“An adventure doesn’t have
to involve fear, but mine sure did!”
— The Uphill Skater —

My husband, Bill, and I have sailed thousands of miles including all around Hilton Head, down the coast as far as Key West, up as far as Annapolis on the Chesapeake Bay, and all around the Bahamas and Exuma Cays. We have sailed across the Mediterranean, and Bill has done the Atlantic crossing. We have sailed around Tahiti, Morea, and Bora Bora. We have even sailed up the coast of Australia.

“I love the power of women working in common.
Girl groups have so much strength to share among
themselves and with others, as well!”
— The Uphill Skater —

I usually write about lifestyle and/or good health, and this month I get to combine both! As we look at our theme this month, Join the Club, I am going to use the term "club" very casually.

All of us girls have at some time been part of a club, small group or clique. Some have been for better, while others for worse, and many of these groups that started out informally have lasted for years. In fact, I know of several friend groups who have been together since grade school. My family moved a lot when I was young, so I do not have old friends, nor do I have a big family. But allow me to share what I do have right now, which works wonders for me.  

“The women of this country these days need some icons, and
if they think I am one, then I am very happy about that!”
— Naomi Parker Farley, a.k.a. Rosie the Riveter

“We needed women to look up to then, and we need them now!”
— The Uphill Skater, a.k.a. Judith Lawrenson

There’s barely a more iconic American female than Rosie the Riveter. For more than 80 years, her strong, clenched fist image has appeared literally everywhere from 1940s posters, which peppered government offices and factory break rooms, to modern day T-shirts, mouse pads, coffee mugs, baseball caps, purses and every other imaginable retail item. Rosie the Riveter stood for something then—“We Can Do It”—bolstering the women left behind to takeover many male-dominated jobs while the men were at war.

“I hope you have a berry good summer!”
– The Uphill Skater –

Still hanging on to peak season, strawberries are just about the best thing there is, both in nutrition and deliciousness. Available in abundance, I urge you not to pass up the little basket of strawberries at your grocer or favorite farmers’ market.

“Never heard of Cole Brauer?
Well, you’re about to!”
– The Uphill Skater –

I usually write about research I do on new developments in foods or cutting-edge discoveries regarding health and nutrition. However, my research led me down a totally different path this month.

My husband, Bill, and I have been serious sailors for well over 20 years. As such, all things about or related to sailing interest me, but I certainly was not looking to find or write about a female sailor. My curious mind led me to seek information about the health benefits, or lack thereof, of dehydrated foods versus canned, frozen, or fresh. As my research deepened, somehow, I clicked and delved into the world of Cole Brauer, which had nothing to do with nutritional values of dehydrated foods! (Can you believe I got sidetracked on the Internet?)

“Both Elizabeth and Pink have been a part of the fabric
of Lowcountry life for many years and their
staying power is the tribute to that fact!”
– The Uphill Skater –

I have been with Pink one way or another for many years, in fact, almost since the beginning. I started writing a column called "One From The Heart,” and then wrote profiles, and finally "Skating Uphill." I must tell you that I have loved every minute of being a part of the brand Pink has become. I am going to go back quite a bit for one of my favorite memories of Elizabeth Millen, the founder of Pink, and only really old-timers will remember this.

“Nature is pleased with simplicity.”
– The Uphill Skater –

Nature may be calling you loud and clear, so be sure your ear buds are tuned-in properly, or you may miss the message. Perhaps nature is calling you to eat more natural foods. If this is the case, and I promise it is, you probably know there are many products out there, claiming to be edible, that are NOT natural foods, and they are terrible for you. I am not going to go on about this, simply because you already know…hello! However, spring is here which makes it much easier to say hello to foods grown and resourced as close to home as possible, maybe even in your own garden.

“I just enjoyed a bowl of soup.
So why is that a big deal you may ask?”
– The Uphill Skater –

I just finished a big bowl of my favorite cold-weather, delicious go-to meal: soup. I love soup and frequently enjoy it with fresh bread, chunks of cheese, a sliced apple, or crackers. I try not to let anything go to waste in the kitchen, and my numerous soup recipes actually bare that out. My one exception is a tasty soup called Autumn Harvest, which I’m happy to share the recipe for: Go to Panera Bread (they even have a drive-thru) and order the Autumn Harvest soup. It’s so good!

“I love the ‘You Go, Girl!’ slogan,
but before we all jump on the bandwagon,
let’s be sure exactly where it is we are going!”
– The Uphill Skater –

We girls are on the go, no doubt about it. However, speaking from simply a foodie point of view, I find the way to actually go nutrition-wise can be murky, to say the least. As regular readers know, I am always on the hunt for not only new things and new science about food, but I am also looking for that “myth buster” new science that may increase our health benefits, while still being edible, if you know what I mean!

“So, let’s talk about choices—what you eat,
how you respond to things going on around you,
and your approach to the holiday season.”
– The Uphill Skater –

I’ve had a wooden sign in my kitchen for many years. It reads: "Be The Change You Want To See In The World."  It’s a daily reminder that I can make a difference. A friend of mine made it for me because we attended a conference together in Bluffton that dealt with accepting personal responsibility for one's actions. The conference centered on the importance of how we utilize and dedicate our volunteer hours. In addition, it also focused on personal choices, which is why the sign is so important to me. Every time I look at it, I immediately go back to the lessons from this conference on how my choices make a difference whether they are good or bad. I don’t know about you, but dear friends, I want my choices to be good ones, and I want to make a positive difference.

“Honestly, if I hear one more word about FAT being the new ‘inʼ thing,
I am going to be forced to eat a cookie.”
– The Uphill Skater –

Okay, of course no one is touting that being overweight is now healthy, but things about body weight have been redefined lately in a way I feel is positive. Magazines have started including heavier women in fashion photo shoots. Department stores have new, “bigger-boned” mannequins. Medically, Body Mass Index (BMI) is no longer considered the be-all and end-all number to define obesity, and insurance companies are reevaluating guidelines for their definitions of healthy weights. However, none of this means being overweight is good for you.

“Fight Like a Girl can mean many
different things these days!” ”
– The Uphill Skater –

Women have come a long way in just the last 50 years. Although the fight for women continues, I want to focus much more on what we have already won! There have been many victories because there have been (and are) many strong women who have fought for the future of women.

“Yes, I have made quite a fantastic discovery
and believe it or not, it's something
I take like a medicine!”
– The Uphill Skater –

For years I have prided myself on the fact that I do not drink or smoke, and I am a vegetarian. I try to not take anything that can be called a medicine. I know this sounds a bit silly with all of the new meds out there, and yes, I have softened a bit as I have grown older. However, I believe our bodies can work toward health by what we eat and how we move. I must also say, before I share my newfound gift, I am not a doctor or medical professional, which I remind readers of often. But, my daughter, who is in fact a medical doctor, tells me one cannot stress this often enough. So, with all of that being said, here goes: 

I like Tom Cruise as well as the next person, and I love the Mission Impossible movies, but I really don’t believe it is a true statement, especially where women are concerned. I hate to use the term “kept down” but sometimes it really fits, doesn’t it? Check it out…not just on the news or even in Pink, check it out in this month’s issue and all around you. Just look at where we are compared to where we were, and best of all, look at where we are going. 

“Creative Minds are great, but sometimes
the search for something new or different can
be a pain in the bee-hind!”
– The Uphill Skater –

 
One of the most impactful aspects of creativity is doing something new with something old. However, something new can sometimes be nothing more than discovering new pieces of an already completed puzzle. Learning new tidbits or deeper layers can often be a game changer.

Here’s an example: I am a pescatarian (a vegetarian who eats fish and shellfish). I had been a full vegetarian but started eating fish when I moved from California to Hilton Head Island. The fresh fish, shrimp right off the boats, and mussels were too delicious and healthy to pass up. I felt that if I was a vegetarian for health reasons, then I was quite the hypocrite by not eating the freshest food indigenous to the Lowcountry.

“Eat This, Not That Again!””
– The Uphill Skater –

 
The weather is here and it’s time to eat outdoors, grill, picnic, snack at the beach, host backyard barbecues, or dine on a restaurant patio; whichever you choose, just get outside! Some people say that winter is the time for warm comfort foods and heavy gravy, but we know this is not really true, don’t we Lowcountry foodies?

Warm weather brings out some big appetites—places to go, things to do, and food to eat. In order to put a bit of control in place, I am going to do another helpful guide of “Eat This, Not That.” Lots of new information has been put out, and we need time to “digest” the many new findings.

“Eat This, Not That Again!””
– The Uphill Skater –

 
The weather is here and it’s time to eat outdoors, grill, picnic, snack at the beach, host backyard barbecues, or dine on a restaurant patio; whichever you choose, just get outside! Some people say that winter is the time for warm comfort foods and heavy gravy, but we know this is not really true, don’t we Lowcountry foodies?

Warm weather brings out some big appetites—places to go, things to do, and food to eat. In order to put a bit of control in place, I am going to do another helpful guide of “Eat This, Not That.” Lots of new information has been put out, and we need time to “digest” the many new findings.

“Nature’s Calling
(and I’m not talking about the bathroom)!”
– The Uphill Skater –

 
We refer to nature as “Mother Nature” because we believe nature also has the power to nurture. Of course, with storms (hurricanes, tornados, snow) all over the country this year, this concept may be hard to believe, but if one looks at the totality, it becomes obvious. Our surroundings bring us not only beauty, but also pleasure. Living in and with nature as we do in the Lowcountry is a great example. What an absolute joy it is to live in such a beautiful place, surrounded by some of nature’s most treasured and pristine waters. This is all ours to enjoy, but also to care for, and yes, to nurture; it goes both ways.

“‘Reorganize Your Pantry!’
said every women’s magazine in the world.”
– The Uphill Skater –

 
I subscribe to at least four women’s monthly magazines and read them cover to cover. I am always looking for new stuff, and my magazines are fabulous resources. My husband is not on the same page, but he knows to expect the unexpected when it comes to what’s in the fridge on grocery shopping day, and he has come to expect dinner may or may not be something familiar to him. Another thing he is no longer surprised by: New decorative pillows as a regular occurrence, all thanks to the suggestions of my favorite magazines!

“There is so much beauty surrounding us,
I hardly know where to begin.”
– The Uphill Skater –

 
Sometimes I gush a little bit. But I have been known to gush a lot if it is about the right thing. Love of our beautiful Lowcountry is, as it happens, just exactly the right thing to gush about. Having lived on Hilton Head Island for 14 years, let me tell you it is, along with the whole area we call Lowcountry, the perfect trifecta of people, scenery and food. 

“They say the best teachers are good learners,
and you should learn something new
every day.”
– The Uphill Skater –

 
Being schooled, getting trained, taking lessons—these scenarios conjure up some old corny cliches for me. They say the best teachers are good learners, and you should learn something new every day. They also say you are never too old to learn, and we go to school every day of our lives. I happen to be a big fan of corny old sayings, and especially some of these, because they are all, to my mind, somewhat true. 

Back in the day, I was a teacher, and I loved it! Even though I no longer work, I am still teaching. I taught my grandson how to read; I taught my dog how to fetch; and I taught my neighbor how to crochet. That may not sound like much, but as a benefit of all of this, I learned a great deal.

“I have made a difference in at least two lives
in my own small way, and I am proud of it.
You can do it too.”
– The Uphill Skater –

#BeTheDifference is a tall order in a world full of different people, different lifestyles, different belief systems and a huge variety of simply too much stuff. How in the world can one person be any kind of force for change, or make an actual difference. I mean really, I am not Meghan Markle, or Dolly Parton, or even Elizabeth Millen. So, what can just one little person honestly do? Not much, right?

Wrong! I have made a difference in at least two lives in my own small way, and I am proud of it. You can do it too, if you haven’t already. It is easy; adopt a child. I do not mean take a child into your home, unless you feel called to do so, but what I have done is adopted a child overseas. As a teacher, resource specialist and private tutor, I have helped many young people, but the adoption process is different. I believe with all my heart I have changed lives and made a difference.

“Old friends, new friends, and friends who are no longer with us bring back so many memories. Looking back is good, but looking forward is better!”
– The Uphill Skater –

Frequently asked questions in the beginning of new friendships used to be something like where did you two meet, or did someone introduce you, or notions to that effect. The answers were things like introductions by mutual friends, meeting at church, meeting at work, or the ever popular “We met in a bar!” That is my favorite, of course, because that is where I met my husband, and back in the day, that was probably a very common answer. Meeting new friends and finding and building relationships were almost always pretty much face-to-face. Of course, nowadays most anyone under the age of 40 will tell a different story. 

“Old friends, new friends, and friends who are no longer
with us bring back so many memories.
Looking back is good, but looking forward is better!”
– The Uphill Skater –

Frequently asked questions in the beginning of new friendships used to be something like where did you two meet, or did someone introduce you, or notions to that effect. The answers were things like introductions by mutual friends, meeting at church, meeting at work, or the ever popular “We met in a bar!” That is my favorite, of course, because that is where I met my husband, and back in the day, that was probably a very common answer. Meeting new friends and finding and building relationships were almost always pretty much face-to-face. Of course, nowadays most anyone under the age of 40 will tell a different story. 

“Okay, we have six Healthy Habits, so here is MY #7.”
– The Uphill Skater –

I do have another Healthy Habit, and it is one that I really feel should be on the list. I will call it “keep up” for lack of a better way to describe it. Sometimes I, you, we, take each day as it comes and get sort of ho-hum about things as we skate along. I think it’s a good thing to do this once in a while for a mental breather, but honestly, in general, aren’t we better than that? As you read this month’s Skating Uphill, think about it and how you want to be. I know that saying one should always be their best selves gets old, boring and nagging, but do please just give it some thought. 

“They say that the most curious learners
make the very best teachers!”
– The Uphill Skater –

Back in the day, when I first graduated from college, my dream was to become a high school history teacher. With no money to finish the credential I needed, I decided to slum it and take a job for one year as a kindergarten teacher to save up. Needless to say, I fell in love with teaching kindergarten and did it for the next eight years until I got married and moved into a different life. There is a book called All I Really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten, and let me tell you, it is absolutely true.

“The definition of good food never changes, right?
Actually, that is not right!”
– The Uphill Skater –

Every once in a while, I love to write a column that is a truly honest food update. While many may think an egg is an egg, an apple is red, and free-range means chickens can run all over the place, my positive and correct answer is yes and no.

I am hedging a bit, but really, the truth when it comes to food is ambiguous. Vitamin content and calorie count can vary in an egg quite a lot. Everyone knows not all apples are red, but have you considered if they are pesticide-free? And, unfortunately, many free range chickens have never seen a range in their whole short lives. 

“Adventure Awaits, but only for those who seek it!
Too bad, you sofa sitters. Maybe next time!”
– The Uphill Skater –

Back in the day, my husband and I used to sail out of the South Carolina Yacht Club, and we loved that life so much. We really felt like adventurers. We sailed all over the Bahamas, the coast from Savannah to the Florida Keys, and even to the Abacos Islands. We also raced and mentored young people who wanted to learn to sail. What a fabulous time we had. 

Fast forward a few years, and here we are living in West Virginia, now old people, tending our little grandson and sitting around the house all day knitting and eating fatty foods. No, wait a minute. That’s not what we are doing at all. We are still looking for that fun adventure to keep our lives happening in positive ways. Maybe we are not sky diving or going into space, but we are having a really great and busy life.

“Yes, I do love the concept of a #Mamabear,
but let’s take it a bit further!”
– The Uphill Skater –

A mama bear is a caregiver. A mama bear nurtures and protects. A mama bear shares love in a unique way. Love is a shared event. I believe the whole concept of a giving and caring persona will encourage others to come together in ways that are not only loving, but also supportive. That kind of person leads by example, and is a role-model. 

Concepts such as “come together”, “come closer” and “come into my warmth” are of such value that we should seek out those who share that value. We all know someone who makes us feel safe, which help us also feel confident and powerful. Being accepted and loved is vital, especially today when so many people feel adrift and lonely. That feeling of being what I call “uninvited” is devastating and creates doubt and fear. Knowing you are loved and valued for who you are not only nurtures, but also is the foundation for a positive self-worth.

“Natural Style and Grace are actually pretty easy to spot.”
– The Uphill Skater –

I love to be around women who are natural. To me that means those who have their own kind of style and a grace that comes from inner confidence. Women like that make great friends and are always there for you. I am sure you know what I mean. Think about your closest friend or relative. Hopefully, she is the one who makes you feel good about yourself. The one who has confidence in themselves, but also helps you feel confident, too. 

Being true to who you really are can be dependent on the choices you make, which happens nearly 400 hundred times per day. Each time you decide to do one thing and not the other, you make a personal choice. Do you do what you think you should do in the eyes of others, or do you decide what is best for you? Where does your inner strength come from? Do you make that choice from a place of confident strength, or do you just go with the flow? What do you need to do to find the grace to be yourself in the best possible way?