April 9, 2025
The Young Runner’s Guide to Nutrition
The Young Runner’s Guide to Nutrition empowers young athletes to take control of their training by teaching them one of the areas not focused on enough – nutrition.
About The Young Runner’s Guide to Nutrition
Author, lifelong runner, and certified running and nutrition coach Michele Pettinger grew up running under the tutelage of her father, the high school cross country and track coach. With The Young Runner’s Guide to Nutrition, she plans to carry on the legacy of reaching youth runners and the communities that support them through nutrition education and practical, easy-to-implement protocols.
With this practical guide, young runners will learn the fundamentals of sports nutrition, explaining why they need specific nutrients and what foods contain them. These young athletes will also discover more about:
- Navigating adolescence and the unique nutritional needs of the young runner, like macronutrients, micronutrients, and hydration
- Nutritional challenges and health risks such as the female and male athlete triads, disordered eating, RED-S, and other areas of concern
- Strategic fueling and optimizing performance and recovery through nutrition planning and nutrient timing
- Empowering change by integrating nutrition education into running programs, including how to foster positive body image and daily practical tools for upholding nutrition protocols
Change in sports nutrition for young runners needs to start with the entire community that supports them — their coaches, trainers, and families. That’s why The Young Runner’s Guide to Nutrition also includes resources for coaches on how to integrate nutrition education into their training programs and content for parents on how to foster good nutrition at home that will support the needs of their young runner through meal planning, cooking, and conversation.
Our Thoughts
We all know how important nutrition is, not only in our everyday lives but especially as athletes and for those who of us who are actively strength training for health and conditioning. It is hard not to avoid the plenty of recommendations that bombard us both as parents, and as athletes every day on social media. While we know and acknowledge the importance of nutrition, this is also an area that is often overlooked and where athletes and their parents are not adequately equipped with the knowledge to support their athlete.
Both of my boys have played competitive soccer, our youngest is now playing high performance soccer for an MLS academy. His training schedule sees him on the pitch five days a week for training plus a sixth for games. He loves this – it has been his dream since watching his older brother on the pitch. This also requires a lot of travel daily and it feels like we are on the run a lot. The academy does an incredible job taking care of their physical and mental well being while stressing the importance of nutrition at home. As a parent, even with my background in Kinesiology, I feel unprepared and a bit scared on what to provide, when to provide it and portion sizes. Not to mention how do I add variety (who wants to eat the same thing every day?) and can we have it on the go.
I really appreciated Michele’s approach to this book, I read the book twice before sharing with my son. While I do feel that athletes need to have the discipline and ownership of their health and sport, nutrition is one area that both parent and athlete need the education and skill set to prepare for training and competition (it is a whole family approach). The approach and knowledge shared while geared to running, can be applied to athletes in all sports.
Michele’s approach in this book is as follows:
- understanding the adolescence body as it undergoes changes
- how can we optimize what we eat for both performance and recovery
- how can we strategically eat and hydrate (the when and how) to perform optimally
- how to navigate typical nutrition challenges that all adolescences will encounter but the specific impact that they have on athletes
- the family support unit on nutrition and athletes
- recipes to help you put it all together
The sections are covered in a straightforward, easy to read manner. They are specific and to the point, which in this age group is important. Each section was easy to understand and relatable to athletes (both female and male). Michele also provides examples in each section to help athletes and their families apply the knowledge. Many of the sections were relatable to both our athlete and our family.
One of the biggest struggles we have had is that early morning meal/snack or pre-match snack, and when I came to this section I felt grateful that we weren’t alone. Even the concerns that were listed (I feel sick, I am not hungry, I will have to use the bathroom, etc..) matched the concerns that are brought up in our own home. It felt so good to know we aren’t alone, our child isn’t alone but then have specific actions and resources to go to in order to address these concerns (versus Mom and Dad just saying you will not have the energy to play if you don’t eat!).
Athletes are bombarded with nutrition every day (here is the food guide, you need to eat right to fuel your body, eat more protein to gain mass, you need to eat this to succeed, etc.). It is overwhelming as a parent, so how can we expect young athletes to not only take this information in but apply it is as well without the proper resources. The Young Runner’s Guide to Nutrition equips athletes and their families not only with the education but the resources to incorporate a strategic, nutritional approach to optimize performance in training and competition. This is a must have for all young athletes!
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
About the Author
Michele Pettinger started running at a young age in the Midwest under the tutelage of her father, the high school cross country and track coach. She has a passion for carrying on the legacy of reaching young runners and helping them build a solid nutritional foundation that will empower them now and long into their future running careers. She holds a master’s degree in communication studies and had a career as a technical writer before she fell in love with trail running while living in the Pacific Northwest, where she founded P3Running, a collective of coaches specializing in custom run and nutrition coaching. Michele is an RRCA Level II Certified Running Coach, Certified Specialist in Fitness Nutrition, and Certified Functional Nutrition counselor. She is most at home on the trails, training for ultramarathon distances. She lives in Santa Cruz, CA, with her husband, Joe. They have a grown daughter, Anika. Find Michele online at p3running.com, and follow her on Instagram (@p3runningcoach and @mjpettinger) and Facebook (P3Running).
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 1, 2025
Is That My Hat?

Is That My Hat is a fun, engaging read for parents and young children.
About Is That My Hat?
Mole is struggling to find the perfect hat. After trying on big, spooky, and silly hats, Mole ends up creating the perfect hat for himself. Full of creativity and bright illustrations, this picture book is a charming and engaging read.
Our Thoughts
I love to read and I especially love reading with my children. These moments are incredibly special and important to hold on to. I really try hard to ensure that the books we are reading are geared towards their age, but also stimulating, engaging and most importantly fun.
With a new addition to our family we have been on the hunt to add to our collection of story time and bed time books. Is That My Hat? was a huge hit in our household. It had everything that makes a child’s book fun and engaging. The sentences had a great rhythm that allowed you to change the tone and pitch of your voice to really help draw a child into the story. It felt natural to speak the words to my child and change my facial expressions to bring the story to life. While my little one is quite a bit younger, a three to four year old would have a great time with prompting questions (what items would you choose for a hat, what makes that special, etc..) to help bring this story to life.
The illustrations are simple, with clean lines and bright colours that help to deliver the storyline without being distracting. I prefer these types of illustrations in children’s stories as I find this helps encourage connection to the story itself versus being caught up trying to follow distracting images page to page.
Is That My Hat? is a wonderful story for young children and will be a welcome addition to your home library.
You can purchase a copy of this book here.
About the Creator
Kevin Payne is an author, illustrator, and poet from Devon, England. He was an elementary school teacher for seventeen years and still loves working with children to develop their skills and love of words. Away from writing, Kevin plays soccer, writes songs, and is a local town crier. Oyez!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 1, 2025
Foster’s Leash

Follow along in Foster’s Leash to see rescue dog Pepper and her foster family navigate the foster process, the feelings that come with it, and how one leash makes all the difference.
About Foster’s Leash
Fostering animals isn’t easy. Suddenly, you’re living with a strange dog that needs your help. And once you’ve finally bonded, it’s time to say goodbye. But hard things are worth doing, especially when they change lives.
Follow along to see rescue dog Pepper and her foster family navigate the foster process, the feelings that come with it, and how one leash makes all the difference.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Mascot Books, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org and Books a Million.
The Giveaway!
Enter to win a Target gift card here.
About the Author
Sarah Sommer is an award-winning children’s picture book author who aims to tell stories that evoke emotion. As a former professional musician, Sarah values the way words, art, and stories come together in picture books. Having fostered many German shepherds, Sarah is passionate about animal advocacy and helping others. Sarah wrote this book to showcase the foster process and inspire others to open their hearts and homes.
You can connect with the author on their website, Facebook, Instagram and Goodreads.
Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this post, all opinions expressed are my own.
March 18, 2025
The Third Element

In The Third Element, join entrepreneur, engineer, and speaker Randy Lyman as he unpacks his own journey and shows us exactly how our emotional experiences—the pains, the joys, and everything in-between—are both our greatest obstacles and our most powerful assets.
About The Third Element
Sure, you may have the discipline—the drive, strength, and perseverance it takes to build the life of your dreams. Yes, you may have the intellect—the understanding that you have the power to shape your own reality and a foolproof, step-by-step plan to do so.
So why isn’t all the planning, hard work, and visualization working? And when you do finally start achieving success, why does it still feel like something’s missing?
When it comes to creating abundance or finding inner peace, most people assume that mind-body alignment is enough. But we’re still missing one critical element—the long-neglected key to manifestation.
Each and every one of us holds the answer to unlocking the life of our dreams: the power and limitless potential of the Third Element.
Join entrepreneur, engineer, and speaker Randy Lyman as he unpacks his own journey and shows us exactly how our emotional experiences—the pains, the joys, and everything in-between—are both our greatest obstacles and our most powerful assets.
And this book is going to show you how to use it.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
About the Author
Randy Lyman is a multi-millionaire entrepreneur, physicist, and author of The Third Element, a transformative guide to unlocking abundance through emotional mastery. With decades of experience building Inc. 500-recognized businesses and fostering cultures of belonging, Randy empowers leaders and individuals to align their emotions with their goals. He blends science, spirituality, and practical wisdom to create actionable strategies for growth, success, and fulfillment. Randy’s work is dedicated to helping others break through emotional barriers and live in alignment with their highest potential.
You can connect with Randy on their website, Instagram and Facebook.
The Giveaway
Enter to win a a gift box, including a signed copy of The Third Element (US and Canada) here.
Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this post, all opinions expressed are my own.
March 3, 2025
Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times®, Volume Two

This second volume of Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times®️ includes This Little Piggy, Rock-a-Bye Baby, Peter Peter Pickle Eater, and more.
About Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times®, Volume Two
What happens to the baby (owlet!!) rocking in their cradle in Rock-a-Bye-Baby? Will Old Mother Hubbard find something in the cupboard to give to her dog? And who (or what!) will be discovered in the tub in Rub a Dub Dub?
Read all about the beloved characters from traditional nursery rhymes in this endearing collection of nine updated rhymes that foster kindness, empathy, and gratitude! Coupled with discussion questions and emojis to support the social and emotion intelligence of preschoolers, each rhyme will entertain and educate a new generation of children.
This second volume of Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times®️ includes This Little Piggy, Rock-a-Bye Baby, Peter Peter Pickle Eater, Old Mother Hubbard, Diddle Diddle Dumpling, Rub a Dub Dub, Sing a Song of Six Cents, There Was a Nice Lady, and Tom Tom, the Plumber’s Son.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Mascot Books, Amazon, B&N, BAM, and Bookshop.org.
About the Author
Pam has been an early childhood music educator for over twenty-five years with a passion for singing, rhyming, reading stories, and making music with preschoolers.
When Pam noticed that some children seemed unfamiliar with traditional nursery rhymes, and that parents and teachers were avoiding them because of their outdated, dark, and inappropriate nature, she set out to update them. Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times® provide a memorable way to build language, musicality, and literacy through songs, stories and rhymes that nurture kindness, empathy, and gratitude. The inclusion of resources that support social and emotional learning (SEL) make it easy for parents and teachers to engage with the children they love.
The rhymes in the book can also be enjoyed as songs on the “Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times” album recorded by Raffi and Lindsay Munroe, on the EP recorded by Laurie Berkner titled “Laurie Berkner Sings Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times” and in videos on the Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times® Show on YouTube.
Pam has also made it her mission to share what she has learned about how to effectively integrate music and stories to support SEL and language skills in early childhood settings. She provides engaging and interactive sessions to early childhood teachers and caregivers to support their professional development and build their confidence in using music and rhymes with the children they care for. She is also available for school visits.
Aside from sharing stories and songs with young children, Pam loves dogs and dark chocolate. She lives in New York with her husband, and loves when her children, grandchildren, and granddogs come to visit!
You can connect with the author on their website, Facebook, X, and Instagram.
The Giveaway!
You can enter to win a copy of this book (US only) here.
Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this post, all opinions expressed are my own.