Month: August 2016

Fat Burning Fudge RecipePurchase for Fat Loss Oat Recipes Order Now!!The Fat Burning Zone Running will help you remove all the disturbing and troublesome body weights. Dr. Charles D.C as the author of the program will provide you with much information about fad diets in addition to diet products, such as for example pill and drops. He’ll explain that the foundation of this plan may be the liver,

What is it? 

Beachbody Shake is a meal replacement shake made with whey and soy protein for what’s claimed to be a nutritious meal. It’s said to contain the proper mixture of carbohydrates, fats, and protein for appetite reduction and increased energy.

You can find it in both chocolate and vanilla, each without preservatives, artificial colors, or aspartame. It’s advised to take this shake with enough water, low calorie snacks, and other healthy protein sources for managing weight. Is this shake truly a nutritious option for dieters? What have others experienced? In this review you’ll learn everything you need to know about Beachbody shake.

Do You Know the Best Diet Shakes of 2016?

Beachbody Shake Ingredients and Side Effects 

Soy Protein Isolate
Whey Protein Concentrate
Fructose
Maltodextrin
Microcrystalline Cellulose

Natural and Artificial Flavors
Colloid Gum
Soybean Oil
Tribasic Calcium Phosphate
Guar Gum

Potassium Citrate
Magnesium Oxide
dl-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate
Sodium Ascorbate
Soy Fiber

Sucralose
Chromium Aspartate
Boron Citrate
Ferrous Fumurate
Kelp

Calcium-d-pantothenate
Biotin
Copper Citrate
Niacinamide
Zinc Oxide

Pyridoxine HCI
Phytonadione
Riboflavin
Thiamine Mononitrate
Manganese Sulfate

Cyanocobalamin
Vitamin A Palminate
Folic Acid
Cholecalciferol
Sodium Molybdate

Soy Protein Isolate: A 90% protein by weight soybean extract.

The Mayo Clinic has mentioned this ingredient is known to potentially cause side effects:

“may cause atopic eczema, asthma, bad taste, bleeding, bloating, constipation ,damage to pancreas (and other symptoms)” 

There are also several other side effects that may occur. The also add that it may increase estrogen levels. This can reduce testosterone, and cause hormone malfunctions, which may make weight loss more difficult.

A study published in Pub Med mention that it could cause protein deficiencies:

“soy isolates may contain trypsin inhibitor activity” 

So it may reduce the overall intake of protein. This can reduce the quality of protein in this meal replacement. Trypsin inhibitors can alter the way the body processed protein. This can lead to deficiencies in unknown amounts. 

Fructose: Simple fruit sugar that when extracted from fruits, is known to potentially cause many health problems.

Multiple studies have shown a possibility for issues, the ScienceDirect group performed one such study, they found:

“consistently linked to increased risk of obesity, type 3 diabetes. And cardiovascular disease in various populations” 

Another study by the University of California, Davis adds:

“dietary fructose could therefore increase the likelihood of weight gain” 

“induces insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, hyperinsulinemia, hypertriacyglycerolemia, and hypertension” 

A total of 7 grams of fructose are added to this shake. Reducing this sweetener is important for preventing potential health problems.

Fructose, like other sweeteners, has no purpose other than to help flavor these shakes. It has no nutritional value, and instead may actually cause many problems. 

Guar Gum: Fiber extracted from the guar plant. It’s possible for it to promote choking or blockages in the intestines and throat.

It may also produce other unwanted side effects that include:

Diarrhea, loose stools, and frequent bathroom usage. 
Gas, and flatulence. 

It’s advised to always take this with liquids in order to prevent side effects. This is considered a cheap thickener and binder, which is used to substitute for more substantial forms of fiber. 

Sucralose: Artificial sweetener that provides no calories.

The Center for Science in the Public interest placed a Caution label to this ingredient, due to this potential for causing leukemia in mice.  A study by the Washington University School of Medicine also studied this sweetener, they found it:

“Affects Glycemic and Hormonal Responses to an Oral Glucose Load” 

So it has an effect on blood sugar levels, though this ingredient is added as a sugar substitute, which isn’t supposed to have this effect. This can potentially produce issues that may not reduce hunger. When using this ingredient on mice, it was shown to not be satiating. So one could potentially eat large amounts of it without experienced satiety. 

Kelp: A form of algae that contains amounts of iodine. Live Strong.com adds that this can cause problems:

“negatively affect thyroid function, causing hypo- or hyperthyroidism”

Therefore, it’s important to make sure to control the intake of this ingredient. It’s unknown how much iodine this provides.

When the thyroid is damaged, this can lead to numerous health effects as well as an increase in the rate of obesity.

EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this supplement with a proven meal replacement such as 18Shake for better results.

Beachbody Shake Quality Of Ingredients

Though there’s a total of 15 grams of protein, not all of it comes from whey protein. Some of it is from soy, which has been shown to be potentially dangerous for many reasons.

There’s’ also a combination of sweeteners which are both potentially dangerous, 7 grams of sugar are added which come from fructose. This ingredient has been shown to be potentially dangerous, due to its ability to cause metabolism disorders. Since it has no nutritional value, it’s important to limit this sweetener as much as possible.

There’s also artificial flavors added, instead of just pure natural ingredients. Though the company mentions they add no artificial colors, they still failed to make this an all-natural meal replacement.

The Price and Quality of Beachbody Shake 

One 30 serving container sells for $39.95.  This shake is full of thickeners, high amounts of potentially bad sweeteners, and a weak form of protein in soy.

This quality isn’t very good when you consider all its ingredients. The possibility for weight gain and side effects is possible due to the added sugar and thickeners.

For the price paid, it’s not a very good meal replacement. You’re paying for a common mixture of ingredients found in basic meal replacements. There’s also unknown amino acids added, since the company fails to add the amino acid profile.

This is important for figuring out if the protein is well balanced enough to satisfy as a full meal. 

Business of Beachbody Shake 

The creators of this brand go by the name of Beachbody, LLC. You can reach them via the following contact details: 

Phone Number: (310) 883-9000 

Address: 3301 Exposition Blvd FL 3

Santa Monica, CA 90404

They currently have a total of 770 customer complaints on their Better Business Bureau page, here’s what people have had to say:

“Withdrawn account funds from an order that was never finalized” 

“Charged… even though it was canceled before trial was over” 

“cancelled my contract… and the company keeps charging my credit card” 

“Beachbody’s billing practices are not clear and concerning” 

Many people had issues with trying to cancel their subscriptions, and people have struggled to contact the company to cancel. Customers were concerned that they didn’t have any idea it would be so difficult to work with the company.

Of the total 770 reviews, many were dissatisfied and unsure of how to deal with the company. Beachbody, LLC did comment on some of these problems, but it’s unknown what happens to customers who don’t file complaints on independent websites.

Though the company offers a 30-day money back guarantee, many struggled to get a hold of them via email or phone.

EDITOR’S TIP: For the best results with meal replacement shakes diet our experts recommend to use it at least 5 months. Save your money buying a few bags of meal replacement product.

Customer Opinions of Beachbody Shake 

The official website allows customers to review this shake. Here’s what some customers have to say:

“probably the nastiest meal replacement I’ve ever had” 

“It’s gritty, thick, and literally slides like pudding down your throat” 

“DOES NOT MIX WELL AND TO THICK” 

“I could not get over the taste” 

People had issues with trying to finish drinking this shake. Users often complained that it had a taste that was undrinkable. Not only were the flavors criticized, but also people thought it was much too gritty, and that the texture was bad.

There were also problems with the lack of proper mixing. Customers tired using different liquids and ingredients, but there were still issues with how it mixes. The consistency was off, which when combined with the taste, can make this shake difficult to drink.

Some also added how they didn’t find it to suppress appetite well enough. There was concern that this meal replacement isn’t an effective weight loss shake.

Conclusion – Does Beachbody Shake Work?

When deciding on Beachbody’s Shake, it’s important to pay attention to the customer reviews and kinds of ingredients used. Many customers failed to see any benefit from this shake, and several thought it didn’t taste good, nor did it help with appetite suppression. There’s a high amount of sweeteners added, which may be potentially harmful.

Another issue with this shake is the kinds of ingredients found in GMO soy, artificial sweeteners, and artificial flavors. All natural solutions are much better when one is looking to lose weight. The very best all natural meal replacement is out now, and won the best of 2016. It’s an all-natural shake called 18Shake.

This meal replacement is made solely with pure, high quality, and beneficial ingredients for real nutritional value. Customers have also experienced great weight loss results that you can read about on their official website. People also mention it mixes well, and that it’s great for suppressing appetite, all while tasting good via its chocolate or vanilla flavors.

18Shake is even supported by a full 30-day money back guarantee. This takes the risk out of purchasing this shake, and it shows the company is willing to back up their product.

As a child, I was enamored with my own beauty. I’m compelled to describe myself in an early diary entry, doing so as follows, “I have long, wavy, golden hair and big, beautiful blue eyes.” My faith in my wonderful good looks was palatable, and I took delight in dressing in bright, showy colors, unafraid to stand out, peacock-like, from the crowd. Which is why it was so odd to find myself in my late 20s/early 30s convinced of my own Quasimodo-esque ugliness.

The mirror was a horrorshow, reflecting back nothing golden or beautiful. Instead, I saw thin lips, a witches’ chin and dark circles on par with two black eyes. Despite having a boisterous group of friends, promising career, and exciting life in New York, love eluded me, and the reason (I was sure) was my own physical failings.

On meeting my partner, these feelings began to fade. Her daily affirmations that I was delightful in every way helped me see the girl in the mirror in a more positive light again. I might not be a supermodel, but I certainly wasn’t ugly. So why had a spent a long period of an otherwise happy life feeling that I was? And if I felt that way, surely other women felt that way too.

This inspired me to start thinking on beauty. Where do messages about beauty find us, how do they affect us, how do different women respond to these messages differently? What is beauty? How does a modern feminist reconcile her own empowerment with very real feelings of physical inadequacy?

These thoughts and more were bubbling in the back of my brain when one night, inspiration struck. I was at home alone, working on the edits to my YA sci-fi novel, Parched, when a concept popped in my head. A serum that turns you pretty: objectively, definitively. But only for a week at a time.

“Hm,” I thought, putting my notes aside. “That’s interesting.” Less than a minute later, a scene began playing in my head, as crystal clear as a feature film. Three young women. A tiny bottle of Pretty, something from a modern fairytale. An impossible transformation, as visceral and gross as it was funny and unexpected. Someone comes home—ah, an excuse is needed!

What next? Who knows… As soon as the scene stopped playing–a gift from on high, a missive from the muse–I knew, without a doubt, that was a novel. A year and a half later, I finished The Regulars.

The post How Feeling Hideous Helped Me Write a Book appeared first on Tips on Life and Love.

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What is it? 

Pure Slim 1000 is a weight loss diet plan offering a liquid supplement, and a 3 step system. This includes a 21 day phase of maintenance, and around 90 days of eating healthy foods with just 1,000 calories allowed.

The company claims that people have lost over 100 pounds when repeating these phases. This diet plan is meant to help people maintain weight loss, while providing practical weight loss diet advice. The intended benefits of this plan are to burn fat, without sacrificing energy and leaving one feeling hungry. So is this diet plan truly effective for weight loss? What kinds of effects have people experienced? You’ll learn everything about Pure Slim 1000 in this comprehensive review.

Do You Know the Best Diet Shakes of 2016?

Pure Slim 1000 Ingredients and Side Effects 

Two different supplements are offered, though only Metabolic Burst is required. Energy Burst is not necessary, but it does add as a supplement to the diet. The company fails to mention what the total dosage strength is. Here are the ingredients to both supplements:

Maca
Glucomannan
Beta-Alanine
Glutamine
Ornithine

Serine
Glutamic
Pyridoxal 5 Phosphate
Rhodiola
Arginine

African Mango
Glycine
Valine
Tyrosine
Methyl B12

Potassium
Niacin
Vitamin E
Riboflavin
Pantothenic Acid

Folic Acid
Zinc
Magnesium

Maca: Vegetable that comes from the broccoli family, it’s native to parts of Peru. There’s a lack of information about its true effects, and Examine.com mentions:

“Further reseach is needed to determine the main mechanism of maca” 

It’s claimed to help with increasing energy, sexual performance, and reduced fatigue. Though there hasn’t been enough quality research performed. 

Glucomannan: Fiber source extracted from the konjac plant. It’s a thickener and it’s commonly used as a way to help suppress appetite and control blood sugar.

A study by Rush Univeristy Medical Center found that this ingredient:

“did not promote weight loss”

It’s also advised to take it with large amounts of water in order to prevent the possibility of chocking or blockages in the throat and intestines.

Other possible side effects may include:

Stomach problems, nausea, and stomach pain. 
Diarrhea, bloating, and frequent bathroom usage. 
Loose stools.

 The FDA has also sent warning letters to companies who claim this ingredient is effective for weight loss. There aren’t enough studies which have shown this effect, and in fact clinical studies have shown it to be ineffective. 

Glutamine: Amino acid that is created by the body. It’s claimed to help with endurance as well as being able to regulate blood sugar. Though this isn’t necessary to use in supplement form, as Examine.com adds:

“only appear to benefit the body as suppemnetaion when otherwise deficient (vegans, vegetarians with low dairy intake) 

Though considered safe, there’s also no reason to use it if one does not have a deficiency. 

Ornithine: Amino acid made by the body to help reduce ammonia. Web MD mentions that in supplement form:

“It’s not known how ornithine might work for mediacal uses” 

“There isn’t enough reliable information about the safety of ornithine” 

Much more data is needed to help determine if it’s safe to supplement with. 

Serine: Chemical that the body makes. It’s used to help promote many important functions in the body.

It may potentially cause upset stomach and nausea in supplement form. 

Glutamic: This amino acid is naturally produced in the body. Live Strong.com discusses its use:

“it is not meant to be taken by everyone” 

“you should not keep the supplement if you have any nervous system disorders… if you have kidney or liver disease” 

It’s also not needed unless there is a deficiency, which is rare. 

Valine:  Known as a branch chain amino acid, this is one of three of the BCAA’s. Examine.com mentions its limitaions:

“does not appear to have any known unique benefits” 

“possbly the least important BCAA” 

Therefore, it’s a limited ingredient which is not explained as to why it’s added to this diet plan. 

Tyrosine: An amino acid used by the brain to help send signals. It’s also beneficial for mental alertness and focus.

Though in supplement form it may lead to side effects that include:

Nausea and heartburn. 
Joint pain, fatigue, and headache.

EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this supplement with a proven meal replacement such as 18Shake for better results.

Pure Slim 1000 Quality Of Ingredients

Many of these ingredients have either not been proven to have a positive effect, or they can easily be replaced with whole foods. The amino acids are either already found in many foods, or they are made in sufficed amounts by the body.

This supplement is meant to replace the benefits of foods while people significantly reduce calories. Though in supplement form, many of these additives have been shown to be inneficient. There’s also no explanation as to the ingredient strength, so it’s unknown if these additives are added in a healthy and efficient amount.

No evidence is provide to prove this brand would be good for weight loss, or if it’s effective at improving energy levels and helping reduce hunger.

The Price and Quality of Pure Slim 1000 

There’s 3 different plans offered, the basic plan offering 1 bottle, support, and a program guide sells for $109.  It claims to be effective at helping reduce from 10 to 20 pounds.

You also have to make sure to for at least 90 days, to eat just 1,000 calories. This is a signicant drop in calories, which can be hard to maintain safely.

There’s no evidence that the formula will help people lose weight without experiencing immense hunger.

Many of the ingredients are cheap, and there’s no proof that the support and program guide are actually effective. No information is given to show how the people who give advice are qualified, and whether or not they are certified in health and nutrition. Taking dietary advice from unqualified people can be potentially dangerous.

It’s because of all these flaws that this diet plan is poor. 

Business of Pure Slim 1000 

The company website does not mention the official company name. Though they do offer their customer service contact inforamtuon. 

Phone Number: (866) 599-4240 

Address: 967 W. Parkcenter Blvd. # 361

Boise, Idaho 83706

Email: support@ps1000.com

The company offers a 180 day money back guarantee, but this is only if you meet many conditions.

You have to make sure to try the diet plan for a total of 30 days, and you have to submit a full 30 days of food and drink journals. This tracking will help show if you truly followed the diet plan according to their standards.

It’s unknown how the company operates, or if they truly uphold their money back return policy.

EDITOR’S TIP: For the best results with meal replacement shakes diet our experts recommend to use it at least 5 months. Save your money buying a few bags of meal replacement product.

Customer Opinions of Pure Slim 1000 

Here are some reviews featured from their Amazon.com page:

“Overall, not something I’d recommend” 

“Scam! The drops do nothing to curb your appetite or give you energy” 

“purchased this hoping it would work instead it make me sick” 

“Yeah I lost weight, but simply my eating healthy was the reason” 

Though there are more positive reviews than negative, one customer who examined these reviews mentioned:

“99% Likely Fake Reviews- Unverified Purchases- Buyer Beware” 

Another person adds:

“check the previous history of reviews. For 98% of them is THE FIRST REVIEW CREATED!” 

Amazon.com allows for people to review brands even if they didn’t purchase it from their site. After reviewing the opinions, it’s clear that many unverified purchases were made, and that many of them happened to be made in the same week.

It’s possible that these reviews are forged or paid for.

From the real proven customer reviews, there was a lack of weight loss support. Many felt that the low calorie diet would have been effective even without the drops. There were concerns from customers that this plan is not effective for long term results, and that it does not suppress appetite or increase energy.

Conclusion – Does Pure Slim 1000 Work?

This diet plan requires an extremely low calorie diet, and it claims that their supplement will help reduce hunger and increase energy. Though these ingredients are all natural, there’s no evidence that it actually works. There are questionable positive reviews, and verified customers have complained about a lack of appetite suppression and reliable weight loss. Healthy eating and reducing calories to just 1,000 can produce weight loss, but this is hard to maintain since it’s a significant reduction.

A much less restrictive option that doesn’t require extreme dieting is available. The 2016 best diet plan of the year is the 18 Diet Plan.  Not only does it feature a wholesome and all natural supplement and meal replacement, but it offers a comprehensive diet book.

There’s no need to go on extreme diets with this supplement. It helps reduce appetite, increase metabolism, boost mood, and it can help control blood sugar. That’s why so many customers have reviewed it as a really effective weight loss diet plan.

You can try the 18 Diet plan risk free, they offer a full 30-day money back return policy on their meal replacement and supplement. Returns are offered no questions asked when filed in the first 30 days.

Fat Burning Yoga CrunchDeals for Fat Loss Factor Dr Charles Email For SaleThe Fat Loss Factor Legit will help you remove all the disturbing and troublesome body weights. Dr. Charles D.C because the author of this program will provide you with much information about fad diets and also diet products, such as for example pill and drops. He will explain that the foundation of this plan may be the

I was not a precocious kid, but I was a precocious reader. I was also a voracious one who made her way through the children’s section in the library like a weevil. It wasn’t long before I was eyeing the adult section with my mind set on breaking through. I had just started wandering into those stacks when a book caught my eye as a summer read selection, and I pounced. I don’t remember any discussion about it until we got to the check-out desk. For those of you not familiar with early ’80s references (ahem), The Thornbirds would probably be pretty tame today, but it involved a priest and an illicit affair—an affair that in my memory at least was pretty graphic. Suffice it to say I was halted, the librarian’s stamp (yes, we still used a stamp; it wasn’t that long ago) mid-air.

As far as I remember there were no rules about what I could or could not read. My mother’s attitude was that if it didn’t interest me, I’d stop reading and if I was curious enough I’d either ask about it or look something up. In an encyclopedia. (Seriously, it wasn’t that long ago.) I do remember a startled look from the librarian and a murmured discussion with my mother before I lifted the heavy tome up over the desk, triumphant. And of course I read a few chapters, had no interest in what was going on, and abandoned the book. I am curious, in retrospect, about the interesting looks I must have received when I took it out of my bag at the community pool.

Needless to say this happened in a time where we didn’t wear bike helmets, we played outside without parents, and there was no internet (and I will quickly add all this wasn’t that long ago). Things are quite different now. And whether you are a proponent of free-range parenting or attachment parenting, the fact is we are more sensitive to exposing kids to things like violence, sex, or drugs. Which leads us to taking a look at what we let—or don’t let—our kids see, consume, and read.

When it comes to books, issues usually come up with older kids who may be reading middle grade and teen books about tougher subject matter, like suicide or addiction, or include characters who are engaged in sexual activity. Where does the line come between censorship and keeping kids “safe?”

As a publisher I’m particularly sensitive to censorship. Some of the kids’ books that have been banned are mindboggling. One parent’s ignorance can affect an entire library system’s ability to shelve a book. When I first started out as an editorial assistant I remember getting a call from a distraught librarian about a book being challenged (when someone lodges a complaint that a book is inappropriate). The book was about a chimpanzee. The chimpanzee had ketchup squirted on him during lunch, another character thought he was bleeding, and hilarity ensued. A formal complaint was lodged that faking ketchup as blood was too violent.

While as a parent I want to try to shield my children from violence, especially at an early age—and perhaps especially in today’s world—if the most violent thing they will be exposed to is ketchup, I would sign up for that in a second.

We are raising kids in a world where we monitor them (quite literally with baby monitors) from infancy, with cameras in their rooms, controls on televisions, passwords on computers, wifi blocked in bedrooms, and even GPS systems on chips attached to backpacks and in cars. Are there different parameters for books?

As a publisher and a parent I’m at odds with myself. The publisher in me never wants to stop a child from reading anything. To my publisher brain, that’s censorship. I certainly don’t want to tell other kids what to read; that’s the very definition of censorship to me. But my own kids? The parent in me is desperate to make sure I bring up children with a model of equality, respect, tolerance, empathy, and kindness, which means sometimes regulating or at the very least moderating what they consume (i.e. “Yes, I know he’s Batman, but it is not OK to hit anyone. No, not even the Joker.”). To my parent brain that’s guiding my child.

Those of us who have parameters at home understand that they get regularly challenged. My oldest child made a case last weekend in the toy aisle that the water gun was not a gun; it was a laser water shooter that a good guy like Han Solo would use. (I am either raising a future lawyer or a future agent).

So when my child chooses a book and is hell bent on reading it do I challenge him? No.

I believe in being an aware parent; knowing what my children are reading and why they want to read it are of equal importance to me. Let’s say, for instance, that one of my children wanted to read a pretty heavy book about a character battling addiction before—as his mother—I felt he was ready to take something like that on. Why did that book speak to him? Was someone experimenting with or using drugs? Was it him? Since we’ve spoken to our kids about the dangers of drugs are they just curious to see what ravage they can really do?

This is where parenting gets really tricky, because I’m going to bet on the fact that there aren’t a ton of teens, or tweens for that matter, who will willingly say, “I’d like to read that book because one of my friends is experimenting with drugs and I’m a little worried, especially because next week all of us are going to smoke something with him when his parents are away for the weekend.”

Maybe they are just curious. Maybe it’s just a good story. Maybe you should read it, too. You receive alerts about your children’s online activity, right? You read their texts? You check out their browsing history and check out the pages they’ve opened? So why wouldn’t you also read the books they are reading?

My children are younger, so it’s hard to say what I’ll do (and lord knows I have learned as a parent that you don’t know what the hell you’ll do until you have reached that stage) but my instinct now would be to read—or at least speed read; maybe skim; OK, definitely at least read the book flaps and the online description—what they are reading. That way I know what information (and misinformation) they are getting. I would make sure that I talked about it (which may well be a one-sided conversation). It might even be enough (in my hopeful parent mind) for my child to know that I’m reading it, too, so he can talk about anything in it that he needs help processing.

Despite my great my love of books or my belief in how powerful and transforming stories can be, I would rather my children learn about most things from me than a fictional character, no matter how poignant a story is. We live in the information age and there are messages—overt and subtle—being hurled at them every millisecond. It’s too much for me to assume I can control what they are exposed to and what they find without me sitting next to them 24/7 (and trust me, as a mother I have had the instinct to attach myself to them 24/7). Anyone who has watched a school bus pull away with their child inside and has sobbed understands: You aren’t weeping just because your child is growing older. You are weeping because you realize you’ve just lost control.

That doesn’t mean you just throw up your hands and sing “Que Sera, Sera.” (At least in my parenting book). There are books that would set off alarm bells for me. If every book he checked out was about bullying I’d intervene, pronto. If I noticed a trend in books about misogynistic behavior I’d be right there with some conversation starters. If many books he chose were about a character exploring sexuality I would have my mom antenna up even further than it already is for openings in conversation. Sometimes books are chosen because they are great stories.  Sometimes book choices illuminate something else going on.

In our house I am Command Central, and not just because I (usually) remember who is supposed to bring in a casserole for International Day and who has to pack cleats for soccer practice. I am watching, hopefully not in an evil or menacing way, but oh boy, am I watching. I don’t get much from “How was your day?” I get a heck of a lot more in overhearing somebody tell the Spiderman doll (sorry, “action figure”) he can’t sit next to Captain America because he has a new friend now. In a world of parental controls, GPS tracking, and alert systems, the best monitoring in my opinion is the good old-fashioned way: paying attention. Do I censor? No. Do I monitor? Without question.

Would I let one of my children read The Thornbirds? Yes. I’d kind of like to know how it ends.

In the top 10 list of the most frequently challenged or banned books of 2015 4 of them were for children and young adults:

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Looking for Alaska

by John Green

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Before: Miles “Pudge” Halter is done with his safe life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave “the Great Perhaps” even more (Francois Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young. She is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. Then. . . .

After: Nothing is ever the same.

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I Am Jazz

by Jessica Herthel & Jazz Jennings

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From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl’s brain in a boy’s body. She loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn’t feel like herself in boys’ clothing. This confused her family, until they took her to a doctor who said that Jazz was transgender and that she was born that way. Jazz’s story is based on her real-life experience and she tells it in a simple, clear way that will be appreciated by picture book readers, their parents, and teachers.

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Nasreen’s Secret School

by Jeanette Winter

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Young Nasreen has not spoken a word to anyone since her parents disappeared. In despair, her grandmother risks everything to enroll Nasreen in a secret school for girls. Will a devoted teacher, a new friend, and the worlds she discovers in books be enough to draw Nasreen out of her shell of sadness? Based on a true story from Afghanistan, this inspiring book will touch readers deeply as it affirms both the life-changing power of education and the healing power of love.

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Two Boys Kissing

by David Levithan

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In his follow-up to the New York Times bestselling author of Every Day, and David Levithan, coauthor of bestsellers Will Grayson, Will Grayson (with John Green) and Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist (with Rachel Cohn), crafts a novel that the Los Angeles Times calls “open, frank, and ultimately optimistic.”

Based on true events—and narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS—Two Boys Kissing follows Harry and Craig, two seventeen-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record. While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teens dealing with universal questions of love, identity, and belonging.

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