Beth & the girls, who knew…the Just A Dollop Team in its Infancy!

The Birth of Just A Dollop

Born of the spark in Ashley’s eyes at a spontaneous Friendsgiving Potluck dinner, the story goes….

Ashley ran to get the binder of recipes the girls had collected when the dinner conversation turned to how she and Rachel had lost over 50 lbs each! Beth Penzone, the nutritionist hired in February last year, had done a fabulous job helping our team develop a healthy-lifestyles food plan not only teaching the girls how to plan, shop for and prepare some awesome healthy meals but how to think about and understand nutrition, portion control and the importance of water!

As Ashley began reading some of their favorite recipes to everyone, her voice grew louder with each ingredient, cresting with a broad crescendo as she got to the ‘swap outs’ that were made for healthier choices, like Greek yogurt for sour cream. It was a sudden, emphatic and high pitched, “Add Just A Dollop of cool whip to any desert to make it special” that skyrocketed across the table to Nancy’s equally animated response with hands frantically waving overhead like a flag in the wind, “Ashley, I think you need to write a cookbook and call it Just A Dollop!

Needless to say, many incredible stories have unfolded at the 209 House, since the girls celebrated their ‘Independence Day’ on 12-12-21 when they moved into their own apartment in grand style with fan-fare and an open house for family, friends and neighbors. This website has been created to share some of these life-changing stories with others. It is Ashley’s hope that Just A Dollop will inspire other people with disabilities to find their own SPARKS! With this in mind, Ashley will be pursuing another of her dreams in 2023 to become a self-advocate and share her courageous personal story in the months ahead….Watch this space for updates!

In the meantime, check out some of the fabulous recipes and videos our three Chefs have begun to film (with the help of our incredible videographer, Ryan O’Connell) on preparing and cooking healthy meals, snacks, desserts and drinks!

Make sure you check out the tips & tricks to ‘swap out’ ingredients on familiar recipes with something healthier, the hallmark of a healthy lifestyle for Team 209. Of course don’t forget to….add Just A Dollop of something special to make things a little bit sweeter!

3 Peas in a Pod!

Don’t miss our ‘B-Roll’ uncut versions of 3 Peas in a Pod having a barrel of fun working with Ryan, our Chief Gardener as he artfully videotapes (and later extensively edits) their Just A Dollop recipes.

Get ready for a couple of belly laughs and chuckle or two as you spend some time with the soon to be famous…..