September 15, 2014 2:48 pm Meet Hala, Co-Founder of AaHa Restart, Greenwich!
What do you love to do with your children? How old are they? And what is your greatest wish for them?
My 3 cuties are 6 and 6 (twins) and 4. There is nothing I love more than our nightly routine of snuggling up on the couch. Each kid gets to pick books and sit on my lap when we read them. We snack on cut fruit and veggies and laugh and chat about our day, and bedtime gets pushed later and later each day. My greatest wish for them is to always stick together and value family… I am very close to my sisters and hope that my children will grow up with a similar bond.
When and where are you the happiest?
I am happiest on a warm sunny day, relaxing and barbequing with my family and close friends in our yard. Oh, and I have to have gone on a long run that morning.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I am blessed to have traveled to many amazing spots around the world, but Tokyo is a city that intrigues me and I would love to visit.
Who has had the biggest influence upon you? And what quality do you most admire in a mother?
My immediate family has had the greatest influence upon me and molded me into the person I am today. My father always instilled great core values in me, and I find myself striving to mother my children in the same way my mom raised me – putting the needs of my kids above everything else, cooking nightly family meals, reading time, etc are all habits that rubbed off on me. The quality I admire most in a mother is someone who can effortlessly enjoy her children’s company without getting caught up or bothered by all the little things. Life is too short and precious to not enjoy every single second with your family.
What do you like to do for fun?
My idea of fun usually involves some sort of physical activity – skiing, swimming in the sea, and running are just a few! People can’t believe that I find long runs to be “fun” but I really enjoy being alone with my thoughts as I log mile after mile. I’m currently training for my second NY Marathon and I’m loving it.
What is one of your favorite books? Movies?
I recently completed and loved “The Goldfinch” – long but worth it! My favorite movie embarrassingly is “Love Actually” – such a feel good movie that I have to watch every year around Christmas time.
What do you feel is one of your strongest qualities?
My strongest quality is probably my passion for my family… The health and happiness of my family is my livelihood and I would do anything for them.
What is your favorite type of food and what do you love to cook?
My favorite type of food is Mediterranean cuisine (specifically Lebanese food, but I really love all food from the region!) I love to cook nutritious light balanced meals for my family. A typical dinner in my house is a large salad, a chicken/vegetable stew seasoned with middle eastern spices & fresh herbs, served with brown rice. And lots and lots of fresh fruit for dessert. My passion for healthy cooking lead me to team up with my fabulous friend Alexa Fishback, Registered Dietician, to start a clean eating program called the AaHa Restart Cleanse.
What is your favorite time of the day and why?
My favorite time of the day is the early morning. I am an early bird and I adore the start of a new day, my first sip of coffee, and the quiet calm before the storm when everyone wakes up.
Where is your favorite place to Party with Moms and what’s your favorite drink?
Good girl Hala would say sipping green juice and tea with my friends at MeliMelo. Not as good girl Hala would say with a fabulous bottle of wine at Le Penguin. I am a quarter French and both my father and husband have spoiled me with amazing French wines so that is definitely my drink of choice.
Aaha Restart features a 7 day program of no gluten, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, sugar, nonnutritive sweeteners or packaged food to help you create healthy habits and feel awesome.