4 Key Foods, 4-Minute Workouts, Four Weeks to the Body You Want

Discover the 4 key foods and the 4-minute workouts that will change the way readers look and feel in just 4 weeks. Celebrity trainer and former marine Erin Oprea's motto is "lean and clean." Her unique 4 x 4 diet shows readers how to get clean by reducing the 4 major hitches in most diets: sugar, starch, sodium, and alcohol. She also tells readers how to get lean, using her 4-minute tabata workouts: 8 repititions of 20 seconds of high-intensity moves, then 10 seconds of rest. Within 4 weeks, the average person will be able to reduce bloating and belly fat; gain increased muscle definition in the arms, legs, and stomach; improve cardiovascular endurance; and break sugar and sodium addictions. Complete with meal plans and recipes, the 4 x 4 diet is perfect for anyone looking to streamline their body and lifestyle.

My thoughts:

Erin has found a way to incorporate diet and exercise into our already busy lives, without having to add a ton of added expense or unrealistic expectations! The 4x4 diet is really simple and easy to understand, and Erin's ideas on a healthy lifestyle are very easy to implement. She eases you into the program slowly and each week is a new challenge. The recipes are absolutely delicious! I've tried a few of them already and I have loved every one! 

*Disclaimer*

I received this book free from bloggingforbooks.org

Create the cutest versions of your favorite dogs in just a few simple steps

Whether you adore dachshunds or dalmatians, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make charming miniatures of them with a felting needle and some raw wool. Great for beginners, the two dozen projects in Little Felted Dogs provide surprisingly life-like results—choose from a litter of golden retriever puppies, a pug ready to fetch, a begging bulldog, a protective chihuahua, and more. Even better, you’ll go from ball of fluff to perfect pooch in no time at all!

*My Thoughts*
This book is super cute if I may say so myself. I mainly got this book for my wife and 12 year old daughter. They are always looking for new crafts to try, and this book is just right! I can't wait to see all of the cute lil' pups they create! 

If you are looking for a new craft, I suggest you check out this book! 

*Disclaimer*
I received this book free in exchange for my honest review. 

Become your own budget wedding planner with this classic book—fully revised and expanded...

Become your own budget wedding planner with this classic book—fully revised and expanded to include advice on personalizing your event and using online planning tools

Designing a wedding that is priceless and perfect for you has never been easier. No matter how many guests you hope to invite or what kind of setting you choose, you don’t have to take on big debts to achieve your big day. 

For more than a decade, Priceless Weddings for Under $5,000 has helped couples craft unique and meaningful celebrations while saving money on every aspect—even the high-ticket items. Completely revised, updated, and expanded with more than 25% new material, this edition reveals the secrets and resources for planning a wedding like a pro.  You’ll learn how to make every detail and every dollar count with:

·         All-new chapters on envisioning your ideal event as well as using online resources and apps to find the most creative options and the best deals 

·         A questionnaire to help you decide—as a couple—on your top priorities for the day

·         Strategies for making—and keeping to—a budget 

·         Dozens of unexpected ideas for booking a low-cost venue

·         Tactics for negotiating with caterers, florists, musicians, and photographers

·         Advice on which elements you can DIY to save thousands (without risking your sanity)

·         Menu plans, recipes, and many other low-cost alternatives for the food and drinks 

·         Tips for finding stylish attire at a fraction of the cost

·         Real-life couples’ wedding stories, including complete budget breakdowns

Priceless Weddings for Under $5,000 proves you can create a celebration that everyone remembers forever, and still end up with plenty of money for the happy future.

*My Thoughts*

When I deployed in 2010,my wife took a course and is now a certified Bridal Consultant. It thought this book might help her out not only when helping others plan their wedding, but alsot help her(us) plan our vow renewal ceremony for our 10 yr anniversary. 

After skimming through the book, I gave it to my wife. We both found book to be wonderful! It has real-life solutions for brides-to-be. The average wedding in the U.S. costs tens of thousands of dollars and that simply too much if you ask me(and even if you don't ask, haha). In the 5 years that my wife has helpd couples plan their wedding I have learned that the he bridal industry takes advantage of brides who want their day to be a "once in a lifetime" event. Kathleen Kennedy helps you do just that, but with budget conscious ideas. This book is not about cutting corners. It is about making priorities and planning a wedding that truly reflects who the bridal couple is; that, as Kennedy explains, does not have to break the bank.

*Disclaimer*
I received this book free from bloggingforbooks.org in exchange for my review. 

Book Review - Asian Dumplings by Andrea Nguyen "Is there anything more satisfying than a well-made Asian dumpling?"

Plump pot stickers, spicy samosas, and tender bāo (stuffed buns) are enjoyed by the million every day in dim sum restaurants, streetside stands, and private homes worldwide. Wrapped, rolled, or filled; steamed, fried, or baked–Asian dumplings are also surprisingly easy to prepare, as Andrea Nguyen demonstrates in Asian Dumplings. 

Nguyen is a celebrated food writer and teacher with a unique ability to interpret authentic Asian cooking styles for a Western audience. Her crystal-clear recipes for more than 75 of Asia’s most popular savory and sweet parcels, pockets, packages, and pastries range from Lumpia (the addictive fried spring rolls from the Philippines) to Shanghai Soup Dumplings (delicate thin-skinned dumplings filled with hot broth and succulent pork) to Gulab Jamun (India’s rich, syrupy sweets). 

Organized according to type (wheat pastas, skins, buns, and pastries; translucent wheat and tapioca preparations; rice dumplings; legumes and tubers; sweet dumplings), Asian Dumplings encompasses Eastern, Southeastern, and Southern Asia, with recipes from China, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Tibet, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. 

Throughout, Nguyen shares the best techniques for shaping, filling, cooking, and serving each kind of dumpling. And she makes it easy to incorporate dumplings into a contemporary lifestyle by giving a thorough introduction to essential equipment and ingredients and offering make-ahead and storage guidance, time-saving shortcuts that still yield delectable results, and tips on planning a dumpling dinner party. 

More than 40 line drawings illustrate the finer points of shaping many kinds of dumplings, including gyōza/pot stickers, wontons, and samosas. Dozens of mouth-watering color photographs round outAsian Dumplings, making it the most definitive, inviting, inspiring book of its kind.

-My Thoughts-
I am a foodie, so I absolutely loved just about everything in this book. It brought back memories from when I spent 6 months in Korea. I cannot wait for my wife and children to try some of the items in this book. The photos are gorgeous and the recipies are easy to follow. If you are looking for a new cookbook, I highly recommend this book! 

*Disclaimer*
I received this book free from the pusblisher in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions on my are my own. 

Plump pot stickers, spicy samosas, and tender bāo (stuffed buns) are enjoyed by the million every day in dim sum restaurants, streetside stands, and private homes worldwide. Wrapped, rolled, or filled; steamed, fried, or baked–Asian dumplings are also surprisingly easy to prepare, as Andrea Nguyen demonstrates in Asian Dumplings.

Nguyen is a celebrated food writer and teacher with a unique ability to interpret authentic Asian cooking styles for a Western audience. Her crystal-clear recipes for more than 75 of Asia’s most popular savory and sweet parcels, pockets, packages, and pastries range from Lumpia (the addictive fried spring rolls from the Philippines) to Shanghai Soup Dumplings (delicate thin-skinned dumplings filled with hot broth and succulent pork) to Gulab Jamun (India’s rich, syrupy sweets).

Organized according to type (wheat pastas, skins, buns, and pastries; translucent wheat and tapioca preparations; rice dumplings; legumes and tubers; sweet dumplings), Asian Dumplings encompasses Eastern, Southeastern, and Southern Asia, with recipes from China, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Tibet, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Throughout, Nguyen shares the best techniques for shaping, filling, cooking, and serving each kind of dumpling. And she makes it easy to incorporate dumplings into a contemporary lifestyle by giving a thorough introduction to essential equipment and ingredients and offering make-ahead and storage guidance, time-saving shortcuts that still yield delectable results, and tips on planning a dumpling dinner party.

More than 40 line drawings illustrate the finer points of shaping many kinds of dumplings, including gyōza/pot stickers, wontons, and samosas. Dozens of mouth-watering color photographs round out Asian Dumplings, making it the most definitive, inviting, inspiring book of its kind.

I'm an archaeologist, but probably not the one you were expecting. | {{Book Review}} Big Bang Generation

I'm an archaeologist, but probably not the one you were expecting. | {{Book Review}} Big Bang Generation

Christmas 2015, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Imagine everyone's surprise when a time portal opens up in Sydney Cove. Imagine their shock as a massive pyramid now sits beside the Harbour Bridge, inconveniently blocking Port Jackson and glowing with energy. Imagine their fear as Cyrrus "the mobster" Globb, Professor Horace Jaanson and an alien assassin called Kik arrive to claim the glowing pyramid. Finally imagine everyone's dismay when they are followed by a bunch of con artists out to spring their greatest grift yet.

This gang consists of Legs (the sexy comedian), Dog Boy (providing protection and firepower), Shortie (handling logistics), Da Trowel (in charge of excavation and history) and their leader, Doc (busy making sure the universe isn't destroyed in an explosion that makes the Big Bang look like a damp squib).

And when someone accidentally reawakens The Ancients of the Universe - which, Doc reckons, wasn't the wisest or best-judged of actions – things get a whole lot more complicated…

My Thoughts:

The Big Bang Generation is yet another awesome novel in the Doctor Who series. I really enjoyed this book, and I know my oldest child will as well! Be warned there is mild language in this book

{{Book Review}} Doctor Who: Deep Time | "I do hope you’re all ready to be terrified!"

The Phaeron disappeared from the universe over a million years ago. They travelled among the stars using roads made from time and space, but left only relics behind. But what actually happened to the Phaeron? Some believe they were they eradicated by a superior force… Others claim they destroyed themselves.

 

Or were they in fact the victims of an even more hideous fate?

In the far future, humans discover the location of the last Phaeron road – and the Doctor and Clara join the mission to see where the road leads. 

 

Each member of the research team knows exactly what they’re looking for – but only the Doctor knows exactly what they’ll find.

Because only the Doctor knows the true secret of the Phaeron: a monstrous secret so terrible and powerful that it must be buried in the deepest grave imaginable…

*My Review*

I am a HUGE Doctor Who fan, and absolutely loved this book. "Doctor Who:Deep Time" is a nicely written book. My 12 year old loves to read, so I will be passing this book on to them to read as well. I can't wait to read the other books. The cover is pretty cool as well! 

*Disclaimer*

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my opinion. All opinions are my own. 

Book Review: Treat

The best dump-and-stir dessert just got better.
 
With creative mix-ins, homemade marshmallows in 10 fun flavors, and toppings galore, Crispy Treats takes this tried-and-true, easy-peasy snack-time favorite to the next level. Without fancy equipment—or even an oven—you can mix and match candies, chocolates, and more to make 40 irresistible goodies, including such flavors as: 
 


   • Salted Caramel & Pretzel 
   • Chocolate-Hazelnut 
   • Peanut Butter Cup 
   • Berry Cobbler 
   • Gingerbread 
   • Key Lime Pie 
   • Peanut Butter Cup 
   • White Chocolate–Cranberry 

*My Thoughts*
I love rice crispy treats, and this book has opened up a whole new world of possibilities. Some of my favorites are keylime pie, gingerbread, & peanut butter cup. If you like sweets, then you will want to check out this book! 

Disclamier:
I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. 

With creative mix-ins, homemade marshmallows in 10 fun flavors, and toppings galore, Crispy Treats takes this tried-and-true, easy-peasy snack-time favorite to the next level. Without fancy equipment—or even an oven—you can mix and match candies, chocolates, and more to make 40 irresistible goodies, including such flavors as: 
 


   • Salted Caramel & Pretzel 
   • Chocolate-Hazelnut 
   • Peanut Butter Cup 
   • Berry Cobbler 
   • Gingerbread 
   • Key Lime Pie 
   • Peanut Butter Cup 
   • White Chocolate–Cranberry 
   • Cookies & Cream

With creative mix-ins, homemade marshmallows in 10 fun flavors, and toppings galore, Crispy Treats takes this tried-and-true, easy-peasy snack-time favorite to the next level. Without fancy equipment—or even an oven—you can mix and match candies, chocolates, and more to make 40 irresistible goodies, including such flavors as: 
 


   • Salted Caramel & Pretzel 
   • Chocolate-Hazelnut 
   • Peanut Butter Cup 
   • Berry Cobbler 
   • Gingerbread 
   • Key Lime Pie 
   • Peanut Butter Cup 
   • White Chocolate–Cranberry 
   • Cookies & Cream