SPICETERIA ...life lived with spice

Mom, Irreplaceable; Popsicle, Priceless

2011-06-27T20:28:00.000-07:00

The summer is here, and I’ve made a concerted effort to leave the office by 6 pm so that I am home for some outdoor fun with the kids- taking a walk, bike riding, etc. After just 3 days of this time together, the boys have been much more enjoyable to be around and much more attached to me – especially Carter, my 6-year-old.

So, the boys are getting ready to visit my in-laws for a long weekend and we are laying across my bed talking about the trip, and Carter says, “ I don’t want to go, I want to stay with Mommy. I want to play with Mommy, I want Mommy to go with us, I want…” and Jonathan says, “ I want a Popsicle!” Ah, a child’s unconditional love.

The next day I get to the office - stay with me, I need to set the scene- and I sit in my all-glass office just off of the elevator by a front desk supposedly manned by my “assistant” (anyone who knows me should be laughing by now). I am frequently on the floor by myself, so I ask that he always close the door when he leaves the floor.

OK, back to the story – I am on the phone with a colleague and I see that my assistant has walked away, the front door is open and a stranger is walking the floor from office to office…into my office. Yes, it is glass, I am on the phone and my door is closed. Well, this young man in a suit, 3 sizes too large, eyes askew, an obvious brain injury (he has a dent), and carrying a BIG dirty red backpack walks into my office and announces loudly, “I am here for the interview!” Then takes the BIG backpack from his shoulder and pulls out a chair and sits down. (What is in that bag?). Just as he launches into his ‘interview for an unknown company at this address’ (I asked) my phone caller tells me that she has to go. I am thinking NO, NO! You can’t get off of the phone; there is a potential killer in my office. I need a witness in case something happens to me, and something might because I am not conducting interviews. Instead of saying that and alerting the PK (potential killer) of my fear, I franticly try to keep her from hanging up, yet maintaining a smile for the PK. “No, you don’t need to go. Didn’t you say there were 10 things you needed to discuss – we’ve only covered one.” To this, she says, “no I’m good, thanks for your help, need to go through security” In desperation, I say “ Priscilla needs us to discuss her presentation” (this is a ridiculous statement because Priscilla died in 2003), so I’m hoping that she picks up on it and will ask to call for help or at least stay on the phone. No luck – “I’ll call you when I land” Click. Think fast – he’s still here! All I can think is I’ve finally gotten to a place of almost work/family balance and this crazy PK has walked into my office! That’s perfect – of all of the offices in this busy city how in the hell did he find mine? Why? What will happen to my boys if he starts shooting? Mom, irreplaceable.

I snap back to reality, the BIG backpack still on the floor and he starts his “interview” with “My reading, writing and math are basic but I want you to show me how to be an administrative assistant. (What is in that damned bag?). I want to make between $30,000 and $50,000.” My assistant finally comes back and I introduce the candidate, then I call HR to ask if they actually put the office address on the job posting. Based on their answer, I tell my assistant to give the candidate HR’s contact information for follow up.

As I reflected on the day this encounter made me terribly sad – as bold as we think we are, the reality is that the world is a dangerous place and we can’t take anything or anyone for granted. There are so many people who need work but who aren’t willing to put themselves out there, yet this young man who, with all of his issues, was not only willing to put himself out there he knew exactly what he wanted. And it was definitely, not a Popsicle!

I get home and I’m exhausted- doesn’t matter to anyone but me because Carter and Jonathan are waiting for me to go bike riding. As we turn the corner on our neighborhood one-mile bike ride, I realize what I want… A Popsicle!

Is this the End?

2011-05-21T20:34:00.000-07:00

So its 8:33 pm Saturday night, May 21^st – we are still here. Were you worried? I wasn’t – God gives us every day and when he decides it is our time, well, then we have to accept that. Evidently, there are more people who were worried than not. I went to Short Hills Mall and it was relatively empty. The word on the street was that people stayed home in preparation for the end of the world. There is no spice equivalent for this level of fear and lack of faith.

I am in the den with the boys watching High School Musical 3; Marc is in the office watching the Mets play the Yankees. If we don’t wake up tomorrow, we are together and we love each other.

The Real Housewives, Art and Show

2011-05-21T20:32:00.000-07:00

The Real Housewives of NY are having a serious discussion about how hard it is to be “stuck” in the Hamptons with the kids without their significant others. How about being “stuck” in the South Bronx… sorry, I have been distracted by the TV.

Uh-oh another distraction, hearing little footsteps sneaking into the room (he doesn’t think I can hear him). Wait for it… Marc bellows, “Go to bed!!!” Little footsteps head in the opposite direction. Is he going back to bed? Nope, he thinks he’s tricking us – instead of coming directly into the den he sneaks in thru the living room and from behind the couch we hear, “Mom and dad, I can’t sleep.” “Just go to your room and rest until you fall asleep.” “But I don’t want to rest… I don’t want to sle(yawn)ep.” And sleeping he is... on Mommy’s chest.

Now, for art and show. Tonight was the elementary school’s annual art show and spring musical concert. It was very well attended, and hot. Yes, hot – lots of kids and parents, no air conditioning. I owe a major shout out and ode of appreciation to Marion and Robert (my parents, God rest their souls) who never missed a school concert, never missed an opportunity to clap loudly and give big hugs and encouraging words after pitchy, long and hot seasonal concerts. Luckily I have a 3^rdgrader and kindergartner (chorus/orchestra doesn’t starts until 4^th grade) – I enjoyed the art show and listened to the concert from outside. So you ask, why did you stay after viewing the art? I stayed because I volunteered to co-chair the event, and since I work ridiculous hours and often don’t even know if I will be home at night, co-chairing meant making tent cards for 30 minutes on Monday and clean up on Thursday night.

Key ingredients for sanity –

· Embrace the term “co”, there is no super in Job-Having Entrepreneurial Mom Wife – you can’t do it by yourself.

· 5 minutes or 5 days a week – the kids appreciate your effort to be a part of their lives (though they probably won’t say it until they are 30)

· Pitchy is a key

Rain, Boots and Janice Huff

2011-05-18T20:28:00.000-07:00

Rain, rain go away! Rain in the City brings out rain boots.

As I sat in Aureole waiting for my glass of chardonnay and waiting to catch up with a friend I haven’t seen in almost two years, I watched all of the workday weary New Yorkers hustle through the bustle to get home; to get drinks with friends; to get to their match.com dates and I couldn’t shake the thought of salt. Yes – salt.

Most of the women walking on 42^nd St were wearing rain boots (as was I, more about that later), a ubiquitous commodity – much like salt. Just as there are different classes of salt, there are different classes of rain boots. The Hunter Wellie is the choice for fashionistas and utilitarians - much like Kosher salt, the choice of savvy cooks (fashionistas of the kitchen) because its coarse texture is easier to pinch when seasoning savory dishes, and its taste lasts longer when cooking. Colorful, patterned non-branded rain boots, while creative and stylish, are the table salt - common but add flavor, just the same. And of course I must mention the Burberry, Coach and Gucci rain boots – more like the gourmet black and pink salts.

I love fine things, especially apparel and accessories, and I absolutely love delicious well seasoned food – I’m partial to Brazilian rock salt (another story for another time)- but when it comes to my $20 silver zebra rain boots, I am more of the table salt variety. Why pay $200 or more for something that will just get rained on? Weigh in…

On a separate note – is anyone watching NBC NY news? Speaking of rain, Janice Huff. What’s up with the necklace, bracelet and belt? My advice. . . load on the accessories and always take one off before you walk out the door. . . or onto camera. BTW, the orange is a nice color.

Spicefully yours,

Kimberly

I Promise

2011-05-17T19:33:00.000-07:00

It’s been forever since this Job-Having Entrepreneurial Mom Wife has seen you.

Where to start? My Spiceteria baby has been in hibernation for far too long. I continue to share my family secrets but via text or the very occasional telephone conversation. Basically, the secrets never leave my “test kitchen” aka children’s homework room, aka bill writing station, aka place that my family uses to breed additional clutter and drive me crazy, which I detest (a windy but spot on accurate description).

The barrage of job requirements and constant travel continue unabated; and of course, kids care less than a little about these competing demands- but should they? Really? How do I manage to do it all, you ask? I don’t.

I manage these demands (and my sanity, some-what) and keep enough done to get by. Anything else is unrealistic - and I am finally OK with that. Oprah and Martha aside, I’m quite satisfied with the results. But is it my “Best Life Ever”? I often drift off into my techno-color vision of being the Chief Creative Officer for a fabulous fashion company that I share ownership in; lunching with Gayle King (yes, Gayle – she’s fabulous!); taping my lifestyle makeover show and being home by 6:00 to review homework, talk to the boys, attend PTA events and spend romantic evenings with my husband; complimented by intellectually and fun filled times with my closest girlfriends.

What? Carter is missing…Jonathan, how did you lose your brother? I told you to stay in the backyard! Back to reality.

SO even though I am finally OK with keeping enough done to get by I never stop thinking about my ideas. . .

Good to be back – more to come soon. I promise!

Yours in spice,

Kimberly

JUST LIKE THAT!

2009-08-16T17:31:00.000-07:00

Have you missed me? I have missed you! Sorry for the long lag between posts but the Odyssey of Me, the Entrepreneurial Consulting Job Seeking Mom Wife, has become that of the Entrepreneurial Consulting Job Having Mom Wife - and just like that-six months later, I revived a dimension to my day - the return of balancing a NYC/Boston/Philadelphia job back into my balancing act.

The difference for me is that, now, I know the following:

1. Although I have always LOVED my boys, every day I actually looked forward to the time that we spent unencumbered by someone else’s demands and deadlines.

2. I relished the free mental space (if not the physical time) to think about building Saluda Spice Co.

3. My “labor of love” is really only now taking hold; and it has already been neglected. As I have had to rely on others to help pick up the slack, orders have gone unshipped, the website has not been updated in weeks and so adds to my balancing act.

4. If I am to become a contortionist and execute this intricately choreographed balancing act, I need to be in tip top condition which means, I need gym time 2 – 3 times a week and massages (I will finally force myself to use the $500+ of Massage Envy credits, dates with my husband and fun and relaxing times with my fellow Mom Wives.

I also now firmly believe that making decisions about what happens in my home, and with my boys, while I am not in it, will be much easier as a result of the time spent at home and the wonderful circle of supportive Mom Wives in friend network.

I am clearly not looking forward to time not being my own, however I believe that I’ll have a much clearer view of how I’d like to spend it:

Lesson 1: Massages, facials and mani/pedi’s are an indispensible part of life. Like air. You can spot the crazed wild-eyed stare of women who deny themselves this necessity. Bring them into the fold or avoid them at all costs.

Lesson 2: I will DVR The Real Housewives and sometimes even The Wendy Williams’ show – guilty pleasures!!

Lesson 3: The axiom is true, that job truly worth doing, must occasionally be completely blown off in favor of a quality and ample pour of Pinot, and anyone arguing otherwise is not to be trusted (And if that’s not the correct axiom, it should be).

Lesson 4: Any greater than three Lessons Learned per experience is probably wasted ink (and proof of a wasted lesson).

On the issue of good uses of time and spirits, I offer this:

One memory from my youth is watching Justain Wilson’s easy Orleans drawl and coaxing flavor, and his heavy hand as he cooked with and ‘sampled’ the wine he cooked with. But he was really onto something. A generous pour of wine, beer or whiskey or citrus (if you are dry) can be a fantastic flavor enhancer for you or the meat/poultry or fish you are preparing, and grant of delicious tenderizing for the time strapped Entrepreneurial Job Seeking or Having Mom Wife.

One glorious benefit to summer is the benefit of my husband’s prodigious grilling, and my quite willing eagerness to cede cooking time to him. Though lacking the medicinal benefit sampling wines, as I prepare marinade, I’m quite partial to lime- as is my family, and I think you will too.

Here’s a great, and nearly foolproof recipe to add a refreshing summer-crisp flavor to grilling selections:

Small Red onion sliced

½ Green and red pepper coarsely chopped

4 crushed garlic cloves

½ lb mushrooms

½ bushel of broccoli or Brussels sprouts (whichever you prefer)

4 Salmon filets or Tilapia or Boneless chicken breasts

Saluda Spice Co. Pepper Infused oil

In an envelope made of heavy aluminum foil or double- layered aluminum foil. Layer the veggies and liberally flavor with infused oil

Place fish or chicken on the veggie mixture sprinkle a little oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Fold and cover the mixture with foil and place on the grill for about 20 minutes – med heat. Grab a glass of your favorite libation. Enjoy a healthy delicious meal.

Let me know how it comes out. Speak to you soon!

Love Don't Cost a Thing

2009-07-06T20:43:00.000-07:00

But if you want to create delicious meals that your family and friends will love a certain retailer marketed as the source for gourmet foods and professional-quality cookware would lead you to believe that food love will cost you $. Not!

Last Wednesday this retailer sent out an email blast that celebrated a Fried Chicken Kit ! A Fried Chicken Kit! Are you kidding me?! And get this – they were offering it at the low and affordable price of $278.35 – Deep Sauté Pan and Fry Basket & Tongs $199.95, Fried Chicken Seasoning & Dressing $27.45 (what is Fried chicken dressing, anyway?), Brining Bags $16.00, 3 Stainless steel breading pans $34.95. Really? Gets even better, they offer an electric marinator for $199.95. For those who don’t know - an electric marinator is a vacuum machine that automatically rotates meat slowly during marinating, so foods are evenly coated with the marinade mixture. Total $756.65 !! For 1/2 of this I will come to your home marinate evenly and fry your chicken.

How about this? Caste iron skillet $20 - $70 depending on size, tongs $10 - $40, Saluda Spice Co. Chicken Blend $9.00, Zip lock large bags box of 30 $4.99 (will cover brining and breading and marinating – just turn a few times for even coating of the marinade) Total $43.99 - $123.99 and savings of $712.66 - $632.66! You will actually have money left over to buy chicken, flour and oil, some side dishes, pay a few bills, put some money in the bank or maybe go to a movie.

Tastefully yours,

Kimberly

I Haven't Got Time for the Pain

2009-07-05T22:20:00.000-07:00

If there is anything worse than being unable to pursue my loves while recuperating from surgery (tumor removed from my sinus, yes – YUCK!)- playing with the family, cooking, building my business, blogging. . . its being denied all those things while living in a house full of people who are ignoring my recuperation. Kind of being denied any meditative endeavors while screaming children poke my swollen cheek asking “does it hurt there?” “ Can you get me some apple juice?”

The icing on the cake was missing the Summer Fancy Food Show after registering, paying and planning for the show six months ago. The Fancy Food Show is the preeminent convention for food in NYC. (But I guess removing this painful mass from my cheek was much more important.) Luckily, my husband Marc served as an adequate stand in- but nothing really replaced being there, marketing Saluda - my baby - for myself. I appreciated his support and especially got so much from his torturous yet informative recap of all the delicious gourmet tastings. Yea, right, I have stitches in my mouth – not much good food tastings going on…

But on to the good stuff- the day BEFORE said surgery, yours truly was being interviewed on WBLS (107.5 FM NYC) about Saluda Spice. Typical whirling dervish of a day: The Entrepreneurial Consulting Job Seeking Mom Wife ™ leaves home at sunrise to make sure I get my essential Grande espresso coffee light frapuccino, go to Whole Foods pick up fresh vegetables and salmon, come home with fresh ingredients, feed boys breakfast, take Jonathan to swim team practice, then to Dr. appointment, back home, cook lunch for WBLS’ Jasmine Sanders and April Woodard - menu of Saluda Spice salmon w/ fresh fruit and mint chutney on a bed of mixed greens, Steamed Saluda sweet potato vegetable blend, and cupcakes. Kids conspire to make us late for the appointment (seriously, I believe with every fiber of my being, that they go into Jonathan’s room and meet, draw schematics on a chalkboard detailing how they will destroy our timely departures – IT WORKS EVERY TIME) , race to New York City, feed the staff, get debriefed by the producer, get interviewed by April Woodard, have station manager entertain my fighting children while I was on air, then we went to the Museum of Natural History, met with a friend uptown, came back to mid-town to meet Marc to see The Wiz (more on that later), return home and collapse. And the interview? They raved, and ate it all! They couldn’t believe that it took less than an hour to cook a delicious healthy meal for 6 . But the real secret (as is with most of my dishes). . . Saluda Spice Co. products, fresh ingredients, and simple menus. Here’s what I did:

1. Julienne 2 Yukon gold potatoes and 1 med-large sweet potato, 1 green pepper, 1 small red onion, roughly chop 4 gloves of garlic or 2 TBS pre-chopped garlic. Mix in bowl with1 TBS olive oil and 1 full TBS of Saluda Spice Co. Savory Spicy Onion Dip. Toss, place in casserole dish, cover with foil and cook at 375 for 45 minutes.
2. Chop the fresh fruit that I had in the fruit bowl – papaya, mango, pineapple, plums and white peaches toss in a bowl with freshly chopped cilantro and mint – about a tablespoon of each. Cover and sit in fridge. We will use it later for the salmon.
3. Clean salmon filets with cold water, pat dry, season generously on both sides with Saluda Spice Co. Savory Spicy Blend. In caste iron skillet heat about 1 TBS Saluda Spice Co. Stir Fry Oil. Sear the filet skin side first about 5 minutes, flip and sear on flesh side about 3 minutes, transfer to foil lined cooking sheet. Continue to cook in over at 375degrees for 20 minutes.
4. Wash and dry mixed greens, place on a plate rest salmon filet on greens, layer fruit mixture on top of salmon and spoon potato mixture on side. Garnish with edible flowers and serve with ice-cold lemonade. A flower cupcake for dessert.
As I am writing this, I am regretting not taking a picture of the finished dish – it was as pretty as it was delicious! Oh, and it took less than an hour to prepare!

Now about The Wiz. One of my favorite musicals, and a treasure I’ve been able to share with the boys through the magic of the DVD version. They even begged us to see the Columbia High School version twice- so going to the revival on Broadway was a must. Despite the mixed reviews of the show, Jonathan and Carter truly enjoyed the show! I enjoyed the performances of Tichina Arnold, Dawn Lewis and LaChanze and the staging. Since I am not a fan of Ashanti, let me just say that I was not disappointed. She obviously had worked with a voice coach and her singing was good, but then she would speak, yes, I said speak her lines, not act – because there was no acting going on… very flat. She was better in the Muppet’s Wizard of Oz. I certainly need my Dorothy with more Spice.

Tastefully yours,

Kimberly

The Imitation of Control

2009-06-12T20:58:00.000-07:00

OK, so you’re getting to know a little about me and, I trust, enjoying reading SPICETERIA. You’ve gotten some information, some cooking chops, your love life is simmering, and your nerves, like the Entrepreneurial Consulting Job Seeking Mom WifeÔ, are percolating to a boil- but also like the Entrepreneurial Consulting Job Seeking Mom Wife, you have it all under control – or at least the imitation of control.

Not sure what I’m talking about? Here is a great example of what I like to call “the imitation of control.” Jonathan, Carter and I were at the pediatrician’s office for a follow up appointment - Jonathan allergies/asthma and Carter’s eczema. The appointment goes well – the meds are working, no more wheezing, skin is sort of healing. The boys are happy and putting their clothes back on – we are in the homestretch when the doctor whispers to me that Jonathan still needs his HepB. Doesn’t she know my children hear everything? “What is that? . . . HepB?! That’s a shot!!!. . . I can’t get a shot!!!! I DON’T WANT A SHOT!!!!! The Dr. is giving me a shot?” Well, just as smoothly as she whispered that he was due his HepB she whispered – “the doctor isn’t going to give you a shot” and slipped through the door. This is where the “imitation of control” kicks in. I know that Jonathan is about to freak – I just didn’t know to what extent – but no matter what was about to happen. “imitation of control.” Jonathan is now screaming to the top of his lungs and wailing like I am beating him with hot sticks – “imitation of control.” Carter is devastated, and I must control a 7 year-old who is tearing up the exam room trying to escape before the shot and his brother doesn’t know what to do – he’s just ducking and trying to get out of the way of his way-out-of-control brother. The door opens and three nurses come in to inoculate their normally calm and charismatic patient. The chair and stool are flying and it is taking four of us to subdue a 58 lb, 1^st grader. Picture this – I’ve got his arms, one nurse has each leg and one has the needle. We’re assaulting my son! If occurs to Carter that we are mugging his brother and then he loses it – BIG tears! “Imitation of control.” The needling is done and the screaming continues “When are you going to give me the SHOT!!!!” It’s over and he didn’t even feel it! Heads held high we walk through the devastation that is the office and waiting room – children watch in horror and parents admire the “imitation of control.” (I have to believe this or it doesn’t work)

After that adventure making dinner is the last thing on my mind, but the kids have to eat. (I would prefer a drink). While I prefer to cook fresh healthy meals and I usually use Saluda Spice to make them – tonight is not that night. So let’s explore prepared foods.

Now, trust me when I say as a busy, multitasking, often tired, Entrepreneurial Consulting Job Seeking Mom WifeÔ I’m no critic or snob of prepared food- particularly for the kids. In fact, Dinosaur shaped Chicken Nuggets are some of my best friends, but you must know what’s in prepared foods. My trial by fire was having children with significant food allergies. And I’m not talking about the “can he have peanuts?” food allergies; I’m talking truly ‘nuts’ allergies. How bad could it be, you ask? Try no milk, no dairy, no soy, no nuts, no wheat, no chicken, no beef, no potatoes . . . get the point? I swear Jonathan once ate only Quaker Instant Oat Meal Maple Brown Sugar three squares a day for 9 days, and that was after 7 days of rice with chicken bouillon. As a rookie mother, I was obsessed with the right food- all natural, organic, you know the type. His diet was killing me. I actually had to have a pediatrician tell me “with Jonathan’s dietary limitations, the food he should be fed everyday is the food he will eat.” Needless to say, I became a champion ingredients list reader. Fortunately, over the years Jonathan has outgrown most of his allergies, but my interest in what some of those curious ingredients in the food we eat are, still exists. Here are some interesting points I’ve learned. Always wondered what Yellow #6 or maltodextrin were, listen up:

Seeing Red – the color red in food comes from red food coloring, and the primary ingredient in red food color is cochineal / carmine/ carminic acid, which is made from the crushed carcasses of the Conch beetles. Velvet cake is sounding much more appetizing than Red Velvet cake right now, right?

Buff Chickens

Many chicken farms have recently been shamed into better practices including no antibiotics, free range, grass fed. . . .

McNuggets have 38 ingredients! Of the thirty-eight ingredients, thirteen are derived from corn: the corn-fed chicken itself; modified cornstarch (to bind the pulverized chicken meat); mono-, tri-, and diglycerides (emulsifiers, which keep the fats and water from separating); dextrose; lecithin (another emulsifier); chicken broth (to restore some of the flavor that processing leeches out); yellow corn flour and more modified cornstarch (for the batter); cornstarch (a filler); vegetable shortening; partially hydrogenated corn oil; and citric acid as a preservative. Other ingredients on the nugget: there's some wheat in the batter, and on any given day the hydrogenated oil could come from soybeans, canola, or cotton rather than corn, depending on the market price and availability. I won’t even mention the 25 synthetic ingredients – don’t want to freak you out too much. I discovered Bell & Evans chicken nuggets about 5 years ago, the kids love and guess what? There are only 9 ingredients -Chicken Breast, Water, Salt, Breaded with Unbleached Wheat Flour, Evaporated Cane Juice, Dried Yeast, Spices, Paprika. Flash fried in non-hydrogenated soybean oil to set breading.

Living the Fry life

Face it, fries are a kid staple. I am proud that my kids are veggie friendly, both Jonathan and Carter have requested broccoli (cooked with Saluda Spice, of course) for their bedtime snack! Don’t fret – there are still times when they just have to have fries, and there are those times when only McDonald’s fries will do. Other times, Ore Ida.

Don’t feel bad when you have to turn to fast food to feed the kids, please just don’t make it a habit. And if you are a fan of fast food, remember the “Imitation of control.”

Tastefully yours,

Kimberly

Variety is the Spice of Life

2009-05-30T17:21:00.000-07:00

It is said, “variety is the spice of life.”

But, is it really?

There are a variety of responses to that question. Many of you will say: “absolutely – bring it on- the more choices the better,” but more of you will likely say the opposite: – “variety? No way – salt and pepper are the only spices for me, and adding paprika to my salt and pepper is about as much adventure in my routine as I can stand.”

This Entrepreneurial Consulting Job Seeking Mom Wife Ó is a “variety ” person living in the salt and pepper routine of breakfast, school drop-off, squeeze in entrepreneuring consulting job seeking, school pick-up, play dates, homework, dinner, bath, books, bed, wine, dinner with Marc, bed. Pretty much the same thing everyday. I love my husband. I love my kids. I have a blessed life but remember, “Variety is the spice of life.” How do I fill my variety need in the salt and pepper family life? Where do I find variety?

Shoes! I love shoes! And there is variety in all of my 200 + pairs (I only know the number because a reporter did a story on my shoe closet - another story). But here’s the catch- I have the taste of a lady who lunches with infinite supplies of independent wealth. While I am a lady who likes to eat lunch, I have a finite cash flow. Simply put – I love beautiful and expensive things but don’t have an endless supply of money. What’s more, I don’t even really love to shop! I prefer occasional trips with lots of bags and boxes to frequent trips to the store mall of the day.

I know - you are shocked.

What I really love is a BARGAIN!!!! And the spicy variety that all of these bargains add to my life. As a matter of fact last week was a great day of adding spicy variety. We went to Woodbury Commons Premium Outlets and had a great day – I bought Jimmy Choo sandals for $190 – this is a great price, they are currently retailing for $595-$625 at mall stores. Every store in the mall is having sales but not this kind of sale. If you need or just want some spicy variety shopping I recommend hitting the Outlets (perfect for large shopping trips with lots of bags and boxes) – not only are the everyday prices a significant savings but if you plan ahead you can get additional discounts. Go to the outlet website and sign up for VIP privilege. With the free membership you get a coupon book that is worth hundreds of dollars in additional savings. If you wait until you get to the outlet the coupon book cost $10.

I like to look good because that makes me feel good and as an Entrepreneurial Consulting Job Seeking Mom Wife Ó I am always going to meetings and having first impression encounters. How does this fit in with “variety is the spice of life” living? Salon and Spa time - Hair color changes, short hair cuts or let it grow? Seasonal updates are a must! I run into people who I went to high school or college with and I hear “oh my God, you look exactly like you looked at school.’ Well we know that’s impossible. However, what I take it to mean is that I look up-to-date and current because that’s what we all were in high school and college – current, and I’m sure quite spicy. But think about that for a minute- if you were spicy, up to date and current in 1989, and you have the same hair cut today and think that you have the same hair color, you are delusional and in need a great stylist or psychotherapist. I’ve lived and visited many places and here are some of my favorites. If you try any of them, please tell them I sent you and let us know how it went.

· Columbus, OH Hair Portfolio / A Spirit's Touch

· Los Angeles, CA Elgin Charles / Sofitel Spa

· Blue Bell, PA Citrus Salon and Spa

· Maplewood, NJ Anthony Garubo

· New York, NY John Atchinson / Styles Salon

I also love to cook! Creating great dishes, interpreting recipes and finding new easy ideas for saludaspice.com is fun and relaxing and if I create something especially tasty – very rewarding because my family and friends are so very happy. If your family dinner routine goes a little like this – Chicken nuggets and salad, Spaghetti and Ragu, Chicken nuggets and Stove Top stuffing, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, Pizza, Chinese Food, – every week I shamelessly introduce you to www.saludaspice.com. I use the 3 spice blends on most of my dishes, especially when cooking for the family during the week. They give great flavor to meats, rice and vegetables and take no effort and little time. A few hints - the Baked Chicken can be served several days – hot or cold chicken sandwiches, chicken salad, chicken soup, chicken and dumplings, easy chicken parmesan. The Barbeque Ribs recipe can also be used on steaks and chicken.

When I was a Job Having Mom Wife travel was a regular part of my job, so my husband believed (incorrectly) that I couldn’t possibly want to travel for vacation because I spent a large amount of time on airplanes and in hotels on business. WRONG!!! I love vacations and traveling to different places, meeting different people and tasting different foods. What more variety could there be? When I was traveling for work I saw a lot of beautiful hotel rooms, conference rooms and restaurants in very exotic places, but not the places. Now, I plan to travel and to see the world through the eyes of my children. I can’t wait!

Honestly, I had a hard time balancing and finding the energy for adult time when I was a Job Having Mom Wife. But, surprisingly, as an Entrepreneurial Consulting Job Seeking Mom Wife Ó I have more energy and as such, interest in adult time. This is an area where “variety is the spice of life” can have so many meanings. I thought the following kind of interesting (source: the web). Make the most of your food and spices.

· Flaxseeds Just 1 tablespoon of flaxseeds a day helps increase testosterone — the chemical with the most direct libido-boosting effect. Besides enhancing sex drive, these nutty-flavored seeds contain essential fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6, which are the major building blocks of all sex hormones. To rev your engine, either swallow a teaspoon of flaxseed oil or sprinkle a tablespoon of flaxseeds on your cereal and salads every day. If seeds aren't your things, opt for walnuts, which contain about 90 percent of your omega RDA.

Cranberry Flax Muffins

· Ginger The powerful root stimulates the circulatory system, increasing blood flow to the genitals. Smelling ginger has a stronger effect on penile and vaginal blood flow than actually eating it. When a food or aroma raises blood pressure, vessels in the genitals admit a rush of blood that inflates erectile tissue. The vessels then close off, preventing blood from exiting the erogenous zones, keeping sensitivity levels high.

Homemade Ginger Ale

· Honey No wonder newlyweds' getaways are called honeymoons. Honey is rich in B vitamins, which are needed for testosterone production, and it contains boron, which helps the body metabolize and use estrogen—an important part of blood flow and arousal. Use a few teaspoons as a natural sweetener in tea or spread it on toast with peanut butter.

Honey Desserts

· Nutmeg and Clove Researchers have found that nutmeg and clove, both from evergreen trees, bolster sexual activity. Each stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system helping you relax. The effects were greater with nutmeg. Just don't eat too much of the magical spice, as it also has hallucinogenic properties. A sprinkle on your cappuccino or hot cocoa should do the trick.

Ho Home mulled wine

Try to live your life with spice and variety.

Tastefully yours,

Kimberly

Do You Smell SPICE?

2009-05-22T13:44:00.000-07:00

Monday morning: I’ve dropped the boys off at school, gotten my venti light frapuccino with 2 shots of espresso, taken a conference call, gone to my 4 yr old’s “Spring Sing” and now I am sitting at the computer about to start my Entrepreneurial Consulting Job Seeking Mom Wife day when I smell something fragrant. Not fragrant like my Jo Malone Living (home/body spray – love it!) Not fragrant like the freshly washed clothes that are in the basket at my feet waiting to be folded – fragrant like spice. Spice that is getting stronger, as if I was cooking a chicken. Spice like garlic, mustard, sage, rosemary and thyme on chicken. Am I cooking a chicken? Have I lost my mind and forgotten that I cleaned, seasoned and put a chicken in the oven? NO, not possible. The window is open; maybe one of my neighbors is cooking a chicken…outside and well seasoned? Possible, but not likely and especially not at 11:00 am.

Shake it off- need to write this report, the chicken must be close to done the smell is getting stronger. I must be hungry, it smells so good – my mouth is watering. I’ve got to find the source of this mouth-watering… wait! It’s starting to come back to me. Jonathan, my 7 year old, wanted chicken and rice for breakfast (a food phase – breakfast for dinner and dinner for breakfast) and we had some leftovers, but why am I smelling it at my desk? I look down and the bowl with a few grains of rice and 3 chunks of chicken are under my desk! First, I’m angry because that is trifling – carrying around the bowl and then just leaving it in the office – who does that? But then I smile, because it smells so good and I remember that I cooked the chicken breast in Saluda Spice Co. Savory Chicken Blend. I clean up the bowl and go back to work.

Fast-forward to 3:30, Jonathan gets home, goes straight to the office and then asks me where his chicken is??? He was saving it and thought I wouldn’t see it there and throw it away. “It tasted so good I wanted to make sure I had more when I got home from school.” !!!!!!!!!!!!!

In between the Jonathan and Carter Escapades, Entrepreneurial Consulting Job Seeking Mom Wife duties, eating, drinking wine and a little sleeping I try to find time to workout so that my body can stay as youthful as my mind J I usually fall short of the goal (because I HATE to workout) so I also look for ways to stay the same size with the food that I eat. Spices are very important in weight control – there are several spices that are even known to stimulate metabolism – bring on the SPICE!

Here is some information that I found interesting – source: www.spiceetc.com and Add Spice to Your Life, Sarah L. Francis, PhD, MHS, RD University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension, 2007

Recent studies have showed that spicy foods can curb appetite and speed up metabolism and thus fat burning ability. How you might ask? Hot spices especially chilies may inhibit overeating because they contribute to satiety, the feeling of fullness after eating. Not to mention it may be more difficult to overindulge in a hot, spicy food since you may become uncomfortable before you can overeat.

In addition feeling full faster, chili powder and many other spices have a thermogenic effect. This results in the body heating itself from within, which revs up the metabolism. The term metabolism describes the sum of all chemical processes that take place in the body. It manages the movement of nutrients in the blood after digestion, which results in growth, energy and other body functions. Certain spices cause our bodies to burn extra calories by boosting the metabolic rate and thus stimulating weight loss. Some studies have found that adding thermogenic spices at a meal can increase the number of calories burned by 25% for up to an hour after the meal. The following spices have been shown to have this effect to some degree:

Black Pepper- Raises body temperature and increase metabolism. Pepper also has been shown to aid is digestion as well as have antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

Chili Powder- Contains capsaicin, a powerful stimulant that raises the body temperature and fat burning ability by up to 25% and reduces cholesterol levels and improves circulation.

Cayenne Pepper and Tabasco Sauce - Also causes metabolic rate and fat burning ability to increase by up to 25%.

Cumin- According to a study at the University of Chicago, cumin also increases metabolism, especially when used in curry spice blends.

Mustard- In a British study, adding ordinary mustard to a meal caused the average metabolic rate of participants to increase by 25% and the effects last up to 3 hours.

Turmeric- Also boosts metabolism

Ginger- Has been shown to increase metabolic rate and inhibit nausea sometimes caused by carsickness.

Cinnamon- Researchers have found that using just ¼ to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon can increase your metabolism and improve your body’s ability to handle sugar by stimulating insulin activity.

No one can promise weight loss, but it can’t hurt to rev up your metabolism by adding some of these spices for a little extra burn effect. As always, the best way to lose weight is to consume fewer calories than you burn and exercise regularly, but you never have to eat bland diet food!

Tastefully yours,

Kimberly

Sunday Spice Shaker

2009-05-17T10:26:00.000-07:00

Did I say tomorrow? Well, I meant close to tomorrow – as an Entrepreneurial Consulting Job Seeking Mom Wife, the definition of tomorrow is any day after today and before next week. Hope you understand.

So, I was thinking – while we are having fun and all of that, you probably want to know how I got on this spicy journey. How do I know about spices? Why do I care so deeply about the flavor of food and life? Well, here is a little glimpse (maybe there will be more as we get to know each other better).

I learned how to make a perfect sour cream pound cake at the same time that I learned to count. Macaroni and cheese, sweet potato pie and banana pudding came with pre-school, ABCs and reading. I cooked my first meal in 2^nd grade – baked chicken, macaroni and cheese and broccoli. I tried chicken cordon bleu in 4^th grade ( Aunt Claudette still raves about it ) and I was catering parties for my parents and their friends by the 6^th grade – my 1^st entrepreneurial endeavor .

Sunday at the Lee house was Recipe Cook-Off day. My father and I would plan a menu, split the recipes and cook off to see who made the best interpretation. NO DIRECT RECIPE FOLLOWING ALLOWED.

My father, an accomplished lay-chef, set standards for rich flavor and delectable taste in all of the dishes he prepared. He taught me that food is emotional and the more passion you put into your dishes the better your guests will feel – great food is like a warm hug. Generations of his family were widely known as cooking forces to be reckoned with who loved to share the warmth – my grandmother owned a catering company. Their specialties were legendary from Worth, West Virginia to Washington DCto Norristown, PA and beyond – fried chicken, (this is my oven baked version - healthier but just as delicious) eggplant parmesan, sweet potato pone, chicken and dumplings, mashed potato rolls and the list goes on…

My mother, a former model and style maven, set the standard for stylish, yet welcoming entertaining. She owned a special events and wedding planning company – simple elegance was the rule. While her mother whipped up delicious signature dishes she brought with her from Saluda, South Carolina – baked macaroni and cheese, bean pots, sweet potato pie and pound cake, her father ran the local dinner/night club.

Growing up surrounded by these incredible people, I absorbed much that has enhanced my life. As a child and young woman I had unlimited time to try new and interesting recipes and presentations. As an Entrepreneurial Consulting Job Seeking Mom Wife– NOT SO MUCH.

But I still love hugging my family and friends with delicious, well prepared dishes served in a warm and stylish setting.

Over the past 10 years, I have developed my family secrets into Saluda Spice Co. spice blends and meal starters so that you can taste the hug of delectable slow cooked heirloom dishes quickly and with little effort.

Today is a good day for the tangy blended taste of chipotle peppers, thyme and paprika - barbeque ribs or chicken (just substitute ribs with chicken), and potato salad – I love this potato salad, corn on the cob and ice cream. Drinks of your choice. Let me know if and when you try it – how you liked.

Have some leftovers? I love Michael Chiarello’s Coverflex silicone lids.

Food over – let’s talk briefly about shopping. I got my Nordstrom May catalog on Thursday and on page 5 was a great Summer top – feminine, but not frilly, to wear with jeans or shorts…perfect, until I saw it in real life. The color was washed out, the embroidery smaller than the picture, and unless you had a personal stylist pinning you in it, and kept your back to the wall, there’s no way it looked remotely like the ad. Another big point - small and XS sizes were left on the rack because your arms need to come out of your ears to get the top on, and if that isn’t the case – which I hope it is, then you have to size up. Oh. . . and then you still need the stylist.

SALTY – the taste that I felt walking out of Nordstrom without my great Summer top.

Tastefully yours,

Kimberly

PEPPERy

2009-05-14T20:54:00.000-07:00

So, yesterday I gave you the lesson of your life on salt. Today, we’ll cover pepper. But today will be different because I’m feeling different. Pepper adds heat and tonight I’m feeling HOT – not in temperature - in emotion. Three months ago I was laid off from a sr. executive position in brand management in NYC – I have since become a stay at home mom/entrepreneur/consultant/job seeker…

Three months ago my neighbor Kanani and I started a gathering for neighborhood women called W.I.N.O.S – “women in need of separation.” (Actually a gathering that I brought with me from Blue Bell, PA – which I borrowed from my friend Kathy in St. David's - who I think borrowed from her friend…) Anyway, I digress, an opportunity for women to get together taste great wine and release from all that they manage to balance.

To say the least it has been quite a transition for me. Today is an example of how good it can get. Every morning is a challenge to get the boys (beautiful 7 and 4 year olds) out of the door in time to get JJ to school by 8:40 and then Carter to school by 8:50 so that I can start my entrepreneurial consulting job seeking by 9:00. By the skin of our teeth we make it. But today was different. Jonathan cooperated for the 1^st time in 3 months and was dressed, teeth brushed, face washed by 8:30. Carter decided that he had to go to the bathroom at 8:30. Marc took Jonathan to school so he wouldn’t be late and all hell broke loose. Carter screamed and melted down until 8:58. I screamed and melted down until 8:57. I had an appointment for my entrepreneuring at 9:15. Not enough time to get him out of the house to school and to the appointment – he’ll just have to come with me. We’re there by 9:10 but he won’t get out of the car. I do what any good entrepreneurial consulting job seeking mom would do - - I leave him in the car and have my meeting outside in the rain – this way I can keep an eye on the car. So imagine how shocked I am when I get back to the car and he is missing. Yes – the car seat is empty. Did someone walk by and steal him – yes, he is that cute – and a little boy!!!! OMG – I can’t breathe! “Carter ! Carter!” Don’t panic– what will I tell the police? Did he change his mind and try to find me? “Carter!” What the F!!!? Wait, do I hear rustling from the trunk? Walk around the car… open the trunk of the SUV. “Mommy, how did you know I was in here?” Big smile. “You know everything.” I know you better get your little behind back in your seat and I better take a walk around the car to get myself together because I think I want to choke you. Drop off was accomplished and BOY was I looking forward to W.I.N.O.S! 7:00 won’t be here soon enough!

Fast-forward to 9:00 and the phone rings Marc is just leaving the office – forget about W.I.N.O.S. Yes, I’m a big girl, I’m a powerhouse, a force, a mom, an entrepreneurial consulting job seeking wife and I am disappointed, angry and HOT! I am PEPPERy. And can you believe we don’t have any wine in the house?! I was going to go to the store on my way to W.I.N.O.S and he didn’t bring any. I am RED PEPPERy.

Which leads me to tonight’s subject – Pepper – the perfect compliment to salt.

Pepper is a flowering vine, cultivated for its fruit, which is usually dried and used as a spice that adds heat to meals. The fruit is known as a peppercorn when dried. Peppercorns, and the powdered pepper derived from grinding them, may be described as black pepper, white pepper, red/pink pepper, green pepper, and very often simply pepper.

But did you know that pepper also has some very unique usages? Didn’t think so – well here goes:

· Stop a car radiator leak

· Use as a decongestant

· Keep colors bright

· Get bugs off plants

o 2 tbsp cayenne pepper - 2 large cloves of garlic - 4 medium sized onions - 4 cups water - In a blender or food processor, blend until completely smooth. Then add about a gallon of water and you are ready to spray your plants.

· Deter deer from your garden

· Keep ants out of the kitchen

· Kill an ant colony

· For arthritis pain you can make your own homemade warming massage to sooth where it hurts.

o Recipe: Mix together

o 1 dropper of almond oil (Always use a carrier oil such as almond, jojoba or olive oil) 2 drops of pepper 1 drop ginger 2 drops lavender

Massage on the affected area and feel the warmth working.

Resources:

www.rd.com/advice-and-know-how/extraordinary-uses-for-pepper/ article23981.html

www.isnare.com/?aid=165490&ca=Cooking

OK we’ve passed Spice 101 and tomorrow will move onto something spicier. Provided the day is better than today – don’t want to get stuck at PEPPERY.

Easy spicy recipes and fun and quick gathering ideas tomorrow.

Tastefully yours,

Kimberly

Don't throw salt

2009-05-13T20:38:00.000-07:00

I’ve created this blog to get everyone to open their minds to the “spiciness” of life. So as not to intimidate the faint of spice, we will start our journey in the most comfortable of places for spice exploration – THE KITCHEN.

In my opinion, there are must-haves for every kitchen. Salt and Pepper. Sounds obvious, I know, but there are oh so many kinds of salt and pepper to consider. Today, let's talk about salt. Get to know:

Table salt – Table salt, the one found in most salt shakers, is mined from evaporated salt deposits or salt water and has most of the minerals removed. Most salt in the U.S. is sold with iodine, an additive nutrition additive started in the 1920s. Salt is refined from there to create varieties like: 

Pickling salt, Canning salt, Coarse salt, Pretzel salt, Rock salt, Popcorn salt, Seasoned salt Have I missed any? Probably – Let me know.

Kosher salt – Kosher salt is an additive-free coarse-grained salt. This salt was developed for the preparation of meats in accordance with Jewish dietary laws. The salt itself isn’t kosher, but the name sounds good. I find Kosher salt perfect to rim cocktail glasses for drinks like margaritas. Since Kosher is a lighter salt, there is less after taste to it.   This is a great all-purpose salt.  I use it in all of my spice blends, dips and recipes.

Sea Salt – Sea Salt is just that – salt gained from evaporating salt water collected from an ocean or sea. Sea salt is typically less refined than other salts. Depending on the seawater used, you also get a variety of minerals in the sea salt. Due to this, there are numerous types of sea salts. Here are a few:  Black Salt - used in Indian cooking.  Grey salt – Slightly moist with a chunky texture, the gray or light purple color comes from the clay in the region of France where it is harvested. A full flavored all–around great salt. Hawaiian sea salt – This salt is used in many traditional Hawaiian dishes like Kahlua Pig and Hawaiian Jerky.  (Flower of Salt, Flor De Sal) – Skimmed from the top of salt ponds early in the evaporation process, is a great condiment salt, and particularly suited for grilled meats, in salads and on vegetables. The flavor, like wine, varies depending on where it is harvested, typically in France.  French Sea Salt – A coarse salt, this is good for salads, vegetables and grilled meats.   Italian Sea Salt – A delicate salt which is good on salads and in sauces.  Smoked Sea Salt - These are delicious in soups, salads, pasta and also in grilling foods like salmon. 

Too much information on salt, right? Unless you are a trained chef, saltologist or just have a lot of time on your hands – why use up your brain space with all of this info? Make seasoning easy and healthy – simplify with Saluda Spice Blends – the perfect balance of herbs, spices and kosher and sea salts. www.saludaspice.com

Pepper tomorrow.

Tastefully yours,

Kimberly

Spice is all around us

2009-05-09T22:26:00.000-07:00

According to Wikipedia, a spice is a dried seed, fruit, root, bark, leaf, or vegetative substance used in nutritionally insignificant quantities as a food additive for the purpose of flavor, color, or as a preservative that kills harmful bacteria or prevents their growth.

In the kitchen, we distinguish spices from herbs. Herbs, those leafy, green plant parts used for flavoring like basil or oregano are often used fresh, and chopped into smaller pieces. Spices, conversely, are dried and often ground or grated into a powder. Small seeds, such as fennel and mustard seeds, are used both whole and powdered.

Kitchen herbs and spices enhance flavors and complete recipes. But there is also a dark cabinet corner graveyard of exotic spices in those oh-so ambitious recipes- you remember that $50 per ounce we bought and haven’t used since? Do you even remember the recipes?

But spice is also defined as “to make more interesting – as in ‘adding spice’.” And so, spices (and herbs) in our lives, extend way beyond our kitchens.

We use herbs in our bedrooms as potpourri to give them pleasant scents, we use herbs and oils in the bath to make our skin soft, attractive and youthful, or we use herbs and spices as aphrodisiacs and performance enhancers. When was the last time you were “spicy”?

We ‘spice’ up our conversations – “I went to the movie and dinner on Friday, I had a good time. “ becomes “I saw this incredible movie Friday night – the action was explosive, there wasn’t a minute that I wasn’t on the edge of my seat! And the star was hotter than roasted Bhut Jolokia Peppers!” Wow, must be hot – what kind of pepper is that?

We spice up our appearance. You’re walking out the door and take that last look in the mirror before meeting your public and it’s either “smoking – chipotle hot” or “damn – need to try again.” No matter how intelligent, funny and or successful you are - first impressions are crucial because people judge us before they know us– and everyone wants to stand out. So, we spice up our appearance. No, I’m not recommending shaking salt and pepper in our hair, it means that we add that special flourish – the blue shirt that brings out the sparkle in our eyes; the gold chain that accents our collarbone; the jeans that … and don’t forget the perfect shoe - a Christian Louboutin red sole is like Tongkat Ali. Ouch - What?!

I love spice – spice in my food, life, love and environment. I created The Saluda Spice Co. www.saludaspice.com to offer my unique and delicious spice blends, meal starters and life embellishments to people who love the spice of life but don’t have time or the confidence to create complex recipes. The difference between tasty and delicious is in the perfect spice blend. Check back regularly for my Spicy ride through life. I will have menu suggestions, easy to follow recipes, entertaining ideas, shopping finds and much more that just might, Spice up your life!