Friday, January 11, 2019

The Mental Toughness Advantage: A 5-Step Program to Boost Your Resilience and Reach Your Goals by Douglas Comstock ISBN: 978-1-64152-053-9



If you are up against the wall, you can respond many different ways.  Psychologists label some of these ways as Fight, Flight, or Freeze. Some of us would add the word Freak, as well.

Marines are taught that the three ways they can respond to a crisis are to improvise, adapt, and overcome.  Failure is not an option.

The book The Mental Toughness Advantage: A 5-Step Program to Boost Your Resilience and Reach Your Goals by Douglas Comstock seeks to help readers improvise, adapt, and overcome by teaching them some coping skills.

This short book(91 pages) is very hard on the eyes.  The page numbers are light orange. The sidebars and box quotes are all white text on an orange background which makes them nearly impossible to read for older eyes.

If your resilience could use a little boost, or your mental toughness needs a tune-up, The Mental Toughness Advantage may just be what you need.


We were sent a complimentary copy of this book.  We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Manian Debil Productions is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Buy Now From Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SH0N95
 

McClendon Villa     McClendon Villa's Reviews 
From the Kitchen of McClendon Villa   McClendon Villa at Blogger
P. S. Annie  P S Annie at WordPress
P. S. Annie 2
Random Thoughts and Observations   Redneck MBA
How to Manage Your Monkey at Blogger   How To Manage Your Monkey at WordPress
Reviews By David and Suzanne
Book Reviews By Bird     Book Reviews By Bird 2
Book Reviews by Bird at WordPress

Thursday, January 10, 2019

My Father's Gift: How One Man's Purpose Became a Journey of Hope and Healing by Sixtus Z Atabong ISBN: 978-1-63393-675-1



Go to the restroom, grab your favorite beverage, turn off the cell phone, and buckle your seatbelt. You are about to embark on an emotional journey that you just can’t stop.


You will want to stock up on tissues before you start.  You will also want to keep an extra copy, or ten, of this book on hand.  That way when people ask you why you are crying, or smiling, or laughing, or irritated, or whatever emotion you are displaying, you can hand them a copy of this book so they can see for themselves.

We read over 200 books a year here at McClendon Villa.  That being said, you must know it takes a lot to make it onto our very short list of outstanding books.  Last year only five made it. This year so far, only My Father's Gift has made it onto that short list.

Atabong tells us the story of his father’s life along with how he and his father interacted with one another.  I have never met Atabong’s father, but I would have to believe that he is very proud of all that his son has accomplished.

It is very hard to believe that this author started this book shortly after declaring that he didn’t write.  He has done an outstanding job with this book and has told his story and that of his father very well.

My Father's Gift will tell you a story that will touch your heart like few books ever do.  I am glad we share the same adopted home state. We didn’t have to travel as far as the author did to get to Texas, but we both got here as fast as we could. He got here first.




We were sent a complimentary copy of this book.  We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Manian Debil Productions is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

McClendon Villa     McClendon Villa's Reviews 
From the Kitchen of McClendon Villa   McClendon Villa at Blogger
P. S. Annie  P S Annie at WordPress
P. S. Annie 2
Random Thoughts and Observations   Redneck MBA
How to Manage Your Monkey at Blogger   How To Manage Your Monkey at WordPress
Reviews By David and Suzanne
Book Reviews By Bird     Book Reviews By Bird 2
Book Reviews by Bird at WordPress

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Keto in 30 Minutes: 100 No-Stress Ketogenic Diet Recipes to Keep You on Track by Jen Fisch ISBN: 978-1-64152-462-9



Let’s face it, there is no one, perfect diet.  We hear so much about keto diets now but, what is a keto diet and how will it help? Keto in 30 Minutes: 100 No-Stress Ketogenic Diet Recipes to Keep You on Track by Jen Fisch will answer many of your questions.

This book takes the time to explain what a keto diet is and what it isn’t.  Did you know that certain vegetarian dishes can be a part of a keto diet?

Evidently, the keto diet was intended to help with epilepsy.  It has also been used to help with Parkinson’s Disease. The thing is, you should never start a diet of any type without discussing it with your doctor, nutritionist and/or other medical professional.

This book answers the question, “How do I know I am in keto?”  

You will learn about the proper kitchen tools to make following a keto diet easier and about exercise, as well.

This is probably something a diabetic wants to shy away from but, for many others, the keto diet may just be what you are looking for.  

Keto in 30 Minutes delivers just what it promises. That is keto meals that are quick and easy to prepare without a lot of fuss and muss.


We were sent a complimentary copy of this book.  We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Manian Debil Productions is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Buy Now from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2RzxgkC



McClendon Villa     McClendon Villa's Reviews 
From the Kitchen of McClendon Villa   McClendon Villa at Blogger
P. S. Annie  P S Annie at WordPress
P. S. Annie 2
Random Thoughts and Observations   Redneck MBA
How to Manage Your Monkey at Blogger   How To Manage Your Monkey at WordPress
Reviews By David and Suzanne
Book Reviews By Bird     Book Reviews By Bird 2
Book Reviews by Bird at WordPress

Sunday, January 6, 2019

Together With Christ: A Dating Couples Devotional: 52 Devotions and Bible Studies to Nurture Your Relationship by Chelsea Damon ISBN: 978-1-64152-253-3

 


Christians are instructed in the Bible not to be unequally yoked. In the Old Testament, the Israelites are instructed not to marry people from the occupied lands. The reason for this is that we are often enticed to follow the gods of the other people.

In today’s modern world, this translates into Christians not being in a relationship with non-Christians for the same reason.  After a while, we tend to gravitate towards the non-Christian lifestyle of the other.

This is where Together With Christ: A Dating Couples Devotional: 52 Devotions and Bible Studies to Nurture Your Relationship by Chelsea Damon can help dating couples.  It can even help newlyweds and not-so-newlyweds, as well.

This book presents 52 weekly devotions designed for couples to read and discuss together.  The subjects covered are very important to couples who are striving to have a Christian relationship and a successful marriage.

If a couple will sit down together and truly discuss each weekly devotion, they stand a much better chance at a successful marriage than they would if they did not.

Together With Christ also makes a great text for a small group Bible study.  Your church should strongly consider this.

If your families are from different Christian denominations, it would be well to sit down with both sides of the new family separately, and maybe even together, to work through this book.

Remember, one must put God in charge of your married life.  Therefore, if marriage is a good thing right now, it will be a good thing a year from now.  Don’t rush it; grow together and give your marriage the best chance at success that you can. Together With Christ will help you to do that.




We were sent a complimentary copy of this book.  We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Manian Debil Productions is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
McClendon Villa     McClendon Villa's Reviews 
From the Kitchen of McClendon Villa   McClendon Villa at Blogger
P. S. Annie  P S Annie at WordPress
P. S. Annie 2
Random Thoughts and Observations   Redneck MBA
How to Manage Your Monkey at Blogger   How To Manage Your Monkey at WordPress
Reviews By David and Suzanne
Book Reviews By Bird     Book Reviews By Bird 2
Book Reviews by Bird at WordPress

Chess for Beginners: Know the Rules, Choose Your Strategy, and Start Winning by Yelizaveta Orlova ISBN: 978-1-64152-257-1



When I was in the tenth grade, everyone was learning how to play chess.  I did not want to be left out, so I taught myself using the World Book Encyclopedia.  It gave me the basics, but it did not teach me any strategy.

Once you buy Chess for Beginners: Know the Rules, Choose Your Strategy, and Start Winning by Yelizaveta Orlova, you will not only know the basics, but you will learn some basic strategies for winning at chess.

There are a few problems with this book.  The first problem is that the chess quotes included in the book are written in a light red which does not stand out very well from the background.

There appears to be a mistake in placing a heading on page 67. To me it appears that the bold words that say Diagram 6.13 should actually appear just over the heading Why Did Black Make This Move? instead of where it has been placed.

I really think that this book would be better if there were more step-by-step diagrams, rather than a few diagrams, to support the moves discussed.

Either way, before you start out you should have a good, basic chess set so that you can see the plays and move the pieces for each move.

You will not be a World Champion just by reading Chess for Beginners. Then again, that would be expecting too much from a book designed to teach you the basics.

Once you have your copy of this book, you will want to teach your children basic chess and then make the game a part of your family home evening.


We were sent a complimentary copy of this book.  We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Manian Debil Productions is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Buy Now from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Vtbr55


McClendon Villa     McClendon Villa's Reviews 
From the Kitchen of McClendon Villa   McClendon Villa at Blogger
P. S. Annie  P S Annie at WordPress
P. S. Annie 2
Random Thoughts and Observations   Redneck MBA
How to Manage Your Monkey at Blogger   How To Manage Your Monkey at WordPress
Reviews By David and Suzanne
Book Reviews By Bird     Book Reviews By Bird 2
Book Reviews by Bird at WordPress

Thursday, January 3, 2019

Super Easy Vegan Cheese Cookbook: 70 Delicious Plant-Based Cheeses by Janice Buckingham



Many years back, at least 15, there was an advertisement where a family walks into the living room on Christmas morning and there is a major abundance of new toys from Santa.  Someone says something like, “You must have left him some really good cookies.” The little girl says, “I didn’t leave him cookies, I left him cheese.” That year our kids left an institutional size can of cheese under the tree.  It didn’t help.

What if Santa was lactose intolerant, like Tim Allen’s Santa character in The Santa Clause? If you have Super Easy Vegan Cheese Cookbook: 70 Delicious Plant-Based Cheeses by Janice Buckingham, you will have the answer.

This book is super easy to follow.  There is like a mini course in plant-based cheese making in the front of the book.  There is a list of the very few tools you will need and what basic ingredients you will need to keep on hand.

The instructions tell how you can make your own milk out of nuts like almonds or walnuts, but that you can also make it out of seeds like sesame seeds.

We all need to live healthier.  Big pharma does not want you to be healthy, they want to keep you sick. They have teamed up with Big Farm and the food manufacturers to make sure whatever dairy you get is loaded with things that are bad for you.  The only chance you have of staying healthy is eating a proper, natural diet. Making your own vegan cheese is a step in the right direction.

Super Easy Vegan Cheese Cookbook is very well-written and easy to follow.  The steps are basic and it does not take a long time to make these cheeses.

You will be healthier when you start to eat better. . You probably won’t get a Christmas card from your doctor though.  


We were sent a complimentary copy of this book.  We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Manian Debil Productions is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.


McClendon Villa     McClendon Villa's Reviews 
From the Kitchen of McClendon Villa   McClendon Villa at Blogger
P. S. Annie  P S Annie at WordPress
P. S. Annie 2
Random Thoughts and Observations   Redneck MBA
How to Manage Your Monkey at Blogger   How To Manage Your Monkey at WordPress
Reviews By David and Suzanne
Book Reviews By Bird     Book Reviews By Bird 2
Book Reviews by Bird at WordPress

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Broken Business: Seven Steps to Reform Good Companies Gone Bad by José R. Hernandez ISBN: 978-1-119-54750-1



Lou Holtz, Doctor Football, used to admonish his players to do what’s right and avoid what’s wrong.  This seems like we need to clarify what is right or what is wrong, but humans are endowed with an instinct that tells us what is right and what is wrong.  This works well, until it doesn’t.

It seems that greed will cause a person’s moral compass to fail.  I have seen it before. All the front line employees could see a crisis coming, but the powers that be simply would not listen to those who could actually see that the emperor had no clothes.

In the book Broken Business: Seven Steps to Reform Good Companies Gone Bad by José R. Hernandez, the author presents a case study of a fictitious company that is based on a composite of several companies he has worked with.

Hernandez tells his readers about how there are many myths regarding corporate scandal and how it is important to deal with them properly when they occur.

He points out that most companies don’t just all of a sudden have a crisis. Typically, it is a series of things that could have been nipped in the bud had the C-Suite been paying better attention to the details.

The author tells his readers about how a company responds initially to a crisis.  He points out how on top of it Johnson and Johnson was during the Tylenol scare.

It is also important that the company admits to wrongdoing as soon as they are made aware of it.

Nixon might have remained president until the end of his term if he had just admitted to his part in Watergate instead of lying to Congress and the American people.  Clinton’s scandal would have gone away much sooner had he just admitted it.

Reagan appeared before the nation and admitted that wrongdoing happened on his watch.  Most of us forgot all about the whole Iran Contra thing soon after that. No, we didn’t completely forget, but it was no longer a major deal.

In Broken Business, we learn about the necessary steps to get a business back on track after a major, self-inflicted crisis.

If your business is going through a crisis, Broken Business just may offer you some helpful tools.  If your business isn’t going through a crisis, it is best you go ahead and read it now. Sooner or later, one or several of your employees will, as our kids say, “Do the stupid”.  This book might help you be ready when they do.

Broken Business is well-written and very readable.  There aren’t any complicated charts, graphs, or theories, just good, common sense advice to help you keep your company moving forward.


We were sent a complimentary copy of this book.  We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Manian Debil Productions is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.


McClendon Villa     McClendon Villa's Reviews 
From the Kitchen of McClendon Villa   McClendon Villa at Blogger
P. S. Annie  P S Annie at WordPress
P. S. Annie 2
Random Thoughts and Observations   Redneck MBA
How to Manage Your Monkey at Blogger   How To Manage Your Monkey at WordPress
Reviews By David and Suzanne
Book Reviews By Bird     Book Reviews By Bird 2
Book Reviews by Bird at WordPress