Cricket in a Biscuit

On the heels of my root beer adventure , there was a jar of ginger bug on my hands awaiting a purpose. It just so happened, about that time, my mom dropped off some cranberries. Straight-up cranberry pop did not seem at all appealing, so I started experimenting with ways to take things up a notch. I got lucky, and the very first batch turned out great! The only problem was, I had just winged it and didn’t remember enough of the specifics to share. This second batch, I paid closer attention to what I was doing, and here you have the recipe for what Darren has dubbed, Christmas Ale. 4 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen 1 orange, zest and squeeze 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise 2 quarts water 1 ½ cups raw cane sugar 1 cup ginger bug Learn how to make a ginger bug here . In a large pan add cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla bean. Boil gently until the cranberries are exploded and mushy. Strain the liquid into a large bowl. I use m...

June 7, 2015: the six of us after Sophia's baptism. I started the 21DFX eight days later. Six months ago, if someone told me I would be involved with in-home fitness, I’d have laughed — not a polite chortle, but a full out, catch startled looks from passers-by belly laugh. So, what changed? What was behind this sudden, radical change in direction? Getting started as an Independent Team Beachbody Coach, I was told over and over to think about, and focus on, my why. The why is the point around which you orient yourself and what keeps you motivated. This is an attempt to explain mine.  This summer started tough for me. I’ve struggled with body image issues my whole life. Four kids in five and a half years had given any remaining self-esteem quite a beating. It had taken a while, but after each child before, I had been able to lose the baby weight. This last time was different. Even though I was nursing, even though I was eating healthy food, the weight would...