This Week in Books - Weeks 9, 10, and 11
Once again, I've gotten behind in posting what I've been reading, so here's what I've read over the last three weeks:
(No pictures of the books as Blogger is being fussy and won't post them for me.)
The 15-Minute Meal Planner by Emilie Barnes and Sue Gregg - I was really excited to read this book hoping that it would give me further inspiration to be more organized and efficient in the kitchen. Sadly, I found it to be rather boring, tedious, and lacking in new-to-me information and I ended up skimming a lot of it.
If you are completely new to healthy eating or kitchen management, I'm sure there might be a lot of useful information in it. However, I found it to not live up to its name--it includes a lot of information on things one should be doing and should not doing when it comes to healthy eating, but this book was short on practical, real-life, down-to-earth, "how do I plan a healthful menu in a matter of minutes?" type of help. If you've read it and feel differently, I'd love to hear. Maybe I just had too high of hopes for it and that's why I was disappointed.
Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney - I loved this book and would highly recommend that all Christian women get a copy and read it. It would also be excellent to go through with your older daughters or in a group of a few women--like I had the privilege of doing the last few months!
I especially appreciated Carolyn's encouragement for us to remember the reason why we do everything we do--that our lives might be a testimony to the world of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Read the foreword and first chapter here.
Hand That Rocks the Cradle: 400 Classic Books for Children by Nathaniel Bluedorn - As we're in the process of building our library and looking for wholesome read-aloud books, I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of 400 classic book reviews. The reviews are alphabetized by author and each is given a rating of the level recommended to read it to. I added a long list of books to our library list from this book and was very inspired to continue making reading a high priority to our children--even when they are young.
Read the introduction here. See sample pages of this book here.
Bible Reading:
Finished Ruth and Judges and am trying to get back on track with reading four chapters/day as sickness threw me off.
(No pictures of the books as Blogger is being fussy and won't post them for me.)
The 15-Minute Meal Planner by Emilie Barnes and Sue Gregg - I was really excited to read this book hoping that it would give me further inspiration to be more organized and efficient in the kitchen. Sadly, I found it to be rather boring, tedious, and lacking in new-to-me information and I ended up skimming a lot of it.
If you are completely new to healthy eating or kitchen management, I'm sure there might be a lot of useful information in it. However, I found it to not live up to its name--it includes a lot of information on things one should be doing and should not doing when it comes to healthy eating, but this book was short on practical, real-life, down-to-earth, "how do I plan a healthful menu in a matter of minutes?" type of help. If you've read it and feel differently, I'd love to hear. Maybe I just had too high of hopes for it and that's why I was disappointed.
Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney - I loved this book and would highly recommend that all Christian women get a copy and read it. It would also be excellent to go through with your older daughters or in a group of a few women--like I had the privilege of doing the last few months!
I especially appreciated Carolyn's encouragement for us to remember the reason why we do everything we do--that our lives might be a testimony to the world of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Read the foreword and first chapter here.
Hand That Rocks the Cradle: 400 Classic Books for Children by Nathaniel Bluedorn - As we're in the process of building our library and looking for wholesome read-aloud books, I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of 400 classic book reviews. The reviews are alphabetized by author and each is given a rating of the level recommended to read it to. I added a long list of books to our library list from this book and was very inspired to continue making reading a high priority to our children--even when they are young.
Read the introduction here. See sample pages of this book here.
Bible Reading:
Finished Ruth and Judges and am trying to get back on track with reading four chapters/day as sickness threw me off.
Labels: Reviews
posted by Crystal Paine at 5:36 PM
8 Comments:
I received Feminine Appeal for Christmas and I LOVED IT! The original series of messages of hers titled "A Fresh Look At Titus 2" that this book is based on is available to download for free at Sovereign Grace Ministries.
Have you read Homeschooling at the speed of life? By Marilyn Rockett
It is really good practical planning advice even though you have little ones and not so much menu planning, but she talks about alot of stuff in there.
Also have you read the More With Less cookbook? I love that book!!!
Crystal, if you get the chance, Cook's Illustrated Best 30-Minute Recipe cookbook is WONDERFUL. I've only had it three months, but have made eight or ten meals from it so far, and everything's been delicious. You might have trouble finding it at the library, but there are used copies on Amazon for about $12.
I also read Feminine Appeal and thought it was excellent. I highly recommend it to anyone.
Michelle
I read "The 15 Minute Meal Planner" 12 years ago and it started our family on the path to healthier eating. I still use it as a resource. I also regularly use Sue Gregg's "Main Dishes" and her other "Eating Better Cookbooks". These cookbooks use ingredients I always keep on hand and are healthier versions of old favorites, so I know at any given time, I can choose a recipe, have all the ingredients, and prepare a meal our family will really enjoy.
I read the 15 Minute Meal Planner just in the last couple of weeks. Because I have already studied much on healthy eating and cooking, I knew going into it that it would be basic for me and I might not get a lot out of it. However, I read it thinking that it might be a great resource for my readers, or others I know, who are making steps towards healthier eating and meal planning.
In that sense, it didn't really disappointment me. I do think it is a good resource for those who are beginning. I don't agree with absolutely all of the nutritional information, but much of it was quite good. I also enjoyed trying some of the recipes, as I am considering buying a Sue Gregg cookbook.
As far as meal planning, I felt the same disappointment as you. I didn't feel that it taught me anything new about meal planning, nor did it really speak to it very thoroughly. Sure, it offered sample recipes and meal plans, but that doesn't teach you how to do it yourself, it simply provides you with a good example. In that sense, I agree that it didn't live up to it's name.
Thanks for the reviews! Feminine Appeal is highly recommended at our church (I go to a Sovereign Grace church, like Carolyn) and it's on my list of must-reads this year!
Hi Crystal,
My sister and I are currently going through a wholesome food preparation home study with The 15-Minute Meal Planner and video sessions with Sue Gregg. In one of the videos she says that the title of the book means that you can read the chapters in 15 minutes or less, not plan the meals in that amount of time. We also thought it was a bit misleading. Our family has already implemented much of the healthy eating ideas in the book as well, so I can understand why you were disappointed. Just wanted to clarify the meaning behind the title. :)
Have a great day!
Kayla
I was just going to say what Kayla said, but I won't repeat it. I agree with you all though that the name is quite misleading!
Post a Comment
<< Home