Heidi Reinhardt - Artist, Baker, Creative Maker

03/31/2020

A fresh start isn’t a new place, it’s a new mindset...

In my case, it’s both. Happy 1st day of the (photo taken after wearing a mask all day and walking over 9000 steps learning the new facility and meeting some of the residents - bonus, a real smile)

03/28/2020

“And suddenly you know ... it’s time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings”

9 years ago Barn Hill gave me my life back.. teaching me how to wash, dress, walk and breathe again...

6 1/2 years ago Barn Hill took a chance on me and gave my life a new direction.. CNA, Payroll and Scheduling Manager, Admissions Coordinator...

Today I said a bittersweet goodbye to Barn Hill.

Ironically the day I told my boss that I was leaving was the 9 year anniversary of my being admitted there as a patient.

Life comes full circle in more ways than we can imagine. Monday I embark on my next adventure and I feel like I’m going home in more ways than one.

I’ve taken a position as Director of Admissions at an incredible “continuing care retirement community” that offers independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled rehab... located in West Caldwell. Family and some old friends are smiling right now because that is where we grew up, and some of you still live in the area today (don’t think I won’t possibly be hitting you up next winter for a place to crash if the roads are bad 😉)

I have mostly kept quiet about this change and new opportunity because with everything else going on in the world right now, it seemed small in comparison. Due to lockdown at work and social distancing in general I wasn’t able to say a proper goodbye to many.

Thank you to everyone I’ve worked with these past years - some of you even took care of me when I was your patient. For that, words will never be enough. I will always believe that Barn Hill puts our patients first in providing care.. stay strong, stay safe and keep taking care of each other.

World.... I’m ready for my next act.

03/13/2020

9 years ago today, I was discharged from the hospital after spending 30 days there.

Something that overshadows my recovery is the level of anxiety I had. Not many people know that I had frequent, full-blown panic attacks - multiple per day. Medication didn’t touch them. Feeling like I still couldn’t breathe and overstimulation throughout the day were major contributors. But what I’ve never shared is that the news media played a large role as well.

9 years ago right after I was brought out of sedation, Japan suffered a horrible earthquake and then tsunami. The devastation was all that was broadcast on every news channel .. over and over. Unfortunately it is the habit of hospital staff to turn on a tv in a patient’s room for background noise and usually they will put on a news channel. Even once I was able to change the channel many shows were interrupted with news updates.

Imagine already feeling panicked because you are struggling to breathe through a tube and then watching buildings crashing down and waves of ocean washing over entire cities... people just being swallowed up.

Now we are experiencing an overwhelming amount of reactive media - on the news, online, on social media. I’m seeing that most people are functioning at either end of the extreme. Either they don’t think there is anything to be concerned about and are actually annoyed that sporting events are canceled and schools are closed or they are preparing for the zombie apocalypse 🧟‍♀️

As someone who works in healthcare, we are being given updates daily and the guidelines and recommendations are changing fluidly. We are trying to keep our patients and staff safe while caring for those who are already sick.

I am not looking for a debate (comments will be off) but I want to say, please don’t add to the already escalating fear. Please be smart and follow recommendations. Wash your hands. Work from home if you are able. Avoid large crowds. Stay informed from reputable sources - not twitter or Facebook discussions.

We will get through this but it’s going to take all of us doing our part.

03/05/2020

For years I would see this amazing woman come to the facility where I work. She always had a smile to share, seemed happy, and kind. She was beautiful inside and out. She cared for her patients and I'd think to myself, man, she's got her s**t together... if I could be like anyone, it would be like her. Yet, we didn't really know each other nor did we talk much, except to say hello in passing. Then one day we connected on social media and soon after, I saw her amazing transformation post, in which she shared her story. Turns out, she wasn't Wonder Woman, but rather an incredible person, just putting in the work to take care of herself. Her story inspired me. I took a chance and one day just walked up to her to tell her that she not only looked amazing but that I wanted to start working on myself - I needed to make a change and it wasn't going to happen by sitting on my ass. I stepped out of my comfort zone and asked if she would help me.

Once I got to know her, I found out... she is the down to earth, real deal. Everyday she encourages and inspires me. It's been a year and a half since I have been working with her as my coach, and while it certainly hasn't been easy, and I've had more than a few struggles, she has been my constant every step of the way.

This journey isn't about sales. It's about helping people be the best version of themselves. I am blessed to be part of an incredible team that pushes each other on the good days, but also reaches out a hand to hold each other up on the bad days.

I am beyond grateful to have Angela in my life... as my coach, mentor, sounding board, friend and I'm excited to see where this road takes me.

If you're looking to make a change.. take that first step... join this amazing team - send me a message. It's not all rainbows and unicorns, but neither is life. If you really want something, you find a way, otherwise, you will keep making excuses. How bad do you want this?

**swipe to see Angela's post that started it all

02/27/2020

Today's superfood shake was more like a delicious treat than something actually healthy 😳

Ingredients:
1 scoop vanilla whey Shakeology
1 C Pineapple (fresh chunks that I put in the freezer overnight)
2 Tbsp Shredded Coconut (unsweetened) - toasted
8oz Almond/ Cashew Milk

Throw it all in your blender and save just a pinch of the toasted coconut to top it off... soooo good (add some ice to make it thicker) 😋

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 0 mins
Total Time 10 mins

Container Equivalents
1 Purple 💜
1 Red ❤️
1 Orange 🧡
1 Tsp (replacement - Almond Milk) 🤍

Use this recipe as part of breakfast or for a mid-morning snack!

12/31/2019

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s learning how to dance in the rain.”
☔️
I always enjoy sharing my with others and these kids are no exception. They each picked their own “cookie” that they wanted to make. Followed the recipe with a few tips and tricks thrown in for good measure and ended up with some truly fabulous . The day’s highlight ... . If done correctly meringues are slightly crisp and melt in your mouth. The girls were so thrilled that they actually came out as expected that I believe we’re working on a “meringue bake-off competition” for next year.
🥄
With meringue it’s all about patience....

Meringue Basic Recipe:

3 large egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 C granulated sugar
Food coloring
🥄
Heat oven to 215 degrees F
Add egg whites to mixing bowl and start mixer
**note this is 💯 times easier with a stand mixer but if you don’t have one, a hand mixer will work just as well.

As the eggs start to foam you’ll see bubbles around the edges, add the cream of tartar and vanilla extract.

Begin slowly.... slowly adding the sugar. The mixture will eventually turn white and thicken. Keep slowly adding the sugar.

Once soft peaks begin to form, add the remaining sugar. Keep mixing until stiff peaks form. You’ll know that you have stiff peaks when you remove the mixer attachment from the bowl and the meringue “stands up”. (See photo 2)

Add in food coloring and mix until blended.
Spoon mixture into piping bag and pipe out meringues onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake at 215 degrees for 60-75 minutes. If you’re making traditional “kiss” or tree shaped meringues then 60 minutes is enough. If you’re making larger flower/ rose shaped meringues bake them a bit longer - closer to 75 min.

Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Tips and tricks:

For our Christmas meringues, we used 1/4 tsp of peppermint extract instead of the vanilla. We also added in extra mini chocolate chips when we added the food coloring. These are small enough to fit through the piping tip. 🎄

Don’t double the recipe unless you want a volcano of meringue.

When in doubt, keep mixing.

08/31/2019

Who loves simple, meals? 🙋🏼‍♀️ My amazing team is running a FREE group. Let me know and I’ll send you the link!

11/13/2016

Today we celebrate World Kindness Day! Helping others can restore a sense of humanity and give you that warm fuzzy feeling inside as well! Registering as an organ and tissue donor at www.NJSharingNetwork.org/Register is one of the kindest things you can do! What have you done today to celebrate?

10/27/2015

Elizabeth Gilbert takes us on a curious flight explaining why sometimes not having a passion can lead to an even more fulfilling life.

10/15/2015

You could save someone's life, just like my brother Robert W Reinhardt III 's was was saved - sign up to be an organ and tissue donor. His donor is a true HERO.

Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.
- F. Scott Fitzgerald

Sign up today to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at www.donatelife.net.
Give hope. Save lives.

10/07/2015

Signed up for ’s FREE class Just F*cking Journal, cuz who can pass up a class with a name like that?http://bit.ly/1E29DFk

02/28/2015

Check it: Danielle LaPorte is giving MAJOR bonus goods to Marie Forleo B-School-ers.

Marie Forleo's B-School 2015 + My Biggest B-School Bonus EVER = a match made in entrepreneurial heaven. Oh, and there's a social media contest with prizes.