The Sprouted Kitchen: Bowl + Spoon

I love food. I love cooking food. I love looking for new recipes, especially since I have started to eat a lot more clean.

I've never visited the Sprouted Kitchen before, until recently  when I found a recipe for Sprouted Bread. Then I happened to see this on Blogging for Books. You can never have too many cookbooks or recipes right??

When I first flipped through the book, I was starting to drool just from looking at the pictures. So, I immediately decided to sit down and take a closer look. Sara does a good job letting you know what kind of "staples" you'll need in order to do the recipes. It's mostly the basic kind of things from utensils to use and things to stock your pantry with, which most of the stuff I have already.

Most of the recipes seem very easy. There are a lot of new names, at least for me, of different kinds of recipes and items used in them. Some I think might be hard to find. Most of the stuff I can either find at my local grocer, farmer's market, or health/ whole food store. There is a great variety of things to try that will suit almost everyone's taste buds.

While I haven't tried all the recipes in the book, I did make a couple of them. I made the Golden Quinoa and Butternut Breakfast Bowl (two of my favorite things: quinoa and butternut squash). I had most of the things on hand already and just needed to pick up a couple things that I didn't have. The recipe instructions were very easy to follow and it was so tasty I probably could eat this every day for every meal.

I'm looking forward to trying my hand at making the ricotta cheese with goat's milk (while I know that COW milk is VERY BAD for you, I am not sure on goat milk, but I CANNOT give up my ricotta cheese, which I eat straight from the carton, or with fruit, or in massive amounts in my lasagna. So if I can do a healthier version, then so be it!

I would recommend this book to anyone that loves food and loves to cook.

**NOTE** I received this book from Blogging for Books (.org) in return for my honest review of the product.

Just Add Watercolor...

I love art. I recently revisited watercolor as a medium to learn to paint with. I was so happy when I saw this book from Helen Birch was available for review from Blogging For Books.

This pint size book has over 200 watercolor pictures from different artists, incorporating different styles and mediums. In the beginning is a contents of thumbnail size images along with the page that they are on. On the opposite page there is a description of what kind of watercolor it is, a summary of the artist/painting, and a tidbit to help a budding artist.

This book is small, but it is packed with information for those that like to look at art, those looking to explore a new medium, those looking for inspiration, and those that just simply need a gift for an artist friend/family member.

I enjoyed looking through it and I will be keeping it on my coffee table and art desk for inspiration.

**NOTE: I received this book in return for my honest review from Blogging for Books.**

Hot Body Year Round

When I got the email that Blogging for Books was having copies of Cassey Ho's "Hot Body Year Round", I literally leaped for joy. I scambled to get on the website because I knew that this book would fly quick for reviwers. I got there just in time. There were TWO (!!!) left!

If you haven't yet checked out Blogilates, you really need to. Or first, ready Cassey's book. She is the founder of Blogilates.

I have been a fan of Blogilates for a couple years now. I've done the exercises, tried the recipes, and have smiled from ear-to-ear from Cassey's positive affirmations. Her workouts can be INTENSE, but when you do them, it feels like there is a friend with you because she is burning hard, laughing, sharing stories, and constantly encouraging you as you do the video when you feel like giving up.

This book is PACKED full of that same information. The exercises are easy to follow with colorful pictures of beautiful outdoor scenes. The recipes are easy, healthy and fun. And of course, you get to learn how Blogilates came to life with Cassey's honest story.

When you are on the go, and don't feel like loggingin on to a computer, this book has everything the website has at your fingertips. I highly recommend it.

**I received this book for free in response to my honest opinion for Blogging for Books. **

Henry Hodges Needs A Friend

I don't believe that I've posted a kid's book in a very long time. Let me just say what a nice little "retreat" it was to get away and let my brain just relax for a little bit.

Henry Hodges Needs a Friend is a short story by Andy Andrews. It's about a lonely boy who ends up looking for a friend. His parents decide that he doesn't need a human friend, but a pet. Not just any pet though; a one-of-a-kind pet. The majority of the book is Henry thinking about all the possible silly animals that he could find.

The illustrations are vibrant. The text is easy to read, even for a beginner reader and would make a great learning tool. There was one thing I did find odd. On every page, only one word was a different color than the rest of the text. I don't know if there was a special reason for it or they just felt like doing that so it too was one-of-a-kind.

Overall this book was cute and I think kids would get a kick out of the pictures of the animals that Henry dreams up while the adult was reading the book to them.


I recieved this book for free in return for my honest review from BookLook Bloggers.

Beyond Willpower

Many people are looking for something "higher", something that will help them change their life. Many people are looking for self-help as well. Living a healthy and balanced life, being happy and successful has at one time or anoher crossed every person's mind.

Although, I agree with almost everything Dr. Loyd has to say, I believe that God has a bigger hand in healing and bringing peace to our lives.  Dr. Loyd speaks of God, love and grace, which is good. I see God, love and grace powerfully packed into a bold, capital letter GOD. Maybe he does too. I'm not sure. The Bible is good. Psychology is good. The Bible is where I go first. But I don't discredit other books that have helped others (including myself) along the way that are considered "new age-y". 

I would still recommend this book to anyone who wants to  overcome and ELIMINATE (not cover up or repress) past unhealthy negative memories and images. The many years of experience, research, and scientific information will open up an new positive way of thinking and new outlook on life.

Season of Fire

If you are a fan of the Hunger Games, City of Bones, and Divergent, then you will surely like this series. Remnants: Season of Fire is the second book in the Remnants series by Lisa Bergren.

While I started reading the Hunger Games books a long time ago, I much prefer to watch the movies for some reason. While waiting for Season of Fire to come, I picked up the first book, Season of Wonder. It got me hooked and ready to read this book.

This is the continuing the story of Andrei and her knight Duncan, two teens trained since birth to restore peace and order to a world in chaos. For some reason, I was picturing them to look like Katniss and Gale. But that's just me. It took me a little bit to get into the first book, but once it got going, I couldn't wait for the second one to get here. This book is full of action. It's well worth the read. 

meQuilibrium...

I have been under a lot of stress lately. Getting diagnosed with cancer, going back into Spring Sememster for school full time, and being able to work part time while I'm doing treatment. Needless to say, my body has been going through a lot.

When I saw this book on Blogging for Books for review, I decided to give it a try. I mean, I'd do anything to find a little bit of happiness in my crazy life right now.

I was a bit skeptical at first because I was always under the impression that it takes 21 days to form a habit. How can it be any different in 14 days to become happier? I've read books like the Secret and the Power. This book reminds me of that. I also visited the website and you can take one of those tests that "examine" your stress in your life. I've tried a few of the things in the book and I feel a little lighter. I'm hoping that it continues!