Like Kale For The Soul

Kale has been cultivated for over 2000 years, but only recently has it become the Beatles of healthy food. Sales of Kale seeds have risen 20-30%  over the past year. There are even “Eat  More Kale” bumper stickers on the roads, and as you well know, bumper stickers never lie.

So, why the sudden fascination with kale? It’s actually rooted in another growing fascination, the one with personal health and wellness. More and more people today are paying careful attention to the food and drinks they consume. Calories are being counted and carbs are being watched. The thought is, that what we take into our bodies will have a lot to do with how well and how long they operate and function.  So, acai, pomegranate, kimchi, and flaxseed are becoming household words.

It’s wise to take care of our bodies, but how about our souls? In the same way that taking damaging or worthless things into our body has consequences, it’s equally true that taking damaging things into our soul will be harmful. Even though many people spend tons of time and money monitoring their bodies, few of us ever give any thought to our souls (Probably because there aren’t too many members of the opposite sex “checking out” your soul when you walk down the street). We avoid fried foods and sugary drinks to keep our bodies in shape, but what about our souls? Are there things that we are watching, listening to, or reading that are doing damage to our souls? It’s not my job to tell you where your line should be on things you watch, read, or hear, but it is your job, and if you are like me, it’s a job you neglect from time to time. Not only do we need to avoid toxic things that damage our souls,  but they are in need of nourishment as well. Times of solitude and reflection, thoughtful reading, and acts of generosity are just a few of the things that our souls need to grow and develop.

So, the next time you are drinking a bottle of green juice that combines carrot, ginger, sweet potato, plantain, radish, banana, kiwi, and coconut juices, take some time to reflect on what you are feeding your soul. After all, what good is a body if it is not being driven by a healthy, purposeful soul!

Friday Finds - June 13

In hopes of making your Friday the 13th better, here's some stuff you might like to check out.....


This is a pic of an ultimate frisbee game I was in last summer. I don't know why I added this, but here it is.... (and yes, of course we won.)

Did you know that there are two kinds of busy? Did you also know that the kind of busy you choose can affect your efficiency and quality of life? This is what leadership guru Seth Godin had to say about it….

Seth Godin: Two Kinds of Busy

Did you know that when you are going through painful experiences your fear and tension can actually make your pain worse? A brilliant video from the brilliant Sarah Bessey…

Sarah Bessey: Lean In

And finally, let’s put some chocolate myths to rest... 

The Truth About Chocolate

I hope your weekend includes lots of frisbees and chocolate!!!!

Best Ever: Chocolate

Almost everyone enjoys chocolate (Everyone except the spies that the aliens sent here to find out our secret weaknesses so as to prepare our planet for destruction). If you are looking for the best place on our planet for chocolate, look no further than the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. Asheville, NC is busting at the seams with amazing food options. Wherever you choose to eat the next time you are in Asheville save a little room for dessert at French Broad. Their hot chocolate (made from real chocolate) is so good that the government will likely be instituting restrictions against it in the near future.  Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate are standard hot chocolate options, but my favorite is the Maple and Sea Salt, with the Cayenne and Cinnamon running a close second. You can choose from brownies and flourless chocolate torts, or grab some individual chocolates and cheesecake. There is really no way to go wrong. I highly recommend adding a French Almond Macaron to whatever you buy. I don’t want to over-hype it, but I think it is the Mona Lisa of pastries. So, make a point to drop in to French Broad Chocolate Lounge when you can, and don’t forget to bring me back a Macaron!

What or where is your best chocolate ever????  Let us know what you think either by responding here on the blog or on Facebook!!!

Friday Finds- May 16

Looking for a parenting plan that works every time? Good luck with that! This is a post every parent should read, print out, and re-read every month or so. Many thanks to Addie Zierman for a healthy dose of hope and realism.

Addie Zierman on parenting

If you love coffee and hate liver disease, this article will make you happy…

What Coffee Does To Your Body

The Black Keys released their new album last week and you should be listening to it. Here’s their performance of “Fever” from the new album on the David Letterman Show:

The Black Keys on Letterman

Chris Thile got back into the studio with the Watkins siblings and the result is a new Nickel Creek album! It’s also well worth a listen:

Nickel Creek- Destination  

Truly Great Pizza

It's been a while since I've had a food post on the blog, but this pizza has inspired me....

Pizza can be a tricky food. Most people eat pizza on a pretty regular basis, but finding really good pizza can be a challenge. When you do find truly good pizza, however, you realize that it was well worth the search. One such pizza place is Fresh Wood Fired Pizza and Pasta in Black Mountain, NC. It’s just a short drive off the interstate, but is tucked back far enough into Black Mountain to make you feel that you are getting away for a few minutes. When you pull up, you will sometimes find someone out back of the restaurant with axe in hand, chopping wood. That’s to feed the wood fired pizza oven inside, and whatever effort they expend with the chopping is well worth it. It’s hard to go wrong with a pizza selection, even with those that are slightly off the beaten path like the Alaskan which is bathed with a dill and caper cream sauce and smoked salmon (pictured above). My favorite is the Chica Bella which has a pesto base and is topped with spicy arugula and walnuts. Whatever you choose, make sure to drop in to Fresh Wood Fired Pizza and Pasta when you get the chance. You'll be glad you did!

Have insight on truly great pizza? If so, we’d love to hear about it. Drop you recommendations here or on Facebook!