Ruth Anne Benziger's Blog, page 24

Weight loss Meals

Hi! I wanted to share a few meals that I’ve been eating and have found on other sites. I’m not adding the recipes because I’ve only made small portions of them. But, I’ll list what the ingredients are.

Book Review: Tulum Takedown by Jeanine Kitchel

A journalist. A missing girl. A fatal deadline. Layla Navarro, new head of Mexico’s most powerful cartel, knows sometimes even drug lords need to run for cover. Hiding out in Mexico City after her daring assassination of a cartel rival, Layla is searching for a safe place to land until the ruckus dies down. She develops an unlikely friendship with a reporter whose niece has gone missing, and travels incognito to the sun-drenched beaches of the Yucatán and the one-time sleepy pueblo of Tulum to help.

In a desperate race against time to find the girl, Layla teams up with a fellow dealer and a cartel fixer. Now she must piece together a complex puzzle of money laundering, dirty politics, and million-dollar land grabs before another innocent victim is lost to the shady world of human trafficking.

My Thoughts

Mexico Cartels, Danger, and Adventure wrapped up in an action-filled story

This is the first Jeanine Kitchel novel for me. Tulum Takedown is the second book of the Wheels up series. This story was engaging, gripping, and thrilling.

I found myself enjoying this story, even though I hadn’t read the first. I’ll have to go back and read the first book soon. It was intense and awesome. I love these types of stories where you get so involved it erases your surroundings. Diving into the world of cartels and danger, I found myself enthralled.

Kitchel’s writing drew me in and kept me there. I’m so thrilled to have come across her book. I’ll definitely be adding Kichel to my permanent tbr list.

Book Review: Chief by John Lyttle III

Wisdom walks through the halls as a most unusual janitor in New York’s wealthiest building.

My Thoughts




John Lyttle III’s novella, Chief, is a short story with a powerful message. In a beautiful and prominent building in New York City, a janitor by the name of Chief is favored by all. He’s got pockets of wisdom and funny anecdotal stories to share with the advertising company, Turnhead.

What I enjoyed was that you get a real feeling of who Chief is and what he stands for. What you don’t count on, is knowing who the person inside really is.

There were some little things like exclamations and conversation tags that distract from the story a bit, but overall the story outweighed any little issues. I wasn’t sure where this was going, but I’m pleasantly surprised where it ended up.

Weight Loss Journey-One Month Update

I started my weight loss journey on July 22, 2020. In that time, I’ve lost a total of 5.4 lbs. That isn’t a big number, but let’s go to the beginning and I’ll explain how my losses have fluctuated.

Weigh-In

Each week I have weighed in to see my progress. I update this on Instagram on Tuesdays. Here are the last five week weigh-ins. Including today.

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The first week, I lost 2.2 lbs. I started the Keto diet and track all of my food on the app myfitnesspal. I don’t eat more than 30-35g of carbs a day. I also started the Chloe Ting Challenge and that made a difference.

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The second week, I lost 3.7 lbs. I was working hard on the Chloe Ting Challenge workouts, I walked at night, and I kept to the diet.

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Week three was a bad week for me. I stopped doing the Chloe Ting Challenge because the exercises were starting to hurt my lower back and it was becoming very painful to do them. So, I kept walking and incorporated a ten minute yoga routine into my day. My diet was still going well.

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Week four, I knew the scale wouldn’t show a big change. I got lazy and stopped working out. I increased my water intake. I drink about a gallon a day now. I kept to my diet but I didn’t exercise at all.

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That brings us to today. I gained 2 lbs this week and I know it is because I stopped working out. I didn’t do anything. I kept to my diet but I didn’t even get up and do much until Sunday night.

So, this journey has been hard. I am trying to find a good way to exercise and stay healthy. I’ve decided to walk for 30 minutes in the morning. Do a yoga session in the afternoon, and do a 30 minute cardio workout in the evenings.

I’ll update next month to show you my progress. If you’d like to follow along on my journey weekly or daily, follow me on Instagram. I post meals I eat, my exercise, and describe changes that happen. If you want an accountability partner, let me know. It’s always good to have more than a few to keep you humble and honest.

Workouts

Since it is too hot to go outside during the day (over 100 degrees sometimes) and the parks are to be avoided, I have gone to YouTube for my exercise. I found this entertaining walking workout that keeps my heart rate up and it’s fun! It’s almost like dancing and you get to count the steps you take. I have a wristband that tracks my steps and my workouts. I also track my yoga sessions. I’m able to see how many calories I burn, my heart rate, and the step count.

If you’d like to do the working workouts, here are the links. I do both of these first thing in the morning.

Yoga

There are a couple of yoga videos that I do. The first is a gentle yoga for bigger bodies. I’m a big girl. This is a 25 minute routine that is low impact and doesn’t hurt, but it gets your body moving, muscles stretching, and breathing focused.

I either do this one or the shorter one. I use this one for the shorter session.

Cardio

My doctor said that I should be doing about 30 minutes of cardio a day. The walking workouts are good, but I don’t feel like it does enough. So, I’m starting this workout for low-impact exercise. I love that there are people of different sizes and you can either do modifications, normal, or step it up. The guy is motivational and he keeps you going during the workout.

These are my monthly goals. I’m starting Sunday because this is when I implemented the changes. However, I won’t update until Tuesday since that is my weight-in day.

Don’t forget to drink plenty of water! Have fun! If you need a buddy, let me know!

Until next time.

Keep up the good work!

2020 Reading Challenge Update

At the beginning of the year, I made a goal to read 150 books. I had a list of several books that were on my list.

Here is a link to that blog post. https://ruthannegarciabooks.wordpress.com/2020/01/03/reading-list-2020/

I started off listing books that I wanted to read. However, I started doing book reviews for different people. So, I didn’t get to all of the books on my list. I did knock some out and I still have time to get more in. I’m disappointed that I went completely off the list. There’s still time!

I hit 100 books the other day and am well under way to reaching my goal.

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If you want to follow me on goodreads, here is my profile. I’d love to connect with other book lovers. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16968846.Ruth_Anne_Garcia

Currently I’m reading Tulum Takedown by  Jeanine Kitchel and Chief by John Lyttle III. After, I’m moving on to A Taste of Sweetness by Kate Alexander You’ll be seeing the reviews of their books soon.

I’d like to update you on my children’s progress. We made a goal to read a number of books. At the beginning of the year, I added a post on this. Here is the link to that post. https://ruthannegarciabooks.wordpress.com/2020/01/08/childrens-reading-list-2020/

I’m happy to say that we are more than halfway through their reading list. If you follow me on Instagram (click to add me now), you’ll see that I recently bought a number of the Weird School Series by Dan Gutman. I’m still looking to get the rest of the collections. The kids love them.

There is my reading update. Tell me, how many books have you read? What was your favorite?

Mine: The MacGregor Series by Nora Roberts has been my favorite so far.

My Kids: Their favorite so far was The One and Only Ivan

Keep reading! Happy Monday!

Book Review: The Perfect Neighbor (MacGregor Series) by Nora Roberts

In New York, people were supposed to ignore their neighbours. But that was a rule that Cybil Campbell had never learned. When the sunny brunette knocks on her new neighbour’s door, she expected that they would make a connection – after all, she knew everyone else in the apartment block. Preston McQuinn wasn’t interested in small talk. He was in Manhattan to finish a job and leave as quickly as possible – until Cybil’s sweet nature and big green eyes captured his interest. Cybil was intrigued by her mysterious new acquaintance – but what would she do when she found out he’d been lying to her from the very first moment they met? 

My Thoughts

The last of the MacGregor romance tied up this series like a tight little bow for me.

Cybil is a cartoonist, much like her father Grant. She takes pride in her work, is friendly and outgoing, talks too much, and has a huge heart. Wanting to extend a neighborly welcome, she knocks on the door to 3B and meets broody, rude, and abrupt Preston McQuinn. He’s mysterious and cagey. While she thinks he’s a struggling musician, her assumptions land them in a sticky mess.

Reeling from his past and his need for solitude, he’s annoyed that the neighbor in 3A won’t shut up. She’s a chatterbox who follows him around, tries to manage his life, and makes sure he eats. Trust doesn’t come easy and the silliness only gets nastier.

I loved this story and I loved getting a glimpse of Grant and Genevieve.

As always, Daniel MacGregor gets his wish and pairs off another family member. What’s not to love? I’ll miss this family and will definitely be visiting the MacGregor’s again when the mood strikes.

Book Review: The MacGregor Grooms (MacGregor Series) by Nora Roberts

It worked with his granddaughters. Now Daniel MacGregor, powerful patriarch of the MacGregor clan, wants to see his three handsome, eligible—but stubbornly single—grandsons married. So he’s found just the women to tempt, tease and torture D.C., Duncan and Ian all the way to the altar. And you can bet Daniel will be sitting by with his feet up, a glass of whiskey in hand, smugly watching his plans unfold . . .

My Thoughts

Daniel MacGregor is at it again. This time, he’s focused on his grandsons. Starting with his namesake, Daniel Campbell or D.C. He’s an artist who paints what he feels. When he meets Layna, he has to paint her face.

Duncan runs the Comanche Princess, a cruises ship where he manages the casino. Cat Ferrel is the talent he hires for the ship. Her voice is like an angel and she’s got Duncan’s tongue twisted.

Lastly, we’ve got Ian the lawyer who seeks help with Naomi’s help to find rare books. Then, he hires her to redesign his library.

Each story is memorable, sweet, and full of family. There’s fun, love, children, bonds, and excitement. I loved each story and I love that darn meddling MacGregor.

Book Review: The Winning Hand (MacGregor Series) by Nora Roberts

“Did you say I won almost two million dollars?” Running away from her former life and her controlling fiance, Darcy Wallace was down to her last ten dollars. And in the bright lights of a Las Vegas casino, Darcy gambled and won! Suddenly the small-town girl was big news – and in need of protection. Robert MacGregor Blade, the casino owner, was determined to make sure Darcy could enjoy her good fortune. But Darcy knew what she wanted: a chance with Mac himself. And surely her luck was in?

My Thoughts

Darcy Wallace has little money to her name, a stranded car, and her wits. She walks a mile to Vegas and finds herself at The Comanche where she uses her last few dollars to gamble. The gamble of her last few dollars ends up being the gamble of her life.

Mac Blade runs the Vegas hotel that his father started years before. Justin and Serena are still intricate players in the casino and aid him when a woman wins a ton of money. That woman is someone he finds irresistible and terrifying.

I absolutely LOVED their story. It was really amazing to see Darcy blossom. I could relate to her a ton and it really set the tone for the type of woman she will grow to be. I’m so enjoying this side of Daniel MacGregor. I would love to have had a grandfather like him.

Book Review: MacGregor Brides (MacGregor Series) by Nora Roberts

The MacGregor clan’s patriarch is powerful, rich–and determined to see his three career-minded granddaughters married. So he hand-picked three unsuspecting candidates as worthy consorts…Now all he has to do is set his plans in motion.

My Thoughts

Laura.

I loved Laura and Royce’s story. Royce installed a security system in the house she shares with her cousins. Handpicked by Daniel MacGregor; he leaves it up to fate. Both are not looking for relationships and are happy with the way their lives are going. Fate has a funny way of showing us that life has more to offer. I really enjoyed seeing Caine and Diana’s children in this story. The more I see of the family, the more I fall in love with them.

Gwen.

Gwen and Branson’s story was the most romantic Christmas story. Branson being a writer recruits Gwen’s help in learning the medical field for his next novel. Spending weeks together their story slowly develops. She’s not thrilled that it is orchestrated by Daniel MacGregor.

Julia.

Julia and Cullum finish off the book with their story. Cullum works as a contractor for her house. They fight like dogs and have for years. Both stubborn and driven, they work well together. Until they end up acting on the attraction. Daniel and Michael, plot well together.

Daniel MacGregor can’t help meddling in his children or grandchildren’s lives. If he didn’t, we wouldn’t have these sweet love stories. I love seeing the generations of MacGregors and what happened to their lives. I am so loving this series.

Book Review: In from the Cold (MacGregor Series) by Nora Roberts

A thrilling historical romance novella featuring the popular MacGregor family from #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts.

In from the Cold follows the MacGregors during the American Revolution. Injured minuteman Ian MacGregor flees into the wilderness, where he finds refuge for his body and soul with Irish spitfire Alanna Flynn.

My Thoughts




A quick beautiful read with Ian MacGregor wounded and finding his way onto a Murphy farm. Alanna Flynn finds him wounded and aids him. He talks of war, of fighting, and of causes.

Alanna Flynn is the only woman in the house who works tirelessly day and night to provide for her father and her brothers. And now Ian MacGregor who looks at her and makes his likeness known.

I really loved watching these two. Not only was it amazing to get a glimpse of Serena and Brigham later in their lives, but it was also lovely to see how Ian and Alanna’s story blossomed. She sure was a spitfire and the love between them, though unwanted for fear, was thrilling.