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.

reasons to keep a (possible) rooster

by Karen, posted in raising chickens

recently my husband was at the feed store getting (you guessed it!) feed and supplies for the chickens. in the chick brooder outside, there were baby chicks and while he was waiting, he stopped to take a peep (:)) at them. Longhorn is a good source for baby chickens if you are looking for just a few … Continue reading reasons to keep a (possible) rooster

the 80/20 rule

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

who invented this? well, one source credits an italian with is inception. being of italian descent myself, i am of course predisposed to be enamoured with this idea.  ( see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle fmi). i have always heard of this rule in regard to food and dieting: follow your diet plan 80% of the time and then eat what you want (within … Continue reading the 80/20 rule

yoga workshop with Doug Keller

by Karen, posted in education, fitness, health, no fear, yoga

Doug Keller came to give a series of workshops at Newburyport Yoga Center ; i attended one last night.  the schedule includes 4 workshops friday4/30  through sunday 5/2.  as i headed there with a friend, i realized that i didn't even know what the title of the workshop was; i had chosen it because it was the only one of the four … Continue reading yoga workshop with Doug Keller

the gym

by Karen, posted in books, fitness, health

when i go to the gym, i bring a book (for distraction from stairmaster), am if it's a day i have to go immediately to work, a clothing change. oh, and car keys (except for once, but that's another story).  goal: get in, work out, then get out as fast as i can. it's interesting to me that others … Continue reading the gym

new(ish) old port restaurant

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

in an effort to support food security as well as to give gifts of consumables (or books!), i took my friend to lunch as part of her going away (from old job to new one) present. she'd been wanting to get a lobster roll for weeks at linda bean's in the old port. http://www.lindabeansperfectmaine.com/ here's the menu: http://www.lindabeansperfectmaine.com/menus/Maine-Portland/Menu-Maine-Portland-Old_Port.html her … Continue reading new(ish) old port restaurant

potholes

by Karen, posted in family

after the last big bout of rain we had (reference post: oh, the rain!), my neighbors and i were the lucky recipients of a deep hole in our street that stretched halfway across one lane. the (city?) truck kindly came out to place an orange cone on the spot and left. said orange cone became an … Continue reading potholes

summer camps, part two

by Karen, posted in education, family, fitness, tweens

or...what to do with the tweens in the summer. there are lots of fun camps in southern maine for the kids to attend. whether your main focus is their enjoyment or your child care needs, there are plenty of options. here are a few: 1. for your aspiring actors: ogunquit playhouse runs a summer theater camp for … Continue reading summer camps, part two

summer day camps, part one

by Karen, posted in family, fitness, tweens

5 reasons to send your tween to summer camp 1.they will not be calling you at work every 10 minutes with the latest update on their loose tooth 2. they won't be fighting with their brothers/sisters/peers  (within your earshot, anyway) 3. you will be forced to be very efficient with the decisions about "what's for … Continue reading summer day camps, part one

parting is such…(insert oxymoronic phrase)

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, baking, books, good grief, recipes

my best work friend is moving on to greener pastures in the workforce...happy for her, sad for me.  of course,we plan to stay in touch and have even gone so far as to devise ways to accomplish this (we don't live near each other), but it is still happy/sad. In The Happiness Project (http://www.happiness-project.com/), author … Continue reading parting is such…(insert oxymoronic phrase)

jumping

by Karen, posted in family, fitness, health, no fear, tweens, yoga

i was at my regular saturday morning yoga class and the teacher taught us a short ashtanga (http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/1366) sequence that involved jumping. one of the women said something like, "kids do it all the time, but how often do adults get to jump in real life? never!".  i was thinking, "i do! i was jumping … Continue reading jumping