January 2022

A M I D T O W N F A M I LY C O M P L E T E S A Y E A R S - L O N G JOURNEY TO MAKE A CLASSIC HOME THEIR PERFECT PLACE

showering a new baby on the way

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

26 | HOME FEAT U R E Selena McAdams of Spruce helps a family make their Evergreen Historic District house their own, while staying true to the home’s original character.

54 | EN T ERT AI N I N G It's a boy! See how Ginni Jones styled a winter chinoiserie- themed shower for baby Hensley.

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

JANUARY 2022

home & design 26 HOME FEATURE Patience Pays Off

54 ENTERTAINING

Celebrating Baby Hensley

food & travel 44 GETAWAY

Wilson, Arkansas

66 IN THE KITCHEN Decadent Chocolate Truffle

for you

70 HEALTHY YOU

Three Ways to Hack Your Health

74 ON A GOOD NOTE Manna House

in every issue

14 PUBLISHER'S NOTE

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73 SOURCES

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JANUARY 2022 • VOL. 20 NO. 9 PUBLISHER / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR MARGARET MONGER | mmonger@athomemms.com

MANAGING EDITOR AUBREY ANN MONGER | aamonger@athomemms.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER GINNI JONES | gjones@athomemms.com

COPY EDITOR TERRI GLAZER

IMAGING COLOR MANAGEMENT CHARLES REYNOLDS | cr@colorretouching.com

ADVERTISING SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE HILARY FRANKEL | hafrankel@comcast.net

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES GAIL HARRELL | gharrell@athomemms.com CHRIS PUGH | chrisapugh@gmail.com QUINN PEEPER | qpeeper@icloud.com

REGIONAL MARKETING JANA FITE HERBISON | jfherbison@gmail.com

BUSINESS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS TRIP MONGER | tmonger@athomemms.com

MARKETING AND CIRCULATION HARRIET W. DEATON | hdeaton@athomemms.com

HOW TO REACH US 7776 FARMINGTON BLVD, # 1321 GERMANTOWN TN 38183 | 901.684.4155 ATHOMEMMS.COM At Home Memphis & Mid South doesn't accept unsolicited manuscripts. To inquire about freelance opportunities, send a letter, resume and three writing samples to—Editor, At Home Memphis & Mid South: 7776 Farmington Blvd, # 1321 Germantown TN 38183.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Call 901.684.4155 or subscribe at athomemms. com. Annual subscription rate: $19.95. Single copy price: $4.99. At Home Memphis & Mid South is published 12 times a year. Postmaster: Send address changes to At Home Memphis & Mid South, 7776 Farmington Blvd, #1321 Germantown TN 38183. We make every effort to correct factual mistakes or omissions in a timely and candid manner. Information can be forwarded to Trip Monger; At Home Memphis & Mid South, 7776 Farmington Blvd, #1321 Germantown TN 38183. or to tmonger@athomemms.com.

@athomemagazine

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PUBLISHER'S

Note

I

t looks like we not only survived 2020, but also tiptoed our way through 2021—and who knows what 2022 will bring.

As I wrote this New Year’s message, I went back and looked at all the beautiful homes we featured this year, the perfect, peaceful and pristine homes we visited. And then I looked at mine. So far this morning I have run the vacuum twice, yet there is still enough dog hair on my floor to stuff a pillow. I have retrieved from the kennel of Deuce, our lab puppy, in the past two hours a dish towel, weather stripping from the back door, a fire starter stick, two Christmas presents, baby Jesus and a shepherd from our nativity set. Our elderly dog, Rudy, is barking incessantly because he is a grouchy old man and can’t stand the chaos. Our other lab, Cooper, can’t decide if he likes Deuce chewing on him or not and is constantly jumping from his dog bed to the sofa to escape. When Deuce couldn’t chew on Cooper, he decided to eat, literally eat, our den rug. I give up! Our home will never be one you see in a magazine!

Although I don’t live in a “show home,” I am blessed with a house that is full of life. I have a home that welcomes friends, family and messy, crazy pets that have my heart. I would never swap this hot mess of a home filled with my fur babies for a serene and pristine house. There are plenty of beautiful hotels and resorts that can provide a peaceful escape for me, and after time in one of them I am always ready to come back to my happy, chaotic and humble abode!

I hope 2022 brings you health, peace and just enough chaos in your house.

May your home be filled not only with pretty things, but also with friends, family and all that makes you happy. In our home, that includes dog hair, and lots of it! Happy New Year!

- Margaret Monger, PUBLISHER

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H O M E F E AT U R E

STORY TERRI GLAZER INTERIOR DESIGN SPRUCE P H O TO S S T E FA N I E R AW L I N S O N P H OTO G R A P H Y 26 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • January 2022

H O M E F E AT U R E

PATIENCE PAYS OFF

MIDTOWN HOMEOWNERS COMPLETE A YEARS-LONG JOURNEY TO MAKE A CLASSIC HOME THEIR PERFECT PLACE. January 2022 • athomemms.com | 27

H O M E F E AT U R E

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H O M E F E AT U R E

to say

that it took a while to bring this home to completion would be an understatement. Designer Selena McAdams began working with the owners shortly after they moved into the Midtown Foursquare in 2007. The fact that not one item she selected for them has been discarded in almost 15 years is a testament to her guiding philosophy. “You have to have an end game you are always working towards,” she says. “You can always be true to being classic and not have to get rid of anything along the way. I think that’s probably the biggest thing.”

The owners knew they wanted to make the 1912 classic home in the Evergreen Historic District their own, while staying true to the house’s original character. McAdams laughs

when she recalls that their initial meetings, in the “pre-Pinterest era,” centered around the client's binder full of pictures cut from magazines. Those clippings inspired a series of smaller design collaborations over the years, and when the couple prepared for the home’s recent major redo, out came the binder again.

Says McAdams, “Design elements that she and I liked 15 years ago were still some of the inspiration now that they were finally doing everything.”

She attributes that fact to the timelessness of the owners’ taste. “I think this is an example of how a home can feel updated and honor the true classic elements of its architecture without being trendy.”

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H O M E F E AT U R E

classic, yes,

but with bold statements that reflect the personalities of the people who live there. In the front room a baby grand piano and a large acrylic painting on panel, “Tender” by Seattle artist Anne Siems, share center stage. Overhead, the home’s original chandelier has a new life, thanks to the client, who polished a century of tarnish off it and added oversized modern bulbs to bring it into the 21st century. The room is home to two of the first pieces McAdams selected for this family in 2007: a dramatic black vase on the piano and a set of resin antlers over the fireplace worked then and continue to wow today.

The homeowners commissioned local artist Suzy Hendrix to create a pair of stained glass windows that would bring a bright, fresh approach to the design element often seen in architecture of the period. Hendrix delivered leaded glass beauties with a pop of a tomato red hue that reappears elsewhere in the home.

The family loves to entertain, and their newly completed dining room is the perfect place for a dinner party. McAdams says the homeowners wanted a wall of built-ins with a formal, fancy feel. Finished in deep green lacquered paint and topped with neutraltoned quartzite, the Bylercraft custom cabinets showcase a collection of china, silver and glassware. A Megan Hurdle painting, commissioned by the homeowners from a personal photo depicting a sunset in Rosh Hanikra, Israel, fits beautifully under a small, high window, but the “jewelry” of the room is a custom Wunderwurks chandelier.

The dining room is a shining example of how select high-end elements can pair with more modest items to create a stunning final product. The banquet-sized dining table came from a friend of the owners, a home stager who found the piece too large to be practical in her work. Refinished, it anchors the decor perfectly. The dining chairs were early acquisitions from Pottery Barn and Pier One. McAdams worked her redo magic on them, covering them with practical yet handsome leather-look vinyl dressed up with contrasting piping.

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H O M E F E AT U R E

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HO OM MEE FFEEAT ATU URREE H

"working with Selena

consistently was so helpful because I didn’t feel like I was throwing away money left and right on small, quick fixes and making decisions with no eye as to what would come next. With Selena’s eye on the big picture, we just kept building on what was there,” says the client.

The family room’s loungey, sunroom vibe is the product of a masterful mix of factors. The original pie rail, coupled with faux wainscoting that cleverly mimics an expected historic detail, is painted fresh white and topped with wallpaper that calls to mind the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel palms pattern in a fresh iteration. Says the client, “I had been looking at the Beverly Hills palms and a lot of different patterns, but I felt like I’d been looking at it for 10 years.

I’d seen it in so many magazines and it felt like I was about to do something I’d been waiting so long to do and that I’d get it on my walls and be tired of it already—it wouldn’t feel new to me.”

McAdams echoes her client’s opinion. “I’m hesitant to lead people down those paths, because they are so iconic.

And I think that because you see them so frequently, you tend to tire of them more quickly. I was so on board with this pattern because yes, it’s a palm, but it’s also more understated, less likely to be seen over and over. I think that the motion of this palm is energetic; it sets the mood for this family’s main living area.”

Vintage lamps and accessories provide a subtle mid-century chic mood, while a console in geometric wood parquetry and a sleek aquarium bring in natural elements. Vibrant color comes from a rust ottoman, a pair of navy velvet chairs, and family favorite pillows McAdams sourced years ago that have been used in various rooms over time.

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H O M E F E AT U R E

while McAdams

steered the homeowners away from a vintage wallpaper pattern in the family room, she fully embraced the idea in the nearby powder room. The client loved the Josef Frank Citrus Garden pattern from Schumacher so much that she had upholstered a bench in the fabric. Created in 1947 and recently reissued, the vibrant pattern is familiar, but not overexposed, says the designer. Tomato red trim ups the wow factor, along with a period-appropriate wall sink and an artistic light fixture.

Stepping into the kitchen is like taking a trip to a super stylish Parisian cafe, so fitting for this family, who are local restaurant owners. The Bylercraft cabinetry is painted in Benjamin Moore Atmospheric, a saturated blue green off which neutral quartzite countertops play perfectly. Marble subway tiles line the walls. Although the room has a narrow footprint, the homeowners wanted to make sure there was room for an island. The result is fabulous, complete with mini tile accents, a brass footrail and French bistro style barstools. The traditional brass and graceful curve of the island are mimicked in the reeded cabinet bar area on the opposite wall. By its side, full height, glass-front cabinets flank the swinging door that leads into the hidden pantry.

At the kitchen’s rear a casual dining area features a banquette, an idea that came from the client’s folder of clippings. McAdams encouraged its bold yellow, faux leather upholstery to warm up the space, and despite some initial nervousness, the homeowner trusted the designer’s choice and couldn’t be happier with its look or its kid-friendly durability. A pair of cheetah king pillows from Spruce, McAdams’s Memphis design shop, and a vintage overhead light fixture give the breakfast nook an extra helping of verve.

McAdams supported her client’s ambitious ideas, and multiple affairs with paint colors, by giving her room to dream and plan, and then stepping in when the rubber met the road and significant purchases had to be made. The result is a favorite space that incorporates the client’s vision polished with the sophistication of a professional designer.

Compromise is often the name of the game in old home renovation and this house was no exception. The project, overseen by Tom Hamilton of Hamilton Builders, included demolition of an earlier kitchen addition as well as a large-scale expansion of the upper levels and the rear of the house. The client initially wanted to add a mudroom for her busy family, but once she realized that changing the footprint wouldn’t be practical, a compromise came.

Hamilton constructed a six-foot extension at the rear of the kitchen with a bank of cubbies so each family member has a place to stow their things upon entering the house.

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H O M E F E AT U R E

the dimensions

of the new primary bedroom made closet design a challenge.

McAdams remedied that situation by building in separate closets for husband and wife. The result looks like a smart fix to the common dilemma of old-house living and creates a space that appears original to the home, rather than a new addition popped onto the back. Covering the “hers” closet is a pair of elaborately carved wooden doors.

“I found these in a shop downtown. I initially didn’t know how we’d incorporate them, but I called the homeowners and said, ‘These feel like you,’” recalls McAdams. “They were on board, though, and now they’re beautiful on her closet.”

While the design in the rest of the house went on for an extended period, the choices for the bedroom were made in a matter of a few minutes—a fact the client attributes solely to the relationship built over time with a trusted

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designer. “She knew where I wanted to go. She knew the colors I liked. I was tired of making decisions by that point.

The bedroom was really important, but I was just getting to an overwhelmed stage.” McAdams hit the mark with a custom, locally made bed and new nightstands, as well as pillows and luxury bedding from Spruce.

An important advantage of this long-standing designer/ client relationship was the husband’s recognition and appreciation of McAdams’s taste and guidance. Her professional seal of approval on design decisions reduced the stress that a large renovation can create and allowed the clients to realize years of home design dreams.

Through many years of getting to know their style and taste, from starting small and working up to a total home renovation, McAdams says these clients absolutely love living in their home. “They’re giddy about it because they were patient and waited to fully execute their home renovation dreams, just the way they wanted it.”

H O M E F E AT U R E

sources

•TOM HAMILTON OF HAMILTON BUILDERS •SELENA MC ADAMS OF SPRUCE: INTERIOR DESIGN •B ABCOCK GIFTS: VARIOUS SHELVING DISPLAY ITEMS •BUDGET BLINDS: SEAGRASS ROMAN SHADES THROUGHOUT •BYLERCRAFT: CUSTOM C ABINETRY •FERGUSON’S: PLUMBING FIXTURES THROUGHOUT •FLOORING SOLUTIONS OF MEMPHIS: TILE THROUGHOUT •FRONT STREET ANTIQUES: MASTER BEDROOM CLOSET ANTIQUE DOORS •KISER’S FLOOR FASHIONS: DINING ROOM AND LIVING ROOM RUGS •THE FINISHED PRODUCT: DINING ROOM C ABINETRY LACQUERED FINISH •THE LAMPSHADE HOUSE: LAMPSHADES THROUGHOUT ART ENTRY •ANNE SIEMS, “TENDER” PLACED BY DAVID LUSK OF DAVID LUSK GALLERY •TERRY KENNEY, “PORTRAIT OF CHILD” DINING ROOM •MEGAN HURDLE, “ROSH HANIKRA” STAIRWELL & PANTRY •SUZY HENDRIX, STAINED GLASS MASTER BEDROOM •ROBIN SALANT, PHOTOGRAPH OF MAN ON BIKE IN COURT SQUARE

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G E STA D I GWNAY

wilson

ARKA NSAS

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E SW I GAY N G EDTA

TEXT BY MARTIN WILFORD | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF WILSON CITY

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G E TA W AY

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perhaps

the

expression “hidden gem” is overused, but the city of Wilson, Arkansas, truly fits that description. Located just 45 minutes from Memphis, in nor theast Arkansas, Wilson is a multifaceted destination that attracts visitors with its sense of histor y, hospitality and community spirit. Recently named one of the South’s Best Small Towns by Southern Living magazine, the newly revitalized Wilson combines its rich agrarian histor y and everpresent Southern character for an experience unlike any other in the region.

Founded in the late 1800s, Wilson began as a company town for Rober t E . Lee Wilson. Rober t Wilson cleared the land for agricultural purposes and began the region’s abundant cotton-producing histor y. But the area’s real romance began in the 1920’s when Wilson’s son and daughter-in-law returned from a honeymoon in England. Enthralled by the Tudor style architecture they discovered overseas, the younger Wilson retrofitted the town’s existing architecture and constructed all subsequent public buildings in the historical style. This effor t created a stunning town square listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, Wilson is something of a Southern sanctuar y with a mission to maintain its unique heritage, focusing on histor y, education, culinar y experiences, wellness and agriculture.

Embracing education as a key pillar of the town’s mission, the Hampson Archeological Museum contains a collection of archeological ar tifacts from the Nodena Site, a Native American village on the Mississippi River that existed from 1400 to 1650. Additionally, The Delta School is a place for students in grades 1-12 who desire a challenge and are motivated to learn in a dynamic course of study that includes inquir y-based projects. A model of excellence, this outstanding institution was established to enrich the town of Wilson and the greater area.

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D G E STA I GWNAY

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visitors & locals

alike can also delight

in the culinar y experiences found in the Wilson Café and Tavern. Helmed by Wilson Culinar y Director, Executive Chef Shawn Davis, the café specializes in fresh, seasonally inspired food that is sure to please. The Chef ’s Table Experience invites small par ties (maximum of eight people) to enjoy a five- or six-course, personalized meal paired with exceptional wines selected to complement the food.

The restaurant par tners with the Grange at Wilson Gardens to feature ingredients sourced from the grounds, located no more than 100 yards from the café. Located at the Grange, the Marketplace showcases local ar tisans and provides them an avenue to sell their homemade items, including clothes, jewelr y and crafts. It also offers homegrown produce and plants from regional farms. The Grange Kitchen will be sure to entice you with baked goods, meals and sandwiches to enjoy at the gardens or take home.

Throughout the year, both the Wilson Café and the Grange feature intimate wine and food experiences that highlight the town’s agricultural character. Guests can encounter and savor a variety of wines from regions around the globe through the Wilson Wine Experience. Chefprepared, multi-course meals pair with delightful wines at the Wilson Wine Dinners, while weekly Wine Tastings offer glimpses of the world’s many wine countries.

The monthly Mixology 101 series offers attendees the oppor tunity to learn craft cocktail making techniques and experience flight tastings of premium liquors. Mixology classes include creating the perfect mar tinis, specialty cocktails, muddling, infusing and more. The tasting series includes bourbons, tequilas, brandies and Scotches.

The town hosts a number of high-caliber musical guests for the Wilson Music Series. From Maggie Rose to Runaway June to Jake Hoot , the talented ar tists cover a variety of genres. In the summer, the city showcases regional, up-and-coming talent as par t of the Summer Music Series on the Square.

In early 2022 , the Hotel Louis will open in the center of the Wilson town square. A beacon of Southern hospitality, the 16-room inn will offer unparalleled sophistication to overnight visitors.

Named for a beloved French bulldog, the Louis will feature the Birdshot Lounge for spirited cocktail creations and the Firefly Rooftop Bar for relaxed Southern evenings.

Wilson is where seasons are celebrated with a full calendar of events to attract visitors. From crawfish festivals to Christmas shopping, music series to mixology classes, Wilson combines arts of all types to create a culture of fun and festivity. To learn more about this remarkable town, visit wilsonarkansas.com.

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E N T E R TA I N I N G

TEXT & DESIGN GINNI JONES PHOTOS ANNABELLA CHARLES

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E N T E R TA I N I N G

celebrating BABY HENSLEY

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E N T E R TA I N I N G

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E N T E R TA I N I N G

the table The head table, for family of baby Hensley, was decked with all things white, blue and green. The mother- to- be LOVES hydrangeas and chinoiserie jars, so decorating the table to celebrate her was a breeze! Starting with the base of the table, we picked a slate- blue velvet linen from White Door Events. The texture and weight of the velvet was perfect to keep the fall season apparent with the decor. Fresh white, blue and shamrock hydrangeas were tukced into various vintage ginger jars. Setting the table, these silver- leaf square placemats were the perfect base for the dinnerware­­— found from our favorite local store, Lisa Mallory Interior Design. We also love Lisa Mallory for her vast collection of Estelle Colored Glasses, the perfect cobalt blue glasses for the table. A mixture of blue and white Herend china created the perfect combination of delicate and sophisticated for the table. Placecards calligraphied

by ME Lettering were set in acrylic holders for each woman in baby Hensley's life. And, of course, the showstoppers, the custom hemstich linen embriodered napkins for the new mom! Embellished with an "H" for Hensley, we wanted to make sure the mom had something sweet to take home with her to remember her first baby shower, besides all the gifts for the baby boy! The napkins were designed and created by the incredibly talented Spyglass Lane Linens, a local embrioderer. And to break up all the blue and white on the table, I used sage tulip flutes from Sir Madam. All the colors worked together perfectly and flowed with the rest of the shower details.

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E N T E R TA I N I N G

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E N T E R TA I N I N G

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E N T E R TA I N I N G

the menu the baby shower took place on a fall Sunday afternoon so we wanted to keep the food light, but still seasonal. Tomato soup paired with a grilled cheese bar, an apple, kale and pomegranate salad, fig and honey baked brie were just a few things our talented Aubrey Ann Monger made for the shower. For dessert, a divine white cake and an assortment of adorable mini pies were brought in from the wonderful Frost Bakery.

An assortment of custom cookies made by Taylor Cookie Co. were also a hit— not only were they cute on the island, but they were a delicious treat!

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E N T E R TA I N I N G

the decor With about 10 close friends as hosts for the shower we had the best time picking out all the decor for the event. Inside the house, a vintage bassinet was filled with ferns and ivy, and light blue pansies for the baby boy. Clear acrylic trays from White Door Events held glasses of prosecco and the assortment of mini trays.

We lined the trays with the monogram from the linen napkins copied onto a sheet of paper to make them look even more special for the event. Spyglass Lane Linens also made sweet bibs for baby Jack which were sprinkled around the house in decor. The bibs were tucked into the bassinet and on the table to be part of the decor but also a gift for the baby!

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EEXNPTEERRITA E NICNEI NTGH I S

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thanks for popping by!

Guests were greeted with a fun and pastel colored balloon arch by the Pop of the Party, a local balloon stylist. The colors were based off wrapping paper and custom gift tags made by Fresh Ink in Oxford, MS. Upon leaving, guests could take baskets of popcorn with custom gift tags matching the invitation that said "thanks for popping by."

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IN THE KITCHEN

Decadent Chocolate

Truffle with Sweet Raspberry Crème RECIPE & PHOTO JIM NORTON

F

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IN THE KITCHEN

Just because it’s the new year and a lot of us have weight loss goals doesn’t mean we should deprive ourselves of some of the most delicious things…like a little chocolate! Here’s my go- to recipe for a decadent chocolate desser t guests always fall in love with!

INGREDIENTS:

Crust: 2 cups crushed chocolate graham crackers 6 Tbsp. melted butter Filling: 1 cup milk chocolate chips 2 8-oz. blocks cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla

Raspberry Crème: thenortonrecipe.com 1 cup frozen raspberries Facebook @thenortonrecipe 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream Instagram @thejimnorton 2 Tbsp. sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350°. Butter a 9-inch round springform pan. Set aside. In a medium bowl add crushed graham crackers and melted butter. Stir to incorporate. Press mixture evenly and firmly into the prepared pan and bake for 8 mins. Remove and allow to cool completely.

For the filling, melt chocolate in microwave at 30-second intervals.

Stir between each until chocolate is smooth. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time and beat to incorporate well. Stir in the melted chocolate and vanilla. Pour mixture into cooled crust and smooth evenly.

Bake approximately 35 mins or until the center is just set. Remove from the oven and cool. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

This is best when made the day before and allowed to refrigerate overnight.

For the crème, simply add the frozen raspberries, cream and sugar to a blender. Blend on high until smooth. You may need to add a bit more cream to thin the mixture as you want it to be thick but pourable. Store in refrigerator.

To assemble: Slice in desired sizes and place on individual plates.

To garnish, top with a large dollop or two of raspberry crème, a few fresh raspberries and a mint leaf. Enjoy!

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H E A LT H Y Y O U

Three Ways to Hack Your Health

STORY MICHELLE JOHNS

MA, LPC-MHSP (TEMP), NCC, 200 HR E-RTY, 500 HR RYT

Biohacking is a term coined to describe ways the average person can optimize human performance physically, cognitively and spiritually. Biohacking includes concepts that run the healthcare gamut, from natural methods using readily available resources, to using wearable or implantable tracking devices, to taking oral or injectable nutraceuticals. Biohacking is a means to change the expression of the cells and genes in the body. It seems that many of today’s healthcare consumers are looking to biohacking for quick fixes to stay healthy and improve overall well being. Costs range from zero to thousands of dollars. In this article, I will share some ways to understand your biological numbers and hack into your well being.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, and nothing written in this article should take the place of advice from a licensed, trained and trusted physician. As a matter of your health, you should do your own research before practicing any of the methods shared in this article.

T R A C K Y O U R H E A LT H Wearable devices can provide insight to personal health data. Tracking daily activity can help wearers optimize health patterns. Wearables are used to track sleep, heart rate, oxygen levels, workout intensity, to correct posture, and to protect vision.

Smart watches from Apple and Samsung, as well as devices by Garmin and Fitbit, are common wearables for tracking overall physical activity with built-in monitoring for number of steps taken, hours slept and heart rate. An additional 70 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • January 2022

benefit of these devices is fall detection and the ability to signal an SOS alert.

The Whoop wrist strap and Oura ring are two of the best sleep tracking devices. Both monitor and analyze sleep cycles to provide information to help the wearer make necessary adjustments to optimize sleep/wake cycles. Additionally, both devices track activity levels throughout the day. Choosing a device depends on personal preference. The Oura also integrates well with iOS and Android systems. I have learned through sleep tracking that what matters isn’t always the quantity of sleep I get. Quality, deep sleep is a more important determining factor.

The bottom line is that wearables provide daily insight of physical wellbeing and great resources to help enhance physical and cognitive performance.

DNA TESTING DNA testing can provide useful information into genetic predispositions. It affords participants the opportunity to change the expression of their genes and possibly to overcome health challenges handed down through heredity. DNA testing can provide insight to genetic information that isn’t as obvious as eye, hair and skin color: data regarding muscle development, how the body uses food, and how it responds to surroundings. Some common tests include 23andMe, Muhdo, Living DNA and Ancestry DNA. Not interested in wearing a device or having DNA testing? Following are some tried-andtrue, common-sense lifestyle practices that can improve well- being and daily performance.

H E A LT H Y Y O U

MINDFULNESS JOURNAL Manually track daily activity, experiences, feelings and emotions in a journal. Note the time you wake up, the time you go to bed, how you feel physically and emotionally when you rise, how you feel physically and emotionally as you go to bed. Record the amount of time you spend on devices, as well as exercising, walking and sitting times.

Track your food intake and note how food makes you feel physically and emotionally.

Write down your interactions with other people in person and online. Note how human interactions make you feel. Journaling is a great way to cultivate awareness of things that encourage us or disrupt our wellbeing.

Everything we do impacts our physical and emotional health. The art and science of living a higher quality of life begins by taking control of your health and well-being. You

cannot change things you are not aware need to change. Using the tools in this article can facilitate more meaningful conversations with your health practitioner, and lead to individualized decisions about your personal well- being.

You are a unique individual. There is no one else on earth just like you. You are the best resource to determine what is right for you.

Diet trends, fads and common prescriptions are formulated based on averages. You are meant for a greater than average life. Your life is important and of value, and every day is an opportunity to optimize you. Seize it!

Michelle R. Johns, 901.206.3998, mjohns@michellejohnscounseling.com

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January 2022 HO M E F E AT U R E Special Thanks Spruce Spruceshop.com Stefanie Rawlinson Photography stefanierawlinson.com

ENTERTAINING Special Thanks Annabella Charles Photography annabellacharles.com

GETAWAY Special Thanks Red Deluxe Brand Development reddeluxe.com

IN THE KITCHEN Special Thanks Jim Norton thenortonrecipe.com

HEALTHY YOU Special Thanks Michelle Johns mjohns@transformingwellness.com Wellness MD wellnessmd.clinic

ON A GOOD NOTE Special Thanks Manna House mannahousememphis.org

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ON A GOOD NOTE

TEXT BY PETER GATHJE | PHOTOS COURTESY OF MANNA HOUSE

Manna House

provides hospitality for people experiencing homelessness and others in poverty. The group seeks to welcome others as the very presence of God. As Jesus taught, they recognize that he is present in “the least of these” (Matthew 25:31-46). Manna House offers hospitality for guests at two locations, House of Hospitality at 1268 Jefferson, and Women’s Sanctuary, which they run in partnership with Room in the Inn Memphis.

At the House of Hospitality on Monday and Thursday mornings volunteers welcome guests for coffee and conversation, showers and a change of clothes. They seek to meet a variety of the guests’ other needs, including hygiene 74 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • January 2022

items and seasonal items like coats and blankets. On Monday evenings guests receive a take-away meal at the House of Hospitality.

The Manna House Women’s Sanctuary offers shelter for women several times a week, including a meal, showers, clothing, a safe place to sleep and a light breakfast.

As an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff, Manna House is committed to building relationships among volunteers and guests in which there is mutual respect and affirmation of dignity. Motivated by God’s love, the organization seeks to share that love, as well as to receive it from Manna House guests.

Now in its 16th year, the mission continues to practice a personal, human-scale hospitality in which the only agenda is love.

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