Nature Bound Pocket Field Guide

This combines simple, easy to use instructions on basic survival actions that any hiker or camper can use with a great color-photo index and directions to edible and poisonous plants, and a first aid guide. If you only want to carry one little book, this is a great one to choose!

I previously owned this well prepared reference work on edible & poisonous plants of western North America. The survival information occupying the first 20+ pages is quite weak on useful information to actually survive under winter conditions; poor (i.e. cold & inefficient) shelter concepts, unclear knot photos, fails to credit the Roycroft emergency snowshoe design (see instead Northern Bushcraft by Mors Kochanski). However the plant information is extremely well laid out with a concise & complete format complimented by excellent photos in a field portable size. Highly recommended for wilderness users with an interest in useful plants. I lost my original copy, found it here (Amazon is amazing!) and immediately ordered 2 to replace it.

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NBPFG has good information and I fully appreciated the pictures of the different plants. It was written in such a manner that makes it easy to understand for Teens and Pre-teens who have a desire to learn about hiking and camping.

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Living Young: 32 Habits of Ageless People

This inaugural publication from Andy Troy combines facts from years of research with extremely useful personal experience for leading a healthy, fulfilling life. Not only does Andy help with how you can stay and look younger, but there is a wealth of simple tips to get the most out of life, from meditating to optimzing your sex life. Some of these tips are so simple that we take them for granted, and this publication serves as a reminder for both professionals (psychologists/psychiatrists/trainers) and the lay person that we can lead a physically and mentally healthier, more productive lifestyle by choosing a positive attitude, including more humor and sleep, consuming less alcohol as well as providing an exercise and dietary plan. There are also some useful behavioral tips to help one worry less and get the most out of life. A nice read and also a good reference to keep on the shelf. Meng Law MD, MBBS, FRACR

Shakespeare's immortal line: "To Thine Own Self Be True", is exemplified by Andy Troy, in his recently published book: "Living Young 32 Habits of Ageless People".

Troy, a nationally-certified fitness and health expert, writes candidly and honestly about the reality that we mortals must all face: the accumulation of birthdays, and the challenges that the body, mind and spirit must face as we move through the stages of the life cycle. However, his is not a tome advocating acceptance and complacency in aging. He outlines, clearly delineates and supportively encourages the reader to take up arms (and legs, and stomach, and torsos, etc...) in the fight against the decline that many persons erroneously accept as the natural process of getting older.

This superior book, which is the best I've read in the last decade on health and well-being, does not deny that aging occurs. Instead, what it does brilliantly is provide the reader with transcendent insights, techniques and tools to make a difference. Troy eloquently provides the information that every man and woman needs to get much more out of life as they grow older, and to stop the decline of health and fitness if it has begun.

Troy's book takes a "holistic" path in addressing the human body, mind and spirit. And while he outlines his expertly developed exercises and workout routines to strengthen, restore and rejuvenate the body, he does not stop at the corporeal. Sections include avenues for optimal meditation, posture and breathing to rejuvenate consciousness. His eclectic approach includes sections on hydration, aromatherapy, vitamins, the delights when you "learn something new", the therapeutics of music, and even the panache provided by a "revised" wardrobe.

This informative book even contains recipes for a healthier life, including "Sue's Grilled Chicken & Broccoli in red sauce", a savory dish which I have already made a staple of my culinary repertoire.

Troy, who epitomizes the concept of "do as I do, AND as I say", is a wonderful guide through the myriad challenges faced by an individual who wants to feel better and happier. His narrative is supportive but uncompromising. He understands that if you are reading this book, you want to do something; you don't just want a pat on the back, you want a firm hand up, a plan that can help you live a better, healthier life.

I've read the book several times, and continue to glean new and inspired ways to improve my condition. This book has helped me recommit to exercise, a better diet, and a more rewarding approach to my daily challenges.

But all work and no play makes for a dull existence, and Andy encourages us to enjoy the delicacies and decadences around us. And while he points out the health benefits of one or two glasses of wine, he also gives a nod to the Socrates principal of "moderation".

Troy's book is a revelation, with so many fine recommendations and lessons, and even more insights and delights. "Living Young 32 Habits of Ageless People" is a cornucopia of useful information and practical and practicable exercises. And that is just one part of this great book. As the Bard had Hamlet say, "There are more things in heaven and earth Horatio than are dreamt of in your philosophy".

Andy Troy's book, of which I am a proud owner, is guaranteed to change your philosophy about health, exercise, well-being, and aging.

Alex Maurice, Adjunct Professor CUNY

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It has been a while since I have felt compelled to express my joy at a worthwhile, and actually helpful commodity. On the mostly rare occasions, when I find a product that I feel can improve the quality of life, I do feel bound to promote or inform about my find. Two years ago, I offered a review of a health DVD by this author, and so, recently, when I saw that Andy Troy published a book, well, it had to be explored.

Living Young: 32 Habits of Ageless People, turns out to be an informative and practical book of advice about maintaining health into old age. Mr. Troy, CSCS, has written an organized, concise, and user friendly guide to taking care of yourself, once and for all! He takes you through a daily regiment that sometimes requires a little time and planning, yet each step is manageable, with some thought. Although I believe that I do, and have, taken basic care of myself, this book empowers and enables me to clearly prioritize my activities for greatest impact. The book allows me to re-think my habits in a clear fashion so I can make decisions on how to improve and maximize my day to day routines which do impact my health. His suggestions are very worthwhile, and those not in my present repertoire will be slowly and thoughtfully included, down to his recipes and suggestions for dining!

This is a good and quick read with long term benefits for everyone. I strongly and highly recommend this book for all!

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The genius of this book is that it packs lots of extremely valuable information into a relatively short 288 pages. The writing is perfectly straightforward and to-the-point. If you are looking for a practical book packed with workable advice which will enable you to live better and longer, this is it.

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Finally---an anti-aging book that really gets down to what we need to know and follow. The 32 habit solution explains the "what" and "why" things are happening to us as we age. How we look and feel is not just about genetics, but more importantly how we care for ourselves day to day. The book provides a clear chapter by chapter road map on simple ways to a better life through a better life style. My thanks to Andy Troy (the author)for writing such a great book. I look forward to your next book!

Eric

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The Radical Reformission: Reaching Out without Selling Out

This is one of the most refreshing and engaging books on church/culture that I've read, and is probably THE best book I've read from a leader in the emerging church.

Driscoll contends that as believers we must be concerned about three things: the gospel, the church, and the culture. When we neglect one of these three elements, we fall into one of three errors:

The Church + The Culture The Gospel = Liberalism

The Church + The Gospel The Culture = Fundamentalism

The Gospel + The Culture The Church = Parachurch

I think this is slightly reductionistic, but it still provokes reflection. Driscoll's book is a plea for the church to be faithful to the gospel within the culture not by isolating itself from the culture. He says, of course, that faithfulness to the gospel involves some measure of separation. As Christians, we are different called out of darkness into light and this will affect our life-styles and ethics. But Driscoll also contends that Christian liberty must be maintained in areas where Scripture is silent and that our liberty should be used for the sake of reaching culture.

Of course, culture looks different in Seattle than it does in the Midwest, where I minister. Driscoll's church looks different than ours, with lots of tattooed, pierced, young Christians decked out in Gothic clothing and make-up! But Driscoll rightly argues that becoming a Christian doesn't necessitate a conversion to wearing business attire (like a middle-class, white suburban American Christian), but rather a conversion to Christ and His kingdom. As I said, this is a thought-provoking book.

Be warned, however: reading this book will probably provoke a variety of deep and intense emotional responses, including laughter (Driscoll is hilarious), shock (Driscoll breaks all the conventions that you would expect of a Christian author), and (hopefully) excitement, as you hear of what God has done in his life and through his life and ministry in the lives of others.

Started attending Mars Hill Church, where Mark Discoll is the head teaching elder, a little over a year ago. Only very serious problems can keep us away on Sunday. I'm twice the age of the average member/attendee, but Mark preaches old time religion applied to today's culture and I and about 2,500 others seem very comfortable with both. Mark is very real, sometimes shocking and shows real grace. Week after week my wife and I ask each other "Is that the best sermon we've ever heard AGAIN?"

What you get in RR is what I see happening at Mars Hill, along with Mark's humor and wisdom that's beyond his years. I've been a believer for 35 years and I'm as excited about Jesus as I've ever been and due in no small part to the vision you read about in this book. Would I feel the same way if I wasn't watching Mark practice what he preaches up close and personal? Maybe not, but when I read it, I could honestly say I saw RR being worked out and it's authentic.

Read RR, log on to the MHC web site, stream the sermons, praise God and have a blast.

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Driscoll's sense of humor is rather twisted. His willingness to say aloud what others forbid themselves to even think is refreshing. His views are thought provoking. His concepts in practice are enlightening. Some people "will" find parts of Radical Reformission offensive. My parents were offended by the copy I gave them. But they are now buying more copies and recommending it to everyone. RR will show you how to use your freedom to set others free. Thank you Jesus for Pastor Driscoll.

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Mark Driscoll's work on living on the balance of syncretism/sectarianism is critical to the church as we struggle between moralism and 'selling out'. His work has had a profound impact on his church and church pastors across the country. This book is a must read whether you are an 'emerging' pastor or if you have been in the ministry for decades. I pray it is a wake up call to a radical but necessary place of tension.

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Mark Driscoll wrote this book so that Christians will step out of our comfort zones and share the gospel with those outside our front door. Radical Reformission is "a radical call for Christians and Christian churches to recommit to living and speaking the gospel, and to do so regardless of the pressures to compromise the truth of the gospel or to conceal its power within the safety of the church" (pg 20) We Christians must repent of our lack of love for our fellow man when we have failed to share the truth of the Gospel just because people do not match our cultural preference. For this, I heartily appreciate and agree. However, I must say that I also have some concerns.

Some of Driscoll's helpful insights:

We Christians should be "building friendships for the purpose of showing and sharing the love of Jesus with lost people...evangelism is done by the whole church." (pg 66)

We Christians must repent of self-righteousness and cling to God's "power of the gospel of grace." (pg 77-78) We must be clear that we do not "impose man made rules in the name of achieving holiness", which is in effect Pharisaical (pg 140).

We Christians must be careful and attentive to our "church cultures" (pg 101). We must recognize that we may have "different personal convictions that are not necessarily sinful" according to biblical prescription (pg 103).

Like Jonah and the plant, we Christians cans love THINGS that God has provided "more than our great cities and the spiritually blind people who annoy us." (pg 106)

Addressing the need for heart transformation (versus mere behavioral change), Driscoll says, "...if we aspire to seek any change in our culture, we must resist the temptation to first change the culture. Instead, we Christians must begin by bringing the gospel to people so that they can be given a new heart out of which a Christian life flows. As more people live out of their new heart, new families, churches, businesses, and governments will result that together will transform culture." (pg 110)

For us Christians, "...too often the evangelistic task of speaking about Jesus is promoted as a work or something we must do, rather than as an overflowing of joy within us that explodes out of us because we have met God in Christ." (pg 143)

Finally, Driscoll provides a short but very helpful list of Biblical Principles for Cultural Decision making (pg 104). I would prefer to have seen an exposition and "fleshing out" of these texts instead of some of the extraneous stories that seem to serve as shock effect.

Some of my concerns on this work:

1.) Is it necessary that the Gospel must be "contextualized" to make it "accessible"? (pg 55-56) The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for both Jews and Greeks (Rom 1:16-17). In our sinful flesh, we Christians can so easily replace the power of the Gospel message itself with culturally-attractive gimmicks. "Do you dig Jesus?" is no replacement for explaining a sinner's dire predicament before a holy God and His provision in Jesus Christ's substitutionary atonement.

2.) To what degree do we immerse ourselves into culture to faithfully share the gospel? Is it necessary or advisable to listen to a "sexual talk program" or read "Cosmo Girl magazine" (pg 131) to successfully engage the culture with the gospel? Can we cross the line and speak in an inappropriate manner according to Scriptural standards in order to capture the attention of culture? The subtitle of this book is "reaching out without selling out." One way that we can "sell out" is by substituting the priority of Scriptural faithfulness with a desire to be culturally relevant. In one portion of the book, Driscoll appropriately chides churches that try to appease the preferences of different age groups. He makes the valid observation that people are highly complex and cannot be pinned down as a monolith according to particular age generalizations (pg 128). I would argue that we should extend Driscoll's conclusions to culture-at-large. Culture is complex and always changing and is, thus, a "moving target." I would argue that a Christian should engage but NOT be consumed with riding "the next wave of culture." Instead, the Christian's focus should be on Jesus Christ and His all-sufficient word which are always relevant.

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That Extra Half an Inch: Hair, Heels and Everything in Between

Better known as "Posh Spice" of the Spice Girls fame, Victoria Beckham has always been recognized worldwide for her chic, stylish look. No matter which role she plays singing superstar, wife of David Beckham, mummy to three boys, designer she always manages to look put together and just right. Not an easy feat as any modern woman will tell you.

Well, Ms. Beckham has decided to part with her style secrets in this fun, colorful book to help us average Janes avoid looking "frumpy or mumsy". Whether giving the scoop on jeans and proper fit, beauty care, or dressing for a special occasion, Beckhman manages to keep the tone practical, light and conversational what you'd expect if your most stylish buddy sat you down and filled you in on the details, from where to buy to what works with what. She generously lists desginers and stores where you can acquire some of the same attire that she favors. The chapters on packing tips and maternity wear are great surely this will help many of us poor souls be less dowdy when with child or with skies!

Some of the advice is pretty funny ("The first things I will say about dressing for the holidays is to get all images of reindeer jumpers out of your head."), some of it very useful ("When trying on new shoes, do it towards the end of the day when your feet have had a chance to expand."). Whether or not you are a fan of Ms. Beckham, you will certainly appreciate much of her counsel.

There are many lush, striking photos of Victoria looking very "posh" and chic as well as gorgeous line drawings throughout, making the book eye candy for all of us fashion lovers. This is one of my favorite parts of the book.

A couple critiques: some of the lingo is purely British and takes some getting used to (ex: she refers to tank tops as 'vests' which was very confusing for me) and some of the designers/stores she lists are NOT in America, which is only a hindrance if your sole goal is to imitate her style (not my goal). And some of these designer/stores are VERY expensive, making some of her suggesions out of reach for regular folk like myself.

Lastly, she freely utilizes every opportunity to promote her own line of clothing, dVb, a high end line that she subtly implies is one of the most stylish. Although some may find this galling or even annoying, I say bravo for her moxy and industrious spirit what else would you expect from Posh Spice?

I read this book while recuperating from surgery and I have to say it was perfect for taking my mind off my health issues. It's surprising. I didn't expect Victoria Beckham to come off as fun and likeable as she does. Now to the point of the book: Does it offer good fashion advice? Yeah, it does. She's spot on when she disses the kitten heel shoe. Unless you are built like Audrey Hepburn (I'm not)it doesn't do your legs any favors. She's excellent in the makeup chapter and even though I don't wear jeans her jeans chapter contained everything you need to know. I wish everyone would read it before buying a pair. It would cut down on a lot of public ugliness.

The chapter on getting ready for a party was excellent and timely for this season. I liked the chapter on maternity dressing and appreciated the chapter on how to wear hair extensions.

Overall this book made me happy and I plan to keep it and refer to it for years to come.

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I bought this on a whim to read something girly while my boyfriend was out of town. I love fashion books and thought this would have some useful and fun little tidbits. Not exactly, but not a total waste either.

Victoria Beckham believes her own hype so deeply that it's almost impossible to take her seriously. When the book is not crammed with glam shots of her -where it's often impossible to see what she's wearing, even though this is a style book -it is filled with self-promotion in other ways. Every other page of the jeans section is her selling her own jeans line, when she recommends fragrances there's a giant picture of "Intimately Beckham" luring us in. A stupid move, as both of these lines aren't succeeding, and the book seems dated as soon as it's published. Better -and much classier -to acknowledge that you have your own lines in a small section, then focus on fashion and style overall. It would also be better if she had used other models to show examples of her style and fashion tips -maybe a "posh makeover" or something. But this is not that book -instead, the focus is suffocatingly on her, so much though that it's pretty funny at times. "Oh look at her again! Another pouty face! Long haired victoria! Short haired victoria!"

I think my favorite moment of unintentional hilarity is when victoria pleads with women not to wear bras with padding under tanks or t-shirts. Presumably one should have fake ones put in instead and have them pushed up the way victoria does? And the recommendation never to wear shorts with sneakers is ridiculous when there are fabulous little sneaks out there by John Varvatos for converse. The recommendation for high heels is, in general, myopic. There's nothing the world needs less than tiny women teetering on the edge of stilettos.

She has had an extraordinary career, even though underneath all of the styling she is a pretty ordinary looking person. When you look at her underneath all of the clothes and style she has really cultivated an image for herself -perhaps her talent is self-invention. She is rigorous about every aspect of her appearance before she leaves the house -something I wish was true of me.

I will also say that this book is going to be very useful on an upcoming trip to the UK, in terms of navigating high street brands for a little budget shopping.

So i'd say get it if you really like her, or if you have her exact body type and can copy styles directly, or if it's cheap, or if you care about the difference between H and M vs topshop in terms of sunglasses.

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I bought this book as a gift for my wife. (I hope she doesn't see this review before the holidays.) I took a look inside, and I think it's going to be a big hit. Mrs. Beckham has a talent for combining utter sincerity with self-mockery in a way that is completely irresistable. I think it would be impossible to have a bad day while reading this book.

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When I heard that Victoria Beckham was publishing a style guide I was curious. I'm not a fan, but I don't have anything against her either.

Having now read it (it took a day) I'm still a bit undecided. `That Extra Half an Inch' is written in a cosy style it's like you're having a cup of coffee with Mrs Beckham. The book is nicely set into different sections; Tops, Day Dresses, Gifts (a lovely idea), make-up (disappointing) etc. And the photos are really stunning.

That said I didn't actually learn anything new. This book is mostly a higher end where-to-buy guide. Come on are all of the designer names Vic drops really useful to the average person on the street? Are our husbands going to whisk us off to Paris and New York for shopping? (Even if they did have the money I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you).

Also, I think the book is sponsored by Top Shop; I lost count of the number of times the shop name cropped up. We can go to Gucci or Topshop, Fendi or Topshop, and so forth. She knows the name of a high street store, we get it; Vicky's one of us!!

I'm really conflicted in my view. A lovely, if impractical, style guide. I would get another book, if one was ever published, just because of the nice, intimate writing style.

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Cook This, Not That! Easy & Awesome 350-Calorie Meals

I bought this book at Walmart (paid a lot more for it there) and it was completely worth it. So far, I have tried a half dozen of the recipes, and ALL of them have been a huge success. One reviewer rights about how it is only restraunt selections..... false. At the bottom of each ORIGINAL recipe in here, they show what a restaurant alternative is, and how much money and calories you save by cooking at home. Also helpful in this book is new cooking tips and techniques. For example, as a southerner I love fried foods. This book showed me how to "oven fry" foods to have that familiar taste and crispy outside without all the extra calories from submerging foods in hot grease. Other techniques in this book that have been helpful are how to braise meats and use the natural drippings to make your own sauces while cooking, increasing the natural flavor of dishes.

2 weeks in, 11 pounds down

5 Stars in my book!

I am shocked at how engrossed I am with this book. I want to cook every single recipe! The biggest surprise--aside from learning how many calories I could save by cooking for myself--was how motivating the recipes are. Beautiful pictures and simplified cooking tips turn complex dishes into super-easy recipes. Many of the recipes even come with variations in case you can't find a certain ingredient or just want more variety. Here are my four favorites so far:

*Red Pepper Alfredo AMAZING dish, and I saved 830 calories and $10 over the same meal at Olive Garden.

*Loaded Calzone Far easier than I ever imagined, and I saved 1,025 (!) calories and $4.50 over Pizza Hut's Meaty P'Zone Pizza

*French Toast Stuffed with Strawberries -Whole-wheat toast stuffed with ricotta cheese, strawberries, honey, and almonds. Yum. I will definitely be making this again! And I saved 810 calories and $11.40 over IHOP's version.

*Curry with Cauliflower & Butternut Squash I had no idea I was capable of making curry. Or that I could save 717 calories and $8.50 in the process.

My kitchen skills are improving, I'm motivated to cook, and I already feel healthier. And if I don't feel like cooking one night, I'll just dive into the chapter dedicated to 10-minute meals. That should be easy enough. Though, to be honest, nothing I've cooked so far has taken me much more than 20.

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With the calorie counts calculated from reliable sources, that lovely, fluffy, "340 calorie" burger on the front cover has 504 calories, and I suspect the rest of the math in this book is just as hopeful. (Come on, you knew that food looked too good to be *that* low-calorie.)

I used the USDA database (very reliable) for fresh meat/produce and the sides of packages for the prepackaged stuff. I tried to use the lowest calorie available options.

175 calories: Ground sirloin, 90%/10%, 1/4 lb raw weight pan-broiled (i.e., with the fat cooked out), USDA database

190 calories: Orowheat Country Potato buns (the lowest-calorie "potato bun" at my local Safeway), 1 bun, calories from package (keep in mind that just two small slices of white wonderbread would have 120 calories.)

60 calories: Sargento® Deli Style Sliced Reduced Fat Swiss Cheese, 1 slice, calories from package

33 calories: mushrooms, 1/2 cup (raw volume), USDA database

15 calories: A1 steak sauce, 1 tablespoon, calories from pacage

11 calories: onion, medium-size, 1/4 onion, USDA database

20 calories: oil, canola, 1/2 teaspoon (estimated), USDA database

The goofy calorie counts in this book are shame, because (for example) 504 calories isn't bad for a burger at all. But it's almost *50% more* than the calorie count they gave in the book. The massive difference in the *actual* vs the *listed* calories could seriously throw off a carefully calculated diet. Caveat Emptor.

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These recipes are fabulous. I mean, who wouldn't want to eat coconut shrimp and chocolate cake while on a diet? However, the front cover of the book prominently says "350-calorie meals" and that isn't exactly true. I thought a meal consists usually of an entree and side dishes. Most of this book's entrees clock in at 300-350 calories by themselves. The side dish recipes average about 100 calories each (more or less), so that ups the meal's calorie count.

Let's say you make their oven-fried chicken at 310 calories per serving; add their rosemary potatoes for 150 calories; and their pickled cucumber salad for 60 calories. Now you have a 520-calorie meal. Or are you supposed to eat the chicken by itself? And where do you fit in, say, fresh fruit or dairy products, which are part of a well-balanced, healthy diet?

Again, I'm not criticizing the recipes at all; they are delicious and I highly recommend them. The authors did a brilliant job. Just saying that since the book advertises itself as a weight loss solution, I would have found it much more helpful if they included a week's worth of sample menus, listing exactly what to include for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. That way I could see clearly how to put together my meal plans for best results, as well as create my shopping list.

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I've owned this book for about a eight weeks now and have cooked at least a half dozen of the recipes. All turned out very good. I'm an experienced cook and don't need a lot of direction to know how to follow a recipe, and I'm not sure if that affected the outcome. Regardless, the recipes are nicely thought out, and presented in a way that gets them on the table fairly quickly.

Despite liking the book, I do have a couple of concerns. I don't want to repeat what other reviewers have said, so please read those reviews if this strikes a chord with you: The calorie counts and comparisons with restaurant meals are not accurate comparisons. The book generally compares one serving from the book's recipes, which are usually four servings, with the entire restaurant entree, which is often as large as the book's entire recipe, and certainly more than the single serving size the book recommends. I get it---the authors want us to watch not only what we eat, but how much we eat. Good advice, but they shouldn't rig the comparisons in such a disingenuous way. Still though, the recipes are good, and I believe that people need to take personal responsibility for portion control. If some fuzzy math in the book causes people to make better decisions and feel good about it, I can live with that.

Even though this book looks slick, it feels like a self-published book in serious need of a good editor. Now that I've cooked recipes, AND LIKE THEM, I can't find a darn thing in the index. For example, there are two salmon recipes that I like. Is salmon a category in the index? Not a chance. Okay, let's go to fish, which does exist, but there's no sub-section for salmon. In order to find the recipes I'm looking for I need to remember that one was Chili-Glazed Salmon (found under "C" below fish) and the other Moroccan Salmon (found under "M" below fish). Virtually all of the recipes are indexed like this, so unless you remember the cute name they use, you're left to hunt and peck for what you're looking for. If there was an editor, he/she should take a look at some other cookbooks before they take another stab at editing one they hope is a success. When a cookbook is successful, people want to be able to find something that they have a vague recollection of liking. Cross-indexing in many ways makes a cookbook a pleasure to use and reach for time and again.

So, would I still buy this book? Sure, because it's not expensive and the recipes are good. But, I'll do my own math and dog-ear my favorite pages.

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MAKING YOUR HOME "SENIOR-FRIENDLY"

Chuck knows exactly what we face when we start to help take care of our parents. His book is perfect in helping caregivers to understand their position as a family member that has or will begin to assist aging parents. Functionality is great, but Chuck's discussion of attitude, helpfulness and creating the right environment of our parents is fantastic. This book is refreshing and can help to set the right tone to the future ahead. Just maybe the "golden years" can be golden with love and understanding.

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High-intensity home training

I have developed my own weight training regime based partially on some of the techniques suggested by Robert Kennedy, but mostly by using the techniques developed by Dr. Darden. High intensity and super slow are the two most important aspects of putting on muscle mass. In my case, I'm 44 yrs old with a long history of running, soccer, and triathlon sports. Due to a knee injury I decided to turn myself into a weight lifter. In 10 weeks I have gone from a lean (& partially atrophied) 150 lbs post-op from knee surgery to 165 lbs of muscle mass that is all in my chest, back, arms, and one good leg. My waist has stayed constant and 32", but have I got a set of Abs now. Keep in mind I can't do any exercise that involves too much stress on my other knee. Real squats are out. The exercise and gain in muscle mass has helped the injured knee and associated muscles progress at a rapid rate so I do not look unbalanced.

I think those are neat gains and I see myself topping out near or above 170. That weight gain and shape change on me is dramatic.

My problem is that I train at home and while I have put together a pretty good array of equipment there are exercises recommended by both authors that cannot be done at home cheaply or easily. I would like to get and read this book by Dr. Darden on home gyms so that I can determine what improvements I can make in my own set up. PLEASE REPRINT THIS BOOK!

This book is one of 42 published by this author. Personally I have read five of his books, and this one is a good fit for the person tired of the gym scene yet still wants to get a good workout without spending a fortune. Gives you a great program to workout at home and get results without having to use all the fancy equipment of a gym!

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The People's Pharmacy Quick and Handy Home Remedies: Q&As for Your Common Ailments

THE PEOPLE'S PHARMACY:

Quick & Handy Home Remedies

(Q&As for your common ailments)

By: Joe and Terry Graedon

These are strange and frequently disturbing times, times when a source of entertainment frequently tells you the medicine your doctor wants you to "try" well there's a strong possibility it might kill you. Kill you, cause blindness, render skin rashes or heart stoppage.

This is not to say you should distrust your doctor or his medicines, but ideal, before you might meet an unfriendly medicine, you could encounter a home remedy, say an ounce of vinegar, soaking your raisins in sloe gin one which could keep you away from the medicine altogether. It was affirming when I learned my new doctor also takes the Joe and Terry Graedon's email newsletter.

The book is divided into three parts Home Remedies for specific ailments, Favorite Foods, and their nutritional bonuses and finally, Eating for Health.

The Joe and Terry Graedon are not physicians but scholars who hold graduate and doctoral degrees respectively. This book will compliment any family bookcase as a helpful guide to what ails you, when your complaint isn't life threatening.

Part I, (sample cases)

Complaint: Canker Sores -Aloe vera, baking soda, baking soda, buttermilk, green beans, kiwi, Mylanta even styptic pencil. They present a letter from a sufferer, and then they offer their response. It's valuable to hear the patient's complaints and helpful to be able to try some of the suggested solutions. They present instances from acne to wound card.

Complaint: Plantar Fasciitis, solutions using cherry juice, others using fish oil came in.

Complaint: Heartburn brought solutions from using almonds, baking soda, banana, broccoli even chewing gum.

Complaint: Nail Fungus was controlled with cornmeal, dandruff shampoo, hydrogen peroxide, iodine. Listerine, urine and Tea Tree Oil.

Second portion, Part I, Favorite Foods

From coffee through mustard, pineapple to hot peppers, cinnamon to cherries, they have chosen 24 in all. For instance, oolong tea has been helpful for fibromyalgia.

Part II: Fine a discussion on certain popular diets and some menu suggestions along with select recipes.

In these times when so many lack medical insurance, an investment in this book might be a good idea.

I have already had occasion to pull the book out twice and look for a home remedy (once for a burn and once for a leg cramp)...and both worked great! There are many things that happen in our daily lives that are annoying and/or painful, but do not merit a doctor's visit. This book is easy to use and great for these occurences!

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I have the "People's Pharmacy Quick and Handy Remedies" book and love it.

I find all the information so easy to find on any subject I look up. I have

tried several of the remedies and find they have been very helpful. Especially the ones on Joint Pain and Arthritis. I have always enjoyed Joe and Terry's newpaper columns and their TV appearances. Now I am enjoying this new book and would recommend it to everyone.

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I so enjoy this book. I've looked up so many helpful things that give good perspective. I deal with a heart condition (pacemaker), osteoporosis and cholesterol. So proper foods and natural treatments are vitally important to me.

I highly recommend this book to those who are interested in a natural approach to daily self-care.

Thanks,

Gerry Comstock

Springfield, Mo.

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Kudos to the Pharmacy people for putting out books like these. So many people want to try out homeopathic remedies before having to see a doctor for what may be a minor problem. A very useful book.

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Fitness Cycling (Fitness Spectrum Series)

Easy to get more improvement with great recomment training ideas,

from easy to extremely hard, from beginners to elite cyclist.

Get its, and make you fit!

Good books for person who interest in cycling sports

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Woman's Comfort Book: A Self-Nurturing Guide for Restoring Balance in Your Life

I must have given this book half a dozen times as a gift to friends or family members who were in need of a little nurturing, or who needed an excuse to spend a little more time on themselves. This book has dozens of ideas for activities to help you through a day, and even a little categorized index to look for a project based on how you're feeling at the moment.

A real treasure! Give it to a loved one by itself, or in combination with a nice journal or blank book and a couple of fun pens (I recommend purple), and she will know you care about her. Better yet, buy one for yourself.

This book is a keeper for me and my clients. It's another valuable resource for women. Learning how to better nuture yourself is never a waste of time, and this book is a great tool to help guide you along.

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So often women are either cast in the role of care-giver, or place ourselves in that role; often we either feel guilty taking the time to care for ourselves the way we do our families and friends, or somehow perhaps think we don't deserve it.

This simple to use guide helps us first to focus on how we are feeling, getting in touch with what we need. A simple directory of 'situations' gives page numbers for suggested activities.

The activities range from the sublime to the ridiculous, but don't laugh at any of them until you have tried them. Just leafing through the book without even doing any of the suggestions seems to help me destress; just the reminder that I can do things to nourish my body and spirit is a wonderful revitalizer.

I have given away close to a dozen copies of this book to friends who are used to putting themselves and their needs last on the list of priorities. I can not praise it highly enough for women who can not find time, energy, or inclination to give to themselves the care and love that they give those around them.

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This, the first in a priceless series of books by Jennifer Louden,is truly a "must have" for every woman. The book is full of useable suggestions on how to practice the lost art of self-care,all arranged in an easy to use format. It does take some practice learning to take care of yourself, but this book gives you the permission and the resources to do so.

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I keep buying this book over and over I have given it to friends in crises and at turning points. I can't say enough good things about The woman's comfort book. It is a resource that you will never tire of!!

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Fitness for Travelers: The Ultimate Workout Guide for the Road

This book was just what I needed to maintain my workouts while traveling. The sections on different exercises with or without equipment were perfect, because you can't always predict what space/equipment will be available.

I bought this for a friend who is on the road constantly. She loved it--and it has gotten her working out regularly everyday from her hotel room. I'm now buying a copy for myself. :-)

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Couples Therapy Homework Planner (PracticePlanners)

This book an excellent tool for counselors involved in counseling couples. It has some great thought provoking assignments that the couple can do at home and then process in session. I feel that the homework presented in the planner will save the counselor time but also increase the counselor's knowledge of how to best help the couple.

I am a therapist and have found the handouts and activities in this book to be very helpful in my work with couples. You will particularly like these handouts if you prefer solution-focused or strategic therapy. Some of the activities require the clients to commit for more than an hour or day, but if the clients will do them, they will find them helpful. I like how the activities help the clients stop doing "more of the same" and start making small changes to their interactions; it also helps them focus more on the positive things occurring in their relationships.

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I purchased this book with the Assignment's "disk" in August 2008. My computer is new technology and does not accomodate old technology, i.e. a diskette. I contacted the publisher John W. Wiley & Sons Inc., and requested they send a CD-ROM and they report that it has not been updated to CD-ROM as yet. I am appauled that they are selling old technology with their books! I expect to receive the new CD as soon as it is updated. Get with the times, guys. It's the 21st Century!!

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This workbook comes with CD that contains all the handouts for easy printing. Nice to not have to make up your own handouts.

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I like that the homework assignments are categorized by the presenting problem. The accompanying CD-ROM makes it easy to customize to the particular couple.

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Girl Talk: Hope, humor and hot topics for the young heart

I was at a devotion with my high school girlfriends that we have every week. My friend Chelsea had this book and read us one of the stories from it. It was so good. It made me examine my life and how I need to live so that I may become a women of God. I can't wait to get this book and read it!~*

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Home Gym Workouts: Gym Ball & Dumbbell Workouts for Women

Fun workouts to perform in the comfort of your own home and they get progressively more difficult, but can all be done in the same amount of time. No jargon, just straight forward honest advice. The provided exercise diagrams were particularly useful at first also. Most important, I am fitter, have lost weight, and am more toned. Thanks x

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Steampunk Your Wardrobe: Easy Projects to Add Victorian Flair to Everyday Fashions (Design Originals

Steampunk Your Wardrobe: Easy Projects to Add Victorian Flair to Everyday Fashions lives up to its title. After a brief definition of steampunk fashion, the author gives instructions for creating 20 trimmings, accessories, and garments, preferably from items thrifted or from the back of the reader's closet. The projects focus on the most conservative steampunk tropes: for example a necklace with key pendants, a mini top hat, a ruffled choker, and two appealing methods of ruching up long skirts. The author substitutes a plain black leather waist cincher for the common external corset made of brocade or satin. Largely missing are the more hardwarey, techy items such as goggles and gears. Oddly, also missing is the ubiquitous short bustle-overskirt, made of several ruffles of fancy materials sewn to a band, to be tied over the back of a skirt.

Some projects are not perceptibly steampunk. For example, a shoulder cape cut from the upper part of an oversized coat made of camel-colored wool, with two conservative brown leather toggles added. Many lack the flair and exuberance that would turn them from rather tacky makeovers to steampunk. It's an intriguing and practical idea to, instead of wearing thin external drawers, shorten a pair of suit pants in charcoal gray wool, and then add lace ruffles. But the lace ruffles should be a statement, not the narrow, meagerly gathered, cheap-looking little bands shown here. Then there is a bright red nylon lace circle top with wobbly stitching that is simply unfortunate.

The descriptions are somewhat lacking in detail for beginners, but this seems to have been required to fit 20 projects into a 103-page book. They are supplemented by good-quality photos, though most beginners will wish for additional technical shots. The real problem is the loving-hands-at-home look that pervades all projects. While I assume the publisher imposed space constraints, I wish the author had included techniques for finishing seams, hemming edges, and otherwise making higher-quality garments. For example, she could have just asked readers to use ribbons and scalloped laces for the layered, ruffled choker, instead of strips of fabrics that are shown fraying all over. And even though the projects are for beginners, it would be more inspiring to see them carried out with a professional degree of skill and taste. Take the wool shoulder cape made from a coat, mentioned above. According to the instructions, the coat is cut off at the level of the underarm seams, though the photos clearly show it at waist level, which is a better proportion but which would require some undescribed method of merging the upper sleeves into the body of the coat. It is unclear from the instructions and photos what is done with the lining. However, the outside of the coat shows the bottom of the wool bound in black cotton-poly bias binding--the usual narrow kind found at the notions counter for binding internal seams. This edge is finished, but that's all you can say for it. This shoulder cape would have been positively elegant with a wider outer facing in velvet or velveteen (a brown plaid print cut on the bias would be lovely), or with rich faux fur trimming. True, the author tells readers to vary her ideas at will--but for the most attractive results, they are positively required to.

This book is suitable for beginners who want quick gratification and who are willing to toss their projects aside after a few wearings. And for experienced sewists who know how to--and are willing to--fill out and modify the instructions to produce polished, durable garments. Steampunk isn't really about ruffles or gears: it's about style.

Terrific book for those who are interested in dressing with a little steampunk & victorian 'flair'! Projects are geared for folks with basic sewing and crafting skills perfect for a beginner and myself, new to the genre.

Particularly interested in the feather fascinator and the shoulder wrap have finished the feather fascinator and my daughter loves it! Highly recommend and hope Calista Taylor does more books on victorian or other historic period fashions Kudos!

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I was so glad when the book arrived. I was afraid that the items pictured, the patterns and instructions would be beyond me but I was happily wrong. The items are fairly inexpensive with respect to materials especially if, like me, you go to thrift stores. The patterns are very straight forward and the instructions are simple, of course the pictures included are a big help. I am Trying to decide on colors but expect to have my own "Steam Punk" outfit soon.

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This book is a great introduction to start 'steampunking' you start with a couple of very easy projects and progress. Nothing to complex or complicated but enough to give you more ideas and some good practice to go further.

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This is an excellent idea book for steampunk fashion, and concentrates on modifying existing clothing rather than creating from scratch.

That said, some of the techniques explained to modify the clothing is a little unnerving for a tailor. Much of the explanations are 'cut straight' without explaining how to avoid crooked hanging, or to leave excess for seam allowance, or to go off basic measurements and folded paper rather than an actual fitting or a pattern. This can lead to bad habits in young sewers.

Still, for a beginner, this book would be great for ideas.

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Dr. Ruth's Guide for the Alzheimer's Caregiver: How to Care for Your Loved One without Getting Overw

I've been a caregiver for my husband for 4 years & have read many books. Dr. Ruth is right on target with her frank, nonjudgmental discussion of the topic. She seems to face head on many of the emotions & thoughts that come with this new role that you are just not comfortable mentioning to people who are not walking this path.

I would recommend this to anyone whose life is touched by someone with Alzheimer's.

Dr. Ruth outlines some very practical ways to help your loved one with Alzheimer's by doing subtle routine every day things such as cooking, establishing a normal routine that help your loved one feel at peace. That was my first reading. If I go back and study her techniques more carefully, I am sure I will see some things I may have missed. A very good read.

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I found practical information here that I had not encountered elsewhere. I especially appreciated the advice for engaging others in support.

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The first pat of the book is clearly the author's area of expertise advice and counselling and it is well worth reading.

But the second part seems to be a synthesis of what the author has picked up from others and there are better informed sources of information on diagnosis and treatment. Also, sections on where to get help, facilities and legal and financial issues are directed at the US reader.

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Dr. Ruth's book considers many aspects of caregiving, not written about in other books for caregivers. She covers complications such family issues, and sexual considerations. This is a book that a caregiver can really use and discover answers while reading and rereading. No one has all the answers but Dr. Ruth provides reasonable responses to tough questions.

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Handbook of Recreational Games

My interest in the book is primarily in the fact that Boyd was the mentor to Viola Spolin, the inventor of theatre games. Boyd's approach to play had a strong effect on Spolin's approach to directing, and it is from her experiences as a director that Spolin evolved her own classic book, IMPROVISATION FOR THE THEATRE. A comparison between the books reveals the theoretical links between these to remarkable teachers.

I purchased this book when I first started teaching theatre to children. It was listed in the bibliography of Viola Spolin's book, Theatre Games for the Classroom.

It is great! I never run out of sources of games for my classes. I now have 3 teachers who work with my program and I give every one of them a copy of this book when they start.

The games are simple, imaginative and teach socialization and collaborative skills, while being so fun that the kids request the games over and over again.

I highly recommend it.

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I found this book in a Viola Spolin class. The games are fun and funny for all ages.

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The Complete Guide to Alzheimer's-Proofing Your Home (Revised Edition)

Mark Warner's book on Alzheimer's proofing your home is more than a how to book. Mr. Warner gives an in-depth description of the ways in which Alzheimer's disease affects a person's life, and the life of the extended family. By understanding the disease in depth and the changes that take place in a person physical and emotional need, there is a context to understanding why modifications and alterations are needed. He explains what to do and why to do it. His approach is that of a loving caregiver who not only wants to make the home safe and secure, but also wants to raise the quality of life. . Modifications are practical, but also designed to bring comfort. Even after over two decades of working professionally with people with memory loss, many of his suggestions caught me by surprise. I kept saying to myself, "why didn't I think of that?" He addresses all the behaviors associated with the disease, from wandering to agitation, and suggests environment solutions that could ease the situation. Not only will this bring a higher level of comfort to the person with the disease, but many of the suggestions are a benefit for anyone who wishes to have a safe and barrier free home. I recommend this book to anyone caring for someone with Alzheimer's, anyone involved in home care, and anyone who is interested in altering environments to meet specific needs of unique individuals. Like any thoughtful book, his ideas about adapting environments to the needs of people with Alzheimer's disease also stretches one's thinking about changing environments for anyone with specific needs, or who wants to think about the highest level of safety for family members.

This book is a must for caregivers and professionals facing the challenges of Alzheimer's. It is the first book I've read devoted to Alzheimer's care that offers something more than reasons to institutionalize our people. Caregivers need information, options and where to access tools and resources before they can make informed decisions about their choices or their role as caregiver. As someone who spent 25 years designing rehabilitations plans for handicapped people and another 10 years facing the care of my husband, Tom, who died of this disease in our home, this is the first volume I've picked up that speaks of caregiving in positive, life-giving, do-able terms and not the drudgery that we are all led to believe consumes the process. While it offers pragmatic, workable, affordable solutions to caregivers, it never loses sight of the continued humanity and needs of our family members for love and regard in spite of their loss of cognitive skills. My experience as a caregiver was met with nothing but obsticles in my quest to keep my husband home, a journey I relate in my book, "He Used to be Somebody." I found Tom's care problems were 75% attitude and 25% tools, resources and help. This book offers both to families. I highly recommend it.

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Since first reading this book over 14 months ago, I've found it a constant source for information and resources. It addresses the problems I encounter on a daily basis AND gives sources for products that I can use to provide better care for my loved one.

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What an impressive book you get 400+ pages of ways to make life more comfortable for someone with Alzheimers. These also help the caregiver in a variety of situations.

The advice covers things like how to deal with wandering and gives four types of this behavior. It tells how to eliminate places to hide and rummage, coping with fears (of bathing, of strangers, of abandonment), and managing incontinence.

The book helps with mobility issues, addresses safety and how to manage daily living. It includes a valuable section (38 pages) lists where to find special products from stair lifts to bathing aids to ramps to bedwetting alarms.

I'm so glad to see a book this comprehensive to assist with Alzheimer's needs.

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This is a wonderful resource book it has several of my favorite things a good resource book has to have. Great problem solving ideas for at home alzheimer's care, you never thought of before but wonder why you didn't. A fantastic table of contents, where under each chaper is listed all the ideas contained. And an extensive index in the back, so you have a second way of finding the particular problem you are trying to solve. In the book there are sidebars on each page that show the names of companies that sell the products they mention on that page (there's a list in back of book showing address and phone number of each company). Also suggested conversations for diversion/redirection are in sidebars. I really glad to have this book as a resource for me to help my clients. It's jammed full of ideas.

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Looking Good: Wardrobe Planning and Personal Style Development

Nancy Nix-Rice introduces the concept of "clothes capsules" in her book "Looking Good." These are sets of your existing clothes (or helped out with items you might want to purchase.) These are tops that go with slacks, skirts, the accessories. You put them together in your closet and never have to say "I don't have anything to wear." You also can learn to purchase items (even those tempting bargains) that fit with the capsules.

But that isn't all that is in here. There is scarf-tying help, accessory advice, color advice for your complexion, make-up advice including a face chart, sewing information, mending, clothes and fabric care, renovation and remodeling out-of-style clothes, and how to pick the proper clothes to flatter any figure. And I mean ANY. She has photos that are astonishing, showing how even someone with a very full figure can instantly improve the very same outfit by using a buckle, the right color stockings and the right hem length.

Just about anything you'd need to know about keeping your wardrobe up to date and flattering to you is in this book.

This book has helped me make many positive changes. In fact, although I have owned it for many years, I have it out once again to review and get things back in order or in other words, "brush up" on my image. For anyone in or entering into the corporate world...it is an absolute MUST READ! Covering such topics of how you look, making do with very little, and excellent tips for business and pleasure traveling, it is a "how to" manual of sorts. Beginning with the basic clothing and storage space that you already own..sorting and editing, building onto your wardrobe with inexpensive accessories, packing for travel, updating closets and storage areas, selecting the most versatile styles, and ending with great tips on how to care for all. For travel it is amazing how few items can become so many combinations. The information on organizing is a definite read for women and men. If you haven't had the opportunity to read this fabulous "manual", treat yourself now! You may want to go ahead and order several because you WILL want to share it with friends!

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I will give this book the thumbs up for the good content, the good tips on dressing and choosing the right kind of clothes based on both your personal style and your colour group. My only 2 dissatisfactions are: 1. Limiting dress styles to only the 4 groups are not realistic, I cannot find myself fitting into any of them. 2. The pictures are out-dated, with dress styles showing out-of-date clothes and accessories. I think this book should be given a new look (which is what it is supposed to help women to achieve!) of up-to-date examples of just what they are trying to show.

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This book is a strong reference piece with useful illustrations. I agree with other reviewers that the styles and color palettes could benefit from an update. The advice offered is sound, however, and regardless of outdated fashion lines in the examples they clearly convey the concept being illustrated.

In addition to the illustrations the reader is asked to evaluater her wardrobe using charts and graphs. Questionaires about preference are included as well as a measurement worksheet to help the reader sort out the information being presented. It may sound like a lot of information but it is an easy, managable approach

The manner in which these ideas are illustrated is the real strength of this piece-if the reader is very visual this is the book to have. The graphs, charts, and questionaires in the book also offer the reader options for reflection.

Frankly there are several other books available which offer very similar information, but I would still recommend having this one on hand as a reference.

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I have major closet organization problems. This book has a great section on CLOSET CONTROL. What a great name for a great section.

This book also has great sections on the "Closet Capsule," Accessories, and "Shopping Smart." There is also a great section on what to know before you shop.

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The Day My Brain Exploded: A True Story

Everyone has bad days, but back in 2000, Ashok Rajamani, a young man just coming into his own in the world, had a really bad day. Just before his brother's wedding, he suffered from a brain aneurysm caused by an Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM). The circulatory knot of arteries and veins, a congenital malformation, had ruptured; the literal ticking time bomb had gone off in spectacular fashion. The good news was that Ashok survived; the bad news was that the person that he had been had died. His account tells of his physical and mental struggles and how he came to an uneasy peace with the realization that he was now Ashok 2.0, a person who suffered from an odd form of blindness, epileptic seizures and visual hallucinations. Written in a conversational tone replete with healthy doses of gallows humor, especially when touching on doctors, and their advice or lack of it, his story is more than just an accounting of a recovery from a serious medical issue. He also examines what makes an individual unique through looking at his relationships and his experiences growing up as an South Indian American in the USA.

I received this book as part of Library Thing's Early Reviewer program.

From the second I started reading the first page, the author fully captivated my attention and I could not put the book down. Although the author's narration went from the present, past, and the future, the story was seamless and maintained total continuity throughout the book. The author had less than 1% chance of survival yet by God's grace he did survive to pen this remarkable memoir.

I was really touched by the story narrated by the author on page 243 where he encountered a boy who also had a brain surgery due to AVM . His mother told Ashok (Author) that, "The surgery made him paralyzed from the waist down. And he's been left completely retarded. But everyday I thank God that he survived...." Finally she said My baby is alive, alive, alive." His comforting words to the mother gave the readers a sense of Ashok's sensibility and the author's hope for every one affected by Brain Hemorrhage.

The best part of the book is the Author's mother's daily heart rendering letters to God and her son. It almost look like with the help of the almighty she singlehandedly brought life to her son.

This book is written extremely well and speaks to the heart of readers like me. I very strongly recommend this book and cannot wait to read his second book!!

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I simply cannot put this book down. Ashok leaves himself out there.from the truth of how it happened, to feelings of life afterwards, all emotions. Funny snippets. The truth of life before and after. This is more than a book about a brain injury. LOVE IT!!!!!

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You can't help but have an increased awareness of the inner workings of perhaps a tbi peron you pass by in your worldly path. Ashok's humor help to see the sensitivitiy of young man growing through a traumatic change in his life. He also shows how important the support from family and friends are in difficult times. Even in his impaired thinking he realized he must understand enough about his condition to make decision's regarding his treatment No profession, despite the arrogance of the professionals is worthy of blind faith.

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I received my copy of "The Day My Brain exploded yesterday and I can't put it down. I was immediately drawn into the drama of the tragedy this family had to endure and could relate to much of it.

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