Two wonderful ladies put together their smarts and came up with this amazing bundle of eBooks – 97 eBooks, to be exact in the The Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle. The focus is on all areas of being a WOMAN:

• home cleaning and organizing
• education
• money and time management
• recipes and cooking
• pregnancy and baby care
• holidays and special events
• spiritual growth
• marriage and romance
• motherhood
• health and fitness
• beauty
• working from home and blogging
• eCourses

Yes, I love to read but even 97 eBooks seemed overwhelming to me.

Here’s 5 reasons I’m getting it anyway (and why I think YOU should, too).

1. These books will never be this cheap again.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to sales lady you. (mostly) Really, I just wanted to point out that this eBook bundle makes each book just 31 CENTS apiece.  Some of these books are regularly $20 on their own!

2. The freebies alone are worth buying the bundle.

Did you see all the freebies? Over $140 worth of FREE stuff.  My favorite? A $15 credit to use at Tru-Kid. They make my favorite natural children’s hair detangler.  I’m also excited to score yogurt cultures, lip balm and a bunch of other freebies.

3. I can share and they make great gifts.

So not every book is up my alley and I already own a few in the bundle. I plan to gift the books that I don’t want or need and bless another mom in the process. Happy Mother’s Day to everyone, I say.

4. One topic in an organized format.

The thing about eBooks is that they are often organized around one topic. On blogs, I have to dig around to find everything a writer has to say about one topic. With an eBook, I can spend a couple hours digging into just one topic, get to know it really well and come away enriched and experienced.

5. Worthy info from experienced writers.

No, I can’t vouch for all the authors but I’ve read at least 10 of the books already and I read several of these ladies’ blogs. My friend, Tsh, has a great book, One Bite at a Time.  You’ll want to read that one first. And if you are having any problems managing time, follow it up with Tell Your Time by Amy Andrews. That one was an eye opener for me.

I’ve read several of the blogging books and am in the middle of The Bootstrap VA. If you want to blog, these are a great place to get started.

Several books I’ve been wanting to read are now included in this bundle. These 5 books alone normally cost over $50!

• Family Camping Handbook by Katie Kimball
• The No Brainer Wardrobe by Hayley Morgan
• Healthy Homemaking by Stephanie Langford
• iPhone Photography by Alli Worthington
• Easy Peasy Chores: An Easy to Use Chore System that Brings Joy Back into Family Chores

Are you married to the idea yet that you NEED these books? Head over HERE to get more details!

The Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle is only available through 11:59pm EST on May 4, 2013!

 

Early in the year, I shared my favorite books of 2012 and the ones I planned to read for 2013. I’m not totally on track (there are so many great books out there) but here’s a few I’ve gotten through this year:

Just Too Busy: Taking Your Family on a Radical Sabbatical

Just Too Busy is the story of author, Joanne Kraft, a mother of four, decided to keep her family of six out of all extracurricular activities for a year.  I didn’t pick up this book because our family is too busy. In fact, we are just the opposite so my intention in reading it was to glean ideas to continue to keep our schedule simple.

To be honest, I didn’t get as much as I thought I might have but if I had a larger family and particularly one with older children, I can see how this would generate some discussion about simplifying a family schedule.

The 4-Hour Work Week

I was apprehensive about reading The 4-Hour Work Week but grabbed a free copy at a library sale.  I am a full-time stay-at-home mom. I write and run a small business but work very limited hours so I didn’t think that there would be many principles that would apply to me.

Conclusion? I really liked it and have pages of notes to prove it. Work when you are most effective. Use your free time positively, doing things that excite you, not things you feel obligated to do. Boredom is the enemy, not failure. My number one take away? Do less and then continue to do less. Don’t save yourself an hour per day and then fill up that time with something else meaningless.  This has resonated with me so much, I’ll likely be sharing a few changes I’ve made in this area.

You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream

I’m a dreamer by nature. I’ve always had big dreams but I’ve often felt there were a little too optimistic and lofty. In fact, after a bit of a fall after pursuing a dream, I tucked in my tail and ran. So You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream came at the perfect time. When new dreams were awakening, renewed vision and energy. It encouraged me to examine how God made me and embrace the dreamer inside and to believe that my dreams can’t be bigger than my God. Highly recommended.

Magic Hour

The Magic Hour was book club choice and while it’s a hefty almost 500 page book, it was a quick read. It centers around a child psychiatrist treating a six year old girl raised in the woods. Intriguing, touching, a bit of mystery. Everyone in book club loved it, in fact many of the women have careers in social work so you can imagine our lively discussion surrounding this topic!

On My Nightstand

Here’s a few books that are next on my reading list:

What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast: A Short Guide to Making Over Your Mornings. I am not a morning person in any sense of the word but I want to be, someday. I’ve heard great things about this Kindle book and it’s less than $3!

Bridge Called Hope: Stories of Triumph from the Ranch of Rescued Dreams. This is next on our book club reading list and I’m headed to a women’s retreat next month where the author, Kim Meeder, will be speaking. Very excited, her story in incredible!

Square Foot Gardening: The Revolutionary Way to Grow More in Less Space. I’m really into gardening right now and because our seeds are planted indoors and it’s still below 30 degrees in the morning, we have about a month before we can get the plants in the ground. I can’t wait for some fresh produce!

Pursuing Justice: The Call to Live and Die for Bigger Things. A local pastor wrote this and my friend, Tsh, recommended it. As she says, “Pursuing Justice might make you a bit uncomfortable, but I say that’s a good thing. Those of us raising children in comfortable cultures need reminders that most of the world is crying for help in some way. And that from our living rooms, we can play a part in making things right, right here on earth.”

I’ve also got more than a hundred books on my Kindle Fire that I skim through when I have a few extra moments. There are an abundance of FREE Kindle books and I download anything that sounds interesting for future use. I’ll only share ones that I really recommend.

 

If you want to learn how to cook more food from scratch and want to serve your family healthier, unprocessed foods, grab a copy of Better Than a Box TODAY for just $0.99.  I have several books from author, Katie Kimball, and let me tell you, she does her research. Her books are always filled with practical tips, alternatives + more. You will not be disappointed!

Oh and the book is only $0.99 through tomorrow so grab your copy now.

Better Than a Box contains lessons on:
*How to Remake Your Processed Foods Recipes
*Adding Nutrition to a Recipe
*Making any Casserole a One-Pot Meal
*Designing Your Own Recipes
*Connected Meal Planning
*Herbs & Spices Basics
*How to Healthify Baking Recipes
*How to Adapt a Recipe for Soaking Grains

 

I adore reading and will consume just about anything in front of me. I have to practice self-control as there just isn’t enough time in my day to read everything I’d like to.

There are so many books I’d love to read in 2013 (and I plan to read a lot more than just 13) but the ones I’ve listed below are must-reads for me.

Parenting

I did not read one parenting book last year and I need some inspiration in that area so I’m starting off the year with these:

The Mission of Motherhood: Touching Your Child’s Heart for Eternity  – This has been sitting on my night stand for 2 years and has come highly recommended by many friends.

Raising Kids for True Greatness: Redefine Success for you and Your Child – This is a current struggle for me as my oldest attends school. I am a type-A perfectionist, by nature, and I struggle not to push her to be the same. I want my kids (and myself) to know what true success means.

Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus – This area of grace has been on my mind a lot lately and I’m hoping I’ll get some inspiration and guidance in this book for showing it to my kids daily.

Fed Up with Frenzy: Slow Parenting in a Fast-Moving World - I’m always looking for tips to keep our life at a peaceful and relaxed pace.

Intentional Living

This is a favorite topic of mine and one I am always trying to cultivate in our lives. There are several highly recommended books that I need to catch up on.

Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World – I think the title says it all.

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God – I think everyone has read this book, except me.  The author, Francis Chan usually does not disappoint me and I can’t wait to read this book!

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream – This book asks you to “consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences”. Yes!

Business + Productivity

Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids – I went to a short course by the author, Christina Katz, several years ago and have wanted to read her book since then.

What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast: A Short Guide to Making Over Your Mornings–and Life – I am not a morning person, but I would love to be!

28 Days to Timeliness – I am rarely on time, in fact I was voted “Most Fashionably Late” in high school. I’ve got a long ways to go in the pursuit of being more timely.

The 4-Hour Work Week – This is an older book but the author, Tim Ferris, continues to come out with best-selling books. I’ve just started this book and it’s already given me a bunch of ideas on maximizing my time (not doing more, but doing LESS!).

Green Living

Food in Jars: Preserving in Small Batches Year-Round -I’ve done a bit of canning including jam and pumpkin but I’d like to learn more about pickling, salsas, sauces and more.

Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder – I started this book years ago when it first came out but never finished it. I’m determined to finish it this year and pick up some more tips on incorporating the outdoors into our children’s lives.

My 5 Favorite Books of 2012

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: How I Learned to Live a Better Story – This is one of my all-time favorite books. Need some inspiration to be more intentional in your life? Start here. Honestly, LOVED this book.

The American Way of Eating: Undercover at Walmart, Applebee’s, Farm Fields and the Dinner Table – A journalist took a year to work at farms, restaurants and the grocery store to see how and why Americans eat the way they do. If you are interested in where your food comes from and how it gets to your table, this is a great new take on the topic. After reading this, I’ll be at our local farmer’s market more regularly this summer.

Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption - Katie, an 18 year old girl living a very comfortable life in Nashville, moved to Uganda and adopted 13 orphan girls. I’m humbled by her sacrifice.

The Confidant: A Novel – If you like novels + a little mystery, this is a great read. Set in Paris in 1975, I enjoyed the intrigue and suspense.

7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess – Jen Hatmaker took seven months, identified seven areas of excess, and made seven simple choices to fight back against  greed, materialism, and overindulgence.

 

For 5 days only, 27 prominent Healthy Living authors have joined together to bundle 34 of their most popular eBooks, valued at just over $300, for just $29.

That’s only $0.87 per book to gain inspiration, encouragement, and the practical resources you need for your own healthy lifestyle. Plus, receive $49 of additional FREE Bonuses, and be entered to win one of 3 great prizes.

I personally have several of these eBooks already and just a few of them totaled $29 so this is an AMAZING price they are offering these books at!

What’s Included in the Sale?

Each Healthy Living eBook Bundle comes with $49 of FREE Bonuses from several of our favorite healthy living companies. Offers include a variety package from Redmond Trading ($21 Value), a FREE 3-Month subscription to Plan to Eat ($15 Value), and a FREE Sourdough Starter or Traditional Buttermilk Starter from Cultures for Health ($13 Value). Click here for more details.

Each person who purchases a Healthy Living eBook bundle is automatically entered to win any one of the following 1 Excalibur 9-Tray Dehydrator, 1 Omega VRT350 Masticating Juicer, or a R1 Royal Berkey Water Filtration System (Click here for more details).

Click here to purchase your Healthy Living eBook collection (with FREE bonuses) today!

Please note: This collection is only available from 8 a.m. EST on October 29th to 8 a.m. EST on November 2nd. There will be no late sales offered.

Real Food Meals for the Whole Family

Have Your Fruits… and Veggies, Too! by Laura Coppinger @ Heavenly Homemakers ($5.95)

Real {Fast} Food by Trina Holden @ Trina Holden ($6)

20 Minute Meals by Leigh Ann Dutton @ Intentional by Grace ($4.99)

Real Food… Real Easy by various bloggers @ The Humbled Homemaker ($9.95)

Baking, Snacks and Desserts

Smart Sweets by Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship ($8.95)

Healthy Snacks To Go by Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship ($8.95)

Sourdough A to Z by Wardee Harmon @ GNOWFGLINS ($20)

Homemade “Everything” (Condiments, Pantry Basics, etc.)

Restocking the Pantry by Kresha Faber @ Nourishing Joy ($7.99)

Easy. Homemade. by Mandi Ehman @ Life Your Way ($3.99)

Grain Free and Paleo/Primal Eating

Grain Free Meal Plan Cookbook by Cara Faus @ Health, Home & Happiness ($18)

Toadally Primal Smoothies by Todd @ Primal Toad ($9.95)

Simple Food {for spring} by Shannon @ Nourishing Days ($10)

Simple Food {for winter} by Shannon @ Nourishing Days ($10)

Well Fed (Paleo Recipes) by Melissa Joulwan @ The Clothes Make The Girl ($14.95)

Saving Money on Real Food

Real Food on a Real Budget by Stephanie Langford @ Keeper of the Home ($18.99)

Plan It, Don’t Panic by Stephanie Langford @ Keeper of the Home ($4.99)

Don’t Compost It, Cook It by April Patel @ An Apple a Day Wisdom ($2.99)

Skincare and Beauty

My Buttered Life (Baby edition) by Renee Harris @ Hard Lotion ($5)

My Buttered Life (Gift edition) by Renee Harris @ Hard Lotion ($5)

My Buttered Life (Summer edition) by Renee Harris @ Hard Lotion ($5)

Simple Scrubs to Make and Give by Stacy Karen @ A Delightful Home ($3.99)

Food on Your Face for Acne and Oily Skin by Leslie @ Crunchy Betty ($7.99)

Holistic Mama’s Guide to Homemade Skincare by Roxanne King @ The Holistic Mama ($19)

Homesteading, Gardening and Preserving

Your Custom Homestead by Jill Winger @ The Prairie Homestead ($4.99)

Guide to Gardening and Preserving by Laura Coppinger @ Heavenly Homemakers ($7.95)

Apartment Gardening by Jami Leigh @ Young Wife’s Guide ($2.99)

Healthy Lifestyle

Simple Living by Lorilee Lippincott @ Loving Simple Living ($2.99)

Herbal Nurturing by Michele Augur @ Frugal Granola ($8.95)

Simple Natural Health by Nina Nelson @ Shalom Mama ($17)

Healthy Homemaking by Stephanie Langford @ Keeper of the Home ($12.95)

Music: An Essential Ingredient for Life by Resound School of Music ($6.99)

Pregnancy and Babies

Breast to Bib by Kate Tietje @ Modern Alternative Pregnancy ($8.95)

Healthy Pregnancy Super Foods by Kate Tietje @ Modern Alternative Pregnancy ($8.95)

Unbound Birth by Jenny Yarborough @ The Southern Institute ($4.99)

PLUS, You will receive FREE Bonuses from these awesome Healthy Living companies…

• $21.00 of incredible natural products from “Earthpaste” “Real Salt” and “Redmond Clay” products for FREE.

• Your choice of a FREE sourdough starter, or a FREE traditional buttermilk starter from Cultures for Health ($12.99 value)

• Your choice of: a FREE 3-Month Subscription or 30% off a One Year Subscription. Plan to Eat is a simple online menu planner that organizes your recipes and creates your grocery list for you. ($15.00 value)

PLUS, You will also be entered to win one of the following 3 awesome prizes…

•  9-Tray Excalibur Dehydrator with Timer ($349.95 Value)

•  Omega Vert VRT350 Masticating Juicer ($379.99 Value)

• Royal Berkey Water Filtration System from LPC Survival ($289.00 Value)

This collection is only available from 8 a.m. EST on October 29th to 8 a.m. EST on November 2nd. There will be no late sales offered.

Haven’t purchased an eBook Bundle, but still want to be entered into the draw? No problem. You can enter here.

 

There are a lot of green books out there.  Even a lot of green books by moms, for moms.  I have not read many.  I pick them up, scan through them and often find that there is not much I haven’t already heard or read and am not compelled to read past the first couple pages. 

So, when I picked up Green Mama: The Guilt-Free Guide to Helping You and Your Kids Save the Planet, I wasn’t confident that I’d be spending much time reading it.  But after reading the Introduction, just nine pages, I immediately emailed the author, Tracey Bianchi, and told her that her story resonated with me!  It is my story.  One mom where one moment forever changed her view of the environment and with hope that it may change your view, too.

While I can’t share with you every line of the book that I nodded my head in firm agreement, laughed or learned something new, there are two concepts that define this book that you will find interwoven throughout.

GUILT-FREE

“All of us will create our own unique version of a more sustainable life.  The exact details largely depend on how committed we are to this movement, the time and energy we have to implement changes, where we live, and what is most important for our own family.  Every mom can create her own unique definition of green.”  I love this because it truly gives each person the freedom to make the changes in their life that they are able to based on their current lifestyle and needs.   What matters is that you do something.

THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT

Tracey heard a sermon at her church where a pastor spoke about all the little ways we steal every day.  “He defined steal as simply taking more than your share of the resources. There are a limited number of resources in the world, and when we take more than we need, simply put, we are stealing from others.  We can do this in a variety of ways – financially, socially, and environmentally. By pillaging the earth for more than our share, we break the eighth commandment.”   This point generates a whole new conversation about the Creator and caring for creation – Tracey calls it ‘stewardship’.

If you are looking for some great suggestions on becoming a green mama – and including your kids in the process – this is the book to get.  No guilt, just an honest trip down “Green Mama Lane”.

WIN IT!

We are giving 3 readers the book, Green Mama: The Guilt-Free Guide to Helping You and Your Kids Save the Planet !  You can enter to win in any of the following ways:

• Leave a comment telling us how you create your own unique definition of green. 
• Follow us on twitter @mommygoesgreen.
• Retweet this contest.
• Become a Facebook fan.
• Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link.

Leave your comment by Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 11:59pm PST. Contest open to all U.S. and Canadian residents, ages 18+. We will choose 3 winners, at random, and notify them by email. Privacy Policy.