What to eat when you're pregnant

A trimester-by-trimester guide to what to eat--as opposed to what to avoid--while pregnant and nursing, to support the mother's health and the baby's development during each stage of pregnancy, with 50 recipes.
Pregnancy has traditionally been viewed as a time when women can give in to their food cravings and not worry about their weight. But new research suggests that the foods women eat during pregnancy can have a lasting effect on the baby's brain development and behavior, as well as the mother's waistline. While many books tell women what not to eat, there are few guides that tell women what to eat while also considering that hormonal influences during pregnancy can make it difficult to stick to a healthy diet. More and more women enter pregnancy overweight, gain an unhealthy amount of weight while pregnant, then struggle to lose the "baby weight" after the baby is born. Drawing on the latest research from the fields of medicine, nutrition, and psychology, this guide gives moms-to-be a clear understanding of what their bodies really need and how those foods contribute to the development of healthy and happy babies.

My thoughts: Where was this book when I was pregnant with my daughter?! I know that what we eat has an impact on how we feel, our emotions, and, when we are expecting, the development of our babies. It is interesting to read that studies are starting to show that what the mother eats when she is pregnant can help or harm her child's development. I know we all know that there are harmful things for a pregnant lady to do (alcohol, drugs, etc) but it interesting to take it a step further and realize that how important it is to try to eat healthy and vitamin rich foods. I thought it was interesting to read several options for how to deal with morning sickness, not just to take ginger (which is the only one that I heard when I was pregnant. It didn't work for me).
I think this is a wonderful resource for pregnant mamas! If you know someone who recently found out they are expecting, then this is a must for them. The suggestions are wonderful and I love that there is a recipe to accompany each food, most of them are incredibly easy to prepare. Two thumbs up!
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Just Show Up

Kara Tippetts’s story was not a story of disease, although she lost her battle with terminal cancer.

It was not a story of saying goodbye, although she was intentional in her time with her husband and four children. Kara’s story was one of seeing God in the hard and in the good. It was one of finding grace in the everyday. And it was one of knowing “God with us” through fierce and beautiful friendship.

In Just Show Up, Kara and her close friend, Jill Lynn Buteyn, write about what friendship looks like in the midst of changing life seasons, loads of laundry, and even cancer. Whether you are eager to be present to someone going through a difficult time or simply want inspiration for pursuing friends in a new way, this eloquent and practical book explores the gift of silence, the art of receiving, and what it means to just show up.

More about the authors: The late Kara Tippetts was the author of “The Hardest Peace” and blogged faithfully at mundanefaithfulness.com. Cancer was only a part of Kara’s story. Her real fight was to truly live while facing a crushing reality. Since her death in March 2015, her husband, Jason, is parenting their four children and leading the church they founded in Colorado Springs, Colorado. ***||*** Jill Lynn Buteyn is the author of “Falling for Texas,” an inspirational novel, and a recipient of the ACFW Genesis Award for her fiction work. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University. Jill lives near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children.

My thoughts: I knew this book was going to be a hard one to read when it arrived in my mailbox! I read Kara's first book around the time my MIL was diagnosed with breast cancer, so it hit me hard. To see that Kara lost her battle to cancer at such a young age seems unfair. But, as I read the book, I was amazed at the message of hope found in it, one that I should of seen as a Christian. Even though it is tragic that she left behind her husband and young children, she is in a better place where there are no more tears, no more suffering.
If you have had tragedy hit the life of a friend and you just don't know how to handle being their for them, I highly suggest this book! It is a wonderful resource for those who want to help but don't know how to be there for a friend or loved one. I like how Jill points out that many offers to help are broad, leaving the one suffering to wonder if it was an honest offer or not.
One of my favorite quotes from the book: "we put so much pressure on ourselves to do everything right that many of us decide it's too hard to even attempt entering into someone else's suffering."
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook

In their debut cookbook, the Trim Healthy Mama's share hundreds of delicious, healthy recipes to help readers successfully slim down while eating well. This companion cookbook to the bestselling Trim Healthy Mama Plan is just what readers have been waiting for. It features simple, mouthwatering, recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner including slow cooker and one-pot meals, hearty soups and salads, omelets and waffles, pizzas, breads and more. No Trim Healthy Mama should be deprived, so there are also favorite snacks, delectable desserts, and the smoothies, sippers and teas fans love. With pantry-stocking advice, time-saving tips, and information on how to cook for the entire family, theTrim Healthy Mama Cookbook offers a delicious and nutritious way to make trim and healthy meals with less stress?so you have more time with your loved ones.

My thoughts: I was thrilled to get a copy of this book, since one of my friends had just been telling me about it and how the recipes are changing her diet for the better. I like that they use a lot of veggies, but in sneaky ways.;) I'm not a huge fan of stevia and other sugar substitutes, but I am looking forward to trying their recipes that call for it, since they look like they would taste good and be good for you. I like that these ladies have found a healthy balance of eating all the food groups and staying trim.
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.