Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Detox!

So, if you follow me on Twitter then you should know that I work out 5 days a week for multiple hours each day. I love working out, but I HATE eating right. I basically just work out so that I can eat whatever I want. Well, now it's time for a change. I have never weighed this much in my life, and my clothes just aren't fitting anymore. It's actually pretty depressing. A couple of weeks ago I started watching what I eat and trying to eat more smaller meals to boost my metabolism. Well, the scales just are not budging. I am getting really fed up. I've decided that it's time to make a change. I'm detoxing this week.

I've detoxed several times before. Robert and I always do the Fat Smash Detox. It is a 9 day detox that basically eliminates carbs, meats, and cheeses. Okay, it eliminates A LOT, so I guess I should tell you what I CAN eat.

I can eat the following:

All fruits (no avocados)
All veggies (no potatoes of course)
2 cups of brown rice/day
2 servings of low fat yogurt/day
All beans
Oatmeal (YUCK!)
Nonfat milk (double YUCK. I usually cheat on this part and use soy milk.)

I'm sure I'm leaving some things out, but this is basically what I eat when I do the detox. It's really good to cleanse your system and jump start your weight loss. Hopefully next week I'll be able to see and feel a change. I'll keep you updated and let you know how it goes.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Hush, Hush

So there has been a lot of hype about this book from the girls in my interwebz book club. I HATE spoilers, so I really did not know what this book was Becca Fitzpatrick wrote about in Hush, Hush. I was a little surprised by the subject matter and a little disappointed in the writing.
Nora Grey is an excellent high school student. She has a best friend Vee and makes good grades. Nora and Vee and anti-twins. They are complete opposites in every way. Vee is not interested in school and is boy crazy. Nora is focused on her grades and could care less about boys. That is until Patch replaces Vee as her lab partner in Biology. Patch is the definition of mysterious. Nora knows nothing about him or his past, but she is drawn to him against her better judgement. He draws her in with his sly smile and dark eyes.

After a series of frightening events, Nora doesn't know if she can trust Patch or not. Patch knows a lot about Nora without her having to tell him. He also seems to be everywhere she is. When she finally gets answers about Patch and his past, she discovers that the truth is unsettling. She doesn't know who to trust, and the wrong decision can cost her her life.

I must say, I was a little disappointed in this book. It had many similarities to Twilight and Evermore and that's not a good thing.

First of all, they main characters meet in Biology class. Does that sound familiar to anyone? I must say that I am a Biology teacher and nothing that exciting ever happened in my classes. Thank you Stephanie Meyer for creating the idea that Biology class is so appealing. If only my students were as excited about their lab partners. *Note my sarcastic font.*

Second, the whole "he's so dangerous but oh-so-hot, but he may kill me, but I'm so attracted to him" premise is getting really old. Books like this do not teach about healthy relationships. Why are you attracted to someone who could potentially kill you? Yeah he's hot, but RUN THE OTHER WAY!

The last thing that bothered me were the characters' names. I mean seriously, Patch,Vee, and Nora? What year is this? These were the worst names in a YA book that I've ever come across. UGH! I can't even express how much I hated the names. Some of you are probably thinking that their names shouldn't get me so worked up, but YOU"RE WRONG. It's something about characters' names that either draw you in or make you totally uninterested. Needless to say, I was pretty uninterested in the characters.

So, the book wasn't a total fail. The last 100 pages had me wanting to know what was going to happen next. I did like the ending of the book, and I look forward to reading the sequel when it comes out later this year.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Identical

The first book I read this year was Crank Ellen Hopkins. The subject matter was a little dark, but I loved her writing style. She writes her books in verse. At first, I thought that it would be difficult for me to read a book written like that, but it flowed so beautifully that I knew I would read more of her work. I picked up Identical from the library and dove right into it.

Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical twins. Their parents are well known members in their small town. Their father is a district-court judge and their mother is a politician. On the outside, it looks like they have a picture-perfect family, but nothing can be farther from the truth. There family hides a horrible secret.

Kaeleigh is the focus of her daddy's love and affection, love that is meant for her absent mother. Raeanne is rebellious and uses drugs, alcohol and sex to help fight the demons at home. Both girls are struggling with addictions, eating disorders, and insecurities. They are both lacking a healthy relationship with their parent. Although they are facing the same struggles, the twins do not rely on each other for help or strength. Can they make it on their own, or will they help each other through this horrible time?

WOW, this book was just...WOW. At first, I didn't know if I would be able to finish reading it. The subject matter was a little darker than what I'm used to, and I just didn't know if I could handle it. I am so glad I stuck through it. Hopkins' writing was beautiful, as usual. She chose a subject that doesn't get talked about much in YA books and she took a different approach. She kept me engaged the whole time. I went through all the emotions: happy, sad, angry, shocked. At one point, I even through the book across the room. I highly recommend this book. Go check it out today!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

The Battle of the Labyrinth

By now, you all know that I am hooked on the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. Here is Goodread's synopsis on the fourth installment:

Percy Jackson's fourth summer at Camp Half-Blood is much like his previous three—high-octane clashes with dark forces, laced with hip humor and drama. Opening with a line for the ages—The last thing I wanted to do on my summer break was blow up another school—this penultimate series installment finds Percy, Annabeth and the satyr Grover furiously working to prevent former camp counselor Luke from resurrecting the Titan lord Kronos, whose goal is to overthrow the gods. When the heroes learn that Luke can breach Camp Half-Blood's security through an exit from Daedalus's Labyrinth, they enter the maze in search of the inventor and a way to stop the invasion. Along the way they encounter a lifetime supply of nightmare-inducing, richly imagined monsters. Grover's own quest to find the lost god Pan, meanwhile, provides a subtle environmental message. Percy, nearly 15, has girl trouble, having become something of a chick magnet.
I love Riordan's writing. He keeps me hooked. Just when I think I can predict the ending, he switches it up! I never know how Percy and his friends are going to get out of those life threatening situations, but he totally makes it work. I love Annabeth, Tyson, and Grover just as much as I love Percy. I went to check which book was next in the series and I freaked when I realized that there is only ONE MORE! What will I do without Percy and his friends in my life?

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Hex Hall

So I've been reading a lot of Internet buzz about this book from some of the girls in my online book club. I read the synopsis online and decided to buy it and give it a try. Now, this is strange because I rarely buy new books. I totally believe in the library and I use it to my advantage. Boy am I glad I bought the book instead of waiting forever to check it out! Plus, the author, Rachel Hawkins, lives in Alabama; therefore, I'm supporting a local author! Yay me!
Sophie Mercer is a 16 year old witch who has lived in 19 different states and attended just as many schools. She always seems to cause problems (spells gone wrong) at her school and must relocate. After a love spell gone horribly wrong, Sophie's mother-a human, and her father-an out-of-the-picture warlock decide to send her to Hectate Hall until she turns 18. Hectate is a school for witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. Once at Hectate, Sophie befriends her roommate, the only vampire student, Jenna. Sophie and Jenna are constantly having to defend themselves against 3 dark witches/bitches, and Sophie begins to fall in love with a gorgeous warlock, Archer. When Jenna is accused of murder, Sophie is the only one on her side.

Okay, first things first- these were the best character names I've read in a LONG time! I mean Sophie, Archer, Chaston, and Elodie? I love them! Those names are way better than normal boring names like say, Bella, Jacob, or Edward. I'm just saying...

This book was so good! I zipped right through it and then was upset that there wasn't more. I can't believe I have to wait for the second book to come out in March 2011!! I loved Sophie! I really felt like I knew and understood her by the end of the book. This book was funny and exciting. There were some unexpected twists and a cliffhanger at the end. If those ingredients don't make a good book then I don't know what does. Go get your copy today!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

The Titan's Curse

I have been engulfed in the Percy Jackson series. I can not put the books down! It's a good thing they aren't lengthy because I wouldn't get anything else done.

The Titan's Curse begins with Percy, Annabeth, and Thalia going to help Grover with some new half bloods. While trying to rescue the demigods, dangerous monsters intervene and kidnap Annabeth. In this book, Percy befriends a few Hunters and goes on a quest with his friends to rescue Annabeth and save the world...again.

I guess I can relate these books to the Harry Potter books. They are similar in some ways. They are both about teenagers fighting to save the world, they are both fantasy type books, and they are both highly addictive. If you haven't started reading either series, get off the computer, go to the library, and READ THEM NOW!!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Going Bovine

I have been reading such wonderful things about Libba Bray's books and so I picked a few of them up from the library. I decided to read a stand alone first and Going Bovine just sounded so interesting that I gave it a try.

Cameron is a 16 year old boy who is coasting his way through high school with a minimum of effort. He has a twin sister who is popular and makes great grades, a mom is teaches English 101 at a local college, and a father who is a physics professor. His life seems pretty normal if not boring until one fateful day when he discovers that he is sick with a fatal disease. Cameron's life changes instantly. He's not ready to die; he's only 16 and is still a virgin! He begins to prepare himself for the worst until one day a punk rock angel appears and tells Cameron that there is a cure and that he must go on a road trip with his friend Gonzo, a paranoid dwarf who is obsessed with video games. Cameron's journey through America is filled with chaos, adventure, love, and lost.

This book started out to be hilarious and fun. After the first 100 pages or so, it started to get a little trippy like I was taking a ride on psychedelics. It actually took me weeks to finish this book. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy the book, but there was something about it that I just couldn't get into. I must say, the writing was wonderful, but the plot was sub par. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Cancer is a BITCH!

A year ago I lost my father to cancer. We didn't find the cancer until it was already in stage four. I didn't have much time to spend with him before it was too late. This was my first experience in losing someone I love to that cancer bitch.

I have a maternal aunt who has battled breast cancer and been in remission for a few years. We just recently learned that her cancer has returned and spread to her lungs, liver, and brain. It is now in stage four. Just when you get over one tragedy, life hits you with another. My family is pooling together to provide strength and support to each other.

If you have ever lost someone you love to cancer, then you know how devastating it is on them as well as the family. I just ask my followers (all 15 of you :-) to make sure you get yearly check-up and encourage your family members and friends to do the same. My aunt had been complaining of migraines, but waited until it was too late to go to the doctor. My dad had been having problems breathing and also waited before visiting a doctor. If you are experiencing unusual pain or are having symptoms that are new to you, go to the doctor. You can never be to cautious when it comes to your health and the health of those you love.

Stay well and love hard!

Until next time,

Leah