My Most Effective Workout Mantra

News Flash: I’m insanely sore from my group aerobics/hip hop cardio class last night. (Think hard-to-walk-up-stairs and cringe-anytime-my-trunk-twists kind of sore). Note: This is a news flash because it means I am unable to help anyone move any large pianos or participate in any push-up contests for the next 48 hours or so, and I’m …

Strawberry Fields Forever: Michaelis Farm

I can credit an ex-boyfriend actually for my interest in the Beatles less-well-known stuff–as a child, I was familiar with all of their #1 hits, but I’d never ventured into their actual albums (just the compilations of their top songs or whatever the oldies station played). To me, the Beatles were synonymous with “Love, Love …

Paying the Price of Improvement

Whenever I get an extra chunk of income in one swoop, there are only two things I’m tempted to spend it on–laser hair removal, or new photography equipment. With the income I just received for putting in extra time all school year to attend a professional development course, I’m leaning towards buying a new camera …

My Stay-at-Home Mom Routine (with One Kid)

Several times in the last few weeks (since I’ve quit teaching, maybe forever), I’ve been asked the following question: “So what do you DO now? How are you filling up all that spare time?” First off, I always have to inwardly chuckle a little bit at the question, especially when I get it from moms …

Cooking Economically: Cutting Down on Food Waste

In one of the books I just finished reading, The Kitchen Counter Cooking School by Kathleen Flinn (affiliate link),  she cites a pretty staggering statistic — American consumers throw away approximately 25-30% of the food we buy, which accounts for hundreds and hundreds of wasted dollars per year, not to mention a strain on our …