Deb's Book Nook: Review of All My Friends Are Dead

If your'e looking for a very fast read that will give you outward chuckles this little gem is a good one to add to your book shelf. It's a very short read, but quirky and cartoony for older kids and adults. All My Friends Are Dead would make a humorous addition to the coffee table for a good laugh when family or friends visit, or to put in the office break room for an afternoon chuckle.

This book is basically about death, in a way that everyone and in this story everything even talking trees, dinosaurs and zombies can relate to it. I don't want to give away the spoiler! This book would make a great gift in a basket for someone who's been ill and needs a laugh.

All My Friends Are Dead by Avery Monsen and Jory John

Deb's Book Nook: A Wild Sheep Chase: A Novel by Haruko Murakami

This was my first forray into the world of Murakami. A Wild Sheep Chase did live up to Murakami's reputation of very unusual stories. This one was no different.

I wouldn't say this was one of the most enjoyable reads for me, this story did cause me to contemplate the significance of life and how I live it. All of the characters in this story are rather dull, wooden, however they each play an important role in their interaction with the books main character.

The gist of the story being the main character, a man receives a postcard from a friend and he chooses to use an image of an unusual sheep with a star on his back from the postcard in an insurance ad. The narrator is then lead on a quest to find the sheep or face dire consequences.
The story leads the reader on the quest to find the true meaning of the mysterious sheep.

One reason I found this book more of a chore to read is that the characters were mostly one dimensional and I couldn't find myself caring about any of them. I love reading, but reading it became a chore to finish the story because I kept losing interest. When I finished the book I felt relief rather than feeling I'd left a good story with characters I really liked or related to.

One redeeming quality of this story for me was that the main character's realization of his life not adding up to much, having no real significance in his world and his acceptance of that. All life has meaning and purpose and it made me think of how I choose to qualify my own life. I was able to reference God because he gives me significance and purpose. I may not live up the the world's culture but it's Gods culture that matters most to me. The fact that this book enabled me to contemplate or re evaluate my purpose, even without a mysterious quest LOL, is what leads me to give this book 3 stars ***

Great Market Finds

I went to a local market, its similar to Whole Foods Market and came upon an antioxidant nutrient packed product. These packages contain ground (fine like flour) superfoods and nuts that have multiple uses.

The product's called Linwoods and there are two different options. One produce contains nuts the other doesn't which is terrific for the nut allergy folks out there. The nut free version contains ground flax, sunflower, pumpkin, and seasme seed with added goji berries also ground. The other product contains flaxseed, almonds, Brazil nuts and walnuts.

These products are an excellent source of Co-Q-10 an antioxidant that helps with cellular energy production. These products are rich in vitamin E, all three of the omegas as well as magnesium, dietary fiber, B12 and iron. These products are also low glycemic.

There are as many uses for these ground powders as you can think of. It can be put into hot cereal, over yoghurt, into salads, mixed into smoothies, bread mixes the list stretches as far as your imagination can go! I plan on using some of the goji berry mix combined with dates to make a dehydrated raw cookie! Sounds tasty and I can wait to try it. I will let you all know how that turns out.

These are a great find if you can locate them at a local health food store.

I Love God So Much...

When I'm down and troubled, he is there
When I feel like I can't go on, he is there
When I forget and slip into worldly actions, he is there
When I have something to celebrate, he is there
When I need to be corrected or disciplined, he is there

The more I exist in this world, the more I do not choose to be a part of its culture. I can see things much more clearly from my teachings with God and through prayer. So many things I once coveted aren't desirable, and goals I thought were the most important have fallen to the bottom of my list or completely off of it.

What I crave is the peace God offers. Im doing my best to cleanse my life of actions ( such as yucky language that occasionally slips out :} ), and other things that do not support his glory. I've recently done a house cleaning of my I Tunes library, books and things that really are so opposite God's truth and ways that I no longer enjoyed them without feeling that it just didn't feel right any longer. My actions are all a part of my spiritual cleansing that I feel is vitally necessary in order to keep growing in God the way he expects me to.

Forgiveness is a huge issue in my life and a big one for God. Its an area I'm constantly struggling with. So many times I was sure I've let go only to have the same issues and feelings about a person or situation re surface over and over. The frustration I feel from this gets to be overwhelming because it's affecting my life negatively and I realize that I'm Not really forgiving in my heart. I've claimed forgiveness because I know God wants and requires me to do so, but thats only part of forgiveness. I know I'm supposed to forgive whole heartedly in my heart just the way God continuously forgives us. I'm supposed to extend that grace to others... I continually pray and seek God's help to allow the Holy Spirit open my heart and allow me to fully forgive. I'm ever so grateful that God has patience, much more than I have and that I'm being allowed to learn humility and grow into a state of forgiveness through Him...

All of life's trappings won't keep me from keeping my eye on the prize so to speak. My main goal is to live and become the person God created me to be, to share and spread his word and to live to honor him. I love him enough to do exactly that!

The Goodness of Adding More Beans and Whole Grains toYour Diet

It will serve to your benefit to cook up a batch of both beans and grains for use in weekday meals.

For a hearty and filling morning meal top warmed grains with berries or fruit of choice a favorite spice like cardamom or cinnamon and a non dairy milk.

Grain cakes make a healthy alternative to traditional flapjacks. Mix cooked grains with a beaten egg berries or for savory pallets herbs and onion. Add a little flour, a wheat/gluten free flour can be used also such as coconut or quinoa flour. Make a batter and sauté in an oiled skillet till golden

Add 1/2 cup cooked grains to your favorite soup to make it heartier and keep you fuller longer.

Alternate whole grains with any dairy or non dairy yogurt and fruit for a tasty parfait.

Stuff a pita with beans veggies and tahini sauce.

Add beans to that baked potato, white or sweet then add a favorite sauce like salsa or pesto. A shredded dairy or non dairy cheese can be added for that Zing appeal!

Make a pudding out of your grain of choice prepared with milk, or non dairy milk, raisins, cinnamon and your sweetener of choice. Simmer till thick and enjoy hot or cold.

Warmed beans or grains paired with eggs prepared to your preference (scrambled, poached..) top with fresh tomatoes, salsa, pepper sauce or what you prefer.

Grains and beans can be frozen in portions to be available for any quick and healthy and nutrition packed meal.

Super Finds and Savings at Costco

Anyone who's been to Whole Foods or some other health store to purchase Coconut oil or Hemp seeds know that the prices aren't always budget friendly. I went shopping at Costco and happened upon a few great finds.

The first find was a 54 oz, that's right 54, of pure unrefined cold pressed 100% coconut oil! Ris container is almost as big as my head I was thrilled so I immediately stocked up. Next I found a 24 oz one pound bag of raw shelled Hemp seed. This is nearly three times the size and amount I was paying for at Whole Foods!

Another great find was a six pack of organic Quinoa & Brown Rice mixture. I can't wait to make this accompanied with steamed greens!

I found double packs of pomegranate seeds, and a multi pack of organic romaine lettuce. Shopping at Costco has allowed be to provide my family with more organic fresh food and made it easier to make fresh juices with high quality ingredients.

Costco has really stepped up their game with providing customers with a large variety of organic produce and super foods. I for one really appreciate this because after every penny saved is a penny earned!

Just Another God Doodle

A little doodle to remind us to stay connected to God...