Annie F. Downs - Perfectly Unique: Love Yourself Completely, Just As You Are

CONTENTS

I love every part of writing a book, but this part right here is so special. Im so grateful to all the people who put love and energy and expertise into making this book a reality.

To my team, particularly my agent Lisa Jackson. Thank you for your belief and your time and your hearts. Downs Books Inc is my favorite place to work ever.

To the team at Zondervan. Thank you for believing in this book.

To every woman who shared this book with a younger friend, you are doing the good work. She needs you.

To every young woman reading this, Im glad we are friends. Thanks for still reading books. Means a lot to me.

To Jesus. You are the healer and rescuer and savior Ive always needed and wanted. Thank You. I love You more today than ever.

INTRODUCTION

Amazing Onion Soup

INGREDIENTS

8 onions, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

cup olive oil

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

8 cups beef stock

cup dry white wine

teaspoon dried thyme

1 bay leaf

salt and pepper

1 loaf French bread

2 cups grated Gruyre cheese

DIRECTIONS

Saut onions and garlic in oil over low heat until tender and golden yellow. Sprinkle flour over onions, then cook a few minutes more, browning the flour well. Add stock and wine and bring to a boil, then add thyme and bay leaf. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently for 20 minutes or so. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Meanwhile, slice French bread into -inch slices and butter both sides. Toast slices on griddle until golden brown. Ladle soup into an ovenproof bowl, add toasted bread, and cover with cheese. Place ovenproof bowl on a baking sheet lined with tinfoil. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes under a hot broiler.

CHAPTER 4

Sweet-Potato Fries

THIS IS MY FRIEND JASONS RECIPE, SO PLEASE CALL THEM JASONS FRIES. (HE WILL TOTALLY BLUSH.)

INGREDIENTS

2 sweet potatoes

1 tablespoon of olive oil

salt and pepper, to taste

cinnamon, to taste sugar, to taste

DIRECTIONS

Slice sweet potatoes into stripsor rounds, if you prefer. Then toss them in olive oil, salt, fresh-cracked black pepper, a little cinnamon, and a little sugar. Bake them in the oven at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes. (This will make enough for two people.)

MUSICIANS NOT TO MISS

These are Christian artists who may or may not play Christian music. But you can trust that the lyrics wont be loaded with cuss words.

Dave Barnes

Matt Wertz

Ellie Holcomb

Brooke Fraser

Andrew Ripp

Tara-Leigh Cobble

Andrew Peterson

Ben Rector

Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors

Steve Moakler

CHAPTER 6

Puppy Chow

INGREDIENTS

cup peanut butter

cup butter

1 cup chocolate chips

teaspoon vanilla

9 cups Crispix cereal (any flavor)

1 cups powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS

Combine peanut butter, butter, and chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for one minute, then stir to blend all ingredients thoroughly. Add teaspoon vanilla. Stir well. Place the 9 cups of Crispix cereal in a very large bowl. Pour the peanut butterchocolate mixture over the cereal and toss evenly, making sure all the cereal gets a good coating. Cover with powdered sugar, sprinkling evenly over the cereal and tossing as you sprinkle to coat each piece well.

CHAPTER 9

Waffles with Peanut Butter

Heres my tip for making waffles with peanut butter: Put the waffle in a toaster oven and get it a little crispy. Pull it out, put peanut butter on it (chunky is my preference), and then put it back in the toaster oven. But stay close, because the peanut butter can burn! Stand there and watch until the peanut butter starts to turn a little dark brown. Then pull out the waffle and enjoy. But listen, it is really not fun to get a peanut-butter burn on the roof of your mouth, so proceed with caution. As your mama told you when you were a kid, blow on it before you eat.

WEBSITES FOR HELP WITH ANOREXIA AND/OR BULIMIA

National Eating Disorders Association:

nationaleatingdisorders.org

Avocado-Feta Salsa

OKAY, THIS IS MY VERY FAVORITE SALSA RECIPE. YOU CAN PUT IT ON CHICKEN OR IN TACOS, OR JUST EAT IT WITH CHIPS. AND DEPENDING ON THE SEASON, YOU MAY WANT TO LEAVE OUT THE AVOCADO. SINCE IM COOKING FOR ONE, AND THIS MAKES ENOUGH FOR FOUR, I USUALLY DONT USE THE AVOCADOSO THE SALSA WILL LAST LONGER IN THE FRIDGE. BUT IF YOURE MAKING SALSA FOR A PARTY, USE THE AVOCADOITS DELICIOUS. (AND I THINK IVE OFFICIALLY OVER-EXPLAINED AT THIS POINT.)

INGREDIENTS

4 plum tomatoes, chopped

2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 (4-ounce) package crumbled feta cheese

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil

teaspoon dried oregano

teaspoon salt

2 avocados, chopped (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Stir together the first nine ingredients. Then gently stir in avocado just before serving.

CHAPTER 10

The Top Ten Things Im Thankful for Today (In No Particular Order)

1. My parents

2. My health (My sprained ankle has finally healed!)

3. My friends in Atlanta

4. My friends in Nashville

5. The way the Lord has guided me recently

6. The way the Lord has provided for me (financially and relationally)

7. That my roommate and I found a new house to live in

8. That I totally love my job

9. The way the Lord has expressed His love for me through friends

10. The people in my life who pray for me on a daily basis

CHAPTER 11

Missions Opportunities

Youth with a Mission: ywam.org (Locations worldwide!)

The Mocha Club: themochaclub.org (Trips every year to different countries in Africa.)

Adventures in Missions: adventures.org (Huge variety of trips, from short term to more than a year.)

CHAPTER 12

Joes Meat Loaf

I KNOW. MEAT LOAF IS WEIRD. JUST TRUST ME ON THIS ONE, MMKAY?

INGREDIENTS

3 pounds lean ground beef

3 eggs, beaten (told ya they were important!)

1 cup Heinz 57 steak sauce

3 cups green onions, chopped

1 package dry onion soup mix

2 stalks celery, chopped

2 cups Cheez-It crackers, crumbled

2 tablespoons chopped garlic

2 ounces red wine vinegar

2 ounces light soy sauce

1 cup medium salsa

salt, pepper, hot sauce (to taste)

DIRECTIONS

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Mold meat into two loaves and place in two medium-sized pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, 15 minutes. Check for doneness (youll know its ready when the juices run clear).

A nnie F. Downs is a bestselling author, nationally known speaker, and podcast host based in Nashville, Tennessee. Flawed but funny, she uses her writing to highlight the everyday goodness of a real and present God.

Annie is the author of multiple best-selling books, including Remember God and 100 Days To Brave. By weaving together personal stories, humor, and Scripture, she invites those reading to experience fulfilled lives with a God who made them on purpose and loves them deeply.

While she loves writingbooks, blogs, articles, thankyou notesAnnie also enjoys traveling around the world speaking at events, conferences, and churches.

Annies podcastThat Sounds Fun Podcastreleases new episodes every Monday and Thursday. Authors, pastors, musicians, comedians, chefs, athletesAnnie has them all and calls them all friend. Youll love the conversation in every episode.