a real life mom @ work A Real Mom @ Work: Stephanie Allen "How do you get a meal on the table for your family?" As a typical working mom, Stephanie Allen's life was jam-packed with carpools, kids in sports, and her own little catering business. One day, a friend with three kids in basketball asked her, "How do you get a meal on the table for your family?" Stephanie came up with a game plan. She and her friend started getting together once a month to assemble freezable meals for their families. This continued for seven years. "It was a great time for us to reconnect," Stephanie commented. Before she knew it, she was helping other "moaning and groaning" moms by sharing some of her meal preparation tricks. The Dawn of Dream Dinners™ In 2002, Stephanie decided to do monthly meal preparation with groups by hosting a "girl's night out". It was so much fun that friends started talking to friends. Inundated by e-mail requests, she saw that this was a business and she needed a partner. That's when she called her friend, Tina Kuna, and together they launched Dream Dinners™. Now, anyone can go to one of 110 Dream Dinners™ stores across the U.S. and assemble 12 family-sized entrees for about $200. All that is required is a reservation, your menu choices and an hour or two to assemble 6 or 12 fresh, wholesome dinners to take home to your freezer. "I'm a mom first." Stephanie has two children; a daughter away at college and a 12-year-old son who is active in basketball and soccer. No too long ago, Stephanie's daughter had to write a paper about a person she admired. She chose her mom. Stephanie noted, "That's quite an honor from an 18 year old." Stephanie's refers to her son as her cooking buddy. He helps her plan dinners that "normal kids would eat." As her check and balance in menu planning, she says of her 12-year-old's choices, "No chicken with goat cheese or crabmeat with prosciutto!" The morning Moms @ Work spoke with her, Stephanie was in the middle of preparing 600 pieces of Italian Chicken for her son's school auction dinner. This is one way she stays involved in her son's life. One day he remarked, "Mom, why do you do your nails and always have to wear a suit, now?" As busy as she is with her work, she maintains, "I'm a mom first." A Dream Job Stephanie and her partner, Tina, have made Dream Dinners™ a mom-friendly place to work. In fact, their corporate office is located in a neighborhood where many of their children attend elementary school. "The kids get off the bus here at 3:45 and come down to the office." Employing 18 moms and 2 "token" men at their corporate office, there are plenty of kids around. Last summer they hired a couple of college students to hold day camps for the children. As a CEO, Stephanie recognizes her need to build into her life what she calls "my time", or quiet time, to be replenished. She is also a runner. "I run most mornings. That is when I relax and let my mind wander." Moreover, she loves what she does. She adds, "It doesn't' feel like work." Quick Dinners when I'm out of Dream Dinners When Stephanie knows her day will be extra-hectic, she starts dinner before she leaves the house in the morning. After placing a thawed turkey roast in a slow cooker, she throws in a chopped onion, pours in a bottle of barbeque sauce and lets it slow cook all day. Not only does it taste great, it smells great when you come into the house at the end of the day. Another simple entrée is basic Chicken and Rice. In the bottom of an oven dish, spread 1 cup of raw rice. Next, place 4-6 chicken breasts on the rice. Mix a can of cream of mushroom or celery soup, a can-full of milk and a can-full of white wine. Pour mixture over the chicken and rice. Cover the dish with foil and pop it into a 325-degree oven. In the time it takes to drop off and then pick kids up after soccer practice, your dinner should be ready. (About 1 ½ hours.) For side dishes, Stephanie recommends frozen foods, minute rice and fresh fruit. Thanks, Stephanie, for sharing about yourself and your company's commitment to make "life easier" for moms and families. For more information about Dream Dinners, and locations near you visit their Web site at: www.dreamdinners.com. > back