Fodmap Friendly by Georgia McDermott

 

Here is the book summary:

This is the low-FODMAP cookbook vegetarians have been waiting for.

It’s tough when the foods you love don’t love you back. If you’re dealing with digestive issues, cutting out high-FODMAP foods can bring relief—but it’s hard to say goodbye to wheat, dairy, and many fruits and veggies. And if you’re vegetarian or vegan and going low-FODMAP? It can be even harder to fill your plate!

Georgia McDermott comes to the rescue in FODMAP Friendly, with 95 vegetarian, vegan-friendly, and gluten-free recipes for the digestively challenged. Her delicious, low- to no-FODMAP fare covers all the bases:

·       Lighter meals and breakfasts, like Grain-Free Olive Oil Granola and Roasted Pepper and Halloumi Shakshuka

·       Hearty dinners, from Tempeh Chili to Pepper, Pesto, and Goat Cheese Galette

·       Delectable desserts—Pavlova with Roasted Lemony Strawberries, anyone?

·       Festive food and drinks for a crowd, including Salted Honey and Sage Baked Camembert and Passion Fruit Caipirinhas

FODMAP sensitivity varies from person to person, so Georgia includes a wealth of suggestions for exploring what does and doesn’t work for you. Onion and garlic don’t bother you? Add them! The thought of tomatoes turns you off? Don’t eat them! Living with IBS, Crohn’s disease, colitis, SIBO—you name it—shouldn’t mean needlessly missing out on the flavors you crave. This is low-FODMAP eating—made friendly for everyone.

And now, my review:

Can I just say Yummy?!?!  I found Fodmap Friendly by Georgia McDermott to be full of colorful, delicious looking food finds that just got me salivating right there on the spot.  This author educates as well as offers some practical combinations for those looking to be careful in the area of fodmaps.  This is an area that I am looking at to determine some issues that have reared themselves.  That’s what I was looking for and that’s what I found in this resource. 

I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

https://www.amazon.com/FODMAP-Friendly-Vegetarian-Gluten-Free-Digestively/dp/1615197044/ref=sr_1_5?crid=Y5U5MA9ZWQXF&dchild=1&keywords=fodmap+friendly&qid=1609263480&sprefix=fodmap+friendly%2Caps%2C253&sr=8-5

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fodmap-friendly-georgia-mcdermott/1136998770?ean=9781615197040

The Grumbler's Guide to Giving Thanks by Dustin Crowe

 

Here is the book summary:

Trade Grumbling for Gratitude—Experience God like Never Before

The apostle Paul instructed the Philippians to be anxious in nothing and thankful in everything. And when he said everything—he meant everything. We can all agree that this is easier said than done. Disappointments and discontent may cause you to slip into dissatisfaction, and grumbling becomes a state of mind—gratitude seems impossible to find. However, what if this is the precise reason you lack the joy of a God-filled life? Instead of a reaction to when things are going well, what if gratitude is actually necessary to knowing the hope of our gracious God?

This is exactly what Pastor Dustin Crowe identifies in The Grumbler’s Guide to Giving Thanks. Dustin examines the biblical foundations of thankfulness and traces how it can reshape every-day Christian living. When we express gratitude in all things, we not only praise our Creator, we also get to know Him better. With The Grumbler’s Guide, you’ll learn how to practice thanksgiving in both simple and extraordinary ways, even when you’re tempted to dwell on the negative. You’ll find your outlook on life realigned to see the hand of God in everything, strengthening your trust in Him. And in doing so, you’ll find greater, more joy-filled reasons to continue expressing thanks to our good and generous God.

And now, my review:

The Grumbler’s Guide to Giving Thanks by Dustin Crowe is in my opinion a must read for all Christ-followers.  I found this book to be easy to read but filled with something that sounds easy but is deeper than first look.  To pause, take a moment, and drink in the complexity of giving thanks.  This author had me pondering the depths of his words.  I know that I will be coming back to this one over the years and it’s a must have for me to keep on my shelf. 

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. 

https://www.amazon.com/Grumblers-Guide-Giving-Thanks-Reclaiming/dp/0802419852/ref=sr_1_1?crid=MWCTZFHUDG0J&dchild=1&keywords=the+grumbler%27s+guide+to+giving+thanks&qid=1609262291&sprefix=the+grumbler%27s+%2Caps%2C244&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/the-grumblers-guide-to-giving-thanks/dustin-crowe/9780802419859/pd/419852?product_redirect=1&search_term=the%20grumbler%27s&Ntt=419852&item_code=&ps_exit=PRODUCT&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-grumblers-guide-to-giving-thanks-dustin-crowe/1136291109?ean=9780802419859

Love Like You Mean It by Bob Lepine

 

Here is the book summary:

Every year, millions of men and women stand before friends and family to pledge their lifelong love to each other. Do they know what they’re getting into?
 
Unfortunately, many people have a shallow, superficial idea of what marriage is. As a result, many marriages don’t last, and many more married couples are trudging along looking for something more.
 
Love Like You Mean It gives husbands and wives a biblical understanding of what real love looks like in marriage by unpacking the ten attributes of genuine love listed in 1 Corinthians 13. Bob Lepine, marriage and family expert and host of the nationally syndicated radio program FamilyLife Today, helps husbands and wives discover that it’s not primarily emotions that define marital love, but actions and decisions that fuel emotions and cause marital love to grow.
 
Every person who is married, would like to be married one day, or wants to understand more about the biblical vision of marriage will find what they’re looking for as they dive deep into Love Like You Mean It.

And now, my review:

My husband and I were so encouraged by the well-put-together read of Love Like You Mean It by Bob Lepine.  First off, the lay out is so on point.  It walks you through the Scripture of 1 Corinthians 13.  If you know 1 Corinthians 13, you know what’s coming and sometimes you even cringe knowing what is coming because you know it’s going to hit close to home.  We also found that this goes beyond marriage to other relationships and situations as well.  It’s a read that is simple and will have you talking and communicating with each other.  I highly recommend this marriage/life read.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.  

https://www.amazon.com/Love-Like-You-Mean-Marriage/dp/1535996730/ref=sr_1_1?crid=10BJWIG0E1C2G&dchild=1&keywords=love+like+you+mean+it+bob+lepine&qid=1609261282&sprefix=Love+Like+You+Mean+i%2Caps%2C224&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/like-mean-heart-marriage-that-honors/bob-lepine/9781535996730/pd/996730?event=ESRCG

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-like-you-mean-it-bob-lepine/1134582210?ean=9781535996730

The Prayer Map Devotional by Donna K Maltese

 

Here is the book summary:

THE ORIGINAL Prayer Map Devotional!

Encouragement and inspiration for purposeful, more focused prayer is right here!

This practical and inspiring The Prayer Map Devotional will guide you through 28 weeks of devotional readings and prayers plus the creation of weekly prayer maps to help you better focus your daily prayer time. With prayer-related themes like TRUSTING GOD, BEING PERSISTENT IN PRAYER, and EXPERIENCING THE POWER OF PRAYER, you will be encouraged to spend regular time in the heavenly Father's presence and share what’s on your heart. . .as you continue to build a healthy spiritual habit of continual prayer for life!

And now, my review:

I found The Prayer Map Devotional by Donna Maltese to be just what I was looking for.  It’s informative and yet full of space for you to experience times of prayer with God.  It started me out with a great lesson on the Who, What, Where, When, Why of prayer.  That one just really was special to me because of the Inductive approach carrying over to prayer.  (I’m an addict of Inductive Bible Study as student and teacher, so this just screamed loudly at me.)  That as just the beginning and it just built from there.  I loved the set up and the packed devotions that were small but boundless.  Yes, to this one!

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Prayer-Map%C2%AE-Devotional-Inspiring-Readings/dp/1643525239/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1LZYL4T3KKPBH&dchild=1&keywords=the+prayer+map+devotional&qid=1609260098&sprefix=The+Prayer+Map+Devotion%2Caps%2C231&sr=8-3

https://www.christianbook.com/prayer-devotional-inspiring-readings-weekly-guided/donna-maltese/9781643525235/pd/525235?event=ESRCG

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-prayer-map-donna-k-maltese/1135602777?ean=9781643525235

The Light of His Presence by Anne Graham Lotz

 

Here is the book summary:

The beloved Bible teacher and daughter of Billy Graham shares a rich treasury of her personal prayers to guide you into deeper, more intimate daily conversations with God.
 
Why is it that as soon as we bow our heads to pray, we start thinking of other things we need to do? How do we make time to pray in the middle of our busy lives? And how do we know what to say and how to say it? 
 
Like many of us, Anne Graham Lotz has struggled with prayer. Over the years, she discovered that writing out her prayers draws her into deeper, more intimate conversations with God. The Light of His Presence offers forty of these tender, honest prayers for real-life situations as an invitation to deepen your own prayer life through worship, confession, thanksgiving, and intercession. You’ll be encouraged to lean more fully into God’s promises through this power-packed devotional resource, which includes inspiring quotes from Christians throughout the ages and also has space to journal your own words to God.
 
As Anne writes, “My prayer for you . . . is that God will use my struggle with prayer to help you overcome yours. And that, as a result, you will be drawn nearer to the heart of God.”

And now, my review:

I found The Light of His Presence by Anne Graham Lotz to be an amazing resource for prayer in my life.  I’m so blessed to have this book in my hands and I find that I flip all over the place in it to pray all sorts of areas all at once.  She really is such a blessing to share her prayers in all sorts of areas with us.  She’s lived what she’s written in these pages and it shows real, raw prayer. So, I turn to the topic I’m wanting to pray about and see how it fits into my personal experience in that moment.  For example, it might be fear and then she prays Scripture through her section on fear.  I will be using this for years to come.  I highly encourage this resource for your prayer time. 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Light-His-Presence-Prayers-Heart/dp/0525651179/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2M8D6IR4RCL7J&dchild=1&keywords=the+light+of+his+presence+anne+graham+lotz&qid=1609258165&sprefix=The+Light+of%2Caps%2C254&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/light-presence-prayers-draw-near-heart/anne-lotz/9780525651178/pd/651171?event=ESRCN 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-light-of-his-presence-anne-graham-lotz/1136012760?ean=9780525651178

Melodies of Christmas Love

 

Here is the book summary:

The Heart of Christmas - Lynnette Bonner

When Wynn Mason sees police lights at Misty Cove’s one-and-only bar, she goes inside to investigate and is just in time to see her ex-boyfriend punch Ryland Sage in the face. What is the star of her favorite TV show doing in their tiny Pacific Coast town? Since Wynn is the only medical help for miles around, she has to stitch up his face—and also maybe his heart—all while protecting her own heart from the worldly charmer.

Love on a Mission in Millcreek - JoAnn Durgin

Angelia Ford wonders if she’ll ever live down her unfortunate outburst at the end of the Millcreek Elementary Christmas program. Sixteen years later, she’s home to care for her grandfather and prays the town’s citizens have finally forgiven her youthful indiscretion.

Millcreek’s newest resident, Nicholas Sanders, recognizes the beautiful blonde server at the local diner, but it’s clear Angel doesn’t remember him. What better time than the festive holiday season for Nick to reintroduce himself to the girl he’s never forgotten?

The Bells of New Cheltenham - Chautona Havig

When Justine Driscoll decides to enter a short story contest using a Christmas carol as the inspiration, she discovers love in the carols she investigates, in the story an ex-Army guy tells, and in the little tourist town of New Cheltenham.

A Christmas Duet - Annette M. Irby

A breakup steals a cellist’s inspiration. How will she create new compositions for her ensemble’s next album? Perhaps the church’s handsome music director could help. Join Kate Fleming and Zach Tillmon as Christmas music brings them together on Whidbey Island, Washington.

A Night Divine - Dawn Kinzer

One chilly December night, a tragedy connects successful model Camryn Tate and outreach minister Trace Gardner. As they share a common mission serving the homeless on the streets of Seattle, they provide more than food—they offer hope. But as Christmas Eve approaches, secrets have the potential to break Camryn’s heart.

To Hear the Angels Sing - Lesley Ann McDaniel

Being guardian of her niece isn’t as easy as Devlin Welsh might hope. When her niece is invited to be in a church show, the free childcare is hard to pass up. But when Devlin admits to knowing how to sew, she’s enlisted as costume designer. How will she find the time?

One of Jonah Ryan’s favorite parts of his job as worship leader is working on the kids’ Christmas musical. There’s something about the woman who’s volunteering to design costumes this year that gets him thinking. Could there be more to life than music?

Prairie Rose - Sylvia Stewart

For many years, Rose Morris has lived alone with her dog, Rusty. Mitch Foster, a handsome, un-married neighbor, brings her a bright red geranium, and insists on helping with chores. But who should drive into Rose’s farmyard? The scoundrel husband who had deserted her and her teenaged son years before. Later, a pre-teen runaway, found in her barn, adds his troubles to her own, so Rose decides to re-capture the peace and serenity of Christmas.

And now, my review:

A Christmas Duet by Annette M. Irby is one of seven stories in Melodies of Christmas Love.  This story is full of wonderful moments of connection.  It starts on a ferry, which I just love because I personally enjoy riding them when I’m in the PNW.  The author made me feel like I was right there enjoying the ride with them.  She has a way with words and she drew me right in to the story, painting each scene with wonderful word choices.  I really loved the cello centerpiece of this one.  It’s the encompassing pivotal piece of it.  Makes me want to sit down and enjoy a cup of something warm and some cello music.  Tis the season for some great Christmas reading and I was so blessed with this one.  I’m sure I’ll go on to enjoy the others as well. 

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Melodies-Christmas-Love-Collection-Contemporary-ebook/dp/B08K3WG9S2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9YLZM0JGFAHS&dchild=1&keywords=melodies+of+christmas+love&qid=1603235980&sprefix=melodies%2Caps%2C190&sr=8-1

Choose Joy by Ink & Willow

 Here is the book summary:

Relax and enjoy a creative approach to gratitude with this beautiful coloring book for adults filled with breathtaking illustrations and inspirational quotes from writers, hymns, and Scripture.

In today's hectic, stress-filled world, taking stock of our blessings and truly experiencing gratefulness isn't always easy, but this coloring book offers a beautiful and unique way to find moments of peace and quiet to meditate on gratitude. Each beautifully illustrated page features an original design from one of seven talented artists that illustrates a corresponding quote.

Features include:
  •  Large format 9.75" x 9.75" (25x25cm) pages
  •  45 single-sided coloring pages
  •  High quality, bright white paper stock--heavy enough to use pencils, pens, or markers
  •  Quotes from the Bible, hymns, and variety of inspirational writers, such as Charles Stanley, Henry Ward Beecher, Maya Angelou, Louisa May Alcott, Martin Luther King Jr., Shauna Niequist, Bob Goff, G.K. Chesterton, Mr. Rogers, and more
  •  A link to the "Gratefulness" playlist to help set the mood for worship, contemplation, creative expression, and a spirit of gratitude
  •  Illustrations by Holly Camp, Jennifer Tucker, Ann-Margret Hovsepian, Katie Howe, Laura Marshall, Bridget Hurley, and Radha Carlson--all artists previously featured in the bestselling Whatever Is Lovely and Everything Beautiful

This coloring book will take you on a journey towards deeper gratitude. Whether you are embarking on this journey by yourself or in a group, pick up your favorite art supplies and color your way to a new understanding of what it means to be truly grateful.

And now, my review:

To me Choose Joy: A Coloring Book of Gratitude and Wonder is an inspiring adult coloring book.  It has quotes written by other Christians throughout it with about 10 pages of Scripture pages.  The drawings are beautifully done.  Each one stands alone and brings a relaxing feel to it.  I was pulled to this book because of the title and the season in life that I find myself in.  Very fitting for such a time as this.  My favorite quote outside of all the Scripture pages is the one by Kay Arthur.  I just love her.  There is a little snippet on the backside of each page of where the quote, which I really enjoyed reading, came from. I'm looking forward to some color time with this one.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Choose-Joy-Coloring-Gratitude-Wonder/dp/0593232208/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=choose+joy&qid=1601940165&sr=8-7

https://www.christianbook.com/choose-coloring-book-gratitude-and-wonder/ink-willow/9780593232200/pd/3232200?event=

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/choose-joy-ink-willow/1136665360?ean=9780593232200