Oh it’s so hard to rate a book like this… Was there super valuable and helpful information? Absolutely! But the reader has to slog through a needlesslOh it’s so hard to rate a book like this… Was there super valuable and helpful information? Absolutely! But the reader has to slog through a needlessly long first half of the book before any concrete advice on longevity is given. The entire book is way too long. Way. Too. Long. That’s my biggest gripe. That being said, I don’t regret the time spent reading it and have walked away with a few ideas and practices I’d like to implement in my own life. ...more
A book on economics is probably never going to make it on my favorites list, but this one was quite entertaining! Food for the win! I loved the beginnA book on economics is probably never going to make it on my favorites list, but this one was quite entertaining! Food for the win! I loved the beginning of each chapter that detailed certain foods, their origins, and cultural significance. I really liked some of the economic lectures that came after each food and found some of the lectures boring or a bit too preachy. I can tell the author went out of his way to present a balanced view of both the economic history of the world as well as our present day world economy, which I appreciated. Lots of food for thought here… you see what I did there? ...more
"You are beautiful, interesting, accepted, and loved by the most high God. Be content with both woman you are today and the woman you'll be tomorrow.."You are beautiful, interesting, accepted, and loved by the most high God. Be content with both woman you are today and the woman you'll be tomorrow... Change what you can. You hold the God-given power to do that, and the great news is that He doesn't expect you to do it alone... We shouldn't want to be anyone else, but we can be the best God created us to be."
January always seems to turn into an unofficial non-fiction month and here we are again! This book is not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but for me it was extremely motivating and enlightening. Bure helps the reader see that fitness and keeping our bodies healthy and properly nourished is a spiritual matter as much as a physical one. But this book isn't just for those who want to lose weight or develop healthier habits, there is so much more. Bure is a devout Christian and Reshaping it All is full of scripture, Biblical wisdom, and truths that can be applied to all aspects of life including: self-discipline, parenting, prioritizing, productivity, and discipleship....more
Korean skincare for dummies! I've been fascinated with k-beauty for the past few years and have enjoyed sheet masks and skinfood scrubs like everyone Korean skincare for dummies! I've been fascinated with k-beauty for the past few years and have enjoyed sheet masks and skinfood scrubs like everyone else. When I first heard about the 10 step routine my thoughts ranged from "that's way too high-maintenance" to "who has the money?" But time has passed and it's much easier to find Korean beauty products in the U.S. that are both affordable and effective. I loved learning more about Korean skincare culture, the insights into the importance of each step of the process, and the friendly tone Cho writes in. It's like listening to your best friend gab about her superpower beauty finds. There was a bit too much memoir/travelogue writing in here for my taste and I found the middle of the book to be strong and information rich, while the beginning and end were not as helpful. I'm definitely inspired to up my skincare game and start experimenting with more Korean lines and products....more
"Cultivate who you already are by filling your soul with goodness spiritually, nutritionally, and physically, and allow yourself to be pliable so that"Cultivate who you already are by filling your soul with goodness spiritually, nutritionally, and physically, and allow yourself to be pliable so that you can ultimately grow into the person God made you to be." Perhaps there aren't many tips or tricks in here that are earth-shatteringly original (the self-care section was particularly basic), but I enjoyed how genuine Bure's voice is. You really can tell she is speaking from the heart about what personal style means to her. It's refreshing to see someone in the spotlight who is fit acknowledge the amount of work and self-control it takes to be that way. None of that "I stay slim chasing around my kids!" nonsense here. I also appreciated how well-rounded her approach to presenting oneself to the world is--physical, mental, and spiritual. I thought Staying Stylish was quick, fun, and motivational without being pushy....more
I'm pretty sure Reese and I would be best friends! This is such a fun book. Full of recipes, southern lifestyle and home tips, and sweet family memoriI'm pretty sure Reese and I would be best friends! This is such a fun book. Full of recipes, southern lifestyle and home tips, and sweet family memories. She takes you through the deeper ideas of what it means to be a southern woman and the values we hold dear all while making you smile at her sassy, spunky writing. ...more
This book isn't terrible... I'm just not sure there was a point. I've read a couple of Harrington's New York Magazine articles about the strange celebThis book isn't terrible... I'm just not sure there was a point. I've read a couple of Harrington's New York Magazine articles about the strange celebrity diets she attempts to imitate and they're pretty funny! This book had it's moments too. But it was as if she took a handful of those articles and stuck them together to form her book with no more thought to theme or cohesiveness. It's a book about celebrity eating habits so I wasn't expecting anything insanely profound, but from an Ivy League educated writer this was just confusingly shallow. And the strange attempt to wrap it all up with a pseudo-feministic girl power moment at the end felt out of place and forced....more
You know how some books just have to find you at the right place and time? And when they do they are a total GAME CHANGER? Skin Cleanse is one of thosYou know how some books just have to find you at the right place and time? And when they do they are a total GAME CHANGER? Skin Cleanse is one of those books for me. So there's not really anything earth-shattering in this book. What it does have is insanely practical and logical information and advice. The book has sections on eating and exercising, the beauty industry (and all of the unregulated crud in your products) and recipes for great food, skin, and body products to make at home. This is not a diet book. Grigore is adamant about the fact that there is no "one size fits all" way to be healthy. So what if your friend eats a paleo or vegan diet? That might make her body happy, but that doesn't mean it's going to make yours happy. You are your own diet expert. She walks you through how to isolate problem foods that upset your body and cause inflammation (which causes a lot of our skin woes) and how to craft a completely personal way of eating.
When facing skin issues it's easy to overlook lifestyle and search instead for that one "miracle product" that will solve everything. But when you understand the science behind why exercising is the best anti-aging method and why what you eat is just as important as what you put on your skin, things begin to fall into place.
I waited a long time to write this review so that I could put into practice a lot of what Grigore advocates in her book and I saw huge improvements right away and things just keep getting better. My favorite section is where she encourages you to be your own apothecary and try swapping some of your store bought stuff for something homemade. The recipes are simple and straightforward. Every one that I've tried I have loved and am not planning on going back to the old stuff. The sensitive skin face wash, makeup remover and dry shampoo are my favorites!...more
So the thing I've decided about these comedian books is that they're really best read over a long period of time. To sit down and plow through in a niSo the thing I've decided about these comedian books is that they're really best read over a long period of time. To sit down and plow through in a night or two? Nope. It becomes boring and a little monotonous. Read it in chunks. Also, I read 3/4 of this and then listened to the audio for the rest of the book and hearing Jim narrate himself made it 100x funnier. So I'd say go with the audio book from the beginning. I'm somewhere between 3 and 4 stars on this one. There are some really funny moments and I especially liked his commentary on fast food. I'd for sure recommend it over Dad is Fat, it is much better. ...more
Some good ideas mixed throughout, but most of her secrets are just common sense. Eat more vegetables, drink more water, take the stairs rather than thSome good ideas mixed throughout, but most of her secrets are just common sense. Eat more vegetables, drink more water, take the stairs rather than the elevator, etc. Some of the chapters were kind of dull and I found Guiliano's overall tone to be really condescending. For a woman who lives and works in America (and considers herself part American) you'd think she'd write about the country, its people and its culture with a bit more tact. Some of her suggestions are very impractical, which was also an issue I had with the book. For example, rather than subject yourself to the inedible, cardboard mushrooms found in your grocery store, if you live near a forest it would be best to go out hunting for your own. It's a nice idea I guess... but just not something that is realistic for most people.
I did like her message of finding passion for your food and really pausing to savor and appreciate it. As well that rather than getting caught up in fad diets or eliminating carbs or whatever, that you have a little bit of everything, just not too much of anything. Treat things like bread and chocolate as special treats. Don't cut them out, but save them for days of the week when you want to indulge. And then don't ever make yourself feel guilty about eating them. If they bring you pleasure, you should definitely make a spot for them in your life. ...more
I can tell already that this is going to be a long review.
The French approach food education in the same way that North American parents approach pottI can tell already that this is going to be a long review.
The French approach food education in the same way that North American parents approach potty training or reading. We would never dream of just letting our kids figure out how to stop using diapers and go in the toilet. No one says, "Eh... eventually he'll grow out of diapers and figure something else out. Probably. Hopefully." No way. North American parents understand using the bathroom to be a skill that needs to be taught in order for children to grow up properly. Ok so that's how the French feel about teaching their children to appreciate a variety of foods, tastes and textures as well as to be able to sit through meals in an appreciative and well behaved manner.
This book is part how-to, part social commentary and a lot of personal recollections and reminiscences. Which is fine, but I tend to prefer my non-fiction less on the personal side and more on the informative side. I took a lot of notes while reading and I do plan to try and incorporate a lot of what Le Billon discusses into our eating habits. But some of it doesn't seem particularly practical. Overall an interesting read, but I wish it was about 200 pages shorter. It really could have been if you cut out the memoir type stuff. It was also kind of frustrating to have her complain about Canada and force everyone to move, only to get to France and complain about it and force everyone to move back. It seemed harsh to overhaul her kids' diets and lifestyle so drastically. ANYWAY.
Here are Le Billon's 10 French Food Rules: (and what I liked enough to write down from each section) 1) Parents are in charge of food education: Taste is acquired and can be taught. Introduce a lot of foods and flavors in the first two years before your kids get to the "fear of novelty" phase that hits when they are 2-4 years old. Kids don't get to negotiate their way out of healthy eating. Children often don't have the perspective needed to create balanced meals for themselves, but they should have control and options within the frame you set. (Example: "Would you like eggplant or spinach for your veggie tonight?") 2) Avoid emotional eating: Food is not a bribe, distraction, reward, or punishment. Emotional eating leads to an unhealthy relationship with food. 3) Parents schedule meals & menus: Kids eat when parents eat and NO short-order cooking. Establish a logical flow for meals. Help them learn that first we eat our vegetables and main dish, then we can eat dessert. If you skip one of the beginning parts, you don't get to enjoy the final part. 4) Eat family meals together (no distractions): Meal time is family time. Eat at the table each night and no TV/phones/radio. It's all about the marketing--make the table a special place. 5) Eat your veggies (think variety): You should be training your children to expect and enjoy variety. Bring different tastes, textures and colors to each meal. 6) "You don't have to like it, but you do have to taste it": Don't force them to finish everything on their plate, but be firm. There are no substitutes given. Be satisfied with tasting and experiencing and then work your way up to eating large portions. There are very few foods that legitimately taste bad... If they don't like something, they probably haven't been exposed to it enough times or in the right way. Serve smaller potions and allow them to ask for more rather than demanding a clean plate. Those who maintain some control over their food are better/healthier eaters in the long run. 7) No snacking: It's ok to feel a little hungry between meals. Don't use snacks to pacify rather than teaching your kids patience in places like the checkout line or bank. 8) Slow food is happy (& healthy) food: Take the time to enjoy your meal as well as the preparation for it. If it only took one minute to zap in the microwave, it probably isn't the best thing to be eating. Train your kids to use their senses as they eat and judge food based on something other than color or appearance. How does it taste? What is the texture like? Is it spicy or sweet? 9) Eat mostly real food: Give your kids unprocessed, home cooked foods and this is what they will learn to love. It will become their comfort food. You won't have to worry that they will indulge too much in junk because they will prefer the real stuff. 10) Eating is joyful: Relax! Be calm and moderate about food, either extreme is bad. No over indulgence/gluttony and no guilt/anxiety. The goal isn't to control what your kids eat, but to teach them to be comfortable trying new things and have the self-control needed to balance indulgences. ...more
