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August 27, 2026

Apparently, There’s a Day for That

Have you ever noticed how there seems to be a “National Day” for just about everything? National Donut Day. National Gardening Day. National Lefto

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Food, Fun
August 20, 2026

The Scoop on Coffee

For my coffee lovers, here are some interesting tidbits. Light roast coffee tends to be slightly higher in caffeine content than dark roast when measu

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Health
August 13, 2026

A Kitchen Lesson from Julia Child

In honor of Julia Child’s birthday, I want to share one of her most repeated kitchen philosophies, because it is one I highly endorse. Do not ap

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Food, Fun
August 5, 2026

Part One: Fun Facts About Julia Child

August 15 marks the birthday of one of my favorite kitchen icons, Julia Child. If you have never seen an old episode of The French Chef, do yourself a

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Food, Fun
July 30, 2026

My Kitchen Counter Has a Problem

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Sweet Corn Season is Here in Indiana

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Better, Not Perfect

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Theo of Golden

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Your Plate Called About Hydration

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The Art of Doing Less Better

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Health, Personal Development

Apparently, There’s a Day for That

August 27, 2026
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Food, Fun

Have you ever noticed how there seems to be a “National Day” for just about everything?

National Donut Day. National Gardening Day. National Leftovers Day. (Okay, I made that last one up, but I probably could find it somewhere!)

Today, August 27, happens to be especially busy. According to the various calendars that keep track of these things, it’s National Banana Lovers Day, National Peach Day, National Just Because Day, World Rock Paper Scissors Day, and National Pots de Crème Day.

I couldn’t resist.

First, there’s National Banana Lovers Day. A couple of fun banana facts: Bananas aren’t actually trees. They’re the world’s largest flowering herb. And botanically speaking, bananas are berries. (Because apparently bananas enjoy confusing us.) Who knew? 

Then there’s National Peach Day, which seems perfectly timed for late August when those juicy, fragrant peaches are showing up at farmers markets and grocery stores. Peaches originated in China and have been cultivated for thousands of years. That’s a pretty impressive history for something that ends up dripping down your chin at a summer picnic.

National Just Because Day might be my favorite. It’s reportedly the creation of Joseph J. Goodwin of California, who started it as a family holiday in the 1950s. The premise is wonderfully simple: Do something just because.

No reason required. No productivity points awarded. No box to check.

And then there’s World Rock Paper Scissors Day, created in 2014 by the World Rock Paper Scissors Association. The game itself goes back more than 2,000 years to China. So the next time you settle an argument with “rock, paper, scissors,” remember, you’re participating in an ancient tradition.

Finally, there’s National Pots de Crème Day. This one celebrates the little French baked custard whose name literally means “pot of cream.” Chocolate and vanilla are classic versions. And apparently, nobody knows exactly who decided we needed a national day devoted to it.

Which brings up the obvious question: Who makes these days official anyway? 

The answer is…well, it depends. There isn’t one official organization handing out certificates for National Days. Some are created by organizations, businesses or individuals. Others have historical or cultural origins. And calendars such as National Day Calendar collect and promote these observances.

But here’s what I really like about all of this:

You don’t need a national organization to give you permission to celebrate something.  

So today and/or tomorrow and/or next week, pick one. Or more.

Eat a peach. Make something with bananas. Challenge someone to a game of rock-paper-scissors. Try a little pots de crème. Take a walk. Sit outside with your coffee. Call a friend. Buy yourself flowers.

Or do absolutely nothing productive for ten minutes.

Do it just because.

Because not everything has to be useful, healthy, efficient or productive.

Sometimes, joy is reason enough.

Sending love,
Health Coach Carol

“Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough.” ~Emily Dickinson

The Scoop on Coffee

August 20, 2026
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Health

For my coffee lovers, here are some interesting tidbits.

Light roast coffee tends to be slightly higher in caffeine content than dark roast when measuring scoop for scoop.

Some studies have shown a difference of 9 mg of caffeine (per half cup) between light and dark roast coffee, with lighter roasts containing the larger amounts.

Because the light roast beans spend less time in the roasting process, they are slightly smaller than medium and dark roast beans. Therefore, when measuring by volume, you’ll get more coffee beans per scoop with light roast. More beans equals more caffeine.

When measured by weight, the difference is insignificant. 

And coffee isn’t just a delivery system for caffeine. It contains hundreds of biologically active compounds, including antioxidants and polyphenols, which may contribute to many of the health associations seen in research. That’s one reason even decaf coffee has been linked with some of the same benefits as regular coffee.

In moderation, coffee can be part of a healthy diet and has been associated with a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain liver conditions, and possibly some age-related brain disorders. Coffee consumption is also associated with greater longevity.

Note: what you ADD to your coffee may not be as beneficial!

Another tidbit: Dark roast coffee is less acidic than light and medium roast. If you suffer from heartburn or other digestive issues, dark roast may be a better option.

I am a fan of Lifeboost Coffee. It’s organic, low acid, roasted fresh in small batches when you order, 3rd party tested for molds, bacteria, heavy metals, pesticides and 400 other toxins.

There are a variety of coffee flavors to choose from, although I find the basic dark or medium roast to be delightful.

If you enjoy coffee and must avoid it due to its acid producing qualities, or if you are searching for a “clean” coffee, you may want to give Lifeboost a try. Check it out at www.lifeboostcoffee.com

Cheers!

Much love,
Health Coach Carol

“Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.” ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh

A Kitchen Lesson from Julia Child

August 13, 2026
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Food, Fun

In honor of Julia Child’s birthday, I want to share one of her most repeated kitchen philosophies, because it is one I highly endorse.

Do not apologize for your kitchen mistakes. Just keep cooking. 

Julia famously dropped food on camera, flipped things onto the stovetop instead of the pan, and kept right on going like nothing happened. She believed a kitchen mistake was not a reason to panic, it was simply part of the process. Nobody watching her show ever expected perfection, and that honesty is exactly what made people trust her enough to try cooking something new themselves.

So here is my practical kitchen tip inspired by her. When something goes wrong with a dish, do not start over. Ask yourself what you can do with what is already in the pan.

Dry chicken can usually be rescued by slicing it thin and simmering it in a bit of broth or sauce to bring the moisture back. A dish that tastes flat just needs another round of salt, acid, or fresh herbs before you give up on it. Vegetables that overcook can be blended into a soup instead of tossed. Julia treated cooking like a conversation with her ingredients, not a test with one correct answer.

This week, I challenge you to cook something slightly out of your comfort zone. Do not worry about getting it perfect. Try tasting as you go, adjusting as needed, and staying in the kitchen even when it gets a little messy. 

Julia never let a dropped potato or a broken sauce keep her out of the kitchen, and that might be her greatest lesson for the rest of us home cooks.

Here’s to a little kitchen confidence,
Health Coach Carol

“Whatever you do, throw yourself into it. Passion will carry you further than skill.” — Julia Child

Part One: Fun Facts About Julia Child

August 5, 2026
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Food, Fun

August 15 marks the birthday of one of my favorite kitchen icons, Julia Child. If you have never seen an old episode of The French Chef, do yourself a favor this month and watch one. (You’ll find the series on YouTube.) She’s entertaining, energetic, funny, and REAL. Plus, you’ll learn how to make something French and delicious.

Here are a few facts you may not know about her.

She did not start cooking until she was 32. Before that, in her words, she just ate. I love that for anyone who thinks it is too late or they’re too old to learn something new in the kitchen (or anywhere).

Julia worked for the Office of Strategic Services during World War II, the forerunner of the CIA. She was never a spy in the dramatic sense, but she was part of a team developing shark repellent to protect Navy personnel from attacks in shark-infested waters during missions. The result was something called “shark cake,” a concoction that smelled like dead shark to keep the real thing away. Gross, yes, but effective. Julia herself referred to it as her first recipe, long before beef bourguignon ever entered the picture.

She stood six foot two and wore a size twelve shoe, and played basketball at Smith College, where her height was enough of an advantage that the school changed a rule of the game because of her. No more “jump ball.”

As a little girl, her family nicknames were Juke, Juju, and Jukies. Not exactly what you picture for the future queen of French cooking, but it makes her seem a little more human.

She met her husband Paul while working overseas, and it was his post at the US Embassy in Paris that brought her to France, where she enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu almost by accident. That move changed the entire trajectory of American cooking. 

Her last meal was homemade French onion soup. If you are going to go out on your own terms, that is the way to do it. Julia passed away 2 days before her 92nd birthday.

Julia proved that you do not need to be perfect in the kitchen, you just need to show up, be a little fearless, and laugh when things go wrong. That is a lesson worth celebrating every day.

Here’s to Julia,
Health Coach Carol

“Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” ~ Julia Child