Inspiration Books

Luck: The Essential Guide is a fun and lighthearted book that takes a look at lucky and unlucky superstitions from around the world.

Chapter 1 is lucky charms that describes why certain things are considered lucky and how to use them to create your own luck. For example, "in Japan it is considered lucky to have big ears; and in China big earlobs are a sign of good fortune."

Chaoter 2 is lucky living and is based on Feng Shui. The chapter describes lucky objects for the home. For more on the subject of lucky objects for the home and how to really make them work for you for wealth, love, career and more, read: Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet and Feng Shui Tips for a Better Life.

Potluck is the 3rd chapter and includes lucky drinks, herbs, spices and recipes.

The 4th chapter is destination luck--like the Blarney Stone in Ireland.

Next is everyday luck and is a fun chapter--the authors rating which are definitely worth trying" and "don't ever."

The last pages are black paper and white ink--very clever, I thought--and describe what objects are considered bad luck.

Nice book to give a superstitious friend!

I got this as a birthday gift for a friend who's really hard to shop for and she loved it. At her party, people were actually passing it around, flipping through bits of luck trivia, such as what color panties to wear for new years in Rio. It's really funny and informative, a great conversation starter and a cool looking coffee table book.

Great gift, if you're ever stuck on what to give someone.

"Luck: The Essential Guide" is a fascinating compilation of all things associated with luck and superstition the world over. It's presented in a highly accessible, informative, and humorous format, making it sure to be read repeatedly. Highly recommended as a gift or coffee table book.

I generally am not a big fan of Llewellyn publishing and all there books on Wicca, and Wiccanizing everything from Brujeria, Hoodoo, Santeria, and Curanderismo, which sadly they have done many times before, and have sold millions of copies to readers who don't know any better and believe any junk they read. But out of all the authors who publish under Llewellyn I give my respects to one of them, Mr. Richard Webster, although I do not like all his books, he has published some good ones.

In his new four book series on Communicating with the Archangels, as a person born and raised in the tradition of Brujeria and Espiritismo most of this knowledge was passed down and taught to me from early childhood, and was part as still is a part of daily life, as breathing and eating. Although most of the subjects on the book deal with Stories as re-told by the author, both personal and stories of others, and rituals, meditations and bringing these powerful forces into your life, I would have to highly recommend all four books, for anyone who is interested in learning and adapting these ancient powerful Supreme Beings into your life.. No matter if you practice Voodoo, Brujeria, Curanderismo, or don't practice any form of religion at all but are a spiritual person looking to bring these positive forces into your life, then read these books, you will not be disappointed. I have to actually say bravo to Llewellyn for publishing these books, and hopefully they keep publishing more books on other traditions without trying to Wiccanize everything.

To begin the series I would start with the book Spirit Guides & Angel Guardians: Contact Your Invisible Helpers, also published by Llewelyn and the author Richard Webster.

From then I would recommend going on to Michael: Communicating with the Archangel for Guidance & Protection.

The second book should be, Raphael: Communicating with the Archangel for Healing & Creativity. Traditionally the Angel of healing as in the Old Testiment there is the story of Raphael healing Sarah and Tobit as they travel to Tobias.

The third book in the series is Gabriel: Communicating with the Archangel for Inspiration & Reconciliation. Although many people will disagree with the order stating that the book on Rafael and Gabriel are mixed, this would depend on tradition. Traditionally Saint Gabriel was the Angel that visited Mary and foretold of her pregnancy with Jesus, as well as to the Shepard Joseph. The reason people will disagree with the order is because they say that Gabriel is the Angel that rules the element of Air, and Communication, which makes sense. But to many traditions he is seen as the Angel that rules Water, as he fortold of the pregnancy of Mary, The Holy Infant child Jesus being in the womb, which is associated with the element of Water. The books work fine in the order they are, but as one studies further, this tradition works well, or can be rearranged, with further study.

The final book in the series, which I have not read yet, is Uriel: Communicating with the Archangel for Transformation & Tranquility. But should also be included in the series. All the books go hand in hand.

In reading through parts of the book on Gabriel, I had a very hard time connecting in any way to Gabriel through what Mr. Webster wrote for the following reasons;
1. He has Gabriel as being associated with the Element of Water when he is the Archangel of Air.
His feast day is on March 24th which is just after the Sabbat of Spring Equinox or for others Ostara [Spanish for Egg] and we all know this is the season that is connected to the element of Air. Then we have Gabriel who is depicted with a scroll which we know too is associated to Air as it is use to write and communicate our messages.
2. The stones listed in the book are all connected to Water, when in truth Gabriels favourite stone is known by many to be that of Citrine, which is a stone that is connected to Gemini and that too is the most mutable sign of the Air and the first of the Air Signs.

I would think that in his book Raphael the review would be the same only in reverse to this one and that the books should be retitled according to the proper elemental connections as well as the Feast days and seasons in which they lye.

In another note I would find this book more helpful in working with the Archangel of Raphael and just changing the names of the angels around to fit properly in the reading.

Blessed Be!
Lady Dark Oak

This book documents one woman's personal journey from food addiction to liberation. It shows the spiritual side of the food triangle that relates to everyone who has struggled to lose weight.

this book is a treat; spiritually it lifts you up and physically it fills you.....there is no doubt this book was co-authored by our Creator(s)! I LOVED IT AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!
IT'S LIKE A "HOW TO" DO IT THE WAY IT REALLY WORKS!

Those of us who have spent years struggling with the 'outside fixes' of self-denial, punishing exercise, dieting trying to attain an "ideal" image now have the opportunity to learn from the author's experience on her journey within---finding a place of acceptance, love and ultimate healing. PR Huber, Massage Therapist and Certified Personal Trainer, specializing in women and girls with eating dysfunction and body-image issues.

Bronwyn has captured a process that applies to me individually. It is simple, and clear. Her message is powerful and meaningful. I appreciate her sharing herself and demonstrating the application of living a spiritual solution to weigh-loss. I love the shift from the lie to the truth, which is huge in over-coming food addiction. Emotional eating no longer creates a helpless and hopeless feeling for me, as remembering to use the principles and suggestions in Bronwyn's book empowers me to make healthy decisions.

The most honest and loving "self help" book I have read. (And I have read MANY.) This book leads the reader on a journey of self exploration while modeling self acceptance and compassion. It speaks to the heart and heals the soul. The principles in this book apply to every aspect of life, and are truly life changing.

As a recent Culinary School grad, this book was recomended to me by one of my Chef Instructors. "Any monkey can read a recipes and make a dessert, but it takes knowing the flavor profile of each ingredient before you will be able to create."
And, that's what this book does. Yes, it has insights from famous chefs and some nice recipes but the truly valuble information is near the back. Almost every desser ingredient is listed with complementing flavors. This is the book you'll need if you ever want to create your own recipes!
If you are looking for pretty pictures of desserts, or a book filled with recipes this book is not for you. If you want to create... BUY THIS BOOK!

I'm so glad I bought this book. It gives a vivid picture of what this trade is all about, giving you things to think about, and a variety of perspectives from many of the best pastry chefs. I can see where one reviewer is coming from in terms of saying that the book isn't well written and that the title headers don't always match the content below. The text does sometimes steer away from the topic at hand, and there are a lot of quotes right after the other without great transitions. But that doesn't take away from the benefit of this book - it was all info I was interested in reading, and for something like this it doesn't need to be a great work of prose. It is a fast read, and I highly recommend it for anyone considering a career in pastry.

This book is, as far as I know, unique. It is a valuable resource for those who are thinking about to or just beginning to make baking and pastry a career. I found it a very useful collection of advice and stories about the professional and practical aspects of pastry as a job.

Everyone who is going to culinary school for baking and pastry or who has recently graduated, as well as those in apprenticeships and other types of training, should read this book. To me, it is an indispensable vocational guide. Even those who are going into food and not pastry per se should read this, since cooperation between the savory and sweet kitchen is essential these days in restaurants.

This book is written by the executive pastry chef of the Coyote Cafe, and mostly it contains his opinions and viewpoints. It also has quotes from many famous and successful pastry professionals. Just so you can keep track, the book has brief biographies of the 30 or so professionals who are quoted throughout the text, many of whom you will recognize.

It contains the following chapters: History of Sweets (a mostly worthless re-hash of familiar material); Origins of Inspiration (childhood memories and early career experiences); Foundations of Learning (culinary schools, apprenticeships, and training); Inside the World of the Pastry Chef (what it is like under various conditions); Ingredients of Success (ingredients and menus); Traditions, Trends, Future (thumb-sucking chapter containing thoughts about the future of the pastry chef).

It also contains 4 dozen or so dessert recipes. Sadly, these are modern, new-fangled variations and recipes. They are more interesting for their creativity than as good recipes that you will want as part of your repertoire. As with all trendy recipes, these will be mostly out of date within a couple of years. A few recipes are very good, such as Apple Apple Apple or Buchteln, and there is a handy index of recipes in the beginning, which good since they are randomly scattered throughout the book. Most, however, are interesting for some of the sub-recipes, like tangerine sorbet or pina colada sauce.

My main complaint is about the quotes he uses. The author has a stellar array of great pastry chefs (Emily Luchetti and Nancy Silverton to name just 2), but they are limited to just brief snippets of a few sentences. It would have been more illuminating to have extended quotes from them, so you could get a clear idea of their ideas, attitudes and opinions. As is, the text is mostly the author with a few quotes thrown in here and there, which is not as informative as it could be.

The greatest failing, however, is the idealized picture it presents. It does not warn the prospective professional about long hours, hard work, drudgery, routine, smelly clothes and underwear and hair, tempermental bosses, and low pay. The true satisfaction and delight of the job of pastry chef is also mostly absent.

This book is great for people totally unfamiliar with the world of pastry and baking. However, for those of us who have a fairly good idea about what it's like to be a pastry chef and are looking for the nitty gritty, every day details, this isn't the way to go. The writing often reads like a jounrel article; it lacks emotion and depth. But, it has lots of absolutely delicious recipes and some pretty entertaining anecdotes. I wouldn't discourage the passionate dessert maker from buying it.

I am currently a part-time baking and pastry arts student at Johnson & Wales University. I just finished reading this book for a class and found it a wonderful read and resource. The insight that these pastry chefs offer really make you think about why you are entering the culinary world and if it is right for you. Happily, I believe I have made the right decision. The recipes are wonderful as well, and the flavor guide is sure to be a valuable resource for years to come. If you are currently a student, or are thinking about a career change to the pastry arts, I highly recommend this book.

The pages are really pretty colors and the pictures are very cute. This is the 4th year I've ordered this calendar and I love it. It has a little elastic thing that keeps it closed.

I like simple plans. Vince Lombardy said football is only blocking and tackling, and not much else. Keep it simple. This book is the same: you need to eat three solid meals a day, with protein at each meal, and stop eating at night, especially carbohydrates. That is a simple plan, and I don't have to carry around a notepad all day to write down what I ate. I love the fact that you can read this book in one sitting. You can begin immediately. It is not one of those "write down your habits for two weeks..." kind of books, that noone in modern America has time for. I also liked the fact that this book is Atkins-like, but also very scientific, and he does say you need exercise. I also like the fact that he doesn't "damn" all alcohol, and gives you the option of whether you want to drink or not. I highly recommend this diet plan.

I travel on business regularly and this is a healthy eating plan with principles and guidelines I can use anywhere.
Dr. Gavin is my cardiologist and I saw this book in his office and decided to check it out. I've tried lots of approaches to changing my eating habits to improve my health and reduce my weight and this is a plan that is simple and easy. I just have to use what I already know about food and nutrition to choose foods I like that follow the simple principles in the book. After only a couple of weeks I am feeling better than I have in a long time.

Dr. Gavin's principles for weight loss are sound and effective. As a previous reviewer stated, yes, Dr. Gavin eats nonfat plain yogurt and string cheese for lunch everyday. Additionally, his recommended diet is healthy. If you research the National Weight Control Registry or simply read Anne Fletcher's Thin for Life, you will discover that weight maintainers know exactly what they are eating. You must control the food, not let the food control you. Weight loss takes works and commitment. You cannot always eat what you want and be slim and healthy. I, myself, eat like this:


Weight Loss

Breakfast - 2 slices of peanut butter toast
Lunch - a lean meat sandwich and 1/2 cup low-fat chili or 8 oz. fruit
Dinner - 1 cup nonfat yogurt

Maintenance

The above plus a Zone or Balance Bar and one glass of red wine per day.

I weight train 3 - 4X week and run 5-6 times a week. I'm 5'4", and even with all of this exercise, I cannot eat much. The truth is, unless you have an abnormally high metabolism, are a hardcore bodybuilder, or do heavy manual labor daily, you probably don't need as many calories as you have been told. Nutrition is a complicated science, full of theories and unproved ideas. You have to find what works. One thing for sure, the USDA Pyramid is a fattening feedlot pyramid.

I'm a primary care physician in Seattle and I have treated hundreds of patients with obesity and obesity-related conditions (primarily metabolic syndrome, type two diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia). I have found fantastic success with low-carb diets for all of the above and in the past have recommended Atkins, South Beach, Protein Power, Sugar Busters, Neandrathin, you name it.....however I find that Dr. Gavin's book is extremely SHORT, EASY TO READ, AND MOST OF ALL, EXTREMELY SUSTAINABLE AS A LONG-TERM SOLUTION.

I really appreciate his book and recommend it highly. For some patients with extreme insulin resistance an even lower-carb approach is necessary, but for most people I think his advice is PERFECT.

Keep up the good work Dr. Gavin!

--T

In addition to a specific (and easy to follow) plan to lose weight, the book provides some very helpful guidelines to maintain good health.

I just finished reading Self-Reliance by Emerson. It was subjected to me by my overly-enthusiastic english teacher who thought that the transcendental movement was best described via his retarded words. Well, it wasn't. It sucked. A lot. Bravo, Mr. Emerson. Yeah, I know that he thought he was changing the world when he wrote it, and that he KNEW his work was supposed to be revolutionary, yet, here we are; embittered and angry, seeking revenge. You know, it's times like these when I wish that I was illiterate. While reading this 26 page drivel, my incredibly bored and irritated brain decided to give me visions of thrusting thorns into my eyes so I could stop reading. For any of you who have to read this, please do so, I mean after all, if i had to you have to. Sincerely, Laphroaig

I cannot pick up this book without feeling encouraged and inspired. The editor has gone through and picked out some of the best passages from Emerson's works, thus saving us the trouble of wading through hundreds of pages of prose for the really good stuff. Everyone needs a copy of this book.

So dude, I was totally blown away by this book. Emerson was like some sort of genious, I mean, like up to now I always felt trapped and unable to cope and stuff but now I feel like I can do anything. Or as Emerson would say, "Actuate to the fullest" Right on! I mean now I could go live in the woods on acorns and stuff and be fine because I have self-reliance. I read this book in my class called English in high-school and we were studying a group called the Trancalendarists or something and apparently Emerson was one of them and he wrote this to show how cool it was. Well I'm a believer too baby. So read this book it will change your life for the better. I guess Emerson summed up endings the best so I'll leave you with his memorable statement, "In the netherworld of indecidabilty, there is but one truth, and this truth is the incorrigible falseness of truth people. Ignore them all" Take it to the bank and stay cool, friends.

This book contains edited essays of Emerson written in the 1800's. They seem to me like the sermons of a minister, which he was. They are often incomprehensible -- maybe 10% inspirational, using words as ministers did at that time. I had to push myself to finish it; however, the later essays were better (more understandable, showed common sense at times).

This is the first book by Emerson that I've read, but hope to read more of his essays later. The book really is inspirational. Emerson is an excellent writer and his words flow together like nothing I've ever read. The essays in this book are pure poetry.... really beautiful. Even if you don't believe in the Transcendalist/Idealist view, you can still read this book and feel like you've gotten something out of it. I would recommend this for anyone who has a liking for beautiful writing.