4th Trimester Bodies

Pregnancy is without a doubt life-changing and body-changing…  No pregnancy is the same (learning this time around for sure!).

Women constantly have this pressure to be super skinny and "perfect".  The media obsesses over people like the Kardashians and Beyonce, their waists, their behinds... their everything!  Not to mention Beyonce's latest Grammy performance was a little too....   (You'll see if you google it).  One article I read said she was so proud of her post-baby body and her sensuality… she wanted to...

Anyway...

My friend Hillary and I went to college together.   We were in the African American Chorale Ensemble together under the direction of Dr. James E. Mumford and we were just good friends.  She helped me organize my big HIV/AIDS Benefit Concert I had in 2006, and she is an amazing woman , which is something I'll say about the women in my life (why else would they be there…)  Hillary recently became a doula!  Not to mention she has an amazing singing voice!

Plus! She had a baby over the summer!

I could go on… but I think you get the picture!

Hillary recently participated in the 4th Trimester Bodies Project.   That's her with son Holden above!

The project is about embracing your post-baby body.  The good news is that they are going to be setting up shop in New York between March 27-30th.

Read about Hillary here!

What are your post-baby body stories? Are you happy?  Wanting a change?  Breastfeeding?  Not Breastfeeding?  How do you let your body define or not define who you are?

Super Bowl Sunday - Corned Beef and Cabbage

Growing up, a tradition in our family on Super Bowl Sunday was to have Corned Beef and Cabbage from Mr. Fofo's in Detroit.  

To clarify, the Corned Beef was from Mr. Fofo's (which is sadly closed), and my mom prepared the entire dish in a crock pot.

We weren't necessarily a sports family, we watched the game, attempting to follow along and enjoying the half-time show.

I've never attempted to make it, but just the thought of it with yellow mustard makes my mouth water!  I think a trip to Katz's Deli is in my future!

I found his recipe in my search for a photo... This is the most beautiful presentation of Corned Beef and Cabbage I have ever seen (no offense, Mom!)

This Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe is from Elise Bauer

What are your family traditions?

Impromptu Dinner... and Dessert!

Thursday was crazy and I didn't post a thing (but I have a good excuse), - so you got 2 yesterday and 2 today... (maybe 2 a day now always... We'll see)! 

Lucky you!  Lol

Thursday, upon the request of a dear friend to cook a surprise birthday dinner and dessert for her neighbor and close friend, (a woman I also know and love), my daughter and I quickly got ready and met her at Whole Foods! (I told you I had a good excuse).

It was so fun!

We bought what she didn't have, and I commenced cooking almost immediately upon entering her apartment.  It turned out that the neighbor and her family were going to dinner, so we just did dessert as her surprise, instructing her husband not to order dessert at the restaurant.

The kids still needed to eat (3 under 4), so I made dinner for everyone and dessert.  My husband joined after work with the wine… French… (he's French).

I'd never tried a chocolate cobbler, but boy oh boy, was I happy I did!  

It was quick and easy!  Prepped in about 15 minutes and in the oven for only 30 minutes.

It was so hot that the candles were melting when we put them in!  We served it warm with multiple ice cream choices!  DELICIOUS!!!

My go-to recipe site is allrecipes.com… but I always love others… What are yours?

I've pasted the recipe below!

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons butter 
• 
  1 cup self-rising flour 
• 
  3/4 cup white sugar 
• 
  1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 
• 
  1/2 cup milk 

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I used almond extract)
• 
  1 cup white sugar 
• 
  1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 
• 
  1 1/2 cups boiling water 

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Melt butter in an 8x8 inch baking dish while the oven preheats.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, 3/4 cup sugar, and 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa. Stir in milk and vanilla until smooth. Spoon this batter over the melted butter in the baking dish.
3. Stir together the remaining cup of sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa powder. Sprinkle over the batter. Slowly pour boiling water over the top of the mixture.
4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until set. Serve slightly warm with ice cream.

Have you every cooked an impromptu meal for more than just your family?  What did you make?  Share the recipes!

Do you have any quick desserts?

Happy Weekend baking... And for those of you us in the U.S.  Happy Super Bowl weekend!  This Ooey gooey chocolatey goodness will be a hit at any party!

What is your MOM SALARY?

After all the talk yesterday about wages for women and working rights for mothers in President Obama's State of the Union Address, I thought it was only fitting for the Mothers out there to find out their mom salary.

Whether a Stay at Home Mom or a Working Mother, what is your job worth in dollars (we know what's it's worth to your children)?

No employer could of course give you the same kind of satisfaction that our children do, but it is fun to see all the things a mother (or father) does and what the salary would be!

Check it out Here and share your salaries below!

Who has a right to the American Dream?

There is much talk during this current series of Downton Abbey of going to America to build a better life.  Tom mentions it, thinking he will feel less like an outsider in a country full of people starting over and Daisy even has the chance, but chooses not to.  America is described as a place where dreams are made and where one can start over, with or even without the right resources.

America provides a clean slate.

That dream however, seems to be a true dream for some and much less of a reality for others.  We are a country that in our inception was built by enslaved peoples and run by immigrants.  I say this, not to be funny or shocking.  It is just a fact.  I am not here to debate that.  But how hard has the dream of the new world been for some to achieve, and how easy for others?

Many times our dreams are pushed to the side due to everyday responsibilities.  My dream for example, of being a playwright - not impossible, but not something that happens everyday.  In my opinion, there are many things I did not sacrifice before getting married and having a baby that would have made it a little easier for me now.  I worked a lot, trying to make ends meet instead of working less, living with roommates longer and writing more.  I was under the impression I would be able to do it all… at any stage of my life.

With student loans aggressively seeking repayment, I find myself a young black woman with 2 Masters degrees, lots of debt, a husband, daughter and baby on the way (and in that order).  

Ideally, as a playwright, large grants, fellowships, residencies and commissions allow for a certain type of life.  Those are what you apply for in order to write more and worry about making ends meet a little less.  Theatre is all about creating; creation takes time and lots of thought.  Teaching is also something that if you are fortunate to do so, will supply another stable lifestyle as a playwright.  But what about writing time?  When does one do that if they are constantly teaching?  That's why the grants and fellowships are such precious gifts.

I had a wonderful job, in the theatre, but not as a playwright.  It's just not part of this field.  One doesn't exactly "get a job as a playwright" or "get a job as a director".  I should know - I chose it.  I knew what I was getting into, but when it actually happens and you are not as successful or exactly where you thought you might be.  It's… humbling to say the least.  Trust me, I have re-thought my career choice multiple times, why didn't I stick with Science and become a Doctor… or why didn't I stick with Psychology?  Drama Therapy is a nice career that would have allowed me to stay in the theatre.

Coulda Woulda Shoulda...

I, like many Americans currently considered Middle Class, came from hard-working families that could be considered part of the American Dream, at least in our childhood.  I'd traveled a great deal before I even went to Kindergarten.  My parents worked hard, but working hard these days seems to be a continuing uphill battle.

Now we work hard and play Russian roulette to make the simplest of needs met.  It's pretty outrageous when I think about it, but it's real life.  Not a Fairytale and definitely NOT a dream.

This article in the daily beast was more real to me than ever before.  Low to middle income families are struggling beyond what many can fathom.  Parents tag team, one working during the day and another at night to keep food on the table and childcare costs down if at all.  These parents, as stated in the article, are one sick-day away from termination.  Having worked at the Gap during High School, College and both of my masters, I know what it is to fear clocking-in more than a minute past the cut-off where you are considered tardy and subject to some sort of action by someone you might consider your equal.  The rules are obeyed because everyone at every level has a job they are trying to keep and children or a family to take care of.

Many of the parents in the article worked harder than many can imagine - they go to great lengths to keep things running in their household and I couldn't help but think what were their dreams?  Are they still dreaming?  Have they lost hope that their life will ever be more than clocking in, asking for breaks and clocking out again?  

After reading, it made me think that the dreams of the Middle Class don't matter… if they do, then they have certainly been forgotten.

No one decides that they want to struggle to make ends meet and not give their children the life they deserve.  No one wakes up and decides that.  These men and women are working hard and it seems like hard is not enough, wage wise.

It's not the same as it once was, which means Tom Branson would likely not decide to leave the comforts of the Crawley estate.

I look forward to tonight's State of the Union Address.  I'm not sure what President Obama can do with so much opposition, though.  It is so unfortunate that the people that lose in this system are truly the voters, and especially the middle class.  

I want to hear from you - where are you at in your life?  Striving to reach a dream?  Living a dream?  If you've reached your dream or success as you define it, how did you get there?

A Tale of Two Cities... Detroit, New York and [insert city here]...

My apologies for not posting yesterday, it is my goal to post daily on here, but that means that today I'll post twice!

Yesterday I saw a tweet from Detroit-native and current New Yorker, playwright, Domonique Morriseau.   It was about gentriification in the city and specifically, about rising rents downtown.  Naturally, being from the city that filed for bankruptcy, I was interested and share this article from The Detroit Free Press. 

Are you a Detroiter?  What do you think about the "Tale of 2 Cities" that was mentioned in the article?

It immediately made me think of what is happening here in New York.  In fact, our new mayor, Bill de Blasio, ran his campaign with the theme "A Tale of 2 Cities", targeting income equality in the city (a very real thing).

Growing up near downtown Detroit, it is nice to see the area thriving, but in no way do I wish for the artists and people who have lived in that area pushed out.  New Yorkers deal with a changing city daily.  Gentrification is part of our way of life.  It is nice for our neighborhoods to benefit, but can't there be a way for those that have lived there to benefit as well.  In Detroit's case, while the downtown seems to be thriving, if one goes a little further North, the story will change.  Detroit is a very large city, so how can the success of downtown translate to other areas, WITHOUT disturbing its residents...?

So whether you're from Detroit, New York or other city in the a similar "2 Cities" Situation, I want to hear about it below!

An Olga and a Coney

Ok people, let's get serious.  Pregnant women have their cravings.  I have certainly had mine this time around.  I jest that I must be carrying a linebacker because my daughter certainly did not produce the type of serious food cravings that my body feels it must have this time around.

I have quenched most of my very unhealthy cravings with healthier options based on the assumption that my body is craving something it is lacking… so I've used some different oils (grapeseed oil, coconut oil…) in my cooking and made some wonderful things from Latham Thomas' book Mama Glow: a Hip Guide to your Fabulous Abundant Pregnancy.  

But… I think there are two cravings I might just have to give-in to or at least find some healthier substitutions.  Although, because these cravings have such feelings of nostalgia, that might be hard to do.

If you don't already know, I'm from Detroit… home to the many things... Including... The Olga and the Coney Dog.

An Olga:

Olga's Kitchen is a mediterranean fusion restaurant chain in Michigan and a few other states, but not in New York :(   For those of you who have not tasted the goodness of the original olga,  I can best describe it as a gyro.  That is the only equivalent that I have been able to find here in the city. BUT an olga is NOT a gyro… it is similar in how it appears….maybe, but Olga Bread is something very special and I find an Olga less greasy than what we New Yorkers find on many of our street corners.

An original Olga with an Orange Cream Cooler on Old Woodward in Birmingham bring back some pretty fantastic memories.

So if anyone knows of a way to get an Olga to New York… please… I'm here… ready and waiting.
Not that I'm desperate or begging or anything….

Next on my list…

A Coney Dog / A Coney Island:

I can just see my raw and vegan friends shaking their heads now.  I'm actually embarrassed to admit this.  Again, the nostalgia of anything "Coney" involves Leo's Coney Island, also on Old Woodward in Birmingham…. There is absolutely NOTHING healthy, green, vegan, raw, vegetarian or nutritious about a Coney Dog.  But alas, something inside of me really wants one…. at least that's what I keep telling myself...

I think I can find something similar at Sonic Dogs, here in the city or Gray's Papaya…  I don't even know.  I'll have to investigate.  I've never been to either of those places and I think I've eaten one hot dog in my 7 years in this city.  So, I'm definitely NOT the expert.

But… if someone can lead me to a vegan / healthier version… there HAS TO BE someone in this city able to create that masterpiece…  or at least send me a recipe…  I'll try anything once!  :)


I found this recipe in my google search for olga's... Olga-style Snacker Recipe

… and this recipe from Rachel Ray in my google search for Coney Dogs… 

But to be honest, making something you're craving when it's this specific is not at easy as it sounds…

oh gee…

Apple, Pear and Cranberry Crisp

I have a few posts I have been working in this week, but in the meantime, here's a healthy dessert for your weekend!  

When I make a fruit crisp, I often use this recipe from allrecipes.com .   I found it one day over a year ago when I didn't have enough apples for an apple crisp but I had pears.

You can virtually do whatever you want with this.  I've used raisins instead of dried cranberries and I actually usually use raw cranberries that I cook down, so I use that juice too.  The natural cranberry juice and the lime juice make a nice semi-tart fruit base that combined with the semi-buttery and sweet crumbly crust is delicious!

I have a few other substitutions: whole wheat flour is I use in all my baking instead of white flour and lime juice instead of lemon juice, because we usually have this instead of lemon. 

This time around, I sprinkled ground cinnamon on the apples and nutmeg on the pears that sat in lime juice before mixing everything together in the prepared dish.  However, my little almost two-year old helper was a little over zealous with the cinnamon and the taste was a bit much for my husband.  So go a little easy if it's not to your liking.

Here's the recipe (substitutions in bold):

• 2 Rome Beauty apples - peeled, cored, and cubed  / I used 1 Golden Delicious and 1/2 of a HoneyCrisp
• 
  2 Comice pears - peeled, cored, and cubed  / I used 2 BOSC Pears
• 
  1/2 cup dried cranberries / I used fresh cranberries that I boiled in some water.
• 
  1 tablespoon all-purpose flour /  Whole Wheat Flour
• 
  2 tablespoons honey 
• 
  1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice 
• 
  1/2 cup all-purpose flour / Whole Wheat Flour
• 
  1/2 cup packed brown sugar 
• 
  1/2 cup quick cooking oats 
• 
  1/4 cup ground walnuts / I DID NOT use Walnuts ... Didn't have any
• 
  1/2 cup butter . / I used Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks 

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8 inch baking dish.
• Mix the apples, pears, cranberries, 1 tablespoon flour, honey, and lemon juice in the prepared dish.
• In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup flour, brown sugar, oats, walnuts, and butter to the consistency of coarse crumbs. Sprinkle loosely over the fruit mixture.
• Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until brown and crisp on top.
• 
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

Let me know if you liked it, what substitutions did you use?  Do you have a favorite fruit crisp recipe?  Share it!  I'd love to try it! :)

Happy Weekend Baking!

Arctic Freeze... No problem

I've been sick and literally in my house for 8 days.  The last time I was out, my daughter and I went grocery shopping... I know... Exciting... But when you're pregnant with a toddler and your main source of transportation is public transit, stairs and strollers can be a major turn-off.

I've been home with our daughter since she was born.  A choice I made.  I have learned a lot and value the time we have had.  I was hoping to work from home, which is not as easy as it sounds.  Like many women, I had this image of me sitting comfortably in my office while my baby, quietly sat in her highchair and played or read a book, occupying herself until I was finished.  Completely logical... Right... 

Having worked since I was 17, I was somewhat taken by surprise when my income was severely lacking.  It was very strange, and in another post, I will talk about all the things I attempted to do to make a living while home with a baby.  It's pretty funny...

But as usual, I digress... I have been home for 8 days, sick and am now finally feeling better (infecting our daughter and my husband on the road to recovery) and today I was out doing the grocery shopping.

I was so excited.  

Of course, my husband put up a fight.  But he's not feeling well because of me and the below freezing temperatures we are experiencing.  PLUS, I thoroughly enjoy it (I'm from Michigan, and laugh in the face of the cold!...).   In all seriousness, he knew I wanted to go... So go I did...

My husband often wonders what my fascination is with being out of the house.  I think for me, it is because I love human interaction. (Some might say adult interaction, but doesn't matter to me).  I crave it.  I met him in a cafe for goodness sakes.... I am very much a people person.  Shy on one side, but lively on the other.  I'm a playwright... a creator of character, which for me often happens based on my surroundings and my observations of the world around me.  

Not that I'm going to find much human interaction on the empty snow-filled, yet sunny streets of New York.

The bright sun is pretty misleading.... It was colder than you know what...

My excursion was not at all disappointing - I made it home going to and from Whole Foods on the train.  I figured Trader Joe's was a little too ambitious for my condition and the weather without my wasting money on cab fare.  

I ended up taking a green taxi once back in Harlem a couple blocks, mainly because of the spilled soup I discovered when the train car began smelling like Lobster Chowder.  I could only imagine a stream of warm orange-colored soup littering the snowy white streets on my walk home... :/

All in all, the day was peaceful out in the city that never stops moving, but I was of course happy to come home to a warm apartment and smiling toddler to help me with the bags! ;)

Have you ever been stuck someplace and you just had to get out?...

3rd Time's the Charm!

This is the 3rd time I have attempted blogging and I think this time it will stick!  I'm much more determined and now that I'm half-way through 30, I might as well…

I've moved the contents of my old blog here.  Sometimes you just need a fresh start!

2013 was a Learning Curve year… Needless to say, although I turned 30 halfway through the year, it wasn't the fireworks explosion of success I was expecting… Like I said, it was a Learning Curve year.

Looking forward to sharing with you here.

:)

Record-Breaking Lows Call for Cookies!

What does one do when it´s nearly 0 degrees outside ... Why, bake cookies of course! And not just any cookies... Flour-less, sugarless, peanut butter, white chocolate chip cookies!



I got the recipe from a wonderful blog, A Cup of Jo, she got it from Monique at Ambitious Kitchen.

I've pasted the recipe as Monique described it below. I used almond extract instead of vanilla and white chocolate chunks because that is what I had. Besides that, I followed all of her directions.

THEY ARE DELICIOUS!!
Who needs sugar when you have white chocolate chips and honey!

Delicious and I am sure they will be gone by Thursday if not before!

ENJOY!

_____

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies
By Monique Volz of Ambitious Kitchen

There’s something incredibly special about a classic, crunchy peanut butter cookie. It reminds me of cold winter evenings spent baking with my family. Over the years, though, I’ve really grown to love chewy and soft cookies—you know, the ones with crispy edges and a warm, gooey middle. They’re the best of both worlds.

Because my blog focuses on unique, better-for-you treats, I wanted to challenge myself to create a chewy peanut butter cookie without flour, butter or gluten—and, of course, I wanted it to taste extraordinary, too! It took me five different tries to stumble on one that I’m proud of, but I did it.

These cookies are made with all-natural peanut butter, honey, eggs and vanilla, and the result is truly beautiful: puffy, soft cookies with a crispy bottom that are unbelievably easy to make. In fact, you can have one in your belly in less than 30 minutes.

To make these cookies your own, I suggest chopping up one of your favorite chocolate bars and folding it into the dough—the chocolate is really what makes these cookie shine! I’ve tried a few special bars, but my absolute favorite is dark chocolate with toffee and sea salt. White chocolate would be great, too. Just remember: a unique chocolate bar makes for a unique cookie!

Also, if you like a hearty cookie with a bit of chew, just fold in ¾ cup of oats to the dough. A little sprinkle of sea salt also makes these shine. Any way you do it, you won’t be disappointed. Happy baking!

Recipe: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Makes approx. 20 cookies

You'll need:
1 1/2 cups all-natural creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs at room temperature
½ tsp. baking soda
3.5 oz. of your favorite chocolate bar, coarsely chopped

What to do:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix peanut butter, honey, vanilla, eggs and baking soda until smooth and well combined. Gently fold in chopped chocolate.

Roll cookies into 2-inch dough balls and place onto cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Then BARELY flatten the top of each cookie with your hand. The dough will be sticky, so if you find this method difficult, simply use a cookie scoop to drop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet. The cookies may not be as round in shape and perhaps a bit thicker, but that’s okay—they will still be delicious!

Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes and remove when edges barely begin to turn a golden brown. The cookies may look a little underdone, but they will continue to cook once you remove them from the oven. Cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes; then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining cookie dough.

I love Spoilers

As a playwright, I'm not afraid of a good spoiler.  I love them.  Makes no difference to me.

If you don't already know, I love Downton Abbey.  So I was so excited to catch it on Sunday and have watched it again since then.

Maybe it's my slightly impatient nature (probably), but I accidentally found a DowntonAbbeyWikia site when I trying to remember the storyline behind Lady Cora's new Lady Maid.  Well, I was hooked and read a few descriptions that go through what happens to some of the characters this season and WOW!

Another article I read, said that this series felt as if the show was getting back to the excitement of series 1… which was pretty exciting.  I have to agree.  Nonetheless, It was so sad not to have Matthew around… or Mr. Matthew to me….

After reading what happens to some of the characters this season, I can't wait to watch it.

It has to be said that however upsetting it is that Mary lost her husband after he saw their newborn son, Julian Fellows has handled it pretty brilliantly.  There is life after death as Mary realizes half-way through the opening episode ( with the help of her brother in-law, Tom Branson, her grandmother and the beloved Carson), and so must we, the audience…because so much more awaits us over the next few months.

Click the 1st two links if you love spoilers too!