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.

Book Review: Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God by Sheila Walsh

This book review is found on Amazon.com
A Warm Blanket for Your Chilly Soul, April 8, 2010 This review is from: Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God (Hardcover) Truly this author understands coming alongside her reader and sharing her heart in an openly transparent way. Sheila Walsh has done an amazing job in encouraging her audience which is clearly women. I enjoy a direct - "down-to-earth" read. However, this work is anything but simple. Sheila Walsh incorporates the Bible in each and every chapter. She relates her experiences with wisdom and a peppering of humor. Her writing style leaves the door open for the reader to relate and form their own opinions of what she is sharing. But don't misunderstand - everything she says is under-girded with the Pure Word of God. No gray areas - no muddy water to wade through. She delivers God's Truth straight up! One criticism I had (because I am also a writer) is this book could have been edited for correct spelling of numerous words. One example is the word "Crucifixion" was misspelled as "crucifiction." Misspelling that word is tragic as the misspelled word contracts the meaning of the word, which is so important. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will not soon forget it. Whenever I see a swing I will think of Sheila Walsh. I appreciate her boldness and honesty. I related so much to her struggles with fear, public speaking and being haunted at times with the past. But like Sheila, I have the Lord and know nothing will ever keep me from growing in Christ - and swinging higher and higher..until either my Lord Jesus Christ comes back to get me or I am called to my eternal Home - Heaven. Kudos to Sheila Walsh for reminding me that this is not my final resting place!!! Disclosure of Material Connection: Thomas Nelson Publishers sent me a free copy of this book as part of their bloggers book review 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."

Book Review: Captivating: Unveiling The Mystery of a Woman's Soul by John & Stasi Eldredge

 

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge - New Age Packaged as Christian Doctrine, April 27, 2010

This review is from: Captivating Study Guide: Unveiling The Mystery of a Woman's Soul (Paperback)

As posted on Amazon.com 

First off, this book is supposed to encourage the heart of every woman to become "Captivating" as God designed her to be. However, the message is muddied as Biblical references are inaccurately used to prove the message that the heart of a woman is anything but deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). Depicting our heart as deserving of all with God in us - especially in the "warrior woman" was the first red flag I experienced in reading this book. As a born-again Bible toting Christian believer, I found this message to support New Age philosophy using Scripture to inaccurately state principles about the heart of a woman.

In this review I will give short statements so the potential buyer of this book is not deceived by the subtle introduction of New Age in Captivating. From a structural standpoint, I found using "we" to prove points frustrating. Because this book is co-authored, I found it confusing at times to realize whether John or Stasi was speaking. The "we" though did not apply to the co-authors but was referring to the reader! However, the "we" is used which irritated me the reader because Scripture was thrown in with oodles of assumptions and generalizations.

I did enjoy several personal accounts of Stasi's and related to what she was sharing. I give grace to Stasi as this is her first book. And for that reason I did give this book 1 star out of 5. However, her husband John has authored several books and he should have known better in writing a book in the third person - especially a non-fiction book.

My objections: John plugging his book for men Wild at Heart often, Bible verses were not cited with versions, one verse was quoted by Dan Allender - who is???(p.51), Anderson quote - where is that argument supported in the Bible? (p.104), elevating Cinderella over the Proverbs 31 Woman, promotion of two New Age books written by Frances Hodgson Burnett (A Little Princess, Secret Garden), The Essence of a Woman New Age (p.132 & 134).

"The War Against Femininity?"I am not familiar with what that war is about but in my Bible the war is against good (God) vs. evil (Satan), Eve was a helper to Adam and God gave Adam domininion over all (p.134). Lastly, what made this book a train wreck for me personally, was the endless references to secular movies, books and quotations (I do not look to Bruce Springsteen for inspiration, Jerry Maguire's "You Complete Me" is not biblical, Dan Fogelberg's "Longer" song I wish had never been brought back up into my memory bank and lastly, Harrison Ford does not make this woman "weak in the knees" Stasi! (p.131).

When I review any book, I try to find the inspiration - the takeaway for the reader. The takeaway in this book was zero other than several of Stasi's stories as mentioned above. I cannot promote a book that disguises itself as a Christian work when it is clearly steeped in not only secular culture, but sadly deceptive New Age doctrine that may be "Captivating" to a new believer or true seeker of God's Truth. I pray these authors do not author any more books in the Christian non-fiction genre unless they get their Scripture in context and accurately stated and properly referenced.

Poor Apostle Peter- he is accused of "trying" to convey a Truth in 1 Peter 3:3-4 (p 136). This heresy is anything but "Captivating!" but downright insulting to the God of the Universe and the Holy Spirit that moved the Apostle Peter's hand to pen the Scripture.
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.”

Book Review: Storm Warning by Billy Graham

As reviewed on Amazon. com

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Storm Warning by Billy Graham, May 21, 2010

This book is about the spiritual, actual and economic storms described in the Book of Revelations. Billy Graham is famous for his ability to evangelize, and this book was on point with his love for God's Word. However, I read this book with an objective point of view - trying to forget I was hearing directly from Billy Graham. This read is chock-full of Scripture and invitations to salvation. The target audience is believer, unbeliever as well as the scoffer who disagrees that our world is in the midst of a storm as described in Matthew 24:4.

Storm Warning is a revised, updated, reprinted version Mr. Graham had originally written in 1992. He shared in this book that after the events of 9/11 and the political, social, environment we are now in had confirmed the need to revise his original work so it would be relative for today.

I gleaned much knowledge in regard to the history of the Roman Empire and Caesar's command that the people idolize him. The study of Revelations 2 & 3 in which John sends the alerts to the seven churches and then the second warning of the seven seals of the scroll being opened was truly illuminating. I appreciate the fact that Mr. Graham included the present age also in the study of Revelations, as John wrote these letters for the church today, as well, to warn of the coming storms.

I had always created an image in my mind of John sitting around cracking open coconuts and watching his beard grow while on the Island of Patmos. The Truth of the Bible is very different than that image. John was actually in prison. The only time he most likely had to write was while he was locked in his prison cell. In the hot sun he was forced to carry gravel chipped from granite cliffs above the sea. He brought the heavy loads to a cargo dock which was at the Roman Citadel. This material was used to  build the foundations for the temples and palaces of the Emperor Domitian and to pave the Roman roads (all roads lead to Rome). Interesting!

Mr. Graham makes mention of his crusades often, but for the most part there is a valuable lesson in the stories he weaves. One criticism I had is that there are frequent references made to various statistics in which there are no footnotes given for the reader to research.  A Berean at heart, I did not feel the author was accommodating in that there was merely a section titled "Works Cited" at the end of the book. I also did not agree with his Population Explosion Theory.

Lastly, I did not get a keen sense of whether Mr. Graham believes in Pre-Tribulation or Post-Tribulation Rapture of the Saints. I would have liked more information about both as the Tribulation references could be quite scary and depressing for someone not informed of the Rapture of the Saints. This comment is strictly personal as I am a Pre-Tribulation believer and would have found it interesting to have paired that theology with the Apocalypse references.

I would undoubtedly recommend Storm Warning to everyone! I also want that blessing that comes from reading the book of Revelations. So I plan on grabbing my Bible now after finishing this review. Billy Graham has gotten this individual inspired!!!

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.”