The Book Tour Stops Here; A Review of "The Blue Zones Challenge" by Dan Buettner

Aloha and Happy Christmas Eve-Eve. I am glad to be today's stop on the TLC Book Tour for The Blue Zones Challenge; A 4-Week Plan for a Longer, Better Life by Dan Buettner. 

National Geographic (December 7, 2021)
Hardcover (240 pages)

Publisher's Blurb:

In this companion to the number one New York Times bestseller The Blue Zones Kitchen, Dan Buettner offers a four-week guide and year-long sustainability program to jump-start your journey to better health, happiness, less stress, and a longer life.

Get started on the path to a longer, healthier, happier life with this quick start to building your own Blue Zones lifestyle. Dan Buettner, founder of the Blue Zones and author of the New York Times number one best-selling Blue Zones Kitchen, offers the challenge of a lifetime: Build a foundation for better nutrition, more exercise, and a stronger social life that will extend your lifetime by years.

In this easy-to-implement guide, you’ll start with the rules of the Blue Zones Challenge, including tips and tricks from the five Blue Zones–locations around the world where people consistently live to 100–advice for setting up a successful kitchen and pantry, and resources for expanding you support network. Then, follow week-by-week prompts to:

• Change your diet 
• Increase your activity
• Update your living spaces
• Build your social life.

After four weeks–and with the help of easy-to-use worksheets and recipes–you’ll see results in your weight, your well-being, and your general health. From there, follow the Blue Zones challenge through the rest of the year with an 11-month sustainability calendar that will continue to encourage you and build upon the foundation you’ve already started.

 

My Review:

Full confession, I have only skimmed through this short book and not implemented any of the steps or or tried any of the recipes because it arrived late in mid-December and there was no possible chance I was going to start a challenge in the midst of holiday food fests. That being said, I respect Dan Buettner and the Blue Zones program and philosophy and do plan on trying out the challenge to kick off a healthier and happier 2022. 

If you don't know about the Blue Zones, they are five areas around the world where people generally live much longer, healthier lives--many up to 100 years. The five blue zones are: Sardinia (Italy), Okinawa (Japan), Nicoya (Costa Rica), Ikaria (Greece), and Loma Linda (California). Each zone has a list of Top Longevity Foods, regular activities to move the body, living spaces set up for health, and a sense of community. These are the things that Buettner and The Blue Zones Challenge recommend you incorporate into your life for four weeks to take the challenge. There are a Power9® list of habits to practice such as eating with a "plant slant"--leaning to vegetables, beans, tofu and other non-meat proteins with lean meats and proteins being an occasional indulgence versus the bulk of the diet, or knowing your Purpose--why do you get up in the morning?  There are Four Always (foods to eat daily: whole grains, nuts, beans, fruits and vegetables) and Four to Avoid (foods to stop eating entirely or drastically limit: sugar-sweetened beverages, salty snacks, packaged sweets and processed meats). There are about 17 recipes included for some basic dishes to try: Miso Soup, Dan's Longevity Dal Palak, Breakfast Cookies...) and Daily Scorecards to track daily practices and weekly recaps to note Three Big Wins, Lessons Learned, Gratitude, and Notes. For 240 pages, there is a lot of information packed in and QR codes that lead to more resources (like a Live Happier 5-minute test). Finally there is a section on sustainability of habits after the 30 days.

Health and wellness books are only as useful as you chose to make them, so this book may not be for everyone, but I think it has good and sensible advice and recommendations for making sustainable changes in to live a happier and longer life. I'll try some of them soon and update this post with what I learn. 

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Author Notes: Dan Buettner is the founder of Blue Zones, an organization that helps Americans live longer, healthier lives. His groundbreaking work on longevity led to his 2005 National Geographic cover story “Secrets of Living Longer” and two national bestsellers, The Blue Zones and Thrive. He lives in Minneapolis, MN. Visit him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and at his website bluezones.com. 

 

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Here are the recipes I have made from The Blue Zones Kitchen back in March 2020 to give you an idea of the kind of recipes included in The Blue Zones Challenge.

 The Coconut Chia Pudding from The Blue Zones Kitchen: 

Tomato Pasta Soup from The Blue Zones Kitchen

Chickpea Soup with Lemon and Rosemary from The Blue Zones Kitchen 

 All three of these recipes are healthy and delicious and all were easy to make. 

Note: A review copy of "The Blue Zones Challenge" was provided to me by the author and the publisher via TLC Book Tours. I was not compensated for this review and as always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.  

You can see the stops for the rest of this TLC Book Tour and what other reviewers thought about the book here.

Happy Holidays!

 

Souper Sundays Brief Holiday Break until 2022 (But You Can Still Link Up!)

Aloha Friends

You might have noticed that there was no Souper (Soup, Salad & Sammie) Sundays post this week. I spent copious hours on Saturday and Sunday at the emergency vet with my fur baby Max, and just didn't have the energy to post. 

He is doing as okay as an almost 18-year old, diabetic cat with bathroom issues can do, but just to take some pressure off, I won't be doing a Souper Sundays round up post until after the New Year. 

 

But please, do link up any soups, salads, or sandwiches below. I am going to leave the link below open for two weeks, and any post you add between 12-13-2021 to 1-2-2022 will be rounded up after.

Wishing you all the happiest of holidays and lots of great soups (and salads and sandwiches)! 

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(If you aren't familiar with Souper Sundays, you can read about of the origins of it here.

 

If you would like to join in Souper (Soup, Salad, and Sammie) Sundays, I would love to have you! Here's how...

To join in this week's Souper Sunday's linkup with your soup, salad or sandwich:

• Link up your soup (stew, chili, soupy curries, etc. are fine), salad, or sandwich dish, (preferably one from the current week or month--but we'll take older posts too) on the picture link below and leave a comment on this post so I am sure not to miss you. Also please see below for what to do on your blog post that you link up to Souper Sundays in order to be included in the weekly round-up.
• Although we are pretty wide on what defines a soup, sandwich or salad, entries that are clearly not in the same family (ie: desserts, meats, random main or side dishes that aren't salads, etc.) are meant for another round up and will be deleted. 

and 

On your entry post (on your blog):

• Mention Souper (Soup, Salad & Sammies) Sundays at Kahakai Kitchen and add a link back to this post. (Not to be a pain but it's polite and only fair to link back to events you link up at--so if you link a post up here without linking back to this post or my blog on your post, it will be removed.)
• You are welcome to add the Souper Sundays logo to your post and/or blog (completely optional).

   

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

The Book Tour Stops Here" A review of National Geographic's "The Wild Seas" by Thomas Peschak

Happy Aloha Friday. I am happy to be today's stop on the TLC Book Tour for another stunning coffee table book, National Geographic's The Wild Seas by Thomas Peschak.

Publisher's Blurb:

One of @NatGeo’s most popular nature photographers shares 200 breathtaking images — and the stories behind them — from a wide swath of wild ocean locales around the globe.

From gregarious gray whales plying the waters of Baja California to acrobatic manta rays in the Maldives and parading penguins in Antarctica, National Geographic photographer Thomas Peschak has spent a lifetime documenting the beauty and fragility of underwater life and the majesty of wild coastlines.

This awe-inspiring book of photography charts his transformation from marine biologist to full-time conservation advocate, armed with little more than a mask, fins and a camera. In these vivid pages, Peschak photographs sharks in a feeding frenzy, tracks sea turtles the size of bears, and dodges marine poachers, to reveal the splendor of pristine seas as well as the dark side of pollution, overfishing, and climate change.

Filled with magnificent images from Southern Africa, the Galápagos, Seychelles, and more, this illuminating collection offers an impassioned case for revering and preserving the world’s oceans.

Publisher: National Geographic (November 30, 2021)

Hardcover: 240 pages

My Review:

After reviewing National Geographic's  Ocean: A Global Odyssey a couple of weeks ago, you might think it is overkill to review another ocean-based photography book. But in my book, there is no such things as too many beautiful photos of the ocean and its wild inhabitants. And, it's not just photos, there are interesting facts and stories in each section told by the author, including his own background and what inspired him for a life of water exploration and photography. 

He has an Ted Talk here: 

Wild Seas is divided into eight sections, starting with an Introduction about ocean storytelling, then covering Sea Turtles, Manta Rays, Seabirds, Sharks, Sardines, Galapagos, and ending with Conservation. Some of the information is awe-inspiring, others sobering, all are interesting. I will confess that I have not read every page yet in a busy December, but I have really enjoyed curling up on the couch and delving into it before bed. If you still have gifts to buy, and you know an ocean lover or nature photography junkie, this book would make a fantastic gift. 

Here are a few of the gorgeous photos from the Wild Seas:

Meet the Snappers -- Boher Snappers

Turtle Trio --3 Green Sea Turtles

Rock Stars -- Rock Hopper Penguins

Ocean Godzilla -- Marine Iguana 

Author Notes: Thomas Peschak is a National Geographic photographer who documents the beauty and fragility of the world’s oceans and coasts. Originally trained as a marine biologist, he embraced photography after realizing his images could have a greater conservation impact than his research. As the Director of Storytelling for the Save our Seas Foundation and a National Geographic Society Fellow, he merges science with photojournalism to tackle critical conservation issues. His TED Talk, “Dive into an Ocean Photographer’s World” has been viewed more than one million times. When he is not underwater or exploring remote islands, Peschak calls Cape Town, South Africa home.

Note: A review copy of Wild Seas was provided to me by the author and the publisher via TLC Book Tours. I was not compensated for this review and as always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.    

You can see the stops for the rest of this TLC Book Tour and what other reviewers thought about the book here. 

 

The Book Tour Stops Here: A Review of "Kicking Ass in a Corset" by Andrea Kayne

Sneaking in midweek for a long overdue TLC Book Tour stop for Kicking Ass in a Corset: Jane Austen's 6 Principles for Living and Leading From the Inside Out by Andrea Kayne. 

Publisher's Blurb: 

What can organizational leaders in business, education, government, and most any enterprise learn from an unemployed, unmarried woman who lived in patriarchal, misogynistic rural England more than 200 years ago? As it turns out, a great deal. In identifying the core virtues of Austen’s heroines—confidence, pragmatism, diligence, integrity, playfulness, and humility—Andrea Kayne uncovers the six principles of internally referenced leadership that, taken together, instruct women how to tap into a deep well-spring of personal agency and an internal locus of control no matter what is going on around them. Utilizing practical exercises, real-life case studies, and literary and leadership scholarship, Kicking Ass in a Corset maps out effective leadership that teaches readers how to tune out the external noise and listen to themselves so that they can truly live and lead from the inside out.

Publisher: University of Iowa Presss (September 15, 2021)

Paperback: 208 pages

My Review:

If you know me at all, you know I loves me some Jane Austen. I periodically reread my favorites, Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion, and this past year, I reread the six major titles with my book group on Litsy. So, a business book on leadership, using the main characters I have come to love seemed right up my alley. Kicking Ass in a Corset is also a quick and engaging read that brings together principles and qualities that when combined, make for a balanced and more effective leader. 

The six principles are 

1. Confidence: Knowing your own self-worth  (Elizabeth Bennet, Pride and Prejudice)
2. Pragmatism: Responding to tumult with calm and acceptance and problem solving (Elinor Dashwood, Sense and Sensibility) 
3. Diligence: Getting things through hard work and diligence (Anne Elliot, Persuasion)
4. Integrity: Following your values and moral compass (Fanny Price, Mansfeld Park) 
5. Playfulness: Retaining your passion and sense of wonder (Catherine Morland, Northanger Abbey) 
6. Humility: Be open and willing to learn from mistakes (Emma Woodhouse, Emma) 

Each chapter focuses on one of the principles and examples from the character who inspired it, along with present day examples of the qualities in a business setting. At the end of each chapter, Kayne outlines exercises and ways to put the principles into practice. I think Kicking Ass in a Corset is a bit of a niche business book. Although the advice can apply to anyone, it probably would hit best for young women starting out in their careers. I feel that a reader would get the most from this book by having at least a familiarity with Austen's characters which makes that segment even a little smaller. The author does do a good job of explaining the characters and their circumstances and stories though, so I think there is still good advice to take away, even if a reader is not an Austen fan. Overall, I enjoyed the book as it gives entertaining and often useful advice and also made me consider leadership and Jane Austen's work with fresh eyes. 

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Author Notes: Andrea Kayne has spent her personal and professional life engaging with one basic question: How can we, as women, realize our own internal power both personally and professionally, no matter the constraints in the external world?

As Director of the Leadership Program at DePaul University College of Education, where she has spent the last twenty years. Andrea has taught, written, spoken, and consulted, all around the country and world, in the areas of empowered leadership, feminist leadership, emotionally intelligent leadership, constructive culture and conflict resolution, data-informed professional learning communities, and the area she has developed called Internally Referenced Leadership™. Andrea earned a bachelor’s degree from Vassar College, a master’s degree in Education from Harvard University, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

She lives in Oak Park, Illinois with her husband and their beautiful blended family and, of course, her Pride and Prejudoodle, Addy. Find out more about Andrea on her website, Instagram, and Twitter.
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What dish could you pair this book with? How about some "excellent boiled potatoes" like this Hot New Potato and Parsley Salad from River Cottage Every Day. Mr. Collins of the Pride and Prejudice, 2005 version, would definitely approve.

Note: A review copy of Kicking Ass in a Corset was provided to me by the author and the publisher via TLC Book Tours. I was not compensated for this review and as always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.    

You can see the stops for the rest of this TLC Book Tour and what other reviewers thought about the book here. 

 

Three Soothing Chickpea Soups for Souper (Soup, Salad, & Sammie) Sundays

This week I am in need of some soul soothing and in case you are too, I bring you three chickpea soups that are easy soul-soothers. There's something about the sturdiness of chickpeas that make them an excellent choice for soup and feeling better body and soul. There are tons of chickpea soups on my blog, these are a sampling of some favorites. 

The Chickpea Soup with Lemon & Rosemary, slightly adapted from The Blue Zones Kitchen is healthy and warming. 

The Creamy Chickpea Bow Tie Soup From I Can Cook Vegan by Isa Chandra Moskowitz. A creamy soup with "pot pie vibes" this is a quick and easy vegan soup, perfect for soothing the soul. 

This tomato-based Zuppa di Ceci (Chickpea Soup) from Twelve: A Tuscan Cookbook by Tessa Kiros is comforting and so flavorful. 

You can't go wrong with any of these three soups. Enjoy!

Now let's check out the Souper Sundays kitchen and see who is here:

Tina of Squirrel Head Manor says, "I think many of us have had the comfort combo of grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup, especially when we were kids.  Well I know I did.  When we watch the movie Chef I am always drawn to the ridiculously lovely grilled cheese Carl Casper prepares for his son." She explores two Grilled Cheese Sandwich variations on her quest on her post.

Thank you Tina for joining me this week! 

(If you aren't familiar with Souper Sundays, you can read about of the origins of it here.
 

If you would like to join in Souper (Soup, Salad, and Sammie) Sundays, I would love to have you! Here's how...

To join in this week's Souper Sunday's linkup with your soup, salad or sandwich:

• Link up your soup (stew, chili, soupy curries, etc. are fine), salad, or sandwich dish, (preferably one from the current week or month--but we'll take older posts too) on the picture link below and leave a comment on this post so I am sure not to miss you. Also please see below for what to do on your blog post that you link up to Souper Sundays in order to be included in the weekly round-up.
• Although we are pretty wide on what defines a soup, sandwich or salad, entries that are clearly not in the same family (ie: desserts, meats, random main or side dishes that aren't salads, etc.) are meant for another round up and will be deleted. 

and 

On your entry post (on your blog):

• Mention Souper (Soup, Salad & Sammies) Sundays at Kahakai Kitchen and add a link back to this post. (Not to be a pain but it's polite and only fair to link back to events you link up at--so if you link a post up here without linking back to this post or my blog on your post, it will be removed.)
• You are welcome to add the Souper Sundays logo to your post and/or blog (completely optional).

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Have a happy, healthy week!

 

My Favorite Pappa Al Pomidoro Soup (And Fried Basil Croutons) for Souper (Soup, Salad & Sammie) Sundays

Back to a no soup making week, this week. It was a great day for it, rainy and cool but I was busy and slightly under the weather with asthma. That made me think about this Ina Garten Papa Al Pomidoro Soup that I first made back in 2008 over Christmas Weekend when I was too sick to go to Oregon. Excuse the early days pictures. 

I ate meat on the regular at the time and the topping of ciabatta, fresh basil, and pancetta but I have made the topping again, several times since, with the bread and basil. It's the best part of the soup. Here it is on Creamy Red Pepper & Tomato Soup with Fried Basil Croutons from Christmas Eve 2017. 

Pappa Al Pomidoro

Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics, Ina Garten

(1/2 Recipe Below Makes 6 Servings) 

1/2 cup good olive oil
2 cups chopped yellow onion (2 onions)
1 cup medium-diced carrots, unpeeled (3 carrots)
1 fennel bulb, trimmed, cored, and medium-diced (1 1/2 cups)
4 teaspoons minced garlic (4 cloves)
3 cups (1-inch) diced ciabatta cubes, crusts removed
2 (28-ounce) cans good Italian plum tomatoes
4 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
For the topping:
3 cups (1-inch) diced ciabatta cubes
2 ounces thickly sliced pancetta, chopped
24 to 30 whole fresh basil leaves
3 tablespoons good olive oil, plus more for serving
Salt and pepper

Heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, fennel, and garlic and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, until tender. Add the ciabatta cubes and cook for 5 more minutes. Place the tomatoes in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process just until coarsely chopped. Add the tomatoes to the pot along with the chicken stock, red wine, basil, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, lower the heat, and allow to simmer, partially covered, for 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

For the topping, place the ciabatta cubes, pancetta, and basil on a sheet pan large enough to hold them in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss well. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes, until all the ingredients are crisp. The basil leaves will turn dark and crisp, which is perfectly fine. Reheat the soup, if necessary, beat with a wire whisk until the bread is broken up. Stir in the Parmesan and taste for seasoning. Serve hot sprinkled with the topping and drizzled with additional olive oil.

What I said about it then: 

Notes/Results:  This makes a lot of soup--Ina says it serves 6 and as usual, they would be "ginormous" servings.  I made a half batch, which was at least six, decent-sized servings, but I ate it all the past few days and actually wish I had more. Don't omit the topping--if you don't do meat, still bake the basil and ciabatta cubes and then grate some Parmesan over it when you serve.  This soup is delicious and I will make it again. Thanks Natalie for a great recipe pick!  Since it's Christmas, the Barefoot Bloggers have until 12/31 to post this recipe and you can check out their results here.

Linking this Ina soup up to I Heart Cooking Clubs November Potluck:

Now let's check out the Souper Sundays kitchen and see who is here:

Judee of Gluten Free A-Z Blog shares Mediterranean Tomato and Red Onion Salad, saying, "Tomato and red onion salad is simple to prepare yet makes a lovely presentation and is very delicious. It's made of a few ingredients and can be thrown together quickly. With all the rich heavy food for the holidays, why not serve some healthy low calorie salads as well."

Radha of The Magical Ingredients for a Wholesome Life from the Heart of My Home brought Roasted Cauliflower Soup and says, "This is a simple, creamy, and delicious soup made with roasted cauliflower. A piping hot bowl of this soup is a perfect one as the temperature dips. For a vegan version, add coconut milk. Serve with a crusty bread or garlic bread."

Finally Tina of Squirrel Head Manor brings Dal Makhani from the local Indian shop, saying, "The Indian market always has interesting fare on their shelves.  They also have the best fresh green beans and lots of other fresh produce.  Pity it's located so far from our home so we don't go often.  I'm loving this prepackaged Dal Makhani for lunches."

Thank you Tina, Judee, and Radha for joining me this week! 

(If you aren't familiar with Souper Sundays, you can read about of the origins of it here.
 

If you would like to join in Souper (Soup, Salad, and Sammie) Sundays, I would love to have you! Here's how...

To join in this week's Souper Sunday's linkup with your soup, salad or sandwich:

• Link up your soup (stew, chili, soupy curries, etc. are fine), salad, or sandwich dish, (preferably one from the current week or month--but we'll take older posts too) on the picture link below and leave a comment on this post so I am sure not to miss you. Also please see below for what to do on your blog post that you link up to Souper Sundays in order to be included in the weekly round-up.
• Although we are pretty wide on what defines a soup, sandwich or salad, entries that are clearly not in the same family (ie: desserts, meats, random main or side dishes that aren't salads, etc.) are meant for another round up and will be deleted. 

and 

On your entry post (on your blog):

• Mention Souper (Soup, Salad & Sammies) Sundays at Kahakai Kitchen and add a link back to this post. (Not to be a pain but it's polite and only fair to link back to events you link up at--so if you link a post up here without linking back to this post or my blog on your post, it will be removed.)
• You are welcome to add the Souper Sundays logo to your post and/or blog (completely optional).

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to ente

Have a happy, healthy week!

 

The Book Tour Stops Here: A Review of "Ocean: A Global Odyssey" by Sylvia A. Earle

Happy Aloha Friday! I am very excited to be today's stop on the TLC Book Tour for Ocean: A Global Odyssey by Sylvia A. Earle, a simply gorgeous coffee table tome from National Geographic. 

Publisher: National Geographic (November 16, 2021)

Hardcover: 512 pages

Publisher's Blurb: 

Discover the world’s ocean–from tides and currents to the creatures living in it to the impact it has on our lives, whether we know it or not–in this richly illustrated overview of the life force that defines and sustains our planet, written by world-renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle.

Everything you want to know about the ocean can be found inside these beautiful and dynamic pages. National Geographic Ocean unveils the power and significance of our planet’s watery essence: the fundamental importance of the ocean in shaping Earth’s climate and chemistry as well as its vital role in supporting a multitude of life-forms, including our own human race.

World-renowned oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer in Residence Sylvia Earle–affectionately called “Her Deepness”–guides readers with her lyrical style and inspiring wisdom, describing the evolution, beauty, and impact of our ocean; the challenges it faces, such as climate change, plastic, and overfishing; and the myriad ways we can help protect it.

This engaging story of the ocean celebrates dozens of ocean champions and visionaries, explores the ocean’s origin and the nature of water, and features a gallery of wondrous creatures that illustrate the spectacular diversity of life in the sea, from sponges, kelp, and zooplankton to whales, sharks, and sea turtles. More than 100 maps and diagrams, including seafloor and political maps of all Earth’s seas and oceans, elucidate Dr. Earle’s lively narrative.

For seaside dwellers and landlubbers alike, this is a book you will turn to again and again to understand why, as Sylvia Earle says, “Everyone, everywhere is inextricably connected to and utterly dependent upon the existence of the sea.”

Dive deeper into ocean discovery with more National Geographic favorites:

• Into the Deep
• The Nature of Nature
• 100 Dives of a Lifetime
• Secrets of the Whales
• Pristine Seas
• Shark

My Review:

Living on an island, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, I am constantly amazed and awed at its power and its beauty. Ocean: A Global Odyssey, captures the essence of the world's oceans in all of their glory.  It is giant, over 500 pages and filled with stunning photos (It is National Geographic of course) and interesting information. The book is divided into four sections: Part 1; The Living Ocean, which covers its origins as well as answers questions such as "Where the Water Came From and Why is the Sea Salty? and covers its movement in The Nature of Waves and Really Big Waves. Part 2 is Life in the Ocean, with the details about many of the creatures that call the ocean and its shore their home. Part 3: Our Lives and the Ocean focuses on exploration and conservation, including the impact of the climate, humans and global warming on our seas. Finally Part 4: Atlas of the Ocean, maps out the different oceans and  seas that surround us.

Author Sylvia A. Earle's expertise and passion for the ocean comes across in every word and although the book delves deeply into science, she keeps the writing engaging and accessible. I have been slowly working my way through this giant book and plan to keep it nearby to curl up with  and explore. If you are still shopping for the holidays, Ocean: A Global Odyssey would be a perfect gift for any ocean lovers and water babies on your list. 

A few of the many beautiful photos in this book:

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Author Notes: Long recognized as one of the world's top experts on ocean science and conservation, Sylvia Earle is the president and chairman of Mission Blue/The Sylvia Earle Alliance and a National Geographic Explorer at Large. Called "Her Deepness" by The New Yorker and the New York Times, a "Living Legend" by the Library of Congress, and a "First Hero for the Planet" by Time magazine, she is an oceanographer, explorer, author, and field scientist. In 1970, told she could not join a crew of men testing an undersea habitat, she was asked to lead an all-female crew, and they lived underwater for weeks, pioneering deep-sea ventures. Since then, she has continued to cross boundaries, always passionately advocating on behalf of Earth's ocean.

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Note: A review copy of Ocean: A Global Odyssey was provided to me by the author and the publisher via TLC Book Tours. I was not compensated for this review and as always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.    

You can see the stops for the rest of this TLC Book Tour and what other reviewers thought about the book here.