God's Wild Herbs By Dennis Ellingson

A companion volume to God's Healing Herbs, this book enticed the reader to get out into the wild in search of herbs which God provided for our enjoyment and nourishment. While I already consider dandelion greens (I buy them every Saturday morning at our Boca Downtown Greenmarket) a safe to eat,  delicious special herb, there were other herbs I was introduced to that I still may not feel comfortable picking and eating on a hike in another town. For example, another weed named Purslane interested me. Perhaps Dennis Ellingson would like to accompany me on a nature hike through a heavily weeded area so we could pick our salad greens safely? For I would so love to become a forager and live to tell and teach about it!!!

Precious and really appreciated were the recipes threaded throughout this very special book. Sarah Campbell shared her Chickweed Pesto recipe on page 39. Complete with kelp, walnuts, garlic, evoo, salt, parmesan cheese, black pepper (and chickweed of course!), I found this recipe clever. I do not believe my Italian husband would miss the basil for even a minute! Now, where do I find chickweed? Oh that's right - the author told me. It grows in my front yard in early spring. I quote, "Another name for the plant is winterweed" because it really begins its largest growth spurt during the fall, through winter and then, bang, come spring and the stuff is all over the place." As if we needed another good reason to discontinue our lawn pesticide service forever!

The photos were very helpful. Kit Ellingson took the photos for which we applaud her courage as she climbed through all things green and buggy to get the perfect shots. I enjoyed the beauty on each and every page.

Author Dennis Ellingson can be found on Facebook as The Herb Guy. He is also a Pastor and family man. I appreciated God's Wild Herbs and hope to bravely search for and successfully find some of the wild herbs presented. I know I would be in good company with other foragers four legged and other. God is so good to give us His creation. We just need to go out and enjoy it! Thank you Dennis Ellingson for an inspirational guide book to wild herbs!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Cladach Publishing as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

God's Healing Herbs by Dennis Ellingson

Complete with recipes, pencil sketch drawing of herbs with full context of their history back in the Bible days and so much more! I love this book as it served as a book I would keep in my kitchen bookshelf and refer to often.
 

My hope is that I will become a wealth of knowledge in regard to everyday herbs I use to make my family's meals. I consider knowing these facts about herbs a bridge to connect with those who may not normally be open to Bible facts who visit me for a meal or just to hang out in my kitchen. In this manner, I consider this special book a witnessing tool.
 

I appreciated the three separate sections titled: Twelve Essential Herbs for Women, Men and Children. I had not considered herbs as plant life that would heal me or lead to better health. I did not think of herbs as anything else but flavoring for an entrée or dessert. I considered herbs to be a garnish. Not so, as you will learn in God's Healing Herbs. In the Table of Medicinal Herbs: External and Internal, I was surprised to learn I could use herbs such as cinnamon and ginger on my hair! I found the internal chart to be not only exciting but inspiring. God intended for us to eat off the land. How far we have come from this basic approach. All the answers are in this book for the reader to not only live a healthy life by eating herbs but to overcome existing disease by eating herbs!

 

This book gives me hope that a Christian who has given up control of their health to the western attitude of "just pop a pill" will have their eyes opened to the exciting world of healing herbs which God intended for our use. This book has become a part of my personal library and though I will share the title with others, I will not allow my copy of God's Healing Herbs to leave my house.

 

Lastly, I smiled as I noticed the dedication on the front inside cover. It read, "Dedicated to the Lord God, who was "walking in the garden in the cool of the day" (Gen 3:8)."

 

Thank you God for the garden, for the thorns and thistles and so much more. Thank you Dennis Ellingson, for leading us to the back to the ground for a taste of all that was and still is good in the garden.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Cladach Publishing as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

 

 

 

Walking In Trust: Lessons Learned with my Blind Dog by Gayle M. Irwin

I confess, I procrastinated posting this review long after reading this book because I did not want to say goodbye to the author and her special blind dog Sage!! Walking In Trust was all about the journey of accepting and overcoming not just a dog's physical limitations, but for those who struggle physically, emotionally, or spiritually (that'd be me + you =everyone!!).
                                                                                  
Ms. Irwin had a way of telling a tale and then wove Scripture in a lessons learned type formula. Each chapter included annointed conversation which stimulated each of my senses. I heard the leaves crunch under Sage's feet as her nose sniffed the damp earth in search of a squirrel. I heard the birds chirp outside the window just as Sage did. I smiled knowing Sage enjoyed many years in the warmth of her owner's snuggly buggly sweater. She may not have been able to see - but she knew she was loved. Only an animal lover would understand the special bond that developed between Sage and the author. Therefore, I do recommend this book to any animal lover whether in search of Scripture or not - this book blessed me and reminded me not to complain about the little things in life that often seem to be so big at the time.

Sage was an overcomer! She was an inspiration and so filled with life. I loved hearing her adventures and how she taught others about learning to overcome challenges. The author's style was warming and personal. The setting was enjoyable as it was clear the author loved not only animals, but her husband and the great outdoors.

Possible spoiler alert: I cried with Ms. Irwin as she said goodbye to her best forever friend and I teared up long after reading the last chapter. I thought of my own dear 19 year, 7 months young dog Karamel, whose heart fought to beat on Valentine's Day five years ago xoxo. 

Purchase Walking in Trust today www.cladach.com! After laughing, crying, smiling and then some more tears - -  pass this gift to someone you love. I was blessed and continue to be blessed by Sage's journey. I pray we all come to love and be loved by a "Sage" - at least once in a lifetime. That is my prayer.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Cladach Publishing as part of their  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.