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March 6, 2025

Why Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the Kitchen MVP

When it comes to cooking oils, not all are created equal. While seed and vegetable oils like soybean, corn, safflower, and canola are common in proces

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Food, Health
February 27, 2025

Are You Stuck in the “I’ll Start Tomorrow” Loop?

Ever told yourself, “That’s it! Tomorrow, I’m eating healthy!” And then tomorrow shows up, and you think, “Eh, maybe next week.” Guess wha

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Food, Health, Personal Development
February 20, 2025

Simplifying Dinner with HelloFresh

I recently stayed with a friend and when I offered to cook dinner, she presented me with a brown paper bag that said “HelloFresh” on the outside.

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Food, Health
February 13, 2025

Celebrating the Birth Month

Yes, it is that time again when I capitalize on the celebration of the birth month. After all, why should all the excitement of a birthday be packed i

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Food, Fun
February 5, 2025

Power Up with Protein

Many people aren’t getting enough protein—especially as they age. While it’s often associated with bodybuilders and gym fanatics, protein is ess

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Food, Health
January 29, 2025

Continuing Your Winter Hydration Journey

Last week, I shared five essential tips to help you stay hydrated during the colder months. This week, we’re diving into five more practical ways to

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Health
January 21, 2025

Tips for Maintaining Hydration in Winter

When temperatures drop, staying hydrated often falls low on our list of priorities. We naturally drink less water because we don’t feel as thirsty i

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Health
January 16, 2025

The Banning of Red No. 3

It’s about time. Red No. 3, also known as erythrosine, is a synthetic dye used in food and medications to give a bright red or pink color. It is mad

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Food, Health
January 15, 2025

Basic Electrolyte Drink

Here is a basic electrolyte drink recipe that you can vary to please your taste buds. No chemicals and no artificial colors. Ingredients: • 2 cups u

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Everything Else, Recipes
January 9, 2025

Scroll Less, Savor More

In a world where screens are ever-present—from phones to tablets to televisions—it’s no surprise that they have become regular companions at mea

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Food, Health

Crock Pot Trail Mix

April 2, 2020
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Recipes, Treats

This slightly sweet recipe will give you energy on and off the trail. The nuts offer protein, fiber, and fat, along with some vitamins and minerals. A handful, about ¼ cup, makes a great snack any time of day.

  • 2 cups raw walnuts (halves or coarsely chopped)
  • 1 cup raw whole almonds (or cashew halves)
  • 1 Tablespoon sugar
  • 2 to 3 Tablespoons coconut oil (or 1 to 1 ½ Tablespoons butter, cut in slices)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips

Place nuts, sugar, coconut oil, and vanilla in a crock pot and mix. Place on High for 45 to 60 minutes and stir occasionally to prevent burning. Turn to Low and continue cooking for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, stirring a time or two. Place the nut mixture on paper towel to absorb excess oil, and let cool at least 15 minutes before mixing in the chocolate chips. Store in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.

Cauliflower is the New Kale

March 26, 2020
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Food, Fun, Health

Cauliflower. You know it as my least favorite vegetable.

I realized something was up when I came to breakfast one recent morning and there was a cauliflower article awaiting me. Thank you, Mr. Non-Compliant, who is never one to agitate. I jest.

“Is this cauliflower article here for me?” I innocently asked. “Why, yes, it is,” he replied. Of course it was.

Turns out cauliflower is the new darling of vegetables, and farmers have expanded the acreage they use to grow it. Since it grows in 30 days, your odds of finding it are a great deal higher than finding a package of toilet paper these days. (Can I pleeeeeease trade you a head of cauliflower for 2 rolls of TP?) 

This vegetable is very versatile, and healthy. Cauliflower has made its way as a substitute for starch and dairy in pizza crust, “rice,” gnocchi, hummus, and vegan Gruyère cheese.

 Cauliflower can also be found in tortilla chips, at salad bars, mashed to replace mashed potatoes, and deep-fried at hot food bars. Health Coach Carol obviously does NOT recommend that last one.

You can also roast it, sauté it, dip it, toss it into casseroles, and add it to soups and salads. Some even make cauliflower mac and cheese. That seems rather…wrong. Guess I need to give it a whirl.

Due to its popularity, cauliflower now outsells kale, cabbage, and garlic. It still lags behind onions and lettuce–probably because I buy lots of onions and lettuce.

It is rich in fiber and nutrients, contains some protein, and is low in carbohydrates, making it the perfect choice for those who follow paleo and keto ways of eating.

I do enjoy cauliflower crust pizza, and can’t tell it’s cauliflower. I can even fool Mr. Non-Compliant. Other than that, well, I’m still not a big fan. I keep trying.

On a happier note…

Mark your calendars now for a FREE GROUP COACHING SESSION ON ZOOM, this Saturday at 11:00 AM central. It will last approximately 45 minutes.  

The topic will be: “Confronting Challenges in Creating the New Normal”

 We’ll be discussing the results from my Challenge, “Do the next right thing” and what people came up with that was right for them. Also: What has this past week been like for everyone emotionally? How do we continue to move forward when everything keeps disappearing from the calendar?  

Zoom is a video-conferencing platform where we are together virtually. On your computer, click on the Join Zoom Meeting link Saturday at 11:00 AM, and we’ll hang out with a bunch of our friends.

 Here’s the invitation:

Topic: Carol’s Group Coaching
Time: March 28, 2020 at 11:00 AM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/688492449?pwd=cDdQZWJ4RVgyYmdyZmJwZVJBSlg0dz09

Meeting ID: 688 492 449
Password: 044748

I hope you can join me for this FREE online event. Let me know what you’re struggling with prior to our session, and I’ll address it on Saturday. Be sure to put it in your calendar so you don’t miss it. See you then!

Much love,
Carol

 “Few things bring us happiness like deeply rooted daily routines. There is something about healthy routines and rituals that leads the human person to flourish.”—Matthew Kelly, “Rediscover the Saints”

The Loss of Routine

March 19, 2020
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Health, Hope, Loss

First of all, I pray that you and your loved ones are safe and well.

I also pray that you have whatever you need to get through today: patience, food, faith, energy, toilet paper, etc.

As we adapt to the curtailing of many activities, I feel loss on a number of levels. I’m sure you do as well.

Rest assured, you will continue to see my emails appear in your Inbox every Thursday morning. There are still a few things I can continue doing without putting anyone’s health in jeopardy.

For the most part, I feel like a fish out of water.  

I miss my workouts. I miss my church. I miss my friends. I miss freedom. I miss hugs. Sorry folks, I don’t get the same energy from an elbow.

I miss my routine. How about you?

What are you really missing right now? What are you doing to get some sort of normalcy back into your life?

My ability to focus has been MIA for the last couple days. I think the lack of exercise is getting to me. Each day I tell myself I’m going to do something here at home. It’s yet to happen.

Today, here are some ways to feel more alive in spite of the global news:

  • Help someone else in some way. Maybe send a note or card to a friend who comes to mind; see if a neighbor needs you to pick up groceries; order flowers to surprise someone special.
  • Do a carry-out lunch or dinner to help keep your favorite eatery in business. Yes, you read that right! Desperate times require desperate measures. Besides, lots of restaurants have many healthy options. I did carry-out for my favorite salad the other day and it was AMAZING.
  • Spend 10 minutes stretching and moving your body. Here’s a link to some yoga freebies for you to check out Free Yoga Videos Or, go take a walk and do some push-ups. I REALLY am going to do this TODAY!
  • Get in the kitchen and cook.
  • Read that book you’ve been saying you’re going to read… for the last decade. If you have a library card, you can download eBooks and audio books for free.
  • Stop going to the kitchen and eating because you’re bored. Swimsuit weather is just around the corner and I don’t want to hear you whining because yours doesn’t fit anymore.
  • Drag out Monopoly, Scrabble, Yahtzee, or another family favorite, and bond with your family.

We must get creative with our new normal.     

Because we all need community and support, I’m going to try something for fun and see what happens. I’m going to do a FREE GROUP COACHING SESSION ON ZOOM, this Saturday at 11:00 AM central. It will last approximately 35 minutes.

The topic will be: “Confronting Challenges in Creating the New Normal”  

Zoom is a video-conferencing platform where we are together virtually. On your computer, click on the Join Zoom Meeting link Saturday at 11:00, and we’ll hang out with a bunch of our friends.

Here’s the invitation:

Topic: Carol’s Group Coaching
Time: Mar 21, 2020 11:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2428454676

I hope you can join me for this FREE online event. Let me know what you’re struggling with prior to our session, and I’ll address it on Saturday. Be sure to put it in your calendar so you don’t miss it. See you then!

Much love,
Carol

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”–Arthur Ashe

The Scoop on the Sumo

March 12, 2020
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Food, Health

In recent weeks, the Sumo orange has come into my life. If you are a fan of citrus, you’ll enjoy learning a bit about this juicy, seedless, ultra-sweet orange.

The Sumo (like a Sumo wrestler) is a cross-breed between a satsuma and mandarin-pomelo variety. The oranges were developed in Japan with traditional plant-breeding techniques (so they are non-GMO), where they are often given as gifts. They are really big, hence the name.   

They have a very thick outer layer and are easy to peel because they lack the white netting around the sections. Their growing season is short—from January to April—so you need to snatch them up now, while you can!

Sumo oranges are a bit pricey for a number of reasons. There is only one grower in the U.S. (in California), the trees are difficult to grow (at least 4 years before they begin producing), and the oranges require special care.

The fruit bruises easily, so they must be hand-picked, and producers must apply a natural clay-based sunscreen on the peels throughout the summertime for protection. Now that’s some TLC!

Once the fruit is ripe, it’s carefully transported to a specific packaging facility for testing. Each Sumo Citrus orange is measured for proper sugar and acid levels and gets tossed out if it doesn’t meet the producer’s high standards.

This delicious fruit is prized for being a novelty more than a health food. It has a higher amount of fiber, Vitamin C, and calcium than the average orange, mostly due to its massive size. Since the fruit is produced with low-acid levels, Sumo oranges could be an option for those who don’t tolerate acidic foods well.  

As we take extra measures these days to stay healthy, eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is a must. And remember to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, drink plenty of water, and get your sleep.

To Your Health,
Carol

“I love fresh citrus and always keep lemons, limes, and oranges on hand; they come in handy for spritzing up quickly grilled meats, seafoods, and vegetables, especially when followed up by a quick drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.”– Emeril Lagasse

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