I highly recommend the book Into the Magic Shop by James R. Doty.
It’s one of those rare books that reads like a simple, engaging story while quietly teaching about our brain and thoughts along the way. I never felt like I was being “instructed,” yet as the story unfolded, the lessons naturally sank in.
Years ago, I read Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a book with a powerful spiritual message, and later The Greatest Salesman in the World, which did the same. Into the Magic Shop belongs in that category for me. It’s an easy, approachable read based on the author's memoirs with a straightforward story that I found carried deep and meaningful insights.
What makes this book even more compelling is the author himself. James R. Doty, MD, was a renowned neurosurgeon and former professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. His background in science and medicine gave the book an added level of credibility for me, while his personal life story was interesting and touching.
The subtle information that he shares doesn't feel theoretical—It's grounded in his own experiences and his deep medical training and understanding of the human brain.
The book offers practical tools for calming the mind, opening the heart, and cultivating compassion and resilience.
As I read this memoir, I found myself naturally reflecting on my own patterns of thinking and behavior, noticing how small shifts in awareness and intention actually can make a difference in our experiences.
This is the kind of book you finish feeling inspired, reflective, and quietly changed—with insights that stay with you long after you turn the last page.
I've been under a lot of stress lately- this book was just what I needed.
A Sweet New Children’s Book, A Maximillian Manatee Adventure, Brings Manatees to Life for Little Readers
This beautifully illustrated paperback book includes an uplifting story about Maximillian and Minerva--two adorable manatees who meet out in the ocean and help each other feel safe. In addition to the story, there are also pages to color, pages with interesting fun facts, and an overall calm happy vibe that makes it perfect for bedtime reading.
Have you ever seen a manatee?
I live In South Florida, where we actually get to see manatees floating in the warm Intracoastal waters, and on rare occasions we even see them near beach in the ocean. I can tell you that it is quite a thrill to see one!!! How many kids (or adults) actually get to see them? Have you? This book will introduce kids to these amazing docile creatures worth knowing/learning about.
I can still remember one of the books my mom read to me over and over when I was a young child. It was about a puffin, an unusual bird, that I never forgot. Manatees are just as memorable, and Maximillian, the main character of the story book, gives young kids the same mix of wonder, warmth, and intriguing information that will stay with them for years to come.
I love the quality of this book. It is well written and the large joyful illustrations throughout are attractive to children and adults alike. Most of all, the book shares an the important environmental message.
Did you know ?
Manatees grow to a massive 9 or 10 feet tall, can weigh thousands of pounds, while eating an entirely vegan diet. They are kind of cute and live peacefully even among sharks, alligators, and crocodiles. They have no known predators. Their greatest threats are from humans with boating accidents from the propellers, pollution, and damage to their habitats. They prefer warm waters. Florida manatees are considered an endangered species and boaters need to be especially careful not to hit them.
This photo is not in the book. It is from free downloadable photos
This sign is in our neighborhood. I see the sign and other signs like it on my daily walks near the Intracoastal.
My friends, Judi Berson-Levinson and Susan Beth Weizman, published this cute children’s book about manatees. After I reviewed it, I wanted to share it with my readers —especially those of you who might have kids or grandkids in the 2–6 age range.
Disclaimer: I was not asked to write a review and do not profit from its sales. I really like the book after reading it and simply wanted to share it. All the opinions are my own, and I'll be giving it as gifts this holiday season to some special little ones.
It's hot and I have not been doing as much cooking, but I have been reading. What have I been reading this month? As usual, historical fiction. If you’re a fan of historical fiction, you will probably enjoy these 3 captivating reads. I found that each book offered a unique journey into different eras and settings, blending rich storytelling with memorable characters.
From time to time, publishers offer me the opportunity to review new cookbooks.The Gilded Age Cookbook, by Becky Libourel Diamond, was sent to me in February.
Curiously, when I looked at the author's bio on Amazon, I noticed that Becky Diamond lives Yardley, Pennsylvania which is the very small town where I have resided for the past 35 years.
A series set in current day India. Deals with women's rights, gay rights, and the evolving rights in general in a closed society for those who have the courage to challenge the norms. The story is based on two unrelated individuals who open a bridal planning agency called, Made in Heaven for the wealthywhich takes us into the lives of all kind of individuals, both the clients and the staff. Strictly fiction, but interesting and exciting. I'm enjoying it.
I'm Reading :
97 Orchid Street : An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement.
It's a historical fiction based on the lives of a German, Italian, Irish, Orthodox Jewish and Reform (From Russian and Germany) who live on 97 Orchid Street in NYC from 1863-1935. Though their food we learn about their lives and the struggles to readjust to life as new immigrants in America.
I found this on Wik
"The Lower East Side Tenement Museum, located at 97 and 103 Orchard Street in the Lower East Side neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, is a National Historic Site. The Museum's two historical tenement buildings were home to an estimated 15,000 people, from over 20 nations, between 1863 and 2011"
The Flowers In My Yard :
Since we are spending more time on our deck and less time out this summer due to Covid, we decided to surround ourselves in beautiful summer flowers. This is a sampling of some of our hanging baskets and planted flowers.
What I'm Cooking :
You may not normally think soup this time of year, but there are many summer soups which are either chilled or take advantage of the seasonal corn, tomatoes, and zucchini. I eat soup any time of the year, but it's a good time to FREEZE soup to take advantage of the summer crops.
This week I made Mexican Zucchini Corn lime Soup ( P151 of my cookbook) or a similar soup you can find on my blog for (link) chilled zucchini corn lime soup and a Cucumber Grape Mint Gazpacho (P.163 in my Soups Cookbook) which I haven't put anything like it on my blog- yet. If you want the recipe, leave me a note in the comments.
Notes:
1. All of my recipes on my blog from 2021 have now graduated from vegetarian to vegan.
2. All of my recipes have always been and are still gluten-free
3. My recipes are whole food plant-based and easy using normal ingredients.
I just finished reading a non-fiction science based book by Dr. Jon McDougall called The Starch Solutionwhich extols the benefits of eating starchy vegetables such sweet potatoes and white potatoes and starchy whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice, buckwheat, millet, etc.
I also read How Not to Die by Dr. Greger who has a free website at Nutritionfacts.org with a wealth of information and a video library about healthy eating for heart health and weight loss and health in general. He has videos on Youtube and he also has a book called, How Not to Diet. I like his nutrition suggestions on his video , The Daily Dozen.
Both diets promote a whole food plant-based diet and suggest ways to help normalize weight, promote excellent health, and even reverse disease.
I adhere to the suggestions from both of these doctors and lots of other docs I didn't mention but to lose weight I am following the Starch Solution which has allowed me to eat lots of healthy carbs, lose weight, and reduce my fasting blood sugars from 112-116 every morning to about 89 - 94 every morning ( It took 3 months). I'll be reporting on my cholesterol levels soon.
Eating carbohydrates has become very unpopular in the US partially because of the popularity of the Atkins diet introduced the 1970's and popularized in 1990's, the Keto diet in the 1920's for epilepsy control and became popular in the last 10 years, and Paleo diet introduced the 1970's and also gained popularity in the late 1990's.
Diets which are high in fat and protein but low in carbohydrates and are the opposite of a Whole Food Plant-Based Diet which is the diet of choice of many well respected doctors and especially cardiologists. Read an excellent article about 18 doctors that drive the Whole Food Plant-Based Food Movement.
Reading The Starch Solution led me to research other articles, Youtube presentations, and other books and websites that all promote a Whole Food Plant-Based Diet.. I was led to read The Starch Solution after seeing the enlightening and amazing video on Youtube of of Plantiful Kiki 's experience .
Kiki lost 70 pounds by eating a whole food plant-based high starch diet. I literally found tons of videos on Youtube by others who did the same. Brittany Jaroudy a success story from Forks Over Knives website .
And Brittany has a website and a Youtube channel just like Kiki- Although, the information I was reading originally seemed contrary to everything I had been taught to believe, I began to understand the science behind it from watching videos from many of the doctors.
10 weeks ago, a close friend and I said we are going to try this way of eating Whole Foods Plant-Based diet that I was familiarized from Plantiful Kiki 's experience. Being a vegetarian, it was an easier for me to make the switch . Yet, my close friend, who was a devoted meat eater, made the switch and is very happy with her menus, her 33 pound weight loss in 3 months, and most of all her amazing renewed energy!
My experience, my close friend's experience and the testimonials of hundreds of ordinary people who share their success stories of recovering from heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, cancers, and a myriad of other ailments such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, bloating, IBS, Chrone's disease, etc. have all benefited and regained their energy and health following a high carbohydrate, low fat, oil-free diet.
One of the most convincing programs I watched on Youtube was presented by Suny Downstate Medical School in Brooklyn, New York which sponsored many medical doctors, who have published articles in medical journals, to speak at a conference.
I was fascinated by the work of Dr. Katz who spoke about 20 minutes into the presentation ( You can fast forward to that point)
Also the work Dr. Michael Klaper in a Youtube video called : Olive Oil Is Bad For You
which is an eye opening video and the thoughts are shared by many other medical doctors including cardiologists.
The information is not new, but it is considered cutting-edge because it is finally being publicized by medical doctors including board certified cardiologists, internists, surgeons, and researchers.,
How many people do you know with heart disease or Type 2 diabetes that have been successful reversing their diseases with the medicine and diet prescribed to them. Usually they are able to just manage, not reverse.
Yes, I know it is hard to understand because we have been taught to believe otherwise. But I think you will be hearing more and more about the benefits of high starch low fat eating in the future -
Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and am not trying to give medical advice. I am simply sharing information that I found on the Internet or in books that worked for me. ALWAYS check with your medical doctor before making any changes in your lifestyle or diet.
Disclaimer: I am an affiliate for Amazon and I am compensated if you make a qualified purchase when you follow links from my blog. This helps defray the costs of hosting a free blog. I thank you for your support.
We have started to a little more active outside ( not indoors anywhere) This week I'm reviewing "100 recipes to live to 100! from the Blue Zone Cookbook- 2 Netflix Shows, and a Middle Eastern dessert and a yellow beet soup.
Yes, it's been 3 months and I'm still staying at home. We have done some socializing on our deck, but with just one friend at a time or with my kids and grandkids and 6 feet distance. I do grocery shop as well, but that's it.
Mah Jong tiles (these are flowers)
This post has book reviews, 2 recipes, and Netflix review:
We are back home, after being away 6 months and a day snowbirding in Florida, well over a week now, and we are just about finished settling in.
Grocery shopping is done, we set up the deck, planted flowers, visited my older son, daughter-in-law, and the grandkids on their deck (had not seen them in 6 months), and have enjoyed the cooler weather (as compared to Miami) for taking walks and sitting outdoors.
I'm sharing a book review, A TV series review, and 2 vegan/gluten-free recipes.
This week my husband and I "flew the coop" from our condo in South Florida to begin the 19 -hour ride home to Pennsylvania. Between the Coronavirus and the unrest in the cities right now, we were a little nervous, to say the least. In this post, I'm sharing a book review, movie reviews, and vegan Pad Thai and a fabulous cherry tomato, avocado, and chickpea salad.
It's been way over 60 days since we've been staying inside (except for my morning and evening walks). Many of my friends are starting to go out to eat in restaurants, getting together with friends, and possibly resuming playing mahjong or cards outdoors on their large decks. Am I going to be the last person to start joining in? Personally, I still feel kind of reluctant to re-join society just yet!. I'm thinking I'll give it 3 more weeks and see how those who have led the way are still fairing?
Things are status quo here in South Florida. As of this weekend, our beaches are still closed, and most stores are closed. I have noticed some restaurants with outside seating beginning to opening up!
Sunset from our balcony on the 15th floor - Ocean to the left; Intracoastal to the right
I just heard that our mall and stores like Tj Maxx, Homegoods, etc are opening on Monday~but for some reason, not our beaches- Unfortunately, there seems to be no way to really enforce wearing masks or social distancing. I will still be staying at home!
This week I'm sharing a book review, a Netflix review, an exceptional salad and a vegan/gluten free soup recipe plus photos of my walks.
Today is like day 52? of the Pandemic, and we have been staying inside and sheltering, except for our morning walk and evening walk.
I usually walk with my neighbor from 7:30 to-8:30 am. We walk with masks and get we get REALLY agitated by all the people who are out walking and are not wearing masks. I think the masks help reduce the risk of contamination.
What do you think? Shouldn't people be considerate to others and wear a mask when walking outside on a street where many people pass each other!
Recently, I received a book called, Yes, It Really Is All About Me by Darleen Miller.
Darleen's book is targeted for caregivers.
Darleen explains that she has been a lifelong teacher and caregiver to her parents, grandparents, and three children. When her husband became ill, she became his primary caregiver for twelve years.
Book Review: The Mamma Mia! Diet Can you eat pasta and lose weight?
Anything is possible and the authors say yes! The Mamma Mia! Diet is a book and cookbook which explains how you can eat pasta, enjoy wine, and still lose weight.
The holidays are around the corner and if you are thinking about stocking stuffers, these are two pocket size books that you will get a big bang for the buck. Anyone who is into self care and self help books would appreciate these helpful uplifting guides. I am a firm believer in taking time for self care. Prevention is the best medicine.
A few years ago, I came across a blogger who shares many of my beliefs about healthy lifestyle. I've enjoyed reading her blog, interacting with comments, and becoming blog friends. Nancy is the author of the book Colors of Joy and the blog Colors 4 Health.
I just finished reading this suspenseful novel with a very interesting twist. The attorney becomes the person being judged and the judge turns into G-d. It's a novel that makes us think twice about recognizing our own behaviors and being confronted with facing our own imperfections.
The following is an Interview with Benjamin H. Berkley- author of his new novel In Defense of Guilt
I'm serving up a bowl of delicious Victory Garden Soup that I made from one of the recipes in Tanya Steel and National Geographic's new educational book, Food Fight, intended for kids 10 +.
