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carol@inkwellcoaching.com

Crown Point, IN

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June 19, 2025

Savor the Solstice and Welcome Summer

On June 20 at 10:42 p.m. EST, the sun will reach its highest point in the sky, ushering in the official start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Th

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Food, Fun, Personal Development
June 18, 2025

Summer Solstice Fruit Salad with Mint & Citrus Honey Drizzle

This bright and refreshing fruit salad is perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or a simple treat to celebrate the season. With a citrus-honey drizz

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Recipes, Salads
June 12, 2025

Flossing Beyond the Gums

We all know we should floss—but it turns out this simple daily habit might do more than just protect your smile. More and more research suggests tha

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Health
June 4, 2025

The Cancer-Fighting Power of Habits

Every so often, you stumble on two articles in one day that seem to shout the same message from different rooftops. That’s exactly what happened thi

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Blog
May 29, 2025

Survival and Everyday Strength

There are books you read, and there are books that change you. One that recently left a lasting mark on me is Resolute by Benjamin Hall, a Fox News co

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Health, Hope, Personal Development
May 22, 2025

Celebrate Smart with Memorial Day Tips

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, many of us look forward to picnics, cookouts, family gatherings, and the unofficial start of summer. But before we

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Family, Food, Fun, Health
May 18, 2025

Simple Cucumber-Tomato Salad with Lemon-Herb Dressing

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Salads
May 15, 2025

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 t

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Food, Health
May 8, 2025

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 sh

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Health
May 1, 2025

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

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Food, Fun, Health

Strawberries, Lilacs, and a Dessert Mr. Non-Compliant Likes

May 28, 2020
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Food, Fun, In the Garden

Lilacs are in bloom, and they are magnificent. I have two small lilac bushes that I can snitch a few branches from and bring indoors for my enjoyment.

They make me happy. Natural aromatherapy.  

It’s almost strawberry season, and I don’t want you to miss out. This is your friendly reminder that June is usually when markets have local berries. Locally grown strawberries are typically smaller than California or Florida berries, and they are sweeter.

They make me happy too. I have a few strawberry plants in my garden, however critters usually get the berries before I do.

To celebrate strawberries, I’m sharing a recipe with you that is AMAZING! It’s really easy. The crumble topping is very similar to my recipe for the Quick and Easy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites—minus the chocolate chips, of course.

 I hope you seek and find a few simple pleasures today that make you happy. Let me know how you like the Strawberry Crumble. I had a few stalks of rhubarb and added them in with the berries. WOW! Even Mr. Non-Compliant likes it, so you know it’s a winner!

 

STRAWBERRY CRUMBLE

  • 4 cups strawberries, halved
  • 2 Tablespoons arrowroot (or cornstarch or tapioca starch)     
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup

FOR THE CRUMBLE TOPPING

  • 1 cup almond meal/flour (or all-purpose flour or oat flour)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 Tablespoons coconut oil (melted) or avocado oil
  • 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a mixing bowl, toss together the strawberries, arrowroot, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and maple syrup. Transfer to an 8” x 8” baking pan. Mix together the ingredients for the topping in a mixing bowl. Spread it over the strawberries as evenly as possible. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the strawberries are juicy and bubbly, and the topping is golden-brown.

You could substitute other fruits for the strawberries, depending on what’s in season.

Much love,
Carol

“I made wine from the lilac tree/Put my heart in its recipe/It makes me see what I want to see/And be what I want to be” -Nina Simone

Sending You Love and Gratitude

May 21, 2020
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Health, Hope, Love, Personal Development

Today, I’m sending you love and gratitude. (No mask required.) Maybe you’ve got plenty, and now you have extra. Please share.

In the book, “The Miracle of Water,” the author Masaru Emoto, demonstrates how water’s unique role in transporting the natural vibration of these words can help you welcome change and live a more positive and happy life.

Dr. Emoto has photographed thousands of water crystals in his years of research, and few have been as beautiful and life affirming as those formed from the words “love and gratitude.”  

He also has photos of water crystals impacted by negative words. The difference is amazing.

Considering that the human body is primarily water, about 70%, it’s a really good idea to surround yourself with positive, happy words. What have you said to yourself and others lately?

A bit of advice from Dr. Emoto:

  • Have the biggest dreams possible
  • Look in the mirror and tell yourself you’re beautiful out loud (yes, even if you need a haircut)
  • Nurture high-quality friendships with people you feel comfortable with
  • Make every morning and evening relaxing in order to avoid stress
  • Practice the habit of extending a loving hand to those around you, and whenever you feel discouraged and down, loving hands will raise you up

This Memorial Day weekend will be unique. If you’re feeling a bit sad about “what might have been,” give love and gratitude a whirl.

And maybe make a nice fruit salad. I picked up some pretty tasty nectarines this week that scream summer. There’s something about the juice running down my chin that brings back fun memories. 

Thanks for reading.

Much love,
Carol

“When you continually think thoughts of love and gratitude, you simply cannot help but be changed. These thoughts will change the water within you, and the result will most certainly be a changed you.”—Masaru Emoto

Is Dairy Your Friend?

May 14, 2020
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Family, Food, Health

Maybe…maybe not.

It’s possible to have a sensitivity to dairy, be allergic, or lactose intolerant. Or, have no ill effects from consuming it at all.

Much of this is linked to your genetic makeup, and it can get pretty complicated. There are those who are a mess when they drink a glass of milk, yet can eat some aged cheese or Greek yogurt and feel terrific.  

The point is, if you’re experiencing symptoms, it may be time to play detective and simply notice what happens in your body when you consume certain foods. Sometimes dairy is the bad guy.  

Dairy products include milk, cheese, sour cream, yogurt, ice cream, whey protein, butter, kefir, half & half, ice milk, sherbet, curds, and more.

Some things to consider about dairy:

  • It can increase mucous production—really not good to ingest when you have a cold
  • You may experience bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, or stomach cramps if your system doesn’t like dairy
  • Acne may be linked to consumption
  • Allergy may present as congestion, brain fog, skin disorders such as eczema, and more
  • It’s an ingredient in lots of foods that you may not be aware of
  • It’s easier to avoid dairy now than it was 30 years ago

If you or someone you love is having issues with dairy, I can help.

My book, “Cookies No Milk, Pizza No Cheese: An Ice Cream Lover’s Guide to Raising Children with Dairy Allergies,” offers real solutions and alternatives to make living without dairy EASY!

Yes, in case you haven’t guessed, the title says it all.   

Dairy alternatives were a bit more difficult to find in the 90s than they are today. At any rate, working with folks who have food sensitivities/allergies is a specialty of mine. I have my sons to thank for this training.

Ideally, food makes us feel good, provides nourishment, is delicious—and encourages optimal health.

Sometimes, this is a challenge.

If you’d like to check out “Cookies No Milk, Pizza No Cheese: An Ice Cream Lover’s Guide to Raising Children with Dairy Allergies,” on Amazon, CLICK HERE. Besides containing a wealth of information on dairy allergies, there are funny stories, family favorite recipes, and even a few of my poems.

Much love,
Carol

“People vary in their ability to digest and tolerate dairy, whether because of genetics, age, or digestive health and intestinal microbiota.”—Ryan Andrews

I Got Carded

May 7, 2020
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Food, Health, Hope, Loss

Interesting times we live in.

Last week I was carded before I could enter the grocery store. I went during the first hour of the store’s opening, with the “seniors.” I’m legit and getting carded to prove I’m old enough to shop early in the day was a first for me. Word to the wise: always carry your ID.

We’re running our dishwasher almost every day, and it used to take 2-3 days before it was full enough to warrant a washing. Lots of cooking and grilling happening, and thankful that Mr. Non-Compliant is a grill master.

My flowers are looking really good, with the exception of 6 tulips that have been beheaded thanks to those wascally wabbits. Beware: I hear a frost may happen Friday night into Saturday morning, so we may need to cover the delicate plants. Watch your weather.     

I can go a number of days without having to make a trip anywhere, and we have yet to run out of food. This is a good lesson for future reference—certain to help my efficiency level.

One tank of gas lasts…a really long time.

Lots of people need lots of prayers.

I’m betting you’re noticing a different way of life too. It’s interesting.

And yet, do you find yourself:

  • feeling a bit discombobulated?
  • grieving the life that’s been left behind?
  • stress-eating your way into a larger size?

Perhaps you’d like to:

  • enjoy quality sleep
  • have more energy
  • be confident and happy in your body

Food is the SOLUTION!

It’s not too late to join my virtual 4-week course, “EAT: And Think Like a Champion.”

We begin today at 11:00AM central. Click here for the details. I’d love to see you in our Zoom class!  

If you’re interested, and are unable to make today’s class, you can still join us for the remainder of the lessons at a pro-rated price. While the course is designed to cover specific topics, each lesson also stands on its own.

Wishing you good health and much happiness,
Carol

“Our coaching experience with Carol far exceeded our expectations. This was more than a weight loss program. It is a lifestyle program that focuses on how through better food choices and eating habits you can become healthier, sustain weight loss and lead a better life. We found it to be both educational and enjoyable.”—Stella Z.

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