The Blue Zones American Kitchen: 100 Recipes To Live To 100 by Dan Buettner

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Best-selling Blue Zones Kitchen author Dan Buettner spent years uncovering the Blue Zones--the five places around the world where people consistently live to or past, 100--and sharing lifestyle tips and recipes gleaned from these places. Now, creating your own Blue Zone at home is easier than ever, thanks to plant-forward recipes in this inspiring book--all developed right in our own backyard.

In Blue Zones American Kitchen, Buettner uncovers the traditional roots of plant-forward cuisine in the United States. Following the acumen of heritage cooks who have passed their recipes from generation to generation, Buettner uncovers the regions and cultures that have shaped America’s healthiest food landscapes, from Hmong elders living in Minnesota to Quakers in New England. Along the way, he illuminates both traditional and revolutionary ideas in vegetarian food with recipes from chefs like executive chef James Wayman, “the Gullah chef” Bill Green, and “the Cod Chef” Dave Smoke-McCluskey.

With wisdom from more than 50 food experts, chefs, and cooks around the country, Buettner’s road trip across America sheds light on some of its most under-recognized plant-forward communities as Buettner shares the ingredients, recipes, and lifestyle tips that will make living to 100 both delicious and easy. And the proof is in the pudding: 49 Blue Zones Project Cities have demonstrated that eating the Blue Zones way can alleviate obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and more.

Filled with 100 tasty recipes, from Pennsylvania Dutch apple dumplings to Southern Hoppin’ John, Blue Zones American Kitchen will change your diet--and your life.

my thoughts:

A cookbook based on the Blue Zones in the United Sates - how could I not want to read this book!?! Especially, when the books is published by the National Geographic Society.  I was in from the start.  And, let me just say, how happy I was to read this wonderful cookbook.  It was chock full of delicious plant-based recipes, beautiful photographs, and fascinating stories about the blue zones right here in America - how awesome is that?! I absolutely LOVED flipping through and reading about Latin American and Native American cuisine. This was truly a gem of a book.

So, what exactly are the "blue zones"?  Well, they are the regions in the world where people are known to live the longest. You know, the places you hear about where the residents are well into their early 100s.  Yep, this book is devoted to recipes inspired by the "blue zones" within America and the different cultures that created such tasty and healthy recipes. We get tips, recipes, stories, and so much more in this book - all of which help in teaching us about the foods we need to be eating if we want to live to 100. After all, the goal is to live a long and healthy life, right? Well, this book will have you excited to think about the foods you eat and the life you want to live. I know that I can't wait to try out some of these yummy looking recipes and, I'm also more interested in trying to learn more about the way food impacts our health and how we can use it to our benefit (inflammation, mental health, etc.).  I would happily recommend The Blue Zones American Kitchen to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you won't want to miss out on this fantastic book!!

I would happily recommend this book to anyone and everyone looking for a new and great read in 2023 - make sure to check it out!

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Stargazer's Atlas: The Ultimate Guide To The Night Sky by National Geographic

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Richly illustrated with luminous photographs and informative maps and graphics, this expansive book is the perfect guide for everyone discovering the wonders of the night sky, from those just learning the constellations to dedicated telescope observers.

Combining science, exploration, and storytelling, National Geographic Stargazer's Atlas invites readers to roam the night sky for constellations, planets and moons, eclipses, comets and meteor showers, auroras, and deep-sky treasures including nebulae and galaxies—many visible to the naked eye and all with binoculars or a backyard telescope.

Beginning with basic space science and including a complete set of night sky maps for all four seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, this fascinating book guides the reader toward the most rewarding observations. A unique chapter on astrotourism highlights ancient observatories, dark-sky preserves, and other global destinations for the sky-seeking traveler; a final chapter details current and future space missions and what they might discover.

Richly illustrated with awe-inspiring imagery—including photos from space missions and telescopes, science-based artists’ interpretations, and explanatory graphics—the book also contains 170 maps and charts of planets, moons, and constellations, from Earth’s moon to moons of Saturn. Practical advice throughout helps readers see what they have been reading about, building key observational skills such as “star hopping” from easy-to-find stars to fainter deep-sky objects and focusing on “deep sky treasures:” areas rich in observable phenomena.

Approachable and authoritative, gorgeous and fascinating, National Geographic Stargazer's Atlas will intrigue all who love to gaze up in wonder at the night sky—and find themselves wanting to know more.

my thoughts:

Looking up at the stars and wondering about the cosmos - talk about a fascinating way to spend your night. I absolutely love the memories I have of looking up at the night sky and imagining what the stars looked like up close and the planets filled with the unknown. It was exciting, scary, and so much fun.  The vastness that is the sky mixed with the darkness that creates night - the planet rotating and moving at its own speed as we sleep and dream.  Talk about fascinating food for thought.  And so, when I was given the opportunity to read National Geographic's latest book, Stargazer's Atlas: The Ultimate Guide To The Night Sky, I immediately said "yes."   I was so excited when I got my copy and grabbed a cuppa so I could settle in and learn about comets, constellations, planets, and all the things that have kept my imagination running wild for years.

Chock full of photographs, graphics, tips, and information - this book is THE book to read if you want to learn about watching the night sky and what's in it. You can find out about what telescope to use and the various star patterns that make up the constellations. Its so interesting, you can't help but get lost in the pages of this book - learning so much about the beautiful night sky that mesmerizes us.  I found myself completely engaged in this book - it was so much fun to read. I loved it!

I would happily recommend Stargazer's Atlas to fans of National Geographic and to budding astronomers/fans of stargazing - you will LOVE this book to bits!!

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Food Journeys Of A Lifetime: 500 Extraordinary Places to Eat Around the Globe by National Geographic Society

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Few experiences are as satisfying as a chance to explore the world through food. Compiled from the expert travel writers at National Geographic, Food Journeys of a Lifetime scours the globe for the world’s best dishes, markets, and restaurants that are worth traveling far and wide to savor.
In this fully revised and updated edition, find the best of the best, including:

Tokyo’s famed fish market and its 226 Michelin-starred restaurants--the most of any city in the world
The ultimate Philly cheesesteak from the city of brotherly love
The perfect cup of tea in China
The spice markets of Marrakech
The juiciest cuts of beef in Argentina
The freshest pasta in Italy
And the ultimate Swiss wine route
Featuring more than 60 new bites and destinations, this book is the key to building a foodie traveler’s ultimate bucket list. Within the flavors and tastes of every cuisine, you’ll find unique stories about the places, cultures, climates, and chefs that produce these extraordinary dishes. A wide selection of recipes invite you to try new cooking techniques and obtain flavors from abroad at home; top 10 lists offer side trips from chocolate factories to champagne bars.

Filled with a dazzling array of diverse recommendations, each page of this inspiring book will make your mouth water--and spur your next gourmet vacation.

my thoughts:

National Geographic does food - how could I not read this one, right? I'm serious. Yummy, delicious food from all over the world - my mouth waters just thinking about it. And luckily, National Geographic always delivers the BEST photographs, so I know I'm going to be looking at vibrant and vivid images of glorious food. So, yeah, the title of this book, Food Journeys Of A Lifetime: 500 Extraordinary Places to Eat Around the Globe,  already makes me love it. Of course, once I open it up and start flipping pages and reading the different sections about coffee, restaurants, spices, and street foods, well, I am in LOVE. 

The photographs are awesome - they make you want to jump on a plane and fly everywhere to try all the foods. YUM! And the top ten lists were so much fun to read through. I loved reading about the best maple syrup, the best beer, and which food festivals should be added to your bucket list. Plus, I loved that we get to read about food from all over the world, including our beautifully diverse country. What a delectable treat this book was to peruse through. I had such a blast making my own list of places to visit and foods to try. Talk about foodie paradise!

Food Journeys Of A Lifetime makes for a terrific holiday gift - who doesn't love a beautiful coffee table book, right? And, who doesn't enjoy armchair traveling now and then? Plus, you can use this book to help you plan out your next vacation or three and check out all of the extraordinary places there are to eat in this wonderful world. All I know is that this book is a must-read. Make sure to check it out ASAP - you are going to eat it up!

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

A Man Of The World: My Life At National Geographic by Gilbert M. Grosvenor

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a  copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

The captivating inside story of the man who helmed National Geographic for six decades is a front-row seat to audacious feats of exploration, from the successful hunt for the Titanic to Jane Goodall's field studies. Offering a rare portrait of one of the world's most iconic media empires, this revealing autobiography makes an impassioned argument to know—and care for—our planet.

Though his career path had been paved by four generations of his family before him, Gilbert M. Grosvenor left his own mark on the National Geographic Society, founded in 1888 and recognized the world over by its ubiquitous yellow border. In an unflinchingly honest memoir as big as the world and all that is in it, Grosvenor shows us what it was like to "grow up Geographic" in a family home where explorers like Robert Peary, Louis Leakey, and Jane Goodall regularly crossed the threshold. As staff photographer, editor in chief and then president of the organization, Grosvenor oversaw the diversification into television, film, books, as well as its flagship magazine, which under his tenure reached a peak circulation of nearly 11 million. He also narrates the shift from a nonprofit, family-focused enterprise to the more corporate, bottom-line focused world of publishing today. 

For Grosvenor, running National Geographic wasn’t just a job. It was a legacy, motivated by a passion not just to leave the world a better place, but to motivate others to do so, too. Filled with world travel, charismatic explorers, and the complexities of running a publishing empire, A MAN OF THE WORLD is the story of one man, a singular family business, and the changing face of American media.

my thoughts:

Wow! Love, love, love! I really enjoyed reading all about Gilbert M. Grosvenor and his legacy...National Geographic. What a cool, adventurous environmentalist to read about! Talk about world traveler!

Growing up within the National Geographic family formed Grosvenor's destiny of traveling the world and running National Geographic - which he did! And, so well, too. Yep, Grosvenor met iconic explorers at his family's home and soon found himself diving in Antarctica. Exploring the world was in his bones and he most definitely threw himself into that role, along with growing his family's business. He shares about it all and along the way also discusses the importance of conserving culture and the environment. It's thought-provoking, eye-opening, and fascinating to read about this popular organization that showcases our world and the man behind the scenes of it all. What a fantastic memoir! What a life!

I would happily recommend A Man Of The World to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you are going to enjoy this one so much! Make sure to check it out!

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

What To Eat When: A Strategic Plan To Improve Your Health & Life Through Food by Michael F. Roizen, M.D. and Michael Crupain, M.D., M.P.H.

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

NY Times best-selling author Dr. Michael Roizen reveals how the food choices you make each day–and when you make them–can affect your health, your energy, your sex life, your waistline, your attitude, and the way you age.

What if eating two cups of blueberries a day could prevent cancer? If drinking a kale-infused smoothie could counteract missing an hour’s worth of sleep? When is the right time of day to eat that chocolate chip cookie? And would you actually drink that glass of water if it meant skipping the gym? This revolutionary guide reveals how to use food to enhance our personal and professional lives–and increase longevity to boot. What to Eat When is not a diet book. Instead, acclaimed internist Michael Roizen and certified physician Michael Crupain offer readers choices that benefit them the most–whether it’s meals to help them look and feel younger or snacks that prevent diseases–based on the science that governs them.

“Dr. Michael Roizen and Dr. Michael Crupain-the two doctors I always turn to for the latest scientific discoveries-explain that timing really is everything in this insightful, fun, and revolutionary book. What to Eat When shows that when you eat is just as important as what you eat-and reveals the right foods for life’s toughest circumstances.” -Dr. Oz

“It really does matter what you eat, not just how much. And now, two of my favorite doctors take our collective knowledge a step further by looking at the timing of when you eat your calories: your circadian rhythm dictates a lot more about when you should eat than you probably realize. Through clear-eyed writing and diligent research, Drs. Roizen and Crupain explain why The When Way might just be the best approach to eating.” -Sanjay Gupta

“When we think about eating, we focus-as we should-on the quality and quantity of what we eat. It’s becoming clear that we also need to think about chronology-when we eat. Drs. Roizen and Crupain’s fun and revealing exploration of the biology of timing and eating will help you eat the way your body really wants you to.” -Andrew Weil

my thoughts:

What To Eat When is the go-to reference book you need to read if you are wanting to make some BIG changes to your eating habits. I'm not talking a diet book, because this is more than just losing weigh to fit into your clothes. No, this is a book about food and how it affects you and what you should eat and why you should eat it. Yep, this is a book all about figuring out how to feed yourself based on science and your own body clock. Its fascinating and provides thought-provoking information that you will actually enjoy reading about.  Easy-to-read and chock full of helpful tips - what more could you want in a health book? I know I enjoyed dipping into What To Eat When and learning about good and bad foods and when to eat them, or not eat them. Definitely a fascinating read.

I would definitely recommend What To Eat When to anyone looking for a great book focused on health - you will not want to miss this one!


Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: What To Eat When

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Daily Kindness: 365 Days of Compassion by National Geographic Society

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Lead your best year yet through 365 days of kindness.With enriching quotes from celebrated luminaries and striking National Geographic photography, each page of this moving book will inspire you to live with sincerity, compassion, and benevolence. Each month, you’ll practice virtues like patience, respect, and generosity that will focus your mind and heart, creating fulfillment and contentment. Both inviting and motivating, Daily Kindness invites you to reflect on life’s big and small moments, providing a way to embrace new ideas and enrich your life every day of the year.

my thoughts:

I am a huge fan of books that help motivate me to try to eat better, exercise, focus on positivity, and encourage me to move forward in my life.  So, when I was offered the chance to review the National Geographic Society's latest book, Daily Kindness, I jumped at the chance.  How could I not? With all the toxicity that seems to infiltrate our lives lately, I figured a book about kindness would be a breath of fresh air.

Daily Kindness is a fantastic book that is chock full of amazing photographs and thoughtful quotes.  I just loved flipping through it and getting lost in it.  The photographs were beyond! Those nature shots were just so beautiful and helped to remind me of just how awesome the world really is.  I could seriously just stare at those photos for hours. As for the quotes - love, love, love!  I love collecting quotes in my journal, so I was excited to find so many new ones to LOVE in this book.  Talk about food for thought!  These quotes are by writers, philosophers, comedians, scientists, etc. - people that I love to read.  And all of these quotes are divided by themes.  Each month focuses on a specific theme (respect, mindfulness) and the quotes reflect that theme - which I just loved! This book is truly a gem.  You can flip through it or you can savor it.  I plan on using it daily - reading the quote for the day in the morning and then thinking about it throughout the day.  I'm hoping that by reflecting on some "words of wisdom" and looking at the beauty in the world each day in those stunning photos, I'll be inspired, motivated, and encouraged to live life more fully and to focus on kindness.

I would most definitely recommend Daily Kindness to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you will absolutely fall in LOVE with this book!! 

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Daily Kindness

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!