Author: Karen

I am an RN, Author, Coach, and Speaker. I write novels about relationships to help people find insight into their own. I guide people to create comfort, clarity, and connection in their lives. By combining metaphysical tools with over twenty-five years of nursing experience, I infuse the 'art of nursing' into my practice by providing partnership and resources help people compassionately honor their health.

Buon Natale

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, family, italian, local fun, tweens

I took my daughter to Buon Natale, the Italian Christmas bazaar at St. Peter's Church on Federal St. in Portland. This was something my Italian grandmother always took me to when I was growing  up, and it remains a happy childhood memory for me to this day. I wanted to share this with my daughter. … Continue reading Buon Natale

Date night: Maine Diner and a Movie

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, local fun, movies, restaurants

Date night last night was short, but great. We unexpectedly had a babysitter when I unexpectedly got out of work early, so we made the most of it. This date night consisted of dinner and a movie. Because with me it's all about the food, even though we had barely an hour before the show … Continue reading Date night: Maine Diner and a Movie

Val Walker at Kennebooks

by Karen, posted in books, education, family, friends, good grief

Val Walker came to Kennebooks to talk about her new book The Art of Comforting. This author's talk started off feeling like a course in sociology, as she described different models of counseling (companioning, relational....), but then it quickly became more personal, as she related some examples of comforting from occasions in her own life when … Continue reading Val Walker at Kennebooks

Five foods for which I am thankful this year

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food

In this month's issue, Cooking Light magazine's editor asks, "What in the food world are you thankful for?" This got me thinking about how I would answer this question. I had heard in the past that people's tastes change as they get older, but I had never believed it. In reflecting on this question, however, … Continue reading Five foods for which I am thankful this year

Secretariat

by Karen, posted in family, local fun, movies, tweens

I took my daughter to see this movie with a bit of trepidation. First of all, it is 2 hours and 3 minutes long, a very long time for a tween to sit still and remain engaged, especially in the uncomfy old theater seats. Second, although it is a Disney movie, it isn't a kids' movie per … Continue reading Secretariat

Conscious eating, Part 3

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, books, fitness, restaurants

So, now that more weeks have passed and I have totally not given the Women, Food, and God  (by Geneen Roth) approach a passing thought until today, I decided to recommit to some of the strategies I have learned along the weight loss way. Drink 16 oz of water before every meal. This can be … Continue reading Conscious eating, Part 3

Book Club at Mekong Thai

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, books, friends, quest for the best, restaurants

This month's meeting was at Mekong Thai in Wells. The six of us met there at 6pm and were given a nice table by the windows, which they opened to give us some fresh air (a 65 degree evening in Maine in late October? Booyah!). The wait staff was lovely, solicitous, and helpful. Lemon for … Continue reading Book Club at Mekong Thai

Ocean: the cure for what ails you

by Karen, posted in health

Respiratory complaints. Got a cold? Sinus infection? Get thee to the beach. Breathe in that salt air! In my opinion, breathing in ocean air is the one true "pulmonary toilet". Acne. When I was growing up, I had an older cousin who would bring large, empty gallon milk containers to fill up with the Atlantic to … Continue reading Ocean: the cure for what ails you

Midlife crisis, part one: losing my mind

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, family, Midlife Crisis, tweens

I was standing in the kitchen talking to my husband last week, and he told me he was irritated because of something I'd told him earlier in the week that turned out not to be true.  What was it? I sure don't know. I didn't know then, and I don't know now. He remembered the … Continue reading Midlife crisis, part one: losing my mind

Emergency food stash

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, family, friends, shopping

In keeping with one of my goals this year of Food Security (well, full disclosure: it's my goal every year, but this year it's an official, written down type of goal), I thought I'd write a little about different food "emergencies" that a person might experience and how I prepare for them. Here are 5 food emergencies that often come … Continue reading Emergency food stash