The Postage Stamp Vegetable Garden by Karen Newcomb.

We have a raised garden that we started years ago.  I have to say, when we have planted tomatoes, we have been able to get good crop for a season.  We have also planted other crops but it has been hit and miss.  We want to grow more but have a hard time getting an abundant crop.

I saw this book The Postage Stamp Vegetable Garden by Karen Newcomb which is an re-issue of a classic. What caught my eye is the fact that on a plot of 5x5 size, you can get a crop of 200 lbs of vegetable.  What!!!?? Get out of here, you gotta be crazy.  So that caught my attention and I told myself, I gotta read this book.

 

Here's a link to the author's bio below.

Author's Bio

There are drawings of many different types of postage stamp garden and the best layout for each style. Karen also delves into best time to plant, how to prep the soil and watering.  She makes it sounds so simple and easy but without any of the pretentiousness that sometimes you would associate with these DIY books.

In reading this book, I'm already imagining changes that I need to do for my own garden, it's been a long time coming and it looks so sad in my yard.  I especially like the latter half of the book where she lists out all different types of vegetables, when to grow, what they need and advise on growing them.

That is such a great reference tool because I want to grow other things than tomatoes...

Highly recommend this book, what more can you ask then grow your own food and do it easily. 

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

The Paleo Chef by Pete Evans

So a few years ago, I met a friend for dinner, whom I haven't seen in a while. The last time I saw him, he was a bit on the heavy side and wasn't in as great shape as he could be.

Well, when he walked up to me, I couldn't believe it was him.  He was almost half the size of when I last saw him and he had muscle definition.  We proceeded to sit down at eat (it was an all you can eat buffet) and he piled his plates with meat, meat and more meat.  I was like "dude, what's going on here?  You ready for a heart attack?"  He proceeded to explain to me how he started going on a Paleo lifestyle (he didn't mention diet) and how by cutting out starch/carbs/sugar/dairy free and eating proteins, vegetables and nuts, he has lost a lot of weight and along with working out has never felt healthier in this life.  I was amazed at the transformation and each time we get together, he continue to espouse his new lifestyle.

When I saw the book The Paleo Chef by Pete Evans, and felt I had to take a look at the book.  After all, here is an accomplished chef who has written a book about and with recipes for the paleo lifestyle.

 

In reading Pete's intro, I knew this was the right book for me.  First, he clearly states Paleo is not a diet but a lifestyle.  Diets don't work by lifestyle does.  He goes and makes the the case the in adopting Paleo, we are not missing out on carbs, sugars and grains but we are gaining so much more in getting carbs and sugars from natural sources instead of all the processed foods around his.  

However, Paleo is just one step in being and feeling healthy.  It includes rest, being outdoors, and a positive mindset.  All these, with Paleo will help enhance your life.

The book is broken out into seven sections: Breakfast, Vegetables/Sides/Snacks, Seafood, Poultry, Meat, Dessert and  Drinks.

The recipes are simple and easy, with ingredients that's generally easy to purchase from your neighborhood store.  Of course some you might have to purchase from Whole Paycheck (oops, Whole Foods).

The Vietnamese Chicken wings are awesome, cauliflower fried rice with chicken (who would have thought that you could sub Cauliflower for rice and its delicious), and the meat.

The desserts are what I like, being able to use other sweeteners besides sugar and they look fantastic.  Haven't had a chance to make any but here's the one's that I want to try:
Apple berry crumble
chocolate avocado mousse
chocolate beet mudcakes

actually want to try them all.
I like at the end Pete has a section on how to make the "basics" that's needed in his book.

I would highly recommend this book to all who wants to try the Paleo lifestyle yet eat well.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.