AjaBakes (and Outtakes)
My four-year-old, Aja, was “helping me” make bulkas (traditional South African Cinnamon Buns) the other day, and said, “mommy record me.” So I whipped out my iPhone, and she proceeded to describe how to make bulkas—totally impromptu and with no coaching whatsoever by me. (If it was planned I would’ve cleaned up the messy kitchen!) So cute, I just had to share it with you guys.
Please don’t report me for bad parenting when you see the outtakes! I was trying to distract her and make light of it—never dreaming it would happen again. Hope you have a good chuckle. (…)
Weight Watchers Simple Start Works!
Weight Watchers just released their two week, kick-start-your-metabolism program that is guaranteed to work! (If you follow it, of course.) This past Saturday I caught the last meeting of the week (WW runs Sunday through Saturday) where the new Simple Start program was the meeting topic. (Don’t worry, if you’re just joining—or returning—they’ll be happy to go over it with you after any meeting.) Happily, I already dropped three of the FIVE pounds that I gained in the last month—after following Simple Start for just one week. (See, I told you it works!) I’d been struggling to get back on track, after giving in to emotional eating in the unsettled weeks following our incredible trip to South Africa. I can only imagine how many points I inhaled night after night—while listening to my jet-lagged toddler yelling that she will NEVER EVER go to sleep! (Now my hubby understands why I gave him a hard time about bringing all those slabs of chocolate back with us.) (…)
Ode to Africa
I was deeply touched by our trip back to South Africa to celebrate my dad’s 80th birthday—turned family reunion—and felt compelled to share it on OrnaBakes, which is an extension of who I am.
America is now undoubtedly my home, but I’ll always have Africa inside of me. It was wonderful to finally show my husband, Sam, where I grew up, giving him a deeper understanding of who I am and the culture that shaped and molded me. (I’m definitely not your typical “valley girl”!) (…)
Starbucks and La Boulange: Picks and Points
I’m not usually tempted by full fat baked goods at Starbucks (evil!), but ironically, since they partnered up with San Francisco’s La Boulange—which they now own—the “reduced fat”, artisanal options have brought up some serious cravings in me for pastries! I compiled this list—with nutritional information and Weight Watchers PointsPlus values—to empower us in the upcoming holiday season! Even if you’re NOT a Weight Watcher, this guide will help you make good choices. Print it! Pin it! Bookmark it! And please SHARE IT with your Weight Watchers and Starbucks buddies! (…)
Seven Nights of Sexy, Part Two
I’m sure you’re feeling great about yourself—and your relationship—after completing our Seven Day Challenge, Part One.
We’re going to Get into Action with Part Two!
I can’t wait to hear how connected you feel, and how incredibly loving and happy your partner has become. (That’s all I need to know, thank you!)
You’ll definitely learn something new—and get ideas—just from reading this inspirational guest post by Lou Paget. (Have you ever heard of the SWIRL?) (…)
Seven Nights of Sexy, Part One
I’m sure you’re wondering what on earth sex has to do with a healthy food blog?! Well… I recently asked a friend, who owns a successful SEO (Search Engine Optimization) company, how to make OrnaBakes go viral, and he jokingly said, “pictures of babies and puppies.” Since I’ve already exploited my little one as much as possible (kidding), and we don’t have a puppy (yet), I came up with what I thought was the next best thing! I remembered a young lady on TV, a few years back, guaranteeing that sex every single day = weight loss. I actually believe this to be true—not if you’re lying there counting how many calories you’re burning, but because it would make you feel happy and connected, and take the focus off the food. For me, there’s a strong connection between how I feel about my body—and what I put into it—and how sexy (or un-sexy) I feel. I approached our wise friend, and Sam’s ex-girlfriend (call me crazy), Lou Paget—a widely acclaimed sex educator and international bestselling author—about writing a guest post relating food, body image, and intimacy. This exciting two week series will inspire you to feel great about your body, and your present or future relationship. I hope you’ll join us on Day One of the Seven Day Challenge: Monday, October 14th (…)
Chopsticks and Change
I had an epiphany on Erev Rosh Hashanah (the eve of the Jewish New Year), as I ate a bowl of vegetables at 11pm—something the old me would never have done!
It’s interesting how religious holidays bring up such strong, varied emotions in us—some joyous and some painful.
I learned from my wise, dear friend Judy—when I trekked around Los Angeles as her Weight Watchers receptionist and young leader in training—that while things change from holiday to holiday, the one thing that stays the same is the food. As people age and relationships change, our favorite childhood dishes bring familiar comfort of simpler times. That’s one of the reasons why traditional foods evoke such powerful emotional associations, and can trigger and spin us out of control. […]
Input vs Output
Yesterday we went to gorgeous Newport Beach with Sam’s family, and I sat in hiding on the beach—long pants and a t-shirt covering my full, black bathing suit, as I watched all the bronzed, bikini’d babes go by. True, I’ve been working round the clock on the Fabio Viviani review, in the hopes that he […]
Restaurant Review: Cafe Firenze, Moorpark, CA
Love Cafe Firenze! Cafe Firenze is one of our favorite restaurants; upscale without being stuffy or snobby, with high quality ingredients and a wonderful, warm atmosphere. When I heard, on Top Chef, that Fan Favorite, Fabio Viviani, had a restaurant in Moorpark—about 30 miles away from where we live—I imagined a little Italian eatery out […]
Fabio Viviani’s Cooking Demo and Cookbook Review
This past Saturday I dragged Sam to Top Chef Fan Favorite, Fabio Viviani’s Cooking Demo and Book Signing—well, it wasn’t the kicking-and-screaming kind of dragging, since Cafe Firenze is one of our favorite restaurants. (Click here for my restaurant review >>) This time I had the foresight to let them know I’d be coming, and […]