Mom Cooks Fast and Slow

my contact: momcooksfastandslow@gmail.comREFERENCES:Netflix: The Social Dilemma https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224https://nypost.com/2023/06/19/number-of-teens-who-dont-enjoy-life-has-doubled-with-social-media/https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Proportion-of-adolescents-with-depression-or-low-psychological-well-being-by-hours-a-day_fig2_340234729https://prcp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.prcp.20190015https://www.statista.com/statistics/187496/death-rate-from-suicide-in-the-us-bygender-and-age/https://fherehab.com/learning/increase-social-media-mental-illness/https://www.statista.com/chart/19262/impact-of-social-media-on-mental-health/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9733629/https://www.nature.com/articles/srep45064https://www.waituntil8th.org/https://nwtdarien.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com

Today, I'm speaking with Craig Diamond, an Ambassador for Braver Angels, which is an organization dedicated to uniting people across the political spectrum. We discuss his involvement, nationwide discussions held by Braver Angels, the diverse participants, and the organization's long-term vision and goals. Craig also has a background in Environmental policy, and our conversation on climate change and fossil fuels highlights the common ground found in Braver Angels discussions, making it one of my favorite episodes to date. If you’d like to get involved with Braver Angels, please see the episode notes for helpful links and emails.  I hope you Enjoy!https://braverangels.org/cdiamond@braverangels.orghttps://ct.braverangels.org/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com

Today, I have Alison Schechter with me to discuss Functional Medicine.  Ali is a Registered Dietician Nutritionist (RDN) and a lifetime best friend of mine.  We discuss how functional medicine looks at and treats the whole person versus traditional medicine, how important food is when it comes to mental and physical health, and Ali’s own personal battle with Crohns disease and how she has managed to tame it now for 13 years.  In a time when chronic disease in America is increasing significantly, I thought this was a super interesting and informative conversation to have.  I hope you enjoy!https://groverhealth.com/videos-and-gallery/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com

Today, I have Michele Salmini who recently finished her 4 years as a host family for A Better Chance organization in New Canaan. We talk about the amazing ABC program, the wonderful boys that attend, and the family values that ground the initiative which make the program so successful. I hope you enjoy!https://www.abchouseofnc.org/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com

Today, I have Elisa Bulgrin with me to discuss her at home farm called Longfield Farm.  We talk gardening vegetables and flowers, chicken coops, cooking, the idea of homesteading, and the exciting path her family is taking here in New Canaan.  If you are local, be sure to check out her Farm Stand Fridays. I recently went to one, and they are a little slice of country side heaven in the hustle and bustle of every day life.  I hope you enjoy!https://www.longfieldfarmct.com/@longfieldfarmct This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com

Today, I have fellow Theater enthusiast with me, Kate Simone.  Kate works at the theater in town called The Studio and also directs New Canaan High School musicals.  Kate finds ways to keep theater in her life while also growing the family she always wanted. We talk about how theater has changed over the years, the writer and actors strike happening now, and what is missing today in the arts. Also, don’t miss the end where Kate announces a new an exciting project coming to New Canaan! I hope you enjoy!https://www.thestudioperformingarts.com/kate-simone This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com

Today, I have Chris Demuth Jr. with me discussing a variety of topics.  Chris is the founder of event-driven hedge fund, Rangeley Capital, he is an active member of the New Canaan community, and most recently has become quite the CrossFit buff.  What is so appealing about CrossFit to a man like Chris? In a time where many driving principles seemed flipped upside down and all around, CrossFit is a community that values hard work, healthy competition, a commitment to nutrition, and a strong sense of community based on common interests.  I really enjoyed this conversation with Chris about CrossFit, and how some of the lessons learned can be applied to living our every day lives.  I hope you enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com

Today, I have CT State Senator, Ryan Fazio, here to discuss the most recent legislative session in CT which just ended. We discuss how the legislative session works, a few controversial bills such as the fair housing bill, and, most important to me, the mental health crisis effecting our society today. I am so grateful to Senator Fazio for spending the time with me today and hope this podcast will reach people who aren’t able to attend any in person town halls he is doing in our area.  If you would like to reach out to him I have included his email in the episode notes.  I hope you enjoy!ryan.fazio@cga.ct.gov This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com

Today, I have the Palliser Brothers of NYC’s famous Scotts Flowers.  Rob, Chris, and their younger brother, Jonny, grew their father, Rob Sr.’s, flower business into a major player in the florist space today.  We talk about the essential family values that make working together a success, the highs and lows of running your own business, and how every person in the Palliser family plays an essential role in the business still today.  The best part of all this for me, is that I’ve knows the Palliser brothers since I was a little kid and they are an amazing example of how to be wonderful brothers to each other, sons to their parents, and an inspiration to any family business today.  So without further ado, I give you two of the Palliser Brother’s of Scott’s flowers - I hope you Enjoy! https://www.scottsflowersnyc.com/@scottsflowersnyc This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com

Today, I have Michelle Jackson who is a Virtuoso travel agent.  Vacations seem to be getting more and more difficult to plan, not to mention the prices keep going higher and higher.  Michelle and I discuss new travel trends, how to keep costs down, and the best way to plan a trip for families across age spans.  If you’d like to get in touch with Michelle, I’ve attached her instagram handle in the notes of this episode.  I hope you enjoy!https://smartflyer.com/agent/michelle-jackson/@mhj_travel This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com

Today, I have Alec Prostok joining me who is a cryptocurrency fund manager.  As parents, I think we need to constantly be educating ourselves on technology and how it is shaping the world in which we are raising our kids.  Alec and I discuss what exactly cryptocurrency is; the highs, lows, pros and cons, and the outlook for the future of global finance in an ever changing landscape of technology.  It’s a heavier topic, but I think it’s an important one and found the conversation to be really informative.  I hope you enjoy!  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com

Today, I have Frances Sacripanti with me who is a personal trainer and runs the company mind, body, bespoke.  Frances and I talk about the importance of physical health and mental health and how we need to be kind to ourselves when it comes to fitness goals, especially as moms. At the end of this conversation, we chat about our partnering in an event on June 7th to fill our cups with health and wellness, so be sure to listen to the end for details.  I hope you enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com

Today I have Tommy Gamba with me who is the COO and Co Founder of a media tech company called Stacker.  Tommy also happens to be my long time friend of 17 years, and more recently earned the title of my brother in law! Given the economic and political climate around the tech industry, I thought it would be interesting to have him talk a bit about the evolution of tech in the millennial age, the path of a tech entrepreneur, what we should fear and also be excited about in AI, and any advice he had for kids who want to go into tech.  Our lives and our kids lives are being shaped by tech every day, and it’s invaluable for parents to understand it as best we can, especially when we are not in the industry ourselves.  So I hope you find this conversation as interesting as I did and enjoy! https://stackermedia.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com

Today, I have Author and Parent Coach,  Jacqueline Blair Telgheder, here to discuss parenting with ease among so many other things.  We chat about finding appreciation in our selves and our kids, styles of parenting, setting age appropriate boundaries for our kids while offering choice, trusting our gut instincts, and of course - social media. I’m thrilled to share this conversation with you all, I hope you enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com

Today, I have Vicky Merwin with me who is on the Board of Trustees for New Canaan’s new and improved Library.  What I am most excited about this new space is that people are back together in person and off their phones! This isn’t just a Library, it’s a community center, and its a great example of mixing the old with the new and creating a space, especially for our kids, that we can all appreciate.  I hope you enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com

Today I have Yaashi Jhangiani with me to talk about spreading joy through dance, her work in homeopathy, and how she incorporates Indian culture in her own life and throughout the Fairfield county area, and of course, the importance of family. Yaashi teaches Dances of India for Star inc, which is an organization that helps people with special needs, she teaches Zumba classes, she teaches about Indian culture through organizations such as GOPIO and the Norwalk NICE organization, and can also be found donating her time teaching first aid for Westport’s EMS. Yaashi is the best example of someone who takes building and fostering communities seriously and I am so honored to spend time with her today.  I know you will enjoy this conversation as much as I did! https://homeopathy.org/registered-homeopaths-directory/name/yashasvi-jhangiani/https://www.instagram.com/thinkhomeopathyfirst/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/events/woodruff-family-ymca/homeopathy-for-cold-flu-with-yaashi-yashasvi-jhangiani/562813147498575/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com

Today, I have Mackie Spadaccini joining me who is the Chair of the Norwalk, CT Horizons Board.  Horizons is a national non-profit organization that believes all children should have the opportunity to realize their potential and build their own successful futures. Their students discover the joy of learning, skills for success, and inspiration to achieve their dreams.I am so excited to chat with Mackie about this organization and their emphasis on family being a key ingredient to a child’s success. I hope you enjoy. HELPFUL LINKS/CONTACTS:https://www.horizonsncc.org/apply-1/mkspadaccini@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com

Why is family so important to me? My sister and I discuss what family means to us, and what it’s like growing up in an Italian American Family. Reference: https://www.pbs.org/show/italian-americans/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com

Raised in an Italian American family, I have always found the best way to a person’s heart is bonding over a meal at the kitchen table. But depending on your background and what path you have walked, there are a million different ways families and communities connect and support each other. I hope to discuss that here with you!The last few years have turned many of us upside down in so many different ways. Now, we are all trying to find our way back. I believe the only way to find our way back to each other and to happiness is through our hearts. I hope to have thought provoking conversations while reminding us all what it is like to laugh, learn, and why the most important thing in our lives is to support our families, our friends, and our communities. For those of you who originally started following my account for the recipes, I will still be posting those occasionally! I always love to connect through food and make it approachable for families to enjoy a meal together. So join me at my kitchen table - I am delighted to have you!xo Alex This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momcooksfastandslow.substack.com