Book Review Fridays- She's Come Undone

Okay, I'll admit I wanted to read the book after seeing the cover.  Luckily, the adage of judging a book on its cover led to a positive discovery because this was indeed a good read. If looks aren't your thing, or you're just not the believing kind, She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb comes recommended in the Oprah Book Club, and is a New York Times Bestseller. 

It's a thought-provoking adventure of a woman's journey to be at peace with herself. She deals with neglect, sexual abuse, obesity, and emotional trauma. That's a lot for one person to deal with! The book opens with our main character Dolores Price dealing with her Dad's affair with another women, and leaving her mother. This serves as a root cause for the issues that lie ahead. Immediately, this evokes the readers emotions; especially the case if some themes are close to heart. 

And, that's the hook. You're in for the read. 

However, in this case, I was in for the read. 

Dolores is an incredibly complex woman, and completely relate-able. I find this especially true for young women yearning to find themselves. She falls in love with a man for all the wrong reasons (who hasn't done this?), marries, and is forced by her husband to have an abortion. The resentment she feels from this causes her to reexamine her life as she then realizes that she cannot run her life based on someone else's goals. This is the turning point in her life. She leaves her husband, and begins to focus on herself. She is able to turn her life around. Life is further bliss when she finally meets a man she can trust. The story ends at this point as Dolores resolves that she is at peace with herself. 

Of course, this is a very brief synopsis of the story, and actually reading through it is a lot more fun! I think it's worth the time, and offers a good lesson:  It takes time to find yourself. It also gives a positive outcome for a woman dealing with many troubling issues, and who doesn't like that?

If you would like to read this book, you can follow the link to buy it here

Score: 3.7 out of 5

Maya Angelou- Art Expressed through Words

A simple combination of words can stir up the deepest of emotions. That's the beauty of writing. 

Some are talented enough to share their words with the world and allow the reader to feel the emotion behind what was written. 

I have felt this way with every single piece of writing that has been authored by Maya Angelou. 

It started when I was very young, maybe 6th grade when I read - I Know why the Caged Bird Sings. I just wanted to keep reading. I turned the pages quickly, taking in the story as not to miss a word even though I could take it at my pace. But her stories are not meant to be read that way. They created an appetite within me that couldn't be suppressed until I turned the page, and then the next. Until I was finally satisfied-  and that was when the story ended. 

This is art expressed through words-  holding a person's attention with your message. 

Growing up in a South-Asian household in the United States wasn't necessarily fun. I was constantly at odds with my culture. I couldn't understand why my mom wouldn't approve of my wanting to be a ballet dancer, or a violinist.  

A lot of times, I felt trapped by the confines of tradition. This is when I would turn to reading. 

 I would always use Dr. Angelou's words to express my sentiments when asked why I couldn't pick more South-Asian professions: 

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." 

Tradition couldn't shape my views.  Even if my mom didn't understand what I meant by this, I knew I did. Her words gave my emotions a voice. They helped articulate what I wanted to say, but couldn't.

She has given me the tools to better understand myself.  Her words helped me understand that I am not the only one experiencing the internal struggles to fit in to society, or even in your family.

 She has passed on, but her words will always be here for me to seek solace from. Words I treasure every day, and strive to live by. 

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from Maya Angelou:

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude"

"What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger"

"I can be changed by what happened to me; but I refuse to be seduced by it"

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. "

(Above Photo from: http://www.brainpickings.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/angelou_free.jpg)

Workout Wednesdays!

I managed to squeeze out a quick 20 minute workout. I was just not feeling it today. My belly really felt like it was weighing me down with every move. So, I skipped the weights. I just went through a quick session of cardio.Somehow I got through it. 

Here was the workout for today:

Cardio Fun!

• 25 Jumping Jacks
• 5 squat jumps
• Rest 30 sec
• 25 Jumping Jacks
• 5 squat jumps
• Rest 30 sec

2nd Set

• 25 squats
• 10 side lunges- per side
• Rest 30 sec
• 25 squats
• 10 side lunges- per side

3rd Set

• 10 push-ups
• 30 sec march in place
• 10 push-ups
• 30 sec march in place

Scrumptious Chickpea Patties

While thinking I was opening a can of pinto beans, I accidentally opened a can of garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas). So here I was with an extra can of beans added to the menu for the week. I was planning on making ground chicken patties, but decided to use of my extra can of goodness to make chickpea patties instead! They are very easy to make, with great fiber and protein content.

Ingredients:

1 can of garbanzo beans

1 egg 

1/4 cup breadcrumbs

1 teaspoon crushed garlic

1 teaspoon dried parsley

 1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon onion powder

Oil for pan-frying

Directions- 

Combine all ingredients into a bowl except egg. Mash with a fork or potato masher. Now add in egg, and mix with a spoon. Shape into patties. Heat pan to medium, add oil. Place patties in pan without touching, pan-frying lightly. Turn often to prevent burning. Can omit egg if desired

Enjoy!

Book Review Fridays- The Sea and Poison

If you're into dark books that delve into the psyche of Japanese surgeons, well, this here is your winner! Overall, the writing style is excellent. The author conveys his message in a subtle way that doesn't really leave you with an exact answer. You can't exactly pinpoint an antagonist because Endo explains there is such complexity in our thoughts and actions when put under pressure.

The story revolves around two main characters, a prominent surgeon, Toda, and a medical intern Suguro. The setting is in a hospital during World War II where American prisoners are held and taken for vivisection. In other words they are used as human test subjects while being alive. Eek! That being said, there are some gruesome themes that caused me to wiggle in my seat a little, but rest assured it all ties into the message of the book.

So what is the message you ask? basically these are run of the mill surgeons being offered money, and experience to perform surgeries during wartime.  These surgeons fully understand what they are doing is immoral, but the alternative means not feeding their own families. This juxtaposition is felt by all the characters involved. They express guilt, vulnerability, and fear all while doing their "duty."

It's scary for anyone to be in such a situation, so it's hard to really hate these characters. This notion that humans are infinitely complex is very intriguing to me thus the huge draw to read the book. Yes, it's dark but very satisfying. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

If you would like to read it you can use this link to buy it here.

Score- 3.9 out of 5

(Above image from Goodreads.com)

Workout Wednesdays!

 I've been trying to get a workout in for at least 6 days a week. I try to get in at least 30 minutes. This can be a bit challenging with a 10-month old, but I've found a trick that works for me. I just turn on my favorite song playlist and let it go until I'm all done with my daily challenge. Baby starts to bounce along with me! 

Here is today's workout:

I do the cardio, then weights and repeat this 3 times 

25 Jumping jacks

15 Squats

30 Second Mountain climber

15 High Knees

30 Seconds run in place

                                                           

12 Shoulder presses with 10 lb dumbbells

12 Lateral raises with 10 lb dumbbells

12 Bent over rows with 10 lb dumbbell