Rafflecoptor (with Random.org) picked our winner from the Thursday giveaway of the Making Babies DVD series:

Lori G.!

I’ve already emailed Lori, who just needs to send her mailing address to claim her prize.

Last chance for our last giveaway:

• Making Babies book – closes Friday night (TONIGHT!), winner announced Saturday

What did you have for dinner Thursday?

The disciples were eating the Last Supper.

Can you imagine being John, and leaning casually against Jesus as you ate and chatted with Him?

Without fully understanding it at the time, they shared in the New Covenant – witnessed by the symbolic sharing of the body and blood of the Lord.

Then, He sacrificed himself to the cross the next day – called Good Friday.

Why is such a sad, dark day called “Good” Friday? Click the comic to see a readable size, for a very succinct explanation.

Rejoice in this Very Good Day, my friends!

Once again, Rafflecoptor (powered by Random.org) picked a winner for Wednesday’s giveaway of the Fit Moms for Life book:

Elizabeth B.! AGAIN!

Elizabeth has been emailed already, and just needs to respond with her mailing address to claim her prize.

Here’s a summary of the giveaways that are still going on, in case you’ve missed any:

• Making Babies DVD series – closes Thursday night (LAST CHANCE!), winner announced Friday
• Making Babies book – closes Friday night, winner announced Saturday

And do you know what else happened on Holy Week Wednesday?

Busy day in Jerusalem:

Mary perfumed.

Judas betrayed.

Interesting that then, as now, people reactions to Jesus tend to be strong and polarized…

Random.org and Rafflecoptor picked our winner for Tuesday’s giveaway of a 50% off Coupon to Maple Hill Dryer Balls:

Elizabeth B.!

Elizabeth has been emailed already, and just needs to claim her prize.

Don’t forget that as an As For My House Reader, you can still take 10% off your purchase at Maple Hill Dryer Balls until April 10th. Use code AsForMyHouse10 at checkout.

Here’s a summary of the giveaways that are still going on, in case you’ve missed any:

• Fit Moms for Life book – closes Wednesday night (enter NOW!), winner announced Thursday
• Making Babies DVD series – closes Thursday night, winner announced Friday
• Making Babies book – closes Friday night, winner announced Saturday

And do you know what else happened on Holy Week Tuesday?

Jesus returned to the Temple in Jerusalem, and taught there for the last time.

If all those people had only known…

Rafflecoptor via Random.org has chosen the winner of Monday’s closing giveaway for the Chick-Fil-A kids’ meals:

Aubrey F.!

Aubrey just needs to respond to the email asking for her address, and the sponsor will be shipping her winnings to her right away.

Here’s a summary of the giveaways that are still going on, in case you’ve missed any:

• Maple Hill Dryer Balls – closes Tuesday night (HURRY!), winner announced Wednesday
• Fit Moms for Life book – closes Wednesday night, winner announced Thursday
• Making Babies DVD series – closes Thursday night, winner announced Friday
• Making Babies book – closes Friday night, winner announced Saturday

And do you know what else Monday was?

After Sunday’s Triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus and the disciples got some sleep.

Monday morning they got up…

Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’, but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”
Matthew 21:12-13 (NKJV)

Monday is cleansing day.

I was working on cleaning my home, as well as cleansing my heart.

Welcome to the most important week of the year for those of us who follow Christ.

The entire basis of our faith is salvation through the death of Christ on the cross to attone for our sins, and His subsequent resurrection.

An empty cross.

An empty tomb.

A full heart.

Although it may not be the first thing that springs to mind when discussing this time of year, I’m celebrating with a big bunch of blog giveaways!

I want to share the joy I have in my salvation with you, and give you gifts in honor of that greatest gift of all, that was freely given to us.

All five giveaways have already been posted, and will end one each day this week, Monday through Friday, leading up to Easter Sunday.

Each giveaway has a couple of simple entries, plus other ways to earn bonus entries – including entering the other giveaways!

Here’s a summary in case you’ve missed any:

• Chick-Fil-A Old School Fun – closes Monday night, winner announced Tuesday – Hurry and get entered!
• Maple Hill Dryer Balls – closes Tuesday night, winner announced Wednesday
• Fit Moms for Life book – closes Wednesday night, winner announced Thursday
• Making Babies DVD series – closes Thursday night, winner announced Friday
• Making Babies book – closes Friday night, winner announced Saturday

Good luck in the giveaways…

And join me in giving thanks for the greatest free gift of all, which is available just for the asking.

Book of Matthew 21:1-11
(New King James Version)

The Triumphal Entry – Jesus Rides into Jerusalem

1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, “The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”

All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
“Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.”‘

6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“Hosanna to the Son of David!
“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
Hosanna in the highest!”

10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”

11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Follow along from conception to birth and beyond in this delightful book (and companion DVD series) from Shoshanna (Pearl) Easling of the Bulk Herb Store. (Don’t miss yesterday’s review and giveaway of the DVDs!)

It’s the FIFTH and FINAL DAY of the As For My House Holy Week Giveaway Bonanza!

So you say a bunch of blog giveaways aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of “holy” or “Easter”?

Me, either. But I wanted to share my joy with you at this blessed time of year, and share gifts in honor of the Greatest Gift of All that Christ gave us.

There are five giveaways, each lasting for a week, leading up to Easter Sunday.

Like the DVD Series, this book is AMAZING

The book is GORGEOUS! It would make a fabulous coffee-table book, just to flip through and look at the gorgeous pictures of food, herbs, and kids.

The book is HUGE! More healthy recipes than your average cookbook (including a good number of gluten free and casein free options), more herbal concoctions than your average herbal book, more pregnancy information and exercises than your average pregnancy book… Just, WOW!

Look at all this stuff:

• The first three section of the book are direct companions to the DVD Series – containing the recipes, exercises, and herbal goodies mentioned in each section.
• My Pregnancy Cookbook – a bunch more recipes!
• Did You Know? – basically an FAQ section with at-a-glance information on everything from “tips for morning sickness” to “mercury in fish”
• Grandma’s Remedies – everything from soothing tea, to toothpaste, to treatment for diaper rash
• Baby Diary – a journal framework for you to records the details of your pregnancy journey
• Resources, Glossary, and Index

For my regular readers, I will comment that while I had no problem with yoga pants for exercise segments [since you are presumably at home alone (or with your husband) while doing these moves], I was disappointed to see her wearing pants about as often as skirts in the rest of the photos, as well.

There is one thing (as in the DVDs) that I found, frankly, both disturbing and entirely out of place: Shoshanna recommends circumcising your baby boy. Not only does this seem quite contradictory to the expressed views of “natural”, “simplistic” and “organic”, and the implied view that God knew what He was doing when He created us — it also flies in the face of current medical research, and even practice.

The 2009 national circumcision rate was just 32.5%, and less than 25% in some states — a far cry from the 55% – 65% she claims in the book. A concise collection of the basic facts and figures (including debunking the myth, which Shoshanna’s second-hand experience of eveidently led to her decision, that circumcision is “cleaner”) – can be found at the Circumcision Resource Center.

Although I find that quite a serious issue, it is still only one item out of literally hundreds. Let us not lose sight of the big, wonderful, picture.

You can purchase your own Making Babies Book directly from the Bulk Herb Store. Or, as of this writing, Amazon.com has it for the same price, with Free Super Saver Shipping!

And one lucky As For My House reader is going to win a copy!

Enter with the RaffleCoptor form below to win a Making Babies Book!

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Isn’t she adorable?

That’s Penelope Jane Easling, the actual baby that was followed from conception to birth and beyond in this delightful DVD series (and companion book) from Shoshanna (Pearl) Easling of the Bulk Herb Store.

Today’s review and giveaway are for the DVD Series, but stay tuned tomorrow for a review and giveaway of the incredible book!

Welcome to Day FOUR of the As For My House Holy Week Giveaway Bonanza!

What? A bunch of blog giveaways aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of “holy” or “Easter”?

I know… But I wanted to share my joy with you at this time of year, and share gifts in honor of the Greatest Gift of All that Christ gave us.

There will be five giveaways, each lasting for a week, leading up to Easter Sunday.

This DVD Series is … Incredible!

Making Babies DVD Volume I follows Shoshanna through the first trimester of her pregnancy. There are countless recipes, remedies, and herb concoctions, as well as a wealth of information about fertility, conception, morning sickness and pregnancy.

Making Babies DVD Volume II covers Shoshanna’s second and third trimester – along with plenty more healthy recipes, remedies, and herb concoctions. It also includes exercises, birth preparation, information on the birth experience and much more.

Making Babies DVD Volume III begins with Shoshanna’s wonderful natural birth, then covers the postpartum period as she stays healthy with her new baby. Making Babies Vol 3. is also full of deliciously healthy recipes, remedies and herb concoctions. Because of the sensitivities of little Penelope (and a blessing to many others like myself), she includes many recipes that are gluten free and casein free. It includes information about birth, nursing, postpartum, losing weight and getting in shape, and much more.

There are also interviews with several professionals throughout the series, lending their wisdom in specific areas (a chiropractor, a doctor, a midwife, etc.).

I will admit right here that I have not had a chance to watch all the DVDs. There is OVER SEVEN HOURS of material in this series! I wanted to make sure to get this giveaway up for you, so I just watched bits and pieces from Volume I and II, and most of Volume III.

I do fully intend to watch it all – even with no intention of ever having another child. I think that (a) many of the recipes and remedies have broad application, and (b) someone I care about may one day be pregnant – you just can’t have too much good information.

Each DVD is visually pleasing, with very professional film-making, and lovely sets. There is a spacious kitchen for the cooking segments, an outdoor setting where she prepares her herbal concoctions, and several other locations where she presents a wide array of tips and ideas.

One of the true highlights of the DVDs, though, is Shoshanna herself. Her cheerful, bubbly personality is guaranteed to make you smile. She gives you a ton of valuable information, but in a lighthearted and un-self-conscious manner that makes it very enjoyable viewing.

For my regular readers, I will comment that while I had no problem with yoga pants for exercise segments [since you are presumably at home alone (or with your husband) while doing these moves], I was disappointed to see her wearing tight jeans in the kitchen segments of Volume III.

There is one thing in Volume III that I found, frankly, both disturbing and entirely out of place: Shoshanna recommends circumcising your baby boy. Not only does this seem quite contradictory to the expressed views of “natural”, “simplistic” and “organic”, and the implied view that God knew what He was doing when He created us — it also flies in the face of current medical research, and even practice.

The 2009 national circumcision rate was 32.5%, less than 25% in some states; 80% of the men in the world are intact (and most of those circumcised are Muslims!). A concise collection of the basic facts and figures (including debunking the myth, which Shoshanna’s second-hand experience of eveidently led to her decision, that circumcision is “cleaner”) – can be found at the Circumcision Resource Center.

Although I find that quite a serious issue, it is still only one item out of literally hundreds – 2 minutes out of over 7 hours. Let us not lose sight of the big, wonderful, picture.

Here’s a preview:

You can purchase your own Making Babies DVD Series directly from the Bulk Herb Store. Or, as of this writing, Amazon.com has it for the same price, with Free Super Saver Shipping!

$75 does sound like a lot of money – but really, when you break it down it’s not at all out of line. $10/hour for a professional lecture series? $25 for a single DVD? Reasonable. And besides, you just can’t put a price on your health, and your baby’s…

But one lucky As For My House reader is going to win a set!

Enter with the RaffleCoptor form below to win a Making Babies DVD Series!

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If you have an Amazon.com Rewards Visa card (or apply for one and qualify immediately!), you can score an additional 20% off a whole range of Gluten Free foods on Amazon.com.

Until March 31 (hurry!), you have a one-time-use code available for 20% off your purchase of in-stock Grocery and Gourmet items sold by Amazon.com. (Much more than the gluten free is included!)

Amazon typically has the best deals available for specialty products like these, and if you select those with Free Super Saver Shipping, you’re really going to get an unbeatable price!

Check out the Terms & Conditions (and products!), then shop at will!

At checkout, pay with your Amazon.com Rewards Visa, and use the code MAR20OFF (it’s listed right there on the offer page, too).

This is not a sponsored post. Links in the post may contain affiliate tracking, in which case I stand to earn a small commission if you click through them to purchase, which helps maintain this website – and I thank you.

What, you don’t think this is a fitness blog??

Okay, it’s not. But (a) I do care about your health and well-being, and (b) as a former fitness model and personal trainer, I do have some idea what I’m talking about in this area.

With that out of the way, let me tell you about the wonderful book that I recently had the opportunity to review (and you now have the opportunity to win!):

Yes, it’s Day THREE of the As For My House Holy Week Giveaway Bonanza!

What? A bunch of blog giveaways aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of “holy” or “Easter”?

I know… But I wanted to share my joy with you at this time of year, and share gifts in honor of the Greatest Gift of All that Christ gave us.

There will be five giveaways, each lasting for a week, leading up to Easter Sunday.

As you may not know, if you haven’t delved into the murky “about us” back-story posted here somewhere, I used to be a fitness model and personal trainer. I was also very involved in mentoring women on their fitness journey, through various online communities which sprung up around the “Body for Life Physique Transformation Challenge”.

I stopped working as a trainer because of time conflicts with my family responsibilities, and of course I would not compete these days due to the immodest apparel and attitudes involved. But none of that means that I think being in shape is a bad idea!

For a long time, the book and concept of Body for Life has been the defining product out there, in my opinion. It doesn’t have any fads, or “magic pill” solutions – just a sensible, healthy eating and exercise plan. It was the book I’d recommend to anyone who talked about getting in shape.

Well, the time has come.

There’s a new kid in town, and he’s taking over the “King of the Hill” spot!

Dustin’s book is without question the best resource out there for a woman (or anyone!) looking to get in shape. It combines a common-sense approach to healthy eating and exercise, with all the latest research available to improve the effectiveness of your diet and training.

There is an emphasis on real, wholesome food over “supplements” and “replacements”, which is very important to me (and in fact I think this is the one area in which he might have gone even further).

Strength training is combined with highly efficient “burst training” cardio – no boring hours on the stairmaster here! Dustin also addresses ways to strengthen your body with various physical limitations, and of course busts all the still-too-common myths about strength training for women.

A nice addition to the book is the success stories interspersed throughout. Real women, sharing their real challenges and journeys – and triumphs. A few look like bikini calendar girls, but most of them do not – there is probably someone in the book with whom nearly every reader can identify.

There’s also more information, and a newsletter, available on the Dustin Maher Fitness website, as well as community on the Fit Moms for Life and I Love Being a Mom Facebook pages.

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