Review of YOU: Being Beautiful: The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty (Hardcover)

Please know that I do not give one star reviews lightly. I had high hopes for this book and I was very excited to purchase it. However, this book completely missed the mark.

Now the first thing I am going to mention I believe has been mentioned before, but it is worth repeating. The illustrations. They are awful. I believe the look of a book sets the tone for the content. Why on earth would someone write a book about being beautiful and have such hideous illustrations?

The next thing I realized while reading through is that I couldn't quite figure out who this book was aimed towards. It was written in such a simplistic way that it really assumed everyone reading it must be completely daft or a preteen. On the other hand much of the content was based on those who are a bit older 40's and 50's. So that was odd. It was also heavily content geared toward both men and women. Now, I am not saying men and women can't both be beautiful, but perhaps two books would be in order. This book is heavily marketed towards women so why do I have to read through so much info about balding?

The writing itself is very choppy and the advice was juvenile. Wash your hair because it locks in bad smells. That is very basic advice and common sense. Anyone who wakes up in the morning after a late night at the bar would realize that hair traps smells.

I bought this book because while I am great with basic hygiene (I would think most of us are. Shower regularly, brush teeth, wash face, etc...these are all heavily detailed in the book) I could always stand some extra advice. Such as a few easy hair styles to make you look polished, extra advice on face washes and masks to use, etc...

This book mentioned several things in great excess such as cosmetic surgery. Wrinkles make you look ugly, but hey there is always botox! I don't have a problem with cosmetic surgery, per say, but I don't feel like it is necessary to being beautiful and I think mentioning it so much was bad form.

As I was trying to figure this book out my significant other said, "It's like they made this book for aliens to show them how human bodies work and how we keep ourselves clean." That is exactly it. This book is full of information I am sure you already know, written in an ugly format.

I had to take return this book. I found it complete rubbish. It might help you, but I really don't see how. Other books could do it so much better. I might spend more money, but I would rather have 4 books that really help me look and feel beautiful than one book that does nothing.

Oh! One last thing. What about being a beautiful person? I thought this book could have used more of that. More time devoted to how good, and lovely people feel when they do good things for others.

So if you have very low self esteem or have absolutely no idea how to care for yourself then I suppose this book might be useful. Otherwise, I suggest you look elsewhere.

Product Description
Most people think that beauty revolves around such things as lipstick, sweet eyes, or skinny jeans -- all those things that we can see (and obsess over) in the mirror. But the fact is that beauty isn't some superficial pursuit, and it's not some random act that you can thank (or curse) your ancestors for.

There are, in fact, scientific standards to beauty. Beauty is purposeful, because it's how humans have historically communicated who we are to potential mates. Beauty, in fact, is really about your health and happiness.

In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Michael F. Roizen and Dr. Mehmet C. Oz bust the myths and stereotypes about the way we view ourselves -- and how we define beauty. In these pages, you'll find out why beauty isn't as much about your vanity as it is about your humanity. The doctors take a scientific, informative, and entertaining look at the three levels of beauty and explain how they all work together to form a complete and authentic YOU. Those three levels of beauty are:

• Looking Beautiful: Your appearance influences your self-esteem and has major health implications. Here, the docs will tell you how you can look the way you want.
• Feeling Beautiful: So what if you have luscious lips or gorgeous locks if your joints creak and you have the energy of a rug? The docs will tell you how to improve your energy levels, beat back your life-altering aches and pains, and come to grips with some of life's toughest stresses.
• Being Beautiful: By improving your relationships with your loved ones as well as with others, you'll be well on your way to finding true happiness. That's the ultimate goal: Having all three levels of beauty working together so you can have a happy and healthy life.

You'll start off by taking the ultra-revealing and validated YOU-Q Test to help you assess where you are on your own beauty scale and where you want to be. Take the test, see how well you do; then use the book to help you improve your score.

With their usual candor and honesty, Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz break down the mechanics of beauty and explain how little adjustments in your routine can help you become a happier, healthier person. You will learn about the biology of beauty, take YOU Tests to determine where you are on the beauty scale, get tons of YOU Tips to help you improve your life, as well as learn the secrets of the Ultimate Beautiful Day.

From hair to toenails, Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz go through every part of your body to explain how different foods, vitamins, creams, gels, and injections can really boost your looks. They scrutinize the beauty myths that bombard us every day and offer an unbiased perspective on which ones cause more harm than good. You will be able to revamp your beauty regimen (or start a new one from scratch). They'll also take a close look at chronic pain, mood swings, low energy, and financial stresses. And they'll dive into the science of building relationships, finding happiness, and using spirituality to help you define your own levels of true beauty.

Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz act as tour guides navigating the tricky but exciting terrain of today's beauty industry. YOU: Being Beautiful is your all-inclusive ticket into the world -- the real world -- of beauty.



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Review of The Stanley Complete Step-by-Step Revised Book of Home Repair and Improvement (Hardcover)

This book is a must-have reference for the novice to the expert do-it-yourselfer.It contains well presented, step by step directions to everything from simple, routine fixes to more advanced around the house projects.The clear photography really helped to clarify the sequence of the work.Would make a great gift.



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Review of She Got Up Off the Couch: And Other Heroic Acts from Mooreland, Indiana (Hardcover)

Haven Kimmel's latest memoir installment is even better than the first ("A Girl Named Zippy") if that's possible to imagine. "She Got Up Off the Couch" is deeper, more interesting and funnier! Watch how she gradually reveals some of the truths of her young life. This deft unveiling technique works perfectly to paint a more sympathetic picture of her family than if she had merely started out stating some of the "facts" about her early life. Thanks to her perfect pacing, we as readers grow in affection for her mother, father and sister before we know some things that otherwise may have made us judge them harshly. Clearly Zippy does not want us to judge them harshly and her superb talent gives us, and her family, this wonderful gift.

No higher praise can I give than to also note that young Zippy has echoes of Scout Finch throughout the narrative. I hated to reach the last page.

If you haven't read "The Solace of Leaving Early", Haven Kimmel's first novel, you will want to do so now. It's has one of the most deliciously irritating protagonists I have ever had the pleasure to meet between the pages of a novel. In fact, I'm going to go re-read it (again) because just writing this makes me recall it's splendor!



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Review of The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps (Hardcover)

Last year I accumulated all of Debra Watson's books, learned about the digestive system and the merits of a clean colon, and divested myself of 20 lbs. of body fat.With this book I aimed to get enough inspiration and information to repeat the feat this year.So far, I've lost 3 lbs. of body fat since I got her newest book, but I also have become more conscious of all the different ways we pollute our bodies, our homes and our world.

What I like about her books is that she makes it easy and guilt free to just change a small thing at at time.The cumulative effect is great and you don't feel like you've had to toss out your pantry, remodeled your home or be conversant about the latest sign of global warming.She just gently nudges you to make the small changes that will make a difference.

By the way, she looks a lot younger and better with her new haircut!


Product Description
Regardless of where and how you live, your body is harboring dozens if not hundreds of toxins that could be sabotaging your health. Low on energy? Dealing with chronic illness? Having trouble losing weight? Toxins might be to blame. From your mattress to your toothpaste to your nonstick pans to the food you eat and the (bottled) water you drink -- every day your body is bombarded with chemicals that can alter the way your body works, affecting its natural processes and capacity to heal and maintain vibrancy. Even though we are built to handle foreign substances effectively, our liver and other organs simply cannot cope with today's glut of toxins, many of which are too foreign and toxic for our bodies to manage well. This ultimately causes us to age prematurely, to gain weight, and to become more prone to disease.

The Detox Strategy by Brenda Watson, C.N.C., who is the bestselling author of The Fiber35 Diet: Nature's Weight Loss Secret, a PBS mainstay, and an expert on internal cleansing and detoxification, introduces us to the revolutionary RENEW program (Reduce, Eliminate, Nourish, Energize, Wellness), which aids in reversing the effects of aging and rejuvenating the body and mind. The program offers a holistic approach to protecting and nurturing your body's innate purification physiology. The result is a higher quality of life, more energy, longevity.

The Detox Strategy reveals:

• The truth about where toxins come from and how they affect our bodies
• How toxins can accelerate the aging process by causing poor health and chronic disease
• How to determine your individual level of toxic exposure and the steps you can take to reduce it
• Why efforts to cleanse and detoxify the body are an essential part of enhancing one's energy and vitality and preserving overall health
• How maintaining a cleaner, more vibrant body can affect longevity

The Detox Strategy includes a detailed herbal supplement plan for gently flushing out harmful toxins -- including heavy metals like lead and mercury -- plus delicious original recipes for nourishing meals that further promote detoxification. The Detox Strategy teaches cleansing concepts that are researched and clinically proven, and it provides you with the necessary tools to live in a purer and more energized body. Brenda Watson wants you to know the truth about your body and to help you live a longer and healthier life. With this easy-to-follow program you can jump-start your system and get on a path to optimum wellness. Are you ready?



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Review of Your Hands Can Heal You: Pranic Healing Energy Remedies to Boost Vitality and Speed Recovery from Common Health Problems (Paperback)

This book describes Pranic Healing basics. Pranic Healing is the use of the body's intrinsic energy (called 'ki' in Japan; 'qi' in China; 'prana' in India) for healing. There are many, many, many systems using ki/qi/prana for healing!

So, what's the big deal about this book ? The big deal is that all other systems I'm aware of have serious "baggage" problems!They tend to be over-complicated and/or heavily encrusted with unusable mystical elements. Don't get me wrong - Mysticism can be fun! But in my extensive experience, only Pranic Healing lays out the basic facts with no hiding, games, coyness, or pretension, or excessive marketing embellishments. And, this book is the clearest presentation to date of Pranic Healing basic practice.

Of course, having a real live MD on board is always good for sales credibility, but Dr. Robins is much more than that - he's a truly effective healer, throughtful, interesting, and intelligent. These guys are not playing ego games, they just tell it like it is.

After training in dozens of energy methodologies, and reading hundreds of such books (I won't bother to name names here, you know who you are!) I have to state categorically that for any person who has to live in the real world, and whose time and other resources are consequently limited and valuable, do yourself a favor - just buy this book before any other.

THEN decide what else you really need to work with energy healing.

You all know the principle of "Occam's Razor" ? I'll give you the short and sweet version - "Eliminate non-essentials"! That's what this book is.

These authors have done everybody a major, major service in just giving it to us straight and freeing up our brains to either continue more deeply in a logical progression of energy healing training/research, or you can conclude with "Ok, I see what that's about, good to know!" and move on to something else, without all the usual confusion.

By the way after reading this book you have no excuse for ever having a headache ever again! It really WORKS !



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Review of Ask a Nurse: From Home Remedies to Hospital Care (Paperback)

This book's information was excellent, but the format used
made it extremely difficult to focus on the extraordinary information.The author chose to pay homage to each of the nurses for their contributions by constantly giving their names and professional initials with every contribution.This was distracting and made for difficult reading.It would have been so much better if it had been footnoted and the names listed at the end.Most of the readers of this book don't know any of the nurses mentioned (sometimes so many listings on a page that you
loose your train of thought).I hope the author will write a new edition with all the names at the end of the text.



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