7 minute read
Health And Fitness
Routine In The Midst Of Uncertainty
by Nick Thomas, owner of Prime Performance Training, and Certified Sports Nutritionist
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The past few weeks have been hard for so many rea sons, and I would venture to say that no two situa tions are really the same. The Covid-19 quarantine has affected all of us dif ferently. For some of you, your job became more in tense and risky, some others were sent home indefinitely or with reduced hours, and then some have transi tioned to homeschooling and working from home. This type of sudden and drastic change has a pro found effect on us mentally, emotionally, and even physically. Change is not easy, even when it is mini mal, so coping with this has proven to have many chal lenges. Stressful doesn’t even seem to describe the depth of what is happening. As humans, we all func tion much better in a regular routine. That doesn’t mean that every single day looks exactly the same, but it means within a week and day there is a basic sched ule which is maintained. Simple things like going to bed and waking up at about the same time each day keeps our bodies oper ating at a higher level. Getting plenty of sleep each night provides the rest and predictable pattern which allows the body to thrive. With schedules and rou tines totally shifting while sheltering in place, you may have allowed yourself to sleep in more or stay up later; while this is under standable, if not regulated, you will begin to feel slug gish, and it will add to feelings of depression and lack of motivation. Another component for functioning at a higher level is good nutrition. You have heard me say it week after week here, but I can’t stress it enough. Good dai ly nutrition is vital to feeling your best. You should
have an eating schedule just as you did before quar antine. Try to eat a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily with some minimal, reasonable snacks thrown in between as needed. Yes, what you eat is important, but the timing is what keeps the body regulated and fu eled, as well as providing the energy to sustain you throughout the day. Also, just a little reminder that excess sugar and/or alco hol intake will not only add extra pounds but will make you feel more mentally and physically tired. Finally, stay active. Staying inside for days on end is not good for any of us. Get outside in the sunshine; breathe in some fresh air. Play ball with your chil dren, go on a run, find a place to hike and explore as a family, and keep it fun and interesting. Try to find a way to be outside daily if at all possible, even if you just take a walk around your yard for a few min utes. As we begin to go out again, things will inevita bly be different. A new normal will be developed as our world will be forever changed with social interactions from schools and childcare facilities, to the workplace, to simple shopping and restaurant dining. My advice to you is to focus on developing a routine which works best for you and your family. Be dedicated to creating time for an all-around healthy lifestyle, incorporating these things I’ve mentioned in your schedule each day. You will not only feel better but will lower your chances of becoming sick.
Cover Story Frame Gallery Off The Square: Save June 25 For A Grand Re-opening And Local Art Exhibition
by Ali Elizabeth Turner
continued from page 1
have been long-time employees at Frame Gallery, and at the end of 2019, they, along with their spouses Chris Spain and Terry Martin, formed a partnership that jumped at the chance to purchase the business. Between them, Tracie and Dennis have close to 20 years of experience in the framing business, and they also bring to the table time in the Army, accounting, woodworking, the legal profession, as well as designing the robotic arm on the Space Shuttle. Terry handles the books, and Chris remodeled the shop, which boasts an extensive display of frame samples along with places for local artists to exhibit their paintings. The new location of Frame Gallery Off The Square is 125 North Marion Street in Athens, between the Courthouse and City Hall. This is your invitation to their Grand Re-opening Celebration and Art Exhibition, which will be held on June 25 all day until 8 p.m. Like so many of us, Frame Gallery was just getting into the rhythm of what started out as a successful spring season when Corona took us somewhat captive, and they were able to stay open through the initial shut down operating curbside service. The moment Governor Ivey announced phase one of the re-opening of Alabama, as Tracie puts it, “We were slammed.” So, why was that? Simply put, it is all about the care, craftsmanship, and beauty that go into each piece, and the excellent customer service. I have been a raving fan customer for years, and have always been pleased with everything Frame Gallery has ever framed for me. What sets Frame Gallery apart, and why should you invest in custom framing rather than purchase a ready-made frame? First of all, Dennis will tell you that each framing job he completes, he does as though it is for Terry. In addition, they guarantee that every aspect of the project is acid-free. Recently, I heard Tracie give a presentation on framing where she told us firmly, “If you have a picture that has a cardboard piece as part of the frame backing, get it out of there immediately.” She then showed how acid in either the frame or matting of a ready-made piece can li
Dennis Martin utilizing decades of woodworking and custom framing experience
Tracie Spain discussing custom framing options
terally destroy your picture or painting. Another important feature of quality custom framing is the use of what is known as conservation glass. “Every piece of glass that we cut and use is designed to protect the framed piece from discoloration and fading,” she said. There are several kinds from which to choose: conservation glass for standard needs, museum quality for things that are perhaps antique or more fragile, and a super-strong acrylic that truly looks invisible. Frame Gallery carries 14 lines of frames, four lines of glass, and one line of acrylic. They also carry Roma and Fotio, which are two high-end lines of imported, handmade molding pieces from Italy. At the moment they have a small selection of ready-made ornate frames, and they can resize an existing frame to fit a new or
different piece of art. Frame Gallery will often take extra pieces of solid wood “frame sticks” and make them into ready-made frames which they sell at a discount. They recycle, repurpose, and make shadow boxes, which are currently quite popular. Everything from baby clothes to baseball mitts can find a happy home in a frame or shadow box. They are also certified dealers of Daniel Moore and Greg Gamble sports prints. They can do repairs, cut mirrors, and can cut some replacement glass for windows. They are able to do specialized restoration work, and have a drymount machine that can take the wrinkles out of an existing piece. Every custom-framed piece produced by Frame Gallery has a foam core backing and is guaranteed to be acidfree. They also carry art books from which custom prints can be ordered, and will allow customers to check out the books
so they can get an idea of how a print will look in their home or office. In addition, Frame Gallery believes in local artists to the point that they have made space in the shop to display their works. They have an “Artist of the Month” program with various packages that can include a reception as well as opportunity to advertise in Athens Now, and on the night of June 25, they will be featuring the work of Sue Carson-Chasteen. You don’t have to wait until then to see what a beautiful job the Spains and the Martins have done by “reframing” Frame Gallery. They are now open for business in a shop that both satisfies the COVID requirements and provides an abundant selection from which to choose just what you desire for your next framing project.
