Bowflex Boost

First impressions not a huge fan. The bracelet itself is a little large. It clips in easy enough. The program itself is a pain in the you know what. I'm so frustrated with this.

I have the Fitbit One and had the Ultra before and I love loved them. Especially, the fact that you can go online and see your progress and your phone is not required but if you want to you can use your phone. This Boost requires the use of the Bluetooth on the newer model phones. iPhone 5 and Samsung 4S or higher. The website didn't really state the fact it could be used with Android and seeing as how I have the Samsung 3S I couldn't really use it. Luckily, a family member has the iPhone 5S and I'm able to use that. However, I've been wearing this for over a week expecting it to count steps like my Fitbit does whether or not it's paired with a phone or computer and to my surprise it wasn't collecting my data until I actually connected and paired it to the phone.

The box didn't state it could be used with Androids and that made me a little nervous. I suppose once I upgrade my phone I wouldn't be as critical but I do hate lugging it out all the time.

I think the first step when downloading the app to the phone is showing you how to connect the unit. By the time I got there I just assumed it was not important info so I skipped it. So I wrote it for 3 more days expecting it to backlog my data and nothing. Finally, after pairing it on Monday and not finding any results I was super disappointed. Not just disappointed but really unhappy.

Not only that but not being able to see my results online after I've been spoiled with Fitbit is kind of a bummer. I'd always check my stats periodically throughout the day online because it was easy and convenient and I could leave the website up while doing other work. Now with this app I have to break out the phone (or borrow, in my case) unlock the phone, find the app, open the app and then update the info. Not as easy as it should be.

Another thing I noticed is that in order to sync the Boost with the phone you have to hold the button for 5 seconds. 3 seconds puts it to sleep and 5 syncs the Boost with the phone. After several different tries with looking at the phone and trying to figure out where the refresh button was on the app I realized that you have to do it from the Boost. I definitely don't like that. The button itself is not as easy to push as you'd want it to be. My husband who has no finger nails would have a really difficult time using the button.

I'm not a fan of this bracelet. I'll definitely be switching back to Fitbit.

51. Diabetes Meal Planning and Nutrition for Dummies - Consumer Dummies

I have to say, a lot of this information I already knew. I did see my educator and nutritionist every month or so for over two years and a lot of this I learned from them. A few things were surprising to me but not enough.

I was sort of hoping for more of a meal plan. I realize they can't go through every day of my life and I got the logistics, I just would have liked more options.

A lot of the recipes were not really for me. I wasn't interested in any of them really. I was really only mildly enthused about one or two. I know what you're thinking... maybe that's why she's got the diabeetus. Not so.

One thing that was a great refresher was keeping the carbs under 15 grams. That actually makes a lot of sense to me. I'm a huge carb person. I try to be more conscious of the carbs when eating but sometimes they get away from me. I remember my nutritionist going over something like this but it's been so long it's good to be reminded.

I think this is a very good starting point and something everyone should read especially those just diagnosed. I feel like the best thing for diabetes is a healthy diet and exercise. Eat healthy and get moving and remember to check your numbers as often as your doctor suggests. I think it's the key to staying healthy and what this book is also saying. 

I haven't read Diabetes For Dummies but I feel like a lot of this should be covered under that and this being geared more towards the actual meal planning and perhaps covering more foods on the Glycemic Index and more of what we should eat vs what we shouldn't. There were some helpful tips in the back that went over a few items that you could substitute like plain greek yogurt for sour cream or butter. Plus, super foods that we should consider like peanut butter and salmon.

The thing that bothered me the most was that this book say's go ahead and eat a potato but for me they're so high on the GI I'm not sure why they're suggesting it. Obviously, it say's to know your body and check your results to see how certain things affect you but I don't like how they're saying white potatoes are alright. I guess maybe they're just not alright for me. I know, there's a write up in the back that say's that although it's high in carbs and high on the GI that its' also full of vitamin C and potassium. For me the reward is not worth the risk.

All in all this is great for beginners and a wonderful refresher to what, hopefully, most diabetics would know. I enjoyed reading through the tips and warnings. Something not every book would want to tackle.

42. Deadline - Sandra Brown

Sandra Brown is one of my favs. I've tried to read everything I could get my hands on by her and I think I've done a good job. For me Deadline wasn't a huge favorite. I did enjoy the story and the premise but I think the stories are slipping into a more of a mystery type novel instead of a romantic type.

I think that the characters for me didn't really have much chemistry. I mean, I understand the story and I loved the ideas behind them I just think I wanted more story between them.

I don't want to give anything away because it was a good journey from beginning to end some things that you could see coming I felt even though were predictable seemed to be given away too early or at least felt a little rushed.

I loved the supporting characters, especially, the Godmother ( I can't remember her name.) She was a spitfire though and I loved her gumption. The children were also fun to read about, however, the interactions with Amelia didn't feel quite right. She seemed more of a drill sergeant than a mom.

Although, a lot of heavy stuff happened to Dawson Scott and he wasn't dealing with his PTSD it sort of wrapped it up a little too conveniently for me in the end.

I have to say, I'm glad I read this but it seemed a little long and not as enjoyable as her other novels. Not my favorite a bit predictable but the twists I didn't see coming.

41. Devoted: 38 Extraordinary Tales of Love, Loyalty, and Life With Dogs - Rebecca Ascher-Walsh

WOW. Just wow. I can't even put into words. The dogs in these stories truly are heroes. I read this every single morning on the way to work for a week. Every single morning I bawled my eyes out. I tried everything to not cry, I'd look up, I'd try to think of something else, nothing worked. The stories are not even written sentimentally. They're just honest fact telling stories of truly amazing dogs. The bonds they can have with people and how truly astounding they are.

It makes me want to run out and adopt more. I want them all. One story that really struck home was that of Lily. The pit bull that put herself between her owner and a train. I remember reading this story in the papers. It happened not that far from where I lived and I was struck then but how extraordinary pets are.

Just reading these short glimpses into a small handful of pets makes me wonder how many more stories that are out there of pets that have helped others or saved lives or even put their own lives before their families. You can't help but be touched by this.

What choked me up the most was the artist... I don't want to ruin it and this book was not meant to be sad. It's inspiring and I hope dog lovers alike will read this and enjoy them as much as I did.

32. Pro's and Con's - Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

I read this one after The Heist even though it seems to be the prequel to it. I enjoyed the spy stuff and the con and how sly Nicolas Fox was and Kate's pursuit of him. She always manages to be 1 step behind.

This was a short novella and a really quick read. it pretty much sets up the relationship between Nicolas and Kate and the things he does to get on her nerves while she tries to track him down. Not to mention it also shows us how smart Nick really is.

Anyhow, I enjoyed this one and as I said about The Heist, I just wish there was a bit more from the characters.

31. The Heist - Janet Evanovich & Lee Goldberg

I took a few days to process this one once I finished. I enjoyed the cons and the supporting characters and even the main characters. I did, however, feel like I missed something between the two characters. I didn't really feel what I wanted to for them. I wanted more of a connection. Maybe a little more acceptance on Kate's side. I mean, not to spoil anything but her bosses were in on it.

Anyway, I wasn't blown away by this one. Right after I read this I read the short story Pro's and Con's that happened before The Heist and even that was just alright for me.

I loved the characters. Nicolas Fox was fun and flirty and apparently down right attractive according to Kate. Kate's father was also a bit of a fun character. He was always there for Kate when she needed him apparently making up for her childhood.

Still, I want more from her and Nick.

19. Three - J.A Konrath and Ann Voss Peterson

Three is the best so far in the Chandler series.  It starts off right where Spree ended. While Spree was an all out action packed running for your life from one scene to the next this was more methodical and had more story.

I really don't want to give anything away that happened in this or the two previous books. This had a little bit of everything. Action, gore, sex, evilness, heroes. It had so much. Chandler finds herself in another situation where she has to make tough decisions. For her though, decisions are life or death. She has to save Canada and Mexico from a crazy POTUS.

The twists and turns were unpredictable and completely had me going "Oh, well that makes sense." Or "No way!"

I love, love, love this series! Chandler is such a favorite. She's superhuman. I hope to read more and more. Not to mention I love that we bring in characters from other series. Jack and Harry their banter is too much.

Ok, now I have to admit at the end I was tearing up and couldn't even see the words in front of me. Amazing, how one minute we can go from action packed crazy to practically bawling. So many emotions.