The Alzheimer’s Prevention Cookbook
by Marwan Sabbagh, Beau MacMillan
Genre: Cookbook
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Publish Date: November 13, 2012
Format: Hardcover | 240 pages
Rating: 3 of 5
Publisher’s Synopsis:
The Alzheimer’s Prevention Cookbook is a science-to-table plan that can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, and its strategies and recipes—from sandwiches to salads and beverages to main dishes—can also diminish your chances of developing other inflammatory illnesses like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. This combination cookbook and health guide is a powerful, proactive, and preventive approach to achieving optimum brain health.
My Thoughts:
As people live longer lives, the risk of developing dementia becomes more of a possibility. I’m always interested in recipes and reliable advice on healthy eating. Adding foods to protect my brain’s health seems like a no-brainer (pun intended!). When I saw this book on the new arrivals shelf at my library, I checked it out expecting to find some easy recipes that I could prepare a few times a week. Unfortunately easy recipes were not what I found.
Part One
The book is divided into two parts. The first part, about 100 pages, is text explaining the science of Alzheimer’s. It’s written in plain English in an easy to understand manner, but it was a little too basic for me. There is nothing new here. Much of this information is already published on medical websites such as Mayo Clinic or Alzheimer’s Foundation or has been in the news.
with Pomegranate Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
2T champagne vinegar
4 T pomegranate juice
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt & Pepper
3 oranges
13 cups baby arugula
1 fennel bulb, shaved
1/2c herbed pecans
Preparation:
• Pour the vinegar in to a medium bowl and add the pomegranate juice. Gradually whisk in the olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cut off the top and bottom of the oranges and sit the fruit on a cut end. Working from top to bottom and following the contour of the orange, use a sharp knife to trim away the peel with the pith in strips,
• Rotating the fruit after each cut. Hold the fruit in your hand and make a pole-to-pole cut between the membrane and the flesh of each section to free the orange segments.
• In a large bowl, combine the fennel, oranges, and arugula. Drizzle with the dressing sprinkle with the pecans, and toss gently. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.
Part Two
The second part is a collection of delicious sounding recipes, the majority of which I would classify gourmet. Too many of them required ingredients that would not normally be found in my pantry or were difficult to obtain unless I wanted to make a run to Whole Foods or Traders Joe’s. Some contained ingredients that needed to be prepared from recipes within the book.
Arugula and Fennel Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette sounds delightful. I grow my own Arugula, but only for a month or so each spring and fall and fennel bulb is an ingredient I would have to search for.
Also, there were too few photos of the finished dishes. There was no photo of this salad, but I still intend to try the recipe once the Arugula is grown (soon, if spring will ever arrive).
Another recipe, the Ahi Tuna Sandwich reproduced below, looks and sounds fantastic.
(click recipe to enlarge)
I’ve had a similar ahi tuna sandwich at a trendy restaurant and would love to be able to make it at home, but Ahi Tuna is not cheap and it’s not easy to prepare flawlessly. I worry about ruining it. And the spinach pesto yogurt ingredient needs to be prepared from another recipe in the book.
Conclusion
Too many of the recipes, although they sound wonderful and I’m sure they are quite healthy, aren’t practical for busy people on a budget. I recommend giving this one a look at the library before investing in your own copy.
Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth Fish Reads. Participation is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs.
Source: Public Library
© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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Almost wordless: Today is the first day of spring. The marsh is still frozen, temps are below freezing and the geese are walking on ice.
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More Wordless Wednesday. © 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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Over 150 Blogs are participating in the 2nd Annual Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer. Each blog is offering a book or books from their own shelves as a giveaway. The hop runs through midnight, March 25th.
Welcome new visitors.
Feel free to take a look around. I’m an eclectic reader who enjoys a wide range of subjects and genres. Regular visitors already know I’m especially fond of audiobooks and am an amateur nature and bird photographer.
Entering my giveaways are easy. Just fill out the form at the bottom of the post. Being a subscriber is not a requirement to win, although I hope you will return if you like my blog.
An Audiobook Giveaway
I love audiobooks and am always encouraging non-listeners to give them a try. Non-fiction and self-help are a great way to break into the audiobook world. Occasionally I receive unsolicited copies that are not of a genre that I listen to or review. When that happens I like to pass them on to readers or bloggers that will enjoy the book and perhaps even post a review of it.
I have a new copy of Shades of Hope to give to one winner with a US address.
Shades of Hope: A Program to Stop Dieting and Start Living
by Tennie McCarty
Genre: Self-Help
Publish Date: March 6, 2012
Format: 9 CDs
One of the foremost experts on eating addiction, Tennie McCarty uses her own inspiring story, as well as the treatment from her famous retreat center, Shades of Hope, to help readers break the endless cycle of diets.
This is not a guide to losing weight. There are millions of people who bounce from one diet to another without understanding why because they never look beyond their plates. McCarty believes that food addiction is a physical and mental problem with a spiritual solution. An interactive book that asks readers to be a part of their healing, Shades of Hope shares the teachings, therapies, exercises, and mind-set that McCarty has used and developed throughout her career in treating addiction. Drawing from her own personal story, as well as those of her patients, McCarty shows readers how they can create new relationships—with food, their loved ones, and themselves.
Giveaway Details
Giveaway is open to anyone age 18 or older, US addresses only. To enter, fill out the form on or before midnight, March 25, 2013 (EST). For an extra entry tweet or blog the giveaway. For a second extra entry, leave a comment on this or any other post. Winner will be chosen by random.org and notified by email. Winner must respond within 48 hours with a US mailing address.
[Contest has ended]
Winner: Mel Scott
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Click HERE for a list of blogs participating in the Spring Cleaning Hop.
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© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
**Any advertisements appearing below are placed by WordPress, not me. I have no control over their placement nor do I endorse or derive any income from them.**
Mailbox Monday
Mailbox Monday was created by The Printed Page. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their home last week.
Mailbox Monday is currently on tour, hosted by a different blog each month. The March host is Caitlin @ chaotic compendiums.
I received a couple of review books this week:
For review from Audiobook Jukebox:
The Drunken Botanist
by Amy Stewart
Every great drink starts with a plant. Sake began with a grain of rice. Scotch emerged from barley. Gin was born from a conifer shrub when medieval physicians boiled juniper berries with wine to treat stomach pain. “The Drunken Botanist” uncovers the surprising botanical history and fascinating science and chemistry of over 150 plants, flowers, trees, and fruits (and even a few fungi). With over fifty drink recipes, growing tips for gardeners, and advice that carries Stewart’s trademark wit, this is the perfect listen for gardeners and cocktail aficionados alike.
For review from TLC Book Tours:
Something About Sophie
by Mary Kay McComas
Answering a call that summons her to a stranger’s deathbed, a reluctant Sophie Shepard is too late to hear what he was so anxious to tell her. What was so important that a dying man would think of her in his final moments? With the help of Dr. Drew McCarren, Sophie begins to dig into her past, setting off a chain of events that chills the quiet town of Clearfield, Virginia to its roots. With part of her wanting nothing more than to put Clearfield behind her and run back home, Sophie knows she won’t rest until she discovers the truth.
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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.
Share what you read last week and what you are currently reading.
Last week
I’m almost done reading Life After Life by Kate Atkinson. It’s a disorienting story in a good way and causing me to read slower than usual, but I’m enjoying it a lot.
I also read The Alzheimer’s Prevention Cookbook: 100 Recipes to Boost Brain Health, a half text, half recipe book that I’ll have a review for later this week.
I finished the audio of Farside by Ben Bova. It’s science fiction but not high tech and suitable for anyone that likes a good drama with a realistic future setting.
I posted two reviews, both audiobooks:
Kinsey and Me by Sue Grafton
Farside by Ben Bova
This week
I have trouble predicting what I’m going to read at the beginning of the week vs what I actually do end up reading or listening to. But every week I give it a try.
Once I finish Life After Life, I have The Lost Art of Mixing by Erica Bauermeister and then Something About Sophie for an upcoming tour stop.
In audio I’m listening to How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia and after that maybe The Drunken Botanist, which I’ve been looking forward to.
What are you reading?
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© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
The cold air doesn’t want to leave, the sun has been hiding behind the clouds, and the marshes and ponds are still frozen. A group of Mallards were at the edge of marsh where it was beginning to thaw.
One of the lessons I’ve learned from experienced birders is to never assume a flock of birds is all one species. Hiding among them could be an unexpected surprise. When a bird finds itself separated from its flock it will sometimes join another flock of a similar species.
A Green-winged Teal was mixed in with the Mallards. This is an uncommon bird to find in the Chicago area during the winter. We usually see them only during migration but this one has been sighted at the marsh all winter.
The Green-winged Teal breeds in Canada and spends winters in the southern and western US. It’s preferred habitats are marshes, ponds, and marshy lakes.
This is a beautiful little duck but it’s difficult to see the coloring in this shot. The ducks were pretty far out on the ice and showed no indication of coming closer to the humans. Plus it was freezing cold and I’m not as patient in the winter as I am in the summer when I’m waiting to get a good shot.
This is a fairly common duck in most of North America. It was an exciting find for me and the first time I’ve seen one. I’ll be going back to the marsh tomorrow to hopefully get some better photos before the duck decides to head north.
Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.
© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Farside
by Ben Bova
Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Publish Date: February 12, 2013
Format: Audio, 9 hours | 40 minutes
Audio Listening Level: Intermediate
Rating: 4 of 5
In the near future earthlings have begun to colonize the moon. Construction has recently begun on an astronomical observatory located on the opposite side of the moon called Farside. Since the far side of the moon never faces earth, it is sheltered from radio interference making it the perfect place to build a powerful optical and radio telescope in the solar system.
Once the telescope is completed it will be able to receive data for scientists to determine whether a newly discovered earth-like planet can support life. But building the telescope won’t be an easy task. It is extremely dangerous working outside on the moon’s surface and after the occurrence of a series of accidents, it appears someone doesn’t want this project to succeed.
My Thoughts
Ben Bova, one of my favorite science fiction authors, builds believable worlds with real science presented in a way the non-technical reader can understand and enjoy. His cast of characters are easy to relate to and will appeal to readers of all types of genres, not only science fiction.
This type of novel is what I like to call a ‘space opera’ with drama, action and adventure. Strong, brave men and smart, good-looking women. (The men and women did get a little stereotypical at times but I took that in-stride as part of the space opera theme of the novel). There’s a mystery, a romance, a murder to be solved, conflict with nano tech policies back on Earth, good guys vs bad guys; overall a fast-paced, entertaining read.
I listened to the audio, read by Stefan Rudnicki. The production was nicely paced and Stefan’s baritone voice was easy to listen to. The large number of characters made it necessary to pay attention as his changes in accent and tone for the various individuals were subtle. I prefer several narrators when there are more than a few primary characters and there are male and female voices.
Farside is the latest book in Ben Bova’s The Grand Tour series, a group of books which chronicle humanity’s struggles to colonize our solar system in the late 21st century. Many, like this one, stand alone and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys escaping into futuristic or space exploration novels.
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Source: Review copy.
© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Almost wordless: Charley made some new friends. The little wooden birds are recipe card holders.
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More Wordless Wednesday. © 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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