Reads & Recipes {February 2013}

Well, I’m really shocked that we’re already in March! Wasn’t it just Christmas?! And it’s that time of the month again for me to share my favorite “Reads & Recipes.”

February 2013 Books

Although I picked up a few books that I considered reading this month, the main one to catch my attention was Trim Healthy Mama.

Let’s just say I LOVE this book! I am still working my way through it since it’s well over 600 pages, but everything I’ve read so far resonates so well with me. I love the wellness philosophy the authors take on–and how their view of food so well lines up with what I see in the Bible. I plan on giving a full review of this book once I finish it and start implementing the plan more.

My friends Mindy at Creating Naturally and Stacy at Stacy Makes Cents are also reading it–so we can keep each other accountable!

This is usually my first view in the morning–children jumping on me in the bed.

February 2013 Favorite Links

Whew–for what I lacked in books I made up for in links! It was hard to narrow this list down!

{Motherhood and Family Life}

Why I Stopped Feeling Guilty About Stupid Things @ Chatting at the Sky: I struggle with guilt–a lot. And Emily Freeman? Well, she’s just a writer after my own little writer heart.

I Went to a Mom Conference! {My New Convictions on Texting, Discipline and Joy at Home} @ Smartter Each Day: Jessica lives a hop, a skip and a mere 30-minute ride away from me. I hope to meet her one day. We’re in the same season and how I hope to get an audio of the Sally Clarkson conference she got to attend!

I Cried, Decided to be a Better Mom, Then Yelled at My Kids @ SarahMae: Oh, Sarah Mae, I think we are the same person. This is so something I would do.

Valentine’s Day

How to Quiet Your Mind @ Family Your Way: It’s not often that I just stop and do nothing and rest. But I need to.

Motherhood–for the Rest of Us @ Gospel Coalition: That mom who so doesn’t have it all together? Well, yeah, that’s me. Turns out I’m not the only one. And maybe God designed it that way.

Anti-Frantic @ Shauna: This one was my favorite. It reminded me so much of…me. It was a whisper that I don’t want this to keep being me.

Interesting…I didn’t realize until I pasted these all in here that they run a theme. Think God is trying to tell me something? Is He trying to tell you something, too?

I have the absolute best co-worker ever!

{Health and Wellness}

Why Yoga Moves Aren’t Spiritually Dangerous @ Fit2B Us: Yoga is kind of a taboo subject in the Church. I’ve always wondered: Is it okay or is it not? I have really been enjoying my Fit2B workouts, and I highly respect the site owner, Beth. Here she tackles the yoga question head on. (By the way, you can still get 50% off a 3-month membership until 3/18! Use code 3for15bucks!)

The Whole 30 Program: Mandi at Life Your Way and Stacy at A Delightful Home are both doing this program, and I have to admit they have me intrigued. It looks like a great way to detox while breastfeeding as well.

Why You Need to Change WHEN You Drink Coffee @ The Healthy Home Economist: I only drink one cup a day, but I do not do well without it. And one a day isn’t really bad, but I was going about it all the wrong way.

Why, yes, that’s my 2 year old making pancakes.

Celiac Disease vs. Gluten Intolerance vs. Wheat Allergy @ Modern Alternative Kitchen: Since January, I’ve joined my girls in going gluten free. I thought I was doing it for the baby, but the one day I accidentally ingested gluten made me realize that that foggy brain I’ve had since baby #2 may be tied to a gluten intolerance.

Wheat is NOT Genetically Modified…so Why So Many Sensitivities? @ Kitchen Stewardship: This one may make you mad–and have you rethinking wheat consumption altogether.

February 2013 Recipes

I didn’t try too many new things this month, just the following:

Crock Pot Ugly Chicken Dinner @ Stacy Makes Cents: This was easy–and not nearly as ugly as Stacy made it out to be!

Muffin in a Mug, Cake in a Mug and Citrus Baked Chicken–all from Trim Healthy Mama: Sorry, no links to the recipes, but the book is fabulous! I actually eat a muffin in a mug just about every day now!

Gluten, Dairy and Egg-Free Pancakes @ Organizing Junkie: I put chocolate chips in mine and switched out the soy milk with almond. At first they were really thin and runny, but I realized that her GF flour mix contained xantham gum and mine did not, so I added some in, and they fluffed up just fine. My girls loved them. They were a bit sweet for me, but it’s the girls that count!

Stacy helped me reorganize my kitchen.

What else did I do in February?

Stacy Makes Cents and her family came for a visit! We had a blast, and we hope to visit each other several times a year since they just live two hours away!

Baby Girl cut her first two teeth two days before she turned 6 months–my first baby to get teeth that young! I also took Little Girl to the dentist one day…she loves it just as much as I do. I am actually one of those weirdos that equate going to the dentist as relaxing as getting  a massage!

Besides that, I was in ebook lala land the entire month. I spent every Saturday at the coffee shop writing. I am SO ready for it to be out! I’m hoping to finish up my revisions today, and the book should be out in about 3 to 4 weeks! It’s ALL about cloth diapers (150 pages worth!). I spent hours researching cloth when I first started, and I’ve written the book in such a way to hopefully save other moms from having to hunt around the web like I did. I so appreciate your support, dear readers!

How did you spend your February?

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