal that will please both the YA as well as the adult audience and is sure to entrance the reader up to the last word. Make sure to add this one to your reading list - you'll be happy you did! Perfect for those that enjoy stories in space as well as those that enjoy a good YA story.

  I received a copy of this book from NetGalley courtesy of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Seams Unlikely by Nancy Ziemann

Seams Unlikely:
The Inspiring True Life Story of Nancy Zieman
Author: Nancy Zieman with Marjorie L. Russell
Publisher: Glass Roads Media
ISBN: 9780988478961
Paperback
320 pages
Biography, Memoir

About the Book:
In an age when hard-working women don't know if we should lean in, lean out, or lean on someone, Nancy Zieman's voice of calm, experienced authority is welcome. The lessons she shares are ones every businesswoman should take to heart.

In Seams Unlikely, Nancy:
  • Shares her life story for the first time
  • Gives details of the onset of Bell's Palsy and how it played a part during school
  • Reveals the intricate involvement of 4-H in her development
  • Tells, step-by-step, how she grew Nancy's Notions from a basement in her home into a multi-million dollar business
  • Includes behind-the-scenes information on the growth of Sewing with Nancy from filming in her living room to a long-term partnership with Wisconsin Public Television
  • Shows pictures of the people, buildings, and places that played key roles along the path of her life
Reading of the growth of Nancy's family (she is a married mother of two, one son by birth, one by adoption) alongside the growth of her show and business is both familiar and instructive to working moms. Nancy created solutions in both the workplace and at home, to carve a niche uniquely suited to her situation and talents. It's a goal to which many of us aspire. And Nancy Zieman's story gives us key insight.

About the Author:

Nancy Zieman is host of Sewing with Nancy, TV's longest-running sewing show, which she co-produces with Wisconsin Public Television. It has been on-air since 1982. She is the author of over 40 books, which have sold millions of copies and instructed numerous individuals on the finer points of sewing everything from clothing to quilts to home décor.

Nancy has been married to Richard Zieman for 36 years and they have two sons, Ted and Tom. She continues to host Sewing with Nancy, which her fans loyally tune in to public television to watch. Learn more at SeamsUnlikely.com.

My Thoughts:

Nancy Zieman taught me how to sew. Out of all the sewing books I have, I find myself reaching for her books the most. I've watched her show for years and I am always amazed at all the new things I learn every time I watch one of her shows! I have the deepest respect for Nancy and was thrilled when I had the opportunity to join in the tour for her new biography!

"Seams Unlikely" is a captivating and well written book about Nancy's life. Starting from before she was born up to present time, this book has an in-depth look at her life - and not only from her point of view! In the sidebars of the book, one will find short comments about Nancy or about an important part of her life from those most important to her. This is extremely personal and truly inspirational as Nancy tells things like they are. She's openly discusses her struggle with Bell's Palsy and shares how it both affected her attitude and inspired her to become what she is today.

This book is a true inspiration for anyone that struggles with being different. It shows how Nancy overcame something that could have crippled her if she allowed it to. Her book shows that one doesn't have to be perfect to accomplish those things that seem at times impossible.

Nancy is an amazing woman and this book would be a perfect those that love sewing, enjoy biographies/autobiographies or enjoys reading inspirational works. Make sure to add it to your reading list and consider giving a copy or two away as gifts to your special friends or loved ones.

I highly recommend "Seams Unlikely"!!!!


I received a copy of Seams Unlikely from Glass Road PR for me to review. I was not required to write a favorable review, but instead, one that reflects my honest opinion.