Food Fix by Dr. Mark Hyman

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Food is our most powerful tool to reverse the global epidemic of chronic disease, heal the environment, reform politics, and revive economies. What we eat has tremendous implications not just for our waistlines, but also for the planet, society, and the global economy. What we do to our bodies, we do to the planet; and what we do to the planet, we do to our bodies.
In Food Fix, #1 bestselling author Mark Hyman explains how our food and agriculture policies are corrupted by money and lobbies that drive our biggest global crises: the spread of obesity and food-related chronic disease, climate change, poverty, violence, educational achievement gaps, and more.
Pairing the latest developments in nutritional and environmental science with an unflinching look at the dark realities of the global food system and the policies that make it possible, Food Fix is a hard-hitting manifesto that will change the way you think about -- and eat -- food forever, and will provide solutions for citizens, businesses, and policy makers to create a healthier world, society, and planet.

My thoughts-

Dr. Hyman is one of my favorite people in the field of medicine. He is not afraid to share the truth of things and I appreciate that. The Food Fix offers some great information for people who don't know a lot about the utter disaster that our "food" system is in the United States and how it directly correlates to the massive obesity epidemic we are suffering from. He offers a great deal of information with sources to back it up. After explaining the issues Dr. Hyman suggests ways we as individuals can help these issues and take care of ourselves, as well as what kind of steps would be great as a nation to take if we can ever get there. I think every single person should read this book to better understand exactly how addicted the food industy has us to their products. It is worth the read to be more informed and to make better decisions for ourselves and our families. 

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

No visitors. No nights spent away from the apartment. No disturbing the other residents, all of whom are rich or famous or both. These are the only rules for Jules Larsen’s new job as an apartment sitter at the Bartholomew, one of Manhattan's most high-profile and mysterious buildings. Recently heartbroken and just plain broke, Jules is taken in by the splendor of her surroundings and accepts the terms, ready to leave her past life behind.

As she gets to know the residents and staff of the Bartholomew, Jules finds herself drawn to fellow apartment sitter Ingrid, who comfortingly reminds her of the sister she lost eight years ago. When Ingrid confides that the Bartholomew is not what it seems and the dark history hidden beneath its gleaming facade is starting to frighten her, Jules brushes it off as a harmless ghost story . . . until the next day, when Ingrid disappears.

Searching for the truth about Ingrid’s disappearance, Jules digs deeper into the Bartholomew's sordid past and into the secrets kept within its walls. What she discovers pits Jules against the clock as she races to unmask a killer, expose the building’s hidden past, and escape the Bartholomew before her temporary status becomes permanent.

My thoughts-

It's always nice discovering new to you authors in genres you love. This is the first book by Riley Sager that I have read, but it definitely won't be the last. I am picky about my suspense novel authors, but I really liked this book. There were a few things that happened that I found predictable but there were a few nice twists. The story moved along at a fast pace like suspense novels should with short chapters and page turning content. I felt I had a good picture of the Bartholomew from the authors vivid descriptions. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense novels. 

Candy Making for Beginners by Karen Neugebauer

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Get ready to turn your home into a fully-stocked candy store! This candy cookbook for beginners shows you how easy and fun it can be to make sweet treats that everyone will love.

Filled with expert guidance for those just starting out on their confectionery journey, this is a candy cookbook that will have you fixing up dozens of delightful delicacies in no time. Create everything from fudge and honey caramels to sour gummy worms and peppermint patties as you discover your inner candy maker.

My thoughts-

I have been baking for a long time, but candy has always kind of intimidated me. i have dabbled here and there, but nothing too intricate or difficult. Candy Making for Beginners is full of all of the information I need to be comfortable trying my hand at candy making confidently. There is plenty of information on techniques to help make sure you are following the steps and getting everything right. I am excited to get in the kitchen with my kids, who all love to cook and bake, to make some of these treats. I also think that for many of these recipes it is possible to attempt low carb versions by replacing the sugar with better low carb options and I will definitely be giving that a try! I recommend this book to anyone who has been thinking about trying candy making or who wants some fun new sweet recipes!

Essential Ketogenic Mediterranean Diet Cookbook by Molly Devine, RD

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

The Mediterranean diet has long been revered as one of the healthiest ways to eat—but what if you could make it even better? The Essential Ketogenic Mediterranean Diet Cookbook combines the heart-healthy and fiber-rich foods and healthy lifestyle habits of the Mediterranean diet with the low-carb, moderate-protein, and high-fat ratios of the ketogenic diet. Discover this powerhouse combination diet that will help you lose weight, improve your cardiac and gut health, and feel more energized.

The Essential Ketogenic Mediterranean Diet Cookbook outlines the hows and whys of the diet in detail and provides two weeks of meal plans to get you started. Including 100 delicious recipes like Greek Egg and Tomato Scramble and Braised Short Ribs with Red Wine, the dishes also use everyday ingredients to set you up for sustainable, long-term success.

My thoughts-

This is the book I didn't know I had been waiting for! Two diets that I can get behind- merging together! I absolutely love the idea of a Mediterranean take on the Ketogenic diet. There is a great deal of information at the beginning of the book explaining both diets and how they can work together and then there are countless recipes- delicious, healthy recipes. I love cookbooks that include nutrition facts, so I was happy to see that here, but Molly Devine takes that one step further and includes the macros as well. I am so excited about this book! I think it will be a game changer in the weight loss category. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone on a weight loss journey, or someone who wants healthy, low carb recipes.

A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

If there’s one trait that makes someone well suited to comedy, it’s being able to take a punch—metaphorically and, occasionally, physically. 

From growing up in a family of firefighters on Staten Island to commuting three hours a day to high school and “seeing the sights” (like watching a Russian woman throw a stroller off the back of a ferry), to attending Harvard while Facebook was created, Jost shares how he has navigated the world like a slightly smarter Forrest Gump.

You’ll also discover things about Jost that will surprise and confuse you, like how Jimmy Buffett saved his life, how Czech teenagers attacked him with potato salad, how an insect laid eggs inside his legs, and how he competed in a twenty-five-man match at WrestleMania (and almost won). You’ll go behind the scenes at SNL (where he’s written some of the most memorable sketches and characters of the past fifteen years) and Weekend Update. And you’ll experience the life of a touring stand-up comedian—from performing in rural college cafeterias at noon to opening for Dave Chappelle at Radio City Music Hall.

For every accomplishment (hosting the Emmys), there is a setback (hosting the Emmys). And for every absurd moment (watching paramedics give CPR to a raccoon), there is an honest, emotional one (recounting his mother’s experience on the scene of the Twin Towers’ collapse on 9/11). Told with a healthy dose of self-deprecation, A Very Punchable Face reveals the brilliant mind behind some of the dumbest sketches on television, and lays bare the heart and humor of a hardworking guy—with a face you can’t help but want to punch.

My thoughts-

I have been watching SNL since I was a kid in the 90's. In the 2000's my favorite part has long been "Weekend Update", probably because it was dominated for a while by my favorite cast member at the time Jimmy Fallon and then another favorite Bill Hader, while not a host, became my favorite SNL Weekend Update recurring character Stefan. I was Skeptical when Colin Jost started doing update, but Tiny Fey and Seth Meyers had both transitioned from writing room to Update desk so I gave him the benefit of the doubt. I know a lot of people didn't like him in the early days, and even though it took him a bit to hit his stride (he just needed the right Update partner to bounce off of and that was Michael Che) I have always enjoyed him at the Update Desk. I loved this memoir. I didn't know a lot about Colin Jost outside of SNL besides his very famous relationship with Scarlett Johansson so it was fun learning about his days growing up on Staten Island and attending school in NYC, his college days at Harvard, and his various escapades throughout life. Some of the things that have happened to him sound like something that would happen in a movie to someone, not to a real life person (see the incredibly laugh out loud essay about Jimmy Buffet saving his life). There are also touching moments like the essay about his mom and her heroic work saving lives at Ground Zero during the September 11th Terrorist attacks. I loved the behind the scenes peeks about SNL as well. I thought this was an incredibly well written memoir. I would recommend it to any fan of Saturday Night Live.