Ilina Ewen is the TriangleMom2Mom mom of the week and the final politically active mom we're featuring this month. Ewen is an Obama supporter. Read about our previous Obama and McCain supporters by clicking here.

Here's Ilina ...

Mom2Mom: Tell us about yourself and who you're supporting for president.

Ilina: I am a mom of two boys ages 5 and 3 who are total opposites. I am also a marketing consultant with my own business called iFactor. I am a huge Audrey Hepburn fan, shoeaholic, and bargain shopper extraordinaire. I am an aspiring writer and blogger and use my writing to entertain, inform, inspire, and sometimes just rant.

I have been interested and involved in politics ever since I met Gov. Bill Clinton at Washing and Lee University in the 90s. I have always volunteered for various campaigns and feel an especially strong sense of conviction in this year's presidential race. I was raised by parents who immigrated here from India 39 years ago when I was one and my brother was three. My parents earned everything we had and taught us about sacrifice, unconditional love, work ethic, education and giving back through their actions. Our wonderful neighbors and family friends taught us about community.

Now that I am a parent, I see a glimpse of the world through my parents' eyes and fully realize the sacrifices they made for us. The move across an ocean and a couple continents was epic in and of itself. They have always shunned the "Keeping up with the Joneses" mentality, teaching us instead to be thankful for what we had and giving back regardless how hard we thought our life was. I am passing on this legacy to my own children, first generation Americans.

I support Barack Obama for president. He inspires and challenges Americans to work together as a collective community rather than factions at war with each other. He sees more strength in the sum of our parts rather than the individual parts acting alone. I value his long-term thinking, global responsibility, and philosophy of giving voice the voiceless. Specifically, I agree on his position to remove our troops in a timely and responsible manner from Iraq. I support his position on issues that affect working moms and women in general: equal pay, more accessible and affordable healthcare, more parental leave support, funding for women's health, fighting domestic violence, more affordable education and programs to expand early childhood education, supporting a woman's right to choose, and policies to better balance work and family. It is impressive that he even has a callout section about Women's Issues on his Web site!

In addition to his policies, programs, and plans, Barack Obama has inspired millions to take action and make a change. Regardless of one political views, it cannot be doubted that he energized an army of citizens to "be the change that they want to see."

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite family place in the Triangle?

Ilina: The Museum of Life & Science in Durham and Marbles. We have memberships to both and have been there a million times. Every single one of us always has a blast.

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite place for yourself in the Triangle?

Ilina: Getting my hair cut by Rachael at Blo (LOVE the massage shampoo chairs!) and wandering around the flea market. I love the time to meander, people watch, sip my coffee, and window shop without counting heads and constantly saying, "Don't touch! That's breakable! No, you cannot have that toy pistol!"

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite ritual with your kids?

Ilina: Saying our "Thank Yous" at dinner. We are not a religious family but we are spiritual. Every night before dinner (and we do sit at the table as a family with no TV on every night), we hold hands and say one thing we are thankful for from the day (but not something material like getting a new toy or new pair of shoes). It helps foster conversation and makes us realize that we can be thankful for so many things.

Mom2Mom: What did you have for dinner last night? Can you share the recipe?
Ilina: Chicken with mushrooms and garlic in wine and cider sauce
Figs stuffed with goat cheese and honey
Roasted root vegetables
Honey crisp apple slices with caramel sauce

And yes, my kids ate it all too! I made up these dishes so here are the recipes the best I can remember.

Chicken Recipe:

Cube chicken breasts and dredge in flour to coat. Saute in heated 2 Tbs olive oil on medium heat. Add one package of sliced mushrooms and two minced cloves of garlic. Cook until chicken is browned and mushrooms are softened. Add 1 teaspoon of tarragon, 1 teaspoon of capers, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Add 1 cup of white wine and 1/2 cup of apple cider. Scrape up those yummy pan drippings. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook down until sauce thickens (about 20-30 minutes). Serve over brown rice or wide noodles.

Fig Recipe:

Quarter fresh figs without cutting all the way through. If you squeeze them a bit from the bottom they will look like little flowers. Add a half teaspoon of goat to into each fig. Drizzle with honey and olive oil and freshly ground black pepper. Broil until cheese is bubbly.

Roasted Vegetables Recipe:

Cut variety of root vegetables into bit size pieces. I used parsnips, sweet potatoes, and beets. Toss is olive oil, sea salt, and the needles of one large sprig of fresh rosemary. Roast at 375 for one hour. Toss every 20 minutes to ensure even cooking.

Mom2Mom: What's your guilty pleasure?

Ilina: Gossip Girl on Monday nights.

Check out our other daily themes at TriangleMom2Mom:

MONDAY: Meet!
TUESDAY: Ask!
WEDNESDAY: Eat!
THURSDAY: Play!
FRIDAY: Out!

WEEKEND: Relax!