A quick prologue: When my boys were just entering their teens, I started taking writing workshops. While at a two-week intensive, I met a widely-published author I grew to respect. "I'm so envious of your success," I admitted to her after our wrap-up meeting lasting longer than it was supposed to. She paused, then threw me a look of what I remember to be a mixture of anger and regret. "And I envy … [Read more...] about Will Arguments Never Cease: Stay-at-Home or Working Mother?
Midlife Crisis? Strike That Phrase From the Dictionary.
Now that I’ve had a few years to settle into my so-called midlife, I have some bones to pick. There are those two words…so common to the boomer generation…that stick in my craw. (Okay, that expression should be struck, too.) I’ll admit there are some words that deserve to live together eternally. Like “King” and “Queen;” “Odds” and “Ends;” “Bread” and “Water.” “Wrinkles" and … [Read more...] about Midlife Crisis? Strike That Phrase From the Dictionary.
Take These 20 Baby Steps Toward Better Health…Without Feeling Deprived
We all want to be healthy when it comes to our food but the idea of eating like rabbits or having to stay away from restaurants has obviously can put a lot of people off. But that is a very extreme way of thinking and can potentially do emotional damage. There are plenty of things you can do to be more mindful of your health, none of which meaning you have to drastically change your diet. And you … [Read more...] about Take These 20 Baby Steps Toward Better Health…Without Feeling Deprived
Who Needs Friends? We All Do – And Why.
My friendships have always sustained me. Even though I was quite a shy kid, I always managed to surround myself with good friends. In fact, good friends rank as high on the importance scale as do my husband and children. Yes, a lot of energy goes into my friendships—yet I have no doubt that this is a near-universal experience. It's no wonder Aristotle said: "Without friends no one would choose … [Read more...] about Who Needs Friends? We All Do – And Why.
Ma’am? Who You Callin’ Ma’am???
I don't know about you, but when I look in the mirror I see the same face that I saw ten, twenty, even thirty years ago. Maybe that's one advantage of compromised eyesight: it puts a lovely, gauze-like film over whatever you're looking at. The effect is somewhat poetic and dramatic, though subtle: an image awash in just a bit of haze, enough to make it look dreamy and quite lovely. And then, … [Read more...] about Ma’am? Who You Callin’ Ma’am???
How’s Your Memory? Secrets from a Champ
We all have our so-called little tricks. Some use post-it notes. Others use a string around their finger. And then there are those of us who write the same thing down on three different lists... only to forget where we left those lists. It's embarrassing when you walk out to the parking lot and can't remember where you parked your car. Or how about when you're stuck for a word and it … [Read more...] about How’s Your Memory? Secrets from a Champ
Something I’ve Always Wondered About: Should You Wash Bagged Greens?
Ever since the outbreak of Listeria from bagged salad greens (eight times in 2012!), I've been paranoid about washing my greens. Even if they come bagged, and the bag is marked "triple washed," I pay no attention. Out comes my salad spinner (what a great invention - can't live without it) and rinse...and rinse...and rinse. I mean, who wants Listeria, which can multiply at refrigerator … [Read more...] about Something I’ve Always Wondered About: Should You Wash Bagged Greens?
What You’re Probably Not Getting Enough of in Your Diet
Quick - what comes to mind when you hear the word "fiber?" I'll bet it's something to do with needing it to stay "regular." Well, yes, that's one thing fiber helps you do - avoid constipation. But it's important for other reasons, too. And since March is National Nutrition Month (it's also the month we change the clocks - yay!) it's a good time to think about putting more … [Read more...] about What You’re Probably Not Getting Enough of in Your Diet
As Good as Chicken Soup?
I don't know about you, but it's been a pretty bad cold/flu season here in the Kraft household. First, I came down with my first cold (flu?) in about three or four years, and it was a whopper. I still don't know if it was a milder version of the flu - (Yep. I had my flu shot. But new reports say the developers kind of slipped...and didn't guess it right with as much accuracy as past years. It's … [Read more...] about As Good as Chicken Soup?
What Every Woman Needs to Know About Heart Disease
Since yesterday was Valentine's Day (hope you all had a good one!) , you might have already figured out this is not going to be about protecting your heart in the area of LOVE. (For that advice, I hand the reigns over to a relationship expert like Alisa Bowman, and her popular blog, Project Happily Ever After.) Instead, since February also happens to be the month that celebrates heart … [Read more...] about What Every Woman Needs to Know About Heart Disease