Mom is a pretty amazing person. She’s our role model, our first teacher, our first friend, and sometimes our best critic – mixed in with a whole lot of love. And we’re so grateful.
As we celebrate Mother’s Day today we wanted to share some reflections from the Sol de Janeiro family. We asked our SOL Babes to reflect on mothers and motherhood and what it means to them. The answers range from favorite traditions and memories, their own experience parenting and of course food!
Comment below with your own favorite memory or story of your Mother!
On Creating Lasting Traditions and Memories
Growing up, there was a tree a few streets over from my house that bloomed in spring with beautiful purple flowers. The flowers only stayed for about two weeks before falling off again. My mom would make sure to take us past “purple tree” as soon as it bloomed every year. The car was full of excitement and cheering to see purple tree. To this day, the purple flowers on a tree make me think of my mom and the promise of a new spring season coming. Now that I have children of my own, it reminds me to create fun traditions out of even the smallest things to make lasting memories for them.
- Evan, Executive Director of Global Trade Marketing and Sales
Not sure how this will sound, but every time I hear the word “gossip” being treated as a bad thing I think of my mom and smile. My Mom has 10 siblings and I have 47 cousins with their own 29 children! Of all these people, I would say that 90% still live in the same, very small town in Brazil. When I go home everyone comes to visit and there is a big celebration, but the real entertainment happens before everyone gets there. I sit with my mom and she tells me all the family stories that took place while I was away and we laugh so hard that we cry. A lot happens in a family this big in a small town! This moment with my mom, before anyone else comes, is a tradition that I love since I left my hometown 15 years ago. If gossip is a bad word we will keep calling it “FOFOCA”! I really treasure this time and the joy of laughing together and hearing the family stories, just my mother and me.
- Wallace, Brand Engagement Manager
When I was in middle school, I used to get mad at my mom for being late picking me up from school. Little did I realize that, at the time, she was running her own business during the day and going to college at night on top of raising my sister and I and taking care of the house. Not only did she finish college, she also went for her MBA. She made it all look so effortless, always wearing a smile on her face and radiating the best attitude. Today I understand the amount of energy that must've required of her and I'm so proud to be her daughter. She is my inspiration to always do better and work hard to reach my dreams. I'm eternally grateful for her dedication and love, for always being there for me and being my comfort.
Te amo mãe!
-Ingrid, Creative and Content Manager
During the summer on the ride to the Cape, my Mother would pile us all into the minivan and blast the Beatles “All You Need is Love” and “Yellow Submarine”. Windows rolled down, singing at the top of our lungs, laughing in anticipation of a week at the beach. To this day, The Beatles remind me of the happiest summer times and of my Mother. And that’s my mother - making the journey as fun as the destination.
- Elizabeth, Digital Marketing Manager
On Mothering in a Pandemic
In this time of uncertainty, having two kids under the age of 3 has been hectic and stressful. In the early hours of this morning while having a cup of tea with the news on in background I realized how lucky I am amongst all the terrible news in the world. I have my children with me and we are safe and healthy. Motherhood, especially during a global crisis, is messy and exhausting but what I realized today in those early hours is how grateful I am to have this extra special time with my babies, a true light in a time of darkness.
- Evan, Executive Director of Global Trade Marketing and Sales
On Memories Around Food
My mom has passed along many great recipes and Passion Fruit Mousse is my absolute favorite. I love anything with passion fruit and it’s super easy to make. I have such strong memories of when I was a little girl in Rio going to the beach with my family and always getting popsicles. There’s only one flavor for me and it is passion fruit. The sweet-tart flavor is so refreshing and mouthwatering. Today, I make this mousse for my family and it's my go-to when I have to bring a dessert to a party.
You can learn how to make this Brazilian favorite from Camila here.
- Camila, Our Co-founder
One of the things that always amazed me about my mom (or Umma, as I call her in Korean) is her incredible mother's-intuition. Sometimes, I feel like she would know me better than I knew myself!
I remember one of the things that touched me the most while growing up was whenever I would come back home after a prolonged period of time away (sleepaway camp, college, etc.) and the first meal that she would always greet me with was her signature Kimchi Chigae (kimchi stew - a hearty Korean comfort food!). It was one of those things that I didn't even know that I was really craving until was sitting down and eating it with my family.
Being Korean, I also learned so much about skincare from my mom from simply observing her from a young age. Sunscreen was never too far from her reach, and her multi-step skincare routine with various serums, toners, and techniques intrigued me. I remember when I was a kid, I would be sitting cross-legged on her bed watching her do her skincare routine as we would talk.
I celebrate my mom for her warm and gentle spirit, and for teaching me well on my two passions: food and skincare!
- Sharon, Social Media Manager
While banana recipes may be the trend of the moment, my Mom has been making me Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies for as long as I can remember. This is a family recipe that originated when my Grandmother was cleaning out old pantry items and needed a use for overripe bananas. Growing up, there was no better moment than coming home to the smell of these baking. Even though I have this recipe memorized for years, something about them just tastes better when they are made by Mom.
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INGREDIENTS |
DIRECTIONS |
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1. Sift dry ingredients together 2. Mix shortening in 3. Add egg, bananas, oats, and chocolate chips 4. Mix until combined 5. Drop by teaspoon onto baking sheet 6. Bake at 350 (10-12 min)
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Martin Family Tip: they are even better frozen!
- Ally, Manager of Trade Marketing and Sales
We hoped you enjoyed hearing from some SOL babes. Now share yours!
