Auntie Rocks!!!

Okay, well after learning about all the great free stuff they offer at Whole Foods, I decided to borrow April's 6 year old and take him to the Kids and Seafood night. I figured, okay, I can learn to make some fish and get my dinner on! Boy, was I wrong!

I'm pretty sure that I said William's name at least 100 times [let me clarify before April get's to bloggin' about me talking about her baby!] He was very good, he's just 6 and very busy, all the kids were. I just couldn't understand, didn't these kids realize that I was trying to learn something and get free dinner! BE QUIET!!!

While attempting to batter and coat my own fish stick, William says, "Auntie Dawn I have to go to the bathroom"; "Auntie Dawn I'm thirsty"; "Auntie Dawn can you tie my shoe?"; "Auntie Dawn can we go somewhere after this?"; "Auntie Dawn I got fish on my shirt"; "Auntie Dawn I want shrimp", Auntie Dawn, Auntie Dawn, Auntie Dawn! All I could think was, "wow, I am sooo changing my name! Thank GOD I didn't bring the little one!"

Needless to say I still have no idea how to make fishsticks and I left quite hungry! I do know how much it means to April when we come by and take the kids out for a while, Moms need a break. Of course, the best thing about being Auntie is you get to bring them back home!

p.s. I'll be borrowing him again on March 14 for cupcake making night! Aunties gotta do what Aunties gotta do - I might bring the little one, he can't say my name too good yet! LOL!

Adventures Are Waiting... In A Book!!

Greetings People!

I must leave the culinary world for one moment to enter the literary one. I heard an interesting statement this week that said most adults have not read a book in over a year... are they kidding?! That is too impossible for me to believe. Reading is one of my favorite pastimes. My Pooka sister April shares this passion and proclaims herself the world's best reader!! I hope to one day take her title!! Nothing is better than the imagination. The book beats the movie every time!!

I have to thank Helen and Howard for instilling in us Pookalitas, my brother Douglas too!, how important education, learning and reading are. I have such fond memories as a child of my Mom taking us to the library!! We each had a card and were so excited for adventures we were going to have through the books we read. There is nothing like opening that first page and reading the first line of a book. Does anybody know what I am taking about?!!

I would like to share some of my favorites. I have a lot but these come to mind first: Nelson DeMille - Charm School, Jill Nelson - Volunteer Slavery (loved that!!), Jamaica Kincaid - Annie John, Ralph Ellison - Invisible Man, Toni Morrison - Beloved -OH MY GOD- either you got that or you didn't, anything by James Patterson or Dean Koontz is also an entertaining read. Sometimes I have my romance phase and other times my, I-have-been-out-of-school-and-need-to-learn-something phase.

I am currently reading Suze Orman, Woman & Money. EVERY woman must read this book. It's about having financial security not just for yourself but your family as well. If you open an Ameritrade account by 3/31/08 you will receive $100 at the end of the term because you read the book. Talk about active learning!! I have just given some of you your birthday present!!

Anyway, my point is to make reading a part of your being. You can even enjoy a delicious snack while you read!!!

Food and Fun!

My kids really don't like to go food shopping (or really any other kind of shopping) when we go to the mall even the little one will start to holler and pull away if we go into a woman's clothing store!

The one place that they are always ready to shop at is Whole Foods. Why you might ask ? Well besides lots of little tables of food laying around for them to eat off of, the people that work there are really friendly. William is not afraid to ask for and receive a couple of pieces of shrimp (his favorite) every time we go. They also have awesome classes for adults and kids, and the majority of them are free! Kids can decorate cookies, make fish sticks, meet local heros (Yeah Pooka!) etc. Adults can learn how to eat healthier ,learn how to apply makeup properly and test team members favorite foods. You want it, you got it! They also love new ideas!

Check out their website at http://www.wholefoods.com/ The classes and special events section, there is something for everyone!

Peace and blessings,

April

Well my husband is at it again! Sometimes I welcome the information he passes on to me during his reading and research via the web, newspapers, magazines and television; then other times, I'd prefer not to be informed!

This time he read an article on NYTimes.com about sushi and the effects it may have on woman regarding childbearing. Well I'll let you ladies in on a little secret..I am addicted to sushi! I eat sushi approximately 3 times a week. Sushi is the only food that I consume whereas after I've eaten it, I have no guilt! It's healthy, it's fresh (at least the restaurants I patronize), it's filling, and it tastes good! I love Sushi!

There's a sushi restaurant down here in North Carolina (where I am currently working Monday thru Thursday on my job where I'm still working for the "Man") that is fabulous! Everybody knows everybody by name i.e. the customers know the sushi chefs by name, the sushi chefs know the customers by name. It's like going to Cheers!

Nevertheless, it gives my husband pause that I am eating so much sushi. I told him that it's not all sushi that has high mercury levels (as stated in the article to be cautionary with regards to your intake) and it's not just sushi. It's also the cooked fish dishes i.e. Chilean Sea Bass, Salmon, Tuna. In spite of my plea, he still worries that my addiction may affect our ability to have healthy kids. Well, my response to him was, "I can forego having kids if I can continue to eat sushi." :)

Happy Valentines Day!!

I have to say that every year my favorite Valentines' is my Dad! He is faithful, every year with a card and some candies! It's been a little harder since I've gotten older because now he has to find me gluten free, sugar free, wheat free, dairy free candy!!LOL!! But every year he still delivers! So many of you hear about my mom and the Pookalita story! But I can't forget my dad, my favorite Valentine!

Even if there is no significant other in your life (I'm still waiting for Will Smith to call or Lamman Rucker from "Why Did I Get Married?") I'm sure there is someone special to you, use this day to let them know how much they mean to you!

Happy Valentines Day Dad!!!

Organic Is Not A Bad Word

Hey everyone, me again!

Since I started my healthy living journey I’ve been trying to eat “organic”. I know many of you just rolled your eyes. :) I see you. When some of you come by our warehouse in New Jersey and I offer organic turkey or organic cookies or soy milk you look at me like I’m crazy [I am, but that’s not the point]. I think the problem “organic” has is marketing… somehow it doesn’t sound tasty or good for you but, it’s the exact opposite! I’m going to start my own “Go Organic” campaign to help!

Organic means the food has no pesticides or chemicals added… that’s it [See! Good for you!] It’s not food made in a test tube or cloned or some other man-made thing! So, if you drink organic milk it just means the cow was allowed to graze on grass that had not been treated with pesticides and that the cow hadn't been given steroids or hormones [not good for athletes or Elsie!] The cow was allowed to eat and grow naturally, which means that any milk or beef that you get is chemical free and better for you! Organic cookies… all of the good stuff minus the chemicals!

So… I think we all want to be a bit healthier and the next time I offer you something organic, EAT IT!!!! LOL!! It will probably taste better and be better for you. Now, on the other hand, if you declined my organic recipes because I'm just not the best cook yet then forget this whole post, hahahahah!

Speaking of organic, if you are local please come by the West Orange Whole Foods for our demonstration today. We are making soaks and they are free! [you know we like free!] Our session is from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. You can go to http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/calendars/WOP.html for the address and contact info. If you are planning to come by please call Whole Foods and reserve a space [we have to show them we can bring people out so they will have us back!]

Peace & Blessings,

Dawn

Quickie Recipe!

OK Foodies, here is one of my go to, quick, weeknight recipes... Fish Packets. Dawn loves my fish packets almost as much as her birthday!!

Take a piece of foil large enough to fold over and add the following:

* Piece of firm fish like tilapia (one of my favs!) you could also use a flounder filet if you like (I usually do wild caught not farm raised).

*Season with salt, a little pepper, a little onion powder, fresh basil or parsley.

*Cut tomato and yellow squash or zucchini into small pieces and put on top of fish. (You can add a little seasoning on top of the veggies)

*Top with a little olive oil and add a little water (or white wine if you are being fancy) so there is liquid in the bottom of the foil.

*Wrap packets very tight and place them on a cookie sheet and pop in oven at 375.

That's it! Fish and veggies cook in about 15-20 minutes tops. Make a salad and call it a healthy dinner. This meal allows you to eat dessert guilt free!

Peace & Blessings,

Donna

MOM: Moving Over Mountains

Recently Wes (the baby) was sick, he was even admitted to the hospital (he's fine now, thank you God!) It made me think about the times when I was little and I got sick, no matter how my mother felt, how hard her day was, even if she herself was sick, she still took care of me. I don't think anyone realizes how much they are loved by their parents until they become parents themselves. Thanks Mom for all you do.........

Peace & Blessings,

April

Rise and Shine!

Hey Everybody,

Well it's super Tuesday, Giants won and......time to vote! I got up very early and hit the polls, (even before I tracked down the UPS man!!) I'm very excited I know this is a time for change and I am soooo ready. Just to let you know I voted for (oops my keyboard must have slipped, LOL)

Today I had to get to Pooka early I'm working on some new recipes, the entire warehouse smells like chocolate because I've been making chocolate milk soaks for those of you who are planning to have a little valentines fun. I've started dabbling in some new scents so stay posted I may have some ideas to run by you.

To all of you who filled out our survey THANKS! It's really going to help. I am even thankful for the people who told me to return calls quicker! (I'm working on it)

Well have a good Tuesday and don't forget to vote! Oh whatever, If Oprah and the Kennedys can endorse so can I, GO Barack!

We're Going To Be At Whole Foods

Hi Everybody!

The blessings keep coming. I have been invited to give a quick class at one of the local Whole Foods locations. They call us local heroes [don’t you just love that]. I will give a brief talk on the background of Pooka and then I will give a lesson on creating a bath-friendly soak… so you get more free stuff!! [you know how we like free]

If you are local come on by and introduce yourself. I will be in the West Orange store [235 Prospect Ave., West Orange, NJ 07052, 973.669.3196] on Monday, February 11 from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Whole Foods gives us love but we can always use more… if the Whole Foods near you doesn’t carry Pooka please ask for it. We’re in 15 stores but they have 180 so we still have our work cut out for us.