Foodie Fridays: The Food Diary Project Ends

by in Foodie Fridays, Rachel Barnard and tagged ,

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The Aftermath! Emphasis on math…

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  • Total calories in 21 days: 37,366
  • Average calories per day: 1763.33
  • Total calories in desserts: 5133
  • Total calories per multi-ingredient (prepared foods): 6401
  • Average meals (different times eating) per day: 4.09
  • Total number of meals eaten: 86
  • Highest calorie day: Day 10 (Saturday) with a total of 2757 calories (4 drinks that weren’t 0 calories and only 14 oz. of water)
  • Lowest calorie day: Day 11 (Sunday) with a total of 897 calories (no desserts but 3 drinks that weren’t 0 calories)
  • Average amount of water per day: 56
  • Total amount of water drunken: 1178 oz.
  • Number of caloric estimations: 85
  • Number of entries (lines) in 21 days: 467
  • Most recurring food item: cucumbers (18 times), onions (12 times), apple pieces (12 times), carrots (12 times), Noosa Yoghurt (10 times), mixed greens (9 times), granola (8 times), Veggie Straws (8 times), avocado (8 times)
  • Most recurring drink item: Water (18 times), Organic Bramblewine Tazo Tea (15 times)
  • Highest calorie drink: Pineapple drink, 450 calories on Day 10 at Lucky Liquor
  • Highest calorie singular food item: chicken tikka masala (520 calories on day 17), sweet potato fries (500 calories on day 10) and brioche bun (450 calories on day 10)
  • Number of days eating breakfast before 9:30 AM (within 2 hours of waking): 14/21 days
  • Total number of non-water/tea drinks: 32
  • Total number of desserts: 29
  • Number of days over 2500 calories: 1
  • Number of days over 2000 calories: 7
  • Number of days under 1500 calories: 6
  • Number of days under 1000 calories: 1

Book Review: Intrigue in the House of Wong by Amy S. Kwei

by in Author Tuesdays, Book Review and tagged , , ,

Intrigue in the House of Wong by Amy S. Kwei

A Early Reader/Teen/YA Novel published by Tats Publishing (06/01/2008)

 

Summary:

 Wendy Wong and her close-knit Chinese family move from familiar Chinatown to the Upper East Side so that she can attend a posh private school through partial scholarship. The Wongs go into debt purchasing the restaurant under their apartment. A stop work order on the renovation and sketchy thugs hanging out in the alley threaten to shut down the business, but the Wongs, along with their newfound friends and allies, will stop at nothing to save the House of Fortune. Their plans almost fall apart when one of their friends’ lives is threatened and Wendy is torn between obediently following her family and doing what she thinks is best.

 

Keywords:

 Chinese-American, Chinatown, culture, understanding, being uprooted, teen issues

 

My Review:

Wendy is not a complex character, she is just going through that period of time when she is confused about who she is and how she relates tot the world. Her Chinese culture butts heads with her new American attitude and she is forced to choose between the two in some circumstances. “Wendy never dreamed of doing anything shocking or scandalous.” (Location 90).

This book highlights the lives and feelings of Chinese living in present day America, their trials and tribulations and the way they are perceived by others. “…the Chinese were unwelcome guests, and the American Chinese would be foolish to act as if they were equal citizens.” (Location 575). Wendy herself feels like she is straddling two worlds and ultimately she feels alienated from both.

This book starts out slow, but soon progresses into a thought-provoking stance on cultural integration and how some people are not willing to change, not ready to change, or can’t change to fit in. Wendy learns that it is hard to be in a new place with new people who don’t know or understand where she is coming from. Not everyone is born equal, therefore there cannot truly be equality in this world, but you can try to treat everyone equally. Wendy comments that “Yeah, when you’re not on your guard, everyone seems to slip into group think.” (Locations 1572-1573) and that “In times of mass hysteria, people can forget to be human.” (Locations 1413-1414).

Kwei gives the teens slang that seems out of place, just like how Wendy and her friend Debbie sometimes feel out of place. The two teens want to fit in, but even their speech is not normal. The style of narration in the book is even subject to the semi-halting lilt of a young teenager’s emerging style and of one experiencing sudden change.

This is a book for teens and so the villains are softer and more subdued than the average bad guy you read about. These villains reveal their plans directly to the kids and act in stereotypical villanous fashion straight out of a Disney movie.

 

This novel was published by Tats Publishing 06/01/2008 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TLDR Star Rating: 3.50

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Tats Publishing

Facebook

Book Review: A Concubine for the Family: A Family Saga in China by Amy Kwei

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A Concubine for the Family: A Family Saga in China by Amy Kwei

A Historical Fiction Novel published by Tats Publishing (August 2, 2012)

 

Summary:

 The Huang family is without an heir… In early to mid 19th century China, this has grave consequences for the old traditions. Purple Jade has the humility, dignity, and pragmatism to bring an heir to the Huangs in any culturally justified means available: a Concubine for the Family.

 

Keywords:

 Family, Tradition, Honor, Respect, Dignity, China 1937-1941, cultural shock, East Ocean Devils, West Ocean Devils, Western philosophies

 

My Review:

The violence in this book was softened. The cultural shock was softened. The bad guy was ambiguous. Amy Kwei chose to soften the blow of the violence in this book by using a mellowing narrative voice. I thought it was fitting for the author to soften her words and perspective (softening the truth perhaps), because the characters and persons in the book showed considerable restraint. Where you or I would lash out in voice or action, Purple Jade held her peace and showed that she was considering both sides to a situation (in her thoughts). The author describes this as a concept of fixing yourself before fixing the world: “By cultivating oneself, we can regulate the family; by regulating the family, we can govern the state; by governing the state, we can bring peace on earth. When order and kindness direct the world, heaven will be pleased.” (Page 326). What a wonderful concept that everyone should adopt, at least in part, and the world would be a better place.

Perhaps the bad guy was not a single person, but actions of people or actions of a country. Perhaps it is fate or old traditions. Perhaps it is the concept of war. Kwei gives the reader much to ponder by not handing us a simple and easy character to despise and blame. The characters are just as much prone to their fate as we are in real life.

I get a little lost in the politics of a country’s history I know nothing about and a country’s culture I am quite unfamiliar with, but that’s what makes this book so fascinating. Kwei describes the proper way to eat and what is proper to eat. She describes when and who speaks, political gains and favors, and the halting way of speaking (as if it’s been translated just for our eyes). I am peeking into a world I would normally not have insight into and it is described in enough detail to give me a taste without having overwhelming flavor.

I very much enjoyed Kwei’s descriptions of cultural traditions and the differences between modern living and traditions of the past. The concept of “saving face” was intriguing, as was the struggle between culture and shame.

“If we can agree with their concept that each person is endowed with thoughts and feelings worthy of singular attention, more opportunities and developments would surely follow.” (Page 298).

 

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a political element, culturally rich stories, novels featuring Chinese in China, or a novel with a strong female lead.

This novel was published by Tats Publishing August 2, 2012 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TLDR Star Rating: 4.50

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Tats Publishing

Facebook

2015 Reading Challenge

by in Miscellaneous Mondays, Rachel Barnard and tagged ,

2015 reading challenge popsugar

The Challenge 2014
1 A book with more than 500 pages Shift (Silo #2) by Hugh Howey (608)
2 A classic romance Wildest Dreams by Stefany Rattles
3 A book that became a movie The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
4 A book published this year Unseen by Stephanie Erickson
5 A book with a number in the title 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
6 A book written by someone under 30 Deny the Moon by Melissa Graham
7 A book with nonhuman characters Pickled Apocalypse of Pancake Island by Cameron Pierce
8 A funny book This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper
9 A book by a female author The Enchanted Forest Chronicles (The Enchanted Forest by Patricia Wrede
10 A mystery or thriller Cache a Predator by M. Weidenbenner
11 A book with a one-word title Room by Emma Donoghue
12 A book of short stories Free-Flowing Stories by FVP authors
13 A book set in a different country The 100-Foot Journey by Richard Morais
14 A nonfiction book Rock Your Plot: A Simple System for Plotting Your Novel by Cathy Yardley
15 A popular author’s first book Looking for Alaska by John Green
16 A book from an author you love that you hadn’t read yet Silo by Hugh Howy
17 A book a friend recommended Heart of Africa by Loren Lockner
18 A Pulitzer Prize-winning book X
19 A book based on a true story Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend by Susan Orlean
20 A book at the bottom of your to-read list I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
21 A book your mom loves Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
22 A book that scares you Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
23 A book more than 100 years old X
24 A book based entirely on its cover The Pickled Apocalypse of Pancake Island by Cameron Pierce
25 A book you were supposed to read in school but didn’t NA
26 A memoir X
27 A book you can finish in a day If I stay by Gayle Foreman
28 A book with antonyms in the title Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
29 A book set somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit X
30 A book that came out the year you were born X
31 A book with bad reviews Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
32 A trilogy Maze Runner by James Dashner
33 A book from your childhood The Enchanted Forest Chronicles (The Enchanted Forest by Patricia Wrede
34 A book with a love triangle The Thousand Year Curse (Curse Books, #1) by Taylor Lavati
35 A book set in the future The Maze Runner by James Dashner
36 A book set in high school The Moment Before by Suzy Vitello
37 A book with a color in the title Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
38 A book that made you cry Ghostwriter by Tyan Wyss
39 A book with magic Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
40 A graphic novel X
41 A book by an author you’ve never read before Unseen by Stephanie Erickson
42 A book you own but hadn’t read before X
43 A book that takes place in your hometown The Siren Suicides by Ksenia Anske
44 A book that was originally written in a different language X
45 A book set during Christmas The French for Christmas by Fiona Valpy
46 A book written by an author with your same initials The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
47 A play X
48 A banned book Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
49 A book based on or turned into a TV show X
50 A book you started but never finished A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

Book Review: Heart of Africa by Loren Lockner

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Heart of Africa by Loren Lockner

A Light Romance Novel published by Loren Lockner (10/10/14)

 

Summary:

Mandy Philips planned her honeymoon in Africa, but when her doctor fiancé replaces her with a younger blonder floozy before they have a chance to get married, she decides to leave her life behind for a safari in the more wild part of South Africa. And now she is by herself. Or is she? Her hired guide Peter shows her the most beautiful sights and wild animals, but their budding romance is rudely sidetracked when Mandy is kidnapped by poachers. Almost no roads. Almost no food. Predators everywhere. Mandy must reunite first with her guide and then make it back to civilization before something else threatens her much-needed and very different kind of vacation.

 

Keywords:

 South Africa, Romance, Strong Female, Relationships, Poachers, Kidnapping, Survival, Animal Wildlife, Safari

 

My Review:

I absolutely loved Mandy. She is a go getter and no nonsense type of woman who still wants her bit of luxury in the wilds of Africa. She is the realistic character that any woman can relate to because she’s afraid of snakes. Well, I think most people would be frightened of 8 foot baby snakes! A few snapping crocodiles, stampeding buffalo, and nasty poachers would also make anyone sit down, cry and give up, but not Mandy. She still cries (wouldn’t you?) but she doesn’t give up. She gets burned and wet and bedraggled, but continues on, even though she knows her sense of direction is hopeless.

I also loved Peter. He was calm and collected, but was still nervous for their survival out in the bush. He was the Crocodile Dundee of Africa, knowing every leaf, tree, bird, and animal that they walked by. He had his own story and his own life prior to meeting Mandy. He wasn’t just thrown into her path for her sake. He was his own person and that’s what makes for the best types of romance. Both characters were their own person before they met each other and didn’t just exist during the time they knew each other. They didn’t just fall in love or commit themselves to each other, though extreme circumstances are known to make people fall in love harder and faster.

Heart of Africa was as much its setting as it was its lovers and story. Lockner gave the setting a life of its own. Through her eyes I saw this small part of South Africa and it was made beautiful. I can’t say I will remember the hordes of animals Lockner describes or that I would myself want to visit, but I came away with a deeper understanding of the areas Mandy goes to during her Safari. I think, after reading this book, that I definitely would never go because I am for sure afraid of snakes longer than a foot, angry wild poachers, wild unpredictable animals, and scorpions finding their way into my shoes.

This novel was published by Loren Lockner October 10th, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Loren Lockner’s Website

Book Review: A Woman Lost by T.B. Markinson

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A Woman Lost by T.B. Markinson

A Romantic Fiction Novel published by T. B. Markinson (01/02/14)

 

Summary:

She is predictable as pie, always ordering a chai tea when out at the local Starbucks with her best friend Ethan, and avoiding talking about her relationship like they are the plague. She doesn’t like to open up and swoons – inside her own head- at any pretty woman. She feels like she gets cornered into doing what she doesn’t want to do and can’t figure a way out of it, even if all it would take is one conversation. She is a relationship wuss.

 

Keywords:

 Romance, Relationships, Unsupportive Family, Friendships, Lesbians, Tension, Holding in Feelings, Coffee, Chai

 

My Review:

Lizzie isn’t just a relationship wuss, she tries very hard. Her personality holds her back. Don’t we all do this? We’re worried about what our partner will do or say so we don’t bring up those difficult questions at all. Push them to the back of the closet where they can’t affect us, but they always do eventually. Markinson has a way with building her characters. Lizzie, Sarah, Ethan, and Maddie are all realistic layered characters with personality quirks and humors all their own. I really enjoy Markinson’s characters in everything that she writes and A Woman Lost is no exception.

A Woman Lost was built on tension. It was apparent in every word and every scene and I was just waiting for it all to fall apart or blow up. I wasn’t disappointed. Markinson herself describes Lizzie: “You’re so wound up all of the time that sometimes you crack.” (Page 35). Lizzie keeps her feelings bottled up inside, but not just because it adds tension to the story. She has a reason for doing this. Markinson has built her up and given her complication and motivation and backstory to explain who she is and why she does the less applaudable things that she does. If she has such a great girlfriend, why would she pursue the new hot chick? If any of us would succumb, so would a character like Lizzie. The story is realistic and the characters are realistic in this way and that is why Lizzie is so very relatable even while you want to kick her in the pants and tell her to stop being such a ninny. It’s difficult to do that when you’re as stubborn as Lizzie, “I should always go the exact opposite of my gut feeling; however, I was too stubborn to ignore my intuition.” (Page 228).

This novel was published by T. B. Markinson January 2nd, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TLDR Star Rating: 5.0

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

T.B. Markinson’s website

Book Review: Unseen (The Unseen Trilogy Book 1) by Stephanie Erickson

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Unseen (The Unseen Trilogy Book 1) by Stephanie Erickson

A Young Adult Fantasy Novel published by Pickles Press (11/19/14)

 

Summary:

Mackenzie “Mac” Day must choose between a career in music therapy and finding out a secret about herself she’s wanted to know all her life. She discovered music when she was five and, ever since, it has helped her cope with the inundation of voices in her head. She doesn’t have Sensory Processing Disorder like she was diagnosed with at such a young age, but the power to read minds, or at least to be overwhelmed by everyone else’s thoughts. That is, until she meets members from the Unseen, a secret organization full of people just like her who can read minds. Will she choose to be a therapist, continuing her own dependence on coping mechanisms she learned as a child or break free from the curse she has known all her life if she chooses to join the Unseen?

“How can I choose between something I’ve been reaching for my whole life and something so unlikely I never even dared to hope for it?” (Page 69).

 

Keywords:

 Mind Readers, Secret Organization, Graduate School, Musical Therapy, iLS Device, Sensory Processing Disorder, Music, Young Adult Issues, Friends, Terrorists, Making Adult Decisions

 

My Review:

Mac was a main character I could get behind. She’s confident and somewhat confrontational and can stand up for herself. She’s logical and to the point, but is also creative and intelligent. I really liked her. Maddie was also a character I took an instant liking to. She was funny and quirky in her own way. The interactions between Mac and Maddie were super fun. Their banter was humorous and cleverly written, with a sense of reality that kept my attention throughout the dialogue.

I was a little disappointed at the predictability until the end when the author introduce one whammy right after the other. What a climax!

As this is a fantasy novel, of COURSE the main character was special, but I got bogged down in this predictability. She is special. She is more special than the other special people. However, even within this predictability I thought the context of mind reading was interesting and well written.

To note as well, the thoughts of the men in the beginning were exaggerated as if they were a female’s take on what a man would be thinking, but who knows, I’m not a guy, maybe a guy’s thoughts really are like she describes. I also noticed there were quite a number of characters that were blonde haired and blue eyed. Coincidence?

This novel was published by Pickles Press November 19th, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.50

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Stephanie Erickson’s Website