The Curvy Girls Club - Review

Review by KT Sullivan

Four women are trying to lose weight. After accessing their lack of progress at a health club, they decide to live instead of diet. Some don’t realize they’re jeopardizing their health by focusing on dropping a few pounds. Pixie has an abusive husband, Jane hosts a television show, Ellie is consumed by jealousy, and Katie, the narrator, needs to focus on one guy or lose him. All face major decisions and some are dictated by their weight. In some cases, these women are the only support group for each other.

They create The Curvy Girls Club as a place where women of a certain size can come together and be comfortable. Jane is faced with a dilemma, host a new show or move for her husband’s career. All try to support each other, until one unintentionally breaks the bond. Are a few extra or less pounds worth a friendship or a job?   

The author’s message is simple: love yourself before you try to please others. This is a story based on friendship and sisterhood. I saw something once commenting on women and their weight. ‘Without men, the world would be full of fat happy women.’ Some women seek approval based on their looks. This story doesn’t dwell on men’s opinions as much as the women dreading their appearance. These women from different backgrounds find themselves in the same spot. Weight is defining them and ruining their self-images. Many issues, especially pregnancy weight gain, are relatable topics. Many women will see themselves in the characters and will be pleased on how they resolve their problems.

Purchase the book at:

Amazon * Amazon UK

About the Author:

Michele Gorman is the USA TODAY bestselling author of eight romantic comedies. Born and raised in the US, Michele has lived in London for 16 years. She is very fond of naps, ice cream and Richard Curtis films but objects to spiders and the word "portion".

You can find out more about Michele by following her on twitter or Facebook and by reading her blog or website. Do chat with her online - she's always looking for an excuse to procrastinate!

Connect with the author at:

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Passionate Nutrition - Review

Review by Marlene Engel

Although this is a book about nutrition, it’s Jennifer’s story that really is the star of the book.  Her childhood was anything but typical.  The daughter of a pedophile father and a mother who passed at a young age from cancer, at times she was forced to steal food if she wanted to eat.  Much of her young life she lived off of scraps and junk food.  Despite her deprived upbringing, she learned that by simply changing what you put into your body, you could change how you feel not only physically, but emotionally.  This led her into the field of nutrition and opening up her own practice called Passionate Nutrition.

It’s almost daily that you hear about a new diet craze claiming that if you eat this or eliminate that then you are guaranteed optimum health.  I don’t know about you, but when it comes to restricting my diet, I find that I never achieve the results that I set out to.  With Jennifer’s approach, she actually encourages abundant eating.  Which, for me, is very doable!  She goes on to explain The Healthy Trinity, which is digestion, balance and whole foods and when unbalanced the body as a whole is affected. 

In this book, the author offers healthy ways to lose weight with recipes to encourage health and liveliness.  It’s not your mother’s typical cookbook, but instead shows the author’s journey from starvation to optimum health of both body and soul.  Her inspirational story is both heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time.  It’s a true testament that it’s not about where you’re at, but where you’re going in life that truly shapes who you are. 

Purchase the book at:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

About the Author:

JENNIFER ADLER is a nationally recognized nutrition expert and the founder and owner of Passionate Nutrition. A certified nutritionist in the state of Washington, Jennifer is an adjunct faculty member at Bastyr University, and co-founder of the International Eating Disorders Institute. She holds a master's of science in clinical nutrition and counseling and a graduate certificate in spirituality, health, and medicine from Bastyr University. She was trained at the School of Natural Cookery in Boulder, Colorado. She lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Connect with the author at:

Website * Facebook * Twitter