Inspirations by Nancy

“It’s spring again. I can hear the birds sing again. See the flowers start to bud. See young people fall in love.” – Erma Bombeck Winter blues dragging you down? You’re not alone—but brighter days are ahead! In this refreshing solo episode of Inspirations by Nancy , host Nancy O. explores how to make the most of the seasonal shift from winter to spring. Whether you're a busy parent, wellness enthu...

“You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces—just good food from fresh ingredients.” – Julia ChildSummary:Feeling overwhelmed by your extra garden greens? Don’t toss them—blend them! In today’s episode of Cooking with Nancy O , Nancy and her husband Rick share three delicious, nutrient-packed smoothie recipes using produce straight from their tower garden. From a detoxifying green smo...

"Gut health is at epidemic levels these days. It affects so many people, it is the #1 reason for hospitalizations in the US.” - Marc McLean Episode Summary:🔥 Gut health is at crisis levels—but the answers may not be what you think. 🔥In this episode of Inspirations by Nancy, Marc McLean shares his powerful journey of overcoming severe gut health issues, from an unexpected IBS diagnosis to years o...

"I eat salads occasionally just to remind my body that I’m in charge."  – UnknownEpisode Summary:Who has time to cook? Let’s make something fast, healthy, and delicious! Winter doesn’t have to mean heavy meals! In this episode, we’re making a delicious Winter Salad using fresh greens from our very own Urban Tower Garden. With a mix of tart apples, crunchy pecans, dried cherries, and a homemade cre...

"As caregivers, we live in constant worry. Finding hope changes everything.” - Darlene Green Episode Summary:What if the answer to Alzheimer’s was hiding in plain sight? Darlene Green’s life changed forever when her husband was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Faced with no clear solutions, she embarked on a relentless search for hope—leading her to an unexpected discovery: stem cell activa...

"Food tastes better when you eat it with your family." – Unknown Episode Summary:What do you do when your zucchini grows an inch a day? You turn it into delicious creations the whole family will love!"Join Nancy O and her sidekick (and husband) Rick as they whip up healthy, mouthwatering recipes straight from their thriving tower garden. From zucchini-infused potato pancakes to a fast and flavorfu...

“Those magazine dieting stories always have the testimonial of a woman who wore a dress that could slipcover New Jersey in one photo and thirty days later looked like a well-dressed thermometer..” - Erma BombeckEpisode Summary:What if you could grow your own fresh, nutrient-dense produce right in your home – with no digging or weeding required? Fresh, fast, and sustainable—meet the aeroponic tower...

"People don't buy solutions. They don't buy what they need. They buy what they want...” - Cathy Nesbitt Episode Summary:Transform food waste into black gold with Cathy Nesbitt’s indoor composting secrets! In this episode of Inspirations by Nancy , we welcome Cathy Nesbitt, founder of Cathy’s Crawly Composters, as she unpacks the fascinating world of indoor composting with worms. Learn how you can...

"I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage." - Erma BombeckEpisode Summary:Transform your fall dinners with this savory pumpkin chili recipe! Join Nancy and Rick as they share a cozy, hearty pumpkin chili recipe perfect for the season. Learn how to adapt it using what you have on hand, savor the health benefits of pumpkins, and pick up tips for prepping ahead for Thanksgiving. This...

"Never eat anything you can’t pronounce." - Erma Bombeck Episode Summary:In this engaging conversation, Nancy and Rick share their love for pumpkins, discussing their experiences growing them, the joy of visiting pumpkin patches, and the excitement of creating healthy pumpkin recipes. They explore the versatility of pumpkins in cooking, from cookies to stews, and emphasize the importance of using...

Episode Summary:Celebrating 50 episodes of heartfelt stories, valuable lessons, and incredible guests! In this special milestone episode, Nancy celebrates her 50th podcast episode, reflecting on the amazing guests she has interviewed and the life-changing experiences shared on Inspirations by Nancy . From learning the wonders of worm composting (also known as "black gold") to embarking on the jour...

"I’m not a glutton - I am an explorer of food." - Erma Bombeck Episode Summary:Indulge in the flavors of France with this exquisite Classic Ratatouille recipe straight from Nancy’s Tower Garden! In this culinary journey, Nancy and Rick bring the rustic charm of Provence to your kitchen, where fresh vegetables are transformed into a harmonious medley of tastes and textures. Whether you're an experi...

"We are our own worst enemies.” - Rachel Lavin“You also need to trust your body that it knows when to eat, when you're hungry, when you're full, when a food does or does not agree with you, your body will tell you.” - Rachel Lavin Episode Summary:In this enlightening conversation, Rachel Lavin shares her journey of overcoming body image struggles and the societal pressures surrounding food and nut...

"A friend doesn't go on a diet because you are fat." - Erma Bombeck Episode Summary:Indulge in the flavors of France with this exquisite Classic Ratatouille recipe straight from Nancy’s Tower Garden! In this culinary journey, Nancy and Rick bring the rustic charm of Provence to your kitchen, where fresh vegetables are transformed into a harmonious medley of tastes and textures. Whether you're an e...

“We, women, have a habit of holding on to our thoughts and never voicing our opinion with the fear of, oh, I'm going to hurt someone.” - Amita Sharma“The reason I'm emphasizing the pedi menopause is because at that time, your hormones are going to start going down and you as a woman better pay attention to that.” - Amita Sharma Episode Summary:Navigate hormonal and life transitions with confidence...

"Have you any idea how many children it takes to turn off one light in the kitchen? Three. It takes one to say 'What light?' and two more to say 'I didn't turn it on.’ " - Erma Bombeck Episode Summary:Join Nancy and Rick for a delightful episode featuring their homegrown strawberries from their tower garden. Learn about the nutritional benefits of strawberries, including their high vitamin C conte...

"We're the balance of the universe ourselves. And we get to decide.  If we look at the dark or look at the light, we can choose to walk that great path in the middle balance. But look at the light" - John Lawyer Episode Summary:How do we navigate the spiritual path in the modern age? In this episode of Inspirations by Nancy, John Lawyer shares his profound story, of transitioning from his military...

“ Like religion, politics, and family planning, cereal is not a topic to be brought up in public. It's too controversial. " - Erma BombeckEpisode Summary:Quick, nutritious meals made simple with spaghetti squash! Join Nancy as she whips up a quick and nutritious spaghetti squash meal that doesn't skimp on flavor or health benefits. Discover the rich vitamin and mineral content of spaghetti squash...

“The grass is always greener over the septic tank.” - Erma BombeckEpisode Summary:Have you ever imagined your dream garden? What would it look like? In this episode, Nancy delves into the reality of bringing that dream to life. She shares her journey with gardening expert Matthew Mayhues, exploring landscape design and plant selection. Nancy discusses incorporating edible plants like fruit trees a...

“Why take pride in cooking, when they don't take pride in eating?" - Erma BombeckEpisode Summary:What tastes better in the summer than fresh fruit? Join Nancy and Rick as they dive into the joys of gardening and savoring the flavors of summer. In this episode, they celebrate the delicious produce and herbs they've grown in their tower garden, focusing on homegrown strawberries and a versatile lime...

Episode Summary:In this episode of Inspirations by Nancy's podcast, hypnotherapist and yoga teacher Matt Dixon joins to discuss the transformative power of hypnotherapy and yoga. The conversation covers the differences between entertainment hypnotism and therapeutic hypnotism, focusing specifically on stress, anxiety, and confidence. Matt explains how combining elements of yoga and hypnotherapy en...

“No one ever died from sleeping in an unmade bed.” - Erma Bombeck Episode Summary:Spring cleaning isn't just for our homes; it's also about rejuvenating our minds and nurturing a healthy body. By decluttering our surroundings and embracing positive thinking, we can cultivate a peaceful and uplifting mindset. Negative thoughts and words can shape our lives, so it's essential to shift our thinking a...

“Kids are without doubt the most suspicious diners in the world. They will eat mud (raw or baked), rocks, paste, crayons, ballpoint pens, moving goldfish, cigarette butts, and cat food. Try to coax a little beef stew into their mouths and they look at you like a puppy when you stand over him with the Sunday paper rolled up." - Erma Bombeck Episode Summary:This week, join Nancy and Rick as they sha...

"I admit there's a lot, there's some days where it's tough being an entrepreneur, but it's like, what day is not tough?" - Jimmy Clare  Episode Summary:Jimmy Clare, a motivational speaker, autism advocate, author, and founder of Crazy Fitness Guy, shares his inspiring story of overcoming challenges and bullying. He discusses his journey from being told he wouldn't amount to anything to becoming a...

“The term 'working mother' is redundant." - Erma Bombeck Episode Summary:In this week’s cooking show, Nancy and Rick demonstrate how to make delicious strawberry and savory breakfast tacos using fresh produce from their tower garden. They highlight the crispness of freshly picked celery and the vibrant colors of their garden-grown strawberries, basil, kale, and more. Nancy and Rick cover two types...