Book Review: Love Your Body by Brooke Parker

I think it's safe to say that we all have issues with our bodies, to one extent or another. Some wish their noses were a little smaller, or a little perkier. Others wish their hair was a different color. Others detest their bodies to the extent that they hurt themselves to attain what they consider to be the "perfect" shape for them. We each fall somewhere on this continuum - it seems that even those who have healthy body images wouldn't mind changing one or two things about themselves.

I've struggled with my weight since I was ten, when I started having symptoms of thyroid imbalance. Over the years, as my medication has been adjusted here, there, and everywhere, I've gone up in weight and down in weight ... but mostly up. Hormone imbalances and the gain that comes along with pregnancy didn't help, and I've been pregnant four times. I am not one of those who loves their body.

But I should be. My body does amazing things. It breathes in and out, it functions even when I'm not aware that it's doing anything, and it gets me where I need to go. I can reach out to others, I can give hugs, I can care for my family. I can be creative, I can enjoy nature ... I really am very blessed. My body is a tool I use to live my life, and I should appreciate it more than I do.

"Love My Body" discusses these very things. It's not just about watching what you eat, although you are encouraged to make healthier choices. It's about believing in yourself, and understanding that you are one of God's creations and as such, worthy to be nurtured.

I very much appreciated this opportunity to read Brooke's book. She is a nutritionist, and so she counsels people on their eating habits on a daily basis. She developed a good relationship of trust with her reader in this book, and I know I'll be referring back to it often as I seek the information, and inspiration, I need to love my own body.

Walnut Springs Press will be giving away 5 copies of Love Your Body: A Diet-Free Approach to Balanced Eating as part of the online book book tour. The contest starts February 17th and will close on March 5th at midnight, MST.

Entering the contest is easy--all you have to do is blog, tweet, follow, or comment and then fill out this little form.

1. Become a follower of the blogs where these reviews appear. You can follow one of our reviewers or you can follow all. Each blog followed is another chance to win, and you can follow them all, and get credit for those you are already following.

Here are the participating blogs:

Walnut Springs Press
Brooke Parker RD
Of Writerly Things
Random-ish by Nichole
Queen of the Clan
Rachelle Writes
The Write Blocks
Tangled Words and Dreams
*Tristi Pinkston, LDS Author
Why Not? Because I Said So!
LDS Women's Book Review
Cami's Book

2. Post a comment on the reviews.

3. Blog about the contest or one of the reviews. Spread the word. Just remember that the blog post either needs to link to the contest or to one of the reviews.

4. Follow us on Twitter. Maybe you use Twitter, maybe you don't. But if you do, you should follow us.

http://twitter.com/walnutspringspr
http://twitter.com/brookeparkerrd
http://twitter.com/camichecketts
http://twitter.com/valerieipson
http://twitter.com/Rachellewrites
http://twitter.com/LDSWBR
http://twitter.com/nicholegiles
http://twitter.com/TristiPinkston

5. Tweet about the contest or one of the reviews.

6. Become a fan of Love Your Body on Facebook. Brooke is constantly updating her fanpage with articles, recipes, and helpful hints.

7. Post about the contest on Facebook.

8. Mention it on GoodReads, Shelfari, Google buzz, or any other social media site you belong to where such a mention would be appropriate.

Keep track of everything you do, and then don't forget to fill out the form so you get credit!


I received this book from the publisher at no cost to myself.