The Emotional Edge

     Growth and renewal begins with a new calendar year, and I believe that  this is why the book, The Emotional Edge,  written by Crystal Andrus Morissette intrigued me when I saw it listed on the "Blogging For Books" website.  Morissette states in her  book's introduction that, "The Emotional Edge will not only help you identify the events that have defined your life, it will also prepare you to be better equipped to deal with the future."  Quite the intriguing premise, and a goldmine of a book if the claim comes to fruition.
     Morissette begins her book with explaining the three forms of emotional age, which she terms, "the parent", "the child', and "the adult."  The book then offers a test to determine which emotional age the reader personifies. She then continues her book explaining the traits of each emotional age and why it is a goal to work at achieving the emotional age of "the adult."  Morissette acknowledges the connection of the three emotional ages as mirroring  some of Sigmund Freud's theory of the Id, Ego and Super Ego.
     As the book continues, Morissette explores  various forms of communication that pair with the various emotional ages.  She continues through the book to move the reader into evaluating the communication style of the reader, and instructing the  reader to learn "empowered communication" to aid in reaching the "adult" level of emotional age.
     Finally, Morissette explores the reader's destiny in a chapter titled, "What's My Purpose."
     The Emotional Edge is a book that encourages the reader to self-evaluate their present emotional status and work toward achieving a more evolved status.  As a reader, I enjoyed the quiz and the chapters on communication that instructed one to work towards "empowered" communication.  However, I did feel at times the book read as though the author pulled together many self help notions and molded them into one concept.
     Overall, I would recommend The Emotional Edge, as an intriguing read.  Although I am not certain that it can stand up to the book quote that it will make the reader "better equipped to deal with the future,"  I do feel that The Emotional Edge is a thought provoking book to do some self evaluation and make positive changes towards becoming more self assured.


FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

The Hot Bread Kitchen Cookbook

     It is diet season, and as fate would have it, the most beautiful cookbook arrived on my doorstep to entice me. The Hot Bread Kitchen Cookbook, written by Jessamyn Walman Rodriguez and the bakers of Hot Bread Kitchen with Julia Turshen  is a culinary and literary gem.
     Many would agree that the concept of hot bread is tempting all by itself, the comfort of hot bread and melting butter speaks to all the senses. What makes this book such a treasure is the artistry that the authors have used to marry the multicultural staple of hot bread with the people and countries that the products come from.
     Hot Bread Kitchen in East Harlem, New York, may seem similar to many bakeries around the world.  The part that makes this one unique is that the bakery offers education and opportunity to low-income minority women.  The women become trainees and learn skills and the English language. Through this education and training the women are then able to begin their own businesses or obtain management positions in other food production businesses. The sale of the breads that are made at the bakery support the training of the women.  The Hot Bread Kitchen Cookbook, highlights the breads and the people that make both the bakery and the book a wonderful thing.
    Aside from the stories of this incredible enterprise that is helping minority women achieve sustainability in our economy, the book is a wealth of information in the art of baking breads from many cultural venues.  From unleavened flatbreads to tortillas and crusty baguettes to challahs the recipes and instructions in the book are well illustrated and easy to follow. The book even includes many recipes for dishes that compliment the cultural breads.
    I love a good cookbook, but honestly, most cookbooks that I peruse I simply flip the pages until something captures my eye and then I read the recipe and ingredients.  In The Hot Bread Kitchen Cookbook, I was  hooked from the introduction page to the final page.  The layout, the stories, the pictures the instructions and of course the recipes  were all wonderfully done.
     I tried my hand at one of the recipes.  I made the "Rustic Batard," a crusty hearty bread.  I followed all the directions which included making "Pâte Fermentée" the day before which had to set overnight in the refrigerator.  My dough shaping leaves a bit to be desired, as my loaf did not have the exact shape as the one in the illustration, but the taste and texture of the bread was perfect. This means the recipe works, which makes me anxious to try all the others in the book.
     Bread is  a universal sustenance and a true joy to make and eat.  Whether one is a bread baking master or novice, The Hot Bread Kitchen Cookbook is an enchanting addition to any cookbook library.


FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

In My Mind's Eye...

     The old adage, "you are as old as you think you are," is more true than false.  I remember hearing my mother tell me about a time this saying came into play with my grandmother, her mother.   As my grandmother aged, memory became a challenge for her.  At one time, following my grandfather's death, grandma came to live with my parents.   I can't remember exactly how old my grandmother was at the time, but I believe she was about 90 years old.
      One time she asked my mom the question, "How old am I now?"  When my mother told her that she was 90 years old, grandma replied, "Oh no, that can't be! I can't be that old!"  Obviously, in grandma's mind and feelings, she was still much younger.   This memory came strongly back to me when I recently realized that I don't feel my age either.
      Here I am, 51 years old, but I actually mentally feel about 30.  I catch myself at the gym, looking around at the other women working out and judging my own appearance.  It's strange how we do not always compare ourself with someone our own age. I for example,  seem to compare myself with certain body types instead.
     Because I feel young inside, I look at younger people and think, wow...I am so not toned, or I have bulges here and bumps there, and they don't have any! How do they stay so fit?  I get so frustrated with myself that I can not get to that level of appearance.
     After a personal destructive criticism session that I  recently gave myself, I realized that the people I am comparing myself to are  much younger than I am.  That would account for some of the body differences.  When I was their age, I too was thin, toned, and had a flat stomach.  So why do I torture myself?  I think it goes back to not realizing that I am the age that I am.
     If a person "feels" that they are 20 or 30 years younger than they actually are, then it is logical (though unhealthy) that  the person would compare to those that age.   So what's wrong with that?  It's not apples to apples, and it's just a bad idea.
      It's okay to feel like a young soul in mind, and feel young in body, but remember that there has been much memory making happening in the body that takes a toll on the appearance.
      For example,  the flat stomach that is no longer there, was sacrificed to the birthing of two beautiful human beings whom I cherish. Yes, it can be thinned and toned again, but it will never be the same as it was nor should it be because it is a badge of honor.
     So, feel young, but keep your eyes open to who you are.  Remember to try not to compare yourself with others, but if you find yourself doing so, at least look at those who are truly in your peer group.  Chances are, you will see that for your age you are just where you should be and the end result is that accepting who you are and how you got to where you are now will be heartening to your body and mind.
     

A Diamond Is Forever, And So Is A Diet

      The older I am, the more I feel my life runs in a cyclical pattern.  Like the hands on a clock, I see the calendar year move in a similar motion. I feel this way most, as the holiday season approaches and moves into the new year.  The whirlwind begins at Halloween and continues through Thanksgiving,  Christmas, New Years and is then followed by "diet season". This precedes Valentines day of course where the diets are then broken for the worship of loved ones and chocolate.  Which brings me to the thought of the day in my random, rambling mind.
      It is diet season, and Valentines day is around the corner in a month and the thought that popped into my head today was, "Wow, diamonds are forever (just saw that commercial the other day,) and so are diets.
     In the true sense, the word diet just means food that you always eat.  So everyday we are on a diet, as one must eat to survive.  However, in our culture we think of diet as eating, or not eating, specific foods.  If the diet we choose in the "diet season" is so healthy and good for us, then why do we wear out on it and quit in a month or so, returning to our old habits?
     I polled my friends one night at a gathering as we were comparing our "diets" or the need to go on a diet, or even what diets we had tried in the past.  It was January after all, and "diet season".  Some said they had done fairly well during the holidays, but were frustrated that clothes were not fitting as well as they liked, so would be starting a diet again.  Others said they still had travel plans so, alas couldn't begin their "dieting" for a few weeks. You know it is impossible to "diet" when away from home on a vacation.
    When asked what I was doing, I said my husband and I were revisiting the "South Beach" diet.  We had done this one before and my husband liked it best.  I feel like it is one of the healthier ones. Maybe this time we will keep it for always....it could happen.
     A couple of my friends lamented that they had tried all the diets available and were just not going to do it anymore.  They liked food, they were in their 50's and for goodness sake, they were just going to enjoy themselves.  I admire them.
     I want to be healthy, but I confess, I lack discipline to always eat well. I jump on the bandwagon and shun sugar, white bread, and white potatoes the day after New Years, just to purge my system of all those yummy toxins it has ingested the last couple of months.  I embrace instead protein, green veggies and whole grains.  But come February, the chocolate cravings will begin to rage and then next October, I will once again be craving comfort food  as the weather begins to turn cold and winter dreariness approaches. Finally, the "eating season", um I mean holidays, will happen once again with its luxurious edibles and sharing of joy. I will struggle to not indulge in "eating season" but as so many times before, I know I will probably fail, knowing the light of "diet season" is just ahead.
     As I age, I am finding that somethings are forever, and some are not. Diamonds are beautiful gems that will last many lifetimes if cared for correctly. A moderate, wholesome diet can also last throughout a lifetime if a person has the discipline to make smart food choices and eat appropriate portion sizes.
      Personally, I reap what I sow and I eat what I will.  Although I do facetiously believe in the "diet season" of the year which follows the "eating season" (the traditional holidays),  I also feel that everyday is an opportunity to be healthy and make smart diet choices.

2 am at The Cat's Pajamas

            2 am at The Cat’s Pajamas, written by Marie-Helene Bertino, tells the story of a couple of nights around Christmas Eve and the journey that the participants share together.  Some share forms of grief, others commitment, but together they find completion.  

            Madeline Altimari is a 9 year old girl who is grieving the loss of her mother, and because of her loss she is singing jazz as her mother did, smoking, caring for her grieving introverted father, and rebelling against the school’s forces that continually hold her back.  Madeline’s mother left her a “recipe” box of “life’s instructions” to see her through after the cancer removed her from Madeline’s life.  The box gives wonderful instructions to Madeline like, “know yourself,” which is helpful, but doesn’t replace the mother that Madeline needs.

            All Madeline truly wants to do is sing, just as her mother had while she was alive.

            Lorca is a jazz club owner that runs the iconic establishment, “The Cat’s Pajamas.”  He finds that he owes 30,000 in fines and unless he is able to find the money to pay these, his club will close. Lorca’s son, Alex is a talented young guitarist whose life will be changed once the club closes and he doesn’t have any place to play. 

            Mrs. Santiago, a diner owner and friend of Madeline’s mother, promises Madeline’s mother that she will watch over Madeline. She does this through food and warm advice, and as well as a motherly touch of discipline when needed.

            Sarina Greene is Madeline’s teacher that understands Madeline’s grief and loss, having recently gone through a divorce.  She also understands Madeline’s dreams, as she hopes to reconnect with a high school crush, Ben.

            Finally, there is Pedro, Mrs. Santiago’s dog.  He has wanderlust, always looking for a meal outside of his dog bowl, as he scouts about the city of Philadelphia.

            This listing of characters basically makes up the plot of the book, as the reader jumps from one character to the next and sees their lives each separately and finally together at 2am at the jazz club The Cat’s Pajamas.

            2 am at The Cat’s Pajamas is not the easiest book to follow. The premise is good, the characters are interesting, but the end result is a hop and skit between many various characters.  Bertino writes an interesting story about a young women trying to find herself and survive following the loss of her mother; yet, she covers so many characters’ journeys within the same night that this reader ended up feeling disjointed.  While cheering for Madeline to get her opportunity to sing at last was a good climax for the story, the other story events were just a bit flat.

            I would recommend the book to others as a light read, and although I can’t say it was a favorite for me, it was enjoyable.


FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

The Homemade Kitchen

The Homemade Kitchen by Alana Chernila is a stunning tool for the kitchen.  Whether you are a seasoned cook, or one just learning the enjoyment of preparing meals and food for yourself, family and friends, The Homemade Kitchen will be your reference for healthy and flavorful cuisine.  The beginning of the book is filled with recipes and instructions for the basics in cooking.  Chernila even addresses this calling her chapters: Start Where You Are, Be A Beginner, and Feed Yourself.  She covers many categories throughout her book and ends appropriately with Don’t Be Afraid of Food. 

She addresses the preparation of food in a way that many who feel they can’t cook or don’t know how to cook will be able to embrace and feel comforted by her no nonsense approach.  Those who are proficient in the kitchen arts can also find recipes and hints that are helpful.  I pride myself on being an adventurous cook, and am always creating new combinations in food, yet there are recipes in the book that I am quite eager to try. I am anxious to make the cinnamon swirl bread as well as the homemade animal crackers. 

The Homemade Kitchen would make a wonderful addition to any new bride or a person just starting out on their own, as well as a confident foodie.  I would encourage all to experience the book and enjoy!

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

Without You, There Is No Us

        While reading Suki Kim's bestselling novel, Without You, There Is No Us,  I was assuaged with the concept of lying.  So much of Kim's experiences as a teacher of English at the North Korean elite all-male Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST), centered around the lies of the country and the lies that the students either told or perpetrated in order to exist in the oppressive government.
         Kim, an accomplished journalist, travels to North Korea.  Then Kim, posing as a missionary, posing as a teacher, begins to investigate the elite students of PUST and the country of North Korea.  Under the scrutiny of the government,  the school personnel, the "minders" (the individuals whose sole purpose is to watch the teachers for any sign of subversiveness) and the students, Kim tries to expose the students to as much western culture and technology as possible. After all, PUST is a school of technology where no technology is apparent. All of this happens under an umbrella of lies.
          The teachers lied about only coming to teach English, in truth they were Christian missionaries.  The students lied about everything! Kim says in one part of her book,  "...I was growing increasingly disturbed by the ease with which they (the students) lied."  The deceit was epidemic because every part of the society in North Korea was built on a foundation of lies.  The government told lies about their great leaders, Kim Jong-il and Kim Jung-un and all the important accomplishments of the leaders and the country.  The school personnel told lies or created lies to show the teachers how wonderful their country of North Korea was.  The excursions arranged by the school centered only on areas allowed to be seen.  Apple orchards that looked prosperous and touted food for all but only were for a few.  Church services that looked to support the instructor's Christian religion at a token church that was actually a farce, an enactment of a service by actors and memorized parts.  What is truly ironic is that everyone knows all is a lie but fervently wants to believe it is real, because the true reality is just so sad.
        Kim creates an unforgettable picture of what an oppressive regime  looks like. The novel is compelling, and heartbreaking.  The fact that it is a memoir and not fiction is what I think disturbed me so much.  In my safe, free world, it is difficult to imagine watching every word said, and lying to protect not only my own safety, but those of my peers and colleagues.
As dour as the content seems, I truly enjoyed the book.  Kim is a talented and inspiring writer.  Her incredible courage in researching the book and writing the story has given a voice to many who could not speak out themselves.

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

What is your special day? Random thoughts on random days....

        Sometimes when I am in a creative drought I like to look at the National Day Calendar.  I guess it just amuses me to see what items can be celebrated each and every day of the year.  I also love to look up people's birthdays and find out what events they share with that special day.
         Take for example my birthday. Three of the events on my special day are, National Bat Appreciation Day, National Haiku Day, and National Cheeseball Day.  I can truly appreciate each one of these days.  I do love bats, especially in the summer when I see them flying about my yard and neighborhood at dusk, eating all the pesky mosquitos that plague our area.  In addition, Stella Luna,  a well known children's book,  is one that I cherish.  Then there is Haiku Poetry day,  also a favorite of mine.  I do relish a good Haiku, no mystery there, words are my faithful friends. Finally, National Cheeseball Day.  One of the yummiest appetizers ever, is a dense, savory cheeseball!  I have a good friend who makes a killer cheeseball, and sometimes gives them at Christmas time, I do value that creamy, culinary delight.
        National days can be more fun that just birthday trivia.  I once worked for a doctor's office where the nurses kept a National Day list calendar, and celebrated each day in some way.  Some were quite obscure and difficult to celebrate. Take today, October 16th. Today is National Dictionary Day and National Feral Cat Day.  Dictionary Day is very doable to observe. Just go to Dictionary.com and look for the word of the day, then use it all day long to amaze your friends and colleagues.  National Feral Cat day is a bit more challenging.  I guess one could sprinkle a bag of "Little Friskies" around the neighborhood and call out kitty, kitty in hopes of luring a feral cat, but the odds of actually drawing a feral cat into one's presence is dicey at best.  Definitely not the easiest day to celebrate.
        However, there are the awesome National Day's that so many enjoy and are part of our cultural experience.  Some are well known,  Christmas or Halloween would be an example of these days. Then there are the more recent yet becoming very popular days. Two of my favorite examples of these days are, Talk Like a Pirate Day, September 19th and National Pi Day, March 14th or 3.14. Talk Like a Pirate Day was a "Aye, Aye Matey," filled day at the Doctor's office.  We thoroughly enjoyed talking like pirates all day long.  Pi day we took liberties with for our own enjoyment factor.  There were no spouting of Pi digits, no we used this as an excuse to eat pie.  The actual Pie day is December 1st, yet a second day to insist on eating pie.
        I think what I enjoy the most about special days of the year is that each and every day of the year has at least one special day assigned to the date.  On a deeper level this is a reminder that in fact, each and every day is special and should be celebrated and enjoyed.  A form of carpe diem mentality. Do yourself a favor, check out the National Day calendar and find out what special days are in your future... and celebrate them!

The Chili Cookbook

          There is nothing better on a cold winter night than a steaming bowl of Chili. Robb Walsh's new book, The Chili Cookbook, offers the reader a multitude of chili recipes and even a few sides, to compliment the various chilis' bold, riotous flavors.
          Walsh begins the book with a pictorial illustration of a variety of chili peppers, including uses for both whole peppers and powders.  He even includes a recipe for homemade chili powder.
           Walsh shares recipes for traditional chili meals such as, "Pendergrasts grass fed beef chili," as well as many nontraditional chili  recipes such as "Cincinnati spaghetti chili..." All the recipes for various chilis look absolutely delectable. The cookbook's format is as appetizing as it's recipes.  The pictures are vibrant and the reader can almost smell and taste the dishes through the pictures.  The background information on each recipe is equally interesting.  Walsh has included historical information on the dishes' origins in many of the recipes.  One can appreciate the tradition and culture that accompanies the food.
            Walsh divides his cookbook into four parts: Chili's Family Tree, Tex-Mex Traditions, Chili Road Trip, and Modern and Vegetarian Chilis. Each part is well done.  The recipes are complimented with concise lists of ingredients and simple to follow directions.
           Chili, is a dish that is a definite crowd pleaser for both parties and family meals.  Walsh's The Chili Cookbook is a welcome addition to any chili aficionado's book shelf.
FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

Waiting for Morning

        "Life took place on the  enemy's ground. And the enemy would always allow drunk driving and senseless murder..."   Hannah Ryan, in Karen Kingsbury's novel, Waiting for Morning, realized this when she finally forgave  the man who had torn her perfect family apart.
       
        Hannah Ryan's life as she had always known it was destroyed one afternoon by the senseless act of one man, driving under the influence of alcohol.  In one fated moment Hannah's oldest daughter, and beloved husband were torn from her life along with her sense of trust in God.
   
        The ripple effect of her grief encompasses the lives of both Hannah, and her surviving daughter, Jenny, as Hannah doggedly pursues the arrest and conviction of the drunk driver, Brian Wesley.

        Jenny feels abandoned by her deceased sister and father and equally by her anger and grief stricken mother.  Jenny begins to court the idea of suicide because she only wants to be with her father and sister in their new home with Jesus, where she will feel loved once again.
     
        Hannah,  has lost her faith in God.  Once a strong Christian woman, now Hannah is bitter and feels that if God had really loved her, He would have never torn her perfect family apart.  Where Jenny wants to be with Jesus, Hannah wants to run as far away from her Christian faith as she can.
     
         Karen Kingsbury does an incredible job of portraying the emotions and unfathomable loss of a mother and sister in the depth of tragedy and heartache.  Kingsbury takes the brave approach of creating a character who does not at first embrace forgiveness as a Christian is supposed to do.  Most Christian inspired literature spouts repetitive dialogue about being forgiven and giving absolution to our fellow man. Though this is a foundation of the Christian theology, Kingsbury understands and exposes the humanity of her character in Waiting for Morning,  by acknowledging that even devout, "good" Christians can become bitter and fall away from the faith, yet find their way back to God and healing.

         Kingsbury was eloquent in creating characters that inspired the reader to hurt for their losses and rage for the injustice then cheer for the acceptance of forgiveness and healing grace.
This reader thoroughly enjoyed Kingsbury's novel, Waiting for Morning. The realism of the plot and the response of the characters made her story one that will be remembered and shared.

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review