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Let's celebrate the arrival of spring by digging into a variety of spring veggies and herbs, including artichokes, asparagus, and fresh chives. You'll hear tips on how to prepare and cook these ingredients, with a bit of practical advice. And be sure to register for my free cooking class sponsored by AARP Maryland on April 5, where you'll learn to cook eggs with ricotta and fresh chives, cappuccino chip muffins, and super crispy oven potatoes. 

00:00 Introduction and Springtime Joy
00:57 Spring Veggies Overview
01:33 Artichoke Adventures
08:15 Asparagus: The Spring Kahuna
12:40 Herbs: Fresh and Flavorful
18:11 Upcoming Cooking Class
19:19 Conclusion and Farewell

Register for the April 5 AARP Maryland cooking class HERE.

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Looking for inspiration? Meet Natalie Gibson, Home renovator, empty nester, and independent educational consultant. We're discussing Natalie’s journey into buying and renovating a fixer-upper home in downtown Frederick, Maryland, and her professional pivot into educational consulting. Natalie shares her experiences with her family, the importance of female friendships, and finding a support network during life's transitions. 

00:30 Welcome to the Empty Nest Kitchen
00:59 Meet Natalie Gibson
01:55 Natalie's Fixer Upper Journey
04:42 The Candlelight House Tour
09:02 Natalie's Career Transition
17:53 The Importance of Female Friendships
20:25 Navigating Midlife Challenges
24:50 Reflecting on Parenting and Future Possibilities
25:44 The Certification Process and Peer Support
26:45 Visiting Colleges and Maintaining Certification
28:23 The Importance of Asking for What You Want
30:00 Passion for Working with High School Students
31:01 Exploring Local Food and Dining Experiences
34:41 Frederick, Maryland: A Great Place to Live and Eat
40:10 Conclusion and Contact Information

You can find Natalie here at Gipson College Consulting.

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Learn essential tips and tricks for efficiently freezing meals tailored for empty nesters. You can simplify meal prep and avoid repetitive meals, and still have great food. We'll talk the science of freezing, selecting appropriate containers, proper cooling techniques, and foods to avoid freezing, as well as proper portioning and labeling for convenience and food safety. For more helpful hints, visit EmptyNestKitchen.com and sign up for the weekly email newsletter filled with practical cooking advice and free resources.

You can find the Kitchen Stickin' here.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:41 The Challenge of Cooking for One
01:17 Simplifying Meals and Avoiding Repetition
02:18 The Freezer Revolution
02:37 What Foods Freeze Well
04:53 Freezing Techniques and Tips
10:02 Proper Cooling Techniques
13:06 Foods to Avoid Freezing
14:21 Recap and Final Tips
16:35 Conclusion and Invitation

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Meet Alysia Feuer, who runs a program called Farm to School. Alysia discusses the expanded mission of farm to school initiatives to include broader public health objectives, focusing on local food access and nutritional education. They describe various collaborative activities such as cooking classes, hands-on learning experiences, and a veggie van that delivers fresh produce to communities. Further, Alysia shares her personal background and the challenges faced in securing funding for these initiatives. 

Find out how you can join an upcoming online cooking class fundraiser with Chef Drew Allen, emphasizing how participants can learn, enjoy fresh meals, and support the mission.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:44 Understanding Farm to School
02:15 Hands-On Learning and Community Engagement
05:11 Challenges and Success Stories
07:12 Local Food Systems and Farmer Support
09:26 Personal Background and Passion for Farming
12:06 Public Health and Nutrition Education
17:20 Funding Issues and Future Plans
19:45 Exciting Fundraiser Announcement
25:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode, meet Jennifer Peterson from Metamorphosis Life Counseling. Jennifer recounts her transformation from a successful real estate professional to a licensed mental health counselor and sober coach. She shares her personal journey to sobriety, including the pivotal moment that led her to embrace an alcohol-free lifestyle. Jennifer discusses how she now empowers women to explore life without alcohol, offering coaching and counseling that focus on mindfulness, breaking the guilt-shame cycle, and addressing the underlying anxieties and stresses that lead to substance use. Throughout the conversation, Jennifer emphasizes the importance of self-love, setting boundaries, and finding authentic joy and purpose.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:08 Jennifer's Journey from Real Estate to Counseling
03:33 Opening a Private Practice
03:55 Focus on Women's Mental Health
05:11 Mindfulness and Deep Breathing
07:52 Embracing an Alcohol-Free Lifestyle
22:16 Embracing Self-Love and Approval
23:23 The Journey of Not Drinking
27:19 Support Systems and Coping Mechanisms
29:46 Helping Others Through Counseling and Coaching
37:47 Mocktails and Healthy Alternatives
40:02 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Find Jennifer at Metamorphosis Coaching.

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In this episode, we're diving into the essentials of creating a Mediterranean-inspired pantry designed for ease and convenience. Say hello to 'The Magnificent Seven', categories of pantry items that can help you easily prepare meals. You'll find tips on sourcing and storing these items properly, recommended brands and specific types, and delicious meal ideas. Perfect for those looking to simplify their cooking routine while adding a touch of Mediterranean flair.

00:00 Introduction to the Mediterranean Pantry

01:31 The Magnificent Seven: Mediterranean Pantry Heroes

01:58 Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The Essential Ingredient

06:03 Whole Grains: Hearty and Healthy

09:44 Capers and Olives: Adding Brininess to Your Dishes

11:45 Tinned Fish: A Luxurious Addition

15:56 Dried Herbs: Small Quantities, Big Flavors

18:27 Vinegars: Elevate Your Cooking

20:44 Nuts: Crunchy and Flavorful

23:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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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

• Follow Christine Van Bloem on Instagram @theemptynestkitchen and on Facebook @emptynestkitchen
• Learn more about Menopause Meal Plans
• Sign up for my FREE 10 Essential Tools for the Empty Nest Kitchen