Rachel Olsen spends her days supporting entrepreneurs who are also moms, while also encouraging her two young daughters in everything they do. Her passion for business and motherhood are made clear in her new book Shark Tank MOMpreneurs Take A Bite Out of Publicity. She shares the experiences of five moms before, during and after their appearances on "Shark Tank." Now we get to find out a little more about Rachel as well.  

1. What's your favorite color? Tiffany blue

2. What's your favorite ice cream? Mint Chip

3. What's your favorite purple? Lavender

4. What's your favorite flower? Ranunculas

5. What is your all time favorite song? Wild World, Cat Stevens

6. When did you move for the first and last time? First when I was 8 from NYC to AZ, then last year from SF to San Diego

7. What is your favorite US city to visit? San Francisco

8. What is the last book you read? Jab, Jab, Right Hook - Gary V.

9. Four Square or Tetherball? Tough one! Tie

10. Favorite childhood meal? Salami (i know!)

11. OOGIAH means cookie. What is your favorite kind? Chocolate Chip or Toffee

Notes by OOGIAH:
Song: "Wild World" by Cat Stevens
Book: Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk
Cookie: Here are a Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe & Toffee Crunch Cookie Recipe that look look good.

Find out more about Rachel Olsen here. 

*The first four questions were created by a five-year-old. And the last seven were written by her mom.
Posted by Rachel Teichman

From Rugelach we learn to roll with the punches.

From the Macaroon we learn to do without.

From the Teyglech we learn about sticky situations.

From the Linzer Cookie we learn to keep our lives sweet.

From the Mandelbrot we learn strength.

From the Kichelech we learn to take things lightly.

From the Hamentaschen we learn to keep things together.

From the Black & White Cookie we learn about differences.

And from the crumbs we learn to appreciate what we have. 

Posted by Rachel Teichman
Cookie from Three Brothers Bakery, Houston, TX

Sheri Kiss is an author and performer. She gives animated puppet shows based on her children's book, Dream Write, at local Houston bookstores and elementary schools. Her personal philosophy that "perception creates reality," shapes her children's stories and is the greatest motivator for helping children realize their incredible inner power. She is a mom to two young boys. We are grateful for Sheri's book description, along with her great answers below!

"Before I answer your fun questions, I want to offer a quick overview of the why behind Dream Write and the Dream Write series itself. In this first children's book of the series, a young boy named Grayson fears falling back to sleep after having a bad dream. It is not until he faces his fears, using the power of his imagination, that he overcomes his fear. Children are encouraged at the end of the story to do the same: face their fears and, as a byproduct, nurture their self-esteem and self-confidence. The next book in the Dream Write series is Feel Write where readers will meet another boy who finds controlling his temper challenging. The Dream Write series is all about encouraging children to tackle any emotional or physical challenges utilizing the power of self-expression." -Sheri Kiss

1. What's your favorite color?
Lavender to see, rich blues and aquamarine to wear.

2. What's your favorite ice cream?
Anything involving dark chocolate…yum!

3. What's your favorite purple?
I love this question! Lavender is my favorite purple.

4. What's your favorite flower?
Tulips--I fell in love with them as an undergrad student studying abroad in London. They're such a hopeful-looking flower.

5. What is your all time favorite song?
Up until Katy Perry's "Roar," it was "Come on Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners. But if I hear either one, I start dancing like I'm 18 again:-) The feminist in me loves "Roar"--what an empowering song! I listened to a quick interview with Perry re that song, and the power and beauty of the lyrics and tune came from great pain that she faced and overcame--love that!

6. When did you move for the first and last time?
My first move was when I was barely a toddler so I can't recall anything about it, but we went from a house in Islip, NY to Massapequa, NY. The last move was a little over two years ago, from one part of Houston to another.

7. What is your favorite US city to visit?
It's a tie between LA and San Diego. I LOVE the weather in both places and am always left wanting to explore more in each place.

8. What is the last book you read?
Yesterday's Streets by Silvia Tennenbaum. It's an historical novel that spans the lives of affluent German Jews from 1903 until 1945. Tennenbaum has a gift for crafting both broad and defining sentences simultaneously so that we care about her characters and gleam so much over a wide berth of time. I'm in awe of this work. She takes you inside the minds of both the victims and the victors during both World Wars, and shows you the myriad of gray shades in between. Whew, I've just started Sophia Kinsella's latest book, Wedding Night as I needed some levity after Tennenbaum's gripping tale

9. Four Square or Tetherball?
I love tetherball and remember it fondly from my days of summer camp! What's Four Square??

10. Favorite childhood meal?
Easy: Ramen Noodles with the heavily-filled MSG package generously sprinkled on top of the noodles:-)

11. OOGIAH means cookie. What is your favorite kind?
Oatmeal chocolate chip is my all time favorite cookie--specifically the ones I make--I add less butter so they come out almost like a biscotti. Yum!

Notes by OOGIAH:
Songs: "Roar" by Katy Perry & "Come on Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners
Books: Yesterday's Streets by Silvia Tennenbaum & Wedding Night by Sophia Kinsella
Meal: Maruchan Ramen Noodle SoupCookie: Here is an Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe that looks good. You can try adding less butter too!

Find out more about Sheri Kiss here. 

*The first four questions were created by a five-year-old. And the last seven were written by her mom.
Posted by Rachel Teichman

Kelly Parthen is an author, chef and mother of two children. She wrote Bean Appétit, along with Shannon Payette Seip and Carisa Dixon, to make healthy food more fun for kids. She writes parenting columns, and owns Bean Sprouts cafes for kids, along with Shannon Payette Seip as well. We got some bright and fresh answers from Kelly!

1. What's your favorite color? Green!

2. What's your favorite ice cream? Vanilla

3. What's your favorite purple? Purple Gurple 
(a smoothie served at our kid-friendly café, Bean Sprouts)

4. What's your favorite flower? Tulip

5. What is your all time favorite song? Don’t Worry, Bean Happy! or Let it Bean!

6. When did you move for the first and last time? First time at age 5. Last time hasn’t happened yet.

7. What is your favorite US city to visit? Maui

8. What is the last book you read? Gooney Bird Greene (with my daughter)

9. Four Square or Tetherball? Four Square

10. Favorite childhood meal? Anything my Grandma Marge made

11. OOGIAH means cookie. What is your favorite kind? Cookie Monster

Notes by OOGIAH:
Smoothie: Purple Gurple
Songs: "Don't Worry Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin & "Let It Be" by The Beatles
Book: Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry
Cookie: Cookie Monster Cookies

Find out more about Kelly Parthen here. 
Read our cookbook review here. 

*The first four questions were created by a five-year-old. And the last seven were written by her mom.
Posted by Rachel Teichman

It is the time of year when hearts are everywhere, and people "Go Red."
This cookie is an easy way to get the red velvet cake experience in a cookie. These cookies are soft and light, and could easily be dipped into some cream cheese frosting for a sweeter treat! Like a classic red velvet cake, these cookies contain buttermilk, cocoa powder and red food coloring. The cookies in the photo come from a batch that used 2 Tbsp of food coloring. You can use less to achieve a lighter color. 






Red Velvet Cake Cookies
Ingredients
1 cup flour
1/4 white sugar
2 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 ½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
5 Tbsp butter, softened
2 Tbsp cream cheese
½ cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla
1-2 Tbsp red food coloring
½ cup chocolate chips

Directions
Combine the dry ingredients with the butter and cream cheese in a food processor, or with a hand mixer or whisk. Add the milk, vanilla and food coloring. Mix in the chocolate chips by hand. Spoon on to a baking sheet covered with parchment paper by the tablespoon. Bake at 425° for 10 minutes, or until the cookies spring back to the touch. Move to cooling rack, and enjoy.

David Ian is a jazz musician who has produced three holiday albums. He plays classical and jazz piano along with guitar, and played in rock bands before going solo. His third full-length album "Valentine's Day," was just released this year. It is full of romantic music covers.

J.M. Hirsch is a food writer and father of one son who gets great school lunches. He is the national food editor for The Associated Press, and blogs about the "trials, tribulations and triumphs" of making his son’s lunches at LunchBoxBlues.com. His most recent book, Beating the Lunch Box Blues, offers inspiring lunch ideas that anyone can use. 

1. What's your favorite color? Green.

2. What's your favorite ice cream? Vanilla. Some people say it's boring, but I think it's harder to make a good vanilla ice cream than it is to make a flavor loaded with tons of chocolate and other competing flavors.

3. What's your favorite purple? Wine!

4. What's your favorite flower? I'm more of an herb man. I'd rather have rosemary, basil and cilantro growing. Deep green color, deep savory aromas.

5. What is your all time favorite song? "Second Hand News" by Fleetwood Mac

6. When did you move for the first and last time?
First move -- My parents and I moved from one apartment to another when I was 3. We moved into this giant old house that had been converted into apartments. It was very cool, with tons of character.

Last move -- About 12 years ago, my wife and I sold our house downtown and bought a house bit on the outskirts of the same city. It's pretty old (1895), but we've pretty much renovated the entire thing. We're about to do another big renovation this summer -- gutting the kitchen and bathroom downstairs... For the second time. Ugh.

7. What is your favorite US city to visit?
New York City. I go about once a month for work. So many restaurants to pick from...

8. What is the last book you read?
The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson. It's a young adult memoir about one of the only children included on Schindler's list. My son, who is 9, is a really advanced reader and wanted to read it. But given the content involved, I wanted to read it first. I don't generally have time to pre-read his books, but I made an exception for this one. Turned out to be excellent. It was an honest, forthright account of what happened, but it was presented in a way that I felt my son could handle. And it prompted some great discussions about when it's appropriate to lie. And that's a tough concept for a lot of kids to grasp. But now I'm back to reading for myself. At the moment, I'm working on an advance reader edition of Dan Barber's book, The Third Plate. So far, very good.

9. Four Square or Tetherball? Hmmm... Neither?

10. Favorite childhood meal?
Cheese and tomato sandwich. Or my mom's spanakopita. We're not Greek, but somehow that ended up as our traditional Thanksgiving meal.

11. OOGIAH means cookie. What is your favorite kind?
My mom's oatmeal raisin chocolate chip cookies.

Notes by OOGIAH:
Song: "Second Hand News" by Fleetwood Mac
Books: The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson & The Third Plate by Dan Barber
Meal: This Spanakopita Recipe looks good.
Cookie: This Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe from Crunchy Creamy Sweet looks good.

Find out more about J.M. Hirsch here. 

*The first four questions were created by a five-year-old. And the last seven were written by her mom.
Posted by Rachel Teichman

Rachel Sklar is a parent coach and mother of three, who works with parents to teach them how to calmly, yet strongly, lead their families. Getting everyone from "chaos to tranquility" is her goal. And the "Rock Your Inner Mama" CD that she produced, is full of mantras that can help moms ground themselves every day. 

1. What's your favorite color? Maroon. It's plastered all over my website and my brand, but marketing people tell me to ditch it. It's not "soothing" enough for the product I offer... which is a meditation CD for parents! But I think as parents, we should aspire to be BOLD and CALM at the same time.

2. What's your favorite ice cream? Ben and Jerry's Half Baked. Actually, I'll eat ANY ice cream, or dessert for that matter, which does not contain fruit. Fruit does not belong in my dessert...and especially not lemon, which is the opposite of dessert. If I had to choose and non B&J options were plentiful, I would go for peanut butter fudge.

3. What's your favorite purple? The kind that has a little maroon in it.

4. What's your favorite flower? Passion Flowers and Proteas are tied for first.

5. What is your all time favorite song? The first love song my husband wrote for me. It's called "Words of Affirmation," and it provides just that! He also included the lyrics in a piece of art he designed for our room. "The Luckiest" is my other favorite, by Ben Folds Five. It was our aisle music and whatnot. Sappy, I know.

6. When did you move for the first and last time? I first moved from LA when I went to college at UC Santa Cruz. I fell in love with the Bay Area and have lived here ever since. Last summer, we moved back to the East Bay and we feel right at home.

7. What is your favorite US city to visit? Any city with babysitting is a great place to visit. That makes LA a top choice as grandparents are plentiful.

8. What is the last book you read? The Mama's Boy Myth, by Kate Stone Lombardi. If you think being a mama's boy is a bad thing, think again!

9. Four Square or Tetherball? Tetherball. Duh!

10. Favorite childhood meal? BBQ chicken and quiche. Random combo, but that's what memory serves.

11. OOGIAH means cookie. What is your favorite kind? Does Rugelach count? If not, then Chocolate Chip.

Notes by OOGIAH:
Ice Cream: Ben & Jerry's Half Baked and Peanut Butter Fudge
Flowers: Passion Flowers & Protea
Song: "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds Five
Book: The Mama's Boy Myth by Kate Stone Lombardi
Cookies: Peanut Butter & Chocolate Rugelach recipe by What Jew Wanna Eat & Nestlé Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Find out more about Rachel Sklar here. 

*The first four questions were created by a five-year-old. And the last seven were written by her mom.
Posted by Rachel Teichman

Sue Fliess is a children's book author, writer for eBay and a mother of two. She has written thirteen books for children on topics ranging from robots and trucks, to shoes and hugs. Her latest Little Golden Book teaches kids how to be pirates! 

1. What's your favorite color? Blue

2. What's your favorite ice cream? Moose Tracks

3. What's your favorite purple? Lavender

4. What's your favorite flower? Tulip

5. What is your all time favorite song? 
It's a tie between "America" by Simon and Garfunkel and "Pig" by The Dave Matthews Band (weird title, excellent song)

6. When did you move for the first and last time? 
First move was from California to New Jersey in 1979. Last move was from New Jersey to California in 1997. Really!

7. What is your favorite US city to visit? New York City

8. What is the last book you read? Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

9. Four Square or Tetherball? Four Square

10. Favorite childhood meal? Macaroni and cheese

11. OOGIAH means cookie. What is your favorite kind? Tagalong (Girl Scout Cookie)

Notes by OOGIAH:
Ice Cream: Moose Tracks
Music: "America" by Simon and Garfunkel & "Pig" by The Dave Matthews Band
Book: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Girl Scout Cookie: Tagalongs

Find out more about Sue Fliess, and watch her version of "Royals" here. 

*The first four questions were created by a five-year-old. And the last seven were written by her mom.
Posted by Rachel Teichman

Since our word of the year is "Sweet," it only makes sense that we share our favorite local Houston sweets! As in yummy baked goods. Don't worry frozen yogurt, we still love you too! 

From shops that just focus on cookies, to bakers making homemade cakes, Houston has it all. Whether you need a birthday treat, or delicious party favors, you will find something on this list. 

Bring your sweet tooth along, and let us know what you are going to try!