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WINTER 2012 /contents
F E AT U R E S 31 The Resolution Make Over
35 k / COVER
Healthy choices
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My Plate
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Fitness For Kids
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4 , 0 0 0 Ye a r s a n d C o u n t i n g
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In-Vitro Update!
HELPFUL INFO 46
Design Showcase
48 Uncorked 52
A r k - L a - Te x R e s o u r c e G u i d e
Make healthy choices in the coming year! We’ll help you decide the direction you need to go!
Publisher and Editor / Debbie Brower Associate Editors / Jaclyn Gooding, Miranda Johnson Photography / Image Forward Photography, Debbie Brower, Jaclyn Gooding, Miranda Johnson, Rozana Page Sales & Marketing Manager / Charlie McMurphy Feature Writers / Jane Bouterse, Anne Fruge
Kids and Fitness Kids need to stay fit throughout the year! Here are some great suggestions to help keep your kids in shape all year long!
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w w w. a l t - m a g . c o m
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info@alt-mag.com 200 Heather Dr., Texarkana, TX 75501 (903) 334-9605
Š2012 ALT Magazine
January 2012
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by Anne Fruge
The
Resolution
Make-over
N
ew Year’s Resolutions have earned a bad reputation over the years, and rightly so. The dawn of the New Year has quickly become a time to exasperatingly rectify our regrets of the past year, and then we shun the list after a few short weeks of struggling to reach our superhuman goals. This is especially true when it comes to fitness goals. As we struggle to button our favorite pants after holiday gorging and vow to never eat again or to work out every day of the next year, we set ourselves up for failure. Therefore, it’s time to give our resolutions a makeover of hope. This year isn’t about achieving the things that we can’t begin to have time for—unless our resolution is also to quit our jobs, stop cleaning our houses or spending time with our family. This year we are going to clear the muddied name of resolutions and replace our shame with accomplishment. The good news is, we don’t have to look far. Opportunities abound locally for the Texarkana citizen to reach their fitness goals, whether it’s to build more muscle,
burn more calories, or find a way to eat healthier.
Break a Sweat Even though its winter and the sweatpants are calling, don’t ignore the urge to get active. Not only will it feel better to get our hearts pumping and break a sweat, but it’s a great way to encourage our families
to do the same. Plus, when everyone in a household is all working toward a healthier lifestyle, choices to work out and eat better will be easier. According to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, aerobic activity has life-long benefits for both our body and our minds. Their top reasons to get out and exercise are because it can “keep excess pounds at bay, increase stamina, ward off viral illnesses, reduce health risks, manage chronic conditions, strengthen your heart, keep your arteries clear and boost your mood.” So, join the gym, and check your workplace to see if they offer any gym discounts. Find a walking partner and head to Spring Lake Park or the Four States Fairgrounds, take Fido for a much needed jog, or sign up for a fun exercise class at our local college or gym. With everything from step aerobics to Zumba, there is an exercise class that will fit your fitness goals. Don’t have time to leave the January 2012
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house? Peruse your favorite website or local shopping center for DVDs from professionals who can help you work out at home. There are also personal trainers who will whip you into shape from your own living room. The possibilities are endless, and it only makes it easier to find something that you can stick with because of the vast opportunities to work out in a way that you enjoy. Don’t torture yourself by walking miles on a treadmill if you dread doing it every day. Instead, if we can find a workout that we can look forward to, we will end up sticking with it longer. Change Your Diet Starvation is not an option. Remember, we are doing this the healthy way, which means that we want our bodies to get stronger and feel better, not weaker and sicker. Plus, no one can starve themselves forever, and then we are, once again, facing failure and shame. The truth is, we all know what to do to lose more weight. We need to drink more water, eat less processed and fast food, eat smaller meals throughout the day and make good dietary choices. If you’ve picked up a fitness magazine or watched any talk show in the last few months, you’ve heard the experts say the same things. Now, it’s time to put them into practice, and that can be the really hard part.
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For accountability dieting, there are several great options to help get you started and keep you on track. First, most gyms have trainers who will talk to you about diet plans and take your personal food preferences into consideration. There are also healthy protein and smoothie places around the city where you can pick up a quick meal instead of swerving into a restaurant for a greasy burger and fries at the last minute, which you will inevitably, regret. In addition, appetite suppressants are available at local medical clinics. Another great way to curb calorie intake is through a diet system that either offers accountability through meetings or prepackaged meals. Plus for that last minute party, wedding or reunion, there are places that offer cellulite reduction, body wraps to lose inches, and of course, every woman’s best friend: Spanx. Ultimately, it’s time to make a plan, and not just any list of resolutions, but the kind of plan that we can stick with. The changes that are true-lifestyle changes will stay with us in time to see bathing suit season, instead of being thrown away at the end of January. Let’s be good to ourselves this year and give our resolutions a break; they aren’t miracle workers. But with the right help and a little insight into our true goals, we can make this year a time of hope for a better, healthier future. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aerobicexercise/EP00002/METHOD=print
Your Local Resource Guide All About You 4100 Summerhill Sq. Texarkana, TX 903.792.7775 Anytime Fitness Richmond Road 3415 Richmond Road. Texarkana, TX 75503 903.794.5348 Christus St. Michael Fitness Center 2223 Galleria Oaks Drive Texarkana, TX 903.614.4441 Express Care 5483 Summerhill Road Texarkana, TX 75503 903.223.5931 Salon Visage Esthetique 4506 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.794.4007 The Sanctuary 3502 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 75503 903.334.8661 Training Wheels In-Home Personal Training 903.319.3096 Zumba with Lyndsay (Next to Sears( 903.293.3647
Give these local businesses a call or visit to help you achieve your health and fitness goals for 2012!
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Information found at: www.theglobeandmail.com
Out with the old... Over the years, the food pyramid has taken it’s fair share of scrutiny and revisions, but all that is over now.
First Lady Michele Obama has taken down the mighty pyramid and replaced it with a much simpler model called "my plate," a simple image of a plate divided into the major food groups people should consume most: fruits, vegetables, grains and protein. Dairy is featured as a beverage to the side of the plate. Many nutrition experts are praising the new design as a major improvement from the confusing and even misleading food pyramid, which critics said was too hard to understand and didn’t emphasize the right foods, such as fruits and vegetables.
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In with the new...
Others believe the food plate is a marginal improvement to a deeply flawed food pyramid that will likely have minimal effects on what the public consumes. Bill Jeffery, national co-ordinator of the Canadian branch of the Centre for Science in the Public Interest, a consumer advocacy group, agreed the food plate has many flaws. For instance, it doesn’t recommend that people should control how many calories they consume in a day. It also fails to emphasize that people should eat foods that are low in sodium, a major oversight, he said. But at the same time, while not perfect, the plate highlights serious problems with other guides to healthy eating, he said.
Major highlights of the new food plate: Simple design: Instead of a multicolored pyramid, the U.S. is now using a simple image of a plate to show Americans what the makeup of their diet should be.
No minimum amounts: Unlike many food guides, including the one used by Canada, the new food plate model doesn’t suggest people eat a “minimum amount” of servings, which critics suggest leads to confusion because few consumers understand what constitutes a serving. In Canada, the food guide recommends how many servings of various foods people should eat a day, but critics argue few take the time to measure portions to get the right serving size.
Protein, not meat: The food plate suggests people consume protein every day, but does not make mention of meat products. It’s an important distinction because many food guides have been criticized for recommending the consumption of red meat, for instance, which is tied to potential health risks.
Move over, dairy: Although dairy is still included in the new design, it is featured off to the side as the image of a beverage. Some experts praised this move, saying it may emphasize consumption of low-fat milk over, say, cheese. Yet, others suggest dairy shouldn’t have been included as a food group at all. January 2012
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Getting children off the couch and staying fit together
ith obesity in children growing to a critical level many are concerned. Wonder how to promote fitness for kids? Start by getting in the game yourself — and allowing your child’s interests to guide the way.
Encourage your children to get involved in physically active activities like dance, sports and other active interests they may have.
For many kids, biking to the playground and playing kickball in the backyard have given way to watching television, playing video games and spending hours online. But it’s never too late to get your child
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off the couch. Use these simple tips to give your child a lifelong appreciation for activities that strengthen his or her body. Set a good example Your active lifestyle can be a powerful stimulus for your child. If you want an active child, be active yourself. You can’t just “talk” activity — you need to make activity a priority for yourself as well. Go for a brisk walk, ride your bike or take a yoga class. Better yet, invite your family to play catch or to join you on a walk. Talk about physical activity as an opportunity to take care of your body, rather than a punishment or a chore. Praise, reward and encourage activity. Wonder how much physical activity is enough? Consider these guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services: Kids. Children and adolescents age 6 and older need at least an hour a day of physical activity. Most of the hour should be either moderate or vigorous aerobic activity. In addition,
children should participate in musclestrengthening and bone-strengthening activities at least three days a week. Many classic activities — such as playing on playground equipment and jumping rope — cover all the bases at once. Adults. Most healthy adults
Group activities as a family benefit all parties physically and promote positive family life.
need at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity, such as brisk walking or swimming, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity, such as running — preferably spread
throughout the week. Adults also need strength training exercises at least twice a week.
a player’s physical movements to control what happens on the screen — boost a child’s calorie-burning power. In a Mayo Clinic study, kids who traded sedentary screen time for active screen time more than doubled their energy expenditure.
Limit screen time A surefire way to increase your child’s activity level is to Establish a limit the number routine of hours he or she Set aside time each spends in front of a day for physical screen — including activity. Get up early television, video with your child to games and online walk the dog or take activities. For a walk together after example, you might dinner. Start small, consider a limit of gradually adding one or two hours new activities to a day and, for a the routine as you better night’s sleep, — and your child — no screen time in become more fit. the hour before bed. To make it Let your child easier, don’t put a set the pace television in your Teaching your child games like hopscotch and other physically For many kids, child’s bedroom, active games is fun and beneficial! organized sports are don’t watch television a great way to stay fit. But team sports while you’re eating dinner, and restrict or dance classes aren’t the only options. computers and other electronic gadgets If your child is artistically inclined, take a to a family area. Also consider limiting
search for activities your child enjoys. Promote activity, not exercise To keep your child interested in fitness, make it fun: Get in the game. Play catch, get the whole family involved in a game of tag or have a jump-rope contest. Try classic movement games such as Simon says or red light, green light. If you don’t remember the rules, make up your own! Try an activity party. For your child’s next birthday, schedule a bowling party, take the kids to a climbing wall or set up relay races outside. Put your child in charge. Let your child choose an activity of the day or week. Batting cages, bowling and neighborhood play areas all count. What matters is that you’re doing something active. Give the gift of activity. Offer activity-related equipment, games or outings as gifts and rewards — both for your child and others. Remember, incorporating physical activity into your child’s life does much
Doing fitness activities with your children makes them feel special and also teaches them by example. Even teaching your child about healthy foods can be a fun and productive activity.
other sedentary activities, such as text messaging or chatting on the phone. If your child plays video games, opt for those that require movement. Activityoriented video games — such as dance video games and video games that use
nature hike to collect leaves and rocks for use in a collage. If your child likes to climb, head for the nearest jungle gym. If your child likes to read, walk or bike to a local library for a book. Or simply turn on your child’s favorite music and dance in the living room. Get creative as you
more than promote a healthy weight. It sets the foundation for a lifetime of fitness and good mental and physical health. Information from www.mayoclinic.com
January 2012
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by Dustin Stringer Stringer Wealth Management LPL Financial www.stringerwealthmanagement.net
A Retirement Reality Check
I
f you have already retired or if you can count the number of years until retirement on your fingers then please heed this friendly warning: Unless you’re already making the most of your current retirement planning strategies, then it may be difficult to lay the groundwork for a financially secure future. Don’t just take my word for it, though. Look at the numbers: The median income in households of Americans who are at least 65 years old is under $25,000, whereas the median household income for Americans under 65 is more than double that amount.* Is your portfolio on a course that’s destined to lead to a retirement income shortfall? Consider these strategies that can help improve your long-term outlook. During Your Working Years? Determine an appropriate time frame for applying for Social Security benefits. If you plan to apply before your so-called “full retirement age,” then you can expect to receive lower monthly benefits. Delaying your application could increase your benefits. Detailed information about your specific situation is available in the Social Security Statement mailed to you each year about three months before your birthday. Contact Social Security at least three months before retirement to apply for benefits. When You Reach Retirement? Make arrangements for your retirement account distribution strategies. If you participate in a workplace retirement plan, contact your employer’s human resources office to learn what withdrawal options are available to you. Once you have that information handy, you’ll need to decide whether to begin withdrawing money from your taxable accounts first or from tax-deferred accounts first. Keep in mind that the IRS requires most retirement savers to begin taking withdrawals known as required minimum distributions (RMDs) from employer-sponsored retirement accounts and traditional IRAs after reaching age 70½. If you don’t take your RMDs, you could be forced to pay substantial tax penalties. RMD rules recently became less complex, but it’s still important that you understand them and implement an appropriate distribution strategy. All Retirement Investors? Review your post-retirement medical
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Find us on insurance needs. For example, you might want to think about purchasing coverage to supplement Medicare benefits. If you have made all eligible contributions to other qualified plans, then you may also want to consider funding an annuity now in order to receive a guaranteed income stream later in life.** Your retirement security is very important. A smart first step to keeping your retirement strategies on track is to contact a qualified financial professional. *Source: AARP, August 2005. **Fixed annuities are long-term, tax-deferred investment vehicles designed for retirement purposes. Gains from tax-deferred investments are taxable as ordinary income upon withdrawal. Withdrawals made prior to age 59½ are subject to 10% IRS penalty tax and surrender charges apply. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company. © 2010 Standard & Poor’s Financial Communications. All rights reserved.
Get Cozy With Your Valentine! New Year... New Remodel? Visit Oak Creek Furniture! Why is Oak Creek Furniture Different? We have chosen Amish furniture craftsmen who are recognized leaders in the solid wood furniture industry. Amish furniture is made by hand in small Amish wood shops so every piece of furniture receives the same attention to detail. Our Amish handcrafted furniture is built to last.
Why all the fuss about details? Double Rockers, Cozy Quilts, Portable Fireplaces, Delicious Gourmet Foods to Share... Oak Creek Has the Goods for Your Perfect Valentine’s Day!
Because the Amish craftsmen build furniture that your children and grandchildren will be proud to inherit. Come see our Amish-built bedroom furniture and oak dining room furniture. The selection of the boards and the grade of the hard wood, along with dovetailed drawers, mortise-and-tenon construction and the multi-step finish are all just small parts of the build process that add up to an heirloom quality piece of oak or cherry furniture.
The Holidays Are Always Bright at Oak Creek Furniture!
Did you know...
Lasting elegance...
That most of the furniture made today uses substitute materials such as particleboard. Because particleboard is made from wood fragments bonded with resin, it is considered an all wood product BUT IT IS NOT solid wood.
There is no better place to sit for a meal than around Amish dining room furniture. Amish dining room furniture is made for a family to sit around and enjoy not just the meal, but each other’s company, as well. All of our dining room furniture is sturdy and durable - your family and future generations of your family will be able to sit at and around our dining room furniture for years to come.
Our Amish furniture is made of SOLID Oak, Cherry, Maple, Hickory or Quartersawn Oak.
Polywood Outdoor Furniture...
At Oak Creek Furniture, you will find many different styles of polywood furniture. The material used is water and weather resistant, and most importantly, created from recycled polyethylene. For this reason, our polywood lawn furniture is considered a green product. There is no maintenance required, no cracking or splinting, and the polywood material does not promote bacterial growth or mildew. Choose from seven different colors and products such as swings, gliders, benches, deck chairs, table & chair sets, bridges and footrests.
Huge Se lec of Gour tion m Gift Bas et k & Good ets ies!
by Jane Bouterse
4000 Years and Counting
H
e appears often and obviously, so take a look at his hair. President Obama’s once dark hair is now sprinkled with a generous helping of gray—a visible reminder that having the most powerful job in the world brings with it not only perks but also problems. Although there is only President at a time (so none of us have to worry, do we?), his appearance reminds us all that life is demanding. The arrival of a new year, then, is an ideal time for taking inventory of our own demanding lives—What are our priorities?—and resolving to change for the better-- What do we want to do? But first, a look at the history and traditions of the New Year’s arrival builds a base for understanding its importance. Actually, the arrival of the New Year has moved around because of calendar changes—solar calendars, lunar calendars, seasons, manipulation. Since most early societies had no written calendars, they based their definition of a year on agricultural cycles. Four thousand years ago the new year was determined for the Babylonians by the spring and autumn equinoxes, the times for planting and harvesting. Almost 2,000 years ago, the arrival of the Babylonian new year would have been about March 23. When the new year arrived, Babylon was one big party marked by paying debts and returning borrowed goods for starters. Celebrating lasted about 11 days— celebrations which (historians report) make today’s festivities seem tame. The Roman celebration in 153 B.C. followed the Babylonian tradition until tampering by various emperors got the year totally out of sync with the sun. Julius Caesar in
46 B.C. arbitrarily solved that problem when he created the Julian calendar which again established January 1 as the beginning of the new year. Not surprisingly, the Romans started the ball rolling with Janus, their mythical king/god with two faces so that he could look backward and forward at the same time. The face on the back of his head could look back on the past. Because of what he saw, many Romans sought forgiveness from their enemies. On the front of his head his forward face was able to look ahead to new happenings; then the Romans began the tradition of exchanging gifts on New Year’s Eve. The gifts were usually branches from sacred trees for good fortune. Eventually the imprint of Janus on nuts or coins became more common New Year’s gifts. Choosing Janus, the god of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances, as the god who presided over the first month of the new year was an obvious choice. As a tribute to Janus, January—the year’s first month —was named after him. Tampering with the calendar over the centuries may have changed the times of the new year’s arrival, but the tradition of celebrating chances for change has existed throughout societies for at least 4000 years. Most traditions center on the presence or absence of good luck within the household, still a major motivator for new year’s choices. For example --The BRITISH place their fortunes for the coming year in the hands of their first guest. They believe the first visitor of each year should be male and bearing gifts. Traditional gifts are coal for the fire, a loaf for the table and a drink for January 2012
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in Pennsylvania Dutch country along with cooked apples. Southern the master. For good luck, the guest should enter through the front tables groan with Black-eyed peas and cooked Collard Greens door and leave through the back. Guests who are empty-handed or complemented by Buttermilk cornbread. Ethnic traditions abound as unwanted are not allowed to enter first. -- HAITIANS wear new clothing and exchange gifts in the hope that it well. Food traditions in the U. S. may prove difficult to enjoy will bode well for the new year. if followed by a night of revelry. Midnight is the magic moment for – In SPAIN, when the clock strikes midnight, the Spanish eat 12 American celebrants who may have welcomed the New Year with a grapes, one with every toll, to bring good luck for the 12 months kiss as the toll of the New Year’s first moments splits the air. The kiss ahead. PERUVIANS eat the 12 then add a 13th grape for good luck. at the stroke of midnight is derived from masked balls, commonplace – The JAPANESE decorate their homes in tribute to lucky gods. One tradition, kadomatsu, consists of a pine branch symbolizing longevity, throughout history. As tradition has it, the masks symbolize evil spirits from the old year and the kiss is the purification into the new a bamboo stalk symbolizing prosperity, and a plum blossom showing year. nobility. New Year’s revelry in – For the CHINESE New the U.S. tends to look toward Year, every front door is New York City’s Times Square adorned with a fresh coat of 50% of adults in North and the dropping of the ball, a red paint, red being a symbol tradition begun in 1907 when of good luck and happiness. America will make a New the iron ball commissioned Although the whole family by Adolph S. Ochs, publisher prepares a feast for the New Year’s resolution of the New York TIMES, was Year, all knives are put away dropped from a 70-foot flagpole for 24 hours to keep anyone at midnight. That iron globe from cutting themselves, was lighted by 216 electric which is thought to cut the lamps. Today’s 1,200 pound sphere is clad in Waterford crystal and family’s good luck for the next year. carries 30,000 watts of light-emitting diodes. Over 100 cities around Traditions dominate the New Year’s holiday celebrations, the country have created their own versions of the globe drop—still at and many of those extend to the food consumed either on New midnight on the first day of the new year. Year’s Eve or the first day itself. REVELRY is an important part of the New Year’s Eve In SICILY an old tradition says good luck will come to those celebration, but one night of revelry is followed by 12 months of who eat lasagna on New Year’s Day, but woe to those who dine on routine. During those 365 days the new year’s RESOLUTIONS, macaroni, for any other noodle will bring bad luck. i.e. usually plans for changing behavior during the year, must be A special GREEK New Year’s bread is baked with a coin accomplished. buried in the dough. The first slice is for the Christ child, the second RESOLUTIONS begin …. for the father of the household and the third slice is for the house. If First, with an inventory. Maya Angelou, The the third slice holds the coin, spring will come early that year. Phenomenal Woman reared in Stamps, AR, provides a jump start on Good luck food choices in America vary from one region of this project: the country to another. Pork and sauerkraut are absolute necessities
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“I’ve learned,” she writes, “that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/ she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as making a ‘life.’ I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people never forget how you made them feel.”
Obviously our lives are comprised of those things not only learned but also those actions desired. Aha! Therein lies much of the problem, and that has been true for almost 4000 years. Enter: New Year’s RESOLUTIONS for action. Some interesting “Miscellaneous Facts About New Year’s Resolutions” appear on the www.psychologytoday.com web site:
Heatherton 1996, as cited by Koestner 2008, p. 61) (1) Unclear and vague goals. It is better to state “I plan on losing 20 lbs. by June 1st” rather than “I plan on being more healthy.” (2) Failure to gauge one’s progress toward the stated goals. It is better to weigh yourself every Friday morning as a means of gauging your weight loss rather than leaving it to how “well you feel in your pants” or weighing every day. (3) Weak self-control and self-regulation when facing challenges that impede one’s ability to achieve the stated goals. It is better to state that once you go on vacation, you will only have a single plate at any meal at the all-you-can-eat buffet (respective of the offerings) rather than having to respond to the temptations at each meal void of a self-regulatory action plan. Choosing single helpings also assists in self-regulation. Several suggestions may assist in succeeding at whatever RESOLUTIONS are made: First, Write your RESOLUTIONS. Keep them specific and simple. Read them often.
Second, Find a buddy so that you two can share your successes and shore each other up in moments of weakness and weariness Finally, Track your progress. Keep a journal or use www.43things.com Lia Steakley Dicker is a Seattle based journalist and editor of the 43 Things Book: Dream It. List It. Do It. How to Live a Bigger and Bolder Life. She has created the website to assist goal-setters in achieving their goals. Who knows? You may achieve one goal and create yet another As Hallmark reminds us LIFE IS A SPECIAL OCCASION—so live it to its fullest— In 2012… READ RECALL REVIEW RESOLVE REVEL REJOICE IT’S 4000 YEARS AND COUNTING! GOOD LUCK!
50% of adults in North America will make a New Year’s resolution (Norcross & Vangarelli, 1988, as cited by Koestner 2008, p. 60). The top two resolutions are behavioral commitments related to improving one’s health namely to cease smoking and decrease one’s consumption of alcohol (Norcross & Vangarelli, 1988, as cited by Koestner 2008, p. 60). Losing weight and implementing a regular exercise program also rate very high. Some discouraging information: Most people fail in adhering to their stated New Year’s resolutions. Specifically, 22% fail after one week, 40% after one month, 50% after three months, 60% after six months, and 81% after twentyfour months (Norcross &Vangarelli, 1988, as cited by Koestner 2008, p. 60). Three reasons for failing to achieve one’s stated goals (Baumeister and January 2012
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Design
Showcase
bar stools instead of just two. New flooring was installed, a larger tile on the diagonal. The painters came in next and painted the existing golden oak cabinets in a cream The family has grown and they felt a need for color with a java glaze. The ceilings were more seating, so a larger table in the breakfast painted in a slightly lighter color than the cabinets, accented by white trim. area and more bar stools around the island was the perfect solution. For the perfectly The new wallpaper is a commercial grade coordinating table, we ordered a new table in vinyl. It has a texture and a tone on tone a custom size and chairs in the same finish as the newly painted cabinets in the breakfast look to it, which really adds visual interest. It made the most impact to the room. The fruit area from Oak Creek Furniture. wallpaper that was there just had to go! To bring in the new, more accommodating island, the old island and the desk area in the Copper Canyon granite was installed on the island and a quartz (Jerusalem Sand) was breakfast room had to be torn out. The new installed on the newly painted cabinets. A and improved island, in knotty alder with a walnut stain, was put in to accommodate four combination of ceramic tile, glass and metal After redecorating the dining room two years ago, the homeowner decided recently to update the kitchen.
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made for an interesting look as the backsplash. New appliances, cabinet hardware and lighting in bronze added to the custom look. The window treatments and accessories are the finishing touch. I think the kitchen turned out fabulous and my client is very happy. I love my job!
-Janet, Janet Green Interior Design
1) Cream Cabinets with Java Glaze. 2) New Island with Extra Seating. 3) New Custom Dining Table. 4) Painted Cabinets and Quartz Countertops. 5) New Bronze Appliances. 6) New Large Tile Floor. 7) New Vinyl Wallpaper. 8) New Faucet and Backsplash.
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by Vincent Senatore
Starting from the Beginning...
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t’s January and time for us to begin a new year with zest and enthusiasm. The holiday lights and ornaments are stowed away and it’s time for us to make the memories that we will be discussing later this year. First, we’ll be making those pesky New Year’s resolutions that will be forgotten by Valentine’s Day. Then we will search for new ways to make our lives more interesting and fun. This is the part, I like. I was thinking about how many new wines and unique foods I found last year (2011). Further, as I thought back through my 35 years in the wine Industry, I was amazed to realize that there were quite a few surprises during 2011 and I suspect there will be equally as many new surprises in 2012. I wish I had a dime for every time I used the expression “This was one of the best dinners, or best wines, or best dishes that I have tasted in years. I was not trying to be nice. I really meant it. From a wine perspective, there are hundreds of wine producing regions from all over the world. Further, there are hundreds of grape varieties and clones of those grape varieties that are planted in many different soils and micro-climates. Each of these grapes will produce a totally different and unique style of wine. That’s why retailers should be very careful in qualifying their customers as to the style of a specific grape variety. If I’m asked for a Chardonnay, I need to ascertain where in the flavor profile my customer wants to be. Basically, most wine is produced in the same manner. When the grapes are ripe and the natural sugar levels are high enough, the grapes are picked and brought to the winery for fermentation. The stems are separated from the berries and the grapes are crushed. Some white varieties are fermented with their skins and some are separated from the
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skin. All red grape varieties are fermented with the grape skins because the wine gets its color from the skins while it is in contact with the juice. Prior to fermentation, all grape juice is clear. Once the grapes are crushed, fermentation begins immediately. Either the natural yeasts that are present on the skins or the addition of cultured yeast will start this process. The yeast will interact with the sugar in the juice and the sugar will be transformed into alcohol and carbon dioxide gas. If the gas is allowed to escape, we have still wine. If the gas is retained, the by-product is sparkling wine. Obviously, there are thousands of variations to the process that I just mentioned. However, this is how wine is produced. As long as there is sugar and yeast present, there will be some sort of fermentation. The fun part of this process is every year there will be a completely different grape grown on the same vines and the weather will determine the degree of sugar present in the grape juice. Remember this: as a vine gets older (12 to 50 years),
the vine produces a more complex wine. Also, the vineyard master (grape grower) will control the quality of the future wine by pruning the buds and the leaves to maintain the maximum concentration of nutrition and photosynthesis for the remaining bunches of grapes on that vine, therefore producing the perfect number of grape clusters and the best growing conditions per vine. When all of the above is “just right,” fermentation is just a process.
The reason I keep getting fascinated by the new wines that come across my desk is because every year they’re unique to the vintage, to the vineyard and the value. It seems to me that as the single vineyard wines get older and the vines are producing higher quality grapes, food seems to work better with the same wines from a newer vintage. One of my favorite examples from 2011 was at a wine dinner that we produced at the Fillin Station Grill with Jeff Loving. I had tasted 2007 Santa Barbara Vineyards Pinot Noir with food earlier in the year. Later that year we tasted Grilled Quail, stuffed with Blue Cheese and Prosciutto. This time, we had the 2008 Pinot Noir and I was absolutely awestruck by the quality and the compatibility with the dish. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for their new wine. It’s 2012 and it’s time for us to renew our palates with some old favorites from new vintages and try them with some old favorites. I’m looking forward to the Santa Barbara Pinot Noir paired with a Roasted pork tenderloin drizzled with a red wine reduction. In fact, with all the great chefs in Texarkana, I’m really looking forward to an extraordinary year of food and wine affinities. All I can say is… “Fuggetaboudit” Remember to consume your adult beverages in moderation.
January 2012
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Update! From The Harris Family
R
emember our in vetro
On August 1st, 2010 we had the last two of our seven embryos implanted. 39 weeks later, April 13, 2011, Eden Blue Harris came into this world and blessed our family, weighing 6 lbs. 14 oz and 19 inches long. She had a head full of hair! (none of which has she lost). Everyday she changes and grows and gets more personality. She now has 2 teeth, is trying to crawl and walk, and she makes silly faces when she knows you are watching her. We cannot imagine life now without her; she truly completes our family. We feel so blessed after everything we went through and we just want to thank everyone for their prayers and support. And thank you to ALT magazine for sharing our story. We hope that if there are couples out there struggling with infertility that this will give them hope and inspiration and help them to come to a decision that is right for their family.
fertilization article from January 2011? We’re so excited to share with you an update on a few of these families!
The Reardons: Shannon, Kirk, Cooper and Holden
From The Reardon Family
Eden Blue Harris
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It has been an exciting year for the Reardon household. Holden (our first, conceived after in vetro fertilization)
The Harris’: Alex, Lisa, Eden and Jordan
celebrated his first birthday on January 12, 2011. He went from baby to toddler in the blink of an eye and has given us more laughter than we ever could have imagined. I was pregnant (a wonderful surprise by natural conception) most of 2011 and went on bed rest for several months so Kirk did most of the duties during that time, which created an unbelievable bond between the two. We transitioned from baby to toddler and then back to baby when Cooper Dean Reardon was born on August 12, 2011. Weighing in at 7.4 lbs and 19.5 inches, he was a little thing compared to big brother. Holden loves “Tooter” and we have to be careful of his rough love. :) We feel truly blessed with our growing family and sometimes I can not believe I have two under two years when just several years ago, I didn’t know if I would ever be able to have just one. Who knows what the future will bring us. Since Cooper was conceived naturally, we could be a family of 5. For now, I am happy with the wonderful chaos our family of 4 brings.
January 2012
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Ark-La-Tex Resource
Guide
Air and Heating Central Air 450 S. Kings Highway Texarkana, TX 75501 903.832.1212 Kraus Heating and Air 200 Industrial Blvd. Nash, TX 903.831.3912 Apartments Arista Apartments 3515 Arista Blvd. Texarkana, TX 903.255.7869 Legacy at Pleasant Grove 5911 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 888.763.2676 Richmond Oaks Apartments 2815 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.832.6150 Summerhill Woods Apartments 4501 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.793.7888
Red River Federal Credit Union 2700A University Ave. Texarkana, TX 75503 903-735-3000 800-822-3317 Texar Federal Credit Union Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.223.5626 Texarkana First Bank 3601 East 9th St. Texarkana, AR 870.772.0222 615 Sam Houston Dr. New Boston, TX 3625 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.793.6955 Cakes Coldstone Creamery 4228 St. Michael Dr. Texarkana, TX 903.838.2653 Julie’s Deli 4055 Summerhill Sq. Texarkana, TX 903.792.3354
Westwood Apartments 101 Redwater Rd. Wake Village, TX 903.832.8446
Reception Arts Becky Risinger Ashdown, AR 870.898.5273
Attire Abby Gayle’s 4012 Summerhill Square Texarkana, TX 903.792.0088
Caterers/Private Chef Chappo’s Italian Restaurant 1617 New Boston Road Texarkana, TX 75501 903.791.1726
Gayle’s 4059 Summerhill Square Texarkana, TX 903.792.0056
Chef on the Run Jeff Loving 903.276.8081
Banks Guaranty Bond Bank 2202 St. Michael Dr. Texarkana, TX 903.792.8600
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Christine Corley Private Chef 850.728.0900 Culinary Creations Pam Elliott 903.831.4674
Julie’s Deli 4055 Summerhill Sq. Texarkana, TX 903.792.3354 Smokey Joe’s BBQ 300 W. New Boston Road Nash, TX 903.223.8227 Wendy’s 4201 Stateline Avenue Texarkana, TX 2902 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 3737 New Boston Road Texarkana, TX 1615 N. Hervey Hope, AR 124 N. Loop Highway 59 Atlanta, TX Wingstop 2700 Richmond Road, Suite 14A1 Texarkana, TX 903.255.0090 4501 N. State Line, No. 106 Texarkana, TX 903.792.9464 Church Highland Park Baptist Church 2401 Hazel St. Texarkana, TX 903.792.6996 Clothing Abby Gayle’s 4012 Summerhill Square Texarkana, TX 903.792.0088 Gayle’s 4059 Summerhill Square Texarkana, TX 903.792.0056 OMG Lulu 3211 Kennedy Lane Texarkana, TX 903.223.8135 116 Polk St. Jefferson, TX 903.665.8855
Cosmetic Surgery Carmony Oral, Facial and Dental Center 5305 Cowhorn Creek Texarkana, TX 903.791.8405
Zumba with Lyndsay Central Mall (Next to Sears) 903.293.3647
Event Locations Garrison Gardens Texarkana, AR 71854 870.773.0275 www.garrisongardens.net
Furniture Oak Creek Furniture 8024 West 7th St. Texarkana, TX 903.832.0793
Prissy Chrissy Ranch 915 FM 2148 South Texarkana, TX 75501 903.838.6121 www.prissychrissy.com
Gifts Dot’s Ace Hardware 3411 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.838.0059
Regional Arts Center Cabe Hall 321 W. 4th Street Texarkana, TX 75501 903.792.8681 www.trahc.org
Pleasant Grove Pharmacy Baits and Blades 3302 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 903.832.4545
Florists Queen City Floral Dry Cleaning Highway 59 North Holiday Cleaners Queen City, TX Locations throughout Texarkana Area 903.796.2891 870.773.4072 Ruth’s Flowers Entertainment 3501 Texas Bllvd. Bounce-A-Lot Texarkana, TX Texarkana, TX 903.793.6711 903.792.0113 www.ruthsflowers.net www.bounce-a-lot.org Twisted Vines Florist and Oaklawn Opry Cafe 124 Oaklawn Village 406 N. Stateline Avenue Texarkana, TX Texarkana, AR 903.838.3333 870-772-2700
Financial Planner Dustin Stringer Stringer Wealth Management 1620 N. Kings Highway Nash, TX 903.223.0011 Fitness Centers Anytime Fitness Richmond Road 3415 Richmond Road. Texarkana, TX 75503 903.794.5348 Minton’s Sportsplex 5610 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 903.838.4697
Queen City Floral Highway 59 North Queen City, TX 903.796.2891 Twisted Vines Florist and Cafe 218 W. Broad St. Texarkana, TX 903.792.2700 Hair Care Headmasters Hair Salon 3703 Mall Drive Texarkana, TX 903.832.6261
Style Studio Lisa Harris 3201 Kennedy Lane Texarkana, TX 903.223.1719
Elite Insurance Tammy McDowell 1705 N. Kings Highway Nash, TX 903.794.0000
Physicians Express Care 5483 Summerhill Road Texarkana, TX 75503 903.223.5931
Refreshments Bolls Distributing 700 E. Broad St. Texarkana, AR 870.774.9283
Home Designs/Remodeling Red River Lumber Company Highway 71 North Texarkana, TX 903.794.0039
Farm Bureau Insurance 4140 McKnight Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.838.8707
Vision Source 4401 Morris Lane Texarkana, TX 903.838.9063
Vincent’s Fine Wines 6900 N. Stateline Texarkana, AR 870.774.7217
Greg Cockerell State Farm Insurance 4807 Texas Blvd. Texarkana, TX 75503 903.793.7502
Plumbing Central Air/Roto Rooter 450 S. Kings Highway Texarkana, TX 75501 903.832.1212
Rentals Bounce-A-Lot 903.276.2961 www.bounce-a-lot.org
Kelli Ashbrook State Farm Insurance 3410 Moores Lane Texarkana, TX 75503 903.223.8100 www.kelliashbrook.com
Real Estate Connie Walker Coldwell Banker United 3001 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 903.277.0100 903.832.2486
G&A Carpet 1019 N. Kings Hwy. Nash, TX 903.832.0553 Taylored Home Solutions 2840 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.278.2353 Hospice Dierksen Hospice 6500 N. Summerhill Road, Suite 2B Texarkana, TX 903.793.6350 Hospitals Christus St. Michael Health System 2600 St. Michael Dr. Texarkana, TX 903.614.1000 Health South Rehabilitation 515 West 12th St. Texarkana, TX 903.793.0088 Wadley Hospital 1000 Pine St. Texarkana, TX 903.798.8000 Hotels Best Western Texarkana Inn & Suites 5219 Crossroads Parkway Texarkana, AR 870.774.1534 Clarion Lacross Hotel 5100 N. Stateline Ave. Texarkana, AR 870.774.3521 www.lacrosse-hotel.com
Kristi Smith State Farm Insurance 418 Walton Drive Texarkana, TX 903.223.3276 Ron Morrow State Farm Insurance 3306 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 75503 903.832.5505 www.ronmorrowagency.com Jewelers Alexander’s Jewelers 3701 Mall Drive Texarkana, TX 903.832.3557
Teresa Liepman Remax 5120 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX 75503 903.276.9464
City Blends 600 N. Kings Hwy, Suite 5 Wake Village, TX 430.200.2814 Coldstone Creamery 4228 St. Michael Dr. Texarkana, TX 903.838.2653
Dot’s Rentals 814 N. Robison Road Texarkana, TX 75501 903.792.7011 3413 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.838.0551 Twisted Vines Twisted Vines Florist and Cafe 218 W. Broad St. Texarkana, TX 903.792.2700 Restaurants Amigo Juan Mexican Cafe 4301 Morris Lane Texarkana, TX 903.334.6971 1200 N. Hervey Hope, AR 870.777.0006 611 Loop 59 Atlanta, TX 903.796.2400
Daddy Dougaloo’s 905 New Boston Road Texarkana, TX 75503 903.791.0172 Dairy Queen Locations throughout ArkLa-Tex Golden Corral 3809 Sowell Lane Texarkana, TX 903.334.8399 Ironwood Grill 4312 Moores Lane Texarkana, TX 903.223.4644 Julie’s Deli 4055 Summerhill Sq. Texarkana, TX 903.792.3354
Crocker’s Jewelers 3117 Kennedy Lane Texarkana, TX 903.832.8686 Micah’s Jewelers 2812 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 903.735.2336 Make-up Gayle’s 4059 Summerhill Square Texarkana, TX 903.792.0056
Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott 4209 Mall Dr. Texarkana, TX 903.838.1000
Salon Visage Esthetique Mary Ann Robbins 4506 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.794.4007
Holiday Inn Express & Suites 4545 Cowhorn Creek Road Texarkana, TX 903.223.0008
Sanctuary Kimberly Parham, M.D. 3502 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 75503 903.334.8661
Insurance Brian Purtle Allstate Insurance 3301 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.832.5881
Satterfield Construction, LLC 903.832.4591 www.satterfieldservices.com
Chappo’s Italian Restaurant 1617 New Boston Road Texarkana, TX 75501 903.791.1726
Blue Isle Expressions 3402 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 903.791.9992
Courtyard by Marriott 5001 North Cowhorn Creek Texarkana, TX 903.334.7400
TownePlace Suites by Marriott 5020 North Cowhorn Creek Texarkana, TX 903.334.8800
Impact Realty Bill and Tracy Spradlin 1200 N. Kings Hwy., Suite 104 Nash, TX 903.748.3186 903.748.2477
Bryce’s Cafeteria 2021 Mall Drive Texarkana, TX 903.792.1611
Medical Equipment Respiratory Solutions 3101 Kennedy Lane, Suite 1000 Texarkana, TX 75503 903.793.2110 Photographer Image Forward Photography 200 Heather Dr. Texarkana, TX 75501 903.334.9605 www.imageforwardtxk.com
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Los Agaves 5100 N. Stateline Ave. Texarkana, AR 870.773.2300 Shorty’s Donuts 2729 New Boston Road Texarkana, TX 75501 903.832.6686 Smokey Joe’s BBQ 300 W. New Boston Road Nash, TX 903.223.8227 Tasty Donuts 1443 N. Kings Highway Nash, TX 903.838.0422 Twisted Vines Florist and Cafe 218 W. Broad St. Texarkana, TX 903.792.2700 Wendy’s 4201 Stateline Avenue Texarkana, TX 2902 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 3737 New Boston Road Texarkana, TX 1615 N. Hervey Hope, AR 124 N. Loop Highway 59 Atlanta, TX Wingstop 2700 Richmond Road, Suite 14A1 Texarkana, TX 903.255.0090 4501 N. State Line, No. 106 Texarkana, TX 903.792.9464
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Retirement/Assisted Living Home Cornerstone Retirement Community 4100 Moores Lane Texarkana, TX 903.832.5515
Sporting Goods Baits and Blades 3302 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.832.4545
Wedding Officiant Jeff Taylor 903.733.6347 pgccminister@yahoo.com
Edgewood Manor 4925 Elizabeth St. Texarkana, TX 903.793.4645
Wedding Attire Bridal Castle 3209 Kennedy Lane Texarkana, TX 903.838.3886
Wedding Planners Abracadabra Wedding and Event Planning Debra Mason, Event Coordinator 903.748.4838 damason@cableone.net
The Magnolia 4205 Richmond Meadows Texarkana, TX 75503 903.838.7319 Spas/Salons All About You Diana Gregory/Lori Campbell 4100 Summerhill Sq. Texarkana, TX 903.792.7775 Hawaii Nails & Spa 4280 St. Michael Dr. Texarkana, TX 75503 903.832.0198 Salon Visage Esthetique Mary Ann Robbins 4506 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.794.4007 The Sanctuary Kimberly Parham, M.D. 3502 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 75503 903.334.8661
Wedding Coordinators Abracadabra Wedding and Event Planning Debra Mason, Event Coordinator 903.748.4838 damason@cableone.net Wedding Favors Pop Pop Shoppe 2011 Mall Drive, Suite B Texarkana, TX 903.793.0209
Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Locations Julie’s Deli 4055 Summerhill Sq. Texarkana, TX 903.792.3354 Smokey Joe’s BBQ 300 W. New Boston Road Nash, TX 903.223.8227
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