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carol@inkwellcoaching.com

Crown Point, IN

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August 28, 2025

7 Late Summer Wellness Tips

The nights and days are cooler. Darkness comes earlier. The sky looks like fall. I even saw some leaves in Michigan that had turned brilliant red. How

August 21, 2025

What to Do with All That Zucchini

Yesterday, my friend Lisa presented me with a zucchini that looked as though it had taken growth hormones. It was gigantic! She told me that she grate

August 14, 2025

Echoes of Summer

Can you feel the shift? The days are steamy–yet the calendar is getting a bit crowded with commitments that pair better with the cooler days of

August 7, 2025

August Anxiety. Sunscreen vs. School Bells

This time of year, I feel a mixture of emotions. On the one hand, summer is in full swing. The flowers are thriving, temperatures still soar, and ther

July 30, 2025

Recharging After Your Vacation

Have you ever returned home from a vacation and thought to yourself, “Gee, I could use a vacation.”? I know I have. It seems wrong. We have such a

July 20, 2025

Traveler’s Guide to Food and Fitness

Summer vacations. I’ve always been a big fan of vacations any time of year. They are SO FUN, and people are usually very nice to you when you’re a

July 16, 2025

The Peach vs. Nectarine Debate

I love them both. Lately I’ve been wondering about their slight differences, which sent me down the rabbit hole of looking into their unique charact

July 9, 2025

The Dog Days of Summer

How often I’ve heard this phrase, yet never knew that Dog Days were official. Turns out, the Dog Days of Summer run from July 3 to August 11. This t

July 3, 2025

Can Bananas Ruin Your Berry Smoothie?

This past week I received an email with this question: “I recently read an article about bananas reducing the nutrition of the berries in a smoothie

June 26, 2025

Hot Weather, Cool Tips

Lots of ideas swirling around in my head today—to which Mr. Non-Compliant would say, “Uh Oh!” Since I couldn’t decide on one topic, thought I&

Simple Cucumber-Tomato Salad with Lemon-Herb Dressing

This is ideal for a summer lunch, picnic, or side dish.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced or diced
  • ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or dill, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Sea salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: ¼ cup crumbled feta, goat cheese, or sliced avocado

Instructions:

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and fresh herbs.
  2. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pour the dressing over the veggies and toss gently to combine.
  4. Let sit for 5–10 minutes for flavors to blend. Add feta or avocado if desired and serve immediately.

Why it works:

  • Hydrating from the cucumber
  • Vitamin C from both veggies
  • Lycopene from the tomatoes
  • Better nutrient absorption with the olive oil
  • Zingy herbs and lemon boost flavor without any processed ingredients

Busting a Salad Food Myth and Recipe

You may have seen articles or heard claims that cucumbers and tomatoes don’t belong together on your plate or in your salad.

The reasons? Some say they digest at different rates or that an enzyme in cucumbers destroys vitamin C in tomatoes, making the combo hard on digestion or less nutritious.

In Ayurveda (an ancient system of health and healing from India that focuses on balance in the body, mind, and spirit) and other traditional systems, it’s believed that mixing foods with opposing qualities—like cool cucumbers and warm tomatoes—can make digestion less efficient and upset your body’s balance. 

Here’s what you really need to know:

🥒🍅 Yes, cucumbers do contain an enzyme called ascorbic acid oxidase, which can break down vitamin C. But this happens slowly and only in specific conditions. In a fresh salad, the effect is minimal and doesn’t cancel out the health benefits.

💪 Your digestive system is made to handle a mix of foods. Unless you have a personal sensitivity, most people don’t experience any issues from this classic combo.

🌿 In fact, pairing different veggies—like cucumbers and tomatoes—can help you get a wider range of nutrients. Add a little olive oil, and you’ll even boost your absorption of lycopene from tomatoes!

An Ayurvedic tip: If you find that raw salads don’t sit well with you, or you tend to feel bloated or sluggish after eating them, you might want to enjoy these veggies separately or add some digestive-friendly spices like cumin or black pepper.

For those of you who love this combo, here’s a recipe for the season. This is ideal for a summer lunch, picnic, or side dish.

Simple Cucumber-Tomato Salad with Lemon-Herb Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced or diced
  • ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or dill, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Sea salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: ¼ cup crumbled feta, goat cheese, or sliced avocado

Instructions:

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and fresh herbs.
  2. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pour the dressing over the veggies and toss gently to combine.
  4. Let sit for 5–10 minutes for flavors to blend. Add feta or avocado if desired and serve immediately. 

Why it works:

  • Hydrating from the cucumber
  • Vitamin C from both veggies
  • Lycopene from the tomatoes
  • Better nutrient absorption with the olive oil
  • Zingy herbs and lemon boost flavor without any processed ingredients

At the end of the day, food is meant to nourish and bring enjoyment. If you love the fresh crunch of cucumbers with the juicy burst of tomatoes, there’s no need to overthink it. Trust your body, be attentive to how you feel, and enjoy the delicious simplicity of whole foods.

Much love,
Health Coach Carol

“Three tomatoes are walking down the street-a poppa tomato, a mamma tomato, and a little baby tomato. Baby tomato starts lagging behind. Poppa tomato gets angry, goes over to the baby tomato, and smooshes him and says, Catch up.” — Uma Thurman

Swapping Out Black Plastic Kitchen Utensils

This week, a client asked me for safe alternatives to replace the black plastic cooking utensils his wife discarded over three weeks ago. Turns out she tossed them before investigating safer options.

I asked him what he was cooking with during the last three weeks. Still wondering…

Seems there’s been a bit of tension in their home over this quandary. She’s trying to give their life a complete health makeover and he’s losing it. Health Coach Carol to the rescue. (Now he knows how Mr. Non-Compliant feels.)

Doing our best to live healthy is a never-ending process and it’s impossible to eliminate everything that MAY cause harm. Research is constantly coming out about one more thing/food/activity being toxic and causing cancer.

What we CAN do is make changes a bit at a time.

So, is it Time to Toss Your Black Plastic Kitchen Utensils? 

If you’re cooking with black plastic kitchen utensils, you may want to reconsider. Recent research has raised concerns that many black plastic cooking utensils could contain harmful chemicals, such as flame retardants, which can leach into your food, especially when heated or used on scratched surfaces.

Why Should You Care?

Black plastic utensils often come from recycled electronic materials, making them prone to containing harmful chemicals like brominated flame retardants. These substances are linked to health issues including hormone disruption and increased cancer risk. The hotter and more scratched these utensils get, the more likely these chemicals can contaminate your meals.

Safer Alternatives to Consider

Don’t panic—there are plenty of safer alternatives:

  • Silicone utensils: Look for food-grade, BPA-free silicone brands like Walfos, which are heat-resistant, easy to clean, and safe for your non-stick pans. (My updated Walfos utensils are in the photo.)
  • Wood or Bamboo: Naturally antibacterial and safe at high temperatures, these are excellent alternatives that won’t scratch your cookware.
  • Stainless Steel: Durable, easy to clean, and free of chemical concerns. Just be cautious on non-stick surfaces to avoid scratching.

Quick Tips for a Safer Kitchen and Home

  • Replace black plastic utensils, particularly if they’re scratched or old.
  • Choose products labeled as food-grade, BPA-free, and heat-resistant.
  • Regularly inspect your utensils for wear and tear, replacing them as necessary.
  • It’s also a good idea to opt for toys, food containers, and home items made from safer materials, avoiding black plastic when heat or child use is involved.

Taking these simple steps can help keep your cooking safe and healthy. Now might be a great time for a utensil refresh.

Another Healthy Tip

Now is also a great time to step outside and let spring work its magic. 

Whether you take a brisk walk, a peaceful bike ride, hike a trail, or simply sit quietly and listen to the outdoors, spending time in nature is both healing and grounding.

Fresh air and movement—no matter how gentle—boosts your mood, reduces stress, and supports your overall health.

Sometimes, the best medicine is just outside your door.

Much love and Happy Mother’s Day,
Health Coach Carol

“One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon — instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.” — Dale Carnegie

Scoop Up Fun with Banana Ice Cream

Last week I posted a blog on healthier popsicles. This week I feel it’s only fair to give you a delicious recipe for “nice cream.”

“Nice cream” is for all you non-dairy, trying to minimize processed food and added sugar people. In other words, this recipe probably won’t appeal to those of you on board Mr. Non-Compliant’s train.

Full disclosure: he did eat a small serving and passed on seconds. This was not a problem since I was more than happy to finish it. I didn’t want it to go bad. 😋

For those occasions when you just need something cool, creamy, and a little bit sweetwithout feeling like you raided the ice cream truck — this Banana Pecan Ice Cream hits the mark.

No dairy, no added sugar, no long wait times — just real ingredients, blended into frozen bliss. 🍦✨

🍌Banana Pecan Ice Cream

I purposely stock up on bananas so that I have some ready to toss in my protein smoothies, make banana muffins, or mix up this special treat. When the banana is a bit too ripe for my liking, I peel it, break it in half and put it in my banana baggie that lives in the freezer. This non-dairy treat is delicious without the addition of sweetener; however, you may enjoy trying some of the variations. Makes 2 servings, or 1 serving if you’re really craving bananas. 

Ingredients:

  • 2 ripe bananas, sliced and frozen
  • 2–3 tablespoons pecans (plus a few extra for topping)
  • a splash of milk (I use Silk unsweetened coconut milk)
  • Optional: a dash of cinnamon, or a drizzle of maple syrup

Instructions:

  1. Place the frozen banana slices in a food processor or blender.
  2. Blend until creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
  3. Add the pecans and pulse a few times to incorporate.
  4. Add a splash of your choice of non-dairy milk for easier blending and a hint of cinnamon or maple syrup for extra flavor, if desired.
  5. Scoop, top with extra pecans, and enjoy right away!

Extra Tips:

  • You can make a bigger batch and freeze it for 30–60 minutes if you want it a little firmer like traditional ice cream.
  • Slice bananas thinly before freezing to make blending even quicker.
  • Use a food processor for creamier texture vs. a blender if possible.

Next time your sweet tooth calls, answer with something a little better for you — and just as satisfying.

Much love,
Health Coach Carol

“Bananas are great because they have this unique way of being in the same family as a fruit and a dessert.” —Unknown