Memories

Have you ever been felt like you’ve been punched in the gut by life’s circumstances and you shout to the Lord asking “Why, God, why? I thought we were in this together?” In this book by the Heisman winning Tim Tebow he talks about his life and his big plans. In his latest book called Shaken, Tim shares personal stories of how God is constantly working in his life even through the disappointment, criticism, and media attacks. Tim shares many powerful stories from other folks as well which I found to be inspiring. While reading this book, I continued to make notes of some of the great points, Tim makes as well as the many inspirational quotes that were sprinkled throughout the stories of heartache, triumph, and redemption.

While there is nothing earth-shattering about this book, I believe that most people would find this book motivating, clever, and thought provoking.

I am thankful for Blogging for Books who sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Inspiralize Everything: An Apples-to-Zucchini Encyclopedia of Spiralizing is the 3rd book written by Ali Maffucci, so she is obviously the spiralizing queen. She covers spiralizing everything from Beets to Carrots to Onions and more in the book. The book has 21 chapters about how to spiralize 21 different vegetables. At the back of the book starting on p. 270 she included a Recipe Category index that shows if it’s gluten free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan, one pot, saves well, diary free, low calorie, and no cook. Super useful.

I have been wanting to try spiralizing for the longest time, but have been chicken about which spiralizer to purchase. On p. 14 she gives some tips with what attributes are important when buying one. She also shares some other useful tips in the beginning section. There’s several recipes that I’ve tabbed to try: Sun-Dried Tomato, Chicken, and Broccoli Pasta p. 63, Fried Green Tomatoes with Avocada Ranch Kohlrabi p. 148-149, and Sweet Potato Pizza Skillet p. 209 are just a couple recipes on my list. I appreciate that each recipe has Nutritional Info as well as all the info that was covered on the Recipe Category index that I mentioned earlier. I recommend this book anyone interested in trying pasta alternatives.

I am thankful for Blogging for Books who sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Nourishing Meals shares 365 Gluten-Free, Dairy Free, and Soy-Free recipes for healing your family. This is authors Alissa Segersten and Tom Malterre‘s second cookbook. Their first was The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook from 2014.According to Chooserly.com, this book starts off with a section about the Foundations of Health, where they go over a wealth of information in 3 different chapters; Why Whole Foods?, Why Gluten-Free?, and Why the Rise in Food Allergies and Sensitivities?. The next section is called Raising Healthy Children, which covers topics from eating during pregnancy to making the lifestyle change and growing your own foods. And after that they jump into the 365 recipes divided into easy to follow sections. Each recipe has a symbols at the top to show what allergens they are free of including gluten, grains, dairy, soy, eggs, nuts, and nightshades.

While I have not adopted a gluten free diet, I am always willing to try healthier recipes. Glancing through the recipes, it looks like most of them have easy to find ingredients and are not difficult to prepare. I would like to try the Apricot Glazed Chicken p. 306, the Peach Blackberry Sorbet p. 401, and the Slow-cooked Mexican Beef Roast p. 320. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about eating healthier and wants easy ways to make that happen.

I am thankful for Blogging for Books who sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Martha Stewart’s Vegetables is the newest book by Martha Stewart that shares inspired recipes and tips for choosing, cooking, and enjoying the freshest seasonal flavors. The book is broken down into the chapters by the type of plant:
Bulbs – p. 13
Roots – p. 47
Tubers – p. 81
Greens – p. 109
Stalks & Stems – p. 139
Pods – p. 161
Shoots – p. 189
Leaves – p. 203
Flowers & Buds – p. 237
Fruits – p. 263
Kernels – p. 311
Each section starts off with a couple pages full of tips on buying, storing, and prepping that type of veggie, as well as how to roast, steam, glaze, mash, and even how to eat raw. Invaluable info that I haven’t found in too many places without scouring the internet.

When I analyzed the recipes, I found many of them to be intriguing. I’m curious to try the Roasted Acorn Squash, Three Ways (p. 307), Corn and Scallion Chilaquiles (p. 317), and the Stuffed Tomatoes with Mozzarella (p. 298). However, many them looked to be things my family wouldn’t eat. Pork Scaloppine with Raddichio (p. 212), Oven-Fried Baby Artichokes (p. 246), and Breaded Eggplant with Arugula and Parmesan (p. 275). If you’re interested in your not so everyday vegetable recipes you will love this book. If you’re just looking for easy veggie recipes, there are some, but it may still not be worth the cost of the book.

I am thankful for Blogging for Books who sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The London Cookbook: Recipes from the Restaurants, Cafes, and Hole-in-the-Wall Gems of a Modern City written by Aleksandra Crapanzano is a beautiful book with a non-glossy cover that epitomizes London. When you open the front over you’ll find gorgeous glossy pages with eye-catching photos. Aleksandra shares over 100 eclectic recipes from London’s best places to eat even including dessert shops and cocktail lounges. There’s no doubt that this will book will either have you booking a plane ticket back to London or heading to the kitchen to make some of these tantalizing recipes. Or both!

Personally, many of these recipes aren’t ones that I would probably take a chance with because I’m not sure I’d be able to find many of the ingredients. However there were a few that no doubt had my mouth watering. Like on p. 204 the Double-Decker Tart which originated from the Smokehouse. As well as the White Peach Summer Martini on p. 270 from the River Cafe. And I can’t leave off the the Polenta with Chestnuts, Ricotta, Squash, and Fried Sage on p. 92 from The Three Crowns.

I am thankful for Blogging for Books who sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Danielle Walker’s Against All Grain Celebrations: A Year of Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Paleo Recipes for Every Occasion is cookbook that encourages changing your diet for better health. Danielle suffered from autoimmune disease since the age of 22 and finally came to the realization that one of the biggest ways to feel better was through the food she ate. She adopted a grain-free and gluten-free diet, but after years of trial and error she has been able to come up with a book full of great recipes for all those parties, holidays, and special occasions. Danielle shares that you don’t have to be like her when she first changed her diet. You don’t have to avoid all the special gatherings. She has recreated all the party and holiday favorites to fit with her healthy eating standards.

This cookbook is conveniently divided into chapters by holidays starting with New Year’s Eve Cocktail Party (p. 23) and ends with Christmas (p. 265). She also covers The Basics (p. 320), Kitchen Gear (p. 20), and more. While I haven’t adopted this diet, this cookbook encourages me that if I ever take that leap that is doable and that I won’t have to miss out on many of my favorite recipes. There are several recipes that I’d like to try like the Sausage Breakfast Casserole p. 271 for breakfast, Witches’ Fingers p. 217 for Halloween, and the Cauliflower Buffalo Bites p. 54 for a side or snack. I think anyone that wants to go to a more Paleo diet would find this cookbook helpful.

I am thankful for Blogging for Books who sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A Modern Way to Cook: 150+ Vegetarian Recipes for Quick, Flavor-Packed Meals by Anna Jones is a lovely book chock–full of innovative and delicious sounding recipes. The non-glossy pages are filled with many beautiful pictures that will have you wanting to see more. Coming from a non-vegetarian this book has me curiously interested in making some vegetarian dishes from this book. I love the way Jones divided the book into chapters by time; 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 40 minutes, as well as super-fast breakfasts, and quick desserts and sweet treats.

Like, I said before this book has me intrigued about making some vegetarian meals. I’m a chart person, so when I saw the first chart of 10 Favorite omelet fillings on p. 34-35, I was totally sucked in. Jones shares a Main Vegetable, Backup Vegetable, Accent Flavor, Backup Flavor, and Richness in 10 different varieties. The one I want to try includes mushroom, spinach, basil leaves, lemon juice, and feta. Goodness bowls on p. 66-67 shows several variations of what to throw together in a bowl. Like quinoa, broccoli, sauteed green onions, lemon, mint, and toasted almonds. Sounds tasty to me. Something new and different. I recommend this book to anyone even if you’re not a vegetarian, who is tired of the same ole, same ole. It is full of so many innovative recipe ideas!

I am thankful for Blogging for Books who sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Victuals: An Appalachian Journey, with Recipes is a lovely cookbook written by Ronni Lundy. The book is filled the captivating and beautifully composed photography by Johnny Autry. Victuals takes you on an excursion through the southern Appalachian Mountains telling stories of the past while exploring the food and the people of today. Kentucky, West Virginia, southern Ohio, northern Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina are the states that Ronni covers. The chapters are broken down as follows:
Roots and Seeds
Salt of the Earth
Corn
Beans
Apple – achia
Preserving
Husbandry
Appalachian Spring

This book would be a great gift for anyone that enjoys not only trying new recipes, but also someone who likes stories and background on the new recipes they are trying. I’m super anxious to try John Fleer’s Buttermilk Cornbread Soup p. 125, Skillet Fried Chicken & Milk Gravy p. 263, Pepperoni Rolls p. 88, and Icebox Green Strawberry Pickles p. 219. Oh and the Old-School Tomato Gravy on p. 218 too, because I’ve been hearing a lot about this lately. This not your everyday country cookbook, but I think it could become a cookbook you find yourself going back to often!

I am thankful for Blogging for Books who sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

When I came across the book Cook Korean!: A Comic Book with Recipes I was intrigued to see how someone turned a cookbook into a comic book. This cookbook by Robin Ha is amazing. From the Prologue to the Acknowledgments this book is packed full of colorful and entertaining comics. Examining the Table of Contents, the book starts off with an Introduction chapter, which a must have for anyone new to Korean cooking. Robin includes Key Korean Cooking Ingredients, What’s in a Korean Fridge and Pantry, Korean Meal Guide, and lots more. The following chapters are as follows:
Chapter 1: Kimchi and Pickles – p. 22
Chapter 2: Vegetable Side Dishes – p. 38
Chapter 3: Meat and Poultry – p. 54
Chapter 4: Seafood – p. 72
Chapter 5: Soups and Stews – p. 86
Chapter 6: Porridges – p. 104
Chapter 7: Noodles and Rice Cakes – p. 114
Chapter 8: Snacks and Street Food – p. 130
Chapter 9: Cocktails and Anju – p. 146
Chapter 10: Korean Fusion – p. 160

While I’ve only eaten Korea a couple times and I’ve never ventured to cook it, this book has me motivated to give it a try. The Korean Barbeque on p. 55-56 as well as the Spicy Pork p. 64-65 look like 2 recipes my family would love. Anyone interested in a new twist on a cookbook should check this book out. It’s awesome!

I am thankful for Blogging for Books who sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.