Oh my goodness where do I even start? Well how about some personal background and testimony? Let me see I was born a California girl, yep, beaches, bikinis, tans, and vanity. Never ever thought I looked as good as I needed to, always thought I was chubby even though I wasn’t. Is a size 5 chubby? Of course not, but I thought so, not perfect enough. Had a serious self absorbed problem. Lots of diets, Lots of gimmicks, lots of worry. Then I got into some serious exercise. Met hubby in a gym, yep the healthy version of a nightclub in the 80’s. Seriously, we met in a gym. We actually were both involved in competitive bodybuilding. Yes, yes it is true, and no I will not post pictures. Those of you who know me as a TN girl can stop laughing now . Anyway, then my career took off and I was very successful, then I had a knee injury and surgery, then after 3 years of marriage I we were expecting our first child. Somewhere in between all that I got born again and gave up the self absorbed vanity thing. Then the Lord blessed us with 7 more children and all 8 of them I would not trade for anything in the world. All that to say I have done the diet thing, I have done the over achieving athlete thing, I have done the vanity thing, I have done the workaholic thing, I have done the live for my children at the cost of my own health thing, I have done every extreme there is. And I had had enough heartbreaks over the years to do the depression thing if it were not for the love of Christ. And somewhere along the way I really did get chubby. Very chubby. My biggest problem over the years is the all or nothing thing. Either I do it big or I wait until I can. But we cannot do that with our health. We are only given one body and has to last. And it is up to us how we treat it. So. 2 years ago when one of my daughters who had been taking care of an elderly neighbor with serious health problems looked at me very seriously and said “mom, please don’t ever let yourself get unhealthy” I knew it was time for a change. And not one of my typical, overthrow the government changes but just a gradual, sensible change. So even though I had an extensive history with studying nutrition and fitness, I went back to square one. You can read more at my fitness blog here. I started eating more, yes more, because when I was busy or bothered I did not eat. I started journaling my eating and exercise everyday, and I started specifically praying that the Lord would show me what I needed to change. He did.
In the last 2 years I have lost over 60 pounds and seriously increased my endurance and overall fitness. I have learned lots of new things, and many of them are included in this book, even though we were not comparing notes. Don’t you just love when the Lord shows you something and you know that you know it is Him so you follow, but then He shows you why? Well I love when He does that. And this book contains lots of the why’s.
Let me say that I know both of the authors personally, and they are beautiful, absolutely beautiful. But not skinny beautiful, they are trim yes, but they are healthy beautiful. Skinny is not healthy looking and many of todays fad diets will get you skinny but not healthy. These girls have a beautiful mom and good genetics, but that will only take us so far, we HAVE to care for our bodies to be healthy looking.
So, now you know why I liked the book, lets tell you a bit about it. It is more of an encyclopedia than it is a mere book. It is a HUGE book and worth the price. The table of contents is impressive enough, and yes in the Kindle version it is clickable!! That is a very big plus in my busy world. In fact as much as I like print books, I will also buy the Kindle version of a favorite if I plan to use it for reference simply for the clickable table of contents and index. This book also has TWO indexes! One for recipes. The recipe index is also clickable in the Kindle version. Does it get any better than that?
Trim Healthy Mama covers everything from forwards by the Authors’ husbands to what the bible says about fitness, to personal testimonies, to nutrition and food combining, to alternatives to sugary drinks, to health problems and thinks like insulin and glycemic levels to hormones and even marital intimacy. They cover exercise and skin care, vegetables and grains, proteins and gluten free meals. If you have ever had a “Mama care need” thought they have probably covered it. And covered it in detail.
The recipes are mostly ways to make yummy meals that work. My personal favorite was eggplant lasagna. I may not follow it exactly but the shear thought of using eggplant instead of pasta made me really happy, I love eggplant! I can confidently say that whatever you love is probably in there too. They do use some strange ingredients, have to look into that konjac root stuff, but not all the recipes call for unusual items. I am not a big sugar substitute person so you will have to study that one yourself, but overall things looked good and mostly doable. I did learn a LOT! And I am 50 years old so this is not new stuff yet I still learned a LOT! We were invited to a local brunch teaching some of this plan and my daughters blessed me when they described it as, “you know mom, the basics like you have always taught us”. Well yes this covers the basics but more of the whys to go along with it. Soooooo…….. who wants one???????????????
They are available on Amazon, see the pic above, or at their website here. http://www.trimhealthymama.com/ or of course you can win one.
This contest is open for entries until midnight Sunday March 17th. US mailing addresses only please
Here is how you can win, start by leaving a comment saying why you want this.
Please list each entry in a separate comment.
You will be able to gain extra entries by doing the following, and leaving a comment saying you did
- follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrimHealthyMama
- like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrimHealthyMama
- go to the Website: http://www.trimhealthymama.com/ and join the forum discussion
- you can get an extra entry if you subscribe to my bookstore mailing list on the front page
- an extra entry if you “like” my facebook page here
- you can get an extra entry if you subscribe in a reader to my blog Subscribe in a reader
- you can get an extra entry if you follow me on twitter
- and an extra entry DAILY if you tweet about this daily
- you can get an extra entry if you befriend me on my personal facebook and post about this
- you can get an extra entry if you post about this on your blog and give a link https://pennyraine.com/blog
~ disclaimer, I am a pro blogger, my opinions are my own, I was supplied with a free product to review and yes if you click on my links I do benefit but so will you
Donna K says
I follow them on twitter.(donnak4)
Donna K says
I follow you on twitter.(donnak4)
Donna K says
I liked them on FB.(Donna Kozar)
Donna K says
I liked you on FB.(Donna Kozar)
Donna K says
I subscribed to your bookstore mailing list.
Elizabeth says
Oh I would LOVE to gain a copy of this book. I, too lived in Southern California when I first was married and lived that crazy life. I am now an Idaho farm mommy to eight wonderful children. Along the way, I have added a little weight with each pregnancy and unfortunately more. My biggest concerns are first to be sure my health is where it needs to be and, more importantly, to be able to pass that on to my children, especially my daughters. If I could just get the message through to them and keep them from believing what the world lies to them about, I feel I would be really magnifying my calling as their Mother. I feel blessed to have seen this and pray that it blesses many lives!
Donna K says
I subscribed by google reader.
Crystal Arcand (3Stairs) says
I need to lose 50 pounds just to be at the top of the healthy weight range for my height. I have four children (the eldest is 12, the youngest is 19 months) that I need to be heathly for.
Melanie says
I joined the Forum Discussion!
Melanie says
I want this book because I know it is an excellent resource! Thanks!
Elizabeth says
Oh I would LOVE to gain a copy of this book. I, too lived in Southern California when I first was married and lived that crazy life. I am now an Idaho farm mommy to eight wonderful children. Along the way, I have added a little weight with each pregnancy and unfortunately more. My biggest concerns are first to be sure my health is where it needs to be and, more importantly, to be able to pass that on to my children, especially my daughters. If I could just get the message through to them and keep them from believing what the world lies to them about, I feel I would be really magnifying my calling as their Mother. I have wanted to purchase this since it’s release but the budget has not allowed for it. I feel blessed to have seen this and pray that it blesses many lives!
D says
I need to lose 60 lbs. and I want to be in better shape so that I can “try” to keep up with my kids. I can’t do it right now.
Barbara says
I have been reading all I can about this book because I’ve been wanting it. I know it will help my family. Thank you for the giveaway!
Barbara says
I subscribed on your bookstore page too! Thank you!
Stephanie says
I like THM on FB!
Stephanie says
I Like you on FB!
Stephanie says
We are pals on FB!
Joni Owada says
I follow them on Twitter
Joni Owada says
I follow them on FB
Joni Owada says
I like YOU,, Penny on FB
Joni Owada says
I would love some new ideas on hot to get trim and fit, and it is great to have advice from someone who has had children and have done it themselves!!!
Joni Owada says
I follow you on Twitter
Suz says
I need to lose 30 pounds, so this book looks like what I need.
Katy says
Daily tweet!
https://twitter.com/KatyLMA/status/312927054012223489
Ashley says
I would love to win this book for so many reasons, but I need to read the chapter on hormones as this is an area of concern for me!
Katy says
My final daily tweet for this giveaway!!! 🙂
https://twitter.com/KatyLMA/status/313219413811806208
Melanie Schemanski says
I have had 6 kids and really ne3d to lose some weight the healthy way
Melanie Schemanski says
follow trim mama on twitter
Melanie Schemanski says
I follow trim mama on fb
Melanie Schemanski says
I follow you on FB
Melanie Schemanski says
I follow you on twitter @jubileereviews
Melanie Schemanski says
tweeted https://twitter.com/JubileeReviews/status/313453475990220800
Melanie Schemanski says
I am your friend on facebook
Urailak (Fruit Bearer on FB) says
I’d really love to win and read this book because I’ve been trying to lose 30 lbs but have not had much success.
Urailak (Fruit Bearer on FB) says
I follow TrimHealthyMama on Twitter.
http://twitter.com/treasuredbyGod
Urailak (Fruit Bearer on FB) says
I “Like” TrimHealthyMama on Facebook.
Rebekah says
I need to lose a substantial amount of weight, so this book would be a Godsend!
I liked THM on FB!
Rebekah says
I like your page on Facebook!
Urailak (Fruit Bearer on FB) says
I joined the forum. My username there is “LivingforGod”.
Urailak (Fruit Bearer on FB) says
I “Like” your FB page.
Urailak (Fruit Bearer on FB) says
I follow you on Twitter.
http://twitter.com/treasuredbyGod
Urailak (Fruit Bearer on FB) says
I tweeted about this giveaway.
http://twitter.com/treasuredbyGod
Melanie says
I would like to have this book to learn more on health and recipes.
Thanks for the give away.
Urailak (Fruit Bearer on FB) says
We’re friends on Facebook and I posted the link to this giveaway on my wall.
Lisa @ Me & My House says
I would LOVE to win this. (Pick ME Penny) 🙂 I have Serene’s other health resources (books/DVD). Thanks for doing this give away.
Lisa @ Me & My House says
Follow THM on Twitter
Lisa @ Me & My House says
Like THM on FB
Lisa @ Me & My House says
Follow you on Twitter
Lisa @ Me & My House says
Like your FB page
Lisa @ Me & My House says
Forgot if I said follow you on Twitter