Review This Reviews!

Thursday, March 5, 2026

How Not to Age Cookbook Review

I have been working on improving my diet over time, and have become more plant based as a result.

My latest endeavor, or wakeup call came from watching YouTube videos by Dr. Michael Greger. Greger not only has recommendations on the better choice of what to eat, he knows the science that backs it up.

I was so impressed with his knowledge, that I bought his latest book, The How Not to Age Cookbook.

It was in this cookbook that I saw a recipe for Roasted Asparagus with Tahini Lemon Sauce. Below is my photo of my results.

I usually sauté asparagus, steam it once in a while, or cook it in soup. My husband and I were both pleasantly surprised with the flavor of it being roasted. I also liked the sauce, my husband wasn't so impressed with the sauce, he didn't even taste it. The sauce by itself was a bit strong to me, but paired with the asparagus and also on the pasta, I thought it was pretty good. Overall I was pleased with this recipe and liked the lightness of their not being any oil in it.

In the Introduction part of the book, I learned that berries appear to reduce mortality risk as much as green leafy veggies. Did you know that? I have heard a lot about getting your greens, but I hadn't heard about the praise of berries. Berries may benefit the eyes in a variety of ways and can also suppress inflammation in the gut. Pulling out information from three studies on eating berries, overall, those with a higher berry consumption tended to live significantly longer than those with a low berry intake.

I'm not even half way through the Introduction part, and there are a lot of terms that I am not familiar with; I won't even try to explain those. But for those that want the scientific background on the best foods to eat, and then have recipes that incorporate those findings, this book is for you. Or if you just want to eat more plant based, this cookbook is a great option.

I do like carrot cake, but am not a fan of cream cheese frosting, and I don't care for most things that are overly sweet. So I was also pleasantly surprised when I tried the Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal. There is no frosting, a plus right from the start. However, it didn't have any raisins. I reduced the shredded carrots by around 1/4th of what was called for and replaced that with two small boxes of organic raisins. That added just a bit of sweetness to the recipe, and made it a hit with me. This recipe called for date syrup. (Dr. Greger has a recipe in the front of the book if you want to make your own.) The date syrup that I had on hand seemed to thick to me, so I reduced that by half and replaced the other half with water. That may have watered the recipe down more than it should have been, but the cake did come out very moist, so I added some extra baking time to it. That worked pretty good.

There are more recipes that I'm looking forward to trying. Most of the ingredients, from what I looked at so far, are every day ingredients. Two things that I noticed that weren't part of my normal ingredient selection, were white miso paste and tahini. Besides that, you might want to have ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, nutritional yeast, and soymilk on hand for your repertoire of plant based ingredients.

Another great thing that I like about this cookbook, is that it has a chart of Dr. Greger's Daily Dozen. It is a list of the various types of food one should eat in a day for maximum health. This has really helped me to see where I might have been lacking and what I should make more of an effort to incorporate into my day. I don't always get all 12 categories checked in one day, but I can see where I'm short and what I can add in the next day or so. If you are interested in checking out Dr. Greger's chart, you can check out the sample pages for the book, on Amazon. Greger also has a free app for those that are interested in keeping track on their cell phone.

The How Not to Age Cookbook. Check price and or sample pages on Amazon.

Cheryl Paton

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Wednesday, March 4, 2026

The Green Baize Door ~ A Book Review

When I saw the title of this book, I had to ask myself if I knew what a " green baize" door was. Well after a look into the word, I knew that I had no idea that such a thing existed! Do you know what a Green Baize door is?

Well, I love historical novels and this one fits into that category perfectly. Now for your own sake and a bit of education a " Green Baize" door is a simple door frame that was tacked with cloth, most often green in color. It was a door that separated the "Master's quarters" from the servants or staff quarters in the most stately homes.

In this story The Green Baize Door is thrown wide open when the elderly housekeeper is found murdered! It's the first day of the new century (1900's). And for this family living in the Chestnut Hills of New England, life has just taken a wild turn and no one knows who could have done this.

Oh there are the regular list of suspects, but both Marie Chevalier (the elderly woman's granddaughter) and James Lett (the owner's son) have very different ideas in who could be capable and for what end!

The Green Baize Door is an interesting historical tale that will take you through the early times when millionaires were made and family history was being written. The north was home to many that had been slaves in the south. Making money was still hard for the migrants from the south, but even harder sometimes due to no fault of their own.

Marie's love for her grandmother would not allow her to stop looking and wondering what had happened. Was someone in her family able to do something like this or was it someone of "means" that took some kind of exception to her grandmother?

Marie is determined to find out!

James Lett on the other hand, doesn't like that a dark cloud of suspicion has fallen on his family and their good name. So he is also on the hunt for whoever could have done this nasty deed. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of discrimination happening and the police are not in any hurry to find the killer of an elderly black woman servant.

I think that anyone who enjoys historical novels will find this book eye opening in so many ways. It was an enjoyable read for me and I think Eleanor Birney did a masterful job with The Green Baize Door and at bringing out the many ways that our history has had an impact on people's lives for generations.. It is worth reading and I bet you'll learn something new as well.

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Monday, March 2, 2026

Reviewing the Rivers Shawl Crochet Pattern by Rich Textures Crochet

The Rivers Shawl crochet pattern is a beautiful and versatile pattern with interesting texture and pretty drape. Whether you crochet for yourself or as gifts for others, this is an excellent pattern to choose.

My Rivers Shawl with Mandala Gradient yarn colorways

While focused on making items for my first donation to a local care home, I have tried to focus on shawls, lap blankets, and other items that the residents would find functional and enjoyable. I am thrilled about this pattern and highly recommend it.

Rivers Shawl Crochet Pattern by Rich Textures Crochet

As soon as I saw the photo of this pretty shawl pattern, I hoped that it wouldn't be too difficult for me to complete. Wonderful news! I've completed several projects with this pattern using different yarns. I am very happy with each of the projects and plan to continue with this pattern.

Pattern information:

listed at the skill level - Easy
finished size is 18 x 64 inches
worked in rows - a 6 row repeat
written pattern uses American English crochet terms
pattern is worked in rows
stitches used: chain, double chain, half double crochet, single crochet, slip stitch and triple stitch
available in a video tutorial and written pattern (see links below)

I consider this size as a wrap shape, due to the long rectangular shape, rather than a triangular shape which is what I consider a shawl. Due to the original rectangular shape, this wrap is easily reduced in size to lap blanket size and would easily be increased in size to a sofa throw size.

My Personal Thoughts About the Rivers Shawl Pattern

While I've crocheted for decades, I crochet slowly so it takes a very long time to finish projects. Since I'm attempting to make over 20 blankets for gift, I was very happy that this pattern works up quickly. I also have trouble with multi-row repeats or patterns that require counting and keeping track of rows. I almost did not try this pattern since it is a 6 row repeat. How fun when I realized, after completing about 18 rows, that there are 2 rows of single crochet followed by a 3rd (and 6th) row of the single, half double, double, and triple crochet pattern. That 3rd and 6th row is the same stitch combination. However, it begins on a different stitch, making it seem like a different pattern. That is what causes the "waves" to alternate; row 3 starting with a single chain and row 6 starting with the triple. After these rows have repeated into the blanket it is fairly easy to make sure you are on the right track by checking to see if your current stitch pattern row lines up with pattern two rows below.

Yarns I've Chosen Thus Far.

Puzzle Premiere. To begin, I chose Puzzle Premiere yarn because it is size 5 weight and works up quickly. It is also a self-striping (although, I wouldn't call it stripes exactly). Which means few tails to work in from yarn color changes. Because the yarn is slightly thicker than the pattern creator used, I used a smaller crochet hook to make up for the size difference.

Puzzle Premiere

Mandala Gradient. Then I used Mandala Gradient cakes for the next project. It is a size 4, worsted weight yarn. That is the size the pattern creator used for her Rivers Shawl. Mandala Gradient yarn created a beautiful color pattern and a soft piece.

Other Yarns. This pattern has enough texture that it would look pretty with both smaller weight yarns and with solid color yarns. I think this pattern would make wonderful baby blankets in DK or Sport weight yarns. Yes. A baby blanket is next on my list for this pattern.

Related Links:

Rich Textures Crochet video tutorial and free written pattern on the Rich Textures Crochet website.

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Sunday, March 1, 2026

My Fun Wedding Dance Song Lyric with 19 Movie References!

I wrote Our Real Life Movie on February 22, 2026, and I'm smiling a little as I type that—because this song started as a challenge to myself, and I wasn't at all sure how it would turn out.

The Way I Was Able To Write This Kind of Song!

Writing songs about a couple's love is the hardest thing for me. Which is funny, really, because I've been married for forty years.

You'd think it would be easy. But writing about brand-new love, those early feelings, that fresh spark, feels far away sometimes. Not gone. Just lived-in. And trying to capture that without sounding corny, forced, or like I'm missing the emotional mark has always been tricky for me.

Originally, my goal was to write a first-dance wedding song. That was the intention. But once I sat down with it, I realized I needed a way in—something I could emotionally connect to. That's when the idea shifted.

Using My Crazy Knack For Remembering Movie Lines as That Spark!

I decided to approach it differently, drawing on something that has stayed with me my whole life: movie lines.

I'm Gen Jones, a late boomer (1954-1965), and I've been lucky enough to grow up with some incredible films—especially rom-coms from the 80s and 90s.

Certain lines never leave you. They lodge themselves in your heart, your memory, your understanding of love. So I started weaving them into the song—some directly, some indirectly—until the project took on a life of its own.

Nineteen movie-related lines later, what started out feeling difficult became fun. Here it is! It's upbeat and fun.

It wasn't easy. Not even close. But it was the good kind of hard—the kind where you don't mind taking your time because you're enjoying the process.

I didn't know if I could pull it together, and I didn't rush it. I let it become what it wanted to be. It took me about 2 days to write these lyrics; that's long for me. Oh, and of course, I design all the artwork and create all the videos. Lots of fun work. Lucky, I love it so much!

I've Been Writing Since I Was 8 Years Old - I'll Write Until I Drop :)

I've been writing since 1968, since I was eight years old, and I still never know where the next project will come from or how it will unfold. Some things arrive fully formed. Others need to be coaxed, challenged, and played with. This one asked me to stretch a bit.

I have written song lyrics from a fictional place before; this one, Elvis Saved My Life, was a fun project I gave myself in the late 1990s/2000s.

Creating the vocals and music took time. I'm fussy about emphasis. Certain words need to land just right, or the emotion doesn't work for me. When it finally came together, it felt right—like the song knew what it was doing before I did.

This song became a puzzle, and I love that part. If you feel like dissecting it and spotting the references, I've left the answers below so you can see how many you caught. I hope you have fun with it.

And if you're getting married—congratulations. Truly. If you choose to dance to this song, please link it for me. I would genuinely love to see it become part of someone else's real-life movie.

That thought alone makes the whole challenge worth it.

Here are the Movie Lines Referenced in The Lyrics (Directly or Indirectly):

1. "For a million tiny little reasons" – A Million Little Things

2. "I'll never let you go" – Titanic

3. "I'll never miss a thing" – Armageddon

4. "There's a time for everything, now it's our time to dance" – Footloose (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

5. "You'll never be in a corner" – Dirty Dancing

6. "Turning fifty shades of grey" – Fifty Shades of Grey

7. "We now write the script for our never-ending story" – The NeverEnding Story

8. "Etched in our notebook" – The Notebook

9. "Our tale of two cities" – A Tale of Two Cities

10. "Through pure serendipity" – Serendipity

11. "I jump, you jump" – Titanic

12. "I choose us" – The Family Man

13. "I wanted it to be you" – You've Got Mail

14. "Was like coming home" – Sleepless in Seattle

15. "It was like I had always known you" – Sleepless in Seattle

16. "We found our passion" – Flashdance

17. "We certainly made it happen" – Flashdance

18. "Oh what a feeling" – Flashdance

19. "Into our own ever after" – Ever After Bonus Musical Nod (not a movie)

BONUS: Old School Music Reference!

20. "Dancing on the Ceiling" – Lionel Richie

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Saturday, February 28, 2026

Pulse by Felix Francis - A Book Review

A horseracing mystery by the son of the well-known English author, Dick Francis

Felix Francis brings us another novel in the group of horseracing mysteries begun by Dick Francis and now continued by his son, Felix.

Synopsis

Pulse (A Dick Francis Novel)

A well-dressed man is found unconscious at a local racecourse and is rushed to the hospital. He subsequently dies and his identity is unknown. No identification is found on him and no one appears to be looking for him or reporting him missing.

The ER Doctor who treated the deceased is Dr. Chris Reynolds. She is at first intrigued by this nameless man, and then is all but obsessed with discovering who he is. She begins asking questions and discovers this to be a problem. Someone doesn’t want the questions asked or answered and will go to any lengths to prevent it.

At the same time, Chris is suffering from mental health issues and severe anorexia. Her husband and 14-year-old twin boys are worried about her. Even her job is in jeopardy if she cannot get her medical issues resolved.

While on medical leave, Dr. Chris continues to try and discover who the dead man is. When someone attempts to murder her, no one will believe someone tried to kill her. Chris is left with no option but to discover who the dead man was and why he died, before the same thing happens to her.

Summary

Another mystery set in the world of horseracing where the subject of race fixing becomes a factor in the plot of the story. Pulse, by Felix Francis, is part of a collection of novels continuing the racing thriller tradition begun by his father, famous English fiction writer, Dick Francis.