About KarenWith an extensive background and proven track record in the business world, Karen has developed and facilitated hundreds of personal and professional enrichment programs for company owners, senior executives, sales and marketing professionals and trainers in the United States and in Europe and she currently serves as an Advisor for United Senior Resource Center.
Karen’s book, Quality of Life: The 5 Stages of Retirement Success is available through book stores nationwide and on line, as well as through this website.
Karen and her husband live in South Bend, Indiana and have three daughters and ten grandchildren.
What's My Crazy Life All About?
Workshops
at
Trine University, Mishawaka, Indiana
July 24, August 28, October 2
9:00 a.m. to 11:30
July 24 - When Opportunity Knocks
August 28 - I Am Who I Am for a Reason
October 2 - Good, Better, Best
click for more info:
What's My Crazy Life All About/ Program
"Happily Ever After"
E- Newsletter
(contact me to request your free copy)
Call 574.344.8895
One of my husbands new retirement hobbies is cooking. We'll try to share some of our favorites regularly. This one is a family favorite side dish that the grandkids love. Enjoy!
Roasted Sweet Potatoes Ingredients 3 medium sweet potatoes (about 2 pounds), peeled 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 teaspoons sugar ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper Instructions To bake potatoes: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Cut each potato in half crosswise, and then cut each half into 6 or 8 wedges. Arrange wedges on wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet and bake until just tender, about 30 minutes. Remove potatoes from oven and increase heat to 475 degrees. Wipe off baking sheet and return to oven. In the meantime, cool potatoes on wire rack 10 minutes. To brown potatoes: In a large bowl, gently toss potatoes with oil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Remove baking sheet from oven. Arrange potatoes in a single layer on hot sheet and roast, flipping once until deep golden brown (15-20 minutes). Serves 4-6.
5 Stages of Retirement Success
Through the process of developing self-awareness, encouraging exploration and embracing self-discovery, Quality of Life was written to inspire others to enjoy a meaningful retirement life that encompasses f
amily, leisure, self-expression, and contribution.
Please walk with me through
"Preretirement" to ....
"The First Year" to ....
"Moving Forward" to ....
"Live Life!" to ....
"Leaving a Legacy", ready to grasp the opportunities you will find.
Reading from your own perspective, I hope you will find yourself looking forward to your future, valuing your past, and enthusiastically living in the present to become a person you truly want to be.
Adventure Opportunities Purpose
Read Karen's Blog
Five Star Review from Readers Favorite
Link to Great Discussion on Self-Identity
LinkedIn- Boomers Nation Group
Testimonials
"Karen's message touched our minds and our hearts and inspired me to take action. Her true talent is the ability to help her audience erase self-doubt, feel empowered and take action. Her dynamic insights and powerful advice has inspired me to go beyond what I ever imagined"
Amy Tuttle-Hellwig, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Training Manager and Conference Particpant
"She will help her readers and audiences to find the path to their own success, to look forward with an optimistic view of life, and to enjoy every moment of life."
Despina Platie, Athens, Greece
International Marketing and Public Relations
I believe that in my life, I will never again come across a person with such ability to transmit enthusiasm, empathy, and so professionally skilled at conveying messages....An energy giver.
Rosanna Cassamassima, Rimini, Italy
International Export and Marketing Consultant
"Quality of Life is more than a nuts-and-bolts, matter of fact retirment planning guide: it's advice from someone who's 'been there and done that' --and who cares."
Kim Nowatske, La Porte, Indiana, U.S.A.
Editorial Director, Family Ties Magazine
"Quality of Life is a book that sheds a whole new light on retirment. Though my retirement is many years away, I found myself realizing, for the first time, retirment isn't about 'not working'. It's an amazing new opportunity and journey."
Traci Capellman-DuVal, Elkhart, Indiana USA
Anchor, Fox 28 News
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Excerpts from Quality of Life
Refresh—The Secret Ingredient in the Fountain of Fulfillment
We all know them—people in our lives who seem to have endless energy and exuberance. Always on top of their game and seeming to never wear down, they are and will always be young at heart, young in mind, and young in spirit. They’re not hyper or overly excitable but genuine, available, and real. Their secret is hidden in the fact that, along life’s journey, they have learned how to refresh.
I have somehow tuned into their magic at this late stage of my life, not because I practice the art of refreshing so skillfully myself, but more in the light of admiration. Those who know how to refresh their body, their mind, and their soul truly have discovered their own fountain of fulfillment. Regular exercise (the kind that is fun), good nutrition, and restful sleep habits seem to play a big part in this refreshment process.
I encourage all of us to make a real effort to keep regular exercise a part of our lives. It is my challenge to us to eat healthier and, if we have extra pounds, to put the brakes on overindulgence. And adapting good sleep habits will also benefit us greatly. If we have any bad habits that we know will limit the quality of our lives like smoking or excessive use of alcohol, we need to tackle these issues and refresh our bodies.
Mental habits that need adjustments may have to do with worrying too much, especially about things that we can do little about. Judgmental or gossipy, self-centeredness tends to support the idea we may think more highly of ourselves than of others. Self-criticism leaves us with scars created by guilt and supported by a habit of kicking ourselves when we are down. Let’s get over it and refresh who we are with a new attitude that is more accepting of the limitations of others and less critical of ourselves and the world around us.
Again, I certainly don’t claim to have all the answers on this subject, but motivational and inspirational reading helps me refresh my mental habits. Less time with television helps me avoid the routine of either pondering the horror of the evening news or agonizing with the miseries of talk show guests.
Spiritual refreshment comes in all kinds of packages. The results refresh our soul when we find ways to listen to our Creator and live a life that pleases Him. Time spent refreshing our soul is time spent wisely and wonderfully.
Refresh your body, mind, and spirit regularly. Adapt the personal habit of refreshment!
(new excerpts published regularly)
Excerpts from Quality of Life
Refresh—The Secret Ingredient in the Fountain of Fulfillment We all know them—people in our lives who seem to have endless energy and exuberance. Always on top of their game and seeming to never wear down, they are and will always be young at heart, young in mind, and young in spirit. They’re not hyper or overly excitable but genuine, available, and real. Their secret is hidden in the fact that, along life’s journey, they have learned how to refresh. I have somehow tuned into their magic at this late stage of my life, not because I practice the art of refreshing so skillfully myself, but more in the light of admiration. Those who know how to refresh their body, their mind, and their soul truly have discovered their own fountain of fulfillment. Regular exercise (the kind that is fun), good nutrition, and restful sleep habits seem to play a big part in this refreshment process.
I encourage all of us to make a real effort to keep regular exercise a part of our lives. It is my challenge to us to eat healthier and, if we have extra pounds, to put the brakes on overindulgence. And adapting good sleep habits will also benefit us greatly. If we have any bad habits that we know will limit the quality of our lives like smoking or excessive use of alcohol, we need to tackle these issues and refresh our bodies. Mental habits that need adjustments may have to do with worrying too much, especially about things that we can do little about. Judgmental or gossipy, self-centeredness tends to support the idea we may think more highly of ourselves than of others. Self-criticism leaves us with scars created by guilt and supported by a habit of kicking ourselves when we are down. Let’s get over it and refresh who we are with a new attitude that is more accepting of the limitations of others and less critical of ourselves and the world around us. Again, I certainly don’t claim to have all the answers on this subject, but motivational and inspirational reading helps me refresh my mental habits. Less time with television helps me avoid the routine of either pondering the horror of the evening news or agonizing with the miseries of talk show guests.
Spiritual refreshment comes in all kinds of packages. The results refresh our soul when we find ways to listen to our Creator and live a life that pleases Him. Time spent refreshing our soul is time spent wisely and wonderfully.
Refresh your body, mind, and spirit regularly. Adapt the personal habit of refreshment! (new excerpts published regularly)
