My name is Laura Denktash.  After many years in the corporate world, I am now a solo-preneur. A couple years back I wrote my first cookbook. Writing is one of my favorite things. Quite honestly, I’m happy to be over 40. And-why not? I still look younger than I am, I have energy to burn, I’m involved in a lot of interesting projects, have fulfilling work, a wonderful home, a family who loves me, and for the first time in a long time, I’m my own boss!

In March of 2009, I was plunged into the ranks of unemployment, having my job of nearly eight years at a large construction company suddenly “eliminated.” A million things go through your mind when your boss pokes his head into your office and says, “Got a minute?” As he led me down the hall to the HR department, I knew instantly what was coming. “Oh please, I thought to myself. Just give me the damned paper, where do I sign?”

I tried to maintain my cool, and I did. I kept my best poker face on, and didn’t make eye contact with the alpha dog. All I could think of was that I would finally have a chance to work full-time on all of the books and projects I had been working at on the side for past three years.

What fun! What a true blessing! I was free!

When you get laid-off from a job you’ve had for a while, you go through a period of re-evaluation. You think about what you’ve done, what you didn’t do, and what you could do-now that you’ve got the time. Getting another job was not on my agenda. This was my golden opportunity to finally find “my voice” and speak-once and for all. My goals and dreams were catapulted to the top of the pile of my “to-dos.” I was determined to make a success of my talents and my higher calling.

I realized that I had spent far too much time working for other people. And sadly, those people were always men who did not see my true value and always tried to keep me down. I am not bitter, but I did lose a lot of precious time. But, I signed up for it, so I have no one to blame. I can learn from my mistakes.

I also realized that a lot of the jobs I had, although they were great jobs in large corporations, had little or nothing to do with me. And, that I may have been let go from my job partly because I was a mature woman. I was viewed as a liability. I have no real proof of this, but the thought lingers in the background. But that issue is not my point.

I had wasted a lot of time trying to fit into places I didn’t fit into, just because I needed a job. I was really bored and miserable, especially at the construction company. But that was also because I was evolving rapidly by then.

So as I continued to review and reflect on my past, I came to understand that I had been most happy when I was working with larger groups of women who were of various ages. Like when I worked as a beauty advisor many years ago, or as a professional dancer, or when I studied herbs for many years at the Dry Creek Herb Farm.

That’s when I felt the most powerful, balanced, and happy. I didn’t make a lot of money, but I was happy. Those thoughts smoldered in my mind for days as I began a new life as an entrepreneur. I vowed never again to put myself in any type of position that did not honor my power as a woman.

I also thought about recent events. I witnessed firsthand when young qualified women entering into the construction industry were treated differently and paid less than their male counterparts, no matter what their experience or education level. I sat in on meetings that discussed salary increases for these young people and I saw the women get shafted time and again.

On average, the women got paid less from the start, continued to get smaller increases, and it took them longer to get promoted to higher positions. That’s the bottom line. These events have led me to a place in my life where I no longer want to stand by as men, women, companies, and the media treat or label women in unfair or unbecoming ways.

And that’s where the cougar woman comes in. Having more of my own time in front of the computer working from home, I began reading more online. I became interested in the cougar woman I kept hearing about. But some of the things I read, seemed to be coming from the same tired “good old boys” space I had just been released from. This disturbed me. So I began thinking of how I could participate in a positive way, a way that would be authentic for me.

Nearly a year since my layoff, I’m now a happy and unemployable entrepreneur. I spend my time blogging, writing books, and helping other authors write, publish, and market their books, mainly cookbooks. Now I’ve created a life that revolves around helping other people by offering education, encouragement, and empowerment. I recently launched a membership organization – the International Association of Cookbook Writers – IACBW. It’s truly wonderful to be working with a stellar group of women again, especially because it’s my creation!

I decided that best way I can support this movement is to write a cookbook that encourages health in women, and also helps younger men who are with more mature women understand the nutritional needs of these beauties. I was impressed with the radiance of these women, and found myself wanting to know how to look more radiant myself. Because to be candid, I think I had begun to lose a little of my luster from being in the wrong environment. I began my research with excitement and anticipation!

All I can say now is, “Wow, carry on ladies!” My new cookbook will be coming from a place of prevention, longevity, and good health, with a focus on the “super foods.” Organic, and locally grown whenever possible.

The older we get the more important it becomes to take good care of our health. This is done in part by practicing sound eating habits, enjoying foods in moderation, paying attention to portion control, exercising, getting regular check-ups and tests, drinking lots of good water, adding some nutritional cleansing, and involving yourself in meaningful relationships and activities that enhance your life, empower you, and bring you joy and happiness. How delicious!

I’ll be releasing my new cookbook devoted to the cougar woman and the men that love and care for them very soon. Check back often for the release date, or if you like, shoot me an email from the contact form and I will notify you when release time rolls around.

I’ve learned so much researching this work, and it’s a very exciting project for me! I can’t wait to share it with you. So, if you are a cougar woman, I applaud you. And if you’re a man who has the privilege to love one of these women, I applaud you also. There will be no labels or judgment here. Only love, support, and good recipes!

To your health and eternal happiness,

Laura