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My name is Andrew. Come and have a look inside my life and watch me share what is on my heart.

Satisfied: Finding Hope, Joy, and Contentment Right Where You Are by Alyssa Joy Bethke Book Review





In Satisfied, Alyssa Joy Bethke has written a brand-new book about finding true contentment and experiencing life with full force. She shared how she had her longings met. She opened up about how she struggled with being satisfied and she was experiencing loneliness. She recalled praying for a husband and then she met, Jeff and got married. She quit her job where they could travel together and they eventually moved back to Maui. She lived there before and she thought she would be quick to reconnect with her friends and build friendships. That didn’t happen in the way she thought it would. She had a disconnect with making friends and she had to deal the fear of rejection. She revealed how she had all of her longings answered when she learned to lean on His strength and trust in His timings. She had to remind herself that Jesus is her helper, comforter, and counselor. She did eventually make friends and God gave her a vision with groups gathered together. She shared how she had to change her perceptive and had to focus more on how she can be a friend to someone else and give them encouragement. She was able to build lasting friendships with a few women and they pray together, worship together, and they seek God together.

 



 

I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who is ready to find true contentment with their life even if their battling and facing challenges circumstances. One of my favorite chapter was about grief. I appreciated how open and transparent she was in sharing how she has a miscarriage and the pain she experienced. She explained to readers how she had to seek the redemption found in the nailed scarred hands of Christ. She shared how she blamed herself and her body that she was too weak to carry the baby. She struggled with the lies until she was able to flip them around and remember that God is strong and powerful. I liked how she spoke to readers and explained how she dealt with her own trauma and how it is a healing journey process. I also enjoyed the recipe section she included in the book and how she enclosed recipes from also people closest to her in this book. Some of my favorites I want to try are: Pico-de-Guac, strawberry cake, apple berry crisp, and steak salad. I also loved the colorful photos this book had throughout each page. This isn’t your typical chapter book and it reminded me more of a colorful cookbook or a designer style book even though it did contain some recipes, this wasn’t necessary just a cooking book. 

 




 

 

"I received this book free from the publisher, Hachette Book Group/Faithwords for my honest review.” 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Satisfied, check it out on Amazon.com:

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Satisfied-Finding-Contentment-Right-Where/dp/1546034048




Sample Recipes: 





Jori’s Pork Carnitas

 

Serves 10-12 people

 

The other night we went over to our friend’s Greg and Sarah’s house for dinner. Sarah is one of my best friend’s. She loves Jesus with her whole heart, loves her family and has the gift of hospitality. We had asked to come over so we could pray for them, and here we were, being served with a delicious meal and sweet conversation- that’s just who she is. Giving, joyful, and present- you always feel so loved and known when you’re around Sarah.

We sat down to eat, and let me tell you guys, these tacos are the best I have ever had! When I asked for the recipe, she told me they are Jori’s- a friend of ours in our community who could have her own cookbook (and I’m wondering why she doesn’t yet!?) because anything that comes out of her kitchen is top notch! 

 

Guys, I promise you, these will be your favorite taco recipe ever. And as we enter into summer, this will be your go to for gatherings and picnics and special dinners under twinkly lights and warm night air.

 

BUT! You have to have the pickled red onion to go along with it! It is truly life changing, and so simple. Don’t skip that step!

 

 

½. Cup apple juice (can substitute for cranberry or pineapple juice)

1 lime, juiced

3 cloves garlic, crushed

 

1 Tablespoon salt

½ tsp. black pepper

½ tsp. ancho chili powder

½ tsp. chipotle chili powder

½ tsp. ground cumin

¼ tsp. cayenne pepper

 

3-3.5lbs boneless pork shoulder roast (I’ve used pork butt, bone-in, etc. too)

1 Tablespoon bacon grease for searing

 

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Wisk together the apple and lime juice and garlic.

In another bowl, add all the spices.

Cut pork into 4 chunks. Sprinkle all sides with the spice mixture. 

Melt the bacon grease in a dutch oven. Seat the pork for a few minutes on all sides. 

Cover the meat with the juice mixture, cover and place in the oven.

Cook for 5-5 ½ hours.

Remove from oven and shred the meat. 

Set oven to broil and adjust rack to the top of the oven, about 6 inches from the top.

Place the shredded meat on a baking pan and drizzle some of the juice on top.

Place in oven to broil until crisp to your liking, making sure to watch it so it doesn’t burn. This should only take a couple of minutes.

 

Serve with tortillas topped with your favorite garnishes. 

Our favorites- cabbage, radish, onion (ideally pickled red onions), cilantro, tomatillo salsa, cojita cheese and your favorite hot sauces.

 

ENJOY!

 

 

Sarah’s Red Pickled Onions

 

1 red onion, thinkly sliced

½ cup apple cider vinegar

1 Tablespoon sugar

1 ½ tsp. salt

1 cup warm water 

 

On the stove top, on medium low heat, whisk all of the ingredients together, except the onions. Let cool. Then pour the mixture over the onions in a mason jar. Enjoy with the carnitas tacos, or on sandwiches! This really takes your tacos to the next level! 

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