Meet Carol

Hi and welcome to Inkwell Healthy Lifestyles!

Have you ever felt like you needed to make a change, but you didn’t know exactly what or how or even when? Yes, me too.

One of those times happened to me working behind the pharmacy counter, wearing a white coat with big pockets so I would always have a pen and pad handy to take down the next prescription.

Over twenty-five years of trying my very best to help the patients that walked through the big doors way in the front of the store get well–and stay that way. Medications helped for infections and other disease states, but so many times, I knew there was a better way. Can’t sleep? How much coffee do you drink? Eat chocolate at night? Do you get any exercise? Have any close friends to talk to? How do you spend your free time?

Isn’t there a pill that will help me drop these pesky ten pounds? If there were, I wouldn’t be enjoying my fortieth year of a gym membership. (Shouldn’t I be able to go for free by now?) I raised two sons who are fun to be around and other than the grocery store, the playroom at the gym is where they went the most–until they started school.

I had to make a change. My passion for health and wellness had to reach beyond the pharmacy counter, so I traded my life of discussing side effects to discussing side dishes and better workout habits and how to live healthier, one day at a time.

I have spent over forty years serving the public in the health and wellness industry: as a retail pharmacist, and more recently as a certified health coach with emphasis on culinary fitness–because you can’t out train a bad diet. If you live in Northwest Indiana (aka The Region) you may have seen my articles in Get Healthy magazine and The NWI Times.

A few of my favorite things include gardening imperfectly (weeds grow better than my tomatoes), writing, Lake Michigan, and enjoying simple times with family and friends–accompanied by lots of delicious food!

My favorite non-profit organization is Girls on the Run of Northwest Indiana, of which I am a past board member. The earlier girls learn how important it is to eat well and move around, the better chance they have of developing these habits for life.

I love my church community, St. Michael’s, and enjoy leadership roles with our Alpha course and Bible study. And for any of you Cursillistas reading this…De Colores!

An interesting side note: my fabulous husband of forty-one years is rather noncompliant when it comes to food. He is a big fan of Chicago style hot dogs and likes ice cream with chocolate syrup and bananas. He keeps me grounded. He is my rock.

Thanks for joining me not to diet, but to enjoy life and food together!

Blessings and love,
Carol