Tyndale Book Review & Giveaway: Miracle For Jen

Miracle for Jen is an amazing testimony to the fact that God truly wants to be intimately
involved in our lives and really does work the bad things out into good things if we choose
with everything we are to believe and trust Him.


I am reminded, as I read about this family's extreme trails, that this world is just for a moment and then Eternity. Jen Barrick’s greatest desire was for every aspect of her to be surrendered to God for His purpose and use. She meant it when she prayed it and God took her at her words and answered her prayers in a way that might look crazy and awful to most of us, but to Jen Barrick, it was the answer she had prayed for.


Written from her mother’s perspective, who was also devastated by the automobile
accident, she does not hold anything back as she describes her own bitterness and anger
toward God and the man who drunkenly crashed into their van changing their lives forever.


However, the impact that Jen ultimately has on every person she comes in contact with,
including her own family, cannot be denied. However you may feel about God, Jen’s testimony cannot be taken from her or negated. If you have ever asked God “why”, this is a book you must read! As I closed the book on the last page, I realized how selfish I get in my own little world and how much more God wants for me and from me.


Life is not about me!






I truly believe that many, if not every person, should read this extraordinary, inspirational and thought-provoking book. It will cause you to want to desire what Jen desired, but don't walk away and forget about it! Be the miracle God wants you to be!


Giveaway
Tyndale has given me one gift certificate to giveaway! Simply follow my blog and leave a comment below stating that you are you following or already following.


PLEASE include your email address for me to contact you!


Winner will be chosen April 3rd via random.org and will be contacted (if there's an email address). The winner will be required to give me their address for me to send the certificate.


I am not being paid or commissioned for this review. Just given a copy of this book for review and personal use.

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Review & Giveaway: Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil

The giveaway is now close!

Thank you Tropical Traditions for the giveaway!

Thank you everybody for entering!

In my previous post I mentioned that my in-laws were visiting, but they flew back home Saturday (waaahhh!). We had a great time with them and always enjoy their visits! Every time they visit they usually bring over things that we can't find or haven't found a good source here in Costa Rica (coconut oil, dried cranberries, rice noodles, etc...). Well, I was so pleased to find a quart of Virgin Coconut Oil in the midst of things they brought over. Tropical Traditions send me a sample of their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil and book "Virgin Coconut Oil: how it has changed people's lives and how it can change yours" By Brian and Marianita Shilhavy to review and host a giveaway!

You all know I am a huge coconut oil fan because I use it in almost all my recipes. Before reading the book, I already knew the many benefits of eating and using coconut oil. The book reconfirmed what I knew and MORE! I always enjoy reading and hearing testimonies from people who have benefited greatly from using coconut oil.

Not only does this book contain tons of rich information, research and over 100 testimonies, but it also has over 85 recipes showing how you can incorporate coconut into your diet! I have tried a few with great success. Our favorite is the Coconut Banana Muffins using coconut flour. So moist, rich and great source of protein and fiber! Now it gets better, you all can get your own free copy too! All you simply need to do it place an order with them as a first time customer and click on "Referred by a friend" and in the box that says "How did you hear about us?" enter my referral number: 1310574. By telling Tropical Traditions that I referred you, you will receive a complimentary copy of the their book FREE. You will enjoy it and learn a lot! You probably won't want to put it down till you finish reading it!

I use coconut oil in pretty much everything:

• moisturizes my hair and skin
• smoothies
• cook with food
• mix it in with oatmeal
• use as a replacement for butter
• apply to sunburn and rashes
• eat it straight off the spoon mixed with raw honey
• use on cuts and scratches
• spread on toast with honey and cinnamon
• use in my baking and sweets
• in the bath water for my girls
• and more that I can't think of right now :o)

Check out this simple video and watch how this coconut oil is produced:

Most of you might be wondering... "what about the Nutiva brand that you claim to be your favorite?"... well, I have to say that Tropical Traditions' Gold Label Coconut Oil matched the taste and quality of Nutiva's Coconut Oil, but the Gold Label is a step ahead because of the way it is produced. Please read on...

Now, the Giveaway...

A quart jar of organic Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil. I am really enjoying this oil because the taste is so silky and delicious! The oil is produced through wet milling / fermentation (as shown in the video above). Learned from the older generation and done by hand, they extract the oil by grating the fresh coconut, extracting the coconut milk and then letting the coconut milk stand in a covered container for 24 hours. After 24 hours, the oil naturally separates from the water producing a clear oil that retains the full scent and taste of coconuts. This coconut oil is not only delicious, but it is also RAW because most processed virgin coconut oils experiences temperatures close to the boiling point of water (200 F).

How To Enter...

Head over to Tropical Traditions and check out their great products. Then come back here and leave a comment (one entry) letting me know what products you would love to try... while you are there, subscribe to their newsletter if you aren't receiving it already (required). I really enjoy getting their newsletters and knowing what is on sale. They frequently offer "buy one get one free" sales and free shipping. Good stuff :o)

Extra Entries...

You must do the main entry first (above), then post a separate comment for each extra entry. Thank you and have fun!

1. Subscribe to receive my posts via email
2. Follow me on Twitter (if you aren't already) & tweet about this giveaway
3. Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter
4. Friend me on Facebook
5. Follow my blog

The Rules...

PLEASE, every comment must have an email address. You can comment with your blog account as long as I can contact you through there! The giveaway ends on September 22nd and is open to those who have US mailing addresses (hint: if you live outside of the US, but still have a US mailing address and a way to get the product to you... you are qualified!).

Tropical Traditions is a great company and I love the fact that their coconut oil comes directly from family farms and mostly made by hand. Here's a sound bite from their website:

We have a strong commitment to family farming and organic standards. But the organic label is not enough for us. We research and find out where the products are produced, and how they are produced. We find that some organic standards too loose for our trust, so we look beyond what is claimed on a label. We find out as much as possible about those who provide the products. And if a certain quality of product does not exist, we will work with others to produce that product and offer it to our consumers. We did that with Virgin Coconut Oil in the Philippines, and we are working on several other products both here in the US and outside the US that we plan to introduce to you soon.

Now, head over to Tropical Traditions and do your thing! If and when you do make your first order... don't forget to use my referral number: 1310574 and get your free copy of their "Virgin Coconut Oil..." book!

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Bookworm Report: Politically Incorrect Nutrition

Politically Incorrect Nutrition:

Finding Reality in the Mire of Food Industry Propaganda

I had the opportunity to read this book while we were in the states and thoroughly enjoyed it. Michael Barbee's well-researched and captivating book did an excellent job of exposing the myths regarding our most popular & unpopular foods and our most ingrained health assumptions. This book is a "must read" for everyone, even if you believe you are practicing good nutrition.

These days it is up to us to do our homework before making big health decisions. This book will help anyone sort through the confusion and options before making decisions. After reading this fascinating book, you will not be tricked into believing that your fluoridated water, soy foods, aspartame or green tea are as safe as their advocates claim.

If you have seen Food, Inc (which I haven't, but have heard a lot about it), this book is an excellent next step to healthy awareness and making healthier choices. Michael uses solid research from two non-profit organizations (and other sources too), the Weston A. Price Foundation (WAPF) and the Institute of Educational Therapy (IET). I have grown to appreciate WAPF as they are a wealth knowledge and my all-time favorite cookbook "Nourishing Traditions" is from that foundation.

Here's an overview of what Michael covers in this highly alluring book:

• Green Tea: A Cup of Contaminants
• Soy: No Wonder Food
• Cholesterol: Some Good News
• Conjugated Linoleic Acid: Can Beef and Butter Keep You Thin?
• Fluoridation: The Poisoning of America, Part 1
• Aspartame: The Poisoning of America, Part 2
• Osteoporosis: More Than Just Calcium
• Bovine Growth Hormone: (Some) Milk is Not Good for Anybody
• Eggs: More Good Cholesterol News
• Plastics & Microwaves: What Have We Done to Our Food?
• Vitamin C: Too Much of a Good Thing?
• Food Irradiation: The Public as Guinea Pigs
• Vegetarianism: Ethical and Dietary Considerations
• The Nonpyramid Food Guide

When I picked this book up to read... I didn't know what to expect, but I am extremely pleased with how well Michael covered everything promptly and to the point. I really enjoyed the honesty and passion that flows out of his of research and writing.

There are two things I liked and didn't like in the last chapter. I liked how he plainly stated that there is no "best diet"... no "one diet fits all" approach that is so common in USA, but I didn't like (and don't agree with) his "evolutional" lean about the human development. That's just my personal opinion, BUT overall this book is very well-written and refreshing. Next time you go to the library... check this out OR simply order it from Amazon for less than $11.

Sound bites from the Preface:

"...There is much confusion in the minds of many. And much fear. We have been told that a great number of cancer can be directly tied to the foods we eat - or don't eat. We want to be healthy. We want to do the right thing, but the overload of information and advice is causing many simply to throw up their hands in disgust, despair or resignation...

...It is easy to see the signs of a public out of tune with food: high rates of heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer, and the almost epidemic rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypothyroidism. If we continue to hide our heads in the sand about nutrition, or on the other hand, if we quickly jump on any new diet bandwagon without giving a close look at the science behind it, we will continue to fight a losing battle...

...This is no surprise, I'm sure. This is not news. But the extent to which the safety of what we eat and drink is affected by corporate influences and greed may come as a surprise. In fact, we should be outraged. Our health is at stake as we are poisoned daily with what should never be in our foods, and we are also poisoned with bad advise. Some of that advise is well-intentioned, but much of it is based on old, unscientific information. Some of it is based on myth. And some of that information is actually misinformation designed to keep the public ignorant while the food companies reap enormous profits..."

Happy Reading!

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Bookworm Report: What in the World Is Going On?

Great book for those of you who want to know what the heck is going on in our world. It really helped clear up some confusion I had about the end times, rapture of the church and other things. I know there are many different ideas and views out there, but it is more important to be on the right side...God's side!! In the end, we will all know how the end times is supposed to happen when we are raptured and standing before the throne of God. I am ready and looking forward to that day... Are you?

Why did I read this book?

Well, my parents got it and brought it home. I saw it and thought it looked interesting.

And I was right, this book has some very interesting things to say about things I didn't know...like the whole oil craziness, the European Union, Islamic terrorism and many other things. I've also been reading through Isaiah (few more chapters left!) with Jon Courson's commentary. This is the first time that I actually enjoy reading Isaiah, especially the prophecies for our time. God has been opening my mind and heart as I read through Isaiah and grow in understanding. Isaiah has left me wanting more! So, the arrival of this book was perfect timing!

Here's a sound bite from the book:

Never before have we read such jarring headlines, distressing news analyses, or dire predictions for our world. There are food shortages, record-high fuel prices, and natural disasters from volcanoes to cyclones. Longtime antagonists China and Japan announce a pledge of peace and friendship while a newly belligerent Russia makes pacts in the Middle East. The president of Iran claims Israel must be wiped off the map while world leaders sit by and say nothing.

When these kinds of stories continue to appear, we can't help but wonder... what in the world is going on?

Centuries ago, events such as these and much more were written about in the Bible -- prophecies regarding the final days of Earth's history. In a coherent timeline that identifies ten end-of-times events -- interpreted through the books of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Matthew, Revelation, and others -- What in the World Is Going On? makes Bible prophecy and the warning signs abundantly clear.

Scrupulously researched and organized, these warnings are useful only if we heed them. There's peace in knowing what to expect, and Dr. Jeremiah offers words of encouragement while also reminding us how to live in the meantime -- watch, work and wait.

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