Brothers farming together can be a challenge.

And… I have a brother farming too

This can present a whole set of challenging situations

Brothers farming together can make for many different, interesting, and somewhat challenging dynamics. Oldest son syndrome. Birth order has been very well researched by Dr. Kevin Leman. Seek out his work for the different traits of first-born sons. My coaching experience tells me that some founders automatically default choosing the oldest son as successor which may not be a great idea if the younger sons or […] Read more

Be mindful of how you breathe

Improper breathing can cause stiffness, headaches and decreased energy

The way we breathe dramatically influences our total body function and health. Breathing improperly will not only cause stiffness in the upper back, shoulders, hips, and neck, it can also decrease energy levels. The most common manifestation I see of poor breathing is neck pain and headaches. Many breathe with the muscles in the upper […] Read more


Community members of all ages gather together to enjoy local food at a previous Slow Food Saskatoon event.

Slow Food National Summit to focus on eating locally

Four-day event (April 19-22) will offer food-related workshops, tours and tastings to the public

Slow Food Saskatoon will be hosting the Slow Food in Canada National Summit April 19 to 22. The summit, held annually, invites the public along with food communities from across Canada to participate in a variety of food-related workshops, tours and tastings. This year’s event will highlight what Saskatchewan has to offer in terms of eating locally, […] Read more

Because of a concerned blog reader, our baby was diagnosed and had 
surgery for a rare skull disorder.

A reader diagnosed our baby

When a woman saw Jonathan’s photo she realized that he had the same skull problems as her daughter

If there’s one single reason to make the years worth blogging, even among all the hateful, nasty, rude emails and comments I have received, it was when a blog reader emailed me and diagnosed our baby with a rare skull defect. I have dubbed that email one of the greatest blessings of our life. I […] Read more


Is there even such a thing as too many cookbooks?

Is there even such a thing as too many cookbooks?

First We Eat: Curried Salmon with Spinach and Chickpeas

Dave and I are writers. Every room in our house is filled with books and literary journals, framing windows and filling every shelf. Upstairs in my studio, half the room is devoted to my culinary library. The kitchen, too, has a bookshelf, thanks to my mother. Mom is in her early 80s. Back in the […] Read more

Weight loss is only one aspect of health

We tend to focus on the number on the scale but that’s only one part of a healthier life

This is a phrase I hear almost daily as a health-care professional in the fitness industry: “My doctor said I needed to lose 20 pounds in three months to get healthier.” Yes, the number on a scale is one indicator of health, but it is just one aspect of how we measure health. Usually, improving your health (blood […] Read more


How to help founders let go

The transfer is inevitable so it can either be done in planned stages over time or by death

What should I do with the next 25 years? At 61, my life expectancy is 86. The math says I have a quarter of a century left to create legacy, help others transition, and mentor the next generation. I am also now a grandmother who delights in reading Penny Grace stories, rocking her to sleep, […] Read more

The scoop on making cookies

The scoop on making cookies

First We Eat: What kind of fat is best? What kind of sweetener? Does it really matter?

I started baking at six, the same age I first climbed onto a horse. I was too short to mount a tall gelding unaided, and in the kitchen, I didn’t realize that what I wanted to make first — cookies — were among the most challenging of any sweet. But at my first gymkhana, when […] Read more


You have to share what’s in your head with your farm team. People can’t read minds.

Love does not read minds

You need to share what’s in your head and heart so have those farm transition discussions

An amazing group of Alberta farmers shared their deepest fears with me at the 2018 Agriculture Service Board Conference. They texted me their biggest issues regarding fairness in transition planning. I thought you might like to see what resonates for you in this list of texts (no particular order). What I have had to come […] Read more

The reality of Alzheimer’s disease

When a loved one is diagnosed it’s devastating but there may be some ways to help reduce the risk of developing it

Walter* has Alzheimer’s disease — but only his family and close friends know how deeply it affects his life. Walter meets us at the door, greeting us by name. “Good to see you!” He takes our coats and leads us into the living room; we make small talk about the weather; a perfectly normal conversation. […] Read more