The Power Of Words

“Did I say the right thing?” “Do they understand what I meant?” These common phrases have crossed our minds many times and may have caused some worry as to how they were received. The words we use have power and weight to them. They are packed full of meaning and connotations, both positive and negative. Words can cause the recipient to feel joy or distress, depending on how they are used. Their influence can be monumental on the receiver and can cause change. According to author Yehuda Berg, “Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity…. Words have energy and power, with the ability to help, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble.”

Choosing our words can be instantaneous or intentional. Our sentences can slip out without thinking, or we can put a great deal of thought into them. However, when looking at the impact of our words, it is always best to think about what we are saying, especially given their influence.

According to Dr. Hyder Zahed, a contributor to the Huffington Post, there are specific guidelines people can use. These rules are to “Always speak the truth, avoid exaggerations, be consistent in what you are saying, don’t use double standards in addressing people, don’t use your words to manipulate others, and most importantly, do not use words to insult or belittle anyone.” Think about a time you have been personally hurt by someone’s words or thought, “They shouldn’t have said that.” Now, turn the tables back on yourself and think about a time your words have caused harm. It happens to us all, but these tips, along with the others below, will help you make sure your words have their intended effect.

BY MEGAN TAYLOR

Use Appropriate Language and Tone –

Our words change depending on whom we are talking to and the situation. For example, your language should be different for a young child, compared to an adult. Make sure your words fit the situation and the person or people you’re talking to. Going back to Dr. Zahed’s advice, your points should be direct and honest. However, honesty doesn’t mean disrespect. If you are arguing with someone, you can still get your point across without offending the person. Also, use the correct tone to match. Yelling never helps. A controlled, stern tone can get the same message through.

Avoid Words that Cause Negativity –

All words have certain connotations and feelings associated with them. Be aware of how someone could take a word, based on what you know about the person. Choose your words with intent.

Delete Certain Words from Your Vocabulary –

Along with connotations, words can mean different things to various people. Someone may understand you to mean one thing, when you really meant the opposite. This confusion can cause unintentional negative feelings or misunderstandings. In the article, “Watch Your Words: 8 Ways to Choose Your Words More Carefully,” we read that researchers have found that a person can be more direct with their thoughts by deleting certain words from their vocabulary. These words include “try, wish, I am, if, should, I can’t, desperate, and luck.” Researchers state these words can possibly open the door to a lack of truth and leave your true meaning hidden from the receiver.

Focus on the Positive and Look for Ways to Create Change –

Disagreements happen, bad choices can be made, and redirection for children may need to be done.

Yet, all of these can have a greater and more positive influence if an action-focused approach is taken, for example, by adding more positive words into the conversation, as well as ways to change the situation, disagreement, or behavior for the better. As a teacher, I look for ways to help a student analyze his or her behavior and help change it through the words I use.

The power of words can never be known until they are heard. People will remember what is said and how they felt. The timeless lessons, “Choose your words carefully” and “Think before you speak” will always come into play. Be intentional with your thoughts, focus on the positive, and you may never know, but you may (hopefully) influence others for the better.

Mighty Miracle Man Matthias

BY DAMIAN DESMOND

There are two flights of wine sitting on the wrought iron table in front of me. From left to right is a white, a rose’ and two reds. The bright red umbrella sticking up through the table is folded down on account of the windy day, but the early May sun’s rays are strong enough to make it an incredibly beautiful day in the Shenandoah Valley. I sit with my feet up soaking in the beauty of the winery and surrounding area as my youngest brother, Matthias sits across from me. He has been reminiscing about the yearly trips he made every summer up to Cape Cod with the family while he was growing up. There’s a slight smile on his face as he remembers the beaches of the ocean or the sound, trips out to Martha’s Vineyard, and especially the best little pizza spots he’s ever been to. I enjoy listening to him recall his childhood.

Matthias and I have been making “man dates” a priority whenever I visit my parents in Virginia. We either venture to a winery or to a brewery to catch up with each other. It’s been wonderful getting to know him more over the past few years. The 19 year age difference between us made it difficult to know him in his younger life. I was already out of the house doing my own thing when he was born. I was busy raising my own family when he was still in grade school.

As we talk and enjoy the day, I think about how he sees the same things I’m seeing. I will never actually know. His vision was greatly affected by the series of seizures that rocked his small body at birth. He really shouldn’t even be alive to be honest. But Matthias is one of those people who beats the odds and overcomes. He gets back up on the horse when knocked off of it. What really sets him apart is that he has had to do this his whole life right out of the gate - EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I don’t have too many pet peeves . Actually, that’s not true. I probably have more than most. I tend to hold myself to very high standards so I just expect the same of others. One thing I can’t stand is people who whine or complain; especially people who have zero reason to be whining or complaining. Matthias rarely does either. He’s the kind of person who knows that doing either is simply a waste of time and energy. And it’s annoying. The irony is that he probably has more of a right to whine or complain than most. His entire life has been nothing but overcoming. In grade school, he struggled to pay attention, to learn, and to just fit in. The seizures he suffered at birth made it difficult for him to see, process things and focus. But it didn’t stop him. In fact, he excels in certain areas that others are illiterate in. He’s a geography whiz. He led his Geography Bee team to two victories in 7th and 8th grade. Most people struggle just to find their own state on a map. Matthias also accomplished something very few do. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout - an achievement that less than 8% of Boy Scouts accomplish. Against all odds, he graduated from the same alma mater as myself, Riverheads High School, in 2009. For the past seven years, Matthias has held a job at an upscale hotel in Staunton, VA. Not being able to drive doesn’t stop him. He walks to his place of employment from the house that he bought with another brother. He knows the value of hard work and doesn’t like being idle.

In the past couple of years, as my parents have gotten older, he has become an extraordinary help on their farm. He has learned the in’s and out’s of caring for the horse, the sheep and the goats. He knows how to rotate the animals to different fields. He has been learning to operate the various pieces of equipment on the farm - equipment that can be dangerous if taken lightly.

Matthias has been and will continue to be on medications to control his seizures his whole life. He has lost over 80 pounds in the past few years and goes to his local YMCA four days a week to lift weights and to “do his pull-ups”. He lives a simple but good life. He understands the things that are important and is thankful for a supportive and loving family.

As we finish up our flights of wine, I think about the young man sitting across from me. I think about the challenges and obstacles that he has overcome. I wonder how he sees me - literally and figuratively - his oldest brother. I know how I see him. He’s amazing. He’s resilient. He’s mighty miracle man Matthias.

FACT and FALLACY

of EGGS

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

The egg is one of nature’s best designs! Bumpy and grainy in texture, 17,000 tiny pores cover the shell, made almost entirely of calcium carbonate crystals. At the semipermeable membrane, air and moisture can pass through until it reaches the “bloom,” the outermost coating, preventing dust and bacteria from penetrating. As the egg ages, the air space expands. The circular mass of egg whites comprises water and 40 different proteins. At the center, the yolk contains less water and 2.70 grams of enriching proteins, such as vitamins A, B6, B12, E, and D, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, Riboflavin, sodium, thiamine, and zinc. Based on the feed and availability of grass and insects, the yolk’s color ranges from a hint of yellow to the healthiest hue, a deep orange.

The Cholesterol Issue

In the most popular size, large, eggs contain all the necessary nutrients for bodily function. Lecithin may be a fat molecule, but it includes 126 milligrams of choline, fatty acids, and phosphates. Our bodies can produce choline, but only in small qualities; therefore, we need to consume lecithin-rich foods to receive adequate amounts. The daily recommendation for women, for instance, is 425 milligrams per day and 550 milligrams for men. Eggs have the best source. Not only will choline help you move wastes and nutrients in and out of cells, but it also helps digest fats, improves the circulatory system, protects the liver against fatty liver disease, and plays a role in sleep habits, memory, and learning. Huntington College of Health Sciences has determined lecithin absorbs bad cholesterol and raises high-density lipid levels.

Whites Versus Whole Egg

Nutritionists recommended eating just the egg white to gain the necessary nutrients while eliminating cholesterol levels. It offers a complete calcium supplement, whether boiled or consumed in the form of an omelet. Studies revealed that egg whites create a feeling of fullness and sustain energy levels throughout the day. While a whole host of benefits accompany the goodness of egg whites, including maintaining blood pressure, aids blood flow for cardiovascular health, and offers a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals, the yolk contains over 80% of the nutrients found within, including beneficial Omega-3 fats. The line dividing many people stems from the amounts of cholesterol. It’s better to eat the entire egg and benefit from the nutritional vitamins and minerals working for the body!

Egg Labels

Without the regulation of eggs, it’s no wonder terms like “cage-free” and “pasture-raised” create confusion! There are two categories to consider: farming practices and the health quality of the egg and the hen that lays them.

ORGANIC: Eggs must come from an organic chicken, fed free of animal byproducts, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemical additives. Only in the event of infection may a chicken receive an antibiotic. The hen must be cage-free and offered access to the outdoors. Additional cost comes from the farmer’s expense to maintain certification requirements.

FREE-RANGE: Chickens must have access to a small, fenced patch of cement, which does not imply roaming freely. Hens can eat non-organic feed and receive drugs for health and healing.

CAGE-FREE: Up to 11 hens can roam in a building or open area, 16 inches by 20 inches. a diet of 100 percent grass and are raised outdoors.

CERTIFIED HUMANE: A certification label, for pasture-raised eggs, offered through the Humane Farm Animal Care program. Hens must have access to the outdoors, providing a minimum of two square feet per bird or 2.5 acres per 1000 chickens.

EGG COLOR: Hens surprisingly have ears, which indicate the color of the egg. “Easter-egger” hens lay variations of green and blue hues, while Dominiques and Barred Rock hens lay pink eggs. There isn’t a difference in taste; yet, a bright orange yolk will prove nutrition standards.

GRADE: The term “grade” refers to quality. Grade A offers no blemishes in the shell, and the egg white and yolk meet a particular protein standard.

Attend a farmer’s market or reach out to local friends on social media to find out who sells the best fresh eggs. Most likely, the eggs will contain orange yolks, and feature an array of colors and sizes!

PASTURE-RAISED: A term not regulated by the USDA; yet, is understood to imply the hens forage on a maintained pastured area.

CERTIFIED ANIMAL WELFARE APPROVED: A label certifying animals that receive

Shelling Issues Resolved

Fresh eggs are unlikely to peel easy! The solution is to steam the eggs for twenty minutes; then, place in a bowl of cold water and ice cubes! You’ll never have to suffer through peeling again!

THE Fancy

Fork

BY LAUREN SEPHTON VEGAN STRAWBERRY-LEMON SCONES

Welcome to the Fancy Fork! Your Seasonal Produce Insight and Farm-Style Recipes That Are Made to Satisfy.

The summer season makes its introduction with nothing less than the best, as the sun smiles a little longer and the birds chirp a bit louder. And with that, it welcomes a fruitheavy harvest filled with apricots, cantaloupe, cherries, kiwi, peaches, watermelon, cherries, blueberries, and more. From classic berry cobblers to simple fruit salads, to our vegan berry scones, each fruit is unique in keeping things fresh and exciting. And what’s even better than their scrumptious flavors? They are excellent sources of essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber!

These lightly sweet scones are fluffy, flaky, and made with extra virgin olive oil as a healthier substitute to butter. And the best part is that you can substitute the strawberries for any fruit you may have on hand to experience the full delights of the blossoming June produce!

INGREDIENTS: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 Tbsp. baking powder 1 Tbsp. ground flax seed ½ tsp. salt ¼ cup granulated cane sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract ¼ cup olive oil ¾ cup almond milk ¾ cup fresh strawberries, thinly chopped zest of 1 lemon

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper. 2. Mix together all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. 3. Add in the olive oil and use a fork to mix until texture is crumb-like. 4. Add in the remaining ingredients; mix just until combined. Fold in the strawberries. 5. On a lightly floured surface, shape the dough into a 1-2” circle, then cut diagonally into 8 even triangles. 6. Place onto the prepared baking pan, give it an olive oil wash, and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until golden brown. 7. Garnish with a dusting of powdered sugar or a lemon glaze, then enjoy!

Now that you’ve mastered the art of fresh berries, it’s time to grab your fork and enjoy the blossoming summer season delights!