The Nourished Executive

The Nourished Executive Connector | Holistic Nutritionist | Certified Smart Growth Advisor. Helping leaders invest in well-being, prevent burnout and build their community of care.

At The Nourished Executive we share strategies to empower business professionals to manage stress and nourish their wellbeing to move away from burnout. This is a conversation to look at life style changes to make rest a priority and make new choices on how you will harmonize your life, where work is only one part. Our founder, Sharon K. Summerfield, a holistic nutritionist and breath coach, with

an extensive business background. Sharon is available for 1:1s, small group coaching and to speak at lunch and learns, events on different topics such as self care, managing stress, psychological safety, moving beyond burnout, the importance of self-reflection, taking time to pause and scheduling downtime all built on a foundation of nutrition and wellness. We can make different choices on how we spend our time and energy, where asking for help, taking breaks and scheduling downtime is celebrated and encouraged. Founded by Sharon K. Summerfield, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, The Nourished Executive

There is such a gift in taking time to pause.This week had the true joy to start the morning at the lake. Always a gift...
08/14/2026

There is such a gift in taking time to pause.

This week had the true joy to start the morning at the lake. Always a gift to enjoy breakfast and our morning tea (for me) and coffee for husband on the dock.

This also includes throwing the ball or frisby for our four legged girl, Shelby.

What I noticed, is yes she loves to swim. The first good 30 minutes each time a ball is thrown she jumps in the lake. Then she starts to pause. Yes, she still wants to enjoy more "lake" time, but on her terms.

What if we started to create more pause in our day?

Between each e-mail, text, meeting, phone call, paused as it makes sense for us.

There is great strength in learning to pause. Not rush to the next thing.

Then decide is this a true priority for me?

This is also part of how we discover ways to harmonize our lives.

"In creating harmony we find new ways to blend the melodic rhythm in the dance of life"

Like our four legged girl we can choose.

In making these choices, we discover what fills us with energy, and what depletes us.

Curious?

What ways can you create greater pause in your day?

Be kind

Be patient

Be nourished in all you do.

The Nourished Executive

Part 2 of being in Chicago.When the window opened for me to attend the Be The Ultimate Assistant workshop led by BONNIE ...
07/30/2026

Part 2 of being in Chicago.

When the window opened for me to attend the Be The Ultimate Assistant workshop led by BONNIE LOW-KRAMEN and Vickie Sokol Evans, MCT I carefully considered which city was the best for me.

This workshop is held globally and in multiple cities in the US.

For me, this was Chicago.

Several years ago I attended a virtual meeting where Harry Kraemer was talking about his new book "Your 168 - Finding Purpose and Satisfaction in a Values-Based Life."

At this virtual meeting, I met the very talented Carol Fleishman. On our first Zoom call we had so much to share. To connect. And learn from each other.

We continue to be so blessed to connect throughout the years. This truly is one of the gifts of technology.

As we connected leading up to travelling to Chicago, Carol also highlighted so many beautiful places in Chicago.

We began our time in Chicago enjoying the Architecture Tour. My favourite building was St Regis, designed by Jeanne Gang, a female architect. Stunning building. Thank you so much Carol for this wonderful suggestion.

It was such a gift to connect in person with Carol and enjoy dinner together.

Technology has opened so many windows for us to connect. What if we expanded on these relationships and found the ways to connect in person?

My heart continues to smile from our visit to Chicago and spending time with beautiful people.

The Nourished Executive

Part 1 - Attending the Be the Ultimate Assistant Workshop in Chicago.Last week I had the true joy to attend a wonderful ...
07/30/2026

Part 1 - Attending the Be the Ultimate Assistant Workshop in Chicago.

Last week I had the true joy to attend a wonderful workshop for Executive Assistants in Chicago.

This wonderful workshop is led by Bonnie Low-Kramen and Vickie Sokol Evans.

The learning and connecting with others, such a gift.

These three days were rich in learning and connecting through all the information both Bonnie and Vickie and each person in the room shared.

Both Bonnie and Vickie are amazing leaders and teachers. The resources shared were for Executive Assistants, no matter where each person was in their career.

What I loved was the richness of connection over these three days.

The evening of day one we were invited by Ike Saunders to the REACH Networking event. Amazing evening enjoying the gorgeous architecture of Chicago on the 40th Floor.

Day two was Tech Day. At times I get overwhelmed with all the new AI tools. Vickie Sokol Evans, MCT has a beautiful way of breaking this down in digestible pieces and sharing resources from Future Ready Friday's her YouTube channel. https://lnkd.in/gCn4fuJr

Day three was continued learning with Bonnie and Vickie. Those who wanted to share a 2 minute thought and/or learning were invited to do so. This created a beautiful chance to learn from each other.

Spending this time together was rich in connection and learning.
So grateful to have spent this time together.

Even though my days as an Executive Assistant have come to a close, the richness of learning from each other and those who were comfortable sharing their lessons in wisdom was such a gift.

Meeting Bonnie and Vickie was so wonderful.

What I loved was each person was kind and patient, and helped one another feel nourished throughout our time together.

My heart continues to smile.

The Nourished Executive

Sharing our recent newsletter https://mailchi.mp/ff9bd1e97d09/buildingasofterlifeIn this month's newsletter I talk about...
07/10/2026

Sharing our recent newsletter https://mailchi.mp/ff9bd1e97d09/buildingasofterlife

In this month's newsletter I talk about:

Building a Softer Life. One where we consider how often we are thinking and talking about our professional lives, when we are taking downtime. I shared a thought by Stephanie Innes-Berryman from her book Working Well.

I truly loved the conversation with Ignite Your Extraordinary - Rita Ernst, Positivity Influencer and Monique Helstrom on The Story I'm Telling Myself. A beautiful and very real conversation.

Recipe for the month by Keyrsten McEwan to enjoy over the summer.

And, the book for the month Dan Pontefract new book The Future of Work is Grey. Highly recommend this book.

Learning the ways you can slow down to connect with yourself, is a wonderful gift.

If you would like revisit any of the earlier newsletters, visit https://allmylinks.com/sharonksummerfield

Be kind
Be patient
Be nourished in all you do.

Happy Canada Day! Wishing you a restful and relaxing day. This is one of my favourite photos from Tribune Bay, otherwi...
07/01/2026

Happy Canada Day! Wishing you a restful and relaxing day. This is one of my favourite photos from Tribune Bay, otherwise known as BC's Little Hawaii. We truly are blessed to live in Canada.

What if we created more space to take micro-breaks throughout our day?Last weekend was Father's Day.It was wonderful to ...
06/26/2026

What if we created more space to take micro-breaks throughout our day?

Last weekend was Father's Day.
It was wonderful to be with my Dad and family.

This meant on Sunday, we were on ferries for close to 4 hours.

On our way home, we paused.

We sat at the back of the ferry and took in the gorgeous scenery as we returned to Vancouver Island.

We know the importance of pausing. Taking a break.

It is amazing the difference it makes to our overall well-being to take 10 to 15 minutes, to just be.

Not think. Not plan.
This opens a needed window to connect to ourselves.

As you bring your week to a close, how can you incorporate more micro-breaks?

There are so many simple ways we can do this.

Take 10 to 15 minutes.
No planning, no thinking. Just be.

Your body, mind and spirit will thank you.

Be kind
Be patient
Be nourished in all you do.

The Nourished Executive

Always fun to get creative in the kitchen.Today I made my Grain Free Granola. This is a recipe that I also share when so...
06/24/2026

Always fun to get creative in the kitchen.

Today I made my Grain Free Granola. This is a recipe that I also share when someone purchases a copy of Our Favourite Things, my gluten free cookbook. As the Granola was cooling I wanted to try something new. For more on our cookbook check out this Blog - https://www.nourishedexecutive.ca/new-cookbook-our-favourite-things-collection-of-gluten-free-goodies/

I prepared a loaf pan, then added the Granola to a Loaf pan.

Then, I made the Orange Cacao Sauce featured in Our Favourite Things, and poured it over the Granola.

As I always taste when I create in the kitchen, it was so delicious.

Next time I will add more Granola to make the base a little thicker.

Always so much fun to create in the kitchen and not go by the book.

This is a perfect add on to your favourite bowl of ice cream or yogurt. And also rich in magnesium.

Be kind
Be patient
Be nourished in all you do.

The Nourished Executive



What are the ways we can ask for help and also help others?This begins with how we build and invest in relationships.Las...
06/11/2026

What are the ways we can ask for help and also help others?

This begins with how we build and invest in relationships.

Last week my son and I had the true joy to reconnect with some dear friends, Li and Robin.

I first met Li, Robin's Mom, close to 30 years ago.

Our sons were in the same elementary school classroom.

They also went to the same after school program.

And we lived in the same condo building.

Li approached me and asked if I was open to us taking turns in picking our sons up from their after school program. I cannot begin to share the difference this made for both of us as we were looking for those ways to harmonize our personal and professional lives.

One week, I would pick up the boys. The next she would.

If things changed at work, there was an extra person that could help, who was just a phone call away. This created incredible flexibility to both our very busy lives.

This extended to family dinners, with my parents, some sisters and Li's parents and her husband. I learned more about the Asian Food; and Li and Robin learned more about Canadian and English food, such as Roast Beef, Yorkshire pudding or just an old fashion Easter Dinner.

Last week, we were sharing memories and Li commented on one of the desserts I often made, a Chocolate Log. As we were talking my husband shared, and she has one in the freezer. It was such a joy to continue our visit enjoying Green Tea and Chocolate Log in our home with these beautiful friends.

Li's husband was doing research on Organic Chemistry, first in London, then in Saskatoon and finally in California.

We often do not understand or know all the pieces everyone is managing. When Li and Robin moved from Vancouver to California, this was the first time they would be living together as a family in close to 10 years.

For me sharing the pick up and creating space to enjoy meals together and learn about each other's cultures, was such a gift.

These simple things make a big difference.

What are the ways we can offer to help or even ask for help?

I am incredibly grateful for these beautiful friends.

A beautiful way to feel very nourished.

My heart continues to smile.

The Nourished Executive

Sharing our recent newsletter:https://lnkd.in/g7USbu7VIn this newsletter we talk about the importance of honouring our n...
06/07/2026

Sharing our recent newsletter:

https://lnkd.in/g7USbu7V

In this newsletter we talk about the importance of honouring our need for rest. I featured Gail Kraft's thought that she shared on Talk Me Off the Ledge, that Rita Ernst hosted.

The interesting piece we need to find those ways to rest. As we are now in June, part of creating space for rest, is paying attention to how often we are thinking and talking about work, when we are away from work. It is hard to rest when we are continually connected.

Hope you enjoy this month's newsletter.

Be kind
Be patient
Be nourished in all you do.

The Nourished Executive

I recently read Anne Bloom, SHRM-SCP, PQ Coach book "No Going Back - Leadership Without Limits". This book is all about...
06/06/2026

I recently read Anne Bloom, SHRM-SCP, PQ Coach book "No Going Back - Leadership Without Limits". This book is all about change, transformation and innovation. Anne has developed a great roadmap using the ASPIRE Framework for Business Transformation and Growth.

A - Awareness

S - Strategy (or Sustained Success)

P - People

I - Innovation

R - Resilience

E - Ex*****on

Chapter 1 - Awareness - See the Shift
"Everything starts with people"

Chapter 2 - Reading the Signals of Change
This chapter lays how we can identify the need for change in our organizations.

Chapter 3 - S - Strategy - Chart the Course
Rethinking Business Models

I loved how Anne spoke to this:
"Being adaptive to situations that are beyond our control needs to be today's method of conducting business."

Chapter 4 - Leading Through Disruption
I like how Anne shared this:
"It is important that when looking at your full financial situation, you look inwards first and reduce costs from an operational vantage, and then, if necessary, use employee termination as your last resort. "

Chapter 5 - Invest in People, Not Just Profit
This is the P, part of ASPIRE.

Another piece to Chapter 5 is the importance of Multi-Generations in the Workplace.

Chapter 6 - The Human Side of Transformation
Another important and great chapter.

Having been part of a transformation project, I liked how Anne spoke to this:

"Trust, authenticity, and empathy are essential survival skills because they foster stronger relationships, improve communications, and help groups and individuals navigate challenges." And also speaks to Culture.

Chapter 7 - Customers in 2026 and Beyond

I - Innovation - Drive the Future

This chapter highlights how businesses can prepare and begin to anticipate the shifts in customer needs.

Chapter 8 - Building a Culture of Innovation

A key piece to this is Psychological Safety.

In this Chapter Anne has also included an AI Template.

Chapter 9 - The Sustainability Imperative

R - Resilience - Sustain the Success

I loved how Anne talked about the importance of asking questions of our team members, clients, vendors and partners. This offers such great insights.

Chapter 10 - Building Resilient Leaders and Organizations

There has never been a time when agility has been more important.

Conclusion - Choosing Change Everytime

This chapter highlights the ASPIRE Journey, that is a leadership evolution, not a leadership formula.

Highly recommend No Going Back. This is a wonderful read.

Change is our only constant. Considering the ways we can re-think how we work, will help us build teams that are strong, where we lift each other.

Some great partner reads:

The Future of Work is Grey - The Untapped Value of Age in the Workforce by Dan Pontefract

The Four Stages of Psychological Safety - by Timothy R. Clark

Staff Matters, by BONNIE LOW-KRAMEN

Why Are We Here? by Jennifer Moss

To the love of reading.
Be inspired. Stay curious. Keep Learning.

The Nourished Executive

Address

By Appointment Only
Parksville, BC

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Nourished Executive posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category