The Keto Reset Diet

After many years of my friend touting the Keto Diet I decided to give it a try.  The only problem... I am a former vegan and current vegetarian.  I never had an aversion to meat but when my doctor said I had high cholesterol I did something about it and became vegan for 2 years a lower it to normal... but I digress.

I was excited to start this diet with my husband.  He had heard about it and was equally excited.  I read the book and made some coconut oil and butter pucks for my coffee (which is pretty darn good). The author does a great job of explaining the science behind the diet. He put it in easy to understand format and made all those big science-y words not so scary. But when it came time to make the food I froze. I honestly didn't make any of it due to the cost of the diet itself.

I am not opposed to spending money on food but when you come from feeding your family nothing but fruits and veggies for 2 years and jump into a meat and fat laden diet it becomes a huge pill to swallow. Most of the recipes looked great and I will hand onto the book and possibly try them but as for now we just can't do this diet.  I have passed it onto friends who have been successful with it and for that I would recommend this book.

I guess one day I hope to be able to give this reset diet a try.

Could not put it down...

I am one of those people who really, really want to be a reader.  So getting myself to read is a hard task.  But this book was so easy and quick to read.  I loved every second of it.  The author describes the scenery so well that you feel a chill go up your back as you are reading about the winter scenes.  He uses words that are quick and easy to read, adding just enough detail without going overboard.

I loved the characters.  Both Ben and Ashley are beautifully complicated and flawed.  Since this book is written from the voice of Ben, I found myself constantly needing reminding that it was a man speaking... apparently most of the books I read are from a female perspective.  I really loved the flow and simplicity of this book.  Each step that the characters took, I took.  When they cried, I cried.  I tried so hard to keep my Christian perspective during some of the scenes, and even found myself angry with the characters.

The author does a great job of inputting God and Christian values throughout this book.  They aren't loud and shoved in your face but rather subtle.  He adds a human touch to them.  We all face hard times in our marriages and life and I think he did a great job of addressing these subjects and keeping God there.  I would highly recommend this book!

** This book was given to me to review by Blogging for Books.

Instantly Transported

I love reading a book that instantly transports me to another time and place.  I felt like I was walking among the characters... experiencing life side by side.  This book makes me want to visit Sri Lanka.  The author uses such vivid imagery and develops the characters so well that I didn't want to put the book down.

As a married woman in a new country, Gwendolyn is torn when her English husband become distant and a new exotic man shows her some attention.  Reading the twists and turns made this book exciting and fun to read.  Does Gwendolyn have a dark secret that could ruin her marriage?

I love books that keep me intrigued and wanting more.  This book would make a great summer read!!

Rooted in Prayer

Prayer... most of us throw that word around like we do the word Love.  We tend to casually say, "I will pray for you".  We say it with good intentions but what does it mean to really PRAY.  In this book I learned to search deep within myself for what God was calling me towards.  I had to really stop and get on my knees to find the answer to all that I was searching for.

I love how Mr. Liebscher uses David as an example of how we are to be faithful and never stop praying.  Sometimes we can hear God nudging us in a certain direction almost instantly and some times it takes years to hear that voice.  I love having this book in my library because it causes me to stop and look over my life.

Being a stay at home mom I often feel sheltered and set aside in my calling from God.  But after reading this book I have put Post-it notes all over my house reminding myself that Motherhood is my Ministry.  And while this may be true for this season of my life I am happy to return to this book again and again as I move through different seasons... always returning to learn where God wants me next.

**I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

I really wanted to like it!

My main reason for wanting to read this book was purely the title.  With  my husband and I planning our anniversary trip to Paris, I wanted to be surrounded with all things Parisian.  As I sat down to read it I was instantly lost... and not in a good way.  This book was difficult to follow and I couldn't quite understand who was talking and what it was about.  Perhaps it may be my lack of being "well-read" since I majored in Economics in college but I just couldn't get into it.  By the end of the book I was utterly lost and didn't enjoy it as much as I desperately wanted to.

Many of the characters were interesting and well written and I really liked the idea of The Little Paris Bookshop.  Having never been to Paris I felt I was transported there by her descriptions of the floating bookshop... but the story had me lost, completely and utterly lost.  I hope to pick this book up again one day and see if it is something I can grasp.  Perhaps I rushed into my whole Parisian themed life before I was ready to understand.  I may read it while in Paris or maybe when I return.

** I received this book free by participating in the Blogging for Books program.

My Pictures are Amazing!

I was always praised for my pictures.  Even on film I seemed to have a knack for taking good photos.  I was very apprehensive to switch to digital... I really loved the anticipation of taking my roll of pictures to the drug store and the sweet relief that they turned out.  


But I did it... my husband even took me to the store one day and let me pick out my dream camera.  My pictures got even better.  I was able to look at them and retake if necessary.  After getting this book my pictures have changed dramatically!  I didn't really know how to use my DSLR camera to the best of its features.  She lists step by step how to use it and how to step it up to maximize my investment.  I was able to snap a great photo of my boys for my husband.  I love how simple Me Ra Koh directs you to utilize your camera and get the best images.  I look forward to getting my Christmas card photos started


If you are looking for a simple way to expand your knowledge of taking the best possible photos then this is the book for you!!


**I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."