Tag Archive for Book Review

Food Fights Review & Giveaway

Posted by Theresa, Owner on April 13, 2012
in Books, Food and Treats, Giveaways, Health and Nutrition, Parenting

I am always hesitant to read parenting books because after being a parent for so long you kind of get into your own groove. Our groove tends to be very different from most, as it should be because every family, every child and every parent is different. None of us are cookie cutter parents or we shouldn’t be! We each have to develop our own style of parenting that fits us as individuals and our children.

Book Reviews

You all know that I do a fair amount of book reviews, but I do not do a lot of parenting books. Guess they scare me! Ha! No seriously. When I was a young mom I tended to want to do what every good parenting book said but parenting just does not work like that. I gradually learned that we get ideas from other parents, books etc. but we tweak them to make it work for our individual family.

Food Fights

Food Fights is the book I mentioned at the beginning of the week and shared a juicy update about. It offers parenting tips on how to pick food battles, dealing with the mine fields of TV dinners, fast food, eating out, sick kids and so much more. This book is written by two pediatricians, Dr. Laura A. Jana and Dr. Jennifer Shu. I know how picky some children can be and thought this book would be a great one to share.

What I Liked

The facts they shared throughout the book were very interesting and helpful.

It has a beautiful cover of a darling baby.

Spoke out against feeding kids junk food, soda pop and sugary juices.

Encouragement to feed your children fresh fruits and veggies.

Supportive of breastfeeding.

They were concerned with childhood obesity, but our food system has a huge part in that! Read labels!

What I Didn’t LikeBeware I go into a tangent!

The book discourages breastfeeding your child at bedtime/naptime. This one gets me riled up! I have breastfed eight children for 1-3 years each and have breastfed them all to sleep at some point or another and it DOES NOT make them dependent. Babies and children are already dependent for pity sake! Arggggh……..’Nough said.

Ok, I realize this next one is a can of worms in certain circles – what kind of milk do you serve your children? Rhetorical no need to answer, however, have you ever heard of not feeding children over 2 whole milk, only skim? Hmmm…..that’s a new one to me. Raw milk is better, but even our family doesn’t buy raw milk because of the price. That’s why we need a cow!

Another myth the book advises against is drinking well water. Oh really? I grew up in the country and that is the only water we had and I am fine (ok that’s debatable sometimes! Ha!) as are my parents, my sisters and all those that lived around us. Since moving to a rural area we now drink well water. Ummmm….so far none of us are any worse for doing so, but the authors claimed it was dangerous to drink well water. Did you know that Chlorine and Fluoride are NOT good for you and that they are chemicals? Just do a little research and you’ll learn ALOT.

The last two items are certainly personal choice but ones I happen to disagree with. First one, you shouldn’t make your children eat if they don’t want to both hunger wise and what you serve them. I understand and agree that if they are referring to not being hungry, but not when it comes to what is being served. We are a family of ten and neither my daughters, who now cook, nor I will make ten different meals. That is ridiculous. Therefore, our kids are required to eat whatever they are served. Period. If they really dislike it then they are required to eat bites according to their age. For example: If our four year old did not like what was for dinner he would be required to eat four bites, our six year old would need to eat six bites and so on.

The book has merit and will be helpful to those parents searching for a solution to “food fights”.

Enter to Win!

If you are interested in owning a copy we are hosting a giveaway and I will mail you your copy in a 2-3 of weeks, whenever I close the giveaway. Just fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter. Thanks!

Read more

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Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus ~ Book Review

Posted by Professor on April 9, 2012
in Books, Reviews, Uncategorized

Aging and recent widow Harriet Beamer insists she’s getting along fine with her dog Humphrey in Philadelphia … until she falls for the fourth time, injuring her ankle, and causing her son and daughter-in-law to cry foul. Insisting Harriet move in with them in California, they make a bet that her ankle is broken, and she foolishly promises to move if they’re right. Four x-rays later, Harriet’s ankle—and her heart—are broken. She packs up, ships her huge salt and pepper collection to California, and prepares to move away from the only life she knows. The only catch? She’s doing it her way. Just wait till her daughter-in-law hears Harriet will travel cross-country only by public transportation and alternate means. What follows is a hilarious, heartwarming journey by train, metro bus, ferry, and motorcycle. Along the way, Harriet discovers that although her family thinks it’s time for her to be put out to pasture—God has a different plan.

Our Review:

I have to admit that the title of this book did not thrill me…it was intriguing but not enough for me to open the book right away to devour the pages. However, after reading the book I can honestly say I truly enjoyed the story woven by author Joyce Magnin.

I do have to say that the book is not a book that I would stay up nights reading but yet a good book to read at my leisure times! The book is full of fun and surprises from the heroine Harriet. I enjoyed the people and places that Harriet got to visit on her adventure. The author writes in such a descriptive tone that I could visualize each place Harriet was visiting! One added bonus was the intermingled Christian tones of the book. I found it refreshing to read a book that gave God “props” when due! He is great and well recognized in this piece of literature!

While skimming the website Amazon.com for the listing of the book to see the price (10.98 – pre-order price) I noticed they mention that this is a book from the Harriet Beamer series… I did not know this was a series of books … it looks like this is the first book in Harriett’s adventures and I look forward to reading more about Harriet in her future adventures as the series continues!

The book will be available April 24, 2012 and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.com

 

 

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Going Green with The Gigglin’ Garden Gang #GoGreenNGiggle #Cbias

Posted by Theresa, Owner on March 23, 2012
in Books, Eco Friendly Products, Family Stuff, Farm Stuff, Fun Stuff, Gardening, Gift Ideas

As you all know, we are all for going green and living a healthy lifestyle while making use of the earth’s resources in a responsible and sustainable way. We desire to be good stewards. You are also familiar with our farm journey. That’s why when we were introduced to The Gigglin’ Garden Gang we were excited because it was right up our alley!

In recent years our family has enjoyed planning, preparing and planting our garden. This “Go Green and Giggle”® Book & Tote Garden Activity Gift Set fits perfectly with our fun family activities, but first I had to buy it.

Shopping Online for the “Go Green and Giggle”® Book & Tote Garden Activity Gift Set

First I went to GigglinGardenGang.com. They have some fun music playing that my little guys zoomed over to the computer to “see” being so use to music videos we watch. The website is very easy to navigate and very pleasing to the eye.

To order the product I had to click on their Amazon link to the left side of their home page:

Once I clicked the link it took me to The Gigglin’ Garden Gang’s Amazon shop:

From there is really was a piece of cake, click add to cart:

Amazon will then confirm that the item is in your cart:

After that just click to place order:

Completing the order was a matter of imputing credit card info or editing personal information. I really did not have to do much because we do have an Amazon account so most of my information was already stored. It really is that simple and took less than 5 minutes to do! I love shopping online, can you tell? :)

Green Children-Friendly Activities

If you are looking for sustainable activities to do with your children on Earth Day, which is only a month away, the “Go Green and Giggle”® Book & Tote Garden Activity Gift Set is the perfect one to choose! Our children loved it! Of course, I only bought one so they all had to share. It contains the “Go Green and Giggle”® Book, the tote, the greenhouse with six soil wafers, sunflower seeds, a sticker, a coloring sheet of Sunflower Suzi and a CD featuring Sunflower Suzi singing cute little songs – a Theme song and a Go Green and Giggle Rap & Instrumental – my children loved listening to it! We played it a few times while doing our planting activity and they just asked again as I was typing.

The kit unpackaged.

My four year old holding the greenhouse.

Individual components of the kit. The sunflower seeds were tucked safely on the back page of the book by Sunflower Suzi after all she is providing them to us, right? ;)

The soil wafers up close.

The sunflower seeds.

We added warm water to the soil wafers. The children took turns and actually did very well pouring the water! Very little mess, surprisingly! lol!

Each of the children planted a seeds. We actually had 7 sunflower seeds in our package. Our oldest did not participate. She was on her laptop!

As you can see from the greenhouse tray there are actually 12 cells in which to plant. The directions recommended taking it off, but we kept it on and decided to plant the extra sunflower seed as well as some snap peas. My daughter experimented last year with seed saving and these are actually seeds she saved from our snap peas. We hope to do more seed saving this year! All a part of stewardship and being sustainable.

Baby even helped!

Ta-da! All done with the planting!

We really had fun. I read the book to the children, then they sat and read it. Very cute illustrations and funny little jokes that made us giggle! We hope to get permission to use those in our farm newsletter in the future!

What a great rainy day activity too! I was glad to be able to keep my children busy this morning since they couldn’t go outside!

Connect with The Gigglin’ Garden Gang Online

To connect with the Gigglin’ Garden Gang on their social media sites, please visit:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/GoGreenNGiggle (@GoGreenNGiggle)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sunflowersuzi

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for

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Love’s Sacred Song

Posted by Theresa, Owner on March 20, 2012
in Books

Love’s Sacred Song is a fictional account about the wisest king ever to have lived, King Solomon. Mesu Andrews creatively spins a story based on the book of Song of Solomon in the bible.

I loved the character, Arielah, known as the Shulammite woman in Song of Solomon and Solomon’s lover. She was a picture of naivety, beauty and enduring love. I don’t think I would have survived what she was put through in Love’s Sacred Song. She was courageous, full of faith and strength.

In fictional stories liberties are taken to get a point across and I found it interesting how Mesu chose to reveal King Solomon’s weaknesses. I don’t think I would have taken it as far as she did, mostly because it is a very disappointing viewpoint and steals away the beauty of the book of Song of Solomon, in my opinion. It has long been seen as a book about love and the part about Solomon getting involved with a harlot while involved with the Shulammite, Arielah, is not supported biblically and takes away from the mystic of Song of Solomon. At least for me. On the other hand, we do know for sure that Solomon had a weakness for women, as it is stated in the bible that he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. I will never get my head wrapped around that fact, however, in light of that I suppose in his weakness Solomon could have sunk to a new low and entertained a harlot. I just never thought of it before. It certainly reveals the struggle of monogamy for one man.

I really did enjoy reading this book, but grappled with certain components of it. It was intriguing, entertaining and certainly not boring.

If you have wondered even a little about the book of Song of Solomon in the bible you will find reading Love’s Sacred Song very thought provoking.

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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Heart’s Safe Passage

Posted by Theresa, Owner on March 12, 2012
in Books

Yep, read another book this weekend, however, I won’t have too many more book reviews to post as we get into gardening season. There just won’t be time to do much reading, not that there is now, but you know what I mean, right?

Heart’s Safe Passage is the second book in The Midwives series by Laurie Alice Eakes. I read the first one a year or two ago, I believe, and really enjoyed it. I am very pro-midwives, after all I have given birth at home with one for my last three births and have even studied midwifery at one point but had to put it aside when my husband got laid off. I find the history of midwifery compelling and dates back to the beginning of time in the book of Exodus in the bible.

I found this second book interesting as well, though again this novel was not so much about the midwifery as much as the spiritual and personal life of the midwife, Phoebe Lee. The story is set in the early 1800s and shares Phoebe’s story, which was only hinted at in the first book, as she helps her sister-in-law Belinda. Phoebe is a spunky little thing. I actually loved Phoebe’s spunk, she made up for Belinda’s character…one spoiled rich girl.

Even though this was a romance-y book, there were twists in the plot and a fair amount of guessing when it came to figuring out who was against Captain Docherty, what Phoebe would do in any given situation and how she and the two other female characters were going to survive their time on board a privateer brig (different than a ship).

Revenge, bitterness, forgiveness and healing are important elements in this book and when these are presented there is always something for everyone to learn.

Heart’s Safe Passage gets two thumbs up from me!

“Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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Barefoot Executive Review

Posted by Theresa, Owner on March 5, 2012
in Books, Business

It is always exciting to learn of a person who is doing what you want to do. In my case it’s work-at-home. I know, I know, I am doing that already, but let me finish. Work-at-home and make enough money to obtain financial freedom for our family. Those are my goals and have been during the last four years since my husband was laid off and earning less than he did. Carrie Wilkerson minces no words in her new book, The Barefoot Executive and how she reached her financial goals.

Carrie shares her own journey and the lessons she’s learned in this book. I pretty much marked my copy all up reading it because what she had to say is what I needed to hear/read.

Quotes I like from the book:

“You simply cannot spend your life in fear of losing your job, your health, your life or your wife. I decided that I had to create my own financial reality and job security. Was I afraid of failing? Yes, but I could continue being scared and broke, or I could be afraid and well paid. I chose the latter. At some point, you have to be more afraid of not trying than you are of failing. ~ Carrie Wilkerson”

“Never, never, never give up.”

“To live an extraordinary life, you must resist the ordinary.” ~ Frank Mckinney

“Most miss opportunity because it shows up in overalls and looks a lot like work.” ~ Ben Franklin

“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci

Those quotes were just nibbles, I could add a slew more!

This past weekend I spent time going through Carrie’s websites, videos, blog etc. and I must say I was impressed. Impressed but still skeptical, but only because that is my nature. I am impressed because in some ways she echoes what I have heard in the past but Carrie has more credibility than the others. Carrie has made her money. She’s been on CNN, Forbes, Lifetime.com, Success and others. She’s established herself as an expert and I want to learn from her. There are not too many business books I go ga-ga over but I have gone ga-ga over The Barefoot Executive.

If you have ever been waiting, waiting, waiting for something and then it was all of a sudden right in front of you, wouldn’t you be in relieved? Excited? That’s me. I feel like this book was written specially for me at this time in my life.

You may learn more about Carrie and her book at http://BarefootExecutiveBook.com/

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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“God Loves You!” Personalized Children’s Book Review

Posted by Brande on March 2, 2012
in Baby Products, Books, Education, Encouragement for Moms, Family Stuff, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Parenting

“God’s love graces each creature, the great and the small,

and it soars to the sky like His redwoods so tall.”

This is a beautiful heartfelt book for your children is written by Jennifer Dewing and Illustrated by Maria Carluccio.  It is available at “I See Me! Inc. Personalized Children’s Books“.

“God Loves You” won multiple awards in 2010, including Mom’s Choice Award and Creative Child Magazine’s  ”Preferred Choice” Award.

There is a great deal of personalization in this book.  You are able to include the following information, child’s first, middle & last name, gender, dedication, sender, the month, day and year!

The book flows along paths of different illustrations, including the ocean, thru the wood, springtime, etc.

Follow this link for a tour of the book - “God Loves You!”

This is a great gift for Easter, baptisms, births, or just because.

My Review:

This book is full of love and inspiration for you and your child.  This is going to be the “go to” present for when friends and relatives have new babies.  The personalization in this book is extensive, no more writing in the front cover for me.  I’ve read ”God Loves You” for my daughter the past few nights.  She loves the illustrations and I love the message coming from the book.

**”I See Me!, Inc.” did mention to please place your order before March 23rd if you’d like it for Easter.**

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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When the Smoke Clears

Posted by Theresa, Owner on February 18, 2012
in Books

When the Smoke Clears is the first book in the Deadly Reunions series written by Lynette Eason. Of course there was romance (and that part was pretty much predictable), but the mystery that kept me sitting on the edge of my seat was anything but predictable!

Lynette kept me intrigued and mystified as to who the perpetrator was surrounding the attempts on the main character Alexia’s life as she returns home for her high school reunion. I was taken by surprise when I figured out who it was.

I shed a few tears as Alexia dealt with demons from her past. It was good to read how her circumstances brought her closer to God and not farther away from Him. We humans have a tendency to run from Him, don’t we?

As a heads up this is a murder mystery with multiple murders occurring, but no really graphic details were revealed.

This book was definitely worth the read and I cannot wait for the sequel!

“Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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Sweeter than Birdsong

Posted by Theresa, Owner on February 17, 2012
in Books

Yes, I have been at it again and had a reading spree! Ha! Sweeter than Birdsong is written by Rosslyn Elliot. This book revealed the harsh realities of a behind the scenes look at one wealthy family’s home life in the 1800′s. Appearances are not always as they seem. 150 years ago the line between one’s pocket book and status in society was of much more importance than it is today. Though depending upon the place or people it can be very much alive today as well. The wealthy seem to have to put on airs and keep one’s appearance impeccable. God forbid there should be a tarnish on one’s image! That alone was a societal faux pas! One reason I am glad I did not live in that era of our history. I think the pressure would have stolen all my joy!

I admire people who take risks for the good of others even when it is not socially acceptable. Today those people would include midwives and God-fearing politicians going against their political party’s “norm”. That’s all I can think of off the top of my head. In Sweeter than Birdsong those individuals were a part of the Underground Railroad. They obviously took great risks and paid a huge price if they were caught or if word leaked to members of their community. And it grieved me to relive what the blacks had to go through to fight for their freedom.

I enjoyed the personal journey of the main character, Kate Winter. Her shyness and fear of public speaking is something that I can definitely relate to. I loved how Rosslyn used Kate’s experience with the Underground Railroad to propel her to take courage and speak up for what is right. She lost her fear and shyness when it came to defending the innocent. It took seeing the “under world” to realize that her problems were quite petty and insignificant compared to those of the fugitives.

There was one surprise that I loved in the book and that was what happened to Kate’s mother at the end of the book, but I don’t want to give away any spoilers so that is all I will say about it!

This book with all of its impossibilities gives hope for change and shows that when we use our God given talents for God’s glory we will find life more rewarding, no matter the monetary cost.

Read an excerpt here.

For more about Rosslyn, visit her website.

Link to buy the book.

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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The Keeper: A Revell Blog Tour

Posted by Theresa, Owner on January 14, 2012
in Books

As you may have noticed, life is busy here in our home and reading is something that I do just to relax and zone out. It helps me take a break from all the things pressing for my attention and allows me to escape only to have a better focus on what needs to be done.  I certainly have more time to read during the colder months of the year than I do during the warmer months, as is evidenced by an almost weekly supply of book reviews lately! ;-)

This next book review is by an author I have come to love. I get excited when I see Suzanne Woods Fisher’s name on an upcoming blog tour list! It is a contemporary romance but what I like about Suzanne’s books is the relationships and life lessons God is teaching her characters. There is always something for everyone in her books. Whether you are grieving, holding on to something that it has become an idol or plain need to slow down and take it easy The Keeper will teach you something.

I loved the Lapp’s family dynamics. Their love and care for one another is as it should be within a family unit. I loved how the character Fern seemed to know just how to bring out the best in each of the family members. I loved the sweetness and innocence of Menno, may we all have child-like faith and love like his.

I grappled with the heart transplant issue as I have never really come to a decision on what I believe about it. And I truly wonder what the Amish think about it all. I know all the finer points and the benefits of organ donors and transplants, but there is a fine line there in harvesting them and truly knowing the heart of God in a matter like this one. This is a whole can of worms, I know, but I am just being honest here.

Suzanne had me laughing and thoroughly amused through most of the book. Then towards the end I was crying. My oldest said, “You always cry in her books.” I snapped, “You would too if…….” Sorry I didn’t want to reveal a spoiler! You’ll just have to read the book yourself.

Two thumbs up from me!

“Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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