CityMama™

Barack Obama answers MOMocrats' questions in exclusive interview!

Did you read that title!  Did you? I am so excited I can hardly contain myself!

When Glennia, Beth, and I started MOMocrats six months ago (yes, only six months ago) sitting in Coupa Cafe, we never thought it would come to this. Now we have 22 writers contributing to our national, netroots, political blog. Our contributors include three Huffington Post bloggers, an entrepreneur, an ex-director of GLAAD, a policy analyst, several lawyers, many professional and personal bloggers, a film-maker, a homeless advocate, and a youth advocate. All of us, no matter what we do have three things in common: we are moms, we are passionate about issues that affect our families, and we are dedicated to making sure a Democrat gets elected president.

I don't have the funds to attend every fundraiser that comes along, but what I do have are 10 fingers, a laptop, and enough marketing savvy to make me dangerous. MOMocrats is my phone banking. It is my check-book-wielding. It is my canvassing neighborhoods. It is all of that on a world-wide scale. Some people drop checks in the mail. I drop knowledge along with 21 other kick-ass women. It is the best way I know how to make change happen.

With that, I present our very first press release written to promote our very very exciting news. Yes, we send press releases now. P.S. Big thank you to Geoff Livingston for helping us get the word out.

Yes we can.

I know we can.

We are doing it.

As PunditMom says, "MOMocrats: World Domination by 2012!"  I think we're well on our way.

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MOMocrats EXCLUSIVE with Barack Obama

MOMocrats step up where mainstream media and traditional debates let the American public down, "Things we wish they'd asked in the debates..."

Recently, MOMocrats asked the Democratic Presidential candidates the questions we all wish reporters or moderators had asked in any interview or debate. Today, Senator Barack Obama sent back his answers to the MOMocrats' questions. This is the latest example of the influence political blogging groups are showing in the presidential campaign.

The most recent debate between the Democratic candidates was disappointing to most citizens. We felt that the questions were directed more towards mud slinging between the candidate rather than substantive questions about domestic and foreign policy. So the MOMocrats and their readers came up with a list of "Questions We Wish ABC Had Asked." Then we submitted them to the candidates.

In a MOMocrats exclusive, Barack Obama answers the questions that should have been asked during the last debate. Click here to read our interview, in which he finally gets to discuss the issues, not his apparel or acquaintances.

 

"We were really frustrated with the questions that were asked in the last debate so we came up with a list of questions from our contributors and readers," said MOMocrats Managing Editor Glennia Campbell. "We appreciated that the Obama campaign took our questions seriously and answered them thoroughly."

We haven't heard from the Clinton campaign yet, but the MOMocrats invitation for Senator Clinton to weigh in remains open.

The MOMocrats are savvy, politically active moms dedicated to putting a Democrat in the White House. You can read more about them at MOMocrats. For more information, contact Glennia Campbell at glennia.campbell@gmail.com or [edited from orig press release: leave a note in the comments if you'd like to talk to Glennia by phone. I will put you in touch with her.]

Silicon Valley PSA: Come learn about dessert and cocktails, I mean blogging! Yes, blogging! At Cubes and Crayons in Menlo Park!

Recently a new co-working space opened near me, and while I was working there this week (while Wallie happily played in the child development center) I had to pause and look around at my private, quiet, window office and wonder, "Where were you two years ago Cubes and Crayons! If you had been around you could have saved me a Wellbutrin prescription or three!"

Ah, but that was then, and this is now, and Felicity Chapman deserves a big, huge, group hug for starting Cubes and Crayons. Now that I am working again, I am doing it right this time. No more trying to juggle working at home only to make everyone miserable and cranky. Me because of the constant interruptions, the girls because they want to play not be ignored. And look! No 'scrips this time!

Not only did I get so. much. work. done. when I was there, all the other mothers working there looked happy and productive, too. Why? Because they were working in peace and quiet in a beautifully appointed private office and their sweet babies were napping or playing down the hall.  Brilliant. Thank you, thank you, Felicity.

On that note...

If you live in Silicon Valley and want to learn more about blogging (how to get started, how to get motivated, security issues, how blogging relates to social media etc.) please come to a blogging workshop next week at Cubes and Crayons! I'm going to be on a panel along with the lovely and talented Jill Asher and others, and it will be moderated by Elisa Camahort, BlogHer co-founder and COO.

I'd love to see you there! And maybe for drinks after? Here are the details:

Sometimes wishes need helpers

"Mamma, what's 'prophetic' mean?" asked Bunny yesterday.

She heard it in a movie, but I love that she is a word freak. I remember being royally pissed off when my older (12-year-old) cousin told me (7-years-old) that I "wasn't allowed to use a word unless I knew what it meant." I tattled on him to my mom who was driving us home at the time and she replied, "He's right." Boy, that was a grumpy ride home for second-grade-me.

But he was right and I encourage the asking of questions in my house.

"It means that you think or know that something might come true." I tried to put it into terms that Bunny would understand.

Bunny thought about it for a second."You mean like wishes?"

"Yes, like wishes."

"But wishes don't come true," she stated. "Wishes are not prophetic."

At that moment I wondered why these conversations always seem to happen in a car. I suppose there is something non-threatening about making these declarations to the back of an adult's head rather than to her face.

I decided to tread lightly.

Meal Planning Monday—4/28/08

I aim to have my menus posted in the morning, but gah. These are getting later and later in the day. Or week.

Yesterday, because the weather was so beautiful and hot, the farmer's market was bustling. When I first wrote my letter in support of a proposed farmer's market in my neighborhood, I knew that our surrounding community could sustain it. Now, when there are 10 people in line for whole grain bread or fresh caught fish or 20 people ahead of me for samosas and cilantro chutney I smile and think, "This is how food shopping is supposed to be." But when I don't get to the sprout guy early enough and my peanut and sunflower sprouts are gone, I think, "Hey, go find somewhere else to shop!" Just kidding. No, really.

Everything looked so. good. yesterday. But the find of the week was Luna & Larry's Coconut Bliss vegan "ice cream," made from coconut milk. Damn you, Luna & Larry. Damn you! Damn you! Damn you! I didn't need to know about this because now I will be buying a pint every week. And I don't even really like ice cream. It's because it's not ice cream that I love your frozen confection. If it's not available near you, write to them and demand it. It tastes like frozen heaven (nirvana?) on a spoon.

Here's how my week is shaping up:

• Monday: Turducken leftovers. Yes, turducken. There is a story here and I will blog it soon.
• Tuesday: Roasted salmon, cold cucumber soup, big salad
• Wednesday Sandwich night: BLTA's and boxed tomato soup
• Thursday: Grilled shrimp and sesame noodles (or homemade pho)
• Friday Family Movie Night: Take out, not sure what yet. (Dinner out with Glennia.)
• Saturday (date night): Not sure yet 
• Sunday: Something on the grill if the BBQ weather holds.

What are you cooking?

Check out more of my weekly menus here!

Alcatraz. It's where the naughty children go to live without their parents.

And it's the ace up my sleeve when my kids are acting like effing hellions. When my kids are acting up, really acting like little...bad kids, I threaten to call Alcatraz to see if they have any rooms available. Bunkbeds? Fine. That's what they sleep on at home.

Whenever we cross the Golden Gate Bridge, I give a nod to Alcatraz. The girls snap to attention immediately even if they aren't doing anything wrong.

Why is it that, on a day like today, they don't respond to warnings or reasoning or yelling or time-outs, but as soon as I mention Alcatraz, all naughtiness stops? Wallie can be wailing on ever-patient Bunny (because she is a hitter), and as soon as I tell Wallie to pack her bags, Bunny is the one saying, "Nooooo! Don't call Alcatraz!" That threat is only for special occasions. Once every couple months. And as you can see, it works, long enough for me to stop the madness and explain what better choices look like anyway.

I used to think that I would be able to redirect or reason away any bad behavior with my children. We'd...talk it out. They would be intrinsically motivated to make appropriate choices at all times because we are thinking, rational people. I'd never raise my voice. After all, I was an educator.

I think all the educational psychologist professors I had never had a Wallie. She has had a strong personality since the day she was born, and that will hopefully serve her well in adulthood, but lately the child has been testing the limits of this family.

Alcatraz! Alcatraz!  What a beautiful, beautiful name! (Sorry, was channeling Babs.)

Henyway. San Francisco Bay Area, I love you for many reasons, but today, it's because of Alcatraz.

Feel free to invoke Alcatraz whenever you need it. Alcatraz is meant for sharing, plus little kids have no idea how far away San Francisco is (if you never tell them).

Fresh local organic cornish game hens—a total score

These beauties came from Petaluma, California.

And the easiest one dish meal ever.

I dumped a pound of quartered fingerlings and 2 cut up parsnips into a pyrex baking pan, drizzled everything with fruity olive oil and tossed with sea salt, pepper, herbs, and garlic. Then I put the two seasoned hens atop the root veg and stuffed them with fresh rosemary. The prep took maybe 10 minutes.

Baked the whole thing at 325º for about an hour then removed from the oven and tented it for about 15 minutes before carving and serving. Tasty, easy, and yummy. This is one reason why I don't use a Crock-Pot.

Scenes from Passover Seder

Last Saturday the girls and I went to our very first Passover Seder. (J. ended up getting called into work which was a big bummer.) We arrived at 5:30 and set out our shared dishes on the buffet. I made roasted chicken with Greek olives and separate dish of roasted asparagus. Other dishes included: two carrot dishes (very yummy), brisket, kugel, sweet potato tsimmis, a layered matzoh-spinach-beef dish, gefilte fish (I eat most everything but...), several salads, and macaroons and chocolatey desserts. Most everything was delish although I realized I am just not a potato kugel fan. I dont know why—I love everything in it, but just not everything together. We started the meal with matzoh ball soup, and since it's something I make often, the girls devoured that. (Bunny ate 5 balls.)

We followed a Haggadah which included modern references (as I understand it). We opened the door not just for Elijah but for Miriam, too. I liked that part. The girls we so patient and good. They were kept busy by the coloring activities and being seated at a table with other kids. I worried as I flipped through the Haggadah noting that dinner wasn't served until several pages in. By the time the soup was served, my gals were both raising their hands for the vegan soup with vegetarian matzo balls which was brought out first. "Are you sure you don't want to wait for chicken," I asked them? They shook their heads "no," and commenced slurping up their soup. Also a big hit with them: the charoset and making their "hillel sandwiches."

The seder lasted almost three hours and was fascinating...interesting...and quite moving. All the adults took turns reading the Passover story. Bunny was picked to asked one of the four questions but was too shy to do it so another child stepped in. Because we had read a story about Passover Seder leading up to the event, the girls were very excited about finding the afikomen. They didn't—and by that point they were both so tired that I thought at least one meltdown would ensue—but no. They were smiley and genuinely happy for the little boy who ended up being the lucky one.

In all, we had a great time. I love sharing experiences like this with my girls because we can all learn together. I look forward to next year.

Meal Planning Monday—4/21/08

Happy Monday!

I didn't get to the Farmer's Market yesterday (slept in). Now I am looking at my fridge which is devoid of fruit and vegetables and wondering if that was such a good idea. I will have to go shopping mid-week, something I don't love to do, but eh. So it goes.  Here's what I have planned for the week.

The [*] indicates local or locally-sourced items.

• Monday (potluck dinner with friends): Tuscan-style beans with ham hock and rosemary*, rice, and tasty fried treats: jalapeño-chorizo poppers, zucchini, onion rings, and okra.
• Tuesday: Roasted cornish game hens* (these were a score: fresh, organic hens from Petaluma, CA), roasted fingerlings*, salad*.
• Wednesday (sandwich night): Portobello mushroom burgers w/ fixin's
• Thursday: Lentil soup
• Friday (Family Movie Night): Take-out
• Saturday (Date Night): not sure yet
• Sunday: I am totally craving this meatloaf, rice, and corn (with ketchup* on the side, of course.)

What do you have up your sleeves this week?

Flag pin? I gotchyer flag pin right here.

Or, rather, here.

Stir-fried Green Vegetables with Oyster Sauce

One of my family's favorite ways to eat vegetables.

Whenever we go out for Chinese, we always order gai lan or bok choy drizzled with oyster sauce. I love the crispy veggies against the sharp and salty flavor of the oyster sauce. If you are bored with steamed or sauteed veggies, this is a nice alternative, and best of all, it's not hard to make this at home.

What is oyster sauce? You have to try it to know. It's salty like soy sauce and thick like hoisin sauce. It's not as pungent as fish sauce—its more...earthy and mellow.

STIR-FRIED GREEN VEGGIES with OYSTER SAUCE

• 1 pound of your favorite green vegetable or a combination (I combined broccoli with baby bok choy, but you could use gai lan or broccolini or asparagus.)
• 1 clove of garlic smashed
• a quarter-sized disk of fresh ginger (no need to peel), slightly crushed
• a drizzle of neutral oil (I prefer peanut but you can use corn, vegetable, etc.)
• sea salt
• a drizzle of oyster sauce (available at any Asian market and some well-stock supermarkets in the Asian section)

Heat a large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat until very hot. Add in a drizzle of oil along with the garlic and ginger. Let cook for a few seconds then add in the veggies. Stir-fry until veggies are crisp-tender and still bright green. (If garlic starts to burn, remove it.) Season lightly with salt—not too much because oyster sauce is very salty—and remove veggies to a platter. Discard garlic and ginger.  Drizzle oyster sauce over veggies in a zig-zag pattern (a little goes a long way, see top photo), and serve immediately.

This is a great simple dinner along with some steamed rice.