The IBS Elimination Diet and Cookbook

I was really looking forward to reading this book when I ordered it from Blogging For Books (for FREE, for my honest review). It's actually a revised and expanded edition of the earlier book, "IBS-Free At Last" (also by Patsy Catsos). I really enjoyed that it is a comprehensive book on IBS. It tells the different types (with different symptoms), the scientific causes, and why avoiding FODMAPS can help your IBS. It has a great list of foods to avoid, recipes and sample meal plans both for the elimination phase and beyond. If you are an IBS sufferer this is the book for you! The only downside I found was that as a vegetarian who avoid dairy, I wouldn't be able to eat any of the recipes in the book which was a bummer. Otherwise it's a great book for learning more about IBS.

Everything you need, you have

What is success? How can you feel successful? How often do you enjoy yourself in the moment? These are all things I struggle with so I was really looking forward to reading this book. This was a quick and simple read, with the main points broken in to 3 sections (Mind, Body, Home). I really enjoyed the way the author combined a lot of different philosophies and teachings in the book. It wasn't the best self-help book I've read but I enjoyed the mindfulness techniques and it was a good reminder to stay true to self when everything in the world around you is yelling at you to be something you're not. Thanks of course to Blogging For Books who sent me this book to review for free!

A Boy Called Christmas

Thank you to Blogging for Books for sending me "A Boy Called Christmas" by Matt Haig to review (for free)! I really loved this cute Holiday kids book. I actually received an audio book, which I wasn't expecting, but was a pleasant surprise! It has all the trappings of a classic fable book. They had me at animal-as-a-best-friend. I really recommend it for a gift at the holidays for the little one in your life. It's a very cute story and I really loved the theme of keeping your kindness even when bad things seem to happen at every turn. It's a life lesson that rings true especially in these times we live in.