I believe in the transformative power of stories. I am a high school English teacher, serendipitous farm girl, LEO wife, step mom, and writer in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
“Complacencies of the peignoir, and late Coffee and oranges in a sunny chair…” ~Wallace Stevens from “Sunday Morning” It is the week before Christmas break and I cannot believe how fast time rushes by. Today was Day #15 of the December Green Smoothie Challenge and I am enjoying sharing my recipes and being artful by … More Winter Citrus & Fennel Mason Jar Salads with Green Apple Vinaigrette
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” ― Leonardo da Vinci As we approach the third week of the December Green Smoothie challenge, it makes me smile when I receive messages from individuals who tell me that my posts have encouraged them to try green smoothies for the first time. What makes it even better is hearing how much they love them! While … More Week #3 ~ December Green Smoothie Challenge (Recipes & Shopping List)
“Above all, challenge yourself. You may well surprise yourself at what strengths you have, what you can accomplish.” ~ Cecile M. Springer I am thankful for the December Green Smoothie Challenge on many levels. It prevents me from falling into a green smoothie rut, it inspires my creativity and desire to generate new recipes, and it … More Week #2 ~ December Green Smoothie Challenge (Recipes & Shopping List)
“I stand holding the apple in both hands. It feels precious, like a heavy treasure. I lift it up and smell it. It has such an odour of outdoors on it I want to cry.” ― Margaret AtwoodOne of my favorite parts of fall is the selection of apples at the market. Since childhood I … More Sweet & Tart Slow Cooker Apples with Cranberries, Pumpkin, and Oatmeal
Visualize this thing you want. See it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blueprint and begin. ~Robert Collier First off, I want to thank you for joining me in the December Green Smoothie Challenge. The goal of this challenge is to have one green smoothie a day (either for breakfast or another time during … More Week #1 ~ December Green Smoothie Challenge (Recipes & Shopping List)
“Some foods are so comforting, so nourishing of body and soul, that to eat them is to be home again after a long journey. To eat such a meal is to remember that, though the world is full of knives and storms, the body is built for kindness.” ~Eli Brown Another Sunday is here and … More Black Bean Soup with Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, and Tomatoes
“Our bodies are our gardens – our wills are our gardeners.” ~William Shakespeare The winter holiday season is right around the corner and so are many unhealthy food temptations. Last year was a challenge for me and I did not like the way I felt after indulging in too many sodium and sugar laden treats. … More December Green Smoothie Challenge
“Give me juicy autumnal fruit, ripe and red from the orchard.” ― Walt Whitman It feels good to be blogging again. Last weekend I had to finalize grades for the 1st marking period and this week we had parent teacher conferences at school. It is hard to comprehend that it is already November and soon the … More Spaghetti Squash and Tomato Soup
“If we are creating ourselves all the time, then it is never too late to begin creating the bodies we want instead of the ones we mistakenly assume we are stuck with.” ― Deepak Chopra In two weeks I celebrate my seven-year anniversary of walking through the doors of the Weight Watchers center in Marquette, … More Mediterranean Mason Jar Salads with Greek Vinaigrette
“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” ― L.M. Montgomery There is an elegance in autumn that is not present in other seasons. The light, filtering through the leaves, has the quality of honey – thick and syrupy. Toothache sweet. I had a revelation this afternoon. My Mason Jar Salad … More Fruited Chia Mason Jar Salads with Blackberry & Lavender Vinaigrette
Produce with Amy 