Book Review - Lead Positive: What Highly Effective Leaders See, Say, and Do

About the Book
How to implement effective, magnetic leadership by applying asset-based thinking and shifting your mindset from the negative to the positive Lead Positive takes the fundamentals of Asset-Based Thinking (ABT) and turns them into a playbook for successful leadership. ABT is a simple mindset management process that shows people how to make small shifts in perception and thinking to achieve great results. Cramer shows leaders how to apply ABT to shift their attention away from what is negative and learn to intentionally shine the spotlight on the positive, beneficial facts of a situation. As they make this mental shift from negative to positive aspects, they improve their optimism, empathy, and confidence. When their mindset zooms in on what is strong, valuable, and possible, what they say and do is far more likely to inspire others to action. In short, ABT helps leaders shift internally so they can excel externally. Lead Positive weaves neuroscience and positive psychology to create effective leadership strategies.


My Take on the Book
What a powerful book on leadership! I read leadership related books often to inform my work with students (in my professional life), and for me I am always looking for books that have a great balance of practical and theoretical and which provide tangible steps for people to follow and this book provided all of this.

I loved the Asset-Based Thinking model and could easily see how personally I could implement this on a daily basis with my own staffs which for me provides the perfect tableau for stepping forward and jumping right in.

I particularly liked the positive undertone to the training that you are going through while reading this. You feel uplifted and I can see why others that report to you would as well.

This was a well written book with great resources that you can implement immediately!


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Blu-ray - The Agony and the Ecstasy

About the Movie
Charlton Heston and Rex Harrison portray two of the Renaissance's most colorful figures in this historical drama based on Irving Stone's best-seller set in the early 16th century. When Pope Julius ll (Harrison) commissions Michelangelo (Heston) to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the artist initially refuses. Virtually forced to do the job by Julius, he later destroys his own work and flees to Rome. Eventually resumed, the project becomes a battle of wills fueled by artistic and temperamental differences that form the core of this movie. Nominated for an Oscar® Cinematography and named one of the year's best films by the National Board of Review.


My Take on the Movie
I had never seen this movie before, but all I can say is WOW! Charlton Heston does an amazing job at bringing to life Michelangelo. You get to see the amazing trials and tribulations of this artist as he worked to create the beautiful artwork in the Sistine Chapel. For anyone that believes in God, this movie will inspire you and allow you to see faith in action.

The movie was wonderfully done and has a plot that draws you in and hold you throughout the entire film. This was a BIG movie with BIG actors, but also a message and undertone that resonated with me too. You will get to see some remarkable costumes and sets on this movie, and I can tell that the movie company put a lot of money into the film development in general (for that day and age).

On top of all of this the on-screen relationship between the Pope (Harries) and Michelangelo (Heston) was priceless. These two great actors had great on-screen chemistry and they simply worked and sold not only their characters, but the movie.


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Book Review - Cowy Cow And Crabby Crab

About the Book
Cowy Cow has so many ideas! In fact, she has one hundred of them: green is the best color ever; chewed grass tastes like a cookie . . . But has Cowy Cow ever tasted a cookie before? Though her research may be flawed, this single cow’s efforts to make silly sense of the world are both tickling and inspiring! Chris Raschka’s award-winning brush strokes add just the right amount of emotion and comedy.

Crabby Crab is not in a good mood. No, Crabby Crab would rather complain than do anything else! Young readers will be drawn in by this humorous look into an all-too-familiar situation, and be comforted in the end. Chris Raschka’s expert balance of visual and textual humor will charm even the grumpiest of readers!


My Take on the Book
The two books listed are written by the same author.

Crabby Crab can assist your child to understand the physical nature of a crab. This is written from the crab's perspective and what a crab wants so it is a fun book to read.

Cowy Cow is similar and looks at the world in a bit silly, but fun way.

Young readers will love these stories and there are SO many to choose from!


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Book Review - The Design Aglow Posing Guide for Family Portrait Photography

About the Book
Get inspired to take family portraits your clients will love

Whether you’re facing your first family portrait shoot or are a seasoned professional looking for fresh inspiration, Design Aglow’s 100 ideas for posing newborns, babies, children, siblings, and families will help you approach each session brimming with confidence and creative ideas.

Design Aglow’s style-savvy approach has resonated with photographers (and their clients) everywhere. This curated collection reflects their modern sensibility, with poses from industry superstars such as Elizabeth Messina, Rachel Devine, Jose Villa, Tara Whitney, and Anna Kuperberg. You’ll also get tips on directing your subjects, follow-up shots for each setup, and behind-the-scenes lighting information.

Both eye candy and practical reference tool, The Design Aglow Posing Guide for Family Portrait Photography will inspire any family photographer, novice or expert, to “wake up” their style and take beautiful portraits for modern families.



My Take on the Book
The author wrote in the introduction to "use this beautiful book in two ways: first as an easy to transport visual guide for photography inspiration at sessions ; second in the small studio or home as a study guide of the techniques we employ for innovative photography. The chapters and information were written to assist the reader in discovering ways to add emotion, texture, and color to their photographs.

I enjoyed reading each section from newborn and babies, to children and siblings, and finally families. Each section gave specific suggestions about setting up the photo. You will gain not only valuable information from the text but also there is a beautiful photograph to illustrate the principles written about on the page.

If you are serious about improving your skills as a photographer, I believe you will find this book very helpful on that journey.



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Book Review - Your Child in Pictures

About the Book
Photography tips for moms and dads on how to take everyday portraits of children

Celebrated photographer and best-selling author Me Ra Koh provides step-by-step instruction on photographing your family and taking pictures of your child. As a companion book to Your Baby in Pictures, Your Child in Pictures helps you learn to capture your child's special moments with 40 beautiful “photo recipes” that anyone can do, with any camera.

From first haircuts to first days of school, from snuggly teddy bears to favorite dress-up clothes, the toddler and childhood years are full of precious days that disappear all too soon. What parent doesn’t yearn to freeze the memory of their 2-year-old’s chubby cheeks, or their 6-year-old’s toothless grin?



My Take on the Book
As a father, mother, grandparents, or aunt and uncle, we want to take photographs of the adorable children in our lives. Me Ra Koh has written a book with excellent tips for any person who wants to photograph children.

The author has an entire chapter devoted to choosing a camera or using a camera you currently have in your possession. You will find great advice in this section.

I focused on the chapters which included information about photographing the ages of my girls. The author gave specific examples of topics for photos. One of the suggestions was photographing your child creating: a young artist at work. She wrote specific suggestions about the composition of the picture and how to capture the shot.

With older children , she suggested you ask permission to photograph them as often they are shy. You may want to compose a photo with them showing a hobby they enjoy, a pet they love, or their best friends.

I think one of the best suggestions was to take your time when photographing children. Don't necessarily go for quantity of photos but the quality in the ones you take. Try not to pose the children all the time and don't ask the children to say "cheese".

I felt the author had great suggestions for anyone wanting to improve their photographs and their photography skills.



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Book Review - 125 Best Casseroles and One-Pot Meals

About the Book
Great recipes for one of the most friendly, soothing and convenient ways to prepare a meal.

Casseroles and one-pot meals are the ideal solution for busy home cooks who want wonderful food with a minimum of fuss and maximum taste. Convenience, easy preparation, economy and portability make this method of cooking perfect for today's busy lifestyles.

These recipes and their results are very tantalizing and many are make-ahead. The wonderful variety includes big casseroles to delight a number of friends or to freeze in small amounts for future family meals, to long-simmering stews that will warm and comfort all on cold winter nights. The skillet meals range from small and quick dinners and stir-fries that are easy for novice cooks to elegant dishes that are entertaining worthy.

Pasta
Baked Tortellini with Three Cheeses, Quick Mushroom-Beef Lasagna, Chicken and Shrimp Pad Thai, Pasta E Fagioli Casserole
Chicken and Turkey

Honey-Curried Chicken and Apricots, Individual Chicken Pot Pies, Quick Cassoulet, Turkey and Corn Enchiladas Beef and Veal

Meatball Stroganoff, Osso Buco-Style Braised Veal, Skillet Shepherd's Pie, Indian Corn Stew, Classic Cabbage Rolls Lamb, Fish and Seafood

Braised Lamb Shanks with Olives, Grilled Eggplant Moussaka, Salmon and Potato Strata, Seafood and Broccoli Lasagna Vegetarian

Garden Paella, Confetti Corn and Chili Pie, Squash and Bean Stew with Chipotle Cream, Roasted Summer Vegetable Lasagna. These outstanding recipes define comfort with the huge appeal of one-dish cooking.



My Take on the Book
In my family, my wife and I work, and often the girls have events in the evenings, so cooking a healthy and delicious dinner in a short period of time is necessary. Having recipes that are easy to make, can be made ahead of time, and even frozen to use later is important too. So Rose Murray's 125 Best Casseroles and One-Pot Meals was a cookbook I was eager to use.

The table of contents include recipes for: pasta, chicken and turkey, beef and veal,pork and lamb,fish and seafood, vegetarian, and brunch and lighter fare. There were many photos included throughout the book so you could view the finished product.

Rose's directions were well written and easy to use.

I found many recipes I plan to try with my family including recipes in the vegetarian section. To me ,this is definitely a cookbook that anyone could add to their cooking library and use often.



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Book Review - 125 Best Chicken Recipes

About the Book
In today's busy households, chicken has become a standard meal for people who want good and healthy food in a hurry. With 125 Best Chicken Recipes, there are dozens of different ways to prepare delicious and inspired chicken dishes -- all in record time.

Whether using a skillet, frying pan, oven or grill, most of these recipes can be prepared in 20 to 30 minutes. With just a few ingredients, chicken happily takes up flavors from all parts of the globe, whether it's Coq au Vin from Europe or the savory curry flavors of Easy Tandoori from India.

Woks, Wings and Wraps

Burmese Chicken Thighs, Tex-Mex Wings, Roasted Chicken Fajitas
Substantial Soups

Chicken Cheese Chowder, Hot and Sour Soup
Satisfying Salads

Curried Chicken and Pasta Salad, Thai Chicken Noodle Salad, Chicken Caesar
Oven Roasting and Broiling

Orange-Rosemary Glazed Chicken Breasts
Sautées and Skillet Suppers

Quick Coq au Vin, Braised Chicken with New Potatoes and Peas
Pasta and Rice

Mediterranean Pasta, Penne with Herbed Chicken Sauce
Great Grills

Gremolata Grilled Chicken, Chicken and Summer Fruit Kabobs.

This book features a complete menu as well as helpful make-ahead tips and shopping suggestions for each recipe. Also included are 50 easy recipes for appetizers, salads, side dishes and desserts.



My Take on the Book
There are many reasons I feel Rose Murray's chicken cookbook is one that is user friendly. The recipes can be made in 30 minutes or less. Most of the ingredients you may have in your kitchen pantry or are easy to locate in your neighborhood grocery store. Rose has written excellent step by step directions for each recipe. She included suggestions for side dishes, including dessert ideas.

Some of pages illustrate the finished chicken dish. They look delicious!

The table of contents of this book include: wraps, stir fries, soups, salads, roasting and broiling, saute's and skillet suppers, and grilling. I found quite a few that I want to try with my family in the coming weeks.

Enjoy this book and the recipes.



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The Bonefish Grill Tempts Your Tastebuds!

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
 

To start out by have to say that I am not a picky eater. This has been more of the case for me since I have become an adult, as when I was a child I definitely had my likes and dislikes. I preface what I write below because of that. You see, I am usually deemed to try something at least once, if not more than once, and I tried to instill this in my own daughters, though it does not always work.

That being said, I love seafood, and so do my girls. I am always game to find a good seafood dish at a local restaurant that could share with others. Seeing that I do not live on a coast, sometimes I have to search a bit further to be able to find “good” seafood.

Thus, I was very excited about the opportunity to be able to go and try out the food at a local Bonefish Grill restaurant. They never tried this restaurant before, but he had seen it and had always wondered what the food was like and whether the seafood was of high quality.

My wife and I made the trek to the restaurant after looking at the website and seeing that there was a nice mix of both seafood and non-seafood dishes. We were greeted by a friendly staff and had no trouble being seated right away. The variety on the menu was extensive and the prices were reasonable. I was particularly excited about the variety of fish that was on the menu and the fact that you've got to choose the sauce that you would like with the fish that you are ordering. I ended up choosing to order the salmon with the warm mango salsa, but to be honest the sea scallops also looked very enticing. My wife on the other hand ordered that the Angler’s Steak. The food itself did not take long at all to arrive, but while we were waiting we not only were able to enjoy the ambience of the restaurant but also the companionship of each other.

When the food did arrive, my wife and I jumped right in and both of us were very pleased with the flavor as well as with the amount of food that we received. There were so many things that were on the menu that I could have ordered and I know that I would have liked them too, but now it leased we know that this restaurant is definitely a keeper and one that we will be returning to again.

If you, like our family, enjoy good food and good atmosphere, then I highly recommend that you visit a local Bonefish Grill and experience for yourself what my wife and I experienced.

One of the things that we did not take advantage of that I would like to in the future, is their Sunday brunch. From reading about this, the brunch offers a wide range of breakfast and lunch options to satisfy even the most discerning pallet. My kids loved to each and being able to bring them to a brunch makes a lot of sense, especially if the restaurant offers a wide range of choices on the brunch itself.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
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DVD Review - Transformers Armada: The Complete Series

About the DVD
Our heroes, the AUTOBOTS and their nemesis, the DECEPTICONS are at it again in this complete series of the TRANSFORMERS ARMADA. This series open to a war between the two factions of TRANSFORMERS on their home planet of Cybertron over MINI-CONS, a race of smaller, power-enhancing TRANSFORMERS. This struggle will bring AUTOBOTS, DECEPTICONS and MINI-CONS to earth, where they continue to battle, even after two humans get involved. Through the course of this series, the TRANSFORMERS face mysterious mercenaries, mighty MINI-CON weapons and even time travel as they fight for control or freedom.



My Take on the DVD
This was a series that I never watched in the past. Being a BIG Transformers fan, I was excited to be able to watch this and share it with my daughters. This series is strewn with great sequences, plot and action and you really get drawn into the drama of the series from beginning to end. This is a great set with 8 DVDs which kept us busy for quite some time (and we still are re-watching some of the episodes too). One of the best parts of this series is the introduction of the truly insidious Unicron. Take about a great character! All-in-all this is a great addition to the overall Transformers line of shows. I felt that it added quite a bit of depth to the characters I already came to know and love, but added some great new ones too. This is definitely a DVD that I would recommend to all Transformers fans!


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Book Review - Oh My Godmother The Magic Mistake

About the Book
After becoming the most awkward fairy godmother ever, twelve year old Lacey Unger-Ware thought that her magical duties were done for good. In fact, she's just getting started. When Lacey is invited to attend the Godmother Academy it should be a dream come true. But to Lacey it means the total opposite: she'll have to be separated from her friends and family for a hundred years. Um, no thank you!

But this is an offer Lacey can't refuse. The fairy godmother Katarina knows that Lacey will be cursed forever if she doesn't complete the magical test. Now Lacey must find the true love for one special lady and arrange the perfect wedding before time runs out. With her best friends Sunny and Paige along to help, there's a glimmer of hope. But where's a fairy godmother to save the day when you need one? Oh, wait...

The second book in Barbara Brauner and James Iver Mattson's middle grade series is full of heart and charm, and Abigail Halpin's black-and-white illustrations are irresistible.



My Take on the Book
I had never heard of this book when I was sent it to review, so did not know that it was a part of a series. As I got into the book itself I found though the the book itself was easy to follow and drew me in even without knowing a lot about the back story of the series. As big fans of magic and fantasy my oldest really enjoyed this book. There was fun humor sprinkled throughout and some very funny parts as well. The book was well written and best of all had characters that you want to know! I found that the book really moved and reading it with my daughter we finished it in hardly anytime at all. Now that we have read this my daughter wants to back track and read the first book and is looking forward to the next one in the series to come too.


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Book Review - Disaster Strikes #2: Tornado Alley

About the Book
When disaster strikes, the only thing you can count on is yourself!

Wyatt Anderson isn't thrilled that his prissy cousin is visiting his family's Oklahoma ranch. But it turns out Wyatt has bigger problems to deal with when a pair of dueling tornadoes lock the prairie in their sights....

Wyatt, Alison, and neighbors Joshua and Jackson have nowhere to run. And when the old barn is battered by the tornadoes' ferocious winds, the animals that live inside are in danger. Will Wyatt and his friends risk their own lives to protect them?



My Take on the Book
Marlane Kennedy has written a chapter book for your middle to upper reader child. It is a very good adventure with lots of action and description about the life on an Oklahoma farm and the experience of being in a tornado.

Wyatt Anderson is not happy about his cousin, Alison , visiting him. However that changes when the tornado hits and she saves his life and uses her first aid skills to help his father when he is injured.

Wyatt develops a respect for Alison and a friendship.

It is a story of learning cooperation, appreciation of differences, cooperation, and developing respect and friendship.



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Book Review - If You Were Me and Lived in...India

About the Book
Let's travel to India! Land of bright colors and delicious spices, If You Were Me and Lived in...India, takes young readers on a road trip to learn about this interesting place. Children will learn how to say mommy and daddy, what type of currency is used, games that youngsters play and a lot of interesting facts about the beautiful land of India. If You Were Me and Lived in...India adds this ethnically diverse country to the growing, award winning series that is out to cover the entire globe, teaching children about culture and customs all over the world.


My Take on the Book
Although this is a children's story, I learned so much about India. It gave me an insight to the food, culture, language, and important sights to see while visiting this country.

Our world in which our children live is global. One way to teach them understanding and tolerance of other cultures is to introduce them to other countries through books. If you cannot travel to the countries, use the library and check out books and videos to assist you in helping your child to understand our world and its people.


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Book Review - Whaley's Big Adventure

About the Book
Join Whaley on his big adventure in the ocean as he meets Whales of all different sizes. Written and illustrated by 5 year old Alexander Luke, and presented by his grandmother, award-winning children's author Carole P. Roman, this oceanic adventure of whale-sized proportions will teach youngsters about the different whales that live in the oceans.


My Take on the Book
Alexander Luke, a five year old , wrote and illustrated this book about whales. He wrote it to teach children about some of the different whales in our oceans.

I enjoyed this story and learned new information about whales from this young child. I believe your child and you will also enjoy reading and discussing this story. It may give your child encouragement to write their own story.


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Book Review - The Treasure of Snake Island: A Captain No Beard Story

About the Book
After a fierce battle with a storm, the crew goes in search of treasure. Alexander, that is, Captain No Beard uses a map to locate it on the ominous sounding Snake Island. Bravely they dig until they find the best treasure ever!


My Take on the Book
Captain No Beard, Hallie, Mongo, Polly, and Fribbet are sailing the ocean in their ship.When a storm approaches they learn that "red sky in the morning, sailors take warning". So they prepare for a storm which arrives and the survive. It is due to reading a book that they learned this warning.

I appreciated this book because if emphasized the importance of reading books. The treasure was a chest of books that all the "pirates" would read due to the subject matter they all enjoyed. Read to your children and encourage them to read too.



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CritterZone Makes Pet Smells Disappear

About the Product
CritterZone is an extraordinary product that’s super helpful for pet owners and families. It’s an air naturalizer that tackles odors, allergens, germs and more. It is great for virtually eliminating smells from pet accidents, litter boxes, puppy pads, and many other odor issues!

What makes the CritterZone really unique is it doesn’t use harmful chemicals to mask odors. It actually energizes the air by creating a charged flow that removes unwanted particles, much in the same way Mother Nature does outdoors. The result is fresh, clean air that is better to breathe. It also can help with pet “accidents” that may occur on carpets and other materials and even restores the air in vehicles.

It’s easy to use (no filters involved), is energy efficient and can handle up to 800 square feet of space. In fact, it costs less than a penny per day to run, which makes it affordable to use 24/7 to clean your air.


My Take on the Product
I have been using this product for the past week or so. With two cats and a litter box, the area around the litter box tends to get a bit smelly and even if I clean it once per day, sometimes that smell permeates throughout the basement, to our consternation.

This product, which is small and discrete works so well. By simply plugging it in you start cleaning the air. Best of all, you don't have to change any filter and instead simply start cleaning the air through a natural process instead.

At first I smelled a slight metallic smell which is normal, but after this initial sell, I never smelled that again. Instead I found the air to be quite refreshing in the area where the litter was. The more that I used it, the more I found that it seemed to neutralize the airborne smells. This did not mean that I should clean the cat box any less, but it did give us peace of mind in knowing that the smells that were wafting out from the cats were controlled for the most part.

If you have pets and the smells are getting unbearable, I highly encourage you to check this out, as it is working for my family and I know that it can work for you too!

SPECIAL OFFER FOR READERS

I have set up a special offer with the company for my readers. If you go onto the CritterZone Website and use the discount code DADOFDIVAS you can get $10 off the Air Naturalizers or the Travel Pack!


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