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Tunes + Rays

There’s nothing quite as uplifting as good music + sunshine!

Having a totally awesome morning over here!

Got a great laugh last night when I walked into our bedroom and found Matt fast asleep with Bocker propped up on a pillow. The Bears have been hibernating all winter on a rocking chair and came out to play :mrgreen:

Photo

I got a great night’s sleep (after watching that fabulous Gossip Girl episode!) was up at 5 to hit the gym.

Whilst there I did 30 minutes of mastering the stairs followed by 15 solid minutes of weights. 17.5 pounders today for my biceps, shoulders, triceps, delts plus lunges, dead lifts and squats and abs at the end. W00t.

Home –> GLEE blaring throughout my house!!! I literally danced my way through the morning. I so need to find an adult glee club to join in Charlottesville…. did you know I’m a drama queen and love to perform!?

Check out this classic bowl of whipped banana –

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I used the last of my Bob’s Red Mill Apple Cinnamon Hot Cereal! Moving to to try their 10 grain mix next!

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The Mix

  • 1/4 cup oats
  • 2 tbsp Bob’s
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 tbsp chia
  • Pinch salt
  • 1/4 cup cottage cheese

Toppings

SOOOOO GOOOOD!

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WOOF WOOF!

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***

Matt’s Path

Wanted to share this essay Matt wrote as an email to a reader about his career journey and how he went from insurance to being unemployed to opening a bakery and his happiness throughout. I thought it was perfectly written and that you guys might enjoy hearing his story:

It’s been an interesting road to end up opening a Great Harvest.  I feel like there have been several windfalls combined with lots of disappointment to lead me here.  Like a lot of liberal arts majors, I was ready to conquer the world after college.  I didn’t really know what I wanted to do – I just assumed I was destined for great things.

Then followed a series of jobs that were mostly typical post-grad gigs that weren’t great at the time, but seemed like they would lead me places.  I sold insurance and considered the financial planning route.  I applied to just about every job in Charlotte that would fit under marketing, advertising, and public relations.  I even looked into some environmental jobs and thought about getting a Master’s in Environmental Science.

The problem with everything I was doing was I felt like I was forcing myself down a path I wasn’t already enthusiastic about.  I assumed that if I found something that had some interest to me, and then I really pushed myself and embraced it, I would become that career.  To quote Kath, I was going to "fake it til you make it."

But I definitely knew that none of this was really for me, and the only things I’ve done in life that have captivated me on every level were cooking, baking, and brewing.  I worked at an upscale restaurant during college and really learned a lot about cooking, wine, beer, and the workings of a restaurant.  I really liked all the hands-on work, and the varied pace, and how every day is different.  Kath and I fantasized about owning a restaurant, but we never wanted the hours of a restaurant owner – missing every night and weekend, and every holiday.

I never considered a bakery for some reason, but between jobs I went looking for some part-time work, and considering my baking skills I thought I might be able to get a job at the local GH.  I applied, and was hired about a month later.  The GH owners were opening a second store so they had lots of openings, and they recognized that I came pre-trained (sort of).  After working at GH for a few months, I started to really pay attention to the store owners and what their job was like.  I remember thinking, "Hmmm, I bet I could do that," but I didn’t really pursue it at the time.  But as time passed, I kept asking questions about ownership, and begin to fantasize and talk about my dreams.

I don’t really remember that definite moment when I knew it was something I would do – it seemed to happen pretty tentatively.  Part of that is because of the GH application process – they really ease you into it.  And before we consciously realized it, we were committed.

Because my career path has been so disjointed, I don’t have a lot of career advice for people.  The most important thing I learned was that I shouldn’t have ignored my original feelings of "what I’m doing right now isn’t right for me."  On the other hand, I don’t really feel comfortable telling people the classic "follow your dreams" because for a lot of people, that probably does mean entrepreneurship, but we all know how many new businesses end up failing.  Kath and I are lucky that we have a very supportive company behind everything we’re doing.  I think a lot of new business owners could use something like that.

Ultimately, it takes a lot to admit to yourself that you want to change from what you’re doing right now – it feels like you’re moving backwards in your career or starting over.  That’s not completely true because any degree is better than none.  There’s always a way to leverage what you have to get where you want.  I think a lot of young graduates need to be taught upfront to swallow their pride, decide their path, and start at the beginning (note: that’s not the bottom), or else they’ll spend as much time as I did learning it by myself.

I hope this was the kind of information you’re looking for.  If you want to hear more specifics about any of this, I’m happy to write another essay!

-Matt

***

High of 76* today!!

What’s YOUR favorite Glee song? I have lots of favorites, but my VERY favorite would have to be Halo // Walkin’ On Sunshine. I gets me dancing every time!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I love Matt’s story!! It’s so awesome that you guys have come to love GH so much…you’ve truly found your passion for good food, instead of seeking the career path with the most money. I hope to be as happy in my career as you guys seem!!

    I’ve never seen Glee- can you believe it?! Happy hump day!!

    Reply

  4. I think “Halo/Walking on Sunshine” is my favorite, too! I really like “My Life Would Suck Without You” but that’s because I’m a Kelly Clarkson lover 🙂 I wish they would’ve included the songs Mr. Shu sang with his acapella boy band on the CD. So good!

    I really, really loved Matt’s advice. I’m 24 and should have graduated college 2-3 years ago with the rest of my friends, but I just couldn’t make up my mind about what I wanted to do. I took time off so I wasn’t wasting tuition money taking BS classes. I finally enrolled, as a junior, and realized that I am pursuing something I am passionate about and something I hope I can use to help people. I might not make a lot of money, I might have to do without a lot of things, I might not meet EVERYONE ELSE’S expectations of what success is, but I will be focusing on something I love. I think it’s SO important to do that! I’m not dissing anyone who gets a job solely for the financial aspect of it, but I know too many people who have gone down that path, got a good paycheck, but came home miserable every night. I don’t want that to be my life. So, rock on Matt! You guys are going to live a happily life because you are both passionate about what you do 🙂

    Reply

  5. So nice to hear Matt’s story! I have a useless (to me) degree right now and don’t know what to do with myself… so I felt like this essay was directed straight at me! Thanks!!

    Reply

  6. That Glee song has been stuck in my head on repeat for DAYS! It’s just so catchy. But I’m also loving Don’t Rain on My Parade.

    Reply

  7. that’s a great essay, tell Matt thank you for being so open to sharing! i appreciate it!~

    so glad you’ve had such a great morning 🙂 made me smile just thinking about it! my favorite glee song so far either still “take a bow” – her voice is incredible!

    Reply

  8. Love Matt’s advice. Our pipe dream is to open a brewery someday – it won’t happen soon, but I think we’ll get there eventually. 🙂

    Reply

  13. I alway love hearing about how other people find their passion, thanks for sharing!

    My favorite Glee song is ‘Don’t Stop Believin’, hands down!!

    Reply

  14. Matt is a lovely, talented writer.
    Perhaps he can write some other inspiring notes/blogs if he has a GH blog on his store site?
    He definitely has the skills! 😉

    Reply

  16. It was great to read Matt’s story. I’m always interested in seeing how people got where they are. I feel like I have no idea what I want to do in life. It’s sort of comforting to know that others have been there too.
    Have a great day! We have a high of 56 which is a million times better than yesterday’s high of 39!

    Reply

  17. Very nice story, it made me do a bit more self learning and was rather enjoyable!

    How do you lift weights when you say you do them for “15 minutes straight?”

    I usually do 3 sets of 10 reps of an upper body lift and then the same of a lower body and try to vary it between 2-3 different lifts for each part of the body, with a 30 second or so break in between each set. Just curious how you or others work on weight training instead of cardio. 🙂

    Reply

    • I can’t stand to rest during exercises – it makes me SO BORED. So I do a circuit where I’ll do legs while my arms are resting so I dont’ have to stop. It also keeps my heart rate up a bit higher than sitting on the bench to rest.

      Reply

  18. Thanks to Matt for sharing his career path. I’m struggling with my career path right now but feel pretty tied down because of financial reasons. My husband and I do have a plan and goals to work towards so for now, I just try to make the best of what I do have. Honestly, I don’t even know for sure what it is I want to do other than I know I want to help people and spread the message of eating intuitively and healing from disordered eating. So, for now, I’m just blogging along and seeing what happens!

    Reply

  19. Wow, what a well composed and thoughtful essay. Matt clearly knows himself and the things that he is passionate about. It is so brave and admirable to not only turn away from a safe route, but to actively pursue his hobbies and make them a career. I really enjoyed reading this. Thanks, Matt!

    Reply

  21. Morning Kath!

    I am having a great morning too!! Love how the bears show up now and again. it makes me laugh!

    Commenting today just to say… Chuck Bass is so hot, as is Nate. GREAT EPISODE last night!

    That is all.

    Have a fabulous sunny day!

    Reply

  22. I’m totally a ‘drama queen’ too..I love bursting out in song and dancing around my living room…..and as for glee? I’m obsessed with Don’t Stop Believing–always puts me in a great mood!

    Reply

  23. Thanks for writing back to my letter this morning! I will be sure to check out those books and cookbooks! My favorite song from Glee, of course, is Puck’s serenade to “Sweet Caroline.” Gets me every time!

    Reply

  26. Wow, Matt’s email was great! I love how honest he was and I admire his will to do what he wants to do. My husband and I are definitely in the disjointed career club. Hopefully that will all change for us soon. Thanks for sharing! Have a great day!

    Reply

  27. Thanks so much for posting Matt’s essay! The whole liberal arts graduate thing looking for any job he can get is pretty much me right now :/ It’s good to know I’m not the only one that doesn’t know what I want to do at this point in my life!

    Reply

  28. I don’t know if I can pick a favorite song! But thanks for sharing Matt’s essay…I liked the part about not ignoring the “this isn’t right” feeling.

    Reply

  31. Matt, thanks so much for sharing your path with us. I found this really encouraging. I’m at a point right now where I’m considering making a career change but not sure how to “market” myself. I don’t want to limit myself to the field that my BA or MEd dictates. How can I change career paths? Any advice would be helpful.

    Reply

  32. I love Glee, but I don’t know that I have a favorite song!

    Breakfast looks WONDERFUL! Coconut is the best…I’m eating it in my oatmeal as I type!

    Reply

  33. I can totally relate to Matt’s essay! I just graduated with a liberal arts degree and still don’t know what I want to do. I always have to remind myself that something better will come along and until then I just have to be patient. To quote Douglas Adams: “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.”

    On a different note, I always love your oatmeal creations. You come up with the best mix in ideas!

    Reply

  34. I LOVE the Quinn songs- like Papa Don’t Preach and Say A Little Prayer- but I also really like Artie’s Dancing By Myself.
    Love, love, love Glee. It always puts me in a fabulous mood.

    Reply

  35. That was a great essay and I think a lot of people can relate, especially me right now. I have had my healthy living blog up for three months now and it’s doing amazing. I’m excited for what the future will bring as I continue down this path and search for opportunities related to what I’m doing.

    I just ran out of my Bob’s also. It’s sad, you should also try their Scottish oats. Just adding a couple TB adds the same great texture. But I miss the cinnamon and apple’s.

    Reply

  37. What a lovely post, Matt!!! You’re a great writer (words I don’t utter often :-))

    I’m a huge believer in having a career one feels strongly and passionately about. My own road has showed me that, ultimately, I may have several careers that fit the bill, but in my mind, more is better! Kudos on having the strength to pursue your dreams.

    I think there’s a lot of social pressure on men to be “bread earners” (no pun intended), and that they’re often pressure not to think about what they love to do. This is not only sexist, but foolish. Miserable employees aren’t a boon to anyone.

    xo Gena

    Reply

  38. I love that picture of Matt with the bear!! So cute!

    Hmmm I cant think of my favorite Glee song right now. I’m still waiting to borrow the season 1 dvds from my mom so I’ve only seen a few episodes. I’m in love with them!!

    Reply

  39. Wonderful essay by Matt. It really is difficult in this economic climate to find a job at all… much less one you have a passion for. Congratulations to both of you for following your interests… we are always more successful at things we are passionate about.

    Your oats look yummy… but I don’t even have to say that. Have a great day!

    Reply

  41. Matt,

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this journey of yours. It’s inspiring to see someone follow their passion AND be successful. I am [finally] graduating in a month and a half from a liberal arts school that I feel in many ways has pushed me in directions in which I feel no attraction. Part of that may be from my parents and A LOT of that is from the uber competitive students all around me. I once wanted to work in marketing/advertising but having experienced that world through a few internships, I know that is not my call of duty. People ask me what I’m doing after graduation and I tell them I’m going to work at a bakery. Whether or not that is my calling has yet to be determined but I won’t know till I try it out, right? I can feel the judgment from those around me but I’m doing my best to ignore it! Seeing you happy and successful gives me hope that following this unpaved path with so many unknowns will ultimately be worth the hard work.

    Reply

  42. As someone who recently graduated last year with a B.A in PR, I’m currently doing what Matt was doing: applying to every job under the sun in advertising, marketing and pr. and it’s not been that successful. most of the “pr/marketing” jobs down here are basically sales in disguise and I hate that (since I’m currently working part-time in retail). I really want to work in publishing or the nonprofit sector but have had no such luck finding entry level positions. Glad Matt has found a way to get paid for his passion!

    As for Glee songs, I’m loving “Proud Mary,” “Lean on Me,” and “Don’t Stop Believin”

    Reply

  43. Thanks for sharing Matt’s e-mail! For me it was very inspiring, as I have been faking it at a desk job for nearly nine years now, and after my hubby graduates in May I am DONZO, and I am finally going to follow my passion! Finally!! It’s never too late 🙂
    P.S – I will be seeing your sis in a few weeks!

    Reply

  45. Thanks Matt! Your story is very inspirational. I’m definitely at a turning point in my life…just trying to figure out what to do and how I can follow my passions. You are a great example and gave a definite boost to my day! Thanks again!

    Reply

  46. Geez. I’m at a point in my college career where I’m really unsure if I’m doing the right thing, but I am 100% scared to pursue my true dreams. Matt’s essay just made me tear up right in the middle of geology class.

    Reply

  49. Glad to hear that your enjoying your stolen cd’s! Maybe you’ll consider paying for them next time?!

    Reply

  52. I’ve been following your blog for a while now, and I really like reading about your life and love(s). Thanks for sharing all of those stories and recipes.

    Inspired by all of your writing (and of course by the blogs of others), I recently started my own blog with vegan recipes at http://www.fairflavors.blogspot.com Now I know you’re not a vegetarian, but I would like to invite you to try some of my recipes.

    Thanks and have a great day! 🙂

    Reply

  54. I agree: sunshiine & music definitely put a smile on your face!! I love Matt’s essay- I like that he says listen to that voice that says what you’re doing isn’t right, but how that isn’t exactly the same as follow your dreams. I’m glad he/you found something that makes you happy!!
    I don’t know if I can pick one favorite Glee song- I’m pretty excited though, my sister in law’s chorus concert this season (she’s a HS freshman) is ALL Glee songs!!!!

    Reply

  56. Thanks Matt for the inpsiring story. So glad you found what you want to do in life! It takes a lot of us a lot longer to figure things out.

    Reply

  57. Thanks, Matt and Kath. I’ve been considering a similar change recently, and am going to forward this to some of my loved ones to help rally support!

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  58. Oops, hit “submit” too soon :). What I meant to say is that I am a liberal arts major too and have had the same problem…applying to every job under the sun and not getting much back…at least nothing to get excited over. I consider myself fortunate to be employed and making a good paycheck in this economic climate but it is certainly a far cry from my passion. I’m taking culinary school at night right now and I hope that when it ends in June I’ll be able to get into something much more hands-on and creative.

    Reply

  60. What a great story. I’m really glad you posted that because I think that it will help a lot of people out there! I am in the middle of changing careers. Overall, I am extremely excited about it and know that it is something I have always dreamed to do, but some days I just feel like I am moving back 100 steps.

    Glad to hear it worked out for you guys!!

    Reply

  62. Fabulous essay, Matt. He’s a great writer and I can definitely relate to everything he says, I think a lot of us can 🙂

    Those bears always bring a smile to my face.

    Hmmm favorite Glee song… that’s tough. I think it would have to be a tie between Sweet Caroline and Take a Bow, I find those are the ones I listen to most often.

    Reply

  65. I have recently started reading you blog and love it! It has spurred me on to eat more veggies and fruit. I roast at least one full pan of veggies a week now. Thanks so much for the inspiration and your creativity.

    Btw – was hoping you could tell me where you got your comforter/duvet in the first photo? I’ve been looking for a similar one and would love to know where to find it!

    Reply

  66. Fab essay from Matt! I like the follow your feelings thing – that’s what I’m doing with my chosen career path 🙂
    I have never watched Glee…I’m thinking after reading about your love for it, that maybe I’m missing out!?

    Reply

  67. You will absolutely love Bobs Red Mill 10 Grain hot cereal!! It is my all time favorite!!
    We just moved to Mexico, and of course it’s no where to be found here…might start ordering online! hehe!!
    ENjoy!

    Reply

  68. I literally just bought the 10 Grain cereal a few days ago because it’s my absolute favorite, and I was actually going to write to you about it because I wasn’t sure if you’ve tried it yet. haha I know you’ll LOVE it! I loved Matt’s essay. You both are just such awesome people. Have a great Wednesday!!

    Reply

  72. I liked reading about Matt’s story! It’s nice reading about how other people have gotten to where they are and know that not everyone knows exactly what they want to do from the onset and just goes for it. I am so excited to see the process of actually opening the bakery and what it means for both of you! Seems like a very exciting and fun journey to be on!

    I love that bowl you have your oats in this morning!

    I haven’t heard that many Glee songs but I really like Don’t Stop Believing. I would love to hear more songs. I am thinking of buying the CDs!

    Reply

  73. Thank you so much for publishing Matt’s story – so many of us grapple with finding something which truely is for us. I did the same “fake it till you make it” for two years after college and then decided to go to graduate school to pursue something completely different – I may be making way less money but I am much happier!

    I can’t wait to hear more about the GH opening process!

    Reply

  76. Totally agree with Matt’s story. I’m in the middle of a big transition myself! I think my favorite Glee song might have to be “Jump” or “My LIfe Would Suck Without You,” but in a couple weeks we’ll have a whole new set of songs to start playing on repeat (Apr.13th)!

    Reply

  77. Thanks for sharing Matt’s story! I still sometimes wonder what it is I want to be when I “grow up”!
    And I think I might be the only one, but my favorite Glee song is “Alone” with Kristin Chenoweth and Will. Oh how I love a good 80s power ballad!

    Reply

  78. Like everyone else, I love Matt’s story! Thank you for sharing!!
    I can REALLY relate to him as well. Kind of. I always, always loved food and cooking and my dream has always been to go to culinary school. But I grew up thinking that I would be a teacher – I am really not even sure where it started. I never even questioned it. I loved kids but after 4 years in college in the education major, the semester before I was supposed to student teach (aka one semester before I was going to graduate) I finally admitted to myself that I was absolutely miserable and I was not made for teaching. So then I switched to the business major because graduating with a business degree would be “safe” and “dependable,” who cares that I also HATED it. Well then my life began to fall apart and I realized what was important and that life was TOO short to be unhappy. So I decided that I wanted to go to culinary school and everything just fell into place. So now, I will be graduating 3 years after all my friends, when I’m about 25, but I don’t regret my decision. If you listen to your heart and do what what you love, I don’t think you’ll ever regret it. And I would LOVE to do something like open a GH one day, that would be absolutely incredible.

    Reply

  80. Those Bob’s bags must last you a long time, seeing as you onlyuse 2tb at a time! How’s that for budgetting, hey? 😛

    Really enjoyed Matt’s story – I graduated last year and am just finishing up 4 months of travel… I have no idea what to do next, so it’s nice to hear of someone working it out after a few years of grappling!

    Reply

  81. I love Matt’s essay. I liked teaching but didn’t love it completely. But I was scared to death to go back to school for my true passion of ministry because I was a single woman. But my church was extremely supportive and believed in me so I took the leap. And I’m much happier for it.

    Reply

  82. kath–absolutely love matt’s essay. as a recent grad–one who broke away from my typical type-A tendencies, rejected the 9-5 offers and decided to commit to figuring out a “happy path” from the start–this resonated so strongly with me, and was a (much needed) reminded that i made the right decision. i just e-mailed this to, like, 923892392 friends haha. although matt claims to “not have career advice,” i’d certainly say this essay says otherwise. you have one inteligente husb 🙂

    Reply

  83. Thanks for sharing Matt’s essay! I love how it starts: “Like a lot of liberal arts majors, I was ready to conquer the world after college. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do – I just assumed I was destined for great things.”

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  84. i must warn you! i tried the 10 grain and it was not very good at all! it tasted a bit like wood. but with all your doctoring up, maybe it will taste great

    Reply

  85. Thank you for sharing Matt’s “essay”! As simple as it is, it’s very inspirational. With the economy, student loans and all other craziness around us, it’s good to hear that someone followed a passion and has turned it into a career. I agree that “follow your dreams” is a bit frou-frou but really listening to your intuition and following paths that are fulfilling / satisfying (tho not necessarily easy or super happy) is so important. You are both an inspiration for young people to follow their PASSIONS!

    Reply

  86. Cool essay from Matt! Interesting since I’ve been reading your blog for so long and remember when he was working at first, then unemployed, then in insurance, then just starting to bake. Quite the journey! I’m happy both of you two seem to have finally found what you love 🙂 xoxo

    Reply

  87. I loved reading Matt’s story. I struggle with the same thing. Luckily (or maybe not) I have a great job right now. Money, benefits, and the work I do isn’t too bad either. The thing is, I know that this isn’t what I want to do forever. But because of the aforementioned things, it’s hard for me to make a decision to leave because (really???) where could I make the money I make now?

    Anyway, it seems so easy for some people, so even though it was hard for him, it’s good to hear that other people have struggled with the same thing and become successful.

    Reply

  89. Thank you for sharing Matt’s story. That is so inspirational and so true. I am just finishing my undergrad degree and getting ready to apply to grad schools. I am on my fourth major and final feel like I have found myself. It truly is better to follow your interests and heart, but it does take swallowing your pride and taking risks. It can be scary!
    Your happiness and energy dances off the screen today! I am glad to see that you are feeling good. Thanks for sharing your positive energy and spirit today 🙂

    Reply

  91. Well done Matt! It takes a lot of courage to walk away from the “expected” path or expected career. I admire that! It took me 6 years, 2 degrees and 1 terribly unhappy job to finally walk away from it all and start my own business. But what a beautiful ending it can be if you do listen to what your passion is!

    Reply

  92. Loved reading this post, Kath and Matt! Congrats to both of you on pursuing your dreams 🙂 While I agree that “follow your dreams” is hard advice to give everyone, it definitely seems to pay off if you work hard and want it badly enough. You two are great examples of that! Kudos!

    Reply

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