The Nourished Executive

02/24/2026

Highlight of my new gluten-free cookbook "Our Favourite Things"

02/24/2026

What if 2026 was the year we shared more about others who have inspired us? Talked about the great work others are doing in rooms they may not be part of. And, the difference that many are making.

For the last number of months, I have been working on a Cookbook - Our Favourite Things - Collection of Gluten-Free Goodies. This is not just a cookbook, it is so much more.

As many of you know I was in an accident in 2018, that seriously disrupted my life. I continue to discover those ways to learn to learn again.

I had the true joy to work with a talented physio Klara Schwab for several years. She encouraged me to take a recipe, make it more nutrient-dense, and then type it up. This became the start of these recipes and how I learned to type again. Whoever thought rehab in the kitchen was a real thing?

I call my recovery journey "Project Me". Similar to how you build an infrastructure team, this is how, I continue to build Project Me that includes Physio, 1:1 Pilates, Acupuncture, Massage and Lymphatic Drainage.

For each recipe, I share a story where the inspiration came from. A few examples:

The Cranberry Apple Muffins inspired by Rita Ernst, author of Show Up Positive

Orange and Cacao Nut and Seed Bark inspired by Joanna Brown

Pecan Peanut Butter Cookies, inspired by Rob Domeij's recipe in the LMS Reinforcing Steel Group Family cookbook.

As so many love Nanaimo Bars, I was on a quest to make a "Healthier Option".

Grateful to Ian Rokeby for his original critique of the Lemon Tarts that took many years to perfect.

I also include some of my favourite brands like the The Denman Island Tea Company that is featured in the Earl Grey Shortbread and Gathering Place Trading that is featured in several recipes.

Our Favourite Things also includes photography from throughout BC and some of the quotes that always speak to me from Rita Ernst, Gail Kraft Tara Mohr Rhonda Victoor Susanne Madsen to mention a few.

Like many projects these come to life because of a beautiful team.

A Special thanks to:

Tracy Ford and Esther Sarlo - Because YOU Matter for their amazing editing talents

Anne Dunnett for her amazing design talents, in bringing this project to life.

Bart van der Linde at In-Print in Vancouver.

And, to all those who have continued to taste test as these recipes came to life.

I have shared a few recommendations from three members of "Project Me" from Klara Schwab Teresa Nieman and Olivia Jopp

Cost is $18.99 plus gst, Canadian.

I will be at the Wellnessnews Central Vancouver Island Wellness Show in Nanaimo at Beban Park, where I will have samples of goodies to try and copies of this cookbook.

Consider the ways you can share who has inspired you?

Who can you introduce another person to?

Perhaps talk about the work of another person in rooms they may not be part of. You never know the difference this may make.

As always,

Be kind

Be patient

Be nourished in all you do.

The Nourished Executive

02/11/2026

Do you ever have a craving for a Ginger cookie with a pronounced ginger flavour?

That has been me this last week.

Tried picking up a gluten-free Ginger Snaps at our local natural food store. The ingredients did not sit well with my tummy.

So yesterday, as I rarely go by the book I created my own.

I replaced the sugar with Date Paste
Added Crystallized Ginger from Everland Natural Foods
Used both Gluten-Free and Almond Flour.
Added spices from

Stored these in the freezer to enhance the ginger. So tasty.

Recipe
3/4 cup Shortening or Butter
1 cup Date Paste
1/4 cup Molasses
1 cup Gluten-Free Blended Flour
1 cup Almond Flour
2 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp ground Ginger
1/2 cup Chopped Crystallized Ginger
1 tsp ground Cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground Cloves
1/2 tsp ground Cardamom

1. Preheat your oven to 350 (F) and prepare your cookie sheet.
2. Add 1 2/3 cups Dates to your blender. Boil water. Pour water over your Dates and let sit for 30 minutes.
3. Drain most of the water. Then blend the Dates. This is your Date Paste.
4. Add all ingredients to your mixing bowl. Wet ingredients first. Then dry. Mix well.
5. To make this vegan replace eggs with Flax Eggs.
6. Using a teaspoon, place dough on prepared cookie sheet.
7. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
8. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack.
9. Once cooled, store in a container in your freezer. As these are a softer cookie, you can eat these directly from the freezer.

Perfect to enjoy with afternoon tea.

What will you enjoy with afternoon tea?

Be kind
Be patient
Be nourished in all you do.

The Nourished Executive ?

02/01/2026

Are you in the Nutrition and Wellness Space? Looking to attend a great conference? Highly recommend attending the Canadian Holistic Nutrition Conference in April (in Calgary) and/or in May (in Toronto). Canadian School of Natural Nutrition Canadian School of Natural Nutrition Alumni Association

A little story. Last year, I attended the conference in April held in Calgary. Amazing speakers. Great to connect with so many in person, I had met virtually. Following the conference my husband and I went to Studio Bell - Home of the National Music Centre. Five floors of history, featuring Canadian Musicians. The architecture is stunning. The instruments. Practise Rooms. Seeing the history and learning about others was such a gift.

I discovered the work of Jennifer Buchanan who is a talented Music Therapist and with her team they are developing Canada's first Music Informed App. Check out her website: https://jbmusictherapy.com/

As Jennifer is also an author I picked up two of her books, Wellness Incorporated and Tune In, which I loved. Once I returned home I reached out to Jennifer and had a wonderful conversation around the role of music, healing and managing pain.

Just learned Jennifer Buchanan is one of the speakers at this year's Canadian Holistic Nutrition Conference being held in Calgary. Excited to attend and meet Jennifer in person.

If you are interested in learning more about this conference, please do reach out. Check out this link: https://www.csnnalumni.org/chnc-2025/?ap_id=2026CSNNAA_NE

To the love of continued learning.

Grab Your Ticket to Save Your Spot! This year’s conference will be held in Calgary and Toronto, and is open to all wellness practitioners as well as the public. View Speakers View Exhibitors 17th Annual Canadian Holistic Nutrition Conference Holistic Nutrition: Exploring the Spectrum of Wellness C...

01/29/2026

What inspires you?

Yesterday, I saw this wonderful recipe that Joyous Health shared for a Lemon Poppyseed Loaf.

As I never go by the book, I made a few changes.

Added Blueberries instead of Poppyseeds
Added Sliced Almonds
And increased the Lemon Juice and zest just because.

What if we shared who has inspired us to create something new? What if we talked about the work of others in rooms they are not part of? More to come on this.

For now, my version of this Lemon Blueberry Loaf. So easy. No added sugar. And healthy amounts of protein. And yes you can make this Vegan by replacing the eggs with Flax Eggs.

Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
1/2 cup blueberries
1/4 cup lemon juice
Zest from 3 large lemons
3 eggs, whisked (or Flax Eggs)
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 cup light maple syrup

Dry Ingredients
1-3/4 cups almond flour
1/4 cup h**p hearts
1/4 cup arrowroot flour
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a standard-size loaf pan with parchment paper or grease well with coconut oil.

In a large bowl, add all wet ingredients. , mix well. Then add all dry ingredients and mix well.

Pour batter into loaf pan and bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

This is a perfect addition to your morning tea/coffee or with your evening bowl of ice cream.

What has inspired you lately?

Be kind
Be patient
Be nourished in all you do.

01/14/2026

My hope for 2026. May we find those beautiful ways to come together, share, connect and help to lift one another.

Be kind
Be patient
Be nourished in all you do.

The Nourished Executive

01/13/2026

Sharing our recent newsletter "What if Less is More?"

This is the link https://mailchi.mp/6956a836ba43/whatiflessismore

In this newsletter

I share a story from just after the holidays of bringing one of my Mom's dearest friends to hear the big band my husband plays in the Oceanside Big Band with special guest Zachary Stevenson. We paused. We connected and took time to be. And enjoyed great music.

Recipe of the month: Glazed Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf by Oh She Glows

https://ohsheglows.com/glazed-lentil-walnut-apple-loaf-revisited/

Three books I am revisiting:

Essentialism and Effortless, by Greg McKeown and How to Do the Inner Work by Susanne Madsen

What if we started looking at the ways we can do less?

As Greg McKeown shares in Effortless

"Do not do more today than you can completely recover from today. Do not do more this week than you can completely recover from this week."

Doing less and paying attention to our energy and our capacity helps us connect with ourselves and others.

I do not usually talk about the Chinese New Year. As this is the year of the horse, shared a photo of two horses that I took on our 6 week road trip a few years ago.

We were at a ranch, I saw these two horses in the field. The beautiful piece was initially they were separated, as I walked closer, they walked to each other, as if to say hello my friend.

My hope for 2026 is we find those beautiful ways to come together, share and help to lift one another.

Hope you enjoy these thoughts from How to Do the Inner Work and Effortless.

If you would like to revisit any of these newsletters visit https://allmylinks.com/sharonksummerfield

Be kind
Be patient
Be nourished in all you do.

Photography by Sharon K. Summerfield in BC

01/12/2026

How do you prep for your week?

One of my favourite ways is to have a healthier loaf to add to my breakfast or or enjoy with my morning or afternoon tea.

I created this recipe for Sweet Potato Apple Nut Bread several years ago and this will also be featured in the new cookbook I am creating - Our Favourite Things - Collection of Gluten Free Goodies.

This is gluten free and includes, nuts and seeds and is sweetened with Yams and Apples. I love to include the spices from Gathering Place Trading here on Vancouver Island.

Recipe is available on our website:
https://www.nourishedexecutive.ca/sweet-potato-apple-nut-bread/

Be kind. Be patient. Be nourished in all you do.

The Nourished Executive

01/11/2026

What is your weekend ritual?

For us that is Pancakes. I started creating this recipe when I was going to the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition in Vancouver.

The beauty of these pancakes is they are gluten free, have healthy omegas, have no added sugar and are sweetened with apples and maple syrup.

And yes, Shelby is part of the quality control team and enjoys the first one.

These freeze really well, and a great option for breakfast on a busy morning. And yes those are frozen blueberries that I found at our local market this summer.

Frozen is just as good as fresh. Just need a little extra time for them to warm up to room temperature.

Recipe:

Ingredients:
● 3 Eggs
● 2 tsp Baking Powder
● 1 tsp Arrow Root Starch
● 1/3 cup Maple Syrup
● 1 diced apple
● 1/2 cup Gluten Free Flour
● 1/2 cup Almond Flour
● 1/3 cup Olive Oil
● 1 cup Non-Dairy Milk
● 1 tbsp Chia Seeds
● 2 tbsp Ground Flax seeds

*to make this plant based, do not add the eggs.

Directions:
1. Mix Chia seeds and ground flax in 1/2 cup of water. Let sit for 20 minutes
2. Mix all dry ingredients in one bowl.
3. Add all wet ingredients.
4. Mix together
5. Scoop onto a warm cast-iron fry pan until you see bubbles in the centre of the pancake. Flip pancake and cook for a few minutes.
6. Keep pancakes warm in the oven.
7. Serve with fresh or frozen fruit, sprinkled with H**p Hearts and enjoy with organic Maple Syrup.

Link to the recipe on our website
https://www.nourishedexecutive.ca/apple-pancakes-rich-in-omega-3s/

What rituals are you enjoying this weekend?

Be kind
Be patient
Be nourished in all you do.

12/17/2025

Excellent piece by Jennifer Moss

Great suggestions to help navigate the holidays with greater ease.

Be kind
Be patient
Be nourished in all you do.

12/16/2025

Sharing our Holiday Newsletter - Creating Space to Listen.

Link to the newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/13c6eb03c64b/creatingspacetolisten

In this newsletter I talk about:

1. The importance of creating more space to listen. Not to respond, fix or share advice, only to listen.

2. One of the first recipes I created Nourishing Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies. These are sweetened with Apples.

3. Wonderful workshop that the talented Anne Dunnett and friends are delivering "In the Heart of Winter: A Solstice Gathering on Sunday, December 21st. This workshop will continue on the theme of the 7 Types of Rest. This is the link to register https://everydayhaiku.ca/winter-solstice-gathering

4. The book I am currently reading You and We - A Relational Rethinking of Work, Life and Leadership written by Jim Ferrell. Thank you to Michelle Linford for recommending this book. This is a book that is so rich, I will be returning to this.

And a beautiful thought by Janice Marturano, author of Finding the Space to Lead, for the holidays.

I share the importance of being kind. So many are navigating so much. Many are just trying to breathe. Let us give each other grace and create space for others to share their story, where we listen.

May the gifts of the season touch your heart and bring you great joy!

Merry Christmas! All the best this holiday season.

Be kind
Be patient
Be nourished in all you do.

The Nourished Executive

11/25/2025

Looking for an amazing workshop to create healthier treats for the holidays? Check out the talented Cindy Spratt's upcoming workshop on December 7th.

Link to register https://www.cindyspratt.com/upcoming-workshops/feel-good-holiday-treats

Be nourished in all you do.

The Nourished Executive

𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𖠰

Well, it’s official!
Feel Good Holiday Treats is a Go!!
𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲!

This Class is all about real food ingredient 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 ✶
We will transform some of your favourite Holiday Goodies into decadent, health supportive treats.
This class is real time, interactive, festive, and super fun.
𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐃𝐞𝐜. 𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝟏𝟎𝐚𝐦-𝟏𝟐𝐩𝐦 𝐏𝐒𝐓

*𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: we need to meet minimum numbers to run this class, so please do not delay registration *
Link to Register in Comments 👇🏼

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