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Nyam Thyme
Posted by Literary Titan

If you are relatively new to exotic cooking, Nyam Thyme is the book for you. Author chef Jacqui Francis provides the reader with primarily healthy recipes that are easy and quick to prepare.
Author Jacqui eloquently describes foods and drinks in her cookbook which transported me to a tropical oasis with rum and jerk ribs. I enjoyed the Jamaican traditions that the author shares with us in her book making this a personable read.
I appreciated that the author included images of the spices so that I can easily purchase these items either in-store or online. Chef Jacqui also provides images of the recipe itself as well as an image of the finished product making this a colorful read that is sure to make you hungry.
The author provides recipes for soups, salads, meats, drinks, and much more. I felt like I was in the kitchen with my mother learning her recipes. I love salt, but Jacqui recommends no salt on several recipes, and she is absolutely correct, no salt is necessary as there is already so much flavor.
The drinks section is a fun chapter because the author provides dishes to pair with the dishes which is great if you are hosting a dinner party. My favorite section, of course, is the desserts! The bread pudding recipe looks and sounds delicious. I also must point out that Chef Jacqui adds her personal touch to each recipe down to the name of the recipes.
I highly recommend Nyam Thyme as chef Jacqui Francis provides you with all the tools necessary to serve dinner, drinks, and desserts. I enjoyed the fun facts about Jamaica at the end of the book as I was able to learn more about people and places. I recommend this cookbook to anyone who is on the lookout for some new recipes to impress their friends with! Have fun trying some great new dishes!
Pages: 100 | ASIN : B09GPFHG3N
Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, book reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, Chef Jacqui Francis, cooking, dieting, ebook, food, food counters, goodreads, health, kindle, kobo, literature, nonfiction, nook, novel, Nyam Thyme, read, reader, reading, story, travel, weightloss food, writer, writing
It’s Time To Be Inspired
Posted by Literary Titan

It’s Time to be Inspired inspires readers to live a better life. The author writes about life experiences, sharing situations that she has been though and how she overcame obstacles. Author Garcia Douglas is an excellent writer and amazing at giving motivational talks. Reading this book is like a form of therapy. The reader gets the impression of being heard when reading the text in the book. It’s Time to be Inspired is the kind of book that one reads and keeps it for future reference because the message by the author is not only inspiring, but can also be used to help one out of difficult situations. I enjoyed reading Garcia Douglas’ thoughts and the advice she shared.
I felt connected to the author from the start of the book. The introduction part of the book was well written and gets one to familiarize oneself with the author a bit. I enjoyed reading about finding a way out and getting solutions. When Garcia Douglas talks about a problem, she gives the reader time to think and reflect, then offers possible solutions. I found this technique that she uses to be helpful as it made me improve my critical thinking skills. The author oozes wisdom with every new page and that is one of the many reasons why everyone should read this book. Her content appeals to young and older readers, students, business folk, parents, children, professionals, and everyone that is striving to be better versions of themselves.
There is a variety of topics that the author talked about in depth. I enjoyed every subject covered and mostly loved the content she had about staying positive and living one’s dreams. Not many people get to live their dreams. Life can get to be complicated and thus deny things that they crave. Garcia Douglas however has a step by step guide that will enable you to enjoy the life that you have. As a reader, whether struggling or doing okay by yourself, Garcia Douglas has something for you. I applaud her for the warm words of encouragement and for writing about experiences that readers can resonate with. This book gives one a sense of positivity and fulfillment.
By the end of the reading, you get to appreciate life and swear to work harder and smarter. It is amazing how a book can change one’s perspective of life. The chapters on making money, being kind to others, never giving up, and staying motivated have wisdom that can be used throughout your life. This book will change your perspective on life and help you take a better approach to the obstacles in your life. The author gives lessons about personal relationships, career, family, personal growth, finances and better living. There are plenty of quotable lines in the book that one can live by. Garcia Douglas is full of warmth and prudence.
It’s Time to be Inspired is an uplifting and empowering book with pragmatic and actionable advice that I found to be useful today and in the future.
Pages: 62 | ASIN: B09D2BY1MT
Posted in Book Reviews, Four Stars
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, book reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, dieting, ebook, Garcia Douglas, goodreads, health, inspirational, IT’S TIME TO BE INSPIRED, kindle, kobo, life coach, literature, motivational, nonfiction, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, story, writer, writing
Beat Your Weight Beat Your Fat
Posted by Literary Titan
Beat Your Weight Beat Your Fat provides readers with dozens of useful tips for eating healthy and keeping fit. While writing, the author considered different kinds of eaters, diets, and food groups. What I liked about author Ian Breaker’s guide is that he offers solutions for everyone. While listing the downsides of certain food groups, Ian Breaker gives alternatives for people to use. Beat Your Weight Beat Your Fat is one of the best dieting and health books I’ve read so far this year. Ian Breaker understands the struggle people have with both weight gain and weight loss, and so he gently breaks down what should be done for each group.
How do you properly lose fat? Can you lose fat and not your weight? Is excess intake of water good? How does your body respond to certain proteins? Ian Breaker has answers to this and many other questions. The author extensively writes about dieting, the methods people choose, and why it is important to learn your body before choosing a particular dieting method. I like how Ian Breaker is raw and factual when talking about certain food trends. He does not sugar coat things and only lists helpful facts. Is it possible to lose weight without dieting? It is, and the author writes in detail why this is one of the best methods to use.
Beat Your Weight Beat Your Fat is a book that you want to keep throughout your fitness journey. Readers should keep this book even after achieving their desired body weight. This is because reading the authors refreshing words often will push one to stay fit and not relapse. This book has helped improve my relationship with food and even helped change my bad eating habits. The author will not only boost your confidence but also help you improve your interactions with others. There is a lot of positivity in the book which makes this an inspiration and motivational book as well as a health and dieting book.
One of the major lessons I learned in this book is that anything is possible if you are focused. You can have that hot body you dream of and still enjoy your favorite foods. All you need to do is be disciplined, eat right, and exercise. Ian Breaker is also sensitive when touching on delicate topics. At the end of the book, the reader feels satisfied with the information provided. I recommend Beat Your Weight Beat Your Fat to anyone conscious about their body, or anyone that just wants to eat healthy. This is an enlightening book that both encourages you and transforms you in more ways than one.
Pages: 142 | ASIN: B088D4P41S
Posted in Book Reviews, Four Stars
Tags: author, Beat Your Weight Beat Your Fat, bone health, book, book recommendations, book review, book reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, diet, dieting, ebook, exercise, goodreads, health, Ian Breaker, inspirational, kindle, kobo, literature, mens health, motivational, nonfiction, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, story, writer, writing
Keeping the Weight Off
Posted by Literary Titan

The What IF? Diet Plan takes readers through your dieting journey and how intermittent fasting changed your life. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I love this question because my book was born from the anger I felt towards the health/diet industry AND the freedom I experienced when I discovered intermittent fasting (IF) and began questioning my beliefs about health. For most of my life I struggled to lose weight by following guidance from popular coaches and health professionals, but could never stick to the regimes they touted. When I finally did manage to lose 100 pounds at one point, I was miserable because I was obsessed with food, exercise, and keeping the weight off. Once I had three kids and a full-time career in my mid-thirties, I gained the weight back and felt I just had to accept it – which wasn’t the case.
I felt that it was important to write this book because I know what it’s like to feel frustrated and confused about what, when, and how much to eat. I know what it’s like to feel uncomfortable in my own skin. And to be successful in every aspect of my life except my eating habits and weight issues.
I felt it was important because I know how lonely and maddening this can all be, and I wanted to do my small part to let others know that they are not alone and they are not crazy!
What do you feel is a common misconception people have about dieting?
A common misconception people have about dieting is that it is not supposed to be restrictive, expensive, or difficult. Plus, there is no “right” or “wrong” way to diet. In fact, the earliest meaning of the word diet was “way of living,” which means a diet should be something that comes to us naturally and fits in with our personal lifestyle.
What is the first step someone can take to start their weight loss journey?
I believe that limiting the timeframe in which you eat to a 12-hour daily window is a good first step for beginners. This small shift can help you be more cognizant of when you’re eating and to pay attention to your hunger cues. It also allows you to reap some of the benefits of fasting, since your body should be getting a break from digesting food for the 12-hours you are not eating.
I also recommend that people stop focusing on the scale when losing weight. Although this may seem counterintuitive, the number on the scale is actually a horrible predictor of our health and can sabotage our efforts. Instead, focus on implementing small, doable healthy changes that fit in with your personal lifestyle every few weeks, and weight loss will follow.
I appreciated all the tips in this book because they felt achievable. What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
I am so glad that you felt my tips were achievable because that’s exactly what I hope that readers take away from my book. I want them to realize that living a healthy lifestyle shouldn’t be an endeavor. It is possible to charge of our health and lose weight without sacrificing ourselves in the process.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
I’ve struggled with weight and hunger issues ever since childhood and always thought there was something wrong with me, or I had a “slow metabolism,” or I was just “big-boned.”
Turns out my body was completely normal and responding to learned eating habits, making it impossible to hear my body’s natural hunger cues. Once I started questioning my beliefs around food, body image, and culture, my world shifted!
I stopped obsessing over food, quit going to the gym, gained mental clarity, had more energy, and lost 50 pounds in the process.
Join me as I take you through my personal journey of weight gain, fad dieting, poor body image, and how discovering intermittent fasting changed my life exponentially! You will also learn:
– Why you feel hungry all the time, even after you’ve just eaten
– The simple process you can use to adapt intermittent fasting into your own lifestyle without sacrificing your personal values
– Tools you can use to shift your thinking and make your personal goals more attainable
– Tips for making intermittent fasting even easier
So, if you’re ready to take control of your health and get off the dieting hamster wheel, read my story and make The What IF? Diet Plan work for you.
Posted in Interviews
Tags: Alexis Cano, author, author interview, book, book recommendations, book review, book reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, diet, dieting, ebook, goodreads, health, kindle, kobo, literature, nonfiction, nook, novel, personal development, read, reader, reading, story, The What IF? Diet Plan, weight loss, writer, writing
Physical Fitness: XBX 12-Minute Plan for Women
Posted by Literary Titan
Physical Fitness XBX 12-Minute Plan for Women is a short book that provides an exercise program for women who are over 20. Each age group has a suggested length they should spend on each workout. Useful information on reasons why someone should be fit, weight control, and how exercising can change how you feel physically are also provided. In addition to tips, there are also charts that provide which exercises a woman needs to complete and how many for how long. There is also a useful chart to fill out goals and progress.
This book was a quick and interesting read. One of my favorite parts of the book was that it gave pointers on how to exercise by not exerting oneself and taking it slowly. Another part I loved was that they cautioned people, who may not be able to exercise, to consult with their doctor. It is important to note this because not everyone is on the same health or abilities level. Exercise should not hurt, and people should stretch beforehand as well as take it slow. That is why the author suggests a certain amount of days on each workout as well as not trying to get all the exercises done in the amount of time if you struggle with it in the beginning. I think it is great to tell people to slowly build up their workout routine rather than trying to rush and possibly harm themselves. While it seems like there are a lot of exercises to do in a short amount of time, the book does state to do them at your own pace and continue to work toward the goal. Do not get overwhelmed or be intimidated. It is important to not hurt or strain yourself.
I also like that there are charts to show you what exercises to do, how long to do them, and how many to do. The chart was a little confusing at first but easily understood with the explanation. The pictures in the book are very useful. Not many people, myself included, would know what some of the exercises were. Additionally, with each increase in the charts, new steps are added to the exercises. The illustrations show exactly how the exercise should be completed and really help with any confusion. Finally, if you have a physical copy of the book, it gives you spaces to write goals and where you are. So if you have a specific goal to meet weight wise, you can write it in the book.
There were a couple of things I would have liked to see. For instance, the author mentions how research indicates certain aspects of health and exercise, but it would give it more credibility with references. The book mentioned healthy eating, as such, I think it would have been better to include more detail on this topic. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who would be interested in looking to help with their sedentary lifestyle.
Pages: 100 | ISBN: 1910843008
Posted in Book Reviews, Four Stars
Tags: alibris, author, author life, authors, barnes and noble, book, book club, book geek, book lover, bookaholic, bookbaby, bookblogger, bookbub, bookhaul, bookhub, bookish, bookreads, books of instagram, booksbooksbooks, bookshelf, bookstagram, bookstagramer, bookwitty, bookworks, bookworm, bx plans, bxplans, diet, dieting, ebook, exercise, fitness, goodreads, health, ilovebooks, indiebooks, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, performance, Physical Fitness XBX 12-Minute Plan for Women, publishing, read, reader, reading, self help, shelfari, smashwords, story, UK, united kingdom, weight loss, women, workout, writer, writer community, writing
Gain Weight… Lose Your Mate
Posted by Literary Titan
Life happens. We all know this and generally don’t have to be reminded of this truth. Along with the rigors of work, family, and relationships come changes in metabolism and eating habits. Women seem to bear the brunt of these changes with weight gain following the transition into marriage and motherhood. Make no mistake about it, women are well aware of the changes their bodies undergo, and they are hyper aware of the impact their weight gain has on relationships and their overall health. Whether women work to lose weight or not, they don’t need reminding that their bodies are changing in ways they may not necessarily like.
Carl Turner’s Gain Weight…Lose Your Mate examines the tendency of women to gain weight and focus less on maintaining the size they were upon entering the relationship with their mate or spouse. Turner spends a significant amount of time examining men’s awe regarding their girlfriends’ and wives’ seeming unwillingness to lose weight following childbirth. Though I understand some of the reasoning Turner sets forth, he focuses rather relentlessly on the desire men have to see their wives lose the baby weight.
Another aspect of Turner’s writing lies in the fact that he relates men’s feelings to the physical appearance of their wives and girlfriends. According to the author, there is a certain level of happiness most men feel as a direct result of their wives’ physical appearance, and that level of happiness is negatively impacted by their choices not to pursue exercise and healthier eating habits.
Peppered throughout Turner’s book are scenarios and examples of couples coping with the woman’s weight gain. Turner presents these situations in order to better illustrate his point but succeeds only in making men look more and self-centered. In once such scenario, Turner introduces a brief scene in which one man tells his wife that he will leave his wife alone with their children if she keeps her weight as is and doesn’t find a way to drop the extra weight she gained after having the two children. Sharing this story would have been effective had Turner used it to explain the selfishness behind the man’s comments. However, Turner goes on to explain that men don’t care what their mates eat as long as their weight/appearance is not negatively affected in their opinions.
Turner does include research-based measures and manages to warn readers of the consequences of obesity and the ensuing health conditions which result from overeating and failing to exercise regularly.
Turner’s writing style is straightforward and polished. Overall, I am mortified by the tone taken by the author and feel the writing lacks solid advice to rectify an issue rather than pointing out that there is a problem. His point of view is well crafted and easily understood.
Pages: 140 | ASIN: B079K5D4FY
Posted in Book Reviews, Three Stars
Tags: alibris, author, author life, authors, barnes and noble, book, book club, book geek, book lover, bookaholic, bookbaby, bookblogger, bookbub, bookhaul, bookhub, bookish, bookreads, books of instagram, booksbooksbooks, bookshelf, bookstagram, bookstagramer, bookwitty, bookworks, bookworm, carl turner, dieting, divorce, ebook, exercise, family, fitness, Gain Weight Lose Your Mate, goodreads, health, ilovebooks, indiebooks, kindle, kobo, literature, marriage, nook, novel, publishing, read, reader, reading, relationship, self help, shelfari, smashwords, story, weigh, weight loss, writer, writer community, writing
You’re Not Alone, You’re Not Crazy
Posted by Literary Titan
From The Shadows describes your personal journey through some very trying times. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I want people struggling with depression to know there’s hope. My message to them is: if you’re depressed, you’re not alone, you’re not crazy, and you can obtain lasting happiness.
The last thing I thought I’d share publicly was my journey into and out of despair. But writing this story uncovered a passion I buried forty-eight years earlier. By recounting and working through my most painful mistakes and memories, I discovered meaning and renewed purpose. I now experience joyfulness and self-love beyond my wildest dreams. I share all the steps I took so others can follow my path and find healing, too.
You were able to take a deep look at your depression, explaining its breadth and depth. What are some common misconceptions you feel people have about depression?
First, most articles focus on the sadness, but for me, depression also felt hostile. I remember constant self-loathing over the past, hopelessness about the future, and emptiness in the present.
Next, depression isn’t only about a person who’s stuck in bed. For years, I contended with high-functioning depression, or dysthymia. To the casual observer, I seemed healthy, but I wasn’t. Many times, I wanted to sleep and never wake up. But, I crawled out of bed every day and went to work pretending everything was peachy.
Last, depression is more common than many realize, surpassing all other disabilities. According to the World Health Organization, one in five people will suffer at some point. When I talk about my triumph, so many people privately tell me about their own or a loved one’s battle against depression that I wonder whether the one-in-five estimate is too low. Few admit to their condition because of the crushing stigma. Perhaps resources like my book can shift reader’s perceptions from judgment to empathy.
I felt like this emotional book was ultimately uplifting. What do you hope readers take away from this book?
If you’re combatting depression, I hope my insights from the trenches encourage your healing and self-love.
If you’re not, I hope by revealing the chaos my disorder caused, it furthers your understanding and compassion.
Either way, my wish is that sharing my intimate story serves as inspiration.
What is the next book you are writing and when will it be available?
Currently, I’m working on two books for release within the year. The first is Escaping the Shadows, a poetry collection. The second is Beyond the Shadows: The Light Within. It provides an even deeper dive into I how I healed my motherhood guilt. I share the ways I found forgiveness for myself and my molester to reclaim innocence lost and cement self-love.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
Offering hope and healing, the author retraces her beautiful transformation from suicidal despair to habitual happiness, sprinkling each step with soul-stirring original poetry and journal excerpts.
For decades, she hid her chronic depression from everyone, including herself, until hitting a crisis point. She seemed successful and happy to all, except her closest confidantes; they knew the anguish she wished to end by killing herself. Through self-exploration, she found a pathway to conquer the pain.
In From the Shadows, she shares the questions she confronted, unearths her root causes, and presents a map out of the mire. Finally, she unlocks inner wealth by facing phantoms holding long forgotten keys to her past.
Joining in her journey, you may uncover a few treasures of your own.
Posted in Interviews
Tags: alibris, author, author life, authors, barnes and noble, book, book club, book geek, book lover, bookaholic, bookbaby, bookblogger, bookbub, bookhaul, bookhub, bookish, bookreads, books of instagram, booksbooksbooks, bookshelf, bookstagram, bookstagramer, bookwitty, bookworks, bookworm, counseling, depression, dieting, Dissociative Identity, ebook, Elizabeth Onyeabor, emotional, empathy, existential, family, fitness, foregiveness, From The Shadows, goodreads, health, ilovebooks, indiebooks, journey, kindle, kobo, life, literature, Medical Books, mental health, Movements, nook, novel, passion, Pathologies, psychology, publishing, read, reader, reading, self help, self love, shelfari, smashwords, story, writer, writer community, writing
The Mystical Qigong Handbook For Good Health
Posted by Literary Titan
The Mystical Qigong Handbook for Good Health by Glenville Ashby goes into detail about how more people are turning to the East instead of focusing on pharmaceutical solutions that are pushed forward by the West. It focuses on the benefits of Qigong which is a holistic solution that focuses on coordinated body posture, movement and focused breathing. There are 12 benefits to Qigong if it is done properly and can meet many of today’s health challenges. It also has step by step pictures demonstrating how to properly do the movements of Qigong, which is helpful for people who aren’t sure how to do the movements.
I really liked this book as it gave an in depth and thorough look at a method I haven’t heard of before. Although the recommendation is to read the whole book thoroughly before attempting the exercise routine at the end, I felt like I had to give it a go. I’m not entirely sure that I did it right, but visualizing some of the aspects that are mentioned within the book gave me a sense of calm that I didn’t have before.
It was also nice to read a book that covered a variety of questions about Qigong. While reading about it, I initially thought that it sounded a bit like Tai Chi. However, the author has clearly realized that this is a similar train of thought for most people and covers this in the chapter ‘Qigong and Tai Chi Chaun: What’s the difference?’.
The style of this book is informative but casual. While reading this book, it feels more like you’re talking to a friend that’s very passionate about Qigong and has a lot of knowledge on it instead of reading a rigid textbook. I found it very easy to read due to a personal preference for this style of writing.
I also enjoyed the pictures of how to perform the fluid movements that are associated with Qigong. These diagrams made it easy for me to attempt to copy the movements and it helps that there are also written instructions.
One thing that I didn’t like about the book was that it implied a certain amount of knowledge about Qigong. As a beginner looking to expand my knowledge about Eastern health concepts, the book keeps mentioning Qigong but doesn’t explain what it is until the tenth chapter. As this book is about Eastern health concepts, people who aren’t open to expanding their minds about a different concept will not enjoy this book as it goes into astral travel and the third eye.
I enjoyed reading this book. I felt that I’ve expanded my view of the world and learned some helpful skills to deal with life’s stresses.
Pages: 100 | ASIN: B0722JVGNN
Posted in Book Reviews, Four Stars
Tags: alternative medicine, amazon, amazon books, amazon ebook, asian, author, book, book review, books, calm, chinese, dieting, eastern, eastern medicine, ebook, ebooks, exercise, fitness, glenville ashby, goodreads, health, kindle, kindle book, kindle ebook, medicine, natural medicine, publishing, qigong, reading, review, reviews, self helth, tai chi, tai chi chaun, The Mystical Qigong Handbook For Good Health, writing