Hittin' the books.

We're about to be schooled. Or at least, enlightened. Hopefully.

We've been having a few struggles in the Tbaugh household lately. Nothing out of the ordinary for a family with two very spirited, stubborn and sassy (not to mention stylish!) children. Typical power struggles, tantrums, screaming matches, etc between the girls and with us. And some major sleep issues with the little one. We're all a bit worn out and grumpy. So we figured it wouldn't hurt to call in the experts.

No, not Mary Poppins. Although I wish I had her on speed dial. Then I could call her in the midst of the crazy and yell: "Mary Poppins! Spoonful of sugar, STAT!". And she would float down with her kind of creepy parrot umbrella and shabby chic carpet bag, sing and dance while shoveling sugar into our mouths. It would be wonderful.

Alas, Mary Poppins is not at my disposal. But Amazon is. A perusal of parenting and toddler sleep issue books lead me to these two choices:

Peaceful Parents, Happy Kids. How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting
The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers

After I've had a chance to read the books, I'll come back with my thoughts on both. We're not looking for any magic answers, but for some ideas and suggestions that we may not have already heard and/or tried. Chris and I both have quick tempers and we really hate that we've reached a point in our parenting where we seem to be yelling more than listening and talking. It's waaaay too early in our parenting careers for that. Let's save that for the teenage years.

And regarding Pen's sleep (or non sleep, as it is), there may not be an answer. She may just be a crappy sleeper that wakes and screams and cries and thrashes and crashes every hour. If that is the case, I will just start counting the multiple (multiple, multiple!) times I get up and adjust covers, put her back in bed, comfort her during a bad dream/night terror/after she bangs her head against the wall as my daily exercise. And stock up on coffee.

Oh and p.s. Jake has been feeling neglected. Please admire his cute face.

Have you read either of these books? What are your thoughts?
 

We have a winner!

And the winner of Allergy-Friendly Food for Families goes to...............

Commentor #4
underwooddays

Please enter me!! I need a great resource as we start a new diet with Lucia. This is totally new ground for me but I'm feeling motivated and ready for a happy/healthier girl. Great post.

Congrats!! Please email me at ljotritabaugh at gmail dot com to claim your prize. If prize is not claimed within 48hrs, I will draw a new winner.

Winner picked using random.org

Got Food Allergies? (giveaway!)

Have I got a cookbook for you!


Thanks to Moms Meet and Kiwi Magazine, I have my very own copy of Allergy-Friendly Food for Families to peruse and drool over. It is chock full of recipes that are allergen free and family friendly. Can't do gluten, dairy, nuts, eggs or soy? They've got you covered, with 120 tasty, allergy-friendly recipes.

We are very fortunate to not have any true food allergies in our family. Pen and I are sensitive to dairy products, so I try to limit and avoid them as much as possible. But it is not a life threatening allergy and something we can easily choose to avoid. Not everyone is so lucky though! We know several families that have children with food allergies and I know they struggle with finding wholesome recipes that the whole family can enjoy together. This cookbook is just what they need! And, Allergy-Friendly Food for Families is not only a great cookbook, but also a great website! It is a wonderful online resource for allergy-free cooking recipes and ideas.

Allergy-Friendly Food for Families is really, a well put together cookbook. The recipes are broken down into; Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, Snacks and Parties (so fun!). Each section offers a multitude of family friendly recipes that are truly drool worthy. Within each section, each recipe is clearly marked with colorful tabs that indicate which allergens the recipe is free of. And if there are substitutions available to make a recipe safe for that allergen, the tab will also say "option". SO user friendly. There are fabulous food pics scattered throughout the book too, that really enhance the drool factor.

Here are a few recipes that I can't wait to try:
No-Cream of Broccoli Soup (gluten, dairy, nut, egg and soy free)
World's Best Kale Salad (gluten, dairy, egg and nut free)
Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies (dairy, nut, egg and soy free)
and pretty much everything in the dessert section...like Cherry Chocolate Sorbet (gluten, dairy, nut, egg and soy free) *swoon*.

And while some recipes are a little more involved than others, most have pretty short ingredient lists and little prep. Because let's be honest, who wants to slave away in the kitchen for a meal that will be devoured in 8 minutes flat? Oh, that's right. No one.

Another really nice feature of this book is a section titled "Building a Natural, Allergy-Free Pantry". It is full of great suggestions and ideas to keep your pantry well stocked with allergy free ingredients. A very handy resource to have in your kitchen!

I highly recommend this cookbook not only to those who are dealing with food allergies, but to anyone who is looking for healthy, family friendly meals. There really is something in here for everyone. It would make a great gift for a family with food allergies!

Would you like to WIN your very own copy of Allergy-Friendly Food for Families? Leave me a comment and you'll be entered in my giveaway! I will draw a winner on Wednesday, August 22nd. Good luck!


And remember, I am hosting a giveaway for free Almond Breeze Almond Milk! Go check it out!

The Charlatan's Boy; A Review

Thanks to Waterbrook Multnoham Publishing Group and Blogging for Books, I was recently sent a copy of The Charlatan's Boy to review. This book has rave reviews in many literary circles, so I was excited to get a copy. I practically pounced on the UPS man when he dropped it off. I tore open the package and started reading right there in the entry way (What can I say, I am kind of a book nerd). 

 (amazon)

The Charlatan's Boy is a story about Grady, an orphaned boy who is raised by a traveling huckster, Floyd. It is unclear as to what his relationship to Floyd is and Floyd is tight lipped about Grady's origins. They travel the country together performing various acts that  play off of Grady's ugliness. As they travel and work together, Grady starts to understand that Floyd is a showman through and through and blowing smoke every chance he gets. Even at Grady's expense. Usually at Grady's expense. Grady begins to question his origins even more and question his relationship with Floyd. He has a longing to belong somewhere to someone. By the end of the book they have reached an inevitable crossroads in their relationship.

I soooo wanted to like this story and love the characters, but I just couldn't. While it is well written, I had a constant feeling of being unsettled while reading it. I felt like I was missing something and not getting the whole story. The characters were well developed but I just couldn't connect with them. I also had a hard time with the setting.  I never got a good sense of where they were or where they were headed. In the end I couldn't put it down...I just wanted to get to the end and be done with it.

Sadly, I didn't enjoy The Charlatan's Boy. Maybe if I read it again at a later time I will enjoy it more. Maybe I truly did miss something. Or maybe I didn't buy into the smoke and mirrors like everyone else.

Have you read The Charlatan's Boy? What did you think? Am I missing something?

I was given this book free of charge from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing group for the purpose of reading and reviewing. I received no compensation and the opinions expressed here are my own.

I asked, you answered.

Remember a few months ago when I told you I needed something to read? Well, dear readers, I found something. A few things actually, thanks to the suggestions you gave me.

I have recently read:

Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel

Little Bee

Out Stealing Horses

A Reliable Wife

I can honestly say I recommend them all. They are all very well written with well developed characters and intriguing storylines. 

I am currently reading:

The Gentleman Poet

The Eat-Clean Diet

Little Women (One of my all time faves. Reading it on my phone with the Nook app. It's perfect for reading while nursing my very distract-able bebe. Because God forbid I try to interact with her when there is eating to be done. (Her death stare is very convincing.) A girl after my own heart.) 

It feels good to breathe again friends, it feels good.

What are you reading right now? What's on your 'to-read' list?

Indivisble: A Book Review

Thanks to the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, I recently had the opportunity to read Indivisible by Karen Heitzmann. Here is a brief synopsis: 

"Battling his own personal demons, Police Chief Jonah Westfall knows the dark side of life and has committed himself to eradicating it. When a pair of raccoons are found mutilated in Redford, Colorado, Jonah investigates the gruesome act, knowing the strange event could escalate and destroy the tranquility of his small mountain town. With a rising drug threat and never-ending conflict with Tia Manning, a formidable childhood friend with whom he has more than a passing history, Jonah fights for answers—and his fragile sobriety.

But he can’t penetrate every wound or secret—especially one fueled by a love and guilt teetering on madness."

I have to say, I really enjoyed reading this book. I read it in 2 days, I just couldn't put it down! Heitzmann's writing style is somewhat dramatic and at times could be seen as over the top, but I thought it was well written and enjoyable. The characters are all very well developed and their individual stories work seamlessly into the story. And while there is a hint of evil throughout the plot line, the focus is on the characters and the relationships they develop.

Indivisible is quite suspenseful and just when you think you have it all figured out, an unforeseen twist takes you back to square one. It is truly a page turner. Perfect for the dog days of summer ahead of us! 

To really pique your interest, here is a free download of the first two chapters!  And here is an interview with the author, Kristen Heitzmann.

*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

The Bridegrooms-A review

I recently had the opportunity to read and review The Bridegrooms by Allison Pittman. It is a story about four sisters living in the late 1800s. The sisters live with their father, a doctor. Here is a brief synopsis:


"Tragedy hits the Allenhouse family on a hot summer night in Ohio when a mother of four vanished. Eight-year-old Vada virtually grew up overnight and raised her three younger sisters while her father lost himself in his medical practice in the basement of their home. 

Now, Vada is a grown woman, still making her home with her father and sisters. Her days are spent serving as an errand girl for Cleveland’s fledgling amateur orchestra; her evenings with Garrison Walker, her devoted, if passionless, beau.

Dizzying change occurs the day the Brooklyn Bridegrooms come to town to play the Cleveland Spiders and a line drive wallops the head of a spectator. The fan is whisked to the Allenhouse parlor, and questions swirl about the anonymous, unconscious man.

Suddenly, the subdued house is filled with visitors, from a flirtatious, would-be sports writer to the Bridegrooms’ handsome star hitter to the guilt-ridden ballplayer who should have caught the stray shot. The medical case brings Dr. Allenhouse a frustration and helplessness he hasn’t felt since his wife’s disappearance. Vada’s sisters are giddy at the bevy of possible suitors. And Vada’s life is awakened amid the super-charged atmosphere of romantic opportunity."

I was pleasantly surprised and enthralled with this book. The story sucks you in and keeps the pages turning. It is historical fiction, but also full of humor, romance, suspense, broken hearts and hope. All the right ingredients for a good read. And a quick one at that. 

The author does a great job of developing each character and really bringing them to life. I found myself relating to their various emotions and feelings. I couldn't help but root them on. 

A main theme throughout the book is the sisters' faith in God. They are faced with many challenges (and celebrations) and their faith in God shines through and supports them. But it is in a quiet and personal way that I found humbling. 

This was a great read and I definitely recommend it! 

(Image thanks to Amazon.com)