The Evolving Woman Spring 2021 Edition

MARCH 2021

ETHE EVOLVING WOMAN MAGAZINE

SPRINGING FORWARD

pg. 10

THE POWER OF LIVING BY DESIGN

pg. 21

SARAH FLYNN

“Being diagnosed with breast cancer was singularly the most terrifying moment of my life.”

EDITOR’S NOTE

Spring is a time for new beginnings.

During springtime, we see the blossoming of new things all around us. Nature springs into life with flowers budding and blooming.

Spring is a time for us to jump forward; to take chances on ourselves, to plant the seeds of our dreams and patiently nurture those seeds to success.

Spring forward into action to start a new life, a new beginning, a new business, a new hobby; a new you!

Spring is a time for us to look forward with

anticipation. It’s a time to plant seeds that we will nurture so that we yield a great harvest.

As we head into the Spring season, embrace this season of new beginnings. Spring into action. Embrace your dreams and goals. Believe in yourself, in your vision and in the future.

Allow yourself to blossom. Allow your inner beauty to shine bright and to spill happiness into the world!

I wish you a bright, warm and beautiful Spring season!

Duquesa D. Dean

Editor The Evolving Woman Magazine

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SPRING IS HERE.

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SpringingForward

Written By: Katie Barratt

Hello, I’m Katie Barratt and I love wine.

For me wine is so much more than what is in the bottle. It’s the stories beyond the glass, the people, the vineyards, the secrets of the cellar. It’s the culture, the history and the joy that wine brings. It’s the emotion, the beauty and the magnificent scenery. Wine is a magical experience. Well, it

can be, if you let it.

I’m passionate about demystifying the mysteries of wine and sharing joy, knowledge and laughter with anyone who’s willing to join me. Wine Fairy as a business, www. winefairytours.com, started in 2009. I’ve dedicated my life to learning about wine and through my studies and 27 years of experience in hospitality,

food and wine, I love to taste, learn and laugh about everything wine, travel and food. I’m living the dream, touring and traveling the world sharing wine, knowledge, joy and laughter with guests and like-minded folk. To me, Spring in the vineyards is all about new growth and springing forth to a new growing season.

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I always speak of vines in the feminine even though most cultivated grape varieties are hermaphroditic — their flowers have both male and female reproductive structures and can self-pollinate and produce fruit.

Yet like us women, when they are young, they are flexible with a youthful glow, it takes time to develop roots and become comfortable with ourselves.

With age, they become more structured and continue to grow and evolve. Each passing year reduces the ability to reproduce and fruit growth slows significantly, but there is an increase in quality, intensity and wisdom.

In winter, we cosy up to keep warm and build up our energy reserves. We hibernate and so does the vine. She gathers nutrients from the soil and relishes the rain that soaks her roots, so as Spring arrives, we literally watch life evolve.

Bud break is a signal that a new vintage is beginning, luminous leaves reach for the sun, like an early morning yawn, a stretch that invigorates a sense of renewal and rejuvenation. It’s time to break free with passion and joy. It’s a transformation of the energy source built up during the winter stored in the trunk and roots.

This power rises, then bursts out into glorious growth. Although springtime is exciting

in the vineyards, it’s also a very risky time of year. Threats of pests and disease abound, and Mother nature is moody. Much like in life, one has to be careful, mindful and nurture this new development that emerges.

As the season progresses the buds blossom into delicate pinhead sized flowers, determined to be grapes, the fruits of the vine.

Are you seeing the similarities and symbolism to life?

We need to take time to nurture our souls, really gather the energy and fill our own soul cups to share the joyous overflow.

Only we have the power to nurture our new growth as we set forth, out into the world, recognising our own flowers. Delicate as we may be, celebrating the strength that stands within us, preferably with wine glass in hand.

Speaking of wine, as the seasons change so should the wines we choose, serve and drink. One should drink wines to suit the season and of course your palette preference too.

A white wine with an elegant structure and fruity character, or a gorgeous rosé, is a delightful treat on a Spring day. A cooled red wine crafted with finesse would be equally tempting.

To ensure the most enjoyment out of your wine be sure to

serve it at the correct temperature. The lighter the wine, the cooler it should be. Start out around 39-46 F, and a touch warmer for richer, oaked styled white and rosé wines. For reds, start at 54F through to 65F for the full- bodied styles. Always serve lightest and driest before heaviest and sweetest.

When pairing wine to food, the old-fashioned adage of white wine with white meat and red wine with red meat no longer applies. Rather focus on the weight and intensity of each and find a balance between the two.

The 5 senses of taste; sweet, sour, salt, bitter and umami play a critical role in influencing the sensory sensation. Add fat and spicy as criteria and the cause and effect on the palate is mind-blowing. For example, we all know that fat is flavour. Fat adds to the weight and mouthfeel of a wine yet can leave a residue on the palate. Choose a wine that is high in acid which cuts through the fat and leaves a fresh clean finish.

Wine is all about balance, as are most things in life. We follow a balanced diet; we strive for a work/life balance. The vine excels when the soils, sunshine and rainfall is balanced. When you are living with balance in your life, you are living with peace and harmony every day. Balance comes in physical forms, emotional forms, even a spiritual form.

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“For me wine is so much more than what is in the bottle. It’s the stories beyond the glass, the people, the vineyards, the secrets of the cellar. It’s the culture, the history and the joy that wine brings. It’s the emotion, the beauty and the magnificent scenery. Wine is a magical experience.”

So, as we enter this new season, I encourage you, springing forward, to find your true balance knowing that may mean something different to each of us… for me, it’s a bottle in one hand and a glass in the other.

Cheers, clink, clink.Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/winefairysa

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