Stop by and see what a wonderful job Mikolaj has done and don’t forget about checking out our new holiday catering menu!!!!!

Unless you have been living under a rock, you have probably heard the words “Fair Trade”, and yet not a lot of people truly know the meaning of the phrase.

Leo responded with “No, you’re busy, we can set a date later.” She said she tries to only deal with something once.

It’s an old-fashioned piece of productivity advice, and something that I’ve been attempting to do.

Deal with something once. Do it now. Then it’s off your mind, and you can fully focus on the next matter.

As I attempt to register the significance of this conversation, I can’t help but ask .

How often do we put things off?

Can you relate?

Maybe you have a voice mail and a few missed calls on your cell. How often do you tell yourself that you will get to those later. Possibly your oil needs changing or a lamp needs a new bulb. The question is, are we allowing these tiny, seemingly insignificant little tasks to build up to the point that they keep us from focusing on what’s truly important?

As we put them aside they tend to hold our attention at least subconsciously in the back of our minds, robbing us of the power of the moment!

Well here is a little productivity tip from Roots!

These little tasks that you have been putting off, deal with them now.

Act now, get them out of the way so you can apply your focus on what truly matters the most to you! If you have 3 missed calls. Return them immediately. A stack of emails? Set a specified time table to answer them so they no longer distract you. A burnt out light bulb? Well replace it. If you need to buy one make a note to get one later that day. The trick is to condition yourself to take daily immediate action.

You’ll feel better!

David Allen is known for calling this exercise the two minute rule. I’m not nesasarrily suggesting that you take it this far. Possibly 5-10 minutes. The goal here is to give yourself one less thing to worry about.

What this means essentially is that you are able to deal with each thing in the moment. Your mind isn’t pulled in a thousand different directions.

After reading about this, I have attempted to take action with things that need to be done in the present moment. For the most part I have done a fairly good job. I’m far from perfect but most of the things that I put off are because I don’t have the means to do them immediately.

Take a look at what things have been bothering you. Little tasks that you can compete now. Will finishing them today make you feel more connected with the present moment? Have a clearer mind?

Tell me your experiences!

Dalet Hamby, co-owner of Roots, has always inspired to become a spiritually charged, socially responsible, healthy, determined and gregarious foodie. Her gastronomic path has been primarily shaped by her abnormal upstart. As a young girl, Barbie didn’t do it for her. She was partial to making spear heads and learning about different plants and animals with her mother, Norma. When she wanted money for something Norma would help her to brainstorm on how to acquire the funds. As a mini-businesswoman, Dalet quickly displayed her entrepreneurial force with a lemonade stand/garage sale that raised $300.

With a large family, Dalet spent a lot of time cooking as a child. It was a part of her culture and duty to partake in culinary prep, and the tedious task of cutting things like peppers and onions was thought to be a drag. She was often kicked out of the kitchen when the adults were talking about the “good stuff.” She yearned for the day she would be old enough to be included in clandestine conversations.

At age 14, Dalet decided to pursue professional figure skating and left home to live in New York. She did not have the typical high school experience with gossip, sleep-overs, and dances, she had a full-time job. Dalet’s world consisted of different specialized coaches, tutors and fellow skaters. Everyone was focused and intent on a common goal.

While living in New York, Dalet aspired to create a sense of home through cooking traditional dishes. She would call her mom frequently for cooking tips. On one of the Thanksgivings she spent in New York there were about five calls to California just for the arroz con pollo.

Dalet was tenaciously aspiring to be a figure skating coach and was scheduled to be in the Olympics. When she blew out her knee she had to change her career path. She remained in New York and worked at a gym as a Personal Trainer/Lifestyle Coach. She taught Pilates, corrective exercise and nutrition.

Dalet moved back to California in . To make up for lost times, she started spending lots of time with her mom. The two became inseparable, rollerblading, dancing salsa, shopping, snow-boarding and being in the kitchen together.

The former figure skater had been eating primarily for survival and fitness. She felt she had lost sight of the flavor characteristics distinct to her mother’s cooking. Norma has not only helped her to reconnect to those flavor profiles, she has imparted her culinary wisdom.

Evenings together frequently start by pouring a glass of wine, and then they delve into cooking, chatting and experimenting. This often results in deliciously inspired eats. She has learned a lot being in her mother’s presence and thinks she has finally acquired sazon, a term Norma uses to describe the family’s cooking proficiency. Dalet is also included in all of the exciting banter when her other elder relatives are in the kitchen.

Although the movie “Super Size Me” was certainly an impetus, Dalet initially chose the vegan and gluten free lifestyle because it made her feel better. She currently eats vegetarian, but tries to go vegan and gluten free as much as possible. She still uses agave syrup in her tea rather than honey. The opening of Roots has given her the ability to marry her passion for vegan and gluten free fare with her family’s florid Latin flavors.

Dalet feels that the experience of eating good, healthy food shouldn’t be exclusive to humans. As a hard-core dog lover, she has rescued three pooches total. Her first rescue was a chihauhua named Zorro, followed by a pit bull named Kuma. Dalet found her most recent rescue, Sonny, a three-and-a-half-year-old half pit bull/half bull dog, in the industrial part of Gardena. He was scratched up and 30 pounds under-weight. Sonny receives exceptional treatment and regular spoiling. His meals usually consist of pumpkin and brown rice because they are good for digestion. She will also give him leftover meat – from someone else’s dinner.

Norma Chavez, co-owner of Roots Gourmet, maintains a deep relationship with nature. As she soars on freshly powdered slopes on her snow board, swims the depths of salty waters with seaweed tickling her feet and climbs up cliff faces, her only internal struggle is deciding between which one she loves best: mountains or sea?
This vivacious woman rockets through life….on her 65′ Vespa. As a proud member of the Classic Scooter Club, she has ventured from Long Beach to the farther coastal reaches of Hermosa Beach and Laguna Beach. One of her favorite pastimes is cruising to the farmer’s market at the Marina on Sundays and filling her scooter basket with fresh bread and veggies. She likes to use this moment to pretend she’s in another country.
As a dedicated philanthropist, Norma donates her free time to volunteering at the Wells House Hospice Program here in Long Beach. She engages members of the program by reading to them, swapping stories and taking them on outings.

Norma is an artist but She wanted to capture some of her most vivid and alluring dreams. She bought a huge canvas, started sketching and ended up with an enormous painting of an ancient city. She also designed the logo for Roots.

This artistic drive has translated into alchemy in the Roots kitchen. “I love to cook, I love creating new spices, new blends and new ideas!” says Norma. The art of gourmet cooking compels Norma, but she also loves eating. She often revels in trying different dishes in both traditional and cutting-edge restaurants.

Norma’s mother and grandmother were both entrepreneurs. Working for herself has always been what’s come naturally. For many years Norma had a catering business called “Monitas,” a family nickname that means little doll. She had a business in which she artfully designed, beaded and welded jewelry. She established Mission Priority Lending, a real estate business, _____ years ago. She is also an owner of Egg Heaven. As an intrepid business woman in the Long Beach community, Norma knows that things like passion, imagination and unrelenting commitment lay the foundation for a successful business.

If you didn’t notice, that was the music you were hearing throughout the day;)

Hearing this kind of music has always moved us but watching them perform last night was beyond special because it reminded us of what our underlying mission was for the Roots Gourmet family.

During the evening performance, Buena Vista Social Club  reminded us of the rich history they posses from their life experiences, and it’s because of this history, that their music is represented as being a purely genuine passionate form of self-expression. I feel this is what inspires us the most in how Roots Gourmet attempts to relate to the Long Beach community.

Our dream is to use Roots Gourmet as a medium to express what inspires us. By using OUR history and life lessons, we want to show you what we now value! Passion, family, exploring the senses, having a sense of purpose, wine, good coffee and food! This is what makes us happy, and we want to spend everyday sharing that with you!

Thank you Buena Vista Social Club for inspiring and reminding us of what’s most important in life!!!!

by High Schools

We have had the luxery of meeting a handfull of interesting as well as inspring indivduals in Long Beach. One of our special regulars here at Roots Gourmet, is Wesley Goo.

Throughout his life, Wesley Goo has spent much of his time developing himself as someone who is capable of using his own life experiences to teach and inspire others in the area of personal development and conscious living.

After reading his blog, one can see the motivational nature of his words, as well as his desire to help create and contribute a positive impact in the Long Beach area.

Wesley received his Masters degree in Theology and Biblical Studies from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California. In addition, he holds a master certification in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and is also a certified Health & Success Coach.

You can find lists of video blogs and written articles that are chalk full of helpful and inspiring advice that can help you in establishing inspirational goals, overcoming negative beliefs, and who knows, maybe find your life purpose!

You can find his website here!

We have enjoyed him so much at Roots Gourmet that we have named a dish after him!

The Protein Wes!

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