Visions of Earth raises a curtain on the wonders of the world and thrills us with nature's opulence and humanity's splendor. Each image alone exposes a nugget of our planet's magnificence; the totality of the collection goes beyond our imagination. Turning the pages, viewers are struck by the richness of life on Earth. One photograph is more awe-inspiring than the next--chosen by veteran National Geographic magazine photo editors to present what is visually incredible. The photographs are drawn from the popular "Visions of Earth" feature in the magazine, (rated Number 1 by readers), from our own storied Image Collection, and from renowned photographers throughout the world, many never-before published.
Enthralling images fill the book in a gallery of stunning landscapes, fascinating people, amazing animals, and unexpected glimpses of the usual and unusual. Puffins' beaks signal breeding time in Norway and a speckled emperor moth in South Africa diverts predators with an illusion. An elephant takes a morning dip in India's Andaman Sea while Siamese crocodiles race in Thailand and surfers in Australia relish a perfect day. Monks in Bhutan run to dinner and a little girl in red stands out among white-robed women in an Indonesian mosque. Spanish youth decked in colorful, oversize papier-mâché heads celebrate a festival in Catalonia and a flower of flame blooms from a man's kerosene-filled mouth in a Sikh celebration in India.
At first, I wondered why people were included in the photographs, as the title to me implies visions of the environment, but people are part of the environment. We live on Earth and have the greater impact on the planet more than any other species.
As mentioned with previous reviews of National Geographic books, it does not appear this book is made with FSC paper or recycled content; however, the National Geographic Society's mission does include conservation and their Green Guide is a great resource.
Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.
Globalization of Water: Sharing the Planet's Freshwater Resources
We cannot survive without fresh, clean water, yet our global economy impacts far off places in ways we don't often imagine. Our cheap goods made abroad require water for manufacturing. Do we ever think about what this is doing to local ecosystems and communities?
Globalization of Water is a first-of-its-kind review of the critical relationship between globalization and sustainable water management. It explores the impact of international trade on local water depletion and pollution and identifies "water dependent" nations.
Examines the critical link between water management and international trade, considering how local water depletion and pollution are often closely tied to the structure of the global economy
Offers a consumer-based indicator of each nation's water use: the water footprint
Questions whether trade can enhance global water use efficiency, or whether it simply shifts the environmental burden to a distant location
Highlights the hidden link between national consumption and the use of water resources across the globe, identifying the threats facing 'water dependent' countries worldwide
Provides a state-of-the-art review and in-depth data source for a new field of knowledge
Parts of this book are very scientific with formulas and such that do not make for casual reading; however, much of the text is understandable to the lay person.
I like how the authors do not take a stance against or pro-globalization. Instead, they focus their energy on "the establishment of proper arrangements at the global level where national arrangements are not sufficient". We cannot stop globalization in its tracks, but we can work towards sustainable water management in conjunction with it.
Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.
Holidays? Check. Birthdays? Check. Tuesdays? Check! Our research says life is 100% better any day pie is involved. There's nothing like a rich, gooey slice of apple pie straight from the oven, baked in a perfectly flaky crust and topped with cinnamon-sugar. And now it can be yours, along with dozens more mouthwatering varieties, vegan at last and better than ever.
Vegan Pie in the Sky is the latest force in Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero's baking revolution. You'll find delicious and adorable pies, tarts, cobblers, cheesecakes and more--all made without dairy, eggs, or animal products. From fruity to chocolaty, nutty to creamy, Vegan Pie in the Sky has the classic flavors you crave. And the recipes are as easy as, well, you know. Serve up some:
Maple-Kissed Blueberry Pie
She's My Cherry Pie
Chocolate-Peanut Butter Tartlets
Salted Pecan Caramel Pie
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Learn how to rock (and roll) the perfect pastry crust, whether butter, graham cracker, chocolate cookie, or gluten-free almond. Luscious toppings transform your pie into a showstopper. And you'll even find handheld treats, to make getting your recommended daily allowance of pie more convenient! With gorgeous color photos and Isa and Terry's irreverent commentary throughout, Vegan Pie in the Sky is the modern baker's bible for pie that's out of this world.
I make pies, but I rarely make a tart! Oooh, my mouth is watering looking at these recipes. Should I start with the stawberry & cream tart or maybe the chocolate raspberry tart? I have these fruits frozen from the garden. We will be eating well this weekend!
Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.
The Rhythm of Family: Discovering a Sense of Wonder through the Seasons by Amanda Blake Soule and Stepehen Soule is a well-organized book that provides month-by-month, quality projects for the family. From recipes to crafts, each month's seasonal activities are beautifully photographed and described.
Many of us with busy families yearn for a slower and simpler life with our kids--one that is connected to the seasons and the natural rhythm of the year, one that has our children spending more time out of doors rather than in, one that balances out some of the busyness of our lives--the computers, the televisions, the cell phones--with a deeper connection to the Earth and an appreciation for and understanding of the natural world. The Rhythm of Family is a guide to living such a life for any family.
Following the course of a year through the passing of the seasons, this book explores the ways we can create deep family connections and meaningful memories through living in tune with the cycles of nature. From stomping around in mud boots in the spring to gathering around the woodstove in winter, our activities naturally change from season to season--from the rhythms of the seasons comes the rhythms in our homes, our hearts, our families, and our every day. Paying attention to these changes slows us down, inspires new types of creative play and exploration, instills a sense of family togetherness, and deepens an awareness of nature and self that can make our lives, days, family, and earth grow stronger.
The Rhythm of Family explores what we learn and can gain as parents and families by encouraging and experiencing creativity and nature exploration with our children, the seasons can provide us with a rhythm that brings us close to the earth, and closer to our children.
I really, really, really like this book and am inspired to try many of the activities with my family. For example for this month of January, the Soules suggest we make creamy potato soup, knit winter weather cowls, make frozen sun catchers, and plant herb seeds. Typically when I review books like this one, I find a handful of projects I would like to do; however with this book, I want to make them all with my children.
Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.
Linda Watson, the founder of CookforGood.com, created her wildly affordable cooking plans after being inspired by a national challenge to eat on a food-stamp budget. She credits her background in project management helping her to not just survive but thrive on just a dollar a meal per person...
If you've wanted to eat like it matters but felt you couldn't afford it, Wildly Affordable Organic is for you. It's easy to think that "organic" is a code word for "expensive," but it doesn't have to be. With these ingenious cooking plans and healthy, satisfying recipes, Linda Watson reveals the incredible secret of how you can eat well every day--from blueberry pancakes for breakfast to peach pie for dessert--averaging less than two dollars a meal.
Get ready for wild savings! You'll discover how to:
• Ease your family into a greener lifestyle with the 20-minute starter plan
• Go organic on just $5 a day--or go thrifty and spend even less
• Take advantage of your freezer and freeze your costs
• Find the best deals at your local farmers' market or grocery store
• Cook easy, scrumptious, seasonal dishes from scratch
I like how Linda arranges her menus based on seasons, as it only makes sense that seasonal food will be cheaper than out of season food that has been shipped from different climates. It is also fresher and better for your health and the planet.
Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.
I have never made cheese, but I have friends who do. Homemade cheese is so delicious, and someday, I plan to try. Thanks to Jody M. Farnham and Marc Druart's book The Joy of Cheesemaking, I think I can!
Review
"Starred Review. Brush up on Chemistry 101 and be prepared to master all kinds of new techniques...In between the scientific lingo and the critical procedures of learning about the art of cheesemaking come some great color photographs, a few dozen recipes (e.g., Texas cheese soufflé, fromage flatbread), and introductions to "rock star" cheesemakers around the country that include personal histories, a cheese-featured dish or two, and contact information. And lest we lose sight of the end results, enjoying le fromage has its day in two chapters covering the how-tos of building a cheese board and pairings with wine or beer. The authors--one American, the other French--are affiliated with the Vermont Institute of Artisan Cheese, one of a handful of similar accredited educational institutions in the U.S." (Booklist )
The pictures make me salivate, and the instructions are simple enough I think I could do it! Now, maybe I just need to get a cow for constant cheesemaking supply!
Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.
National Geographic Books Make Great Gifts: The Big Idea
National Geographic books are always well done, and of course, the imagery is spectacular. The Big Idea: How Breakthroughs of the Past Shape the Future is set up in a timeline to show the progression of "Big Ideas" through time and beyond.
The Big Ideas are:
Information & Communication
Health & Medicine
Physics & the Cosmos
Chemistry & Materials
Biology & Environment
Transportation & Space Exploration
From the Pythagorean theorem to DNA's double helix, from the discovery of microscopic life-forms to the theory of relativity--the big ideas of science and technology shape an era's worldview. Open this book, grasp the newest ideas from thought leaders of today, then spring off from them to move back through the past, one big idea at a time. Meet the people who gave birth to these ideas--and those who fought against them. Meet the MIT electrical engineer currently developing a way to turn on the lights cordlessly, then move back through Nikola Tesla's visionary concept of the wireless transfer of energy, Thomas Edison's groundbreaking work in developing a nationwide electrical grid, Ben Franklin's experiments to capture electricity, all the way back to ancient Greece, where Thales of Miletus described static electricity as a property of naturally occurring amber.
As with other National Geographic books we have reviewed, there is nothing eco-friendly about this book other than the work National Geographic does as a society. I would really like to see the company move towards using recycled materials in their books.
Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.
Gifts for the Allergic or Diabetic Child: Even Princess and the Peanut & Even Superheroes Get Diabetes
Children's literature is a developmentally appropriate and fun way to educate about illness. Whether sharing with classmates and friends or individual children, we were sent two books that can help youngsters understand their potentially life-threatening health conditions.
The Princess and the Peanut by Sue Ganz-Schmitt is a very well done. This delightful story is loosely based on the Princess and the Pea, only the pea is a peanut. Referring to several other fairy tales, this book not only informs but entertains children.
Every queen knows that in order to find out if a princess is REAL, one must send the "alleged" princess to bed on a magnificent pile of mattresses, slip in a pea, and see how she sleeps. But when the royal kitchen is fresh out peas, the queen tries a peanut instead. The princess turns out to be as real as her food allergies.
This vibrant and humorous tale inspires, and educates children with allergies, as well as those who live in, and around food sensitive kingdoms. Includes a food allergy guide for adults, and kid-friendly allergy definitions.
Even Superheroes Get Diabetes is also by Ganz-Schmitt. It is not as well done as the princess book, but that may just be my preference for fairy tales over comic books. I did learn a lot about diabetes from the book.
Even Superheroes Get Diabetes focuses on the gift within the illness. It is the story of a boy named Kelvin who loves Superheroes. His childhood days are spent in imaginative play--saving the day. One day, his fantasies are marred by the reality of getting diabetes...the incessant finger pricks, shots, and the constant doctor's appointments. When a mysterious doctor uncovers that Kelvin has superpowers, the story reveals itself as the genesis of a new kind of superhero. Kelvin is monikered 'Super K' and uses his superpowers to help other kids with diabetes. The discovery of Super K's superpowers is akin to the discovery of one's inner strength in the face of adversity--in the face of illness. The comic book style illustrations by Micah Chambers-Goldberg beautifully connect children and parents to the world of diabetes. The book includes a kid friendly diagram that explains type 1 diabetes, and definitions that discuss both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.
Really Natural Books: Thugs, Drugs and the War on Bugs: How the Natural Healthcare Revolution Will Lead Us Past Greed, Ego, and Scary Germs (Why Were Sick)
It's pretty much a common consensus that our health care industry needs to be overhauled. The fact that we even call it an industry alone should be signal.
Thugs, Drugs and the War on Bugs, How the Natural Healthcare Revolution Will Lead Us Past Greed, Ego, and Scary Germs, by Dr. Brad Case is a scathing expose on America's "Sick Care" industry. This well-referenced tome covers topics such as: the history of allopathic medicine and its continued reliance on dogma over science, despite considering themselves "scientific medicine"; the American Medical Association's longstanding and ongoing war on the competition: natural healthcare providers; the drugging and brainwashing of America; the FDA/Big Pharma collusion and other conflicts of interest affecting healthcare; the huge issue of "iatrogenesis" or doctor-caused illness and death; the fallacy of Louis Pasteur's germ theory, which is slowly being replaced by a "new" germ theory that's sure to surprise and will completely change how you look at germs; the overuse of antibiotics and how this practice has led to the development of antibiotic resistant "superbugs" (like MRSA) and yeast overgrowth; parasites: how to detect them and how to get rid of them; the controversy surrounding vaccines and whether or not they are responsible for autism; what to do if you decide you don't want your child vaccinated; the media-generated fear around the outbreaks and "epidemics" of bird flu, swine flu, and seasonal flu, and what you can do to protect yourself; and it challenges the entire HIV=AIDS theory. It also gives an entirely new theory on what viruses really are. But Thugs... is not all doom and gloom. Case describes what's wrong with our healthcare system in an engaging and even humorous way and then gives us common sense approaches to either work within the system or avoid it altogether. What's more, he references Western medicine's own journals, Big Pharma's internal memos, and other credible sources, many of which were acquired through the freedom of information act, to back each of his amazing claims. An outstanding book for doctors and patients alike.
Wow!
The section on vaccines and autism is very interesting and sure to cause renewed controversy. The "20 Steps to Perfect Health Checklist" makes perfect sense. The reality of this book is a hard pill to swallow, sort of like the reality of global warming; however, information is the first step to change and empowerment. This book is rather radical, and of course medicine does save lives, my son's for example; however, Dr. Case makes some very valid points in his book.
Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.
Gifts for the Healthy Cook: Superfood Cuisine Cookbook
Superfoods are called superfoods because they are super for your brain! Adding a few of these ingredients to your pantry and learning to cook with them will create interest in your diet and health in your body.
Superfood Cuisine is not your ordinary cookbook. But then again, superfoods are not your ordinary ingredients. From omega-rich chia seeds and nut-like sacha inchi, to antioxidant powerhouses like blueberries and exotic maqui berry (the #1 antioxidant fruit yet discovered!), to true energy foods like maca powder and cacao, and even everyday sprouts and leafy greens ... these are the most nutrient-dense foods on earth. Touted today by leading nutritionists and health gurus including Dr. Oz, these foods have been celebrated by ancient civilizations for thousands of years for their remarkable powers to heal and energize, promote radiant health, and enable high performance.
Now, discover their unique health benefits and exciting new flavors through learning how to use them in delicious dishes -- from breakfasts to entrees to desserts -- with this definitive guide to cooking with superfoods.
Beautiful photographs accompany the information and recipes in this fabulous cookbook. The Incan Patties look amazing!
Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.
National Geographic Books: An Uncommon History of Common Courtesy
As a race, we value manners. Culturally-specific, young children are taught early on to be polite, say please and thank you, keep your elbows off the dinner table, etc. Ever wonder why or where these common manner come from?
With engaging and artfully presented text, including sidebars on media mavens throughout history, social gaffes, and archaic manners, this book is as entertaining as it is informative. Readers delve into cultural similarities and differences through lively passages, colorful photography, and sidebars on unique history. Topics include Courtesies and Greetings, Communication and Correspondence, Dining and Entertaining, Hierarchies and Protocol, Hospitality and Occasions, Amusements and Institutions, Boundaries and Cultural Differences, New Technology and Old Manners. Whether you are planning a trip abroad or just want a fascinating, browsable read, find out what is universal and what is merely a product of one's culture.
As with other National Geographic books we have reviewed, there is nothing eco-friendly about this book other than the work National Geographic does as a society. I would really like to see the company move towards using recycled materials in their books.
Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.
Really Natural Books: Urban Green Architecture for the Future
Ever wonder when buildings went bad? What are green alternatives for construction that go beyond materials to design as whole? How would the world be a better place if we just let our yards go wild?
Sustainable design is booming, but the men and women dedicated to reducing their carbon impact have lost sight of what they are trying to save: the natural world. Author Neil Chambers has been at the forefront of cutting-edge, sustainable architecture for years, and Urban Green is his revolutionary vision for bringing the power of the conservation and design movements together. He advocates looking to nature for the missing components of the green revolution: oysters that can clean water at up to 5 liters an hour; beavers that reshape their environments while simultaneously enriching ecosystems; and mountains that offer a new way of imagining how a city could be built. By designing our homes and cities in harmony with the natural world, we can take the next step in the sustainable revolution.
Chambers takes green building beyond gray water and energy smart appliances to larger issues architects should consider when designing for urban ecology.
Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.
Really Natural Cookbooks: Eat Vegan on $4.00 a Day: A Game Plan for the Budget Conscious Cook
One of the biggest complaints of eating healthy is that it is more expensive than chemically flavored and preserved food, yet it doesn't have to be. Eat Vegan on $4.00 a Day: A Game Plan for the Budget Conscious Cook by Ellen Jaffe Jones makes it easy, affordable, and delicious to eat vegan. Whether your vegan choices are for health, the planet, or consciousness, not only is this cookbook filled with great recipes, but it also tells you how to stock your pantry on a budget.
Not only can a plant-based diet be good for health, it can also be easy on the pocketbook. At a time when many people are looking for a way to cut costs, Vegan on $4 a Day will show readers how to forgo expensive processed foods and get the most flavor out of delicious, high-quality basic ingredients. Author Ellen Jaffe Jones has combined passion, money savvy, journalistic expertise, and culinary skills into a consumer's guide for an economically viable dietary lifestyle. She has scoured the shelves of popular supermarkets and big-box stores and calculated exactly how much it costs to eat healthfully and deliciously. Readers will learn how to adapt their favorite recipes, cook with beans and grains, and use bulk buying to get big savings. Includes nearly 100 nutritious, delicious and low cost recipes and a week's worth of menu- planning ideas that show how the recipes can be combined to get a cost of $4 a day.
Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.
Really Natural Books: DIY Solar Projects: How to put the sun to work in your home
Many people view solar energy as something you need to hire a contractor to take advantage of or else be super handy. DIY Solar Projects: How to Put the Sun to Work in Your Home is a very user-friendly book containing many projects from the simple to the more complicated. From building a still to solar oven, there are seven projects to help you take advantage of solar heat. There is also loads of information on solar electricity, such as how to mount solar panels.
With high energy costs and a warming planet that needs cleaner fuel sources, the time has never been better for homeowners to get involved with solar energy. And despite what many may think, you don't need to spend $50,000 to coat your house with an array of panels to participate.
In DIY Solar Projects (Creative Publishing international, Oct. 2011), environmentally-conscious (and cost-conscious) homeowners will find a surprising array of achievable, clever projects they can make and install to begin creating their own solar lifestyle.
From a simple solar oven that can cook a roast in a couple of hours to a standalone solar water heater, this book provides clear instructions for sun-powered equipment homeowners can make and install on their own. Readers will see how to mount small photovoltaic panels on a roof, bring power to lights in a remote shed or garage, and create a solar still that purifies water without consuming power. A wood kiln, a battery charging station, and supplementary heat sources for your home are just a few of the other unique and highly practical projects in this book.
Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.
National Geographic Books: Visions of Earth
Mailing List
Site Navigation
The Naturopathica 30 Day Skin Transformation Challenge
Archives