Coming Soon: A Special Book + A Sweet Treat
A Little Quiet, but for a Good Reason
Hey Flourish Community,
I’ve been quiet on Substack for awhile and haven’t been publishing my regularly scheduled content. This time, however my absence is for a very different reason, I’ve been keeping something under wraps for months and I can finally share it with you—before anyone else!
I thought this community would be a soft spot to build my confidence about launching this beautiful passion project into the world. I wrote a book! 📕 This project is one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever created, and yet in some ways was an unexpected twist on the type of book I thought I would release into the world. Obviously, my first book would be something nutrition or diabetes-focused, right? Wrong. This is something different, yet in many ways speaks softly about the things that are truly dearest to my heart which include motherhood, faith, and writing.
I started this project five years ago the day before my then one-year old was scheduled to have surgery. At the time, I had no intention of using what I was writing as part of a book, it was just a little poem written by a mother for her child. I wrote and then promptly closed my notebook and didn’t even look at what I had written until almost four years later.
It seems I’m always writing something but my story-filled brain often gets distracted with another idea and I’m off outlining the next project. That’s exactly what happened and I didn’t think much about the poem and my days were filled with taking care of young children, dealing with the pandemic and reentering the workforce after a brief two-year pandemic break.
At some point during those bleary-eyed days something unexpected happened. One of my closest friends from my middle and early high school days was going through her things, sorting items for another military move, and sent me letters. Not just any letters, but the letters I had written her almost twenty years ago when I was fifteen years old. The letters were filled with inside jokes, commentary about a boy I had a crush on and the angst of a fifteen year old once-again navigating a new school. It was heart-warming on so many levels, despite the fact that our friendship had drifted over the years, she had kept those letters and I had actually also kept the letters she had written me. I promptly sent her the letters she had written me and had a good laugh reading and reliving those written memories.
I love letters. There is just something about a handwritten note that touches the soul on a deeper level than a well-written email. We recognize the loopy, messy, and beautiful cursive or printing immediately of those closest to us before we even see the signature.
It is this love of letters, both physical letters and twenty-six letters of the alphabet that prompted the idea for my book, A to Z Love Letters to You. A to Z Love Letters to You my soon-to-be-published book, is designed to help mothers express their love, faith and share memories with their children—one heartfelt letter at a time.
Think of it as a love letter journal, an A-to-Z guide filled with inspiration, writing prompts, and space for you to write letters that your child will cherish forever.
This book is more than just words on a page—it’s intended as a keepsake, a way to capture your love and leave a lasting written legacy of your faith.
I can’t wait to share more details about the book, the cover and some sneak peek behind the scenes in the making of this project. I’ll also be introducing you to the fantastic illustrator and designer that worked on the project with me.
#BookAnnouncement #ComingSoon
Easy Chocolate Banana Snack Cake
Now, back to my typical food and nutrition information. It’s Valentine’s Day after all and what better way to celebrate than with chocolate. This super easy banana chocolate snack cake turns out perfectly every single time and is always my go-to chocolate cake recipe when I want something easy, not-fussy but definitely need dessert asap. Anytime I have a ripe banana or two left on the counter I’m definitely making this cake. I hope you enjoy.
And Remember….
This Valentine’s Day don’t forget to celebrate love. As we celebrate love in all its forms this season, let’s remember that true wellness is about nuturing our whole selves, mind, body, and spirit. Whether it’s through the food we enjoy, the movement that energizes us, or the moments of reflection that bring us peace, every small choice adds up to a life filled with love and intention.
Wishing you a February filled with joy, connection, and self-care. Keep flourishing!
With gratitude,
Alison