If You Have a Craving, I Have a Cure by Sheri Rose Shepherd --- Book Review

Sometimes I read passages in the Bible that sound so great---but I have a difficult time really putting them into practice.  Ecclesiastes 5:18 is one of those verses:  "It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life."  As one who has always struggled with her weight, the thought of eating and drinking---while still accepting my lot in life---doesn't sound as promising as it might to someone else who has a little more self control.  It seems my lot in life, thus far, has been to eat, drink, and gain weight.

Author Sheri Rose Shepherd has been there too.  As a teenager, Sheri Rose was overweight, depressed and struggling with an eating disorder.  Over time, she's allowed God's healing to change her life and put her on a healthy path.

I've been a big fan of Sheri Rose Shepherd for about 8 years now and own several of her resources.  I even had the opportunity to hear her speak at a women's conference several years ago and was very blessed.  That's why I was super excited when I was given the opportunity to review her newest book, If You Have a Craving, I Have a Cure. 

As soon as received my free copy of the book, I flipped through it just to have a look at some of the topics.  What I saw were tons of recipes! Yay!  I love my copy of Sheri Rose's cook book, Eating for Excellence, so I was pretty sure I was going to enjoy this one as well! 

Sheri Rose offers several "craving" scenarios:  things like cravings for rest, energy, and times of celebration---and gives her readers Biblical principles, coupled with delicious healthy recipes, to help satisfy those cravings.  

One Scripture that she shares in her chapter on rest really stood out to me and is inviting me to study and pray about it further.  Isaiah 28:12, "God has told his people, 'Here is a place of rest; let the weary rest here.  This is a place of quiet rest.'  But they would not listen."  Wow!  I really crave that place of rest!

If You Have a Craving, I Have a Cure is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to find the source of their soul's unrest and the reason for feelings of emptiness or lack in many areas of their life.  I know Sheri's godly wisdom is going to help me, not only as I battle my cravings for unhealthy foods, but in several areas of my life where I need to trust God.  I encourage my readers to visit Sheri Rose online at, www.biblelifecoaching.com, and try to pick up some of her resources---you will be blessed for sure!

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. 

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Antique Plate Hanger for the Homemaker's Uniform

   
Today I want to show off this cute apron hanger I made for my two pretty pink aprons.  Armed with my hot glue gun, it only took me a couple minutes to put this together.  I just grabbed a pretty antique saucer, glued an antique glass drawer pull to the middle, and glued a pretty vintage-looking button to the middle of the drawer pull.  I glued some ribbon to the back for a hanger and even fixed a pearly embellishment to the nail in the wall!

On it, I've hung this patchwork apron that I won in Connie's giveaway at Living Beautifully, along with a pink apron that I purchased from Mrs. White at The Legacy of Home---she hand-stitched the whole thing! 

I love wearing aprons around the house---not only are they practical for shielding against grease splatters, soap suds, and baby spit-ups, but they also serve as sort of a homemaker's uniform!  When I wear my apron, I know it's time for business and it motivates me to focus on the things that need to be done around my home for my family's sake.  You will not find me sitting here in my bed, snuggled up with my blanket and writing---with my apron on!  Ha!

2013 New Year Goals

Hmmm...thinking about my goals for the year....

 I thought I'd take a minute and share my 2013 goals with you all.  Many of them are similar to last year.  In some cases, that's because I didn't finish them last year.  In other cases, that's because they were so beneficial that I want to continue them this year!

Happy 2013!!!!

Hope your year is happy and blessed!  What kinds of goals have you made for yourself this year?

Relational Goals

*Walk With Jesus*

1.    Work Through Elizabeth Prentiss Study

2.    Establish morning Bible study & journaling

3.    Listen to praise/worship music on my stereo while doing kitchen chores

4.    Spend time in prayer using prayer journal

*Marriage*

1.    Remember that Jamie desires a sweet spirit above anything else

2.    Pray for his goals:  health, career search, intentional leadership of our family

 

*Children*

     1.   Homeschool consistently Jan-June; take short summer break; continue Aug-Nov

     2.   Be very choosy about outside activities; instead, focus more on building solid characters and obedience training at home

     3.  Pray for them specifically using prayer cards/journal

*Ministry*

     1.  Remember that my ministry is my family.  Anything else is extra and not mandatory

     2.  Focus even more on my online ministry:  blog, Facebook, websites I contribute to

Hobby/Creativity Goals

*Writing*

    1.   Post at least three times per week:  Sundays---Christian Home article, Thursdays---Vintage Thursday, Fridays---Homemaking LinkUp/Pink Saturday;  also post once weekly at my other blog, Obedient Joy

    2.   This year, I'll begin contributing to another site based on strengthening marriages.  I want to be in prayer about my articles on a regular basis.

    3.   Pursue other writing opps as I have time throughout the year.  Be choosy about what I take on to make sure the atmosphere of my blog is not compromised.

*Etsy*

    1.  Continue adding crafty items and vintage/antique items.  Spend time shopping for resale.

*Sewing*

    1.  Really focus on finishing up projects I’ve started and using up my stash.  

    2.  Lynzie received a sewing machine for Christmas.  I want to make time to teach her to use it well.

 

*Crafting*

    1.  Work on using up stash

    2.  Host a CTMH party in early spring

    3.  Try and do some crafting days with Mom

*Musical*

    1.  Decide which instrument of my 3 that I want to learn first:  Celtic Harp, Cello, A/E guitar?  I think I’m leaning toward Celtic Harp

    2.  Patiently accept Jamie’s help in learning it!

    3.  Establish routine of singing hymns with kids before bed...Jamie is interested in this too :)

*Reading*

    1.  Read 50 books

 

    2.  Be more involved in BookCrossing

    3.  Read regularly with the kids

Homemaking Goals

*Home *

1.    Plan meals and grocery lists several days before shopping trip

 

2.    Reassign chores to allow Cainan and Selah to take on more responsibility.

3.    Continue working on my kitchen to make it a more pleasant place to work

4.    Focus more on healthy homemade recipes.

5.    Declutter, sell or giveaway unneeded items...a place for everything and everything in it's place

Health Goals

*Physical*

1.    Drink plenty of water daily

2.    Set up small challenges for myself and reward myself when I accomplish them

3.    Ride my bike when weather is nice

4.       Go for walks…by myself and with family

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