Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: simple

  • Just One Thing: How simple changes can transform your life

    Just One Thing: How simple changes can transform your life

    When it comes to transforming our health and life style, it is often exceedingly difficult to determine what is fad and what will make that desired, successful, long lasting improvement. Look no further, doctor turned science journalist and TV presenter, Michael Mosley’s latest book “Just One Thing” based on his popular BBC podcast ‘Just One Thing’ is just the book for you.

     With his ever practical, easy to follow thoughtful guidance, you are able to introduce minor changes to your current daily routine, which will make a big and lasting impact on your mental and physical health.

    As most readers are time short, the author has identified ten rules based on science, which will be useful for successfully integrating his suggestions into their daily schedule. They can be incorporated without having to undertake a major life overhaul (which rarely survives more than a month); changes include standing on one leg, eating dark chocolate, drinking water, having a cold shower in the morning and a hot bath at night.

    This engaging, short, simple book, which is easy to read, has been divided into activities which can be embraced in six time segments into which he has divided the day. Each achievable suggestion is backed by scientific research, a case study and recommendations for easy implementation.  

    Readers will feel validated to read about the well-being and health benefits associated with activities, which they are already undertaking in their daily life. The author has also included appropriate, interesting websites for those who wish to pursue the scientific research which backs his ideas.

  • In Good Company

    In Good Company

    Simple, generous recipes and ideas for get-togethers and good times

    Winter is calling and the desire to come inside, to be warm, cosy and spend time with loved ones is high on the agenda.  Covid notwithstanding being, amongst those we love and enjoy is a special time filled with delight and memories. Add good food, some music and there you have it; comfort for the very soul.

    Sophie Hansen’s second book In Good Company is, a apart from a gorgeous addition to your kitchen bookshelf, filled with recipes to delight the palate and warm the heart of those close and those you love to feed and entertain. Divided into seasons, there are set menus to follow if you are feeling daunted by the task of feeding more than a couple of people, that range from a dinner party style menu to a simple, easy day out in the country, hamburgers and all! Gorgeous pictures are placed through the book as well which adds a certain charm to the pages of not just recipes.

    If the very idea of a dinner party fills you with dread and your idea of just a few friends over for a glass or two of good wine is your idea of entertaining, take a walk through the Chatter Platters section where entertaining is made super simple and looks amazing. Although it is lodged in the summer section these platters are really seasonal; how can you not enjoy Arancini or Cheese platters all year round.

    Lamb Rogan Josh is sure winner for a winter gathering and can be prepared well in advance, as with all good curries, the next day is the best day. Ploughman’s with a Chop and a cup of Hot Tomato Soup from the thermos flask is the perfect easy lunch for day in the country having fun.

    Not to be outdone of course, there is the sweet treats that are essential to complete time with family and friends. Dotted through the book as well as included with the Menus are some seriously tempting, easy to create treats that will not just be made for entertaining, but for everyday temptation!

    So if you think entertaining a few or many is something beyond your scope, think again as Sophie Hansen has taken the fear out of enjoying good company with good wine and good food, making the event so easy with her carefully constructed Menus which can be discovered at the rear of the book.

    Enjoy the moment, the chatter and laughter as winter approaches and time with family and friends is spent in a special moment in time.

  • Simple Gifts

    Simple Gifts

    Thirteen captivating pieces go to make up the album Simple Gifts, the second solo collection from acclaimed and awarded pianist William Ogmundson, some pieces labours of love, others thrown together as a last-minute addition, all of which have come together in a remarkable, simple beauty.

    Enchanting with its simplicity is Belladonna which begins with a slow introduction, building to strength in the centre before relaxing and drifting into the gentle ending.  Followed by Simple Gifts a slightly hesitant piece, it underscores the effortlessness of discovering the simple joys of life. Occasionally reminiscent of a tune once heard, the song drifts slowly across the keyboard to come to a startling, final, completion.

    Bouncing out of the album is the jaunty, light and happily fun piece Forever Drifting reflective of sunny days, a carefree existence and endless opportunities still waiting to be discovered. Maybe even a dash of ‘honkey tonk’ mixed in there as well: a favourite!

    Budapest, a city of many heartbeats, many joys and sorrows, full of history, the timelessness of a city that has survived it all, and in so doing has shrouded itself an air of mystique is captured beautifully in Twilight in Budapest, that magical reflective time of half-light at days end or as the dawn slowly morphing into day.

    Lux Aeterna; short, succinct, sombre, almost ponderous provides a lovely balance to the following Heather’s Song, a light and most enjoyable piece, a piece which dances along, sweet, joyful and not at all pretentious.

    Icarus, the son of Daedalus who, to escape imprisonment, flies by means of artificial wings, but falls into the sea and drowns when the wax of his wings melts as he flies too near the sun, has all been captured in this delightful piece Icarus, a journey mythical in its creation, but a reality of everyday life. A perfect piece.

    Who can resist a Dance of the Fairies, to round out a rich and enjoyable album of most beautiful songs, dedicated to Ogmundson’s third grade teacher Kitty Wilson, who spent many, many years photographing and protecting loons. Sadly, she passed away before the album was released and it is her magnificent photography, courtesy of her husband William, which graces the covers of this work.