Showing posts with label health and wellness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health and wellness. Show all posts

Sunday, September 13, 2026

Book Review: Food is Medicine by Dariush Mozaffarian, MD DrPH

 



Food Is Medicine is a book that hits squarely on a topic I care deeply about. The ideas in it genuinely made me want to start a farm, grow my own food, and rethink the way nourishment fits into everyday life. The subject matter is compelling, timely, and somewhat revolutionary.

Mozaffarian brings an extraordinary level of expertise to the table, weaving together nutrition science, medicine, and public policy. His argument is clear: the food we eat is making us sick, not because we’re eating too much, but because we’re eating too little of what actually heals. The book lays out how the right foods can prevent illness, treat chronic disease, and reduce the enormous cost of poor health in our communities. It also explores how we can transform the entire food system — from farms to grocery stores to legislation — to make nourishing food accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

That said, this is a highly academic read. It’s dense, wordy, and packed with research. I found the content absolutely fascinating, but it’s not a breezy book you can casually flip through. It requires focus and patience, and at times feels like a textbook.

Still, the payoff is worth it. Mozaffarian’s blend of science, storytelling, and optimism paints a powerful vision of what food could be — medicine, yes, but also pleasure, abundance, and a path toward a healthier future.

If you’re interested in nutrition, food policy, or the future of health, this book is an eye‑opening resource. Just be prepared: it’s a lot to digest.

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Henry Holt and Co.
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 20, 2026
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250394287
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250394286

I downloaded this book from NetGalley. This review contains my honest opinions, and I have not been compensated in any way.

Sunday, August 30, 2026

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Aug 31



It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are, and are about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit, comment, and add to that ever-growing TBR pile! So welcome, everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and was then taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date

Welcome to the last Monday and the last day of August. How quickly that happened. Hope you had a nice week. I worked and worked and then worked some more. No day off for me, but I'm looking forward to a day or two off this coming weekend. I did, however, get to spend some time in the kitchen.


Cookies!


Green beans and potatoes like my MIL 
used to make


Chicken cacciatore, which my MIL
 enjoyed cooking

Today is filled with medical appointments and work appointments. Would appreciate your prayers, as I have a suspicion based on recent bloodwork that I won't like what the doctor has to say. Hopefully, I am wrong. 

In my blogging and reading world, I still need to write my review of The Ladies Hall by Vanessa Miller. Amazing book! 


I didn't read The Eyes of River last week. 


Almost done with Staged by Caitlin Rother. 


Loving Massawa by Pam Webber. 


I still need to write a review of Food is Medicine by Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DRPH.



I am reading:






Upcoming Events

  • Evan's Stormy Voyage by Karen Charles - Sep 24 (Review at TC&TBC)
  • She Forgot She Was Free by Giselle Mascarenhas - Oct 14 (Review)


Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books they added to their shelves the previous week. This weekly meme is now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach

I am still pretending I have self-control by not ordering or buying anything new. Of course, I haven't done much other than work, so that has helped. 





Christmas Year Round

Journey through Christmases Past explores what might be the last analog Christmas in 1994. I will let you decide if that's true. You can read my post here


The Children's and Teens' Book Connection

New feature alert! What Do You Think? will be reaching out to readers to ask their opinions on things. It might be very quiet, but we will see how it goes. Talking about author newsletters this week. Check it out here.


Laura's Little Houses

Nothing new this week, but ideas are always brewing. Season 2 of the new Little House on the Prairie is in production. I always have a hard time investing in a Netflix series because they cancel them so easily. I hope this series gets a longer run. 

That's it from me. I look forward to visiting you later today. 


Monday, July 27, 2026

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? & Mailbox Monday - Jul 27



It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are, and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit, comment, and add to that ever-growing TBR pile! So welcome, everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and was then taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date

We are settling on the last Monday of July today. How is summer moving so quickly? Before we know it, the local kids will be back in school. 

Another zany week in real estate, but lots of good things too. This week might be more manageable. 

Here are a few recent photos:


Travis and Dwight 


Friday night out


Me preparing to record for the Bucket List Challenge


Theo finds grooming exhausting


Two gifts I bought from Modern Prairie to treat myself

In my reading world, I had finished The Ledger by Steven Manchester earlier. You can find my review here.


 Did not touch The Ladies Hall by Vanessa Miller, and I wonder if I will get to it. 


I didn't pick up The Eyes of River last week. 


I read some of Love on the Shelf by Sheila Roberts. 


Need to get moving on Staged by Caitlin Rother, which is the sequel to Hooked.


Massawa by Pam Weber is a book I have not yet started.


Also need to read:





Photo credit: Freepik


Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books they added to their shelves the previous week. This weekly meme is now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach

This week, two hardcover copies of books I own on Audible arrived, both by Oliver Burkeman: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals and Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts



Upcoming Events

Staged by Caitlin Rother - TBD (Review)
Massawa by Pam Weber - TBD (Review)
Love on the Shelf by Sheila Roberts - TBD (Review)




Christmas Year Round

This week's Journey through Christmases Past post is about Christmas 1783, the first Christmas as an independent nation. You can find that here.


The Children's and Teens' Book Connection

At The Children's and Teens' Book Connection, I reviewed In the Wide, Wild World by Natalie Horseman. You can read that here.




Laura's Little Houses

I am talking about the new Little House on the Prairie adaptation this week. You can see my comments here. No real spoilers here if you haven't watched it yet. 

That's it for me. I am feeling more accomplished, but still have a way to go if I plan to hit my reading goal this year. See you around the blogosphere!

Sunday, January 26, 2025

Book Review: Walking with God by Anne Fitch Courie

 


If you are looking for a spiritual journey that complements your fitness goals, then Walking with God: The 40-Day Fitness Program and Biblical Journey by Anna Fitch Courie is the perfect choice. 

During the pandemic, Courie, author of the Christ Walk books, pondered finding the extraordinary of God in the ordinariness of being--like all of us--stuck at home. The author invites you to follow along the extraordinary journeys of common people from the Bible, while "walking" those miles physically. A walker herself, Courie has written a book designed to improve your mind, body, and spiritual health.

Walking with God is broken down into four sections: Trekking through the Old Testament, Exploring the New Testament, Traveling with the Apostles, and Walking with... (which explores walking through certain emotions and experiences). 

Filled with Scripture, devotions, reflections, and a place to jot down how many steps you took, the miles you journeyed, what type of exercise you chose, and something special you thought about, the reader will also find tidbits of interesting information along the way: like how many miles there are between places these Biblical figures walked or how tall a mountain is. There are also helpful sidebars that share tools to put in your "journey backpack." These include podcasts, apps, equipment, and more. 

If you are seeking a book that embraces health and wellness as you deepen your relationship with God, check out Walking with God

 

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Morehouse Publishing (January 14, 2025)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1640657819
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1640657816

I downloaded this book from NetGalley. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Book Blast and Giveaway: Dishing Love Daily and Other Secret Ingredients by Susanne Clark



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotion. The author will award a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

 

Dishing Love Daily and Other Secret Ingredients (trademarked in Canada and the US) is more than a cookbook. Chef Suzy shares her collection of cherished recipes that focus on healthy, fresh, easy-to-find ingredients, appealing to both the novice and experienced cook. She will also guide you to and through a revolutionary, adaptable approach to bringing mindfulness and positivity into the kitchen. It's a timely, relevant and original concept in food craft that weaves our energetic imprint into a meal and into the hearts of those who sit at our table. It's a powerful, creative concept in awareness that will transform the everyday endeavour of nourishing our bodies into a life-changing act of nourishing our souls. Come on, let's get dishing!


Read an Excerpt

Choice

At the heart of this cookbook and my life, is one word: choice. It’s also at the heart of yours. This one word has all the power, purpose and potential to create an intention for nourishment and positivity. Ask yourself: What do I bring to the table? What is my purpose? What am I going to cook today? Who am I cooking for? How can I make a difference? Why is this important? Be curious, joyful and open to the inspiration and answers that are on their way. And remember, sweet, beautiful reader, you are an alchemist . . . in your kitchen and beyond. Trust me when I tell you that there is a tangible shift which can be tasted and felt as you learn to trust your power of intention. Honour time, your choices, and their consequences. You are the question and the answer, to what’s cooking in your kitchen and who sits at your table. I’m offering you a new foundation in food-craft that weaves your energetic imprint into the meal and the hearts of those who sit at your table. Come on, let’s dish some love.

Chef Suzy xo

About the Author:
Susanne Clark, a.k.a. Chef Suzy, earned her Red Seal in Culinary Arts in 2009 at SAIT in Calgary, Canada, apprenticing at Hotel Arts under the talented supervision of Duncan Ly and Karine Moulin. Upon graduation, Chef Suzy established Magnifique Cuisine, a successful catering business in the Calgary area. She also worked full time as the in-house executive chef for one of Canada's original Dragons' Den entrepreneurs, W. Brett Wilson, cooking for his Home Office team and a global circle of business and community leaders, artists and celebrities.

Suzy's first and continuing career as a mother of four empowered and vibrant daughters formed her vision of food as an expression of love and a foundation for healing and sustaining our most important relationships. Suzy loves to travel and seeks out every opportunity to enjoy culinary experiences around the world. She has been married to the love of her life, Richard, for 36 years.

Book Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dishing.love.daily
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefsuzyclark
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dishing.love.daily
Twitter: https://x.com/chefsuzyclark
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-clark-04a73157

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Book Review: Mind Over Matter by Aria Rose


 

Mind Over Matter: A Teen's Guide to Managing Anxiety and Panic Attacks by Aria Rose is a helpful resource from someone who has traversed the challenging waters of adolescence.   

Rose has put together a book to assist teenagers coping with anxiety and panic attacks by providing an understanding of how complex teenage anxiety is, exploring a variety of ways to manage it, including an exploration of the mind-body connection to build a balanced lifestyle, offering ways to redefine your self-image and identity, and helping them to embark on a journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and lasting emotional well-being. 

While there are plenty of resources out there that teens might find to manage their anxiety and panic attacks, what makes Mind Over Matter unique is that this book has been written by someone close enough to their age and the challenging years of adolescence that the information feels more authentic. I can't say I learned anything new, but I'm not the target market. Rose's style of writing might encourage more teens to pick up and read the book. 

That doesn't mean they shouldn't seek professional help, and the author encourages readers to do so, but in Mind Over Matter, she shares her experience of learning to identify her triggers, addresses the numerous pressures that teens of today face, offers advice on how to retrain your brain and the importance of self-care and being kind to yourself, and shares the advantages of taking a holistic approach. Throughout the book, there are links to other resources and tests that teens could find valuable, as well as a summary of each chapter. 

Mind Over Matter seems like a good starting point for teens as they seek to embark upon a journey of lifelong health and well-being. 

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C81G5LHN
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 13, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4654 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 141 pages

I received a digital copy from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Book Review: Renewal "Anytime" 10 Day Detox by Lisa Consiglio Ryan

Looking for a detox program that you can perform anytime? Lisa Consiglio Ryan's book, Renewal "Anytime" 10 Day Detox can help. This book will empower you to "re-balance" your body to help you achieve optimum health.

Renewal "Anytime" provides step-by-step instructions to help you achieve your goals. From pre-cleansing instructions, to questions about detox, to a menu containing whole foods (including recipes), to post-cleanse instructions, this book can simplify your detox.

The most impressive thing about Renewal "Anytime" is the sheer number of recipes included. Not only are there the recipes from the menu, but also supplemental recipes and bonus recipes. You're also not limited to only juices. This is a whole foods program with recipes that seem delicious and easy to make. Busy moms like me can appreciate the included shopping list. I'm eager to try out the entire program now that we're back from vacation.

File Size: 632 KB
Print Length: 118 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00F0RCZTW

I received a digital copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

I read this book for the following challenge: