Edible Holiday Gifts

The holidays are coming. What better gift than something homemade from your kitchen? I had a super fun time Saturday demonstrating how to create Edible Holiday Gifts at the Cascade Park Community Library. Here's a look-see....

Curried Lentil Soup

Peppermint Hot Cocoa

Apricot Chocolate Trail Mix

The participants

Harvest Healthy Snacks with Chrisetta

It had been a while since I held a cooking presentation, but I was back at it again at one of my favorite spots on Saturday. I had the pleasure of whipping up Harvest Healthy Snacks at the Cascade Park Community Library. As always, it was a great time. I'm so blessed to share my passion for food with YOU.Here's a look at the delicious fun!

On the menu:

-Fuji Apples with fresh squeezed lime juice and sprinkled with chili powder
-Fresh popped popcorn with honey butter, dried cranberries, and sliced almonds
-Apple Fennel Salad

Feel Good Resources

Do me a favor...Do something that makes you feel good. Give something of yourself that helps others. I tell you, it is the GREATEST feeling.

I'm just in from the "5 or 50" Women’s Sustainable Weight Loss & Lifestyle Group that I founded and facilitate once a month. The group started out with about 20 and has seen numbers fluctuate. But, what hasn't changed is the feeling I get from our time together. Each month I chose a different health/wellness topic and a guest presenter. We've had a few women share their weight loss stories, a Certified Wellness Coach, a Nautropath, and a personal trainer to name a few.

Since our meetings are held at the library, I thought it would be nice to actually tap into the bounty of resources that the library has to offer. So, tonight our guest presenter was the branch librarian Teresa Torres. She showed us how to use the library database to search for vetted health/wellness information, gave us a tour of the health/wellness book section and the cookbook section (my cookbook so happened to be checked in).

The ladies were genuinely excited about the information we gathered. Some left with books and magazines, Kay left with a library card, Teresa was all smiles for being able to share and help, and I left feeling all warm and fuzzy. Thanks Teresa and to all the wonderful ladies who came out tonight.

I love what I do!

Mouthwatering Munchies for Teens

Helping folks step Outside of the prepared food box -- The coolest "job" without a doubt! Doesn't matter what mood I'm in it all seems to be better when I'm presenting and cooking. Last night's "Mouthwatering Munchies for Teens" demo was one of those times. I was a little down, but as soon as I entered the library all was well.

The youth and teens are our future. And, I'm proud and honored to help them make better, informed food decisions. I tell you -- it's the most AWESOME feeling, to look around the room at young enthusiastic faces and see their bulbs shining brighter and brighter as I introduce ingredients and talk cooking techniques. My message is simple: Any and everything that is in a box or package can be made at home using fresh, whole ingredients.

To illustrate my point I showed them simple, healthy snacks they can whip up: Hummus served with Crudités (raw vegetables), Fresh Salsa and Guacamole served with Tortilla Chips (store bought), and Granola (made from scratch) Berry Parfaits. 

Knowledge is power. A big part of my presentations are educating about food. How food relates to our health, where food comes from, seasonal produce, etc. It's a bonus to do presentations at the library because I can tie in reading materials and videos that the guests can borrow from the library.

My cookbooks among the resources as well -- cool!

It's always a good time hangin' with the teens. Thanks to the teens that came out and the adults too. A huge thank you for helping me make the program run smoothly, Linda Landi -- Teen Librarian. An extra-special thanks to the Cascade Park Community Library for their continued support.  Happy Shopping, Cooking, and Eating!

What's Happening in August

I've always been a fan of the public library system -- promoting books, reading, literacy, and community activities.  It's a great honor to be invited to speak at not one but two local libraries this month. What a way to end the summer!

Up first...I'll be back at the Cascade Park Community Library hangin' out with the Teens showing them how simple it is to whip up simple, healthy snacks. 

8.6.13
Tuesday, August 6:
Teens Arts & Crafts (Ages 12-19)
Mouthwatering Munchies: Cookbook author Chrisetta Mosley will teach you how to make tasty, healthy munchies. You'll get to sample home-made guacamole and salsa, hummus with veggies, and super-fruity granola-berry parfaits. Yum!
Time: 5 - 6 p.m.
Venue: Cascade Park Community Library
Address: 600 NE 136th Ave.
Vancouver, WA 98683
360.256.7782

For the first time...I'll be sharing my story and signing books at the Camas Public Library. 

8.14.13
Wednesday, August 14:

"Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box"In her book Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box, local author Chrisetta Mosley tells how she lost 170 pounds by stepping outside of the prepared food box. In addition to sharing her inspiring story, Chrisetta will provide handy shopping tips and share simple, delicious, healthy recipes. Come learn how to reconnect with your food and take control of your health using whole, natural foods. Books will be available for purchase.
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Venue: Camas Public Library
Address: 625 NE 4th Ave.
Camas, WA 98607
360.834.4692


Other events:
8.11.13
Sunday, August 11:shop.prep.cook Session -- PRIVATE

8.25.13
Sunday, August 25:shop.prep.cook Session -- PRIVATE

8.28.13
Wednesday, August 28:
5 or 50" Women's Sustainable Weight Loss & Healthy Lifestyle Group
No matter if you have "5 or 50" pounds to lose. It's time to start seeing yourself as beautiful, strong, capable and look beyond physical attributes. I'll facilitate the meeting and share my tips for staying motivated. This will be a safe, inspiring environment to share and grow.
Free
Open to everyone
No RSVP required
Time: 6- 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Cascade Park Community Library
Address: 600 NE 136th Ave.
Vancouver, WA 98683
360.256.7782

That's it and that's all. I hope to see you in the mix.

Eat Outside of the Box: Spring Salads

I spent my Saturday afternoon sharing my love and knowledge for REAL food OUTSIDE of the Box with the community. Before I could make it home good, I received this email from one of the attendees: "Thanks for the terrific presentation and FOOD today." ~Diana R. You're welcome Diana, but the pleasure was all mine.

Thanks to everyone who came out -- YOU are officially OUTSIDE of the Box! Extra-special thanks to Teresa Torres for taking such good care of me and Ryan Ellis too. I ♥ the public library system, especially Cascade Park Community Library.
 
I could kick myself for not getting a photo of the wonderful display of books and information -- after all this was a library program: Copies of both my cookbooks for loan (641.563 MOSLEY), flyers for hearth of Vancouver and Vancouver Food Co-op, Dirty Dozen/Clean 15, and of course a plethora of food related books/dvds. 

 

What's Happening in April

April promises to be another busy month filled with community outreach and doing all the things I love. I'm singing, Alicia Keys, "This girl is on fire.

Highlights:

Honored to be the presenter for Camas & Washougal on a Diet's free screening of HBO's "The Weight of The Nation" part 3 “Children in Crisis." 

Wednesday
April 3rd & April 10
7 p.m.

Click here to watch video of my call to action
Click here to get all the details from LiveWell / The Columbian

---
I'll be at the Cascade Park Library showing you how to create simple delicious Spring Salads with freshly made dressings and vinaigrettes.  Using recipes straight out of my cookbook -- Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box.

Saturday
April 20
2 - 4 p.m.

Notable: 

- Coming soon...ChrisettaMosley.com

- Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box with Chrisetta Mosley (eBook)

---

Here's a list of all my events for the month of April:
  
Tuesday, April 9th
Tuesday, April 16th
Tuesday, April 23rd
Tuesday, April 30th
4-5:30 p.m.

Learn to Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box with Chrisetta Mosley

A FREE six-week program that offers fresh, healthy OUTSIDE of the Box ideas and recipes to anyone who lives, works, or plays in the Fruit Valley neighborhood.

Brought to you by The Fruit Valley Foundation.

Fruit Valley Elementary School (Family Resource Room)
3410 NW Fruit Valley Rd.
Vancouver, WA 98660

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Wednesday, April 24th
6-7:30 p.m.
 
"5 or 50" Women's Sustainable Weight Loss & Healthy Lifestyle Group No matter if you have "5 or 50" pounds to lose. It's time to start seeing yourself as beautiful, strong, capable and look beyond physical attributes. I'll facilitate the meeting and share my tips for staying motivated. This will be a safe, inspiring environment to share and grow.

- Motivation and tips for healthy, sustainable weight loss
- Recipe sharing
- Self-love and affirmation

Cascade Park Community Library
600 NE 136th Ave.
Vancouver360.256.7782

That's it and that's all. I hope to see you somewhere out in the mix! 

We passed!

 

The importance of a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables was the topic of our “5 or 50″ Women’s Sustainable Weight Loss & Healthy Lifestyle Group meeting last night. As you know, I’m a huge advocate of a mostly plant based diet. So, no surprise, it’s a topic our group has explored more than once. I’m proud to say the ladies have taken heed to our conversations.

Our guest speakers Greg and Keith (our first time having guys at the meeting) are reps from Monavie. Monavie has this cool new VIEW scanner or what the fellas call the “Fruit/Vegetable Lie Detector.”  The Monavie VIEW scanner helps determine if you are getting enough antioxidants. After scanning the ladies in our group, the entire group (even the newcomer) scored with medium to high levels of antioxidants. Yes! We passed with flying colors. The fellas said it was the first time ever that they had a group collectively score this high. Yes! Yes! Yes!

 

 

I say it again,  Eat Your Colors.

 

--

Life Scores from our group: Four scored purple including myself, three scored green, and one scored blue. Read more about the VIEW scanner and Life Score here.

See a recent blog post on the importance of fruits, veggies, and antioxidants here.

You're invited...

...To a free screening of HBO's The Weight of The Nation sponsored by Camas and Washougal on a Diet. I'm excited to be the presenter of the third part of the series, "Children in Crisis."

As you know, I am a product – and now a survivor – of childhood obesity. For this and other reasons, the childhood obesity epidemic is near and dear to my heart. When I started this blog, my goal was to reach out to overweight children and their parents, well the blog took a life of it's own. And I haven't addressed the issue as much as I would have liked, but here's my way to address the issue and get the community involved. 

I'm telling you first hand, "You don't grow out of obesity. You grow into it." Most overweight children will become overweight adults. Please join in on this important conversation -- it affects each and every one of us, directly or indirectly.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming FREE screenings of HBO's "The Weight of The Nation: Children in Crisis" at LaCamas Swim & Sport -- 

Wednesday, April 3 and Wednesday, April 10 @ 7 p.m. 

I'll see you there!

---

Thanks to Stephanie Millman, Program Director of Camas & Washougal On a Diet for taking the time to shoot the video and the opportunity. Also, thanks to Teresa Torres of  the Cascade Park Community Library for allowing us to shoot the video on site.

What's Happening in March

Sometimes, I just have to pause and say thank you. First and foremost to God for all His Gifts and Blessings. Next, I'm grateful, thankful, and appreciative for everyone who supports and encourages me. I love what I do (Speaking, cooking, blogging) and I wouldn't be able to do it without the support of my loved ones and folks from the community. Thank you!

February was fantastic but also had traces of being a little frantic.  I spoke more times than I ever spoke in one month in February 2013 -- including  nine lectures at Clark College some were even back-to-back.  Phew.
 
I've made quite a few new connections over the past few months, which leads to lots of new opportunities. I'm really excited about the connection I've made with The Fruit Valley Foundation (FVF). And, super-stoked that FVF has engaged me to do a FREE six-week program for the community of Fruit Valley -- Learn how to Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box with Chrisetta Mosley.  The program will offer fresh, healthy OUTSIDE of the Box ideas and recipes to anyone who lives, works, or plays in the Fruit Valley neighborhood. The program begins on Tuesday, March 19th, 4-5:30 p.m. See flyer for all the details.
 

Another new venue -- Lacamas Sport & Swim has asked me to do a Healthy Food Presentation for their SilverSneakers group. I'll be there Friday, March 15th, 12 - 1 p.m. *For Lacamas Sport & Swim members ONLY 

On March 19th and 21st I'll be back on campus at Clark College hosting a cooking demo for their Health 100: Food and Your Health finals.

Here's a list of all my events for the month of March:

Sunday, March 10th
2:00 - 3:30 p.m. 


Outside of the Box: Salads with Whole Grains

Join me as I show you how to create healthy salads using whole grains.

• Classes are F-R-E-E
• Class size is limited to about 20
• Please call store to sign up for class and reserve your seat

Chuck's Produce & Street Market
13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd. 
Vancouver
360.597.2700

-------------------------------

Friday, March 15th

12- 1 p.m.

Healthy Living Presentation for SilverSneakers

Lacamas Sport & Swim
2050 NW 38th Ave
Camas
360.834.8506
-------------------------------

Sunday, March 17th
2:00 - 3:30 p.m. 


Outside of the Box for the Young 'Uns

Kids nine and older can learn simple, healthy snacks. Hard-cooked eggs just in time for Easter, Granola Parfaits (granola made from scratch), and Brown Bag Popcorn with healthy add-ins.

• Classes are F-R-E-E
• Class size is limited to about 15
• Please call store to sign up for class and reserve your child's seat

Chuck's Produce & Street Market
13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd. 
Vancouver
360.597.2700

-------------------------------

Tuesday, March 19th
Thursday, March 21st


Clark College Health 100: "Food and Your Health" guest lecturer
*Closed to the public
-------------------------------

Tuesday, March 19th

Tuesday, March 26th


4-5:30 p.m.

Learn to Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box with Chrisetta Mosley


A FREE six-week program that offers fresh, healthy OUTSIDE of the Box ideas and recipes to anyone who lives, works, or plays in the Fruit Valley neighborhood.

Brought to you by The Fruit Valley Foundation.

Fruit Valley Elementary School (Family Resource Center)
3410 NW Fruit Valley Rd.
Vancouver, WA 98660

-------------------------------

Wednesday, March 27th

6-7:30 p.m.

"5 or 50" Women's Sustainable Weight Loss & Healthy Lifestyle Group
No matter if you have "5 or 50" pounds to lose. It's time to start seeing yourself as beautiful, strong, capable and look beyond physical attributes. I'll facilitate the meeting and share my tips for staying motivated. This will be a safe, inspiring environment to share and grow.

• Motivation and tips for healthy, sustainable weight loss
• Recipe sharing
• Self-love and affirmation

Cascade Park Community Library
600 NE 136th Ave.
Vancouver
360.256.7782

That's it and that's all. I hope to see you here, there, and everywhere. Let the March Madness begin!

Outside of the Box: Cookin' with teens

Wow. Just when I think it can't get any better it does. Last night, I hosted a cooking demo for teens at the Cascade Park Community Library.

The youth and teens are our future. And, I'm proud and honored to help them make better, informed food decisions. I tell you -- it's the most AWESOME feeling, to look around the room at young enthusiastic faces and see their bulbs shining brighter and brighter as I introduce ingredients and talk techniques. My message is simple: Any and everything that is in a box or package can be made at home using fresh, whole ingredients.

To drive home the point, I whipped up a few healthy favorites -- Blueberry Banana Kale Smoothies, Cashew Whole Food Energy Bars, and two types of Brown Bag Popcorn (Parmesan and Honey Butter).

They were amazed at how easy these goods were to make.  When I asked them the burning question at the end of our time together..."Can you do this?" They all eagerly answered "Yes." Will you do this? Again they answered "Yes." Music to my ears.

Thanks again for having me, Linda Landi,Teen Librarian and Teresa Torres, Branch Librarian. And to the teens that came out thanks for a delicious fun time! Happy Shopping, Cooking, and Eating!

Fortune favors the bold

I was watching the Australian Open a couple of weeks ago. Y'all know how I am about my tennis! While calling an intense match one commentator used the phrase "Fortune favors the bold." I thought, hmm...

It's so true. On and off the court. Those willing to take risks. Those who are unafraid of stepping outside of their comfort zone's. Those who are bold generally are rewarded. I for one have always been pretty bold in my approach in most everything. I'm not afraid to be told no. There's one thing for certain the answer will always be no if I don't ask. Coincidentally, I received a letter of recommendation yesterday that reads:

"...In the 14 years I have been the branch librarian for Cascade Park Community Library, I have encountered a number of people with ideas for programs or displays for the library. About 18 months ago, I was told that a woman named Chrisetta Mosley wanted to tell her story about her struggle to lose weight. I remember thinking that I couldn't visualize a library program based on her story. However I went out to meet her and discovered a charming charismatic woman who not only wanted to tell her story but also share her ideas for how other people could discover a healthier lifestyle...Since then she has done several programs for the Cascade Park Community Library...In all these presentations, Chrisetta works hard to promote, and to come up with new ideas...She is definitely developing a following in the community. I am certainly pleased that Chrisetta took the bold move to present her ideas to me." ~Teresa Torres -- Cascade Park Community Librarian

So I urge YOU to take a few risks, step outside of YOUR comfort zone. Remember, "Fortune favors the bold."

What's Happening in February

Another month full of community outreach-- speaking, cooking, presenting, and more cooking. I declare February 2013 as FANTASTIC fun. Here's what I'll be up to and where -- join me*!

Highlights:

Throughout the month -- *For current Clark College health students. Excited to return to Clark as a guest lecturer! The goal is to bridge the gap between what the students are learning in class and to give them some practical, "hands-on' experience. I'll visit Health 104: Weight and Your Health, Monday, February 5th. And am looking so forward to lecturing in Veronica Brock's Health 100: Food and Your Health classes (She taught me a lot  of what I know about food right in the very class I'll lecture in!) two back-to-back lectures -- Wednesday, February 14th. I'll also lecture for Health 100: Food and Your Health these dates: Tuesday, February 13th, Tuesday, February 19th, and Thursday, February 21st. Whew! Clark College!

----
I'm expanding my outreach to get more kids and teens (they're our future!) involved in  preparing and eating real food -- Outside of the Box.

Tuesday, February 5th
5 - 6 p.m.
Teen Arts & Crafts night
Quick & Yummy Snacks: Teens 12 and over. Make delicious healthy snacks like smoothies, energy bars and homemade microwave popcorn, with cookbook author Chrisetta Mosley. Click here  to read LiveWell's calendar blurb.
Community Park Library
600 NE 136th Avenue
Vancouver

Wednesday, February 6th
2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Outside of the Box Young Un's
Kids age nine and older can learn OUTSIDE of the Box simple favorites using whole food ingredients: Granola Parfaits (granola made from scratch) and Brown Bag Popcorn with  healthy add-ins. Call store to sign your child up! 360.597.2700

Chuck's Produce & Street Market
13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd.
Vancouver


Here's a full list of my upcoming events:

Monday, February 4th
Clark College Health 104: "Weight and Your Health" guest lecturer
-------------------------------

Tuesday, February 5th
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.


Outside of the Box: Teens
This one's for teens -- twelve and older. I'll show them how to create simple items they can whip up to-go. Blueberry Banana Kale Smoothies and Whole Food Energy Bars.

Cascade Park Community Library
600 NE 136th Ave.
Vancouver                 
360.256.7782
-------------------------------
Wednesday, February 6th
2:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Outside of the Box for Young 'Uns
Kids age nine and older can learn OUTSIDE of the Box simple favorites using whole food ingredients: Granola Parfaits (granola made from scratch) and Brown Bag Popcorn with healthy add-ins.

• Classes are F-R-E-E
• Class size is limited to about 15
• Please call store to sign up for class and reserve your seat

Chuck's Produce & Street Market
13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd.
Vancouver
360.597.2700
-------------------------------
Sunday, February 10th
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
 
Outside of the Box: Chili
Join me as I show you how to create hearty, warm chili using two types of beans and extra-lean ground beef. Served with Cilantro Lime Rice.

• Classes are F-R-E-E
• Class size is limited to about 20
• Please call store to sign up for class and reserve your seat

Chuck's Produce & Street Market
13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd.
Vancouver
360.597.2700

------------------------------- 

Tuesday, February 13th
Wednesday, February 14th
Tuesday, February 19th
Thursday, February 21st
Clark College Health 100: "Food and Your Health" guest lecturer
-------------------------------
Wednesday, February 20th
PSU Eat to Live Panel guest 

-------------------------------


Wednesday, February 27th
6-7:30 p.m.

"5 or 50" Women's Sustainable Weight Loss & Healthy Lifestyle Group
No matter if you have "5 or 50" pounds to lose. It's time to start seeing yourself as beautiful, strong, capable and look beyond physical attributes. I'll facilitate the meeting and share my tips for staying motivated. This will be a safe, inspiring environment to share and grow.

• Motivation and tips for healthy, sustainable weight loss
• Recipe sharing
• Self-love and affirmation
  

Cascade Park Community Library
600 NE 136th Ave.
Vancouver
360.256.7782

Gettin' SMART

 

In July, I formed a women's group -- 5 or 50" Women’s Sustainable Weight Loss & Healthy Lifestyle Group. A time for us gals to come together -- bond, share, encourage. To dispel negative thoughts of ourselves, of each other, and approach weight loss sustainably. Over the months, we've done just that.

At the year end meeting, I challenged the ladies to start looking forward to the new year. "Claim 2013 as your best year yet." Though I don't believe in new year's resolutions, I do agree that the new year is a great time to hit the refresh button. So we spent our final meeting of 2012 by discussing SMART goals. Their homework over the holidays was to fill out a SMART goal and Action plan packet.

To kick off 2013 we created our SMART goals with the help of Clark College Health Professor, Erin Staples! Erin was my Wellness Coach professor last fall and taught me what I know about SMART goals and coaching. Once I got the ladies started I thought It would be nice to have the guru step in.

Thanks again, Erin -- we appreciate you for helping us get SMART.

More about SMART GOALS---

A SMART goal is:

• S is for SPECIFIC. Decide what you are going to do and how to do it.
• M is for MEASURABLE. Keep track of how you are doing.
• A is for ACHIEVABLE. Pick something you think you can do. Start with small changes. Is running a 4-minute mile possible for you?
• R is for REALISTIC or (REWARD). Be realistic about the goals you set. Getting down to your high school weight after having 3 children may not be realistic. Set a goal that you can not only attain, but is in reason for you. You know yourself best.
• T is for TIME-SPECIFIC. Give your goal a deadline.

SMART goals are to be written down in a certain way, it gives them even greater power. 

“Goals not written down are just wishes.”

Fresh and far away

We are so far removed from our food and its sources. A lot of our food, so-called food is made from a slew of hard to pronounce ingredients, in far away factories, packaged, and then shipped to the grocery store.

Animals no longer graze their natural habitat. Instead, they are confined and slaughtered in giant factories, known as feedlots. It’s very rare to have seen or known the animal that we prepare and eat. Most of us would prefer not to see Emily the cow get electrocuted and then have her throat slit. We cringe at the thought. We don’t even want to be bothered with the skin or bones anymore. Hence, skinless, boneless chicken breast. Think about it…If you had to hunt, kill, and clean the animal…How much meat would you eat?

Fruits and vegetables are grown in massive fields and sprayed with gross amounts of pesticides. We’ve never touched the soil, or pulled up the roots. Some of our fruits and vegetables travel thousands of miles before they make it to the grocery store. That’s how we can enjoy strawberries in the dead of the winter. Such an oddity, we all know strawberries are the taste of summer. Or do we?

We are so very disconnected from our food. As we evolve, we try to do things more efficiently, but along the way we’ve created quite a mess with our industrialized food system. It’s all convenient. It’s all nicely packaged. It’s all wrong.

I’m just one gal on a mission to create a healthier lifestyle for myself.  Along the way, I’ve done a lot of reading, viewing of films, and realize that a healthy lifestyle begins with the food that I eat. I want to share what I learned with others. I hope I don’t come off as a pretentious, know-it-all. I'm not. I really just want to help you make better informed decisions.

On Saturday, April 21 from 1-4 p.m at the Cascade Park Community Library there’ll be a showing of FRESH The Movie. The film explores the current food industry and honors the farmers, thinkers, and business people who are revolutionizing fresh food in America. 

I hope you’ll be able to join us. There’ll be a panel to lead a discussion and answer questions after the film. And, I’ll prepare healthy snacks for everyone to enjoy. Free. Open to the community.

To get your palette's whet this week, the blog posts, are dedicated to fresh, whole food. I may even provide a recipe or two.

Cool Honor

Lobby of library
Farewell Fatso! poster

Tomorrow, Saturday, February 25 I will have the privilege of speaking at a place I've long admired. A place that promotes literacy, books, and community activities -- the public library.

As a girl I loved going to the library and checking out tons of books. Story time was the highlight of many days. Libraries have come a long way. The architecture and design, the buzz, the technology, the various groups and story times, folks gathered in rooms to hear speakers such as myself, and the constant -- books, the abundance of books. What a cool place. Not only do I have the honor of having my cookbook on the shelves, but in about 24 hours I'll speak at the Cascade Park Community Library.

I was talking with my girlfriend about how excited I was about speaking at the library. I mentioned that maybe I am making to big a deal out of it. Maybe I should tone it down.  But, nah she agrees I have every right to be excited. Sharing my story with the community, in hopes to motivate, inspire, promote change -- in a cool place that I've always loved. This is a great honor. I'm going to shine, shine, shine.