This past weekend, I was so excited to be participating in my first Sunday at Porter East with their awesome group of shops and restaurants and all the vendors and food trucks that come out for the event. My colleague Kristen Alden and I have a new book Gluten Free Soul Pilot that launches this week that we were able to share at an intimate pre-launch gathering at the Terminal Café and the Shops at Porter East surrounded by artisans who create beautiful, quality things on the daily.
The fresh, fall Nashville spirit welcomed me in bright yellow and orange, and so did Jackie who helped us set-up our table and get this First Sunday at Porter East going.
Her enthusiasm matched the crisp, autumn air of this sweet Tennessee town.
The Terminal Café was constantly rolling with a heavy stream of traffic searching for yummy coffee and brekkie which we certainly found at the cafe. Their poached eggs and corned beef hash were epic. You could feel the love that went into it with each bite. My guess is that the owner Kahlil and his partner Cody will have to get a bigger spot soon because of their popularity, although the small space adds to its charm. I can’t believe what came out of their “tiny, but mighty” kitchen! While the food, ambience and coffee were great, the service at the Terminal Café is what really got me. I’m so impressed by their humility and the high quality of what they deliver.
Down the way from the Terminal, I stopped in a shop called Dirty Livin’ and found my forever bag, the greatest bag I’ve seen in a while. It’ll be my new traveling companion! Once again, the people sold the bag and the experience—not just the beauty and craftsmanship. I didn’t meet the owner Gina Swanson, but her staff were a delight and I’d go back in a heartbeat. I also found some lovely scented candles from two charming moms of young children who own a shop called Brown Fox Collective. Everything smelled so delicious, it was hard to choose! I now have one on my kitchen altar.
I met a lot of folks who understand the importance of navigating a healthy diet and lifestyle, and shared our book with whomever wanted to learn more about how to live a life of pure wellness from a place of personal core values.
Every day, I wake up to grand first light and thank my lucky stars for the good people that come my way. No matter where we live or what we do, the love from our tribe keeps life vibrant and real.
I have four sisters and a super duper brother. I’m blessed to have a mom that’s still as sharp as a tack at 82-years-old. My family of four kicks butt and inspires me. I could not make it without the unconditional love of my boys every dang delicious day. They are so good to me, it melts my heart. When you travel, go out into the world and work, meet new people and make projects fly, you make sure to say some serious grateful prayers. Creating things you love—like poetry, poached eggs, bags or candles—is icing on the cake of life. I feel like a lucky ace that I’m able to share my experiences and books like this. I created this inspired life of working hard and doing what I love, and you can too! But, we can’t do it alone.
The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of His bounty… to bless all the work of your hands.
– Deuteronomy 28:12
We can’t wait for you to read our book! Gluten Free Soul Pilot is part self-care guidebook and part cookbook accompanied by poems and original recipes that combine authentic Italian dishes and cooking for the gluten-free diet. It is filled with well-researched principles and soulful strategies for wellness so you can take control of your mind’s autopilot to achieve better physical, spiritual and emotional health. It’s been in the works for a long time—and, like a patchwork quilt and a cup of hot tea—this is our way of taking you into the holidays and new year ahead with inspiring ideas, mindfulness and healthy recipes so you stay grounded while flyin’ high.
Thank you to the Terminal Café, JKS Communications and the Shops at Porter East! As always, it’s the people that make the moments—and the memories.
