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carol@inkwellcoaching.com

Crown Point, IN

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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&

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Food, Health
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

The Peaceful Way to Christmas

December 5, 2019
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Christmas, Family, Food, Health, Spiritual

The countdown to Christmas has begun. In fact, it started well before we ate the turkey.

There are no Christmas decorations adorning our house, although the boxes made it into the family room. We polished off the turkey leftovers yesterday, so I can officially move forward into the Christmas festivities.  

In my mind, there is plenty of time to prepare. Stressing out about the long list of “Must Get Done” is not a good idea.

Here are some tips to help get us through the next few weeks in a calm and peaceful manner:

  • Focus on the reason for this beautiful season. For Christians, the birth of Jesus Christ. For those of you who celebrate Hanukkah, the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
  • Have a discussion about what is most important for you and your family. Sometimes what we THINK is important to others, is not a big deal. “We’ve always done it this way” is not a valid reason to continue.
  • In order to prepare for those busy shopping days when you don’t seem to get a break, make the intention NOW to pack your water and some healthy snacks. Planning ahead will help you maintain your energy—and your weight.
  • Remember the breathing technique of exhaling twice as long as you inhale. For example, inhale for four counts, hold for four counts, and exhale for eight counts. Doing this for several cycles is a way to find peace in the moment.  
  • Schedule some exercise into your week. Begin your resolution today to live your healthy life. By doing this, you will feel really good January 1, when most people will be just thinking about it.
  • Write down your list of the really important stuff that needs to happen, and prioritize. On any given day, when everything is a priority, do the thing you most feel like doing. Getting away from the “should” mentality is awesome. You’ll have more fun.
  • Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and protein, saving the sugary treats for when they are truly AMAZING. Most of the time those store-bought goodies look much better than they taste. Don’t cave and eat them because everyone else is. They probably don’t read my blogs. (Hint: Share my blog with them. Thanks!)
  • Set aside some time each day to pray/meditate on your reasons for celebrating.

I hope your Thanksgiving was fabulous. Our family enjoyed the feast and being together, and the time went by much too quickly. I’m looking forward to repeating the fun in just a few weeks.

Peace,
Carol

“For Christmas this year, try giving less. Start with less attitude. There’s more than enough of that in the world as it is — and people will usually just give it back anyway!”— Anne Bristow

Happy Thanksgiving

November 28, 2019
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Family, Food

Today is a day my family looks forward to for weeks. We enjoy hanging out, relaxing, cooking, and of course, eating.

We typically fry our turkey. This year, we’re changing things up a bit. The bird is going on the charcoal grill.  

Also on the menu:

  • Mashed potatoes (dairy free)
  • Maple glazed sweet potatoes
  • Sautéed green beans
  • Amish stuffing (filled with gluten, for the family)
  • Cranberry sauce with apples (for me)
  • Cranberry jelly out of the can (Mr. Non-Compliant won’t eat real cranberries)
  • Pumpkin pie with CocoWhip (gluten free and dairy free)

I’m going to try my hand at making gravy, since I discovered turkey stock in the freezer.

Sometimes naps happen. It’s a great day, and I’m very thankful.

Whatever Thanksgiving holds for you, I wish you a beautiful, blessed, and gratitude-filled day.

Thank you for reading my Thursday morning blog posts. I appreciate you.

Much love,
Carol

Thanksgiving Tips, Tricks, and Least Liked Classics

November 21, 2019
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Family, Food

One week away from the official start of what many Americans consider to be the holiday season. Since you may not read your emails next Thursday, my special nuggets are hitting the page today.

Turkey
If you’re planning to cook turkey and purchase a frozen bird, you’d best go buy it today. Depending on the size, it could take a week to thaw in your fridge. I typically cook a fresh bird. Surprisingly, I found fresh, organic turkeys at Costco.

Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a favorite side dish. This year, instead of peeling the potatoes and boiling them for mashing, I’m going to bake them, then peel and mash. Baking dries them out more than boiling, allowing for maximum absorption of the butter and milk, resulting in a fluffier texture. 

If you choose to boil your potatoes for mashing, leave the skins on and boil them whole. Once tender, transfer them to a bowl of ice water for about 20 seconds, The skins will slide off, and you’re ready to mash—a simpler way to peel.

Least Liked Sides
According to a recent survey, canned cranberry sauce is the least liked Thanksgiving food that people eat “just because.” Of course, Mr. Non-Compliant loves the stuff. Apparently a third of households serve it still in the shape of the can.

Chef Jacques Pepin—whose wife loves the canned sauce—slices the jelly on a mandolin. He then lines a martini glass and cuts some of the slices in half for the center, twisting them a bit. It looks like a rose, complete with a sage leaf tucked in the side.

Chef Jacques and I prefer the real thing–cranberry sauce or relish. We agree, that there’s always one in every family who only eats the canned variety.

Green bean casserole came in second in the least liked category. Thankfully, my family prefers sautéed green beans or asparagus. We can actually taste the vegetable, and the sodium content is much lower.

Also on the list: sweet potato casserole, pumpkin pie, and turkey.  

More Tips and Tricks

  • If you really don’t care to eat something, politely pass. Why fill up on food you don’t like?
  • Enjoy your favorite foods, and stop eating before you’re stuffed. Slow down, enjoy being with your family and friends, and save room for your favorite dessert.
  • Only eat it if it’s amazing!
  • Be grateful.
  • Schedule a complimentary call with me, and keep the seasonal weight gain from making its appearance.

 Thanks for reading. Wishing you and your family a beautiful Thanksgiving!

Much love,
Carol

“Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often.” – Johnny Carson

Eating Your Way into 2020

November 14, 2019
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Christmas, Food, Health

With Thanksgiving only 2 weeks out, and Christmas not far behind, what’s your plan? By that I mean, what is your mindset as you move into the holiday season?

Are you prepared to make self-care a priority?

Now is the time to decide how you’ll begin 2020. How about a fresh start that is actually a continuum of today?

Be advised: deciding to NOT think about how you’ll eat, move, and enjoy your holidays, is in itself, a decision. Heading into January with the idea that you’ll start living healthier after the parties, is not the best self-care.  

I’ve heard the same line for years. “Once the holidays are over, I’ll eat right and go to the gym.”

Every decision you make either moves your health in a positive direction or a negative direction. There is no neutral.

I’m not saying you need to avoid all the fun stuff. I, too, enjoy the parties and special treats that make their appearance for a few brief weeks. My goal is to keep my eating on track 80% of the time. The other 20%…

Use moderation and choose wisely. Save your sugary treat consumption for something really special and amazing—like grandma’s nutroll. Be aware of drinking your calories. The dinner rolls simply take up stomach space that may better be served eating a piece of homemade pumpkin pie. Stop eating before you’re full and avoid misery.

Get your sleep, drink your water, stick with your workout regimen, and decide how you’ll maneuver the party before you arrive. Eat a small nutritious snack or drink a small protein shake before you go so you’re not tempted to overeat. It’s tough to nibble and make conversation anyway. Enjoy one favorite cocktail or glass of wine, then switch to sparkling or plain water with lemon.

There will be times when you deviate from your plan. When that happens, begin again. Avoid the temptation to wait until a later date. Your life is happening now.  

If you have a pattern of falling into the holiday eating trap, I’d like to help. Send me an email. Make 2020 the year you feel really good about your body January 1. It’s a great way to ring in the New Year.

Much love,
Carol

“To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art.” ― François de La Rochefoucauld

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