If you feel amped-up, even the simplest of movements can be a helpful way to express it.

Make moves against anxiety

Fit to Farm: The nervous energy our bodies generate needs to go somewhere

Anxiety is something all of us experience, to varying degrees, at some point or another. It can come with many different symptoms. Some of us tend to experience anxiety in our minds; some experience it more in their chests and cardiovascular systems; others experience it in the digestive system. Some lucky individuals experience all of […] Read more

How we connect with others, such as our parents, depends on variables including our cultural backgrounds, our personal styles — and our external stressors.

On-farm communication improves when we start with connection

Seeds of Encouragement: Where you stand with your offspring comes from their relationships to you

Elaine writes: In so many of the families we coach, we see communication breakdowns leading to escalation of conflicts. In some cases, using strategies that provide family members with the tools they need to have better communication can help — but in many cases a relationship between family members has broken down to the point […] Read more


Certain simple non-strenuous activities such as tai chi are known to help improve balance and, according to Harvard Medical School, help people improve their proprioception — that is, their ability to sense the position and movement of the body in a given space — which in turn can help them resist and reduce falls.

Work on stability for your whole-body wellness

Fit to Farm: Practicing to improve your physical balance can be done simply at home

No matter your age or fitness level, your ability to stabilize yourself in various positions has been shown to have a major impact on your overall wellbeing and long-term health outcomes. Your body’s ability to stabilize also directly links to your capacity for joint mobility and tension levels in your tissues. Balance and stability are […] Read more

A crock of wooden spatulas and spurtles and flexible spatulas sits on prime real estate beside my range.

Tools and techniques, part 2: Spurtles and spatulas

First We Eat: Preferring wooden hand tools means keeping a wide assortment

It was too hot in September 2024 in Grass Valley to be wearing my red crocheted holiday elf toque with the white pompom, but gift-giving was on my mind. Mom and I were in California to visit my best beloved auntie, and my cousin had told us about a terrific annual crafters’ sale. lt was […] Read more


Young Couple Leaning on Car overlooking Farmland, Ile D'orleans, Quebec

Making marriage work on your farm

The dance between farm work and family time will never have a complete resolution

February is Heart Month and a good time to work on the state of your union: marriage, spousal relationships and couple care. John Gottman is a highly respected U.S. psychologist and author of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. Here I’ve added a farm perspective to his tips based on those seven principles. Sharing […] Read more

calibrating a new oven

Tools and techniques, part 1: Ovens, shmovens

First We Eat: Training a new kitchen range means putting it through all its capabilities

My oven finally surrendered after 15 years of hard use. It was traumatic for me — losing a trusted tool is a shock for any serious cook. After much debate and research, the new range was installed last month. I am getting to know it. That, too, is traumatic. The fact is, frequent usage shortens […] Read more


Like machinery, farming family teams require alignment and organization.

Focus on your family strengths to move forward

Seeds of Encouragement: The Appreciative Inquiry exercise can shed new light on the potential of your people

Elaine writes: What if you could break free from being stuck, by emphasizing the positive aspects of your farm family business? One of my core strengths, according to the Clifton StrengthsFinder quiz, is positivity. As a coach I often see the positive choices ahead and I hope this article by my coaching teammate Crisol Gonzalez […] Read more

coffee in quebec winter

Train your body to overcome winter blues

Fit to Farm: People try to struggle against their biology in the cold and dark

For those of us who stay in Canada for the winter, seasonal shifts in light, weather and nutrition often take a toll. Many Canadians notice changes in their overall wellbeing through the winter months, both physically and mentally. Part of this shift in our overall quality of well-being in the winter likely comes from our […] Read more


chewy brownie cookies

Books worth cooking from, part 3: Anna Olson’s Baking Wisdom

First We Eat: The Ontario pastry chef’s book is meant to be accessible to beginners and pros alike

Perusing a library’s shelves, whether virtual or bricks-and-mortar, is always a pleasure, especially when I have food on my mind. To my great joy, I recently found an impressive new baking book from a Canadian pro. Pastry chef and TV/YouTube personality Anna Olson, who is married to chef Michael Olson, is a reassuringly approachable pastry […] Read more

overloaded file folder

Practical strategies to stay financially organized on your farm

Seeds of Encouragement: Managing the farm’s day-to-day is one thing; keeping its books up to date is quite another

Elaine writes: It’s a new year and time for a fresh start in getting your important farm details in order. Alyssa Brown, CPA, from Olds, Alta., is part of our coaching team. She grew up on the farm and now advises farmers how to make life better. Here’s her encouragement to you at the start […] Read more