Interview with Valerie Pierre – Owner of Mommy R and R
Mommy R+R has an event coordinating company that organizes events exclusively for moms in the Brooklyn and Manhattan area. The goal is to get moms to RELEASE the stress that gets built up from thier everyday routine so they can feel REJUVENATED and RECHARGED.
[pullquote]My favorite go to meal is baked fish, with sweet potatoes and steamed veggies. I could eat this meal for the rest of my life.[/pullquote]
Raphaelita of All Things Caribbean Cuisine: Where are you from and/or what is your nationality?
Valerie Pierre: I was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. My mom is from North Carolina and my dad was born in Port-au Prince, Haiti. I’ve been living in Brooklyn for almost 14 years.
Raphaelita: What is the idea behind Mommy R+R?
Valerie Pierre: As a stay at home mom of 2 toddler aged children I would often attend a lot of mommy and baby groups. However, I found no mommy to mommy groups. So I started Mommy R+R as a way to bring together women from Brooklyn and the surrounding boroughs which would allow them (and me) to meet moms from the area and to be able to rest their minds and bodies at events that are geared towards moms.
Raphaelita: What was the most exotic food you’ve ever eaten?
Valerie Pierre: The most exotic food I’ve ever eaten was caviar. Talk about an acquired taste. I’m not saying that I hated it, but I’m also not saying that I’ll ever order it again. The saltiness of it was a turn off for me. But, it’s good to try things at least once to say that you’ve experienced it.
Raphaelita: What was your biggest challenge when creating Mommy R+R and how have you overcome them?
Valerie Pierre: My biggest challenge is worrying if people will like me. I can’t say that I’ve completely overcome this obstacle. Like now, I have a few people suggesting that I do YouTube videos. I have a very animated way about me. You can’t get the full scope on my website; it’s something you have to witness. Yet, here I am paranoid about if I’ll be embraced or ridiculed for my outrageous borderline inappropriate behavior. But, I could be worried about nothing. My videos could be a hit! So to keep the worry from really getting to me like how it used to I tell myself, “I know I’m not going to please everyone but if I can make a mom laugh because she can relate to what I’m saying then I’ve done my job.”
Raphaelita: What is your go to meal that you make for yourself/family every week?
Valerie Pierre: My favorite go to meal is baked fish, with sweet potatoes and steamed veggies. I could eat this meal for the rest of my life. Now my husband on the other hand, is quite sick of it. But, I’m okay with that. I’ll happily make him another meat unless he opts for take-out.
Raphaelita: When your home, how do you relax? What fun and silly things do you like to do?
Valerie Pierre: My favorite thing to do after everyone is asleep is make a gigantic mug of blueberry tea and read. I recently finished Eric Jerome Dickey’s ‘A Wanted Woman’. It was great, action at every turn. Now I’m on to ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’. The movie was bananas so I’ve already braced myself for all the debauchery the movie left out. I also love driving and dancing games on my Wii. I will cue up Proud Mary and go insane. It’s silly fun and a work out all rolled into one.
Raphaelita: What is your favorite Caribbean meal to make or eat?
Valerie Pierre: So despite the fact that I’m Haitian and married to a Haitian man I cannot make one Caribbean meal. Please don’t judge me on that. However, I do like roti’s and a few other Haitian dishes I just don’t know the names of them.
Raphaelita: What is the one place in the world you would love to visit?
Valerie Pierre: I am enamored with Bora Bora ever since I saw those beautiful hut rooms; you know the ones that are built on the ocean. I knew I had to go there and witness it firsthand. My 10 year wedding anniversary is a few years away and at a rate of those rooms I need to start saving right now. Other places on my bucket list of travels are Kenya, Paris, Greece and Japan.
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