

Tell the truth or gloss over my life?
I recently had a conversation with my husband about how honest I should be about what’s going on in my life. Should I gloss over it? Do people really want to know what’s going on? When they ask, “How are you?,” do they really mean it? Early this morning, I spoke with a friend whom I’ve known for thirty years. We’ve been raw and honest … Continue reading Tell the truth or gloss over my life?

Discontent or perfectly happy?
Seeing both sides of everything and having challenges making a decision. Continue reading Discontent or perfectly happy?

Grilled Shrimp Italian Style
Ready for a twist on grilled shrimp? Try Alessandra’s Grilled Shrimp with Radicchio and Endive recipe! Continue reading Grilled Shrimp Italian Style

Get Ready for the New Year with ceremony!
The end of the year is a perfect time to let go and set an intention for the new year. Continue reading Get Ready for the New Year with ceremony!

Grief and the Christmas Tree
Grief and Gratitude on our first Christmas together after the motorcycle accident that left my husband a paraplegic. Continue reading Grief and the Christmas Tree
Sale on Better Than Before Book!
Preview Book Sale for Spinal Cord Awareness Month in September. Better Than Before: One Couple’s Journey After a Tragic Accident. Continue reading Sale on Better Than Before Book!

Simple Tip For Rolling a Paraplegic Over in Bed
Tip for Rolling a Paraplegic Over in Bed Continue reading Simple Tip For Rolling a Paraplegic Over in Bed

New Book Offers Insights into Paraplegia, Grief and Faith – Better Than Before: One Couple’s Journey After a Tragic Accident
What happens when life turns upside down in an instant? Spinal Cord Injury. Paraplegia. Words no one wants to hear. One caregiver wrote a book about her journey of grief, faith and ultimately hope. Good read!
Continue reading New Book Offers Insights into Paraplegia, Grief and Faith – Better Than Before: One Couple’s Journey After a Tragic Accident

The Christmas Goblets
With the holidays here, thoughts naturally go to tradition. As family traditions pass down to the next generation, how do we let go? How do we say goodbye to our past? Continue reading The Christmas Goblets

Cranberry, Apple, Chestnut Stuffing with Kenny Palazzolo
Looking for a yummy but simple stuffing recipe? Kenny has your covered with his Cranberry, Apple, Chestnut Stuffing! Continue reading Cranberry, Apple, Chestnut Stuffing with Kenny Palazzolo

Pan di Spagna alle mele (Super Soft Apple Cake) by Alessandra of Food is Love
Looking for a light, moist, delicious cake for fall? This apple cake, Pan di Spagna alle mele, fits the bill. Continue reading Pan di Spagna alle mele (Super Soft Apple Cake) by Alessandra of Food is Love

What we didn’t know about choosing a new wheelchair.
We had no idea how to order a new custom wheelchair! Here’s what we learned. Continue reading What we didn’t know about choosing a new wheelchair.

Strawberry Tiramisu? Yes, please! Alessandra Aiello shares her Tiramisu ala fragola
How refreshing are strawberries in the summer? Now add them to tiramisu and you have an amazing summer dessert. ALessandra Aiello shares her simple yet delicious recipe, step by step with The Italian Grandmama. When choosing strawberries, the best time is when they are fresh and local between April and August. Wash them just before using to prevent them from being soggy. If you do … Continue reading Strawberry Tiramisu? Yes, please! Alessandra Aiello shares her Tiramisu ala fragola

Homemade Italian Bread with Kenny Palazzolo
Fresh Italian bread, warm from the oven. What could be better? Kenny Palazzolo shares his simple yet delicious recipe with The Italian Grandmama. Continue reading Homemade Italian Bread with Kenny Palazzolo

Growing String Beans? Try these fresh recipes!
Alessandra Aiello shares two recipes for green beans, fresh from the garden!
Continue reading Growing String Beans? Try these fresh recipes!

Glazed Taralli – Easter dessert cookies by Alessandra Aiello (bust out the Sambuca!)
Ready to try authentic Italian Taralli for Easter dessert? Alessandra Aiello shares her amazing recipe for glazed Taralli with Sambuca. Continue reading Glazed Taralli – Easter dessert cookies by Alessandra Aiello (bust out the Sambuca!)

Pizza Piena (Easter Pie) family recipe by Kenny Palazzolo
Mouth-watering pizza piena filled with ricotta, prosciutto and eggs layered ina golden crust! Kenny Palazzolo shares his family recipe for Easter Pie. Continue reading Pizza Piena (Easter Pie) family recipe by Kenny Palazzolo

Spaghetti Pie Frittata Recipe with Alessandra Aiello
Did you grow up with a version of spaghetti pie? This simple recipe for Spaghetti Frittata allows you to add whatever extra ingredients you want to make it special! Continue reading Spaghetti Pie Frittata Recipe with Alessandra Aiello

Sweets for the Sweet: Valentine’s Day and Cream puffs!
Celebrate amore! Show some love on Valentine’s Day to your friends, family and yourself! One idea: Cream Puff Recipe by Alessandra Aiello Continue reading Sweets for the Sweet: Valentine’s Day and Cream puffs!

Forcast: Sunny with a Chance of Meatballs! Alessandra Aiello’s Italian Meatball Recipe
How to make Italian Meatballs by Alessandra Aiello. Continue reading Forcast: Sunny with a Chance of Meatballs! Alessandra Aiello’s Italian Meatball Recipe

Beef Braciole 101: Four recipes from Kenny Palazzolo
Do you want a mouth-watering braciole recipe? How about 3 braciole recipes from Kenny Palazzolo?! Continue reading Beef Braciole 101: Four recipes from Kenny Palazzolo

Italian Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe by Alessandra Aiello.
Want a simple, tasty recipe for stuffed peppers? Here Alessandra Aiello shows us how easy it is to create a delicious dinner with stuffed peppers and rice. Continue reading Italian Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe by Alessandra Aiello.

Kenny Palazzolo’s Italian Eggplant Parmesan recipe
Italian eggplant parmesan recipe by Kenny Palazzolo, from MasterChef Season 10.
Continue reading Kenny Palazzolo’s Italian Eggplant Parmesan recipe

Lobster Ravioli in Cognac Cream Sauce? Yes please!
Want authentic Italian meals? Try this one – Lobster ravioli in cognac cream sauce! Continue reading Lobster Ravioli in Cognac Cream Sauce? Yes please!

Italian Lentil Soup for Good Luck on New Year’s Eve!
Celebrate the New Year Italian style – with lentil soup! It traditionally represents prosperity in the new year! Buon appetito! Continue reading Italian Lentil Soup for Good Luck on New Year’s Eve!

Italian Christmas Cookies: Turdilli aka Italian Wine Cookies
Enjoy an Italian favorite this Christmas – Turdilli aka Italian Wine Cookies. Bake some memories! Continue reading Italian Christmas Cookies: Turdilli aka Italian Wine Cookies

Make These Super-Easy Yarn Christmas Trees
Easy how-to make holiday Christmas trees out of yarn! DIY fun for the whole family! Continue reading Make These Super-Easy Yarn Christmas Trees

Italian Biscotti Recipe aka Twice-Baked Cookies
Craving cookies from your childhood? Biscotti are an Italian staple. Here is a classic anise biscotti recipe. Continue reading Italian Biscotti Recipe aka Twice-Baked Cookies

Italian Cookie Recipes – Struffoli
Yearn for your childhood Christmases? Create new memories with your children and grandchildren baking Strufoli – Italian cookies. Continue reading Italian Cookie Recipes – Struffoli

How to Make a Beautiful Wreath From Old Books
What do you do with old books? Make a beautiful paper wreath! A simple DIY project in just a few hours! Continue reading How to Make a Beautiful Wreath From Old Books

Gratitude Month 2020: Can we find the blessings?
Gratitude month 2020: Can we find the blessings this year? Continue reading Gratitude Month 2020: Can we find the blessings?

Trump promises to eliminate payroll taxes. What does this mean for those who depend on Social Security and Medicare?
What is the trickle down effect of Trump’s promise to eliminate payroll taxes? Continue reading Trump promises to eliminate payroll taxes. What does this mean for those who depend on Social Security and Medicare?

Disabled: 10 questions to ask when booking a hotel or lodging
10 questions to ask when booking a hotel with a paraplegic or wheelchair user. Continue reading Disabled: 10 questions to ask when booking a hotel or lodging

8 Delightful Decorating Tips for Fall and Halloween
It’s simple to create a warm, cozy fall atmosphere in your home with these 8 decorating tips! Continue reading 8 Delightful Decorating Tips for Fall and Halloween

6 Hacks for the home for wheelchair users, paraplegics or those with spinal cord injuries
6 tips to living independently as a paraplegic with spinal cord injury. Continue reading 6 Hacks for the home for wheelchair users, paraplegics or those with spinal cord injuries

4 Caregiver’s Tools for Heavy Lifting (one’s a game-changer!)
Pros and cons of 4 tools to carry boxes, groceries and other items. Perfect for caregivers, elderly and those that live alone. Continue reading 4 Caregiver’s Tools for Heavy Lifting (one’s a game-changer!)

Another wheelchair Tik Tok Dance!
Don’t give up just because you’re in a wheelchair! There’s so much more to do including dancing. Join us as we keep moving and having fun post accident. Continue reading Another wheelchair Tik Tok Dance!

It’s just a strawberry layer cake….but it is so much more.
Family, Famiglia, Who keeps the memories? Growing up, losing the older generation and being the upper generation. Continue reading It’s just a strawberry layer cake….but it is so much more.

Living with a Paraplegic Part II – vacation and pitfalls.
“Adventures” of living in a wheelchair – Vacationing, crossing the street and falling in the wheelchair. Continue reading Living with a Paraplegic Part II – vacation and pitfalls.

2 Tips for Caregivers – Rolling a Patient Over and Using a Pull Sheet
Are you a caregiver? Here’s 2 tips that may make your life easier! Continue reading 2 Tips for Caregivers – Rolling a Patient Over and Using a Pull Sheet

What’s new? Wheelchair dancing the Macarena – that’s what!
Wheelchair dancing the Macarena! Who says you can’t dance in a wheelchair? Paraplegic and wife enjoy dancing post-accident. Continue reading What’s new? Wheelchair dancing the Macarena – that’s what!

5 years since THE call. The 5 Year Anniversary of my husband’s accident. We are grateful.
5 years post motorcycle accident: grateful to be alive, paraplegic counts the blessings. Continue reading 5 years since THE call. The 5 Year Anniversary of my husband’s accident. We are grateful.

Adaptive Equipment: Paraplegic demonstrates chocks to stabilize wheelchair
Adaptive Equipment allows paraplegic to live as independently as possible. Here, he demonstration of chocks to make transferring safer. Continue reading Adaptive Equipment: Paraplegic demonstrates chocks to stabilize wheelchair

Adaptive Equipment: The Grabber – Paraplegic demonstrates its uses
Paraplegic demonstrates adaptive tools for independent living. Paraplegics, disabled, elderly, wheelchair users. Continue reading Adaptive Equipment: The Grabber – Paraplegic demonstrates its uses

Paraplegic demonstrates putting on and removing shoes.
Ever wonder how paraplegics get dressed? Putting on and removing shoes is part of a series of videos and posts to inspire and educate. Continue reading Paraplegic demonstrates putting on and removing shoes.

Yummy & Lemony: Italian Lemon Pound Cake Recipe
Baking more since quarantine? Me too! Check out this moist Italian Lemon Pound cake recipe Angela The Italian Grandmama made. Continue reading Yummy & Lemony: Italian Lemon Pound Cake Recipe

Life as Paraplegic: Dancing The Git Up Dance Challenge
Wheelchair dancing! Yes, it’s a thing! After my husband’s accident, we found new ways to dance together. Here’s our video of The Git Up Challenge. We hope you enjoy! Continue reading Life as Paraplegic: Dancing The Git Up Dance Challenge

Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood Read Aloud Book by The Italian Grandmama
During the corona virus, with kids being out of school and confined to home, use my read aloud stories to give yourself a 5 minute break! Just sit your children down and start the video! Continue reading Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood Read Aloud Book by The Italian Grandmama
10 Reasons I Love Fall
What do you love about fall? Here’s my top ten reasons! Continue reading 10 Reasons I Love Fall

How do you define your days?
What defines your days? And how do you feel good about yourself at the end of the day? Continue reading How do you define your days?
Caregiving conversations today!
Join us today for a raw, honest talk about caregiving, life with a paraplegic, and my book! I’m sure you’ll hear something new and interesting! Continue reading Caregiving conversations today!