Review: The Naturally Clean Home: 100 Safe and Easy Herbal Formulas for Non-Toxic Cleansers

The Naturally Clean Home: 100 Safe and Easy Herbal Formulas for Non-Toxic Cleansers by Karyn Siegel-Maier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I'm already on board with natural cleaners and make many products, which means I've read several books and spent a lot of time researching online. This book, however, would make a great reference to have on hand. It's small enough to fit in the cabinet with your supplies and has ideas on everything from fabric softener to ways to clean copper or keep deer out of your flowerbeds. I've been wanting to expand my understanding of the correct uses of essential oils and this book helped me organize my ideas so that I know when to use eucalyptus or citrus oils or mints. Very well organized and easy to read.



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Review: Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind

Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind by Peter W.D. Wright

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I read this book as part of my preparation for the upcoming IEP program for my son. As someone who has repeatedly complained that the schools 'teach to the test' I was interested in discovering the law behind my opinion. First, I was surprised. The history of the public education system's performance problems began to get the public's interest 40 years ago. When I was in elementary school there were already measures in place to address the failing school system.

The book is nothing more than the background of NCLB, a copy of the law and an explanation of what it actually means, which means it was just what I was looking for. Succinct, helpful and informative.



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Review: Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide

Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide by Peter W.D. Wright

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Excellent resource for the IEP process. I feel that so many parents are unaware of their ability to advocate for their children and don't know that they have the power to push back against schools' decisions. It's intimidating to go against a school, especially when you don't understand the laws completely or are unsure of what to request. This book walks you through the entire process and is filled with advice designed to help you get the support your child needs. I recommend this for any parent that believes their child needs an IEP.



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Review: The ADHD Workbook for Kids: Helping Children Gain Self-Confidence, Social Skills, & Self-control

The ADHD Workbook for Kids: Helping Children Gain Self-Confidence, Social Skills, & Self-control by Lawrence E. Shapiro

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



There are so many ADHD books available but finding one that is designed to help kids is rare. Some try but most simply discuss therapy options or 'parenting ADHD' philosophies. This book, however, includes detailed plans for more than 40 activities. Each one has a story that kids can relate to and uses them as teaching moments. I can sit down with my son, read and discuss the story, talk about the activities and feel like we have accomplished something. NOTE: the activities include writing work and worksheets, we only avoided them because of my son's dysgraphia and dyslexia.



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Review: The Folk Remedy Encyclopedia: Olive Oil, Vinegar, Honey and 1,001 Other Home Remedies

The Folk Remedy Encyclopedia: Olive Oil, Vinegar, Honey and 1,001 Other Home Remedies by FC&A Medical Publishing

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



I had expected information on herbal treatments, poultices, uses for honey, etc. Instead, the book is focused on 20-30 health issues (ranging from dementia to constipation) and ways to treat them. 90% of the treatments amount to exercise, eat right and take vitamins.



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Review: Sugar-free Gluten-free Baking and Desserts: Recipes for Healthy and Delicious Cookies, Cakes, Muffins, Scones, Pies, Puddings, Breads and Pizzas

Sugar-free Gluten-free Baking and Desserts: Recipes for Healthy and Delicious Cookies, Cakes, Muffins, Scones, Pies, Puddings, Breads and Pizzas by Kelly Keough

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Excellent book. So many cookbooks are just pages of recipes but Keough includes useful information like standard ingredients, substitution guides and explanations of the new pantry items we'll need. This is exactly what I was looking for in a sugar-free cookbook!



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Review: T.A.G.: A Diabetic Food System

T.A.G.: A Diabetic Food System by Mary Joan Oexmann

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



My daughter is a T1 Diabetic and we've been doing 'diabetic math' for 5 years now. On a message board I saw people reference the TAG system for calculating insulin needs. It was hard to find a copy (thank you, Amazon!) and the book is 22 years old. Once I realized the age of the book, I was really surprised that people were using it. Diabetes care has changed so much over the past two decades and I wasn't sure why outdated info would be useful.

I then read the book. And read it again. It talks about setting a meal plan, calculating insulin needs for the non-carbs in a meal, and had templates to use in calculating TAG. What it didn't do was tell me how to use it to treat my daughter. Honestly, I wondered why it was getting so much talk if it didn't do anything except set meal plans. To be fair, this makes sense because it was written in 1989...and things have changed so much.

I finally realized that the book is an explanation of the math. If you want to use it as part of a dual wave bolus plan for insulin pumps, go online and research it...then read the book...then go back to your online resources and try it. This book didn't answer my questions and it was a bit overwhelming. I've been weighing her food and calculating off of carb factors for 5 years so I'm comfortable with calculations but this book made it seem so much more complicated than it needed to. I'm glad to have a copy for reference but the most useful information is available online.



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Review: Overcoming Dyslexia For Dummies (For Dummies

Overcoming Dyslexia For Dummies (For Dummies by Tracey Wood

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



We are in the process of having my son tested for dyslexia. This book is really useful for that "Is it dyslexia? What should I do to find out? What will happen if it is?" stage because it provides information on background, diagnosis and treatment.

Like all books in the "for Dummies" series, it provides a lot of information and presents it in easy to understand language. Reading it helped me make a plan for testing and has given me useful tips on what follow-up steps would need to happen.

I recommend this book for anyone trying to help a struggling reader. You may realize that there is something making reading difficult - and getting the right kind of help can make all the difference!



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Review: The ADHD Workbook for Parents

The ADHD Workbook for Parents by Harvey C. Parker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This book was easy to read and understand. Reading it gave me a better sense of what to do to help my son. I recommend it to anyone with a new diagnosis and a lot of questions about what should happen next.



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Review: What I Eat: Around the World in 80 Diets

What I Eat: Around the World in 80 Diets by Peter Menzel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Another great read from Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluisio! As with all of their books, the main idea is fascinating but the supporting info is just as interesting. These diets are actually glimpses into lifestyles most of us will never see or experience. The photos and the stories combined to make another book I couldn't put down!



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