Friday Fun Links: Skype Tea, Daily DoGooder, and Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

A list of some of the people, things, and events that inspired me, or added fun to my week.

1. Reading about "Happiness Hacks" in Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World by Jane McGonigal.

2. Having Skype Tea with Amy Sample Ward.  This spring I've been "having tea" via Skype with faraway friends and colleagues who I'd love to hang out with if they lived closer.  It's been super fun.  Totally recommend.

3. See3's Daily DoGooder videos.  Sign up to receive a cause-related video each day. I was moved by this Meals on Wheels PSA.

4. Excited to see how First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Museums and Gardens initiative evolves.

5. Looking forward to Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution starting up again. You can watch the first two episodes on ABC, or on Hulu.  The season continues on Friday, June 3rd.  It's such an important program.  Please watch it, and tells other folks about it. You can learn more about the Food Revolution on Jamieoliver.com, by watching this 2:17 video produced by the TED Prize (below), or by watching his 22-minute TED Talk.

6. Also looking forward to ShimmyPop! class at Hipline this weekend. I've only been once since I hurt my foot last fall. Can't. Wait. Wish my foot luck.

Hipline's front window

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A Book That Changed My Life: Now What? by Laura Berman Fortgang

Nancy Schwartz of the Getting Attention blog, and host of the June Nonprofit Blog Carnival, has asked bloggers to share their "one book" recommendations:

What single book (not blog, not conversation, not Facebook page) has changed your life as a nonprofit staffer, consultant or vendor? 

For me, that book would be Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction by Laura Berman Fortgang.  I read about it on Jory Des Jardins' blog, Pause (now, From Here to Autonomy) in early 2005.  I was 35, had worked for the same organization for six years, and was ready to start a new career.

By the time I'd finished Now What?, I'd given notice at my job, decided to start Big Vision Consulting, and was on my way to launching Have Fun, Do Good.  Over the past six years, I've read the book two more times when my career has felt stuck.  I've read it over 90 days, and over a couple weeks.  Whatever felt right at the time.  It has always instigated big changes. 

I've read a LOT of books about finding your path/career/calling/purpose, but it's hard for me to into words why Now What? is so effective. All I can say is that Laura asks the right questions.

A HUGE hat tip and hug to Jory Des Jardins for turning me onto Now What?, and also for being the person who inspired me to start blogging.  She's definitely on my list of people who have changed my life.  Check out two of Jory's posts about Laura's books:

• Career Coaching Icon's New Book Echoes Our Collective Migration from Craving "Success" to Seeking "Meaning" on BlogHer (May, 2009)
• Special Offer: Path to prosperity in some tough times on From Here to Autonomy (January, 2011)

You can learn more about Laura Berman Fortgang's work at www.laurabermanfortgang.com and nowwhatcoaching.com.

What book changed your life?

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How to Create a Juicy Blogging Vision Board

One of the most common challenges my juicy blogging clients and students have is that they want more clarity around what to write about on their blog.  Creating a Juicy Blogging Vision Board is a fun and effective way to help you figure out why you're blogging, who you're trying to reach, and what to write about.

How to Create a Juicy Blogging Vision Board

Materials: Magazines you don't mind cutting up, a manila file folder, a glue stick, scissors, a timer, Mod Podge (optional), and a paper grocery bag.

Time: 2-2.5 hours

1. Before you start selecting images, answer the following questions about your blog as best you can:

• Why am I blogging?  What am I trying to achieve?  What is my blog's purpose?  What would success look like?
• Who am I trying to reach with my blog?  Who are my ideal readers?
• What blog post topics would help me achieve my goals, and reach my ideal readers?

2. Keep your answers in mind as you look through your magazines.  Cut out images and words that directly correspond to your answers, as well as ones you're drawn to intuitively.   If you're attracted to an image, or word, but don't know why, don't worry about it.  Just do it. Set a timer for 20-30 minutes; otherwise, you might find yourself looking for the "perfect" image, or word for hours (:

3. Lay your manila folder out flat, and begin to arrange your images.  If you don't have a manila folder, it's OK to use a piece of paper.  I just like how easily a folder stands on a desk, and that you can use it as an actual folder to put notes and ideas in.

Don't feel like you have to use all of the images and words you originally chose.  You'll probably toss some of them out (that's what the paper grocery bag is for). Again, you'll want to set a timer for 45-60 minutes to: a. keep any perfectionism under control, and b. set a completion deadline for yourself.

4. Once you finish, ask yourself a few more questions about your collage:

• What words, or images stand out?
• What words, or images surprise me?
• What additional blog post topic ideas can I add to the list I created in Step 1?

5. Once the glue on your collage dries, you may want seal it with a layer of Mod Podge. I'm partial to Glitter Mod Podge myself (:

I'd love to see your Juicy Blogging Vision Board.  If you post it on your blog, or Flickr, please share your link in the comments.

Come blog with me!

 

• June 1: My Juicy Blogging E-Course (early registration discount ends May 25th)
• July 9: Jumpstart Your Blog! at the Writing Salon, Berkeley, CA
• August 5: The Write Brain - Essential Blog Content Development Workshop at BlogHer '11, San Diego, CA

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Meatless Monday: Quinoa, Guacamame and Spring Greens Soup

As I mentioned in my post, 5 Meatless Monday Dinner Ideas, Kalyn Denny's Meatless Monday column on BlogHer has inspired me to share with you some of the vegetarian and vegan dishes I cook during the week.  (Meatless Monday is a nonprofit initiative of The Monday Campaigns.  Their goal is to help reduce meat consumption by 15% to improve personal and planetary health).

 Everyday Chickpea-Quinoa Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette from Appetite for Reduction: 125 Fast and Filling Low-Fat Vegan Recipes by Isa Chandra Moskowitz

Very yummy, plus, it lasted for a few days.  My only suggestion (unless you really like red onion) is that when it says to use 1 small red onion, use a small onion.  This is a great dish if you're worried about getting enough protein.  According to the book, a serving has 12g of protein.

Purée of Spring Greens from Vegan Soups and Hearty Stews for All Seasons by Nava Atlas

After having a string of vegetable-less dinners, I knew I needed to have some GREENS. It's been crazy cold in California, so a green smoothie didn't sound very appealing, but a soup did.  The greens include bok choy, spinach, lettuce and parsley. Potatoes thicken the soup up. The recipe is available on VegFamily.com.

Guacamame from Appetite for Reduction: 125 Fast and Filling Low-Fat Vegan Recipes by Isa Chandra Moskowitz

For folks who prefer eating small meals/snacks all day, this guacamame is a good option.  According to the book, a cup of edamame blended in with the avocado provides 3g of protein per serving.  This particular recipe isn't available online,  but if you google, guacamame, you'll find others, like the guacamame recipes on Kitchen Addiction, and Whole Foods.  The Meatless Monday website even has one for Broccoli Guacamame.

Quinoa Salad With Black Beans and Mango from Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero

I didn't actually make this recipe last week, but I've made it multiple times, and it's always delicious.  I wanted to give you another recipe that is available online (you'll find it on Post Punk Kitchen).  Again, the quinoa and beans combo gives you lots of protein. If you want to learn more about quinoa's nutritional value, check out the Mother Nature Network article, Quinoa Nutrition Facts.

What did you cook on Meatless Monday?

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Friday Fun Links: Teahouse Studio, Generosity Plans and Cookies

A list of some of the people, things, and events that inspired me, or added fun to my week.

• Finished Kathy LeMay's book The Generosity Plan, and interviewed her for the Big Vision Podcast. I'll post our conversation next week.

• Started Jane McGonigal's book, Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World.  I know next to nothing about gaming (the last game I played was probably Lady Bug on my Colecovision), so I'm finding it super interesting.  I'm looking forward to the chapters about social changey games like they have at Games for Change.

• Interviewed Kim Rosen, author of Saved by a Poem, for the Arts and Healing Podcast.  I'll post our conversation next week too.

• Ate plantains at Caña with the hubs. I meant to take a photo, but they were so yummy, I forgot (:

• Baked Chocolate Fudgy Oatmeal Cookies from Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar to bring to lunch with friends today. 

• Went to a wonderful gathering last night at Teahouse Studio.  Chatted with all kinds of creative ladies:

Andrea Sher
Mati Rose McDonough
Maya Stein
Jennifer Hewett
Jen Lemen

Jennifer Lee
Lisa Sonora Beam
Rachel Cole
Samin Nosrat
Sherry Richert Belul
Stefanie Reneé
Tiffany Moore
Willo O'Brien

• Listened to my 1-hour Get up and Go Morning Mix on my iPod each day.  Does anyone know how I can share my mix with you now that iTunes has gotten rid of iMixes? My favorite song of the moment is an oldie by Mama Cass, "Make Your Own Kinda Music." I've posted a video of her singing it below.  Enjoy!

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20 Juicy Blogging Tips

 “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

Last week, I shared these 20 juicy blogging tips during a talk at the Breakfast Blogging Club of the East Bay. I thought that all of you who are bloggers, or who want to start a blog, might find them useful too.  What tips would you add to the list?

1. Write about what you care about.  What moves you?
   
2. Write about what other people care about.  What will move them?
   
3. Be a problem-solver. How can you help?
   
4. Be a human. What does your blogging voice sound like?
   
5. Keep it short, except when you need to be long. Can you say what you need to say in 100-200 words?
   
6. Use images. Can you take photos that inspire you throughout the week with your cell phone?
7. Invite guest posts. Who would you love to write a post for your blog?
8. Write guest posts. Whose blog would you love to write a post for?
9. Build relationships online and offline. Is your blog's URL listed on your business card?
10. Share the link love. What topics do you naturally read a lot about?
11. Make it easy to share. Do you have an AddThis, ShareThis, or TweetMeme button on the bottom of each post?
12. Make it easy to subscribe. Do you have a prompt to subscribe by RSS and email near the top of your blog?
13. Share your posts, but not only your posts, on Twitter. Are you sharing other people's posts too?
14. Share your posts, but not only your posts, on Facebook. Are you sharing other people's posts too?
15. Numbered lists are magical. What kind of how to, best of, or tip list posts can you write?
16. Write regularly. More is good (but not if it’s boring).  How many posts can you commit to writing each week?  One post per week is better than no posts.
17. Create goals you can measure. Why are you blogging? How will you know if your blog is a success?
18. If you have goals, you’ll find the time. How much time do you want to give to your blogging goals and dreams each week?
19. Treat blogging like the creative process it is. When do you write best (morning, afternoon, evening, weekends)?
20. People will forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made the feel.  How do you want your readers to feel after they read your blog?

Come blog with me!

 

My Juicy Blogging E-Course starts June 1st.

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Do Good Graduation Gift Giveaway: Work on Purpose from Echoing Green

When I graduated from college, I was a mess. I'd gained all kinds of knowledge and ideals, but had no idea how to use them in the real world. I knew I wanted to make a difference, but didn't how.

I wish I'd had a book like Work on Purpose by Echoing Green's Senior Vice President, Lara Galinsky, with Kelly Nuxoll. Work on Purpose tells the stories of five changemakers:

• Andrew Youn, Founder, One Acre Fund
• Cheryl Dorsey, President, Echoing Green
• Mark Hanis, Founder, Genocide Intervention Network
• Mardie Oakes, Founder, Hallmark Community Solutions
• Socheata Poeuv, Founder, Khmer Legacies
  
  

Their stories are told within the framework of how integrating and balancing their heart (passion) and their head (talents) created hustle (personal fulfillment and societal impact). Reflection questions are sprinkled throughout the book, and there are 150+ career resources and programs listed in the back.

*I have 3 copies of Work on Purpose to give away to 3 young graduates.* Wahoo!

To enter, please leave a comment describing why a young graduate you care about (it could be you) needs this book. The deadline to leave a comment is May 31, 2011 at 8:00 PM ET/ 5:00 PM PT.  Please include a way for me to contact you (e.g. email, website, Twitter name) if you win. The winners will be notified by June 3rd.

Full disclosure: I was the host of Echoing Green's Be Bold Podcast, and contributed to the Work on Purpose Instructor's Guide (coming soon).

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Your 19 Vegetarian and Vegan Cookbooks Recommendations. Which Recipes Do You Love?

Last week, I shared the 12 vegetarian and vegan cookbooks I cook with the most, and asked for your recommendations.  The response on the blog, Facebook, and Twitter was awesome!

Here are your favorites:

• Cafe Flora Cookbook by Catherine Geier and Carol Brown  
• Caribbean Vegan by Taymer Mason  
• Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker by Robin Robertson   
• Hollyhock Cooks by Linda Solomon, Moreka Jolar, and Maria Robledo 
• How to Cook Everything Vegetarian by Mark Bittman  
• Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian by Madhur Jaffrey  
• La Dolce Vegan by Sarah Kramer  
• Moosewood Restaurant Low-Fat Favorites by Moosewood Collective    
• Moosewood Restaurant Daily Special by Moosewood Collective
• Moosewood Restaurant Simple Suppers by Moosewood Collective  
• Passionate Vegetarian by Crescent Dragonwagon 
• Rebar Modern Food Cookbook by Audrey Alsterburg and Wanda Urbanowicz 
• Super Natural Cooking by Heidi Swanson 
• Vegan a Go-Go! by Sarah Kramer 
• Vegan with a Vengeance by Isa Chandra Moskowitz 
• Vegan Express by Nava Atlas  
• Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison 
• Viva Vegan! by Terry Hope Romano
• Vegan Yum Yum by Lauren Ulm 

A couple websites were also recommended:

• 101 Cookbooks
• Vocal Vegan

So, here's my next question, which cookbook should try next?

What usually gets me to buy a cookbook is when I flip through and immediately see recipes that I'm dying to try.  If you use the cookbooks listed above, or even the ones on my list, I'd love to know: 

Which recipes do you love?

If you can find a link to the recipe online with a photo, even better (:

How to Cook Everything Vegetarian and Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone (pictured) were both recommended more than once.

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