“We do what we must” is the motto of the 2019 Coraggio Spirit Award recipient. “Assuming this is my one life and one chance to fight for it, so I must keep trying.” is her message. “I must keep trying.” is a foundation of the Coraggio theme to take charge of any aspect of a dire situation. With 5 intubations for breathing and 8 weeks of hospitalization because of myasthenia already this year, Ashley uses humor and positive messages in Facebook posts or with those she meets. For her courageous determination do what she must to take charge for her one life and one chance to fight for it, Ashley Cotten is awarded MG-MI’s 2019 Coraggio spirit award!

MI Council of Nurse Practitioners, so honored to offer welcome Coraggio message of Envisioning a Future of conquered pain and to be inspired by your courageous leading the way!

It is minus 32 degrees!

Warm up in an arthritis-friendly, nourishing way…Turmeric Ginger Butternut Bisque!

Be gentle on joints by pre-baking a butternut squash before cutting, peeling and deseeding.

Use onions and garlic your grocer chopped. Lightly sauté fresh ginger and turmeric for a jolt of natural anti-inflammatories.

Substitute soy (almond) milk and silken tofu for bone-building and instead of fat-saturated cream.

A hand blender saves hand and elbow joints from heavier blender or processors.

Butternut squash brings cozy, filling warmth to the tummy and packs minerals and vitamin A.

Caldo & Delizioso!

Use courage to co-create empathy in relationships,
to be that person who will Inspire!

Grateful to The Right Door for the invite to talk about Coraggio! The Courage to Inspire at their annual retreat.  Yet I was the one inspired by their commitment to the important people they serve!

The Right Door Retreat Coraggio Courage to Inspire 11-12-18

Remembering Great Grandpa Genaro Rizzo on the 100th Anniversary of WWI end. He fought bravely in the rugged and cold terrain of Northern Italy and the Alps, for a war believed to end all wars…

As Uncle Jimmy adds details of valor to the story, Genaro Rizzo was “Knighted (posthumously) for saving an officer from drowning while fording a river on horseback.”

Genaro Rizzo Italian Cavalry WWI

May courage be stoked within each one of us as we remember  the Courage of  our Ancestors!

Stayin’ warm as the first snow flies with this fall harvest of
Scotch Bonnet peppers.

Petite yet potent, they have the habernero beat!  Their high level of capsaicin helps to reduce inflammation and pain. 

Feeling good from taste buds to toes!

“Courage is not the absence of fears, but the capacity to act despite our fears.”

By Sen. John McCain from Why Courage Matters and quoted in Chapter 12 of the first Coraggio book.

Yet we are reminded this week of the Sen. McCain quote that underscores the With Courage I Can philosophy of looking outside of one’s self and one’s woe.

“Nothing in  life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than yourself .”

From Faith of My Fathers 

All four of my grandparents immigrated to the United States, recognizing its independence and self-governing society. Each Independence Day they reminded me of the precious attributes of our United States of America. ​Their actions took courage as immense as the ocean liner that ferried them. ​

May your Fourth of July be filled with freedom​, courage, ​ and enjoyment.

I always look forward to the gift of a rose on Nonna’s birthday.

Sure enough, right on time did this beauty appear.

The gift of a rose on Nonna’s birthday.