1-219-765-8600

carol@inkwellcoaching.com

Crown Point, IN

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January 15, 2026

It’s Sumo Time!

In recent weeks, the Sumo Citrus orange has found its way back into my life. If you’re a citrus fan, you’ll understand why people get a little dra

January 8, 2026

The Heavy Feeling Reset (No Diet Required)

If you’ve been feeling a little… heavy lately, you’re not alone. And I don’t just mean weight. I mean that puffy, sluggish, “my clothes feel

January 1, 2026

The Power of a Simple Pause

Another new year. No pressure. No resolutions required. Just a fresh page and the opportunity to begin again. Together. If you’re thinking about imp

December 25, 2025

Christmas Traditions and Togetherness

For those who celebrate Christmas, this day has a way of inviting us into a slower pace, even if just for a moment. The world quiets down (along with

December 18, 2025

Why Winter Has Us Craving Carbs

It’s one week before Christmas, it’s cold, and I’ve noticed something about my meals lately: I’m eating more carbs. Not the cookie-tray kind (

December 11, 2025

The 7-Minute Stress Reset

The two weeks before Christmas can feel like one long to-do list—shopping, cooking, baking, wrapping, gifting, card-writing, hosting, emailing, and

December 4, 2025

Simple Habits for a Healthy December

The week after Thanksgiving can feel like a blur—leftover pie in the fridge, holiday calendars filling up quickly, and the quiet hum of Christmas pr

November 27, 2025

Savor and Give Thanks

Thanksgiving. A time to enjoy the company of loved ones, share stories, and of course, indulge in delicious food. Here’s a tip to help you savor

November 19, 2025

Sip Smart: Healthier Holiday Beverages

The holidays are filled with delicious drinks — peppermint mochas, mulled cider, sparkling punch, eggnog — and while they’re fun to enjoy, they

November 13, 2025

Holiday Prep with More Joy Less Stress

You’ve planned ahead, stocked the pantry, and maybe even tucked a few casseroles in the freezer. Now comes the real challenge — keeping calm once

It’s Sumo Time!

In recent weeks, the Sumo Citrus orange has found its way back into my life. If you’re a citrus fan, you’ll understand why people get a little dramatic about it. It’s juicy, seedless, and ridiculously sweet… like “How is this even real?” sweet.

Sumo Citrus (yes, like a Sumo wrestler) is famous for its big size and that little “top knot” bump on the top. It was developed in Japan through traditional crossbreeding (not in a lab), and it’s even non-GMO certified.

One of the best parts? The peel. It’s thick, which helps protect the fruit, but it also makes it super easy to peel. No sticky struggle, no sad little shreds of peel stuck under your fingernails. It’s basically the “zip hoodie” of citrus. 

Sumos can be a bit pricey. Part of that is because they’re fussy to grow and they bruise easily, so they’re handled with extra care and often hand-picked. They’re also grown primarily in a relatively small region of California’s Central Valley, which keeps supply limited.

And yes, the pampering is real. Growers even protect the fruit in summer with a natural clay “sunscreen” on the peel. That’s more TLC than some of us give our own skin.

Once they’re picked, the fruit is screened to make sure it’s worthy of going to market. Sugar and acid levels are measured, and if it doesn’t meet the brand’s standards, it doesn’t make it to the store. (Imagine being an orange and getting cut from the team. OUCH!)

Sumo Citrus is prized more as a seasonal treat than a “miracle health food,” but it does bring some nutrition to the party, especially vitamin C and fiber, simply because it’s so large. And since it’s known for being sweeter with lower acidity, some people find it easier to enjoy than more tart citrus.

The season is short, typically January through April, so consider this your friendly reminder to snag one (or a few) while they’re around.

Buying tip: When you see them in a 2- or 3-pound bag, it’s usually more economical than purchasing them individually. And they’re a bit smaller, so you get more of them.

Health tip for winter wellness: keep it simple. Add a few extra fruits and veggies to your week, drink your water, move your body in a way that feels doable, and protect your sleep like it’s part of your wellness plan (because it is).

Ladies: Feeling Out of Sync Lately? Join Me Saturday 

Low energy, poor sleep, doing everything “right” but still feeling off?

Join me for a free virtual Winter Reset Session this Saturday (January 17, 2026) 9:00 AM CT / 10:00 AM ET

Coffee (or Tea) Chat + Reset Plan with a Live Reset + Q&A. Come as you are (camera off is fine–it’s very casual). The session will last about 45 minutes + Q&A. I’ll send you the link once you save your spot.
 Save Your Spot Here

Much love,
Health Coach Carol

“A thriving household depends on the use of seasonal produce and the application of common sense.”Olivier de Serres

The Heavy Feeling Reset (No Diet Required)

If you’ve been feeling a little… heavy lately, you’re not alone.

And I don’t just mean weight. I mean that puffy, sluggish, “my clothes feel snug,” “my energy is weird,” “why do I feel off?” kind of heavy.

January has a way of doing that, especially in the Midwest, where winter weather can’t decide what it wants to be. One day it’s mild, the next it’s cold, and somehow everyone is sniffling and tired. Add in holiday eating, less movement, and disrupted sleep, and your body starts sending a very normal message:

“Can we get back to steady-state?”

Here’s the good news: you don’t need a strict plan, a cleanse, or an all-or-nothing restart. You just need a short “reset” that helps your body feel lighter and more regulated, without feeling deprived.

The Heavy Feeling Reset (choose 3–5 options for the next 48 hours) 

1) Hydrate like it’s your job (but keep it simple).
Start with a big glass of water in the morning. Add another mid-morning and mid-afternoon. If plain water feels boring, use lemon, cucumber, or herbal tea. Hydration helps everything feel less “stuck.”

2) Build meals around protein + produce.
Not perfection, just focus. Eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, chicken, tuna, beans, lentils… pair it with something colorful like salad greens, roasted veggies, berries, citrus, soup veggies. This combo supports steadier energy and fewer cravings.

3) Add one “warm and light” meal.
Winter bodies love warm food. Try soup, sautéed veggies with eggs, broth-based bowls, oatmeal with protein, or salmon with roasted vegetables. Warm meals feel comforting without leaving you feeling weighed down.

4) Walk for 10 minutes outdoors (even if you don’t feel like it).
A short walk after lunch or dinner is one of the fastest ways to reduce that heavy, sluggish feeling. You’re not “burning off” anything. You’re telling your body, “We’re moving again.”

5) Cut the “extra extras” for 48 hours.
Not all treats. Not all carbs. Just the random handfuls, bites, and little add-ons that sneak in when we’re tired. It’s surprising how they sneak up on us. Enjoy what you choose but choose it on purpose. 

6) Go to bed 30 minutes earlier tonight.
Sleep is the reset button most people skip. If you’re feeling heavy, sleep is often part of the reason, especially after the holidays.

One quick check-in question

Before you “start over,” ask:
Am I hungry, thirsty, tired, stressed… or simply out of rhythm?
Your answer tells you what you actually need.

In case you’re interested, I’m hosting a free group Zoom call this Saturday morning called The Heavy Feeling Reset. It’ll last 45-60 minutes. We’ll talk through what causes that “off” feeling in winter and I’ll help you create a simple plan that fits your real life.

Comment, email, or message me “RESET” and I’ll send the details. Hope to connect with you on Saturday!

To feeling lighter,
Health Coach Carol

“Winter is the time for stories, staying warm and learning about ourselves.”– Rip Miller

The Power of a Simple Pause

Another new year. No pressure. No resolutions required. Just a fresh page and the opportunity to begin again. Together.

If you’re thinking about improving something this year, consider choosing just one thing that quietly stands out in your mind. Not the thing you think you should change, but the one that keeps tapping you on the shoulder. 

Maybe it’s sugar. (This is a BIG one for lots of women.) Or (fill in the blank).

Before reaching for that next cookie (or whatever), pause for a moment. The pause is not to judge, restrict, or label it “good” or “bad,” but simply to ask a few questions. 

Are you truly hungry?
Bored?
Tired?
Looking for comfort or distraction?
Is it a habit?

Sometimes taking even a minute to check in gives you valuable information. And information is powerful. It allows you to respond with intention rather than habit.

Maybe you decide a bite or two is exactly what you want. Go for it. Maybe you realize what you really need is wholesome food, rest, water, a walk, or connection. Either way, there’s no right or wrong, just awareness.

This small pause can be a beautiful way to begin the year: checking in with what’s driving you, responding with kindness, and letting curiosity lead instead of guilt. This idea can be applied to any aspect of your life, depending on what you’d like to change. 

As we step into this new year, my wish for you is simple: health that supports the life you desire, improved habits that feel sustainable, and moments of reflection that help you care for yourself with grace. Here’s to moving forward, one thoughtful pause at a time.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and blessed New Year.

Much love,
Health Coach Carol

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Christmas Traditions and Togetherness

For those who celebrate Christmas, this day has a way of inviting us into a slower pace, even if just for a moment. The world quiets down (along with the traffic), the to-do lists ease up, and we’re reminded that the simple things often carry the most meaning. And for many of us, some of those simple things show up on the table.

Most families have at least one food that only appears once a year. In our case, the Mushroom Sauerkraut soup and dumplings on Christmas Eve, nutroll on Christmas morning, and the beef brisket that cooks slowly in the oven all day on Christmas. These foods are more than ingredients. They’re reminders of my grandmother, my childhood, and long-standing family traditions. Today is the day to enjoy them slowly and gratefully. 

And while these foods play a starring role, the real magic of Christmas (whenever you celebrate) comes from the people we share it with. Whether your day is full and lively or quiet and simple, the company matters far more than the menu. Let the table be a place to linger, not something to rush through on the way to the next thing. Take time to enjoy the stories, the laughter and notice who sneaks away to avoid washing dishes. These small snapshots end up becoming the memories we treasure long after the leftovers have been put away and everyone’s gone home.

So, as you move through this Christmas Day, give yourself permission to truly savor it all. Enjoy the flavors that only come around once a year. Notice the warmth of the room, the conversations, the familiar traditions, and the simple joy of being together.

Wishing you a day filled with an abundance of blessings and much love.
Health Coach Carol

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”—Isaiah 9:6