Goodnight Moon and An Extra Ordinary Day

     A few nights ago I happened to capture this beautiful image from my backyard. The lights you see below it are actually cars on the interstate in the distance. What is it about a full moon that takes your breath away? I think it is right up there with rainbows and falling stars!

     My favorite children's book has always been Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. I loved reading it to my children when they were small. Did you realize it was published in 1947? At the moment, I have a new favorite children's book that I can't wait to read to my little grandsons the next time they visit. I wanted to share not only the book with you, but also the fun, fabulous book signing event that I went to on Thursday night.

     One of my dear friends has written and published her first book and I'm so excited for her. Debbie is one of those people that does everything "over the top". She seems to never need sleep, has 3 busy kids and always seems to find the time to do anything for anyone. She throws the parties that everyone wants to go to because you know that you are going to have a good time and that everything will be perfect at the party. Regular readers of my blog may remember the annual Halloween "Witch Party" that I attend...that is Debbie's party.

     There was no doubt in my mind that I would love the book and that the book signing would be a fun event. I got my copy of the book from Barnes and Noble (it is also available on Amazon) and read it with a smile on my face. As a friend of Debbies, I could almost hear her voice reading it to me. As an objective reviewer, I love the way she found an artist (Jan VonBokel) who was able to capture the story in such whimsical images. I also love the fact that the book opens up a dialog with the child by asking questions and even having a few pages at the end of the book where the child can draw his own pictures in response to the questions.

     There is a definate moral to the story, which is expressed in a way that even the youngest child will grasp it. As for the book signing...see that ice cream cone in the picture above?

     In fact, all the sweet treats mentioned in the book...were at the party. I felt like I was 5...what should I try?

     Of course the plates and napkins matched the book cover. The bowl in the back, filled with bags of cotton candy and ooey, gooey chocolate chip cookies...

...there were cupcakes and huge

ice cream cone cookies (my choice, yum)!

     The signing was in a local coffee shop, which just happens to be featured in the book. Check out those balloons...ice cream cones!

     This odd photo is actually Debbie's outfit. Jan had her artwork made into fabric and then made into clothing. I told you Debbie never does anything "small". The fabric looks exactly like the book cover!

     I really have high hopes that my friend finds great success with her first book and hopefully more to come. I'm so proud of her for having a dream and following it through! Wouldn't it be wonderful if decades from now people are still reading An Extra Ordinary Day to their grandchildren?

Cinch! Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds and Lose Inches-Review

     I was recently asked to review Cynthia Sass’ new book Cinch! conquer cravings, drop pounds and lose inches! It arrived while I was in Florida and I have been reading it the past several days. Cynthia Sass is the creator and co-author of the New York Times bestselling Flat Belly Diet. This new book, is meant to be a 30-day program that ends overeating by using the proper food combinations to feel full and satisfied.

 

     One of the first things that I liked about this program was that you don’t count calories. I have never found that to be something I could stick with, so I assume others have a problem with that as well. I approached the reading (and reviewing) of this book by looking at it and deciding if it was a program I could follow. Everyone is different, what might be difficult for me could be easy for you and vice versa.

 

Highlights of the program:

1. It is vegetarian and vegan friendly.

2. There is an optional 5 day “fast forward” plan.

3. Soda is not allowed on the Cinch plan (regular or diet)

4. Coffee is limited to one cup per day.

5. Emphasis on whole and organic foods

6. Includes daily dark-chocolate indulgence.

7. Customizes meals to your tastes and needs.

8. Weight loss suggestion is 7 pounds in the first 5 days and 15 pounds in 30 days.

     When first reading about the book, I thought that the “5 day, 5 food fast forward” just might be something I could do. Losing 7 pounds in 5 days sounded perfect for me. That is until I read the food list/menu plan. Each of the 5 days you eat only the following foods: Spinach, Raspberries, Almonds, Organic eggs and Nonfat Plain Organic Yogurt. I actually like all of these foods, although I’m not sure that in my small town organic eggs are even an option. The meal plan includes a spinach/egg scramble for breakfast with raspberries and almonds; a parfait for lunch; a salad for dinner and a late night smoothie. Each meal and snack for 5 days includes 1 cup of raspberries. That is 4 cups of raspberries a day and my stomach and my pocketbook would both be damaged by that. I knew immediately that it wouldn’t work for me…but, it would work for weight loss.

     The Cinch! core program (the remaining 25 days-or all 30 if you skip the fast forward) seems very reasonable to me. The meal suggestions sound delicious, easy and in most cases affordable. You are offered many choices for all meals and snacks. There is even a section of the book that helps with dining out. I do think that whatever your taste preferences, most people would be able to stick to the core plan without feeling deprived. There are even recipes for various flavors of truffles for your daily chocolate fix.

 

     The book also discusses emotional eating, exercise and overall healthy living. Ms. Sass seems to have a good grasp of how to make the unpleasant task of weight loss seem to be simply a change of lifestyle and well within reach. To read more, or order Cynthia’s book, visit her website by clicking here.

One2One Network did provide me with an uncorrected proof of Cinch! for review purposes.