Summer Fit: Exercises for the Brain and Body while Away from School

I feel privileged to be able to review these books. When I was at Brigham Young University in April, I was able to meet with some representatives of Summer Fit Learning. They talked to me about the books and since I do a form of summer school for my kids each summer to keep them on their toes (plus to give them something constructive to do), I was anxious to give this a try. I have a 9-year old who will be 10 in August she is going into the 5th grade, an 8-year old who will be 9 in July, he is going into the 4th grade, and a 5 year old she is going into kindergarten. I bought two 4-5 books and one K-1 book.

About the book (From the back cover):

Be Smart by staying on top of the classroom skills in reading, writing, math and language arts. Be active by using a daily fitness schedule to keep moving. Stay cool this summer by learning the importance of kindness, respect, honesty, and responsibility.

Keeping brains thinking & bodies active during school breaks is entertaining and engaging with summer fit workbooks and online games and activities.

Created by educators, fitness trainers, and parents, Summer Fit activities focus on key areas of child development, including academics, physical fitness, and core values.

Right now it might feel like a million years away, but the first day of the new school year will be soon upon us. With summer Fit, your child will take a seat better prepared to handle the mental, physical and social challenges of the new school year.

My Review:

I loved these books right from the start; I was excited to have something to enrich my children during the summer months. I spent one week going through the books to figure out my lesson plans for the summer, and then this week we have been using the books. My children love these books, the activities are fun, the lessons are interesting and they are learning in a fun way.

I found that the kids are anxious each day to start on their workbooks, so that they can learn. It is always a good thing when the kids are excited to do school in the summer months. The Summer Fit learning is a 10 week summer experience. Summer fit also has an online portion that just rolled out this week, I found some wonderful aides online to help the kids. My kids have not personally been online yet, but just you wait, they will be soon!

The only negative thing I could say about these books is that they are not long enough. The lessons take 20-30 minutes; however, each day I try to have a couple of hours in the morning devoted to school. This begins by the children taking turns practicing piano and reading this is 45 minutes each. Then we move on to 30 minutes of math, and 30 minutes of writing (we journal). I have added the Summer Fit books into the learning process, and they have added more than what I would normally provide. I love that the book offers core values; I think values are important aspects for children to learn. I love that these books teach about exercise, and have fun activities to do each day. There is a piece on nutrition and as our family is trying to change the way we live and eat, this is a wonderful addition for the children to learn about how important it is to be healthy and nutritious.

I would recommend this book to any parent who would like to enrich their children during the summer months to help them stay on top of school and remember what they learned. This book is an excellent way to teach children more than just Reading, Writing, and Math.

Sandie

Miracle Pill Recipes

I said I would post about some of the recipes I have tried, but I guess I forgot to do that. As I stated before, I love this book and it spoke volumes to me. I was anxious to try some of the recipes because for me learning how to cook is a key part of learning a new way of eating. I love to cook, although I am not professional by any stretch of the imagination, I do think that I am a pretty good cook so I tried several recipes that sounded good to me.

My recipe review:

Breakfast: I tried the Smoked Turkey & Sweet Potato Hash with Eggs, this recipe was scrumptious. My kids love a great breakfast before heading out to school, so I gave this one a try one morning. The review from the whole family was "can we have this again tomorrow?"

I also tried Breakfast Scones, I love scones so this was something I wanted to try, it was so wonderful, and again the kids loved this one too.

Salads: I love salads and I especially love fruit in my salads, so I made the Apple Waldorf Salad and it easy and tasty, I loved the flavor and so did my family.

Main Course: First I tried the Stuffed Cabbage, I was a little unsure how my kids would like this or even my husband because he is such a picky healthy eater. However, much to my surprise, they all loved this yummy good meal!

My oldest talked me into buying some Asparagus one day, I have to admit that I have never liked asparagus or even wanted to try it again since I was seven and a nurse told me it was good for me and made me eat it when I was in the hospital. I tried the Roasted Asparagus with Almonds, Grapes, & Balsamic Glaze...my opinion of Asparagus has changed, thankfully!

Next I tried Penne with Lemon Chicken, Artichokes, & Olives I was interested to try this because I love, love, love Lemon Chicken, however, I do like Artichokes, but I don't love them. My husband is iffy on Artichokes and Olives, so I thought "this should be interesting." This recipe was AWESOME, I loved it, so yummy and flavorful.

All in all this was a wonderful recipe book and I am certainly thrilled that I have new recipes to add to my collection. I always welcome new ideas so that I do not get stuck in the same ole, same ole! This is not only a wonderful book, but the recipes are truly scrumptous!

Sandie

Miracle Pill, 10 Truths to Healthy, Thin, & Sexy

When I first read the synopsis of this book, I knew it was something I wanted to read. In the last year and a half, I have tried to change the way I thought about food. I have for years said that food is to me, what alcohol is to an alcoholic. I have said over the last year that all the diet foods on the market are designed to make one fat, not thin. I personally have used almost everything possible to lose weight only to gain everything I lost plus. I have spent thousands of dollars on Weight Watchers, I have spent hundreds of dollars on everything from Jenny Craig, HCG, Phen Phen and Pondimin, Adkins, and many more diets with no lasting results.

Funny, when I was at Brigham Young University last week, I saw the table set up for Tres Prier Hatch for book signing; I did not put two and two together. I even saw her book and thought, I should have that in my mailbox when I arrive home, still not putting two and two together. I was standing in the bottom floor of the bookstore when they carried her sign down and still did not put two and two together. When I got home, it hit me. I feel so blonde and bummed that I did not have a chance to meet Tres!

About the Author:
Tres (pronounced tray) Hatch lives to eat. She is a former chef, caterer, and food educator. She often appears on television as a guest chef and was heard weekly on the radio show Get Real Food with Gourmet Tres. Even though she is surrounded by good food all the time, Tres learned how to live in harmony with the needs of her body, which includes a treat every day. In the book Miracle Pill, 10 truths to Healthy, Thin & Sexy she shares these concepts with you.
Tres enjoys writing about food she regularly contributes food articles and recipes for major publications. Her most recent essay was published in Friendship, Bread for the Journey compiled by Doris Platt, from Perfect Niche Publishing. Miracle Pill is her first book, with two cookbooks to follow under the Miracle Pill brand. One will focus on yummy daily fuel recipes and the other on occasional treats.

Tres lives with her husband and children in Utah.

About the Book:
Miracle Pill reveals how to eat what you want and stay thin forever. Because of these 10 truths, Chef Tres Hatch lost 110-pounds, without dieting. Even more remarkably, she permanently changed herself from someone who battles her weight, to someone in harmony with her body-without sacrificing her love for yummy food.

With common sense and a goal of health, rather than strictly weight loss, Miracle Pill teaches how to transition from thoughts to reflect those of a healthy, thin person. Ultimately, those healthy behaviors become permanent and the body takes on the ideal shape for each individual, without diets, gimmicks, or extreme workouts. Living in harmony with your body really is the only permanent weight-loss method-and Miracle Pill helps you change your impulses so you desire correct fuel, and consistent, moderate exercise. The best part is: correct fuel includes all the great treats you love.

My Review:
When I sat down to read this book, I took a pencil, and a pink highlighter. I did not want to forget the parts of the book that resonated with me. Right from the start of this book, I realized that Miracle Pill was confirming everything I had thought about diets, eating, and fuel. I also knew that balance was the key to a successful weight loss that could be sustained and permanent.

I took every quiz or questionnaire in the book. I highlighted everything that hit home. I combed this book through with a fine tooth comb based on what I have learned over the years, and what I felt was missing in what I was being taught and what I have learned in a lifetime of battling the bulge. I loved Tres' candid truths about her own struggled, about how she after three month working hard felt and wanted to quit, but kept on going.

If you are looking for real sustainable change that will last a lifetime, and get back to the basics and trust those basics, then you should read this book. I loved the questions she asks us to write down, to soul search, that this book is not just about her story, but she invites the reader to follow along and participate to see where he or she is at in the process of health. Ultimately, our health should be number one in our pursuit of wellness.

The book offers, saying to tape to the bathroom mirror, and 5 touchstones to successful weight management to post on the mirror or the refrigerator. These empowering affirmations are something I took seriously. While reading this book, going through all the questions, learning about me, what I can and can not change, I realized that this was a book that I could whole heatedly support. Miracle Pill, spoke to me, I learned things about myself I had not thought about, I agreed with the formula for success.

I would recommend this book; I would especially recommend this book for someone who wants a permanent fix and not just a quick fix. The book has many recipes in the back that I had planned to try before posting my review; however, I was not able to do that yet, but I am going to try over the weekend, so check back for my review of yummy meals she has included. I am sorry I did not get to meet this woman who teaches what I already believe. I am going to send a copy of the book to some of my family members that I want to help them learn how to eat and not feel deprived. This book was an easy read, well written, user friendly, and full of enlightening information.

Sandie

This book was sent to my by the publishing company/Author for a review. I reviewed this book for Media Guest. The review is my own feelings and words.

Mosaic Amy Grant Pieces of My Life So Far

I admit that I love Amy Grant's music, and it was her seemingly squeaky clean image that caused me to purchase this book to read. Mosaic in the title was so appealing to me as well. After reading this book, I still love Amy Grant, I still love her music and now I love her as a person.

About the Author:

Amy Grant lives in Nashville Tennessee, with her husband, country music start Vince Gill. She has four children Matt, Millie, Sarah, and Corrina, and one stepdaughter Jenny.

About the Book, from the back cover:

With her unmistakable voice and honest lyrics, Amy Grant has captures a unique place in American music. As the bestselling Christian music artist of all time, a crossover pop sensation, and a the wife of country music star Vince Gill, Amy has lived much of her life in the spotlight, subject to adulation, speculation, and scrutiny. Now for the first time she bares her heart and soul to reveal thoughts on everything from motherhood and marriage to fame and forgiveness. Whether describing personal moments alone on a moonlit hillside or very public ones performing with the likes of Tony Bennett and James Taylor, Amy presents a captivating collection of beautiful reflections of life, love and faith.

My Review:

Mosaic, is a heartwarming book of faith and love. I love the honest portrayal of her life. Amy although famous, is just like the rest of us trying to find balance in her life, and attempt to do things better the next day. She describes how she writes her music and where, I enjoyed this section of the book, as her music is what brought me to her in the first place. I loved her spiritual sense and I could picture myself in her backyard on the patio sitting and visiting with her. She gives plenty of description to help the reader understand her surroundings. Again, I did love this book, I love the spiritual side of the book and the realistic reality of the life she lives, her family, her friends. Amy has had heartache, she has had tough times and blending two families. She talks winter depression that so many people experience and do not even realize it. The book was spiritual and heartwarming.

I would recommend this book to anyone.

Sandie

It's All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life

I found "It's All About Him: Finding The Love of My Life" in a Christian book store a few years ago. I have always been an Alan Jackson fan, and I had heard about the spilt with his wife. I had fallen in love with the song "Remember When" in the fall of 2003; although I did not appreciate it until the fall of 2004. When I was trying to pull my own marriage back together.

Denise Jackson's book captivated my attention, so I quickly bought the book. The title even caught my attention, as I had a preconceived notion of what the title represented. Oh was I wrong!

About the Author:

Denise Jackson is a former flight attendant and elementary school teacher. Denise currently devotes most of her time to her husband Country music superstar Alan Jackson, and their three daughters. Apart from spending time with her family, Denise enjoys playing tennis and is an avid student of the Bible.

About the Book from the back cover:

Alan and Denise Jackson's life seemed like a fairy tale: high school sweethearts marry young and leave small-town Georgia to pursue big dreams in Music City. They pay their dues, work hard, and weather deep disappointments. Then their dreams come true. Stardom and multi-platinum albums. Fame, wealth, a palatial estate and vacation homes: a fleet of airplanes, luxury cars, designer clothes and world-class jewelry.

In the Fairy tales, the Jackson's' material success-plus their "perfect" marriage, their three beautiful daughters, and their supportive families-would have signaled a happily-ever-after ending.

But real life is different from fairy tales.

At the pinnacle of their success, much to the shock of their fans and the pain of their families, the Jackson's separated. For Alan, musical renown, fame, and wealth still did not make up for the marital problems the Jackson's had struggled with for years.. And for Denise, building her life around Alan and riding the tide of the success had somehow left her hollow, unsure of just who she really was.

You don't have to be rich and famous to go through struggles life these. Sooner or later, we all come to the point when we realize that real joy and peace isn't just around the corner of the next achievement, the next relationship, the next new thing.

That's why Alan and Denise Jackson's story isn't just a great read and a dramatic intimate look at the golden world of celebrity. It's a story of the greatest love of all, the love that will never let you go...and how to find it no matter who you are, where you live, or what you've done.

My Review:

As I read "It's all About Him" I realized that my life had mirrored the Jackson's in many ways except the fame and money. The book resonated with me and spoke volumes to me on so many levels. I enjoyed reading Denise's journey from high school sweethearts, to a broken heart, and the processes of healing that heart. In the book, Denise describes her high school days and being high school sweethearts, she talks about the lean years, and how they struggled, the disappointments, and then the success. The success is when her life changed. A busy wife and mother, she was trying to manage everything, but herself. Along the way during the separation Denise realizes what is most important to her. It is her journey along this path that gives the reader some insight in how to manage a better balance in one's own life.

I enjoyed this book; I was able to find ways to improve myself through this read. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Denise for not giving up and for doing all she could to put her marriage back together. She is an inspiration, and should be counted as such. I highly recommend this book!

I would recommend this book to anyone who would like a spiritual look at relationships and how to restore something that is broken. To someone who is struggling to find themselves and anyone. The book has some adult theme to it, though it is clean.

Sandie

Journey of Honor: a love story

Journey of Honor: a love story

by: Jacyln M. Hawkes

"Disowned, she came to America anyway. Attacked and left pregnant by a vicious mob, she still pressed on. Finally, in psite of being accused of theft by the vilest of her attackers, Giselle tries to remain as upbeat and uncomplaning as a prairie wildflower as she travels on to Zion."

Having a pioneer heritage, I read this book and thought of my ancestors who braved the trek across the vast United States of America, as they looked towards the Great Salt Lake valley as a refuges from persecution.

This book was an inspiriting look at the trials and hardships the pioneers encountered on the trek west. Journey of Honor brought a new understanding of how difficult this era was in the history of the United States. Living outside, under the elements, with wild animals, and Indians would be enough to shake anyone's faith; however, for Giselle she was strong and courageous and although she faced hard times, nothing compared to the final decision she would have to face in Salt Lake; saying goodbye to Trace.

If you are a romantic at heart, like I am. If you believe in being in love, or the idea of being in love and falling in love, then this story is one you must read. Trace and Giselle endure many hardships and yet along the way they work side-by-side to take the wagon train west. Trace a physician who leaves the south to avoid any further racism; he decides to take teamsters west to deliver goods. This is when he meets Giselle, she is a young beautiful Dutch woman, who joined the LDS church (Mormon), they are an unlikely match. This story is enlightening with many twists and turns.

I would recommend this book to the romantic at heart, to those who like adventurous love stories, to anyone who is LDS, this book is written with an LDS theme, the book is inspirational, there is a small amount of violence, though the book does not go into detail, the book has no offensive language. I thoroughly loved this book!

Sandie

Disclaimer: I purchased this book on my own and was not given a copy to review. The review is my own opinion.