A Shmooz With Jill Zarin, Lisa Wexler, and Gloria Kamen, “Secrets of a Jewish Mother”

 

A Shmooz With Jill Zarin, Lisa Wexler, and Gloria Kamen, “Secrets of a Jewish Mother”.

 

When I heard the title of this book I thought about two things. My own Jewish mother,my sister, and matzo ball soup. That is why I am so excited to interview Jill and Lisa (sisters) and Gloria (their Jewish mother) on Blog Talk Radio. Their book, “Secrets of a Jewish Mother” is flying off the shelves, as moms of all backgrounds can relate to the wisdom of a Jewish mother. What is a Jewish mother, or family get together, without a bowl of fluffy matzo ball soup? Join me and Beth Rosen as we find out what Jill, Lisa, and Gloria serve-up for their regular family get togethers, especially during the High Holidays in the fall and at Passover in the springtime. Book Description: The Jewish Mother knows what she wants. And what you should want too. In Secrets of a Jewish Mother, you’ll learn how to make her methods your very own, and as result you’ll give and get of love and happiness in great amounts. In what could be thought of as the Jewish Mother’s Guide to Life, Jill Zarin, the breakout star of Bravo’s hit series, The Real Housewives of New York, teams up with her sister, Lisa Wexler, award-winning host of daily radio program The Lisa Wexler Show, and her mother, the estimable Gloria Kamen who made a splash on Jill’s series last year. Secrets of a Jewish Mother shows readers that being clear about what you want is the best policy, and standing up for yourself and your family is always the right way to go. Using real life examples, stories from Jill, Lisa and Gloria, this mother/daughter trio reveals their secrets to life, love, and happiness.

And, remember, a lot of love and a little matzoh ball soup never hurt anyone. Happy Early Mother’s Day!

Esti’s Big Day Out To The Rachel Ray Show

Today I went to The Rachel Ray Show with some friends and it was an all-star show, seriously.First, I would like to give a shout out to the amazing babysitter that watched my friend’s three year old and almost two year old children as well as my three year old and almost two year old children. She really saved the day and is a true gem. So, you’re probably wondering how two busy moms got tickets to the Rachel Ray Show?

About one year ago, I had requested tickets for The Rachel Ray Show. I had completely forgotten about this until I received an email from the show on February 8. I immediately called my friend (she is superwoman  and has five children) and asked her to go with me. And go we did!

With our tickets in hand, we waited patiently in line for about 45 minutes. It wasn’t so cold, or maybe it was because I was so excited to be out with friends. We waited in another line for security, another line for the elevator, and then we were seated in a waiting room outside the studio. There was coffee, water bottles, and Sarah Lee Bran Muffins (kosher certified, I could eat them). This was also our last opportunity to use some very nice facilities until the end of the taping. If somebody had to go while we were in teh studio, a member of the stage crew would escort them to the nearest bathroom while another stage crew member would sit in their seat (I’ve never seen an empty seat in a studio audience, have you?).  

Even though my morning had started at 5:30 am, I wasn’t tired at all and Rachel Ray’s warm-up guy, RCSmith, kept us laughing the entire time. We waited our turn to enter the studio and take our seats. These weren’t just any seats.  In fact, all of the seats were built on top of a platform that moved to where the segment was to be filmed.

This was an extra long taping and we were sitting on our tushies for a couple of hours, but it was so worth it. Rachel had well known celebrities on and her first guest was, Precious” Star Gabourey Sidibe, what a delight she was. She’s up for an Oscar for best actress for her first acting role in the film Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire. She is totally down to earth, as is Rachel Ray.  After Ms. Sidbe left the studio to appaer  on other morning shows in New York, we saw the first live performance in America of a beautiful woman with a beautiful voice. She is also a model and is heading to Italy to model clothing this coming week . I can’t think of her name right now, but will update when I get it.  Speaking of models and clothing, if you are wondering what Joan Rivers thought about the Oscars, she will be discussing that the day after the Oscars (at least she is wating this year to insult people) She was also on the show this morning and she is super slim and funny as ever! You will be able to catch her interview with Rachel Ray, sometime next week. You will laugh your arse off, big time! We sure did!

There was also s segment on physical (or lack of) relationships between two very exhausted parents of twin babies. Rachel and Dr. Logan Levkoff had the exhausted couple in the audience and had a live pep talk. Being a parent is the most rewarding  job, but it can take up all your energy and leave nothing for doing anything else. Dr Levkoff suggested that going out on a date, even to a movie and holding  hands is romantic.  Giving birth is an amazing miracle, but the body needs time to heal. It is not necessary to push physicality, even six weeks  past delivery.  Couples should be honest about their feelings in this arena.In these economic times it is most challenging to find anything extra to spend on babysitting. So, remember those friends or single nephews that offered to help? Call them and ask them.  Speaking of babysitters, my friend and I were a little bit anxious about how things with our kids were going. We hoped for the best and enjoyed the last segment; Rachel doing her shtick in the kitchen!

Rachel Ray can slice and dice garlic and onions to perfection and fast. She made a whole grain spaghetti dish with a meat sauce. The sauce was unusual because it was madewith soup broth and sun dried tomatoes . Once it had cooked for a few minutes, it was mixed well in a blender until smooth. She added this unique sauce to ground beef and gave it a good stir. She drained the whole grain pasta, tossed it around a bit, and then chopped up fresh basil and put it on top. Ymu-O-rama.

As we were on our way to the subway,we passed by a bakery called Crumbs. It just so happens that this chain has a kosher certificate and has this statement on their website, “All of Crumbs products are dairy and certified Kosher under the supervision of Orthodox Kashrut Services in New York and U.S. Kosher

 Supervision in California. Our products are Kosher for year-round use, excluding Passover”. Some people may not be familiar with this kosher certification (there are more than I’d like to admit and it does get confusing at times). When in doubt, contact your Rabbi and have him check it out for you. My friends hip and young Aunt bought us some to take home to our kids and they loved them!

 These beautiful cupcakes are pricey (about $3 to $5 per cupcake), but they are huge and overflowing with sprinkles and icing. This is definitely a “sometimes food”.

We really enjoyed our experience in the audience of The Rachel Ray Show. Have you been to The Rachel Ray Show? If not, sign up for tickets online http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show-info/be-on-the-show/.

I’m Tasting The Best In Kosher Food & Wine At Chelsea Piers

I love going out to restaurants and sipping on a glass of wine, the perfect date for any couple, before kids.  It is very rare that my husband and I have moments like this these days, but we both love food and wine so much and we can’t wait to taste some of our favorite dishes from the finest kosher restaurants in New York. This Monday, February 1, The Kosher Restaurant & Wine Experience will be at Chelsea Piers, 23rd Street, New York. That’s not all; we will also have the opportunity to taste more than 200 high-end kosher wines from around the world, with a very exclusive French collection.

Some of my favorite restaurants will be at this event, so if you can’t make it Monday night, here is a little spiel about them and where you can find them: 

Cho-Sen, Kosher Asian Cuisine, 64-48 108th Street in Forest Hills, NY, 11375. The food is outstanding and fresh and the service very good. I love their Vegetable Dumplings and my husband loves the Beef with Broccoli and we love their big portions. Another one of our favorites is El Gaucho Steakhouse, authentic Argentinean steakhouse located at 4102 18th Ave. (Corner of East 4th Street) Brooklyn, NY 11218. When I studied in Israel several years ago, this was my favorite place to go with family when they visited me there. I have always loved Chorizo Parrillero (Grilled sausage with chimichurri sauce) Empanada Casera (Homemade turnover served with criolla sauce), 

There will be opportunities to meet and tweet with fellow foodie bloggers and chat with world-renowned winemakers and proprietors of famous kosher wines at seminars by Jay Buchsbaum, Royal Wine Corp; and by Pierce Miodownick, noted French Winemaker.

If you haven’t already registered, you can get still get tickets, go to www.royalwines.com. If you will be there, come find me or send a tweet out to @primetimeparent. Maybe we can have a little L’Chaim together!

Eli Kirshtein Will Be Cooking Up Something Kosher, Something New at Solo

If you are looking for an elegant place to dine with some kosher dishes prepared by Top Chef, Eli Kirshtein, Solo in Manhattan has the solution. Today, just one day after the New York Times posted an article titled, For Some, ‘Kosher’ Equals Pure  yesterday Solo Restaurant announced  the newest addition to its kitchen, Guest Executive Chef and former Top Chef chef’testant Eli Kirshtein. Taking on a new culinary challenge, Kirshtein joins the New American and Kosher restaurant in the atrium of The Sony Building in Midtown Manhattan, to offer an eclectic mix of prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus, with new additions daily.

With all of the hundreds of restaurants in Manhattan, why did Eli decide to pick a kosher one? Eli told reporters his reason, and it’s something this kosher foodie mom can be very proud of,“Solo is a fantastic restaurant, where New York City tastemakers have created a new culinary trend in the Kosher-style of preparing food,” said Kirshtein. “I’m am thrilled that a restaurant with such a unique combination of New American and Kosher fare, currently making an important impact on the New York City culinary scene, has approached me to re-vamp an already exciting menu. While I am not a Kosher chef by training, with my team at Solo, I plan to create excellent dishes in a new and exciting genre, that just happens to be prepared with specific ingredients in mind. Almost like a Top Chef challenge, my tenure at Solo is a project I look forward to conquering.”

I am really looking forward to trying out Solo with my husband to celebrate our sixth wedding anniversary-even though it is on the pricey side-there are some things you just don’t skimp on.

Solo is part of New York City ’s The Prime Grill Group, comprised of restaurants including Kosher institution The Prime Grill. Recognized by celebrities ranging from Donald Trump to Madonna, Solo has successfully integrated a unique alchemy of New American fare with classic Kosher technique.

Solo is located at 550 Madison Avenue between 55^th and 56^th Streets in New York City . Lunch is served Monday – Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM, and dinner is served Sunday – Thursday from 5 PM to 11 PM. For more information, please call 212.833.7800 or visit www.primegrillny.com/solo

Eyes That Pop And Stop

When I was approached to review Pond’s Towelettes I wasn’t sure I’d ever have a reason to use them. What would  a make-up free,  41 year old mom of 3 children need to remove to make this review of any value?  Let’s face it, I never put eye make-up on during the day.  I barely put on lip gloss or even a little blush when my husband and I do have an occassional date outside of the house.  

Don’t get me wrong, I had the MAC attack years ago and bought the entire package. My friend signed me up with a  make-up stylist and he showed me how my eyes could “pop” with my very own selection of MAC products. I was hooked! I had officially become part of a MAC Pack and frequented the MAC counter whenever a new product was launched.  It was a lot of fun, while it lasted.  Thank G-d, the MAC Pack has moved on and we now have our very own “packs of kids”. Just because I am a now a mom is no excuse not to put on make-up once in awhile, or is it?

 Just as the Pond’s Towelettes were sitting pretty on my bathroom counter, my babysitter told me that she really wanted to apply make-up on me before my “date night” with my husband.  So, I dusted off my make- up box and showed her the interesting mix of make-up products that had been unused for a very long time. Like a true artist ready to paint her canvas, she carefully selected various eye shadows, lipsticks, eye liners, mascaras, concealers, and blush.  She sat me down and told me to relax. Even with my1 year old playing at our feet, she did an exceptional job.  She made my eyes “pop” and my lips “shine”. She’s definitely a keeper.

I was ready to walk out the door and meet my husband at our favoarite coffee shop. I glanced in the mirror again on the way out and my eyes popped back at me. I had forgotten how it had felt to feel pretty and go out with my husband. When I saw him at the coffee shop, he was all smiles. He commented on how nice my eyebrows looked, that’s okay.  It’s important that he noticed that I had made an effort to do something extra with myself.

When our coffee was finshed, we went home and the exhaustion from a humid, August day with my kids at the park hit me . I was ready to just climb into bed with my make-up on and go to sleep.  I just couldn’t be bothered with taking off that make-up.  Wait. What about that  fresh pack of POND’S® WET CLEANSING TOWELETTES , now is the perfect opportunity.

Clean. Fresh. Removed. The make-up removal process went so well that I now put on make-up more often. In other words, I am more motiviated to put eye make-up on now that I know how  easy it can be removed with POND’S Wet Cleansing Towelettes, the No. 1 brand of wet cleansing towelettes, gently remove make-up and even waterproof mascara. Clinical studies have shown that Pond’s towelettes remove the  make-up that other brands leave behind – taking off up to 40 percent more than other leading towelettes.

Available in three varieties, they are ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested for a gentle face cleansing experience.

• More effective at removing make-up than any other leading towelette
• Contains Triple Tea Antioxidant Complex, Vitamin E and Chamomile
• Luxuriously quilted cloths with a unique diamond texture allow for a deep clean without leaving any residue behind
• SRP: $4.79 to $5.07 (30/pack)

The price is right and the results are exactly what I expect from a long, hot summer day with my 3 blessings. Speaking of summer, visit Pond’s Lifestyle for summer beauty tips from fashion and beauty guru Jenn Falik, download coupons for Pond’s Towelettes and get more infromation on the Pond’s money-back guarantee.

The No Spend Zone, Costco With The kids

My DH has always been thrifty, then he married me. Not that I wasn’t thrifty at heart, I just loved clothes,  hair straightening, mani/pedi, traveling, MAC makeup and shoes(before we were married).  We just celebrated our 5Th wedding anniversary and I have been free of heavy spending ever since (almost). What does that mean? I’ve become more aware of what I’m spending. Phrases like “price per lb.” or “price per oz.” race through my head like lightening speed each time I step into the grocery store. And then, there is that voice in the back of my head. Can’t I get more of this for less at Costco? Didn’t I have a coupon for $3 off  Hellman’s Mayonnaise? Better question, do I need the Paul Bunyan size of mayonnaise?  The truth is, with a 5 lb. jar , the sandwich possibilities are endless. Egg salad, tuna salad, salmon salad, potato salad, and a turkey sandwich smothered in mayonnaise.  My DH and I go out to eat on “date night” about once a month, otherwise we are eating at home with the kids. We need food. For example, we are the poster family for 50 Kellogg’s Waffles. And the huge boxes of cheerios, we’re all over them (and they’re all over my house, crunch), but my kids love them and eat them.

Other items that we buy at Costco include diapers, wipes, children’s medicine, seltzer water, garbage bags, paper plates, laundry detergent, soap, and baby gifts. They have the cutest baby sleepers, I always pick up a couple to have just in case a friend is expecting. Another item we buy from Costco, our contacts and eyeglasses. My husband and I have been very pleased with not only the styles that they have, but the service as well. Just the other day (never on a Sunday) I had to pick up my prepaid contact lenses. I was with my 2 year old daughter, and 11 month old son, so we decided to make an outing out of being at Costco(in the morning during the week only). I had already schlepped the kids out of their car seats and into the shopping cart, why not. With all the bright lights, people, toys, and friendly employees , it was almost like a mini dose of DisneyWorld (at least for my kids). In fact, we sampled our way around the store. Ice Cream here, cookies there, and crackers over there. This paticular Costco in Far Rockaway, is most familiar with kosher food and the symbols that make them kosher. We really scored that day, as all the items were kosher.

Not everybody is as big a fan of Costco as my family. In his article, “Do Warehouse Stores Really Save You Money?”, Neal Templin wrote, “I don’t know about you, but when I have more cash in my wallet, I spend more of it. And when there are more bagels in my refrigerator, I consume more of them. I think that’s human nature. Call it the Costco Effect.”

Being married to an extremely cost concience husband (believe me, I needed that), we stick to our budget and there’s no budging about it. Not because we’re type A people, but because in today’s economy, we must. I couldn’t see shopping at Costco if I was single or an empty nester, at least not for the things we need. Right now, it is how we stock up and save. With two kids in diapers, you don’t want to run out of diapers, or run out and spend twice as much for less at the all night convenience store. As my DH often says, there are some things you just don’t skimp on.

Do you shop at Costco? If not, where do you shop to get the best deals? Leave a comment below.

 

 

Snuggie, the blankie for adults

When I first saw the late, late, night ad for this product, I was in love. Have you tried one out? Buy one, get one free, who’s game?

The way this product came to life is like the American dream for product ideas. I want to meet the people behind this product, who are you? Time to google-palooza ’til I find out some information.

May all our “snuggies” come true! Snuggie  gets a warm embrace from pop culture .

Date Night

Introducing, For Th First Time, Mr. and Mrs.

Just because we are married, doesn’t mean that we couldn’t use a good “Date Night” once and awhile. Okay, there is the babysitter issue. If you can get one on a Saturday night, that is a big score. Even if your regular babysitter is booked up on a Saturday night, you can have a date night any night of the week. Even if you and your husband are exhausted and just want to sit on the couch, don’t do it. Designate one night a week, or every two weeks, and get out of the house together. Even if it is a coffee at Starbucks or grabbing a bunch of books and sitting together at Barnes & Noble, this is time for just the two of you.

I have a couple of friends that have date night and they couldn’t be happier about it. One couple takes a foriegn language class together, followed by dinner. Another couple attends a lecture on parenting and goes for dessert. The ideas are plenty, the results are better than good.

Jill Schafer Boehme, Author of My Lima Beans Are Allergic to My Spoon
Editor of MOMMY! The Internet Lifeline for At-home Moms (a free Ezine) is a big Date Night Fan:

Do you have a date with your spouse set up this week? Go for it.