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Self-Care is Essential A Personal Resiliency Program for Healthcare Professionals, First Responders & Other Caregivers
In a world where life can often feel overwhelming, time-consuming, and complicated, self-care doesn’t have to be. Self-Care is Essential is here to remind you that the most important person in your life is you. This book offers a straightforward commitment to self-care, helping you reduce stress, restore energy, and build resilience, so you’re better prepared to tackle life’s unpredictable challenges.
Self-Care is Essential provides practical techniques specifically designed for those who need self-care the most but often practice it the least: caregivers, essential workers, healthcare professionals, and first responders.
Inside the book, you’ll find:
• Time Management Tips: Maximize productivity and reduce stress.
• Self-Massage Techniques: Relax and restore your energy.
• Nutritional Guidelines: Maintain a balanced diet, even on the go.
• Beginner-Friendly Yoga Movements: Stretch and strengthen your body.
• Personal Space Advice: Create your ideal environment for relaxation.
• Aromatherapy and Guided Meditation Tips: Soothe and calm your mind.
After spending so much time caring for others, it can feel like you’ve forgotten how to care for yourself. Self-Care is Essential helps you break the cycle, rediscover your motivation, and embark on an authentic self-care journey.
About the Author
Gwen Lawrence is a health and well-being educator, mindfulness coach and a practicing fitness professional for over 30 years. Her current work includes specialized self-care and resilience training for healthcare professionals, caregivers, and essential workers.
Praise for Self-Care is Essential
“…provides universally relevant, time-tested techniques that puts every reader in the driver’s seat on the road to better physical, emotional and spiritual health.” —Judy Dimon
“Gwen has a vast knowledge of how the physical body and energetic body are connected.” —Pamela Fellows, meditation teacher
“The tools Gwen provides in this book are user-friendly for all to benefit.” —Salliann Schippers, LCSW Behavioral Health Specialist
“The practices Gwen teaches are accessible and straightforward enough that they have become a part of my daily routine and changed the way that I approach and meet each day.” —Mystie Arnold, RYT, PYFS
“From yoga to massage to goal-setting tips, Gwen’s expertise and experience breathe new life into whole-body wellness.” —Crystal Fenton, yoga teacher and author
“…self-care is a necessity for physical and mental survival.” —Jo-Ann Avalone, retired NYPD 911 first responder
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SELF-CARE IS ESSENTIAL
Written by Gwen Lawrence
Foreword by Laura Dimon
Preface by Aimee Dannaoui, MSN, RN
978-1-57826-998-3, $20.00 paperback
978-1-961293-04-5, $9.99 ebookPublished by Hatherleigh Press.
Distributed through Penguin Random House.
Available wherever books are sold.
www.hatherleighpress.com -
‘Season of Inspiration’: Author’s Exit From Corporate America Leads to New Life Purpose
Tarris Marie awoke one morning to a startling discovery: She couldn’t read her text messages. A merchandise planner in the fashion industry, her job was to analyze numbers. Stargardt disease, a rare, progressive disorder, had robbed her of her central vision. Just 40 years old and her prospects in the corporate world grim, she had no other option but to go on disability. After a downward spiral, she found herself on her bathroom floor pleading with God for direction, gripped by fear that this was the end of her accomplishments in life.
“That is a horrible place to be,” Tarris Marie said. “Until I heard a voice say, ‘Get up.’”
Today, she is an award-winning author who writes from a viewpoint of the broken and the lost and hopes to light a path forward for others who are struggling.
“Right now, I’m in a season of inspiration and just putting my heart and soul out there and just hoping to make someone smile,” she added.
In her riveting debut, Blaque Pearle, the genres of women’s crime and urban romance collide in a sophisticated, action-packed story featuring a deeply flawed but relatable protagonist who Tarris Marie says is “a representation of sometimes what happens when we go dark.”
That protagonist, Pearle Monalise Brown, was a tenacious aspiring actress from Compton’s unforgiving, scarred streets before her Hollywood dreams were shattered. Never broken, Pearle switches gears to a fallback plan — resorting to using her beauty and acting skills to swindle money and expensive jewels. When she’s hired by the Colombian cartel to steal a priceless Basquiat from a debonair kingpin and art collector named Blaque, her talents might not be enough to keep her from falling into a trap she never saw coming.
Blaque is sagacious and handsome, not to mention the legacy of two powerful organized crime families: the Laurents, known dons hailing from Kingston, Jamaica; and the Savages, a sophisticated syndicate with criminal enterprises across the U.S.
As Blaque and Pearle become passionately entangled, Pearle falls prey to a darker underworld. Time is ticking. Lives are at stake. Will these love outlaws be able to outsmart their enemies, or will they wage an all-out war, leaving the bodies to fall wherever they may?
“Blaque Pearle is a riveting page-turner, fueled by complex characters, erotic energy, and high-stakes action. I couldn’t put it down,” said Tanisha C. Ford, author of Dressed in Dreams: A Black Girl’s Love Letter to the Power of Fashion. “Tarris Marie is a fresh voice on the literary scene who is reimagining the urban crime and suspense genres. I’m excited to see what she writes next. She’s definitely one to watch.”
About the Author
Tarris Marie is proudly a Midwestern girl of the ’90s, born and raised in Gary, Indiana. After 15 years in corporate America, Tarris lost her central vision and eventually her six-figure career in a battle with Stargardt disease, a genetic condition that caused her legal blindness. In addition to being a novelist, Tarris is a screenwriter and actress who uses slivers of her life-experienced pie to create vivid characters and roller coaster journeys to inspire and entertain others. Tarris received a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and business administration from Indiana University, where she also became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She currently resides with her two children and husband in the great city of spaceships (Houston, TX).
Tarris Marie’s next book, Empress Creed, a prequel to Blaque Pearle set in 1930s Chicago, is now available for pre-order.
For more information, visit www.tarrismarie.com, or connect with the author on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @tarrismarie.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Blaque-
Pearle-Tarris-Marie/dp/ B0BR4XNNCD/ Blaque Pearle
Publisher: Black Odyssey Media
ISBN-13: 979-8985594171
Available from Amazon.com and everywhere books are sold
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September is Suicide Prevention and Deaf Awareness Month: Author, Survivor, and Thriver Shares 6 Tips for Anyone Suffering From Personal Tragedy
In June 2019, Theo Boyd was content and fulfilled. She enjoyed teaching high school English and was proud to have a daughter in college. She had a beautiful home in a Dallas suburb and a successful husband. And she had a close, loving relationship with her sister and her parents. Life had become what she had always wanted—until July 29, 2019. On that terrible day, her mother was killed in a tragic farming accident. She was run over by a tractor. And her father was the driver. In My Grief Is Not Like Yours, Boyd intertwines the story of her struggle with complicated grief, the type of heavy, lingering grief that follows an unexpected, unspeakable loss, with a tribute to her extraordinary parents and their devotion to each other. During an interview, Theo can share what she’s learned as a survivor and share insight for others who may be going through any traumatic experience:
- Keep in touch. Reach out to loved ones, friends, and spiritual leaders for comfort, understanding, and healing. Surround yourself with people who are willing to listen when you need to talk, as well as those who’ll offer a shoulder to lean on when you’d rather be silent.
- Grieve in your way. Do what’s right for you, not necessarily someone else. There is no single “right” way to grieve. If you find it too painful to visit your loved one’s gravesite or share the details of your loved one’s death, wait until you’re ready.
- Be prepared for painful reminders. Anniversaries, holidays, and other special occasions can be painful reminders of your loved one’s suicide. Don’t beat yourself up for being sad or mournful. Instead, consider changing or suspending family traditions that are too painful to continue.
- Don’t rush yourself. Losing someone to suicide is a tremendous blow, and healing must occur at its own pace. Don’t be hurried by anyone else’s expectations that it’s been “long enough.”
- Expect setbacks. Some days will be better than others, even years after the suicide — and that’s OK. Healing doesn’t often happen in a straight line.
- Consider a support group for families affected by suicide. Sharing your story with others experiencing the same grief might help you find a sense of purpose or strength. However, if you find going to these groups keeps you ruminating on your loved one’s death, seek out other methods of support.
About the Author
Theo Boyd, named Thelizabeth after her two grandmothers, Thelma and Elizabeth, is a farmgirl at heart. For most of her adult life, she lived in Waxahachie, Texas, about 30 minutes south of Dallas, where she taught high school English, raised her daughter, and actively volunteered in various organizations, her community, and her church. After 30 years, she moved back to her hometown of Whitney, Texas, to come to terms with the death of her mother in a tragic farming accident, followed three years later by her father’s suicide. She now devotes her time to writing and speaking about loss, grief, and faith with the mission of helping others find comfort and hope.
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Heartwarming Children’s Book Helps Young Kids Understand What Can Happen When Someone’s “Love Tank” is Full — or Empty — and How Kindness and Compassion Can Help
Perfect for back-to-school discussions, behavioral scientist Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez, Ph.D., is here to help parents explain hurtful behavior, such as bullying, in a way that is gentle and accessible to young minds. Her heartwarming children’s book, The Love Tank, helps kids ages 4-8 understand what can happen when someone’s “love tank” is full — or empty — and how kindness and compassion can help others fill their love tanks. The Love Tank has won multiple awards, including a prestigious 2024 Nautilus Award, putting her in the company of notable Nautilus Award recipients like Barbara Kingsolver, Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
When Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez’s 3-year-old daughter found her crying in response to news of a school shooting, the behavioral scientist struggled to find the words to answer her question: “What’s wrong?” Mendoza-Vasconez’s children’s book, The Love Tank, is her answer — and she hopes it will help other parents explain challenging concepts, too.
The book, written for children ages 4-8, guides children in imagining a superpower container inside their bodies that fills up with love. The story explains in gentle terms what can happen when someone’s love tank is full or empty and how children can fill their love tanks and help others to fill theirs too.
Mendoza-Vasconez recalls telling her daughter, “While there are no intrinsically ‘good’ or ‘bad’ people in this world, sometimes people do bad things and hurt others because they don’t have enough love in their own lives — their love tank is empty.” She further explained, “I always hug you, kiss you and tell you I love you because I want your love tank to be full so you can treat others with kindness and compassion.”
One of the goals of the book is to help parents explain why someone might harm others in a way that their children can understand. Additionally, the book helps children connect with important values such as empathy, compassion, gratitude and authenticity in a simpler manner.
The Love Tank, which has won many awards, including the prestigious 2024 Nautilus Award for Small Press Children’s Picture Books (silver), is the first in a series of three books, all dealing with socioemotional learning concepts. The other books in the series include The Gratitude Goggles, which guides children as they imagine a special pair of goggles that can appear by simply feeling gratitude; and The Puzzle Piece, which encourages children to imagine that the world is a gigantic puzzle, in which they are unique pieces.
Since The Love Tank was published, Mendoza-Vasconez has heard from many parents who have used it to help their children who have been bullied understand why. She hopes the book will continue to help children express love by brainstorming how they can fill others’ love tanks.
About the Author
Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez, Ph.D., is an award-winning children’s book author, a mother, a behavioral scientist, a teacher, an advocate and a storyteller. She was born and raised in Ecuador and moved to the United States at 18 to attend Connecticut College. After working as a television producer and middle school teacher, she returned to school to earn a master’s degree in public health from Claremont Graduate University and a doctoral degree in public health (Health Behavior) from UC San Diego and San Diego State University. She completed her postdoctoral training at Stanford University and served as an assistant professor at the Brown University School of Public Health.
When Mendoza-Vasconez became a mother, her love for writing led her to explore storytelling as a way to explain difficult and important topics to her daughter. She uses imagery to communicate concepts such as empathy, compassion, gratitude and authenticity. Eventually, she started writing these stories down and publishing them as picture books to share these messages with other children around the world.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/
B0C9SC9C66 -
Mightylicious Cookies: The Allergen-Friendly, Kid-Approved Snack for Back-to-School Season
As the back-to-school season kicks off, finding snacks that are both kid-approved and allergen-friendly can feel like a challenge. But don’t worry—Mightylicious cookies are here to save snack time with a delicious twist.
Mightylicious isn’t just another gluten-free cookie; it’s a game-changer. These hand-crafted treats are loaded with amazing flavor and perfect texture, made from clean, all-natural ingredients. Whether your kids have dietary restrictions or you’re just looking for a healthier snack option, Mightylicious is the go-to choice that everyone will love.
Created by Carolyn Haeler, who was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2012, Mightylicious was born out of the need for a gluten-free cookie that didn’t compromise on taste or quality. Carolyn’s mission was simple: to create cookies that are not only safe for those with gluten sensitivities but are also irresistibly delicious for everyone.
Mightylicious offers seven scrumptious varieties, including Brown Butter Chocolate Chip, Double Dutch Chocolate Chip, and Vegan Chocolate Chip—perfect for slipping into lunchboxes or enjoying as an after-school treat. Each cookie is 100% gluten-free, and the entire line is made without wheat, rye, barley, or RBST, so you can feel good about what you’re giving your kids.
Introducing my spiced-up twist on a classic favorite: Oatmeal Raisin cookies with a warm, comforting blend of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Inspired by an old family recipe and crafted with love, this cookie has quickly become our most requested flavor.
Vegan, Kosher, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, and Soy-Free—it’s the perfect treat for everyone, no matter their dietary needs. Whether you’re looking for a wholesome snack or a cozy bite with your coffee, our Oatmeal Raisin cookie is here to satisfy your cravings with every chewy, spiced bite.
Available online and in major retailers like Walmart, Whole Foods, and Costco, Mightylicious cookies are just what you need to keep snack time fun and flavorful this school year. Stock up today and give your kids a snack that’s as delicious as it is wholesome.
This back-to-school season, make Mightylicious your new family favorite!
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Introducing “Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!” by Sara Haas: The Ultimate Guide to Pizza Perfection
Are you ready to transform your pizza nights into extraordinary culinary adventures? Look no further than “Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!” by Sara Haas, RDN. This comprehensive cookbook is packed with over 75 fresh and inventive pizza recipes that will elevate your homemade pizza game and make frozen options a thing of the past.
Why “Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!” Stands Out
“Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!” is not just another pizza cookbook. It’s a culinary treasure trove that covers every aspect of pizza making. From crafting your own dough to selecting the perfect sauces and experimenting with a wide array of toppings, this book provides everything you need to create mouthwatering pizzas right in your kitchen.
Sara Haas, a seasoned recipe developer and food photographer, has curated a collection of recipes that cater to every palate. Whether you’re a fan of classic flavors or you’re looking for something adventurous, this book has you covered. And with vegetarian and vegan options included, everyone at your table will find something to love.
What’s Inside?
Each recipe in “Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!” is designed to be both delectable and easy to prepare. You’ll discover unique and tantalizing pizza combinations such as:
- BBQ Chicken: A smoky, tangy delight that’s sure to please.
- Double-Dough Pan Pizza: Extra layers of dough for a hearty, satisfying bite.
- Peach & Jalapeño: A sweet and spicy fusion that’s both refreshing and bold.
- Hummus & Roasted Red Pepper: A Mediterranean-inspired option that’s as flavorful as it is nutritious.
- Spicy Southwest: Perfect for those who love a kick in their pizza.
- Roasted Tomato Margarita: A classic with a deliciously roasted twist.
- Chicken Giardiniera: Packed with savory flavors and hearty ingredients.
- Hot Hawaiian: A spicy take on the beloved Hawaiian pizza.
But that’s not all—Sara Haas also includes recipes for accompanying extras like savory homemade sauces, fresh salads, and even desserts to round out your pizza night.
Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!
Written by Sara Haas, RDN
978-1-57826-968-6, $25.00 hardcoverPublished by Hatherleigh Press.
Distributed through Penguin Random House.
Available wherever books are sold.
www.hatherleighpress.comAbout the Author
Sara Haas, RDN, LDN, is a highly regarded recipe developer, food photographer, and freelance writer based in Chicago. Her expertise and passion for food have been featured in prestigious publications such as Eating Well Magazine, Allrecipes, Shape Magazine, Parents Magazine, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal. Sara is also the author of “Taco! Taco! Taco!” and co-author of “The Fertility Foods Cookbook,” showcasing her talent for creating delicious, accessible recipes.
With “Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!” in hand, you’ll never need to rely on frozen pizzas again. Sara Haas’s latest cookbook will guide you through the process of making incredible pizzas that are sure to become instant favorites. So gather your ingredients, fire up the stove, and get ready for a pizza night that’s full of flavor and fun!
Don’t wait—grab your copy of “Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!” today and make every pizza night a celebration of taste and creativity.
