get ready to be moved.

Lilly and Dennis Klepp sold everything they owned and moved to Sudan, Africa to give themselves to the poor. Mama Lilly wrote a journal along the way and titled it, Adventures Under the Mango Tree, A Story of Hope in War-Torn Sudan and what an adventure it was reading this inspiring story about two people who gave up their own comfort to serve others, and are still doing so today. Since 2001, the Klepp’s have opened two orphanages, a school, and a hospital, serving more than 500 children and thousands of families through their ministry of the Gospel, along with health care and education. Keep in mind, this is a war-torn country and the civil war didn't end until 2005 so bombs, land mines, even death were all a packaged deal with their big move. The Klepp's asked God what they should do to help and He sent them to Africa. Are you brave enough to ask God how you can help the world?

our trip to the moon.

I have a great excuse for my disappearing act this past week and a half. I was on my honeymoon! And it was glorious. I read two amazing books on my trip and will be reviewing them this week. Here is a little taste of my 7 days in paradise, also known as Secrets Maroma Beach Resort in Cancun.

society it is a changing.

The Next America by Paul Taylor is a quantitatively based book on demography and sociology in America today vs. the past. It applies a generational lens to explore the many ways America is changing. Taylor pays particularly close attention to our two outsize generations, the Baby Boomers (fifty and sixty-something's) and the Millennials (twenty-something's) by examining how the generations relate to one another not only as citizens, voters, and interest groups, but as parents, children, and caregivers. (I may have stolen some wording from the preface, but it was just so good).

We are living in a world where people are living longer, having less children, and developing entirely new family structures than in the past. What does this mean for future generations and our economy? With the help of Pew Research Center's archive of public opinion surveys, Taylor covers that, too. Don't be turned off by the statistics, numbers and graphs, I'd still consider this informational read kick ass.

they tried to make me go to rehab...

The abuse of drugs in this country is just plain sad. I mean, Whitney! Amy! Philip Seymour Hoffman! It's a damn shame. In The Sober Truth: Debunking the Bad Science behind 12-Step Programs and the Rehab Industry, addiction specialist Dr. Lance Dodes exposes the deeply flawed science of 12-step programs including true stories from the doc's thirty-five years of practice. And you couldn't have written this BEFORE Whitney jumped ship? Jeesh. The horrific part is that these 12-step programs, AA, NA, etc. are the ONLY court mandated options for most addicts who wind up in the system. Dr. Dodes takes his research and case studies and proves how useless these programs are. That's fricken scary. What can we do to really save our addicts? Honestly, I don't believe that Dodes has all of the answers (no offense, doc) but I do think he did an excellent job proving what is without a doubt wrong with these rehab programs (other than the people getting rich off them), which brings us closer to figuring out what needs to be done to save the seemingly unsavable.

NYC restaurant style cooking.

Marc Forgione is one of the Iron Chefs competing on Food Network's Iron Chef America and owner of restaurant Marc Forgione in New York City. Chef Forgione came out with his very first cookbook tilted (shockingly) Marc Forgione: Recipes and Stories from the Acclaimed Chef and Restaurant which is filled with 170 recipes including his signature favorites. Along with the recipes are beautiful photographs and his personal story of how he came to be one of America's Top Chefs.

Reasons why YOU should buy this book:

1. Chef Forgione shares the best notes and guidelines I've ever seen in a cookbook. They are super helpful and will ensure the perfect dish.
2. The signature Chili Lobster recipe.
3. The step-by-step instructions on how to debone a whole fish (with pictures).
4. The recipes aren't too intimidating and will be super impressive to dinner guests.
5. His story and writing which is inspiring and hospitable, just like him.

jennifer's way.

I LOVE Jennifer Esposito. I was super sad when she left Blue Bloods, I just loved her sass. Anyways, she recently came out with a book telling her story about living with celiac disease titled Jennifer's Way: My Journey with Celiac Disease - What Doctors Don't Tell You and How You Can Learn to Live Again.

Jennifer grew up with chronic health issues and dealing with uneducated doctors who couldn't seem to help her get healthy. Once she was diagnosed with celiac disease, she decided to get educated so that she could help herself and others. What a babe. Since there is no cure for this disease, Jennifer had to change her lifestyle. She went gluten-free and has even opened a gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, peanut-free, allergy-friendly, organic bakery in NYC for her fellow man. Her book has already helped so many of the 1 in 133 American's who suffer from this disease so that they don't have to go through what Jennifer went through alone. She gives suggestions on recipes, books, and blogs that she uses. Jennifer's message of empowerment and advocating for your own needs will benefit anyone going through this struggle.

let's get virtual, virtual.

I am the queen of outsourcing in every day life. I am a delegator. At Christmas time when I have my family over for Christmas Eve dinner, when I throw my baby brother's annual birthday pool party. I was superwoman delegator during my wedding or I never would have survived it. No, I don't own my own business, but I am fully aware of how important outsourcing is so that you have more time to do what you want to do, which is why I know readers will get a lot out of Virtual Freedom: How to Work with Virtual Staff to Buy More Time, Become More Productive, and Build Your Dream Business by Chris C. Ducker.

New entrepreneurs are a one-man (or woman) show. They do everything, they get exhausted, miserable, and lots of times, they fail. Ducker has a much better plan that will give small business owners a much happier and less stressful ending. Hire a virtual staff, build yourself a virtual team. No, they are not a bunch of robots, but they are much cheaper than people who come to the office every day. Ducker gives you everything you need to know about finding, hiring, training, managing, and building your virtual team. It might seem like a lot of work at first, but it's a hell of a lot better than wearing every hat in the company, burning yourself out, and your spouse leaving you because you're too wrapped up in work.