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Mid-life is about taking back control and time, and finally taking care of you. The importance of dietary choices becomes even more relevant as we age. This week I'm talking about my love for chicken nuggets and mozzarella sticks, and sharing a few quick recipes for feel good food that tastes great too. You'll hear practical tips and recipes for butternut squash power bowl and fish tacos, to help you incorporate nutritious and delicious foods into your routine. The episode concludes with an invitation to a free masterclass focused on easy-to-make, healthy recipes that help you feel great!

00:00 Introduction to Culinary Medicine and Menopause

01:08 The Rise of Menopause Discussions

01:29 Supplements vs. Diet

02:14 Personal Journey with Food

03:55 The Importance of Healthy Eating

05:15 Mediterranean Diet Essentials

06:30 Delicious and Healthy Recipes

09:29 Join the Free Masterclass

10:43 Conclusion and Invitation

Masterclass, Wed., Feb 5, 4pm ET. Register here.

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A broken furnace during the coldest day of the year? It's time to dig out the blankies and snuggle in for choosing a positive outlook, even when your toes are cold. So much changes when you make the shift from constant complaining to finding gratitude, and this mini episode guides you through walking the walk.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Review
00:43 Welcome to the Empty Nest Kitchen
01:08 Personal Anecdote: The Furnace Fiasco
02:13 Life's Challenges and Gratitude
03:36 Choosing Your Path
06:06 Positive Mindset and Personal Growth
09:51 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

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Have you ever heard of a Daily Money Manager? Meet Emily Lutz, owner of Liberty Paperwork Solutions! Emily shares her journey of becoming a daily money manager, a profession that involves handling clients' administrative chores like bill payments and financial tracking. 

Even though these services have always leaned toward being 'fancy', Emily explains how daily money management is becoming more common and important for various demographics, including the elderly, people with special needs, and those too busy to manage their finances. We discuss the emotional and practical benefits of having a daily money manager, Emily's motivation for starting her business, the trust and efficiency of remote services, and the importance of community and strong female friendships, especially for women in their 50s.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:07 Understanding Daily Money Management
02:28 Client Demographics and Services
03:18 Real-Life Examples and Success Stories
07:43 Remote Operations and COVID-19 Impact
09:09 Trust and Security in Financial Management
13:54 Getting Started with Liberty Paperwork Solutions
17:20 The Joy of Being a Daily Money Manager
17:52 Charging for Daily Money Management Services
18:29 Helping Younger Clients Manage Money
19:31 Generational Differences in Money Management
22:52 Finding Purpose Beyond Family
27:18 The Value of Strong Female Friendships
30:10 Conclusion and Contact Information

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Have you ever considered teaching recreational classes? Whether is cooking, crafting, or even teaching Excel, you'll learn how to identify your zone of genius, research the competition, plan and structure your class, the importance of hospitality, and deciding between private and public classes. You'll also get a little bonus on the possibilities and advantages of offering online classes. 

00:45 Welcome to Empty Nest Kitchen

01:10 Starting a Side Hustle: Teaching Classes

02:41 Identifying Your Teaching Niche

03:32 Research and Pricing Strategies

05:56 Planning Your Class

09:04 Creating a Hospitable Environment

11:31 Private vs. Public Classes

17:17 Leveraging Online Classes

21:29 Conclusion and Encouragement

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Let's talk New Year's resolutions and why, just maybe, we're ready to say so long sweetheart! 

In this bite-sized episode, it's time to embrace who we are...the awesomeness that is us. We're leaning into self-love and authenticity, knowing that the best resolution is to accept and care for ourselves. Now let's get started!

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Let's dive into butter—the best ingredient to elevate your baking game. We'll explore why different types of butter vary in price and quality, talk about making your own butter, including cultured butter, and discuss practical tips for using butter in holiday baking. Perfect for anyone prepping for a festive baking spree, tune in to understand how to choose and use butter to its fullest potential.

00:00 Introduction to Butter's Magic

01:00 Holiday Baking and Butter Choices

01:38 Understanding Different Types of Butter

03:11 Making Homemade Butter

05:54 Cultured Butter: A Fancy Twist

09:04 Choosing the Best Butter for Your Needs

11:09 Unsalted vs. Salted Butter

13:24 Tips for Softening Butter

15:47 Conclusion and Holiday Wishes


NYT Cultured Butter Recipe

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In this episode, I'm talking with Pam Stultz from Housewives of Frederick County. Pam shares her journey from starting a fun blog with her twin sister to becoming a content creator focusing on local events, restaurants, and lifestyle topics in Frederick, Maryland. As a recent Empty Nester, Pam discusses how her blog has been a lifesaver during this transition, while also detailing her strategies for community engagement and monetization. The conversation covers the importance of creating a website, building an email list, and focusing on content that resonates with the audience. Pam offers valuable advice for others looking to start similar ventures.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:41 Pam's Blogging Journey
02:08 Empty Nest and Business Focus
06:12 Starting a Hyperlocal Blog
18:38 Monetizing the Blog
27:31 Final Thoughts and Advice

Find Pam at Housewives of Frederick County.

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Growing up, our Thanksgiving was truly unique, and in this episode, I'm sharing memorable Thanksgiving traditions at "the cottage". Whether cooking for 40-60 people (or really just washing the dishes), and eating in shifts, we'll talk about Kluski noodles, baked corn, and Aunt Margie's cheesecake, and how these traditions shaped my perspective on family holidays. 

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Join me as I share expert tips for hosting a stress-free and enjoyable Thanksgiving. It can be done! 

With over 25 years of culinary experience, I've got your back when it comes to sticking to traditional dishes while finding ways to keep the cooking experience fresh and exciting. You'll find practical advice on planning, delegating tasks, and accommodating dietary restrictions, ensuring everyone leaves the dinner table fat and happy. Tune in for my favorite strategies that balance beloved holiday staples with creative twists, making your Thanksgiving a culinary success!

00:00 Introduction and Thanksgiving Countdown
00:38 Welcome to the Empty Nest Kitchen
01:15 Thanksgiving Traditions and Cooking Tips
02:10 Personal Thanksgiving Stories
05:39 Planning Your Thanksgiving Menu
09:14 Delegate and Enjoy the Holiday
17:47 Accommodating Dietary Restrictions
19:35 Final Tips and Fun Ideas
20:52 Conclusion and Farewell

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I'm joined by Jane Helm, founder of Money Mentor Group. We're talking about the taboo surrounding money conversations in many households and Jane's journey from financial struggle to financial confidence. Jane details her nine years of experience helping clients achieve financial calm and confidence, the psychological and emotional aspects of money management, and the importance of understanding both mindset and mechanics in handling finances.

We also touch on the challenges of credit card debt, the temptation of modern shopping habits, and tips for empty nesters re-evaluating their financial priorities. Jane offers insights into her services, which include personalized financial strategies and debt management coaching.

00:00 Introduction to Money Talk
01:02 Jane Helm's Background and Money Mentor Group
02:15 The Psychology of Money
04:44 Jane's Personal Money Journey
06:41 Shifting Perspectives on Money
13:04 Financial Tips for Empty Nesters
17:23 Managing Credit Card Debt
21:52 Jane's Coaching Approach
26:54 Conclusion and Contact Information

Find Jane at Money Mentor Group.

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