Hard Conversations Part 2

Stephanie O’Brien’s cancer diagnosis five years ago was, according to her, an awakening.  Her response to her dis-ease (as she now refers to it) was immediate changes to how she was living her life.  Those changes included what she ate, who she hung out with and how she moved through her days.  She transformed … into living her life authentically and living with purpose. She learned so much and she now experiences MAGIC all around her!  Her story is beautiful as well as inspiring and you can hear it for yourself in this episode of the FoodLife podcast. Thanks for sharing Stephanie 😊 . xo @donnabrittcooks  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ok, this episode all started when I found the small mustard seed pendant that my Granny gave me when I was a little girl.  I’ve had this little charm tucked in a jewelry box for decades, moving it back and forth across the country several times yet somehow not losing it!  I’ve never worn it, until now! In this episode I tell the story behind the gift from my grandmother and how it connects to a recent birthday gift from a best friend … and how that all leads to a Bible parable and a pickle recipe from Mother Maybelle Carter!!  I hope you have as much fun listening as I do telling you this tale! xo @donnabrittcooks     Recommended Reading/Links: THE CASH & CARTER FAMILY COOKBOOK – Recipes and Recollections from Johnny & June’s Table    THE PATH MADE CLEAR – Discovering Your Life’s Direction and Purpose Food Lover’s Companion Cash Cabin EnterprisesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A view from the top of the Empire State Building reminded me of how important it is to get some ‘altitude’ in life sometimes!  It’s easy for me to get wrapped up in the small stuff – to lose sight of the ‘forest for the trees’. How can I (we) rise above things and get that needed altitude? Join me in this FoodLife episode and we’ll talk that out. 😊  Oh and we’ll make some homemade Latin Hot Pockets --  EMPANADAS – inspired by the ones I got from Empanada Mama’s in NYC.   This is my first time to make them and it was way easier than I thought it would be, so I know that you can do it too.  xo @donnabrittcooksSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is NOT a political podcast HOWEVER in this episode, we willconverse a bit about borders (immigration), boundaries (as in personal boundaries), and talk about how “food is our common ground” (to quote James Beard). You’ll hear more of my conversation with Izabela Wojcik from the James Beard House. Izabelaimmigrated from Poland as a child and she shares her unique perspective onimmigration and believes in “diplomacy through food”. We also dive into the wonderful thing that can happen when cultures collide – the fusion of delicious foods! You’ll get the recipe for my favorite homemade fusion dish – Braised Pork Bowls. And I’ll share a few tips on how to establish and maintain healthy interpersonal boundaries because healthy boundaries make for healthy relationships. xo @donnabrittcooksSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is my first podcast featuring an interview and I’m so excited to share it with you!  I’m talking with Izabela Wojcik from the James Beard House in NYC. She’s the person who’s in charge of finding all the great chefs who get to cook their food at the House and she’s also one of the most open-hearted, loving people I’ve ever met.  In this episode Izabela talks about immigrating from Poland as a child, giving up on a childhood dream, how food TV changed her relationship with her father and she also shares some quick pro tips for fast, nourishing family dinners. I love spending time with this great lady who literally gives the best hugs ever !!   By the way, if you don’t know who James Beard is or what his House is all about, you’ll learn about that too … thanks for listening. xo @donnabrittcooksSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Big Cs !    Cancer … and Cauliflower!  It’s been 7 years since my breast cancer diagnosis.  Plus, a dear friend of mine was just diagnosed with breast cancer metastasized in her bones so cancer is on my mind and heart right now.  The American Cancer Society predicts over 1.7 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed THIS YEAR (2019) in the U.S., so I figured this cancer thing was something we could all relate to.   There is research that shows poor nutrition is a factor in some cancer cases and “eating right” is a preventive measure against cancer (again, according to the American Cancer Society).  In this episode, we’ll discuss what ‘right’ eating could be and I’ll share some delicious veggie-heavy recipes, including my favorite roasted cauliflower dish.  You’ll also meet two of the most inspiring beings in my life – cancer survivors Patsy and Lucy! xo @donnabrittcooks        See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Snowball Effect!  This episode is inspired by the February 2019 snowstorm that happened where I live in Oregon.  As I walked through my neighborhood after about 3 ½ feet of snow had fallen I witnessed some sweet acts of kindness and made some other observations which I’m now calling ‘The Snowball Effect’.  Funny how tough times and disasters (even more minor ones like a huge snowfall) can bring out the best of humanity.  I also share an old-fashioned recipe from my childhood for Snow Cream.  xo @donnabrittcooks See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Armadillos. Homemade yeast bread. And the power of vulnerability. What?! In this episode of the Food.Life.Podcast, the lowly armadillo comes into play as we learn how tomake the easiest yeast bread ever while exploring the idea of setting up what we’re willing toexperience while shielding ourselves from negativity (defining our space). It all comes together in a good-natured conversation about the strength and power of being ‘vulnerable’. dBSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we finish our Hard Conversations conversation and talk about ‘Busting Through Fear’ in order to have those hard talks.  I also share a couple of my favorite comfort food recipes including my mom’s (Memaw) baked spaghetti. I’ll warn you – this is not an authentic Italian recipe although there are spaghetti noodles and some canned tomatoes in it!  xo @donnabrittcooks See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Part 1 of a 2-part series on HARD CONVERSATIONS.  You know, those life conversations we’d rather avoid.  But what’s life if not one ‘hard’ conversation after another!  Don’t avoid this podcast though, as I ‘WALK WITH GUS’ (my chocolate lab) and talk through some simple steps to help with those difficult talks.  PLUS we’ll make my go-to salmon dinner and a good-for-your-brain green salad with blueberries. dBSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.