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  • 🪵 Crafting Opportunities: Karen Stubbings' Journey with The Wood Pile

🪵 Crafting Opportunities: Karen Stubbings' Journey with The Wood Pile

PLUS: Announcing This Week’s Giveaway

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Live Well Now
April 22, 2024

Welcome To The Most Read Women’s Empowerment Newsletter!

Today On the Menu:

👩‍🎓 Today In Women’s History: Celebrating Laura Gilpin

đź’Ş Motivation: Crafting Opportunities: Karen Stubbings' Journey with The Wood Pile

🍎 The Health Corner: 20-Minute Udon Noodle Soup with Buttery Tomato Broth Recipe

PLUS: Announcing This Week’s Giveaway

Read Time: 3 Mins

On This Day In Women’s History:

April 22, 1891: Laura Gilpin was born.

Laura Gilpin, a photographer, won acclaim for mastery of the platinum printing process in the early 1920s, her early work with autochromes of still-life and portraits allowed her to record 35 years of vanishing rural America, elected an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain (1930), wrote The Enduring Navaho (1968).

ANNOUNCING THIS WEEK’S GIVEAWAY

This week, we will be gifting a Digital Rice Cooker to one of our dedicated newsletter readers. The lucky winner of this week’s prize will be announced and contacted on Friday.

Crafting Opportunities: Karen Stubbings' Journey with The Wood Pile

After dedicating 13 years to a regional management role in a national charity, Karen faced redundancy. Despite her wealth of experience, the lack of a degree posed challenges in securing alternative employment. Encouraged by her family, Karen decided to take the leap of faith and start her own business.

For Karen, the driving force behind The Wood Pile was her older son, Daniel, who has cerebral palsy. Witnessing Daniel's struggles in finding employment fueled Karen's determination to create opportunities for individuals facing similar challenges. In July 2014, with ÂŁ8,000 from her redundancy pay and ÂŁ35,000 in grants, The Wood Pile was born.

At The Wood Pile, waste wood and old furniture are upcycled and sold, providing practical work experience for individuals with disabilities. With the support of a dedicated team of volunteers and part-time employees, Karen's vision became a reality. Beyond providing employment opportunities, The Wood Pile also offers courses for the local community.

Despite the demands of running the business and acting as various departments rolled into one, Karen remains committed to her mission. Funding remains challenging, but Karen's resilience and determination keep her pushing forward.

While Karen's days may be long and demanding, the rewards are immeasurable. It brings immense satisfaction to see individuals who once visited The Wood Pile now employed elsewhere, which validates the impact of the mission to empower individuals with disabilities through practical work experience.

Until tomorrow,

Emma, Live Well Now Team

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The empowered woman is fierce beyond measure and radiates strength and grace in every step.”

- Unknown

20-MINUTE UDON NOODLE SOUP WITH BUTTERY TOMATO BROTH RECIPE

đź‘Ť Live Well Now Approved

You Will Need:

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 tablespoon garlic paste

1 tablespoon ginger paste

1/4 cup unsalted tomato paste

4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick

3 whole star anise

1 teaspoon black peppercorns

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces

2 teaspoons fish sauce

9 ounces fresh udon noodles

4 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions

1 teaspoon toasted white or black sesame seeds

Directions:

1. Heat canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic paste and ginger paste; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomato paste; cook, stirring constantly, until slightly darkened, about 1 minute. Stir in broth, cinnamon stick, star anise and peppercorns; cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium to maintain a simmer; simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in butter and fish sauce, whisking to melt the butter completely.

2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain.

3. Divide the noodles among 4 shallow bowls. Ladle 1 cup of the broth over each; drizzle each bowl with 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Sprinkle with scallions and sesame seeds.

Cook Time: 10 mins | Servings: 4

Calories: 322 cals | 5g Protein | 27g Carbs | 22g Fat

Editor’s Note:

Live Well Now is founded and run by women to empower women DAILY.

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Emma,

Live Well Now Team

Empowering Women Over 40 since 2020