Feathers in Our Nest

Hospitality Resources

July 5, 2013 by Aliesha

This post is part of my ongoing series on hospitality.

As my hospitality series draws to a close, I wanted to share some of my favorite resources with you if you’re interested in continuing to grow in practicing hospitality! These are not in a particular order.

Favorite books:
–The Art of Hospitality by Yvonne G. Baker (practical, and filled with recipes and menu plans)
–Practicing Hospitality by Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock (biblical support for hospitality, plus recipes)
–A Handbook for Minister’s Wives by Dorothy Kelley Patterson (not all about hospitality, but that’s definitely a big part of the book)
–The Christian Homemaker’s Handbook edited by Pat Ennis and Dorothy Kelley Patterson (great book for any Christian woman; includes extensive sections on the home and meal planning)
–Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist (nothing will make you want to throw open the doors of your home quite like this book… truly inspirational, plus it includes some of my very favorite recipes)
–Homemade Memories by Marita Littauer (about creating family memories in your home, but includes many menu plans that are perfect for hospitality occasions)
–The Hospitality Commands by Alexander Strauch (thorough biblical support for WHY to show hospitality)
–Open Heart, Open Home by Karen Burton Mains (I haven’t read this one yet, but my mom recommends it)

Favorite blogs/posts:
–practical tips for practicing hospitality at Generation Cedar
–hospitality posts at Radical Womanhood
–hospitality posts at Girl Talk
–top 13 ministry meal ideas at Comfy in Kitchen
–how to start a weekly meal ministry at your church at Comfy in the Kitchen
–creating a hospitality and entertaining notebook at A Plate at My Table
–how hospitality helps or hinders relationships at Moms in Need of Mercy
–top ten ways to save money on entertaining at The Family CEO Blog
–10 budget-friendly dinner party ideas at The Local Cook
–how to feel at home in your house and your skin at A Holy Experience

And don’t forget that I will continue to be pinning great ideas for showing hospitality to my Hospitality Pinterest Board!

Do you have any favorite hospitality resources to share?

8 Reasons Why You Need an Exercise Ball

July 4, 2013 by Aliesha

1. Useful for workouts
You can find all sorts of workouts that use an exercise ball. I’ve done some prenatal exercises using mine!

2. Promotes good posture
Because of the way you have to sit on it to stay balanced, it helps keep your spine aligned properly. You can sub out your desk chair for your exercise ball!

3. Relieves pregnancy back pain
I have used my exercise ball in a few different ways to help strengthen my back and relieve pain while I’ve been pregnant this time. You can lay back on it for some relief, or you can kneel in front of it, put your arms (fully extended) on it and roll it forward for a great stretch.

4. Prepares you for labor
I bought my exercise ball when I was 40+ weeks pregnant with Cordelia. Rocking back and forth on it is good for helping the baby move down into the proper position for birth as your pelvis opens. The rocking back and forth motion is actually similar to walking in terms of trying to get labor started.

5. Awesome labor tool
I labored on a birthing ball provided by the hospital with Vera and with Cordelia. It was wonderful! I could sit on the ball and drape my body on the bed, rocking back and forth and letting gravity do the work! It’s a great alternative to walking the halls if you don’t have an ambulatory monitor. Plus it’s quite relaxing and gives you something “productive” to focus on doing (rocking or swaying) during each contraction.

6. Comfortable to sit on postpartum
After baby, soft surfaces are a must! I sat on my exercise ball a lot during meals instead of on a hard kitchen chair.

7. Calms a crying baby
I distinctly remember bouncing a fussy baby Cordelia on my exercise ball all evening one time when she was little. You can even wear them in a wrap, sit on the ball and bounce gently, and have your hands free to do something else (blog, read, etc.).

8. Kids love to play with it
My girls love playing with the exercise ball! It’s a really fun “toy” for toddlers and even older kids.

My exercise ball was around $12-15 (and it came with a pump) at Wal-mart, and it was totally worth the investment!

Amoralia

July 3, 2013 by Aliesha

We all know how hard it can be to find lovely, comfortable nightwear! It’s especially challenging when pregnant or nursing, so I knew I needed to get a set of pj’s from Amoralia when I discovered their company!