A Grand read

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Best Paleo cookbook ever!

9781607747437The Paleo Chef

Quick, Flavorful Paleo Meals for Eating Well

Written by Pete EvansAuthor Alerts:  Random House will alert you to new works by Pete Evans

224 pages
I am very interested in Paleo cooking since eating healthy keeps one feeling good!
  I was overwhelmed by the information about  this cookbook! Indeed it  is worthy of being used in a restaurant. No more eating bland "healthy"meals that every one hates. In this  fresh style, this book is a pleasure to the eyes. It makes a great coffee table book. But it goes much, much further than that of course! To my great surprise and delight, this cookbook is packed with incredibly healthy, very inspiring and too delicious to be true recipes for every single meal!! 
   I am extremely excited about this book because as time goes on I am trying to be really strict with my diet. This book, however, overwhelms me with it's thoroughness and attention to health concerns including socking nuts and using coconut oil. Happily, the this book starts out with some very delicious breakfast  recipes.. Pete  has long provided healthy and absolutely delicious recipes; this cookbook continues with that tradition. 
For those allergic  to wheat you will find some  great alternatives  including  seed and nut bread which uses  seeds ,nuts and a little coconut flour. Use this book for your next brunch to impress guests. 
I am very big,as is my family on eating seaweed  and so was thrilled to discover  Chips made from Norie . The second chapter is all about snacks which is very helpful and I will defently try the kale chips.  Right now I am really into cauliflower rice so his recipe  will be eaten often.  The desserts don't seem to incorporate stevia, but use honey . My little sister Katia has already chosen a few dessert recipes she likes.  .  Other sections in this cookbook include BREAKFAST
VEGETABLES, SIDES & SNACKS
SEAFOOD
POULTRY  
MEAT  
DESSERT
DRINKS  
Don't miss this book. It is wonderful , the recipes, information and tips as well as stunning pictures. 
The  chocolate beet mudcakes would make a wonderful anniversary treat. No one will know how healthy they are eating until you tell them.

Try the authors recipe for your next meal!

One of my goals is to write the roast chicken bible, describing all the different ways to roast chicken, not only because I would get to taste every single version, but because I think roast chicken is the most comforting, memory-invoking dish. The recipe here is a basic, yet flavor-filled, version of a gorgeous dish my Italian friend Marina has cooked for me a few times. I especially like it when the lemons get a bit burnt in the pan and the juices mix with the chicken fat, garlic, chile, and rosemary to form the most delicious sauce known. Bellissimo!

Roast chicken thighs with garlic, lemon & herbs
Serves 4 to 6

1⁄3 cup (80 g) duck fat, coconut oil, or ghee, melted
2 tbsp raw honey (optional)
1 tbsp dried Italian seasoning 
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1⁄4 tsp red pepper flakes
6 boneless, skin-on 
chicken thighs 
3 lemons, halved or quartered 
4 shallots, halved
2 heads garlic, halved
3 sprigs rosemary, chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
Chopped fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, and/or parsley), for garnish

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

In a small bowl, whisk together the melted duck fat, honey, Italian seasoning, paprika, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and some sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
Place the chicken thighs in a 9 by 13-inch (23 by 33 cm) baking dish, skin side up. Pour the seasoning mixture all over the chicken, turning the pieces to coat all sides. Arrange the lemon pieces, shallots, and garlic around and under the chicken and sprinkle with the rosemary and oregano.

For the best results, cover the chicken and marinate overnight in the refrigerator. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Roast, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked, the skin is crispy, and the juices run clear. Garnish with additional chopped fresh herbs, if desire

I received this boook from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. 

Signs from America's Past That Signal Our Nation's Future


The Coming Revolution

The Coming Revolution Signs from America's Past That Signal Our Nation's Future

By Dr. Richard Lee
Published by Thomas Nelson

The Author, Dr. Lee is a Christian pastor and the book is written from a Christian perspective. The book was interesting in that it told much about American history and goes on to elaborate about the state of our country presently and the disparity between past and present founding principles. Our founding fathers were men of faith and moral character and our nation has transitioned into one with tremendous debt, lack of morality, violence and religious confusion.
The author touches on important things that are going on in our nation today. Although I felt a tinge of hopelessness and helplessness while reading this book, I came away in the end feeling hopeful because he ended the book with a section on "What You Can Do". I found this to be helpful in that he describes what he believes we can do to change the state of things in our nation.
Dr. Lee lists 10 things we can do to get involved. 

Monday, January 26, 2015

God loves



 So many people, Christians and non-Christians alike, look at their wounds and sense that they are somehow beyond repair, that their moments of weakness make them spiritually defective. In this powerful book full of deep biblical teaching, Walsh encourages readers with God's truth that he is not done with them yet, that he can and will redeem their failures to create a deeper intimacy with him and accomplish his kingdom purposes.
She does write honestly about her places of brokeness and the things  that she still struggles with today.  This was however, a book I found very hard to get into and to finish.  It felt disjointed to me and I had to really focus.  She tends to quote a lot of other people all through out the book which I don't like because to me personally, it breaks the flow of the author's voice.  And she tells a lot of other people's stories along with her own.  

Heaven in Her Arms by Catherine Hickem




Heaven in Her Arms is a book that takes us on an adventurous journey into Mary’s life. We see her in three different roles throughout this journey: as a young woman, as the mother of Jesus and as God's daughter. " Loving God was her priority."

 

The thing that I loved about this book is it teaches us where " Mary's success that she quickly learned..." " I believe God selected Mary because he had a heart after  His."
Everything is so greatly brought to surface so that we can understand the incredibly important role that Mary had .
And even though she does not play a central role in the nativity story, she was the person that faithfully trusted and obeyed. So her role into the nativity story was to rely on God and trust that everything will happen exactly as God  had planned it to happen.

Mary teaches us how to fully live that perfect plan that God has for each of us. 

Book Description

Jesus is Mary’s son and Jesus is the Son of God. The God of the universe hand picked Mary to raise His Son!
Mary was there the day Jesus was born and she was there the day he was crucified. Her story is deep and rich and has myriad lessons for any woman—mothers, daughters, sisters, friends.
Mary’s story reveals that a woman’s heart is important to the Father.
"When God selected Mary,” Hickem says, “He was looking for heart. God set out to find the precise woman who would give her heart to Him, completely and wholly. He wanted a woman with whom He could entrust His perfect Son. This was going to be no ordinary woman.”
Heaven in Her Arms will touch your heart if you are facing fear and uncertainty, wondering about leaving your plans behind, feeling a need for community and the support of other women, or wanting to deepen your life of faith.
Hickem reflects on Mary’s story and offers practical applications, as well as inspiring real-life stories from contemporary women. With a six-week Bible study for individuals or small groups, Heaven in Her Arms shows the life of faith Mary exemplified and God’s tender heart for His daughters

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Pershing





I must confess i didn’t know that much about Pereshing  but having enjoyed the author's civil war book I decided to read this book! .A lesser know General than most of them ,but a very important one .This is the
 latest in Thomas Nelson's The Generals Series.  The full title is Pershing: Commander of the Great War. I received a free copy from BookSneeze,
) 
This  book was written to provide a  short biography of some of the great military leaders of American History. One of the intentions is to include a look at the personal and religious life of the generals in question as well as their military success. John Perry has tackled several biographies, including the aforementioned biography of Lee in this series and one of his wife!. Here, he crafts a compelling tale of General "Black Jack" Pershing who commanded the American Expeditionary Force during the Great War, World War I. Pershing is perhaps the least known of the few Generals of the Army that the United States has had.
The book covers the span of Pershing's life, beginning with his first memories of a border battle in the Civil War. Further details about the early life of Pershing include his teaching of children of former slaves and the impact of the end of the Franco-Prussian War on his family. The first chapter moves at a great clip from the childhood of Pershing to his graduation from West Point.
The following chapters summarize Pershing's life in the military. His personal life is mentioned but not heavily dwelt on until his marriage, and his religious beliefs are vaguely alluded to at one point. Perry gives the reader a look at where Pershing served, what his life was like, and where he went next.
Details are served in highlighting short incidents, with an eye toward illuminating the man through vignettes. " When the French General-in-chief relieved him of command, Pershing ignored the order and went on to stop the Germans forty five miles from Paris,saving a nation  and probably a Continent.
In all, I feel like I know a little more about General Pershing although I am still in the middle of the book. Recommended for history buffs, students, and military folks.  You will find this author has an excellent
 writing quality and interesting subject material on generals in the United States' past. This book tells of John Joseph Pershing, General of the Armies during World War I. Yet this amazing figure has been overshadowed by other generals in history, despite his contributions to our nation.

John Pershing was the leader of the United States forces during World War I, but his war experience led back far further. He was involved in the Spanish-American war, as governor of the Philippines, and in the American West.
Again, this biography is written by John Perry, who has a history of excellent biography after his Lee work. I highly recommend this book to learn a little bit more about a great man in American history that is worth learning about. Photo for John Perry
He also is the author of Lady of Arlington, the biography of Mary Custis Lee, wife of Robert E. Lee and great-granddaughter of Martha Washington

Friday, January 23, 2015

For sale

  I am selling this book for $30 ( including shipping) a saving of $14!

What do you need in order to plan a wedding efficiently and joyfully? What does the Bible say about weddings? All Things Are Ready is full of to-do lists, planning resources, tips, budgeting and timeline tools, options for personalizing your wedding, ideas for portraying biblical themes, and devotions to keep your focus on the Lord and the work He is doing in your life through marriage. A must-have book for every Christian bride-to-be.Today's book review is on one every girl should read. I just read this book and every girl or mother would enjoy it.  Amy Hays write many interesting things like why a short term engagement might just be best because one has less time to dream and more to focus.  Each chapter has a section for one to write notes. I shall use it when my time comes.

There is also a master 12 week engagement calender that lays out all you have to do in this busy time. Then I enjoyed the note to the bride as it points out that the glory is of two coming together as one in Christ.  Not only is this book for brides but the groom, mother and father each have encouraging chapters full of Bible verses.
Here are a few other topics you’ll find in Amy’s planner:
  • How you can use your time as “bride” to be a blessing to others
  • Things to consider when choosing the best date and time for your wedding
  • Thinking creatively about a location for your wedding (with sixteen different location ideas)
  • How to be considerate when choosing your wedding attendants
  • How to identify your wedding priorities and spend your money where it counts most
  • How to save money by being flexible and thinking creatively
  • How to weave a consistent style and feel through all the elements of your wedding
  • Creative ideas for making your wedding uniquely yours
  • How to choose the right stores for your wedding gift registry
  • Why premarital counseling is one of the most important steps towards creating a glorious marriage.
  • How to prioritize and delegate wedding preparation tasks
  • A one-page master checklist of the important stuff (those things you don’t want to forget about)
  • Reasons for a longer or shorter engagement
  • How to plan a wedding in twelve weeks (or less)
  • How to incorporate biblical themes and imagery into your wedding.
Sixteen chapters include:
  • Engagement
  • Setting Your Date
  • Finding a Location
  • Wedding Budget
  • Wedding Style
  • The Wedding Party
  • Wedding Invitations
  • Wedding Apparel
  • Wedding Photography
  • The Wedding Ceremony
  • The Wedding Reception
  • Flowers and Decor
  • The Week of the Wedding
  • Wedding Help
  • Wedding Themes from Scripture
  • After the Wedding3 month wedding planning checklist from "All Things Are Ready"
The author also has a  blog http://www.weddingchristian.com/the-wedding-planner/

Doorpost sells the book at http://www.doorposts.com/details.aspx?id=121

I received this book free from the publisher through the ”http://www.bookcrash.com”  book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Now I want to share some quotes and tips from the book.

Once in awhile, 
Right in the middle of an ordinary life, 
Love gives us a fairy tale.
~ Anonymous ~


" A spirit of Thanksgiving as you take the money you have available and use it wisely on your wedding will find joy where others find stress."

May your future husband be: Honorable on every way!

Two souls with but a single thought, Two hearts that beat as one. ~ Friedrich Halm ~

"Sunday is the Lord's day .  It is a day He has give  us for worshipping Christ...Having a wedding on Sunday turns His day into your day.  It potentially pressures others to skip worship in order to attend your wedding.  Day of rest ... you want to see Christ glorified through your marriage, His day is not a day to use for a wedding."

There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company 
than a good marriage. 
~ Martin Luther ~

"One of the first things to decided is your date.  If  your wedding falls around mealtime you will be expected to provided a full meal at the reception."

Also your "knight" must have a vision for his life and be a believer of courtship!

This day I will marry my best friend, 
the one I laugh with, 
live for, 
dream with, 
love
 

~ Author Unknown ~

"Loving your neighbor may mean changing the date to allow  a particular person to participate ( in your wedding). Getting married just wouldn't be the same with out bridesmaids."

Love is not just looking at each other, it's looking in the same direction.~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery ~ 

He must know how to laugh and to be serious.  Most of all he must be spiritually head over shoulders above others as in 1 Samuel 9:3


Honor your marriage."
" Start designing your dress right away."
" Part of looking your best on the big  day is a lovely hairdo.  Schedule a trial run."
" The Lord bless you and keep you: The Lord make  His face shine upon you...".

announcing your engagement or is an occasion for making a public announcement
of the engagement.An engagement party is either held within the first few weeks of publicly
Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction.  ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

"Engagement parties are traditionally thrown by the bride’s family, but this is not a
hard and fast rule. . Remember that unless you are throwing the party
yourself, you should defer to the wishes of those hosting this event for you. Let
them set the tone and agenda for the event. If they ask you what you would like,
discuss it with your fiancé and give your thoughts, but not demands."






I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach.  ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning


The party can be anything from an impromptu party the weekend after he proposes to aninvitation-only event to start the marriage celebrations early! 
May your future husband be : ready to be sent by the Lord- Isiah 6:8,
Blameless- Psalm 119:1
and keeps the Lords statutes.

The highest happiness on earth is marriage.  ~William Lyon Phelps

Thursday, January 22, 2015

War Over Lincoln`s Tariff

THE REAL CAUSE OF THE WAR War: over Lincoln's Tariff? , Dabney, Dr. Robert L.The Real Cause of the War  or War Over  Lincoln`s Tariff  by Dr. R. L. Dabney
 
This 36 page booklet is very informative. It has an Appendix  on Abolitionism by H. Rondel Rumburg.
 
During the war Dabney  became Chaplin, following that chief of staff upon Jackson request and then  was requested by the Widowed Mrs. Jackson to write a biography of her husband Jackson. All this and more information can be found on the back of this book.
 

What was the war all about? Was it over slavery or the desire of Lincoln to collect a tariff ? In the opening chapter  Dabney gives a brief history of Virgina. Then the Controversial account of Fort Sumter is written  bring forth , the truth.  Colonel Baldwin visits  the president  at the white house  where he  asked Abraham L. to  remain faithful to the Constitution and  that they would support him. Afterwards C. Baldwin lays out a plan but too it the  L. wasts to know  what would become of his  tariff? ”

The delema was what to do with the succeeding states, should they go in peace or be compelled to remain by force.  Many newspapers and Northers firmly believed in letting the states depart in peace for that was according to the constitution.


In conclusion of the first section of this book we will understand it best by this quote “When Virginia offered him (Lincoln) a safe way to preserve the union, he preferred to destroy the union and preserve his tariffs. ”

Secondly we are rightly asked to question the true purpose of the Civil war, in the shadow of the proceeding section. Consider how the North thought the battle would be a brief one, brimming full of victory because the south was too boastful, and thus would draw back in a sudden defeat. In the conclusion their wish for the outcome of the war would be to have centralized Federal power, with high tariffs where they could have power and riches.    I need not extract much from this chapter as it can not be fully understood unless read for ones self, which is very vital in order to have a deep and clear knowledge of the times known as the Civil war.
 
Lastly a most wonderfully written Appendix on Abolitionism by H. Rondel Rumburg is put before us.  Abolitionists used Christianity as a cover up for their movements, so that they could justify their actions.  Learn what the Bible says about slavery and how by freeing the salves in the Underground Railroad, sin was being harbored, as the holy word of God was twisted by mans sinful heart. These people used the Bible for their own ways considering each of them a prophet in his on right.  In reality their main goal, masked over by freeing the salves, was really destroying the south that represented Christianity which they hated in its true forum. Rev Barnes the Northern Presbyterian states “ Show me that the Bible sanctions salvery and the Bible is no Bible to me. ”

In the end there is so much information in this short booklet, that is worth while reading and pondering, that one might have a better and clearer understanding about some of the most twisted http://www.biblicalandsouthernstudies.com/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=28&keyword=dabney&searchby=author&offset=0&fs=1facts of the uncivil war. One will not be disappointed with this volume.

order for under $4 from 

Have you read this book?  what are your thoughts on this war?  Are you Northern or Southern?