Yesterday I posted on FB & Twitter about making Anna's bruschetta recipe from her cookbook Anna Getty's Easy Green Organic.  It was in the triple digits and I was tired and hungry and the family needed some food to eat for lunch that wouldn't heat up the kitchen even more.  We are in the height of tomato season right now, so between our family garden (don't get too impressed, it's only 2 tomato plants) and my shopping spree at the local Farmer's Market last Saturday, I had several tomatoes on hand.  It was suggested that we make bruschetta and I was INTIMIDATED to say the least.  

Look, Anna is my BFF and business partner, and I produced that cookbook, but I'm easily in fear mode in the kitchen, even with her amazing mentorship.  I took a big sigh, looked at the recipe and said, "I can do this!"  It was so easy, seriously.  Chop up 4 tomatoes, a clove of garlic, some fresh basil leaves and mozzarella, season with salt and pepper and voila, that is it!  No kidding!!!  My favorite part of Anna's recipe is that she adds the mozz right into it, it really makes it special.  Especially for a cheese lover like me.  Check it out, it's on page 57.  

We used the mixture on a bread alternative, since my husband is needing to find alternatives to wheat.  Whole Foods Market has a wonderful frozen corn bread crust for pizza that you can purchase.  I rubbed some olive oil on it, put it in the oven for a few minutes just to unfreeze and then spread the bruschetta on it...a big hit.  I also took the 2nd crust and did the same prep and then spread white bean hummus (Trader Joe's) on it and crumbled a little bit of fresh goat's feta. Easy yum, that beat the heat.  My daughter preferred the bruschetta on the traditional baguette...all good.  Trust this inspires you today...have FUN!  Alisa

I've encountered more than a handful of pregnant women in the past 5 days that are pondering the question of to have or not to have a Doula.  And a couple of these women are pregnant for the 2nd time.  My initial response is one of shock, really, that is being contemplated?  It's 2010, doesn't EVERYONE know the important role of a birthing Doula?  Um, no.  And then when I mention my opinion of the necessity of a postpartum Doula, even if only for the 1st 3-4 days afterwards, they look at me like I'm speaking Greek.  "A what?"  "Oh, I'm going to have family helping."  Yeah, then my memory kicks in, I was there, I had those same questions...I get it.

I will be blogging this week on @PregnancyAwareness.com about Doulas, what they are, the roles they play, my personal experiences and some of yours, if you are so kind to share them.  Doulas are a crucial part of the birthing team, in a hospital or out.  And whether your family is there or not, a postpartum Doula will never just be sitting around watching your TV while you write them a check...can we say the same about some of your family members?  Oooo, yes I typed that.

In the meantime, check out these sites, great info on Doulas:  Doulas of North America  Association of Labor Assistants & Childbirth Educators  Childbirth & PostPartum Professional Association

Your turn, share some of your thoughts AND questions about Doulas!

Talk soon, Alisa

It is officially June and that means that Pregnancy Awareness Month 2010 is officially over.  Bah Humbug!  We are refusing to end this trip!

Anna & I had so much fun this year.  Each May, since it's inception, PAM is a wonderful ball of energy that bounds into our lives.  Every year is truly a seriously fun time!  This year takes the cake!  We genuinely enjoyed each day, each Weekly Initiative, each Event, each Twitter Party and RadioBlog show...what a gas.  We are honored that all of you have opened your doors, hearts and computers to our efforts to inspire you to have the best pregnancy ever and to jump into your roles as parents and mothers.  Thank you for participating so fully with us and helping us create the biggest Pregnancy Awareness Month platform to date!  Yeah!

So the fun continues year round.  We have launched Pregnancy Awareness which most of you are familiar with as it has been our community portal for the Twitter Parties, FB contests and RadioBlog show.  Please continue to log on and tune in.  Rumor has it that after a brief respite that the RadioBlog will continue, weekly...and we may even throw a monthly Twitter Party...check in and find out.

In the meantime, we are running our final Facebook contest for the month, we snuck it in the last weekend for your pleasure and enjoyment.  Babyfeet Jewelry is an amazing product and you should collect one for every child you have, honestly.  Kristen, the owner, creates each piece herself.  The charms are adorable.  Enter this last PAM FB contest for 2010 and endulge in this fabulous collection:  http://pregnancyawareness.com/2010/05/contest-babyfeet-jewelry-14k-yellow-gold-baby-feet-charm/

Tell us what your fav part of PAM 2010 was!

Cheers!  Alisa