Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Houston?
Jennifer Bhardwaj is originally from The Woodlands (by way of Norway, New Jersey and Malaysia – places she lived growing up). She has been back in Houston 13 years now after graduate school.
Carrie Procinsky is originally from Calgary, Alberta, Canada and has been living in Houston for almost 3 years.
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
Jennifer – Aiden (almost 6) and Amara (4 just turned on Sunday).
Carrie – Danika (9years old) and Deklan (6 years old)
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
Jennifer – I am a Speech Pathologist by training who met my husband at work at Houston Methodist. In order to help with the family business I have “switched gears” and taken online digital marketing courses – and am constantly reading, watching others to figure out this new career path. I recently have discovered a love for 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles through my recent “coronacation” at home. It is actually very relaxing!
Carrie – I grew up on an acreage and had horses, cats, dogs, chickens, and bunnies. I was riding horses before I could walk. I dream of owning my own acreage again, filled with animals and large vegetable gardens.
Favorite local activities to do in Houston?
Jennifer – For a date night : Catching a show at The Hobby Center and wandering around downtown. With Kids: Bringing bikes to Evelyn’s Park and eating outside.
Carrie – Checking out Farm to Table restaurants with my husband and our friends. With the kids – exploring Memorial park, farmers markets, bike riding, being out in nature.
Do you have a favorite family-friendly restaurant in the area?
Jennifer – Little Matt’s!! Always my kids first choice.
Carrie – We love Vibrant and Bella Green and El Topo!!
What local places do you go to for pampering and/or mom’s night out?
Jennifer – For real pampering I get facials from Diedre at Persona Med Spa. More often I just feel pampered when I get my nails done at K nails in Bellaire. I have a group of mom friends that have been so great at getting together – anywhere from Enoteca Rossa, the 401, El Tiempo….once our littles started Kindergarten we switched to breakfast meet ups at places like Tiny’s or Dandelion Cafe.
Carrie – I enjoy going to Sanctuary Spa for massages. Mom’s night out – usually at a yummy restaurant – last one was Sixty Vines.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
Jennifer – Yes! We have developed, Foy LIFE, an all-in-one easy to take vitamin supplement drink mix. (www.thefoylife.com). My husband and Brother-on-law are functional and regenerative medicine Physicians in Bellaire. They have specially formulated all of the supplements they recommend to their patients into just one daily scoop and now it is on the market for all! This drink mix is unique because it combines Eastern medicinal herbs and botanicals, traditional vitamins, essential minerals, probiotics and antioxidants into a one scoop dose that you mix with water. It is designed to enhance your immunity (which we all need right now), energy, and vitality. I am running marketing and social media for the product. There is so much to learn but I have found it to be exciting to use my brain in a different creative way! Please follow us on instagram or facebook @thefoylife for inspiration, health tips and product information.
Carrie – Carrie is the holistic nutritional consultant for our medical clinic Bhardwaj Health (www.bhardwajhealth.com). She has been instrumental in the development of Foy LIFE with her input from a nutritional standpoint, and working on content and health tips for our social media and blogs. In our clinic, she offers nutritional consultations combined with coaching practices implemented from Functional Medicine principles.
How has the Houston community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
The community has really embraced our product and shared it with others. Whether it has been Debrah at Define: Bellaire who has product to sample in her studio, local doctors who are giving it to their patients and putting it in their clinics, or just the many members of the community sharing their results and how they feel on social media. We are grateful for the opportunity the product has given us to meet more people and help in their wellness journey.
Carrie’s family and my family met through our children’s school and we had such similar views regarding the path that the medical “treatment” of patients should be taking. We knew we all needed to work together in some capacity to improve the wellness of our community. We found that others at our school and in our community were searching for the same thing. Tired of taking pills for every little thing – and wanted to work on health in a holistic way. The Foy LIFE supplement makes life more simple by eliminating the 10+ supplements (or more) people are being recommended to take and putting them all together.
What is the best advice for juggling mommyhood and running a business (or volunteering, working, etc)?
Jennifer – Just when you think you have it all figured out…something changes. Like a world pandemic happens…literally. And then you also become a homeschool teacher. IT IS HARD. and I know we are all feeling it. We are working on being super flexible. Making every minute count that we can squeeze a little work in. Kids are occupied in the back yard for 10 minutes? Flip on the computer and get some emails out. Right now I’m up 2 hours before the kids to get things done. I also want to be present for my kids…this time with them is precious…and although I may feel stressed with everything happening in the world…they are having the time of their lives being home with me, having SO much attention and “fun” learning. So if my work needs to be pushed till late at night or the next morning…I’m trying to be ok with that.
Carrie – go with the flow! Just when you think you have it all figured it out, life will throw a massive curve ball!
What would you tell the old “You” before you had kids?
Jennifer – AH! Enjoy what you have in the moment. Don’t try to “fast forward” your life to the next step. Every part of you and your life changes the moment you walk through the hospital doors to have that first baby.
Carrie – Ready for your world to be rocked?? Ready to cry, laugh, yell, fall even more in love all within 5 minutes? The life of a mom is the hardest, yet most rewarding experience I’ve been honored with.
Funniest shortcut/routine for helping you through parenthood?
Jennifer – Wine?? Just kidding (kind of) Actually…Naptime!!! Even now when my oldest is almost 6 he will still nap on the weekends. Be strict with their sleep schedule. I WORKED in the beginning to get my kids sleeping 12 hours a night (7pm – 7am) and napping in the afternoons. You may have turn down some social outings with kids in the evenings…or middle of the day birthday parties. You need that time after they go to sleep to be a normal adult (and maybe take a nap too). It may not work for everyone but it worked for us.
Carrie – Sending my kids to Canada to be with their grandparents for a month!!! It was incredible! My husband and I were able to travel to Italy for 2 weeks and then enjoyed the remainder of the time at home tackling the huge to-do list. This year we are not sure if they are going because of what is going on with COVID. And I realize this isn’t an opportunity for everyone. So try mini weekend trips if possible with your loved one(s), regular dates/mom’s time out, during the day or at night. Having that time for yourself is so beneficial.