The obstacle is the way

I used to be very active. Even though the closest studio was a bit of a hike for me to get to, I went to yoga several times a week. It wasn’t always an easy class, either, but I went.

Practicing yoga is one of my favorite ways to exercise, but somehow, I got a way from it. A series of small things occurred, not the least of which was my favorite yoga teacher (Kristen! I miss you!) moved several states away. And the less I exercised, the more I ate.

The more I ate, the smaller my yoga clothes got.

And the smaller my yoga clothes got, the less I wanted to go to yoga. Keep reading

BOOK REVIEW: Molly on the Range: Recipes and Stories from An Unlikely Life on a Farm by Molly Yeh

Molly on the Range: Recipes and Stories from An Unlikely Life on a FarmMolly on the Range: Recipes and Stories from An Unlikely Life on a Farm by Molly Yeh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got this book for both my daughter and I to read. We watch and enjoy Molly’s show on the FoodNetwork, Girl Meets Farm. This book is quirky and appealing. I was thrilled to find a recipe for Italian Rainbow Cookies! Worth reading, even if you don’t cook from it.

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The BRAVE Interview #31 February 2019: Carmen Shenk

Enjoy this month’s BRAVE Interview with Carmen Shenk!

I’m Carmen Shenk, and I’m a retired restaurant owner.

My Austrian and I were newlyweds, delighted to have finally found each other in our 40’s. He is a pipe organ builder and he was busy with restoration projects all over. While he was doing that, I was running our busy restaurant. In those days, we took a few trips to the ER for chest pains for him and I was showing signs of adrenal fatigue. In short, we were working too much and missing each other. We sat down and had one of those “come to Jesus” conversations and then we put our restaurant on the market. It sold quickly and we were free. Keep reading

BOOK REVIEW: Be the Gift by Ann Voskamp

Be the Gift: Let Your Broken Be Turned into AbundanceBe the Gift: Let Your Broken Be Turned into Abundance by Ann Voskamp
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is filled with lovely quotes and photos. It has a list of ideas on the back of the book that you can use to be a GIFT (Give it Forward Today) to others. Some of them are truly inspired and most are very easy to do. There are also some note cards with beautiful imagery in the back of the book.

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BOOK REVIEW: Kitchen Yarns: Notes on Life, Love, and Food by Ann Hood

Kitchen Yarns: Notes on Life, Love, and FoodKitchen Yarns: Notes on Life, Love, and Food by Ann Hood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. The only thing that prevents me from giving it 5 stars is this: There is some repetition among the chapters/stories. I believe it’s because they were originally essays published elsewhere and then brought together into this one book. That’s fine, but I kept having to stop and think, “Didn’t I read this already…?” before I made that connection. Anyway, a lovely book. Great recipes, some of which reminded me of my own Italian Nana’s. Keep reading