Kitchen Sink Coleslaw

September 2, 2010

Days with the sun and gorgeous vegetables all around inspire me towards throwing things together. This one just made itself and I liked the result, eating a bowl of it with a side of hummus for lunches. Get your greens in and feel the energy flow.

Cilantro Sesame Dressing

1 bunch cilantro, washed with bottom stems removed

2 garlic cloves

1 Tb grated ginger

1 Tb mustard

2Tb apple cider vinegar

2Tb wheat free tamari soy

2Tb olive oil

juice from 1 lemon

2Tb sesame seeds

1/2 tsp sesame oil

I mix it all together in a high speed blender, you could use a food processor as well. Blend until smooth.

Kitchen Sink Coleslaw

5-6 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced

3 kale leaves, rinsed and stem removed, thinly sliced

1 carrot, grated

Cilantro Sesame Dressing

sesame seeds (optional)

Mix it together in a large bowl, add Cilantro Sesame Dressing and allow to sit in the fridge for 4 hours. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.

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Tomato Soup for Chloe

August 31, 2010

My girl loves tomato soup in her lunch box. Last year we purchased her soup at $3.99 a carton. I was happy with the ingredients, but didn’t really want her soup coming from a carton. This year the tomatoes are just too beautiful to ignore, and they are everywhere. I took a stab at making some homemade soup. I will be honest that I really thought she would protest, but from the beginning she was excited about the process. We started with 5 lovely tomatoes.

My sous chef, Patrick cored the tomatoes and removed most of the seeds. You can save the juice that comes out during this process and add it back in later. In a baking pan we put the quartered tomatoes covered with 2Tb olive oil and sea salt in a 375 degree oven for about 45 min. The skins will pucker and you can remove them after they cool. In another baking pan we put 2 chopped carrots, 1 small red onion sliced, 2 garlic cloves and 1Tb olive oil to coat with more sea salt. This was roasted at the same time, keep an eye on it, it may be done faster.

After we removed the skin everything went into the blender until smooth. In a sturdy pot add in the tomato mixture and 3 cups of chicken stock. You may need to add more salt. At this point when the soup warms you can add in 1 cup of coconut milk to bring it to that creamy place we all so love. When I am freezing this I add the tomato mixture and stock only to the jars, and add coconut milk later when we re-heat in the mornings before school. I always have coconut milk in the fridge in a glass jar as I use it for cream in my tea or decaf.

This soup past the Chloe test, she ate 4 small bowls of it as we were playing around with how much coconut milk and salt to add. So tomato soup making I shall be for the next few days, filling the freezer up next to all my jars of pesto! This soup does not have herbs added to it, my chicken stock is rich in herb flavors and I wanted to keep it simple for the kids, but adding in any herbs during roasting or fresh herbs to the soup pot would be lovely.

Creamy Tomato Lunch Box Soup

3 1/2 pounds tomatoes, about 5 large

2 carrots- roughly chopped

1 small red onion- sliced into rounds

2 garlic cloves

3 Tb olive oil

sea salt

pepper

3 cups chicken stock

1/2- 1 cup coconut milk

basil or pesto (optional)

Core, quarter and remove seeds (you can save the juice that comes out during this process and add it into the blender later) tomatoes and lay in a baking pan. Cover with 2Tb olive oil and a sprinkling of sea salt and pepper. In another baking sheet add carrot, onion and garlic cloves, cover with remaining olive oil and a bit more salt and pepper. Roast in a 375 degree oven for about 45 minutes, keep an eye on this, the carrots may need to come out sooner. When the tomatoes cool, remove skin and add into blender with carrot mixture. Blend until smooth. Add to a pot with chicken stock, once warmed add in coconut milk to taste. This would be lovely with some fresh basil or pesto as a garnish.

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Giveaway Winner and Inspiration For The Day

August 25, 2010

Congrats to Lara for winning a signed copy of Mother Daze.


It has been raining here for days and when it stops and the sun comes out, my son Eli is going to feel really happy. He has taken it on as his personal mission to save our little willow tree in the backyard. We planted it as a family during a difficult time in my marriage, not too long ago. As things were changing for Patrick and I and we were remembering why we came together 18 years ago, as we were doing lots of talking and listening to one another, it seemed a fitting time to plant this small tree. I have always loved willows, they remind me of my grandparents who lived in Illinois, of a time when things were a bit simpler. When I could go ride a bike when I wanted to or sit and draw for hours. Life changes as we take on more years and more responsibility. The trick is finding ways to stay connected to our needs and our important relationships.

Our little willow started to lose it’s leaves as the weather warmed up and the rain slowed down. Eli took notice of the little tree and we gave it some fish emulsion and a nice slow long drink from the hose. Each day after that we would notice Eli outside turning the hose on, saving his little willow. He would sit outside and wait until he felt the willow had just enough to drink. In three days on every place a leaf had fallen off a new tiny leaf had grown in it’s place. This little 5 year old was saving the little willow. After 3 days of rain, I am excited for what the tree will look like.

Eli made a connection with this little tree. He decided that it was important for him to take care of it and to nurture it. He was able to turn on and off the hose himself, a skill that last year proved difficult. I had placed a special significance on that tree the day we planted it together as a family, but that tree became Eli’s. In his heart, as he watches the tree grow over the years, he will know that he helped to make that happen.

I feel inspired by that. In these small moments there is such abundance of possibility. We can expand our world with small decisions and quiet actions.

Where have you found inspiration lately? Leave a comment and inspire us!

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{Living It} With Christine Carr and a Giveaway

August 20, 2010

Women living in their joy who are guided by their passions are the inspiration behind this series of interviews. Let their joy inspire you towards yours.

Please leave a comment down below, perhaps with a humorous moment, for a chance to win a signed copy of Mother Daze.

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Christine Carr and I met through the internet, a way that I have connected with incredible women who have become my “net-friends.” Christine immediately radiated joy through her words to me and I was inspired to share her with you. Why is Christine, mother of three and author of a book written just for mothers, Living It? This is from her blog, “Success to me is not measured in dollars. The real measure of success comes from within. Not the physical attributes but rather how one sees their soul. Have you sprinkled joy? Are you grateful? Do you take the time to apologize? Can people trust you? Do you laugh everyday? Do you welcome & accept constructive criticism? If you are comfortable with your replies, you have the necessary tools to be successful. True success can’t be bought or bottled – it’s earned.”

Christine is clearly living in her joy as she faces challenges and rough spots like all of us, and yet she is driven to succeed as she leads with her soul.

Hannah Marcotti: Christine, can you tell us about the book and what inspired you to write it?

Christine Carr: Mother Daze focuses on the trials and tribulations of raising young children in today’s society. The story offers a virtual high five to all mothers doing the job. As an elementary school physical education teacher for sixteen years and a busy mother of three, I understand the importance of raising the bar, but how high is too high? At work, I have witnessed thousands of young children demonstrate their ability to rumble, tumble, and fumble. I notice the important need for all children to play fair, be kind, and work well with others… my P.E. activities do not work without it. I believe that life is like a game and we can all benefit from following the rules.

I do not pretend to have this parenting thing all figured out — there are certainly days that I’m sinking up to my eyeballs like the rest of us. However, Mother Daze reminds us that we all have our hurdles in life… it’s our choice whether or not to jump. These days, parents are overstressed and kid’s lives are consistently over-scheduled. This story dares to tell the truth in a humorous, heartfelt, and entertaining style. Women deserve to be celebrated on a grand scale… mothers are impressive creatures.


HM: What is your power food/meal?

CC: My favorite “power” snack food is made by Kashi – the Go Lean Chewy chocolate/peanut butter protein & fiber bar is THE best. I could live on their products. As for my favorite food, I’m on a bit of a sushi kick. I must admit, though, my favorite fix comes from Whole Foods – the Multi-Grain Rice California Roll is delicious.

HM: What color when you see it or wear it, do you feel connected to?

CC: I love the feel of burgundy. For me, the richness provides comfort. And in clothes, I think the color adds a little warmth and style to any wardrobe.

HM: What is the funniest moment you’ve had recently?

CC: Recently, while traveling with friends to the Lake Compounce Amusement Park, there seemed to have been a mix-up involving the group’s ticket purchasing. I had paid for our family’s tickets but somehow another family was
short one ticket. Rather than go back and stand in the ridiculously long line, we decided to tell the gal at the turnstile that my youngest daughter Finley was only three… thus allowing her free access into the park. As soon as the woman questioned her age, I said, “She is three.” Finley, confused by my response yelled out, “No I’m not, I’m four.” To which I returned with, “Oh yes, you’ll be four.” And that’s when our ill plan went south because my two other darling, truth- telling children piped up with, “No she’s not. She’s going to be FIVE.” Hysterical! I was completely busted right at the gates. The girl at the entrance didn’t have the heart to send us packing but it sure was funny to get caught in the little, white lie. Live and learn.

HM: Lemons or Limes?

CC: Limes, of course — I’m thinking Margaritas and Coronas

HM: Chocolate cake or ice cream?

CC: I love both, but I’ll go with chocolate cake.

HM: What song represents your life now?

CC: Boy, that’s a tough one. According to the book, I guess I would have to pick Martina McBride’s “This One’s for the Girls.” For the endless gift of my family and friends, Natalie Merchant’s “Kind and Generous” and for just good- clean-fun, the latest song by B.O.B with Hayley Williams “Airplanes” – it’s a great one to blast in my car.

HM: Chris, thank you so much for taking the time to share with us and for offering this fun giveaway. Are there any upcoming events for readers in the New England area?

CC: Along with fifteen other fabulous women, I will be a part of the Boston cast of Expressing Motherhood. You won’t want to miss this. www.expressingmotherhood.com Tickets can be purchased here. The performances will be held at The Durrell Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts on: Thursday, September 30th @ 8PM, Friday, October 1st @ 8PM and Saturday, October 2nd @ 8 PM

On Saturday, October 23rd, from 10:00am – 12:00pm I will be in New Jersey at the Barry D. Brown Health Education Center for Virtua. We’ll share some laughter as moms connect about the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of motherhood. There are also several book talk/signings scheduled throughout the fall with various Moms Clubs and Book Clubs. If you are interested in hosting a gathering, contact me directly through www.christine-carr.com

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Leave a comment down below to enter a giveaway for a signed copy of Mother Daze. You could share a humorous moment with us. If you tweet or post this interview on FB come back and let us know and we’ll enter your name again! Winners will be announced Tuesday. Congrats to Lara! great story too Lara.

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Blackbird

August 17, 2010

Today’s guest post is written by a member of the summer Connecting Group, Bernadette Vaughn. I hope her message of becoming present and learning to “fly” will resonate with you and encourage you to notice the small moments in life that lead to great opportunities. I am so honored to have Bernadette in my program, watching her start spreading her wings, seeing her embrace her life…

It seems to me that up until I joined Hannah’s Connecting Group I did a lot of waiting. Waiting to feel like myself again. Waiting for the time to start AND finish the various fiber arts projects I had in mind. Waiting to get my mindless eating under control. Waiting for the right time to strengthen my relationships. I suppose you could even say I was waiting for Hannah to reach out to me. And she did! When I got her postcard in my child’s cubby, something in me could not ignore it. I knew I was sick, physically and emotionally, of waiting around.

Besides meeting an AMAZING group of powerful women (who had been waiting around just like me) and learning recipes that taste fabulous AND treat my body with kindness and respect, one of my favorite parts of our group sessions comes at the end when we each pick an affirmation card out of a deck. Hannah says we don’t have to share if we don’t want to, but we always do. It is incredible how each woman seems to get EXACTLY what she needs at that moment!

My favorite pick so far has been “The Point of Power is ALWAYS in the Present Moment.” This statement has resonated with me over the past few months on a daily basis. It brings me back to center and I consider it my personal mantra. (I am not beyond getting it tattooed somewhere on my body – I love it THAT much!) The back of the card says “The past is over…I can be free in this moment…I am in charge…I take my power back…I am safe.” It sums up everything I am learning in our Connecting Group. My life is happening now! It’s my choice in this moment to live the life I was meant to live or as the poet Mary Oliver says “breathing just a little and calling it a life”. So I can wake up in the morning frazzled and late and grumpy with my Guys, or I can take baby steps at getting organized and rested and ask for help. I can whine and complain that I don’t have time to knit or I can get off Facebook and finish that wool
shrug before NEXT August. I can protest that I’ll NEVER make a quilt because I am not good at sewing and my machine is crappy or I can say a big fat ” YES!” when someone offers to lend me a machine and give me lessons. I can yell back at my son when he’s having a meltdown or I can take a breath and speak to him like I would like to be spoken to when I am hurt and frustrated. It’s MY decision in the MOMENT. Every second of our lives the Universe is presenting us with choices, not just at the “Big” Moments.

After a couple sessions with Hannah, I caught myself singing “Blackbird” by the Beatles over and over. I always associated it with my son’s birth (you diehard ER fans know why!), but now it has become for me the soundtrack to this miraculous process that our group has begun. I can’t WAIT to see what other songs we’ll each bring to this gig!

There are still spots available in the Fall Connecting Groups, in person or on the phone. Registration ends soon, so sign up today!

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Lessons And Gifts From The Beach

August 10, 2010

Little feet running through the waves, heads dipped in sandy puddles and towels wrapped around a chilly mama…pure bliss. We found ourselves quite spontaneously in one of my favorite places in Maine as we accompanied Patrick on a business trip. He went and ate lobster and steak in a fancy beach house overlooking the water and the kids and I sat ourselves down on a huge stretch of sand and had a sandy popcorn, strawberries and sandwich lunch. Both lovely options for a day at the beach!!!

The sky eventually poured down on us and luckily we had a car full of towels. The kids each chose one rock to bring home and Eli has lost his about 8 times in the past week. He looks around for it everywhere, calling out to his perfectly round black stone. Our backyard garden holds so many special gifts from the beaches, rocks and stones and pieces of wood.

I have been working a lot. Running your own business, especially one that helps others live their best lives can be a bit consuming. My passion for what I do makes me want to go at a pace that sometimes brings me to burnout. I remember Oprah saying recently to Geneen Roth that she lost herself somewhere in trying to help everyone else. A few weeks ago I understood that feeling. I was forgetting to have fun and take days to just enjoy. I was forgetting to take my own advice and give in to FUN a little bit.

When I am on this beach I feel relaxed and peaceful and full of balance. I can capture that feeling and find ways to bring it with me, to my work, to my clients, to my home. This is the town where I was married, where I spent countless summers, where I would dream of seeing the little feet of my children running on the sand, someday. Being a mother isn’t the dreamy life I pictured before the children came, no one can prepare you for the part of yourself that will feel lost and stuck some days (or the hormones). There is no way to explain that being alone will take on new meaning when you have 5 minutes with no one around after chasing 3 children all day. There is also no way to explain how you grow into your motherhood and own it with a passion and a purpose that was not there before. How you become a mama bear to your cubs, watching them eat blueberries until they might pop and taking such pleasure in simply feeding them. This job, motherhood, takes work. It requires a patience that most days, I struggle to find. It also reminds me that to be the most powerful mother I must be the most powerful woman. I must own my strength and purpose, so that is what I seek to do and guide others to do.

On the way through town we stopped into the cute little candy shop and the kids picked a few pieces (balance) and Patrick and I found these dark chocolate coconut candies that were awesome. Patrick announced the next day that it would be good to know how to make them, and so, I did. My version of these little Chocolate Coconut Drops is my little gift from the beach to you.

Reminder that the Live Call All About YOU is coming this Monday, register here to get your spot on the call. It is so important to take some time to focus on YOU.

Chocolate Coconut Drops

1 cup coconut

pinch of salt

2 cups of dark chocolate bar, broken up

1 Tb honey

1 Tb maple syrup

2 Tb coconut oil

2 tsp vanilla

In a 350 degree oven, toast the coconut on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for about 4 minutes (use a timer). Watch it closely or it will burn, you want it to just start turning a light brown. Remove, sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt, allow to cool. Melt the chocolate, I use a saucepan, you could use a double broiler. When the chocolate is soft add in other ingredients, stir until combined, add in the toasted coconut. Using a teaspoon, drop chocolate onto parchment paper. Place the chocolates in the freezer for 10 minutes, then transfer to a container and store in the fridge. In the heat, you will want to keep them cold.

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FREE Teleclass All About YOU

July 28, 2010

FREE Teleclass you are not going to want to miss out on. This is time to focus on YOU, identify your areas of imbalance, spot the energy drains and make a plan to invest in YOU.

  • Where have you been investing all of your time, energy, money and thought?
  • What would it feel like to put some of that investment directly into YOU?
  • Is investing in ourselves selfish?
  • What is one place where investment in YOU could yield positive high energy results?

These are some of the questions we are going to look at and answer in the upcoming FREE Teleclass.

The call is on Monday, August 16th at 8:30 pm Eastern time

Register Now!!!


The call will be live and I will be offering some amazing give-aways to names drawn during the call. Not just one, but multiple names will be drawn. I have never done this before and am so excited to be able to share a gift with you. A gift that will take you to the next level in your self investment. You must be on the call to hear your name drawn and receive your gift. Register now to receive the call in number and add your name to the list of women serious about their investment in themselves.

What are some areas of self investment? Here are some of the areas we will be looking at.

  1. Relationships- with ourselves, with our partners and friends. Where we are gaining or losing energy from these relationships and steps we can take to nurture ourselves and invest in relationships that work.
  2. Moving Bodies- investing in ourselves means making choices that aren’t always easy. Like moving our body when we just want to sleep that extra hour.
  3. Passions- remember when you were a kid and could go play outside all day long and create a little fantasy world around you? You were connecting with passion then. We will take some time to remember and connect with that play spirit.
  4. Money- where we chose to put our money and the result of that investment is a source of much energy drain. I know what I’m talking about here!!! We will look at decisions for energy gain and momentum and see where you fall in your investments.
  5. Health- from the mind to the body to the spirit, this is my favorite topic. Our investment in our health from some quiet time alone to organic strawberries to the drive-thru window, each has an energy impact on us and an investment that we can clearly see the results of.

Are you comfortable looking at yourself close-up? This is going to be a gentle process, it’s about your process, your goo as I call it.



The close-ups (physically-the pores and wrinkles and emotionally-the fears and walls we put up) can be a challenge, when we proceed with gentleness and guidance, the process simplifies and opens us up to new possibilities.

I want to inspire you to move past your stuck places into greater joy, health, energy and positivity. You will leave the call with the tools, resources and inspiration to invest in YOU.

As added inspiration you will hear from women who I have guided through their own investments in themselves and they will amaze you. These life changing moments they will share are why this investment is of so much value, purpose and inspiration.

Have you signed up yet? Stop waiting for that magic thing that will change your life, that magic is YOU. YOU are the one who can change your life and lead it to the places you dream about.

The call is on Monday, August 16th at 8:30 pm Eastern time

Register Now!!!


The call will last for 45 minutes, and then will open for questions. You will want to have a notebook and pen, glass of water and comfy spot to sit while on the call.

Where is one place you know you need to invest further in yourself?

Leave a comment and I will enter your name twice to win a little give-away on the call. Tweet about the teleclass or add this post to your Facebook page, leave a comment for each and increase your chances of winning something that will help guide your investment in yourself. Thanks for help spreading the word!

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The Goo

July 21, 2010

Chloe and I took advantage of a sick baby finally sleeping to have a quiet, Ladies Lunch

I was cleaning out my fridge the other day (great activity in the heat) and there was this sticky, gunky goo under one of the drawers. I took my sponge and started to scrub it, used my nail to try to scrape it and let it sit in some natural cleaner. Nothing was working, it seemed as though the goo was gaining strength under my attempts to break it down. Also during my fridge clean out, I need to mention that I was really crabby. Crabby or frustrated for me means cleaning in a frantic rampage all around the house.

So crabby mama was fighting this goo, goo was not yielding and I became distracted for a moment. I started rubbing the spot of gunk in a gentle way, as I was trying to talk to one of my kids. I noticed that the goo was starting to break up and disappear under the sponge. I tried it on another spot, magic, goo be gone! There was a lot of goo, and the gentleness method was removing it.

I thought about the goo in the next few days, and how we so easily try to fight against what is in our way. In the fight, resistance builds and that which we are fighting gains strength and momentum. If we are moving through some of our fears, focusing on the fear only brings more resistance. We want to take a risk, a chance, but the fear is too great. The focus becomes the fear and why we have never succeeded and always failed. The fear is fought with self defeating language and builds resistance becoming stronger, more alive, full of power. What if we approach instead with kindness, a gentleness that we might approach a friend dealing with a similar situation. If we take a moment to understand the fear, ask it why it has helped us in the past and appreciate how it’s helped, but that today it will be released and forgiven.

Today I will do one thing, take one action, with gentleness and purpose.

Stepping out of my comfort zone and planning new projects brings joy to my world, yet at some point along the way I find all the reasons why I’m not quite good enough for it. (FEAR) When one of my kids get sick, it can spiral me into disaster. First, no sleep, then the whining (the kids whine too!) and I start fighting against what can’t be done. I put on my boxing gloves and give the exhaustion and lack of space a great fight. One punch, “I can’t get anything done, no one is sleeping and the house is a mess.” Second punch, “Look at all the things that aren’t working around here. I’m all alone in this.” Third punch, “I give up, I’m just not cut out for this. I have been trying so hard to stay positive and keep my house clean, for what?”

You see the fight? In that fight so much resistance is being built up. Yet, a gift lies within those fights. You see where you need to be gentler to your own “goo.” Part of that goo is the fight. When I acknowledge my exhaustion and need for space as normal for me, usually with a laugh from Patrick, after having flung all of those self insults around, I am softened to the process. It doesn’t mean I won’t fight again next time, just that a new understanding, a softness for my getting through the tough stuff starts to become part of that process.

I want to invite you to look at your goo? Where could you find some gentleness for it? What is the importance of that goo in your life?

As you start to think about this part of your process I am excited to offer you a FREE tele-class in early August to help guide you along. I’m going to be giving you some tips to bring your life and health to the next level, and we’ll have some live give-aways on the call. It is going to be fun and purposeful and you are going to want to be there. I’ll have details soon, so stay in touch.

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Nori

July 16, 2010

Visit me over at kidoinfo today and learn my quick nori sandwich!

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Rain Re-Frame

July 14, 2010

Wednesday is my work day, the kids are with some friends and a babysitter and I have 6 hours to “work.” (I find it strange to call what I do work, although the marketing, yes, work.) Our babysitter was unable to come due to a family emergency and I went from having plans to meet with a colleague for a power meeting of the minds, looking at office space, and marketing work, to being home with lots of children. 5 in all. Some re-framing was in order.

That’s where the camera comes in. When you look from behind the lens at the moments that seem ordinary and boring things change. Playing with blocks while the big kids watch a movie in the only air conditioned room becomes quite special. It only lasts 4 minutes with the tower destroyer, but we had fun.

I focused on what was happening, rather than all that wasn’t, watched the rain pour down, missed photographing the dress up, listened to endless requests for food.

Fed kids countless times, to the point where they were eating dry granola because there wasn’t milk of the almond or rice or other varieties around.

Felt joy in a sink with no dirty dishes, I have no dishwasher, just these two hands! I am claiming victory over those fruit flies.

Snuck in some time to read some of our favorites since Chloe was little, and sipped a hot cup of tea.

Eating continued, a bowl of kettle corn for my group found it’s way to the kids and homemade pizza of the easiest variety for lunch. It was gobbled up so fast I had to make more to take a picture, and then it was gobbled up just as quickly.

Did you do any rain re-frame?

Easiest Pizza Ever

1 brown rice tortilla (Trader Joe’s is my source)

3 Tb pasta sauce on top of the tortilla

1/4 cup or so grated raw cheddar cheese on the sauce

In 350 degree oven, bake the pizza on cookie sheet for about 15 minutes or until cheese is bubbling. Have fun adding other toppings, pesto is quite nice. I top my pizza after it cools a bit with lettuce and cucumber dressed with balsamic dressing and enjoy pizza and a salad all in one.

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