The Empty Nest Kitchen

In this episode, I'm talking about a culinary medicine class I recently completed, offered by George Washington University and my local community college. The class, designed specifically for food service professionals, emphasized the importance of health and diet, particularly through the lens of the Mediterranean diet. 

As a heart attack survivor, we get into the deeper dive into the diet's benefits, including its potential to alleviate menopausal symptoms. I'll also fill you in on a new offering—Menopause Meal Plans—featuring curated recipes, shopping lists, and a private Facebook group to support women in adopting healthier eating habits. 

00:00 Intro

00:15 Culinary Medicine Class Experience

01:52 Understanding Diet and Health

04:56 The Mediterranean Diet

05:28 Controversies and Clarifications

06:42 Practical Tips for a Healthier Diet

12:35 Capstone Project and Menopause

17:51 Menopause Meal Plans

24:08 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

Elizabeth Cromwell chats about her adventurous sabbatical after moving from Maryland to San Francisco, sharing her journey through various life changes, including her professional path, divorce, and becoming an empty nester. Creating her own life sabbatical gave her the structure to travel across Italy, the US, and Martha's Vineyard, among other places, emphasizing the value of decompression, self-discovery, and living into new experiences. Elizabeth provides practical advice for women looking to undertake their own life sabbatical, underlining the importance of being intentional and seeking support from loved ones. Dig in to learn how to create your own daring and courageous life with the empty nest.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:15 Elizabeth's Journey to San Francisco
03:02 Embracing Change and Challenges
06:08 Planning a Sabbatical
09:23 First Quarter in Italy
14:54 Exploring Trusted House Sitters
18:50 Martha's Vineyard and Autism Advocacy
20:22 Self-Sustaining Farm Life
21:05 Volunteering and Nonprofit Management
22:21 Holiday Reunions and Travel Plans
24:12 Advice for Women Embracing Change
28:35 Embracing Age and Freedom
29:51 Conclusion and Future Plans

Find information about Trusted Housesitters.

Learn more about Island Autism.

Read Elizabeth's Travel Journal here!

Exploring Pilates with Dawn Conine

This week, Christine hosts Dawn Conine, the lead instructor at Club Pilates in Frederick and Germantown, Maryland. Christine and Dawn discuss their experiences with Reformer Pilates, touching upon its history, the equipment used, and its benefits for strength, flexibility, and balance. Dawn also shares her personal fitness journey from competitive aerobics to becoming a Pilates instructor. Take a listen!

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:42 What is Reformer Pilates?

03:31 Benefits of Pilates for All Ages

05:08 Levels and Equipment in Pilates

09:01 Dawn's Journey to Pilates

10:00 Competitive Aerobics Background

13:50 Transition to Teaching Pilates

17:57 The Strength and Personalization of Pilates

19:30 Understanding Pilates Springs

20:35 Pilates Weekend Getaway

21:44 Feet and Straps Explained

24:36 Benefits of Pilates

26:15 Finding the Right Instructor

28:52 Encouragement for All Bodies

31:22 Men in Pilates

35:16 Conclusion and Class Information

Kick off season two with a conversation with literal ray of Sunshine, Sandy Dubay, the bright and shiny founder of PPR Strategies. We'll talk about the intricacies of running a business focused on economic development, workforce development, and tourism. Sandy shares her journey of building her company, the joys and challenges of managing a team, and the importance of mentorship and supporting younger generations. The episode is filled with personal anecdotes, tips for aspiring empty nest entrepreneurs, and inspiring stories about the dedication of those working in economic development. A must-listen for anyone interested in community growth, business development, and women empowering women.

You can find Sandy and her awesome team at PPR Strategies.

00:00 Welcome Back to Season Two!
00:24 Meet Sandy Dubay: A Vision of Positivity
01:12 Hair Wash Day Chronicles
02:06 The Coolest Listeners
02:40 Introducing PPR Strategies
04:22 Interns and Their Impact
08:57 Economic Development Insights
17:24 The Challenges of Running a Business
21:58 Embracing Change and Dreaming Big
25:28 Exploring Love Languages
25:59 Finding Confidence and Positivity
26:44 The Importance of Team Dynamics
27:49 Celebrating Birthdays and Strengths
28:53 Gifts and Love Languages
30:34 Cooking and Food Adventures
35:56 Women Supporting Women
41:37 Concluding Thoughts and Farewells

Let's talk about favorite food-themed movies and TV shows, emphasizing the romance and inspiration found within the food world. Summer is the perfect time to draw the curtains on the steamiest day, drop the temperature of the ac to just above polar, make yourself the very tastiest summer snack, and watch really great food movies & tv.

Enjoy this guide and get inspired to cook this summer!

Find Christine at:
FB: @emptynestkitchen
IG: @TheEmptyNestKitchen
Web: EmptyNestKitchen.com

Find Christine at:
FB: @emptynestkitchen
IG: @TheEmptyNestKitchen
Web: EmptyNestKitchen.com
Linked In: @christinevanbloem

After navigating a successful 16-year run with her branding agency, LauraAura found herself at a crossroads during the challenges of COVID-19. Our meeting at an online workshop set the stage for today's conversation, where Laura shares the emotional journey of letting go of her team and rediscovering what truly fulfills her. Together, we unpack the resilience and self-reflection required to face major career shifts and how Laura's path led her to become an inspiring coach for women seeking more out of life.

Ever wonder how embracing your authentic self could transform your life? We dive into the power of shedding societal conditioning and the stress-reducing magic of being true to ourselves. LauraAura outlines practical steps to unlock your deepest desires with a combination of tough love and unwavering support. From one-on-one coaching to the vibrant Gutsy Collective community, discover how a journey toward authenticity can profoundly enhance your relationships and personal well-being.

We also explore the liberating effects of midlife, where superficial concerns fade, and true fulfillment takes center stage. Revel in personal stories about breaking free from societal expectations and how this newfound freedom boosts confidence and creativity. As we wrap up the episode, enjoy a lighthearted chat about simple pleasures like chicken salad and the quirky dream of a nacho cheese fountain. You'll leave feeling inspired to embark on your own journey toward genuine self-discovery and growth.

Find LauraAura at:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/thatlauraaura/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/thatlauraaura/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thatlauraaura
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurafwallace/
Upcoming Workshop:  https://lauraaura.com/mindfuckery

Find Christine at:
FB: @emptynestkitchen
IG: @TheEmptyNestKitchen
Web: EmptyNestKitchen.com
Linked In: @christinevanbloem

Say hello to Chef Danielle Turner, the mastermind behind Salt Sanity. After her husband's heart issues struck, Danielle took her classic training to a new level by retraining herself to find the flavor in food without all the salt.

Now Danielle is here to teach you through her The Food Lover's Guide to Low Sodium Living (with a 15% special discount for ENK podcast listeners) and Low Sodium YOUniversity, aimed at showing you how to reduce the salt and amp up the flavor.

Find Danielle at:
FB: @saltsanity1500
IG: @saltsanity
Web: SaltSanity.com

Find Christine at:
FB: @emptynestkitchen
IG: @TheEmptyNestKitchen
Web: EmptyNestKitchen.com

We all go through stuff, especially once mid-life hits. Finding resilience and making the choice between recovering or not can be difficult, but not impossible.

This week I'm talking with Kelly Beins, an occupational therapist who built a business, closed a business, and now is thriving in her career.

You'll hear about the mental ups and downs in entrepreneurship and how it's not always as easy as pulling yourself up by the bootstraps. Kelly's humor and willingness to talk about the tough stuff makes this conversation really special.

Find Christine at:
FB: @emptynestkitchen
IG: @TheEmptyNestKitchen
Web: EmptyNestKitchen.com

What happens when you combine a chatterbox cook with an Improv pro?

This week, we're talking about finding the funny with Laura Stark of the improv troupe That's What She Said! The conversations bobs and weaves through pronouns, yoga, bread baking, and why improv for the empty nest ladies is a great (and fun!) idea!

You can find tickets to the That's What She Said May 31, 2024 improv performance in Frederick, MD here.

Find Christine at:
FB: @emptynestkitchen
IG: @TheEmptyNestKitchen
Web: EmptyNestKitchen.com