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Darris B. (imperfectveganmama) - Reviews

1 to 14 of 14
The Acid Alkaline Balance Diet : An Innovative Program for Ridding Your Body of Acidic Wastes
Review Date: 8/2/2010
Helpful Score: 2


This book is all over the map. If you want to eat meat and live a life of quick fixes, this book is for you. If you're serious about your health or you are experiencing a health crisis, I highly recommend reading, 'The PH Miracle' by Dr. O. Robert Young. This book is the most comprehensive, well researched book about the alkaline diet that I've read so far.


Around the House and In the Garden : A Memoir of Heartbreak, Healing, and Home Improvement
Review Date: 7/3/2007
Helpful Score: 1


I've read many books at the end of my 26 year marriage...this book was delightful! Dominique Browning tells a story of the demise of her marriage and the rebuilding and rebirth of her home and gardens and ultimately of her life. Her story is uplifting and inspiring. It got me off my duff and got me started back into life.


The Beach House
The Beach House
Author: Jane Green
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 218
Review Date: 4/11/2014
Helpful Score: 1


This book was such a disappointment . . . predictable and hokey. The author depicts 'Nan Powell' her main character, as an aging woman at the end of life . . . she's about my age and I'm FAR from near the end of life! Green didn't push out much with this book. Her shallow character development and weak story line had me yawning.

If you want witty, well written, entertaining novels read Jennifer Weiner's books.


The Best of Vegan Cooking
The Best of Vegan Cooking
Author: Priscilla Feral, Friends of Animals
Book Type: Perfect Paperback
  • Currently 3.3/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 10/2/2012
Helpful Score: 1


I've been vegan for over eight years and vegetarian for twenty. Maybe that's part of the reason I'm just not at all impressed by this book. I had high expectations but was disappointed in the uninspiring recipes. The photography is beautiful but this book is no where near the best of vegan cooking.

Here are some of the cookbooks I use:

'Vegan yum yum' Lauren Ulm
'The Mediterranean Vegan Kitchen' Donna Klein
'The Vegan Table' Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
'Go Dairy Free' Alisa Marie Fleming
'The Conscious Cook' Tal Ronnen (a bit more upscale vegan cuisine)
'Raw Food for Real People' Rod Rotondi (owner of Leaf Organics)

There are so many more excellent books out there. I suggest trying online recipes and if you like the style of the chef and the results of the recipes you've tried, consider their cookbook (assuming they offer one).

A few websites I recommend are:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/newsletter/recipeindex.html
http://www.namelymarly.com
http://www.theppk.com
http://vegandad.blogspot.com
http://imperfectvegan.blogspot.com
http://www.cestlavegan.com


Review Date: 7/31/2009
Helpful Score: 5


This book truly is a comprehensive study of nutrition. We keep extra copies and give them to people who are confused about the implication of diet and health. With all of the misinformation and dieting nonsense circulating out there, it's settling to know there is a well-researched, science-based text available. This book is a must read for anyone who cares about long-term health and quality of life. dbn


Crazy Aunt Purl's Drunk, Divorced, and Covered in Cat Hair: The True-Life Misadventures of a 30-Something Who Learned to Knit After He Split
Review Date: 1/18/2012


Great read! Without bitterness, author Laurie Perry tells her story of lost love and reinventing her life. Ms. Perry humor is witty, intelligent and had me laughing out loud. Can't wait to read about the next phase in Aunt Purl's life!


Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, New and Revised Edition
Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, New and Revised Edition
Author: Robert C. Atkins
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.3/5 Stars.
 91
Review Date: 2/26/2009


PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, do not follow this hype! Instead of following dangerous fads read science-based books such as: 'The PH Miracle' and 'The China Study' and books by Dr.John McDougal. Don't be marketed to; read to understand how your body functions.


Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution : Revised and Updated
Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution : Revised and Updated
Author: Robert C. Atkins
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 2.9/5 Stars.
 53
Review Date: 2/26/2009


Dr. Atkins' died because of his eating habits. All of Dr. Atkin's books should be tossed into the recycle bin. The only was to peek health and permanent weight loss is to eat a plant-based diet free of processed foods. It's really just that simple.


Emotional Blackmail: When the People in Your Life Use Fear, Obligation, and Guilt to Manipulate You
Review Date: 4/19/2010
Helpful Score: 4


I was married to an emotional blackmailer for 26 years until the abuse turned physical. This book addresses the insidiousness of emotional abuse and how pervasive it is in our society. Often times books like this leave you hanging without solutions or solid resources to make a shift in your life ~ this book is different. Susan Forward addresses what role the 'victim' of abuse plays in the abuse cycle and how to change. I've read volumes on this subject and few books hit the mark the way this book does. Another book I would highly recommend is, 'The Verbally Abusive Relationship' by Patricia Evans ~ this is the book that had me end my abusive marriage and never look back. Evans also conducts seminars on the subject of verbal abuse. Her website is: www.verbalabuse.com


Frankie's Place
Frankie's Place
Author: Jim Sterba
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 5
Review Date: 1/18/2012


I hated 'Frankie's Place' to end. Facing the ocean view in my favorite chair I read Jim Sterba's story and savored every page. Mr. Sterba's writing style is easy going, beautifully descriptive and subtly humorous. I fell in love with 'Frankie's Place' from the first chapter.


How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else
Review Date: 6/28/2012


I do not understand how this book was rated anything over one star and that would be for effort. This book was not an easy read for me, it was painful. Mr. Gill's self image is so poor it made me uncomfortable. There are so many things I could say about this book but I'll leave it up to you whether or not your tempted by the fact that it was on the New York Times Best Seller List (baffling to me).


Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story
Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story
Author: Jodee Blanco
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 190
Review Date: 11/29/2010


I (also) could not finish this book. I read two thirds and then decided I was wasting my time. I am a mom of a teenager and bullying is a subject we've often discussed. This is a subject all parents should be talking to their kids about throughout their school years.

I found this book way 'off balance'at best. Anyone who paints a picture of themselves as always the innocent is suspect in my mind. There are far better books out there to educate someone about abuse. My two recommendations would be: 'The Emotionally Abusive Relationship' by Patricia Evans and 'Emotional Blackmail' by Susan Forward.


Sail (Audio CD) (Abridged)
Review Date: 1/16/2015


I haven't read to book but listened to some of the audio through Amazon which I'm assuming will be the same as this CD. The guy's voice is so snide and annoying I could barely listen to him. The book may be a good read but the audio I listened to is grating. I've heard the same guy record several books. I will not listen to any books he records.


A Yellow Raft in Blue Water
A Yellow Raft in Blue Water
Author: Michael Dorris
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 133
Review Date: 8/19/2013


A shame that this book sat on my bookshelf for many years while I passed it up for more current novels. Michael Dorris drew me in with his vivid, poetic words and captured me with his interesting, multidimensional characters. Dorris begins the story in present day and works back to the past and it works. I dreaded coming to the end of this novel.


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