January 2016

Austin Woman MAGAZINE | january 2016

“Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” —L.M. Montgomery

2016

Already aN OUTSTANDING year!

All-New 2016 Mazda CX-3 Standard Features: 35 MPG, Push-button start, Remote keyless entry, Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio, MAZDA CONNECT™ Infotainment System with 7-inch full-color touchscreen display and voice command

MAZDA NAMED

2016 Best Car Brand 2016 Mazda3

2016 Mazda6

2016 Mazda CX-5

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata

www.usnews.com - Nov. 12, 2015. 2016 Best Vehicle Brand Awards. The awards recognize the brands whose vehicles perform the best on an overall basis within four major categories of the U.S. News vehicle rankings: Cars, SUVs, Trucks and Luxury.

CENTRAL • SOUTH • GEORGETOWN • KILLEEN

Drive Home Happy

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Austin Thyroid & Endocrinology ENDOCRINOLOGY

is the science of hormones, substances released by glands that regulate every cell in your body, for both men and women.

Examples of endocrine diseases: thyroid disease, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome and obesity, hirsutism, menopause, pituitary and adrenal pathology, low testosterone in males, andropause and impotence, polycystic ovaries, recurrent kidney stones, irregular or lack of menstrual periods, high and low calcium, diabetes.

We provide a comprehensive assessment of your hormone balance, in-house hormone testing, thryoid ultrasound, and bone density testing.

THYROID DISEASE affects thirty million Americans, half of which do not know they have the disease. Examples: hypo and hyperthyroidism, Graves and Hashimoto disease, goiter, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. Each person has a different genetic set point for TSH. Thyroid problems require lifelong attention.

We are the premiere thryoid clinic in Austin, and offer the latest treatment for thyroid disease, aggressive management of thyroid cancer with radioactive iodine and second opinion consults for thyroid surgery.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR TSH?

HAVE YOU SEEN AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST?

OPTIMAL HEALTH BIOLOGICAL AGE

deals with your health before disease prevention or treatment.

OSTEOPOROSIS

is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break.

Osteoporosis affects one in two women and one in four men over 50 and is generally missed.

Bone fracture is the “heart attack” of the bone. New treatments reduce the risk of fracture and build new bone. A bone density test is the only way to test for osteoporosis. We have the latest bone density testing equipment in Texas, and provide instant bone metabolism, medical consultation, and treatment options.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR BONE DENSITY?

Optimal health is the ideal, yet achievable, health of your body as you reach middle age and beyond. Your biological age is a measure of how well your body functions, compared to your actual calendar age.

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TEST YOUR BIOLOGICAL AGE TO ACHIEVE OPTIMAL HEALTH.

DR. SIMONE SCUMPIA, FACE, FRCP BOARD CERTIFIED IN ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM Fellow American College of Endocrinology Fellow Royal College of Physicians Assciate Clinical Professor of Medicine

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54

On the cover

Living Every Minute With Every Ounce of HER Being By deborah hamilton-lynne

64

feature

fight song

Photo by Andrew Chan.

By rachel merriman

Contents

Photo courtesy of Austin Gourmet Popcorn.

january

71 on the scene 23 KRISTY’S TOP 10

January’s To-do List

savvy women 26 c ount us in Women in Numbers 28 P ortfolio Camille Gaines 30 let’s taco ’bout it Heather Ladage 32 austin entrepreneur Gail Page 34 at a glance Real Texas Women

MUST LIST 37 M ust travel Get Away to Ouray 42 M ust GIVE JHL Company 44 M ust organize Keep Your Desk Together

style + Home 46 ASK ASHLEY Splurge or Steal 48 accessorize Silver Linings 50 beauty Oil Spill 52 e ntertaining The Winter-blues Party 12 | Austin Woman | january 2016

GOURMET 71 in season Pop Stars 74 staff picks Out of the Office 76 New to Austin Paul Qui’s Otoko 78 recipe reveal All Dressed Up

wellness 80 h ealth 84 f itness

A Mindful Approach to 2016 Eloise DeJoria’s Activewear Line

POINT OF VIEW 86 m emo from JB Leader Of the Pack 88 i am austin woman An Austinite in Paris

on the cover

Photo by Andrew Chan chaninator.com Styled by Ashley Hargrove DTK Austin Styling, dtkaustinstyling.com Makeup by Anastasia Miller Rae Cosmetics, raecosmetics.com Hair by Leticia Villegas Rae Cosmetics, raecosmetics.com

Blank NYC white faux-leather jacket, $126; Wayf lace peplum blouse, $74, available at Nordstrom, 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., 512.691.3500, nordstrom.com; Jen7 black leggings, $185, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com; tinsel drop earrings, $38, available at baublebar.com.

I AM A TEXAS MBA “While getting my Texas MBA, I not only learned from my professors, but also from my classmates.

My Texas MBA didn’t just expand my network, it catapulted me into markets I had not imagined.”

BLANCA LESMES Co-founder and President, BB Imaging Diagnostic Ultrasound Mother of two Travel enthusiast Tequila aficionado Texas MBA 2011

Texas MBA Evening & Executive Programs

EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

Photo by Korey Howell.

TexasMBA.info

Volume 14, issue 5

Co-Founder and Publisher Melinda Maine Garvey vice president and Co-Publisher Christopher Garvey associate publisher Cynthia Guajardo Shafer COO/GenerAL MANAGER Shawnee McClanahan

EDITORIAL Editor Emily C. Laskowski associate Editor April Cumming copy editor Chantal Rice contributing writers

Ashley Adams, Jill Case, Emily Gibson, JB Hager, Deborah Hamilton-Lynne, Ashley Hargrove, Maddy Hill, Kelly E. Lindner, Rachel Merriman, Megan Russell, Kristy Owen

ART CREATIVE Director Niki Jones ART DIRECTOR Lucy Froemmling CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Ashley Adams, Rudy Arocha, Andrew Chan, Brooke Dombroski, Ashley Hargrove, Jesse Herman, Dustin Meyer, Anastasia Miller, Jessica Pages, Natalie Paramore, Annie Ray, Leticia Villegas, Jessica Wetterer

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Katie Paschall, Jessica Price

operations and marketing Operations and Marketing manager

Maggie Rester Interns

Katie Byland, Emily Gibson, N’Kisha Heffington, Maddy Hill, Evelyn Roberts, Grace Snively

Emeritus Co-Founder Samantha Stevens Editors

Deborah Hamilton-Lynne, Mary Anne Connolly, Elizabeth Eckstein

Austin Woman is a free monthly publication of AW Media Inc., and is available at more than 1,250 locations throughout Austin and in Lakeway, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Pflugerville. All rights reserved.

For submission requirements, visit awmediainc.com/contribute.

No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission.

Visit us online at austinwomanmagazine.com.

Email us at info@awmediainc.com.

512.328.2421 • 3921 Steck Ave., Suite A111, Austin, TX 78759

From the Editor

n a Friday morning back in December, I arrived at the Livestrong Foundation’s headquarters for my first cover shoot as editor of Austin Woman. Knowing that I was about to meet the woman who is responsible for transforming this resilient and important cancer-fighting organization, the one we’ve watched weather a publicity storm of storms, I expected to be impressed, and I was. What I didn’t expect was for this experience to totally rejuvenate my own perspective on confidence, doing my best and finding strength in uncertainty.

Transitions present endless opportunities and challenges, and there’s no time like January to consider change. In the month of December, Austin Woman was in the midst of its own transition as we said goodbye to Deborah Hamilton-Lynne, AW’s effortlessly cool and longtime editor-in-chief, who is now chasing down her big dreams for changing the world (but will still contribute to AW every once in a while, as she did this month).

With wisdom from Deb, guidance from our publisher and excitement from the talented team of women that produces Austin Woman each month, I was ushered in with open arms.

Yet, on the day before our cover shoot, I found myself plagued with uncertainty. Was I asking the right questions? Was I asking too many questions? Was I doing OK? Was I doing the right thing? I was faltering in my own confidence, something that has, honestly and in some ways unfortunately, hardly ever been an issue. But this is the dream job, and the stakes are high.

This publication, whose mission is to support women, deserves the best service one can give. And what if my best wasn’t good enough?

Unsure of my own footing, I walked inside the building

Join the conversation @eclaskowski @austinwoman #IAmAustinWoman

16 | Austin Woman | january 2016

in East Austin that was once a paper factory and that Livestrong now calls home. The vibrancy of this repurposed space was exceeded only by the energy and passion that emanated from Chandini Portteus, our January cover woman. As I spoke to Livestrong’s new CEO during the hair and makeup prep and between takes, I was reminded that she might also be experiencing uncertainties.

Then I thought about Holley Kitchen, the subject of our second feature this month and a breast-cancer lifer who, in the face of the cruelest of cancer diagnoses, sparked a viral video about her unwavering mission to educate us all. These women are doing the best they can, and it doesn’t matter that they might feel unsure or uncertain at times. Who doesn’t?

If there’s strength in numbers, then knowing that even strong, successful, creative, interesting and hardworking women question themselves is a source of power beyond measure. I left Livestrong that day feeling refreshed and my sense of purpose renewed. With each page of this issue, our entire staff has tried to bring that revitalized perspective to life.

As a female and native Austinite, I can’t help but constantly proclaim to myself and those around me that women are amazing, Austin is amazing and therefore, the women in Austin are the most amazing people in the world. From now on, the questions don’t matter because that is the answer to my uncertainties. As Austin Woman continues to have enriching and empowering conversations, I can’t wait to hear the voices of Austin’s amazing women.

Sincerely,

EMILY C. LASKOWSKI Editor

Photo by Dustin Meyer.

O

Confidence looks good on you.

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contributors

Austin Symphony Orchestra

This month, we asked our contributors: What is your New Year’s resolution?

ANDREW CHAN

Cover Photographer, “Living Every Minute With Every Ounce of HER Being,” Page 54 Andrew Chan is a freelance editorial and fashion photographer based in Austin. He is a native Texan and graduated from the University of Texas. He works out of the Whitebox Studio located in East Austin.

When not out grubbing the city’s finest barbecue offerings, he can be seen around town with Milton, his Boston terrier.

“My New Year’s resolution is to acquire more hamsters.”

deborah hamilton-lynne

Cover writer, “Living Every Minute With Every Ounce of her Being,” Page 54 Deborah Hamilton-Lynne has been in love with words her entire life, and has been a published writer and columnist for more than three decades. She was the founding editor of ATX Man and was the editorin-chief of Austin Woman magazine for 4 1/2 years. She began her new adventure in January 2016 with the founding of Grass Roots Movements Marketing and the SSC Group Inc. Never forsaking her love of words, she plans to continue writing and speaking. She arrived in Austin, the city of her heart, 23 years ago and hopes never to leave.

Perfect date nights start here.

“I gave up making New Year’s resolutions several years ago in favor of yearly vision boards. This year, on my board is a roller coaster, several rooms with views and fireworks over the National Mall and Washington Monument. It’s going to be one heck of a ride.”

DUStiN MEYER

photographer, “fight song,” Page 64

U p c o m i n g e v e n t: JANUARY 8 & 9, 8:00 p.m.

Masterworks Series at Long center’s dell hall Jennifer Frautschi, violin Music of prokofiev, Wieniawski, tchaikovsky

Dustin Meyer is an internationally recognized wedding, portrait and commercial photographer based in Austin, with more than 10 years of experience in the photography industry. His work has been displayed by Kodak in Times Square, featured in USA Today and on CBS. Published in numerous magazines, including Southern Weddings, Style Me Pretty, The Knot, Rangefinder Magazine and more, Dustin’s work has earned him acclaim from clients throughout the country.

“My New Year’s resolution is to drink just one cup of coffee per day. Wish me luck!”

RACHEL MERRIMAN

writer, “Fight Song,” Page 64 Rachel Merriman is a local technical writer and freelance magazine writer.

When she isn’t writing, you can probably find her in her kitchen covered in flour. She blogs about baking and making her 1970s fixer-upper a home at siftingandthrifting.com.

Jennifer frautSchi

c o n cert S p o n S o r S

S e aS on S p o n S o r

Tickets/Info (512) 476-6064 or austinsymphony.org

Me di a Sp o n S o r S All artists, programs, and dates subject to change.

“I recently attended a Boss Babes ATX event for the first time and was totally inspired by the passionate, confident women who got up onstage to speak about their creative projects and businesses. In 2016, I’m planning to turn my focus back to my own very neglected endeavors, collaborate with other creative women and maybe publish an actual blog post or two.”

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Featuring Keynote Speaker

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February 26, 2016 9:00 am - 1:00 pm JW Marriot Austin For more information or to register please call 512.338.3487 or visit

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Together we can create a healthier Texas

Connect with us! find us online at austinwomanmagazine.com.

EDITOR’S PICK

Win This!

Personal Training Kick-start Package Sessions are available in January in Austin and surrounding areas.

Katie Liburd of Beyond Measure Wellness is a wellness coach and personal trainer with more than a decade of experience helping to change women’s lives through her holistic approach. Liburd inspires her clients with the knowledge that they are powerful beyond measure. This kick-start package includes four personalized sessions that can include personal training, nutrition counseling, meal prep or grocery-store tours and more, all correlating to your personal goals.

To enter to win, tweet your ultimate fitness goals for 2016 to @AustinWoman

by Jan. 8.

3M Half Marathon Jan. 24, 7 a.m.

The starting line is on Stonelake Boulevard just south of Capital of Texas Highway in North Austin.

Registration fees range from $105 to $115.

3mhalfmarathon.com Now in its 22nd year, the 3M Half Marathon is a great race for beginners, thanks to its downhill course elevation. Register to run or volunteer to help hand out water and food to the runners and walkers. The course starts in North Austin and slopes down to the finish line in front of the Texas Capitol. Share your experience with fellow Austin runners using the hashtags #3MHalfMarathon and #downhilltodowntown.

Can’t get enough of this issue?

Check out austinwomanmagazine.com.

➥ More care for your skin. Beat the winter dry-skin spell with these

five skin-care products, from body scrubs and face creams to lotions and lip balms. holiday season can be a slow and somber time of year. Avoid the post-party pitfall with these blues-busting tips.

➥ More beauty advice. Fashionable reality-TV star Whitney Eve Port

spills her secrets for flawless skin, and we share a few new products from the Origins skin-care line to incorporate into your routine.

➥ More romance. There’s no need to travel far away to impress your special someone. Stay close to home (and to the heart) this year with a holiday staycation.

➥ More places to rest and relax. Get our inside scoop on San Antonio’s latest brewhouse-turned-boutique-hotel, Hotel Emma.

fitness. Are you looking for a way to stay fit without having ➥ More to step outside? We’ll show you some of the best ways to break a sweat indoors.

➥ More woman power. Austin women accomplished a lot in 2015. We recap and count the many ways with this year in review.

Follow us

@austinwoman

20 | Austin Woman | january 2016

like us

Sponsored Events Austin Woman January Issue Launch Party Jan. 12, 6 to 8 p.m.

Livestrong Foundation, 2201 E. Sixth St. austinwomanmagazine.com Texas Women in Business Monthly Luncheon Jan. 15, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Estancia Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse, 10000 Research Blvd. texaswomeninbusiness.org Austin Classical Guitar: Berta Rojas Jan. 16, 8 to 10 p.m.

AISD Performing Arts Center, 1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd. austinclassicalguitar.org

facebook.com/austinwoman

FOLLOW us

@ austinwoman

3M Half Marathon photo courtesy of Conley Sports Productions LLC.

➥ More tips to beat the winter blues. If you let it, the end of the

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ON THE SCENE kristy’s top 10

January’s to-do list from 365 Things To Do In Austin, Texas.

By kristy owen

1

Wu Chow

500 W. Fifth St.

Photo by Natalie Paramore.

wuchowaustin.com The rumors are true! The muchanticipated Wu Chow has finally opened its doors downtown, and it was well worth the wait. Upscale quality Chinese food is a rather untapped market in Austin, and Wu Chow feels retro and hip. When I say there isn’t a bad thing on the menu, I mean it. Dish after dish, I kept thinking, “This is the best thing I’ve ever tasted.” Then more food would come out and it would be somehow even better than the previous item. Here are a few of my menu favorites: pork steamed dumplings, chicken and taro eggrolls, bok choy with mushrooms, two-faced crispy noodles, tangerine-peel beef and spicy deep-fried chicken. Late-night diners rejoice, as the restaurant is open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Wu Chow also offers brunch, which is definitely on my list, and has a dim-sum service every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. that already has Austinites salivating.

austinwomanmagazine.com | 23

n the scene

kristy’s top 10

Martin Luther King March, Festival and Food Drive Jan. 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Beginning at the MLK statue, University of Texas campus

2

mlkcelebration.com/celebration-events/march-and-festival “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” –Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Everyone is invited to join in this march that will start at the MLK statue on the University of Texas campus and end at Huston-Tillotson University. Celebrations are planned for the remainder of the day at Huston-Tillotson, and will include local vendors, music and much more fun. This year, participants are asked to bring a donation for the Capital Area Food Bank. Use the MLK holiday to learn about the important history of Martin Luther King Jr., and connect to those still working to further his dream.

3

4 5

Tree Talk Winter Walk

Jan. 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave. wildflower.org/ttww

Before you know it, spring will be here, and with it, the questions that inundate us during planting season. Celebrate Texas trees, get advice from local garden experts and listen to talks about the importance of keeping plants native at this daylong event. Join your friends, family and budding green thumbs as you take part in a tree-branch shelter-building demonstration, roast marshmallows over a bonfire and navigate your way through a tree scavenger hunt.

Admission is $10.

Austin Bacon and Beer Festival

Jan. 24, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., Fair Market, 1100 E. Fifth St. baconandbeer.net

It’s that time again: The third annual Austin Bacon and Beer Festival is back. Do you even have to keep reading? Go buy your tickets. The festival brings together some of Austin’s best restaurants to offer bacon-inspired dishes and brews. Two of the most glorious things in the world are being celebrated at the same time. Who can resist?

Ticket prices start at $46.50.

Free Week AUSTIN

Jan. 1–7, various Austin music venues do512.com/freeweekaustin Every year, Free Week Austin celebrates our city’s world-famous live-music scene with a bang. Experience the Live Music Capital of the World firsthand, and take a closer look at the raw talent in our own musically renowned backyard. Free Week Austin focuses on the bevy of bands and musicians born and bred right here in Austin. Shows take place at music venues throughout town, so pick your favorite place and settle in for some awesome bands and great live music.

Hook 25th Anniversary Movie Party

Jan. 30, 7:30 p.m.

The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive thelongcenter.org/event/hook-25th-anniversary Alamo Drafthouse is joining forces with The Long Center to throw the ultimate 25th anniversary party for the movie Hook. In signature Alamo Drafthouse style, the movie will be shown as a quote-along, so you can join fellow fans in quoting everyone’s favorite lines of the movie.

There will be props and other fun to get the Peter Pan vibes flowing. Alamo Drafthouse always does it right when celebrating movie anniversaries!

Tickets start at $29.

6 24 | Austin Woman | january 2016

3. Photo courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. 5. Photo courtesy of Edible Austin. 6. Photo courtesy of The Long Center.

O

Shaun of the Dead Pub Run and Screening

7. Photo courtesy of ACL Live. 8. Photo courtesy of Austin Theatre Alliance. 9. Photo courtesy of Ballet Austin. 10. Photo courtesy of Save Our Springs Alliance.

Jan. 26, 6 p.m.

Stateside at the Paramount, 713 Congress Ave. tickets.austintheatre.org/single/ eventdetail.aspx?p=930

Kool & the Gang at ACL Live

Jan. 29, doors open at 6:30 p.m., show begins at 8 p.m.

Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater, 310 Willie Nelson Blvd. acl-live.com/calendar/kool-the-gang

7

9

Get down, get down with the iconic funk band at the best music venue in Austin. With no bad seat in the house and a catalog of famous party hits, this is one soulful celebration you won’t want to miss. Boogie your way through the ’70s and ’80s, or gather your girlfriends for a ladies’ night as this Grammy-winning group sings its timeless tunes.

Ticket prices start at $39.50.

Annual Get Fit! Day

This month, zombies are invading the Stateside. Leave it to Austin to pair a pub run with a movie.

Here’s the rundown: You run/walk to a nearby-ish destination, enjoy a pint of local brew and then trek back for the show! Prepare for this zombie apocalypse by dressing in your best zombie attire. Those with the top five costumes will receive complimentary entry into the 2016 Paramount BreakA-Leg 5K (Feb. 14) and two film passes to the Paramount Theatre and Stateside at the Paramount.

Best of all: The event benefits the Paramount and the Stateside.

Admission is $20.

8

Jan. 10, 1 to 5 p.m., Butler Dance Education Center, 501 W. Third St. balletaustin.org/dance-fitness/get-fit

Ballet Austin’s annual free day of fitness isn’t just for aspiring ballerinas. For anyone resolving to lose weight or embrace an active lifestyle in 2016, take this afternoon to sample abbreviated versions (20 minutes each) of Ballet Austin’s plethora of 45- to 60-minute fitness classes. Test out Pilates, Zumba, barre, yoga or one of the cardio dance classes like Bollywood Fitness. Classes targeting specific body regions, like arms and abs or the lower body, are also available. Drop-ins the day of are welcome, but signing up ahead of time enters you in a prize drawing. Classes take place every half hour and the last class begins at 4 p.m.

Admission is free.

Kristy Owen is the event mastermind and blogger behind 365 Things To Do In Austin, Texas.

To stay up to date on the best Austin has to offer, visit her blog, 365thingsaustin.com.

Polar Bear Swim at Barton Springs

Jan. 1, 10 a.m.

Barton Springs Pool, 2101 Barton Springs Road facebook.com/events/1546375302321288

For the 36th year, people willing to brave the brisk jump into Barton Springs are invited to make the plunge. We have it a little easier than some of our polar-bear-jumping neighbors throughout the country since Barton Springs stays at a constant 68 degrees. (If we’re lucky, the water will actually be warmer than the air temperature!) Like the Full Moon Swim at Barton Springs, this event is also a potluck, so bring a dish to share with your fellow freezing polar bears. Coffee will be available to warm up, and 2016 commemorative T-shirts will be sold at the event.

Admission is free.

10 austinwomanmagazine.com | 25

S

avvy Women

count us in

women in numbers

Facts and figures on females from throughout the world.

By AW staff, illustrations by jessica wetterer

43rd 5 degrees The approximate difference in ideal office temperatures for men and women.

According to a recent study, women work better in warmer temperatures, mainly because their metabolic rates are different from men’s. At an office, this means setting the thermostat to 74 degrees instead of 69 degrees might be a productivity enhancer among female employees.

And doing so provides a bonus: Women could finally take home those extra cardigans and blankets that have been hanging on the backs of their office chairs for years.

The latest edition of the famous annual Pirelli calendar that traditionally features nude and nearly nude portraits of the world’s most beautiful women. This year, Pirelli, the Italian luxury carmaker, chose a different path, asking renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz to replace its traditional lineup of scantily clad models with women of achievement. The 13 women chosen for 2016 (One month features a motherdaughter duo.) span different ages, industries and backgrounds, and include Serena Williams, Kathleen Kennedy and Patti Smith. Leibovitz’s final compilation of black-andwhite photos is a healthy mix of inspiring women, clothed or otherwise, like comedian Amy Schumer, unclothed and simply enjoying a cup of coffee.

25,000 pounds The weight of military surplus, which would otherwise be burned or buried in landfills, that has been repurposed since 2015 for other uses by Sword & Plough, a nonprofit co-founded by sisters Emily Núñez Cavness and Betsy Núñez in 2013.

Based in Denver, Sword & Plough sells its rugged and sturdy collection of tote bags, dopp kits, wallets and other accessories on its website, swordandplough.com. The sisters, inspired by their own connections to the military (They come from a military family and Emily is an active-duty U.S. Army officer.), employ veterans at every stage of production, from product conception to order fulfillment.

26 | Austin Woman | january 2016

20 percent The share of women on corporate boards that Malli Gero and Stephanie Sonnabend want to see by 2020. In 2010, Gero and Sonnabend created 2020 Women on Boards, a national campaign aimed at increasing the representation of women on corporate boards throughout the country. Join the effort at 2020wob.com and sign up to receive the organization’s monthly emails, delivered on the 20th of every month, with progress updates and additional details about the cause.

94 The age of Betty Reid Soskin, the oldest full-time park ranger in the United States. Soskin, who works at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historic Park in Richmond, Calif., was invited

by President Obama to light the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C., Dec. 3.

In addition to lighting the tree, Soskin introduced the president at the lighting ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House.

Hats off to you, Betty!

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portfolio

A Fresh Take on Your Finances

Get your fiscal mindset in order this year with Camille Gaines.

By Megan Russell

Don’t separate your life goals from your financial ones.

“It sounds really simple, but the biggest mistake is acting in ways that don’t support your overall goals for life and your financial goals, which are really closely intertwined,” Gaines says. “People tend to separate the two. Some examples include not knowing exactly what your net worth is, not knowing what you have and how much you owe, undercharging for your work (which is really common with women) and not knowing how your money is invested or even avoiding investing altogether.”

Embrace the word ‘wealth.’

“I like for everybody to get really comfortable with the word ‘wealth.’ For some reason, it feels kind of icky and a lot of people are uncomfortable with it,” Gaines says. “And there’s that paradigm around money being really good, but you have guilt and shame around it at the same time.

Name: Camille Gaines Title: Accredited Financial Counselor Credentials: Author, Earn, Grow, Give: Simple Steps to Grow Your Money While Creating a Rich Life

28 | Austin Woman | january 2016

There should be no shame or guilt around money.”

Understand your debt.

“Not all debt is bad,” Gaines notes. “Debt has gotten a bad association because people have used it for things that depreciate in value. Good debt is assets that appreciate in value and/or that can provide income. Bad debt is things that depreciate in value or accommodate your lifestyle, like going out to eat at really expensive restaurants.”

Don’t make a budget; make a choice.

“In my approach, I don’t like the word ‘budget.’ I prefer to use the term ‘conscious spending based on choice.’

You have X amount of dollars that you can spend every month and you get to choose how you want to spend it. Choosing is so much better than budgeting,” Gaines says.

“Nobody wants to budget, so you don’t really do it because it’s icky. But when you think, ‘Oh, I get to pick,’ that feels really empowering.”

Hit the BRICKs These five essential tips about investing will lay the foundation, or BRICKs, for savvy investments.

B: Benchmarks measure results. The stock market index can be used as a benchmark to measure investment performance. If you can’t measure it, you might not know whether you’re making progress.

R: Reason you invest. What is the purpose of your investment? Is it to get income right now, or is it to grow value and accumulate wealth to have for later in life? In other words, consider whether your investment is for income or capital appreciation.

I: Indexes are a valuable tool.

C: Cycles are important, and everything moves in them.

K: Kind of investment. Understand the type of investment you’re working with and know, for example, that a stock is ownership and a bond is basically loaning money.

Increase your value.

“I like to take the focus off of cutting back,” Gaines says. “When you cut back, you might be able to shave a little bit off your monthly spending so you can increase your cash flow, but that’s really no fun and the upside is really limited. So I flip that and ask, ‘How can you increase the values of what you do, what you provide?’ This way, you can increase your income, and when you increase your income, you can really make a difference.”

Get more of Gaines’ tips on money and finances in her Amazon Best Seller Earn, Grow, Give: Simple Steps to Grow Your Money While Creating a Rich Life.

Website: financialwoman.com Favorite Austin hangout: Moviehouse & Eatery Something she never leaves home without: Money!

Achieve your financial goals using Camille Gaines’ Wealth Creation Launcher, available for free at financialwoman.com.

Photo courtesy of Camille Gaines.

Camille Gaines is an accredited financial counselor who loves talking finance and helping women find financial empowerment. Her website, financialwoman.com, is one of the first financial blogs built specifically for women. She comes to the table as an investor, and works with women to help them better understand investing and identify the financial mindset necessary to achieve their life goals.

Ring in the new year with a new outlook on financial assets, thanks to Gaines’ resolutionworthy tips.

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avvy Women

Let’s Taco ’Bout It

Forecasting the Year Ahead

Listen in on a candid conversation with Austin Woman Publisher Melinda Garvey and Heather Ladage, publisher of the Austin Business Journal.

photos by dustin meyer Give a warm, salsa-infused welcome to the Let’s Taco ’Bout It column as it makes its debut in this issue. This regular column is a place for our readers to meet the important, in-the-know women of Austin, vicariously interact with our publisher and salivate at the thought of tacos. After all, as any true Austin woman knows, tacos are just as much a trademark of this city’s social scene as the conversations they generate.

This month, two publishers talk about the latest business news, how connecting is better than networking and why women in Austin need to jump at the big jobs.

Melinda Garvey: Heather, as someone entrenched in all things Austin business, what exciting things do you see happening in the business world in 2016?

Heather Ladage: As someone who loves to travel, the HomeAway acquisition by Expedia should result in some interesting changes next year. And, of course, you have Lynn Atchison, the CFO over there, who’s an amazing woman doing great things. And the Dell merger with EMC is scheduled to be completed by the midyear, and that will result in one of the largest tech companies in the world, so that will be huge. You’ll continue to see real estate be a hot topic, and Congress Avenue was just ranked the 11th-most expensive street in the U.S. by Jones Lang LaSalle. But I think the most exciting thing for Austin and Central Texas will be what we see start to develop as a result of the teaching hospital and medical school, and this whole idea of the innovation district.

MG: What about women in particular? Are there any businesses or industries in which Austin women are making big strides or pushing the envelope?

HL: The growth and opportunity in Austin is going to be good for women overall, and there are so many amazing women to watch. I think we’ll continue to see more growth in female entrepreneurship. However, the marketplace still needs more capital for investment. Studies have shown that companies with top women executives and board members perform better, but historically, women haven’t gone for the big jobs, and that needs to change.

MG: How do we make sure women go for it?

HL: The best career advice I’ve ever received is to take a job that scares you; take a job you think is going to be a little more than you can take on.

MG: What about women on the job search in Austin?

Do you have any advice?

HL: Get out and connect with people, with women and men.

It’s not just going to happen sitting at home on the computer.

MG: I love that you use the word “connect” because I think so many people still have this networking mindset. And even though there’s a lot of good networking, I think people have actually stopped connecting in a real way.

HL: Right. And ask for advice. I’ve never been turned down for advice. Or if that person didn’t have the advice, they would even try to connect me to someone else.

30 | Austin Woman | january 2016

Snapshot Who: Heather Ladage, publisher, Austin Business Journal Austinite since: 2001 Number of times she hits the snooze button: “Zero. I’m not a super-early riser, so I get up at 7 a.m. I get eight hours of sleep every night.”

How she takes her coffee: “No coffee.

Give me a cold Topo Chico.”

On her nightstand: “A giant stack of magazines and newspapers.”

Her words to live by: “It’s better to regret what you have done than what you have not. You only get one life. Make it a good one.”

So you have to be proactive. I know a managing partner of a firm in town. She moved here from Houston. She reached out and said, “Let’s have lunch,” but then said, “Heather, I’m just going to ask you. Can you connect me to two or three women you think I should know in town?” I was happy to do that, absolutely happy to do that. You have to ask. The other thing I would say is you need to have a mini board of advisors. It can be family, people in your industry, people outside your industry.

MG: Austin is also getting bigger every day. What makes it such a great location for women?

HL: I think Austin is such an inclusive city. I’ve felt that since my very first day, and I hope we don’t lose that as we continue to grow. I didn’t know anyone when I moved here, but in less than 10 years, went from Indiana Hoosier to being completely integrated in the Austin business community. And that just shows that Austin is completely willing to be open. Another thing about Austin is there’s a lot of women’s organizations and initiatives coming out of here, like Ingrid Vanderveldt’s Empowering a Billion Women by 2020 and the Austin Business Journal’s Bizwomen Connect. I meet the most amazing women here every day.

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Austin Entrepreneur

How Kate Winslet Made One Austin Entrepreneur’s Day

What Gail Page and Consortia Health are doing for Austinites suffering from adult incontinence.

By Deborah Hamilton-Lynne

32 | Austin Woman | january 2016

about Page are her passions for health care and emerging technologies, especially as they relate to women. Her work matters, and she loves to talk about it.

“I wanted something I could sink my teeth into,” she says. “I wanted to get involved in a company where I could actually see the development and return in my lifetime. I wanted something that had a huge market, filled an unmet need, something that would make a difference and truly serve. There is no other way to say it: More than one-third of the women in the U.S. suffer from urinary incontinence, and just because they don’t die from it, I didn’t see any reason why they should suffer in silence when treatment was available. I knew we could make a difference in women’s lives, and we are.”

Consortia is making a difference by offering a comprehensive, turn-key medical service to OB-GYN practices, urologists and soon, to assistedliving facilities. Consortia provides a mobile service that includes equipment and trained registered nurses who offer testing for incontinence and treatment for pelvic-floor muscle rehabilitation. The service is currently offered in Austin in association with Austin Area OB-GYN and is available in other Texas cities and four other states. Once the physician makes the diagnosis, the diagnostic and treatment services are provided in the physician’s office, eliminating the need for an additional referral. The therapy is noninvasive and does not require initial medication or surgery.

“We are getting great feedback from both the physicians and the patients,” Page says. “Most women don’t want to take medication or have surgery, and we are providing a service in a clinical setting with practitioners who are specifically trained for this treatment that gets results. In most cases, treatment and testing is covered by insurance, though it varies with individual policies and companies. The physicians don’t have to invest in expensive equipment and additional staff, yet they can provide a service and treatment that everyone from young mothers to older women want and need. It is a win-win.”

And that is why talking about a once-taboo subject, urinary incontinence, puts a smile on Gail Page’s face.

It is the most under-treated condition in women’s health, yet it is also the condition that most adversely affects the quality of life for millions of women. But through Consortia Health, Page is determined to change all that.

For more information, visit consortiamedical.com and aaobgyn.com.

Gail Page’s Advice for Entrepreneurs “Not everyone should be an entrepreneur, and that is OK. It takes a certain kind of mindset to take risks and keep going. You have to believe in yourself and what you are doing, first and foremost.”

“People forget to trust their own instincts, listen to too many other people and forget the value of what they are doing. The entrepreneurs are the ones that created it in the first place, so trust in your own business acumen and gut instincts.”

“It is equally important to know your strengths.

Just because you are the entrepreneur, it doesn’t mean you need to be the CEO. The smartest entrepreneurs will find the best people who have the skills they lack or complementary skills to their own who can help grow their idea and make it a success.

One of the hardest things for first-time entrepreneurs is that they think they have to be everything, do everything and run it all, and they don’t.”

“Another mistake is to try to do too much too soon. They get in over their head and build the infrastructure way ahead of the revenue.

They can’t handle the burn, the capital outlay.”

Photo by Jessica Pages.

Gail Page couldn’t have been happier when Kate Winslet, one of the world’s most glamorous film stars, admitted to having a decidedly unglamorous condition that most women don’t discuss openly, let alone on a popular talk show: adult incontinence. It is a condition that is common and embarrassing, and an estimated 30 percent of the female population suffers from some degree of incontinence, often in silence. Page plans to bring the discussion about incontinence out of the shadows and let women know there is hope for treatment and even a cure.

Two years ago, Page stepped back from her hectic professional life. Her stellar resume included serving as the first senior vice president of a large corporation at age 38, running a public company, serving as entrepreneur-in-residence at MD Anderson Cancer Center and serving on numerous company’s boards. As president and CEO of Vermillion Inc., a health-care company focused on developing diagnostic blood tests, she raised more than $100 million in funding between January 2006 and December 2012, and successfully launched the first FDA-cleared blood test to help diagnose ovarian cancer. In 2010, Page was recognized by Forbes Woman and Businessweek for her work in the health-care sector. In 2012, she was a finalist for the Central Texas Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and was recognized as one of the top 20 business leaders in the Austin area. In 2014, the Austin Business Journal named Page a Woman of Influence and Power in Central Texas.

So the question is what could be so important to Page that she would commit wholeheartedly to another business venture?

“For the first time in my life, I was in a position in my career where I didn’t have to think about building my resume or finances,” Page explains.

“I could do what I wanted, so I founded Vineyard Investment Advisors in January of 2013. It is like a virtual executive-management firm in that we help entrepreneurs, businesses and universities take their ideas and turn them into products and services.

My group provides specialized services and advice tailored to their individual needs. I was happy with that, and then, in July of 2013, [Consortia President and CEO] Jeff Oliva came to me asking me to be a cofounder of Consortia Health. After I learned about the opportunity to fill an unmet need for women that has been virtually ignored for a century, I was all in.”

While the accolades she has received and her resume are impressive, the most impressive things

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at a glance

Real Texas Women Claudia Alta Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson First lady of the United States (1963–1969) Born Dec. 22, 1912 in Karnack, Texas Died July 11, 2007

“ hope.”

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34 | Austin Woman | january 2016

Photo courtesy of LBJ Library.

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MUST LIST Get Away to Ouray

Tucked deep in the San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado, Ouray is an idyllic winter escape for outdoor adventurers and soak-in-the-scenery lollygaggers alike. by april cumming Take a detour from the overcrowded ski lifts and overcommercialized mountain towns this year and explore a town that’s stoically stuck in time.

With all the North-Face-jacket-clad tourists meandering down sloping streets lined with Victorian-era homes and storefronts, it’s fascinating to picture a time when mules and horses outnumbered people in Ouray, Colo.—just one of the many charming historical tidbits that contributes to the town’s mystique.

Known fondly as the “Switzerland of America,” here’s what not to miss when spending the day in Ouray.

austinwomanmagazine.com | 37

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ust list

Must travel

Go now:

Go DO:

Each January, the world’s best ice climbers descend on Ouray to scale up dozens of man-made frozen waterfalls— anywhere from 80 to 200 feet in height—lining the town’s Uncompahgre Gorge. Watch in awe as icepick-wielding climbers carve their way from the base of the falls to the top.

A weeklong outdoor extravaganza celebrating the niche sport of ice climbing, the Ouray Ice Festival (Jan. 14 through 17) is made possible thanks to a water irrigation system lining the walls of the gorge. This year, the event is highlighting women—aka “the crushing divas”—brave enough to strategically pick their way to the top of the falls.

Festival nights bring a lively mix of music, food, dance parties and live auctions to this typically tranquil town.

w On an average 35-degree day in January, a swimming pool might sound like the last thing you want to get into. But a slow wade into the steaming Ouray Hot Springs Pool feels more like easing into a hot tub. The natural spring water sourced from underground thermals reaches from 102 to 106 degrees in the hot section.

ourayicepark.com/ouray-ice-festival

ourayhotsprings.com w Take in a movie or live-music performance at The Wright Opera House, a 127-year-old historical institution in downtown Ouray.

According to the opera house’s website, Ed Wright and his wife, Letitia, built the entertainment venue in 1888 as a way to “provide the Ouray populace with cultural opportunities to offset the influence of the dance halls, saloons, gambling dens and houses of ill repute.”

Beaumont Hotel photo courtesy of the Beaumont Hotel. Ouray Hot Springs photo courtesy of the City of Ouray.

thewrightoperahouse.org

38 | Austin Woman | january 2016

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Go eat: w Start your morning off on the right foot with a steaming cup of coffee and a fresh-baked pastry at Roast & Toast. Founded in June 2015, this locally owned and operated coffee shop on Main Street lures visitors in with its natural-light-filled space and worn-in brown leather couches. roastandtoastouray.com w Satiate your mid-afternoon sweet tooth with some dark-chocolate salted caramels or an assortment of Belgian chocolate truffles at the small-mountain-town mainstay, Mouse’s Chocolates & Coffee.

Train photo courtesy of Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Chocolate photo courtesy of Mouse’s Chocolates & Coffee.

mouseschocolates.com w Cap off your evening with dinner at The Outlaw Restaurant. While the menu hovers somewhere between down-home cooking (Steak is a mainstay here.) and upscale elegance (baked artichoke hearts in a white wine and Parmesan cheese sauce), the atmosphere borders on the rustic side. One glance at the drink menu, though, and you might just find yourself swapping dinner for colorful stories at the bar. outlawrestaurant.com

Go experience: w Soar high above the surrounding countryside in style during an hour-long hot-air-balloon ride. For more than two decades, San Juan Balloon Adventures has lifted people’s sights to new mountain heights. See what wildlife you can spot meandering through the brush below, and celebrate a late-morning flight with brunch and Champagne. sanjuanballoon.com w Wind your way through shimmering snowcapped peaks the old-fashioned way: via a vintage steam locomotive. Grab your camera (or cellphone, if that’s more your style), hop aboard and try not to hold your breath as the railcars round the rugged edges of 13,000-foot-high forested peaks. Originally used to transport gold and silver from area mines, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has been in operation since 1882. durangotrain.com

austinwomanmagazine.com | 41

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must give

Austin Gives With JHL Company

When it comes to mixing business with philanthropy, JHL Company is well versed in the practice.

By April Cumming

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JHL Company is a member of Austin Gives, an organization dedicated to highlighting businesses for doing good. In its four-year existence, Austin Gives has aggregated almost 400 Austin-area companies that have made the commitment to donate at least 1 percent of their annual earnings to charity. To learn more about Austin Gives, visit austin.gives.

42 | Austin Woman | january 2016

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Jennifer Stevens, center, volunteering at Caritas with the JHL team

JHL & CACTX Two years ago, JHL Company created a committee called Women of Courage, a statewide group of women who each give $1,000 a year to the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas. Those funds go toward helping centers throughout the state transform places of abuse back into safe places for kids.

“After a child goes through the CACTX system, oftentimes, the offending adult is removed from the home, but the child returns,” JHL Company Founder and CEO Jennifer Stevens explains. “So the child is returning back to that same space [where the abuse took place].”

Discontent with the idea, the Women of Courage committee created a makeover fund to replace items in these children’s homes—curtains, pillows, a teddy bear—with the goal of making that space feel different and safer. So far, the Women of Courage have put approximately $150,000 into room makeovers.

“We’ll do whatever it takes to transform that space to be comfortable for the kids again,” Stevens says. cactx.org/women-of-courage

TUNE IN

Austin Gives talks with Austin Woman Publisher Melinda Garvey and JHL Company Founder and CEO Jennifer Stevens about the importance of giving in Austin.

When: Jan. 12, 9 a.m.

Station: KEYE Segment: We Are Austin Website: keyetv.com/features/we-are-austin

Photo courtesy of JHL Company.

For Jennifer Stevens, founder and CEO of JHL Company, giving back to the community is simply a good business practice.

A public affairs, communications and events company located just a few streets east of the Texas Capitol, JHL Company practices the art of mixing business with philanthropy. While the small 11-staff-member-strong company puts on a lot of private parties for prominent people in Austin (Does the name Drew Brees ring a bell?), JHL Company is probably best known for its fundraising work for the Mack, Jack & McConaughey event that takes place every April. A two-day event, MJ&M hosts two golf tournaments, two concerts, a fashion show and a lot of after-parties. It takes the company nine months to organize and execute.

“It’s a ton of fun and a ton of work,” Stevens says of the fundraising event.

In the three years JHL has managed the MJ&M event, it has helped the organization put $3.5 million back into Austin charities. “We’re always working, in one way or another, on some sort of philanthropic project.”

And JHL is a company focused on practicing what it preaches.

“We wouldn’t ask our clients or people we’re trying to get involved in our events as fundraisers to do something that we don’t do,” says Sydney Loyed, an account manager for JHL. Loyed says it’s rewarding to work for a company at which workers volunteer together and prioritize their team camaraderie.

For Vice President Jessica Bennett, it’s empowering to have giving back to the community as part of her work obligation.

“This office is led by really powerful women, and there’s a sense of gratitude that comes along with what we’re able to do as part of our work,” Bennett says.

The way Stevens sees it, doing good for the community is beneficial for employee moral and team building, but it’s also good for attracting other businesses to Austin.

“Nobody wants to move their company headquarters to a place where no one is contributing and taking care of each other,” she says.

Giving back is also good marketing, she notes, adding that people want to do business with people they know.

“That doesn’t mean they have to know you exactly,” she says, “but if they know about you, that you’re engaged, they feel that they know you.”

To an outsider looking in, shutting down the office for a day might seem like an easy thing to do, but it’s not for a small company like JHL. “When we’re closed for half a day, it’s a huge financial and time commitment,” Stevens says. “But it’s always paid off. It’s always been returned.”

From running as a team in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, to wrapping presents for Foster Angels of Central Texas, to spending an afternoon at the Capital Area Food Bank and lending a hand at Caritas, when the JHL team isn’t busy setting up a fundraising event, you can more than likely find them volunteering or taking part in one.

“We use it as our team-building time,” Stevens says of volunteering together.

“It’s the only way I would run the business. I always say that I only started the business because I wanted to work around people I like and respect and to do things that I enjoy doing. And I enjoy being involved in the community. It’s a fundamental part of who I am, so it’s a fundamental part of who my business is.”

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Keep Your Desk Together

A more productive year is right at your fingertips.

By maddy hill If the end of 2015 left you sapped of motivation and in search of some semblance of reorganization, take this time at the start of the new year to adhere to these simple tips and acquire a few new streamlined office products.

Five Must-have Office Products 1. A large, simple calendar: Keep a chic calendar at eye level in your workspace. Be sure to pick one that has squares large enough to write due dates on and cross off tasks when completed.

Basic 12-month wall calendar, $32, etsy.com/shop/dozi.

2. Cord clips: You’ve done it before: disconnected your laptop from its charger only to see the cord slither away as quickly as a snake behind your desk and the wall space.

Retrieving cords can make you feel as though you’re at an archaeological dig site instead of the office. Investing in a few small stick-to-the-table cable clips will put those pesky chargers and cords in their place.

CableDrop Cord Clips (six), $9.99, available at The Container Store, 9629 Research Blvd., 512.349.0555, containerstore.com.

3. A wastebasket: If you don’t have one at your desk already, you should. There’s no need to waste time walking to a trash can in another room. Invest in an open-top trash can so you can easily toss away extra papers.

Rissla wastepaper basket, $9.99, available at Ikea, 1 Ikea Way, Round Rock, 512.828.4532, ikea.com.

4. Wall file holders: Label the folders “To do,” “In Progress” and “Finished.” This paper-organization method allows you to take a break from your work without inevitably forgetting later where you left off.

Marche Wall Pocket, $21.99, available at The Container Store, 9629 Research Blvd., 512.349.0555, containerstore.com.

5. A slim desk: Stay away from big, bulky desks and opt for something slender that has storage under the top of the desk and a few drawers for easy filing. This will help keep your workspace from feeling weighed down and cramped.

Lauren desk, $2,180, available at The Khazana Home Furnishings, 900 N. Lamar Blvd., 512.320.9905, thekhazana.net.

Five Must-use Tips 3 Keep your desk in a naturally lit space. Fluorescent light can bring on headaches and yellow light can cause you to feel sleepy. If you absolutely must use a lamp, make sure it doesn’t cast light directly onto your workspace.

3 Don’t get too personal. Limit the number of personal items on your desk to minimize distractions. Yes, that includes your cellphone.

3 Incorporate white space.

By keeping the area near your dominant hand clear, you’ll be more able to quickly sign papers, jot down notes or cross off items from your to-do list. Always work from left to right.

3 Place a small plant on your desk. A desktop screensaver of the Grand Canyon is as close as some of us will get to nature during a hectic 9-to-5 workweek. Having a tiny flower arrangement from Whole Foods or a succulent from East Austin Succulents on your desk is a guaranteed happiness and productivity booster.

3 Choose light colors and neutrals.

You don’t want to overdo the colors in your workspace. As often as possible, opt for light colors to create an open space and only use pops of color where they seem fitting.

As is true in following through with most New Year’s resolutions, organizing your desk might take some serious overhaul and revision of your usual work environment and process. Make the transition easier by adopting one tip or product at a time, and you’ll catch the envious eye of your coworkers in no time.

44 | Austin Woman | january 2016

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Splurge or steal on a warm winter wardrobe.

Modeled, styled and written by Ashley Hargrove PHOTos by Annie Ray As the joy of gift giving fades and the reality of holiday spending hits your bank account, bargain shopping for fabulous style is a January must. These almost identical winter looks are perfect for cozying up by the fire or toasting the new year with your girlfriends. With drastically different price tags, you can strut a winter-chic wardrobe in style and within your own budget.

Chanel Boy bag, $5,200 Chanel black ceramic J12 watch, $5,000 Stuart Weitzman Highland over-the-knee boots, $875 AG Twilight shredded jeans, $225 Eileen Fisher V-neck long-sleeve tunic, $238 Vince gray cardigan, $595 County Line hat, $150 Louis Vuitton gray shawl, $590 Gold titan bracelet, $290 Bag, watch and tunic available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com.

Jeans available at Nordstrom, 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., 512.691.3500, nordstrom.com.

Hat available at Goorin Bros., 1323 S. Congress Ave., 512.326.4287, goorin.com.

Shawl available at Louis Vuitton, 11600 Century Oaks Terrace, 512.832.0327, louisvuitton.com.

Bracelet available at vitafede.com.

$13,163 46 |  Austin Woman |  january 2016

When to Splurge, When to Save Save: Jewelry With jewelry, you can look like a million bucks without spending a fortune. While classic jewelry and timepieces make great investment items eventually, inexpensive costume jewelry is easy to find and an economic way to stay on trend.

Splurge: Handbags Classic handbags like the Chanel Boy bag are wardrobe staples that last a lifetime. Years of good use, iconic style and the possibility of passing an item like this down to your daughter someday will justify the designer investment.

Save: Boots Over-the-knee boots are everywhere right now. And while leather boots are often splurge-worthy, thanks to the quality that accompanies their higher price tag, in this case, the less expensive option garnered more compliments and is the better bet for this trend of the moment.

Save: Clothes The cost difference and trend turnover rate make clothes a savings goldmine. Unless money is no object, why spend $595 on a brand-name cardigan when a look-alike piece from Forever 21 is only $21.80?

Rebecca Minkoff Love crossbody bag, $295 Nixon Sentry watch, $150 Sam Edelman Kayla over-the-knee boots, $285 Gray jeans, $30 V-neck tunic, $15 Long gray cardigan, $22 Black hat, $30 Halogen gray scarf, $48 Jules Smith gold spike bracelet, $39 Bag, watch, boots and scarf available at Nordstrom, 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., 512.691.3500, nordstrom.com.

Jeans, tunic and hat available at H&M, 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, 855.466.7467, hm.com.

Cardigan available at Forever 21, 3409 Esperanza Crossing, 512.719.3988, forever21.com.

Bracelet available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com.

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austinwomanmagazine.com |  47

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PHOTos by Rudy Arocha

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1. David Yurman cable bracelet with black diamonds, $4,700 2. Slotted cuff, $5.90 3. Dannijo oxidized silver-plated cuff, $270 4. Lagos sterling-silver fluted ring, $650 5. Shoal cuff in oxidized sterling silver, $395

6. John Hardy silver bamboo cuff, $895 7. John Hardy Kali overlap cuff, $1,195 8. Ippolita sterling-silver large hammered dome ring, $495 9. John Hardy Naga dragon necklace, $2,400 10. Ippolita electroform large hoop earrings, $450

1., 3., 4., 6., 7., 8., 9., 10 available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com.

5. available at failjewelry.com.

2. available at Forever 21, 3409 Esperanza Crossing, 512.719.3988, forever21.com.

48 |  Austin Woman |  january 2016

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50 | Austin Woman | january 2016

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Bring Back the Winter-Blues Party Say good riddance to overdone and overwhelming party planning.

By kelly e. Lindner

Last September, The New York Times posed the question of whether the house party is dead. It seems the percentage of people having them has sharply declined, especially among the millennial generation, due to the stress and expense that many think hosting entails. But don’t let perfectly executed parties on Pinterest intimidate you. You don’t have to break the bank to have a house party in January with friends.

Spreading out the cost of the booze is also a budget saver for you, but not a huge ask for your friends.

Nervous still? Follow your own request and have at least one beverage of choice at the ready, just in case.

3 Make it a potluck. Trying to please everyone will trap you in the kitchen for hours, and someone will still ask, “Is there a gluten-free option?” So ask your guests to help out. If each guest brings at least one dish they’re willing to eat, you won’t have to worry about trying to fit everyone’s tastes or dietary restrictions. If you’re concerned about variety, ask your guests to let you know what dish they’re bringing, either by responding to your group’s party email or on the online RSVP (if you’re using Evite or Paperless Post).

Don’t have speakers? A water glass works as a natural amplifier when you place your phone in it.

3 More is not always merrier. Not every party is for everyone. After countless holiday parties of small What is a winter-blues party? talk with spouses of co-workers, distant relatives and Any party held indoors in January to “beat the winter blues” and escape from the cold friends of friends, take this time to spend it with your counts as a winter-blues party. One popular option is to embrace the color blue, known closest crew. If you’re concerned that your friend the as the everything-wintry-in-blue theme. This can be achieved inexpensively by reusing social butterfly might extend your invitation to all blue Christmas or Hanukkah her Facebook friends, don’t be shy. decorations, dying drinks and Make it clear that this get-together In 2016, remind yourself that not everything, including parties, food blue with food coloring or is for close friends only. You can has to be Pinterest-approved or blog-worthy. Sometimes, asking your guests to dress in say, “I know we often have big beating the winter blues just means relaxing with good friends parties, but I really want to spend shades of blue. If you want, buy and reminiscing about good times, with no planning required. time with just you all.” And if you all blue party supplies. Afterwant to include them, you can Christmas sales are a cost-friendly invite significant others as well. way to stock up on blue holiday decorations. Another easy décor option: Fill tall glass vases with blue ornaments.

3 Please don’t stop the music. Use your phone, No theme is necessary to have a winter-blues party. The point is to break free of the tablet or laptop to stream music. Try Pandora’s endless stress and overplanning that precede all those holiday parties in December. Having Blues Guitar Legends station or hit shuffle on your friends to your house for some fun should be easy, and can be by following a few helpful tips. own iTunes library to keep the tunes going all night.

If you still want to provide food for the party, consider these failsafe store-bought crowd-pleasers: 1. Corn chips and salsa 2. Cheese and crackers 3. Olives and nuts, such as almonds or pistachios 4. Veggies and ranch dip 5. Pizza bites 3 BYOB. Even if you tell people you’re going to provide drinks, nine out of 10 times, guests tend to bring a bottle of Hill Country wine or a six-pack of Shiner, so just leave the responsibility with them from the get-go.

52 | Austin Woman | january 2016

3 Just do some quick cleaning. You don’t have to scrub the baseboards or call a maid service to have a winter-blues party.

Follow these quick cleaning tips and you’ll realize just how easy party prep can be. r Friends are arriving in 10 minutes? Try the laundry basket technique: Take an empty laundry basket around the house and grab anything you don’t want out—kids’ toys, pet supplies, house shoes—and dump it all in the laundry basket. Put the laundry basket in your bedroom or a closet and revisit it the next day. rH ave you got 30 minutes? Give your house a quick wipe down: Take some easy wipes and give the kitchen counter, dining room table and bathroom sinks a once-over. If your friends are helping supply the snacks, this ensures you’ve cleared a surface for everyone to place their food and drinks. rG ot some spare time in the morning? Make sure you’ve got the essentials: soap, hand towels and toilet paper in the bathroom. (There’s nothing worse than being in the powder room and realizing you are under-equipped for the situation.) rW hen all else fails, just shove it in a closet or shut the door. It works every time. Kids’ beds not made? Shut the door. Didn’t have time to go through that pile of work? Shove it in the closet. Done and done.

Winter-blues playlist Download these classic blues hits to get your party started on the right note: 1. “Cold Shot,” Stevie Ray Vaughan, 1984 2. “First Time I Met the Blues,” Buddy Guy, 1960 3. “40 Days and 40 Nights,” Muddy Waters, 1956 4. “Stones in My Passway,” Robert Johnson, 1937 5. “ Lonely Avenue,” Ray Charles, 1956 6. “ I Got to Go,” Little Walter, 1955 7. “Everybody Knows About My Good Thing,” Z.Z. Hill, 1982 8. “ Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground,” Blind Willie Johnson, 1927 9. “ Forty Four,” Howlin' Wolf, 1954 10. “ Going Down,” Freddie King, 1971

Beat the Blues With Some Heat You’ve heard of Christmas in July, but how about summer in January? A popular version of the winter-blues party is the indoor-beach party theme. Crank up the heat and break out the summer gear. Beach towels become couch covers, grass skirts become tablecloths and beach balls lead to indoor volleyball. You could even use sandcastle molds to shape festive Rice Krispies treats. Reuse your summer beach supplies or take advantage of Party City’s huge, inexpensive luau and Tiki selection year-round. Ask guests to dress for summer. In Austin, the weather outside might even cooperate.

austinwomanmagazine.com | 53

By Deborah Hamilton-Lynne Photos by Andrew Chan Styled by Ashley Hargrove, DTK Austin Styling Makeup by Anastasia Miller, Rae Cosmetics Hair by Leticia Villegas, Rae Cosmetics

54

Living Every Minute With Every Ounce of HER Being

Chandini Portteus takes the helm at the Livestrong Foundation.

We believe in life. Your life.

We believe in living every minute of it with every ounce of your being.

And that you must not let cancer take control of it.

We believe in energy: channeled and fierce.

We believe in focus: getting smart and living strong.

Unity is strength. Knowledge is power. Attitude is everything.

This is Livestrong.

Thus begins the Livestrong manifesto, reflecting the message and the mission that would ultimately draw Chandini Portteus to Austin. Born in India, Portteus’ mother and father came to the United States shortly after the birth of their eldest daughter, hoping she would receive an education that would allow her to pursue everything they hoped and dreamed for her. Their plan worked, so well, in fact, that it seems part of the natural progression that a child whose name means “moonlight” would grow to be the woman that would breathe life into an iconic organization in decline. Soma, equated with the goddess Chandra, is the Vedic god of the moon who brings strength and immortality to the gods as they drink his powerful liquid.

Although they may not have known the mythology behind the name, the board of the Livestrong Foundation hired Portteus betting she could do the same: bring the elixir of immortality to the challenged brand.

Founded in 1997 by Austinite and cyclist Lance Armstrong, Livestrong became an iconic brand, with more than 87 million people in the world wearing the distinctive yellow wristband since its inception in 2004. However, as scandal swirled around Armstrong, the organization suffered by association. Once a corporate darling, Livestrong lost favor with many of its corporate partners, including Nike, its main backer, which cut ties in 2013. Although Livestrong’s revenue dropped 40 percent in 2013, from $38 million to $23 million, and again in 2014 to $20 million, the organization survived, thanks to strong financials, with an endowment of $50 million and assets of more than $100 million, and a final break with Armstrong in 2013.

Finding themselves at a crossroads and in need of renewal and reinvention, those on the board unanimously voted to hire the youngest senior executive in the history of the organization.

56 | Austin Woman | january 2016

Portteus, at age 36, was no stranger to controversy and branding challenges, having spent 10 years at Susan G. Komen, serving as the chief mission officer during that highly publicized rift when the organization pulled funding from Planned Parenthood. Surviving the storm, Portteus was recognized and received accolades for her role in the strategic redesign and creation of new branding efforts for Komen, as well as for her global outreach, fundraising and personal touch with major donors and corporations. She was also the architect and manager of the Komen Scientific Advisory Board and the Komen Scholars program, exactly the experience needed to put Livestrong on the road to recovery.

Coming on board as president and CEO of the Livestrong Foundation in April, Portteus finalized a $50 million partnership with the University of Texas Dell Medical School for the creation of the Livestrong Cancer Institutes, formed a new team and is working on a strategic plan that is fresh, courageous and innovative, much like the woman herself.

In October, Portteus was on a panel titled The Courage to Innovate at the Texas Conference for Women. As she spoke about the challenge of being a “wartime CEO” as an opportunity, it became apparent why she was the right choice for Livestrong and why she is also a natural fit for the energy that emanates from Austin.

Looking for big things to come in 2016, Portteus told Austin Woman in her own words about her journey from Garland, Texas, where she was voted most friendly in her senior year of high school, to the doorstep of Livestrong, where the board’s unanimous vote was a ringing endorsement of her ability to start anew with a fresh and courageous vision for the organization.

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|  57

Innovation and courage are the same and different in some I grew up wanting to serve people and to change the world. ways. In order to innovate, that means you have to have the courage Yes, I was voted most friendly, and I think it is the way I am, to to disrupt, and you have to be OK with that. You have to be willing this day. I am inclusive. I like to make people comfortable, whethto say, “We are not just going to evolve. We are going to leapfrog,” er it is in my home or here at Livestrong. I want them to feel weland you have to know where and when you can do those things. You come. I learned this from my parents. Growing up in Garland, I have to be smart about the opportunities when they come along, lived in a world where you didn’t see very many people of color or and have to be able to creatively [envision] what it is possible to do.

Indian descent. I went to a primarily Caucasian school and I knew Then you need to be able to execute. We view ourselves as an acwhat it meant to be different, but for me, that was OK. I thought celerator, a catalyst and passionate advocates who can be nimble it was up to me to educate my friends about what it meant to be and can absorb new ideas and vet them. A part of courage and inIndian. This helped me, and I now realize that when I am worknovation is knowing what to say no to. It is a very important thing ing in health, I have compassion for all people and especially for to do, especially for this organization that usually said yes to everythose who are challenged by racial disparities that exist in types thing because there was enough money to do so. of cancer and in availability of treatment opWe are now in a limited-resource environment, tions. I have an understanding of those factors. so that kind of environment takes a lot of knowI have assimilated them into my life and work. how and belief in your team and in partners and It has made me mindful about how to go about donors. Also [important is] setting priorities and making change.

I have always loved science focusing in one place and not another because we and at one time thought have a larger vision, and that is something you One of the things that has most assisted me I wanted to be a doctor. will see from us going forward into the next two as I came to Livestrong is that I came from a But I realized that I wasn’t to three years. Everything will be tailor-made for place of mission, and so I come back full cirmeant to be seeing patients that larger objective, and that objective is really cle, in that my desires as a child were to help on a one-to-one basis. I was the thing that will drive Livestrong to be what others and to make changes: system change, passionate about service on it will become. If we are pushing the envelope individual change. At Komen, one of the things a larger scale and ways to and attempt to move the needle, we might fail at that was critical was my role as chief mission ofmake a maximum impact some things. Probably, in order to be successful, ficer to remind people what we were there to do on a community. My deyou often fail first. I view a lot of this in my role and what our job was, why it was important and gree in public health made as CEO as saying, “What is the balanced portfowhy it had to continue. And so any time there is me realize that was what I lio? Where can we take those risks? Where do we any kind of crisis, focus on what is your core valwas meant to do. The depth have to take risks and where can we shore things ue…why are you here, what makes you relevant and breadth of that educaup so that we can continue on our mission?” We and what makes you needed, and the answer tional experience was enhave already begun this process. We are already in work we do in [the] philanthropic sector is thralling in so many ways. being able to serve more people with less cost and very clear, regardless of sector: Every nonprofit I got a deep understanding with the same quality, and that trifecta is not easy is serving some important goal. Livestrong is a of policy and what needed to achieve. We talk a lot about what does stability wonderful place to work because we are all so to be done through patient look like, what does sustainability look like and personally tied to the mission. advocacy. While I do care what are the far-reaching kinds of exciting things about the individual, I feel we can do and what strategies will get us there? that I get to serve the inWhen I came to Livestrong, I said that this dividual’s community and team, regardless of what has happened Authenticity is an important quality for me help change the system. over the years, has taken the opportunity, as a leader, and leaders aren’t perfect; they the money, the gifts and the talent, and has are real. We really don’t have a hierarchy here. served the community, the individual and We do have an organizational structure, but the the system every single day. Even through the team really isn’t about who sits in what seat. It crisis times, this organization has been there for is about what levels of accountability we all have when things go the patient. I believed that this organization deserved to be heard well and don’t go so well. I am here to take that responsibility as again and that there was important work to be done here. You have the leader of the organization. The other thing really personally to focus on the mission and not on the personality of the founder. important to me is transparency, and I think the nonprofit sector Personally, all of us are very grateful that someone like Lance Armneeds more of it, and I think we need to define what that means, strong, who had battled cancer, came forward to bring his struggle how a donor can feel that their money is going where they want it into the light and founded an organization that has helped so many. to go and that we educate the general public about how nonprofits Livestrong has never been about one person. While one person may work. You have to run it with a strong, ethically minded business have chosen to share their survivorship story, that story has emsense, and if you don’t, it doesn’t last. How do we set the bar and powered us to serve millions and millions of people, and for that, I set the example and go bold and remind people that, yes, we are in will be forever grateful to him. Being a leader in the nonprofit sector it for the mission and how they can see that we are doing that? We who has seen controversies, I would just say that this is all about know who we are and we are confident in who we are. We don’t the mission, and that is our litmus. That is our compass and where try to be anyone else. We don’t shirk away from our responsibilwe must focus. Anything that deviates away from that attention to ity to be true to ourselves, and what that means is that we have the mission is not where we should be. Livestrong’s mission is not the ability to open up partnerships. Rather than looking at a compersonality oriented and not about one person. At the end of the day, petitive way to do things, we really do seek to partner. A lot of our he was a human being that fought a disease that many others do, and greatest successes in the past have been with partnerships, and many others resonated with that part of his story. I choose to focus we will do it in an authentic way. on what his role has been in cancer awareness and advocacy.

58 | Austin Woman | january 2016

Chandini Portteus sees Chairman of the Board Candice Aaron off at the starting line of the 19th Team Livestrong Austin Challenge, through which 2,200 riders, runners and walkers raised money to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.

The Portteus family relocated to Austin from Dallas when Chandini Portteus accepted the position of president and CEO at the Livestrong Foundation.

Chandini Portteus’ Most Influential Women

Photos courtesy of Chandini Portteus.

1.

My mom, Amy Kumar, my first and most amazing teacher, who raised me to have great faith, trained me to lead and to exercise service and love in all I do. She is also a strong woman who held me to the standards she knew I could achieve, and supported me to get there.

2.

Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, known to many as the founder of Susan G. Komen, but to me, a personal mentor and model of what it’s like to make a promise, have a dream, change the world while achieving it and do it with kindness and grace under the harshest of pressures and perceptions.

3.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, two bold inspirations to me of what authenticity, beauty, brilliance and fun really are. They remind me to laugh, and that I’m best when I’m me.

4.

Susan Hill Carlisle, a wise woman who was the Montessori preschool teacher of all four of my children, but taught me along the way about motherhood, adaptability, the realities of grief, resilience and unconditional love.

What a gift she gave our family.

5.

Sarah McLachlan.

The arts and music inspire me, and every major milestone of my adolescence and adulthood to date has been accompanied by one of Sarah’s heartopening and sharing pieces. [It’s] a soulful soundtrack to my ever-chaotic life.

austinwomanmagazine.com | 59

Glamorous navy sweater dress, $78; Stuart Weitzman Highland over-the-knee boots, $875, available at Nordstrom, 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., 512.691.3500, nordstrom.com; Jen7 gray leggings, $195, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com; Sarra cuff, $78, available at lorenhope.com; Isaac tusk necklace, $325, available at empirestatefinery.com.

60 |  Austin Woman |  january 2016

In order to be a good leader, you must believe in your organization’s mission and purpose. That comes first, and if you are not willing to make the tough decisions and believe you can do it, that you have the skills to do the job, you will not succeed. You have to surround yourself with the best team. I am emblematic of so many people, not just the people who work here, not just our staff, but our volunteers, our donors and our Livestrong Leaders program. At the end of day, the high-level thinking that drove me as a child, which was to institute system change and the ability to invoke change, is where I am going to take our partnerships and create a bold vision and take risk-taking action to get there. I believe in trust, authenticity, flexibility and faith in your staff. That is the way to a productive future if you want to be a leader.

I am married to a doctor who is still commuting to Dallas, and we have four children: twin boys aged 7 and two girls ages 5 and 4. They are the sweetest, happiest children, and it has been a joy to raise them in a philanthropic culture.

They have learned what it means to work in my field, and they see what Daddy does, which is he is a psychiatrist who treats patients that are sick, and what kind of sick. We are very open and talk about it. I do wonder how much to tell them about cancer. They go with me to many fundraising events. At the last Livestrong Challenge a month ago, they were there with their Livestrong gear. When I was at Komen, they would go to races with me. So they grew up with it. I sat down with the boys and said, “Do you understand why we go to these events?” And they said, “Yes, to raise money,” and I said, “What are we raising money for?” And they said, “To help people with cancer.” I said, “Do you know what cancer is?” And, at the age of 6, one of them said, “Yes. It is when the cells in someone’s body are growing way too much and way too fast, and that makes them sick.” All I can say is they must have been hearing a lot of conference calls and absorbed what was being said. As a working mom with that many young children, it is important to me that they understand what I do and that it is important work because it is a fact that my work takes me away from them.

I don’t believe in the term “work-life balance” as most people define it, and maybe that is because of the kind of work or life I have chosen. What I do believe in is having a strong, healthy sense of and awareness of what your worklife intersection is. What that means is that you have to be honest with yourself that it is not going to be balanced. Sometimes, I have to be more focused on my work. For me, it has been helpful not to set it up as work-life balance because that is not an achievable measure. What is the more realistic way to view it? It is like we want to check the box, but that is really holding us to a place where we feel like we’re failing if we don’t have it balanced. I think it is important, regardless of gender, that leaders have certain skills. You should know how to negotiate, to lead courageously and to innovate. Learn whatever it is that you need to do within the role that is assigned and gifted to you. I think it is possible to lead while you recognize and acknowledge that, “I am a mom.” Here at Livestrong, we don’t have rigid policies around times and ways we work. We don’t have a set PTO policy. We come and go and are flexible, not just for moms; that is for everyone. If you need to go let your dog out, that’s OK. We have a lot of faith in each other as a team and a culture, believing that we are going to show up and do the work. I believe in my people and they deserve that trust. I had to fight for it as a female executive climbing the ladder, having four babies in four years in a very contentious political environment. [There are] questions of setting priorities, knowing what they are and understanding that sometimes, it is necessary for one priority to overtake the other, but having hopes that you can reach some kind of equilibrium. Our lives aren’t balanced, for the most part. We have different seasons and times that we ebb and flow. Work-life balance may be a myth or ideal that we don’t necessarily have to hold ourselves to. People define it for themselves as they do because that is where their happiness will come from.

Livestrong, By the Numbers

$23 million-plus

Livestrong Fertility Services provides clients with education about fertility risks and family-building options, and has helped save patients more than $23 million in fertility-preservation costs.

Through November, Livestrong Fertility Services served more than 1,200 men and women, and saved about $6 million in medication, storage and other costs.

100,000-plus

Livestrong Navigation has supported more than 100,000 people through free programs and services, including emotional counseling, insurance management, clinical-trial matching and guidance about treatment options.

Livestrong Navigation is currently serving 45 patients per week in partnership with the Patient Advocate Foundation.

33,000-plus

Livestrong at the YMCA has helped more than 33,000 cancer survivors regain their strength, energy levels, muscle mass and quality of life through a free or low-cost 12-week exercise program. Through the program, there are currently 449 funded sites in 37 states, and eight sites in the greater Austin area.

Living every minute with every ounce of her being is a way of life for Chandini Portteus. A ball of determined energy, she is focused, fierce, smart and strong. Livestrong couldn’t be in better hands, for in the words of its manifesto, “attitude is everything.” austinwomanmagazine.com | 61

chandini Portteus’ Five Things to Consider When Deciding to Support an Organization or Charity

1.

Your personal alignment with the organization’s mission

2.

How transparent the organization is; making sure your money is directly supporting the mission

3.

Whether the leadership team is authentic, both internally and externally

4.

Its performance in the past and if it has a history of showing success in fulfilling its mission

5.

Whether it fulfills unmet needs in the world rather than duplicating work that is already being done

Sachin and Babi Milton skirt, $695; Tassel necklace, $120; Alexis Bittar gold cuff, $225; Alexis Bitter statement ring, $150; Alexander Wang Kendal booties, $595, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com; blouse, model’s own.

62 | Austin Woman | january 2016

Get Involved With Livestrong Facebook: facebook.com/livestrong Instagram: @livestrong Twitter: @livestrong, @portteusc livestrong.org

LET’S

TALK

Join us at our January launch party and meet cover woman Chandini Portteus!

Tuesday, 1/12/16 6-8 pm LIVESTRONG Foundation: 2201 East 6th Street RSVP: austinwomanmagazine.com

fight song How one woman and her viral video are changing the conversation about metastatic breast cancer.

by rachel merriman photos by dustin meyer

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cancer is treatable, the disease itself isn’t curable. While she isn’t hances are that if you’ve logged on to any socialsure about whether she is the first person to use the term, she media website in the last year, you’ve seen a video in which certainly popularized it. a woman silently relays facts about metastatic breast cancer “I don’t associate myself with being a survivor. I will never be by flipping through notecards as Rachel Platten’s hit “Fight free of this cancer. It’s with me for the rest of my life. I had so Song” plays in the background. Holley Kitchen, the Cedar many people reach out to me and say, ‘That’s what I am.’ ‘Lifer’ Park mom and metastatic breast-cancer “lifer,” had no idea was something that I could relate to,” Kitchen says. her video would be viewed more than 50 million times and Kitchen’s Cancer Lifers community page is a glimpse into reach a worldwide audience. her day-to-day life, and she most often shares updates about “I evidently struck a nerve with a lot of people,” Kitchen says. her treatment. The page offers people a way to connect with “[The video] was from my heart. It was things that I didn’t Kitchen, and vice versa. On particularly difficult days, the comknow before my diagnosis that I thought someone walking on ments on her posts lift her spirits. the street would want or need to know about metastatic breast “I try to be as real with my life as possible,” Kitchen says. “I cancer. I think for so long, we have made breast cancer into such post the good and bad days because I want people to know the a survivable disease, and we don’t realize that not everyone surreality. Facebook has made us this June Cleaver world, where vives it. Almost 120 people a day die of metastatic breast cancer.” all you see is the positive, and I don’t believe in that. I believe Before making the video, Kitchen felt like she wanted to do in being real and down-to-earth. I think something to educate people about that’s why so many people have connected metastatic breast cancer, but didn’t “So many cancer patients are with me. When you can touch someone’s know what to do until the idea for a recovering from surgery or heart and they can relate to something, I video surfaced repeatedly during her think that’s huge. That page lifts my spirits daily prayers. She picked up some in the hospital, and they can a lot. I can post something and see people notecards the next time she was at the just pull out their laptop and reaching out. It kind of restores my faith grocery store, and filmed the video on chat with someone. It’s nice in humanity.” her bedroom floor with her iPhone because someone can say, The page also provides a supportive while her husband and two sons played environment for individuals who may not video games in the next room.

‘Hey, I’m starting this drug. have access to local support groups, and “I didn’t carve time out [to make the Does anybody know about it?’ for people who want to give or receive video]; I just sat down at my kitchen And they’ll have someone anadvice and information. table and wrote down what was in my “A lot of people maybe don’t want heart,” she says. “I decided to put it swer. It’s the coolest thing. to form a local support group because to the music of Rachel Platten’s ‘Fight I’m really proud of that.” you’re going to end up losing each other.

Song.’ I’d only heard the song one othNot everyone is a survivor. You have to er time (Another metastatic lifer sister face mortality,” Kitchen says. “Two weeks ago, we lost one of of mine introduced me to it.), and I thought, ‘That would our Pink Ribbon Cowgirls. It’s a crushing blow. … I also think be great.’ ” people are a lot braver behind a computer, and sometimes, Kitchen remembers hoping to get just 1,000 views on they’ll be more open with their feelings than if they were sither video. ting and talking with someone face to face.

“It didn’t take me long [to make the video],” she says, “maybe “So many cancer patients are recovering from surgery or in three tries. I thought, ‘That’ll do. I’ll post it on Facebook. I hope the hospital, and they can just pull out their laptop and chat with 1,000 people see it. That would be really cool.’ ” someone. It’s nice because someone can say, ‘Hey, I’m starting By the next morning, the video had nearly 1 million views, this drug. Does anybody know about it?’ And they’ll have someand quickly captured the attention of local and national media. one answer. It’s the coolest thing. I’m really proud of that.”

Just a week later, Kitchen appeared on Good Morning America.

Kitchen says her main reason for making the video was to “To me, it wasn’t necessarily cool that I was on Good Morning educate people, which is important to her largely because of her America, but that the conversation of metastatic breast cancer own experience. Kitchen was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast canwas being talked about on Good Morning America during the cer at age 39, after finding a lump in her breast while breastfeedsummer, when moms are usually at home,” Kitchen says. “After ing her youngest son. they ran my piece, they actually had an MD there to talk about “I had plenty of lumps before, and they were a clogged milk what metastatic breast cancer is. That was huge for my group.”

Thousands of friend requests to her personal Facebook page in duct. Life was busy and I didn’t think about it [because] I had two kids,” Kitchen remembers. “When I went to go get my mammothe aftermath prompted Kitchen to start a Facebook community gram, the radiologist read the images and she said, ‘On a scale of page, Holley Kitchen: And the Cancer Lifers, which has more one to 10, you’re like a 12. We know this is cancer.’ Cancer hadn’t than 18,000 likes. Kitchen describes herself as a “lifer” rather even entered my mind; it was not even a possibility for me.” than a survivor to reflect the fact that while metastatic breast

66 | Austin Woman | january 2016

austinwomanmagazine.com |  67

no female organs in my body and my breast cancer came back.

Afterward, Kitchen underwent six months of chemotherapy There’s an educational gap that needs to be bridged.” and 26 grueling rounds of radiation therapy, followed by a double In her video, Kitchen also addresses the conversation, or lack mastectomy, hysterectomy and a reconstruction surgery she thereof, about metastatic breast cancer, holding up two cards describes as very difficult. The cancer came back about a year that read, “People don’t like to talk about metastatic breast canlater. This time, Kitchen was diagnosed with metastatic, or Stage 4, cer…because it is frightening!” breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer occurs when breast cancer Of some of the more well-known breast-cancer organizations, spreads beyond the breast to other organs in the body, most comKitchen notes, “They love to talk about their survivors, but they monly to the brain, bones, liver and lungs. Currently, there is no don’t want to talk about their lifers [because] we don’t have a cure for metastatic breast cancer, and treatment focuses on managhappy ending.” ing the disease’s progression and improving In addition to a lack of conversation, patients’ quality of life. “ I think for so long, we there’s also a lack of funding for metastatic “When my doctor came back into the room breast-cancer research: The Metastatic and said to me, ‘It’s back, and it’s in your have made breast cancer Breast Cancer Network estimates that just 5 bones,’ I was like, ‘Oh, do I have bone cancer into such a survivable percent of breast-cancer-research fundnow?’ She had to walk me through what disease, and we don’t ing is specifically dedicated to metastatic metastatic breast cancer was, and that didn’t breast cancer. Metavivor, another organizafeel good to me. The word ‘cancer’ already realize that not everyone tion dedicated to metastatic breast-cancer has so many unknowns associated with it, so survives it. Almost 120 awareness and research, puts that number it was even more uncomfortable and unnervpeople a day die of metaat only 2 percent. By comparison, 30 pering for me,” Kitchen says. static breast cancer.” cent of breast-cancer patients who are Stage Education helps breast-cancer patients 1, 2 or 3 will metastasize. and the general public better understand “My question is why? Ninety-nine pera disease that affects so many of us. Breast cent of patients die from metastatic breast cancer,” Kitchen says. cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second“What if they came up with the drug to turn the light switch leading cause of cancer death in women. off and make the cancer go to sleep? We call it ‘no evidence of “I feel like education is the key. [After the video,] I had people reach out and say, ‘Gosh, I never knew that,’ or, ‘Wow, that’s what disease.’ We all ache for hearing that. It’s difficult to achieve, but it’s possible. I want to make a change so more people want to my aunt died of and I never understood it,’ or, ‘I’m 2 1/2 years find that drug.” post-breast cancer and I’ve never had a checkup. Do you think By making hers the face of more than 155,000 metastatic I need one?’ That makes my head spin, and not in a good way,” breast-cancer lifers living in the United States, Kitchen has beKitchen says. “I’m shocked that any oncologist would not folcome one of the change-makers who is sure to make a difference. low up with a breast-cancer patient, but maybe that patient just “I mean, the statistics are not in our favor. We don’t like to talk kept canceling their appointments, thinking, ‘Well, I don’t have about them in our group. They’re there, and we know they’re breasts. I can’t get breast cancer.’ Well, I thought that too. I had

Holley Kitchen’s Impact on Austin Women “Her faith, devotion and love of life and family are something I have always admired. While fighting her own battle and not always feeling the best, she’s constantly thinking of how to help others. Her determination to help educate other women so they do not have to experience what she has had to endure is inspiring. We should all be blessed to have someone like Holley put into perspective what’s really important.”

–Terri Gruca, anchor, KVUE-TV “Holley Kitchen is my friend who changed the world in a matter of months. She has given Stage 4 breastcancer patients a voice, a sisterhood and, more importantly, awareness that more research is desperately needed to stop cancer in its tracks. Now let’s put some action behind Holley’s message.”

–Cherie B. Mathews, founder, healincomfort

“My husband and I lost a daughter-in-law to MBC this year, so I am personally invested in this issue. Holley has opened the dialogue and helped create a broader awareness of metastatic breast cancer. Her willingness to share her story is generous and courageous. Education of the issues surrounding breast cancer is a top goal, and MBC, in particular, is a high priority for Susan G. Komen Austin. This year alone, as an affiliate network, Komen will commit 50 percent of its grant funding specifically to metastatic breast-cancer research.”

–Karen Shultz, interim executive director, Susan G. Komen Austin “My dear friend Holley is a wife, a mother and a cancer lifer, but above all, she is an inspiration. She has turned the fight of her life into a powerful message and inspired thousands across the country. That is just the kind of person Holley is, and I am truly blessed to call her my friend.”

–Kendra Scott, owner, Kendra Scott Jewelry

68 | Austin Woman | january 2016

there. They’re always in the back of our minds,” Kitchen says. “But what if we could make a shift? What if we can change statistics? It’s kind of starting to happen. I’m excited for my friends. I’m excited because maybe we can make a change. I’m excited because there are people out there that are noticing our group.”

A large part of Kitchen’s video is dedicated to the unintentionally insensitive comments people have made to her, such as, “But you look so healthy,” and, “You will beat this.”

“People are just trying to help, and maybe I shouldn’t have pointed out the ridiculous things people say to us with cancer, but that part [of the video] is also why a lot of people connected with me,” Kitchen explains. “I think it stems from people thinking they need to say the right thing. Instead of saying, ‘It sucks what you’re going through,’ people want to try and smooth it over and make it better, but there’s no way to make it better.”

So, what can someone do to really help a metastatic breast-cancer lifer?

“Offer a meal or two. Offer babysitting. Offer a night out where you don’t have to talk about cancer. And when you offer help, mean it! When you say you’re going to pray for me, actually do it. You learn who is full of hot air quickly,” Kitchen says with a laugh.

Making a donation to organizations that support metastatic breast-cancer research is another way to help, but make sure to do your research beforehand. Kitchen stresses the importance of knowing exactly where your money is going when you buy an item from a company that donates a percentage of its proceeds to any kind of breast-cancer research.

“Before you give a dollar of your money to anyone or buy something pink in a store, find out where your money is going. There are a lot of marketing machines out there who are making money off my disease,” Kitchen says.

Despite her lightning-fast rise to Internet fame and her newfound role in the metastatic breast-cancer community, Kitchen is exceedingly normal and down-to-earth.

“My kids have no idea. In my home, I’m still just Mom. They humble me quickly,” Kitchen says.

Most of us strive to create balance between the different facets of our lives—career, family, friends, hobbies—and Kitchen is no different, except that cancer is now one of those facets.

“I want to say I’m Mom first, but unless I continue to be the cancer fighter, I’ll lose the struggle of Mom,” Kitchen says. “It’s a continuous learning curve for me. I’m learning that it really should be a triangle. My marriage needs to be there along with cancer and my children.

“Parenting is by far the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, and you throw cancer in there, it’s like a cruel joke, and then mortality on top of that. The sandwich we’re making is a really crappy one. Although it sounds tacky, I try to compare myself to someone that has it worse than I do because there’s always a worse case than me. If you’re up and walking and alive, there’s always someone that has it worse than you. It’s all about gaining perspective on your own struggle.”

Describing herself as a planner by nature, Kitchen says breast cancer has forced her to slow down and take everything day by day. Most importantly, she tries every single day to make a memory that her kids will remember once she’s gone.

“Sometimes that memory is huge, like when we go to iFly [indoor skydiving]. That’s huge to them,” she says. “And sometimes, it’s little, like when I do the same thing every night when I tuck them into bed. I kiss them good night and I say, ‘No matter what…’ and they respond, ‘Mommy loves me.’ It’s kind of like Pavlov’s dog and the ringing of the bell. I want it to be instinctual to them, so no matter who says that, their brain will go to me. So even if it’s my husband saying that to them, they’ll say, ‘Mommy loves me.’ It’s probably the selfish part of me that wants that, but…it still chokes me up. I should be used to it by now.

“I have these little patterns that I do every day, and cancer has blessed me with that. A lot of people take that for granted. They don’t realize that at the blink of an eye, life can end.

Cancer has given me that glimpse. I can pause a little bit now and do those things. I don’t ever want to say I’m thankful for cancer, but it’s a double-edged sword.”

Watch Holley Kitchen’s video at youtube.com/watch?v=QDQ0FjP7J-c.

Support Holley kitchen’s Mission

Ten Things to Know About Metastatic Breast Cancer 1. It’s treatable, but not curable. Treatment for metastatic breast cancer is lifelong and is focused on managing the progression of the disease and quality of life.

2. It’s also known as Stage 4 breast cancer, and is a condition in which cancer cells spread to other parts of the body, most commonly the liver, lungs, brain and bones.

3. It currently affects about 155,000 Americans.

4. The disease causes about 40,000 deaths in the U.S. annually.

5. It is initially diagnosed in 6 to 10 percent of people.

6. The disease will be rediagnosed in 20 to 30 percent of people initially diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.

7. It can arise months or years after a person completes Stage 1, 2 or 3 breast cancer.

three different forms ,

8. It comes in

or sub-types, which can affect individual treatment plans.

9. It can be diagnosed in men and young people too.

facebook.com/holleykitchencancerlifer

10. It is supported by

@holley_kitchen #lifer

of breast-cancer-research funding.

Read more about resources for metastatic breast cancer at austinwomanmagazine.com.

only 2 to 5 percent

austinwomanmagazine.com | 69

Holley Kitchen, Texas Oncology Patient

FIGHT CANCER next to the comforts of home.

You don’t have to travel to get the cancer-fighting treatment you need.

Texas Oncology has more than 400 physicians who bring leading-edge technology and research to more than 165 locations across Texas, so you can fight cancer with your loved ones by your side.

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GOURMET Pop Stars

Since it first popped into the mainstream in the late 1800s, popcorn has transitioned from an indulgent treat to a healthconscious staple of the American snack-food industry.

Photo courtesy of Cornucopia.

by Emily Gibson

People were munching on popcorn long before the advent of the movie screen and the microwave. In fact, popcorn was first cultivated thousands of years ago but didn’t get popular until the late 1800s. Once it took off in the U.S., popcorn became a popular snack found at circuses and fairs, but not in theaters. That’s because theaters at that time were adorned with ornate decorations and expensive rugs. The thought of kernels being ground into the carpet was reason enough to keep the snack food away from auditoriums. Hesitantly and after some time passed, the salted, buttery popcorn that has become a moviegoer staple was introduced to the cinematic experience. By 1950, movies and popcorn were a couple.

But all popcorn isn’t created equally. In addition to kernels that leave us with oily fingertips, there is a variety of healthy snacking popcorns out there that are light and easy to take on the go. austinwomanmagazine.com | 71

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OURMET

In Season

National Popcorn Brands

Did You Know?

SmartFood

3T he unpopped kernels at the bottom of the popcorn bag have a name: old maids.

SmartFood has been popping since 1985. According to 2013 data from Information Resources Inc., Smartfood is America’s No.-1-selling popcorn brand.

It advertises air-popped kernels made with real white-cheddar cheese that “doesn’t glow in the dark.” smartfood.com Redenbacher’s “You’ll like it better or my name isn’t Orville Redenbacher.” We’re all familiar with the promising phrase spoken by Redenbacher’s founder. The company’s SmartPop! popcorn line touts only 100 calories for every 6 cups of popcorn gobbled. orville.com

3T he scientific name for popcorn is “zea mays everta.”

3C harles Cretors invented the first commercial popcorn machine in Chicago in 1885.

3P opcorn was a popular snack during the Great Depression because it sold for 5 or 10 cents a bag. While many industries met their demise in the Depression, the popcorn world was just popping up.

FOR FOODIES Make popcorn a delicacy with Swift’s Attic’s signature dessert, Popcorn & a Movie. Dig into this decadent display of butter-popcorn gelato, house-made candy bar, caramel corn and an oozy, delicious root-beer gel for the perfect combination of salty and sweet.

Swift’s Attic, 315 Congress Ave.

3 Americans eat enough popcorn per year to fill the Empire State Building 18 times.

3 “ Popcorn” is not solely the name of the snack food. It is also the name of the grain that puffs up when heat is applied to it. It is the only grain that responds to heat this way.

Angie’s BoomChickaPop Founded in a Minnesota garage, BoomChickaPop is now sold nationwide.

Marketed as popcorn for the health conscious, the brand offers gluten-free and non-GMO popcorns in flavors such as sea salt, white cheddar, and sweet and spicy. boomchickapop.com Pop Weaver Pop Weaver was founded in 1928 and is now a top-selling microwave-popcorn brand.

Want to feel fancy? Try Pop Weaver’s new Parmesan with Italian herbs and garlic flavor. popweaver.com

Cornucopia’s s’mores popcorn

National Popcorn Day is Jan. 19. How will you celebrate?

Cornucopia Popcorn Creations Cornucopia first set up shop on Red River Street in 2008. It offers more than 30 popcorn flavors, ranging from amaretto almond and sopapilla to dill pickle and cheesy caramel. cornucopiapopcorn.com

Austin Gourmet Popcorn

SkinnyPop

Reel Popcorn

Austin Gourmet Popcorn offers more than 70 popcorn flavors. The tastes range from original buttered popcorn to birthday cake, coconut curry and Sriracha lime.

The shop also makes a popcorn titled Dirty 6th, a combination of sweet kettle corn flavored with hardwood-smoked sea salt. How’s that for a hometown touch? austingourmetpopcorn.com

SkinnyPop specializes in natural, gluten-free popcorn made from whole-grain kernels and sunflower oil. One standard cup of popcorn is about 39 calories, on average. skinnypop.com

Reel Popcorn offers sizes ranging from 5-cup snack bags to 6-gallon extralarge bags. The popcorn is also sold at University of Texas football games, in iPic Theaters, at the St. David’s Medical Center gift shop and in several markets and bars throughout town. reelpopcornaustin.com

72 | Austin Woman | january 2016

Photos courtesy of their respective companies.

AUSTIN-BASED POPCORN BRANDS

Monday, February 1st!

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OURMET

staff picks

Out Of the Office

A magazine team, a photographer and more than a few hearty appetites arrive at a restaurant. Here’s what happens when The League Kitchen & Tavern lets them in.

By april cumming, photos by dustin meyer It was a chilly morning in early December as the Austin Woman staff huddled together around the mahogany table inside.

It was the start of the workweek, and therefore, the start of our weekly office meeting. Everything was going as planned.

Everything, that is, except for one thing: We all ordered brunch.

A short 20-minute road trip from the office landed our team at The League Kitchen & Tavern in Lakeway, situated in a shopping center off RM 620.

The dimly lit, dark-wood interiors quickly made up for the establishment’s easy-to-miss exterior. Causal with a classy if not old-timey touch and with nightly wine pairings and beer specials, The League is a place to bring family or a date, or, in our case, the entire office staff.

Morning meetings are a time for the AW staff to sit down and share satirical stories, to update one another on what we’re working on. They’re a time for us to look each other in the eye and remind ourselves of our mission statement. This morning, we just happened to add mimosas to that mission.

74 | Austin Woman | january 2016

Staff Picks Emily, Editor Order: Pecan-crusted French toast Thoughts: “This dish was unmistakably Texan. Pecans are one of my favorite foods, so the pecan crusting on the French toast made it that much better.”

April, Associate Editor Order: Breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese and bacon, and a side of fruit Thoughts: “The best part of this breakfast combo, besides the bacon, was the bread: so light and pillowy.”

Shawnee, COO and General Manager Order: Breakfast tacos Thoughts: “My breakfast tacos were perfect. Everything from the proportion to the taste was spot-on.”

Jessica, Account Executive Order: Huevos rancheros Thoughts: “The huevos rancheros were delicioso! The presentation was fantastic, the potatoes were like little bites of happiness and my coffee was perfect.”

Katie, Account Executive Order: Breakfast sandwich with bacon and a side of sausage Thoughts: “I had to miss the brunch, but I got the leftovers later that day and I think everyone else was a little jealous because it smelled so good!”

niki JOnes, Creative director Order: Truffle honey chicken and biscuit Thoughts: “I love chicken and biscuits, so once I saw jalapeños and truffles added to the mix, I was sold, and was not disappointed. I would order this again in a heartbeat.”

Melinda, Publisher Order: Bacon-wrapped shrimp and grits Thoughts: “Who doesn’t like anything with bacon? I would have this dish for any meal—brunch, lunch or dinner—you name it.”

Maggie, Operations and Marketing Manager Order: Breakfast tacos with flour tortillas Thoughts: “The best part of brunch is always the mimosas, and I give these an A-plus.”

austinwomanmagazine.com | 75

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OURMET

new to austin

Next Course

Anticipation grows for Paul Qui’s exclusive new restaurant, Otoko.

By april cumming You’ve possibly already heard the eager, enthusiastic rumors about Paul Qui’s new 12-seat restaurant, Otoko. If you haven’t, don’t feel left out. Exclusivity is part of the Top Chef- and James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef’s plan for his überintimate establishment.

Photo by Jesse Herman.

Located inside the recently opened South Congress Hotel, Otoko is Chef Qui’s follow-up to his nationally acclaimed restaurant, Qui. Without even providing a sampling, it has already garnered the attention of Food & Wine Magazine, which named the soon-to-open space on its November 2015 list of five super-tiny nationwide restaurants to try now.

Otoko will focus on elevating the connection between the consumer and the kitchen, and emphasize a chef-selected, sushi-centered menu with multiple courses, blending Tokyo-style sushi with Kyoto-style kaiseki.

Originally slated to open this month, as of press date, the restaurant has been pushed to open in early 2016. Reservations will be available through a ticketed reservation system. otokoaustin.com

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Recipe Reveal

All Dressed Up

Recharge your resolutions with a trio of light but luxe salad dressings.

By Emily C. Laskowski Lemon, ginger and parsley are just some of the refreshing flavors comprising three of Lake Austin Spa Resort’s cleanest and most sought-after salad dressings. Executive Chef Stéphane Beaucamp revealed his secrets to these satisfying yet scalefriendly culinary creations, and the proof is in the dressing.

“Everyone thinks salads are a low-calorie, healthy-eating option, but as we all know, the danger is in the dressing that usually gets doused on all the fresh lettuce and vegetables,” Beaucamp says. “At the spa, we’re all about flavor, and when you have a freshly made, flavorful dressing, you don’t need as much.”

Less is more with these simple yet bold concoctions that will leave your weight-loss worries back in 2015.

Green Goddess Dressing

Sesame Citrus Dressing

Lemon-Agave Vinaigrette

Makes about 2 cups

Makes about 2 cups

Makes about 1 1/2 cups

Serving size: 1 tablespoon

Serving size: 1 tablespoon

Serving size: 1 tablespoon

Nutritional info per serving: 25 calories, 2 grams of fat, trace of carbs, 1 gram of protein, gluten-free

Nutritional info per serving: 65 calories, 7 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbs, trace of protein, dairy-free, gluten-free

Nutritional info per serving: 80 calories, 8 grams of fat, 3 grams of carbs, dairy-free, gluten-free

1/2 cup buttermilk

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup light mayonnaise

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/2 cup fat-free sour cream

1/2 cup rice vinegar

2 tablespoons light agave syrup

1/2 cup goat cheese

1/4 cup orange juice concentrate, thawed

2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons gluten-free soy sauce (Lake Austin recommends Tamari)

1 cup grapeseed oil

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon anchovy paste 1/4 cup chives, minced 1/4 cup parsley, minced 1/4 cup tarragon, minced 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon tarragon vinegar 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon honey 1/2 tablespoon garlic, minced 1/2 tablespoon ginger, peeled and minced 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark sesame oil

Directions: Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and pulse a few times until the mixture pulls together and then puree until smooth.

Serve immediately or refrigerate until needed.

Directions: Heat the sesame seeds in a small, dry skillet over medium heat until lightly toasted, about two minutes, then set aside.

Whisk together the rice vinegar and the next five ingredients in a medium bowl. Add the grapeseed oil and sesame oil, and whisk until smooth.

Whisk in toasted sesame seeds before serving.

HT astes great on a bed of romaine, cucumber

HT astes great on a bed of arugula, mango,

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions: Combine the lemon juice, light agave syrup and white-wine vinegar in a blender and puree until smooth. With the blender running, add the grapeseed oil in a slow, steady stream until the mixture is emulsified. Add the salt and pulse to blend.

HT astes great on a bed of butter lettuce, orange, avocado, tomato and roasted corn.

cucumber and radish.

Photos courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort.

and avocado.

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

78 | Austin Woman | january 2016

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W

ellness

health

A Mindful Approach to 2016

Replace your New Year’s resolutions with mindfulness techniques that last a lifetime.

By Jill Case Mindfulness: You’ve probably heard the term, but maybe you’re not so sure what it means. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as “the practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental state of heightened or complete awareness of one’s thoughts, emotions or experiences on a moment-to-moment basis.” For more clarification, Austin Woman talked to Jiovann Carrasco, the founder and clinical director of the Austin Mindfulness Center.

Austin Woman: How do you define mindfulness?

Jiovann Carrasco: Mindfulness is approaching your present moment with openness, nonjudgment and a sense of curiosity.

We’re usually in our heads most of the time, ruminating about the past or worrying about the future, and neither of these times actually exists except in the form of memories or anticipation.

The only time that ever exists is the present moment, so mindfulness is a way of orienting to the present moment without needing anything to change and or needing to get somewhere else.

AW: How can mindfulness help people with stress?

JC: Worrying about what’s going to happen, when the next shoe is going to drop is very stressful.

Living in your head is very stressful. Our minds love to problem solve, analyze and plan and have everything figured out, and the past and the future provide endless opportunities for these kinds of mental activities. After a while, it starts to take a toll.

Mindfulness is a different kind of mental activity in the form of pure awareness or just being. The more your mind becomes acquainted with this open space of awareness, the easier it is to orient to it in stressful times or in crisis. If you can think of that mindful state as a kind of resource or as a capacity for you to be with painful thoughts or emotions and to be able to disconnect with the content of what’s causing that stress and to be able to rest in that open space of awareness, that in and of itself helps to reduce stress.

80 | Austin Woman | january 2016

AW: Some studies show mindfulness can help with health concerns, such as heart issues, blood pressure, sleep problems, gastrointestinal problems. Is this true?

JC: All of those conditions that you mentioned are issues that are also affected by high levels of stress. For example, stress increases the risk of heart disease by 40 percent, so anything that’s going to help reduce stress is going to have a positive effect in these areas, and mindfulness just happens to be one of the most highly recommended health choices for reducing stress.

AW: Is there a mindful way to approach chronic pain?

JC: Jon Kabat-Zinn, who ran a chronic pain clinic at UMass, wrote the book Full Catastrophe Living, which specifically deals with how we judge our pain and how the relationship we create with that pain can be transformed into one of mindful acceptance.

While it’s not a cure for chronic pain, it can highly reduce the additional pain that’s created from struggling with it. It changes your relationship to what’s there. It doesn’t do a lot of good to struggle with that pain because struggling with it only makes it worse, so it teaches a way of developing an openness and acceptance toward it. Acceptance doesn’t mean we want it—we’re not tricking ourselves into liking that pain—but it just becomes a part of our present-moment experience, so when we’re opening up to that and making space for it, we don’t have to deal with the pain that comes with the struggle.

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AW: Other than stress, is there any way mindfulness helps with other mental-health issues, such as depression?

JC: If we think about mental illness in terms of psychological flexibility, mental-health issues like depression and anxiety, those are characterized by psychologically inflexible behavior, so what mindfulness does is create psychological flexibility. By noticing our thoughts and feelings and physical sensations without avoiding them, then we can skillfully choose more healthy ways of responding. As we avoid feelings of anxiety or fear, we have to be on guard, we have to be tense, we might have to limit the places that we go or the people that we talk to, so it has this limiting or restrictive effect on our lives, and that is what is not healthy. It’s not the feeling itself; it’s the behaviors that you do to cope with the fear, causing our behavioral repertoire to narrow. Mindfulness helps us loosen up and start to let go of old habits so we can stretch into more life-expanding ways.

Mindfulness is not about thinking. Thinking is one way that our mind works. Most of the time, our mind is in thinking mode. Our brain is problem solving and planning and analyzing and figuring things out and rationalizing, so most of the time, that’s what our mind is doing.

But there’s this whole other part of our mind that can just be aware of whatever is there without having to react to it. You can have anxiety and still do something that’s scary. If you’re controlled by anxiety, then that’s psychologically inflexible because you can’t behave outside of those feelings or thoughts. Mindfulness helps to open up opportunities to be able to do things that, even though you’re anxious, are important to you. It’s having that anxiety and doing it anyway.

“Mindfulness helps us loosen up and start to let go of old habits.”

AW: It’s really interesting that you say mindfulness is not about thinking because the word itself sounds like it’s about thinking, but actually, it’s the opposite.

JC: That’s because the thinking part of our mind is the only part that we’re really familiar with, and mindfulness develops that “observer self.” Until you practice it and get really acquainted with mindfulness, it seems like that’s all [the] mind does is think, so we’re always looking through our thoughts instead of looking at them. Mindfulness allows us to be able to look at our thoughts so that there’s a separation between our thoughts and us. That separation is what frees us up to move in valued directions, regardless of what thoughts or feelings may be coming up.

[

Mindful Eating Austin Woman: What can you tell us about mindful eating?

Jiovann Carrasco: Healthy eating and mindful eating are not necessarily synonymous. They often go hand in hand, but you can eat a doughnut mindfully. It’s just about being fully present to the experience of eating. You could also include consumption, in general, so being mindful about your food choices and being mindful about what your body is eating and your body’s hunger cues. The reason it can be helpful for losing weight is that for many people, eating isn’t just about nourishment; it’s about seeking comfort or avoiding pain. Food can be used to cover up unpleasant emotions, so then it becomes more like a drug, and when we use food as drugs, we go for the hard stuff—cookies, chips, muffins, sodas. And since the purpose is to make the feeling go away, people eat until the pain is gone or alleviated, not necessarily until they are full, and so, this emotional eating, as it’s often called, leads to overeating because you’re not doing it to satisfy physical hunger; you’re doing it to satisfy emotional pain.

And that takes longer, so people have a tendency to overeat.

So mindful eating requires that you be present with whatever unpleasant feelings that you might be having instead of covering them up with food, so when your body is actually hungry, you can listen to what it needs to sustain energy and vitality. You can be mindful about the foods you consume and be present with the whole experience of eating, including all five senses, savoring every bit of it, having a sense of gratitude for that sustenance. I wouldn’t say that it’s a weight-loss solution, but if you develop mindfulness, you can apply that to anything that you do: eating, driving a car, brushing your teeth, meditation. Mindfulness is a way of approaching whatever’s in your external and internal environment, so it’s just another way of approaching food.

Austin Woman: What advice do you have for someone who wants to try mindfulness?

Jiovann Carrasco: People feel that they have to know a lot about it before they start doing it, but that’s not the case. I would recommend downloading a mindfulness app. Sit down and follow the instructions. One I like a lot is called Headspace. You don’t have to read tons of books on mindfulness before you try it. We also have guided meditations on our website that people can stream or download. We also offer classes throughout the year, as well as a half-day Mindfulness Bootcamp. You can find all that on our website, and if you subscribe to our newsletter, we’ll keep you posted. As an added bonus, you’ll get a Five-Day Mindfulness Challenge. In early 2016, we are launching Follow Your BREATH [mindful of body, relationships, emotions, attending to the present moment, thoughts, habits], a six-week online mindfulness course, and we will be doing a live version here in Austin.

austinwomanmagazine.com | 83

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fitness

Working Out Is in Full Bloom

Former Austin Woman cover woman Eloise DeJoria unveils her new activewear collection.

By Emily C. Laskowski

DeJoria leads an active life. She, like many women, tries to balance work, family and a healthy lifestyle. Bouncing from one activity to another prompted DeJoria’s idea for activewear that could go the distance— in style. The material she chose for her collection of tops, tanks, rash guards and leggings is quick-drying and contains an ultraviolet protection factor of 50-plus sun protection. DeJoria put this magic material to the test on a family vacation.

“It was full protection, meaning no sun damage for me, but cute,” says DeJoria, who wore it in the water, to eat lunch, at the gym and while out and about with her family.

“It still showed my shape, but no cellulite, which was just so relaxing for me.”

DeJoria also wanted something she could wear when running (sometimes literally) to a casual business or charity meeting.

“I’ll have meetings with clients and say, ‘Hey, let’s jog or walk while doing some business,’ which is great when I don’t have extra time in the day for my own workout,” she says.

For active women, the flexible workout-to-meeting style of DeJoria’s line saves time and stress.

The collection, which comes in bright, happy hues with names like Sea Foam Spin and Purple Posies, is perfect for exercise, including yoga, running and walking, swimming and surfing.

“I wanted to create something useful, but that also had a feminine touch,” DeJoria says, noting that cute clothes in upbeat colors often get people excited about working out, and thereby making healthier choices. “Great health improves the spirit, body and mind; it’s all so tied together. I’m so aware of how good I feel when I exercise.”

The new Eloise DeJoria activewear line is available at eloisedejoria.com.

84 | Austin Woman | january 2016

Eloise DeJoria’s Weekly Workouts

Eloise DeJoria’s Favorite Foods

Every day: Neighborhood walks

Her post-workout breakfast: Egg whites or one hard-boiled egg white and one slice of healthy bread

Every other day: Spin class Twice a week: Pilates “The goal is 10,000 steps. Doesn’t always happen, of course. But walking, for me, keeps 4 pounds off!”

Her treat: One gluten-free pancake with maple syrup Her go-to snack: Popcorn (GMO-free) “I’m always looking for healthier snacks or meals, but I also always eat one fun food/ weakness daily.”

Photo by Brooke Dombroski.

Eloise DeJoria tries to walk 10,000 steps every day. Health is a priority for DeJoria, who graced the cover of Austin Woman in August 2005, and recently launched her own activewear line. Adorned with patterns inspired by the flowers in her Malibu garden and proudly made in the U.S., with premium Italian fabrics, these are not your basic black yoga pants.

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memo from JB

Leader Of the Pack

Be an alpha parent with tips from a dog book.

By JB Hager My wife and I are pet lovers, but we have always had unruly dogs, the kind that lunge, growl at strangers and dominate the house. Years ago, we added to our stable a pet pig, who is bossy, grumpy and doesn’t listen to a word we say. We always wrote it off as rescue animals that must have had bad lives before we got them, or that they are just wired that way.

Our daughter just turned 14, and it sometimes feels the same way. The house revolves around her. We’re not in charge and we’re wondering what the heck happened because the rescue-adoption scenario doesn’t apply.

Fast-forward to one month ago, when we sold our home, moved into something temporary and had to displace our animals with friends and family. We got reports back that seem too good to be true. Our large, aggressive dog is with a friend who is now taking her to dog parks, the trail or to a restaurant—things we were never able to do. My sister reports that our pet pig is sweet, follows her around the yard, comes in the house at night and has no accidents inside. Our jaws are on the floor.

Our temporary house has no fenced-in yard, so we have found ourselves walking the little dog several times a day, training him, working on barking at birds or whatever seems to set the yappy little guy into a rage.

My epiphany: They all got some training, some discipline, stricter boundaries and they are all doing better. We were the problem all this time. I felt like an idiot. The more important realization was that the same attention and boundaries for animals apply to kids as well. It’s the same damn thing!

At some point, I rushed to the kitchen junk drawer to get a pamphlet that one of the numerous dog trainers through the years had left us. It’s called Leader of the Pack. It’s about a 10-minute read.

It includes simple principles and rules to get your dog to consider you the leader. As I read through it again, I did one simple thing: I replaced the word “dog” with “kid(s)” and the words “alpha dog” with “parent(s).” Here’s what happened.

Kids operate on a social structure of rank, a hierarchy. If your kid leads you, then you follow. When it comes time to command the kid, she won’t take you seriously if she believes she is No 1.

Your kid should earn everything, work for a living just like we do. If she learns to earn, then she won’t expect everything for free.

Never let your kid bite you. If your kid puts her teeth on you, give her a sharp verbal correction (“Eh-eh” or “No”) and then disengage for a few hours.

Control all entertainment resources. If at any time your kid protects a toy or tries to control the situation, remove the toy and put it away for the day.

Continue obedience training throughout your kid’s life. It should be a part of a daily routine.

Have her move out of your way a few times a day. If your kid is lying down in a hallway, walk through her by gently shuffling your feet until she gets up and moves.

Kids want us to step up as the pack leader. Kids instinctually know who is strong and who can best lead them. A parent is concerned for the pack, not for himself. It’s an unselfish role and an instinctual role, just like human parenting.

Control access to all openings. This forces your kid to look up at you for guidance, checking in to see what is next.

Always make your kid complete a few commands before letting her go.

Reward your kid if she responds the right away.

Do not let your kid jump on you or others, ever. It is a very rude way of greeting and is also associated with dominance.

Do not let your kid take positions above you. Kids have a literal sense of hierarchy. If she is up, looking down at you, she will feel more dominant.

The parent should never let that happen unless it is invited.

86 | Austin Woman | january 2016

You need to earn your kid’s trust, loyalty, love and respect before she will look to you as her leader, and you do this by giving her clear boundaries, rules, limitations and conditioning good behavior.

As much as this little experiment pained me to discover, it is absolutely true. I have been failing as a leader for most of my life. This silly little pamphlet is now my guidebook and constant reminder, not just for our pets, but also for our daughter.

2016 is the year I finally become the leader of the pack! (Cue Indiana Jones music!)

Photo courtesy of JB Hager.

Why we need to be the leader of the pack:

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I Am Austin Woman

An Austinite in Paris

One Austin woman relives that terrifying night in the City of Light. story and photo by Ashley Adams

It was a Friday evening in Paris, and my sister and I had gotten dressed to the nines. I had arrived with two suitcases just five days earlier to embark on the next chapter of my life. The company I worked for in Austin transferred me to our headquarters in Paris for a two-year expat assignment. My dreams had come true. I was actually an American living and working in Paris.

My sister, Lauren, had flown to Paris with me to help with the move, and we were excited to spend that first Friday evening with a few of my new colleagues at dinner, maybe dancing, wherever the night would take us. We called an Uber from the hotel before noticing a group of guests glued to the TV screen in the lobby. I glanced at the television but couldn’t make out exactly what was going on. At that moment, one of my dearest friends sent a text, “Are you all right?”

As a native Austinite having just moved 5,000 miles from my hometown, family and friends, I thought she was just checking up on my general well-being. I responded, “Yes! Getting ready to go out for the night!” She quickly texted back that a shooting had taken place in the 11th district.

“Your Uber has arrived,” my phone flashed.

In the United States, crazed shootings had unfortunately started to feel all too common, and this shooting was in what I knew to be an already volatile

district. So without much thought, my sister and I stepped out in our sequins and headed downtown, into the City of Light. We were planning out our whole night— where we might go, what we might eat—when my phone started to flood with calls, texts and Facebook messages. “Please tell me you’re safe,” friends demanded. This was not just another shooting.

We were standing on a corner in the beautiful 8th arrondissment, near the Champs-Élysées, overlooking the sparkling Eiffel Tower, and just miles away from us, hostages were being held at the Bataclan. Taxi lights switched immediately from green to red. Every Uber I requested canceled. We started to panic. How would we get back to the hotel? By the grace of God, a lone Uber driver somehow became available and delivered us home before he too headed home.

We hugged each other, called our family and friends in Austin and spent the rest of the evening watching the tragedy unfold from the safety of our hotel room.

Experiencing this worldwide tragedy firsthand will be something I never forget. But as someone born and raised in Austin, a town with a unique cultural identity of its own, it was the resiliency of the French and their willingness to disregard hate and continue to live life as fully and beautifully as ever that struck me to the core. Even as the next week progressed, people came out of their houses, played Pétanque on the Seine, drank wine in bistros and danced again. Those who were lost are mourned, but the spirit of this city will never be dimmed.

Austin Woman features a reader-submitted essay every month in the I Am Austin Woman column.

To be considered for March’s I Am Austin Woman, email a 500-word submission on a topic of your choice by Feb. 1 to submissions@awmediainc.com with the subject line “I Am Austin Woman.”

88 | Austin Woman | january 2016

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Austin Woman MAGAZINE | january 2016

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Meet our most luxurious Volvo ever. Bold, harmonious design, pure uncluttered luxury, intuitive technologies, advanced safety features, and comfort for seven.

Every element works in harmony, made from the finest materials—like soft leather, and grainy wood. With unique details like a crystal gearshift lever and ventilated front seats inspired by the human form with massage functions and four-way electric lumbar support.

Every innovation we make is designed to simplify and improve your life. We're especially proud of our advances in efficient power, connectivity and safety. We call our thinking in these areas: Drive-E, Sensus and IntelliSafe.

Roger Beasley Volvo

Volvo of Georgetown

6375 Hwy. 290 East

7501 S. IH-35 (Exit 257)

(512) 452-0266

• 1-800-278-6586 volvoaustin.com

(512) 930-2111 volvogeorgetown.com

©2015 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. The Iron Mark is a registered trademark of Volvo.

“Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” —L.M. Montgomery

THE ALL-NEW 2016 VOLVO XC90