Helene Lerner's Blog, page 180

Spice Up Your Salad

Salads are a great choice for lunch or dinner–they are easy to make and great for you, too. So why do so many people steer clear of them? Because they don't know how to vamp up the standard (boring) garden salad. Old veggies and storebought dressing can bring down both the healthiness and the taste of your greens, so change it up with some fresh fruit, nuts and homemade vinaigrette. This is a very quick and easy recipe to follow, and you can even add some grilled chicken to add more protein to your meal. 

Pear & Walnut Salad (Serves 2)

-4 cups mixed salad greens
-12 cherry tomatoes, halved
-1/4 onion, diced
-1 pear
-1/4 cup dried cranberries
-1/4 cup walnuts 

Lemon Honey Vinaigrette (Makes 1/2 cup)

-1/4 cup lemon juice
-1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
-1 TBSP Dijon mustard
-1 TBSP honey
-1 clove garlic, minced
-Salt and pepper, to taste 

-Core the pear and cut into slivers. Rub the exposed fruit with lemon to keep from turning brown.
-Combine lemon juice, EVOO, honey, garlic, salt and pepper in a small tupperware. Add the Dijon mustard, put a lid on the tupperware, and shake to blend the vinaigrette.  
-Mix greens, tomatoes, onion, pear, cranberries and walnuts in a salad bowl. Dress with vinaigrette and toss. 

–Lindsay Putnam

What Makes a Strong Woman?

Everyone has a different definition of strength, from physical power to emotional resiliency. We asked the WomenWorking community what they think makes a strong woman, and we have gathered a few of the responses below. 

@ninagrenningloh: "A woman who knows what she wants and goes after it, no matter what. #strongwoman"

@_crystalharris: "Authenticity, compassion, resiliency, advocacy."

Jan Erickson: "Belief in yourself. Not letting others define you."

Verna Smith: "What makes a strong woman? Sense of self, hard work and character. Not to mention you must be your own cheerleader when the going gets tought."

@WifeMomSWoman: "Discipline, a kind heart and the ability to forgive herself."

Rachel Keener: "A strong woman is one who will stand in her truth and walk her path, regardless."

What do you think makes a strong woman? Comment below. And be sure to keep up with the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. 

Living Life in the Fast Lane

Ingrid Steffenson thought she had it all—a loving family, a great career as an art professor—until her husband got her on the racetrack for the first time. “I was practically out of my mind with terror at the whole idea of racing,” Ingrid confesses of that first day. “Afterward, I thought, ‘I’m still alive. I don’t have to ever step back in that car again.’” But despite her fears, she couldn’t stay away.

Her husband had encouraged her to attend a high performance driver’s education event. Paired with an instructor, she pushed her Mini Cooper to speeds she had never experienced. It was exhilarating and Ingrid was hooked; she soon became a regular on the track.

As time went on, Ingrid’s confidence racing cars spilled over to her personal life. She wrote her first book, Fast Girl, which was released earlier this year. “Racing gave me the material to write this book and to delve into a very personal side of myself. And to do all of the stuff that comes with it—hunting down an agent, finding a publisher—I never would have dreamed of doing that if I hadn’t had the racetrack experience first.”

For years her husband had raced on his own, but now it is a lifestyle that the two can share together. And their daughter, 14, often assists her father in the pit crew. “My daughter thinks it’s really cool, and it gives her a lot of ‘street cred’ with the kids at school,” Ingrid says, laughing. 

Most days, you’ll find Ingrid down at the track teaching other women how to push their cars to the limit. Her clientele ranges from 18 year-old girls to real-estate agents to stay-at-home moms. But as Ingrid says, with any new challenge the safest option is not to do it. “What I discovered is that I am more capable than I ever realized.” Her advice: “The only way to find out what you can do is to put yourself in a place that’s out of your comfort zone. It’s doing new things that gives you confidence.”

–Lindsay Putnam
–Photo credit William Heuberger

Want to Help Someone Move Forward?

We recently asked our Facebook followers, "What would you say to someone who knows she should move forward, but doesn't?" We thought the insights would be useful to all, and put a few of them below.

Stephanie Cornett: "Select 3-4 friends to serve as a support group, giving you room but holding you accountable to make change."

Joelle Brinkley: "Let her know that she first needs to assess where she is. You have to take stock of where you are now and how you got this way. Everything you need to move forward is within you. If you have issues to deal with, see a counselor. If you are just stuck, find a life coach. And then take a leap into life."

Sarah Woodall: "Ask her what she really wants–the big career or more time at home, and to be honest with herself. If the choice is the big career tell her she will need: optimism, resilience, to trust her own judgment about whether she can get there, listen to others' advice but don't necessarily accept it, a mentor and good luck. Anything is possible, hard work and the right mindset help."

Barbara Toback: "I would ask her what is stopping her."

Ranny Levy: "I agree with Sarah. Ask her: What is it that you really want? What is it that would make you happy? Repeat."

In the upcoming weeks we will be asking more questions and would like to have your input. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 

Career Coach: Use Facebook to Get a Job

Having my teenage children home this Thanksgiving weekend was wonderful, especially the rare moments when I was able to pry them away from their laptops and iPhones. They were using their phones to text their friends, but also to check in on various social media sites, especially Facebook. In my work with young women in college or recent grads, I talk to them a lot about using social media for their job search or for building their personal brand. Why not have them use a site that they have mastered to help them with their career? In fact, Facebook launched a Social Jobs App earlier this month that aggregates many listings providers.

When we think about the job search, typically LinkedIn is the first social media site that comes to mind. But here are some ways to effectively use Facebook for job search:

• Let your Facebook “friends” know that you are in the job market—your friends on Facebook are typically different than your connections on LinkedIn.

• Post status updates and links to personal blogs, articles and websites to build your online presence.

• Join groups and fan pages related to your desired career field for possible job postings and networking opportunities.

• Register for events or seminars in your chosen field or profession to make more contacts in the industry.

• Visit www.branchout.com to maximize Facebook’s job-hunting potential. 

The most important thing to remember with Facebook is controlling your privacy settings. Unlike other social media sites, your Facebook likely contains a lot of personal photos, interactions and information, so if you are going to use it for business or career purposes be aware of what others can see. You don’t want potential employers looking at photos that could be viewed as unprofessional, so make sure those are private for friends only. 

–Pamela Weinberg

You are the Gift

You have the power to change your life and lives of others. May these be some of your mantras:

 

I have special talents to give to the world. Let me take every opportunity to use them.

I connect with new people today and experience our common bonds.

My insights can make a difference in the challenges around me.

When I am asked to step up and lead the way, I do so willingly.

I change the conversation for the better.

 

Take smart risks today, we all need you to.

 

Self-Reinvention at Butter Lane

For more than twenty years, Pam Nelson worked as an analyst at Merrill Lynch and Citibank. But when she was laid off in 2008, she discovered that her passions lay elsewhere. With the help of co-owners Maria Baugh and Linda Lea, Pam opened cupcake haven Butter Lane. Watch this inspiring story of reinvention and learn some secrets behind Butter Lane's success.

—Video by Nina Giordano

Career Coach: How to Manage Holiday Stress

The holidays are here, as evidenced by the large amount of “Black Friday” e-mails I have received this week! Of course, this season is meant to be a wonderful, festive time spent with friends and family eating, drinking and being merry. How does this jive with having a full-time job and balancing those year-end projects that just have to get done before the office shuts down for Christmas?

Be prepared. For me, the key to less stress is more organization. Holiday shopping has never been easier with all of the online shopping sites. Most offer free shipping, free returns and mega pre-holiday sales (Black Friday seems to go on for days). So shop early and don’t leave your home or office to do it. And buy a few extra unisex gifts just in case there is anyone you have forgotten. 

Use your time wisely. Knowing that crunch time comes close to Christmas and there are lots of holiday obligations, client dinners and end-of-year parties in December, utilize the next few weeks to work a little later than usual. Even an extra hour or two can put you ahead of schedule, so that when the end of December comes you are up-to-date. 

Treat yourself. Don’t forget about giving a gift to yourself during the holiday rush. Take an hour for a manicure, a massage or a leisurely lunch with a friend. You will feel recharged and re-energized. 

Happy Holidays and Enjoy!

—Pamela Weinberg

What Are You Grateful For?

All week long we have been asking the members of the WomenWorking community to share what they are grateful for via Facebook and Twitter. We were thrilled to receive so many responses, and it is clear that we all have something to be grateful for this year. Below are just a few of the heartfelt messages we gathered from our followers:

France Luxe: "Grateful for our health, good friends, and family!"

Nina Chanpreet Kaur: "I am grateful for my womanhood and the wonderful women in my life."

Jennifer Alhasa: "Love & knowing it's all perfect!"

To see all of the responses, please read our newest story, "What Are You Grateful For?" And for inspirational messages from some of today's most well-known women, watch our video below.

 

—Lindsay Putnam, video by Nina Giordano

Making the Most of an Opportunity

Maya Kalman’s foray into event planning unexpectedly began with her own wedding. She was sitting in a New York City café with a friend discussing plans for the ceremony when a producer from the Food Network tapped her on the shoulder. “He had overheard our conversation and was looking to do a show about the food and design of five weddings in major cities. He asked if I would want my wedding on TV, and the answer was ‘Yes!’” 

The show aired multiple times in 2001, making Maya a mini-celebrity. At the time, Maya and her husband were the owners of a dot com startup–but when the industry went south, they sold the business. Unsure of what to do next, it wasn’t until a friend reminded her of how well-received her wedding had been that she got the idea to go into wedding planning. By December 31, 2001, Swank was up and running. 

Since then, Swank has grown from a one woman wedding planning company to a firm of five that creates luxury weddings, corporate events and social parties for NYC’s hottest socialites. “I love everything about the job, even the stressful parts,” this proud CEO admits. 

For Maya, starting her own company has allowed her to make her own rules. She and her husband decided to share an office space when they both started companies of their own. The workplace has become a family affair, as they now bring their daughter and dog to work with them every day as well. “If you find what you love, then it doesn’t feel like work; it’s just something that you want to do all the time,” Maya reveals.

While Swank often holds elaborate celebrations, Maya knows that you don’t need to spend a lot to host an elegant Thanksgiving dinner. She suggests constructing a centerpiece of carnations, nuts, pine cones, or leaves en mass, and to add color and creativity to the table with colored napkins or glasses. But most importantly, remember to sit back and enjoy the holidays with the people you love. 

–Lindsay Putnam