We will NOT review nor recommend 5 IN 5 FOR EVERY SEASON

5 in 5 For Every Season 
By Michael Symon
with Douglas Trattner 
Clarkson Potter/Publishers


     I am not a follower of the television show “The Chew”, so I am not familiar with Michael Symon.  But his cook book offering of meals with “five fresh ingredients that cook in five minutes” really sounded like something that was going to be a real asset to my schedule.

     As I went thru Mr. Symon’s book, I realized that his idea of a “quick” meal wasn’t the same as mine!  Most take a lot more preparation time that I take in preparing my main dish!  And the “five fresh ingredients” weren’t the only ingredients in the recipe.  He uses a lot of the other ingredients are not standard items in my pantry nor ingredients that my family would be willing to try.   

     But I was most disappointed when I found that the cook book contains recipes that  include wine and/or beer and/or beverage alcohol as an ingredient.  We condemn the consumption of alcoholic beverage in any form and for any reason.  Therefore, we will not endorse nor recommend this book.   

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DISCLAIMER:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.  I have not received any type of financial compensation for this review.  C.E. Watson
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We will NOT review nor recommend THE CHILI COOKBOOK

The Chili Cookbook 
By Robb Walsh
with Photography by Eva Kolenko
Ten Speed Press, Berkeley

     When you mention “chili”, everyone has a memory and conception of what it is and how it should be.  This nice, hard bound book by Robb Walsh explores all aspects of this favorite dish, from the “usual” bowl of ground meat, tomatoes, onions, and spices to the unexpected dishes covered under the broad definition of “chili”: Lobster Chili, Hungarian Goulash, Green Chile Chicken, and more.

     Robb Walsh also provides the reader with an interesting and informative history of spices and recipe origins, all of which add depth and color to the reading.

     However, as I went thru the recipe sections, I was sorely disappointed! 

 

     The Chili Cookbook contains recipes that include wine and/or beer and/or beverage alcohol as an ingredient.  We condemn the consumption of alcoholic beverage in any form and for any reason. Therefore, we will not review, endorse, nor recommend this book.

  

About the Author:  Robb Walsh is the author of more than a dozen cookbooks, including the iconic Tex-Mex Cookbook and Legends of Texas Barbecue.  He is also a former restaurant reviewer for the Austin Chronical, Houston Press, and Houstonia Magazine.  Robb is a cofounder and board member of Foodways Texas.

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DISCLAIMER:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.  I have not received any type of financial compensation for this review.  C.E. Watson

Paper Goods Projects, a Super Make-It Book

Paper Goods Projects, a Super Make-It Book 
By Jodi Levine, photographs by Amy Gropp Forbes
Ten Speed Press, Berkeley

     Have you ever been standing there with an empty paper towel roll in you hand, sure that you could do something crafty with it but not sure what?  Well, author Jodi Levine has the answer for that roll and so many more common household items!

     Paper Goods Projects, a Super Make-It Book, is a colorful 112 page book in which the author gives both the instruction and the inspiration to make fun and useful items.   The crafts range from simple for kids such as “Doily Butterflies” and “Big Box Blocks” to more complex ones for teens such as “Coffee Filter Water Lilly Table Setting”, “Balloon Planets”, and “Recycled Box Pop-up-Cards”.  

     The book is full of great ideas for rainy day projects, home-schooling art lessons, hand-made party decorations, or Vacation Bible School crafts, all with supply lists and directions for each project that are clear and easy to follow.  

     And after learning how to make “Tube Animals” and “Sea Creatures Mobile”, you will be hard pressed to ever throw away another empty paper towel roll!  

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About the Author:  

JODI LEVINE is a lifelong crafter. In her nineteen years on Martha Stewart’s staff, she held the roles of craft editor at Martha Stewart Living magazine, editorial director of Martha Stewart Kids magazine, and product designer for Martha Stewart’s popular line of crafts. Jodi is a frequent guest on NBC’s Today and lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their two sons.

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DISCLAIMER:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.  I have not received any form of financial compensation for this review.  C.E. Watson

We will NOT review nor recommend A JEWISH BAKER'S PASTRY SECRETS

A Jewish Bakers’s Pastry Secrets 
By George Greenstein with Elaine Greenstein, Julia Greenstein, and Isaac Bleicher
Ten Speed Press, Berkeley



A Jewish Bakers’s Pastry Secrets is a large, hard-bound, 202 page volume and the introduction is a loving remembrance of the author’s parents and their bakery.  Mr. Greenstein then goes on to provide chapters on baking equipment, tools, ingredients, and basic techniques -- all of which are very informative and easy to comprehend.

The chapters that follow are collections of the family’s recipes.  However, as I went thru the recipe sections, I was sorely disappointed!
 
A Jewish Bakers’s Pastry Secrets contains recipes that include wine and/or beer and/or beverage alcohol as an ingredient.  We condemn the consumption of alcoholic beverage in any form and for any reason.  Therefore, we will not review, endorse, nor recommend this book.

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DISCLAIMER:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.  I have not received any type of financial compensation for this review.  C.E. Watson

We will NOT review nor recommend THE HOSTESS TWINKIES COOKBOOK - Twinkies 85th Anniversary Edition

The Hostess Twinkies Cookbook - 
Twinkies 85th Anniversary Edition
Ten Speed Press, Berkeley

What can be more iconic as the All-American sweet treat than a Hostess Twinkie!  When Blogging for Books offered a Twinkies COOKBOOK, I was excited about reviewing it.

The introduction to this little hard-back book gives the history of the creation of this snack and it’s cultural status, along with great photos of the original ads.  However, as I went thru the recipe sections, I was sorely disappointed!

With all of the recipes available for inclusion in this cookbook, the editors choose recipes that include wine and/or beer and/or beverage alcohol as an ingredient.  We condemn the consumption of alcoholic beverage in any form and for any reason.  Therefore, we will not review, endorse, nor recommend this book.

DISCLAIMER:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.  I have not received any type of financial compensation for this review.  C.E. Watson

ROOTED IN DESIGN, Sprout Home’s Guide to Creative Indoor Planting

ROOTED IN DESIGN, 
Sprout Home’s Guide to Creative Indoor Planting
by Tara Heibel and Tassy de Give
Ten Speed Press Publishers, Berkeley

Potted plants have always been a part of my personal environment, but I have never given much thought to actually incorporating them into the overall decor and function of my rooms.  Rooted in Design gave me a totally new look at ways to utilize the plants I love in functional applications.  The Authors have provided a little book that is informative, concise, and easy to read.  Chapters include ways to mount plants in containers on walls, groupings for ledges and floors, terrariums and self-watering containers, and even easy to follow instructions for macramé holders forKokedama free-form planting methods.  There is no end to the decorating inspiration provided in this colorful, high quality book!

*NOTE: The authors suggests the use of whiskey bottles and whiskey barrels as containers sharing a bottle of wine with one’s partner.  As I do NOT condone the use of beverage alcohol in any form for any reason, it is herein noted that this review does NOT agree with nor condone this suggestion by the book's author.  

CE Watson

Authors Bio:

Tara Heibel has done monthly gardening segments for ABC Morning News.  She also writes a regular gardening Column for The Huffington Post.

Tassy De Give has appeared on the Martha Stewart Living radio show and has been featured in numerous publications including The New York Times.

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DISCLAIMER:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.  I have not received any type of financial compensation for this review.  C.E. Watson

THE WORLD NEEDS MORE LOVE LETTERS ALL-IN-ONE STATIONERY AND ENVELOPES - Such a Neat Idea!

LOVE LETTERS, All-In-One Stationery and Envelopes
by Hannah Brencher
Potter Style, Random House LLC Publishers

     Hannah Brencher has taken the familiar write/fold/mail one-piece stationary and incorporated it into a convenient book form. Her book contains 40 bright, colorful sheets of quality paper ready for that special note on one side and the mailing address on the other.

     This stationary book is a comfortable 7 x 10 inches and fits into a large purse, a tote bag, or easily carried, having it readily available for those times when you find yourself in a situation where you are waiting.  A quick note to a friend or loved one can be penned and left safely in the stationary book until you are ready to address it, remove the page, fold and mail!  

     And if you need a bit of inspiration, the author has provided 40 interesting ideas to help get you started! 

     Because of it’s "novel" format, Love Letters would also make a great gift for a book lover!

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NOTE:  In the author's section of inspirational ideas, Ms. Brencher suggests sharing a bottle of wine with one’s partner.  As I do NOT condone the use of beverage alcohol in any form for any reason, it is herein noted that this review does NOT agree with nor condone this suggestion by the book's author.  

CE Watson

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Author Bio:

Hannah Brencher is the creator of The World Needs More Love Letters (moreloveletters.com), which has been responsible for over 20,000 letters written by volunteers.  She has worked with the U.S. Postal Service and was honored by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.

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DISCLAIMER:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.  I have not received any type of financial compensation for this review.  C.E. Watson
  

       

       

   

We will NOT review nor recommend COOKIE LOVE

by Mindy Segal with Kate Leahy
Ten Speed Press, Berkeley

Nothing invokes memories of childhood in the kitchen as much as cookies - not only the joy of eating the delicious treat but sharing the time with Mom or Grandma making them. When "Blogging for Books" offered Mindy Segal’s book, Cookie Love, I was excited about reviewing it.  And couldn’t have been more disappointed.

Cookie Love contains recipes that include wine and/or beer and/or beverage alcohol as an ingredient.  We condemn the consumption of alcoholic beverage in any form and for any reason.  Therefore, we will not review, endorse, nor recommend this book.  


Book Author Bio: Mindy Segal is a James Beard Award-winning chef and the owner of the popular Chicago restaurant, "HotChocolate".

DISCLAIMER:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.  I have not received any type of financial compensation for this review
C.E. Watson

YOUR FAMILY IN PICTURES - informative, encouraging, and helpful!

your family in pictures 
The Parents' Guide to Photographing Holidays, Family Portraits, and Everyday Life
by Me Ra Koh
Amphoto Books, an Imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, Berkeley

     I have always loved taking photos, but felt intimidated and afraid of wasting film on a bad shot and missing a really good one!  Then I was given a digital camera!  No longer limited by the roll of film, I was photographing everything - and discovered that even with a digital camera, you can still take a bad shot and miss a really good one!

     When Blogging for Books offered Me Ra Koh's book, YOUR FAMILY IN PICTURES, I decided to review it and see if there was help for my photography.  And this little book is indeed informative!

      YOUR FAMILY IN PICTURES, the author's third book, is divided into sections that reflect the events of family life: holidays, birthdays, vacations, individual and family shots - all opportunities to preserve the memory with a camera.  And as a wife and mother, the author shares her personal creative successes and failures with her own family as an avenue to teach the reader.

     On the technical side, Me Ra Koh displays a tremendous ability to discuss posing, lighting, and shutter speeds in such a way that either the most inexperienced novice as myself or an experienced photographer can follow the instructions and achieve results.

     The author is all about trusting that you can do this and to just pick up the camera and take that shot!  In her closing, Me Ra Koh offers tremendous encouragement  to the reader:

        Learning a new art not only stretches our creativity but comes up against all

        our fears and doubts that we aren't good enough or creative enough to keep

        trying. ... true creativity is about venturing into the dark. ... And this process,

        the creative process, is often messy, but it's incredibly rewarding.

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NOTE:  In the author's section on "you and your spouse", Ms. Koh suggests the subjects have a glass of wine to relax before the photo shot.  As I do NOT condone the use of beverage alcohol in any form for any reason, it is herein noted that this review does NOT agree with nor condone this suggestion by the book's author.  CE Watson

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Author Bio: Me Ra Koh is the leading photography expert and educator to moms with cameras.  In addition to her success as an author and photographer, Me Ra is a sought after, inspirational keynote speaker who brings empowerment, humor and tears to all her audiences.  Her CONFIDENCE Photography Workshops for Women have sold out for six years. She can be followed at  www.merakoh.com and @merakoh.

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DISCLAIMER:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.  I have not received any type of financial compensation for this review.  

C.E. Watson

Photo source: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/

We will NOT review nor recommend THE PERFECT EGG

The Perfect Egg 
A Fresh Take on Recipes for Morning, Noon, and Night
by Teri Lyn Fisher and Jenny Park
10 Speed Press Publisher

DISCLAIMER:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.  I have not received any type of financial compensation for this review.  C.E. Watson

 The Perfect Egg, while a comprehensive study in the types of eggs, cooking techniques, handling and storage of eggs, also contains recipes.  This book contains recipes that include wine and/or beverage alcohol as an ingredient.  We condemn the consumption of wine, beer, and/or alcoholic beverage in any form and for any reason.  Therefore, we will not review, endorse, nor recommend this book.

C.E. Watson, www.goodgrubbfamilyrecipes.blogspot.com

We will NOT review nor recommend LIGHTEN UP, Y'ALL

 Lighten up, y'all 
Classic Southern Recipes made Healthy & Wholesome
by Virginia Willis
10 Speed Press Publisher

DISCLAIMER:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.  I have not received any type of financial compensation for this review.  C.E. Watson

Lighten up, y'all contains recipes that include wine and/or beer and/or beverage alcohol as an ingredient.  We condemn the consumption of alcoholic beverage in any form and for any reason. Therefore, we will not review, endorse, nor recommend this book.  

C.E. Watson, www.goodgrubbfamilyrecipes.blogspot.com

We do NOT recommend THE SOUP CLUB COOKBOOK

The Soup Club Cookbook
by Courtney Allison, Tina Carr, Caroline Laskow, and Julie Peacock
Clarkson Potter/Publisher

DISCLAIMER:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. I have not received any type of financial compensation for this review.  C.E. Watson

The Soup Club Cookbook contains recipes that include wine and/or beer as an ingredient and the authors encourage the consumption of alcoholic beverage.  We condemn the use of alcoholic beverage in any form and for any reason.  Therefore, we will not review, endorse, nor recommend this book. 

C.E. Watson, www.goodgrubbfamilyrecipes.blogspot.com

BREAD REVOLUTION, by Peter Reinhart

Bread Revolution, by Peter Reinhart
Photography by Paige Green
Ten Speed Press, Berkely

DISCLAIMER:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.  I have not received any type of financial compensation for this review.  Please note that any references by the Author of this book to the use or consumption of beverage alcohol in any form is not condoned by me or my blog by this review.  CE Watson

* *

  Peter Reinhart's book is not a book of bread recipes - it's an informative and interesting class on the use of alternative grains and flours and baking techniques in bread making.  In over 240 pages, the Author shares in an almost conversational style his research and exploration of these alternatives, giving the history of their development, his own experience with them, and then includes recipes for the use of these grains.  Some of the alternative flours explored here are produced from sprouted grains and sprouted beans, whole grains and whole-milled grains,  flaxseed meal, pecan flour, almond flour, grape skin and grape seed flours.

Additionally, the Author doesn't assume that his reader is an experienced baker and has provided a thorough glossary of tools, terms, ingredients, and detailed photos of his method of working with the dough.  

The large, hard-back book is informative, interesting, and the photos of the finished baked goods enticing!  Now, which one to try first..... perhaps "Sprouted Wheat Cinnamon Buns and Sweet Rolls"!

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Author Bio: Peter Reinhart is a baking instructor and faculty member at Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the author of eight books on baking.  He is also the founder and host of the website PizzaQuest.com.


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CE Watson, www.goodgrubbfamilyrecipes.blogspot.com

GREAT GRUBB! A Collection of Recipes Shared by Our Family Members. by Chris Watson

A review of our Family Cookbook.  by Chris Watson

Great Grubb!

A Collection of Recipes Shared by Our Family Members!

Recipes shared by the Acord, Allison, Brooks, Brown, Buyalos, Coppler, Evans, Fraizer, Grubb, Pizzino, Stafford, Turner, Watson, and Walker Families.

The Cookbook contains 8 Divisions, 146 recipes, and 6 articles of household hints.


     Compiled and self-published for our Reunion, September, 2006.

     Our family cookbook was compiled to save for future generations some of our best family recipes.  The book also allowed us to include personal memories, such as my own story about Grandma's Homemade Apple Butter.

     A family cookbook is also a very personal one, with everyone contributing to it's contents.  And what can be better than seeing your recipe and name in print!

     Our family cookbook was completely self-published:  the pages were done on a copy machine and home computer!  But it was great fun and completely ours!  

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One of our recipes from our Book:

END OF GARDEN RELISH   

shared by Aunt Beulah Pizzino

1 cup sliced cucumbers

1 cup chopped green peppers

1 cup cabbage

1 cup onions

1 cup carrots sliced

1 cup green tomatoes

1 cup green beans

1. Combine all the above vegetables and soak in salt water solution overnight (1 1/2 cup salt and 2 quarts water).

2. Drain salt water solution from vegetables.

3. Cook carrots and beans until tender.  Add remaining vegetables and following spices and cover with water and cook 10 minutes.

2 teas mustard seed

1 teas celery seed

1 tablespoon chopped celery

2 cup of vinegar

2 cup sugar

2 tablespoon of tumeric

Pack in jars and seals.

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CE Watson, www.goodgrubbfamilyrecipes.blogspot.com

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