I have so much to say about New York City’s proposed ban on large size sugary drinks at restaurants, movie theaters, sports arenas, delis, and fast food franchises, that I don’t know where to start. 

For one, do we really need a governing body to do something for us that should be within the limits of our own self control!?!  I’m outraged, and insulted. 

First they are trying to tell us how much soda we are allowed to consume – what’s next?  Limiting drive thrus to serve you no more than once a month?  How about enforcing a law which allows a person to only eat ten French fries per week? 

Have people lost all sense of moderation that the government sees us as being incapable of deciding for ourselves how much we can and can’t eat? (or in this case drink)  Apparently our leaders think that we, the general public, are just too stupid to know when enough is enough.  Thanks for the insult, Mayor Bloomberg.

If people want to consume more of any substance than they “should”, that’s their prerogative.  This kind of legislation will do nothing other than cause cola companies to generate more plastic bottles to pollute our planet, and allow them to get richer at the same time.  Sales won’t decline. People will buy just as much soda or sugary juice as before.  Except now they will have to buy it in smaller sizes.  This leads to a higher production cost per unit for the manufacturer, ballpark, or restaurant; and in turn that cost will be passed along to the consumer.  Coke and Pepsi must be loving this legislation.  They stand to profit off of it, for sure. 

If this proposal passes, who is to say that other cities and states won’t adopt the same measures?  And if they do, there will be no more picking up a two liter bottle of Coke at the pizza parlor on your way home to share with the family.  Why? Because Chinese food establishments and pizza places are restaurants, and they will now only be allowed to stock bottles 16 ounces or less of sweet beverages.

There will be no more “super sizing it” either.  On this point, I see both the good and the bad.  First of all, I really don’t think there’s a need for anyone to consume more than 16 ounces of soda in one sitting.  That’s just gluttony.  If you’re still thirsty after having that much pop to drink, then perhaps you should hydrate with some good old H20. 

On the other hand, when people order the largest beverage size, they usually get it with ice, when it’s served in a cup.  Ice takes up at least half of the volume if not more.  So in reality, even if you sprang for 32 ounces of fizzy liquid sugar that could clean battery terminals or remove rust, you’re still left with about 16 ounces of government okayed soda to imbibe.

By the way, free refills would be still be allowed when you order, so you can call it the proverbial back door to working your way around this legislation.

Also, this ban is discriminatory.  It does not apply to diet sodas or drinks.  That’s like saying if you drink as much diet soda as you want to, it’s perfectly fine, perfectly safe, and it won’t make you fat.  That is a completely false statement.  In large quantities, diet soda has been shown to both promote obesity and the artificial sweeteners increase drinkers’ risk of developing diabetes.  And if that doesn’t concern you, what about the increased risk of stroke, cancer, and kidney damage?  But I guess if you aren’t “fat”, according to Mayor Bloomberg, you won’t mind having chemo or getting dialysis.

I don’t want any governing body force feeding me or preventing me from making personal choices.  Instead of legislating common sense, maybe moderation should be practiced on the personal level.  Although Bloomberg’s bubbly beverage ban won’t be affecting the town where I live, I am opposed to the precedent that this could set for future legislation.

For the record, I have never, ever supersized a soda in my life.  There’s just no need.  But I don’t believe in a supersize government either.

http://rumson.patch.com/blog_posts/bloombergs-bubbly-beverage-ban-a92c0530

http://woodbridge.patch.com/blog_posts/bloombergs-bubbly-beverage-ban-a92c0530

http://middletown-nj.patch.com/blog_posts/bloombergs-bubbly-beverage-ban-a92c0530

http://littllesilver.patch.com/blog_posts/bloombergs-bubbly-beverage-ban-a92c0530

http://matawan-aberdeen.patch.com/blog_posts/bloombergs-bubbly-beverage-ban-a92c0530

http://redbank.patch.com/blog_posts/bloombergs-bubbly-beverage-ban-a92c0530

http://bayside.patch.com/blog_posts/bloombergs-bubbly-beverage-ban-5d08eaf5

http://hillsborough.patch.com/blog_posts/bloombergs-bubbly-beverage-ban

http://marlboro-coltsneck.patch.com/blog_posts/bloombergs-bubbly-beverage-ban-a92c0530

http://manalapan.patch.com/blog_posts/bloombergs-bubbly-beverage-ban-a92c0530

The blog post and additional comments can also be found on Patch at the above links.

The version of the blog that went national on Patch is the one that was published in Rumson-Fair Haven.   This is where the majority of readers' comments can be found, as well.

Subsequently, another writer was intrigued by my blog, and expressed her own thoughts on the matter in a blog of her own.  I am very flattered, and think she is extremely courteous for mentioning that my original blog inspired hers.  Here is a link to her blog:  http://rumson.patch.com/blog_posts/will-bloombergs-beverage-ban-boost-americas-health#comment_3579555

Red Bank, NJ (May 24, 2012) – Thousands are anticipated to turn out for the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation’s (JSJBF) Jazz and Blues Summer Series Festivals, 2011 winner of the Discover Jersey Arts’ People’s Choice Award for “Best Music Festival.” Each date in the Series will feature crowd-pleasing jazz and blues musicians, along with food, crafters and activities for the entire family.

Beer and wine gardens are present at the Middletown and Point Pleasant venues. The festivals are free to the public and all ages are welcome to attend.  Each year, sponsor donations from the events raise essential funds for the nonprofit Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation’s operational expenses.

"The volunteer staff and board of the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation have been honored to present jazz and blues fans, young and old, with our award-winning Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Festivals for 20 years. The events are widely-anticipated by thousands of residents and visitors to the Jersey Shore," said Dennis Eschbach, Event Director, Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Festivals.

"Thanks to the dedication of our 2012 sponsors, musicians and host towns, we anticipate this year's festivals to be bigger and better than ever! "

Festival Kicks off at Middletown Jazz and Blues Festival, July 7th
The Summer Series kicks off at the Middletown Jazz and Blues Festival on Saturday, July 7th from 12:00 -8:00 p.m. at the Middletown Arts Center on 36 Church Street in Middletown, NJ. The day’s headliner is Sonny Kenn and The Upstage Jam Band.

Sonny has been burning up the Jersey Shore music scene since opening for Jerry Lee Lewis in 1965. Sonny and a group of friends from his days at the Asbury Park’s Upstage Club will reunite again on stage at the Jazz and Blues Festival as the Upstage Jam Band.  The core blues band is comprised of musicians Sonny Kenn, Ricky DeSarno, Joe Petillo, Vini Lopez and Chris Plunkett.

Middletown Lineup
12:00-1:00 p.m. Dan Wallinsky Quartet (Jazz)
 1:20-2:20 p.m. Red Bank Blues Band (Smooth and Jazzy Blues)
 2:35-3:35 p.m. Gordon James Band (Jazz meets MoTown and R&B)
 3:00-4:00 p.m. Miss Sherri Cool Kids Concert in the Theater (Kindie Rock)
 3:50-4:50 p.m. Dean Shot (Hard-rocking, High-energy Blues)
 5:10-6:10 p.m. Stormin’ Norman Seldin and His Allstar Band (Jersey-style Rock and Blues)
 6:30-8:00 p.m. Headliner Sonny Kenn and the Upstage Jam Band (Blues and Fast Rock)

Point Pleasant Borough Jazz and Blues Festival, July 21st
On Saturday, July 21st head over to the Point Pleasant Jazz and Blues Festival from 12:00-8:00 p.m. at Riverfront Park on the corner of Maxon Avenue and River Road in Point Pleasant Borough, NJ. The headliner for the day will be the award-winning blues guitarist and songwriter Billy Hector.

Whether Billy Hector is teasing you with his sultry slidework, picking through delta blues or flat-out cranking it up and crunching out the electric blues/rock on his beloved vintage Fender Stratocaster, his music reflects the true soul and origins of the blues; always passionate, engaging and dedicated to making the audience move and sweat.  Having honed his chops and style through three decades of performances, Hector is critically recognized as one of the hottest and most interesting guitarist/songwriters on the original circuit and has even been called “A New Jersey state treasure” by music writers.

Point Pleasant Lineup
12:00-1:00 p.m. Burr Johnson (Dynamic Fusion Mix)
 1:20-2:20 p.m. Outside the Box (Blues Based Rock)
 2:35-3:35 p.m. Eryn Shewell (A little country, pop, blues, and a lot of soul)
3:50-4:50 p.m. Grupo Yuri Jazz Quintet (Latin and World Beat Jazz)
 5:10-6:10 p.m. Blackberry Blues Band (Blues)a
 6:30-8:00 p.m. Headliner Billy Hector (Blues)

Long Branch Jazz and Blues Festival, August 25th
Close the summer on a good note at the Long Branch Jazz and Blues Festival on Saturday, August 25th from 1:00pm-9:30 p.m. located on the Great Lawn at the Boardwalk in Long Branch, NJ. The day’s headliner will be Rob Paparozzi and The Hudson River Rats.

New Jersey-based front man, singer and harmonica player Rob Paparozzi has been a blues performer since 1967. But Rob is far from being strictly a blues musician. In fact, he's at home playing a wide range of music, ranging from rock to blues to jazz to pop. This versatility is reflected in the long and remarkably diverse list of major artists Rob has worked with, including B.B.King, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Carole King, Cyndi Lauper, and Jimmy McGriff to name a few. Rob’s own band, The Hudson River Rats plays across the U.S. and Europe and features Ed Alstrom, John Korba, Chris Eminizer, Bernard Purdie, George Naha and Bailey Gee. The evening will end with fireworks.
 
Long Branch Lineup
1:00-1:30 p.m. Gary Cavico (Finger-pickin’ Blues)
1:45-2:45 p.m. Andy Rothstein and Friends (Jazz Flavorings)
3:00-4:00 p.m. Nine Below Zero (High-energy Dynamic Blues)
4:15-5:15 p.m. Gina Fox (Sultry Jazz and Intimate Blues)
5:30-6:30 p.m. Goldenseal (Upbeat rock and more!)
6:45-7:45 p.m. Solitude Jazz Trio (Jazz over Soul)
8:00-9:30 p.m. Headliner Rob Paparozzi and The Hudson River Rats (Blues)
9:30-9:45 p.m. Fireworks

For Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Festival Sponsorship opportunities, email Jennifer Smiga at [email protected]. For more information on the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Festivals Summer Series , visit www.jsjbf.org or find them on Facebook at Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Festivals and on Twitter @JSJazzBluesFest.
 
About the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation
The Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation (JSJBF) is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation whose mission is to preserve, promote and perpetuate jazz and blues in the northern New Jersey shore region through performance and education. Visit www.jsjbf.org for more information.

When I  was little, my hair was wavy.  By the time I was 12, it was curly.  My mother didn’t know what to do with her curly-haired girl.  She blew dry my hair and brushed my mane, and achieved 80’s big hair on my head before it was en vogue, and without Aquanet mind you!   My hair heights were amazing.  I could have been the poster child for any styling product out there claiming to produce more volume in seconds.

Anyone who has naturally curly hair knows that a brush is not your friend.  When it rains, your hair frizzes better than Bozo the clown.  If you have loopy locks, you know that you’ll never need volumizing shampoo and conditioner.  Your hair can fluff to limits unknown and defy gravity; although it can’t defy humidity.

The first time I had a salon haircut I was a pre-teen.  Before that my mother just took a pair of kitchen shears and gave me a trim.  It was good enough for me, who as a child was more concerned about riding my bicycle or rolling in the grass after school.  Fashion wasn’t at the forefront until I was older. 

When I had my hair cut for the first time it was a disaster.  I remember the stylist running his fingers through my shoulder length hair remarking that I might need a (gasp!) perm!  That should have been a red flag.  A perm?  What?  I had natural waves and curls!  I was not trying to go for the little orphan Annie look at all!

Although my parents didn’t pay for a perm, the hair stylist did chop away at years’ worth of healthy hair growth, and I walked out of his workplace looking like a Q-tip.  It was an awful haircut and it wasn’t his fault.  He was just used to working on clients who had straight hair.  He didn’t realize that when you have curly hair and you cut off an inch, it’s like taking a mile.  Curly hair shrinks up when there’s no length to weigh it down.

Needless to say, I was traumatized by that first haircut experience, and it took me 6 years to grow it out.  I swore if I had a child and s/he had curly hair I would never, ever allow a chop shop to curb their curls and make them cry.

As fate would have it, my daughter was born with lovely curls.  Her hair is fine, like mine, and the one frustrating factor for her is that it grows at a snail’s pace.  When I tell you I’ve trimmed her hair maybe 5 times since she was born (and she’s 7 now), that’s the absolute truth.  Her hair grows, but as it grows it curls up, so you don’t really see its luxurious length unless her hair is sopping wet and weighed down by water.  The only reason why I’ve given her hair microscopic trims over the years is in attempt to keep the ends healthy, so they don’t split and break off.

Try as I might, this method wasn’t working this year and her hair was just looking uneven and some of the ends were split.  I am not a professional hair stylist and I needed help. 

Over a decade ago, I discovered a fabulous line of products for people with curly hair, who wanted to embrace their curls and keep them manageable, rather than try to straighten or conceal their natural waves.  Ouidad, a visionary woman with curly hair herself, had come up with a technique called “carve and slice” for cutting curls, so you don’t look like you’re sporting a Christmas tree on your head, and to go with that, developed an amazing array of shampoos, conditioners, and styling products that cater to curly haired people like me.  I’ve used her Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel (which prevents your hair from becoming  a frizzy disaster in humid and/or rainy weather) and Styling Mist for years.  Ouidad now has several salons located throughout the United States where technicians are trained in the special needs of us curl girls, and luckily the flagship salon is just miles away in New York.

With my knowledge of her methods and products, I knew this was the place to go for my daughter’s first haircut.  Ouidad salons don’t just have adult clientele; they cater to curly kids as well – from a children’s line of tear-free products, right down the booster seats they place in the professional chairs at the styling stations.

While most parents are taking photos of their child’s first haircut when they are about two, I was just doing this for my first grader!  I had called the New York salon about a month out from when I wanted an appointment.  I made sure to ask for a booking with a stylist that was good with kids.  This was going to be Manda’s first salon experience and I wanted it to be perfect.   No fears and no tears.  While most people might just take a drive in town to get a haircut, I figured for the first time in seven years, taking a train into New York was worth it, and I wanted every aspect of the experience to be a happy one for my little one.

Sondriel, the daughter of world-famous stylist and curly hair entrepreneur, Ouidad, happened to be working on our day of desire.  She was trained by the best and the first of the women proud to embrace and change the way the world styles and is proud of its curls.  Sondriel is used to working with celebrity clientele and had just finished a recent styling session with Jordin Sparks, the winner  of the 6th season of American Idol. 

(Sondriel said  Jordin was one of the most down to earth people she's met.  “She's so down to earth. We were playing angry birds on her phone," related Sondriel of her experience.)

Needless to say, we were extremely lucky to be able to attain an appointment with her.

We had the worst weather for curly hair as we disembarked the train at Penn Station.  It was a foggy and misty day.  Humidity was sky high – and so were the thunderstorm clouds overhead.  We took a cab to the salon and upon crossing the glass door entrance we knew we had made the right decision.  The receptionist was extremely attentive and welcomed us right away.  Sondriel had just arrived.  Manda was her first appointment of the day.  Before Sondriel even settled in, she came over to talk to my daughter and made her giggle and smile.  They hit it off right away.  Putting someone at ease and making them feel comfortable is not something everyone can do well.   It was not a problem at all for Sondriel, who by the end of our appointment had proven to us she is just as masterful with children as she is with technique.

Jessica walked us back towards the shampoo area and placed a puffy pillow under Manda so her head could comfortably tilt back into the adult-sized sink for her shampoo.  When the prepping was completed, we headed over to Sondriel’s station and the consultation began.

There was some clipping and cutting, but nothing too extreme.  Carving and slicing occurred but we were confident that Manda would leave with a healthy head of hair, which could be easily styled and manageably maintained.  Sondriel shared some stories with Manda which were as interesting as they were informative.

"Did you know your hair is only alive when it's inside your scalp? Everything you see is already dead but you have to take care of it,” educated Sondriel. 

Do you know what a hair splinter is?  I didn’t.  But I learned something from the expert stylist:

"Hair is one of the strongest things on your body.  Hairdressers can cut themselves on hair and we get hair splinters all the time," said Sondriel.

Apparently, when you are quickly trimming hair, the smallest pieces can stick in your skin and act exactly as a wood splinter would.  Sondriel shared that it’s even harder to try to tweeze them out!

Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel was graciously applied to sections of Manda’s tousled wet hair, and she got to sit under a drier and flip through a magazine while sipping a cool glass of water garnished with a lemon slice, which Sondriel brought over herself.  When the beautiful curls had set, Sondriel finished it off with Climate Control Frizz & Flyaway Fighter, and there were smiles all around.  Not a curl concern was to be had, despite the drizzle which had now turned to a down pour outside.

The friendly atmosphere, the love of curls, and the patience and understanding of our supreme stylist make us say we’d go back in a blink.

Thank you to the entire Ouidad staff, and Sondriel, for being so welcoming and gentle with my little girl and giving her a hairstyle she’s proud to show off.

 

You can follow Ouidad on facebook or connect with them on twitter @Ouidad

Sondriel was also kind enough to pose for a picture with me.  See here and scroll down a bit. :)  Thank you, Sondriel!

The original blog post and comments can be found on Patch at the above links.  You can also enlarge the uploaded document by clicking on Fullscreen.

Prior to launching my website, I made the decision that I wanted to make the experience with you, my readers interactive and fun.  One way of doing that was coming up with some really cute promo items to pass out and share.  I had the gimmick, now I needed the goods.

I had one problem, though, that most small businesses and ventures encounter.  There are millions of purveyors out there that offer personalized pens, pads, and promotional items – but only in large quantities.

I was just starting out.  I was on a budget .  What was I going to do with 2,000 personalized car magnets?  Where would I store them?  More importantly, how could I afford them?  These websites that offered customized creations for what they claimed to be such a low cost were not what I needed.  $1 per item times 1000, ads up!  My search was on.

Luckily, I stumbled upon Sticky Life.  They are one of my now not-so-secret vendors that I recommend to people who have either a business or personal need for personalized products that you stick on or slap on something or someone.  (I didn’t even realize that many people use services like this for producing wedding favors, political campaign advertising items, or sports memorabilia on the local levels at first, but they do!  So the usefulness could be endless.)

 While I may pay more per individual item for custom temporary tattoos, or window static clings, or specially designed key chains, I don’t have to order a thousand.  I can order a dozen, and save my dollars that way.   I picked my item, determined the size I wanted, easily uploaded my design, paid, and the deal was done.

Even if you are not a graphic designer, StickyLife.com’s  interactive tools allow you to add text, clip art, or images that are your own easily.  You can then position the pieces using the pointer of your mouse and a few clicks on the screen.

I do use another vendor for my personalized clothing items, and two others for TheLadyinRedBlog.com pads and pens – but I’m not ready to go public with them yet.  They are gems of a find that also don’t require the placement of large orders.  Imagine, though, if there was a one stop customized print shop for all kinds of items -  not just stick-ons, or clothing, or office supplies – but everything where you didn’t have to worry about placing huge orders to receive a mediocre quantity discount. Now that would be business bliss, for me.  I haven’t found one that’s all encompassing to my diverse needs yet, though.

That said, I’m very appreciative that there are vendors out there that cater to start-offs like me.  Quantity was my concern, because that drove cost.  Plus, I like the flexibility to change things up a bit and ad some variety to what I stock up on. The idea of maxing out on one design doesn’t appeal to me as much as ordering let’s say 50 stickers of one kind and 50 of another.

We all know that over time sometimes logos change and you don’t want to be stuck with old stock.  Or maybe you want to create something with appeal to a certain subsector of your audience.  Maybe it’s a gals versus guys situation and you want to feminize or masculinize your merchandise and not commit to a few billion bumper stickers that look identical.

So for starters, check out StickyLife.  They understand you don’t have to force customers to purchase things in bails of 100 to be successful.

The original blog post and comments can be found on Patch at the above links.  You can also enlarge the uploaded document by clicking on Fullscreen.

When you first read that headline it probably got you all up in arms.  First, no, I’m not the type of mom who will force feed your child peanuts when I know that they have an allergy and you have made me aware of it.  This is not what I’m talking about.  I’m talking about something else:  consideration and tolerance.  It applies here, too.  Let me explain.

When I was growing up, my parents never had to ask a friend’s parents if their child was allergic to anything on a play date.  (We never even called them play dates back then.  It was good old-fashioned, “I’m going over to my friend’s house,” and we left it at that.)  Serving up a snack of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a glass of milk on the side was the norm.  Food allergies were not as prevalent, for whatever the reason a few decades ago.  (I have my own theories about why more children and adults are allergic to certain foods now, but we’ll save that for another blog on another day.)  And even in the rare situations so-and-so couldn’t drink milk because of lactose intolerance, or had another type of food that they had to avoid, parents, and mostly the child herself, would voluntarily tell my mother that they weren’t allowed to eat the offending edible, without being asked.  Now the tables have turned.

It seems that some children (not all) are not held responsible for telling others when they are allergic to certain substances.  They are used to their parents playing watch dog, and don’t speak for themselves.  Parents of these children don’t seem to provide that important information up front when in a food serving situation at a party or play date.  It seems I have to pry it out of them.

Out of sheer fear that I would feed something unknowingly to a child with allergies, I doubly  make sure that I ask their parents if there is anything they can’t eat while they are at my house.  I almost feel that I should get it in writing the way today’s sue happy society is.

At what point should parents teach their allergic children to speak up?  I definitely think that by the time they start Kindergarten a child should be conditioned to say “I can’t eat x!” before someone serves up a side of medical mayhem for them.

I admit.  I buy all kinds of foods in my house.  Fortunately not one of us has a food allergy.  My child can eat a side of peanuts and wash it down with Nutella juice.  So I’m not used to playing watch dog.  I won’t ban chocolate, wheat, gluten, white flour, dairy, berry, or products that may have been manufactured in plants that poured peanuts on their conveyor belts from my home.  If you care, beware! – and please tell me what your child can eat safely!

To speak to another point, when I was a child, schools never had nut-free classrooms.  There were no allergy tables at lunch.  I think I knew one kid in Kindergarten that was allergic to chocolate milk, and the solution was:  give him orange juice instead.  It was a nice, simple, easy world, where just because one child was allergic to peanuts, it did not mean that everyone else had to give up their granola bars and PB&Js. 

Tolerance prevailed.  What was not good for one, did not mean it was not good for all.  Consideration:  if your friend couldn’t eat something, he told you, and you just didn’t give it to him, period.

When my daughter started school, it was an eye opener for me.  I learned the terms “peanut free classroom” or “nut free lunches”.   I asked myself why?  Just because there were two or three students in her class that were allergic to certain things, why make such a broad ruling for all?  I know that people can have life threatening reactions when exposed to substances that their body rejects.  I’m not naïve.  But this is nothing new.  It’s been this way for hundreds of years.  I don’t believe in banning anything for all, at the demand of a few.

Then I thought about it some more.  I know why there are across the board “rules” now like these in schools.  Many parents, who have made it their life’s mission to make others miserable, have jumped on the sue-happy bandwagon and filed lawsuits against schools for exposing their children to certain foods they have allergies to; and to protect themselves, the schools caved in to their demands to prevent future monetary damages.  Money, always talks.  Money, always overrides right from wrong, and common sense, and civility.  Money erodes understanding.

If schools ban nuts now, what’s next?  There are children allergic to gluten and wheat.  Others can’t have dairy products.  Even healthy foods, like strawberries can trigger allergic responses in some people.  Seemingly healthy food could wind up on the “do not eat” list if nothing is done.

Do?  Do what? 

There’s a child I know whose parents took a stance.  She loves PB&J sandwiches. As a matter of fact, it’s all she ever really wants to eat for lunch.  And you know what?  That’s what they send her to school with, every day.  Good for them.  They are paying for her food. They are her parents. They get to make the decision about what she eats – not the school, and not parents of children with allergies.

These “rules” in school, are not in the school handbook. They are arbitrary requests sent home in emails and flyers to parents.  They are worded carefully in statements such as “We are reminding parents that this is a nut free classroom.”  They don’t come right out and say “No nuts allowed” (although, “nuts” of a different kind can’t be banned or that would be discrimination – LOL).  But you get my point.

All of a sudden when I found out that one girl got what she wanted, I was supporting them in stealth.  I became a silent sneaker of snacks.  If my daughter wanted a pack of peanuts or a granola bar one day – so be it.  She’s not sitting at an allergy table at lunch. She is being considerate of those who can not eat what she can.  She’s not trading her lunch or snack with anyone.  

If we are bending over backwards for kids who have allergies by supplying them with a special place to eat that’s safe, then schools and parents of allergic children should respect the freedom of those children without allergies too.  The freedom to eat what they want.

Red Bank, NJ (May 16, 2012) – On Sunday, June 3rd from 12:30 p.m.- 3:00 p.m., the Cupcake Magician will celebrate its One-Year Anniversary on 54 Monmouth Street in Red Bank, NJ with a magical afternoon of sweet fun for the entire family. Highlights from the event include face painting, magic tricks, a tea party hosted by Salon La De Da, and of course, cupcakes! This past year has been an exciting time for Cupcake Magician as the family owned and operated bakery has won numerous awards, including "Best in Show" at The Community YMCA's "A Taste of the Two Rivers" and the Asbury Park Press’ "Best of Monmouth and Ocean County" Readers Choice Winner for Desserts.

At the June 3rd event, Cupcake Magician will also celebrate the work of its June Sweet Charity partner, The Community YMCA who will receive 15% of sales from the French Toast cupcake through June 30th, 2012. Since its opening, each month, Cupcake Magician selects a non-profit organization to receive 25% of the sales from one of its 35 varieties of cupcakes as part of its "Sweet Charity" in-store fundraising program. Past “Sweet Charity” partners have included the Monmouth County SPCA, Count Basie Theatre, Blues Star Mothers of the Jersey Shore, Riverview Medical Center, Autism Speaks, Visiting Nurse Association Health Group, and the ARC of Monmouth County. Nonprofit representatives may obtain a “Sweet Charity” application by stopping by the bakery located on 54 Monmouth Street in Red Bank, NJ.

Sweet Anniversary Giveaways

At the June 3rd event, Cupcake Magician will offer a special Anniversary promotion of buy six cupcakes and get two free and host a drawing for a dozen cupcakes every month for a year. The winner will be pulled at 2:00 p.m. and must be present to claim the prize. To honor the occasion, Gaetano's in Red Bank is offering a Pasta Afternoon Special from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. With the purchase of each adult pasta dinner; get one child's pasta dinner free. Salon La De Da will also distribute coupons for $20 off a $50 hair service, which is good through 2012.

Cupcake Magician kicked off its Anniversary festivities on May 11th on its Facebook page. Every Friday leading up to the June 3rd Anniversary Party, Cupcake Magician’s Facebook fans will have the exciting chance to win free cupcakes weekly. 

About Cupcake Magician

Owned and operated by the Nardini Family of Middletown, Cupcake Magician is a mom and pop bakery committed to serving the best quality and largest variety of cupcakes baked on premise daily. For convenience, Cupcake Magician offers curbside service and free parking located behind their store. Bakery hours are Mon.-Wed. 11:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m., Thurs.- Sat. 11:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m., and Sun. 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Visit www.cupcakemagicianonline.com or call 732-530-5700 for more information.

So, I’ve featured recipes here because over the past few years I’ve gotten last minute requests from friends, family, and acquaintances that go something like this:  “What should I make for dinner tonight?” – “I have shrimp in the freezer, what can I do with it?  or even  just a “Help!”  And many of you know how much I LOVE to cook.  Cook.  Bake – not so much.  I do bake, but let’s just say it’s a work in progress.  I’m trying to get better at it.

However, what I do bake regularly, is damn good.

You will notice, though, that many of my recipes require some advance planning, or a bit of prep time in the kitchen.  Well, except for my ‘2 second salad’.  That takes well – more like 2 minutes to make.  Ok, maybe 10.  But you get the idea.

There’s one person, though, that has a natural knack in the kitchen.  I went to high school with her, and her recipes have come through for me in situations where “Ooops, I forgot to defrost something!  What do I do for dinner?”  or “I’m too lazy to cook tonight, but my family wants to eat.”

I now introduce her to the world – Debbie Chupa – the “Emergency Eats” queen.  Her chili recipe has circulated on Facebook for over a year now.  And let me tell you – I’ve tried a lot of chilis over the years, but nothing tops hers.  (If you think you’ve got a recipe for one that does, please, submit it to me, and I’ll tell you what I think – no holds barred.  I dare you to go up against this girl’s crockpot creation.)

Her chili, is the bomb.  If you invest your time in to making the largest ever crockpot full of goodness, and freeze your leftovers in Ziploc bags for future “Emergency Eats”, trust me, you will be eternally grateful for the ability to thaw out the most flavorful combination of beans (and meat, if you so desire), in an instant in your microwave -  on days like we all have – where you come home, and it’s crazy, or you’re just lazy.

When I make Debbie’s Famous Chili, I freeze the leftover portions in 2 – 3 gallon-size Ziploc bags, once it cools. Granted, the bags are not stuffed full – but it all depends on how many people you plan on feeding in the future, you know?  To me, it’s totally worth investing a Saturday morning to assemble the ingredients in a crock pot (or on the stove if you’ve got the time to hang around and stir the concoction), so you’ve got a freezer full of fantastic eats in the future.

Debbie has not had any formal culinary training, but I’ll vouch that her taste buds are right on track.  Some people just have natural talent.  She’s one of them.  Yes, I’m a closet chef; but this girl’s got gourmet-in-a-minute going on.  So you will see her recipes featured here from time to time.  There’s more than one that I’ve been privileged to pull out of my arsenal on a moment’s notice – not just to feed on in a frenzy, but these dishes have delicious written all over them.

So without further ado, let me introduce to you the Mamma of Mouthwatering Dishes in a Dash – Debbie Chupa.  And let’s start with her famous chili.  Go ahead – try it, you’ll like it!  (And yes, I’m going to make you click on the link to see her recipe!)

The blog post and additional comments can also be found on Patch at the above links.

Some of you visiting my site may already know that I blog for Patch media, which is Huffington Post’s sister, all under the AOL umbrella.  Or maybe you saw the cute little Lady in Red icon on Facebook or Pinterest and thought you’d check this website out.  Or maybe you don’t remember how you wound up here, but are starting to read this right now.  No matter how we met, I’m glad you’re here.

If you’ve read my blog before, you may be wondering Why in the world did she start her own website?  or Who does this girl think she is?  There are a million bloggers in this world – like we need one more?

Whatever your thoughts, let me explain.

First, I love to write.  I will continue to write for Patch and for whatever other publications may find my work desirable and I may select to write for in return.  So I’m not going anywhere.  I’m just expanding my horizons.

One of my friends inquired a few months ago as to whether I had my own website.  At the time I did not.  I never really thought about the concept before then.  The thought was a bit daunting to me.  What? Go out on my own?  I don’t want to…..wait!

Did she have a point?  Maybe she did. She got me to think.  The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I don’t have to stop writing for publications I love and value.  I can do that, plus do more!  After bouncing a few thoughts off of her, she told me that there’s enough room in cyberspace for everyone. And you know what? She’s right.

Anyone who knows me, knows that once I get an idea in my head, I’m set on it.  I’m like a heat seeking missile headed for a target.  There’s no stopping me until I achieve my goal.   Yes, a goal.

Some people chase dreams. They aspire to win the lottery , for example. But you can’t achieve winning the lottery.  It’s luck.  Goals are something you can achieve through hard work.  No matter how hard you work, you can’t guarantee winning a fortune.

So, I decided to pour my energy into creating a place for me and all of my writings – in one central place. So whether I write for Patch, or Garden State Menu, or the next great publication to come my way – you’ll be able to find my work here, too.  It makes things easier for me on my end, obviously.  But you see, I understand that you need an incentive to come here, too.  What makes here, theladyinredblog.com, such a special place that you’ll take those extra two seconds to click your mouse and come on over?

As a special perk for those of you who take the time to visit the lady in red, I will feature blogs I write, special ones, here, and only here for you.  You won’t be able to find them anyplace else.  It’s a treat for those who come on by to say hi.  Sure, you’ll see the things you’ve stumbled upon written by me on other websites here, too, but – keep checking – because here – I get to publish what I see fit.  There’s no reason for me to be politically correct, or choose the most polite words.  I’m not generally callus, but I can be more casual.  Here is where I will let my hair down.

I’m also going to feature original recipes, that you can’t find in cookbooks, magazines, or on the Food Network.  I’ve been asked for years by friends what’s for dinner, or how to make something.   Now, by popular demand – you can catch my collection de cuisine.  And the recipes are going to be good, guaranteed.

I’ve met some amazing people over time, and there are sometimes photos that I don’t publish with my blogs that tell a story of their own.  These are the kinds of tidbits you’ll see appear here.  I’m sure you’ll find them interesting. 

As I travel around town or across the country, sometimes I stumble upon misspelled signs, strange looking people, or funny license plates.  How can I not share them with you?  Since this is my site, I make the calls.  You can find that kind of colorful thing – here.

You can read all about me, contact me, and of course comment here, as well.

I promote people, events, and places I feel are absolutely awesome.

Sometimes I run contests.  And if you can’t get enough of this spicy lady in red, you can find her in your emailbox if you sign up for the monthly newsletter. Well, that’s my goal anyway- to not spam you to death, but sum up anything really amazing or amusing that’s gone down here during the last 30 days.

So relax, sit back, and click around.  There’s a lot more than blogging going on here.   If you like surprises, I like to keep people on their toes.