Book Review: Dr. Kellyann's Bone Broth Diet by Dr. Kellyann Petrucci

Title: Dr. Kellyann's Bone Broth Diet

Author: Kellyann Petrucci

Publisher: Rodale Books

Release Date: December 14, 2021

Genre: Detox & Cleansing Diets

As a naturopathic physician and weight-loss specialist, Dr. Kellyann Petrucci has helped thousands of patients achieve spectacular weight loss and more youthful-looking skin through her bone broth diet.

Packed with fat-burning nutrients, skin-tightening collagen components, and gut-healing and anti-inflammatory properties, bone broth is the key to looking and feeling younger than ever before. In just twenty-one days, you, too, can unlock these miraculous results with Dr. Kellyann’s delicious bone broth recipes and groundbreaking mini-fasting plan.
 
In this updated edition, Dr. Kellyann shares new 80/20 recipes for added post-diet flexibility, maintaining the diet template for 80% of your meals while allowing non-diet foods for the other 20%. Along with new research on the benefits of a low-carb diet and fasting, she also shares her best tips for looking beautiful from the inside out and lifestyle advice for staying healthy and vibrant long after you have finished the diet.
 

You’ll learn the science of why bone broth works and how to lose weight safely and easily—cravings and hunger pains not included. The simple and tasty recipes for beef, turkey, chicken, and fish bone broths are loaded with flavor and nutrients. Unlike other diet plans that involve serious preparation and cooking, the bone broth diet allows you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your newfound vibrancy. With easy fitness routines and mindful meditation exercises, Dr. Kellyann’s Bone Broth Diet is your key to a healthier, happier, slimmer, and younger life. 

0

Book Review: The Bloated Belly Whisperer

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Release Date: December 24, 2018

Genre: Health, Mind & Body

0

Beyond Soap

I was diagnosed with psoriasis when I was five.  It was 1985 and at the time psoriasis was a condition that was seen mostly in the elderly, so for a five year old little girl from Texas to have this disease was baffling not only to my family but our family physician and many local dermatologists.  I was passed from specialist to specialist, each marveling at my age and condition.  I hated every second of it.  Having psoriasis changed my life forever and I still struggle daily with its effects.

At the time of my diagnosis the reasoning behind my having the disease was genetics even though neither of my parents or grandparents showed any signs or symptoms.  It wasn't many years later that my dad was diagnosed that I felt somewhat better about my ordeal but I've never felt like this was the whole story.  I am practically allergic to everything under the sun and though I am extremely careful about what I come into contact with, and use on my skin, I have often wondered if the products I've so carefully chosen are aiding in the ever-constant battle that I have with the psoriasis symptoms they are supposedly supposed to help alleviate?  That's what dermatologist Dr. Sandy Skotnicki wanted to find out.

In Beyond Soap Dr. Sandy Skotnicki lays it all out for you.  She explains the different types of skin, gives you a brief history lesson about bathing and makeup rituals through the generations, and then goes on to explain why our society is having the skin issues they are having.  A lot of the information are things that you most likely have heard before but it is a good refresher and Dr. Skotnicki's writing style is so fluid that you will breeze right through many parts of the book.

Dr. Sandy Skotnicki has done her research and it shows in every chapter of the book which makes it a wonderful resource for anyone who struggles with skin issues like myself.  The main premise of the book is less is more.  We are living in a society of overindulgence and that includes what we put on our skin.  When you read about the history of skin care Dr. Skotnicki provides it is obvious that we are "too clean" and using way too many products which are doing more harm than good.

I highly recommend Beyond Soap for anyone who has any type of skin ailments.  I have already begun to use some of Dr. Skotnicki's recommendations and I can already tell a difference.  In my opinion it is a must read!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.

0

Naturally Thin

I have been struggling with my weight off and on my entire life.  I have been through times of anorexia in my high school years, through college, all the way to where I am now, which is an obese state, and everything in between.  My weight has been one big roller coaster and I for one am ready to be off this ride.

There are moments in my weight loss journey where I knew what I was doing was wrong but there are so many more moments where I felt like everything I was doing was right. Since going through menopause I feel like I am doing that right now.  I'm doing everything I've done in my past and nothing is working.  Actually, I'm gaining and am the biggest I've ever been in my entire life at the writing of this review.

Naturally Thin by Jean Antonello was written for people like me; people who want better, want healthier, want this time to be the last time, and want to lose weight the right way.

From the moment I picked up this book I knew this was something different.  Within the first few chapters I was saying, "Wow! That's me!" until it became redundant.  You can tell from her writing that Ms. Antonello has been there and she knows what she's talking about.  She discusses why our bodies are hard-wired to hold onto fat and where many diets have it all wrong.  I love all of the stories included in the book from those that have been down this road before and their eventual victory.  What they had to do to gain that weight loss freedom is very inspiring and encouraging!

My only complaint is that this book is a tad on the long side and the information, though helpful, can get a little repetitive, but this book is perfect when used as a reference or when you need motivation.

Naturally Thin is highly recommended for anyone who is done with yo-yo dieting, wanting to break the diet cycle, and is willing to put forth the effort to get onto the road to lasting health and weight loss.  This book is not a magic pill or a plan that will have you losing 20 pounds in 24 hours, but it will instead help you break free from food addictions, off the diet mentality, and on to lasting weight loss and freedom, if you put what you read to practice.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Heartland Book Company and NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.

0

The Benzo Devil

When I was seventeen years old I started working at a local pharmacy as a cashier.  That position quickly turned into a technician position and before long I had been a certified pharmacy technician off and on for over 15 years at multiple pharmacies.  In that time, I have seen things that would shock you.  There is a dark side to the pharmaceutical industry that many do not think about and one of those aspects is prescription drug addiction.    

The Benzo Devil by R.W. Pharazyn is the story of Rob Pharazyn, a man who becomes addicted to the highly-addictive, yet commonly prescribed drug, Ativan, and his journey from addiction to recovery.

Reading Rob's account was difficult for me, and brought up a lot of memories of my own journey.  After starting the prescription drug Cymbalta, without researching it first, I went against doctor's orders and quit the medication cold turkey.  It was one of the worst experiences of my life.  All of the experiences that Rob had to suffer through mirrored my own experience and the memories came flooding back.  I wouldn't wish this experience on my worst enemies. 

Coming off of many prescription drugs can be compared to someone coming off of heroin, with side effects including "brain zaps" (or electric shock sensations), nausea and vomiting, anxiety, and insomnia, to name a few.

Though painful to read, I commend Mr. Pharazyn for accounting his journey in such great detail.  He describes the effect of recovery on every aspect of his life and shows how things can get worse before they get better, but they do get better!  I can see how The Benzo Devil can give those who want to break their prescription addictions hope but Rob does not sugar coat a thing.  His storytelling is raw and real but shows the good with the bad, which is both sad and refreshing at the same time.

I will say, in all honesty, this book was one that was hard for me to get through and was a struggle to finish.  The Benzo Devil is eye-opening and is a story I think everyone should read, as hard as it is to read.  It is so important to research the prescriptions that are prescribed to you before you begin them, read the side effects carefully, and make an educated decision for yourself.  Knowledge is power!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from The Acorn and NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  All opinions are my own.

0

The Bravest You

So many of us live our lives in fear.  Fear can be so powerful that it can be debilitating and oftentimes keeps us from pursuing our dreams and passions.  

In The Bravest You, Adam Smith gives you five steps to help you overcome your fears and put you on the path to pursuing your passions and living the life you've always dreamed of.  This book is meant to be interactive and is not something that you can speed through.  It was very hard for me to read straight through but I was constantly highlighting and making notes about steps I can take in my own walk to overcome fears in my life and points to go back and revisit.

I highly recommend this to anyone who has been playing it safe in life.  It's time we all faced our fears and pursued our passions and this book will give you the steps you need to walk that path.  If you follow the steps outlined in this book it can be life changing.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

0