144. Leftovers by Stella Newman

BOOK REVIEW: Leftovers by Stella Newman

As a girl, romance and love is almost intertwined into our systems. There is no better way to unwind than poring over a girly novel and for an avid foodie like me, a novel with recipes woven into it! It's a winner in my books!

In the beginning of the book, according to a magazine, Susie Rosen is a 'Leftover' - a post-Bridget Jones thirty-something who has neither her dream man, job, nor home. She doesn't even own six matching dinner plates.

According to her friend Rebecca, Susie needs to get over her ex, Jake, and start online dating - or at least stop being so rude to every guy who tries to chat her up.

But Susie's got a plan. If she can just make it through the 307 days till her promotion and bonus, she can finally quit and pursue her dream career in food. Then surely, everything else will fall into place. If only her love life wasn't so complicated.

Funny and endearing, this love story almost feels like a coming-of-age love story told in the eyes of a thirty-year-old. Besides that, she has a pasta recipe for which mood she is in, for example, 'when scrolling through Google images of Jake's new girlfriend and find a cosy picture of him and her'. The recipes are also provided at the end of the book.

So if you girls are thinking of what to do on a lazy, rainy weekend or even when you are bored, just cook up a pasta storm and sidle up to a corner with this book. Trust me, weekends couldn't get this good...

143. Unjunk your Junk Food by Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer with Lisa Tsakos

BOOK REVIEW: Unjunk your Junk Food By Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer with Lisa Tsakos

Ask a lady what's the first food she will reach for when she's down in the dumps and the answer will most probably be "chocolate". All of us regardless of gender, race, religion or age love our junk food. From ice creams to candy to cakes, junk food can be found on the shelves of any supermarkets or grocery stores. But did you know what lurks inside those foods?

Preservatives, artificial colorings and flavorings and a cocktail of other undesirable chemicals are added to food these days to make them tastier and more appealing. However, these chemicals have been proven to have adverse effects on human health. Can we actually enjoy junk food without the side effects? Actually you can!

You don't have to give up junk food to eat healthy - just make smarter choices. In this highly informative book, discover yummy alternatives to your favorite treats. Unjunk your Junk Food is a quick and easy guide that can be used the next time you enter a supermarket.

This book contains information on:

• Healthy choices for the snacks you crave.
• Savvy alternatives to conventional brands.
• Tips for reading food labels and recognizing false claims.
• Nutritious ingredients to look for and dangerous additives to avoid.
• A tear-out Worst Ingredients chart.

The authors are health and wellness advocates and cofounders of NaturallySavvy.com, one of the web's most popular and trusted resources for living a natural, organic, and green lifestyle. They appear frequently on television and radio to help consumers make healthier everyday choices. Lisa Tsakos is the chief nutrition expert for NaturallySavvy.com. She is a nutritionist and educator specializing in weight management and corporate nutrition programs.

With glossy pages full of mouth-watering illustrations, this book has been an insightful journey through the world of junk food.