MOMBoss Juli Novotny



This week’s MOMBoss is Juli Novotny. She founded KookieKarma at the age of 24 and has worked hard over the last six years to create an online and west coast market presence with her delicious and healthy snacks. While growing her incredibly successful business, she was also adding to her family. Juli has two sons, only 12 months apart.

Juli has a blog, PUREmamas, where she devotes all of her “free” time. PureMamas emerged as another educational avenue for helping parents add healthy foods to their kids’ diets. It’s an open-minded space where Juli just talks freely about her own life, decor, clothes, activities, eco-friendly stuff, etc. She shares recipes and encourages the community to join in on discussions. She even has a recipe for homemade baby formula.

SDMOMfia caught up with her last week and asked her a few questions, including, “Come on, you can tell us, you don’t really eat like this all the time, do you?” See her answer below.

What was the inspiration behind Pure Mamas?

Kids, nutrition & mommyhood. I am very into the idea of feeding kids the purest, freshest, pesticide free foods as possible and teaching parents how to help their whole family enjoy these foods. I also just love sharing some of my favorite recipes, thoughts, ideas and photos.

It has gotten bigger than I ever intended. It started mainly for friends and clients who were constantly asking me for the ‘recipe’ for whatever it was I had made or was eating. Or for the reason I give my kids fresh pressed juice, etc. So, instead of emailing it to friends, I posted it all to one space — PUREmamas.

Do you eat that perfectly healthy food every single meal?

Pretty much. It’s not hard. I am not on any diet, it’s just what is in my fridge and what I love eating. It’s my passion. I have been a vegetarian since I was 14 years old. I don’t ever crave a tuna sandwich but I do crave green drinks. If that makes sense. So it’s not hard to say ‘no’ to pizza. It just doesn’t even sound good to me.

Health is what has shaped my taste buds, believe it or not! And now having the whole family feeling great is my main priority and we feel best when we eat amazing plant based foods.

When you do splurge, what is your favorite way?

I splurge when I got out to eat with friends or when I travel. I just let loose and enjoy the variety of foods. The last thing I ever want to do is create an awkward environment (i.e. people having to worry about my eating habits when planning meals or choosing a restaurant). Plus, I love wine!! I love gourmet restaurants and all sorts of cuisines. I am a chef afterall – so I appreciate all kinds of great flavors, preparations, crafts and art forms.

Wine is probably my big weakness! It’s fun to learn about too. So if nothing else, I will order a good glass of wine when I’m out and there’s a crappy menu. Being social can be the biggest hurdle when trying to eat raw or vegan or whatever. So, I try to make sure I am open to try new things all of the time.

Who does the gorgeous photography for your site?

Haha. That’s a huge compliment. ME! I do the photography! I have a nice camera that I have NO CLUE how to use. But I play around with it all of the time. I know what kind of photography I like so it’s me trying to replicate that by just playing around with the focus, etc. I recommend everybody try it. It’s a fun thing to experiment with.

What is your most favorite recipe?

Probably any of my salads. There is one on my site that is a perfect SDMomfia recipe – it includes fresh feta cheese on top of a spicy/lemony fennel, arugula and white corn salad! Every time I make this people freak out.

What is the thing you want most in 2011? And you can’t say world peace.

That’s not what I was going to say. Ha. I’d like to see my little boys make it through their first year in school w/o too many tears, sicknesses or pain. It just breaks my heart. I have been with them at home for 2 years and I’m ready to get back into working more on all of my many projects. I just want a smooth transition and for everybody to be healthy and happy!

What is your favorite thing to do with the kids?

Going to Napa with them! Sounds really random. But we take them to the Carneros Inn and have the most relaxing, fun time! It’s a great area if you haven’t been before.

Skittles or Starburst?

Neither. Dislike candy.

What was the name of your first boyfriend?

This is a really fun, silly questionnaire: Justin Harnish.

What is your favorite word?

Passion / Purpose. Just this year I have come to the conclusion that passion is what drives us. It creates wellness, happiness and prosperity. Even if your diet is wonderful, if you don’t have a purpose you won’t truly find complete happiness. Some people find this in just helping others or being a mom or a wife! It doesn’t have to something crazy like NUTRITION or ENTREPRENEURIAL. It can be simple. But we must find purpose to thrive. (and note to men: sometimes being mom isn’t a woman’s purpose and that is OK if it’s not).

20s or 30s?

hmmmm. I’m only 31. So I would say 20s. I have been mourning the loss. I have a hunch though that 30s will be my best years of my life.

George Clooney or Tom Brady?

George!!!!!!!!!! I sat next to him at a bar once and it was during the time when I was just so in love with him. (In fact, I was sitting with boyfriend #1 mentioned above, at the bar – darn! if only…)

This week’s MOMBoss of the week was sponsored by Froots in Carlsbad. Stop by and enjoy a healthy salad or wrap. 2675 Gateway Road
#101
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 476-1300