This One is for Mom

wendy's recipe collection

My mom is my best friend.

I know, it is cliche as hell. But it is true. My mom is the person I can tell anything to, and I know she won’t judge me. She empathizes with the deepest part of my mind. She truly, genuinely, sees me.

So today, on her birthday, this one's for her!!! My mom, Wendy, the most beautiful woman inside and out — is sharing a few of her favorites: recipes, books, health tips, advice & more.

On The Menu:

• Q&A with Wendy

• Wendy’s Favorite Recipes

  • 10 Recipes from Wendy’s Recipe Box

My mom and I like to say in another life we were identical twins, because of how similar our brains work. We think similarly, act similarly, worry similarly, talk similarly, and even dance similarly (with absolutely no rhythm).

I used to feel very lonely in some of my deepest thoughts, and it wasn’t until I began expressing them to my mom that I felt safer than ever. She understands me. She helps me jumble through the noise in my scrambled brain, and move forward in the world with more peace, clarity, grace and positivity.

I am so incredibly grateful for our relationship. From the outside, it might seem like we’ve always had a perfect relationship, but that hasn’t always been the case.

When I was in high-school, I was quite the rebellious child. I was the oldest of three siblings and my mom was strict. Looking back, it was from a place of love and care for my safety – but in the mind of a 14 year old teenage girl it was because she didn’t want me to have any fun ever, lol. We would clash, often. We didn’t understand each other. We had trouble communicating. I didn’t think we had anything in common.

Little did I know we had everything in common, I just didn’t see it yet.

The beauty in growing up is realizing that our parents are people too. They understand more than anyone what we go through in our childhood years. They have been there. They aren’t these perfect individuals who have absolutely everything figured out like we once assumed. They were once our age, going through similar trials and tribulations. They made their own mistakes, they are still making their own mistakes, going through life for the first time – just at a different stage.

I’ll never forget when we had our first breakthrough. I was going through a lot at a young age, and I was holding it all in. It was making me incredibly anxious, frustrated, and confused. One day I told my mom everything. Instead of being angry, instead of judging me, she was there for me. She empathized with me, told me stories from similar experiences she went through, guiding me, hugging me, and loving me. All this time I didn’t realize that it wasn’t my actions that made her upset, it was my dishonesty and secrecy about those actions.

She was okay with letting me make my own mistakes and learning from them, as long as I let her be there for me along the way. She needed to trust me, and I needed to trust her. She was not my enemy, but actually my closest friend. This was an incredibly pivotal moment for the both of us. I started to become an open book with her. Our relationship flourished based on trust and open-communication — curiosity over judgement.

It makes me want to cry thinking about all the times I was not the most stand up daughter when it comes to my mom. The hard times I put her through. Those days I did not empathize with her. But that’s part of life — I like to think that our relationship would not be as amazing as it is today, without those rocky moments.

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When people ask me who my biggest role model is — it is her. I truly think she is an angel on earth. She is one of the most empathetic, caring and genuinely kind people I have ever known. I have never met someone more generous, supportive and loving. She exemplifies thinking of others before herself — so much so that sometimes I have to push her to be a little more selfish hahaha.

She walks into a room and makes everyone feel warm and safe. She is one of those people that within the first 5 minutes of meeting her you may be telling her your entire life story and deepest darkest secrets, and she will have the best advice.

She has a continuous drive for self-improvement, always striving to evolve into the best version of herself. Her endless curiosity drives her to seek knowledge and growth, always taking chances to learn and broaden her perspective.

She is also absolutely hilarious. She is quick and witty and one of the most energy-giving people to hangout with. She will make any situation a fun one. She doesn’t care what everyone thinks — she is herself. I am constantly inspired by her.

I am so grateful for her every single day. I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for her (I guess literally but you know what I mean lol)…It is quite literally impossible to even put into words how much I love her and how much she means to me.

You all submitted SO many questions for her, so I think we’ll have to do more of a long-form podcast to really get into everything, but for now, let’s get into it.

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Q&A with Wendy

Q: What are your non-negotiables and/or your morning routine?

Routine and me are not best buddies, but I do do a mixture of several different things pretty consistently to begin my day fully present. I rarely look at my phone in the morning, unless expecting/or checking for a text from someone. I like to reflect on my dreams before I get out of bed. I’ll make a hot homemade lemon ginger water, or straight to the matcha, I often mix the two. Sunlight on the face or body, and snuggling with my dog. I always read, I usually am reading 5 different books at once but in the morning it is always something that centers me.

Q: What book has been most life-changing to you?

Books that come to mind quickly —

The Deptford Trilogy by Robertson Davies made an impression on me when I was younger. I loved the way the author was able to put into words what I had struggled articulating. It helped me understand myself, others and how we engage with one another. Truthfully, I can’t remember much of the content of the book, just the powerful notion that some of the things swirling around in my brain, some things that were truly baffling me, that I did not have the ability to understand could actually be clearly communicated and understood.

The Untethered Soul by Michael A Singer. Read & reread this. During a time of tremendous personal struggle and pain, this book helped me understand my angst and navigate through and out of a dark period.

Mindshift and The Seven Frequencies by Erwin McManus. Also loved Ayn Rand when I was younger.

Q: Top Skin, Beauty Tips & Routine?

Again, not a routine girl. But I abused my skin when I was younger. Heatlamps, scorching noon sun slathered in baby oil. Tanning beds. You name it. Finally wised up, and always wear sunscreen on my face, neck and declotagge. And you will rarely see me without a hat on. BUT, I LOVE THE SUN, more than anything. And the sun is so good for my bones and spirit. I will soak up the sun on my legs, back and belly whenever I have the chance. I try to get some on my bare skin at some point in the day. I can lean towards the neurotic when it comes to sun protection now so I try to stay aware of that which inevitably can rob and restrict some of my joy in life. At the end of the day, worry and future tripping can hurt me more.

Q: My childhood was painful, and I want my children to have loving adult relationships with me one day. How do you form a sweet relationship with your children?

First off, I am sorry for any pain you suffered during your childhood. I can relate to this, and I imagine many of the other readers can also.

I believe this is one of the hardest, yet bravest and best things we can do in order to have loving, free relationships with ourselves and our children: Working on oneself.

Two of many many books I have spent a good amount of time on on: The Code of an Extraordinary Mind by Vishen Lakhiani. I found this incredibly powerful on looking at my belief structure, and ultimately redefining many of my conditioned perspectives and views, resulting in a freer mind and soul, ultimately changing the way I parented and loved others. Along these lines, I also love Dr. Shefalis concepts of Conscious Parenting. Her views transformed my parenting. I only stumbled upon her when my children were teens, yet her wisdom and teachings resonated deeply with me, resulting in me learning to “Let Go”, and allow my children to experience their unique, individual journeys in life.

Q: What have you learned through Ella and her health journey?

OH MY, so much. Ella worked hard to figure out why she struggled with so many gut issues. Her last year at USC, she took a course outside of college for her Health and Nutrition License. Not so much to get a license, but to learn what was causing her, and so many others all these health issues. She read. She sought at advice from some of the greatest minds in health and nutrition. It was long process, yet she continued down the path, realizing more and more the commonality of hers and her peers health struggles.

She has allowed her beliefs to evolve and change over time. She has brought to light the rigidity of some ways of living and how that can negatively influence health. Through her journey, she has shaped my relationship with food and health. Through her love and understanding and open mindedness she has nurtured my own growth as both an individual and a mother. She has shown me how to be vulnerable, real and authentic. I work on that daily.

Q: How do you feel about “Glow with Ella” as a whole?

For some reason, I don’t love using the word proud. Yet, that is the word that immediately comes to mind. She is genuine, honest and authentic. The fact that she willingly shares her journey in life, with out any judgement or expectations from anyone, just a sincere hope that if anything she says or does can have a positive impact on someone else’s journey is remarkable to me. My heart swells every time someone speaks of my daughter to me. In fact, I refer to myself as “Glows Mom”!

And a small little bonus is when people make the comment to Ella and I that we look alike! I look over at her and my mind immediately thinks, “What? There is no way that is possible! She is so incredibly beautiful!” & directly after we will look at each other, and 9 out of 10 times, we will put our arms around each other, giggle and smile the same, mutter the same words, our hearts and minds rapidly going through all the wonderful and challenging times we have had together, coming full circle back to the moment with the knowledge and gratitude we have in each other. We look at each other with deep respect and love, 25 years of history of Mother and Daughter, and in that moment of pure connection, unconditional in nature, I most definitely feel like we look alike.

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Wendy’s Favorite Recipes

From Wendy: I grew up in Westwood, a family of five. My mom had a passion for cooking and liked to expose us to foods from every culture. She loved trying new recipes and creating her own. Even our lunches were often unique, my friends loved to see Cow Tongue Sandwiches in my lunch box. My parents were health-conscious and avid researchers, often leaning toward natural remedies. Beet juice for blush, cornmeal for dry shampoo & skim milk for setting my mom’s curls was all normal in my family.

I spent much of my childhood on a stool in the kitchen with my mom—my favorite place to be. She made so much from scratch, always homemade cakes for birthdays & the best beef jerky i’ve ever had. My mom encouraged creativity in the kitchen, inspiring my brothers and me to come up with our own culinary inventions. We made each other’s lunches a few times a week, though I’ll admit I never did eat the carrot and peanut butter sandwich my brother made.

Some of my happiest memories are of baking cookies and cakes, crafting, making taffy, melting chocolate for lollipops, and preparing every holiday treat imaginable with her. She was experimental and creative when it came to cooking and inventing fun activities for us kids, which I tried to do with my own children. Writing this now makes me miss my Mom, but my heart is also feeling full with love & connection from the memories that are flooding back.

Now, as a mom myself, I get to share that same sense of wonder and creativity with my own children. They constantly teach me, and watching them learn, explore, and create is my greatest joy. Pretty amazing to feel this incredible type of love & connection once as a daughter & now as a mom.

A Few of Wendy’s Favorite Recipes

On The Menu:

• Butternut Squash & Apple Soup

• Split Pea Soup

• Mulligatawny Soup

• King Kong Muffins

• Chicken Cacciatore

• Golden Cauliflower Rigatoni

• Nepenthe’s Famous Three Berry Pie

• PB Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies

• Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe

• Wendy’s Famous Chocolate Truffles

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Butternut Squash & Apple Soup

Ingredients