Chicken Soup for the Soul: Shaping the New You (Review & 2 giveaways)

Starting a new year, many people want to make changes in their life, and starting to eat better or start exercising is usually at the top of the list of changes.
Chicken Soup for the Soul came out with a new book called, "Shaping the New You."

101 Encouraging Stories about Dieting and Fitness... and Finding What Works for You

No one likes to diet, but the personal stories in this book will encourage and inspire readers with its positive, practical, and purposeful tales of dieting and fitness. Readers will find hope, help, and hints on getting fit and staying healthy in these 101 stories from those who have been there, done that, and maintained it. Stories about wake-up calls and realizations, moving more and eating better, self-esteem and support, and lifestyle changes, big and small, will motivate any reader looking to start fresh or needing a boost. This is a great book for anyone embarking on a healthier lifestyle.
Join Richard Simmons in the great adventure of Shaping the New You. Richard states, "These stories really resonate with me. There is no better inspiration than hearing someone else's story." You can read his personal story in this Chicken Soup for the Soul book.

There is nothing better than hearing the success stories from other people. A personal story makes the reality seem possible, because someone has already gone through it. It is fun to read the stories in this book, some you can relate to, or tried yourself, and you may get inspired to try something that worked for someone else. There are so many stories in this book about many topics like: regaining control, conquering the gym, learning to like yourself and your body, getting started, having an accountability partner, and more. Chicken Soup for the Soul books are great for inspiration and this one may be great for motivation.

***ENTER TO WIN!!!***
This contest is open to bloggers, and non-bloggers of the United States, and will end on February 28th. There will be two winners!

To enter: comment about something you would like to change for this new year, and if you made any new year resolutions.
**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, follow Sassyfrazz on twitter (if you tweet this contest use the hash tag #sassyfrazz), and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and comment on another one of my blog posts (leave a comment letting me know what you commented on). Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

I will contact the winner by e-mail and they will have 3 days to claim their prize, and at that time...if no response, I will have the option to pick a new winner.

This review was provided from Chicken Soup for the Soul. I am sponsored to offer a giveaway for my readers through this review and two books were provided for the giveaway. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Runners (Review and 2 giveaways)

Chicken Soup for the Soul books are so great! I love the inspiration from authors throughout the books that share their experiences, and inspirations. The Book, Runners, from Chicken Soup for the Soul, is stories about energy, endurance, and endorphins. Even if you aren't a runner, which I am not, these stories are very encouraging and motivating! Everyone needs energy, endurance and endorphins, whether in running or other life endeavors.

Runners has a wide collection of authors, including U.S. National Team marathoner Josh Cox, Ultramarathon champion Roy Pirrung, and Triathlete Magazine's Matt Fitzgerald. The stories in here are not only from big name Olympians, but also casual joggers, runner and amazing athletes who run, even when bad things happen. I was amazed at the stories of people who have struggled with trials, such as Amputee Lindsay Nielsen, who ran the New York marathon two months after 9/11. Having an amputation, then rising above that to train and run in a marathon is so inspiring! Another story that is amazing to me, is a man who was declared brain dead after falling, but rose above and ran the Boston Marathon two years later. His name is Scott Maloney. That is amazing! Story after story the inspiration is so great in the pages of the Runners book from Chicken Soup for the Soul.

I recommend the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and I think this makes a great gift for anyone...Check out Chicken Soup for the Soul: Runners, in your local book store or online stores like Amazon.com.

***Enter to WIN IT!***
Chicken Soup for the Soul has offered to sponsor a giveaway! There will be two winners. This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States. Contest is open until September 25th, 2010. To enter, leave a comment about a time when you felt like you were in a race, and had to keep going. (or a story relating to running).
**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about memories from high school. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was provided from Chicken Soup for the Soul. They have provided me with a book to review and information to share with my readers. I am sponsored to offer 2 giveaway books to giveaway to my readers through this review. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teacher Tales (Review and 2 Giveaways)

It is nearing the end of the school year for my son, and many other students are already out for summer break. I think that teachers sure have a big job with being a huge source to educate our children.
Chicken Soup has a book in honor of teachers: Chicken Soup for the Soul Teacher Tales.
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." ~Leo Buscaglia
This is such a powerful and true statement (I think). Teachers have such influence and impact on their students. The stories in the Teacher Tales is overflowing with stories from students whose lives have been greatly touched by their teachers. This book shares stories from when teachers first start out, their first years, all the way to retirement. Story after story Teacher Tales reveals the reasons people choose to teach, what teachers learn from their students, and embarrasing stories. It is a great book to laugh and cry with, and one that may bring you back to your schooling years.
Teacher Tales, from Chicken Soup for the Soul, makes a great gift for a Teacher who has touched your life~ or your child's life.

***Enter to WIN IT!***
Chicken Soup for the Soul has offered to sponsor a giveaway! There will be two winners. This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States. Contest is open until June 15th, 2010. To enter, leave a comment about a favorite teacher you had, and why they were your favorite. (or a story of your child's teacher).
**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about memories from a favorite teacher. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was provided from Chicken Soup for the Soul. They have provided me with a book to review and information to share with my readers. I am sponsored to offer 2 giveaway books to giveaway to my readers through this review. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks DAD (Review and 2 Giveaways)

Father's Day is coming up and it is the perfect time to say, "Thanks Dad!" Chicken Soup for the Soul has come out with a book to honor Dads. Dad's are celebrated and honored everywhere, and this Chicken Soup for the Soul book is filled with stories highlighting Dad.
Dad's have their children's best interests at heart. I loved the story in the Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Dad called Words of Wisdom. This story is from a girl whose father was her protector....from age four to adult. I love the quote at the top, "A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again." ~Enid Bagnold
Fathers do so much for their children, and they deserve so much gratitude! I love this Chicken Soup for the Soul book, because children of all ages share their heartfelt words of thanks and loving memories in this collection of 101 new stories. This book covers how Dad's say "I love you," lessons learned and taught in life, Dad's as rescue heroes, being a Dad to teens, going through all the ups and downs in parenting, being a Dad, commitments and loyalties, heroism, moments in memories, and Grandfathering. This book is a real Father-treasure! The stories will warm Father's hearts, be stories to relate to, and Dad's will see that their kids may be listening to their words of wisdom!

Thanks Dad makes for a great Father's Day gift, or for any occasion. Share this book with your Father, or another Father you know!

***Enter to WIN IT!***
Chicken Soup for the Soul has offered to sponsor a giveaway! There will be two winners. This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States. Contest is open until June 12th, 2010. To enter, leave a comment about your father (or your husband as a father).

**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about memories with your Dad. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was provided from Chicken Soup for the Soul. They have provided me with a book to review and information to share with my readers. I am sponsored to offer 2 giveaway books to giveaway to my readers through this review. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: All in the Family (review & 2 giveaways)

I think most everyone would admit to having a family that is dysfunctional, right? Most everyone has stories about their in-laws, kid-crazy stories, relatives (in general), family vacations, sibling rivalry, and more. Chicken Soup just came out with a book fit for families to share the funny, heart warming and inspirational stories about all kinds of families and their dysfunctions. "Chicken Soup for the Soul: All in the Family," (released October 2009) has the famous Norman Rockwell painting on the back, and a picture displaying today's family ~may resemble your own. Chicken Soup commissioned a painter to create a loving spoof of the famous Rockwell painting on the front cover.
All in the Family shares 101 stories covering topics such as: family horror stories (Michael Kilpatrick, sharing the story of his little brother, Stevie, falling through the "two holer") and loss stories (Carol Huff sharing a story of cleaning her childhood home after her parents passed away). All in the Family is a great book for laughter and tears, and one to be shared and passed around your family. I recommend this book!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: All in the Family (Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Amy Newmark and Susan Heim) $14.95 available in book stores and/or online now.

WIN IT!
I have the opportunity to host a giveaway on behalf of Chicken Soup for the Soul! There will be two winners. This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States. Contest is open until February 12th, 2010. To enter, leave a comment about a funny family story.

**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about family memories. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was provided from Chicken Soup for the Soul. They have provided me with a book to review and information to share with my readers. I am sponsored to offer 2 giveaway books to giveaway to my readers through this review. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings: Review & 2 giveaways!

Our economy is really going on a downhill slope lately, and so many people are being affected with loss of hours of pay, loss of jobs/homes, and just feeling the emptiness of the pocketbook. Chicken Soup for the Soul released a new book: Count Your Blessings which is a great book that will help lift your spirits. Count Your Blessings is filled with over 101 stories to give you a reminder that tomorrow is a new day, and there is always something to be thankful for. In Count Your Blessings you will be touched by stories about heading into each day with a positive attitude, how to express gratitude, having & keeping the faith, finding happiness during adversity and MORE! This book is so inspirational, as are all the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. The contents of "Count Your Blessings," has 10 sections compiled of approximately 10-11 stories. Here are the titles of the main sections: Expressing Gratitude, Back to Basics, Recovering from Adversity, Silver Linings, The Joy of Giving, Attitude is Everything, I've Got What I Need, Thank My Lucky Stars, A New Perspective and Having Faith.
One of my favorite quotes from this book is this, "Every survival kit should include a sense of humor." ~Author Unknown I like that thought, because with laughter and smiling present, it is a lot harder to be down and negative.
I recommend this book to you. I think that the Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings book is a perfect read for our economic downfall and hard times. This book is very inspirational and moving.
WIN IT!
I have a second copy to offer as a giveaway to my readers, from Chicken Soup.
This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States. Contest is open until February 10th, 2010. To enter, leave a comment about something you like to do that puts you in a better mood, or gets your mind moving in a positive way.
**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about how your life has been blessed. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**
This review was provided from Chicken Soup for the Soul. They have provided me with a book to review and information to share with my readers. I am sponsored to offer a giveaway book to giveaway to my readers through this review. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Women : Plus 2 giveaways!

Girlfriend time is so important to women everywhere. Who better to share your dreams, hopes, fears, and life together with? I know I value my girlfriend relationships, for one women understand each other, and two, my husband would be overloaded from me if I didn't have my girlfriends.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Women is filled with 101 stories of friendship, faith, and comfort that affirm God's unconditional love and His wisdom. Women will find encouragement, solace, and strength in these personal stories and prayers that cover everyday trials to tests of faith.
Chicken Soup for the Soul books are wonderful books compiled of short stories. I love that each story is so touching, valuable, and heart warming. I enjoy picking up the books for a quick read, but inspiring story. Devotional Stories for Women has great stories in it, and I love that this book really focuses on Christ and our walk with Him. Each story has a scripture posted before the story, and each scripture is relative to the story. This book also has short prayers and cartoons within the pages. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Women covers stories about these topics: Faith, Motherhood, life lessons, illness, God's helpers, parenting, relationships, service to others, marriage and self esteem. I think this book is a great read for women of all ages and going through all ages of life. I recommend this book to you.
About the Author
Chicken Soup for the Soul is a favorite publisher of books that provide emotional and practical support for readers.
Susan M. Heim is a long-time Chicken Soup for the Soul editor and Christian author, specializing in family-oriented books and women's issues.
Karen Talcott is an author and educator with an expertise in women's issues, faith, and angels.

Win : Devotional Stories for Women! (2 winners)You have the opportunity to enter to win Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Women! Chicken Soup for the Soul is sponsoring a giveaway. This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States. Contest is open until February5th, 2010. To enter, leave a comment about something you and your girlfriends like to do, or something you experienced together.**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about girlfriends. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was provided from Chicken Soup for the Soul. They have provided me with a book to review and information to share with my readers. I am sponsored to offer a giveaway book to giveaway to my readers through this review. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from the Dog (review & 3 giveaways)

Here is another great Chicken Soup for the Soul book, and it is geared toward those dog lovers out there! This book is adorable! I enjoyed reading the stories of heartfelt warmth, laughter and inspirational (as in all Chicken Soup books) stories compiled in the "What I Learned from the Dog," Chicken Soup for the Soul book.
This book has great stories that tell you how dogs have changed people's lives through what they do out of love for their owner or others, how dogs have rescued people, helped people through therapy, and how dogs have shown how to look differently at situations/experiences.
The title of each story has a quote underneath of it, and I enjoyed reading the quotes. One that I really liked was this, "Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another." ~Walter Elliott And this one, "God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers." ~Jewish Proverb
There are 9 main sections in this book: Learning about Family, Learning to have courage, Learning to listen, Learning to overcome adversity, learning to heal, learning to say goodbye, learning to put things in perspective, learning to be kinder, and learning about unconditional love. Each section has about 9-15 stories in them, and they are a couple pages long. Each story makes a great point, and can be inspirational.
What I love about the Chicken Soup books is that the stories reveal such great lessons, just in the story. The stories do not need any explanation to get a message across. What I learned for the Dog is a great book, and anyone that has a dog, or a different pet, can relate to many of the stories tucked in this book. Pets are great for sticking by your side, giving you love and attention, and helping you through rough times (therapy, loss, etc.)
Win : What I learned from the Dog! (3 winners)
You have the opportunity to enter to win Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from the Dog! I have 3 extra copies to giveaway. This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States. Contest is open until December 7th, 2009. To enter, leave a comment about something funny your dog did, or a story you would like to share about a pet.
**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was sponsored by Simon & Schuster. They have supplied me with a book to sample for review and information to share with my readers. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review. I am sponsored by the company to offer a giveaway for my readers, as well.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: "Tough Times, Tough People" (2 giveaways)

With the economy struggling right now, it is a great time for reading. There is something so relaxing to sitting down and reading a book. Maybe it is because you can "get lost" within the pages of the book.

I was recently sent the "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tough Times, Tough People" book to review. This book is packed with 101 stories about overcoming the economic crisis and other challenges we may be facing. These tough times we are in won't last forever, as the seasons change...and this book reminds us that. One great thing about going though the tough times is making tough people.
Tough Times, Tough People is a book with several inspirational stories. I love how the Chicken Soup for the Soul books have a page-two pages for their stories...easy to read, and quick. Being a Mom, it can be a challenge to find the time to read, but Chicken Soup for the Soul books are perfect for a quick lift with a motivational story.
From the back cover:
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tough Times, Tough people will encourage, inspire, and support you through all types of difficult situations, whether financial, health-related, family or personal issues. Read 101 personal stories from real people about meeting their challenges: downsizing and enjoying a simpler life, finding the silver lining in layoffs and other economic troubles, living with illness and disability, surviving natural disasters, grief and healing, the value of family and friends, and 10 bonus stories of faith to pull through.
Available at Amazon: $10.17.
I love the faith inspired stories that the Chicken Soup books have! Almost every time I read the stories, I feel so great and learn something from someone else.
I think this book is so fitting for what most are facing and enduring right now.

LUCKY YOU! You have the opportunity to enter to win Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tough Times, Tough People! I have 2 extra copies to giveaway. This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States. Contest is open until August 13th, 2009. To enter, leave a comment about something you may be going through right now, or how you have gone through a challenge in the past.
**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or facebook this contest, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**