Review: The Healing Powers of Essential Oils

I am new to the world of essential oils and am probably one of the last ones to jump on the essential oil wagon! It was only a month ago that I bought several combination sets of oils online at a well-known site. I really didn't know how to use them, when to use them, or what purpose they had, but I wanted to be on that wagon with so many of my friends!

Shortly after that purchase, I found this book and hoped it would fill in all the questions I had. 

I was 2 days into reading this book when my husband contracted some flu-like virus. His temperature spiked, skin was tingly, muscles ached, and he became miserable with congestion and coughing. I went to the index of the book and looked up what I'd need to help him as he was open to anything to relieve his symptoms and possibly get over this quickly.

In the book, I found several recipe combinations that I felt could help him. Even though I was short one or two oils for each recipe, I gathered what I did have and mixed them with a carrier oil from my kitchen and applied it to his temples and behind his ears. He also kept a small jar nearby for light inhalation. 

Did it work? It really did! The next day he was feeling a lot better! The symptoms of the flu (fever, aches, tingly skin) were gone and he felt like he had a minor cold. He continued applying the essential oil combination for the next few days and found he was on the mend very quickly. 

"Essential oils can help you sleep better, relieve your pain, heal your digestion, support you in losing weight, and help you feel vibrant enough to pursue abundant and radiant health in all areas of your life."   This is stated on p.78 and the above instance alone dealing with my husband's virus, sold me on the powers of essential oils. 

What I love about the book is the table of contents and the index to easily find what you're looking for at the moment. Within the pages, there is also discussion on how to get the best results from the oil(s) you're using and where to apply them. 

You can find more information about this book here: The Healing Power of Essential Oils

More information about the author can be found here: Dr. Eric Zielinski, D.C.

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

The Esssential Instant Pot Cookbook

Fact: I truly love my Instant Pot. 

Fact: Using my Instant Pot has completely refreshed my interest in cooking.

When I saw The Essential Instant Pot Cookbook by Coco Morante, I knew I had to have it.

I needed some hands-on, hard-copy recipes to try that included step-by-step directions to help me use my new machine correctly.

Yep, that blowing-up-the-house image was stuck in my head.

This was a pressure cooker after all!

The first recipe I made was Brown Butter Steel Cut Oatmeal. I love steel cut oatmeal and if I could make it faster and simpler than my usual stove-top method, this would be a seller for me! With the simple step-by-step directions telling me what buttons to push and when to add ingredients, I was completely impressed. In truth, I have made this recipe several times since I got this cookbook. It makes enough to last me a whole week. I scoop out what I need and warm it in the microwave, add a teaspoon of brown sugar with some walnuts, spill on some almond milk and I'm set!

Brown Butter Steel Cut Oatmeal

*used the Porridge setting

(Oatmeal doesn't make such a pretty picture, but don't let that fool ya!)

Next I  made a side dish called Barley With Mushrooms and Sage. I served this along side a roast chicken, then the next day added some of the shredded chicken to the dish for my work lunch. Delicious!

Barley With Mushrooms and Sage

*used the Beans & Grains setting

Once the weather cools down here in Iowa, it's Soup Time! This Minestrone did not disappoint at all! Full of fresh vegetables and seasonings, it is hearty and warming. I added the optional pasta which was cooked separately. 

Minestrone

*used the Soups/Broth setting

My husband is a rhubarb lover, so I had to make the Strawberry-Rhubarb Compote! Even though the recipe calls for fresh rhubarb, I used the frozen kind I had cut up from the garden earlier this year. Never fear, it came out perfect! My husband loves to eat this straight from a bowl, but I prefer it over vanilla ice cream. Yummy!

Strawberry-Rhubarb Compote

*used the Low Pressure setting

There are still so many recipes in this cookbook that I will try.

Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Cake

Spicy Beef and Bean Chili

Classic Meatloaf

Salisbury Steak

Also included in the book are ways to convert recipes for the Instant Pot; must-have tools; how to use the operation keys and lots of awesome, mouth-watering photos!

If you are considering buying an Instant Pot, or already have one, I would highly recommend this cookbook! The recipes and directions are outstanding! 

More info about this cookbook can be found here: The Essential Instant Pot Cookbook

Read more about the cookbook's author here: Coco Morante

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Mindfulness: a Journal by Catherine Price

I have always enjoyed writing. As a teacher, I found writing to be such a joy to teach to my students. Those that groaned and moaned when it was time to put the pencil to paper, often were the ones who produced the most creative, thought-provoking stories. Inspiring those kids was the key. Cracking open a hard shell into their imaginations and experiences was all it took. I loved every minute and I always shared some of my own writing with them as we worked through the process of making it to the end.

Mindfulness: a Journal is one of those books that is full of ideas and inspiration to get one writing. Even if you already enjoy writing, the quotes and prompts among these pages may offer something you hadn't thought about before.

A few examples of the inspirational prompts:

• Write a list of things in your life that you're grateful for right now.
• If you could do anything, right now, in this present moment, what would it be? If at all possible, go do it!
• "There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." Edith Wharton
• "Be happy in the moment. That's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more." Mother Teresa
• Spend five minutes writing about your present experience--the sounds, the sights, the thoughts, and anything else that is happening right now.

I've really enjoyed this book and recording my thoughts that were ignited by the prompts. The book itself is so calming and pretty with thick pages and nicely spaced lines to write on. It's also a great size to slip into a purse or tote bag to keep nearby when the time to write opens up.

Penguin Random House offers more information on this book here: Mindfulness: a Journal

You can read more about the author of this book here: Catherine Price

FTC disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Book: The Drawing Lesson by Mark Crilley

I have always enjoyed doodling and drawing. As a young girl, if I couldn't get my hands on a book to read, I could be found coloring on the backs of envelopes Mom had tossed from paying the bills, or I'd be sketching objects on a notepad. I thought of coloring books as too limiting. Anyone can fill in the spaces between the lines. It's the lines that require a creative mind!

Because I still love to read and want to learn to draw better, I was immediately "drawn" to this book. The Drawing Lesson by Mark Crilley is described as "a graphic novel that teaches you how to draw". It is written in comic-book style with each panel sketched with pencils. It is so easy to read and follow along. At the end of each chapter, a suggested "assignment" is given to the reader to practice the drawing lesson that was taught.

It's quite an interesting book as you get to know the characters. David, is a young boy who wants nothing more in life than to learn how to draw. Luckily for him, he comes upon Becky, a 30-something woman, who was enjoying her afternoon in the park drawing away on a sketchpad.

David, enticed by her talents and artistry, asks her if she'd teach him how to draw. Becky, of course, has a life of her own and has no idea that David is going to be a constant side-kick for awhile. One lesson is contained in each chapter and focuses on the skill that Becky teaches David. We see David's drawing develop within the panels and even witness David making mistakes. We also see Becky's frustration and wild facial expressions!

I do think she tends to over react at times, but that makes it fun.

As I read each chapter, I closed the book and picked up my drawing pencils and sketchbook to complete the assignment. Believe it or not, I still have the pencils I used back in college in the early 80's. It was like going back in time, I tell ya!

Follow along as I take you through the chapters.

Photos and drawings are side by side so you can see what I was trying to draw!

Chapter 2: Drawing What You See (my watch)

                       

Chapter 3: Shading (a leather chair in the family room)

Chapter 4: Beginning With a Loose Sketch (an apple in a glass bowl)

         

Chapter 5: Understanding Light and Shadow (a candle)

Chapter 6: Using Negative Space (a hotel room in Minneapolis)

Chapter 7: Checking Proportions (my patient husband)

Chapter 8: Simplifying Things (the Crab Apple tree in the front yard)

Chapter 9: Creating a Composition (the Julien Dubuque Bridge from the Iowa side)

There is one more drawing assignment I need to complete. It is Chapter 10: Bringing It All Together which uses all of the skills taught in the book to make one ambitious drawing! Almost like a final project or a doctoral thesis. I will get it done!

I truly enjoyed this book and learned a lot from the lessons. It was fun to watch the friendship grow between Becky and David and see David's talents develop too.

I think my talents were strengthened along with David's!

If you'd like to read more about the author of this book, you can click here: Mark Crilley

You can also read more about this book here: The Drawing Lesson

FTC disclaimer: "I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Instant HAPPY Journal

Instant Happy Journal by Karen Salmansohn

I haven't always been a glass-half-full type of person. In fact, I'd say the majority of my 50+ years have been just the opposite. It's only been in the last few years that I've switched on the Happy Meter. I now am always on the search for creating happiness and surrounding myself with positive people in positive situations. It ain't always easy, I tell ya!

So, I found this book....the one pictured above to help me focus my thoughts on what makes me happy, what causes happiness in others, and also rid myself of the nasty negatives that swirl through my brain. Kick them to the curb! There is no room in my head for such things!

As you may know/remember, I spent my teaching years supporting the Language Arts, which included journal writing. I had files and files of journal starters for my students and made them promise each year that they would keep their journals for eternity. I even had them stand on their chairs with their right hands up as they pledged to keep them in a dry, safe place for 100 years. Wouldn't you just love to have your hands on a journal that you wrote when you were 10 years old? Oh, man, I'd do a triple back flip for that...if I had written one. It would make good reading for me as I lay in the hospital bed with my broken bones from that failed back flip.

Anyhoo, I have had some very good journal writing with this book. It's put a lot of thoughts and events into perspective for me. I keep it on my bed stand so I can flip open to a page randomly and write. Sometimes, I skip to another random page...just cuz I can do that and I don't have a teacher hovering over me.

Some of my favorite entries:

• You can't control how some people will treat you or what they'll say. But you can control how you respond.
• Surround yourself with people who clearly love your light and want to add to it.
• Turn your TO DO list into a WHAT MATTERS MOST list. What's on it?
• Take a few minutes to breathe. Then listen. What do you need to pay more attention to in your life right now?
• You should eat like you love yourself. Have you been eating self-loving foods?
• Write a letter to a specific painful failure, thanking it, then sending the pain away.

Each page has a line to fill in the date, has at least 10 lines to write on and is so colorful and happy! The author, Karen Salmansohn, wrote a 5 star book, in my opinion. The pages have different borders and graphics and is just a great book. Plus, it's small enough to stick in your purse or tote when on the go, so you can write when the feeling presents itself. If you're looking for someone who would like this as a gift (or for yourself!), I found it on Amazon for $10.89. Here's the Amazon link: Instant Happy Journal  *Not an affiliate link and no one is paying me to send you there! I just like good deals.


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

Review: Grill It Baste It Broil It

About a month ago...Monday, August 3rd to be exact...

my mind, my will power, my stars, and my thighs all aligned to make a change in my eating habits. It takes a lot to get me to into this phase of "dieting". I have to be in the right frame of mind. No one can force me, nothing can flip the switch unless I'm ready. August 3rd I was ready. Perhaps it was because I was sick and tired of being chunky. Or feeling crappy, or having to buy new work slacks in a size that makes me feel uncomfortable. Everything just came to a head and I said, "Let's get on that wagon, Girl!"

I am not alone in this endeavor. My sweet husband could stand to lose a few pounds, especially above his belt line. Those tender love handles have to go, Honey!

Both of us have moderate health issues. Mine being borderline cholesterol levels and his being high blood pressure problems.

I've always known that the American Heart Association supplies us with dietary recommendations to help control the amounts of saturated and trans fats, sodium, and added sugar to help folks like me (and my honey) lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Both of these factors, when high, increase the risk for heart disease and stroke. Knowing that I'd like to live a long, healthy life, I needed to get into action.

What did I do? I cut out all white flour, sugar and pop (we Midwesterners call it pop. You may call it soda, but whatever.) I also got this cookbook from the AHA (American Heart Association):

It is jam packed with great recipes that include 12 different ways of preparation: Slow Cooking; Microwaving; Blending; Grilling; Stir-Frying; Braising; Stewing; Steaming; Poaching; Broiling; Roasting; and Baking. Most recipes have ingredients you'd find in your standard pantry. A few involve special ingredients that aren't difficult to find in a regular-sized grocery store.

My first recipe I tried was Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic. Yep, 40 cloves! My husband and I both love garlic, so I figured we had a winner here. The results? I liked it, but he wasn't so crazy about it. To him, the baked garlic tasted funny. This was a "braised" recipe and it was my first time braising anything! It was easy to prepare and was finished off the next day for leftovers.

Not a good picture AT ALL,

but this is the finished product of

Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic.

Served with a side of fresh green beans and mushrooms.

That night, we also had Easy Peach Crisp from the Baked Category of the book. The recipe called for light margarine, but I don't use that stuff. It's butter or nothin'  here. It made 4 portions and they were very substantial servings! We thought it tasted better warm than cooled the next day. I will definitely make this one again.

Easy Peach Crisp

A few nights later, I chose Chinese Chicken Salad from the Stir-Frying section. This was my first time grating a ginger root and it was so easy, I'm embarrassed I didn't try it long ago. This can be eaten hot or cold. I tried it both ways and absolutely loved it both ways! If I had another thumb, I'd give it 3 thumbs up!

Chinese Chicken Salad

Last night, I made Porcupine Meatballs I found in the Broiling section of the cookbook. Made with ground turkey breast and brown rice, the meatballs themselves were delicious! The tomato sauce came out rather bland, but with some help from garlic powder, Italian seasoning, fresh basil, and onion powder, it tasted great! I'm not afraid to add seasonings, but I do stay away from added salt. Tonight, I'm going to have the leftovers served on some baked spaghetti squash. Yum! (The picture below is AFTER I scooped out my portion for dinner...couldn't wait...the recipe made 16 meatballs...I ate 4 of them, which is one generous serving.)

Porcupine Meatballs

I've already got more recipes tabbed to try soon: Baja Fish Tacos; Chai-Spiced Pineapple Spears; Layered Mexican Casserole; and Chicken Parmesan Soup. As long as I serve up tasty, healthy meals, we are heading in the right direction. So far, I've taken off 10 pounds and feel a whole lot better!

If you're interested in purchasing this book, click here:  

Grill It, Braise It, Broil It

FTC disclaimer:

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