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https://www.ladiesandladles.com

Please visit...and stay hungry!

Minutes with a Marvel: Emily Lagreid

Emily + her daughters, Caroline and Lily.

When time is scarce, I'd rather tell a bit about a brilliant woman than miss an opportunity to share an inspiring story. So, I've been peppering some wonderful women with four simple questions in the hopes that the answers are immediate and effortless (of course I'd love to sit down and interview but that's not always in the cards!). MINUTES WITH A MARVEL is meant to briefly highlight an outstanding lady and share her quick responses to meaningful questions that might inspire you or at least get you thinking...

The questions:
1) Where do you get your energy/what motivates you?
2) Who (other women) inspires you? Or are there any specific social media feeds that inspire you?
3) Pie-in-the-sky dream or ambition?
4) Go-to recipe


Today's MARVEL is Emily Lagreid. 

A handful of years ago, the hustle and bustle of her high-powered, big-city job coupled with the desire to raise her family to the tune of a simpler life prompted Emily Lagreid and her husband to make a big change. Dreaming of a better life, they devised a plan to relocate their then-family of four from Seattle to eastern Washington, find jobs, and purchase acreage to build their dream home. The process took years—they lived with family then rented a home while thoughtfully constructing their retreat atop literal amber waves of grain. And Emily found a flexible job, enabling her to balance her career and family life, which now includes a third little. Her story is inspiring not just because she took a risk and made such huge changes but because she had a vision and faith that everything in her life prepared her for this grand adventure. Now instead of sitting in traffic, Emily watches the sun set on the beautiful life she and her husband have created…crops, chickens, dogs, babies, and all.  

1) WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR ENERGY?

“Anyone who knows me would say I get energy from my favorite pastime, napping. Yet I am raising a 3-year-old who thinks sleep is overrated. So now I find my energy in the mornings. I've made a habit of starting my day with a cup of hot tea, my favorite candle burning, and my kids cuddled around me on the couch. In the summer we do this on the front porch and watch the sunrise together. Listening to their sleepy little voices tell me about their dreams from the night before helps me reset on what this season of my life is all about. A lot of my motivation comes from the example I want to set for my children. I want them to take risks, chase their dreams, and be satisfied in finding their own definition of happiness. So when doubt creeps in, I focus on those things and find new energy and confidence in living the life that's right for my family and no one else's.”

 

2) OTHER WOMEN WHO INSPIRE YOU?

“I'm inspired by moms who aren't scared to chase their dreams while raising babies. Kikkan Randall was a standout high school cross-country skier while I was growing up in Alaska. Now she's a mom in her mid-30s like me. But she isn't like me. She won America's first gold in cross-country skiing at the 2018 winter Olympics, as a mom at 35!  I watched the race with my two daughters and cried as I told them that she was a mom who was living out her ultimate dream. She's simply amazing. She has no reservations about who she is (the pink hair that my girls love) and a great model of resilience.

“Also, one of my oldest friends dreams of writing her own book so she set the goal to read 100 books in 2018. She's read 81 books so far this year, while raising three kiddos! AWESOME! She doesn't watch TV and reads at naptime. She reminds me that passion can be in so many different areas of your life and that you choose how to prioritize your time when chasing your dream. She also gives the best book recommendations. She gave Ghosteda great review, so it’s next on my list at the library.”

3) PIE-IN-THE-SKY DREAM OR AMBITION? 

“To be a hobby farmer or run an outdoor pre-school.”

4) GO-TO RECIPE?

“Zuppa Toscana soup.”

MINUTES WITH A MARVEL: Allison Vidourek

When time is scarce, I'd rather tell a bit about a brilliant woman than miss an opportunity to share an inspiring story. So, I've been peppering some wonderful women with four simple questions in the hopes that the answers are immediate and effortless (of course I'd love to sit down and interview but that's not always in the cards!). MINUTES WITH A MARVEL is meant to briefly highlight an outstanding lady and share her quick responses to meaningful questions that might inspire you or at least get you thinking...

The questions:
1) Where do you get your energy/what motivates you?
2) Who (other women) inspires you? Or are there any specific social media feeds that inspire you?
3) Pie-in-the-sky dream or ambition?
4) Go-to recipe

Today's MARVEL is Allison Vidourek. 

When you’ve known someone almost 20 years, you’re bound to witness some transformation. But I never could have imagined watching my dear friend Allison ride such a roller coaster of big life events with such grace, maturity, and courage. She stepped out of her comfort zone on more than one occasion to lead her household while her husband deployed, and she’s challenged herself professionally to grow from a critical care nurse to a clinical educator for a medical device company…all while working crazy hours around her daughters’ schedules, ensuring her role as mom be the most important. So, if you find yourself climbing a mountain when all you envisioned was life among the wildflowers, know that no matter your dreams, they are within reach, and that there’s a season and reason for everything. Life truly begins at the end of your comfort zone. 

1) WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR ENERGY?

“I get my energy from my family and friends. They are always inspiring me to grow and improve as a wife, mom, co-worker, and friend. My husband and kids are who inspire me every day to bring all that I have to share with them. I want the raise independent, smart, and kind girls, and at the end of the day, I’m OK with being exhausted if I know they are turning out to be good people and that my husband knows I love him.”

Allison + her girls (Naomi & Nora) + her sister, Ashley.

2) OTHER WOMEN WHO INSPIRE YOU?

Other women that inspire me are moms who are raising kids and building their own businesses and/or careers, as well as stay at home moms. Each role is equally important and challenging.  

“My sister Ashley, has always been a huge inspiration for me.  She recently took a huge leap and followed a passion and is living an inspired life in wine country.

“My favorite social media feeds are currently the Modern Proper and Dishing up the Dirt.  They both have the most amazing recipes and style, and are Northwest locals, so I always love seeing places that they recommend.”

  

3) PIE-IN-THE-SKY DREAM OR AMBITION? 

“My pie-in-the-sky dream is to leave the bedside as a nurse and figure out how to get pet therapy for healthcare workers everywhere. Dogs are the best! J”

4) GO-TO RECIPE?

“Go-to recipe would have to be my version of the Pioneer Woman’s sloppy joes.  I always use elk or deer met though, so much leaner—simple and makes great leftovers for lunch. I also love making soup but couldn't name a favorite.”

Dream big, dream small...and believe YOLO

Crazy. Gnarly. Intense. These are all words that describe Leslee (Olson) Schader as a competitor...and as a mother, friend, and pretty much any other hat she wears. 

I don't like to insert myself into these stories, but to truly tell Leslee's story, I feel I must. 

When I first met Les, I thought she must be training for something the way she was pushing herself, running sprints on a stairclimber (yes, you read that correctly). But she was just fitting in a typical workout. At 4:30 in the morning. On a random weekday.

That's partly a lie. I really met Leslee for the first time in a grocery store when I was with my mom. At the time, I was in college, and my mom kept telling me over the phone about her new friend at the gym. She'd met Leslee in spin class, and she instantly knew she was an athlete because of her fit build. My mom chats with everyone (a trait she, Leslee, and I all have in common), and after several conversations post-class with Leslee, my mom learned Les had been a professional snowboarder. "She even won gold medals in the X Games," according to my mom.

I figured my mom had gotten the facts wrong and responded with something like, "Sure, Mom, your new 'friend' at the gym won the X Games," complete with air quotes and eye-rolls invisible to her on the other line. Then, I happened to be home from college, and my mom and I bumped into Leslee at the store. I felt an instant connection with her, which is a general reaction for just about anybody after meeting Les, and I knew we were going to be friends. She had just come from the gym (imagine that!), and she was heading home to study. 

Leslee + her friends/Chorus co-owners.

Leslee was in her late 20s, newly-ish married, and finishing nursing school while working at Starbucks. I was a handful of years younger and immediately admired Leslee for her athleticism, zest for life, and her ability to infuse her faith in God into just about anything. I couldn't wait to get together for killer workout sessions (even those early, early in the morning) and for inspiration and encouragement on setting my own path in life. Because the story my mom told me was completely accurate--Leslee really did win gold medals in the X Games and jumped out of helicopters on her snowboard. But those formal accolades hardly hold a candle to all that she's achieved, along with the blinding light she shines for all who come in contact with her daily.

Growing up in Bend, Oregon, Leslee was a trailblazer for females in the sport of snowboarding. She started to snowboard when she was 9, entered (and won) her first competition at age 11, and turned pro at 17. Her accomplishments are endless: She took first in the Winter X Games BoarderCross on more than one occasion, was the Female BoarderCross Rider of the Year, started a women's snowboarding company (Chorus) at age 22, and made her virtual debut as just one of two female athletes featured in a PlayStation 2 snowboarding video game...just to name a few of the pages of awards on her resume. And while most snowboarders specialize in either the halfpipe or racing, Leslee mastered both.

"I just never gave up," she said. "I'd practice, practice, practice, and then crash, crash, crash."

Leslee + son, Barron, and daughter, Andee.

Although some naysayers scoffed when she chose the path of professional athletics over college, Les proved those doubters wrong when she completed her degree in nursing, with dreams of opening her own nursing home, after her illustrious snowboarding career came to a close. Fast-forward more than 10 years later, and Leslee is a mom of two and a cardiac nurse. After working the night shift while her kids were babies, she now works just a few nights a month so she can be at the ready for volunteering, coaching, and inviting the entire elementary school over to her house to celebrate the end of school. Not kidding.

"People are like, 'You're crazy,' but I feel like it's my calling right now, and I'd rather have the kids' friends here so I can see how they are and make a difference in those kids' lives," Leslee said.

Leslee still dreams of someday opening a nursing home or doing some sort of in-home health care, but presently, she focuses her attention first and foremost on her family with whom she infuses her loves of service and sports. 

"My kids are my priority," she said. "I try to do things along with my kids, like skateboard to school with them, or go to the BMX park with them. I just try to expose them and encourage them to believe in themselves. Kids are so much stronger than you think they are...let them do things they're capable of doing. I snowboard with them as much as I can. Troy [Leslee's husband] does Ninja Warrior with them." 

While she dreamed big (and achieved big) with snowboarding, Leslee also believes in the power of dreaming small, focusing on doing the little things for others. 

"Everyday things matter. I have my kids talk to people at the grocery store or telling them they can make a difference at school by talking to people who don't get talked to. Write a note. Pull the neighbors' garbages in. I like to be helpful, and I love people. I want to pay it forward to other moms and love on their kids." 

Along with devoting a lot of time to her kids' elementary school, including wearing the mascot suit for the annual jog-a-thon, Leslee is starting a Moms in Prayer group for the school and also volunteers for Meals on Wheels. 

"I'm always busy doing something," she said.  

Her pro snowboarding days might be long gone, but Leslee's still pushing herself to the extreme, whether it's crushing workouts at dawn (yep, she still gets after it and out of the gym before most people hit the snooze button) or having 16 kids over for a random playdate (complete with the Schader family's bouncy house). With God as her guiding light and embodying the expression "you only live once," nothing's out of reach or too much to handle for Leslee.

IN HER WORDS

Advice for dream seekers:

"Don't give up, believe in yourself...if you work hard enough for anything then anything is possible. I was just a practicer and a worker and never gave up. Preparation. Work really hard."

Other females who inspire you:

"Moms in general...because parenting is so stinking hard. [My best friend] Shannon Dunn-Downing in snowboarding--she's still so inspiring with [her efforts with] Moms in Prayer. She's a really good mom, and she's been my role model. I'm always learning from her. 

"Other athletes out there pushing themselves...all the snowboarders now. I thought what we were doing was gnarly, but now it's like next level. 

"Instagram fitness people who are doing crazy things. So inspiring.

"Kelly Clark inspires me. So many gold medals and just loves Jesus. She's a light in a dark world. Kelly wrote a book last year called Inspired: Pursuit of Progress. So good." 

Favorite kitchen utensil/appliance:

"Vitamix--I use it every day--and my juicer. Also the barbecue."

Favorite style of cooking:

"Simple: Veg, meat--ooh, roasted veggie and some type of meat on the barbecue or tacos. We do salmon every week. Just basic."

Can't live without ingredient:

"Eggs, avocados, coffee...and Coffee-Mate!"

Go-to recipe:

"Salmon in tin foil on the barbie or broccoli and Brussels sprouts roasted with balsamic." (Check back for a quick tutorial of Leslee's roasted veggies.)

Follow Leslee: @lesleeo78

White Celebration Cupcakes + Frosting

I always dress up cupcakes for my friend's kids' birthdays, and an American Ninja Warrior theme was requested this year. Thank you, Target, for the ANW party pack for the win! 

INGREDIENTS 
1 c white sugar
1/2 c butter 
2 eggs
2 teaspoons maple syrup 
1 1/2 c all-purpose flour 
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder 
1/2 c milk

INSTRUCTIONS 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
Line 12 muffin cups with liners.
In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter. 
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the maple syrup.
Add flour and baking powder to the mix and combine. Stir in milk until smooth. 
Pour batter evenly into the cups (I use a kitchen scoop!), and bake 20-25 minutes (mine took around 22 minutes!). 

FOR THE FROSTING 
Combine 2 tablespoons room temp butter with roughly 4 cups powdered sugar (I never measure!) and a few tablespoons of milk...I add the milk gradually while the beaters are going (much preferred over using a whisk or a spoon!) until the desired consistency. .

Sheet Pan Tomato Sauce...yes!

Thanks to my friend gifting me her #csa this week, I needed an easy game plan for an abundance of tomatoes 🍅. 

It might be a bit unorthodox for spaghetti sauce purists, but here’s how I make mine: Roughly quarter tomatoes and scatter them on a baking sheet. Generously drizzle with olive oil and balsamic...then load herbs (dried or fresh) like oregano or basil on top. Sprinkle minced garlic and sea salt to finish. I also had a couple red peppers from the CSA box I diced and added to this sheet pan. Pop into a 350-degree pre-heated oven to roast for about 40 minutes. Toss about halfway through. When they’re soft and bursting with flavor, remove from oven. When cool, spoon into a deep bowl, and use an immersion blender to process until desired consistency. Ta-da!

Impromptu Bison Burger / Leftover Burger-Topped Salad!

Last night’s bison burger reimagined as a cabbage salad today! Probably one of the tastiest non-recipe burgers that’s come off the smoker. 

Here’s what I combined with 1 lb of ground bison: a handful of panko breadcrumbs, a hefty squirt of honey mustard, a spoonful of pesto (see previous L&L recipe or use store-bought), several dashes of Worcestershire, an egg, sea salt + fresh ground pepper, a handful of feta cheese crumbles, and around a teaspoon of diced fresh jalapeño for a kick! 

I’m always looking for flavor boosters for my burgers. Bison is a great alternative to beef, but I also love using ground turkey or chicken. I toss all caution to the wind when creating burger patties, and this combo just happened to hit the 🎯!

MINUTES WITH A MARVEL: Kali Davis

When time is scarce, I'd rather tell a bit about a brilliant woman than miss an opportunity to share an inspiring story. So, I've been peppering some wonderful women with four simple questions in the hopes that the answers are immediate and effortless (of course I'd love to sit down and interview but that's not always in the cards!). MINUTES WITH A MARVEL is meant to briefly highlight an outstanding lady and share her quick responses to meaningful questions that might inspire you or at least get you thinking...

The questions:
1) Where do you get your energy/what motivates you?
2) Who (other women) inspires you? Or are there any specific social media feeds that inspire you?
3) Pie-in-the-sky dream or ambition?
4) Go-to recipe

My first guest, Kali Davis, a footwear product line manager at Nike, went above and beyond her call to "quickly text me back with your answers!" and emailed me such thoughtful responses that I just had to share the whole thing here.

Kali is always lifting others up. Talented beyond measure, the thing that makes Kali so remarkable is the way she makes others feel. If you’ve ever been around one of those people who lights up a room, well, Kali is like that but magnified. Kali is imaginative, motivating, and always does the little things, whether as a co-worker or a friend. From creating office fitness challenges with incentives and prizes, to sending “just because I’m thinking of you” snail mail, the small things are never lost on Kali. Despite working full-time and being a mom, she always makes time for friends. So the next time you want to say, “I’m just too busy for...x,” I hope the spirit of Kali encourages you to send one more positive email, pick up the phone for a chat, or compliment one more stranger—you never know whose day you’ll make.

1) Where do you get your energy/what motivates you?

What I know about myself is that I get energy from the big things but also the really small things, no less significant to me, that can sometimes get overlooked. 

FAMILY: Being with my daughter, husband and family is the number one thing that energizes me and fills me up.  There is nothing that makes me feel more like myself than making my daughter laugh, showing her something new, watching her learn or just feeling the weight of her little body on mine when we snuggle before bed.  It’s SO centering, makes me feel purpose and excited for the future.  Ironic that the little person who energizes me the most also makes me feel the MOST exhausted! 

EXERCISE:  I LOVE exercising and it is an absolute imperative in my feelings of balance, physical/mental/emotional health, energy level and overall well-being.  It’s a time when other things can fall out of my mind and I can be really present.  I love that feeling of pushing myself to the limit and always challenging what you think you are capable of.  A hard workout always makes me feel refreshed, like I have washed the slate clean and start again.  Bonus: working out with my besties---it’s the ultimate in filling my cup!

CONNECTING WITH MY FRIENDS: Whether it’s going on a trip or adventure, having a fun dinner or drinks out, working out together, meeting for coffee or just talking on the phone or texting, my best girlfriends are a huge source of energy and positivity in my life.  I am inspired constantly by the amazing things my friends are accomplishing in all realms of their lives.  I am lifted up by them but also grounded by them and am infinitely thankful for those who I can 100% be myself with.  It’s really special.

I think “connecting” versus spending time with friends is a better description.  With all the other responsibilities we have at this stage in life from being a mom/wife/daughter and sister, it isn’t always possible to spend as much time together as I would like. But I cannot undervalue how chats on the phone, texts, sharing photos is still such a source of energy for me.

WHEN I AM HELPING SOMEONE ELSE: Oftentimes, for me, this means being a source of support and listening to my friends and family.  When I can help provide advice or guidance, or make someone important to me feel heard or understood-that’s an amazing feeling.

I also feel this same sentiment translated into my work.  Being a good listener, and thought-partner in solving complicated problems makes me feel proud and accomplished.

WORK ACCOMPLISHMENTS:  I work really hard in my job and always hold myself to a high-standard. Realizing accomplishments both big and small in the workplace helps me feel validated in my work and keeps me engaged and positive.  Finding energy in this is crucial, even more so since becoming a Mom, because I know that time I am at my job is time I am not spending with Ellery.  I need those little wins.

BEING IN NATURE.

2) Who (other women) inspires you? Or are there any specific social media feeds that inspire you?

All my girlfriends inspire me DAILY for a million different reasons.  I am inspired by their abilities to balance all the crazy demands of this life and still create space to be amazing forces in my life.  I have friends who are stay-at-home Moms who inspire me by their selflessness, patience and commitment to their family.  I have friends who have recently gone back to finish getting their college degree and get accepted into nursing school all while balancing a newborn baby at home.   I have friends that work full-time and still make being a Mom the number 1 priority.  I have friends who are incredible career women and show me what it means to lead with confidence, humility, respect, smarts and SPUNK.  I cannot pick among these women, but their reach is likely much larger then they know.

I would scream it from the rooftops and could care less about the clichés, but my Mom is my NUMBER one inspiration.  To know her is to be better…it just is. I can think of no better word than BADASS to describe my Mom.

When my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer 7 years ago, she showed a side of herself and a side of strength that I did not know was possible.  She devoted 100% of herself, her being and her purpose to my Dad, my brother and myself.  I have never been more proud of and inspired by her.  Now, she is working through her next chapter.  There is nothing she can’t do, or at least that she doesn’t try to do herself first.  She called me the other day just to tell me that she got my Dad’s 22 foot fishing boat out of the water, onto the boat trailer and driven back home all by herself.     

My friend and Mentor Kathy Gomez.  I have known Kathy for 10 years and she has been a bright spot in my life from that point on.  I truly believe meeting her has changed the trajectory of my life.  She is an incredibly smart, funny, inspiring, influencing, encouraging and creative leader at a large company, but she is also an amazing Mom to three amazing girls.  Kathy spreads joy, positivity and energy. If you ask her how she is doing, 99 times out of 10 she says great!  She has been a pivotal person in my success as both a career woman and Mom.   

3) Pie-in-the-sky dream or ambition? 

My pie in the sky dream is to find a way to blend my love of working and being challenged with my desire to have more time with my daughter and family.  

My fall back plan?  Open a gym with an adjacent coffee shop with EXCELLENT baked goods so I can share my immense love for these three things with the rest of the world.

4) Go-to recipe?

Burrito bowls. Just a hodgepodge of leftover veggies in the fridge...but I always make cilantro-lime rice.

The Lady's Macaroons

Another less-than-10 recipe for all the lazy bakers like me who just want to use one bowl and one measuring cup: Macaroons topped with dark chocolate or plain-Jane. 

INGREDIENTS 
2 cups AP flour (you can use coconut flour or another type to make this recipe GF) 
5 cups shredded coconut 
Dash of vanilla extract
1 can sweetened condensed milk 
Chocolate (any type!)

INSTRUCTIONS 
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the flour and the coconut. Add the vanilla and condensed milk, and stir to incorporate. Using a trusty kitchen scoop, form into balls and line ‘em up on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the edges start to become golden (just keep watch as you’re nearing 15 minutes—with my oven, these babies were done after 13!). Makes about two dozen.

NOTE: If you want to top with chocolate, simply melt chocolate chips or baking squares in the microwave, stirring after 30 seconds and adding time if necessary. Use a spoon to drizzle over the top!

Date Balls

A healthy snack to grab when you’re looking for a pinch of protein and a little sweetness mid-afternoon. This takes a total of 10 minutes from opening your pantry to popping one in your mouth! I just eyeball the ingredients, too, to simplify the recipe even more.

INGREDIENTS
2 cups walnuts (or try any nut you love) 
2 cups pitted dates (I buy mine in the bulk section) 
1 cup unsweetened coconut 
2 tablespoons coconut oil 
1 hefty dash of vanilla extract 
Dash of sea salt 
1 tablespoon chia seeds 

INSTRUCTIONS
Toss all ingredients into a food processor. Blend until a dough-like consistency. Using a kitchen scoop, form balls. If you’d like, roll in additional coconut. Place on a cookie sheet and freeze for about 10 minutes to solidify form. (I actually just plopped mine on a plate, covered with plastic wrap, and left them in the fridge as I had no room in the freezer.) Store in an airtight container in the fridge for easy access

Simple Summer Pesto

Combine two massive handfuls of basil (the more the better) with around 1/4 cup (a generous palmful) of nuts (I used walnuts because that’s what I had on hand), about the same amount of shredded Parmesan, a couple cloves of garlic, some salt and pepper, and a hefty dousing of olive oil. I use a large cup and my trusty immersion blender, but you can use a food processor...just keep adding olive oil until you get to your desired thickness. 
I used as a condiment for @traderjoes mahi mahi burgers 

Herby, Salty Pork Loin

I don’t keep pork tenderloin on my meal rotation as much as I should. It really is the little black dress of meats—you can dress it up or down. 

Tonight I drizzled olive oil all over a baking dish and ran out to the backyard and clipped a handful of fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano to create a nice little bed for the pork. Then I plopped the meat on top and topped with a generous dusting of @jacobsensaltco black garlic salt (delish!). I had this prepped well before dinner and ended up baking it at 300 degrees for an hour (I believe it was just over 1 lb). Not pictured is the fresh basil and walnut pesto I used to top the meat (will share that five-minute-no-measuring-required recipe soon!). It really hit the mark and was such a no-fuss meal. (For sides I made orzo and roasted fresh green beans and zucchini and sautéed some sliced mushrooms in olive oil and seasoning salt.) .

A leap of faith leads to true self-discovery

McKinzey Saig

Every woman needs someone like McKinzey Saig in her life. She’s warm, welcoming, and the most encouraging friend. She will build you up when you’re feeling down and inspire you to live your dream. Her empathy and encouragement is genuine because she’s truly walked the walk. 

In her mid-20s, after several years working incredibly long hours in the fast-paced public relations industry in Austin, McKinzey took a leap of faith and stepped away from her career. The job started taking a toll on many aspects of her life, including her health. When just a teenager, McKinzey was diagnosed with colitis (which, in overly simplified language, is an inflammation of the colon) and managed it well enough throughout college, but the stress of her demanding job led to frustrating and painful flare ups.   

The upbeat people-pleaser said her instincts told her things just weren’t right in her life, even though it looked wonderful on paper.

“Your whole life you have this checklist of what you’re supposed to do and just keep your nose to the grindstone and get it done and work hard and things will work out,” she said. “That was really a few years into my career in PR, which, I liked parts of it, but everything in my body—literally my body, as I was getting sick, my colitis had been really bad—I just had this feeling that I couldn’t really identify that I wasn’t really happy. I couldn’t name why because I was successful at my job, I had good friends, all these things that are markers of what your life should look like, but it wasn’t adding up.” 

With the help of a therapist—something McKinzey could not recommend more—she realized she was just so burnt out that she needed a change that would fulfill her desire for a better connection to people.

“I think you just need help in your life and to step back, and a person who is objective can help you do that,” she said. 

At the time, McKinzey thought there was no way PR could fit what she needed. A career in teaching was appealing to her because of her love of helping others, a self-described personality of a natural teacher, and the fact that her mom was a teacher. So she embarked on a journey to earn her teaching credentials, taking a break from her life in Austin completely, temporarily relocating to her hometown of El Paso and living with her parents. 

Once she completed her credentials, McKinzey returned to Austin energized at the thought of her new direction. That is, until she hit an unforeseen roadblock.

“When I came back to Austin, it was right after the recession, and the very same week I came back to get a teaching job is when the Austin school district cut 1,000 jobs,” she said. “So not only are they not hiring, there’s 1,000 more qualified people than me in the job market.” 

Instead of wallowing in this circumstance, McKinzey decided she’d try for a teaching job the following school year and work freelance PR jobs in the interim. The idea of doing PR on her own terms suddenly became alluring because she realized she could handpick her clients. She reached out to the old agency she worked for and expressed an interest in freelance. 

“They had a little client project that was going to take 20 hours a week—nothing for them, but a huge chunk of income for me,” she said. 

Then, randomly another contact reached out to McKinzey with another 20-hours-per-week project. Instantly she had a full load. More clients began asking for her assistance, and she had to turn down work. She started feeling amazing with the work she was doing on her own. 

“It was a combination of, yes, I had some determination, but I think the universe just really lined up and the easier things seemed to feel or go, in my experience, that’s been a really good sign that you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing.

“When I was doing PR on my own terms and for things I enjoyed—I had chosen these projects—my whole mind was blown, and all those things that you read…that I read but had never experienced myself…when you’re doing something that’s closer to what you love or closer to what your natural interest is, it felt easy, I was energized, I didn’t have any of the same feelings of being worn down or the weight of the world on my shoulders just trying to get work done, it was so easy and fun.” 

McKinzey's own homemade basil chicken larb 

Just as she was settling into this season of her life as her own boss, a former colleague put McKinzey’s name in the hat for a position at the global PR agency FleishmanHillard. She received a call out of the blue to discuss a role in which she’d work solely on clients in the food and culinary industry. This attracted McKinzey as she had just discovered the paleo diet and was immersing herself in the concept of “food as medicine” while transforming her lifestyle to align. 

“This [job] was exactly what I would have crafted for myself, I just didn’t know it existed before, when I thought I had to change things by completely changing my career. “

At FleishmanHillard she worked with clients such as the National Mango Board, listening and learning during recipe development sessions, starting to understand the science behind cooking. 

“I got more into recipes and learning about culinary principles versus ‘Oh, my mom did this with these ingredients and that’s enough,’” she said. 

While she was having fun and feeling passionate about the work she was doing at the agency, the time she spent dedicating herself to her job started creeping out of the balance she knew she needed to be truly fulfilled. Realizing now that true satisfaction emerged when she could combine her public relations skills with clients whose products or missions were closely aligned with her interests, McKinzey began looking for opportunities at other companies, including Whole Foods whose headquarters just happened to be in Austin. 

Eventually, a position opened up for McKinzey, and she spent the next five years with Whole Foods, where she got to do things on a scale she never dreamed possible including pitching to her favorite magazines like Bon Appetit and Real Simple. It really was a dream job for McKinzey who credits the amazing people and philosophies of Whole Foods as outstanding hallmarks of her time with the company. 

McKinzey’s life circumstances changed once again, as she met her now-husband, Mike, and the couple decided to pursue a move to Mike’s hometown in Ohio. Coincidentally, for someone with impeccable self-awareness, McKinzey knew closing the chapter on Whole Foods wouldn’t mean the end, but only the beginning of a new twist in her journey. 

McKinzey and her husband, Mike

“Even if something starts out as your dream job, or you think it’s your dream job, don’t forget to keep your head up and look around because it doesn’t mean it’s going to stay that way and that doesn’t mean that it’s going to continue to work for you, or your life’s going to change and it might not be what you need anymore.”

McKinzey speaks from experience and from a place of confidence. It’s no wonder she quickly found work in the PR industry in Ohio, where she and her husband are enjoying their new life together. She continues to faithfully pursue a healthy and holistic lifestyle hoping to one day fall back into a job associated with food. She knows the possibilities are limitless just as long as she stays open-minded and continues to be ever optimistic. 

“Open your eyes and your brain—if you’re having a hard time with something and you’re feeling like things are a square peg in a round hole…think about it differently or open up and see what’s actually out there before you tell yourself what something isor isn’t.” 

In Her Words 

Advice for dream seekers:

"Do your homework. Sometimes just researching something or learning a little bit more makes a project or goal more digestible. The more I understand about something, or the more I start to learn the vocabulary, the more confident I get."

Other females who inspire you:

"Every day, I'm more and more inspired by the friends around me who are juggling careers, kids and personal passions. It's hard enough to hold onto yourself without the competing needs of little ones, spouses and demanding jobs. But I'm seeing these amazing women somehow make time to start their own business, volunteer for a meaningful cause or DIY a bathroom. All of those things bring them joy and purpose, two things that can be easy for me to push aside. I look to my amazing friends as an example of how to navigate those competing demands."

Favorite kitchen utensil/appliance:

"For years, I have been obsessed with the simplest of kitchen gear: my measuring spoons. These spoons are GENIUS. They're magnetic so they all stay together in the drawer, yet come apart easily without hassling with some annoying ring. Best of all, each spoon is two-sided it practically eliminates the need to wash and dry them in between ingredients. I've given them as gifts to so many people and feel strongly that these are the most perfect measuring spoons on the planet."


Check out the infamous spoons: https://www.crateandbarrel.com/set-of-5-magnetic-measuring-spoons/s213861

Favorite style of cooking:

"Is 'white gir' an appropriate cooking style? Probably not, so I'll call it "veggie-forward Paleo." About 7 years ago, I found I feel much better avoiding grains and dairy, but I don't need to eat tons of meat that's often associated with Paleo. I've really honed in on recipes that use a wide variety of veggies and leaner proteins like fish and chicken. From there, I'll change things up by looking to trendy spices or techniques for inspiration. Things like turmeric, za'atar and harissa or cauliflower rice, veggie noodles and the like. Since coming back from Japan in December, my husband and I are also obsessed with Japanese flavors like yuzu, ginger and sesame. In a nutshell, my dream menu is always a cross between Ina Garten and Alison Roman." 

Can't live without ingredient:

"Lemon! It's bright and acidic, but also a little sweet and floral. Give me all the citrus all the time!"

Go-to recipe:

"I don't make this full dish all the time, but this represents all my favorite things that are in frequent rotation at our house. I'll call this 'New Mom Nicoise' since this is my go-to meal for all my new mom friends. It seems like a lot of components, but many don't require cooking or prep so this looks impressive and fresh, but couldn't be simpler. The best part is you can mix and match whatever is on hand in the fridge or pantry like jarred olives, artichoke hearts, hard boiled eggs or cucumber to fill it out." 

NOTE: Check back soon for McKinzey's recipe!