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About the product/service:  As part of the TOS Homeschool Crew I received Nutrition 101: Chose Life! from Growing Healthy Homes.  The book is available in print form, or on a CD-ROM, although I actually recieved it as a download.  I'm not exactly sure how to characterize this book.  It could be a used as a science book, health book, reference book, or even a recipe book!  It makes for a great base for a unit study. It is set up differently than any other book I've seen on nutrition. 

Nutrition 101 is 448 pages long and is divided into six units: 

• The Brain and Nervous System
• Digestion and Elimination
• Respitory and Olfactory
• Muscular and Skelatal Systems
• Cardiovascular and Immune Systems
• Endocrine System and Emotions

You will learn some basic anatomy and physiology, then you are shown how different foods have either a positive or negative effect on that system.  There are study questions, activities, science and art projects, and even recipes (over 80!) that go along with each section.  It makes so much sense to set up a book this way, rather than just listing different vitamins, minerals, foods, or whatever, and then just telling you what they are good for.  This book teaches you the what, the why, and the how.  And it makes you hungry!

 

What are the pros of this product? The book is jam-packed with information.  It can be used as a text book, and then kept as a reference.  If you have the e-version, it is quite handy as you can simply print out the recipes or other activity pages.  (Of course, if you have the print version, you can just prop it up in a Studypod when you want to use a recipe!)

What's not to like?  The only thing I had any trouble with is that some of the info went right over my head.  As I was reading to my kids, if it got a little technical, I just sort of generalized the areas that I found were a bit too difficult for them.  (You, know, or they might have asked me to explain further!  LOL)

The Crazy Mom take:  I really like this book.  This year we are all doing science through a co-op, so I'm not really looking for a science curriculum.  However, I know that we really need to change the way we eat.  Case in point: I had some Smarties today, and I told the kids I'd be reading the material to them and then asking questions.  If they got the question right, I'd give them a Smartie.  So here we are talking nutrition, eating candy.  Yeah, I got a ways to go... 

Anyway, I am pathetic, this is true.  But with the Sue Gregg cookbooks and now this book, I am really starting to feel more than a nudge that I need to change my ways.  Ouch!  What was that?  This 2 x 4 just keeps whacking me in the head!  Ouch!  Ouch!

So, I think I might just have to keep working through this book.  I should probably finish reading it myself first, but I really want to share this information with my kids.  I have my printouts sitting right in the basket with all of our other school.  Now that I'm going to be done writing the review, I'll have to be diligent to keep plugging my way through it, or that 2 x 4 will never leave.  Ouch!

You know, there's a recipe for quacamole in the book, and I've bought everything to make it.  It's all in the fridge just calling my name.  I LOVE quacamole, but I've never made it.  So now just might be the time.  I think I'll run up the kitchen and whip up a batch.  The kids are eating ice cream, and I was planning to have a bowl.  Can I eat the quac instead?  Ouch!  Yes, I can!

 

Update:  I made the guacamole, and it was yummy, but I did break down and eat some ice cream later.  One step at a time.  One step at a time...

What's the bottom line?  Print book $99.95/CD-Rom $79.95/Book plus CD-Rom $129.95

FROM THE WEBSITE: If the book and CD have the same information, what is the value of having both? The book provides all of the information from the CD professionally printed and bound in full color. The CD allows you to reprint individual copies of the recipes, shopping lists, charts and any other relevant pages. Many families print single pages and create a folder for each child. Nutrition 101: Choose Life! is a tremendous resource and having it in both formats allows flexibility and saves you time and money.

*******SPECIAL OFFER!!!*******

Growing Healthy Homes would like to offer the book to you for 25% off the retail price plus shipping and handling.  The true value of this package (electronic file – called CD-ROM on our Web site) and the printed book) is $129.95.  We will offer this special from now until September 30, 2009.

Check it out!  http://www.healthyhomesllc.com/NC_Choose_Life.html

View sample pages

See what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say @ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HomeschoolCrew/718679/  

 

*The Smiley System: 

I can't really recommend this product.

 I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.

 This is a good product, but isn't right for everyone.

 Most homeschool moms will find this useful.

 This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!

Disclaimer!!!  I reviewed this product because I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew.  I was given the product by the vendor to use and evaluate in my home so that I might share my insights with others.  Other than receiving the product, which I kinda have to to be able to assess the product, I am not compensated for my reviews in any way.  I am in no way obligated to give a positive review.  I do try to point out negatives when I see them, though I am admittedly a pretty easy going gal!  What you read are my honest assessments of the products I receive. 

As with all products, you must do the research before buying.  Please visit the the other crew members' blogs, the vendor websites, and any other review sites you might find before buying.  I can't guarantee that a product will work for you.  You must decide what will fit with your teaching style, and your child(ren)'s learning style(s).  I do not judge anything other than the educational value of the products I review.  I am not qualified to make judgements as to the safely of any product, and I make no guarantee that the products I review are safe for you, your family, or anyone else.  I am simply giving my opinion, only you know what is best for you and your family.

Don't use your blow dryer while you sleep or take a bath.  Don't read my reviews in the tub either, and please do not read them when you are asleep, though I do not guarantee that you won't fall asleep reading them!