Inspiralized by Ali Maffucci

For the past few years, our family has been eating more healthfully, which includes minimizing wheat and other glutinous foods from our diet.  So when I had the opportunity to review "Inspiralized" by Ali Maffucci, I was a little more than intrigued.

First of all, the book includes beautiful pictures of almost every recipe, which I find incredibly helpful.  If you are already eating "clean", most of the ingredients you should easily find in your kitchen already.  This book is not gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, or pigeon-holed in any other way.  There are all types of different recipes, all packed with beautiful vegetables.  There is even a small section including a few dessert recipes. 

I have had a spiralizer in my Amazon.com wishlist for several months, but now do feel inspired to make that purchase.  If you already have one and don't know what to do with it, I would recommend this book.

On a quirky note, all through the book the author mentions her boyfriend, Lu.  In the Introduction, though, Ali mentions Lu and that he was her boyfriend at the time.  Ali, what happened to Lu? ;)

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a free copy of this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest opinion.  

Efortless Healing by Dr. Joseph Mercola

I feel I must first disclose that I have followed Dr. Mercola's blog for a few years now.  I admire his common sense approach to health and his beliefs about how to heal and protect the body.

"Effortless Healing" takes Dr. Mercola's hundreds of blog posts and gives all that information in a concise manner.  It is easy to read, easy to understand, and.  The game plan he gives is reasonable and doable.  He advocates the age-old idea that food should be our medicine and medicine be our food, as well as practical advice on living a more healthful lifestyle to protect from illness.

Before you buy this book, though, you need to ask yourself if you are willing to take responsibility for your health, or if you'd rather just take a pill.  Although the suggestions and recommendations Dr. Mercola gives really aren't difficult or even expensive, it does require you to be willing to make a change.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a free copy of this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Blessings for the Morning by Susie Larson

"Blessings for the Morning" by Susie Larson, is not only a beautiful book, but includes short yet powerfully positive "blessings" meant to be read at the beginning of your day.

I found that even with the very first reading, I was overcome with a sense of empowerment and encouragement.  I loved reading these blessings and Bible verses, and how these words left me feeling confident and optimistic about not only my day, but with my relationship with my heavenly Father.  What a fabulous reminder that the Creator of the universe cares so very much for each and every one of us!

My advice?  Get one for yourself and a few extra as gifts.  Thank you Susie Larson and Bethany House for this book.  It's one of the best "gifts" I've received in quite a while.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a free copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

You Have a Brain, A Teen's Guide to Think BIG by Ben Carson, MD

We loved reading the children's version of "Gifted Hands" and all got so much from the life lessons Dr. Carson learned while growing up that we were excited to read his newest book for teens, "You Have a Brain: A Teen's Guide to Think Big".

This book, while similar to the above, is written for a more mature audience.  Dr. Carson includes stories of his childhood in Detroit and Boston to his career as a neurosurgeon, and sharing life lessons he learned along the way.  Dr. Carson does not make himself out to be a saint, and is refreshingly honest about the struggles he had with his temper and how he learned that if did not control it, his life story would be totally different then the life he wanted.

Another difference in this book is a personal talent assessment at the end of the book.  I think this is an excellent tool for teens (especially) to use to determine their strengths, and then plan a career that uses those natural gifts.

I admire Dr. Carson's common sense, can-do, no excuses attitude.  His life is truly an example of the American dream, and he has made me a believer that I, too, can do anything... if I T.H.I.N.K.B.I.G.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a free copy of this book by Book Look Bloggers in exchange for my honest opinion.