On a Farther Shore by William Souder

Subtitle: The Life and Legacy of Rachel Carson

Since March is Women's History month I thought I would read a book about a woman that loved nature and saw how humans and science were damaging the one thing that she loved most.

This was not an easy book to read. There was a lot of back story and history of  what was happening in the world and in the world of science. I appreciate knowing these things as it helps to understand the drive of Carson, but it was a bit tedious.

She was a perfectionist. It took her a long time to write, she never made a deadline, but what she wrote awed people. I will be honest in that I have not read some of her key works (they are on my list for this year!). Her love of nature and how it all worked together. Her love that made her present an amazing case against indiscriminate use of pesticides and chemicals. She spent her life getting her thoughts and ideas out to everyone, in a way that everyone could understand.

She died at a very young age and cannot imagine what she could have done. In her short life though she accomplished much and left a huge stamp on how we can look at the world.

Souder is wordy and in the end it seemed to me that only 25% of the book or so was about Carson. Again, I can see the importance of knowing what was going on during the time that she was writing but it was a bit much at times and a slog to get through. If you have the patience to get through the nuts and bolts what was written about Carson was very informative and enlightening.

 

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

 

I love this saga by Gabaldon and you need to be willing to dedicate some time to get through the books. It is well worth it, but I am always glad when I get to the end. And thankfully the end of this one did not leave me hanging like some of her others.

This is the continuation of the saga with Jamie and Claire, Roger and Bree, and the life that they are leading and where it takes them. 

In this volume there are marriages, a short war, death, and near death. There are past situations that need to be dealt with and figuring out how to take care of them and still be able to live with yourself is a huge dilemma in and of itself. 

There is a little interesting twist in dealing with time travel of the past/future and I am curious how Gabaldon will incorporate this in the following books. She never disappoints and is an amazing story teller. It amazes me how she keeps it all straight and cohesive.

If you haven't read any of the saga make sure you start with Outlander and be prepared to be pulled into an amazing story that keeps you wanting more. You will spend many, many hours getting lost in this wonderful tale of love and pain, sacrifice and triumph.     

Zero Sugar Diet by David Zinczenko

Subtitle: The 14-Day Plan to Flatten Your Belly, Crush Cravings, and Help Keep You Lean for Life

I guess if you are someone who eats a lot of sugar laden foods and snacks all of the time I can see how you could lose a lot of weight in 14 days. I really enjoyed the science and learning more about how your body works and uses what you feed it. I also liked the fact that the foods and meal plans were realistic. So many times there are strange ingredients or food substitutes that always make me wonder how people could stay on the 'diet' and continue it life long. I know that some of my eating behaviors and likes need attention, but I want to feel good while I am doing it and understand the long term affects of what I do.

The thing that never ceases to amaze me is how big cooperation's continue to skew the data to work in their favor. As my husband always says, follow the money. Not everyone has their best interest out for your health, it is all about the bottom line for them.  

I definitely learned a lot and took away some really good recipes that I have already tried. I am striving to stay healthy and strong as long as possible and every bit of information can be useful. Always do what feels right for you, as we are not all made the same. I want to enjoy life and enjoy food and this book gave me some great ideas and a better understanding of how the body works.