Bella Magazine - January 2015

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january 2015

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January 2015 | Issue One Hundred Three

Joey Coakley Beck Publisher & Owner

jbeck@beckmediagroup.com

Hayleigh Worgan Editorial Director

hworgan@beckmediagroup.com

Sara Coakley Office Manager

bella@beckmediagroup.com

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Cheryl Matthews Sales Director

cmatthews@beckmediagroup.com

Advertising Inquiries advertise@beckmediagroup.com bella@beckmediagroup.com (540) 904-6800

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Contributors Stacey Brugh, Centra Health, Decca Knight, Member One Federal Credit Union, Tanya Ritz, Dr. Jennifer Walker, Hayleigh Worgan

Editorial Inquiries editorial@beckmediagroup.com

LLC

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806 Wasena Avenue, Suite 101, Roanoke, VA 24015 540.904.6800 fax 540.904.6803 Bella Magazine is the property of Beck Media Group LLC. It is a free publication printed monthly and is distributed throughout Southwest and Central Virginia and beyond. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse ad space for any advertisement or editorial content the staff deems inappropriate for our readers. The concept and design of Bella Magazine, as well as the design, advertisements, art, photos and editorial content is property of Beck Media Group LLC and may not be copied or reprinted without written permission from the publisher. ©2006-2014 Beck Media Group LLC All Rights Reserved.

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inside:

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Bella Girl

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Dr. Cynda Johnson contributes to the growth of the Roanoke Valley Sister Cities.

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Bella Book Club

Join us for an evening of fun as we discuss #GIRLBOSS in February!

Bella Eats

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A great granola recipe and a few healthy subscriptions to help you kick your bad eating habits to the curb!

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Bella Muse

Tips for making and sticking to your 2015 fitness resolutions.

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Mind. Body. Soul.

Live a healthier, conscious, and inspired life.

Save This, Buy That

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Member One shows us how to save money AND get healthy in the New Year.

Events & Happenings

find us: lovelybella.com

bellamagazine

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Opera on the James celebrates their 10th Anniversary with a Gala Opera Cabaret!

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Tales from Stacey Rae

Stacey shares memorable moments from the journey of a lifetime.

Bella Finds

Great products to help you stick to your resolutions. january 2015

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meet cynda...

Dr. Cynda Johnson

OCCUPATION: Dean of VT Carilion School of Medicine

AMBASSADOR FOR: Roanoke Valley Sister Cities, www.rvsci.us

How did you get started with Roanoke Valley Sister Cities?

One of the first days that I was in Roanoke, I was walking down the street with my husband and we saw the Roanoke Valley Sister Cities sculptures on Church Street. I was intrigued. I became involved later when I was invited to go to Wonju. I had already started thinking about putting together an international rotation for med students and finding places for them to go, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to set that in motion.

I decided that it would add another dimension if we could send students to places that were tied to Roanoke or the region before and after their stays. I talked to the Sister Cities and [my idea] was launched by the Yonsei Medical University in Wonju. We’ve had a wonderful relationship ever since. When the Sister Cities put together the corporate board four years ago, they asked me to be involved.

What led to your work with Russia?

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I’ve done a lot of medical things internationally.

The first was through the University of Kansas, which is where my husband and I had the majority of our careers. Right after the Soviet Union, the former republics were called the newly independent states. These areas found themselves independent again, and USAID put together a program to pair universities and hospitals with these countries to work with various issues.

One of those issues was health care. The Soviet Union healthcare was very sub specialized and didn’t have any primary care basis at all. We helped changed the healthcare system because the World Bank wouldn’t give them money for healthcare without having a primary care option.

What’s next?

This is our fourth year of medical students that have had the opportunity to go to these places. A couple of our students recently went to another rotation. We had a donor give us money to send students to India. We have a couple of students who are getting ready to go to Wonju.

Cynda’s Advice: “Explore what Roanoke Valley Sister Cities has to offer. Take part in their events and contribute your ideas to use them as a grounding point for other activities. The more involved we become with them as a community, the stronger their program will become—a good outcome for them and the Roanoke Valley.”

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bella book club Enjoy great books & meet new friends!

Bella is starting a book club for women!! Our first book will be #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso, founder and CEO of Nasty Gal. Sophia stands out among other e-commerce giants and her book documents her extraordinary personal story while offering insights on entrepreneurship.

From the Amazon review, “[#GIRLBOSS is] filled with brazen wake-up calls (‘You are not a special snowflake’), cunning and frank observations (‘Failure is Your Invention’), and plenty of behind the scenes stories from Nasty Gal’s meteoric rise. It proves that being successful isn’t about where you went to college (if you went to college) or how popular you were in high school. Rather, success is about trusting your instincts and following your gut, knowing which rules to follow and which to break.”

We can’t wait to read this book and discuss it with you! Our first meeting will take place on Thursday, February 12 at 6 p.m. If you are interested in participating, please email us at editorial@ beckmediagroup.com or call our office, 540-904-6800.

A new book will be chosen at the end of each meeting, and books will appeal to women of all ages! Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for details.

To join us, email: editorial@beckmediagroup.com

“Life happened because I turned the pages.”

-Alberto Manguel

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Bella Girls D.I.Y.

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DIY Bobby Pin Case A thrifty solution to a very common problem!

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Bobby Pins are the most difficult accessory to find. They live in couch cushions, on top of dressers, and tucked away in old purses until one day (usually after you buy a brand new pack) you stumble upon six or seven of them at a time. In the spirit of organizing your life (and for the sake of your sanity) we have found a solution to corralling your stray bobby pins! Chelsea from Lovelyindeed. com repurposed a used Tic Tac Jumbo Pack container as a “grownup bobby pin case.� Not only is this a fun and easy project, but her stylish creation may save you time AND money!

You will need:

Tic Tac case (regular or jumbo) gold spray paint gold craft paint or liquid gilding wooden dowel bobby pins

Instructions:

Remove the labels from your empty Tic Tac Pack and separate the lid from the bottom half. On the bottom of the pack, use the end of the dowel to dip in your gold paint and gently touch it to the plastic to make a polka dot pattern. In a well-ventilated area, spray paint the lid of the pack gold. Let the paint cure for about a day. Once all pieces are dry, round up all of your bobby pins and store them in the bottom of the pack. When you need one, just open the tab where you would shake out a mint and shake out a bobby pin instead!

Thanks to www.lovelyindeed.com page 10 | bella magazine | january 2015

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BellaSips Eats Bella

A Commitment to Better Health

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Subscriptions that will help you get (and stay) healthy!

You signed up for your gym membership and you made a commitment to eat and be healthy in 2015. You are becoming a master at refusing left over holiday desserts and sticking to your goals. We are very proud of you, and we want you to stay strong!

It’s easier for us to stay focused when we receive small rewards along the way, and mail subscription services are a great way to treat yourself. The following companies offer fantastic products that will not only reward you, but help you in your journey to better health:

You are going to LOVE your subscription to FabFitFun. Four times a year, a box of goodies is delivered to your door—and it is packed with full-sized, premium products that will encourage you to get healthy, be active, and express your own personal style. From fitness socks and free trial memberships to healthy snacks, hair products and makeup, you will be well on your way to showing off your best assets! Every aspect of this box is unique, and what you receive is worth far more than the cost of your subscription. Visit www. fabfitfun.com for more information on how to sign up and what is included.

We love Healthy Surprise! Their subscription boxes focus on ingredients as opposed to calories. They believe that what you put in your body is the most important aspect of your health.

You can choose between a variety of box sizes,

and they even offer a chocolate box! It contains chocolates that are gluten, wheat, corn and soy free. Refined white sugar and artificial ingredients are nowhere to be found. Their snack boxes have the same guidelines and include delicious snacks from several companies—giving you more options to choose from as you start (or continue) to eat healthy. For more information, visit www.healthysurprise.com.

Nibblr is another great subscription service that will help you get healthy this year and savor every bite of food! With each box, you’ll find a craveable range of sweet, salty, fruity, nutty snacks without remorse. Their snacks contain quality ingredients, and Nibblr only chooses products from suppliers they trust to offer the best-tasting and nutritious options. Each box, delivered to your home or office, contains four portion-controlled, delicious snacks in individually sealed trays. Visit their website for more information, www.nibblrbox.com.

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Bella Eats

no bake energy bites

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A granola recipe that everyone will love!

It is hard to stay away from the snack machine, and even more difficult to remove chocolate treats from your diet. That’s why we love these No Bake Energy Bites from gimmesomeoven.com! You will fill up on these quickly, lessening your temptation to overindulge. Their easy recipe makes three dozen bites—plenty to get you through the work week! You will need:

You will1 cupneed: (dry) oatmeal

2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/2 cup ground flax seed 1/2 cup chocolate chips or cacao nibs (optional) 1/3 cup honey or agave nectar 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour. Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like—a perfect bite size is about 1” in diameter.

Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to one week.

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Bella Muse

Improve Your Diet

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Healthy skin starts with what you eat!

Winter is a natural time for women to rethink their skincare routine. However, the right products are just one part of being kind to your skin. A healthy diet, rich in leafy greens, and a holistic approach to skincare can also have complexion-beautifying benefits. Give your skin a boost by incorporating more skin-loving “power greens” (full of vitamins and minerals) like kale and spinach in to meal time.

Registered dietician nutritionist, Ellie Krieger, is a member of the Simple Advisory Board—a panel of lifestyle experts that educate others on the benefits of adopting a holistic approach to skincare. Krieger offers these easy ways to sneak more leafy greens into your daily dishes: Start the day with a smoothie.

Breakfast smoothies and pressed juices are an increasingly popular choice for on-the-go types. These liquid meals deliver an assortment of health benefits since they’re chockfull of fruits and vegetables. Add kale to a breakfast smoothie or juice to experience the superfood’s nutrients—such as antioxidants, calcium and potassium—and beauty benefits like healthy skin and hair. “If you’re looking for an energizing way to start the day, try my superfood smoothie recipe,” says Krieger. “Blend 1/2 frozen ripe banana, 1/2 cup frozen page 16 | bella magazine | january 2015

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Beyond the Fringe: blueberries, 1/3 cup chopped fresh kale leaves, 1/4 cup sliced almonds , 1 cup nonfat milk, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.”

Q&A Written by

Tanya Ritz

How do you get through the awkward phase of growing out your bangs?

Elevate the lunch salad.

The lunch hour offers a great opportunity to pack a meal that includes several distinct leafy greens. Arugula, which belongs to the mustard family of plants, is a salad staple that adds a lovely peppery flavor and plenty of vitamin C. Up the ante with nutrientdense spinach, which contains lots of beta carotene shown to promote healthy, glowing skin. Top off the health benefits with radicchio, which is rich in lutein and antioxidants, known to help preserve vision and protect skin from sun damage. Make a savvy salad by combining these three leaves (arugula, spinach and radicchio) and tossing with a can of light tuna in olive oil (drizzling in some oil from the can). Add the juice from half a lemon and some salt and pepper for flavor.

End the day with a skin-benefitting routine.

Buy prewashed baby spinach, toss into store-bought pasta sauce after it’s heated and serve over whole grain pasta for a dish that’s quick, delicious and good-for-skin. Spinach contains vitamin C, which is important for collagen production. The result is skin that’s smooth, supple and elastic. Post-dinner, it can be tempting to hit the sheets immediately, but supplement the overnight benefits of a healthy diet by taking a moment to remove makeup with kind-to-skin cleansers and facial wipes before heading to bed (so skin starts with a glowing base in the morning).

Healthy skin is the result of hard work and dedication, but you CAN achieve it—even in the driest winter months! Make a few changes in your diet and commit to a morning and night time routine. Your skin will thank you for it! w w w. l o v e l y b e l l a . c o m

Bangs are great when you want a change in your haircut, but don’t want to drastically alter your overall look.

Many women love their bangs, but if they decide to grow them out, it can be frustrating. Whether you’ve cut bangs and decided you don’t like them, or you’re ready for another change, here’s how to get through the brief awkward phase:

If you are growing very short, full across bangs, the first step is to sweep them to the side as they start to grow. Get your hair stylist to angle them so they will easily morph into side swept bangs.

When the little short bangs that you’re sweeping to the side have reached right below your eyebrow/temple area, take a tiny bobby pin (about an inch in length) and pin them in a side swept direction with the pin at the temple. The tinier the bobby pin, the better. Then you can let the hair behind your bangs fall on top of the pin to hide it. This gives the illusion that your bangs are tucked behind your ear. You can also get tiny little claw clips and clip the bangs back. I like to clip them back and a little off center.

Usually once you’ve grown them to your temple area it’s pretty easy to do something with your bangs. Just keep them pinned out of your eyes and get your stylist to trim them in the right style as needed. The struggle is real. Stay strong ladies!

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Tanya is a hair stylist & colorist at Gloss Salon in Roanoke and lover of all things beauty. She specializes in precision haircuts and custom color. For more tips, trends and information, visit her page at www.facebook.com/tanyaritzhair

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Stay Fit in 2015!

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Mind.

Body. Soul.

Bella Do-It-Yourself

Personalize your health & wellness to help meet your goals

When it comes to heath and wellness, Americans are trying to take better care of their health today than just a few years ago. However, many of us find that other things take priority. Experts say the more you customize your wellness plan for your personal needs and style, the more likely you’ll support your fitness and health goals.

Here are some tips for creating a custom plan to get fit and feel fabulous: Stay hydrated.

One of the most important aspects of healthy physical activity is proper hydration. Drinking fluids before, during and after physical activity is vital to provide your body the fluids it needs to perform properly. Instead of bringing money for the soda machine or coffee shop, bring fresh, ice cold water or caffeine-free liquids with you in an insulated, reusable container. Need help tracking your water intake? There are water bottles and apps that can calculate and track your personal hydration needs.

Opt for healthier, whole, portable foods.

Do your body a favor and hit the farmers market or head to your grocer’s produce section to stock up on apples, bananas and berries, as well as veggies like carrots and broccoli to cut up and take with you. When purchasing other snack products, look for foods made with no artificial colors, flavors, colors, sweeteners or GMO-added ingredients, and opt instead for items made with whole grains, fiber and protein.

Functional training and small group fitness are on-trend right now. This more personalized style of training helps you customize workouts based on your current level of strength and endurance and help prevent injury versus big group, one-size-fits-all training.

Technology can help.

If scheduling fitness into your day sounds impossible, try letting your phone or computer remind you to stretch or get up from your desk. Create a custom playlist to help motivate you and vary your exercises to avoid becoming bored with your workout.

Or use wearable fitness technology to track your wellness goals.

Get plenty of sleep.

Get proper sports nutrition.

While eating healthfully is key, many Americans don’t meet the recommended daily intake for vitamins and minerals from food consumption alone, so sports nutrition supplements can help fill the gaps and help your body perform at its best. Try something that helps increase your protein and boosts your muscle health and antioxidant protection. There are a few delicious protein bars out there—but be sure to choose one with no artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners or preservatives. w w w. l o v e l y b e l l a . c o m

Personalize your physical fitness.

Your body needs sufficient rest to recuperate from your day and refresh its energy for the next. So go ahead and enjoy gazing at the stars—but be sure to get to bed on time, so you’re in tip-top shape for tomorrow.

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Written by

Lisa Turille

Mind. Body. Soul.

Winter Skin Care

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Keeping skin vibrant during colder months

Winter ushers in a time for holiday lights, warm cocoa, cozy fireplaces and if we are not careful, damaged skin. With a little tender loving care, your skin can escape the winter season unscathed.

Your skin faces various challenges with each change of season and winter is by far the harshest. During the dry winter months, moisturizers are a must. Use sensitive products to clean your face and avoid astringents that further dry and irritate the skin.

With shorter days, many people don’t realize that they still face significant sun exposure. Winter sun, combined with snow glare makes sunscreen use as important as during the summer months. Remember to apply and reapply sunscreen during outdoor winter activities. Make sure that you include an SPF lip balm.

In the morning, cleanse the skin with an alcohol free cleanser and use eye cream. Apply a daily moisturizer, along with proper sun protection. An evening routine should include cleansing and toning, along with eye and retinol creams. Use a heavier moisturizer at night that will feed your skin while you sleep. Look for ways to relax before bed. A restful night goes a long way towards eliminating dark circles around the eyes.

Consider alternating between monthly facials and mild chemical peels to keep your skin bright and youthful. These quick procedures refresh your appearance and have a rejuvenating effect on skin.

Drinking water—at least eight cups a day—also improves your skin, giving your body the necessary moisture to fuel your cells. A diet of healthy, whole foods, including lots of fruits and vegetables, also aids in a better and natural glow. Avoid processed and sugary foods.

Skin damage is another reason to quit smoking aside from the risk of lung cancer and heart disease. Increase your exercise, which boosts circulation and reduces stress, benefitting both the body and skin.

By giving your skin some extra attention this winter, you can avoid the common pitfalls that lead to dry, cracked and painful skin. The winter is a season for hibernation, but that doesn’t have to apply to your skin. Take care of your delicate skin and let your natural beauty shine this winter.

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Article courtesy of

Lisa Turille is a licensed aesthetician with Centra Medical Group Healthy Skin Center in Lynchburg.

The Healthy Skin Center offers a full line of skin care products and services, including chemical peels, facials, laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, waxing, manicures and pedicures. For more information or to make an appointment, call 434-200-4247 or visit LynchburgPlasticSurgery.com.

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Mind. Body. Soul.

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Getting Back to Reality Preventing injuries when you start back to the gym Written by

Dr. Jennifer Walker

There are countless distractions that can make exercise fall to the bottom of our priority list throughout the year and the holiday season is no exception. But the New Year is here, and January is the perfect opportunity to get back to the gym!

I hate to serve as “Debbie Downer,” but the last thing I want to see is your hard work derailed due to an injury! As a chiropractor, I cannot tell you how many people have made their way into my office after initiating a training program without thinking through possible consequences of over-doing it. When you take a long absence from exercise, it is important to avoid behaviors that can result in injuries. Depending upon how long it has been since your last workout, your body may have lost some of its flexibility and tolerance for exercise. Therefore, before you begin or return to an exercise program, you should be evaluated to make certain you are able to handle the increased demands on your body.

Tips to prevent injury:

1. Warm up properly. Walk 15 to 20 minutes on a treadmill or outdoors, slowly increasing the pace as you go.

2. Perform 5-10 minutes of stretching after you walk. Make sure to stretch all the major muscle groups, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, hip flexors, buttocks, calf muscles, etc.

3. Take it slow. A common cause of injuries is excessive stress on underused muscles—so taking it slow is the only viable option.

4. It is inevitable that you will experience some stiffness after returning to exercise. If the stiffness lasts longer than a few days, you should consider having it evaluated.

5. If you have been to the gym before, you may be tempted to pick up where you left off. This is a leading cause of injuries for those who return to the gym. Be prepared to start with lighter weights—a safe amount is 50% of what you were lifting before you stopped.

6. If you have pain during any exercise STOP immediately. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t right—so listen to it.

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7. If you do get injured, remember the acronym RICE: Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate.

Here is to a 2015 that will include an injury-free focus on health and wellness!

Article courtesy of

Dr. Jennifer Walker is owner of Balance Wellspace, a three story wellness resource center in South Roanoke. You can reach her for more information at Balance Wellspace, 540-343-0055 or visit www.balanceroanoke.com.

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Written by

Mind. Body. Soul.

Emily Painter

Primitive Trails

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Discover your true self on Blue Ridge Mountain trails!

Maybe you haven’t met Brian Marshall yet, but you’ve likely seen him, a blur on his road bike around town or rolling along local bike trails. It’s also very likely that you’ve heard of his businesses, Solve Fitness and Primitive Trails.

His eye-catching t-shirts are all over town and, by the looks of things on Facebook, they’ve made their way to Afghanistan and mountain bike race podiums from the Northern Virginia Hoo-Ha to the North Carolina Pisgah Stage Race.

Bruce Meyer, who rides and trains with Brian, also races mountain bikes for Primitive Trails. “I know that the same qualities of care, selflessness, genuine concern for others and a desire to help people succeed are what shine through in the whole concept and now reality of the Primitive Trails operation. I love it when people at the races ask me about Primitive Trails,” says Bruce, who sports a Primitive Trails shirt and cycling kit at all of his races.

Primitive Trails donates one shirt, cap, or hoodie to a child in need in rural America for each of the same sold. So, why the name Primitive Trails?

“Because you need the solitude of the mountains to help you realize who you are…and what’s important to you,” says Brian. It’s on Primitive Trails amongst the Blue Ridge Mountains where he feels most connected. He wants the same for you and the children he aims to help. The more subdued message of Brian’s mission is just as powerful—go outside, play in the world, find yourself in solitude, share, and look after one another. Brian hopes for children and their families to rise out of poverty just as he hopes for all of us to spend time in primitive places, connecting to the deeper meaning we’re all seeking to experience.

Solve Fitness, Brian’s other passion-inspired business, is settled in the rear corner of the River House with a view of the Roanoke River Greenway. The studio provides a tranquil and private atmosphere from which Brian can help people to achieve fitness goals through Pilates, strength training, and precise movement exercises catered to individual needs. The essence of his message is conveyed again through his desire to help people gain the fitness they need to enjoy the scenery, terrain, challenges, and primitive places our Blue Ridge Mountains provide. Brian writes, “Training should be enjoyable—a thoughtful progression that builds a balanced body that is strong and athletic. It should enhance our ability to do the things we enjoy and allow us to achieve results that motivate us to continue.”

To learn more or to contact Brian directly, visit him on the web at www.primitivetrails.org or www.solvefitness.com.

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Bring on the New Year!

Article courtesy of

Join Member One here each month for more moneysaving tips, giveaways and all things awesome! Be sure to follow @SaveThisBuyThat on Twitter and check out our board “Save This Buy That” on Bella’s award-winning Pinterest page.

Get Healthy

Choose the Stairs: It might sound obvious, but taking the stairs versus the elevator can actually burn way more calories than you think!

Inspired Pins: Get inspired with living a healthy lifestyle– start a Pinterest board and pin your favorite motivational quotes, healthy recipes and fitness tips!

Go Grilled: Stay away from fried foods—anything that’s tossed in the deep fryer, ditch!

Stick to grilled, steamed, and baked items—your waistline will thank you!

For more delicious recipes and money-saving tips, visit SaveThisBuyThat.com! w w w. l o v e l y b e l l a . c o m

A New Year means a new slate to start over— whether your New Year’s resolution is to eat healthy or to get more active, we have all the tips you’ll want—on a budget!

Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Squash | $1.92 per serving

Spaghetti squash has been all the craze lately. We totally love it! The texture of the spaghetti squash made us believe we were actually eating pasta and topping the squash with mozzarella cheese was a major bonus. This dish was not only easy to recreate, but there were leftovers—your brown bag will be really happy!

Cooking spray 1 medium spaghetti squash (cooked) 1 cup sour cream ½ small sweet onion, diced 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 2 tablespoon minced garlic 2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese ½ cup Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400º. Spray a medium baking dish with cooking spray. Mix both cheeses and reserve ½ cup. Mix remaining cheese mixture and all other ingredients together in a large bowl. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Top with reserved ½ cup cheese. Bake until browned, 40-45 minutes.

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Happenings Events & Happenings

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Opera on the James

Celebrating a decade of success in Central Virginia

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Opera on the James began as the vision of volunteers to create a nonprofit opera company that would attract and involve Central Virginians in the full range of operatic arts. They provide diverse, accessible productions performed by nationally and regionally acclaimed artists that educate, inspire, and engage their audiences. Over the years they have evolved to a more professional company with an active board and a staff that includes General Director, Cecelia Schieve. On January 31, they will celebrate their 10th Anniversary with a Gala Opera Cabaret to highlight past seasons.

The luxurious gala is a decade in the making. Truly, it is a hallmark of more than their success as a company—it is evidence of connections to opera in our every day lives that many in the community did not know existed. Furthermore, it is proof that there is a growing audience waiting to be inspired and enlightened.

The gala is a representation of collaboration at its finest. “I have engaged five wonderful artists from around the country who have performed with us before,” explains Cecelia. “The event seamlessly incorporates dinner, wine, time with friends, auctions, and outstanding performances. We will surround our guests with opera that mixes styles, languages and characterizations.”

For an event this monumental, Opera on the James decided to find a special way to connect with the community to decorate the venue. They chose to ask a local school group from Heritage High School to paint their interpretation of each of the operas in the style of Toulouse-Lautrec.

Selecting Heritage for the collaboration was an easy decision in part, because the community has long admired the illustrations of art teacher, Jon Roark. “He has involved his students in service projects with the Lynchburg Historical Foundation and other non-profits and I had the pleasure of using him as an artist for one of our brochures in the past,” says Cecelia. “Because of this partnership, many of the young artists he teaches will experience the opera for the first time and it was a pleasure to involve and help educate them.”

The artwork will be on display on Thursday, January 29. For more information on the event and how to purchase tickets, visit www.operaonthejames.org.

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Tales From Stacey Rae

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the road trip of a lifetime Written by

One of my favorite trips as an adult was moving my friend, Holly, to Colorado. A friend who, at 40 years old, had never lived outside of the Star City. A recent CRNA graduate, she knew that if she got a job here she would never leave. So, she researched the Top 10 mountain bike cities in the US and came across Fruita, Colorado and chose the state to be her new home.

To set the mood for our trip—my three friends made a contraption for me and named it “The Lady J.” It was a funnel with a long tube that they explained, with straight faces, I was to use if I had to go to the bathroom because we would not be stopping. My facial expression was priceless. I said, “Oh, no. We have to stop and get gas. I will go then!”

Most people would probably drive a few hours at a time to break up the trip, but we are not like most people. We drove 24 hours straight until we reached Denver.

I awoke the next morning in our hotel room and made my way to the big window, pulled back the curtain and said, “Gooooood Morning Denver!” As soon as I did, my eyes and heart sank. Snow had covered our car and the ground. I knew what we still had to go over. The Rockies.

As we climbed up the mountain my fear level was at the highest state it’s ever been in my life. The snow got heavier, our windshield started to freeze over, and it was a “white out” on the mountain. Our visibility was next to zero, and then our defrost stopped working. These were the worst driving conditions that I have ever witnessed and, to top it off, we were not on roads we knew. The cliffs were a few feet beside us. I was so scared that I was texting my mile post back to Virginia in case we went over the mountain and could not be found in the snow.

Holly’s mom made her daily call to see how we were doing while we were in the heart of this nightmare and, out of nowhere, a huge snow plow entered the highway without seeing us. He almost took us out! As we fishtailed out of control, Holly somehow managed to keep us on the road and Jan caught the phone that she tossed. Jan assured Holly’s mom that everything was ok. I looked over at Penny to see her peeling her grapefruit—completely content.

Stacey Brugh

As we made our way over the Rockies, the sun was shining and I thought we were done with scary roads, but I was wrong.

Cedar Edge is right under the Grand Mesa. I had never heard of the Grand Mesa until this trip but I will tell you, I did not like this road either.

I felt like I was on the moon at 11,332 feet. Again, I was the back seat driver, gripping my pocket book for life.

Words cannot express the joy I felt when we finally made it to her driveway on day two. The four of us had angels on our sides.

Holly enjoyed two great years mountain biking and exploring Colorado, but we have missed her more than she will ever know. My heart is happy knowing she will be back in Roanoke when she reads this and relives one of my favorite adventures.

Make it a great year. Get out and explore. See new places. Get in the car with your friends and go! It’s not the destination, it’s the journey to where ever you are going that really matters.

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Stacey Brugh lives in Roanoke, but grew up in “Brughville” in Buchanan. She says, “My parents taught me to live each day to the fullest and we do! My days are always filled with fun stuff!”

She claims to be just a “small town girl with a big smile.” And big dreams! Read about her life—past and present—here each month. For more of this story, visit www.lovelybella.com.

january 2015

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bella magazine

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page 29

bella finds

Stay goal-oriented in 2015!

Kick off the New Year with products that will inspire you to keep working towards your goals. Some days are harder than others to stick to your diet, go to the gym, stay organized, and be happy. So surround yourself with inspiration (and maybe a little irony) and you might find it a little easier to stay focused!

Makerskit DIY Mason Jar Herb Garden Kit. www.makerskit.com Another F*ing Tote. www.etsy.com/shop/anotherfingtote

Klean Kanteen Food Canister. www.kleankanteen.com

Progress Not Perfection Tee from 24 Avenue. www.24ave.com. page 30 | bella magazine | january 2015

The “Thankful� Sonja Legging from good hYOUman. www.goodhyouman.com

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