Lynn Fredericks: Author, Founder Family Cook Productions

Posted: March 12th, 2010 | 4 Comments »

Lynn Fredericks, published author and founder of Family Cook Productions, writes curriculum for Dr. Oz’s HealthCorps, teaching leadership skills and empowerment to inner city youth, through cooking classes and education. More than anything else Lynn has created not only a successful life, but a life doing what she loves, using her passion, helping others, while still being available to her children, and leading a life that brings her joy. Lynn is a shining example of a woman who has made lemonade out of lemons. Of course she did, she’s an amazing cook! Lynn inspires us all!

Job (aka, Career/Calling/Inspiration): Founder of FamilyCook Productions www.familycookproductions.com

Age: 52

Family situation: Divorced, 2 sons

How do you make sure you feel good everyday? By taking pleasure in the mundane and insignificant as well as the little things (e.g. my meals, quality teas, playing with my dog, taking time to talk to people who call me, enjoying my co-workers, finding humor in most of what we do, showing appreciation for people who are kind/helpful to me).

What inspires you to do the work that you do? Having experienced firsthand how food is the embodiment of the nurturing role of the family unit, and having learned how to make meals a time of family togetherness, so they nourish mind, body and spirit, I wanted to share what I learned with others, and it began a long and very rewarding journey of discovery…. I’m no where near the end of this journey!

How did you muster up the courage/confidence/stamina to create the life you have? By recognizing that while my life did not turn out how I planned it (I was divorced with 2 little ones), I nonetheless wanted to create a life that was meaningful and fulfilling, and hoped that the struggle of that, because it was a struggle, would teach my children that fulfillment and achievement don’t come easy but they are worth every ounce of effort. Also it was important to me to be in good humor with my children and not grouchy and inattentive… I found I was more likely to be “present” with my sons if my own soul and intellect were being nurtured through purposeful work!

What’s your approach to nutrition? In addition to believing that moderation is important in all things, I really listen and pay attention to my body. We are constantly in a state of change and evolution as individuals, I have my nice rituals over breakfast, tea breaks etc., but I’ve learned to pay attention to how those rituals around meals serve my energy level, attentiveness, weight etc. I try to make changes when I see myself experiencing challenges in any area physically.

How do you stay inspired when difficult challenges arise? I really look inward, I meditate, I read books about people who have surmounted challenges, I look for the “lesson” the universe is trying to teach me so I don’t get resentful or self-pitying

What do you do to stay in balance ? This is difficult, because I spend a LOT of time working – I love it and there is a LOT to be done! I seem to befriend co-workers, so we are very social within my work and that helps. I take special time for myself every day – a walk, a tea break, knitting, a book, journaling, and I try to take mini-vacations –e.g. long weekends away each month.

What’s your ultimate indulgence – just for you? Movies! I love watching great films. I also like staying in bed all morning some weekends, eat breakfast in bed, listen to NPR, read, journal and call friends and family.

What advice do you have for women/men aiming to have it all? Make every day meaningful, find something to be grateful for every day. If you take that time to sit and watch your child asleep, stroke their hair and be grateful, or feel the warm wind on your cheek as the temperature rises when spring arrives… any small thing that is great. Breathe it in, really notice it, then each day is a small success even when crises or stress or problems wear you down.

Any other thoughts? One last thing: accepting life as more of a process and enjoying and noticing progress within the process makes life more enjoyable and disappointments more tolerable. If we only look for the “result” we are trying to effect, we miss too much sweetness along the way and may end up denying ourselves the prize because I’ve observed the universe rewards gratitude for every small step, more than greed over achievement!

Thank you for speaking to Venus In Balance and for inspiring so many!
xo