Heart of Haiti

 Women can be catty.  Women can bicker and fight and pick at each other endlessly.  Women can be passive aggressive.  Women can also lift each other up when one is down.  Women often don't even need words. They can talk with just their eyes.  Women can help a friend heal from yet another miscarriage by holding her and crying with her. Women do things to help other women out of the kindness of their hearts.  That's the kind of woman you never forget. 

When I was young and trying to get through college to be a teacher, I could not afford childcare for my two children.  I started out going to night school, but there came a time when I had no choice but to take classes during the day and do school observations as well.  Luckily, I had the support of a friend who offered to watch my kids for me, free of charge.  I cannot even count the hours after hours that she watched my kids over the course of two years, all out of the kindness of her heart.   I honestly can say that I could not have gotten through school without her.  I had no other options when she offered to help me.  That is the kind of woman I want to be! I am currently helping a family out with free childcare and every time, I think of my dear friend Angie.  I am truly paying it forward! 
 
ABOUT THE HEART OF HAITI PROJECT
The Heart of Haiti Project is an initiative founded by Willa Shalit (daughter of Gene Shalit) and her company, Fairwinds Trading, a for-profit company that uses business as a strategy for economic empowerment of people, especially women, in the Majority World. The Majority World is where two billion of the world’s three billion people live, in poverty.

Through a partnership with Macy’s and their Shop For A Better World' initiative, Heart of Haiti offers artisan-crafted decorative arts and jewelry for sale. All income derived from sales of the products on the Heart of Haiti site enhances an artisan’s family’s nutrition, educates children, and brings access to healthcare and dignity.

For additional information on Fair Winds visit: http://www.fairwindstrading.com/

If you purchase a Mother’s Day gift from the HOH collection, use the promocode: CLEVERGIRLS
for a 15% discount off Heart of Haiti and Rwanda Path to Peace products! The code is good from 5/3-5/8.  - To view the Shop for a Better World / Heart Of Haiti collection in it's entirety (including just added items for Spring), visit:http://bit.ly/gaalFP
 

I was selected for this very special “CleverHaiti” opportunity by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity. All opinions are my own.

Freschetta Review and Giveaway!

And the winner  is.... my mom!

Recently, Freschetta sent me some coupons to try two of their new products: Freschetta By The Slice and Freschetta Simply....Inspired. They also sent me an awesome 6 piece locking lid storage system that I LOVE. This week, I'm giving away a coupon for a slice of pizza and a 3 piece storage system set.

-The first one we tried was the Simply...Inspired.  Everyone loved this one.  The crust is thin and crisp, with no sogginess (something we haven't been thrilled with when we tried the regular Freschetta pizza), an abundance of flavor- as my 14 year old said, "you can taste herbs in every bite!" The flavor we tried was pepperoni pomodoro and it did not disappoint. 


- Next, we tried the By The Slice in BBQ Recipe Chicken. Ok, fine, WE didn't try it, I did.  I am a BBQ chicken pizza lover and my favorite is by California Pizza Kitchen.  This pizza was comparable in flavor and was just delicious with chunks of chicken, onions, peppers and cheese! I would absolutely buy this one again.





To win a 3 piece Freschetta storage set plus a coupon for a complimentary Freschetta By The Slice pizza for you to try, just leave a comment telling me which pizza you would like to try. The flavors it comes in are Chicken Spinach Mushroom, BBQ Recipe Chicken,  Vegetable Medley and 6 Cheese Medley.

Disclosure: The makers of Freschetta Pizza contacted me and provided me with products to review as well as a 6 piece Freschetta storage set.  The opinions are my own and were not influenced by the compensation I received.

Menu Plan

I'm back from Florida and the diet didn't go so well.  Not the worst, but not the best. So, I'm back on the bandwagon tomorrow after I grocery shop.


Sunday- Today we are having spaghetti and meat sauce for dinner.  Might as well go out with a bang.

Monday- Grilled chicken for this burrito salad.

Tuesday-Chicken Caesar salad with leftover chicken from last night

Wednesday-Lesley's Greek Chicken- my bff made this delicious chicken while I was down in Florida last week.  Blend in food processor a bag of spinach, three cloves of garlic and crumbled feta to taste.  Place chicken cutlets (or pounded breasts) on a baking sheet and spread the spinach mixture over the chicken.  Bake at 350 until cooked.  It was delicious!

Thursday- It's kindergarten testing night so I'm going out with the girls afterwards!

Friday- Taco Night- mine as a salad- everyone else with shells!