Love Letter to My Lil Town of Emmaus! Shop and Eat Here...You Will Fall in Love Too!

I live in a small town called Emmaus. It's right outside of Allentown, PA. You might have driven through but did you stop and look around, shop and eat? Today is Small Business Saturday. I supported my Emmaus.. I went to Cottage Emmaus and got my hugs and candles from my friend/owner, Emma; Emmaus Bakery where Gavin got his cupcake, Sweet Memories Emmaus PA for some strawberry lemonade, Baked for a pumpkin cheesecake bar, and lastly Creamery on Main for some dirty chai..kitchen is getting prepared for burgers soon, missed friend/owner Bill by an hour but ran into my beautiful friend Denise and her beautiful daughter Alex getting some ice cream! Beautiful day in my small town of Emmaus! We welcome you to Shop Local Shop Emmaus!!! There are so many wonderful stores and restaurants here that I didn't get to today, but shop and eat at often! You bet I will continue blogging about them and my experiences. For me, it's about community, relationships and friendships built.

Wellness isn't just about eating well and exercise. It's also about having a sense of self, community, and building lasting friendships and relationships. When you get stressed, of course I encourage you to exercise. It helps to reduce stress. But also turn to family and friends to help you through whatever it is you are going through. What does that have to do with Small Business Saturday? Simple, I am also a small business. I can't do it alone. I cultivated and continue to grow my friendships with my friends/fellow business owners. They lift me up when I feel low as I lift and support them too. They all mean something to me and have a piece of my heart. So, I encourage you to go and support your local businesses where ever you are. Small business is the backbone of our communities! If you are in the Lehigh Valley or just driving through, stop in the shops and restaurants in Emmaus and say hello to my friends. You will be greeted with a warm smile and you will leave with a piece of them in your heart too!

Applebees = Crapplebees?

Why do big chain restaurants pour on the salt and smother their food in grease? It's disgusting. I never go to Applebees. I think the last time I was there was maybe 3yrs ago with my daughter. On Friday last week, my son won a free kids meal to Applebees at school. So, on Saturday, October 1st I decided to treat my kids to Applebees after the Step Out Against Domestic Violence 5k walk/run (benefiting Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley) where we volunteered and walked.

After resting at home for a bit, we went to Applebees. We were greeted with a warm welcome. That was nice. Our server was very nice and accomodating too. Then the food came. My son got what most 10yr olds would get, chicken fingers and fries. He couldn't eat much of it. My daughter got garden fresh ravioli. Well, let me tell you, when that was put in front of her I should've had it sent back. Why didn't I? Did you ever see the movie Waiting with Ryan Reynolds? If not, see it. You will never send food back again! The amount of oil that was on that plate was enough to fill a car! Exaggeration..nope! I got fajitas which were very spicy, peppery and hot. I like spicy food but my God! Plus the salt in it alone was enough to bloat me until next week. My daughter pushed alot of the food on her plate aside, scraped the sauce of oil off and just ate the four ravioli on her plate. When the server came to clear everything, I showed her my daughter's plate. She took it away and the manager came over. He was a nice man but tried explaining it was a brown butter sauce and blah, blah, blah...I asked him if he saw the plate? He kept trying to justify the chef's choice of cooking method. I told him I'm a certified nutritionist and cook. I stopped him cold. He comp'd the meal. Will I go back to Applebees or Crapplebees as I have called it for years... probably not. I don't care that they have a low calorie section and a Weight Watchers section. Salty is salty. Unhealthy is unhealthy. It's a shame because I gave them the benefit of the doubt too.

Do you help your community?

I know, I know, it's been awhile since my last post! Relax if you don't have kids. This is not just a post about children; especially mine. I have a point here I promise:)

I had the pleasure of helping out at my son's elementary school for picture day. My son, along with all of the other kids looked great and were happy to take a break from their lessons even if it was for pictures. You see, I am on my school's PTO (Parent Teacher Organization). If you are a parent with a child in school you should really attend meetings. You are a true participant in your children's education. I was able to volunteer because of the PTO today. Great friendships are made with other parents, teachers and the principal. The PTO gives back to the school which is part of our community. Check it out at least once!

Don't have kids? That's okay. There are plenty of other opportunities to help your community. See if there is a Main Street Program in your city or town. Get involved in a charity. I work closely with Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley. They help women like me that are victims of domestic abuse/violence. If you live in the Lehigh Valley, Step Out Against Domestic Violence 5k Walk/Run is Saturday, October 1st at the Lehigh Parkway. Would love to see you there. Not in the Lehigh Valley? That's ok, support other causes in your area! We are all in this together. Each individual on this Earth makes a difference... What are you doing?

Did you know that giving back not just in money but in giving of your time makes a huge difference in your overall health? When you help others, it's a natural way to feel good about yourself which in turn reduces your stress level. You will therefore lead a more productive life! How cool is that? I look forward to hearing how you are making a difference!

Back to School

Here we go.. Back to School time! Summer is winding down but there is still so much to do! Sports are in full swing with the midget leagues playing and the middle/high school teams practicing. Please make sure that your kids are eating healthy and eating enough. Also, hydration is very important! Water, water, water! Be mindful of sugary drinks. Make sure you and your children are eating plenty of whole foods such as fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, quality proteins such as chicken, turkey, legumes/beans, and fish, and quality grains; such as brown rice, barley, wild rice, and whole grain breads.

Worried about what kind of school lunches to pack? Be creative. Have fun with it. Get different kinds of cookie cutters to cut sandwiches into. Try different kinds of wraps stuffed with goodness! Make big batches of homemade soups and freeze them. Take them out the night before and heat in the morning for the thermos. Cut up fresh fruit and veggies. Pair the veggies with hummus or an organic ranch dressing (without MSG) for dipping. Lunch and snack time don't need to be boring. There is nothing wrong with leftovers for lunch either. Healthy doesn't mean boring. Help your kids pack their lunches giving them some choices. Contact me for more info!