Book Review of "Love Food & Live Well," by Chantel Hobbs

My second book review is for the book Love Food & Live Well, by Chantel Hobbs. I really enjoyed this book! Since I am all about exercising and eating right, this book was right up my alley!
I love the way Chantel Hobbs writes. She doesn't write as an expert who's learned everything there is to know about diet and exercise and talks down to the reader. She writes as one who's "been there and done that." She is humble and candid about her own personal difficulties about food and weight loss. To my delight, she writes as one who is in the trenches with the reader, teaching from what she has learned and is in the trenches with the reader to teach and encourage. In other words, imagine sitting at an intimate table, having coffee or tea with a friend and having a wonderful conversation. That is what her writing style is all about and I really like that!
One of my favorite quotes from the book is "...Living well, while loving food..." She makes the important point all throughout the book that it is not food that is wrong, but our perception of food that is the problem. In addition, the point is made that we should set realistic goals for ourselves and see ourselves as uniquely made by God. We shouldn't try to fit into a mold that God never meant for us to fit into. Another quote I loved is when she said "(I had to) choose to live a life of moderation in a world where excess is encouraged." This is so true! Anyone living in the United States of America can relate to this in some form or fashion, no matter what situation they're in.
I really like the fact that she makes complicated concepts regarding calories, fat, protein and carbohydrates, simple and easy to understand. Some authors go into great detail about these things, thereby making them sound very complicated. For me, that translates into "too much work," and not very important. Chantel keeps these concepts simple and easy to manage on a day-to-day basis.
The chapter I didn't agree with entirely is the chapter on fats. She has many important points about fats, but in my opinion, she leaves out one of the primary points about fats. She doesn't mention at all, the difference between long chain fatty acids and medium chain fatty acids. Medium chain fatty acids are the ones we need to steer toward and long chains are the ones we need to steer away from, because of their cancer-causing effects, etc. I do wish she had made this point in her book; however, all the other information is very good, informative and important.
The truth is, so often, books about healthy eating leave out exercise entirely. I believe it is because many people think of exercise as a four letter word! But, not so in this book! Chantel talks much about the importance of regular exercise and how it should be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle. This is so important! She also includes many exercises she has created. I really love the chapters on exercise and I encourage you to read them too.
Lastly, just like we need to keep God in the center of everything we do, she reminds us to keep God in the center of our healthy lifestyle change, no matter what! In order to succeed at anything, as Christians, nothing else is more important than keeping God the center of everything we do. I encourage anyone interested in developing a healthier lifestyle to read this book. It is full of encouragement from someone who overcame a weight issue and has maintained a healthy lifestyle ever since. After reading, you will feel encouraged and blessed!
(I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review)

This is a great book!

"Night of the Living Dead Christian: One Man's Ferociously Funny Quest to Discover What It Means to Be Truly Transformed."

I loved this book! It was entertaining, yet theologically profound from beginning to end! This is not the kind of book I would normally pick up to read. However, I was positively impressed. Matt's writing style is a mix of watching 50's monster movie, with the imagery of C.S. Lewis, and loads of humor throughout. I found myself being pulled into the story line. I also enjoyed sharing humorous excerpts with my husband.

This is a book for both Christians and non-Christians alike. For non-Christians, this is a very entertaining way to learn the simpleness of the Gospel message, and that Jesus is the only one who can help us break the sin-cycle. The various types of monsters represent different facets of our sin nature. Even as Christians, we have different "monsters" that we allow to appear in us from time to time. The redeeming message for everyone is that Jesus is the only one who can help us overcome the "monster" within us...we just have to accept His forgiveness.

All in all, this book is a great example of entertaining storytelling, while folding in the gospel, at it's very best. There is an amazing example of Jesus and the ultimate sacrifice He made for each and every one of us. I would recommend this book to any teenager or adult, whether Christian or non-Christian.

Check out the author's video: http://www.tyndale.com/video/296
Check out these websites:  http://mattmikalatos.com and www.tyndale.com 


Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

What People are Saying About My Husband and His Video Production Skills

My husband is a skilled media producer. Of course, I'm proud of him and would like share what others think too:

I have worked with Don on numerous shoot's, and I would work with him anytime!!! He is always a joy to have on set! He is very knowledgeable about film in every aspect, including preproduction, production, camera, sound, lighting, post production, etc. He is also very creative! He has a great eye for out of the box creative shot's, which I love, and with his ability to tell a story!!! As he gets involved in a project he is always willing to help and share with his amazing ideas, and he's a great leader as well as team player! 

As well as being a great filmmaker, Don is a person of great integrity! He is trustworthy, a great listener and a very hard worker!! In fact as you work with Don, you will gain a dear friend, because you cannot work around him very long without seeing how much he cares for and loves people! You absolutely cannot go wrong when you hire Don!!! I would recommend him anytime!!

Theresa Davidson

3:17 Film Productions

817-201-2954

theresa@317film.com

www.317film.com

Don has honed his creative and technical abilities during two decades of service to Christian ministries. He has directed and produced award-winning television programs, and has led international film expeditions. His compassionate storytelling skills strike the perfect tone for legacy videos.

Richard Carpenter

Don Gordoni is a gifted artist, writer, and producer.  A family treasure is created with each legacy video. He finds the hidden treasures of memories and people through his inquisitive nature, and combines these together beautifully in a keepsake that lasts.  His videos always capture the personalities of the family members, and bring joy to those who watch them. He is a professional who is committed to providing high-quality videos.  I am honored to highly recommend Don Gordoni to create a Legacy Video for your family.

Terri Turner

"I would enthusiastically recommend Don for any video project. He is highly skilled, experienced, personable, responsive, very qualified and professional.  The video production of Jean was so touching, incredibly moving, a masterpiece, a true legacy."

Libby :)

Tribute to Jean Parker

Help the Homeless Walk & 5K

On Saturday, November 12, 3PM, the Help the Homeless Walk & 5K will be held at the Fair Park Band Shell.  Funds raised benefit The Bridge homeless assistance center.  It’s a great event for the entire family.  In addition to getting our daily exercise, there will be lots of fun, food and music. 

·         The North Texas Patriot Guard will lead off both the walk and run.
·         The presentation of colors will be led by the 4^th Air Wing Honor Guard, Texas State Guard
·         Slappy and Monday (from Slappy’s Puppet Playhouse fame) will be on hand…a great opportunity for the kids to say ‘hi’ to the affable clowns. 
·         Dallas’ favorite band, Emerald City, will be bringing us the toe tapping tunes.   
·         Great, free food samples from Tiff’s Treats (yummy cookies), Little Caesar’s, Community Coffee, Pepsi, Powerade, Clif Bars, and Frito Lay.
·         Fun, interactive games, face painting and more!

For the $5 discount, those interested may use the code VETS.  Enter the code at Question #5 during registration.

For more info and to register go to: http://helpthehomelessdallas.org/

We have a Winner

Congrats to Adam G. who won a Family Four Pack to Disney Live!

http://neveradullmama.blogspot.com/2011/10/and-winner-is.html

Listening for a Legacy

The holidays provide a wonderful opportunities to get together with older relatives and hear stories from their lives. Biographies are a treasure house of lessons learned, fields full of wisdom that can be gleaned from the good and bad decisions of someone else.

My parents always encouraged me to ask questions that will help me understand the perspectives of others and I guess that has factored into my pursuing a degree in psychology and my love of acting. I spent three and a half years as a probation counselor to juveniles. As a part of the job, I would interview families and create a social history. This was my favorite and also saddest part of the job because as you might imagine, most of the family sagas were filled with dysfunction. For instance, the most violent offender on my case load took great pride in the fact that a great grandfather had killed another man with a frozen fish! I'm sure we all have a few black sheep in our family trees and I thank the Lord that his grace can deliver us from negative family baggage. Thankfully, most of us have at least a few  family members who set a great example.

Okay, I have a few suggestions for you to consider as you get together with family during the holidays. Consider setting down and recording some stories with some of those who may be approaching the final seasons of their lives. Jot notes, use the voice recorder built into your cellphone, or the video recorder, or a camcorder. Use your cellphone or a scanner to copy some of their important photos. Ask lots of questions and listen, listen, listen.You will probably laugh, cry, and learn many things that you never knew and be reminded of things that you have forgotten.

If you have the means, consider hiring a media professional, like me (unashamed self-promotion) to shoot an interview or edit your clips and photos into a presentation for your family. These make unique and meaningful gifts and can often be used in a powerful way at memorial services when our loved ones pass on.

If you are like me, too often we spend too much time at family get togethers, eating and fussing over the food and clean up, or talking about the weather and watching the game. Resolve now to prayerfully seize the opportunity to listen for your legacy so that you can pass it on.