My last book review was all about
motivating your child. Now I've got a book that is all about motivating mom!
Nourished: A Search for Health, Happiness, and a Full Night's Sleep written by the mother/daughter team Becky Johnson and Rachel Randolph.
First a little blurb to introduce you to the authors...
Becky Johnson is the author, coauthor, or collaborator of more than forty books. She’s a natural storyteller who has inspired and entertained audiences for years. Most recently she co-authored We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook alone with a blog by the same name with her daughter, Rachel Randolph. She and her husband, Greg, live in Denver, Colorado. Website/blog: www.laughcrycook.com
Rachel Randolph writes and speaks with humor and honesty about parenting a toddler, young married life, and her mostly plant-based cooking adventures. Rachel is married to Jared, a high school football and baseball coach. They live near Dallas, Texas with their son, Jackson. Nourished is her second book.
Now, on to the book. "Nourished" is written in a conversational in tone, as if you were sitting down with a nice cuppa with a couple of friends. Becky and Rachel are very different personalities, but just like the rest of us, they have/had to deal with many of the same pressures and issues that face many women in today's society including cluttered surroundings, crowded schedules, negative body image, feeling like a spiritual slacker, and more.
The book is split into 5 parts:
Nourished 911
The "Under-nourished" Woman (Body/soul/spirit)
Nourish or Perish
Nourishing Habits That Stay
Nourished Spaces and Routines
Nourishing Nests
Nourishing Plates and Welcoming Spaces
Nourishing Schedules and Balanced Rhythms
Nourished Bodies, Nourished Selves
Nourishing Self-Acceptance
Nourishing Menus and Happy Memories
Nourishing Movement
Nourished Relationships
Nourishing Friendships
Nourishing Ways to Parent and Grandparent
Nourishing Mariiages
Nourished Spirits
Nourishing Thoughts That Tend and Mend Us
Nourishing the Brain in Pain
The Nourishing Voice of God
Epilogue: Your Own Nourishing Path
Now I have to admit that I haven't finished reading the entire book yet (I'm a little over half-way through~ I've had a lot more snow shoveling time vs reading time than I expected, and it doesn't look like that's changing any time soon!), but so far I can say that it *is* a nourishing read~ it feeds the spirit and the mind with good thoughts ~ I feel it exemplifies
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—think on these things.
When I have time to read a little bit here and there I come away feeling refreshed and encouraged, and generally with a smile on my face put there by one of Becky or Rachel's stories.
Here's a little snippet creating a word picture of two different personality types (Or rather the extremes~ there are an endless variation of types contained within, and hopefully we can all learn to achieve a balance there):
The Rider and the Elephant
"
The Rider is the planner, the logical part of us that researches, makes lists, and follows steps into change. The Elephant is that big, emotive part of ourselves that has to be reached and motivated to make a change, even a small one. An Elephant without a Rider is all feeling and impulse, lumbering and stampeding with heartfelt, unbridled, and directionless emotion.... The Rider without the Elephant, on the other hand, is like a woman standing on a path in the jungle, a well-thumbed guidebook in hand - but without the gumption needed to move off center and actually go somewhere."
One of my favorite truths is crystalized in many parts of this book:
Perspective can change almost everything.
If you are feeling the need for nourishment and encouragement from some ladies who have Been There/Done That~ acknowledgement that you are not alone in many of the struggles you face (be they first world problems or not), you may want to pick up a copy of
Nourished: A Search for Health, Happiness, and a Full Night's Sleep. Or you can enter my giveaway for a copy (Please wait for the Rafflecopter to load) to keep for yourself or give as a gift to a friend.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blessings~
Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.
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