5 comments about The Herbal Home Spa: Naturally Refreshing Wraps, Rubs, Lotions, Masks, Oils, and Scrubs (Herbal Body).

1. I absolutely loved this book! I had an indian friend and she was forever talking about the natural herbal way to maintain out skin is the best way to stay young... she suggested this book. I immediately bought it from a local bookseller. All the recipes are easy-to-make and they didn't sting like some herbs I had used (I have extremely sensitive skin). I'd give the book a full 5+!



2. Not only does this book offer recipes and tips on inexpensive, chemical-free beauty care, but the author also offers advice on purchasing, storing and choosing the proper products. It's a great resource if you want to save money but still look great and without putting toxins in your body.
   
   I also want to note that it is unfortunate that any idiot can post a review on Amazon. Hiding behind a screen name allows people with WAY too much time on their hands to hurt respectable authors that are trying to help people by sharing their knowledge. I am referring to the review by "paradoxes" (ohio) who has a morbid fear of alcohol. Yes it is drying, but those with normal or oily skin should have no problem using it. In fact, it's in almost every commercial beauty product there is. As for her contention about putting "spoiling FOOD" on your skin. What the heck is she talking about? Everyone has heard about cucumbers for tired eyes, mayo for dry hair. And I don't recall any passage in the book that advised using a rotten banana in a facial. My guess is that she doesn't believe in natural beauty care and probably shouldn't have bought the book in the first place. IF she did, that is.
   
   Just keep in mind that not all reviewers are honest and some are plain crazy. If you don't believe me, click on her screen name and check out the 'about me' section.



3. This is a very good book for the beginner like I am. This book has a chock full of very useful information without all the fancy pictures. Most spa books are built like magazines with colorful vivid pictures and not alot of information. This book is to the point and addresses many things and is not filled with fillers or useless junk information. It may not be as aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but it give you the information you want and need to learn about herbal spas. There are many great ideas in here that can easily be used to build your own unique custom gifts that are more personable that going to commercial stores. There is enough reference in here to build your own concoctions as well. I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in herbal spas.



4. it's a great book with lot of recipes for all your beauty needs like i said every woman should have this book and man for that matter it's a great money saver and it's just a really great book



5. This book has lots of ideas for your own use or a home business...a good resource.

5 comments about Golden Gate Gardening: Year-Round Food Gardening in the San Francisco Bay Area and Coastal California.

1. Don't let the cumbersome title scare you away from this handy book for Bay Area and coastal California gardeners. Pam Pierce understands the unique Mediterranean microclimate(s) of our great gardening region, and offers sound advice on what to grow, when and how to grow it best. Very helpful and well-organized.
   

   Havi Hoffman
   Vegetable Gardens
   Growing food in Berkeley, CA
   




2. So this past spring I decided, once and for all, that I wanted to start a garden. I had no experience in this subject, and I searched for a good book at the library. I found this book. I ended up renewing it five times, and finally ordering it from Amazon.com. It has truly been a life saver. What I like best is the way the book is laid out, with sections on vegetables, fruits, and flowers, as well as special sections on pests and other problems. The book is well organized and the index points the reader in the right directions, making it easy to find what I'm looking for down to the tiniest detail. The charts make it clear which San Francisco Bay Area microclimates are suitable for which plants, and the book explains down to the tiniest detail how to start plants, transplant them, grow them, and harvest them. At the same time that this book is informative beyond all my original expections, is also excels in not being condescending (one of my pet peeves). I believe it is the perfect book for the seasoned gardener just moving into the area, the seasoned gardener in need of more detailed information, and someone like me, with no gardening experience whatsoever.



3. This is a good book both for the avid gardener as well as the beginner. I've given this book as gifts to many people throughout the SF Bay area and everyone has loved this book!It is particularly a good gift if they grow vegetables and have had limited success in some aspects of gardening such as trying to grow tomotoes the coastal areas of the Bay Area. This book has growing charts of when to plant and harvest, best varieties for the bay area, and covers points to explain the many microclimates even within the same city.

   A great book with lots of pointers. Note that this is not a book to compete with Sunset's Western Garden Book but rather to supplement it. This book doesn't have the details with regard to horticultural specifics.




4. I love this book. I have never read it all the way through, but rather I look up things that I am interested in.
   
   The seed company (and variety) recommendations are likely out of date.
   
   I really appreciate Peirce's reports about her experiences with different plants.



5. I could never have known there was so much gardening potential in San Francisco without this book.

3 comments about Growing & Using Lavender: Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin A-155 (Storey Publishing Bulletin, a-155).

1. This summer I planted 80 lavender plants in honor of my mom who recently passed away. This book has been a major part of the success my garden has achieved, with 2 harvestings of lavender to date. An excellent resource and inspiration for how to grow and use lavender



2. This little gem is so full of useful information it puts the other books I have on lavender to shame. Not only does it discuss the many varieties of lavender and their history and growing wants/needs. But one learns how to propagate, trim and use the various lavenders be it in bath items or medicinally, cooking or as gifts. I grow lavender and make various things from the plants but really want to try making the 'Net sachets' shown on page 24 which are gorgeous!



3. This is a brief bulletin of information but still quite helpful. Ms. Barrett touches on the types, the maintenance and the uses of lavender. It's a small book, but I found tips and recipes in here that were missing in other lavender books. It's plain and simple, short and sweet. A very good basic reference book.

5 comments about The Color Encyclopedia of Hostas.

1. My husband and I love to collect hostas and although we have numerous varities, over the years we have failed to keep a record of the name and genus of the individual hosta. We decided to purchase this colorful book as a reference to help us know just what we have and the location where it is located. We plan to do a better job labeling our purchases and this book has already proved to be extremely helpful giving us the necessary info to identify our hosta. The book also contains information regarting growing requirements.
   
   We feel it was a great purchase at a great low Amazon price! We highly recommend it.



2. The author makes a concerted effort to bring to you the vast numbers of hostas available today in a concise way. The book is designed to assist you in finding the hosta that best suites your needs. It does not meet the definition of an Encyclopedia, the species and cultivars are not arranged alphabetically, however in alphabetical order by the way they look, an informative work but not an encyclopedia. So the name of the book is yet another marketing ploy. For me, I can only use the book by way of index. It does have some information that's hard to find elsewhere. They make a darn good hit at getting info on some of the best hostas available and some that are barely available. It is not a five star book but it is a solid four star. The pictures woo the ladies but men want content, we know that a hosta may only look that way for one week in spring.



3. A wonderfull reference book. I was finally able to identify some of my hosta's correctly. More important I now have a list of the ones I want.



4. I am thrilled with this book. I am highlighting the ones in my garden and several of my family and friends are using their own colors to highlight their hostas. What a nice record of our gardens. I'm glad I found the book. And I got it in only two days!



5. Beautiful photos, lots of info. Wish there was an updated version of this book with info on all the newer hosta varieties.

5 comments about Growing 101 Herbs that Heal: Gardening Techniques, Recipes, and Remedies.

1. I have had the pleasure of knowing the author of this book since we were both young children. I have watched her develop her knowledge and skills in this area for 20 years, yet I was amazed at the amount of information she provided in her book! Her style in presenting the information allows even the most novice of gardeners ample opportunity to learn and develop their skills. Yet she provides considerable information to those readers who are more advanced in their gardening skills.

   Easy to read, easy to understand, it leaves you wanting more. I sincerely hope that Tammi undertakes another book (as her extremely busy schedule allows!) in the not so distant future.




2. Although Rodale's book is still one of the beter gardening books for growing herbs, and other books have more comprehensive coverage of the uses of essential oils, Tammi Hartung's GROWING 101 HERBS THAT HEAL is interesting if you are a relative newcomer to either area and want a good overview of factors to consider. Hartung includes a brief discussion of gardening techniques, harvesting and drying methods, and culinary uses of herbs including a few recipes (check out Dr. Duke and Andrew Weil for more coverage on the latter.)
   
   The book also includes many lovely photos, especially one of `Goldenseal' which I plan to grow in my own garden next year as CITES (Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species) lists this plant as an `at-risk' organism. Many herbalists understand the importance of responsible wildcrafting, Hartung, a 'Medical Herbalist', points a way toward growing your own remedies and relieving the stress on overharvested wild plants as well as obtaining A-1 oils or dried herbs from your own garden.



3. vital information for a coming time when alternatives will be a necessity, not just an alternative.



4. a must-have for anyone who wants to grow an herb garden. written in a clear, easy-to-follow method, Tammi Hartung has an exceptional understanding of herbs and how they grow. i had my first herb garden planned and started by the time i was half-way through this book! a real keeper.



5. This book is great! It has very detailed information on how to grow and care for the herbs/plants it talks about in the book. It also has good info on how to care for the soil, basic plant bugs and how to keep them away, a few recipes for using the herbs in your food, and more.

5 comments about Betty Crocker's Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol Cooking Today.

1. You can tell the recipes in this book have been kitchen tested, because they are good. Everything I've tried has been great. The recipes are modified for a low cholesterol diet so they are different from your standard recipes, but good nonetheless.



2. I was recently forced into a low fat / low cholesterol diet and was not looking forward to it. Was told my diet was now called "If it tastes good, don't put it in your mouth diet". This cook book has changed that theory completely. It has recipes that taste good and are low in both fat & cholesterol. Have recommended this cookbook to several friends and family if they want to eat healthier.



3. Don't let this book pass, easy to read recipes( most with pictures) and
   
   delicious tasting too. My husband and I have both lost 6 pounds since
   
   Feb/08 using this and the American Heart Association Low-Fat, Low-
   
   Cholesterol Cookbook, Delicious Recipes to Help Lower Your Cholesterol
   
   My grocery bill has gone down since I'm not eating as much red meat (once
   
   a week)The real factor will be if my cholesterol will be down when I go
   
   back in August to have it checked.
   
   TASTY, EASY AND YOUR GUEST WON"T KNOW JUST HOW HEALTHY THEY ARE EATING!



4. The recipes are easy to make and have ingredients that are easily found in the supermarket. So far my husband has liked everything I've made.
   This book would go well with the book "Beach Lover's Guide to the Perfect Sandwich" also available on Amazon.com



5. I'm a vegetarian and my boyfriend is a meat eater with high cholesterol and we both love this cookbook. Our favorites are the mac n' cheese, pesto, and the chicken casserole with cornbread stuffing. (The worst thing we tried was something that was even bad -- just boring.) We haven't tried the desserts yet, but I bet they'll be yummy too!
   The recipes we've tried are all pretty easy (I'm no chef!) and the ingredients are normal stuff you can buy at a regular grocery store. Everything we've tried tastes good in its own right -- not like, this is good for being lowfat. It's actually good.
   Most important, it's great that we can literally trying anything in this cookbook and know that it's heart healthy and might even help us lose weight.

5 comments about The Unlikely Lavender Queen: A Memoir of Unexpected Blossoming.

1. This was a most enjoyable book. I love lavender and that is what attracted me to the title. But you don't have to love lavender to love this book. Like another reviewer, I was at first thinking, why does Jeannie go along with every idea her husband has? But, who among us wouldn't do the same thing for someone we love and to keep the peace? If Jeannie had won and they stayed in New York, she would have been just another magazine writer having lunch at the trendy places and doing the same things others do that live in the "bubble" of New York. Living the "nothing ventured, nothing gained" life. The experience of following her husband's ideas, no matter how much it did not meet her expectations for her life, actually made her a stronger, more interesting person. Sometimes letting someone else guide us is what we need to become a better person. Jeannie is a wonderful writer both men and women will enjoy. Her story made me think perhaps its time to get up and do something different in my life - take some chances. I do hope that she writes about their experiences in San Miguel de Allende, a lovely colonial town in the mountains of Mexico. I am sure it will be as entertaining as her first book. The town of Blanco should at least name a street after her for putting them on the map. I hope to see you all at the next lavender festival there!



2. I'll fess up at the front that I know Jeannie & Robb, but after reading her book, I know -- and respect -- them more so. What an interesting journey in every sense of the word. Not everyone has the material with which to share such a fascinating read, yet Jeannie shares the ups and downs with beautiful writing that lets her down-to-earth personality shine through.
   
   Being a woman who can relate to more than a few of her experiences, from rollicking days in NYC, to being swept off her feet by an often stubborn man, to children and the post-partum freak-out, this was a pleasurable and often emotional read.
   
   Jeannie's a real talent with loads of courage. I'm betting there could be a part 2... Excelente!



3. Jeannie Ralston's book drew me in from the first and I could hardly put it down! She is a courageous and resiliant woman! I laughed and shed tears. What more can a reader ask! I'll be recommending this one for my book club next year!
   
   My husband and I retired to Spring Branch, near Blanco (after living happily in Houston for 40 years), so I especially identified with Jeannie's dealing with country creatures and the often contrary Central Texas weather.
   
   I hope Jeannie and her family have a wonderful life in San Miguel de Allende and I'm counting on another book.



4. A GREAT READ! On the surface it is a humerous but accurate tale of living in a small town in Texas, but that is just a side bit of "charm."
   The real essence for me was the emotional and psychological journey of a very bright, creative woman from single adult, to marital partner, to mother. Jeannie Ralston is a very conscious,honest, woman with a very articulate voice. The reader gets a holistic view-her external persona the world sees, as well as her internal process that goes on behind the "curtain."
   The author goes from a young single woman who has the initial luxury of being solely concerned with her career, her wants and desires-to marriage partner which necessitates that some of her energy gets redirected toward the wants and needs of another-to ultimately that of a mother which demands even more.
   I never thought of the author as "whiner" as did another reviewer-if I did it would have been the "pot calling the kettle black..." as complaining is part of the human condition. The key issue for me about complaining is what you do about it-and she moved beyond it to create something of value.
   As far as some reviewers concerns and criticalness of the marriage-I thought just the opposite. Its a very realistic view of a marital relationship between 2 strong and creative people. Yes her husband is a strong personality, but she is no "wilting flower." "Taking turns" is a key rule in any successful relationship-especially marriage. especially one that involves 2 career people and children. Yes, Rob got his turn first, but she managed to get fed in the process. My take on Rob and Jeannie is she will get her share of turns, and he will step back (or to the side) and give her the same opportunity she gave him.
   As a Psychotherapist, I cannot think of a time that I have recommended a novel to clients to read for therapeutic purposes-but this book is at the top of my list for many female and male clients who are trying to make sense and find hope at a critical period in their lives. To each his own-but I REALLY enjoyed this book and found it incredibly insightful and encouraging.



5. This is a whiny, sniveling account of a woman who somehow manages to be successful growing lavender. You keep reading and hoping she has an epiphany and changes. Alas, her self-centered, egotistical persona never gets it. She deems herself a martyr, but really is just a spoiled brat. If there were any positive characteristics, they certainly didn't come through in the book.

5 comments about Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (Llewellyn's Sourcebook Series).

1. i look cunningham's books. they are always very insightful and uplifting. there is just something about picking up one of his books that is different that other books. very helpful with lots of charts and lists in the appx. GREAT BOOK!! i cant stress it enough!



2. This is a very information & good book. However, as per most "Wiccan" books, it will ONLY inform you of the "light" (fluff) side of the herbs - not all uses. Magick consists of both light and dark. And, yes, I believe making dark magick too much of your knowledge/practice is a bad thing - I still strongly believe it should be included.
   Remember: All Wiccans are Witches - but not all Witches are Wiccans :)



3. It is covers a vast realm of information and is great for the beginner as well as the advanced.



4. A must have. This and my Rondale book are my two most used and go to books for anything herbal whether magical or mundane.



5. This is, first and foremost, a reference book. I think some people have taken it to be more of a complete "everything you'd ever need to know about herbs" book, but this isn't exactly the case.
   
   It's an absolutely WONDERFUL reference. Never have I personally encountered a book that had dealt with so many different herbs and done such a thorough job explaining them. I admit, here and there a bit of information might be dated, and as someone else mentioned, there are certain plants he has forgotten to label as poisonous, etc. However, if you garden at all, most of these he's forgotten are complete "duh"s anyways. (Not that it's an excuse.)
   
   I'll again say that it's not the end-all-be-all to magickal herbalism. I have a couple others (not as complete) that I like to cross reference, if it's something I'm not completely familiar with. The great bulk of his information is very accurate, though. His folklore is usually very detailed, and sometimes highly entertaining.
   
   If you're looking for something to tell you how to do potions, tinctures, elixirs, teas, salves, soaps, oils, and everything else under the sun, this won't help. It's not meant to help. As an unsolicited plug, I'll say that Oils, Incenses, and Brews is a GREAT compliment to this book, covering what I just mentioned. They make a very usable team.
   
   Also, he doesn't give much as to how to cultivate what he writes about. This, again, is something you wouldn't usually find in a reference book anyways. There are many many MANY gardening books out there that deals with this, though, and it's easier to find books particularly suited to your area. I know that English lavender prospers in New England, but that doesn't mean I can grow it in the sticky South. He doesn't cover things like this, and wouldn't have the space anyways.
   
   His cross-referencing is absolutely amazing, too. He has thoroughly gone through folk names, Latin names, solar/lunar energies, planetary energies, astrology, and, well, everything else. And he gives in very readable, easy to use tables. I really appreciate this, as I might know a folk name for something that grows in my area, but have no clue as to what it's Latin name might be. This alone is worth the price, to me.
   
   As I said at the top of my post, it's not perfect. There are some areas definitely lacking, but overall, it's a VERY good buy, and you won't be sad you got it.

5 comments about Burpee : The Complete Vegetable & Herb Gardener : A Guide to Growing Your Garden Organically.

1. I am a new gardener and this book has helped so much! I look everything up in it. RIght down to problems with plant to how much water each plant gets. It has a guide to all plants and great pictures. Also has tips for gardening.



2. I am so impressed with this big, beautiful book! The photos are inspiring, and the technical aspects are thoroughly covered. I love the historic background of each vegetable and herb.
   I think there is literally everything I ever needed to know about vegetable gardening from seed germination, through care and feeding, to harvest. Detailed charts outline fertilizer, pests, water, soil conditions, and planting and harvest times.
   
   I keep it on my coffee table and flip through it daily just to enjoy the photos and learn some new fact.
   
   You will not be disappointed with this book!



3. This book is great if you're a beginner gardener, and want just one book to sit down and read that covers all aspects of gardening. You'll want to go on an buy other books that go into more detail on specific topics, but this is a great place to start, and one to keep on the shelf.
   It is presented as a gardening book should be - a large hardcover with lots of glossy colour photographs.
   Chapters are:
   1) Growing you own
   2) Getting Started
   3) Garden Tools & Equipment
   4) Improving the soil
   5) Laying out the Garden
   6) Planting the Garden
   7) Caring for the Garden
   8) Coping with Garden Problems



4. This book is ideal for someone starting their first garden who wants to use all organic methods. It goes through setting up your garden beds, making your own compost, and in the back it goes over every kind of vegetable and herb you could possibly want! The burpees seeds and plants are excellent too! I bought some Burpees seeds from Lowes and they were growing after only 5 days!



5. I absolutely love this book. I first found it at the local library and Had to Have It! I find two drawbacks and they are that the 'pests' and diseases aren't defined enough for the novice gardener. The 'pests' are pictured in black and white while the diseases are written only. This is a great gift for a new gardener.

5 comments about Your Backyard Herb Garden: A Gardener's Guide to Growing Over 50 Herbs Plus How to Use Them in Cooking, Crafts, Companion Planting and More.

1. Great resource book. Covers all of the basics in clear, simple instructions.



2. This is a great book for a beginning herb gardener. The first half of the book is a general overview of gardening techniques, designs, and uses for herbs. The second half gives specific information on growing and using many herbs. This has been extraordinarily helpful to me as background and reference for me.
   
   However, it is pretty basic and only covers the most commonly used herbs, so I'm not sure that advanced herb gardeners would get much out of this.



3. I adore this book! Wow! It has all the things I wanted!
   - it's organic
   - it very thorougly covers many herbs in different formats, so you know everything from what bugs they attract or repel, how tall they grow, and what zone they can be grown in
   - common uses for them: I discovered many herbs I thought were inedible plants that are indeed herbs
   - easy to use tables
   
   I wasn't too hip on all the cosmetic and craft uses - I'd rather eat them, but they're short and may come in handy. I know the rest of the book sure will!



4. This is a relatively small book at about 150 pages, but it manages to pack in a lot of information very concisely. It's beautifully illustrated with color photographs and drawings.
   
   The first 2/3 of the book includes general herb gardening background and use of herbs tips: how to choose plants, pick the location, general design principles, planting instructions (including some nice tips on extending the growing season), propagation, harvesting, drying, pests and diseases, etc.
   
   It also includes suggestions for common culinary uses, such as salads, herbal vinegars, flavored oils, teas, jellies, honeys, and breads. These are not an extensive set of recipes, but more like master recipes with some suggestions for how you can mix them up with variations.
   
   The book also includes suggestions and recipes for health and beauty products (again, not an extensive collection). This section includes potpourri, sachets, bouquets, dried arrangements and insect repellents.
   
   The last 1/3 of the book has individual pages on about 50 different herbs. These individual pages tell you a description, how to grow, harvesting instructions, suggested uses, tips, cultivars, and also includes a quick key on the level of care required (using a 4 glove rating system), if it attracts beneficial insects, whether or not it is ornamental, whether or not it can be grown in a container, how much yield you can expect to get and how easy it is to grow.
   
   The back of the book contains a few pages of resources for laboratories, vendors, herb associations and other books or literary resources.
   
   There are lots of charts and sidebars and overall I found this book to be very useful and easy to access. It doesn't have the level of information needed to make this anything other than a quick reference book though.



5. A very useful book for the home gardener. A quick guide for growing, harvesting and using herbs.