Book Sneeze Review: Plan B by Pete Wilson

See Amazon.com review

This book was about what we do when life does not turn out exactly as we had thought it would. The author refers to this situation as "Plan B" throughout the book. The overall topic was the author Pete Wilson coming alongside his reader in a casual manner, asking many questions and sharing his own struggles with being a Pastor and experiencing Plan B situations in his own life as well as the lives of those he has encountered.

Initially, the whole concept (explained in the trailer) interested me. However, after easing into the book I was disappointed by the author's use of "we" as a broad brush stroke assuming all of his readers relate to each question or situation. I did appreciate some of his personal experiences. For example the story in Chapter 1 of the story of Todd and Angie and their stillborn baby Audrey (Chapter 12) moved me as I related to their struggle with asking God, "Why?" but not getting an answer. The story on page 70 was excellently explained. Page 134 "Bring Your Problems" was a concept I understood. I appreciated the author's honesty about the lack of transparency in the church.

However, there were doctrinal inconsistencies. I appreciated the use of Scripture references but it would have been more beneficial to also include version translation. Because I review each book  from the perspective of "What does the Word of God have to say about this?" I have to question the theology introduced which does not meet up with 1 John 2:20-21. I am reviewing from the pure teachings which come directly from the Bible. Any other perspective ends up focusing solely on "self, which we we know to be the very reason for the Fall in the Garden. 1 Corinthians 15:3.

A sampling of Biblical inconsistencies/questionable content:
* Page 52 just one example of flawed theology. The second paragraph talks about fear and us not being in control and refers to "experts" debating whether we are born with fear or not. This is a mute point. Psalm 139 explains our need to not have to be in control as God is always in control and surrendering to Him will set our fear to rest.Using this example to explain a lot of talk that need not be uttered as we have the Word of God. We can skip all this chatter. Just go to the Word of God not psychology.

* Page 92 Peter Scazzaro's Christian/Catholic Contemplative Meditation theology and quote on page 92 about feelings. Our feelings change but God's Word never does. His method introduces Christian principles delivered by spiritualists. If you want to dine at a "Christian type" buffet - take a bit of this and a bit of that then you may be interested. If so, Google Mr. Scazzaro's books. No thanks.

* Page 102 I quote, "One particular phrase I seemed to hear over and over was this: "God will never give you more than you can handle." It sounds so sweet and biblical., like something my grandmother would have done in needlepoint and hung on the wall in her house. The problem is, nothing could be further from the truth. Where in the world did we get such a whacked theology? Where's that verse in the Bible? Hallucinations 4:32 maybe?" end quote.

I respectfully submit 1 Corinthians 10:13. Man ("self") has re-verbiaged Scripture. When man repackages that which God presented in it's pure form confusion enters. 2 Corinthians 12:7 is then listed along with the Apostle Paul. The problem is that there is a disputing of Philippians 4:13 indirectly but a supporting reference of 2 Corinthians 12:7.

* The author's son's penis was mentioned twice in this book. Possibly this topic was supposed to inject humor, however I did not understand the lesson or the humor in either reference (page 221 with modeling clay and peeing in a public pool in another chapter).

I am not a Theologian by any means, but I have the Holy Spirit, concordance, dictionary and the Word of God to help me see the red flags waving throughout Plan B. If you decide to pursue this book to enjoy some of the content in this book please do so with the wide-eyed perspective of a Berean.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com 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.”

FITNESS: DVD "Walk Away The Pounds Ultimate Collection" by Leslie Sansone

See Commercial Review on Amazon.com  click here

Living in steamy South Florida one can understand seeking an indoor workout solution in the summer. I found  Leslie Sansone's "Walk Away the Pounds Ultimate Collection" DVD to be an excellent tool to get in shape and lose weight. This truly is an Ultimate Collection.

Besides filling the bill of being "an indoor workout solution" this DVD is a deal at $9.99. I avoid the monthly gym membership fee by being creative in my fitness routine.  However, I have wasted money in the past purchasing DVDs even after reading great reviews. Sadly, those exercise faux pas collect dust or end up in the Goodwill donation bag. I think we can all relate to this disappointment.

 This collection gives you 4 choices: 1 Mile Get Up & Get Started, 2 Mile Brisk Walk, 3 Mile Advanced Walk, 4 Mile Super Challenge.  I walked all four episodes and my favorite is the 3 mile walk. This is my fav because Leslie uses the purple resistance band (comes with your DVD). I like the variety of walking (side to side, shimmying forward, leg lifts, leg kicks, and arm raises). If I feel particularly challenged after walking 3 miles while still walking I fast forward to the 4 mile walk (skipping the warmup) and then just keep going til I decide to stop.


All exercise DVDs I have used have had one thing in common. Maybe you can relate. The person leading the workout starts to irritate me about the 3rd or 4th time I watch the DVD. Maybe you can relate to this? Sometimes the reason simply is too much of the person and not enough focus on the actual exercise. Basically, the big personality steals the show.

 Leslie has the opposite effect on me, personally. She is an encouragement in that she allows me to feel that I am just not viewing the DVD, but I am a part of her group getting in shape, enjoying the camaraderie of the girls (oh sorry there is one guy in the group). I wear an Ipod shuffle now cause how many times can you listen to her repeat what she says? When I do decide to listen in I smile because she is so uplifting, and humble in that she is coming alongside her walkers and relating to them. She shares that she agrees we all may eat too much but it isn't the food that is causing us to gain weight (then she adds - well - maybe it is) but then goes on to inject us with some reminders to hydrate and turn on the DVD whenever we want to feel better about ourselves. 

And I love this! She reminds us that the walking does work and not to give up. And none of this talk is patronizing or infomercial-oriented. She is the girl next-door - someone that would teach a women's bible study in her home and meet you for tea just because you needed a friend in your hour of need.

Call me crazy but the only flaw in this DVD is that I may just wear it out from playing it too much! Save your money and skip each individual DVD workout she has out there up until the Ultimate Collection. Toss that membership discount and free trial ad that arrives in your mailbox every month. We all know that costs more than we need to spend these days. This exercise method works and is enjoyable to watch.

Go grab your sneakers, turn down the air, work up a sweat and.....Walk Away the Pounds! You knew I had to give this product one last plug. I know Leslie would thank me for my kind review. I can hear her girlie girl giggle - the same one I hear everyday for 3 miles ...but whose counting....just counting the pounds that walk away each day.

  
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Alfalfa Sprout Water: Sprout Garden & Dr. Pitcairn = Healthy Kidney & Liver

This review is targeted first to benefit cat's health, then how alfalfa sprouts help humans.

I purchased both Sprout Garden and Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats

I was excited about possibly gardening at home. I stumbled upon http://www.wheatgrasskits.com/. I called the number on the website, drilled the poor customer service lady and gleaned alot of information. I decided to purchase Sprout Garden. After I stole it out of the box, eager to get started, my first attempt to sprout I realized I was confused. I had to call the customer service number as the photocopied directions were different than the booklet's directions with regard to how many seeds to put in each container. I was on a mission to make this right the very first time and did get clarity from the friendly voice at the home of the Sprout Garden.

I sprouted 3 layers of alfalfa sprouts in 5 days. Success! Next I decided to make red lentil sprouts. Success in 2 days! I had so many sprouts I could only give so many away. I decided to feed them to my cats but realized I must research alfalfa and it's effect on cats as I have heard conflicting information on the benefits of alfalfa and cats.

Remembering I had purchased Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (love it!) I again read through each chapter to hear his thoughts on alfafa and cats. Sure enough, on page 117 he shares, "Alfalfa is an excellent tonic that stimulates digestion and appetite. It helps animals gain weight and improves physical and mental vigor. Alfalfa is best used for animals that are underweight, nervous, or high-strung. It can also help those with muscle or joint pains or animals with urinary problems-especially where there is crystal formation and bladder irritation..." Ding Ding Ding the bells go off in my head as this information is exactly what I am searching for to remedy my kitty Vidalia's crystals naturally!!!

I place my faith in our vet Dr. Martin drmarcia@creatingwellbeings.com as she is an outstanding integrative vet, however, I decided to skip this month's visit with her (she travels from Alabama to Boca Raton, FL once a month and accepts office visits for two days). My kitty Vidalia has been battling numerous health issues, but this recurring crystal formation has baffled me for months. She is incontinent and antibiotics have not helped, Solid Gold Berry Balance has not done the trick (yet!) and so stumbling upon alfalfa and that which I had sprouted in abundance was answered prayer! I made the decision to give a last ditch attempt with diet rather than admit defeat and bring her for an office visit.

Here's what I did: Page 117 explains how to make "alfalfa water". I was guided to the method of cold extraction on page 438. This all sounds so complex but it's not. I put 2 heaping tablespoons sprouted alfalfa (that I had made myself in my Sprout Garden) and poured in a cup of cold purified water. I set the glass jar on the counter for 12 hours. After 12 hours, I strain the alfalfa out (you can eat it after it sits in the water - I waste nothing) then I fill a rubber syringe and let it sit til room temperature and I carefully insert it in Vidalia's mouth. I do this three times a day. I am also adding it to her wet food (which is a raw diet which Dr. Pitcairn has recommended for her condition - it is in the book). In the three days since I have started this "Alfalfa Regime" Vidalia has been using her litter box faithfully. She is also sleeping soundly  and snoring like an old man so these changes suppor the fact that something is indeed going well ;)

There is a really good fasting program in Dr. Pitcairn's book that I am having success with my kitties. Who knew kitties would scarf down tofu?! The fasting program begins on page 272 in Chapter 15 which is "How To Care For a Sick Animal". My alpha kitty Angelina however, wants very little to do with the fasting diet, so I am giving her the alfalfa water three times a day with the raw diet she had been eating. At least she will also enjoy a bit of a flush with the water.

And then an unexpected blessing!! I poured some of the alfalfa water into my glass and took a sip by accident (I thought it was Kombucha tea)...and then got to thinking about humans and alfalfa... It wasn't bad at all! In fact, it was quite pleasant and easy to swallow.

Since I promote a Mediterranean diet for myself and my husband, I appreciated what I learned on a website about alfalfa being an anti-inflammatory. The helpful website is http://www.juicing-for-health.com/alfalfa-sprouts-nutrition.html. Alfalfa and alfalfa water will fit in nicely with our menus as my "waste nothing" mentality kicks in - you can extract the alfalfa using the cold method as Dr. Pitcairn shares on page 117 and then shake the water off and eat in your salad. I intend to incorporate alfalfa water in moderation for our entire family - four legged and two as well.

I plan on making my organically-inspired friends "alfalfa water" and to sprout often!

I do give Sprout Garden and Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats five stars - for without this pairing I would not have found this healthy solution for both man and beast...

Please contact me at christina@wordsofgrace.info for questions you may have regarding either sprouting or fasting your cats. I am not a doctor and am not qualified to give medical advice, but I am able and willing to share what I have learned and to share my honest review with regard to these products.