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books

My Self-Care Routine with Riondo Prosecco and By Any Reads

December 3, 2020 by Rachel 11 Comments

This month I turned thirty-five. My 36th birthday came in with little fanfare, but I feel more present than ever. In fact, I rang in this year by focusing on a just a few things: myself and my family. And that’s why I am here to share my self-care routine with Riondo Prosecco and By Any Reads.

Why Self-Care Matters

Self-care is a term we throw around a lot these days. For me, self-care means unplugging and focusing on myself. But it’s something we all need. I know that I can easily get burned out if I don’t take a step back, take a breath, and focus on myself for point two seconds. In fact, just last week I was drowning with the need for a bit of time to focus on myself. Taking care of others, working from home, and homeschooling will (and can) do a number on anyone. Now, more than ever, it’s important to take care of ourselves.

My Self-Care Routine

I will admit it: I am addicted to social media. Sure, it can be fun. But in the past however many years, it’s also been a wonderful platform for me to use my voice and a wonderful way to stay connected. But there are major downfalls. Social media has made clear divides between people. Some of those divides just cannot be repaired. So self-care is exactly what I need in my life.

Riondo Prosecco and By Any Reads

Unplugging and unwinding with Riondo Prosecco and By Any Reads is my go-to for self-care. I mean, I need to be away from social media. And what better way than by joining a virtual book club like By Any Reads?! I get to connect with people across the country and do something I love — read!

Self-Care Routine with Riondo Prosecco and By Any Reads

This months book is Redefining Realness by Janet Mock. The book is both powerful and inspiring. As a cisgender white woman, I thought perhaps I would not be able to relate. But her book is about so much more than her experience as a transgender woman.

book club

This book brought so many feelings to the surface. I’ve been struggling with my own sort of identity crisis. Turning 36 means that I’m nearing the dreaded ‘middle-age’. And I’ve talked quite a bit about my experience in becoming a mother and trying to ‘find myself,’ or rather, get to know myself again. It’s a journey I’m still on. And this book was a great example of how our lives are just one small transformation after another.

Are you interested in joining a virtual book club? Follow @RiondoProsecco on Instagram to learn more about December’s book selection!

My hopes for this year

My hope is that I can be an encouraging voice for my community. And that community includes YOU. I want you to #TakeASeccoTo yourself. Enjoy self-care in small ways. Even if that means sipping on Riondo Prosecco and reading a book. Get to know yourself through small acts of reflection.

PIN FOR LATER

easy tips for a self care routine to unwind even in chaos

Filed Under: #MomLife, books, brews + food, busy mom, parenthood Tagged With: books, brews + food, parenthood, self growth

Children’s Books Every Child Should Read

October 11, 2020 by Rachel 18 Comments

Children’s books are extremely important. They impart wisdom and knowledge and promote a love for stories and reading. Reading to your kids is just as important, and some of these books are best read allowed. Many of them make excellent bedtime stories. Most of the children’s books below are classics, although some are nearly forgotten. Each of these books is a must buy, in my opinion, for every child, though some are difficult to come by.

Children's Books Every Child Should Read

Mother Goose

The great introductory book for all children is Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes. They notoriously make no sense and sometimes don’t even make a proper rhyme. This collection contains especially beautiful artwork featuring creative reimaginings of the original context or subject of each poem. It also makes for a storytime session that you can lengthen or shorten to suit your interests.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

This is one compact bit of learning material for a child and it’s beautifully told. Metamorphosis, counting, says of the week, and nutrition is all covered in one very simple narrative. The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other books by Eric Carle are imagination fueled and full of fun for the youngest book lovers.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Oh, what a fun way to learn the alphabet. Not just the letters, but their shapes, too. This book works brilliantly to entertain little ones when read aloud with plenty of excitement. Especially when it comes to reciting the title.

Goodnight Moon

No nursery should be without this book. It’s a wonderful way to lull your little ones to sleep. Not only is the story very calming, but it teaches kids a good way to soothe themselves by naming and saying good night to all the things around them.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

This classic crack up of a story is so relatable and a lot of fun for kids to see what this mouse gets into next. It’s a really good introduction to association, logic, and chains of reasoning, besides being absolutely hilarious.

Sam and the Firefly

This wholesome story about a pair of new friends has a lot of good in it. It teaches much about play and morality. What’s fun for Gus is not what’s good for others and becomes downright dangerous. Sam tries to stop Gus from doing bad things, but he’s unsuccessful. Gus has to learn the error of his ways, and Sam rescues him in time to become a hero. It’s a simple story, but good, and in the meantime, it teaches a bit about spelling and opposites.

Never Play Music Right Next to The Zoo

This is an enjoyable book creatively authored by the actor John Lithgow. It’s all about a boy who gets bored at a concert which just so happens to be right next to the city zoo. A dream sequence unfolds of animals escaping and taking over the orchestra.

Where the Wild Things Are

Every child has the capacity to be king of all wild things. The journey of Max is so wonderful because it’s all about kids learning to gain control of themselves. When they are wild, they become isolated, and they must work through what they are feeling, but then when they come back home, they’ll find (like Max) that their supper is waiting for them (and it will still be hot).

Out of the Nursery, Into the Night

This lovely book of illustrations has some poems to it. They are nicely matched together, and the whole book makes a lovely bedtime story. Each poem and illustration features a particularly unique teddy bear come to life the way they are in a child’s mind.

The Rabbit Listened

This is another wonderful tale about a small boy who must deal with emotions. In this case, the child has great potential as a builder with blocks, but his grand vision is destroyed. In the aftermath of the tumbled down blocks, the boy is met by several animals who tell him how he ought to feel. When their advice fails, they give up on him. All except one rabbit, who is willing to listen while the boy deals with his feelings in his own time.

King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub

This one will make you kid laugh, and again, it’s got such wonderful illustrations. In this story a page must get King Bidgood out of the bathtub, but he is having no luck. The king tries to do everything from the tub from battling ships to a masquerade ball.

Daniel O’Rourke: An Irish Tale

This surreal picture book tells of a young man who has an evening out at a party and then falls asleep under a Pooka tower. The Pooka visits on him a strange adventure with details tied to the events of the night. Is Daniel dreaming?

Jumanji

Another strange adventure. This book features a mysterious board game with mystical powers. Whoever plays the game, gets sucked into its reality and its reality spills out of the box in the form of dangerous vines, stampeding rhinos, and a mad hunter. The players must complete the game for everything to return to normal—life before pause buttons.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

This book says it all. It’s maybe not the best for children with a lot of anxiety, although maybe they can relate. It’s all about everything that can go wrong and does. It also explores the idea that maybe people have it better somewhere else, which of course, they don’t.

Aesop’s Favorites

A collection of Aesop’s Fables. These short, interesting narratives make excellent digestible pellets of wisdom that kids can understand. Like Mother Goose Rhymes, it is a sort of introduction, but to broader concepts rather than just silly nonsensical rhymes (really, some of the rhymes are even just the same word).

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is an excellent return to nonsense, once a child can understand what nonsense is. It’s a great children’s book, but it’s one that kids of all ages, even adults, can study to their heart’s content.

Saint George and the Dragon

The story of Saint George and the Dragon is very popular in Western Europe. It’s an archetypal story full of themes and characters used throughout the ages. This version of the story is ornate and very classically illustrated, which lends a nice touch to the 13th-century tale of the dragon-slaying knight.

Gulliver’s Travels

This classic children’s book may slip below your radar, but it’s a remarkable adventure that bears some similarities to Alice in Wonderland. Allusions to both stories appear in very early cartoons by Walt Disney. Gulliver’s Travels maintained popularity over the decades until the box office flop starring Jack Black. However, the original story, rife with satire, still sparks the imagination.

Charlotte’s Web

This childhood favorite is a must. The story is such a great way to explore themes of friendship and sacrifice. Fun fact, Charlotte’s Web was banned in Kansas as recently as 2006.

The Secret Garden

This children’s story offers a more robust narrative with themes of renewal and redemption. The lives of a group of children begin to grow and flourish in the presence of the garden, leading to healing and reconciliation, particularly between father and son.

Wind in the Willows

This classic tale is yet another must-own for children. The novel is perfect for bedtime stories, which is precisely how the adventures within it were originally intended to be read. This book features the notorious Mr. Toad as well as his friends Mole, Rat, and Badger.

Story of King Arthur

The story of King Arthur should be timeless, and it should be read aloud to every child. This version of the stories of King Arthur is for just that. The book goes beyond the Sword and the Stone to give the full reach of the legend.

Treasure Island

This swashbuckling Adventure brilliantly tells of the adventures and dangers of pirate life through the eyes of Jim Hawkins. The coming of age tale is single-handedly responsible for how we have come to view pirates in the present day. Originally published as a serial in a children’s magazine, this 19th-century classic still has everything for young readers.

The Jungle Book

Another 19th century coming of age story, the Jungle Book tells the extravagant tale of a boy raised by wolves and taught the law of the jungle by a bear and a panther. There is a lot of insight to be found in this valuable piece of children’s literature.

Beatrix Potter Ultimate Collection

Children’s books frequently become a series of excellent stories. If they are not all compiled in one volume, they tend to make up a collection of full-fledged books. The Peter Rabbit books are one such collection, and you can get them all right here.

Mary Poppins Set

Mary Poppins also came as a set of books, which you can own as a collection. There are four books in all, including Mary Poppins Comes Back, Mary Poppins Opens the Door, and Mary Poppins in the Park.

Hans Christian Anderson’s Complete Fairy Tales

There are so many children’s stories by Hans Christian Anderson. The Little Mermaid, The Ice Queen, Thumbelina, and The Emperor’s New Clothes are just a small sampling. Why not own them all in one complete volume?

The Chronicles of Narnia

This set is more than the sum of its parts. You can’t buy just one of these books. They all go together. However, each story does stand alone. Many of the stories feature different children, though they are connected to each other in the big picture.

The Chronicles of Prydain

Another excellent fantasy series. The Black Cauldron is the best known of the set, but the whole grouping of Prydain stories is gripping and imaginative. The last book in the series “The High King” earned a Newbery Award.

Harry Potter Box Set

Every Harry Potter book could have been on this list separately, but it makes more sense to count them all together here. Especially since you can buy them all together, here.

Filed Under: back-to-school, books, children, family, family fun ideas, homeschool, parenting Tagged With: back-to-school, books, children, family, family fun ideas, homeschool

Five Friday Favorites

February 22, 2019 by Rachel 12 Comments

Things have been so busy around here, but I wanted to share a glimpse of 5 things I’m absolutely loving as of late.

1. Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty

Liane Moriarty is one of my favorite fiction writers. When she first released Big Little Lies (which, it should be noted, is much better than the HBO adaptation) I was hooked on her suspenseful style of writing. This more recent novel is filled with the usual suspense and drama with a parental twist. I highly recommend reading it, especially if you’re already a fan of her work.

 

2. If I’m Being Honest with Katie Crenshaw

This podcast has been a refreshing take on taboo subjects. Each episode is an interview-style talk with someone with a story to tell, whether it be about a dad in prison for crimes against a minor, or being a psychic medium. Basically, super interesting subjects that are rarely discussed. Basically, I’m addicted.

 

3. Ninja Coffee Bar Single-Serve System

Y’all, despite my best efforts, I’ve never been one to brew coffee at home. I’ve had a Keurig, I’ve had a Starbucks Verismo and a traditional coffee maker with a pot. But none of those really did it for me. I was drinking too much coffee to justify the pods of the Keurig and Verismo, but not enough back-to-back coffee to justify the pot (and I despise reheated coffee!).

Last Fall I snagged one of these Ninja Coffee Bar Single-Serve Makers and I fell in love with brewing my coffee at home! It uses just regular ground coffee with a reusable filter. It has an option for different sizes, bold brewing, and iced coffee brewing! Complete with a milk frother. Best invention ever!

 

4. Russian Doll on Netflix

I binge-watched the first season in 24-hours. And I want more! Natasha Lyonne is incredible in everything, but she really knocks this role out of the park.

Stuck in a ‘groundhog-day’ type scenario, she continues to relive (and die) repeatedly on her 35th birthday. She goes on a mission to figure out why and how to stop it while encountering another person going through the same thing.

It’s not as twisted as it sounds, but it’s certainly super interesting. I am already very excited about season 2.

 

5. Weight Watchers

For those of you who have been here a while, you might remember I did WW after Remy was born and had a decent amount of success. Truthfully, the only thing that thwarted my success was getting pregnant again, this time with Mila. So now that I’m 8 months postpartum, I’m finally ready to really step up my game. My body is regulating itself hormonally, Meebs is sleeping a decent amount, and our lives are adjusting as well as is possible.

Last week was my first week of sticking to Weight Watchers and I lost 5.8 pounds! That’s the biggest loss I’ve ever had on the program! Many credits are due to the program, but I also worked my butt off at the gym earning ‘fitness points’ and tracked my ‘food points’ religiously.

I love this program so much because — 1. It doesn’t require weighing in every day, just once a week! and 2. I’m able to still enjoy life and be social! During the last week, I had a glass of wine at night a couple of times, which made it feel like ‘normal’ versus a ‘diet.’

 

Okay, technically this is number 6 and she’s all mine, but I’m definitely loving this kid a lot lately.

Mila has been so fun lately and I just can’t stop staring at her in amazement. She’s nearly crawling, always smiling, and loves to laugh at her brother. She’s such a wonderful addition to our family and I couldn’t be happier to be her Mama. ♥ ♥

What

are you

loving lately!?

Filed Under: #GetFit, #MomLife, #SweatPink, Akron, books, brews + food, children, coffee, fitness, life, lists, live happy, love list, mommyhood, Oh baby!, parenthood Tagged With: #GetFit, #MomLife, #SweatPink, akron, books, brews + food, children, coffee, fitness, life, love list, mommyhood, oh baby, parenthood

a few of our favorite things // toddler books

May 28, 2015 by Rachel Leave a Comment

I was honestly beginning to wonder if it would ever happen, his love for books and reading. He spent so much time loving ‘boy’ things like Thomas the Tank and Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and I wasn’t sure he would ever slow down enough to sit down with a book.

But something happened just after Christmas last year. All of a sudden he was hooked. However, just like his favorite shows and movies, he gravitates towards the same three books. Always. I have to say the kid has awesome taste. I happened to spend a bit of time in Barnes and Noble one day, just reading through the children’s books. I was incredibly impressed with the creativity!

Especially of these three books:

itsahero_mooshfavoritebooks
1.  Dragons Love Tacos  // Moosh thinks this book is hilarious. It’s a story about how Dragons love eating tacos, but they hate hot salsa. It’s adorable. And it combines three of Ari’s favorite things: food, dragons, and complete silliness. Now if he sees a taco he proclaims, “MMM! Dragons like tacos! I like tacos!” It’s the cutest thing ever.

2. Peanut Butter & Cupcake  //  This is my personal favorite, so I’m glad Moosh loves it too. While the author is not a children’s book author by trade, he is a photographer that has a series called “Bent Objects,” where he takes food items and turns them into people. So naturally, this makes a great children’s book.

The main ‘character’ is a piece of peanut butter toast. He just moved to town and he’s trying to find someone to play soccer with him. Everytime he meets someone he says “Hi. I’m new here and I’d like to play. Maybe now, maybe later, or even all day! I’ll make you chuckle deep down in your belly, and we’ll go together like Peanut Butter and… (insert name of whatever he’s introducing himself to). It’s freaking adorable. And yes, I recited that little poem from memory. I just love it so much. Moosh likes to go to the last page of the book and name all of the ‘people’ playing together. 🙂

3. Please, Mr. Panda  //  This book is short and sweet. Mr. Panda goes around asking all the animals if they want a donut. Most say yes… quite aggressively. So he in some way or another tells them that he has changed his mind and they are not allowed to have a donut. Finally he asks the question and one of them and the animal says “Oh please may I have one Mr. Panda?” and Mr. Panda says, “Yes, you can have them all. I do not like donuts anyways.” Ha. So cute. And Moosh doesn’t even know he’s getting a message in manners!

So yeah. Or go-to-books are adorable. However, we’re always looking to add to our collection. Any suggestions? What are your kids’ favorites?

 

Filed Under: Ari Davis, books, children, domesticity, family, fun, goodies, life, life with a toddler, lists, love, mommyhood, Moosh, parenthood, review Tagged With: ari davis, being a mom, books, children, domesticity, family, fun, goodies, life, life with a toddler, love list, mommyhood, Moosh, motherhood, oh baby, parenthood, review

{ book review: the last lecture }

January 12, 2012 by Rachel 2 Comments

I’ve always known that life should not be taken for granted. Unfortunately, that was something I learned from a very young age. But I’ve always struggled with knowing how to balance the fear of dying/losing people in my life, with actually living.

I think there is a very fine line between the depression and the optimism that comes with knowing life is short. Would you agree?

And I may be late to the game, but our Yoga Bliss book club recently decided to read The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch.

The book starts as Randy finds out that his pancreatic cancer has progressed and his doctors have given him only months to live. Knowing he’s about to leave behind a wife with three young children, Randy decides to bid farewell to his life in academia by giving one final lecture to his students and colleagues at Carnegie Mellon; while simultaneously documenting bits of advice for his young children.

Randy Pausch. Image via.

His message is inspiring. Throughout the book, I found myself on the verge of tears, and simultaneously amazed at his grace during such a tumultuous time.

At this point in my life, this book is exactly what I needed to read. I was already focusing so much positive energy into my vision board for 2012, and Mr. Pausch just reaffirmed my notions of what I need to make most important for myself.

My favorite takeaways:

1. “Put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others.” — Basically, what good are you in your life/relationships if you’re not first and foremost taking care of yourself. True. Story.

2. “Proper apologies have three parts: 1) What I did was wrong. 2) I feel badly that I hurt you. 3) How do I make this better?” — Apologies seem like they’re easy. But they can be complicated. And when we should say we’re sorry, it should definitely be like this.

3. Material possessions are just that: material. Nothing of significant value is material. Everything important holds no material value.

4. “It’s not helpful if we spend every day dreading tomorrow.” — As someone who is often in fear of something bad happening, I really need to make a conscious effort to remember this.

5. “Ask yourself: Are you spending your time on the right things?”and to go along with that, “We all have finite time and energy. Any time we spend whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. And it won’t make us happier.” — Lesson learned? Make priorities. And make the important people a priority. Always.

6. “This is what it is. We can’t change it. We just have to decide how we’ll respond. We cannot change he cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” — Lately I’ve been having a number of ‘woe is me’ moments. But really? What does it all matter. Focusing on the negative won’t change the circumstances. But I can certainly focus on how I react to situations and the ‘hands I’m dealt.’

which leads to…

7. “If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you.”

So please take a few moments to read this book and to hear Randy’s inspiring story. Who knows — maybe it will be life-changing for you, too!

 

 

Filed Under: books, inspiration, life, optimism

the list: books.

January 7, 2012 by Rachel 4 Comments

I hate snow, but I am SO happy it’s
winter {remind me in a couple weeks that I actually said this… I will
likely deny it. Even if it’s written down on my blog…}.

I’m
happy because we had a crazy busy 2011. I don’t think we really had any
free time. Which could explain my lackluster blog posting. And with
winter finally here, and snow piling on us, I have an excuse to stay at
home!

Which means I can tackle my lengthy list of books that are waiting on stand-by:

–
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. I recently read Hunger Games and fell
in love. I would have immediately picked up this book if it weren’t for
my desire to read The Last Lecture before our book club meeting.

 –
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy
Kaling
. I’ve heard great things about this book. And I adore her. I was
waiting for the price of the kindle version to come down, but I can’t
wait any longer. I’m buying it.



 –
All There Is: Love Stories From StoryCorps by Dave Isay. Confession: I
cry every Friday listening to NPR Morning Edition. OK, that’s a
half-truth. Almost every day I cry listening to NPR, but on Fridays I
cry extra hard. The StoryCorps project makes me sob. Put it into a book?
I’m guessing sobs are in my book-reading future.

 –
Living Life as a Thank You: The Transformative Power of Daily Gratitude. Because it can’t hurt, right?

– The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. This book is assigned for my next book club meeting. I’m afraid to finish reading this. Yes, Ive started. But it’s been… emotional. And as emotional as this book may be, I’m certain that will give me an even better perspective for 2012!

– The Five Love Languages: The Secret To Love That Lasts by Gary D Chapman. I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while. So why  not?

What is on your must-read list? And what should I add to mine?

Filed Under: books, life

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