My Open Letter To The Girl In The Peloton Commercial

by admin | Dec 5, 2019 | Purpose

I need to get something off my chest. The latest social media storm of disapproval has me upset. It’s not political, and it’s not really even personal. It’s a commercial that has a fictitious character in the hot seat of commentary, and I’m not happy about it.

Yesterday I stood in my kitchen with my mouth gaping open. My favorite morning news program was on as I buzzed about and they were talking about the latest public “outrage”. The recipient du jour? A Peloton commercial. Twitter apparently “exploded”. A thin woman is portrayed to receive the Christmas present of said exercise bike, and then take videos to track her journey for a year. People took offense to that fact that she was rail thin to begin with, that she seemingly took herself and her journey seriously enough to vlog about it, and they were even outraged that a husband that would gift such a thing.

I see so many things wrong with these reactions. I’m not even quite sure where to start. So let me start with the most important person here. Not with the haters. Let me just talk to the Peloton lady here for a minute. (We’ll call her Sarah.) Because there are probably a lot of people like Sarah out there, and even thousands more that don’t look like her, but might have some things in common. They too might stand on the edge of such a journey. That’s who I’m writing to today. To that Sarah and to Sarahs everywhere, whatever they may look like.

And because, as I look at it, I guess I am that girl.

Or at least, I was.

Dear Commercial Sarah,

Let me start by saying it’s so nice to meet you. See, we have quite a bit in common. Although I’ve never ridden a Peloton (how are they, by the way? I hear they’re amazing), I too have taken a fitness journey that started with one brave step.

I was that “rail thin 115 pound woman” who started a fitness journey. Who started out healthy enough, but not overly active. Who decided to do more with the body that she had. Who, one gym membership, one brave step on the treadmill, one mile at a time, changed her life. I didn’t start because I wanted to loose weight. I started because I wanted to be strong, to be healthier, to boost my immune systems that was struggling as I caught sickness after sickness from a kindergartener I was caring for at the time.

Now I don’t know if you asked for the peloton bike or if maybe your husband surprised you with it. Now, if it was the latter, I don’t know what his motives were. But you know what. IT DOESNT MATTER. However it arrived at your place, YOU chose to get on that bike. (I asked for a treadmill at seven months pregnant with my second child. It’s one of my favorite gifts ever because it’s a gift to myself and my family every time I get on it, enabling physical and mental health.) Then the next time you chose to do it again. Brick by brick, one decision at a time, you decided to do something with the opportunity that was before you. That is what makes you better this year than last year. Your efforts and your decisions. Your commitment to something worthwhile.

I wanted to say good job. Good for starting, for changing your habits. For carving time out of your busy schedule. For making time for the important thing that can seem selfish but really isn’t. You and I know, especially after your year long journey, that moving your body is incredibly important, and that your health is the ultimate gift that you ever can give to your family as well as yourself.

We’ve have risen early and stayed up late, riding a bike or running on a treadmill, for hours on end, often in the quiet of the house, by ourselves, without going anywhere. Without going anywhere on the road, that is. But it has taken us so, so far. You know what I mean.

But not everyone does, I guess. They could, but for now, they don’t. I guess that’s what bothers me so much about all of this. People seem to (still!) have in their head an idea about being healthy and what it might look like from the outside. Fitness isn’t about your weight or your pants size. Fitness is about being strong and healthy from the inside out. It’s about showing up for your life with energy and enthusiasm. Whether you’re heavy or thin, every success story has to start somewhere. Only you are the one that gets to decide how to start.

Also, I’m so sorry. I’ve heard what “they” have said. I’ve seen the hateful and biting comments. Rolling their eyes at your seemingly healthy body, just because it’s thin. As if thin was the only measurement that mattered, anyway. But they don’t know what it felt like to be you. They don’t know if you feel strong or completely zapped, if you have anxiety because of unmet needs or hectic achedules. They don’t know, and they judge only because you “look” healthy. It makes me terribly sad to see. I question aloud, “are we really are still having these conversations?”

I gradually became a marathoner, then a triathlete, then I became an Ironman, two times over. And it all started with small, brave, important steps, just like you.

I know that thin, or fat, doesn’t mean too much. (Lord knows “they” would have had things to say if you were overweight too. Insert my eye roll here, for the haters.) What matters is your why. Why do you want to do it. Then what matters is that you start. And you did. BRAVO. And bravo for every other day during the year that you chose to start, again. Because every choice builds upon the other, and brick by brick, you built yourself something amazing. And it wasn’t just fitness.

You know what I think is the worst part about it? The doubt from the sidelines. It’s the real life Charlies on their couches and the Bettys in the boardroom of public opinion. That’s what makes me sad. They doubt your journey. The doubt its importance or possibility. They doubt because they don’t yet have the belief of just how important it is. They definitely don’t have the belief yet that they could do it. So they pick up stones to toss in judgment instead of either taking up arms themselves, or putting together two hands to clap. Because hate comes from disbelief. You don’t love what you don’t trust. I just wish they could trust someone’s healthy lifestyle for the valuable thing that it is.

Not about jean size.

It’s about belief in yourself.

That’s the biggest thing I got out of my fitness journey. I did things I never thought would be possible. I swam 2.4 miles in the open water surrounded by other thrashing arms, after not even knowing how to breathe under water at the start. I trained for things I never thought would be in my reach. I was transformed from the girl who quit ice skating when I was 11 because I wanted Saturday morning off again, and violin because I was scared to preform. I never knew I had it in me to push past my doubts and my discomfort so much that I could tow the line at 7am on a hot Sunday in July and not stop until I crossed the finish line 15 hours and 12 minutes later And then again the next year, almost two hours faster. I never knew what I was capable of until I started trying. Until I began making one step forward, one run, one ride at a time. That belief in what’s possible for me has trickled into every. Other. Area. Of my life.

I bet the same is true for you.

It’s not just about body transformation. It’s about heart transformation, mind transformation. It’s life transformation.

So no matter where anyone is on this journey, you and I will be the ones to clap, to cheer. Because we get it. And because we love to see others do it, no matter how massive the steps or how small. Every step forward should be celebrated.

We’re here for it, aren’t we Sarah.

Signed,

The girl who started somewhere (and couldn’t belief how far she got.)

*So, also, dear stranger on the internet. I don’t know if you’re like Sarah, or Charlie or Betty, or someone else. But I’d just like to kindly say, no ones reason has to make sense to anyone else. That goes for all of us. Even you. Should you ever decide to try something brave and new, whatever it is, exercise or relationship or business. Just know your own why and be brave enough to begin. When your toes are on the starting line, about to take a Big leap or a small step, I’ll be here cheering for YOU.

Make This ONE list To Avoid Holiday Overwhelm

by admin | Nov 30, 2019 | Purpose

Thanksgiving is now behind us and we’ve officially plunged into Christmas. Some are ahead of the game and already have trees up and cards ready. I tend to be a bit of a purist, and while I don’t mind seeing a tree around Thanksgiving, and even think it can makes things more magical, I don’t personally do it. I wait to start diving into all things Christmas until the fabulous, reflective and delicious holiday has had its Thursday turn. Since it is now, unquestionably, the magical season of all things decorated, twinkling, frosted, and bubbly, it’s time to buckle down and get ready. Just talking about it kind of makes my heart rate increase a little- with anticipation, yes, but also with some a little pressure. Well, I have a plan to help that this year.

Whether you’re already ahead of the game or you’re just getting started like me, i promise, if you try this one exercise, it might save you from some serious extra stress and feeling of overwhelm.

Here’s my hot holiday tip. You need to make just ONE LIST. I know what you’re probably thinking. You already have about seventeen lists- the to-do lists, the baking list, the Christmas card list, the gift list, the house decorating list, the parties and activities list, the packing list, and it goes on and on. You DON’T need another list. I know, I get it, and I’m right there with you. But I’ll stick to my word here. I have ONE more list for you, and I promise, it will actually help you with all of your other lists. (In fact, it might help you might take some things off of those other lists, or possibly even throw them in the garbage after you make this one.)

The one list you need to make is YOUR PRIORITY LIST for THIS season. What do you want to do most? What does your family need most? What would you really enjoy doing, and it would really feel like Christmas when you do? What activities would fill this your life and this short yet heavily weighted time with the sense of meaning, connection, and joy that you crave?

Write that list.

Don’t overthink it, and you don’t have to get too specific. I would actually recommend that most of the things on your list aren’t too specific. Because then when life happens, as it often does, and maybe you don’t get to the specific thing you’re dreaming about, you’ll be less likely to start a slow spiral down into disappointment or despair. As much as you want to write “Go see the nutcracker” or “bake the special cookies with grandma”, because they are such meaningful activities for you, don’t write that. (That’s a to-do list, anyway. We’re talking about a priority list, things that are most important to you on a deep level.)

Then if someone gets sick or the roads are too bad to cross town, and you don’t get to see the play or make the cookies with grandma, it won’t feel so much like failure. You might still be able to find a way to connect in a meaningful way to what was so important about that activity in the first place.

Instead of specifics, maybe you would write down just “bake”, if you love doing that. Maybe it’s really just that you love having and eating the cookies, so write “cookies” (and then you go buy them from your local bakery instead of making them and getting flour all over the place, anyway.) Maybe “connect with grandma” is the special part to you, so write that, and grab lunch, tea, or bring her a box of tissues if she’s under the weather.

To help you hone in on your list, think about what your favorite holiday memories are, what you’re doing and how it makes you feel, both then and now looking back. Was it reading Christmas books by the sparkling tree by yourself and a cup of cocoa or with your children? Was it listening to a live concert with you family? Taking the kids to see Santa or the lights? Maybe it was dropping off the angel tree gift or the new toy to the children’s hospital. Maybe it’s watching all the cheesy (and beautiful) Christmas specials with lots lip syncing and glittering, flocked trees. Do you adore sending cards, or walking in the woods by yourself? Think of what invigorates you, gives you peace, fills you with awe, touches your soul. Write from that place.

Also, what feels important? What are the holidays all about to you, anyway? Decorating, gifting, baking, connecting with your people, outdoor activities, music, hosting a special meal?

From a place where you’re connected to both the emotions that you want to feel and the activities that are important to you, write your priority list. It should really only be about three to five things. Maybe you have a couple more or a couple less, but too many priorities means they’re not really priorities anyway. This is a list to help you NOT be overwhelmed, so be kind of ruthless here. The whole point of the exercise is to help you make the most of your sweet holiday season by knowing what’s most important.

There are no wrong answers, no obligations. These are YOUR priorities. Place here things that are important to you right now. Cousin Suzy’s Cookie Exchange doesn’t belong here, even if you want to go. That’s for your to do list. “Connecting with family” goes on this list. Or, “spending time alone”. You choose.

Write it down. Hang it in your fridge, your mirror or your dashboard.

Then refer back to that list often.

When you know these priorities, they become true goals and you can more easily get there. When life gets busy or throws new things your way, good or bad, you can assess the big picture, adjust, correct course, and still get to THAT destination you mapped out beforehand.

If your list doesn’t include decorating as a top priority, then when you see someone’s amazing decorating on Instagram, you can drool and appreciate it just fine without letting it throw you into a tizzy of activity, adding seventeen things to do your to-do list, or into a funk of disappointment as you look at your tree. You have your priorities and what you know what you want to do, as well as why. So you dim the lights, snuggle your children in close and read a story by the light so of your good enough Christmas tree.

Here’s an important thing. Your priority list might look a little different than last year’s or next year’s, and that’s okay, and good. In fact, if your life doesn’t look like it did last year, then your priority list probably shouldn’t either. It’s the whole point of making this list. Because as life changes, so do priorities. Maybe you just had a baby and so your priorities have changed from shopping all over town and going to the philharmonic, to now spend as little time in the stores as possible, ordering in, and sending cards to celebrate baby’s first Christmas. Maybe you broke your foot and your usual collection of Christmas decorations will stay mostly in boxes while you watch as many Christmas movies as possible and knit hats to gift. Priorities. It’s about knowing both where you are in this season, and what you want it become most of all.

My list this year is to some baking with my family, decorate the house just enough for my family’s enjoyment and not for display or winning a decorating contest. Gifting a few meaningful gifts with as little running around as possible. Sending cards that mark another year of our growing little people. And my favorite, lots of shared magical family moments, wherever we are (Santa and twinkling lights, optional.)

It’s simple enough, but it’s more than enough in what has become a season of “too much”. I will check in often. I will be open to adventure and change, but I’ll try not to stray from what’s most important to me and my family. I’ll refer to our priority list. I’ll hold these important things in higher esteem over excess and over-achieving. I hope you do too.

Consider this one of the best gifts that you can give yourself this year. Clarity. Purpose. Meaning.

Tell me, what’s on your list?

Xo

My Failed MLM Experiment (spoiler: it’s not really a failure!)

by admin | Nov 27, 2019 | Purpose

Have you ever thought about entrepreneurship, either dipping your toes in or taking a giant leap? Maybe you have your eye on a side hustle, a network marketing gig or MLM? Have you been too afraid of the experience to try? Do you wonder if you’ll fail or if it will be too all-consuming? Are you maybe even in one and wondering what you’re doing there? Let me share a bit of my real-person, ever-evolving experience with you. Maybe it will help you as you consider your own journey.

I entered the world of multi level marketing with a gleam in my eye, a dream in my heart, and a belief that I could be successful. I was also, truthfully, a bit in awe that I was actually even doing it. I’m not the sales type, I never sought out ways to be in business or be an entrepreneur of any kind. Putting myself out there seemed terrifying. Until the kitchen products were so clever, so high quality, and so good that even I, a bit of a kitchen snob who didn’t like sales, wanted to share them.

On top of wanting to sing their praises from the rooftop, I realized it was something that could work for me too. It is the kind of company that was built on the business plan where busy moms, wives, women and men were the backbone, no stores to visit, only normal people running their own businesses. These business owners share the fantastic products in a variety of ways, during the hours that they choose. Anyone could earn an income while calling their own shots, and they could do it to great success if they wanted.

It all started with my first Pampered Chef experience, where I hosted a party. I had reached out to a friend who was a consultant. I had seen post in a Facebook group for a while, and finally, intrigued enough, I decided to throw a party. In a tough turn of events, my friend couldn’t make it after a major life event, but she set me up with a very capable and wonderful replacement. The party was filled with some great friends and family. My consultant shared dreamy kitchen products, time saving tools. She was peppy and engaging and as I watched her I thought ‘I could do that.’ (It all starts with a little whisper of possibility, doesn’t it?)

So I wasn’t too shocked when a little while later she asked me if I ever considered being a consultant. “Why yes, indeed, I have,” I said (for about thirty minutes.) “But not right now. You see, the baby,” (my 16 month old was there at the party with us). “And my job. I’m already short on time, you know”. She did know and didn’t push it, but left me with the thought that I’d “be really good at it.” And I somehow, despite anything I would have ever told myself, knew that I would and knew that I wanted to try.

But the timing thing was still truly not right , so I sat on it and waited. Fast forward to a year and a half later. I had just had my second baby and had changed my work situation to part time. I had a little more flexible time, was bringing in a bit less money, and I liked the idea of finally trying this idea for a side gig. I reached up high on the “later” shelf and pulled down the possibility to give it a closer look. As a mom of two very little people, I found myself doing what little shopping I was undertaking through Facebook and my friends who shared their business adventures. I had LulaRoe in my closet, Younique in the makeup bag, and some Posh by my sink. realized that I could share something that I loved too, kitchen tools, with Pampered Chef.

I decided I could make it work for me and my family, and I could do it now, even with two kids. After thoroughly reading all the info, asking all the questions to the woman who would become my director, talking it over with my husband, and checking out all of the angles, I decided to take the leap. With sweaty palms and a super supportive husband, I joined the world of MLM. And it felt really good.

Sometimes you do something that seems scary or illogical. But you know that you’ve made an important, life giving step.

I started with gusto, held parties on line and in person. I did a pretty decent job. (Even with a near mistake with an inverted Measure-All Cup. Don’t worry, I followed my instincts and saved the soup recipe from disaster. It was all good. Oh and that time that in melted a Flexible Cutting Mat on a gas stovetop. But I digress). I loved it. The in person parties, the virtual parties, the phone calls with customers, making connections through live videos, all of it. And of course the goods. Even at my first party my mother-in-law said I was very good at this and would be quite successful in my new venture. (I mean, my mom did too, but sometimes that doesn’t count, because, bias 😉.) And I was good at it. I love the products and I truly enjoy sharing.

But something funny happened along the way. It wasn’t that I lost motivation or couldn’t muster up new clients. Though it was tricky to loose a little momentum and then try to regain it after a big family trip overseas, that wasn’t it either. I mean, there are challenges that you face along any road in business, so many common place occurrences. Successful business owners find a way to get over these bumps in the road and they keep building momentum. I faced some of those moments and rallied my courage. I approached the challenges and saw them for what they were- growing opportunities if I should choose to take them on.

But something else happened. I found something else. I found someone else. I found me, becoming yet who I’m meant to be. To be honest, I knew all along that I wasn’t destined to become some amazing Pampered Chef Consultant, full stop. I mean, it would be great to be amazing and have great success at something. I felt that I could if I really tried and put in the work. I knew the resources were available to me, and that company was high quality enough to help ensure that was possible if I wanted it. Most people could. But I also didn’t have grand dreams of becoming a director or building a big team. Though I would welcome that if the road took me there, I didn’t think it probably would. I knew all along that this was an important part of my journey, an important step along the way in my life, not the end goal for me. My heart told me. What I had was feeling in my heart that this was part of me becoming who I was meant to be.

So, about a year and a half after starting my Pampered Chef business, I rediscovered an old dream and love. Writing (swoon) was my childhood sweetheart, my life long dream and dear friend. It had taken a back seat as life picked up speed but was always there, and now was ready to get in the front seat.

You know what else I found that I loved while I was traveling down this path? Connecting with people. I truly love sharing ideas with people, building connections and helping women make their lives better. But I realized that I loved doing this through more than just kitchen tools. I love talking about matters of the heart, finding ways to connect with and tackle some of life’s sticky points. Some of can be solved with kitchen tips, but not all of them. I realized I wanted to keep helping people, but not just by selling Pampered chef. I realized that I could pivot and work toward my next big, lifelong dreams of making an impact, writing, and sharing heart and life hacks, some recipes, and all the things. Now was my time, the opportunity to work toward those big pie in the sky dreams, and to start building a blog. I began in the fall of 2018 and it couldn’t feel more right.

You know what? If I hadn’t joined PC, I’m really not so sure that I would have had the guts to start pursuing my real true “thing”, my “this is IT” dreams. Being a part of an MLM gave me the practice of putting myself out there, of taking myself seriously, of running a “little side business”. It provided me so many opportunities for flexing my courage muscles, from taking an initial leap to following through, working with people, making videos and posts, connecting, and calling people “my customers.” It turned me into a fledgling business owner, which is something that I never thought I would say. It became the gateway for me to pursue even more in my life. It was the portal to entrepreneurship and building something from dreams in my heart.

Now as I am on my journey of blogging and writing, with more things to come and more bursting from my heart than I can keep up with, I am so humbled by the journey and so grateful that I took the leap. I’m grateful that I’ve had some success. Though it wasn’t big to many, it was huge for me.

If you hung in this long, please know I didn’t need this to be some kind of therapy sessions for me. I shared my story because I think it’s probably pretty relatable, pretty average, and also, totally worth it. If you’re standing on the edge of something, and you’re considering trying something new, let this be an encouragement to you. Why not try? What have you got to loose? Here are the main thoughts I’d like to leave with you.

If you’ve found something that you love enough to share, you can do it.

Not only can you do it, know that if you want to, you probably should. Dreams and ideas come to us for a reason!

Don’t be afraid to start small (you have to start somewhere).

Don’t be afraid to go big. (You get take it where you want.)

Be you. Unapologetically.

Be genuine. Let your actions be true and enough.

Let your heart be in all that you do. It will shine through.

Make sure you pick a fantastic company that supports you and provides both incredible resources to you as well as great customer service to your people.

Always remember that you can scale back, go hard, or change direction at any time.
Enjoy it for what it is as well as for what you’d like it to be.

Don’t let fear of being small or having “only” mild success hold you back.

Lastly, don’t worry if it doesn’t look like anyone else’s business or even what you thought it should be. This business, this adventure, is yours, and that’s the beauty of the whole thing, isn’t it? What you do with your experiences is what makes them valuable.

You will learn and grow, you will succeed and fail. Success comes in all shapes and sizes, and success of any size can be built upon one other like bricks. Bricks that become a part of building a life that you love

Its not just about achieving certain sales levels. It’s about trying something that your heart needs you to try. It’s about giving yourself a shot. As you do, it’s about becoming who you’re meant to be. Maybe you’re going to totally rock it. Maybe you’ll find that it’s not your thing and you’ll let it go eventually. But you’re better for having tried, my friend. Life is full of opportunity, and you never know what it might turn into when you follow the voice in your heart.

*In case you’re wondering where do I stand with Pampered Chef now, I’m still a consultant, though I feel like I’m a loose interpretation. I’m maybe more of an “influencer” with a heartfelt share and a clickable link. I continue to serve the fabulous customers I’ve met over the years, and will continue to do so as it provides value. I’m keeping my hand in it for the sheer love of the quality, the company, my customers and they way that it enriches lives. (They also keep coming out with more incredible things all of the time and I don’t want to miss out!) What brought me to PC (the love of making great food and the love of sharing it with my family and friends) is still true. So as I write and talk about ALL the things -family, heart, home, and kitchen- I will probably naturally end up sharing PC products that I love and think you’d love too.
So I continue (unapologetically) to be your girl if you need any kitchen things. It feels natural.

And I’m definitely your girl if you need to talk about life. I’m so happy to be in this space here with you, while we’re all on the way to becoming who we’re meant to be.
xo

Amazing Broccoli “Cheddar” Soup

by admin | Nov 20, 2019 | Purpose

Do you love Broccoli Cheese Soup? Do you maaayyybbe wish you could feel a little better about the healthy nature of said soup? Now, I love, I mean LOVE cheese as much as the next gal, and very likely a lot more. But when you’re eating a soup with the word “broccoli” in it, shouldn’t it be super good for you? You’d like to feel really good about what you’re giving your body, and not secretly guilty about all that cheese and cream? (Maybe not, but if you even consider agreeing on some level, stick with me.) Of course, it should also taste amazing. Ideally, your whole family could enjoy it. Also, it shouldn’t be too difficult to make or take too much time or special ingredients. Well, honestly, this magical soup not only exists, you can make it in under 30 minutes time and enjoy it for days. For anyone who would appreciate a delicious broccoli soup, with a much healthier ratio of broccoli to cheese, served with a side of accomplishment, hold the guilt, this recipe is for you!

I started making this recipe when it was published in Wegman’s Menu magazine. It had to be about 7 or 8 years ago. Though I can’t be sure, because I can’t find the actual magazine, I can roughly date it tied to household events. It was definitely well before I became pregnant with my first child (my single most definite benchmark, a definitive line in our lives of “before” and “after”, right moms?) It was probably around the time that we joined the magical world of Vitamix blenders, a few years before babe.

Let me just take a tiny side trip about that magical world of powerful blenders. Our grocery store had Vitamix demonstrations running for a while a few years back, and I was AMAZED by the possibilities. You can blend, purée, cook, and wash all in the same devise?! Amazing! I became a puréed food convert. Smoothies, soups, grains. All the things. But I didn’t buy the blender. I used our own. It couldn’t keep up. I used our immersion blender, for this soup in particular. Total bust. My husband and I loved the nutritionally dense and diverse options available with all of this powerful blending, but we resisted the hefty price tag. Until our zest for the blender life outlasted our blender. Then we caved, joined the fan club ourselves, and got one on sale (the only way to go, am I right!?) it’s been happy blending ever since!

So you don’t have to have a Vitamix, but I definitely recommend a powerful blender. (In fact, Pampered Chef has a new and beautiful one which I guarantee you rivals the Vitamix. Their engineers and product developers pour their heart, soul, and smarts to make products that surpass those already on the market. Also, it’s a better price point and as always, is available at a discount for hosts. I don’t have one yet (because, Vitamix) but I will and I guarantee you it’s fantastic!

Also, your immersion blender may be more powerful than mine was. Many people have great success pureeing this soup with theirs.

A few notes about the recipe. ( I will link the website for the official recipe below.) The original uses measurements based on cups and cleaned and cut veggies that you can purchase in produce. Those are great, but I didn’t use them most recently, and I wanted to translate for those who might not either.

The measurements and ratios are VERY forgiving. The noted 6-8 cups of broth is no joke. I have done it with a full 8 cups, I have done it with less. This past time I used one container of Chicken Broth stock, which is 4 cups. Then, instead of a second container, I just sort of filled the first container with water, added it to the soup, along with the last of the Better Than Bouillon chicken stock that I had left in the fridge. It was probably less than the “right” amount, but it totally worked.

The broccoli, also, is a guesstimate. I roughly cut up probably 6 crowns of broccoli, and I didn’t measure. I just had enough that they were filling the space in the pot slightly more than the broth.

Seriously, don’t sweat it. Ballpark, and when in doubt, add a little more cheese. Which brings me to my next point.

One of the magical things about the soup is that the cheese isn’t even in the soup. It’s sprinkled on top. Therefore, you get add according to your cheese desires, and customize for different family manners. You then get a smattering of cheesy goodness at the beginning of your taste experience, which totally satisfies the tastebuds. Even better than how delicious it is, you know that deep down, it’s still amazingly good for you. No hidden calories or heavy dark, cheesy secrets.

It’s so filling, and yet so calorically light. When made according to the direction, is weighs in at 130 calories per serving. Wowza! It’s so clean, too. It’s basically veggies and chicken broth, with a dash of yogurt in each bite.

It really is simple. Cut veggies, sautée 10 min, simmer ten minutes, purée, eat! The ingredients are also simple. Chicken stock, celery, onions are all pantry staples. Broccoli is also a pantry staple for us, I just had to add more. Plain Greek yogurt is something I try to keep on hand, but don’t always. So I had to make sure to pick up extra broccoli, the yogurt, and a bunch of leeks while I was at the store. That’s pretty straightforward. I didn’t have to consult some fancy list of recipe ingredients. Gotta love simple! Simple, but delicious!

Another win is that (pretty much) everyone likes it, even the kids. My kids ate it!! Listen, we try. But things get a little boring around here in kid land. We don’t do chicken nuggets or anything like that, but we do have a hearty rotation of pasta and we always push the veggies. (“Eat your vegetables!” is kind of a family motto that we jokingly yell in a gravely voice.). But the kids ate this soup! We upsold it, obviously, and they didn’t eat three bowls or anything miraculous like that. But they ate many bites, and when you’re talking about something as nutrient dense as this, that is a definite jackpot win.

So add this soup to your winter rotation. Let me know what you think! I hope you enjoy it, and always, enjoy time with your family, too!

*Two last notes:

Here’s the link to the original recipe at Wegmans.com https://www.wegmans.com/meals-recipes/meals/soups-stocks/broccoli-cheddar-soup.html

Here’s a link to check out the Pampered Chef blender. And yes, I am a (slacker) consultant ☺️💕. I just can’t let it go because I love the stuff 🙌🏻 https://www.pamperedchef.com/shop/Bundles+%26+Sets/Value+Priced+Sets/Deluxe+Cooking+Blender+%26+Strainer+Set/100164

Best Christmas Children’s Books

by admin | Nov 16, 2019 | Purpose

Christmas seems to arrive a little earlier every year, and this year it feels like we went from Halloween to full blown Christmas in about ten days time.

I returned from a trip last week to find my hometown transformed. The store are twinkling with lights, garland, and red bows. Social media feeds are suddenly filled with flocked trees, while the pumpkins on my front porch are covered in a deep white snow. Christmas is beautiful and magical, but I wonder if I’m ready. Last night even my two year old jumped in with both feet as he exclaimed, “Look!! It’s CHRISTMAS time!” with wide eyed wonder as he saw Santa and his sleigh shoot across the tv screen. I slightly melted in my resistance then.

But you want to know what really changed my mind about this whole early Christmas thing? Christmas Children’s books! Those things are the best. I could read them year round, and some we do. But our bookshelves are bursting, so we have to rotate most of them.

One morning this week, a few days after I entered this mashup world of Thanksgiving and Christmas , my kids noticed our collection tucked high on a shelf. They asked (begged) me to get them down. Well, I did, and suddenly, everything changed. I was ready for Christmas.

As much as I love all children’s books, I am an absolute sucker for a Christmas book. I adore the chance to read them to my little loves. Add in a cozy snuggle and maybe a cup of something warm for us to sip, and I’m practically in heaven. (Christmas tree optional right now.)

I’m going to share the best of the best as I see them with you. Save this page for great gift ideas,too!

Mortimer’s Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson

When I first found this book over ten years ago, I loved it so much that I bought a copy for all of the young families that I knew- nieces and nephews, the boys that I cared for, my own possible future children. It’s a story about a young, scrappy mouse named Mortimer who “nobody knew..and Mortimer liked it that way.” It’s about finding a home and the best gift that waits for all of us near the Christmas tree. “A baby born to save the world…. perhaps you could make room for me too?” This one is a treasure. Enjoy reading it aloud with the kids in your life, or even to yourself. Then let me know if you can make it through without a tear rolling down your not-so-furry-little cheek. I sure couldn’t!

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

This is an off beat kind of a Christmas tale. I loved, and still own the soft covered, only slightly tattered chapter book from grade school. I loved the story, even if I didn’t love the Herdmans. I don’t want to spoil the ending, but let’s just say that the Herdmas bring a certain flair to the Christmas pageant, and it isn’t really pretty. But it ends up being the MOST beautiful. At my young age, my pigtails and cute dresses, I couldn’t quite identify with the wild Herdmans, with all of their mess and chaos. But yet, maybe, somehow I did (and I most certainly do now.) All of us have a little Herdman in us. And all of us need the true meaning of the Christmas message: love, grace, acceptance and belonging, no matter how unpolished and dirty we are. We are of ultimate value, as shown by the incredible gift of that baby long ago.

Drummer Boy by Loren Long

Okay, you want to go deep while you read a seemingly simple and clear story? This is it. The story is about a toy drummer boy who gets misplaced and then lost on a continued loop. He ends up journeying all over town, and in the most unlikely places. Everywhere he goes he does what he knows best. He plays his drum. In the trash heap, on top of the church steeple, buried in the snow. He bravely shares his gift. He does what he knows best how to do. Slowly, his journey unfolds, and he eventually finds himself in the most amazing spot of all. It is beautifully illustrated and as an adult, I see myself in his journey, in so many different places, from loved and cherished to lost and afraid. Where you might find yourself cannot always be decided or chosen. Ultimately, you can only control what you do when you’re there. The drummer boy bravely shared his gifts, and he always always inspires me to share mine and I bet he will inspire you, too. (Let me know if you can make it through without crying on this one too.)

Christmas With The Mousekins by Maggie Smith

If you and your family would like a little company while you wait for Christmas to arrive, this adorable mouse family might be the perfect fit. They too, are waiting and preparing for the big day, and they have lots to do. You’ll watch them make gifts for one another, bake, sled, and decorate, with thoughtfulness and anticipation, mirroring your family’s own excitement. There are detailed and beautiful illustrations and several pages of recipes and crafts that you can try while you wait, too! It’s a beautiful little treasure books, one that we look forward to every year, and a story that reminds us to think of our families and show love in lots of ways, both practical, little and big, and all thoughtful.

The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett

Jan Brett is known for her amazingly intricate illustrations (seriously, I think they must each take her an entire year!) and timeless Christmas stories. You probably know The Gingerbread Baby and Gingerbread Friends. This is one of the less widely known stories, but I’m gonna tell you, this ones for you, mom and dad. I mean, everyone can enjoy it. But if you’re anything like me, you might see yourself in the young sweet Teeka. She was placed in charge of Santa’s reindeer, which is no small task. She finds their excitement, exuberance and general strength hard to manage as they prepare for their big Christmas flight. She gets frustrated and scolds them, making matters only worse. (Anyone have some wild Christmas reindeer to manage sometimes?!). Teeka learns how to practice being gentle and kind and finds it’s the most powerful strategy of all. Enjoy reading this story to your wild reindeer and hope it brings a calm and kind perspective to all of you.

Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, a caretaker, a grandparent, an aunt, uncle, or friend, you hopefully you found something new that you could share with the ones that you love this Christmas. The all make great additions to any library and especially thoughtful and fantastic gifts. I have always said that giving a book is giving one of the best gifts possible- the promise of time well spent. ❤️ Grab one of these books, pull a child that you love close, and make the most of this season and of these precious days.

PS. All of these books can be found at your favorite retailer, in store or online, and of course at your local library. You might even have one already! They come in a variety of formats- hardcover, softcover, used and even ebooks. Here are a few links in case you’re looking for it to be easy. None of them are sponsored and I receive no profit from any of them (though there’s nothing wrong with that, I just don’t do that at this point.) I’m just sharing because I love them so much, and know you will too!

Mortimer’s Christmas Manger (only $5.71!) https://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/mortimers-christmas-manger-karma-wilson/1100375627/2697562302321

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-best-christmas-pageant-ever-picture-book-edition-barbara-robinson/1106609244#/

Drummer Boy https://www.amazon.com/Drummer-Boy-Loren-Long/dp/0142423416

Christmas With The Mousekins https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/christmas-with-the-mousekins-maggie-smith/1101936865?ean=9780375833304

The Wild Christmas Reindeer https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Christmas-Reindeer-Jan-Brett/dp/0525515798

One Simple Trick To Refresh Your Closet

by admin | Nov 5, 2019 | Purpose

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your closet and simultaneously underwhelmed by the contents? Do you find that you’ve amassed a collection of different pieces that seems more like a time capsule of your life and less like those cute capsule wardrobe that people talk about? You may have some favorites and a few updates, but when you open your closet doors, you find plenty of things that are rather… mediocre. No matter how often you try to purge, it never seems to feel like you’ve purged enough? Me too, and I’d like to share this one simple, no cost way that I found helpful.

I have gone through so many permutations of a wardrobe, from great, classy and cool, to functional, easy, and budget conscious, with many stages in between. That’s not to even to mention my maternity, postnatal, nursing journey, which can we agree, is quite the roller coaster. (Also makes for a very complicated closet with daily and weekly body changes!)

I go through my closet often and donate unused items. But I still find that when I reassess, I see that I have held on too many things (again!) that I never wore since the last time or two that I purged. I wonder what mistake am I making? File this under the fact that sometimes it’s hard to give your own life a true and objective assessment. So we just have to change the way that we look at it.

Let me start by saying what it’s not. It’s not the top two phrases you’ve probably heard a hundred times.

“If you haven’t worn it in a year, get rid of it.”

Or,

“Does it bring joy?”

Both of those I’ve found helpful, in theory. But for me, they’re not quite effective. I don’t think they are the best rules of thumb.

The first one, “if you haven’t worn it in a year”, is just not the best advice, because life is funny sometimes. You don’t always have the same type of experiences year to year, one season to the next. Your favorite red dress or nubby cropped sweater might never get a chance at rotation one year, but may in fact be the perfect thing to wear a few times, months or even years later. I recently wore a slinky purple outfit that I hadn’t worn in years and it was a perfect for both the occasion and again, my body. (Also, the whole maternity, body change thing makes this pretty much null and void for moms, in the early years especially.).

As for the second phrase we now all know, from a certain tiny, organizing, peaceful genius named Marie Komodo, is a powerful tool for minimizing the overwhelm of stuff and a lovely way to consider things in your life. But I find that can be a little vague, especially for the closet.

First of all, some things in my closet do bring me joy when I look at them. It brings me joy to have things to wear, in theory. It even bring me joy to look at some specific items. I remember fond times, like the yellow shirt that I wore to brunch when I realized I had fallen in love with my now husband. Other clothing items make me think of possibility when I look at them. That sparkly shirt would be so festive and fancy during the holiday and that teal sweater would be comfy and cozy with a cup of tea on a Saturday. And yet, those things never make it out of the closet and into the light of day. There they sit, avoiding both the purge, making me joyful, and yet never being worn.

You know what question really works?

It’s very straightforward, and extremely relatable.

If I was wearing this item, and it was both seasonally and situationally appropriate, and I ran into someone important, how would I feel?

Would I feel confident? Put together? Attractive? Edgy or timeless, on trend or vintage? It doesn’t matter which way . you feel good in it, only that you do. If so, Keep it.

Would I feel embarrassed? (The hole! The stretched out neck! The pattern!) Would I feel unkempt, dowdy or dated? Would I want to disappear? There is your answer: DUMP IT!

This is not a question of five years ago how did it make you feel. If you had to wear this tomorrow, how would it make you feel. It doesn’t matter so much about what’s the hippest thing or the instagrammed perfection right now. When YOU wear THAT in public, how does it make you feel? It is very important to understand that it’s YOUR opinion that matters here. How it makes YOU feel is what matters. If that clothing item would make you feel badly or less than about yourself, you absolutely need to put it in the dump pile immediately.

If this idea makes you uncomfortable, I would just like to point out that clothes ARE powerful. When you put in the right workout gear, it can make you feel a bit more like, well, working out. When you dress up for a date night, you feel attractive. When you come home and take off your dress pants and slip into the cozy things, you feel ready to relax. When the fireman puts on his uniform, he feels capable and ready to run into a blazing fire. You want to tell me clothes can’t be powerful?

So realizing that they indeed can be, we need to stop giving away power to inanimate things that don’t help you be your best, just because they’re hanging in your closet. Just because your friend you that shirt doesn’t mean you have to wear it or keep it. Because even though it’s perfectly fine, if every time you wear it, you feel perfectly average, at best, you shouldn’t keep wearing it.

Of course, clothes are not supposed to be your self-worth. However, what you put on matters. It makes a difference to how you feel and therefore how you function. Clothes should be functional and the greatest function they could ever accomplish is allowing you to live your life effectively. If something makes you feel bad about yourself, you need to let it go.

If you’re not sure when you hold something, put it on and look at it again. See how it looks on you. Get more specific. If I ran into (blank) at the (blank), and I was wearing this shirt would I feel good or bad?

So there are a few things to note. Yes, you will have less stuff. But it will feel good. If this makes you feel worried that you’ll have nothing left to wear, don’t worry. I get it. The reality is, 95% of us wear the same few things on repeat anyway. You know, the clothes you just washed and haven’t even put away yet are the ones that you grab first. Repeat, repeat. We all do it. We all kind of manage to wear a capsule wardrobe by default already, so we might as well clear out a lot of the junk that doesn’t serve us.

Imagine how great it would be to have only clothes that you’d be happy to wear hanging in out closet! You’d have both physical space and mental clarity awaiting you when you opened the doors.

What about things like that yellow shirt with sentimental value, or the dress from your maternity phot shoot you can’t bear to part with?

Take it out of your closet and put it in a memory box. I absolutely love my aforementioned yellow shirt, but it’s a bit thin and started getting a little stretchy. Though loved, it wasn’t getting worn. I want it for memory, not for wearing, so it doesn’t belong there in the closet waiting to be worn anymore.

Also, use pictures. You can remember an item without actually keeping it. It can help to realize that you might already have a picture of yourself wearing that item when you felt good doing so. And if you don’t, go ahead and put it on, take a picture and then. let. it. go.

What about the things you would wear at home but not in public? Try a separate drawer or area for the cozy, stay at home things. Try to keep the number of these things limited and in a different spot. I have a dresser for the cozy stuff- the stay at home, lounge around, go to sleep in T-shirt’s and sweats. But try to be honest about these items as well. Seriously, your comfy clothes shouldn’t make you feel terrible either.

When you look at your closet and are getting ready, whether to leave your house and or stay, you should only see the options that make you feel good, that make you feel like being the best you for what you’re about to do- mom, work, or anything.

Dress for what makes you feel best. When I get dressed for the day, I’m not looking to look fabulous every single day. Maybe you are, that’s awesome, and I might need some tips. You do what feels right for you. But these tips work for everyone.

When I get dressed, I aim to approach my life feeling good about myself, but also practical to what I have to accomplish. I want to be dressed in a way that makes me feel as effective and confident and comfortable as possible. When I’m with my kids at the library or out bopping around town, I don’t want to feel like I have to shrink or apologize for how I am, clothes or otherwise. (I’ve done that. It doesn’t feel good.)

I am no style maven and I still make plenty of fashion missteps. (And Lord help us both if you see what I wear walking the dog before the sun come comes up, which I do usually take from my comfy cozy drawer. But it’s often not the best weather here, and I often have to layer, for the record. 😉)
But I have to say, this simple trick has helped me take my purging game to the next level. I have three large bags of things that are about to leave my bedroom and be donated. They are things that had never made it out of the room in the last twenty purges, as recent as a few months ago. This simple shift has helped me differentiate between what I like in theory and why like in actuality.

And one of the sometimes unexpected blessings about making room is that new possibilities will fill in a little of that space. Now when you need to do do any shopping, you’ll have a better knowledge of what you really do have and if any gaps that might have appeared.

Goodbye, mediocre mess. I’ve made room for a ore confident ME. With saying goodbye to what doesn’t make me feel good, I actually feel so much more possibility than when I open my closet, even with less volume. It’s so funny how that happens. Hope you can find some of that confident, calm space for yourself too.

Xo