There’s only one you with Initials Inc.

At a time when we talk a lot about companies closing and people loosing thier jobs… it was very refreshing to meet these two ladies. Ivy Hall and Britney Vickery created a Georgia-based business called Intials Inc. They say it’s not just a party it’s an experience… and you certainly feel it after talking to these business partners and sisters. It’s a home-based business any woman can have…. bags and accessories that are personalized. It’s one way some women have found to make money and take care of the kids at home at the same time. The ladies say thier business has increased 40 percent over the last year.

CBS Atlanta’s Great Shredder Event

A couple of weekends ago we had a great event out at Turner Field. You may have been on of the hundreds of people who lined up to have all those old bills, receipts and miscellaneous papers shredded for free!

I didn’t get a chance to go to our previous event at Perimeter Mall… but I have to say I was certainly impressed by this one. Mostly what struck me is how kind and patient all of our viewers were who came and waited in some cases for hours to recycle old computer monitors and shred documents.

It was fantastic to meet a lot of our viewers face-to-face. Even though we’re one television everyday, I’m still impressed when someone knows my name.

Above is a picture of one of our faithful viewers in the mornings… Darren Williams. A huge thanks to Darren and the hundreds of other people who came out on a very grey Saturday in May!

Good Deeds Guardian on the Highway

I got a note-worthy email from a viewer in Cumming, Georgia who shared a great Good Deeds story with me.
The above picture is of Richard Trzcinski. He was riding his motorcycle home from work one night this past February… he says it was 15 degrees outside with wind gusts up to 50 miles an hour.
Before he could make it to the Cumming exit on Georgia 400 his clutch froze up and he couldn’t go more than 10 miles an hour.
Richard says… it wasn’t long before an suv came up behind him, and a man with a cane got out of the vehicle and asked if he could help him.
richard says he told him… “i just want to get off the highway. The man said no problem he was going to follow me in the emergency lane to make sure I would not get hit.”
Richard says when they got to the gas station…. “I pulled out my wallet to offer him some money for his time and trouble… He refused… I insited and was turned down. I could not have thanked him enough.”
richard says that man gave him a business card with “In
Country Vets Motorcycle Club ” written on it. His name is Red and he rides his bike with the use of one leg and a few
toes.
He told Richard… “We are all one family and here to help”.

richard said… “I do not know how
to thank Red for his escort to safety. A guardian angel was sent to help.
God bless our vets and our troops. We would not have the freedom today
with out them!! Ride safe and may their be many more “Reds” in this world.
… It’s just a sample of some of the great Good Deeds stories from our viewers at CBS Atlanta!

Good Deeds … First Light Vision

Every day we get great emails from viewers for our Good Deeds. Recently we got one about a non-profit center called First Light Vision Inc.
It’s a resource center for those who are at risk or in need in the greater Atlanta area.
They have a staff and a team of volunteers, including lots of seniors who work hard to try and help women, minorities and the homeless. They want to try and give them a hand up so that they can support themselves.
Above is a picture of a group of students from Texas Women’s University who came to Atlanta during their spring break just to help.
Richard Jackson nominated First Light Vision Inc. for our Good Deeds segment and wanted us to know…” First Light Vision is run by a wonderful family who are all paying it forward.” He says… “regardless of the things they don’t have, they give as needed by the community. I just wanted to share this good deed with you.”
It’s just one of many organizations trying to make a difference in the Atlanta area.

Good Deeds make Happy Tails!

Over the last few weeks I’ve been working on daily segments called “Good Deeds.”
It’s been a great experience, because I’ve met some wonderful people and hear some amazing stories.
Above is the photo of an upcoming Good Deeds story. We tagged along with several volunteers with the Happy Tails organization. These are people who live all over the the North Georgia area… they volunteer thier time to take their pets to schools, nursing homes and anywhere else where pet therapy would make a difference in someone life. This was a great experience a group of autistic children in a class designed just for them at Kincaid Elementary School in Marietta. It’s certainly a story you won’t want to miss and it’s coming up in the next week on CBS Atlanta!

Water, Water Everywhere!

This time last summer I remember thinking… if we could only get some rain. All I can say this year… is I think we’re making up for it. It’s been so nice to finally see a little green after a long grey winter and a very dry summer last year. So in an effort to make the most of all the rain we’re getting, I decided to make an investment in my garden. I went ahead and did it! I splurged and bought a RAIN BARREL! There was a time when I thought it was a ridiculous purchase… but now I see the light. Every weekend I would watch gallons and gallons of water run off my roof top and down into the drain. Now I can store up that gift from heaven and save it … not for a rainy day… but for a sunny one. After doing a little research online… I found a few attractive rain barrels for under 100 bucks. Those were my criteria… I didn’t want it to look like a hazzardous materials container and I wasn’t willing to pay $350 for it. So after taking a look at shipping and handling for a few top picks… I decided on the above Sam’s Club. It just kind of looks like a big terracotta pot (but it’s really plastic.) We’ll see just how well it works with the next line of storms we have moving out way.

Carol’s Daughter

One of my favorite things is finding new lotions and potions… anything that smells good… I love it! It’s probably why I’m so excited about the Carol’s Daughter store that’s opening up in Lenox Square later this year. I got a chance to meet Carol’s daughter… Lisa Price… she’s the founder and president of the company. She was in Atlanta last week for a special event and gave us a preview of what makes her company stand out from the pack.
It says a lot when celebrities call your products… “Love in a Bottle.” Most of hollywood is now singing the praises of Lisa’s hair milk, sugar scrubs and bath bombs. Other cities across the country have the pleasure of enjoying Carol’s Daughter… without having to order it over the internet…and now Atlanta can be added to that list. Watch out for the Carol’s Daughter grand opening this coming August on the upper level of Lenox Square by Macy’s. Better Mornings Atlanta sure plans to be there!

Mr. Itchy & Scratchy

Okay… so my dog is by no means perfect… infact… he has so many flaws I would need a good 30 minutes to explain them all.
I got my Shih Tzu Alex last spring, he’s a rescue dog who’s had a life filled with prescription drugs and anxious nights spent itching and scratching. I have had such a tough time finding relief for him… until I found the two wonderful owners of the City Dog Market in Atlanta. Renee and Patsy took time to help me find some natural remedies for my dog’s allergies. We were there doing a segment for Atlanta Magazine on City Dog Market being a great boutique for dogs. But Renee and Patsy could feel my pain… they went down a list of natural foods that I should try for my little Alex to try and give him some relief. And the timing was perfect… because just a couple of weeks before, I discovered Alex craved carrots like some dogs took to beefy treats. It’s a good thing too… because I since learned carrots are good for allergies. Now my dog has a steady diet of carrots, sweet potatoes, bananas and plain yogurt! He just loves the variety… and all the foods have made a huge difference with his allergies! He doesn’t spend so much of the night itching and scratching. And I must say…those sweet potatoes make him sleep like a baby!

STOMP

  Yep… that’s me hanging from a rope on the stage of  the Fabulous Fox Theater.   I hope you got a chance to catch STOMP while it was in town this past week and weekend.  It was my second time seeing the show and it was just as loud and bone rattling this time… as it was when I saw it last year.   The great thing this time around was meeting the cast members and even getting on stage with them.  It was absolutely a blast!  I never thought after seeing them perform… that just 12 hours later… I would be on stage  tapping brooms, and swinging from fences banging on pots and pans.   I don’t assume that I have any musical talents… but whatever rhythm I thought I had… went down the drain of that sink they use in the show.  I was so impressed by the patience of all the cast members that worked with us… as easy as it would have been… they didn’t even make fun of just how off-beat our Better Mornings Atlanta team… really is.

Mmm…. it’s so good!

I’m certainly not someone who would consider themselves a foodie… but I feel like I really know what good food is after a recent Healthy Dish segment with our registered dietitian Carolyn O’Neil.   We talked a lot about the health benefit of seafood… like fish.  One of the dishes Executive Chef  Michael Buard at Au Pied de Cochon… prepared for us was Salmon Paupiette… it’s basically salmon prepared in parchment paper. I must say… it was quite possibly one of the best things I’ve ever tasted (next to chocolate of course.)  The great thing is it’s so simple to make… easy enough that Chef Buard shared the recipe with me… try it for yourself and you’ll see.

Salmon Paupiette For 4 People

Ingredients:

• 4 pieces 6 oz. Salmon Filet
• 1 each Zucchini
• 1 each Yellow Squash
• 1/2 each Eggplant
• 2 each Large Tomato
• 2 each sprig Thyme
• 1/4 cup White Wine
• 1 whole Lemon (sliced)
• 1/8 cup Olive Oil
• To Taste Salt and Pepper

Method:

1. Cut vegetables on the bias; season and grill- set vegetables aside to cool.
2. Next take 1 sheet of parchment 6×6 and place on counter. Fold in ½.
3. When vegetables are cool place them alternating on one half of the open fold.
4. Next season the Salmon and place on top of the vegetables.
5. Now place the lemon wheels on top of the fish. Sprinkle lightly with the white wine.
6. Close the open end and from the right hand corner begin to twist the edges of the paper together to form a pouch. Ensure it is leak prove.
7. Bake at 350F for 12 to 14 minutes.
   Chefs Tip: Any of your favorite veggies can be substituted for the ones in this recipe. i.e. spinach, broccoli, and cabbage.