Book Review: 10-Minute Recipes by Liana Werner-Gray

10-Minute Recipes by Liana Werner-Gray is a cookbook for those that want to eat healthier, but need recipes that are quick and easy- and go beyond salads and grilled chicken.  In 10-Minute Recipes, you will find more than 100 recipes to get more of the essential vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients your body needs—each of which can be prepared in 10 minutes or less. Whether you're a meat eater or a raw vegan, this inclusive book offers options for juices, smoothies, salads, entrees, desserts, and more that will delight any palate. There is also advice on proper nutrition; tips for shifting out of toxic habits; and guides for specific goals such as weight loss, reducing inflammation, and increasing energy.

10-Minute Recipes is a well organized and easily understood cookbook. I have to admit that it was not the recipes or text that caught my eye though. As soon as I started reading I notice the beautiful, full-color pictures. The images are very well done and spaced through the book perfectly to enhance the text and catch the eye. The book describes the “Earth Diet” and there is a lot of information about nutrition and changing eating habits, and what you might expect in your body and mindset when you make these changes. Honestly, I was looking for recipe ideas and inspiration rather than this- so I was a little annoyed at how much of this there was, but some readers might find interesting and useful. I did like that she included information on the tools and equipment that the recipes would require before hand and the most likely ingredients that you might not already have on hand.. Nothing worse than planning on a recipe, buying all the ingredients, only to discover you are missing something important when you reread the recipe prior to getting started. However, it was not until page 40 in the book, chapter 5, before even getting to the recipes and them the first 4 chapters are all juices, drinks, and smoothies. In chapter 10 we finally get to things that require teeth.He recipes were alright, and certainly healthy. However, not much I could really use. When I saw 10-Minute recipes as the title I was expecting more things that I could toss together after helping my kids with their homework, and that we all would enjoy eating. IO did get some ideas for my own mornings, but not much that my family would eat for other meals. 

10-Minute Recipes is a good resource to those trying o change their lifestyle and eating habits to go very green and healthy, particularly if they want the philosophy and coaching to go along with it. It is not meant for the casual reader looking for inspiration and ideas to sneak in a little something healthier into their families dinner- quick before they notice. So, it was not meant for me- however I think those looking for this kind of help information, and support will get a lot out for this book.

Early Book Review: Natural Hair Coloring: How to Use Henna and Other Pure Herbal Pigments for Chemical-Free Beauty by Christine Shahin Wood

Natural Hair Coloring: How to Use Henna and Other Pure Herbal Pigments for Chemical-Free Beauty by Christine Shahin Wood is currently scheduled for release on May 17 2016. This book shows readers that they do not need to choose between ditching boxed dyes and dying your hair. Natural hair care expert Christine Shahin shows readers how they can use nontoxic natural plant pigments;henna, indigo, amla, and cassia to color hair naturally.  There are clearly written instructions and step-by-step photography, along with comprehensive information and details about each of the ingredients and processes used in the book. Shahin shows you exactly how to apply these pigments, alone or in combinations, to achieve a full range of shades of brown, black, and red. She also includes instructions for transitioning from chemical dyes to natural ones and for using chemical and natural dyes together.

Natural Hair Coloring is a detailed resource for anyone that really want to give up boxed or salon dyes, or someone that wants to change up their hair color without starting to use them. The information includes details about hair health, the ingredients she uses in her recipes, and how readers can create their own recipes and proportions depending on the results they want and the health of their hair. I think the fact that she includes specifics for every hair type, color, and ethnicity makes this a resource for individuals, library collections, and those that want to help others ditch the chemical treatments. The fact that the ingredients and tools that she uses are fairly easy to get a hold of makes everything even better. Now I have to explore and experiment a bit more on my own hair- I sense several purchases in my near future.

Natural Hair Coloring is a detailed and comprehensive resource for anyone looking to try all natural coloring. It is not for everyone since it is time consuming, but for those interested in making the jump this book would be a great introduction or clarification for any questions or difficulties.  

Early Book Review: Pure Soapmaking: How to Create Nourishing Natural Skin-Care Soaps by Anne-Marie Faiola

Pure Soapmaking: How to Create Nourishing Natural Skin-Care Soaps by Anne-Marie Faiola is a currently scheduled for release on February 9 2016. This is a great starter and instruction guide that explains the benefits and details of making your own cold process soaps. The book offers complete instructions, including the science and safety precautions needed. There are 32 recipes that range from simple castile bars to intricate swirls, embeds, and marbled and layered looks. There are photographs that guide you through the step-by-step instructions of cold-process soapmaking.

Pure Soapmaking is a well written and thoughtful instructional guide to the craft of making soaps. I find the idea of making cold-process soaps more than a little intimidating. However, I very much like knowing exactly what is in my skin care products- and those my children use. In this, the idea of crafting my own custom soaps is intriguing and desirable. I found the photography and text came together in a way that makes the process much less intimidating and much better understood. I think this is a much read for those just starting out in cold-process soap making and a handy resource to keep around and use for recipes and information even after feeling like you have mastered the basics. 

Pure Soapmaking is a wonderful and detailed guide to making your own soaps.  I have made my own soaps in the past, but never tried cold process soaps, since I find the use of lye more than a little intimidating. However, this book with its instructions and encouragement might help me make the leap. 

Early Book Review: The Herbal Goddess Guide: Create Radiant Well-Being Every Day with Herb-Inspired Teas, Potions, Salves, Food, Yoga, and More by Amy Jirsa

The Herbal Goddess Guide: Create Radiant Well-Being Every Day with Herb-Inspired Teas, Potions, Salves, Food, Yoga, and More by Amy Jirsa is a non fiction resource that is currently scheduled for release on April 21 2015. Amy Jirsa offers recipes and ideas for exploring and embracing the distinctive qualities of twelve herbs; chamomile, rose, dandelion, holy basil, nettle, calendula, lavender, turmeric, echinacea, elder, cinnamon, and ginger. Recipes for teas and foods, skin and hair care treatments, complementary yoga poses, meditations, and more are well explained.  

The Herbal Goddess Guide is a great resource for those that are interested in more knowledge about herbs and how to live an all natural and healthier life. The information on each of the herbs, along with the recipes and yoga poses that follow, are well organized and very detailed. these are wonderful photographs that accompany each page. This book really is about bringing the mind, body, and spirit together via herbs and lifestyle. So, if you do not care for that style of help, then this book is definitely not for you. I am not rigorous about this lifestyle, but still found much of the herbal information and recipes for tea, food, and body care to be valuable. i know i will be blending some of these teas, salves, and creams but am not likely to start the meditation and yoga any time soon. I did not find the advice and information preachy, it was very well stated and straight forward, it is just not my cup of tea.

The Herbal Goddess Guide is a wonderful starter book for those looking to use herbs and lead a holistic life. If you are looking for detailed herb information and some fantastic recipes, then this book is still a great resource and it is easy to skim or skip the information that is not as interesting to you.

Book Review: Herbs for Long-Lasting Health: How to Make and Use Herbal Remedies for Lifelong Vitality by Rosemary Gladstar

Herbs for Long-Lasting Health: How to Make and Use Herbal Remedies for Lifelong Vitality by Rosemary Gladstar is a well organized guide to herbs and health in middle age and beyond. The book goes through the specific health issues and some specifics about them, as well as the properties of dozens of specific herbs, both familiar are previously unknown to me. The book is a precise guide to choosing the right herbal remedies for common situation.

Herbs for Long-Lasting Health is a solid resource for novice and experienced herbalists. The book details many herbs and their properties including astragalus (which was new to me), bilberry, and milk thistle. The book offered recipes for herbal remedies, how to use herbs safely, and details about some of the most common battles those reading the book are likely to be trying to fight. The book was well organized and the appendix was particularly useful for precise and detailed information.

I would recommend Herbs for Long-Lasting Health to readers that are looking to begin their journey, or solidify their knowledge, in working with herbs for their personal health. There are recipes and herbal properties that are very well explained and organized.

Book Review: Herbs for Stress & Anxiety: How to Make and Use Herbal Remedies to Strengthen the Nervous System by Rosemary Gladstar

Herbs for Stress & Anxiety: How to Make and Use Herbal Remedies to Strengthen the Nervous System by Rosemary Gladstar is an accessible guide to the uses of herbs in combating  the affects of stress on the body. There is detailed information on the herbs used, recipes, and instructions for using the herbs and recipes safely.

Herbs for Stress & Anxiety is an accessible guide about how to make your herbal remedies to strengthen your nervous system and address a wide range of symptoms, including panic attacks, depression, insomnia, anxiety, headaches, migraines, herpes, neuralgia, and more. I liked that the book went into the specifics of the maladies to be treated and the herbs being mentioned. I do not always enjoy reading the personal philosophy that is included, but the information is well explained and some of the recipes included are ones that I will try.

I would recommend Herbs for Stress & Anxiety to readers that are looking to begin their journey, or solidify their knowledge, in working with herbs to manage some minor physical and physiological aspects of stress and anxiety. The recipes and herbal properties included are very well explained and organized.

Book Review: I Want to Do Yoga Too by Carole P. Roman

I Want to Do Yoga Too by Carole P. Roman is a short and simple book for children. When Hallie and her mother go to the yoga studio Hallie wants to join her mom's yoga class. She complains to the babysitter, who gently guides her through four yoga poses. Hallie learns that not only is yoga easy, but fun as well.

I Want to Do Yoga Too is very short, but in a good way. When Hallie and her mother go to the yoga studio Hallie is disappointed that she has to wait in the childcare room rather than doing yoga with her mother. we do not know if she just does not want to be separated from mom and wants to show how grown up she is by doing the same thing as adults, but that makes the story work for so many different situations and children. Like any good babysitter, Robin is able to redirect and entertain Hallie. She helps Hallie have fun and teaches her a four yoga poses without her even realizing.

I Want to Do Yoga Too is an easy to read book that can be shared with a young reader or offered to them to read on their own.  The story is short and straight forward, and might peak the interest of children that might want to try out a few basic yoga poses or get an idea of how simple and fun it can be when approached with that in mind.