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Carrot and Leek Pie with The Harvest Baker

November 7, 2017 by Erika

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this cookbook in exchange for my honest review.  All photos and opinions contained in this post are my own. Erika Bault is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Before I started to learning about or even caring about local, seasonal food, one of my favorite meals was this chicken in leek cream sauce with a side of asparagus.  WHAT?!  Asparagus and leeks couldn't really be further apart as far as growing seasons go with asparagus being an early spring treat and leeks being a fall and winter crop.

Now I have such a hard time when I'm looking at recipes on Pinterest because I see so many with ingredients that don't come from the same growing season.  But with a supermarket mentality, where everything is available year-round, we as consumers don't usually know what season something should actually be bought and consumed.  This is why I advocate so strongly for people to start growing at least some of their own produce and visit farmers markets or join CSAs.  This is also the biggest reason I am in love with the new cookbook from Ken Haedrich, The Harvest Baker.

In The Harvest Baker you find recipes that keep things seasonal.  No asparagus and leek pairings here.  And as a gardener, I get excited about new ways to use our produce.  Most of the recipes include vegetables or fruits that we already grow or buy locally, so I can feel good about meal planning from this cookbook because I know that it will encourage me to eat more sustainably.

When I was approached by Storey Publishing about this cookbook and trying out the recipes, I was immediately excited about the Carrot and Leek Pie because I knew that we should have both leeks and carrots ready soon.  Unfortunately, before I got the recipe made, something destroyed my leeks.  I was however able to use two different kinds of carrots and parsley from our garden and our own eggs.  I can't tell you how accomplished I feel when I can make a meal with ingredients we have made from scratch or grown.

In this recipe I used the vegetable broth, which is easy to make yourself as well if you don't want to go the store-bought route.  And I chose to use the Monterey Jack cheese because our local grocery didn't have Havarti.

This pie, especially if you grew some of the ingredients yourself, will be a stunner at any Thanksgiving potluck this season.  It is packed with veggies but has a richness that won't make your fellow diners feel like they're being deprived of that delicious home-cooked goodness we all expect at Thanksgiving.

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I hope that you enjoy this recipe as much as we did.  AND as a special bonus, I've partnered with Storey Publishing to give one lucky reader the cookbook, The Harvest Baker by Ken Haedrich!

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Carrot and Leek Pie
2017-11-06 16:22:23
Serves 8
Excerpted from The Harvest Baker, © by Ken Haedrich, used with permission from Storey Publishing.
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Ingredients
  1. 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  2. 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
  3. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  4. 1/2 cup (1 stick) plus 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  5. 1/3 cup ice-cold water
  6. 3 thick leeks, white and pale green parts only
  7. 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
  8. 1 pound carrots, peeled and grated
  9. 1/4 cup chicken stock or vegetable stock
  10. Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  11. 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
  12. 2 large eggs
  13. 1 cup cottage cheese
  14. 1 cup grated Havarti cheese or Monterey Jack cheese
  15. 5 tablespoons Italian-style bread crumbs
  16. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill (or 1 tablespoon of each)
Instructions
  1. Combine the flour, cornstarch, and salt in a food processor. Pulse several times to mix. Remove the lid and scatter the butter over the dry ingredients. Pulse the machine 8 to 10 times, until all of the butter is broken into small pieces, none larger than the size of a split pea.
  2. Add the water through the feed tube in a 5- to 10-second stream, pulsing the machine as you add it. Stop pulsing the machine when the mixture is still fairly crumbly but starting to form larger clumps. Turn the mixture out onto your work surface and shape it into a 3/4- to 1-inch-thick disk. The best way to do this and keep your hands off the dough (the warmth from your hands will make the dough sticky) is to place two long pieces of plastic wrap on your work surface, overlapping them by several inches. Dump the dough mixture in the middle, grasp and scrunch up the edges of the plastic, lift the plastic, and pull the mixture toward the center. When your hands meet in the middle, press down on the dough with your fists, to flatten it out somewhat; then move your hands around the plastic and repeat several times to make a round disk. If this sounds confusing, just remember that all you’re trying to do is form a dough disk without actually touching the dough.
  3. Wrap up the dough in a fresh sheet of plastic, and refrigerate for 11/2 to 2 hours before rolling.
  4. On a sheet of lightly floured waxed paper, roll the dough into a 12- to 12 1/2-inch circle. Invert the pastry over a standard (not deep dish) 9- or 9 1/2-inch pie pan, center it, and peel off the paper. Gently tuck the pastry into the pan without stretching it. Sculpt the overhanging dough into an upstanding ridge; flute the edges, if desired. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or place in the freezer for 30 minutes.
  5. Quarter the leeks lengthwise up to the root end, but don’t cut through the end. Fan out the sections and rinse them under running water to wash out any sand and grit. Slice the leeks thinly. Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a large sauté pan. Stir in the leeks. Cook over moderate heat for 2 to 3 minutes, until wilted, stirring often. Stir in the carrots and cook for another couple of minutes. Add the stock, and salt and pepper the vegetables with a light hand. Cover the pan and cook the vegetables gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and stir in the vinegar. Set aside to cool.
  6. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Whisk the eggs and cottage cheese in a large bowl. Whisk in 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add the cooled vegetables, Havarti, 2 tablespoons of the bread crumbs, and parsley. Mix gently but thoroughly.
  7. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the remaining bread crumbs over the pie shell. Turn the filling into the shell and smooth with a spoon. Sprinkle the remaining 3 tablespoons of bread crumbs evenly on top and dot with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the top has developed a rich golden-brown crust. Transfer to a rack and cool for 20 to 30 minutes before serving. Refrigerate leftovers. Reheat individual slices on a baking sheet or in the pan, loosely covered with foil, in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 12 minutes.
Notes
  1. Excerpt from The Harvest Baker, ©
  2. "I love big flavors and bold seasonings, but some of the most successful dishes happen when ingredients get to speak softly for themselves. That is the case with this one, one of the most popular garden pies I make. First we gently sauté the carrots and leeks in butter to help bring out their sweetness. The remaining ingredients mostly serve to bind everything together, not influence the flavor; we want the carrots and leeks to shine. The pie has a moist, compact texture, and each slice has a gorgeous profile, a mosaic of finely textured carrots and leeks. If you use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock, this pie will please vegetarians immensely. I’ll usually serve it as the main dish with sautéed greens on the side."
By Ken Haedrich
Full & Simple https://fullandsimple.com/

Erika
Influence Network
Food Lovers Devotional

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: book, book review, carrot, gardening, Ken Haedrich, leek, local food, Main Dish, Main Dishes, pie, recipe, seasonal eating, The Harvest Baker

Rad Women Worldwide

February 24, 2017 by Erika

Tired of Today's "Role Models"

Having a daughter in today's world, I feel a responsibility to surround her with worthy role models.  I don't want Miley Cyrus and the Kardashians to be the types of women that she aspires to be. I wanted to read through Rad Women Worldwide to be able to share these women's stories with my daughter someday.

Sadly, most of the women talked about in Rad Women Worldwide were women I had never heard of before I read this book.  However, now there are many strong women that I am interested in learning more about.  Women like...

Real Rad Women

Malala Yousafzai was only 11 when she started writing for BBC about what it was like to live in Pakistan under extremist rule.  When she was 14, she was shot in the head by a Taliban assassin, but she was not killed. At the age of 17 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to advocate for the education of young girls.  She wrote the best-selling book, I am Malala, and a documentary titled He Named Me Malala is available on Hulu if you are interested in learning more about her.

Wangari Maathai grew up in Kenya, but realized in the 1970s that the Kenya of her childhood was disappearing.  Poverty, unemployment and malnutrition were becoming more prevalent. Forests were being destroyed to make way for crop land.  Wangari took action.  She started the Green Belt Movement, which taught women how to plant tree seeds and nurture the saplings.  This provided income for women in Kenya and helped to clean up the environment and water.  In 2004, Wangari became the first environmentalist and African woman to receive the Nobel Peace prize.

About the Book

To find other amazing women like these, you don't have to look any further than Rad Women Worldwide.  With stories of 40 different women from all over the globe (plus a list of names and locations of 250 more), you are sure to find worthy role models for your daughters and yourself.

This book is one that I will absolutely keep and share with my daughter as she grows up.  It's easy today to feel hopeless and like there is nothing we can do to help, but as the author said, "When the forces of evil seemed to dominate the events of the world, these accounts reminded me that women have overcome, fought back, led, created, invented, achieved, and succeeded."

Learn more about the book, Rad Women Worldwide, here.

Disclaimer:I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.  Erika Bault is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

 

Erika
Influence Network
Food Lovers Devotional

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Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: Blogging for Books, book, book review, Kate Schatz, Malala Yousafzai, movie, Rad Women Worldwide, review, Wangari Maathai, women role model

Nothing to Prove

January 31, 2017 by Erika

Once again Jennie Allen's words have wrecked me in the best possible way.  In her new book, Nothing to Prove, she shares why we can all stop trying so hard.  Full of personal stories and scripture, this book is sure to be one that I will come to again and again for inspiration and guidance.

A while ago I read Anything by Jennie, with the Influence Network book club and it too completely tore me up.  Jennie's fears and thoughts always seem to be pulled directly from my head, but with a seminary background and a much better track record with Bible study, she can also share the truth found in God's word to fight those battles.

You Are Not Enough

That hurts doesn't it?  We try so hard to be enough (whatever that is).  But we aren't and we won't ever be.  "God already knows you are not enough, but He's not asking you to be.  We are the ones who have chosen to walk through the desert with enormous packs strapped to our backs full of everything but water," (pg 32).  There.  That. That is the reason we can stop trying.  Our trying will never EVER measure up, but it's okay because He has already taken care of the lack on our part.  When we accept that we are not enough, we have nothing to prove!

"...to get to the place where God can be enough, we have to first admit that we aren't." pg 39

My Sin

I've always known that comparison was a thief to my joy.  I knew that feeling like I wasn't good enough was detrimental to my ability to step out in faith and for my sanity for that matter.  But when I read the words, "I am realizing it's not my curse that I believe I am not enough; it's my sin that I keep trying to be,"  that I absolutely lost it.  I wept hard.  We're talking full-on ugly cry, people.

Honestly, these have probably been the most powerful words in the whole book for me.  My sin is trying to be enough, trying to go it alone, trying to not need His sacrifice.  Because if I am enough, then I get the glory.  If I do things all by myself, I get the credit.  But none of us are self-made.  We are made by the Potter's hands, fashioned in His image for His glory.  I have nothing to prove because I'm not the one that will get the glory anyway!

They Aren't Enough Either

As a stay-at-home mom, there are times I can feel lonely.  I get used to not talking to another adult all day that sometimes I still don't say much to my husband in the evenings.  OR I can get time with another mom during a play date and end up talking her ear off because I don't remember talking to another human outside my family.  But often, even after a great girls' night or one of those play dates, my soul is still lonely.  "Loneliness is meant to be an invitation to draw closer to God.  But our tendency is to try frantically first to meet that need in people, to prove to ourselves that we are lovable and funny and worthy of attention," (pg 106).

I'm going to admit that I crave and fear being known by anyone.  Vulnerability scares the living daylights out of me.  And even if we are vulnerable with others, nobody can completely know you or me the way Christ can.  He hears every thought (scary, I know) and knows all of your secrets (even scarier).  BUT! BUT He loves you anyway.  Our friends have nothing to prove because they are not meant to be our everything; He is!

"The lie is that good things like community, authenticity, confession can take the place of connecting with Jesus." pg 106

Your Turn

I could go on and on about the truths in this book.  I could share quote after quote.  But then I'd be writing a book too.  Instead, I want to tell you to RUN out and buy this book.  Grab a bunch of women you love to read alongside you.  And I promise you will be changed.

I want to share one last quote with you from the very last chapter. "As we step into His streams of abundance, we live in freedom and peace.  No more bondage.  No more striving.  No more performing," (pg 232).

Get your copy of Jennie Allen's brand new book, Nothing to Prove, here.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free as part of Jennie Allen's launch team for the book.  Erika Bault is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Erika
Influence Network
Food Lovers Devotional

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Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: book, book club, book list, book review, inspiration, Jennie Allen, motivation, Nothing to Prove, Spiritual

The Temple and the Tabernacle

January 16, 2017 by Erika

Last year I (slowly) completed Angie Smith's Seamless study.  I loved that study.  It really opened up a desire to learn more about the history of the time during the Bible along with the spiritual meaning of the text.  I got a copy of The Temple and the Tabernacle by J. Daniel Hays because of this new interest.  This study combines the physical aspects of the temples and tabernacle along with the spiritual importance of them.

"In this book we will explore the specific biblical texts and the overall biblical story about the temple and the tabernacle--that is, about how God dwells among his people and encounters them in relational presence.  Basically, we will move through the Bible chronologically, examining theologically how God's presence, power and holiness engage with people through "temples," or "temple-like" places."

I find that as English-speakers we are often short-changed compared to other languages.  There are 96 words for love in Sanskrit and the Eskimos have 30 words for snow.  In The Temple and the Tabernacle, we find that there are several terms used to describe different concepts associated with each term in the Hebrew and Greek languages.  These different words convey very different meanings.  In English "temple" usually refers to a place of worship, but in Hebrew one common word, Mishkan, was used frequently to describe the temple, which basically means "dwelling place."  The temple at that time was full of God's presence.  I always find the Hebrew and Greek meanings fascinating!

The Temple and the Tabernacle covers the garden of Eden as a holy place, the Ark and the Tabernacle, Solomon's temple, the departure of God from Solomon's temple, the Second Temple, and the temple of God as seen in the New Testament.  A lot of ground to cover, you might be thinking.  One particular section that interested me was on what happened to the Ark of the Covenant.  Jeremiah, the prophet, predicted that the Ark would cease to exist and that it would not be missed or replaced. Consequently, the Bible does not mention the Ark after the invasion of the Babylonians.  It's amazing how prophecy manifests!

At times, my head did spin a bit while reading through this because of all of the ground covered.  It is A LOT of information to process.  However, I absolutely enjoyed my time with this study. As a result, will be keeping it close to my Concordance and Bible as a reference.  The book includes actual photos as well as illustrations to make all of the information come alive.  The photos and illustrations helped me engage more fully with the content.  I hope that someday I'm able to visit Israel and see some of the sites in person.

If you would like to learn more about the history and the "goings-on" of the Bible beyond just the spiritual ramifications, then I highly recommend this study.  Like I said, I will be keeping it close for reference!

Disclaimer: I recieved this book from Bakers Books Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.  Erika Bault is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

 

 

Erika
Influence Network
Food Lovers Devotional

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Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: Baker Books Bloggers, Bible study, book, book review, J. Daniel Hays, review, Spiritual, tabernacle, temple

Reading List for a Year of Contentment

January 4, 2017 by Erika

Before I started blogging, I rarely read non-fiction books, but now that seems to be what I read most.  I have found such inspiration in self-help, memoir and informational books, so I'm turning to these types books this year to help me focus on my year of contentment.

Some of the books on this list I have read before.  Some were books from last year's reading list that I never finished reading.  And several are books I heard about in 2016 that I believe will be great reads for the year.

Nothing to Prove

I am blessed to be one of the women on the launch team for this book, which filled up in a matter of minutes of the application going live! I'm not finished with Nothing to Prove yet, but it is already so, so good!  Sometime in my life, I hope I am able to meet Jennie Allen and give her a hug (and I'm not a hugger, people!) because she writes EXACTLY what I feel and think.  It's amazing!  I'll do a full review of the book in a few weeks, but let me share this quote with you for now,

"...I want to be enough for God, for you.  And that's my sin.  Deep down, I want to be enough.  I don't want to keep needing God.

I am realizing that it's not my curse that I believe that I am not enough; it's my sin that I keep trying to be."

You can pre-order Jennie's book here.

Made Well

Can we all admit that we are broken and wounded and weary?  In Made Well, Jenny Simmons sets out to show us how we can find healing in our everyday, mundane lives.  I've not yet read this book, but I know that I need the healing that she talks about.  As an introvert that prefers to not get vulnerable, lest things should get tense or awkward, I hold on to my hurts and angers.  I want Jesus to make me well!

Order Made Well here.

Change Your Words, Change Your Life

Before I had kids and had gotten my dream job of teaching, I was a bank teller.  I'm going to be completely truthful that at the time, I thought being a bank teller was beneath me and my college personal finance degree.  BUT God used that season to really humble me and bring me closer to Him.

During my lunch breaks, I would go home and watch Joyce Meyer and eat my leftovers.  I can't tell you how much I relied on Joyce's show during that time in my life.  I don't know if I would have had the faith to believe I would one day teach personal finance to high-schoolers if it hadn't been for watching her show every day.  This book is one that I bought during that season and just never got around to reading.

We all use language that isn't accurate and could potentially mess with our heads.  For instance, my husband and I have started to say "that's not in our budget" instead of saying "we can't afford that." We do this because if we weren't saving for retirement and making tithing a priority, a lot of those things we "can't afford" probably wouldn't be issues.  We've changed out language to reflect our priorities and truth.  My hope for this book is that I will learn to change other areas of my language in order to make me reflect on how truly blessed I really am.

Order Change Your Words, Change Your Life on Amazon here.

Cold Tangerines

This was on last year's reading list and I didn't get to it.  Shauna Niequist is one of my favorite guests on podcasts I listen to, but sadly I've never read any of her books!  That will change this year as two of my picks are her books.  The subtitle is what got me on this book, "Celebrating the extraordinary nature of everyday life."  That's what I believe contentment is.  It's finding the awesomeness in doing the dishes, giving baths, and collecting eggs; being incredibly joyful doing everyday life.  I realize there will be days that this will be a stretch (Heck, today was one of those days...nobody napped!), but overall, I know we have more good days than bad.  I just need the reminder!

You can find all of Shauna's books here!

The Joy Diet

I heard about this book from The Simple Sophisticate Podcast.  The Joy Diet gives you 10 daily practices for a happier life.  Each chapter focuses on one aspect of a happier life and only when you have successfully added one, are you supposed to move on.  I'll be honest that this sounds a little daunting.  How can I add more to my to-do list?  Here are a few things that Beck believes you need in your daily life: nothingness, truth, laughter, connection.  When you see those things, the 10 practices seem a bit more doable.

Get the Joy Diet here.

Present Over Perfect

This was one of the most talked about books last year on many of the podcasts I listen to.  I think the title speaks for itself as to why it made the cut for my contentment reading list.  Here is a quote from Shauna on the inside cover, "A few years ago, I found myself exhausted and isolated, my soul and body sick.  I was tired of being tired, burned out on busy.  And, it seemed, almost everyone I talked with was in the same boat: longing for connection, meaning, depth, but settling for busy."

When I'm feeling "bored," its actually discontent seeping to the surface.  And what do I do when I'm bored?  I get busy shopping or doing something!  Being busy keeps us from feeling our emotions and getting to the deep issues in our hearts.  I can't wait to read this book and gain insight on how to deal with the hard heart issues I know I've got going on!

Check out Present Over Perfect here.

I'm Happy For You (Sort of...Not Really)

This is another book from last year that I neglected getting to, and again its one that speaks for itself as to why I've chosen it for the reading list.  The subtitle, "Finding contentment in a culture of comparison," is basically my anthem for the year.  I can't wait to see what tips and advice Wyma has to offer in this book.  Not to mention, I am really holding out hope that this is a funny book.  I mean, look at the cover!

You can find out more about I'm Happy for You here.

Loving My Actual Life

I read this Loving My Actual Life by Alexandra Kuykendall last year and it was so, so good!  Kuykendall set out on a nine month journey of tweaking little things in her day in order to love her actual life.  Each month she focused on one area.  Some of the areas include: quieting the noise around her, simplifying her morning routine, planning meals, and making time for creativity.  Kuykendall was very real and transparent with her readers.  At the end of each chapter she shared what changes worked and what didn't.  I have considered doing my own nine month experiment after my three month Contentment Challenge.

Read my full review of the book here.

Buy your own copy of Loving My Actual Life here.

 

Simplicity Parenting

I heard about this book from a few women I follow on Instagram and from Hayley Morgan's interview on The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey podcast.  Ever since I've wanted to read it, so I convinced my book club to read it with me this month.

I added this book to the reading list because, although it may not directly help increase my contentment, I already see discontent in my daughter.  She has a really bad case of "the gimmes".  Just today while we were out getting groceries she talked about wanting to buy a new toy!  We just had five Christmases!!!  It is my desire to get a handle on this in her early because I know what it is to live with discontent.

Ever since I was little I have looked to the next thing or next accomplishment to make me happy, only to find that the happiness fades and then I'm searching again for my "fix."  If this book can help me help her, then it is absolutely worth it!  Plus, happier kids will lead to a happier momma!

Find out more about Simplicity Parenting here.

Freedom of Simplicity

I had to add this book because Richard Foster is the person that I quote constantly saying, "The Christian discipline of simplicity is an inward reality that results in an outward lifestyle."  In my post earlier this week I talked about how I worked and worked last year to live simply when in reality, all I did was create chaos and exhaustion instead.  I focused on the wrong things; the outward things.  Simplicity and contentment will have to start on the inside, deep in my soul, before my outward life will finally reflect the true simplicity my heart has been craving.

Get your copy of Richard Foster's book here.

Grace Not Perfection

This book had me at the bright pink cover.  Emily Ley is the creator of the Simple Planner and has now published this book, Grace Not Perfection, with rave reviews.

"Learn to embrace an intentionally slower rhythm of life through inspirational writings, detailed tips, creative ideas, and beautiful imagery...Hold yourself and those you love to a more life-giving standard, and allow that grace to seep into your days, your family, and your heart."

This book is full of beautiful color photos and spaces to write and work out the details for implementing Ley's tips into your own life.  I love when books ask you questions and give you space to work out the answers.  I find that I'm much more likely to really try to practice what I'm reading when they do this.  I'm excited to get into this book!

Buy your own copy of Grace Not Perfection by Emily Ley here.

Chasing Slow

Shauna Niequist said, "Erin’s writing is beautiful, and this book is soulful and practical, honest and inspiring. For all of us who are tempted to perform and filter and prove---which is, I think, all of us---this is a necessary conversation about a deeper, better way of living."  A deeper, better way of living.....Yes, please!  While the thought of deeper living scares me a bit, because to get a deep connection there are going to be things that may cause short-term tension which I hate, I also yearn for this more than surface relationships.  I want to know you and be known.  As scary as it is, I crave it.  Comparing, trying to prove ourselves and our worth, and performing all get in the way of that.

I can't wait until my pre-ordered copy arrives!

You can pre-order Erin's book here.

Listen to Erin on The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey here.

Rhythms of Rest

I follow a blog where the author talks about a "Sabbath meal" she and her family have on Friday nights.  It looks and sounds so amazing and I would love to implement something like that into our lives.  Well, this book may help me.

In Rhythms of Rest, Miller talks about how we can add Sabbath rest into our lives AND be intentional about it.  I'll be honest and say that even as a stay-at-home mom, I make time to rest, BUT I'm definitely not intentional about it.  Usually my rest is me zoning out in front of Netflix after the kids go to bed.  While at the time, I have energy for little else, it doesn't give rest to my soul.  Living from a place of soul rest has to be one of the most content places to be...I imagine at least.

Add Rhythms of Rest to your reading list here.

 

The Year of Living Danishly

Denmark is recognized as the happiest country in the world.  I'm not sure how that's decided upon, but this is what I've read.  When author, Helen Russell heard this statistic, she wondered what made Danes happier than the rest of us, so she set about to find the answer.  Well, I'm curious too!  I've heard of Hygge (pronounced hue-gah), the Danish way of making ordinary moments more meaningful and special and I'm hoping that this book will dive into that a bit.  After reading reviews, I am expecting this to be a funny and witty read as well.

Learn the secrets of Living Danishly by getting your own copy here.

#InstaEnvy

I am delighted about sharing this ebook with you!  Why?  I know the author!  Yep, Ali and I have even collaborated on a project before so this is me "name-dropping."  LOL!  But seriously, Ali is an amazing woman of God.  I love to read her blog and follow her on Instagram.  She shares such wisdom!

The aspects that made me want to read this book most were the title and subtitle.  Who hasn't scrolled through their Instagram feed at some point and ended up feeling worthless or envious?  After a few scrolls I feel like all the people have all the things and are doing all the things except for me.  However, each person is only doing one or two things and we don't notice when a "friend" doesn't post for a week or two because they just spent time working on the big project they revealed today.

I am looking forward to more of the wisdom I've grown accustomed to receiving from Ali while I read this book.

Get your own ebook for only 99 cents here!

Love Your Life Not Theirs

You all know I'm a Dave Ramsey fan, so it's probably no surprise to you that his daughter's new book made the list.  Dave's whole philosophy is that good money habits is more about behavior and attitude than about the actual numbers.  I am excited to see what Rachel can do on her own since this is her first book written solo.  While I'm sure that some of the content will be familiar, I look forward to hearing Rachel's take on how to NOT keep up with the Joneses.

Get your copy here.

You Are Free

This book is extremely new to me.  Honestly, it was while researching other books for this reading list that Amazon suggested I check it out.  I'm not going to lie, I have a hard time grasping the "It is for freedom that I set you free" concept.  This may the be point where you roll your eyes and think I'm an idiot, but seriously.  I read that passage in Wild and Free last year and I've read it in the Bible, but it has never sunk in to the point of me being in absolute awe.  And that sort of worries me.

I decided to add this book simply because I think that fully comprehending and feeling the freedom Christ bought and paid for deep in my bones could have the potential to make the most miraculous transformation in my life this year.  Here's to hoping!

You can pre-order your book here.

Disclaimer: Erika Bault is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

 

Erika
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Food Lovers Devotional

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Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: book, book list, book review, Change Your Words Change Your Life, Cold Tangerines, contentment, contentment challenge, Jennie Allen, Joyce Meyer, Love Your Life Not Theirs, Made Well, Nothing to Prove, Present Over Perfect, Rachel Cruze, Year of Contentment

The Rewired Brain

November 21, 2016 by Erika

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By nature, I am a pessimistic person.  I usually see things glass half empty and will jump to the worst case scenario when things don't go exactly as I have planned.  This is why I was interested in The Rewired Brain by Dr. Ski Chilton.

The Negatives

Like I said, I'm negative by nature, so I thought I'd start with the things that I didn't love about the book.

This Rewired Brain is a mixture of science and faith, but the science language is what dragged me down.  Dr. Chilton did a good job of not using science-specific jargon where he could, but there are times when it is simply unavoidable.  This was not a book to curl up with an hour before bed when you were tired.  You needed your full brain to be engaged in order to truly understand what Dr. Chilton was explaining.

Only a third of the book really tells you HOW to rewire your brain.  The other two-thirds is background on the brain and then examples of what can cause you to be negative or react without thought in the first place.  I got bored with the book, honestly, before I got to the HOW part so I didn't spend much time trying the tips out.  I was excited about them by the time I read through them.

the-rewired-brain

The Positives

I do like how Dr. Chilton tried to marry the idea of science and faith when dealing with changing our behavior.  He did a thorough (maybe too thorough) job of explaining brain circuitry and the WHY of many behaviors.  Realizing why we act the way we do is the only way we can truly find it in ourselves to want to change.  But we need help to change, and Dr. Chilton shares this as well.  He talks a lot about prayer and how we must lay down our negative behaviors at the feet of our God and pray for Him to change us.

The stories, examples and imagery that Dr. Chilton used in the book were also helpful.  They helped to keep me somewhat entertained in the book.  Dr. Chilton is also very vulnerable in his own struggles and why he chose to pursue the research needed to be able to write this book.  You can tell when a writer believes in the work and is being honest with you, and I felt that with Dr. Chilton.

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All in All

I rated The Rewired Brain as three stars on Goodreads.  It was okay. This isn't a book that I will probably refer back to often, if at all, but I'm glad I read it.  There are things about my negative behaviors that I understand better now.  If you are a chronic pessimist or have anger issues, I would recommend this book, but if you're just trying to change some minor habits, I would look elsewhere.

Disclosures:  I received this book from Bakers Books for Bloggers for this review. Erika Bault is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Erika
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Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: Baker Books Bloggers, book, book review, Dr. Ski Chilton, motivation, negativity, self-help, The Rewired Brain

The Tea Planter’s Wife

October 3, 2016 by Erika

full-simple-book-review-the-tea-planters-wife

Gwen is a nineteen year-old newlywed and her world is about to change forever.  We first meet Gwen as she journey's from Britain to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) to join her new husband, Laurence Hooper, on his tea plantation.  Laurence is an older (37) widower, but nobody really knows what happened to his first wife.

Gwen blossoms as a newlywed, but a few things seem to threaten her new marriage.  Christina is an American widow that seems to have a past with Laurence and Savi Ravasinghe is a local man that seems to have a way with the ladies.  After finding out she is pregnant, possibly with twins, she thinks that life will be complete and all that threatens her new life will end, but when the babies are born, the real mystery and heartache really begins.

What happened to Caroline, Laurence's first wife.  Who is Thomas? What really happened during a drunken night at a party?

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I read this book during my trip to Hawaii and I couldn't wait to find out how Gwen's life turned out.  The Tea Planter's Wife is full of unanswered questions and heartache.  I really enjoyed reading it.  That being said, I did guess the answer to one of the mysteries of the book.

There are characters in the book to hate and some to love.  For other characters, you can't seem to make up your mind how you feel about them.  The truth could've prevented a lot of the story in this book, so if that is a plot starter that you don't enjoy, you may not like this book.

Another warning to readers is the amount of sex that is in the book.  If you don't like reading through detailed accounts of sexual intimacy, then this book may not be your cup of tea (See what I did there? LOL!)  I hadn't known about this going into the book, and it didn't spoil the book for me, but I also don't think the scenes were really necessary.

Overall, I did enjoy the book.  I don't know that it will go down as one of my all-time favorites, but I enjoyed my time reading it.

Find out more about the book here.

Find out more about the author, Dinah Jefferies, here.

full-simple-book-review-the-tea-planters-wife-a-historical-fiction-full-of-mystery-tragedy-and-romance

Disclaimers:  I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.  Erika Bault is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

 

Erika
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Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: Blogging for Books, book, book review, Dinah Jefferies, fiction, mystery, romance, The Tea Planter's Wife

Falling Free

September 20, 2016 by Erika

full-simple-book-review-falling-free-title

Falling Free by Shannan Martin reminded so much of Anything by Jennie Allen in the best ways.  And like Anything, it took me a while to get through Falling Free.  Both books are a punch you in the gut, step on your toes kind of wonderful and that takes time to process.  Allen and Martin offer up everything they own and everything they are to God and He does amazing things with them, through them and for them.  But while Allen's calling led her to lead a national women's organization, Shannan Martin and her family were called to a transitional neighborhood in a town in northern Indiana.

After selling their dream farm, Martin and her family move into their new neighborhood and learn what true community is.  It is here in this "mostly brokeness and decay" that she found her oldest son Robert, a boy with a record and children of his own, but with a heart for generosity.  It's here that Martin relinquishes perfect dinner parties in pursuit of true community in yoga pants with tacos.

The community that Shannan writes about scares me.  It's messy and doesn't always play by the middle-class rule book.  This type of community can feel like it takes more than it gives.  The people you surround yourself with may not, and probably should not, look and think like you.  But this is Jesus's type of community.

Outcasts, liars, thieves, and self-centered hypocrites to name a few.  These are the types of people that Jesus frequently had dinner with.  Honestly, Martin points out at one point that Jesus was the epitome of everything that a controlling hostess would NOT want in a guest.  He'd just show up and invite a few extra people.  The thought of this just makes me sweat!  And I realized how unprepared my heart would be if I was lucky enough to meet Jesus just walking in the grocery store.

"You want to come for dinner TONIGHT?!  And you want to bring how many friends?  Is this a pitch-in?  I don't have that kind of grocery budget!"

Yep.  That is what my side of the conversation would probably look like.

falling-free

Falling Free is the kind of book that forces you to make these realizations about yourself.  The problem is that now I know.  While listening to Joyce Meyer one time, I remember her saying something to the effect that God does not hold us responsible for the things that we don't know, but that once we know them...well, then He expects us to do better.

The good news is that Martin gives amazing advice  along with personal anecdotes to make doing better easier.  I love her sharing of imperfections and failures along with the lessons that they've taught her.  It is so much easier to accept a message from another human being instead of a perfect, spiritual robot.  If only I lived closer, I would totally buy Shannan a cup of coffee and hopefully talk for hours.

I know that this book is only the first of many for Martin, because I think we are craving this message of community.  More and more I think we want to throw off the Pinterest-worthy lives and just live together.  But we're afraid of the mess, of the vulnerability.  Books like Falling Free by Shannan Martin can help us to be brave, not because she shows that it isn't messy, but because she shows you that messy might just be what it's all about.

"My Jesus blesses the poor and spits our what the world values.

He demands that I love my neighbor--my orphan neighbor, my starving neighbor, my imprisoned neighbor, my living-off-the-system neighbor--as much as I love myself.

I want this, I do, but there are still days I try hard to convince myself I've let go of enough, that I've met my quota. [...]We all just want to feel something.  That' why we overeat, overspend, overcommit.  We're numbed by our antiseptic standard of what a "good life" requires, so we squeeze it's limits hoping to feel---respected, envied, cool, capable, smart, proud.  It doesn't really matter; we're just so tired of the status quo.  We're tired of this crushing restlessness.  Our bones and our souls ache with wanting, but our remedies are all wrong."

pg63 Falling Free

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Disclaimer: Erika Bault is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Erika
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Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: book, book review, community, Falling Free, gather, inspiration, motivation, neighbor, Shannan Martin, Spiritual

Turning 30 Goal Check-In: Months 10 & 11

September 19, 2016 by Erika

Full & Simple Turning 30 Featured

I'm turning 30 next month!  What?!  How did this year go so quickly.  And how did I miss a month of updates?  Technically month 11 isn't over yet, but I'll be in Hawaii next week and don't plan to be blogging. (wink, wink!)

Things here have become so un-routined.  I think that this is worse than being busy.  There's no rhythm to the days really.  We've really just been in go-mode trying to finish up summer projects and get things ready for my in-laws to come and house-sit and stay with our kids, so that we do what needs to be done whenever.  The only thing that is really sacred in our day is when John takes a nap because I won't get anything done with a fussy, clingy toddler.

All of that to say....the progress is minimal.

Goal #1: Read More

Progress: Since I checked in last, I've finished The Light Between Oceans and Falling Free by Shannan Martin which launches tomorrow!

Three things made me want to read Shannan's book  originally.  1) Emily P. Freeman recommended it.  2) The cover is the perfect shade of green.  3) Shannan and her family live in Indiana!  And the content turned out to be fantastic.  I'll have a full review for you tomorrow!

falling-free

Goal #2: Continue Going to Yoga

Progress:  I've been to class every time these past weeks as far as I can remember.  I love it!  It's my plan that after we get back from Hawaii to get back into a routine and add in more "on my own" yoga here at home.

Goal #3: Lose the Baby Weight

Progress:  No gain or loss this month.  However, a tropical vacation may be in my future in September, so I need to kick the weightloss into gear!

Goal #4: Learn Italian

Progress: Duolingo says I'm still 9% fluent.....I've practiced like twice.

Goal #5: Take a Cooking Class

Progress:  I don't think that I'll have this completed before my birthday, BUT there is a Holiday Wines class in November and a Christmas in Provence class in December that look like fun!

Goal #6:  Make Time for Play

Progress:   I've been trying to not necessarily "play" with the kids during the day, but simply include them into what I'm doing more...which is a task for me the control freak.  It's more my style though.  I have a hard time making plastic ponies talk to each other...

Even though Hawaii is a business trip for my husband, it's just the two of us going and we have a few days to do fun stuff.  We're planning on visiting Pearl Harbor and I'm trying to convince him that we NEED to swim with sea turtles even though I'm not much of a swimmer.  Turtle are my FAVORITE!  Plus we wear life jackets the whole time.  And I'm hoping for a luau.

Goal #7: Develop a Signature Style

Progress: I have signed up for and started Hayley Morgan's No-Brainer Wardrobe Course (the class is closed until spring, but here is her ebook).  Again, planning to really dive in once we get back from vacation.

Goal #8:  Master the Top Knot

Progress:  DONE.

Goal #9: Continue Making our House Our Home

Progress: My office/craft room is pretty well complete for now.  I need a few more storage items, a piece of art to cover the ugly electrical panel and maybe a small bookshelf.  As soon as I can get over to IKEA, I will buy the desk I want instead of the folding table I'm using now, but I just can't justify $350 shipping for a $70 desk, so I'm making due.

Full & Simple Office/Craft Room

I'm still editing things out around the house.  I still fell like things need to be more minimal and clean around here.  It's just getting harder to part with things now that I did the initial purge.

Also, you can find all of my fall decor in this post.  I love being able to decorate for the seasons.

Full & Simple Fall Home Tour 2016 (7)

Goal #10: Make Devotions & Bible Study Part of My Daily Life

Progress:  I blame my lack of staying on track with this on our lack of routine, but really its probably me just being lazy instead of intentional with the downtime that I have.  It's so much easier to watch another episode of whatever Netflix show I'm on than to open my heart and use my brain to study the Word.  Not pretty and a little embarrassing, but its the truth.

Progress over Perfection

I could easily get discouraged about the lack of progress in some areas, but that won't change the past.  All I can do is to take a deep breath, realize that at least some progress was made in almost every goal on my list, and just keep trying.  I will never be able to simply check most of these goals off the list as "done."  They are goals about how I want to live, and hopefully, my life is far from done.

Disclaimer: The above post does contain referral and affiliate links which means if you use the link and decide to purchase an item, I receive a little money at no extra cost to you to help keep the blog going.  Thanks

Erika
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Filed Under: Turning 30 Tagged With: book, book review, goals, inspiration, motivation, turning 30, yoga

Hand-Picked Peach: The Light Between Oceans

September 2, 2016 by Erika

Hand-Picked Peach Post Header Web

Last month my book club read The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman.  This book may be one of the most conflicting books I've read and let me tell you why.

First, let me give you a short synopsis.  Tom and Isabel live on a small island off the coast of Australia where Tom is the lighthouse keeper.  It's just the two of them...until one day, a boat washes up on shore.  Inside are a dead man and an infant that is alive.  Isabel convinces Tom to not report the boat to the mainland and to keep the baby as their own.  Isabel's reasoning is that the mother must have fallen overboard and that, if reported, the baby would be sent to an orphanage.  A few years after the baby arrives Tom, Isabel and Lucy (the baby) go back to the mainland for their leave.  This is when Tom and Isabel find out that Lucy's mother did not drown and has been searching for her baby all this time.  What follows is complicated and emotionally conflicting.

The Light Between Oceans

I think this book is quite the conversation piece, especially for mothers.  Because on one hand, you have the birth mother who you feel for.  I can't imagine losing one of my children.  And in real life, if this were a story on the six o'clock news, I would root for her.  But in the book, with an omniscient narrator, you find yourself caring for and rooting for Tom and Isabel as well.  I don't know how you resolve the story without heartbreak, but that didn't stop our group from trying to come up with ways!

Also, the movie for the book released today.  I can't wait to go see it with my book club girls.  So if you are looking for a thought-provoking book or movie, make sure to check out The Light Between Oceans.

Erika
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Filed Under: Book Reviews, Hand-Picked Peach Tagged With: book club, book review, Hand-picked Peach, M. L. Stedman, movie, The Light Between Oceans

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