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The Raw and The Cooked

Simple Meals + Honest Book Reviews + Practical Living

The Books I’m Reading to Prepare for Birth & Postpartum

 

The Books I'm Reading to Prepare for Birth & Postpartum | By Dara Boxer at Peonies and Bees

Today, I’m 37w1d pregnant and growing more and more excited by the day (baby girl is officially term!!). In addition to finishing up all the little details (pack a hospital bag, install carseat, buy postpartum supplies, wash all baby clothes / sheets / blankets / swaddles, stock up on household essentials, cook a few more freezer meals, etc.), I have a ton of birthing and infant care books to finish reading before our daughters arrival. Here’s what I’ve decided to read…

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OVERRATED READS | VOLUME NO. 11

OVERRATED READS | VOLUME NO. 11 | By Dara Boxer at Peonies and Bees
Today, I’m discussing three more books that I’ve recently read. All three of which were totally hyped up, and in my humble opinion, not worth the buzz or glowing reviews — or TV show in one case from today — that each book received. Welcome to another installment of Overrated Reads, here on Peonies and Bees.
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Was Listening to The Goldfinch for 32+ Hours Worth It?

Goldfinch by Donna Tartt Book Review by Dara Boxer at Peonies and Bees

A few weeks ago, I drove from DC to Durham to visit one of my close friends for the weekend. With stops and small bouts of traffic, it’s about a four and a half hour drive each way. I wanted to listen to something engaging for the road, and everything I’ve heard about Donna Tartt, led me to download The Goldfinch — hoping her most popular novel would fit the bill. And then I noticed it was a 32+ hour audiobook…

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Simple Lasagna with Tomato-Meat Sauce


I’m eight and a half months pregnant, and let me tell you, Baby Girl LOVES her tomato-meat sauces. Seriously. My fetus can not get enough. So here we are. With another meal featuring ground beef. This is an America’s Test Kitchen Recipe for a Simple Lasagna with Tomato-Meat Sauce. Enjoy!…

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Five BOTM Reviews

Five BOTM Reviews | Dara Boxer at Peonies and Bees
Earlier this summer, I received a massive shipment from Book of the Month when I put my account on a temporary hold. I had about five credits stored up and wanted to cash it out before my hiatus. I posted about the five books I said I was pumped to read. Well, a few months later, I’ve read all five, and dying to share my thoughts on each of them! I’m going to list them in order from LOVED to Meh…. my GR rating, and whether or not I’d recommend it to you.
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