Wednesday, May 19, 2010

EAT THE COOKIE, BUY THE SHOES: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
EAT THE COOKIE,
BUY THE SHOES

BY JOYCE MEYER

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Engrained in our culture is the belief that unbending discipline is the only sure way to success. You
must go to the gym five times a week, never order the dessert, and don't even think about buying that dress you keep staring at in the store window. Breaking from such a regimented lifestyle is a sign of weakness, right? Wrong!-and Joyce wants to tell us why...

Though setting rules in our lives are important, it's just as important that we break them from time-to-time. Structure is a powerful tool, but when diverging from your own goals is seen as catastrophic, it can have a hugely negative effect on us. Balance is a core value in life and every once in awhile we deserve to indulge in a guilty pleasure or two. So don't feel bad about straying from your goals every once-in-awhile and in fact, embrace it: eat the cookie and buy the shoes!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Joyce Meyer has been in full-time ministry since 1980. She is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy inspirational books. She has also released thousands of audio teachings as well as a complete video library. Joyce's Enjoying Everyday Life television and radio programs are broadcast around the world, and she travels extensively conducting conferences in the US and abroad. Joyce and her husband, Dave, are the parents of four grown children and make their home in St. Louis, Missouri. Visit her website at www.joycemeyer.org.

MY REVIEW:


EAT THE COOKIES, BUY THE SHOES: Giving Yourself Permission To Lighten Up is written by Joyce Meyer, who is a best selling author of more than 70 inspirational and advice books who also has her own full time ministry. Knowing this, the reader will understand that although the title and cover make this book appear to be a light-hearted book of advice, it also includes a fair amount of religion and preaching as a result of Joyce’s calling. I am fine with that but for the few who haven’t read Meyer’s books, I think it is fair to let them be aware of it. That said, it is still a great little book filled with examples that will encourage us all to take time out and enjoy things from time to time.

One of my favorite sayings that I tore from my Oprah magazine says, “When you die God and the angels will hold you accountable for all the pleasures you were allowed in life that you denied yourself”. This is an anonymous quote but one I look at each day and try to remember as I tend to not take time out for myself more often than not. Filled with examples that teach and encourage us to accept that it is fine and a good thing to take time out, to not always have to be perfect, and to pamper ourselves every once in a while, the book points out the things most of us don‘t do and are really necessary in order to live a healthy and happy life.

If we can admit that we are the ones who allow ourselves to get stressed and depressed and overwhelmed because we take on too much, then we are the ones who will benefit from this little book of wisdom. Erase the guilt you feel when you DO eat that cookie or BUY something you really don’t need like another pair of shoes. Meyer writes about her belief that God has put things in our lives simply to enjoy and take some pleasure from. If this book does nothing more than make you stop and think about the last time you did something just for fun or yourself and it is OK TO DO THAT, than you have at least gotten the message.


GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO VALERIE AND
THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP,
I HAVE THREE COPIES OF THIS
INTERESTING BOOK TO GIVEAWAY!


THE RULES:

--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY



HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING IN THE INFORMATION AND/OR REVIEW ABOVE ABOUT THIS BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

+1 MORE ENTRY:
COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU DO THAT IS FUN BUT YOU OFTEN FEEL GUILTY ABOUT TAKING THE TIME TO DO IT


GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, JUNE 5


GOOD LUCK!

39 comments:

traveler said...

This little book sums it up well and accurately. We are always trying not to indulge ourselves and then feel badly when we allow a special treat. I think everything in moderation is the best rule. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

It is sometimes lovely to just vegge out with a sweet and read the whole day through. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I could really use a copy of this book!

I feel that it is so true that we can get out of balance by taking on too much. We are at risk of becoming so stressed, depressed and overwhelmed that it will affect our physical, emotional and spiritual health as well as our relationships. If we can admit that we are the ones who allow ourselves to get this way, and are prepared to make some changes, then we will benefit from the wisdom that you have mentioned in this book.

One of my indulgences is to curl up and read with no distractions, making sure that the answering machine is set to take any calls.


mforsyth@rogers.com

amber said...

what stood out to me was this line from your post: "If this book does nothing more than make you stop and think about the last time you did something just for fun or yourself and it is OK TO DO THAT, than you have at least gotten the message."

and i've tweeted this giveaway as well (twitter.com/amfrench).

thanks!
amber (afren07@gmail.com)

suzie said...

I like the subtitle giving yourself permission to lighten up enlightening
9oofus@gmail.com

suzie said...

tweeted
http://twitter.com/suzquiz/status/14317142841
9oofus@gmail.com

suzie said...

I enjoy entering contests on the computer but do feel at times I should be doing other things
9oofus@gmail.com

Sandy Jay said...

I love that quote from Oprah magazine. I'm going to write that down and put it someplace where I can see it every day.

forwhlz at gmail dot com

Sandy Jay said...

I'm happy to say that I have no indulgences for which I have to feel guilty. Nope, not a one. :)

forwhlz at gmail dot com

Danielle said...

I like that Joyce talks about that it is important to set boundaries and give ourselves rules in our lives, but that it's ok to break them once in a while too. Just being smart about it and not over-indulging is the key!

danielle78(at)comcast(dot)net

Danielle said...

I used to go every other week and get an hour long massage after a chiropractic adjustment because it is free with my husband's insurance. I just felt like I didn't have that kind of time to take to just lie there for so long, so I stopped going. Now I kind of think I should go back to doing it because it made me feel so much more relaxed.

danielle78(at)comcast(dot)net

Donna said...

I like that it help to erase the guilt for eating that cookie.
donna444444@yahoo.com

Donna said...

I would say taking time fo myslf.
donna444444@yahoo.com

holdenj said...

I am always looking for the positives in my life. Sometimes that means diverging from the normal routine.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

A somewhat guilty pleasure is peanut butter cookies from the bakery. What a fave!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Pamela Keener said...

I think I could use this book too. I also love the quote in your review from Oprah's magazine.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I truly love rich cake and creamy ice cream together but rarely indulge in dessert at all. I cannot do just a taste LOL and seriously what is the point of just a bite.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Anonymous said...

spending money on more jewelry - fun but do I really need or even wear it all?
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I love this quote from the review: "If we can admit that we are the ones who allow ourselves to get stressed and depressed and overwhelmed because we take on too much, then we are the ones who will benefit from this little book of wisdom." Something I have to learn!
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

gcpeach17 said...

I very much enjoy Joyce's insights..I NEED this book. I find it hard to 'stop & smell the roses', do what I want, lighten up. I cannot wait to read this book. I think it will be just what I need. Thanks, for entering me in the giveaway.

gcpeach17 at aol dot com

Misusedinnocence said...

It's hard for me to fathom that she's written over 70 books. I can't even imagine!

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

Playing computer games is really fun for me but I always feel guilty during and after.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

MRWriter said...

I think of all the wonderful sights I've missed because I didn't give myself permission to wander off the path.

AlexDean03@yahoo.com

MRWriter said...

My little indulgences are sleeping in, taking bubble baths w/ a good book (espeically the ones I've won on here), watching a movie w/out multitasking, and playing with my pet rat Remy w/ total abandon. (-:

AlexDean03@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

We happen to love Joyce Meyer. Probably has a lot to do with being in the same state as her. I'd love to read her book. Thanks for the giveaway.
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

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shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

tweet: http://twitter.com/Grandmamaof10/status/15423361816
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I feel gulity reading, because there always feels like they're things that need to be done.
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

+5 for signing up for swag bucks

shundelt@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I like she says we can have a indugence or two. I'd like to read more about what she has to say.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

tweet: http://twitter.com/Romantic73/status/15440500450

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

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chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

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chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Playing on my copmputer, I spend way to much time here lately and have let some things go around the house or even not spending enough time with my husband.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I like that she doesn't always live by the rules, I do. I'm that kind of person who likes structure so I'd like to read her book and see if anything rubs off on to me.

christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

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christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/Christina101092/status/15440884236
posted on twitter
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I feel guilty leaving my son with my soon to be ex husband on the weekends. I like the me time and getting to hang out with my Gf's but I do feel guilty for it.

christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

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