by  | Dec 6, 2022 | Lifestyle | 
Parenthood is a fantastic journey that changes your life in innumerable ways. It can be both exhilarating and overwhelming, exciting and exhausting – all at the same time! As a new mom, there are many things to prepare for, both expected and unexpected. This blog post will discuss some of the most important things to remember as you prepare for this incredible journey and also provide helpful tips on coping with the unexpected challenges that may arise along the way. Welcome to parenthood – buckle up and enjoy the ride!
Self-Care
Caring for a newborn is a round-the-clock job, and it can be easy to forget your needs. That’s why it’s essential to ensure you’re taking time for yourself too. This could include taking regular walks, exercising, or resting when possible. You could also take advantage of support systems available – friends and family who can help watch the baby while you have time to yourself or even provide an ear if you need someone to talk to.
Baby Gear
While it might seem like there are endless products out there claiming they’ll make your life as a new mom easier, it’s best not to go overboard with the purchases. Instead, stick to the basics – a crib, car seat, stroller, some diapers, and wipes – these are all you need. You can always add more later if you discover something else is necessary for your family.
Setting Expectations
It’s essential to be realistic about what your life with a newborn will look like. Do some research on baby sleep patterns, and remember that it takes time for you and your baby to adjust to this new routine. Put little pressure on yourself to get things done quickly or perfectly; give yourself the time to learn how to be a parent. Talk to others who have been there and can share their experiences with you and provide support and encouragement.
Be Prepared for the Unexpected
No matter how well you prepare, parenting never goes according to plan. Perhaps you read articles on www.childbirthinjuries.com, and you’re uncertain how to proceed, or you may find yourself in a situation where your baby won’t sleep, or the gear you purchased isn’t working out as expected. It’s important to stay flexible and remember it’s all part of the learning process. Talk to other parents, and don’t forget to reach out for help when needed – whether from family, friends, or medical professionals.
In conclusion, being a new mom can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life – but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, so knowing what to expect is critical! Take the time to fully prepare yourself for this incredible journey of parenthood, as there will be both expected and unexpected obstacles along the way. However, with proper knowledge and care, you can ensure that you and your baby have a safe, healthy start.
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					 by  | Dec 4, 2022 | Giveaway | 
Hello, Elegant Ones
Do you have a desire for life-giving, intimate communion with God? The best way to find out what God is saying to you is to read and study His word found in the Holy Bible. The new Abide Bible is designed to help you experience the peace, hope, and growth that come from encountering the voice and presence of God in Scripture. We recently had a chance to preview the Abide Bible and found it to be a valuable resource. Our full review is found HERE! Every feature in Abide Bible is designed to teach and develop Scripture-engagement habits that help you know the power and spiritual nourishment of abiding in Christ.
In conjunction with releasing the new Abide Bible, we also offered a giveaway for our readers. We are pleased to announce that the winner is
** Mya G. **
Congratulations, Mya! You will receive your own copy of the Abide Bible. We will be in contact with you about receiving your Bible.
We currently have several giveaways going on our blog, with more to come in the next year weeks. Be sure to stay tuned, or browse through our blog for more information.
 

				
					
			
					
				
															
					
					 by  | Dec 2, 2022 | Giveaway | 
Hello, Elegant Ones,
What a great time to begin thinking about a Bible reading plan to start in January 2023.
I recently had the opportunity to review the Lifeway Women’s Bible in the CSB translation (Christian Standard Bible), and we are offering a giveaway of a copy of the Bible.
“Live confidently in your identity with help from the CSB Women’s Bible”
“Designed to assist women of any age as they study God’s Word, the CSB Lifeway Women’s Bible will inspire you to laugh, grow, and worship alongside your community. It includes an in-depth collection of inspirational articles and devotional commentary from prominent voices in the Lifeway Women community. As you explore God’s Word, your life will be changed, inevitably affecting those around you, impacting lives one woman at a time.”

Bible Features
- Bible Study and devotional content included from Lauren Chandler, Gloria Furman, Lisa Harper, Mary Kassian, Kelly King, Kelly Minter, Trillia Newbell, Jackie Hill Perry, Angela Thomas Pharr, Jennifer Rothschild, Mary Jo Sharp, Priscilla Shirer, Angie Smith, and other Lifeway notable authors.
 
- Over 40 character profiles of key women in the Bible with questions for application.
 
- More than 35 reflection questions to help women engage more deeply with the Bible.
 
- More than 25 word studies on individual words or phrases detailing meaning and significance.
 
- Over 30 charts, tables, and maps
 
- Sixty-six book-focused introductions provide a concise overview with book-specific timelines.
 
- White and marigold ribbon markers for easy referencing between pages
 
- Presentation page for gift giving
 
- The CSB (Christian Standard Bible) is a straightforward translation that is great for readers to understand without taking away the word’s true meaning.
 
- Nearly 100 brief inspirational quotes on the Bible.
 
- The cover is an attractive LeatherTouch in Marigold.
 
- The 9.5 font is easy to read and comfortable for the eyes.
 

Discount Code
Lifeway is graciously offering a discount to our readers. You will save 50% when you purchase your copy of the CSB Lifeway Women’s Bible with the code SAVE50LWB.
Click HERE to purchase your copy and save 50 percent.
The offer is valid only through December 31st, 2022, and cannot be combined with any other offer. Limit one coupon per person.
Giveaway
One of our readers will win a copy of the CSB Lifeway Women’s Bible (Marigold LeatherTouch Edition).
It is simple to enter the giveaway! Leave a comment below telling us how you would use this Bible.
The giveaway runs through Tuesday, December 13th at 11:59 pm (Central Time).
One comment will be selected randomly, and the winner will be announced on Thursday, December 15th.
**Please Note: This giveaway is limited only to residents of the United States. The winner will be asked to submit their full name and mailing address to receive the Bible.
Disclaimer:
Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing us with a copy of the Explorer Bible to write this review and offer a copy as a giveaway. Opinions are 100% our own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.
				
					
			
					
				
															
					
					 by  | Dec 1, 2022 | Giveaway | 
Hello, Elegant Ones,
I pray that your week is going well and that you will be able to take time to appreciate the true meaning of the Christmas season and share that joy with everyone in your family. No matter their age, it is essential for everyone to know the true meaning of why we celebrate Christmas.
One of the best ways to show the younger people is with their Bible, and I recommend the CSB Explorer Bible for Kids. I can only imagine what I could have learned if I had this Bible when I was growing up.

CSB Explorer Bible for Kids
 
Growing up, my family had a Bible on our coffee table in the living room. I would look at it and read it, but I never knew much about what was in it. My parents never read me any stories from it. The church we attended didn’t teach about the Bible, even though it would read bible stories during the services. My first Bible was a gift from my fiance as an engagement present. Once I had a chance to learn and study the Bible, my life began to change.
The CSB Explorer Bible for Kids is a phenomenal tool for your family’s pre-teen and younger teenagers. This Bible invites young readers to investigate the world
and words of Scripture, including the history of real people and their cultures. It will help kids place God’s Word in the middle of God’s
World.
Here is a closer look at the Explorer Bible for Kids.
Discount Code
For anyone looking for Christmas gifts, Lifeway is graciously offering a discount to our readers. You will save 50% when you purchase your copy of the Explorer Bible TODAY with the code EXPLORERGIFT50.
Click HERE to purchase your copy and save 50 percent.
The offer is valid only through December 31st, 2022, and cannot be combined with any other offer. Limit one coupon per person.
Giveaway
One of our readers will win their own copy of the CSB Explorer Bible for Kids.
It is simple to enter the giveaway! Leave a comment below and tell how old you were when you received your first Bible.
The giveaway runs through Monday, December 12th at 11:59 pm (Central Time).
One comment will be selected randomly, and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, December 13th.
**Please Note: This giveaway is limited only to residents of the United States. The winner will be asked to submit their full name and mailing address to receive the Bible.
Disclaimer:
Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing us with a copy of the Explorer Bible to write this review and offer a copy as a giveaway. Opinions are 100% our own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.
				
					
			
					
				
															
					
					 by  | Dec 1, 2022 | Food | 
Everyone wants to treat themselves, and we all have our vices. But most people also want to make sure that they eat and live more healthily, which means cutting down on a lot of what we enjoy.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake
 
If you are trying to make changes in your life and your diet, you might struggle with this. Here are some tips to help you to have your cake and eat it too, both metaphorically and literally.
A Lifestyle Change, Not a Diet
One huge mistake that a lot of people make is that they go on diets that promise quick results. You can lose a lot of weight in a short amount of time on some of these diets, especially if you cut out huge amounts of food.
However, this kind of weight loss isn’t healthy or sustainable. Ideally, you should change your diet with the goal to be more healthy, not just lose weight. But rapid weight loss puts stress on your body. Not only that, but it’s often temporary.
A common result of rapid weight loss diets is that, while you lose weight quickly, it doesn’t take much time to put it back on again. These diets can be incredibly restrictive, meaning that once it’s over, you fall back into old eating habits, and then some. Some people even gain more weight than they lost.
The idea should be to change how you eat, not just what you eat. Everyone has different eating habits, some more healthy than others. By focusing on how you see food, you can make changes. This, especially when paired with increased exercise, will make it more viable for you to not only lose weight, but to live a healthier lifestyle.
Switching Food Choices
We can be our own worst enemies, especially when it comes to food. But there are some relatively simple ways to switch to a more nutritious diet. Rather than concentrating on restriction and cutting things out entirely, why not switch some of your food choices for healthier options?
If you’re a chronic snacker, for example, switch out the chips for something that will fill you up and provide more benefits. Fruit is a great option, but you can also find some snack alternatives that will provide the savory crunch that you’re craving, but without the saturated fats or unhealthy helping of salt.
Think of things like chips, cake, and other junk food as treats, rather than an ordinary part of your diet. Rather than restricting yourself, you’re treating yourself.
Dealing With Food Restrictions
Some people have food restrictions that can make some treats impossible to enjoy. Rather than cutting them out entirely, or worse, eating them anyway and facing the consequences, why not make or find alternatives that you can eat safely?
For example, this gluten free Brooklyn Blackout Cake recipe is exactly as decadent and enjoyable as you’d hope for, but it’s also more accessible for people who can’t eat gluten. This means that you enjoy a treat without any risks
				
					
						 
				
		
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