Name:
Illene
Where do you live?
Brickell. I like the action.
How long have you lived in the area?
I was born in New York and moved here when I was three…so over 60 years. My mother and father relocated, to Miami, to open a mattress company.
Please share about what you do for a livelihood or what keeps you busy during the week?
I am a residential and commercial realtor with Coldwell Banker. I have been in the business over 30 years. Before that, I was a teacher for nine years. I am involved at my synagogue, Temple Beth Am, and love giving back to the community. Outside of work, I enjoy dining and the arts.
When I started real estate, my youngest son was two years old and interest rates were 18%. It wasn’t as competitive as it is now. It has changed so much, and I still love it. It is a great satisfaction when my clients find their dream home.
What advice would you give someone interested in becoming a realtor?
People think they can get into real estate and make tons of money. It isn’t that way. It is a hard business. Work smart and network with the people that you know.
How often do you come to the market?
Every Sunday.
Do you have a Sunday ritual? If so, please describe.
I go to Pilates in the morning at a studio called House of Movement. Then I head south to your market. I always go to you first, and then I’ll go to the produce tent in the back with vegetables. Sometimes, I’ll buy Zak’s bread – but I try to stay away from flour. I think it is a fabulous market, especially because I’ve met you guys.
What’s your favorite thing to buy at LNB Grovestand and why?
I love your rainbow smoothies and am addicted to your turmeric tonic. I even took the turmeric concentrate with me, when we went to Philadelphia, for Passover. I put it in little containers, which I froze, and put them in my zip-loc bag for the plane. It gives me so much energy. I take it every single day.
What’s your favorite thing to buy at other stands at the market?
When we first started coming to the market, I used to get the acai bowls. Now, I just get your smoothies. I like them more. We used to split a smoothie, now we get one each.
The best deal at the market is:
Sometimes you can get green peppers at the produce vendor in back for $1/piece.
I wish the market had:
More organic vendors
Most-frequented local restaurants and what dish to order:
In Pinecrest: Daily Bread, Cheese Course, Joanna’s
Brickell: River Oyster Bar, the new Fleming’s and for French food, Le Petite Mason
For special occasions, I go to:
We love Crust on Miami River. It is an Italian restaurant with great food. I get their angel hair pasta with olive oil and garlic, and an arugula salad. The portions are huge – so you have to share everything.
Do you have a family recipe that you would be willing share?
I could live on raw salad and vegetables. I make roasted broccoli with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic and cook at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or more. They are charcoaled when they come out. Squeeze lemon juice on top.
What’s the area’s best-kept secret?
Miami River, Brickell, Downtown and Edgewater – there’s so much happening.
And Gables Stage. It’s a theater at the Biltmore.
A worthy splurge:
Travel. Alaska or Israel. I also love cruises.
Do you participate in any community or philanthropic events that you would like to share?
At Temple Beth Am, I’m involved with Baby Boomers and we just started a Havurah group with four other couples. I’m on the committee of Baby Boomers. It’s a gathering of older people and we have different events. Recently, we had an activity to learn about social media. We are planning an event for next Thursday night called Mindfulness Meditation.
Is there a question that you would like to ask the LNBs?
I’d like to see you have more products. I rave about you guys because it works for me.
(A+W) We have a new Turmeric Golden Bar – ask for a taste at the market.
If you would like readers to be able to contact you, how should they get in touch?
onlyilene1@gmail.com