Hope for Women - Spring 2018

SPRING 2018

LIVE. DREAM. INSPIRE.

AMY PURDY

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Decorating:

IDEAS FOR SMALL SPACES

ON S M A E N G DR CHASI E ET F O W WN T HE R O

Entertaining

ORGANIZING A BRILLIANT AND BODACIOUS BOOKSHELF

BOLD RS, COLO BOLD ES, STRIP YOU! BOLD

ON A BUDGET WHAT IS

Contouring?

A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Delicious Diabetes-Friendly Recipes from Chef

DEVIN ALEXANDER SPRING 2018 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM

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#PowerOfThePurse Project Purse Indianapolis is a nonprofit organization dedicated to brinigng women together for the good of helping other women.

By hosting Reverse Purse Parties and other community-focused donation drives, Project Purse Indianapolis has collected over 15,000 products, donated nearly 2,000 purses, and impacted the lives of countless women across central Indiana. From female veterans to struggling teenagers, sexual assault victims to young women living in the streets: #PowerOfThePurse lies in not only the products but the words written from one women a to another in each purse gifted.

Toothbrushes Tampons Shampoo

Deodorant Lotion

Floss

notebooks Toothpaste

Pens/ Pencils

Above are examples of what our purses include and things you can donate!

projectpurseindy.com

@projectpurseindy

@ProjectPurseIndy

HOPE / Contents

In this issue: 8

18 12

8

12

18

It’s never too late to learn!

Be Bold!

Para-Athlete Amy Purdy

Kat Parker bet on herself, honored her late mother, and served as an example for her daughter

A vibrant splash of fun

A woman who never lets fears or adversities keep her from chasing her dreams

10

Spring into Radiance!

FEATURE

BEAUTY

What is Contouring?

A Step-by-Step Guide

STYLE

16

BEAUTY

FEATURE

Top Editor's Beauty Picks

17

MONEY

20

ENTERTAINMENT

Bedtime Bestsellers

Great Reads before Tucking the Little Ones In

Entertaining on a Budget

SPRING 2018 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM

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HOPE / Contents

21

35

26

21

DELIGHTFUL FOOD

You can have it!

26

FEATURE

Girlfriends Retreat

Chef and weight-loss expert Devin Alexander's recipes

Kimberly Pitts seeks to help women thrive

24

28

WELLNESS

Mind over Matter

25

FITNESS

Hope for health

HOME / LIFESTYLE

Love your Home!

29

HOME / ORGANIZING The Art of Shelving

Three Tips that will Catapult the ChangeYou Want Today!

4

30 HOME / SMALL SPACE

5 Ideas to maximise Space

31

TRAVEL / PETS

Companion Fair

33

RELATIONSHIPS

Small Changes / Big Results

35

INSPIRATION

The Higlights Reel

HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM SPRING 2018

Melanie Shankle's Thoughts on Social Media

S R S E N K O A S E S R E B L E E L F LI ’S RU E L BIB M FRO E TH

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IN OR O J F D S AN EAM . , LD DR NK I O M SE U TH E O TH WH YO F N E O A N T H U EO RT O H AK H T GGE E BR WIT E BI DS U A R N HA YO

AVAILABLE NOW WHERE BOOKS ARE SOLD /CHARISMAHOUSE @CHARISMAHOUSE 15731

HOPE FOR WOMEN Q1 Spring 2018

A Fresh Start VOL. 11 NO. 13

PUBLISHER & FOUNDER ANGELIA L. WHITE ART DIRECTOR / GRAPHIC DESIGN KARIN ELSENER CONTRIBUTORS MAURITA SUTTON BROWN, VETTA CASH, LADY EMMY, LINDA EUBANKS, LIZ EVERETT, ANNE MARIE MASCARO, KELA PRICE SPECIAL GUEST CONTRIBUTORS CHEF DEVIN ALEXANDER MELISSA MICHAELS ERIN ODOM MELANIE SHANKLE EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS NATALEIGH MOSLEY RACHEL SWEARINGEN SOCIAL MEDIA SHANNON DIDIER TAYLOR WILLIAMS BALL STATE UNIVERSITY CARDINAL COMMUNICATIONS HOPE FOR WOMEN MAGAZINE LLC P.O. Box 3241, Muncie, Indiana 47307 www.hopeforwomenmag.com HOPE FOR WOMEN IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OWNED BY HOPE FOR WOMEN MAGAZINE LLC © 2018

Editor's Page / LIVE. DREAM. INSPIRE.

HELLO, Gorgeous!

Spring is finally here! It is almost as if we totally skipped spring — from snow and ice storms to sunshine and 80 degree weather, if you blink, you will probably miss it.

It is time to go higher. Great companies and brands don’t thrive because they use the same marketing strategies and branding they had when they first started. They progress, they grow, and they move with the times. As you can see, we’ve gone through a much-needed makeover. I would like to welcome our new art director, Karin. This summer, we’ll be launching our new website in June and it is going to be absolutely gorgeous!

Since we last chatted, I have gone through a divorce, lost nearly 40 lbs., received a book deal and found this new peace and happiness. Several people have asked “what are you doing Angie, to lose it?”

by ANGELIA WHITE

My response – watching portion control, eating in moderation, smaller meals … To be honest, it’s because I have allowed God to heal me from the inside out. I let go! There is nothing I can do about the past and my decisions.

I’ve shared this journey for 13 years with you and finally moved beyond the shame and feeling of worthlessness to rebuild a fresh new life. YOU ladies have no idea how you’ve pushed and encouraged me to keep moving forward.

Speaking of courage – wait until you read our feature with Amy Purdy on page 18. One thing is for certain – I LOVE yummy food! Whether you’re managing diabetes, want to lose weight, or just plain want to be fit while eating insanely scrumptious meals, weight-loss expert Devin Alexander is here to assure you, “You Can Have It!” on page 21. Be sure to check out our spring radiant beauty product picks for the season on page 16.

What changes have you been through recently?

Have you done a re-do lately?

How were the results?

Drop me a line at angelia@hopeforwomenmag.com.

I would love to hear from YOU. In Hope,

Angelia White Hope for Women CEO Photo: Rebecca Welch

SPRING 2018 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM

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Feature / Enhance your Career

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN

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HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM SPRING 2018

How one woman bet on herself, honored her late mother, and served as an example for her daughter.

Feature / Enhance your Career

THIRTY YEARS AGO Kat Parker was a freshman studying at Ball State University.

Struggling with poor time management skills and study habits, plus an overly active social life, she dropped out. Since then, she started a family and got a job she enjoys.

However, when her mother passed away and her oldest daughter prepared to leave for college, Parker reflected on her life and decided it was time to finish what she started and earn her degree – this time online.

“It hit me just how quickly time passes. I wanted to prove to myself that I could go back to college, show my daughters that it is never to late to learn, and honor my mother’s desire for me to earn a college degree.”

With these goals in mind, Parker enrolled in courses with Ball State Online, under the bachelor of general studies degree completion program all while working full-time and being a mom. The work, life, school balance proved even more challenging for Parker than it did 30 years ago, but this time she was determined to succeed.

school, work, and home into one calendar to help me keep track of what I need to be doing each day, week, and month. Once I do that, then I can find pockets of time for fun things like spending time with extended family and friends.”

Now three years into her degree, Parker has already gained valuable skills she can directly apply to her current position.

“I recently was able to use what I have learned about business writing to carefully compose an email to administrators about some issues that needed attention. Good writing skills are just as important as having good problem solving skills and being able to work within a team.”

With these new skills and experiences, Parker will be prepared and qualified to earn a promotion, find a new position, or make a complete career change; however, at the moment, she is content with where she is.

“I currently work as a guidance secretary for a middle school, and I can see myself retiring from this job. However, if something were to happen and I would have

some major life change, I know that having a degree will give me more options for new career opportunities.”

Along with having more career opportunities, professional skills, and job security, Parker’s degree will also provide her with the selfsatisfaction of completing a goal she set not only for herself but for her late mother. It will also prove to her daughter that it truly is never to late to learn.

The B.S in general studies offered through Ball State Online is designed for adult students who want to finish a degree for a career move. The program allows students to customize a degree to a specified career by taking two of nine possible minors.

The BGS degree is just one of more than 70 online undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, and licenses available at Ball State.

To learn more about our online programs, visit bsu.edu/online.

“ Good writing skills are just as important as having good problem solving skills and being able to work within a team. ”

“It really comes down to finding and using a good time management system that works for you. I try to list everything that I need to do for SPRING 2018 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM

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Beauty / What is Contouring?

WHAT IS Contouring?

In addition to your usual foundation and primer, here are the tools you will need:

A Complete Step-by-Step Guide by LADY EMMY

— A cream foundation or concealer — 1 to 2 shades lighter than your skin

C

ontouring is an advanced makeup technique which can enhance the structure and definition of your facial features.

It consists of the technique of highlighting by using makeup to enhance parts of the face where light would naturally hit.

Contouring is basically about illusions. The technique also sculpts areas of the face that you want to appear thinner or more defined. The main objective of contouring is to define or minimize features by using darker and lighter makeup to sculpt or highlight.

Set 697 M O R PH E et - $50 egan Pro S 15-Piece V

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HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM SPRING 2018

Cover FX Contour Kit $48

Cream foundation*

— A cream foundation or concealer — 1 to 2 shades darker than your skin

Brushes —

— — —

An angled brush or sculpting brush A foundation brush A brush to blend A powder brush

Translucent Setting Powder NAR S Ita K abuk i

Br u s

h-$

55

MAKEUP FO R E VE R HD setting pow der - $35

de r T EFI ess Pow N BE Flawl o Hell

- $3

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Beauty / What is Contouring?

How to Steps

4

1

Sculpt your cheeks

Start by highlighting under your eyes

Use the concealer brush to place your lighter makeup shade under each eye from the outer corner of your eye down and over to the rim of your nostril (almost in the shape of a triangle). This brightens your face and gives your eyes an extra pop.

Make a fish face in the mirror. Under your cheekbone, apply the darker makeup shade parallel to your jaw. Start from your hairline and move toward the outer edge of your mouth on each side. For a glowing appearance, apply a slight illuminator or bronzer on the cheekbones.

2

Enhance the structure and definition of your facial features.

Highlight key areas While using that same brush and lighter makeup shade, apply makeup down the bridge of your nose, on the cupids bow of your lips, and in the center of your forehead. This creates an overall highlight of where light would naturally fall onto your face.

3

Sculpt your nose

To create the illusion of a narrower, straighter, or more defined nose, shade each side by applying the darker makeup shade to each side of the nose. Start from the inner eyebrow to the tip of the nose and blend well. You want to draw a straight line, so it’s best to use a small concealer brush when highlighting and sculpting the contour of your nose.

5

Sculpt a larger forehead

This step is only necessary if you’d like your forehead to appear smaller.

You can apply the darker makeup shade at the very top of your forehead around the hairline.

6

Blend everything

Use your foundation brush in a circular motion to blend everything well.

7

Set the look

Apply setting powder with a fluffy powder brush to set everything.

SPRING 2018 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM

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Style / Be Bold!

, , S R O L O C D , L S O E B P I R T S D BOL YOU! D L O B

, E R ET T V E Z I

By L n Wome r o f e p itor Ho auty Ed e B & Style

SPRING 2018 is all about making

a bold personal style statement. We are revisiting the 90’s supermodel era, with fabulous shades of red, yellow and iconic stripe combinations. My favorite is the timeless black and white stripes. From New York Fashion Week to your local retailer, it’s all about presenting a vibrant splash of fun!

Even celebrities have joined in rocking a gorgeous orange-based red lip on the red carpet.

I love this trend because a red lip screams confidence! When you see a woman wearing red lipstick, you know she is a showstopper.

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HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM SPRING 2018

Style / Be Bold!

BOLD Earrings from BAUBLEBAR.COM

NY&Co. GABRIELLE UNION

COLLECTION - STRIPED V-NECK SWEATER DRESS $79.95

SPRING 2018 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM

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Style / Be Bold!

The easiest rule of thumb is if you think it’s too much, then it’s just right, especially when it comes to statement earrings. I am a huge fan of Bauble Bar’s collection, as well as H&M. Both retailers have affordable accessories that help you rock life like a runway! It’s all about you having fun with your style.

Don’t forget to check out NY&Co. for your spring wardrobe. They have amazing lines with Eva Mendes and Gabrielle Union.

I recently checked out Gabrielle’s collection in New York City and I was a huge fan of her dresses for spring. If you want an on trend go to, I suggest you visit NY&Co.

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HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM SPRING 2018

For our gorgeous plus style mavens, I recommend Eloquii.com for gorgeous spring styles that will have you looking and feeling fabulous. It’s one of my personal favorite places to shop every season. Their selection of great pieces for spring will make you feel like a queen. It’s time that you remembered that you are amazing as you take bold chances with your style this season.

///// Email the Style Department Your BOLD Spring Style Photos: Liz@HopeforWomenMag.com You could appear on our weekly Readers Style Shout Out on our @HopeMagStyle Instagram!

Beauty Style / Be / Be Bold!

Bold!

NY&Co. GABRIELLE UNION COLLECTION - STRIPED KIMONO DRESS $99.95

Photographer: Rebecca Welch / Model: Tamica Crumes / Creative Director: Angelia White / Location: The Flying Cupcake

SPRING 2018 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM

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Beauty / Makeup & Skincare

i Spr ng

Top Editors’ Beauty Picks for Spring

By LIZ EVERETT,

Hope for Women Style & Beauty Editor

into Radiance!

As we step into spring, we embrace that

healthy, radiant glow every woman wants to achieve. This season ushers in the release of the most beautiful tones and hues that truly bring every skin tone to life. In this issue I wanted to focus our beauty section on helping you get your glow on for spring, as winter’s harshness comes to a close.

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From bronzer to lip lacquer, it’s all about color blooming as this new season comes in. As the beautiful spring vibe begins to release around you, you will begin to feel beautiful in your own skin. Think radiance when you think about your personal beauty statement spring 2018.

That will keep you focused on that glow from the inside out that every woman truly needs.

3 4 2 6

Skincare Picks

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Makeup Picks

1. PH7

1. STILA Convertible Color in Petunia $25.00 – StilaCosmetics.com

Natural Skincare Foaming Cleanser $14.00 – Ph7skincare.com 2.

MARIO BADESCU Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs & Rosewater $7.00 – MarioBadescu.com

3. TATCHA SILKEN Pore Perfecting Sunscreen $65.00 – Sephora.com 4. PETER ROTH THOMAS Potent-C Power Serum $95.00 – peterroththomas.com 5. KATE SOMERVILLE ExfoliKate $24.00 – Sephora.com 6. GLAMGLOW FlashMud Brightening Treatment $24.00 – Glamglow.com

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2. MAC Lusture Lipstick in Lady Bug $17.50 – MACcosmetics.com

2 3

3. LAURA MERCIER Tinted Moisturizer $45.00 – Sephora.com 4. MERLE NORMAN 24K Gold Firming Foundation Primer $59.00 – MerleNorman.com

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5. BARE MINERALS Gen Nude Patent Lip Lacquer $19.00 – Sephora.com 6. MAKEUP REVOLUTION Vivid Baked Bronzer $6.00 – Ulta.com

HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM SPRING 2018

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Money / Entertaining on a Budget

/// Entertaining on a Budget

By ERIN ODOM

My husband and I are both extroverts, and he, especially, has the gift of hospitality.

When we began a family—which happened to coincide with the economic downturn of the 2000s— our entertainment budget took a hit. Not only were we limited on the amount of money we had to spend on food and party decor, but we were also embarrassed of what little we perceived we had to offer.

We should not have been.

Thankfully, since that time we’ve learned that there are a myriad of ways to entertain others—without breaking the bank. Yes, it might take a little creativity, but it’s completely possible to practice the gift of hospitality on a budget.

I hope the following suggestions will help you think outside of the box when it comes to entertaining your loved ones:

1

Pack a picnic. If you feel

like your home is too small for a crowd, why not consider taking your guests outside—or even meeting them in a fun location? Meet your friends at a local beach, lake, or park and a picnic lunch and wide-open spaces together. You can volunteer to provide lunch for everyone—or each family can bring their own, making this option even more economical.

2

Host a themed potluck night. Potluck

dinners have been around forever, but themed potluck nights can shake things up a bit! Invite your friends over and ask that they bring a dish that coincides with a theme.

Mexican night? Divvy up who brings the chips and salsa, taco shells and tortillas, or churros. Italian?

Someone can bring the pasta while someone else brings the sauce. And let’s not forget the yummy garlic bread and tiramisu!

3

Make it a marathon movie night! Have

a common movie interest with friends? Pop in the DVDs and ask friends to bring fun appetizers that coincide with the theme. We recently hosted a Superman party for our son’s first birthday. We served “meteorite” meatballs. Movie series like Star Wars, Harry Potter, or the Hunger Games can really lend themselves to some creative options.

You can also do this with popular television series, like Gilmore Girls or Stranger Things.

4

Swap cookies or treats. Cookie exchanges

5

Volunteer together.

have been a popular Christmas party activity for many years, but why wait for the holidays when you can arrange for a cookie or treat swap any time of the year?

Simply ask each friend to bring a certain number of cookies or treats, and each guest can leave with an assortment to take home. Or, nibble on the cookies while you party.

This is one of my favorite ideas. The point of entertaining your friends is to strengthen relationships while bringing people together.

Serving others together can take friendships to a whole new level.

Whether it’s assembling coats for a clothing drive, canned goods for the local food pantry, or books for a children’s home, everyone will be able to declutter, spend quality time together, and help a great cause.

///

Erin Odom is the author of More Than Just Making It and You Can Stay Home With Your Kids and is the founder of The Humbled Homemaker, a blog dedicated to grace-filled living designed to equip and encourage mothers in the trenches. Follow Erin at thehumbledhomemaker.com and sign up for her free e-course at eatingwellonabudget.com.

SPRING 2018 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM

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Feature / Amy Purdy

Amy Purdy

Chasing Dreams on Her Own Two Feet Para-athlete Amy Purdy never lets fears or adversities keep her from pursuing her dreams

“Although it took

time to realize this, I now know that my biggest challenges have become my biggest blessings”

By ANGELIA L. WHITE Para-athlete and co-founder of Adaptive Action Sports, Amy Purdy has become an inspiration to countless individuals through her inspirational ability to never give up hope and her determined approach to life.

When Purdy, 38, initially lost both of her legs below her knees as a result of Meningococcal Meningitis, which almost took her life when she was 19 years old, she never thought she would become an example of hope and perseverance, and a hero in others’ eyes. She simply was trying to get back to life as normal. As she continued to pursue her dreams, however, she realized just how much people are capable of achieving.

“Although it took time to realize this, I now know that my biggest challenges have become my biggest blessings,” she said. “We all need inspiration. We all need to have a reason for waking up and living.

We all need to know that we aren’t alone in our challenges and we need to see others who have overcome.

Inspiration is important and it’s contagious. When you are inspired, you inspire others to live the same way.”

Photos: Julianne O’Neill

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HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM SPRING 2018

One way she helps provide that inspiration is through Adaptive Action Sports, an organization that she and her husband, Daniel Gale, started in 2005 to help individuals with permanent disabilities participate in action sports. Purdy herself has earned one silver (2018 Pyeongchang) and two bronze (2014 Sochi, 2018 Pyeongchang) medals in the Paralympic Games in snowboard cross and was also a runner-up contestant on Dancing with the Stars. Regardless of what she’s doing, she always manages to find the motivation to reach her goals.

“I realize that I am driven by challenge, driven to figure out a way,” Purdy said. “With Dancing with the Stars, no matter how challenging it was, every single week, we always figured out a way to make things work.

With snowboarding, I am constantly working on my legs and the mechanics of my legs to improve my performance. With speaking, I’m always writing and crafting new stories and learning new lessons.”

Through those experiences and lessons, she has come to understand the value in being able to face adversity head-on and to keep persevering through whatever life throws her way.

Feature / Amy Purdy

I just had to be “ flexible and accept

the changes that I needed to make ” a New York Times bestseller, a memoire titled On My Own Two Feet: From Losing My Legs to Learning the Dance of Life, in December 2014. She’s truly grateful to be able to share her gifts and her story with the world, and she knows that each trial she’s faced has helped to lead her on the path she was always meant to take.

“We can’t learn and grow without challenge, and, as frustrating as it all can be at times, I realize that I am driven by challenge and adventure,” she said. “When I look back on my life, I realize that my biggest challenges had the biggest rewards— that the things that were ‘the hardest things I have ever done’ became the most amazing things I have ever done.”

Those challenges and incredible feats have led Purdy to be one of the most well-known and motivational professional snowboarders currently competing today. She didn’t let the fact that she lost both of her legs keep her from going after her dreams, and she’ll never let it stop her from dreaming even bigger.

“I just had to be flexible and accept the changes that I needed to make,” she said. “In fact, I became a professional snowboarder because I lost my legs. I ended up doing what it was that I set out to do ever since I was a teenager, yet I ended up doing it completely differently than I ever

would have imagined. Instead of letting the loss of my legs stop me, I used it to fuel me to move forward and find a way.”

Through her organization, and with the help of major companies she’s partnered with—including Toyota, Coca-Cola and Bridgestone tires— Purdy has not only been able to fulfill her dreams, but helps others pursue their dreams, as well. She knows firsthand how fragile life can be and how important it is not to waste one second of it.

“When I look back, I realize that it took losing my legs to get where I am today,” she said. “I’m doing what I always wanted—snowboarding, traveling the world, living a creative life—yet I’m doing it in a way that I never would have imagined. I think it’s important that we put our goals in concrete, but our plans in sand because life is always changing. If we are focused on our dreams and choose to persevere, we can reach them—no matter what circumstances we are facing.”

“When I survived, I came back knowing that I wanted to live the best and fullest life possible—that I wasn’t going to limit myself. I wanted to explore all that life has to offer,” she said. “I think this is my biggest drive and why I enjoy challenging myself. We only have one life and we need to live it!”

In addition to her accomplishments in the snow and with Adaptive Action Sports, Purdy is also a motivational speaker and published SPRING 2018 HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM

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Entertainment / Children ’s Book Roundup

Bedtime Bestsellers Great Reads before Tucking the Little Ones In Lisa Bevere >

Bedtime is prime time for creative storytelling! It’s the perfect time to introduce books that inspire and educate your children. If you haven’t checked out these books from Lisa Bevere and Amy Parker, your children are missing out on all the adventure! These signature pieces may become some of your child’s new bedtime favorites!

Night Night Jungle

by Amy Parker This fun, rhyming book is part of Amy Parker’s famous Night Night series. Your children will love seeing the colorful pictures of different animals in the jungle going to sleep as the sun sets, right before they lay their heads down to sleep.

Night Night, Farm Touch and Feel

by Amy Parker

Amy Parker >

This book engages your child’s sense of touch. They will be ecstatic to see the various animals in PJs and will become fully engulfed in storytime. This touch and feel masterpiece also helps children remember what sounds animals make distinctly.

Lizzy the Lioness

by Lisa Bevere This colorful book follows a lion named Lizzy as she faces hardship and figures out what it means to truly be courageous.

This literary compilation teaches your children the importance of asking for help in hard times.

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HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM SPRING 2018

Delightful Food / Devin Alexander

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Devin Alexander

Whether you’re managing diabetes, want to lose weight, or just plain want to be fit while eating insanely scrumptious meals, weight-loss expert Devin Alexander is here to assure you, “You Can Have It!” You'll love these two delicious recipes.

YOU CAN HAVE IT! Pulled Chicken Tacos with Papaya Slaw* SERVES: 4 / SERVING SIZE: 2 tacos PREP TIME: 15 min.* / COOK TIME: 1-1 1/2 hours

1 tablespoon whole grain oat flour 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/8 teaspoon salt Pinch freshly ground black pepper 1 pound trimmed, boneless, skinless chicken breasts (preferably free range), cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 2/3 cup orange juice (not from concentrate) 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons all natural applewood flavored liquid smoke 8 taco sized 6" corn tortillas (preferably made with only corn, lime, and salt) 2 2/3 cups Sweet Papaya Slaw* *Find the recipe in Devin Alexander's book "You Can Have It!", available on Amazon.com

4 teaspoons sriracha, divided 1 handful fresh cilantro leaves, or to taste

1 In a medium resealable plastic bag, combine the flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and shake the bag until the chicken is coated. Refrigerate the chicken for at least 15 minutes.

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Delightful Food / Devin Alexander

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 2 Preheat a medium nonstick soup pot over medium high heat. When it’s hot, add the oil, then the chicken. Brown the chicken, about 1 minute per side, then turn the heat to medium and add the orange juice, vinegar, and liquid smoke.

3 When the liquid comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low (the liquid should still be boiling slightly). Cover and simmer the chicken, stirring occasionally, for 30-40 minutes or until it’s very tender (the liquid will absorb into the meat and the pieces should be so tender they fall apart when smashed with a fork).

4 Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken (along with a bit of the liquid) to a medium mixing bowl. Using your fingers, 2 forks, or a pastry blender, separate the chicken pieces until the chicken is shredded.

5

During the last 15 minutes of cooking, stack the tortillas and wrap the stack in foil so it’s completely covered. Heat them in a preheated 350° degree oven until just warmed.

6

Place the tortillas side by side on a serving platter or place 2 tortillas side by side on each of 4 plates. Divide the meat evenly among the tortillas, laying it in a strip across the center one third of each tortilla. Top the chicken on each tortilla with 1/3 cup slaw. Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon sriracha (or up to 1 teaspoon, if desired) over the top of each. Then top each evenly with cilantro leaves. Fold the tacos and enjoy immediately.

COOK's Notes Can’t find whole grain oat flour? Don’t worry. You can make your own by adding old fashioned oats to a food processor. Run it for a couple of minutes on high until the oats are as fine as flour!

When you buy corn tortillas, try to find some that have only corn, lime, and salt on the ingredient list—and make sure they don’t have a lot of salt.

Many brands have tons of chemicals and additives, and they don’t even taste better!

Make sure you compare brands when you buy your sriracha. There are natural varieties that are very

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HOPEFORWOMENMAG.COM SPRING 2018

low in salt and have virtually no sugar. But that is not the case with every product! If you like spicy foods, you can use up to 8 teaspoons of sriracha in this dish to add even more kick.

CHOICES/EXCHANGES 2 starch, 1 non-starchy vegetable, 3 lean protein

PER SERVING 320 calories / 7 g fat / 1 g saturated fat / 0 g trans fat / 70 mg cholesterol / 500 mg sodium / 600 mg potassium / 34 g carbohydrates / 5 g fiber / 9 g sugar / 30 g protein / 255 mg phosphorus

ONLINE Need more helpful chef secrets and hacks? Visit me at www.devinalexander.com/diabetes where I’ll share my secrets and give you the 411 on the specific brands I’m currently using.

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Delightful Food / Devin Alexander

Crab Stuffed Shrimp SERVES: 4 / SERVING SIZE: 3 stuffed shrimp PREP TIME: 20 minutes / COOK TIME: 7–10 minutes

I love this appetizer! It’s so easy and definitely wow worthy! I first ran a version of this recipe in a holiday seafood article I wrote for Muscle & Fitness magazine. I got such a great response and found myself making it so many times, that I wanted to share it here in a version that not only body builders can enjoy.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

4 ounces drained, canned lump crab meat 2 tablespoons finely chopped whole green onion 1 tablespoon light mayonnaise (preferably natural) 2 teaspoons lemon zest 1 teaspoon very finely chopped Fresno pepper 1 1/2 tablespoons Japanese Panko bread crumbs 12 extra large shrimp (preferably wild caught) Olive oil spray (propellant free)

1 Preheat the oven to 475°F. Line a small baking

sheet with nonstick foil.

2 Mix the crab, green onions, mayonnaise, lemon

zest, and peppers in small bowl until they are well combined.

3 Spread the bread crumbs on a small plate and

set aside.

4 To butterfly the shrimp: Peel all but the tail and last joint of the shell off the shrimp. On a cutting board, place a shrimp so that the head end and tail are touching the cutting board and the center arches toward the ceiling. Insert a knife into the shrimp near the head, just past the remaining shell, and cut down the center of the shrimp’s back to the tail, cutting just deep enough to flatten the shrimp (make sure not to cut all the way through). Run the shrimp under cold water to clean it. Dry it well with paper towels. Repeat the procedure with the remaining shrimp and place them side by side, not touching, on the prepared baking sheet.

5 Divide the crab mixture evenly among the shrimp, about 1/2 tablespoon per shrimp, forming it into a tight mound on top of the butterflied portion of each shrimp.

6 Carefully dip each shrimp, gently turning it upside down, into the bread crumbs to lightly coat the crab (not the whole shrimp, just the portion with the crab). Return shrimp to the baking sheet and make sure the crab mound isn’t flattened (if it is, reshape it slightly to look like a mound). Sprinkle any remaining bread crumbs evenly over the tops.

Mist the tops lightly with spray.

7 Bake the shrimp 7-10 minutes or until they are no

longer translucent throughout. Enjoy immediately.

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Wellness / Normalzing Mental Health

MIND OVER MATTER

Shattering the Glass Ceiling of Mental Health Concerns

By KELA PRICE

For many, discussing mental health concerns can be compared to talking about a deep, dark family secret—the one everyone wants to keep hidden. While some believe that if they speak about it, a matter becomes more real, by that same token, ignoring mental health (or other concerns) doesn’t mean it will simply disappear.

We must normalize it to neutralize it because it truly is normal. If you have a functional brain, it will experience a variety of emotions, and they all won’t be happy. Viewing anxiety and depression as something that is abnormal is the very thing that gives it the most power. Normalizing it allows people to be more transparent about what is hurting them so they can seek help as early as possible.

Studies show that suppressing something is not only quite difficult to do, but it manifests the very thing one is trying to suppress. The more someone tries to suppress sadness, anxiety, depression, frustration or anger, the more those things manifest in their lives. Below are three primary reasons why we shouldn’t allow the stigma regarding mental health to make us hide or bury mental health concerns.

Ignoring our needs decreases our opportunities for our support systems to offer support. It is human nature for people to want their emotional needs met. We want to be in environments that foster love, acceptance, security, empathy and self-disclosure. This means that we want to be able to feel secure enough to talk about our pain, knowing that it will be met with love, empathy and acceptance. If we ignore these uncomfortable feelings, we decrease the chances of giving our support systems a chance to support us.

Whether it is through anger, substance abuse, an addiction to food or isolation, people develop defense mechanisms to help cope with mental health symptoms. Normalizing the conversation about mental health enables us to be less reactive and more proactive about our mental health.

Viewing mental health as a dirty little secret can be harmful to your health. There was a study conducted on the effects stress has on the body.

For years, doctors have been telling their patients that stress kills. However, this study proved that it’s actually your perception of stress that kills.

Psychology researchers examined two groups of people. In one group, the interviewers told participants that stress can have damaging effects on the body, including up to death.

To the other group, they explained that stress has the same effect on your body that excitement does, and is actually not harmful. It turns out that the group that was told that stress can be harmful to their health actually had less stress, but experienced physical complications as a result.

The group that was told that stress was no more harmful than the adrenaline one gets when he or she is excited actually had the most stress, but no detrimental physical symptoms. So, as it turns out, stress can be harmful—but only if you view it as such.

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Kela Price is the Founder and Executive Director of Let’s Get Mentally Fit, a 501c3 nonprofit, whose mission is to provide tools to people who want to be proactive about their mental health. She is a mental fitness enthusiast who is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Psychology.

Photo: Jurica Koletic on Unsplash

Fitness / Three Simple Tips

HOPE for

HEALTH

Three Tips that will Catapult the Change You Want Today!

By CHRISTINIA SCOTT, M.ED, NASM CPT

As a wife, mother to five children and co-owner of a fitness gym, I understand the daily struggle of making the right food choices. The following three simple tips are those that I put into practice daily.

Photo: Shutterstock

Drink more water. Drinking more water is

a quick, simple step to developing a healthier lifestyle.

Your body consists of approximately 60% water. The body needs an ample amount of water to function properly. You can drink more water by simply drinking water before every meal. Research has shown that people who drank water before meals ate less, which resulted in weight loss. One extra cup of water will save you 68 calories. If you drink three extra cups, you will eat less by 205 calories.

Be more active. You can become more active by simply walking an extra 30 minutes per day. Walk 30 minutes before work or after work, or during your lunch break. Walking can reduce belly fat, lower blood pressure and raise your production of HDL, or “good” cholesterol.2 For a 200-pound person, walking burns 90 to 100 calories per half-hour, or 180 to 200 calories per hour.

Eat more fruits and vegetables.

For most people, “eating more fruits and vegetables” is easier said than done. Two simple ways you can eat more fruits and vegetables is to drink natural smoothies, without processed sugar. Smoothies are a simple way to easily eat five or more servings of fruit and vegetables.

There is compelling evidence that a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.3 The fruits and vegetables likely to contribute to this benefit: green, leafy vegetables, such as lettuce; spinach; Swiss chard; and mustard greens; cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli; cauliflower; cabbage; Brussels sprouts; bok choy; and kale; and citrus fruits, such as oranges; lemons; limes and grapefruit (and their juices) make important contributions.3 Another simple way to eat more vegetables is to eat vegetable-based soups. A vegetable-based soup can include onions, garlic, carrots, celery, tomatoes, leeks, cabbage and bell peppers. Other frequently included vegetables are zucchini; eggplant; parsnips; beets; turnips; potatoes; mushrooms; spinach; fennel; peas and corn. A vegetable-based soup can be made with canned, fresh or frozen vegetables. A healthy soup can contain eight servings of vegetable, which is 4 ½ cups of vegetables.

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Feature

Girlfriends Retreat

By ANGELIA WHITE

BACK ROW:

Gabbe Smith Sherri Glisson Sandy Chandal Kimberly Pitts, Hannah Lecha Gale Gillespie Tiffany Mizuno Dimalanta Myaann Payne FLOOR:

Nickquolette Barrett, Julie Wynn

I

f you’ve been in business any amount of time, you know it’s much more than a notion. While the thought of being your own boss is tantalizing, it’s often filled with late nights, early mornings and power-packed afternoons with no lunch breaks. Hope went behind the scenes with Kimberly Pitts to find out how women business owners are not only surviving—but thriving.

HOPE FOR WOMEN: How did this group originate?

KIMBERLY PITTS: I have been in business for close to 20 years. I’ve watched women business owners use their ability to dream, cultivate, inspire change and help create new narratives in their respective industries. However, in their quest to build, create and influence, a persistent issue kept arising: loneliness. Many entrepreneurs battle loneliness while dealing with the pressures of building a business, the fear of not knowing if they are making wise decisions, and the constant battle of, “Am I doing this right?”

So, I created an intimate group called Thrive, where women business owners gather to connect as women, strategize to help them grow and expand their concepts and businesses and review their goals and plans.

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HOPE: Do you have any tips/advice for women who are interested in forming their own support/empowerment groups?

KP: It’s important to build a group patterned after how you want to teach and pour into people. I am not a cookiecutter, go-by-the-formula type of person. I love to keep challenging myself and pushing beyond natural limits. So when you are building your own group here are some tips to consider:

Determine your why. What will you teach? Take that topic and build legs around it. This allows you to see the width and depth of the topic area.

Determine the size of your group. I love small groups because it allows me the opportunity to get to know each person individually.

Lastly, build around all of the above. What activities will you do? Where will you meet? What creativity will you infuse into the program?

>

>

>

HOPE: Can anyone join or be part of THRIVE? If so, tell us how?

KP: While we would love to work with everyone, we found that it is best to talk with someone to ensure Thrive is a good fit for them. I am a firm believer that it is best to determine what environment will best help someone to grow and accomplish their goals. If someone is interested in learning more about Thrive, we will schedule a call with them to ensure that it is a mutually beneficial connection.

Photo: Ashley Strong Photography

Entrepreneur Seeks to Help Women Thrive

AD French Lick Resorts and Hotel

Home / Lifestyle

LOVE

HOME

your

Create a fresh new look!

Wall hangings, pillows and inspirational candles add value to your mood.

By MAURITA SUTTON BROWN

W

As the designer, I often incorporate décor items and cozy accessories. But when you want to make significant changes to add life to your home, here are a few solutions to get you on your way. I use these moments to appreciate where I live often:

hen I am designing interior spaces, and my client wants to put his or her plan into the design project, I call this “expression of truth in design.” Appreciating your home is important being that your home is your place of refuge. I often hear my clients state that they love the understanding I share with them in the meaning of loving where you live. Spring time is a great time to make your home more comfortable and enjoyable for you, your family and even your guests.

Gatherings

Sharing Life

These tips allow you to use items you have and showcase them around your home. Often, my clients adore my technique of themed décor, which makes decorating easy:

Plant a Garden

Living Growth

Buy what you love (art portraits).

Use gifts in the décor space that make you feel amazing (Grandma’s quilt).

Invest in functional, long-lasting décor items (small table used as a desk).

Collect items that represent your personality and style. For example, I adore cities I’ve traveled to around the world to be in my eyesight daily.

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When we invite guests into our homes, it allows us to entertain and share our home with laughter, food and music. Table or sofa games are amazing.

Intimate Dinners

Discussing Life

I choose to have special dinners for my guests, chatting about the Bible, raising children and marriage.

Plants and flowers soothe the soul through growth and beauty. I love my indoor plants; I keep them near sunlight and decorate the corner with my metal roosters. I love the outside garden, as well. I am able to grow herbs and other seasonal beautiful flowers.

Hopefully, these tips and solutions can help you expand your appreciation for your home.

Appreciate what you have and share it with others. For more information, email Maurita at simplymaurita@gmail.com.

CLEAN / ORGANIZE / ENJOY Photo: Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Home / Organization

The

ART

of

Shelving Turn your everyday bookshelf into an artistic conversation piece!

By LINDA EUBANKS

T

he relationships we have with books are deep and very personal. We can literally take a walk throughout our lives in every book that we’ve laid our hands on because authors have put power to pen, and pen to paper, to give us what we call books. What better way to organize books that have empowered us, soothed our souls, helped us regain our strength, brought us to a place of surrender and uplifted us to walk in hope daily than the one thing every home should invest in?

That’s a bookshelf.

From awards, family photos and décor, the bookshelf is a staple in many homes and its use can be limitless. It brings me joy to walk into a home where books are stored in boxes or stacked on the floor because each book sheds the light on the seasons in life that we’ve lived and conquered. To see the words in hardback proudly displayed in our home can give us a sense of empowerment.

Here’s how to enhance your bookshelf and take it from boring to bodacious:

1

Try organizing your books autobiographically. Organize the books on the shelves based on the season of your life in which you read or acquired them. For example, take the top shelf and dedicate it to books that you read in your twenties, the next shelf dedicated to your thirties and so on. Not only does this serve as a time capsule of your life, but the young women in your home or life will benefit from the timeless lessons they have available at their fingertips.

2

Add a little va-va-voom to your bookshelf, organizing your books horizontally and vertically. To draw more attention to the bookshelf, adorn a stack of books with a beautiful vase or memento of a family member or friend. This is a timeless tradition that you can’t go wrong with. It gives you the look and feel of a library with a twist.

3

To add interest to your bookshelf, end-capping will make heads turn. You’ve seen endcaps in stores. Now, you can create it in your home.

End-capping is a method of organizing books that are upright and diagonally so that the covers are showing. Although this method can be time-consuming, it’s a quick conversation starter while entertaining.

4

Bring on the pizazz by purchasing unconventional bookshelves that can serve as art as well. Your bookshelf will serve as a backdrop to your book collection, plus it will elevate the look of your home while catering to your organization needs.

Periodically, create a new board on Pinterest. Pinterest gives me the opportunity to paint a picture of what I want when organizing a bookshelf. This way, I get the inspiration I need to make my home look and feel HGTV ready!

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//////5 Home / Small Space Living

IDEAS TO MAKE THE MOST ROOM IN A SMALL SPACE

Having a lot of storage is risky business. The more storage we have available to us, the more stuff we might acquire to fill it, and the harder it becomes to keep track of what we have. These five ideas will help you to take control of your home.

1

///// Go vertical.

Make the most of vertical space and get things off the floors. Tall and narrow bookshelves are the perfect solution to hold items in a room with limited floor space. Look for one that’s extra tall and fill it up with pretty books, accessories, and storage boxes.

2

///// Secret storage. In a tiny

living room, a round storage ottoman will allow for an easy, flowing traffic pattern in and out of the conversation area as well as the extra space you need to stash your remotes or other necessities.

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Home / Small Space Living

3

///// Little carts.

Not enough storage in your small kitchen? Try tucking in a rolling cart with drop leaf sides against a wall or in a corner in or near your kitchen. A little cart can be an extra work surface when you need it and additional storage space.

Add hooks and a towel bar for small accessories or oven mitts. For extra convenience and flexibility, add casters so it can be rolled in and out of the kitchen as needed.

4

///// Corner pieces.

In a small space, every corner counts. If you need a little extra space for your favorite dishes or serving pieces, put a small corner to use! Corner cabinets can be especially useful in a dining room or kitchen or even in the corner of a small bathroom or bedroom.

5

///// Dual function.

You can maximize a small space efficiently by purchasing furnishings that serve multiple functions. Stools can serve as an extra seat but also as a side table for cups and plates, or as a perch for reading material next to a chair or sofa.

A small room can be just as functional, attractive, and comfortable as a larger one if you know the secrets to maximizing your space. As always, start by decluttering down to what is essential and what really brings you joy. Be ruthless in a small space to only keep what is truly practical and useful, but don’t fear that decluttering in a small house means you can’t enjoy the things you love.

Adapted from: Make Room for What You Love.

Copyright © 2016 by Melissa Michaels. Published

by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon. www.harvesthousepublishers.com.

Used by Permission.

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Travel / Pets

COMPANION FAIR A little planning and care can make traveling with your pets smooth sailing.

“For

L E V A R T

“W

AT.

. REPE

. SAVE

RAVEL

.T WORK

“Tr

“

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Travel / Pets

By ANNE-MARIE MASCARO

L

eaving your pets behind in the safety of your home is one of the best ways to quell their anxiety. But in instances where your pet has to join you on vacation or to run errands, a little bit of preparation can set you both at ease.

/ By Plane Don’t forget your pets’ vaccinations. Requirements vary by state and country, so it’s important to check The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in advance of your travel to see what’s required before you leave. Some countries have quarantine periods that can be minimized if you get vaccinations like rabies shots months in advance of your trip. Your vet can assist by providing the proper paperwork to take with you on the trip. Make sure your pet is microchipped, has proper ID tags and has a pet passport. Carry copies of key information and their photo when you travel.

/ By Car Companies like Ruff Rider sell seat belts for dogs.

It safely positions them in the car, but still gives them freedom to enjoy the view. Cats should be in carriers while in the car, secured by a seat belt in the back seat. Front seats can be problematic for both cats and dogs because, if air bags deploy during an accident, they can injure your pet.

/ By Boat Have your pet explore the boat before your trip, rewarding them with treats along the way. When the real adventure comes, they will have less anxiety.

On departure day, make sure they wear a flotation device, even if they know how to swim. Check with your vet for safe, non-toxic sunscreen designed for animals and make sure their paws are protected with the lotion.

/ By Train Before traveling, take your dog to the train platform in advance of your trip. Reward them along the way with treats. Remember to pack creature comforts, like a chew toy for them or a small toy for a cat to have within their carrier. Amtrak allows service dogs and some pets to ride on their routes. As of 2018, cats and dogs up to 20 pounds are permitted on many routes.

/ In Homes & Hotels Help your pet acclimate to a hotel or vacation home so they can enjoy it just like you. Leave your dog a bone stuffed with peanut butter as you head out the door. They’ll associate you leaving with something positive and they’ll also have a distraction while you head out. Any type of pet will appreciate you leaving behind a piece of clothing with your scent. Also consider leaving some soft music on in the room, or crack a window just enough to let some fresh air and sound in.

Humane Society’s Guide for main modes of transport: Travelling with your pet is a luxury. Start by considering their point of view first. Should they be coming along in the first place or are they better off at home with a trusted sitter? If they’re joining you on your journey-your research together with a little effort and compassion can make it an enjoyable experience for you both.

Photo: Shutterstock

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Relationships / Self-Care

Small Changes

By VETTA CASH

Huge Results

Practical Self-Care Investments

I’

m in a great season of my life—one where I don’t have any interest in wasting my personal resources. My attention is priceless, my time is precious and my expertise comes with a premium. God has invested a lot in me and I want to follow His lead by living a lifestyle that perpetually re-invests in who I am as a woman.

Furthermore, I need the return on those investments to be both substantial and satisfying. I no longer have an interest in engaging in fruitless activities.

Maintaining this joyous season requires a great deal of shameless self-care. I feel no need to apologize for or explain why I’m investing in myself. I invite you to join me in this fantastic way of living.

Here are a few tips to get started: Commit to a lifestyle of prayer. Start and end every day with prayer. Your prayer time can include asking God for wisdom, thanking God for His goodness and grace, or inviting Him to be a part of a project you’re doing.

Get enough rest, both physically and emotionally.

Unplug from your electronic devices and retreat to the sanctuary of your bedroom. Make rest a priority every day.

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Unsubscribe from email lists that no longer serve you. De-clutter your inbox by unsubscribing from the 10+ daily emails you never read (you know the ones I’m talking about). If it’s not interesting enough to open, you probably can unsubscribe.

Have good sex. I’m talking to married women, but everyone should read this. Good sex (not boring sex) is one of the best natural stress relievers. Treat yourself as often as possible to amazing sex with your spouse.

Keep it interesting and fun.

Treat yourself as well as you treat the people you love.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of investing in others more than we invest in ourselves. Put the same (or greater) emphasis on yourself, your dreams, goals and needs as you do on others’. Value you the way God values you.

Purchase an article of clothing, pair of shoes or a handbag that makes you feel amazing. Treat yourself to a fabulous “something” when your budget allows.

Say, “No” when you really don’t want to do something.

Say what you really mean. It’s okay to say, “No” and to do so without apology or explanation.

Laugh often. Have a good belly laugh as often as you can.

I mean a shoulder-shaking, tear-producing, hard-tobreathe laugh.

Photo: Becca Tapert on Unsplash

Highlights Highlights The Highlights Reel Inspiration / Social Media

I love social media.

I mean, clearly. I’ve had a blog since 2006, which was essentially the dawn of the internet and really forward-thinking for a person who as recently as 1998 declared that email would really never take off as a viable form of communication.

Photo: Leslie Lonsdale

But I think an interesting phenomenon has happened as we’ve begun to document our liveson Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and whatever has been invented while I typed this sentence: we’ve never had so many ways to compare our lives to other people.

We know what our friends are eating for breakfast, if they’re drinking a fruity drink on a beach in Mexico, when their kids make the honor roll, and—help me—we’ve seen photos of feet atmore locations than anyone ever needs to see. All the feelings of inferiority we used to feel just when everyone’s Christmas newsletter arrived are now available to us every day via our phones, tablets, and computers.

We can begin to feel guilty that some girl we went to high school with sets up a hot chocolate bar for her kids after school while we just yelled at ours and threatened to drop them off at the fire station if they complain about their algebra homework.

Hypothetically speaking.

It can look like everyone’s house is prettier, meals taste better, husbands are more romantic,and kids are smarter than ours. We can get

caught in this never-ending loop of comparison, and nothing makes me feel more unsettled. There’s a reason for the famous quote “Comparison is the thief of joy,” because you can always come up short in your own mind when you lose sight of your blessings while counting what someone else has—or at least what they appear to have.

Because social media is just a snapshot of our life. A quick, beautiful, fleeting moment that is well filtered and often not very indicative of real life, which may involve a dog throwing up on the kitchen floor and dinner burning and the fact that your husband is on your actual last nerve. We all have unique gifts, callings, joys, and sorrows. Life is too short for comparison, and it only hurts us to focus on what we don’t have instead.

We need to walk our road and not spend time looking left and right to see what everyone else is doing, especially because we never know the road someone else is traveling.

Sometimes, when you look beneath the surface, things aren’t always as they appear. People may be hurting even when it all looks shiny on the outside.

Let’s encourage each other to be the best version of who God has called us to be and cheer each other on in our victories and successes and be honest with each

other when we have failed and feel inadequate and are hurting. That’s how you build real relationships.

Plus, God has far more interesting things for us to do than to spend our time comparing our lives to someone else. Embrace the gifts you’ve been given, and walk your road with the security that can only come from God.

Melanie Shankle writes regularly at The Big Mama blog and is the New York Times bestselling author of three previous books, including Church of the Small Things and Nobody’s Cuter than You. Melanie is a graduate of Texas A&M and loves writing, shopping at Target, checking to see what’s on sale at Anthropologie, and trying to find the lighter side in every situation. Most of all, she loves being the mother of Caroline, the wife of Perry, and the official herder of two wild dogs named Piper and Mabel. The five of them live in San Antonio, Texas.

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Ball State Online

BALLSTATE AD Which direction is your career going?

If you’re struggling in your search for job opportunities that bring more challenge, more reward, and more pay, it may be time to reconsider your credentials.

• • •

Is your degree—or lack of degree—taking you in the wrong direction?

Are you disconnected from the network of professionals in your anticipated field?

Does beginning or finishing a degree seem like wishful thinking at this stage of life?

Ball State Online can answer the questions you have about changing careers: • First, we offer more than 70 online degrees and certificates, which can take you in every direction imaginable, including bachelor’s degree completion programs.

• Second, our online faculty—who also teach on campus—can connect you with the network you need because they are active in their fields and nationally connected.

• Last, you pursue course content at a time that works for you. With a high-speed Internet connection, you can access classes at home, at work, or at your kids’ soccer practice.

Learn more about online programs that help career-changers like you: bsu.edu/online.