Real Food Fast {20 Minute Meals Review and Giveaway!}

Have you entered the giveaway for Trilight Health’s NRG energy-boosting herbal formula yet?! Get out of that afternoon slump–without coffee!

I don't know about you, but with 2 (and almost 3!) little ones undertow, I don't have much time for long, drawn-out, gourmet (ok--I wasn't ever really a gourmet cook!) meals these days.

But I've struggled with figuring out how to provide my family whole-foods, nutritious meals FAST. And all too often it's too easy to succumb to "Well, let's just go out tonight."

Oh, it's happened far, far too often during my pregnancy! I admit!

Enter: 20 Minute Meals: Giving Weary Chefs Grace While Keeping Families Healthy. 28 meals that all take 20 minutes (or less) to prepare? Could it really be that easy?

YES! My friend Leigh Ann recently released this book, and I was honored to edit it. And I believe I've benefited far more than she did. Time and time again, I've turned to the recipes in this book over the past month. (Especially in days when I've really slacked in meal planning!)

My favorites so far are the honey-orange and lemon-rosemary chicken--although the stuffed salmon is oh-so-yummy as well!

At only
$4.99
, (see below for a 20% off coupon!) this book is an invaluable resource for any homemaker! Need a quick, healthy meal? Leigh Ann's already done the work for you!

Check out these features:

• 28 Dinner Recipes
• Monthly Meal Plan
• Monthly Grocery List
• Weekly Meal Plans for 4 weeks
• Weekly Grocery List for 4 weeks
• Lists to organize your pantry, freezer, and refrigerator
• 6 Additional Printable Planning Pages
• Links and Recipes for Make It Yourself Foods

Leigh Ann is graciously offering 20-Minute Meals for 20% off to my readers using code: humbled20! This offer expires July 14.

She's also giving away 2 copies to some very blessed Humbled Homemaker readers! (If you buy the book and win, Leigh Ann will refund your money!)

I'm linking up with: The Better Mom, The Prairie Homestead, Far Above Rubies, Growing Home, Deep Roots at Home, Time-Warp Wife, Raising Homemakers, Women Living Well

 

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Get Energy...Without Coffee! {Trilight Health NRG Review and Giveaway!}

 

For almost 5 years now, I've been either pregnant or breastfeeding back-to-back. And while this season brings with it so much joy, there's one area in which I've truly suffered--energy (or lack there of). 

I never drank coffee until my oldest was 6 months old. Even then, I didn't even drink every day...but I was desperate for something to get me going in the morning--and out of the classic mid-afternoon slump. 

Image by porah

I stopped cold turkey when I became pregnant with my second. But with this third pregnancy...and trying to keep up with my two small girls....Let's just say I've succumbed to one cup of joe per day. 

But the guilt...oh, the guilt of drinking coffee...while pregnant!

Enter: Trilight Health's NRG--a doctor-formulated liquid herbal energy formula that's safe and effective for pregnant, nursing, or just plain tired moms--or anyone who struggles with lack of energy or that classic mid-afternoon slump!

Now, does it really work? For me, I'd say yes. And this is how I know: I've been taking NRG in the afternoon for about 2 months now. On the days I am vigilant about taking it, I feel like I can sail right through the afternoon. 

On the days I don't? I've fallen into a deep sleep during my daughters' naptime. 

No, really. It will often occur to me after the fact that I did not take my NRG on those days. 

My favorite way to take this supplement is with a smoothie. Others take it straight, but I'm a smoothie addict. ;)

Would you like to try some NRG yourself? Trilight Health is generously giving away one bottle of NRG to a Humbled Homemaker reader!

*Disclaimer: Please consult your trusted healthcare provider before taking any products.

*Disclosure: This post was generously sponsored by Trilight Health.

I'm linking up with: The Better Mom, The Prairie Homestead, Far Above Rubies, Growing Home, Deep Roots at Home, Time-Warp Wife, Raising Homemakers, Women Living Well

 

Works for Me Wednesday 

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Announcing: Your Grocery Budget Toolbox!

This is just a quick post to let you know about an exciting new eBook that I recently edited: Your Grocery Budget Toolbox, by Anne Simpson of Quick and Easy, Cheap and Healthy!

I will give a full review of this eBook in the near future, but for now I wanted to at least let you know about it because I cannot rave enough about the value of this book!

I actually tried to convince Anne to charge more, but, currently, she is selling this 150+-page book for only $4.99!!! 

In this book, you'll read about how Anne feeds her family a whole food diet for less than $300/month! When I heard that I was jumping for joy because Anne's budget and family size (4) is very similar to mine! 

Check out the book's trailer below...and be on the lookout for my full review of Your Grocery Budget Toolbox! 

I'm linking up to:  Real Food Wednesday, Pennywise Platter, Frugal Friday, Fight Back Friday, Friday Food,Frugally Sustainable
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Summer 2012 Reading List

If you've been reading The Humbled Homemaker for any length of time, you should know that I am an avid bookworm. 


I revel in sharing good reads with my readers, so from time-to-time I'll put together a post to tell you what I'm reading or have recently read. 


Without further ado, here's my summer reading list for 2012:

Spiritual Growth/Parenting

• Shepherding a Child's Heart, by Ted Tripp: I've read parts of this one before, but, as my girls grow, this book becomes even more applicable. My hubby and I are currently reading through it with our church Life Group. I truly have struggled with knowing how to best discipline (and disciple) my children in the Lord--and this book comes highly-recommended by many of my veteran mommy friends!
• Hope for the Weary Mom: Where God Meets You in Your Mess, by Stacey Thacker and Brooke McGlothin. As a work-at-home mom of a 4 year old and 20 month old (and newborn come August!), I'll be honest: I'm weary...a lot!! I bought this eBook for my Kindle for only $.99, but you can get the PDF for FREE following the link above! I've only read a few pages so far, but I already feel refreshed by the authors' transparency. There really are other moms who understand this "mess" that motherhood can sometimes be!  
• Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young. This is the most meaty short devotional book I've ever read. Each day includes a short reflection with a few verses of Scripture to read. And it never fails: each time I pick this book up, God meets me right where I am. 

 

 Birth Prep

• Unbound Birth: How to Have a Natural Birth in the Hospital, by Jenny Yarbrough. I'm really, really excited about reading this eBook because I'm hoping to have another natural birth in a hospital in about 6 weeks! I've already skimmed this book through, and it's a winner! Be on the lookout for a full-length review and giveaway soon! :) Can't wait? You can get it here for just $4.99!!
•  The Birth Book, by William and Martha Sears. This was my favorite birth prep. book to read last pregnancy, so I'll be reading it again this month. I may also skim The Bradley Method book and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. 

 

Homemaking

• Healthy Homemaking: One Step at a Time, by Stephanie Langford. I have honestly slacked off some on my year-long venture through this book, but I'm picking it back up this summer! 
• The Heart of Simplicity, co-authored by 13 homemaking bloggers. I edited this recently-released book, and I would have to say it's the best book on homemaking I've ever read! I read it at least four times through, and I want to re-read it after Baby's arrival! 
• 20-Minute Meals, by Leigh Ann Dutton. I also edited this recently-released book. It's a cookbook with 28 meals that all take only 20 minutes to prepare! I've been pulling this book out a lot this summer already...and I am sure it will be a lifesaver in my early weeks postpartum!

Professional

• How to Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too, by Mandi Ehman. I re-read this book last month, and it was just as inspiring (or more!) than the first time I read it! If you are a mom who works from home (or desires to do so!), this book is a must-read! This book is normally $12, but you can get it for $9 right now using the coupon code: DREAMBIG.  

What's on your summer reading list?

The Tropical Traditions coconut oil winner was: Emalee! Congrats!

*I have included affiliate links in this post.

Rejected: A Bible Study on Rejection & Acceptance {review & GIVEAWAY!}

 

I feel really vulnerable in saying this, but here goes: One thing I've really struggled with since becoming a mom has been my Bible study time. 

From the time I was a teenager, I have enjoyed my quiet time with the Lord. I tend (to a fault) to be an all-or-nothing person. Because of that, I'd go through periods of long, in-depth times with the Lord each day. And then I'd falter and go through periods of spending very little time with Him at all. 

In pride, I used to scoff at those 5-Minute Devotional for Moms books. "5 minutes," I thought. "That's not enough time with the Lord."

Then I became a mom--and, boy, was I humbled!

And I've learned that 5 minutes with Him can be more precious than I ever imagined before these two little bundles of joy entered my world. (And, yes, those 5 minutes may even have to be spent in the bathroom if you've been up with a sick baby the night before, etc..) 

I recently discovered a whole series of very, very affordable and very, very digestible devotionals/Bible studies by Heather Bixler. 

Heather has written a number of mini Bible studies, and she recently asked me to review her newest study: Rejected. Rejected is a 4-week mini Bible study that looks at both rejection and acceptance in the life of a believer in Christ. 

This book is really short enough that it could be a 4-day study, but spreading it out over 4 weeks will really give the truths time to saturate your heart. 

Some of my favorite features of the study include: 

• a memory verse for each week
• easy, doable, daily activities to help cement those verses in your brain (like writing them out and sharing them with friends)
• discussion questions for personal reflection and/or group study
• Scripture at the beginning of each chapter

The 4-week chapters are:  

1. Rejection is a Lie
2. When is Rejection OK?
3. Acceptance
4. Will God Reject Me?

I love how, in this book, Heather addresses both us being rejected and the sin of us rejecting others. She also discusses when we feel rejected by God. 


Some of my favorite quotes included: 

"Rejection is all about us; it's all about the flesh. Rejection is a lie from the enemy that we have chosen to believe. Acceptance is all about God. Acceptance is the truth."

"God is willing to use our mistakes to help teach us. Often when we are afraid to make a mistake it is because we are afraid of losing one of our beloved idols....Unfortunately we are wiling to reject God in order to keep the thing we fear losing....When we let go of those idols we will hear God's voice loud and clear, and we will know the direction we need to walk in, and will have the faith to walk in that direction instead of living in the fear that always seems to hold us back."

"One day I looked at my kids and I repented to God because I realized what other people thought of me was more important than enjoying their presence and being their mom." (Note from Erin: OUCH!)

What's one more MAJOR plus to this devotional? It's only $.99 on Kindle! That's IT! In my opinion, this book is worth far more than that! Heather gave this book to me to review, but I plan on purchasing her other devotionals--all priced at just $.99--when I'm finished with Rejected. 

Check them out here: 

Desires of My Heart: Meditation on Psalm 37:4

Faith: 4-Week Mini Bible Study

Pride: Tearing Down Walls, Walking in His Grace

My Scripture Journal: Fearing the Lord

My Scripture Journal: Gratitude

Family Bible Study: Becoming a Good Helper

Want to win a copy of Rejected? Heather is graciously offering one Humbled Homemaker reader a copy of her eBook! Enter below via Rafflecopter (e-mail/RSS subscribers will need to click over to the site to enter). 

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Congrats to our Trilight Health giveaway winners: 

Whitney C. 

Rebecca D. 

Carissa

These ladies have been e-mailed! Thanks for entering! Be sure to check out Trilight Health! 

I'm linking up with: The Better Mom, The Prairie Homestead, Far Above Rubies, Growing Home, Deep Roots at Home, Time-Warp Wife, Raising Homemakers, Women Living Well

Liquid Herbs for the Whole Family {Trilight Health Review...and Giveaway!}

I'm so excited for the opportunity to introduce you to one of my prime sponsors: Trilight Health.

I've never been one to jump to taking conventional medications, and honestly, through the years I've taken more of the "suffer through it" approach to any ailments. Finding herbal alternatives to conventional treatments--has seemed like a win-win for me! 

Something that really impressed me about Trilight was that the company has been around for more than 20 years. New "health" companies are popping up everywhere these days, and I'm not quick to trust them. But Trilight has been specializing in non-alcoholic, safe herbal formulas for the whole family (including children and pregnant women!) for more than two decades!

For about a month now, I've been taking Trilight's NRG energy-boosting formula (usually during my mid-afternoon slump!), Tri Iron Formula and Circulatone for varicose veins (which ail me during pregnancy). 

In a few weeks, I'll start taking their Labor Prep formula. I took all of these to my certified nurse midwife to look over before I began taking them. The only one she told me to wait on taking was the Labor Prep, which Trilight doesn't recommend taking until the last few weeks of pregnancy anyway. 

What about the Taste?

I think taste is a personal preference. Some people love the taste of liquid herbs. Some people don't. My personal preference is to add my herbs to smoothies. (And I'm making lots of smoothies from my free smoothie book!)

Trilight offers FREE shipping on products over $25, and they give a $5 off coupon when you sign up for their newsletter! 

For more information on Trilight Health, see their About Us page!

Want to try a Trilight product yourself?! 

Trilight is graciously offering THREE Humbled Homemaker readers the opportunity to review their products! The winners will get a product to try, and I will feature their reviews in a post later this summer!

*Disclaimer: Please consult your trusted healthcare provider before taking any products. 
*Disclosure: This post was generously sponsored by Trilight Health.
I'm linking up with: The Prairie Homestead, The Better Mom
Growing Home, Far Above Rubies, Time-Warp Wife, Traditional Tuesday,

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Earth Mama Angel Baby Review and Giveaway! {A Natural Phenomenon}

Over the past few weeks I've had the wonderful opportunity to review a Pregnancy Essentials Bundle from Earth Mama, Angel Baby. 

And I have absolutely loved it! 

My sampler package included: Earth Mama Body Butter, Earth Mama Lip Balm, the Mama-to-Be Tea Sampler, Happy Mama Hand-to-Toe Wash, Natural Stretch Oil, and Happy Mama Spray. 

My favorite part of these products? They are all natural and organic--mostly made with herbs and essential oils!

Some of my favorites from this sampler are:

Earth Mama Body Butter: I use it as an all-over lotion--with a little more focus on my belly--every morning after my shower. It smells so good!                        

Natural Stretch Oil: I didn't use anything to prevent stretch marks during my first pregnancy--and I didn't get them. :) BUT...I was still in my 20s, and it was my first pregnancy. My second pregnancy was a different story! With this third, I'm so glad to have some sweet-smelling oil to rub on my belly every night--and I don't worry about any toxic chemicals seeping into my skin with Earth Mama!

Happy Mama Wash: I cannot even begin to describe how yummy this foaming body wash smells! Again, having a non-toxic soap to use on my skin is a MUST while pregnant! Really? These are products I hope to purchase on my own once I run out. I truly like them that much! You can purchase products straight from the Earth Mama, Angel Baby website, or you can find them at a variety of retailers, like Vitacost.

Want to win a Pregnancy Essentials Bundle yourself? Enter below via Rafflecopter! (If you are reading via e-mail/RSS, you will have to click to the blog to enter.) *I have included affiliate links in this post.

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The First Years: Baby Food on the Go-Ella's Organics Review

This week's giveaway is a copy of Smart Sweets--or buy it here now for 25% off using code Humbled25! 

Welcome back to The First Years Starting Solids mini series! Today we are giving another option for baby food on the go! 

As I've stated before in this series, I prefer (and think it's best) to make baby food. When you make it yourself, you have no worries about what your baby is consuming. You made it, so you know.

But homemade baby food must be refrigerated, and let's be honest, it can be messy. I do have friends that have special little cooler compartments in their diaper bags for homemade baby food, but I honestly preferred the easy way out.

Back in the summer, when Baby Girl was still consuming purees, Ella's Organics sent me some of their baby food products to review. 

Ella's Organics let me try their 5 of their purees: broccoli, pears and peas; apples; strawberry & apple; banana baby brekkie and spinach, apples & rutabaga. 


I was impressed with both the variety and nutritional content on the products. I mean--rutabaga? (I had honestly never even heard of it before!) You can't get much more variety than that!


Ella's Organics was started as a family business, and all the company's foods are USDA organic!


You can purchase Ella's Organics at most Target and Walgreens stores as well as on Amazon.com.

 As a series re-cap, we've covered:


When to Start Solid Foods
The Best Foods to Feed Baby
Homemade Baby Food
A Review of Ruth Yaron's Super Baby Food Book
Baby Food on the Go: Happy Bellies
Baby Food on the Go: Plum Organics
Baby Food on the Go: Sprout
The Second Best Milk for Babies
Baby Food on the Go: Ella's Organics


Next weekend, we'll look at ways to use up baby food purees, once your baby has moved on to finger foods! (Don't throw those purees away!) 


We'll finish the series in two weeks with a post on re-purposing old baby food jars!


What is your best "starting solids" advice for new moms? 


Are you enjoying this series? We have more to come! In the coming months, we'll be covering baby wearing and cloth diapering! Don't miss a post by subscribing via e-mail below!

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Gluten-Free Apple Crisp & Smart Sweets Review and Giveaway!

Scroll down to enter to win a copy of Smart Sweets--or buy it here now for 25% off using code Humbled25! 

Image by marshillonline*

When it comes to real food, many people may think desserts are a big no-no. But that really doesn't have to be the case! 


Over the past year, I've learned that simple switches--like using honey instead of sugar--can make a world of difference when making sweets. 


And for those of us who need some extra help tweaking old recipes to meet our new diets, Katie of Kitchen Stewardship's newly-released Smart Sweets eCookbook comes to the rescue!

With 30 healthier-than-normal dessert recipes, Smart Sweets will satisfy your sweet tooth without ditching your real food diet. 


Some of my favorites in this book include the black bean brownies, the peanut butter bars (grain-free!) and the dark chocolate truffles. Check out the other recipes in the table of contents, here!


I was blessed to be a recipe tester AND editor of this book! I've read it cover-to-cover...and it's a keeper!


And here's what you've been waiting for...one of my favorite recipes from the book--a gluten-free apple crisp!

Gluten-Free Apple Crisp 
Ingredients

• 1⁄2 c. brown sugar OR sucanat OR palm sugar 
• 1⁄4 tsp. nutmeg 
• 1⁄4 tsp. powdered ginger 
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 3 Tbs. lemon juice
• 3⁄4 c. gluten-free rolled oats 
• 1/3 c. rice flour 
• pinch of salt 
• 1/3-1/2 c. butter
• optional: ground cloves* 
• optional: 1⁄2 c. apple juice OR cider OR water 
• optional: 1⁄2 c. raisins optional: 1⁄2 c. chopped walnuts

How many apples? 2-4 pounds apples, or about 5-10 small or 3-4 large apples, any type. Fill your baking dish to at least an inch.

Method

1. Grease an 8x8 or 9x13 baking dish. (Double the topping amounts for a 9x13.)

2. Peel, core and slice apples and cover the bottom of your dish at least an inch deep.

3. Combine the sweetener and spices in a medium bowl, then fold half of that mixture in with your apples in the baking dish along with all of the lemon juice. Also add optional add-ins at this time. 
4. Mix the oats, flour, and salt with the remaining sugar-spice mixture in the bowl. 
5. Cut the butter into the mixture and add in the optional liquid. 
6. Spread the topping overtop the apples.
Bake uncovered at 350°F for 45 minutes OR 375°F for 30 minutes or until the apples are soft. 

Serves 4-8+

Want to WIN a copy of Smart Sweets?! Fill out the entry form below! 


Can't wait to get a copy? Katie is offering all Humbled Homemaker readers 25% off her book with code: Humbled25! Buy the book here!


What if you win? Katie will refund your money! 


Check out all of Katie's books here. She just came out with the second edition of her Healthy Snacks to Go eBook (my favorite eCookbook of all time), and I am also a huge fan of her The Everything Beans Book! 


*I have included affiliate links in this post, which means I will earn a small percentage of all sales. Thank you in advance for ordering through my links if you decide to purchase! It is a huge blessing to my family and goes into our grocery fund!


I'm linking up with: The Prairie Homestead, Growing Home, Far Above Rubies, Time-Warp Wife and Raising Homemakers,  Works for Me Wednesday, Frugally Sustainable,  Deep Roots at Home, The Better Mom, Raising Mighty Arrows,  Live Renewed, Women Living Well, Monday Mania, Real Food 101, Traditional Tuesday ,Fat Tuesday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays, Gluten Free Wednesday, Full Plate Thursday, Fight Back Friday, Fresh Bites Friday, Friday Food, Living Well Blog Hop,  





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