The giveaway is now closed! Elizabeth Baer was the winner. Congratulations!
In 2008, my mother-in-law bought me The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal for Christmas. When I got this book, I made a 
commitment to myself that I was really going to DO the book, instead of just reading it, tossing it aside, and gobbling down the next one on my stack. So, I did. It took me about 4 months or so to work through it in this way, though it is actually laid out in a 12-month format. The subtitle is “How to Reclaim, Rejuvenate, and Re-Balance Your Life,” which is just what I felt like I needed! I found it an inspirational, insight-provoking, and enriching journey. Since this time, I have re-read/re-worked through sections of the book many times, as well as recommended it to many other women as one of my favorite resources for balanced living.
As a funny little side note, when I first started reading the book, I had a lovely little leather bound fancy notebook to do the journaling/reflective exercises in. I discovered I was never doing them—it never felt like the right time. Then, I bought a Pirates of the Caribbean notebook at Wal-Mart featuring a large photo of Orlando Bloom on the cover and lo and behold, I started doing the journaling exercises in it and finished the book right up! I had to laugh at myself—Hark! I have found thee, my muse, and thy name is Orlando Bloom (especially in rakish, unbuttoned-pirate-shirt attire!)
The author of the book, Renée Trudeau, offers several other amazing resources that I regularly enjoy: I participate in a free monthly teleclass based on the book (I love these calls—sometimes I have to work really hard to carve out the life space to attend, but I’ve NEVER regretted making it happen), I subscribe to the e-newsletter, and read her thought-provoking blog. Associated with the teleclass and book, is a nurturing “Live Inside Out” Facebook page.
I’m absolutely delighted to host a giveaway for a copy of the book The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal. There are several ways to enter:
1. Leave a comment with your favorite tip for self-renewal.
2. Become new fan of Talk Birth on Facebook (and leave a comment here telling me you did so that I know to count your entry).
3. Become a new fan of Live Inside Out on Facebook (and leave a comment here reporting this).
4. Blog about this giveaway on your blog or post a link to your Facebook page (and let me know about it).
The winner of the giveaway will be drawn next Tuesday at noon via random number generator!
Talk Birth 
My favorite self-renewal tip is to get some sea salt (fine ground), safflower oil and your favorite essential oil (I use lavender) and make some homeade salt scrub (you could use sugar of course). I take it in the bathroom and give myself a foot massage with it. Ahhhh. It might not be life changing, but it sure rejuvenates.
Sounds good to me! I used to use a sea salt scrub in the shower regularly and should make a habit of doing so again 🙂
I became a fan of Live Inside Out and reposted this on my facebook page. I think I will come back here to check out the self-renewal tips because I could sure use them!
I will happily link to your blog on my fb and this book sounds like what every mother needs.
Okay, here’s my tip – it’s hard, but oh so worth it – COLD shower. Nicest way: warm up the bathroom, and massage yourself all over with almond oil (can scent with a few drops of essential oil of your choice), then when you are read, step in and out of the cold water about three times til it doesn’t feel cold anymore – it will knock the breath out of you and leave you feeling amazing, awake and re-energized.
If you can’t quite manage the whole thing, doing your face, hands and feet isn’t bad either. 🙂
Don’t do it in pregnancy or in the first three days of your period.
I sleep in! 🙂 When I can, that is! When I can’t I bake. Baking is therapeutic to me, and it’s an “unnecessary” bit of cooking that smells divine and is often something sweet. And that sea salt scrub sounds SO good…thanks for the idea!
Reading a good book is a great way I love to self-renew. 🙂
I became a fan of live inside out.
I knit and have been using lavendar to help me sleep when I get pregnancy insomnia at 3 in the morning. 🙂
I love hot bath (BY MYSELF LOL). I don’t get to do it often as my boys love bathing with mummy. But a good soak and dimmed lights often leave me feeling new again. Especially if you have special bubble bath or salts that only get used by you.
My favorite tip for self-renewal is making time for yoga. Yoga is a tremendous physical and spiritual practice for me, and when nothing else is right, it usually is. 🙂
I have also “liked” Live Inside Out. Already like Talk Birth. 🙂
Self-renewel tip: I love music. Pop in my favorite cd. Turn it up and dance and sing until everything else fades away.
I “LIKE” Talkbirth on FB already. Hope it counts if I am not a newbie. I LOVE this page and love what you post to FB. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Thanks, Bernadette! Glad you enjoy it 🙂
“LIKE” Live Inside Out.
Shared on FB! 😀
I drive around aimlessly in my car and listen to my music as loud as I can! This dissipates my moodiness in just minutes. Another favorite renewal activity is hiking by myself as often as I can. 🙂
I’m a fan of Talk Birth on FB.
I’m a fan of Live Inside Out on FB.
I’ve linked on FB. http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=735071479
Tip: I love to take time out for coffee with friends or a birth movie night with my doula sisters! I just became a new fan of both Talk Birth and Live Inside Out on Facebook. My FB name is Michelle Rimmel-Maisonville. Love what you’re doing here!
I’m a fan of both now on FB! Thanks! 🙂
I joined Live Inside Out! yay! will have to get the book if I don’t win–looks great!
My favorite tip is getting a pedicure and reading a magazine. It makes me feel better 🙂
I became a fan of “Talk Birth” on facebook.
I posted a link to this contest on my facebook business page “Syracuse Natural Parenting Support.”
I drew numbers and Elizabeth Baer is the winner! Please contact me soon with your address!
Thank you so much for the book!
Glad you won!
I like “live inside out” on FB. It’s a great page. Thanks for introducing me to it and the book. Yoga, baths, and footbaths are my favorite recharges. Thanks!
My favorite way to recharge is to take foot bath. Boil some hot water, find a nice quiet location, put on some soft music, or just listen to the birds outside your window. Pick some fresh herbs, (or use essential oils) like lavender, lemon, mint, cinnamon and just put your feet in and relax. If you have some river rocks you can put those in the bottom of your pan and roll your feet over them, and you get a massage and a foot bath! I became a fan of Live Inside Out and Talk Birth.
I became a fan of Live Inside Out…I cannot wait to read it all! I love to renew by reading a good book and holding my son…who is 4 🙂
Thanks.
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