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Archive for February, 2015

The Continuing Struggle For Justice And Peace: Perspectives Of A Street Cop Who Knows There’s No Place For Race

Shreveport. LA – “Black Lives Matter.” “No Justice, No Peace.” “Racism is Tyranny.” “I Can’t Breathe.” Slogans are everywhere, yet it’s a problem too complex to be condensed down to a few words. Veteran homicide detective Rodney Demery draws from a lifetime of experience to delve deeper than race for answers, and his voice rings true.

On an autopsy table, we all look the same. Not black. Not white. Just human. And we all bleed red. With these blunt words, Demery launches a persuasive argument for rejecting race and racial tensions as the root of our crumbling criminal justice system. In his book No Place For Race, (The Demery Group LLC), Demery boldly asserts that worn-out sociopolitical theories generate more divisiveness than anything else; the interjection of racism camouflages what’s really going on. Black police administrators and policy makers may be more responsible for racial profiling than racists, he believes.

After having worked as an investigator for homicides, narcotics, burglaries, armed robberies and sex crimes, Demery has suggestions with the potential to move our communities far beyond academic theories. “I want to start a conversation that moves us away from the same old political and social divisions,” he says. “The book comes from the frustration I feel walking under yellow tape and stepping over pooled blood at yet another crime scene.” Too often, Demery has told mothers their children have been murdered and could only watch helplessly as they sobbed.

A decorated veteran of the United States Navy, Detective Rodney Demery has served the public as an officer of the peace for 25 years. Demery, who served in both Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield, attended Louisiana State University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Throughout his career as a police officer, he has worked in three states.

Rodney Demery is African American. He is also the author of Things My Daughters Need to Know: A Cop and Father’s View of Sex, Relationships and Happiness. Part advice column, part memoir, it reached Amazon’s Kindle Best Seller List in July 2011.

For more, please visit the website: www.RodDemery.com

No Place For Race
The Demery Group LLC
$4.99
Available on Amazon.com as a Kindle Book
ASIN: B00G2039SW
and at Barnes and Noble for the Nook
BN ID: 2940148552451

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Hilarious New Novel Shows Dog Training Can Work Equally Well On Men

West Palm Beach, FL – Dog Training The American Male is being called one of the funniest novels to be published in years, so it’s no surprise the book is already receiving offers from Hollywood. Described as Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In meets a laugh-out-loud Fifty Shades of Grey, the story centers around Dr. Nancy Beach, a relationship counselor and radio talk show host who can’t seem to make her own relationships work, sending her credibility and ratings into the toilet.

When Jacob, her new live-in boyfriend brings home a 120-pound German Shepherd he rescues from the Pound (typical man – she had wanted a little white foofoo dog), Nancy flips out… until she realizes the dog trainer’s techniques can actually be used to housebreak both the dog and her boyfriend. Thus begins a hilarious social experiment that every couple and dog owner can identify with.

For women, the book is an empowering lesson in controlling the male ego. For men – it’s a fun read because… well, because it’s true! Says author L.A. Knight: “The key to a successful male-female relationship involves communication. Unfortunately, men and women think differently and communicate in completely different languages… just like humans and animals. Most men believe they are the Alpha dog, when in fact women have been endowed with the ability to train their spouse. Therefore, if a woman can learn to communicate to her significant Y chromosome using the tips learned in this book, her life gets easier overnight!” says Knight.

Tom Mayer of The Mountain Times writes, “Dog Training the American Male is a riotous romp through relationships of the young, the old and the restless. L.A. Knight offers a fresh farce replete with a cast of well-drawn characters, fast-paced wit and merging cinematic storylines that triumph as a novel, but would feel equally right on a London stage, as a Netflix original, or in a theater near you.”

Please see the book trailer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmxVlqRDG2Q&feature=youtu.be

Dog Training the American Male
Available on Amazon.com
ASIN: B00OCD2YM8

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People Are Still Finding Spiritual Fulfillment Through Jesus, But Now It’s Outside The Walls Of Church

Newbury Park, CA – Even though more and more people are becoming disenchanted with traditional religion, as evidenced by the plummeting numbers of those attending Sunday services, it doesn’t mean they no longer follow the teachings of Jesus. In fact, according to author Wayne Jacobsen, it’s quite the opposite – they are just finding other avenues to worship the Lord. Jacobsen explores this trend of the “unchurched” in his new release, Finding Church: What If There Really Is Something More? (Trailview Media.)

In posing the question “What If There Really Is Something More,” he creates a platform for the “dones” – people who are simply “done” with organized religion, yet remain passionate in their pursuit of Jesus and authentic community. Jacobsen examines traditional church, the myriad of reasons people are leaving, and what exactly these same individuals are doing for spiritual fulfillment within their communities.

“God’s church is a living temple,” Jacobsen says, “Springing up in the individual heart and then knit together into a worldwide community of people whose very relationships put God’s glory on display.”

Jacobsen’s work provides insight to the next generation and how organized religion is evolving. Finding Church reveals how the “dones” are forming a deeper relationship with Jesus in this living temple. Their departure from local congregations, however, is creating a void of volunteerism and monetary support.

Meet Wayne Jacobsen. He’s dedicated his life to serving God and has done so using many platforms. He served as a pastor for more than 20 years and continues to spread the word of God through his writing and missionary work overseas. Most notably, he worked with William P. Young on the recent Christian blockbuster, The Shack, which now has more than 22 million copies in print. He’s also written other books including: He Loves Me, So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore and A Man Like No Other.

For more information, visit: http://www.findingchurch.com

Finding Church: What If There Really Is Something More?
By Wayne Jacobson
Publisher: Trailview Media
Available at major online outlets and http://www.findingchurch.com/order-book/
ISBN-10: 0983949158
ISBN-13: 978-0983949152

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Power Foods Are The Game Changer When It Comes To Losing Weight And Feeling Fit

Whole Body Reboot: The Peruvian Super Foods Diet To Detoxify, Energize,
And Supercharge Fat Loss
By Manuel Villacorta

What exactly is the Super Food Incan diet, and what makes eating the Peruvian
way so beneficial?

San Francisco, CA – In his third book Whole Body Reboot: The Peruvian Super Foods Diet to Detoxify, Energize, and Supercharge Fat Loss (HCI Books/Dec 2014 $18.95), Manuel Villacorta lays out the important elements that make his dieting plan a well-seasoned recipe for long-lasting health.

Super food refers to foods that are low in calories and high in nutrients.

“Superfood” is not just a buzz-word or a passing vogue; it’s the integral component to leading a healthy lifestyle, a word many of us are recognizing by the minute. As these once obscure products find broader distribution and consumers have greater access, super foods are finding their way into mainstream supermarkets, gradually becoming a staple to the American diet. The benefits of consuming Peruvian super foods are astonishing: from fighting cancer and reducing inflammation to boosting energy and enhancing memory – these foods have it all.

In his Peruvian super foods diet, Villacorta provides simple yet thorough explanations of weight-loss, anti-aging, and disease-fighting concepts by using an appealing page layout displaying beautiful color photography, easy-to-read bullet points, and sidebars summarizing each health benefit.

What makes Villacorta’s book so enticing, aside from his mouth-watering recipes, is that he offers specific meal plans geared towards both men and women looking to lose weight and lead a healthier life. He has also created custom 7-day meal plans for vegans, vegetarians, omnivores, and gluten-free diet preferences. By using the core principles from his first book, Eating Free, and referencing his second book Peruvian Power Foods, Villacorta proves to his readers that they can successfully follow a super-health weight-loss plan, easily gain the skill in cooking from scratch, dine with elegance, and reduce everyday stress.

Among the myriad of recipes offered in Whole Body Reboot, here are two samples:

Day 1: Red Reboot
Red represents energy, strength, power and courage, according to color psychology. Red fruits and vegetables are rich in lycopene and anthocyanins, powerful phyto-chemicals that possess the characteristic red pigment. Lycopene and anthocyanins are linked with:

• Reduced risk of certain cancers
• Heart, lung, and urinary tract health
• Improved memory
• Ability to ward off infection

Ingredients for 1 Serving

1 ½ cups Strawberries, fresh or frozen
½ cup Tomato
½ cup Cooked Beets
1 tablespoon Chia seeds
1 teaspoon Camu Camu powder*
¼ teaspoon Cinnamon
1 cup Coconut water
20-25g protein, Protein powder (rice, pea, or whey)

*Note: Camu Camu is a Peruvian super food that provides therapeutic levels of vitamin C in its natural form. Refer to Appendix C to find where to buy camu camu. If you choose not to purchase camu camu, skip this ingredient. Another great alternative to include a Peruvian super food with Camu Camu is to add a shot of youthH2O.

1. Put all the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Add tap water until it reaches the desired consistency.

Note: if making the smoothie the night before, the chia seeds will absorb some of the water and it could thicken the smoothie. No worries; just add more tap water the next day and shake or stir the smoothie to the desired consistency.

Per Serving: Kcal 349, Protein 31g, Carb 48g, Fat 5g, Sodium 327mg, Dietary Fiber 15g
Daily Value: Fiber 58%, Vit C 1429%, Vit A 18%, Vit D 0%, Calcium 20%, Iron 47%

Recipe may be reprinted with the following credit: Recipe from Whole Body Reboot by Manuel Villacorta / HCI Books/December 2014 – ISBN: 9780757318214

Butter Beans a La Parmesan

Servings 8 / Serving Size: 1 Cup

My Mom used to make a dish using butter beans, called “pallares” in Spanish. This dish is inspired by my mom. I love her cooking! She tasted my version, said I did her justice, and gave me her blessing to share this dish with you. Buen provecho!

2 Cups Butter Beans
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 Medium Yellow Onion, diced
4 Cloves Garlic, sliced
1 Tablespoon Oregano
8 Cups Vegetable Stock
1 Cup Dry Sherry
Salt and Pepper
½ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

1. Put the beans in a stockpot and cover them with 3 inches of water. Let them soak for 4 hours. Drain the beans in a colander, discarding the water.

2. Transfer the beans back to the stockpot and cover with 3 inches of water. Bring them to a boil over medium heat. Drain the beans in a colander, discarding the water (this process helps remove the oxalates in beans that are responsible for gastrointestinal discomfort).

3. Using the same pot, heat the oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the onions, garlic, and oregano. Sauté until the onions begin to soften.

4. Add the beans, stock, and sherry to the pot and bring to a boil. Season the beans with salt and pepper to taste. Cover, reduce heat, and cook at a simmer for about an hour or until the beans are soft. Stir in the parmesan cheese. Serve warm.

Per Serving: Kcal 188g, Protein 9g, Carb 16g, Fat 6g, Sodium 874.5mg, Dietary Fiber 3.5g
Daily Values: Fiber 14%, Vit C 3%, Vit A 2%, Vit D 5 1%, Calcium 22%, Iron 10%

Recipe may be reprinted with the following credit: Recipe from Whole Body Reboot by Manuel Villacorta / HCI Books/December 2014 – ISBN: 9780757318214

About Manuel Villacorta:

Health is not a diet plan, but a lifestyle. Understand your body, your strengths, and your limits and use this knowledge to make a change. Stop dieting, start living.
— Manuel Villacorta

Registered Dietitian. Educator. Author. Speaker. Spokesperson.

A nationally recognized, award-winning registered dietitian with more than 16 years of experience as a nutritionist, Manuel Villacorta, M.S., R.D., is a respected and trusted voice in the health and wellness industry. He is the founder of Eating Free, an international weight management and wellness program, and one of the leading weight loss and nutrition experts in the country. He is the author of Eating Free: The Carb-Friendly Way to Lose Inches, Embrace Your Hunger, and Keep the Weight off for Good (HCI, May 2012) and Peruvian Power Foods: 18 Super foods, 101 Recipes, and Anti-aging Secrets from the Amazon to the Andes (HCI, October 2013).

Manuel served as a national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2010-2013), and currently acts as a health blog contributor for The Huffington Post, an on-air contributor to the Univision television network, and a health and lifestyle contributor for Fox News Latino. Manuel is the owner of San Francisco-based private practice, MV Nutrition and the recipient of five ‘‘Best Bay Area Nutritionist’’ awards from the San Francisco Chronicle, ABC7 and Citysearch.

His warm, approachable style and his bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish have made him an in-demand health and nutrition expert on local and national television and radio channels, as well as in articles appearing in print publications and online. Manuel is a compelling, charismatic speaker.

Manuel has acted as a media representative for food companies such as Foster Farms, Eggland’s Best “California Latino 5-A-Day Program” and “Got Milk.” He is now the chief of public relations and spokesperson for the Pichuberry Company.

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Music And Coexistence: Using Music To Bridge The Gap Between Nations In A Troubled World

Houston, TX – The power of music is legendary. Not too long ago, one musician decided to ask the question – and then set out to find the answer by traveling the globe: can music help bridge gaps between people? The answer proved a resounding “yes,” and for proof author Osseily Hanna offers his fascinating book, Music and Coexistence: A Journey across the World in Search of Musicians Making a Difference (Rowman & Littlefield Publishing).

What at first seemed a simple question soon proved not so simple. “Musicians from across the world helped me get closer to answering this question,” says Osseily Hanna, the author. “I wanted to find musicians who break boundaries and traditional modes of thinking to create a ray of hope.”

He found them building bridges through music in a world where animosities are all too visible. “On everyone’s mind presently are conflicts in Syria, Iraq, and between Russia and Ukraine, but we know these will keep shifting. This past summer it was Gaza; before then it was Darfur. What I’m tapping is something bigger, looking at the ways music breaks down the walls nations and sometimes even communities work so hard to erect.”

Music and Coexistence explores the courageous work of musicians who compose and perform with their ostensible enemies or in extraordinary social situations. Hanna documents the political and economic constraints faced by musicians, from the wall that encloses a refugee camp in Jerusalem, to the tensions among KFOR and Carabinieri peacekeepers who keep Serbs and Kosovar Albanians apart, to the cultural and linguistic suppression that afflicts minority communities in Turkey.

Hanna talks to the individuals and groups at the forefront of the effort to bridge ethnic, cultural, and religious divisions. Featuring musicians from thirteen different countries and territories across five continents, Hanna’s story includes a remarkable cadre of performers. These include the musicians who comprise Heartbeat, a group of Israeli and Palestinian youth, who compose, record, and perform music together; the Albino musicians of Tanzania, who regularly combat persecution by local shamans; the multiracial and thriving samba musicians in Sao Paolo, and a former child soldier from Cambodia who seeks to revive traditional music following the genocide in the 1970s.

With photos taken by the author during his travels, this work is a remarkable intersection of world music and peace studies. It will open the eyes and the hearts of every musician and music lover who recognizes music as a universal language. The companion film was recently screened at the Amnesty International Film Festival in Vancouver.

Osseily Hanna was born in London, where he began violin lessons at the age of eight and played with the North London Symphony Orchestra in 2005. He gave up a successful career in global financial markets in 2011 to develop Music and Coexistence as a film and book project. Fluent in English and Spanish, he has also studied Arabic, French, Italian, and Turkish.

For more information, please visit: www.musicandcoexistence.com

Music and Coexistence: A Journey across the World in Search of Musicians Making a Difference
Rowman & Littlefield Publishing
Available December 16, 2014, online from Barnes & Noble and Amazon and other fine booksellers
978-1-4422-3753-7 (Hardback)
$40.00
978-1-4422-3754-4 (eBook)
$39.99

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The Blue Journal: An Explosive Blend Of Suspense, Intrigue And Erotica

Greenwich, CT – Critics agree The Blue Journal (Seventh Street Books, 01/06/15), by L.T. Graham, is a sexy, solid mystery. Kindling the blaze is marriage, infidelity and divorce; fueling the fire is a private journal titled Sexual Rites.

When Elizabeth Knoebel is found dead of a gunshot wound, the investigation is turned over to Lieutenant Anthony Walker. Formerly a New York City cop, Walker is a man with his own issues, who now serves on the police force of an affluent community in Fairfield County, Connecticut. He lives among the privileged gentry, where he understands that appearances are often far removed from reality.

As Walker untangles the steamy secrets of Elizabeth’s memoir, the threads begin to converge on her psychotherapist. He becomes convinced that Elizabeth’s killer is another of Randi Conway’s patients. But which one?

L. T. Graham is the pen name of a New England-based, highly successful suspense writer who is the author of several novels. Graham is currently at work on the next Detective Anthony Walker novel.

The Blue Journal
Seventh Street Books, an imprint of Prometheus Books
Available in print and digital formats January 6 in bookstores and online everywhere
$15.95 (paperback)
ISBN: 9781633880603

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Out There: From 320 Pounds to Pro Athlete. One Man’s True Story of Ultra Recovery From Alcohol, Drugs and Obesity

Lafayette, CO – It’s no surprise that, for many, New Year’s resolutions have already fallen by the wayside. However giving up won’t get us any closer to achieving our goals. Just ask David Clark, a former 320-pound alcoholic, turned pro athlete. Clark’s hard-hitting autobiography, Out There: A Story of Ultra Recovery, proves that persistence and a strong desire will pave the way for success.

Meet David Clark. He grew up poor and homeless, living out of his father’s pickup truck. With no formal education to build upon, he beat the odds. He went from being homeless to owning a chain of 13 retail stores by the time he was 29 years old. However his success was short-lived and he ultimately lost everything due to poor choices and addiction. He had hit rock bottom from reckless eating, binge drinking and popping pills.

Miraculously, reality hit him with the realization that if he didn’t change his ways on that very day, he would surely die. From that day onwards, David drew a line in the sand, leaving his addictions and unhealthy lifestyle in the past. His remarkable journey and refusal to give up, is described as “raw and riveting.”

At 320 pounds and with this new resolve, he started training for the Ultra Marathon, an extreme racing event where runners attempt a grueling 100-mile trek through the Colorado terrain. Runners are allowed a mere 30 hours to complete the race. Not only did he conquer the course in under 30 hours on his first attempt, but he lost more than 150 pounds, and beat his drug addictions. Further, he has competed in and won some of the toughest endurance events in the world. He now uses Ultra sports to help others conquer their own demons.

“If you want to see the world’s greatest athletes, watch an Ironman Triathlon,” says Clark. “The ‘ultra’ world, in contrast, isn’t about outperforming the other participants. It consists mostly of runners who push themselves to the brink of failure in an effort to measure the depth of their own strength.”

Nowadays, David Clark spends his time as a running coach, sponsored runner, inspirational speaker, and gym owner.

For more information, visit: http://thesupermanproject.org

Out There: A Story of Ultra Recovery
By David Clark
Publisher: CreateSpace
Available at Amazon.com
ISBN-10: 1499721196
ISBN-13: 978-1499721195

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