“Do stuff. be clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration’s shove or society’s kiss on your forehead. Pay attention. It’s all about paying attention. Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. Stay eager.” ― Susan Sontag The first month of the new school year depleted my energy. Each evening I found … More Italian Vegetable Soup
“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” ~William Wordsworth What is there not to love about the above quote? As an English teacher and writer I try to encourage my students to tell their stories. This year my 9th grade students are so reluctant to write that first line. They sit paralyzed in … More French Onion Soup – Healthy & Plant-Based
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” ― Maya Angelou Last week I proclaimed that perhaps my husband Mike and I needed an intervention because we were obsessed with zucchini noodles. At least it is a healthy addiction. We love them raw, lightly sautéed and topped with marinara sauce, … More Zucchini Noodles with Lemon, Capers, Tomato, and Dill
Routine is liberating, it makes you feel in control.” ― Carol Shields On the eve of August you may find yourself scratching your head wondering how you are going to savor the remaining days of summer. I know that one of the things that I will be sad to say goodbye to – is summer … More Summer Green Smoothie Challenge
“I want every day to be a fresh start on expanding what is possible.” ― Oprah Winfrey It has been a challenging summer on many levels. Not only has the weather been cool in the U.P. of Michigan, but I have been facing many personal stresses. Unfortunately, I have allowed myself to make excuses and … More Vegetable Herbed Pasta Salad with Homemade Dressing – Fresh and Versatile
“The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude.” ― Julia Child Often I am told that I am fortunate to be married to a man who is flexible with meals and will eat anything that I cook. While I do often prepare a different dinner … More Chilled Green Soup – A Summer Staple
“…we opened two halves of a miracle, congealed acid trickled from the hemispheres of a star, the most intense liqueur of nature, unique, vivid, concentrated…“ -Pablo Neruda Ode to a Lemon If you are like me, the mere thought of both lemon and basil can make your mouth water. Coming in second to taste – … More Raw Zucchini Noodles with Lemon Basil Pesto
“Happiness must be grown in one’s own garden. ” ― Mary Engelbreit The topic of last week’s Weight Watchers meeting was one after my own heart — “The Power of Produce”. My mom always tells me that she knew when I was growing up that I would become a vegetarian one day, because fruit and … More Zucchini Noodle Soup
“Happiness. Simple as a glass of chocolate or tortuous as the heart. Bitter. Sweet. Alive.” ― Joanne Harris, “Chocolat” July marks my seventh anniversary of reaching Lifetime status with Weight Watchers and August is also my seventh anniversary of becoming a Weight Watchers leader. When I look back and reflect on my journey, I realize that … More Plant-Based Chocolate Mint Shake with Coconut
“Part of doing something is listening. We are listening. To the sun. To the stars. To the wind.” -Madeleine L’Engle It is mid-July and this week my goal is to be mindful of stopping to appreciate my time off for the summer. With thirteen years of teaching under my belt I know how important it … More Gingered Nectarine Green Smoothie
Produce with Amy 