I am finding this book to be a valuable resource for my kitchen. Being a huge soup lover, I
I thought this was about soup. Nope! It goes way beyond that. The author begins with an introduction of course to broth and stock making, shares the difference between the two and goes into great detail on just how to make many versions of one of the most nutritious foods you can eat. Most people are familiar with broths being meat and poultry based, however, there are green broths, sea vegetable broths, kitchen scrap broths and fish broths.


The recipes go beyond a delicious chicken soup, an amazing new England clam chowder, and a couple others I have not been disappointed with to the best mashed potatoes, miso glazed bok choy, sauces, and the beautiful springtime risotto with asparagus, green garlic and chive blossoms.


Every recipe has a mouthwatering picture accompanying it, and I love the fact that the ingredients are readily available. I give this book a two thumbs up and heartily recommend you add it to your pantry for both your palate and your health.


I received this book from 10 speed press and the opinion is my own.

This delightful cookbook is about real food. Whether you are preparing a simple weekday dinner or a feast with family or friends, this cookbook has something delicious, healthy, and pretty easy.

Gruyere and thyme biscuits, spicy marinated watermelon, corn salad with red onion and basil, crispy Brussels sprouts, roast chicken are a few of the recipes I have enjoyed from this book.

The authors begin with some kitchen basics and handy helping tips such as spacing you vegetables out on the baking sheet so they will become crispy and brown rather than steamed from over crowding. Yes, I am guilty of that and yes it does make a difference to 'give them space”. Simple and effective.

Another portion of the book is about flavoring. There is a nice variety of rubs, marinades, dressings and sauces. Follow that with some pretty impressive condiment recipes that are simple, yet add some pizzazz to your plate. I was not disappointed with any recipe I have tried. The directions are clear, the pictures are mouthwatering and the variety is appropriate.

This is yet another coffee table book that is a pleasure to read never mind use in the kitchen.

I received this book from Clarkson Potter and the opinions are my own.

I appreciated this well researched and well written book on creating bee friendly gardens. The author's state that bees are a critical link in the global food chain over 70 percent of the worlds plants depend on the pollination services of bees including many nuts, fruits and vegetables. That being said: It is critical that bees be protected and that we do our part to help preserve, protect and encourage the health of the bee population. Colony collapse disorder has seen the decline of honeybee population and our habits have added to this decline considerably.

This Bee Friendly Garden shows us how to create a favorable environment for bees. Plants are explained by ornamental, native and edible types. Garden plans are displayed, for those not so likely to have the design gene and want to have a creative, functional and beautiful display. I love the regional plant list. It helped me immensely to start choosing some new plants for my gardens.

I love farm to table cookbooks, and this one is spectacular. This over sized book begins, appropriately with tales of family history and how the farm by the sea came to be. It is truly a coffee table worthy with inspiring photography by Martin Lof. His work brought me right to the farm and made my mouth water. The nicely bound, high quality yet rustic feel of this book is in line with the subject.

The recipes are divided up into sections with food from 'The Coop, Farm and Vegetable Beds, The Hive, The Dairy, From the Pasture, From the Olive Grove, from the Hen House, From the Vineyard, the Sea and on the Beach, and finally From the Baker and the Pastry Maker.

All that is good, however the purpose of a cookbook in my opinion, are the recipes. And I was not disappointed. The nutritious, easy to prepare, simple and clean ingredients used are over the top. The mustard chicken is delicious and tender is so easy it's crazy. The salads I made so far, such as Kale Caesar, Raw Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Grainy Mustard were very tasty. The Broccoli Smashed Potatoes were perfect and the Malibu Farm Deviled Eggs were unique and worthy of your best company.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who chooses to or demands to eat simply and healthy. This is the book for you.


I received this book Clarkson Potter, and the opinions are my own.
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​The Surrender Experiment seems to me to be more of a novel than a guide, which I was expecting.  I really had a hard time getting into this book as It didn’t seem realistic in the way the story was told. There were a lot of ‘holes’ in the story as many other readers pointed out which left me questioning circumstances like living separate from his wife and child.  It may work for some, but is certainly out of the norm.   I am absolutely one to believe in fate and miracles and have been a product of many,  but I also think you do need to put some effort into the gifts an opportunities you are presented with. . The car doesn’t drive itself. In all fairness,  I did not read his previous book The Untethered Soul so perhaps I am at a disadvantage with this one.  I was given this book  Bethany Books to review and the opinion is my own.

I was intrigued by this book and decided it was my next adventure. 

 

This easy to read book was written by a woman no different than you and I in respect of everyday responsibilities and busyness of life. Being the daughter of Deepak Chopra Certainly was an advantage to understanding how to live with intent and meditation much more so than what was presented to me in my childhood.  And just as my children have skills that were inherited from me in the lifestyle they were raised, my grandchildren clearly have their own.    I am intrigued by the simplicity of ‘living with intent’ and it seems to boil down simply to looking at the big picture, discovering what you want and work towards that end whether it be life goals, career, diet or a new hobby.  Mallika of shares how to focus on your needs and wants and like a bull’s eye aim for the goal, while making the appropriate changes, or taking the appropriate action needed to accomplish what you must in order to achieve those goals.  Personally, I tend to be scattered and paying attention to her words did help me to focus, slow down and get just as much accomplished as when I was going full speed ahead.    Her ‘cheat sheet’ at the back of the book simplified the whole process.  In order:  you begin logically with incubating your intentions, noticing your thoughts and actions, trusting your ‘inner knowing’,  expressing your intentions, nurturing yourself as you move on the journey no matter what happens and finally, take the action steps needed to accomplish your intent.  Simple.  Every busy person in particular, would benefit from this book.  I received this book from Harmony Books and the opinion is my own.