After my first child was born, my belly pulled back in, but it took a couple of years.  After my second child was born it didn’t get back into shape before I conceived our third child - our second was 1.5.  I can assure you that 5 months after our third child has been born, my belly is far from flat.  My husband on the other hand has a very flat belly, perhaps because he enjoys olives?  Read on to see why I’m throwing this out there as a possibility.

I know that many of you can sympathize with me - few of us busy mamma’s have flat bellies do we?  To be honest, I’m not sure I should get all worked up about it until I’m done having wee ones, and who knows when that will be?  If you DO feel a nudging about a bulging belly, you may have noticed some buzz about a new diet, the Flat Belly Diet. This new book from Rodale features an eating plan heavy on the consumption of MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids) a special form of unsaturated fat found in dark chocolate, olives, almonds, avocados etc.  Flatten your belly by eating chocolate?  Yummers!  The olives though - shudder - I couldn’t get them down, no way, no how, one of the few foods I detest.

In any case, if this piques your interest, visit the link above.  For a limited amount of time bloggers are being recruited to test drive the diet and blog about it.  You’ll receive:

• A free copy of the Flat Belly Diet book
• A free 1-year membership to the Flat Belly Diet website
• Exclusive membership to our Success Story Club
• The chance to blog about Flat Belly Diet on our website
• First look at exclusive Flat Belly Diet videos

So, take a peek, there’s nothing to lose, well, maybe some belly fat.

Amy’s question for the week at Faith ‘n Fiction Saturdays is lengthy and thought provoking. Click here to read all of the responses.

The past couple of days there has been a big flare-up in the broader book blogging community regarding review policies and a blogger’s obligation to an author once they’ve received a review copy. For those of you who belong to the blogging alliance FIRST, we’ve also discussed this issue a little bit.

I decided to make today’s question about this, because I think this is an even tougher situation for Christian reviewers who review Christian books. So here goes…do you receive review copies of Christian books? If so, do you review them honestly? How do you handle it when you don’t like a book but are obligated to provide a review? Who do you see your first commitment being to in book reviewing (besides God)? Yourself? The author? Your readers? Does your review change based on the spiritual content of the book or is it solely based on technical or artistic merit? Have you ever had a negative experience with an author after giving them a negative review? (please don’t name names)

Most of the books that I review are Christian titles that I’ve received complimentary copies of. My main concern is expressing my thoughts on each title honestly. I am responsible before God to lead an upright and truthful life. I also try to share with my readers the points I would appreciate knowing before investing their time and money reading a book.

As a result I don’t hesitate to write negative reviews, though I certainly prefer writing recommendation reviews not every book warrants one. I’m an opinionated woman, but I try to write tactful reviews in all circumstances. I won’t rip an author to shreds, but I will express concerns with writing style, character development and yes - spiritual content.

To date all of the authors I’ve heard from have expressed appreciation for the reviews, even when they have been mixed or less than favourable.  Because I look for both strengths and weaknesses in each title I review I rarely give an entirely negative one.

Most of us have heard the miraculous recovery stories, people who come to Christ and kick their addictions without any outside assistance.  They’re beautiful, true tales of redemption and new life; but change is just as good when it comes with the help of outside assistance such as that found in rehab clinics.

With the help of Promises Treatment Centers - located in Malibu and West Los Angeles - you can take on any of the demons from alcohol and marjiuana to cocaine and meth.  There’s freedom to be found.

Well, at least my husband does!  Working as an independent contractor who moves houses, puts up fences and does other handy man type tasks requires toe protection from time to time!  He has two pairs the heavy duty steel toed type, as well as a soft toed pull on pair that he wears for good.

I never considered buying workboots online, they are SO heavy to ship, particularly the ones with metal toes, whew, they weigh a LOT.  However Workboots USA offers free shipping on any order of work boots over $50 within the continental US.  They carry mens and womens styles, stylish oxfords to heavy duty steel toes.  If you find a cheaper price they’ll do their best to meet it, so they’re worth checking out.

Thanks to everyone who entered our contest for the $50 gift certificate to Naturalpod.com!

Our winner is Jodi, Congratulations!

Jodi said: “I would have to get a moon baby for my youngest, and a Kleen Kanteen for me.”

Enjoy your gift certificate, and thank you to Natural Pod for providing such a wonderful prize!

Don’t forget to subscribe (sidebar on the left) to stay up to date on new contests, reviews, family news and more!

Well, our election is all over for this year (seems like they are popping up faster and faster, we just don’t know how to make minority governments work in this country!)  We elected a conservative minority government, a bit stronger than the last one, but not a lot different.  Seems like they’re rolling around every two years rain or shine.

But the big election down South in the U.S. is still to come.  Are you getting, erm, a little bit tired of all the election noise right about now?  It started at the beginning of the year and is still going strong.

If you’d like to be refreshed, here is something entertaining and thoroughly adorable that I came across tonight.  An unusual point of view for this election.  Do you agree with her?

Oh my!  It’s almost Sunday and I’m just getting to Amy’s question for this week’s Saturday Christian Fiction Carnival!

Here it is:

There are many outstanding characters in the books we read but often there’s that one special character we remember for a long time. Sometimes it’s because we relate to them, or maybe we were going through something similar to what they experienced. Or maybe they are just the sort of person we wish we were.
Who is the most memorable character in Christian fiction for you and why?

Ah!  This is an EASY one for me!!  The most memorable character EVER in my Christian fiction reading is Hadassah from Francine Rivers Mark of the Lion series.  I think about her quite often, she’s such a beautiful example of Christ’s selfless love living within the flesh of a woman.  Awesome Christian character, I aspire to serve more like her.  For months after reading the first book she’d pop into my mind throughout the day, and she still surfaces occasionally.

Do you want to read my review of book one? A Voice in the Wind (Mark of the Lion Series #1) by Francine Rivers

What a memorable read.  I am officially in love with Francine Rivers books from here on out.

Now, don’t forget, if you have a Christian book review this week, please submit it to the Christian Book Carnival for this Wednesday when I’ll do a round up of book reviews from across the blogosphere!

Many people need to hit rock bottom before they’ll seek help.  I think that stubborn independent streak that pops up so often is borne from pride.  The lie we tell ourselves, “I can do it all myself.”  Truth is, we all need help.  God is the one we need to turn to, but we can also benefit from the assistance of earthly agencies.

For those struggling with addiction in the West Los Angeles and Malibu areas, help is available. Promises offers alcohol and drug rehab centers for those ready to seek hope and healing in their lives.

Most of the small-business operators I’ve met online are familiar with Vista Print.  Their infamous free business card deal.  The seemingly endless assortment of branded products you can order to help promote your business: postcards, rubber stamps, magnets, pens and so much more.  I’ve only been familiar with their US branch - Vistaprint.com.  When I first entered the world of online sales EVERYONE talked about their great deals, low prices, and coupons for those on their mailing list.

Now I see that they have a Canadian website! In the past I have completely missed the “Select a Country” link in their top navigation bar. There are over 20 countries listed there - how could I have missed it?  In any case, Vistaprint.ca is the address to use if you live in Canada - like me.  And of course, you can read the website in either French or English.  After all, Canada does have two official languages - just don’t ask me to demonstrate, despite 5 years of French my accent is terrible, vocabulary poor.

Prices are somewhat higher, but that shouldn’t be a concern.  After all, the Canadian dollar is now descending from it’s all time high, and we must again aclimate to the lack of purchasing power we’re all too familiar with.

In any case, if you’re like me, and never noticed the website just for us Canucks, there you have it…Vistaprint.ca.

I’m so excited to announce a new project that has been on my heart for a few months!  You may have noticed the new page link up top…this Wednesday will be the first edition of the Christian Book Carnival!

Still in it’s fledgling stages, the Christian Book Carnival will feature a round up of Christian book reviews from all genres on a weekly basis. Bloggers can submit their favourite book review (one each week per blogger) to be included in that Wednesday’s Carnival! Book reviews should be 300 words or more to give readers a good feel for the content and themes of the title.  Click here to submit your review!  If you’d like to be included in this weeks review roundup just submit by Tuesday at 9 p.m. MST!  I hope you’ll join us!

I’d love to see this carnival rotating throughout different blogs to raise awareness for Christian literature and promote cross-reading of Christian book reviews. If you are interested in volunteering as a host, please email me - jennifer at quiverfullfamily dot com.

Thanks to Margaret at My Reading Nook for her work on the graphic! Feel free to use it to help promote the Carnival or when you are hosting.