July’s Book To Live By

by on July 2, 2017

Do you believe to be healthy you have to give up everything you love?

Not so, says this inspiring author and expert.

In this month’s Women on Fire membership interview, I talked with Phoebe Lapine, a private chef, culinary instructor, cookbook author and award-winning blogger (FeedMePhoebe.com).

For the July Book To Live By, it is my pleasure to introduce you to her empowering and engaging new book:

The Wellness Project: How I Learned to Do Right by My Body, Without Giving Up My Life by Phoebe Lapine

The Wellness Project chronicles Phoebe’s yearlong search for answers to a common question: Why don’t I feel well?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

In a witty but deeply personal way, Phoebe shares her trial-and-error strategies and tips for dealing with 12 major health categories, including sleep, skin care, exercise, de-stressing, and detoxing her liver and her environment.

She uses her struggles with chronic conditions (an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto’s thyroidism and a gluten sensitivity) to illustrate how to personalize the research and solutions to your own health dilemmas.

But Phoebe hasn’t forgotten the other side of the story — the desire to indulge in life’s many pleasures. She knows that feeling deprived is a pitfall for making permanent lifestyle changes. Her philosophy of “healthy hedonism” balances healthy choices with ease, comfort and preference.

Of course, food is essential for Chef Phoebe, and I know you will eat up her savvy and savory advice! Each chapter — even those not specifically about diet or nutrition — includes two scrumptious, healthy, gluten-free recipes.

She also summarizes each chapter with a list of tips to make it super easy to review key points. This is a book you’ll want to go back to again and again.

Phoebe is also a longtime friend and an early and enthusiastic supporter of Women on Fire. She is member No. 99! We are very proud to share her extraordinary work with the world.

The Wellness Project is available from Amazon and at bookstores everywhere.

Here’s to feeling your very best today and always,

Debbie Signature

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July 2017 Sneak Peek Interview with Phoebe Lapine

by on June 30, 2017

Healthy living is a balancing act to be sure. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up every indulgence.

You can think of it as a “Choose Your Own Adventure” story.

And I have the perfect guide for you.

My guest for the July membership interview is the amazing Phoebe Lapine — food writer, chef, culinary instructor, blogger, author and Women on Fire member No. 00099.

Phoebe has been sharing her recipes and tips with Women on Fire for years.

In this discussion, we go farther, using as our road map her inspiring new book, The Wellness Project: How I Learned to Do Right by My Body Without Giving Up My Life.

Phoebe began her project with one simple question: Why don’t I feel well? It kicked off a yearlong quest to take charge of her health while still enjoying herself.

Along the way, she examines various aspects of her life, including sleep, sex, drinking, beauty products, her period and her gut.

As you can imagine, food figures prominently in her search.

In this excerpt from the interview, Phoebe talks about her “kitchen fairy godmother” — the Food Network superstar who helped to launch her love of cooking and feeding others.

In the rest of the interview, you’ll also learn:

  • About Phoebe’s chronic health condition, an autoimmune disorder
  • Ways to tame the chaos of complex — and often conflicting — health information
  • How to set yourself up for healthy eating at home so you don’t have to worry so much when you are out on the town
  • What it means to love your skin from the inside out
  • A stress-relieving way to think about insomnia
  • How to find and eliminate toxins in your home
  • The wise advice Phoebe received from her famous father
  • And much, much more

Phoebe’s humor, charm and openness in sharing the details of her life will inspire and empower you on your own journey to wellness.

To hear the rest of this wide-ranging interview, join the Women on Fire Monthly Membership today.

You will become part of what New York Times’ best-selling author Marianne Williamson calls “the ultimate ‘you go, girl’ community for inspiration and support.”

You have until July 5 to receive the full interview with Phoebe Lapine, your personalized coaching materials, access to the Women on Fire private Facebook page and much, much more.

With love,
Debbie Signature

P.S. If you sign up now, in addition to receiving access to this powerful interview and other exciting benefits, you will be invited to attend the June Women on Fire Live Chat master class on Tuesday, July 18.

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Links That Light Us Up

by on August 23, 2014

43rd Edition

Hello Women on Fire!

Here are our top links from across the web this week 🙂

Links That Light Us Up 43 via Women on Fire

Best One Bowl Wonder- Feed Me Phoebe (our favorite food blog) has created the perfect end of summer pasta dish.

 Penne Pasta zucchini chickpeas and olives via Feed Me PhoebeFeed Me Phoebe

Best #YOUGOGIRL For Young Women – If there was ever a book to motivate young women, to light their spark and set their spirit on fire, this would be the book!

ItGirl4Life by Tamara BranchTamara Branch

Best Random Box- Just when you thought box subscription services were going out of style, Brit+Co has collected 21 random boxes that you must not miss.

21 random gifts subscriptions via Brit.co Brit+Co

Best Question- Who invented the 5 day work week?

Where the Five-Day Workweek Came- image thomasfisherlibrary:flickrThe Atlantic

Best Sun Suggestion- Prepare to never leave the house without sunscreen again.

Best Natural Deodorant- Treat yourself to Lavanila, it’s 100% worth it.

Lavanila natural deoderantSephora

Best Excuse To Take A Vacation- Here is your excuse to take another vacation this Fall!

How Badly Do you need a vacation quiz via BuzzfeedBuzzFeed

Best Smart Phone Charger- This could be the most attractive phone charger we have ever seen.

Q Designs wearable smart phone charger braceletQBracelet

We hope  that these links light your way into the weekend!

xox

The Women on Fire team

P.S. Did you miss last week’s links?

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Links That Light Us Up

by on June 12, 2013

Welcome to our new feature “Links That Light Us Up.”

At Women on Fire, we are so fortunate to hear about or experience the latest in — practically everything!  From new recipes, restaurants and products to blogs, articles and books.  If it has a link, and we love it and think you would, too, we’ll be sharing here.

Let us know what you think and please feel free to send us any links that “light up” your life. 🙂

So, here we go …let’s start with something yummy!

Best Dessert — We’re ready to ditch the traditional campfire and say YES to S’mores any day (maybe every day). This S’mores Sundae was created by our own Woman On Fire member Phoebe Lapine.  Phoebe is a cookbook author and writes one of our all-time favorite blogs — Feed Me Phoebe.

Feed Me Phoebe's Smore's SUNDAES[pinit]

Best Desk Accessory — These Paris-themed pencils from Amanda Catherine Designs have us inspired to break out our stationery and communicate the old-fashioned way. Can anyone say Women On Fire Paris 2014?? (We are going…so stay tuned for a link on that in the future!) In the meantime, scribble away, mon amies.

Paris Pencils via Amanda Catherine Designs[pinit]

Best Summer Movie Guide – Congratulations to a Women on Fire favorite — author Judy Blume for her first movie release, based on one of her beloved books, Tiger Eyes. It’s terrific family entertainment! Head to the theater or rent it on iTunes. For all your summer movie watching, here’s a great guide to the blockbusters of Summer 2013.

Tiger Eyes Movie from Judy Blume[pinit]

Best New Travel App — What screams Summer louder than the idea of a ROAD TRIP!? Roadtrippers allows you to plan a road trip from start to finish, including best route, projected gas cost, restaurants, points of interest, scenic viewpoints, accommodations, etc. They also have hundreds of pre-planned routes for every part of the country. We’re sold! And we didn’t even have to be: it’s free!

Roadtrippers.com- best free roadtrip app[pinit]

Best Smoothie — This Tropical Pineapple, Mango & Orange Smoothie from Iowa Girl Eats looked so good, we ran to the store as fast as we could for the ingredients. How could we say no that gorgeous color!? (And, it was as heavenly tasting as it looks!)

Tropical Pineapple Mango Smoothie via Iowa Girl Eats[pinit]

Best Spot to Sit — How about a little virtual vacation? Check out these 30 places you’d rather be sitting right now. Jaw-dropping would be an understatement.

30 spots we would rather be sitting right now via Buzzfeed[pinit]

Best Puppy Picture — We just want to squeeeeze this little fur ball.

frenchie pup[pinit]

Best Print — Don’t these wine prints just make you happy?! Perfectly charming in any kitchen, they also would make an amazing gift. We think our resident wine expert Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach, would certainly approve!

Anatomy of Wine Prints[pinit]

Best ‘You Go, Girl’ Documentary — If you haven’t yet heard of MAKERS, be prepared to drop everything to watch these mesmerizing videos of illuminating women. These stories of trailblazing women will inspire you on your own journey. Here’s an example:

[pinit]

Let us know what you liked. Until next time, we hope these links light you up!

xox

Women On Fire

 

 

 

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Shine your lights, Women on Fire!

by on May 5, 2013

I firmly believe when you see another woman on her path, you can be inspired to know what is possible for you.

And for our Women on Fire members highlighted today, I hope you will feel us cheering you on for your work and dedication to follow your dreams!

First up, we shine the light on a collection of women. They are the 21 co-authors of Vol. 2 of our book Women on Fire: 21 More Inspiring Women Share Their Life Secrets (and Save You Years of Struggle!) 


Women on Fire Book co-authors gathering in New York City — Front row: Mary Kay Purdy, Susan Kruger, Marilyn Brown, me!, Tricia Simpson, Leah Hamilton, Marge Snyder. Back row: Heike Vogel, Maria Verroye, Sophfronia Scott, Lisa Arundale, Linda Neff, Kacy Cook, Kim Davis, Beth Bryce, Laurel Hodory, Jenifer Madson, Kay Raypholtz, Carrie Saba, Sarah Elizabeth Greer, Michelle Whittaker and Meredith Schoenberger. Co-authors missing from the photo were Jan Allen, Nicole Friedler Brisson and Mary Carran Webster. (Photo by Rob Berkley)

Together with publisher Sophfronia Scott, editor Kacy Cook, communications and marketing manager Meredith Schoenberger, we all met recently in New York City to share a day of inspiration, connection and personal stories.

 

Our co-authors have all written their transformative chapters of struggle and triumph — and they all did it by our deadline.  (What an accomplishment:-) The book will be published this summer and I promise you are going to be inspired!


Dyana on her Sunday shift at the 9/11 memorial

For Dyana Robenalt of Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, life has now come full circle.

After witnessing the collapse of the World Trade Center towers from the rooftop of her Manhattan office building,  she abandoned her executive sales position with UPS.  And she went to work to rebuild her spirit.

She moved to the Poconos and developed her gardening skills and expertise. She now manages the gardens of large estates through the Estate and Enhancement Division at Statile & Todd in Far Hills, New Jersey.

And to prove how healing it is to give back, today Dyana volunteers at the new 9/11 memorial.

If you visit the memorial, she’s happy to help you or provide information and you can reach her dyanarobenalt@gmail.com.

Personal style consultant Holly Getty of New York City, was featured on New York’s WPIX-TV morning show for her styling expertise. She led a segment on denim that WOWed the producers and audience!

How fabulous is this illustration above of Holly? Another example of an amazing Women on Fire collaboration as it was a gift to Holly from Lara Licharowicz of New York City created by the talented Rosemary Fanti of Chicago.


Siiri Morley (in the green top and necklace) during her recent visit to Haiti

Siiri Morley of Boston was recently in Haiti launching a new pilot program for the company she founded to provide jobs for refugee women and that Women on Fire champions — Prosperity Candle.

Many of you met Siiri at our retreat in Chicago last fall, and she has tirelessly worked to promote Properity Candle, which was recently featured on NBC’s Today Show!

Congratulations, too, to Woman on Fire Dana Frost of Chicago for becoming a powerful supporter of Prosperity Candle with her own unique brand of candle scent.  “Share the light, Change a Life” is Properity Candle’s motto and Siiri and Dana are doing just that!


Phoebe Lapine dazzling television hosts with her healthy, easy cooking style

Private chef and cookbook author Phoebe Lapine of New York City is receiving a ton of buzz — and deservedly so! — for her celebrated food blog Feed Me Phoebe.

Even if you don’t like to cook, the pictures alone make it an enticing read!

Phoebe marked the first anniversary of her blog with a segment on New York City’s CBS affiliate’s “Cooking on The Couch.” Check out the clip and recipe for Phoebe’s yummy Fusilli with Asparagus-Radish Leaf Pesto here!


Christina Haag with the adorable Danny Pino in Law & Order: SVU

Christina Haag of New York City appeared on NBC’s Law & Order: SVU when she starred in “Girl Dishonored” on April 24. She portrayed the Dean of Students in this riveting episode, so set your DVRs because it’s sure to replay soon!

Nicole Lovett of Columbus, Ohio has signed on to help coach the parents in the popular show Six Little McGhee’s on Oprah’s OWN Network.

Not only is Nicole making her national television debut, but she’s doing it while she’s 7 1/2 months pregnant!  She is expecting a little girl soon.

Nicole was a member last year of Jan Allen’s Women on Fire coaching group. In 2012, Nicole also was Women on Fire’s  Theo Scott Scholar in honor of the late sister of Sophfronia Scott.

Congratulations to another Women on Fire member in Jan Allen’s group — Jane Juergens of Columbus.

Jane recently married her extensive experience in human resources with the need for companies to implement and optimize cloud-based HR systems — and launched her own  company — PeopleGen.

Jane has a passion for helping others tap into their true potential and we are thrilled to see PeopleGen take life and we look forward to watching it grow!

Wendy Taucher of New York City and Martha’s Vineyard, has debuted her latest opera “Impresario Now! 90% Theater, 90% Musicale, Very Mozart Most of the Time.”

Talented Wendy co-wrote, directed and choreographed the entire show!  Her company — Wendy Taucher Dance Opera Theater — will be presenting the show from May 3-18, 2013 at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on 407 W. 42nd St.  You can buy tickets here!

Congratulations to each of you for moving your dreams forward. You are an inspiration!  Sharing your gifts with the world full-out as you are doing WILL change the world.

We love hearing what you’re up to so please tell us so we can shine the light on YOU in an upcoming SPARK!

Believing in you and all that you bring to the world ~

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As summer closes in…a feast

by on August 12, 2012

Is your summer starting to wind down?

We live in the mecca of summer vacationers – Martha’s Vineyard.  The head count here right now is about 115,000 people when normally the population is roughly 15,000.

(It used to worry me that we could sink into the ocean in summers but I’ve been assured we won’t!)

So even though our island is bursting to the shores with visitors, in only another week or two, everyone will go home and back to school and all will become quiet again on the home front.

Until then, my husband Rob and I are soaking up these last summer days with close friends, including visiting and local Women on Fire and Vision Day guests.


Women on Fire at breakfast this weekend on Martha’s Vineyard! From left:  Jamie Eslinger, Suzi Schadle, Michelle Whittaker, me! and Lisa Umberger Arundale. (Photo by Zan Schmidt)

One of this past week’s many highlights was Women on Fire member Phoebe Lapine coming over and preparing the most elegant, delicious lunch to celebrate the summer.


Phoebe with her luscious creation!

Phoebe is based in New York City and is a cookbook author, food writer and private chef and we love her – and I love sharing her talent in our Women on Fire community!

Check out her blog at Feed Me Phoebe.

She made a Salmon Cobb Salad and we paired it with a twist on another Woman on Fire Debi Lilly’s refreshing summer drink recipe – Watermelon Mint Muddles.


Phoebe and I say cheers to the Muddle! Thank you, Debi Lilly.

I am always on the lookout for entertaining tips and food ideas that are healthy, easy, beautiful and FUN. (Phoebe certainly hit every one of those buttons with her Salmon Cobb Salad… and she even did the grocery shopping! Thank you, Phoebe.)


Phoebe preparing lunch. (Photos by Rob Berkley)

I’m pretty sure after watching Phoebe I can duplicate this gorgeous salad. And, if I can, you certainly can, too!

Here are the ingredients for Phoebe’s Salmon Cobb Salad:

Grilled wild salmon, salad greens, purple basil, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, avocadoes, fresh corn raw sliced off the cob, crispy bacon.


Simple and elegant — one dish shared among six guests.

In addition to Phoebe using fresh and organic ingredients, what truly made this salad outstanding was Phoebe’s yummy Creamy Dill Dressing drizzled over the greens and the salmon.

Creamy Dill Dressing (from Phoebe’s blog)
Makes about 1 cup

2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill leaves
8 ounces plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
1 garlic clove
1 small shallot
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

In a small food processor, combine all the ingredients and pulse until finely chopped. Add 2 tablespoons water and puree until the mixture is very smooth. Depending on the consistency you like your creamy dressing, add more water to thin it out.


Summer fun with dear friends — Jamie Eslinger, Phoebe Lapine, Robert Joerger, Edward Beck, Rob and me. Hope you will visit us when you come to Martha’s Vineyard! You never know who you might meet here:-)

Watermelon Mint Muddle

Adaptation from Debi Lilly’s recipe in her book A Perfect Event: Inspired, Easy Elegance for Every Occasion

In a tall glass, fill bottom with watermelon and several sprigs of fresh mint; “muddle” together (I use a wooden spoon).

Then fill with ice; sparkling water (or sparkling wine such as Prosecco). When I use sparkling water, I add a splash of lemonade to give it even more pizzazz!

Cheers!


Phoebe’s masterpiece!

I look forward to seeing a number of you here on Martha’s Vineyard next Friday when RoseMarie Terenzio will read from her best-selling book Fairy Tale Interrupted.  She will discuss her life as John F. Kennedy Jr.’s personal assistant for the last five years of his life and how experiencing that and many other losses has informed her life today.

Rose was the featured interview on the Women on Fire members’ CD a few months ago. I’m so excited many of you will get to meet her as well as other Women on Fire attending!

Have a terrific week. I can’t wait to share lots of inspiring opportunities happening this fall for you!

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Are you tolerated or celebrated?

by on July 10, 2011

Go where you are celebrated, not just tolerated. Identify your real friends and relatives who love you and want to see you succeed. ~ Bob Beaudine, author of The Power of Who

One of the many reasons I started Women on Fire was to give you the soft landing spot you deserve for your passions and dreams to be discovered and celebrated.

In fact, chief among our 20 Women on Fire aspirations is “I cheer on the successes of other women.”

In my mind, there is little worse than someone pooh-poohing your desire to start your own business or raining on your plans to change the direction of your career.

While “Negative Norberts” often think they are looking out for you or protecting you from disappointment, your good ideas will flourish in the glow and encouragement of people who want to see you succeed.


I have the best job in the world celebrating the dreams and goals of Women on Fire. Here I am with inspiring Phoebe Lapine, co-author of the cookbook “In the Small Kitchen.” Phoebe routinely surrounds herself with people who support her dreams.

This week, here on Martha’s Vineyard, we celebrated Woman on Fire Phoebe Lapine, who transformed her passion for cooking for “20-somethings” into work as a private chef, speaker and cookbook author.

Out of college, Phoebe worked in corporate America in a less-than-inspiring job, marketing designer perfumes.  When Phoebe groused about the work, it was her cousin who gave her the lift she needed.

“What would you rather be doing?” she asked.  “Writing a cookbook,” Phoebe answered.  And, that was just the support she needed to go after her passion.  Without delay, Phoebe purchased the URL and she and her friend and cooking partner Cara Eisenpress launched their blog “Big Girls Small Kitchen.”

The popularity of the blog — which featured the easy-to-prepare and delicious food Phoebe and Cara had long been creating for their friends and relatives — caught the attention of agents and publishing companies. Their enthusiastic followers cheered them on and their book In the Small Kitchen was born!


Phoebe and I cheer on the dream of another Woman on Fire Melissa Brummerstedt Niezgoda, creator of Honey Bee’s Cakes, who sent her signature “Bomb Pops” in time for Phoebe’s book party.

In your own life right now, who celebrates you and cheers you on? Who wants to see you succeed?

Write down a list of as many people as you can think of from your entire life who are in your court.  These are people who’d be happy to help your dreams come true, if only you asked them.


Woman on Fire Jamie Eslinger, right, introduces Phoebe Lapine at a celebration of Phoebe’s new book. Jamie is one of Phoebe’s many passionate supporters!!

Consider sharing with your list of supporters a goal or dream you have.  As Bob Beaudine writes in The Power of Who: You Already Know Everyone You Need To Know it is those you know who love you — and not people we blindly hand business cards to — who are the ones to best help us.


Woman on Fire cheering on Phoebe — Jill Turley stocked up on copies of Phoebe’s cookbook for all her friends and relatives!

Keep me posted on how it works out for you by sharing in the comments section below.

In the meantime, you always have a place here at Women on Fire to be celebrated for your dreams!

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Your 2011 summer reading list

by on June 19, 2011

Summer is here and you know what that means!

Time to announce my recommendations for this year’s Women on Fire summer vacation book list.  And, to invite you to complete the list by sharing your own favorites! (To do that, please comment below.)

Nothing I love more in the summer than to lie in a hammock or prop myself up against a sand dune at the beach and read a great book. How about you?


Here are some of my summer reading recommendations. Be sure to share yours! (Photo by Jamie Eslinger)

But first…

Thank you and congratulations to the many of you who have already registered for the Women on Fire Day in Columbus, Ohio on September 30.  I can’t wait to introduce you to each other!

If you are looking for the inspiration, strategies and support to give your life a boost – and meet other fabulous women in the process – the first stop on our national tour is for you.  If you haven’t registered yet, I hope you will not hesitate and invest in your future and your dreams and join us!

Today, Jamie Eslinger of our Women on Fire team filmed me as I revealed a few of my current, favorite books from my summer reading list.  Please come along while Jamie and I also show you a couple of our favorite vacation spots on Martha’s Vineyard!

Please take a minute and share your book suggestions for summer reading in the comment section below.

Wishing you a delightful, summery week.  I’m off to New York City to celebrate.  My birthday is June 25 and Rob is taking me to the city for an adventure!

Love,

Debbie Signature

P.S.  I just ordered the ice cream maker that Jeni Britton Bauer recommends for successfully making her splendid ice creams at home! It was a great bargain and I’ll let you know how it goes.

P.P.S.  Here are the book titles and links should you want to order any of my summer selections:

Bossypants by Tina Fey
In the Small Kitchen by Cara Eisenpress and Phoebe Lapine
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams At Home by Jeni Britton Bauer
The Superwoman LifeStyle Blueprint by Vicki Irvin
Reading My Father by Alexandra Styron

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