A Piece of Peace: Everyday Mindfulness You Can Use

 

"I have learned to prioritize myself on a daily basis. It's given me a piece of peace." ~A Piece of Peace, Sweta Vikram

I will begin at the beginning, or right before the beginning.  In the introduction of the new book by best-selling author Sweta Srivastava Vikram,  A Piece of Peace: Everyday Mindfulness You Can Use, ideas about wellness and self-care are presented.

"Self-care and mindfulness are revolutionary and not optional for your healing and creativity." ~A Piece of Peace, Sweta Vikram

And I will now cut to the chase! I found myself highlighting a lot of the text in my advance reading copy of A Piece of Peace. This book is full of wisdom and wonderful ideas that will contribute to health, well-being, and creativity.  Countless great ideas are presented and elaborated upon in this slim volume!  My notes, and consequently the ideas in this review, may seem to be "all over the place". 

A Piece of Peace is a manual of sorts, filled with incredible ideas and concepts that will be a a gift to those who read it.  The different sections are clearly titled, so you can skip around a bit if you want to, and learn about or investigate ideas as you wish. There are special tips for writers, including yoga poses that may benefit writers and artists, Ayurveda and mindfulness tips, and tips pertaining to the pandemic, presented in a friendly and encouraging manner.  In A Piece of Peace, the author reveals her personal story of illness and hospitalization, and subsequent quest for a return to health. She doesn't preach but speaks kindly from the heart, and generously shares her wisdom.  She's upbeat and encouraging. 

 

Sweta Vikram presents her new book

Many claim that silence is golden. Why I spend 12 Hours a week in Complete Silence (maun vrat in Sanskrit) is a fascinating chapter of the book. It talks about the author's practice of staying silent for 12 hour periods, and how she finds perspective in silence. Her husband, Anudit, notices the many positive effects of this on her, and adopts this practice as well. I'm not sure that I could remain silent for that long, but the idea is certainly intriguing!

"In Ayurveda, body, mind, and consciousness work together in maintaining balance." ~A Piece of Peace, Sweta Vikram

I relished so many parts of this book, including the parts about Ayurveda (science or knowledge of life), which I am particularly interested in right now.  In addition to learning the proper spelling of the term, I've started to learn about the ways in which I may revitalize my health with Ayurveda. As a fan of spices, I love this quotation from the book:

"Ayurveda teaches us that the spice cabinet is our first access to the apothecary.  It can turn our pantry into a holistic medicine cabinet." ~A Piece of Peace, Sweta Vikram

 

I'm a Spice Girl

A Piece of Peace has already influenced me, although I feel as if I have only just begun to implement some of the ideas and approaches to health.  Specifically, I try to get to sleep earlier (emphasis on the word try) each night. I wish to incorporate more Ayurveda into my life, and to be mindful about food, exercise, and meditation (of some sort).  I've noticed that walking or running (without too much conversation with a partner) puts me in a more meditative, creative mode, and also brightens my mood; movement is medicine. I will continue to prioritize my own health and well-being, and refer to this book frequently for ideas, inspiration, and helpful reminders. 

Please note that I've taken the liberty to include quotations from my version of the book, which may change, as I do not have the final edition. The book will be released to the public on September 21, 2021.  You can pre-order the book from the publisher, Loving Healing Press, or on Amazon.  Goodreads is currently hosting a giveaway for A Piece of Peace.  Enter by September 21.

Special thanks to Sweta Vikram for providing me with an advance reading copy of A Piece of Peace. I am beyond excited about this new book, which is full of wonderful, helpful ideas that will contribute to health and well-being. 

Thanks for reading! Your comments are welcomed.
 

The Metabolism Solution

"The Metabolism Solution is the way to get into the best shape of your life, guaranteed."
~ The Metabolism Solution, Lisa Lynn


Motivated by the author's own struggles with weight loss, The Metabolism Solution: Lose 1 Pound Per Day and Melt Belly Fat Fast! by celebrity fitness and nutrition expert Lisa Lynn begins with Lisa's personal story.  Born into a family of alcoholics and addicts, Lisa became a compulsive overeater who sought comfort from food as a young child.  When she was older, she wanted to lose weight, but regular dieting and exercising didn't seem to help her much.  Ironically, she was interested in health and fitness, and had started to work in the fitness business, although nothing worked for her personally.  While working out at the gym in 1991, Lisa met Dr. Fred Hatfield, an internationally renowned fitness expert, who was looking for trainers to help with a study he was conducting.  Through her work with Dr. Hatfield, Lisa learned a great deal, and she went on to explore even further the effects of food and exercise on metabolism.  She discovered that certain foods could boost metabolism and speed weight loss, and that more exercise was not always better (she had been working out obsessively).  Lisa also learned that specific supplements could help with weight loss.  She realized that her approach to weight loss was fear-based, and that she needed to change this.  Before too long, Lisa became known at the gym as the trainer who got "fast results".  One morning at the gym, Martha Stewart asked for her help, and she soon became Martha's trainer and friend (as mentioned in my spotlight post, Lisa has appeared on The Martha Stewart Show, and The Dr. Oz Show, numerous times).  Over the years, she has earned four educational certificates from the International Sports and Sciences Association’s Professional Division: Certified Fitness Trainer, Specialist in Performance Nutrition, Fitness Therapy, and Elite Trainer.  Lisa took what she learned from Dr. Hatfield, combined it with her own extensive research and experience, and wrote The Metabolism Solution, which was published in 2014.  

Like Lisa, I've learned about food over the years (although I haven't earned any educational certificates).  After I had kids, I didn't want my metabolism to change, so I became more careful about what I ate, and I began to exercise on a regular basis.  I thought the idea of this book sounded promising, and since I want to continue to have a healthy metabolism as I get older, I welcomed a review copy of this book.

"Hunger is a good sign. It means your body is about to burn fat."
~ The Metabolism Solution, Lisa Lynn 

I never thought of hunger in that way before; many of us think that feeling hungry is a bad thing, to be avoided at all costs (now I may actually welcome it).  Divided into nine chapters, with photographs, charts, and recipes, The Metabolism Solution is full of information and tips for boosting your metabolism.  Lisa has devoted nearly three decades of her career to personal training, specializing in metabolic weight loss and performance nutrition, so she has a lot to say.  Many of the chapters in the book are devoted to food.  (I won't reveal too much of the book's contents, but I will provide a handful of tidbits from the book.)  Lisa says that we may think we're hungry when we're really thirsty, and that by drinking enough water, we can boost our metabolic rate (note to self: drink more water).  She recommends limiting fruit to one or two servings per day for greater weight loss, because fruit converts to sugar very quickly during digestion.  (I eat a lot of fruit; in fact, I'm a fruitoholic.)  Chapters Two and Three are about using supplements to boost your metabolism, such as Omega-3.  Chapter Six is all about exercise.  One of the exercises in this section is called The Metabolic Core Walk, to rev up your metabolism, and Lisa also includes instructions for an intense looking 30-minute workout.  Did you know that being able to touch your toes is quite important?  I'll admit that I'd forgotten this (and that flexibility is something I need to work on).  One of the things Lisa says--and I love this, even though I do exercise--is that if you eat right, you can exercise less.  Chapter Seven pertains to the psychological and emotional aspects of eating, and Chapter Eight is titled, "GOD and Your Bod", where she stresses the importance of faith.  But back to food, in Chapter Nine, the final chapter--and some fun!

I love that The Metabolism Solution has recipes in it!  Chapter Nine is comprised of over a hundred thermogenic (fat-burning) recipes.  I tried out a couple of easy recipes (my favorite kind).  Both were "hits" with my family.  I altered Lisa's recipes a bit, but the ideas are from her book, told in my own words.  (I always cook with as many organic ingredients as possible, although I didn't label the ingredients as such.)

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LISA'S FAMOUS SAUTÉED SALAD

Ingredients:
Spray olive oil, or 1/2 tablespoon (or less) olive oil
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 clove minced garlic
3 or 4 white mushrooms, sliced
3 Romaine hearts (I used two), chopped up
1/4 teaspoon NoSalt (I used herbs instead, like oregano, and a touch of black pepper)
Grated (or shredded) Parmesan cheese (optional)


Directions:
We eat a lot of raw salads in our house.  I was intrigued by the idea of a sautéed salad.  This salad calls for three heads of Romaine lettuce, but three seemed like too much for us that evening, so I chopped up two.  (Trader Joe's sells a package of three organic Romaine hearts at a great price.)  Spray a bit of olive oil (from a  Misto) or drizzle oil into a medium-large skillet and sauté the mushrooms, onions, herbs, and a bit of garlic for about 10 minutes, on low heat.  Then add the Romaine, and let the mixture cook for several more minutes, stirring every so often.  That's it!  Serve with Parmesan, if desired.  My family seemed to enjoy this variation of salad. 

Sautéed Salad

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I also tried out Lisa's recipe for apple chips, several times.  They are super easy to prepare, delicious, and perhaps best of all, the house smells heavenly while they are baking.

HOMEMADE BAKED CINNAMON APPLE CHIPS

Ingredients:
1 to 3 apples
1 teaspoon cinnamon (or to taste--I just sprinkle it on!)

Directions:
It doesn't get any easier than this!  But, they take about three hours to cook, so plan accordingly.  Slice the apple(s) very thinly, then sprinkle with cinnamon.  Cook in the oven at 200º for an hour on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (I used two toaster oven sized trays).  Flip apple pieces after about one hour.  Continue to bake them for another hour or two, flipping the pieces occasionally, until no longer moist.  These are a very tasty and nutritious snack, which I will make often.  I would never have thought to bake apples in this manner, but now I am obsessed with them.  :)

Cinnamon Apple Chips

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Many thanks to Laura from iRead Book Tours for sending me a complimentary copy of this book. Please visit the other stops on the iRead book tour for The Metabolism Solution for more reviews, giveaways, and other features. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Your comments are welcomed.

The Metabolism Solution: Spotlight and Giveaway

"Getting your body to switch over from fat-storing mode to fat-burning mode is easier than you think.  Food is the problem and the answer."
~ The Metabolism Solution, Lisa Lynn

Is there a new way to lose weight quickly?  Published in 2014, The Metabolism Solution: Lose 1 Pound Per Day and Melt Belly Fat Fast! by celebrity fitness and nutrition expert Lisa Lynn is a book that was motivated by the author's own struggles with weight loss.  With nearly 30 years of experience in nutrition and fitness, she's been Martha Stewart's personal trainer for 13 years, and has been a guest on Martha's television show over 50 times.  She's also appeared many times on The Dr. Oz Show (one of my favorite shows, although I don't watch it often enough).

"My specialty is revving the metabolism, known as metabolic hyping in the fitness world.  Metabolic hyping creates an optimal environment for fat loss by helping to lower blood sugar levels and enhancing metabolism--this is the secret to melting fat faster."
~ The Metabolism Solution, Lisa Lynn

The Metabolism Solution "addresses weight loss and fitness issues from the inside out", and explains how to use food, exercise, supplements, and the power of God to boost your metabolism.  This book features more than 100 healthy and delicious-sounding thermogenic recipes.  (Lisa's Famous Sautéed Salad sounds wonderful!)  I've skimmed my copy of the book, which arrived in the mail recently, and I've already learned a few things!  I'll post a review of The Metabolism Solution next month.

Great news!  In conjunction with iRead Book Tours, the author is generously offering a giveaway for the LynFit Fat Loss Trio Product Package, plus a copy of The Metabolism Solution.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm pleased to be the first stop on the iRead Book Tours Spotlight Tour for The Metabolism Solution.  Many thanks to Laura from iRead Book Tours for sending me a complimentary copy of this book, and for offering this terrific giveaway!

Your comments are welcomed.