Jump Off The Hormone Swing by Lorraine Pintus

Jump off the Hormone Swing by Lorraine Pintus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Encouraging. Inspiring. Convicting. Comforting. Exciting. Practical. Just a few words I would use to describe this book.

As a woman, have you ever thought about how your hormones and monthly cycle are a reminder of God's redeeming love?

Yeah. I thought not.

Neither had I...until I read this amazing book by Lorraine Pintus. Until now I have hated hormones and their affects on my body. But now I have a new appreciation and perspective on God's amazing creation in the female body. Not only has my thinking been changed about such matters, but I am now armed with a whole lot of understanding and practical ideas to embrace my hormones rather than antagonize them.

This book is extremely practical and very comprehensive as it not only addresses the physical and emotional components, but the spiritual ones as well. Lorraine, with both love and humor, shows us how the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects are all tied together and how we should treat them individually and as a whole. Reading this book will open your eyes to God's grace - even to a woman who can go from feeling wonderful to crummy in 5 seconds flat.

This book is a perfect handbook for woman of any age - from teen to post-menopause. It will enable you to understand your own body and be more compassionate to the women around you. I also highly recommend it as reading for husbands who truly want to be a student of their wife or for a Mother/Daughter study together. Anyway you read this you will be blessed.

Real {Fast} Food by Trina Holden GIVEAWAY!

Real {Fast} Food is a how-to book, inspirational read, and cookbook all rolled up into 58 pages.  I was able to read it in about 2 hours, so it’s a quick read as well.  It is a how-to book because Trina walks you through simple and clear steps to making your own food and cooking month by month.  It is inspirational because Trina’s enthusiasm is oozing out of this book and even those of us who feel pretty overwhelmed by the whole subject find ourselves jumping up and down in excitement by the time we turn the last page.  And lastly it’s a cookbook because it is full of wonderful, drool producing recipes!

Real {Fast} Food is an e-book that can be purchased here and makes the overwhelming task of planning meals for a month – and healthy ones, too! – achievable through simple steps.  Actually, Trina makes it so simple that there may be a few places you have questions if you have never read or thought about planning meals ahead for an entire month.  However, Trina is also easily accessible to contact via twitter or facebook or her blog for you to hit up with any questions you might have.

The one thing I really appreciated about this book – besides the whole thing! – is that you can easily customize the basic idea/plan to fit your life right now.  Maybe like me, you are not going to do the whole thing, but this book was still very helpful in making a plan for healthier meals.  Although as Trina reminded me, you can jump in head first, too, and do the whole plan!  Trina  has taken the work out of finding healthy alternatives and put everything right at your fingertips for getting started in the healthy meal planning.  As you get your feet wet she provides you the framework for experimenting on your own and adding in your own healthy recipes.

You can buy this book HERE!

Because I love this book and because Trina is so generous, I get to give a copy of this e-book away here at To Read, Or Not To Read!  So on your mark, get set,…..GO!

Leave a comment and you’ll be entered in the giveaway!  You can also leave a comment over on my Facebook page for an entry and if you share a link to this page through Facebook, twitter, or e-mail, leave a 2nd comment stating that you did and get a 2nd entry to the drawing!

A winner will be drawn on Monday.  Hurry and enter!

And the winner is Jody C!  Congrats!

Made To Crave by Lysa TerKeurst

Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire With God, Not Food by Lysa TerKeurst
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Lysa Terkeurst is one of the most enjoyable authors to read and she does not disappoint in Made To Crave. Her way with words makes you feel like you are sitting down for comforting conversation with a dear friend and sister. And not only is this an enjoyable read, but also a challenging one that takes you to the heart of the matter.

Made To Crave is not a "how-to" book on healthy eating, but rather a book about satisfying your cravings the right way - with the only thing that will ever satisfy. Using the Bible as her foundation, and sharing from her personal journey, Lysa shows us how we were made to crave.

I enjoyed the overall style and content of this book, DVD, and participants guide. It easy to read and understand and digs deeper into the "why" of eating healthy. While at times the whole program used together seemed a bit simplistic or redundant, it didn't make it less enjoyable or take away from what I did learn.

While I highly appreciated the message and truth in this book, I would also highly recommend the book Because He Loves Me to read in conjunction with Made To Crave.

One thing to keep in mind about the DVD curriculum and participants guide is that it is a lot of material to go through. While this is really a good feature, I would highly recommend this be used in small groups rather than in larger groups (Sunday Schools) for better interaction and less confusion. And due to the amount of material, accountability is important and small groups are better to cultivate that interaction.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Just because a woman finally fits into her skinny jeans doesn't mean she's won her battle with food. Too often, women overlook the spiritual component to their physical struggle with healthy eating. Made to Crave taps into the desires God gave you to consume food without letting food consume you!

Made to Crave is the missing link between a woman's desire to be healthy and the spiritual empowerment necessary to make that happen. The reality is we were made to crave. Craving isn't a bad thing. But we must realize God created us to crave more of him. Many of us have misplaced that craving by overindulging in physical pleasures instead of lasting spiritual satisfaction. If you are struggling with unhealthy eating habits, you can break the "I'll start again Monday" cycle, and start feeling good about yourself today. Learn to stop beating yourself up over the numbers on the scale. Discover that your weight loss struggle isn't a curse but rather a blessing in the making, and replace justifications that lead to diet failure with empowering go-to scripts that lead to victory. You can reach your healthy weight goal - and grow closer to God in the process. This is not a how-to book. This is not the latest and greatest dieting plan. This book is the necessary companion for you to use alongside whatever healthy lifestyle plan you choose. This is a book and Bible study to help you find the "want to" in making healthy lifestyle choices. 224 pages. Companion Bible study DVD set also available. http://madetocrave.org/purchase-resource...

DVD OVERVIEW:

If you want to maximize your experience and bring these teachings to life in a way you’ll never forget, you’ll want to order the full set of resources. Adding the DVD teaching series and the workbook will motivate you to get healthy without feeling deprived, lose the weight in a permanent way, and find the peace your body, mind and soul desires. This DVD study can be done in a group or by yourself.

The Bundle is only available through Proverbs 31 Ministries, so click here to order! http://madetocrave.org/purchase-resource...

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This book, DVD, and participants guide was courtesy of Litfuse Group but the opinion expressed is my own.

Hollow: An Unpolished Tale by Jena Morrow

Hollow: An Unpolished Tale by Jena Morrow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Are you struggling to understand the mind of someone dealing with anorexia? Maybe it's your friend or possibly a family member.

Or maybe it's your own mind and body that has become a battleground for this possibly fatal war.

Whatever your reason for wanting to read Hollow, you will be captured by this poignant testimony and ongoing journey of Jena Morrow.

I appreciated the vulnerability and raw honesty with which Jena shares. The story she unfolds in this book helped me for the first time to gain even a fraction of understanding of why someone can and does turn to the eating disorder of anorexia. Jena does not try to make it appealing or glossy, but rather tells it as it was - to the best of her memory and ability. If you don't understand anorexia you will finish this book with a better grasp of what goes on in one's mind to lead them into such depths. Or if you know the struggle from first-hand experience, I think you will be encouraged by the life of someone who rose from the depths back to living a functioning life battling the ongoing temptations.

While this is a book that would not have grabbed me from the bookstore shelf to read - a classic case of don't judge a book by it's cover - I am thankful for reading this unpolished tale as Jena calls it. Even though I have not struggled with anorexia I walked away understanding how my mind believes other lies about my body and how Christ - and Christ alone - can set me free of those.

I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand anorexia better or needing the encouragement of someone else who has fought this battle.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Twenty nine years, 7 months, 14 days and the battle still rages…

Jena Morrow has an eating disorder. It can kill her. Jena Morrow has a Savior. He came to give her abundant life.

This is not a polished tale of victory but an honest, true story of fragility. Hollow recounts Jena’s daily struggle with anorexia and the God who is able and willing to reach down into the dirt. A central theme of Hollow is the surrender of control to Jesus Christ. His Word is interwoven throughout the story as rebuttals to the lies that besiege those engaged in any addiction.

In addition to her point of view, Jena includes those of her friends, family, and former therapists providing an undercurrent of hope.

Written in an easy conversational voice, Hollow will resonate with those in the midst of a struggle and those who stand beside them.

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This review book was provided courtesy of Moody Publishers.

Let’s Do Lunch by Roger Troy Wilson {GIVEAWAY!}

Let's Do Lunch: Eating all the Calories and Carbs you want to lose weight! by Roger Troy Wilson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Let's Do Lunch is a new approach to loosing weight. It gives hope to those who have tried everything and feel hopeless.

I enjoyed the book, was quite intrigued by it, and picked up some good tips from this book, but ultimately I must say I didn't walk away impressed. Quite honestly the flow of the book is a little rough and so much of it sounds too good to be true. However, in all fairness, there are a number of testimonials included and I do believe it works, but rather that it's not the miracle for everyone that it appears to be by reading the jacket.

I would recommend this book to those who are really wanting to understand all the weight loss options available or for those who simply have tried everything else.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Roger Troy Wilson weighed 425 pounds and had a 5-foot waist. He had given up on losing weight and prayed that he would die and go to Heaven.

After fifteen years of experimenting with different foods and eating patterns, he discovered how to actually have fun losing weight easily---almost the complete opposite of most diets. He lost 230 pounds and 24 inches from his waist.

Today Wilson has maintained his weight loss for years. “You do not need to exercise or count carbs. You can do it without portioning and shakes and chemicals,” says Wilson. In Let's Do Lunch, he reveals:

* the dumbest thing we all do that keeps us from losing weight
* which “non-fattening” foods are actually fattening
* special ways to eliminate cravings
* where to go and what to get when you want to eat something quick

Once you’ve read Let’s Do Lunch, you’ll never think of eating any other way.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson but all opinion expressed is my own.

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GIVEAWAY!

If you would like to win a free copy of this book all you have to do is leave a comment!  For my giveaway rules click here.  A winner will be drawn randomly on Saturday, October 2nd.

The Everything Healthy Meals In Minutes Cookbook by Patricia Butkus

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

This Everything guide to healthy eating is very simple and easy to use. It has great plans, lots of recipe, nutrition information, and so much more. The only thing I didn't care for was that it seemed to call for so many ingredients that I just didn't have on hand on a regular basis. If you are cooking for 1 or 2 this meal plan and recipe book would be a good match and a great place to start on the path of healthier eating.

Sleep, It Does A Family Good, by Archibald D. Hart

Sleep, It Does a Family Good: How Busy Families Can Overcome Sleep Deprivation by Archibald D. Hart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Is your family sleep deprived?

You may not even know if you are! In this book Dr. Archibald Hart talks about the signs and symptoms of people and families who are deprived of sleep and shares how to "fix" the problem as well. The main point is: "The family that sleeps well, lives well", and even "Just because your family doesn't feel tired doesn't mean that don't have a problem".

Dr. Hart's book is a fascinating look sleep and our view of sleep. I greatly appreciated his informative approach and simple ways of expressing the problem and presenting the solutions. I was also amazed at the amount of problems and physical ailments/disabilities that have a high probability of being linked to not enough sleep. But as amazed as I was, I believe it because I can see what a lack of sleep does in my own life.

I think this is a MUST READ for anyone, but especially for married couples and parents. There is plenty of practical application and tips to help you start sleeping better now. For parents, I highly recommend you read this along with the book: On Becoming Babywise.

Overall, I think this is a great book. There were a few things I didn't agree with the author on, but it was more application than theory and I would still highly recommend this book for EVERYONE!

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This book was provided for review courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers. The review is my own opinion.

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Green: American Style by Anna M. Clark {Giveaway!}

Green, American Style: Becoming Earth-Friendly and Reaping the Benefits by Anna Clark

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

I must confess that I am not a big advocate of "going green" and I accepted this review opportunity more out of curiosity than a desire to learn more. However, while I can't say I agree with everything the author said, I can say hat Anna Clark definitely challenged my thinking and lifestyle.

The overarching principle of this book is about our stewardship for the sake of our testimony rather than for the cause of going green. I appreciated Clark's approach to the issues of going green in the first half of the book without preaching or condemning those who don't embrace the cause. The rest of the book is an encouraging practical guide on how to go green at any level in order to make your life simpler and your wallet fuller. While presenting a balanced view of going green this book takes you back the roots of living a moderate life - the good life.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

From soccer moms to CEOs, Americans of all stripes are finding their footing in the green movement. Are you curious about earth-friendly living but confused by the hype? Green, Amerian Style offers practical advice for saving money, getting healthy and protecting your future. You'll discover how our families, our businesses and our communities can lead the change by simply conserving and sustaining our most precious resources. One person can make a difference: this book will show you how and why.

AUTHOR BIO:

Anna Clark is a mom of two preschoolers and president of EarthPeople, a global consulting firm helping clients with profitable green strategies. She began by asking herself the question, "Can one person really make a difference?" Today, she has an international base of clients implementing her ideas to improve the environment while making money in the "eco" economy.

And for Anna, going green starts at home, where she's drastically cut her family's utility bills; reduced grocery waste while eating healthier; discovered natural, non-toxic cleaning options; and found unexpected joy in activities as simple as helping her children plant trees and care for a garden. Anna's discovered that anyone can make a difference in caring for Creation, while saving money and keeping their family healthy--and she can't wait to show you how. Join her at savemoregreen.net to help lead the change.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Baker Books a division of Baker Publishing Group

GIVEAWAY!

I have 1 copy of this book to giveaway! 

To enter this drawing, please leave a comment and follow me through 1 of the following:
Twitter or Facebook Fan or Google Friends

The drawing will be held on Saturday, April 24th

In the meantime you can check out this list of 10 GREAT WAYS TO SAVE GREEN IN 2010!

Spiritual Nutrition: Healthy Eating for the Christian Heart by Christine Prescott

Spiritual Nutrition: Healthy Eating for the Christian Heart by Christine Prescott

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Spiritual Nutrition focuses on the development of healthy spiritual habits by identifying five core spiritual nutrients and comparing them to their physical counterparts.

• Prayer is like water...vital for life and essential for survival.
• Bible study is like protein...necessary for growth.
• Christian Fellowship is like carbohydrates...give us energy.
• Worship is like healthy fats...helps keep our hearts healthy.
• Thinking on good things is like vitamins...necessary for helping the other nutrients work effectively.

I enjoyed reading Christine's book and her easy-reading style. The book as a personal feel to it and is extremely practical both spiritually and physically. I was able to learn a lot of "deep" concepts in a light presentation. The explanation and comparison of each nutrient is wonderfully put together and helpful for understanding the basics of a healthy spiritual life. The questions at the end of each chapter are incredibly thought provoking and easy to understand; you don't feel like she's trying to trick you with a question.

I especially appreciated the chapter on Christian Fellowship and the quote on page 71:

"Praising God keeps our hearts from becoming hardened by sin, giving into our desires to get what we want, and the enticement of the devil."

My only caution in this book is that you should read with discernment - as you should with any book - because while I really liked this book, I do have several doctrinal points I disagree on with the author. However, those points are not necessarily the focus of the book so there is still great value into what Prescott presents in Spiritual Nutrition.

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Author Bio: Christine Prescott was born in McMinnville, Oregon from a line of self-sufficient homesteaders and farmers. She attended the University of Oregon, where she earned a B.S. degree in Elementary Education. A week after graduation, she married Dave Prescott who has been her encouragement ever since. After discovering that life as a substitute teacher was not for her, Christine registered at Lewis and Clark Northwestern School of Law in Portland, Oregon. Four years later, Christine earned her J.D. and spent the next ten years practicing law in the Portland area, helping people navigate the murky legal waters of everyday life. In 1988 Christine was called to prison chaplaincy; she received a Master of Divinity degree and was ordained in the American Baptist Churches USA in 1992. Christine served in pastoral ministry for twelve years. She earned a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership and Spiritual Formation at George Fox Evangelical Seminary in 2005 studying under guest professors Brennan Manning, Leonard Sweet, and Stan Gretz. Christine has been a speaker and leader for church groups, conferences, retreats, and local, state and national gatherings for youth and adults. She preaches, teaches, and speaks, and facilitates exploration on topics such as worship, the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts and finding your story in Scripture. Christine first explored the topic of spiritual nutrition at an American Baptist Women of Oregon retreat. Her goal in all her speaking and writing is to open windows in people’s hearts so that the Holy Spirit can enter and begin the work of transformation. In her new book, Spiritual Nutrition – Healthy Eating for the Christian Heart (WinePress, 2009), Christine writes to help people develop a deeper relationship with Jesus; she specifically focuses on five spiritual core nutrients necessary for developing and maintaining better spiritual health. Today Christine serves as a hospital chaplain. She and her very patient husband live in Missoula, Montana.

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ISBN: 978-1-60615-004-7
Details: Soft cover / 134 Pages
Publisher: WinePress Publishing
Review copy was provided courtesy of WinePress Publishing.

The Daniel Fast by Susan Gregory

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Daniel Fast is based on the scripture found in Daniel 1 and 10 in the Bible. This fast is a partial fast where you drink only water and eat only food that comes from seeds.

Susan Gregory has written a practical guide that will help and support you through your Daniel Fast. She also gives great advice on how to enhance the fast to get the most benefits from the experience both physically and spiritually. This book is full of the nutritional and menu tools you will need, including recipes.

I appreciated Susan's urging to listen to the Holy Spirit's prompting on your fast. While it is of great importance to consider all medical conditions, I think that too many times we let them be our excuse for not listening to the Holy Spirit. I was also impressed with the immense information and application that Susan offers in this valuable resource. So much of what she presents are things I have wondered about, but never found a comprehensive guide such as this. The balance of dealing with the physical aspects and the spiritual aspects are as close to perfect as I think a person may find in a book.

The Daniel Fast should be on the bookshelf of all who want to fast, and all of us should try the discipline of fasting.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Tyndale House Publishing.

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You can browse more Christian Living Reviews here, too!

What’s in My Food? by Deborah Lynn Flores

What's in My Food? by Deborah Lynn Flores

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What's in My Food? is an illustrated storybook for kids about eating healthy.

Book recap: "Gummy worms for breakfast? Anything goes in a fast-paced, fast-food society, right? But when Michael finds himself sloshing through the day he quickly learns that “anything goes” isn’t always the best plan. His body needs more than wiggly worms to function at its best."

As a Mom of three, I give this book 4 stars for being a great way to teach my children about what food is good and what food is not good. Almost each page has a little box with interesting facts to share with your kids or questions to ask. I found it very interesting how much both my 4 and 6 year-old learned from this book and how much they already knew. In the back of the book there is a brief page of helpful questions and information to keep the learning going. This brightly illustrated book is one that will keep a child's attention while they enjoy a fun story and soak up some healthy knowledge all at the same time.

ISBN: 978-1-57921-953-6 Published by Wine Press Publishing Description: 8 x 8, soft cover, 29 pages

Review copy provided courtesy of Wine Press Publishing.

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Be sure to stop by the author’s website for great health information!