At the time of this writing, we’re going on the fourteenth consecutive day of gray skies here in Iowa. The weather folks tell us we’ll hit seventeen before there’s even a chance the sun will rear its gorgeous head. When that day arrives, I envision all of us standing outside with our faces to the […]
Author Archives: Paula Widish
11
Apr
Apr
I have great news, folks! According to my Celebrate Everything calendar, April 12 is National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day. Celebrating this classic sandwich, which doubles as a major comfort food, is some fun I can get behind. While I spent my childhood nibbling on the standard interpretation of the grilled cheese—bread, butter, and cheese—I’ve come […]
04
Apr
Apr
If you’re like me, you go through cycles of squirreling away food like, well, a squirrel. Maybe you buy ingredients for a new recipe you never try. Perhaps you get a great deal on that “super food” that no one liked. Or it could be that you’re just in a rut from cooking the same […]
28
Mar
Mar
Every year when the spring equinox rolls around I start craving the ultra-freshness of local fruits and vegetables. Aside from the vibrant flavors, local produce is also nutritionally superior to the stuff that’s trucked in from the other side of the country (and skipping the trucks altogether is better for the air we breathe too). […]
21
Mar
Mar
So often, we’re apprehensive about speaking up in the doctor’s office. Our doc is the expert, so we think: Don’t doubt his or her suggestions. Don’t look foolish by admitting you got lost in the conversation. Just be a good patient and go with the flow. I’m not saying this is the way it should […]
14
Mar
Mar
Wouldn’t it be great if leftover night were the most anticipated meal on your weekly menu? Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. Our boys only have to hear the word leftovers before they’re suddenly certain they can do without dinner. For some reason, simply warming up the same thing we had the night before last […]
07
Mar
Mar
We know things can change in the blink of an eye when it comes to the foods we should put in our shopping carts and the foods we should leave out—at least according to the powers that be. Only recently, we learned how the sugar industry funded research that falsely portrayed fat as the demon […]
28
Feb
Feb
Our bodies are amazing. Each part serves a specific purpose, but they also work together to give us signals when something isn’t quite right. Since February is all about the heart, here are some surprising things the rest of your body can tell you about your heart——and what you can do to diminish your risk […]
21
Feb
Feb
A content heart is one that you take care of on all levels. You recognize and deal with your emotions in a constructive way. You engage in physical activity to get your heart pumping so often that it’s a common occurrence. And last but absolutely not least, you give it all of the nutrients it […]
14
Feb
Feb
Was one of your resolutions this year to become more physically fit? It was for me. You haven’t fallen off your resolution wagon, have you? I know I haven’t, and we’ll assume you still have the drive and desire to achieve what you set out to do too. We’ve got this. As you get into […]
07
Feb
Feb
It’s February. The month we dedicate to the celebration love. What symbol pops into your head when you consider the word “love”? A heart, of course. While the human heart is only kinda sorta the same shape as the symbol we’re familiar with, thinking about it prompted me to revisit all the things I’d forgotten […]
31
Jan
Jan
This is the time of year that soup always sounds good. I mean, what’s not to love? Satisfaction, warmth, and deliciousness in every spoonful. Plus, all the necessary elements of a nutritious meal—protein, fats, and carbs—show up in one bowl with ease and speed. You can’t beat that. However, in order to get everything you […]
24
Jan
Jan
Peanuts have been on the list of food bad guys for some time now. With the severe (even life-threatening) allergies that so many kids deal with every moment of their lives, it’s no wonder schools have cracked down. These days, in some schools the once ubiquitous peanut butter and jelly sandwich can’t even make it […]
17
Jan
Jan
Think about the last time someone reached out and grabbed your hand just when you needed it. Chances are, this gesture immediately made you feel calmer, more supported, and ready to face whatever challenge was in front of you. This response isn’t unique to you or your situation (though there’s no harm in focusing on […]
10
Jan
Jan
A few years back I started donating blood on a regular basis. The main reason why goes back to a memory of my mom coming home with a sticker on her shirt. It read something along the lines of: Be kind to me. I donated blood today. I don’t remember her talking about it, but […]
03
Jan
Jan
Another year has begun. Now that the trials and tribulations of 2016 are behind us, we can charge toward the resolutions we declared for the clean slate of 2017. As you consider what you want to achieve in the upcoming year, there are a few things you can do to set yourself up for success. […]
27
Dec
Dec
Remember when you were younger and “old” people were always talking about how quickly time goes by? You didn’t believe them, right? Neither did I—but I’m there now. I’m always flabbergasted when we get to another one of our boys’ birthdays or the last few days of any given year. Yet here we are at […]
20
Dec
Dec
Every year at least one surprise gift-giving event pops up. In a moment of panic, it can be tempting to grab any ol’ generic gift—think a random box of assorted chocolates or some Santa-shaped trinket. Not only are such gifts impersonal, they’re also kinda’ lame. I’ve got fantastic news for you though… Your last-minute gifts […]
13
Dec
Dec
This past year was kind of a doozy for my whole family. We faced several major life events that demanded a fair bit of our life energy. So this gift-giving season, I want to put the emphasis on laughter, fun, and celebration when it comes to picking out the perfect presents for everyone on my […]
06
Dec
Dec
The gift-giving season is here, and you have a very important question to answer. What kind of gift giver do you want to be? The kind who gives out yet more “things” that lose their luster shortly after being unwrapped? Or the kind who doles out gifts that can help change a person’s life? The […]