1-219-765-8600

carol@inkwellcoaching.com

Crown Point, IN

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March 23, 2023

The Truth About Green Bell Peppers

Green bell peppers are not a favorite of mine. In fact, when I order veggie skillets, I usually request that they be omitted. I find them to be bitter

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Food, Health
March 16, 2023

Care for an Exercise Snack?

The terminology “exercise snack” is rather intriguing. I wanted one before I knew what it was. Would it be coated with dark chocolate? Is it low i

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Health
March 9, 2023

Decrease Your Stress and Enjoy a Muffin

Let’s start with the muffin. Last week I wrote about the health benefits of eating wild blueberries. Saturday morning, I decided that I had to have

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Food, Health
March 4, 2023

Plant-Based Wild Blueberry Muffins

Plant-Based Wild Blueberry Muffins These muffins are dairy-free, gluten-free and egg-free. The texture is different than mainstay blueberry muffins. I

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Breakfast, Recipes
March 2, 2023

Tiny Berry Packs a Powerful Punch

If you’ve not yet discovered Wyman’s Wild Blueberries, now is your time. These tiny little berries are one of the healthiest (perhaps even #1) and

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Food, Health, Personal Development
February 23, 2023

Debate on the Dirty Dozen

“Should I spend my money on organic fruits and vegetables?” “Is organic produce superior nutritionally?” “Does it really matter?” I hear t

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Food, Health
February 16, 2023

Choosing a Tasty Pineapple

In the past week, a discussion came up about pineapple. How do you choose a tasty one? Well, for those inquiring minds, here you go.  How to choose a

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Blog, Family, Health, Personal Development
February 8, 2023

Happy Birth Month

You’re probably thinking that I just celebrated my birth month. And I did. One year ago. Already. How quickly the years go by.  I recently read No

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Family, Friendship, Health, Personal Development
February 2, 2023

Colorful Cauliflower and Fresher Berries

Interesting what shows up in conversation when a bunch of friends gather. Most recently, this is what happened. “So, have you ever wondered how caul

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Food, Health
January 25, 2023

5 Ways to Stop Playing the Comparison Game

We all do it. As human beings, it’s part of our nature. We compare for points of reference. But we don’t have to play the game anymore. If you fin

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Health, Personal Development

Now is Your Time

January 17, 2019
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Health, Personal Development

Are you waiting for the perfect time to deal with your nutrition, fitness, and health?

If so, when is that time?

Next week? Once you have a break in your busy schedule? When you clean out the pantry and buy some vegetables?

The truth is that there is no perfect time. Whether it’s starting a fitness routine, getting that dream job, learning a foreign language, or writing the book, the time to begin is today.

When we plan to eat smarter “someday,” or get to the gym when we “have time,” we end up doing nothing. Procrastination keeps us safe. If we do nothing, we don’t mess up.

Today, take a step. Do one small thing that moves you forward. If it isn’t the “perfect” time or seems insignificant, do it anyway.

Do the next right thing. It’s okay if you do it “badly.”    

Choose water over the soda. Park further away from your destination and walk at a rapid pace. Eat some protein for breakfast instead of only having coffee. Add an extra vegetable to your dinner.

Do one thing and build upon that. Do the best you can today, for tomorrow is not promised. Now is your time.

We sometimes look at others and think they have it all together. They have more time, more motivation, more talent.

YOU have it all together. Seize the day, seize the moment, and make your move.

If you have a feeling of overwhelm and aren’t sure where to begin, let me know. Overwhelm is a state of mind that we may choose to override by setting priorities. Sit quietly, close your eyes, and take some deep breaths for a couple minutes.

Now is your time.

Cheers to you,
Carol

 “If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.”—Lao Tzu

Perspective

January 10, 2019
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Health, Personal Development

The other day I headed to the gym to do a cardio step class. I’m a huge fan of classes—for the obvious social reasons. They also push me to work harder.

When my friend showed up next to me and admitted that wasn’t sure she could handle class that day, I inquired as to why. She told me that she felt a bit wobbly in the legs.

Okay. We all have what I refer to as “low energy” days, when it takes all you’ve got to get out of bed, let alone get to the gym.  

She then admitted to me that the girl in front of her jumps so much (and so high) that she feels bad about her workout.

Ewww. That feeling of Not Good Enough.

At that point, I suggested that we change her perspective. My friend moved her bench to the other side of the room, where the participants tend to be less jumpy.

We each experienced a great workout and were then ready to take on the day.

Good enough plus.

It’s a real power play when you push your way through a challenge and make it to the other side.

Questions to ponder: Is there something you could use a fresh perspective on? Do you need to move to the other side of the room?

We’d like something to change, yet we continue to work in the same point of reference. Instead of breaking free and moving from point A to B, we continue in a circle.

When we stay in a spot that makes us feel safe, yet not good enough, we sell ourselves short. Sometimes all we need is a new outlook—a fresh perspective—a different spot in the room.

Powerful.

Could you use a fresh perspective on your health, work, or life? (Sometimes it’s all of the above.) If you are nodding yes, I’m here to help. Send me an email and we’ll figure it out together. You’ll be amazed at how a slight shift in your perspective can change the entire look of a room. It’s my New Year’s gift to you.

Powerfully yours,
Carol

“The only thing you sometimes have control over is perspective. You don’t have control over your situation. But you have a choice about how you view it.”—Chris Pine

 

 

 

Keeping it Simple

January 3, 2019
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Food, Health, Personal Development

Happy First Week of 2019! Now that the celebrations are a fond memory, I am ready to settle myself down and focus on a daily routine that brings me even more peace and joy.

Easier said than done, right? We schedule our lives so carefully, yet we have those days that seem to take on a life of their own.

It is for this reason that I offer simplicity. In the midst of a carefully planned week, surprises (pleasant and otherwise) have a way of making us crazy. How in the world do we maintain healthy practices when life gets so complicated?  

Habits. Habits are what keep us going when we don’t know what else to do. To that point, keep the good ones, replace the less desirable ones, and let me know if you need help. (Email me!)

The secret lies in working on only one habit at a time. Keeping it simple.

One habit that I’d like to improve on is going to bed earlier so I get better rest. This month, that is my focus. Seven hours is ideal for me—and most people. Seven hours means I am more productive. Seven hours of really good sleep brings me more peace and joy.

Will I do this habit perfectly? No. Will I do better than I did in December? Definitely. That which we intentionally focus on will improve.

Today, if you know you need to improve on some area of your life, choose one thing you can do to make it better. Only ONE.

For those of you who are looking to add one home-cooked meal to your week, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. I’ve been adding simple and delicious recipes to my website.

All recipes have been Mr. Non-Compliant tested and approved. My sons like them too.

You will find gluten free and dairy free recipes, since that is how some of us in the Slager household eat.

I’ve recently been baking Gluten Free Bread, since I have not been happy with what I find in stores. It is not complicated at all and it is the perfect accompaniment to the Crock Pot Beef Vegetable Soup.  

Click Here for Recipes Have fun checking them out, and be sure to let me know which ones you like best.

Interestingly, I think the Treats section has a majority of the recipes.

Cheers to days (and meals) filled with more peace and joy!
Carol

“The truth is, you don’t break a bad habit; you replace it with a good one.”—Denis Waitley

 

Gluten Free Bread

December 30, 2018
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Everything Else

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups Namaste Foods Perfect Flour Blend
  • 1 1/2 cups milk, any kind (I like unsweetened, plain almond milk)
  • 1 Tbsp cider vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp honey
  • 1/2 cup finely ground tapioca flour*
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 3 eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 Tbsp yeast
  • 1/4 cup warm water (Dissolve yeast in a water temperatures between 110°F – 115°F for best results)  

Directions

Mix yeast in 1/4 cup warm water and set aside for 5 minutes. Warm milk, add cider vinegar, oil, and honey. Beat eggs and add to milk mixture. Add yeast mixture to milk mixture and blend. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and blend on medium speed with electric mixer for 3 minutes. Pour into well oiled/buttered loaf pan. Cover loosely with sprayed waxed paper or plastic wrap and towel and let rise for 30 minutes in a warm place. Preheat oven to 350°F.

Remove the plastic wrap and towel. Cover bread loosely with foil tent to prevent over browning and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for another 35-40 minutes. Let cool completely before slicing.

*Tapioca flour is also known as tapioca starch. You may substitute cornstarch OR arrowroot for the tapioca flour, if you prefer. I have only made this recipe using the tapioca flour.

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