FW FEB 2025

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FEBRUARY 2025

Dr Neal Goldman Facial Plastic Surgery Dr Elisa Stein Plastic Surgery

Dr Molly Fuller Oculoplastic Surgery

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OPEN HOUSE Monday, March 3 6:30 PM to 8:30PM

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Dr Anthony Leonard Oculoplastic Surgery

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Scan the QR Code below to attend the Open House

No winter lasts forever, the spring will always come.

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Gift Certificates Available

336-945-3767 336 946-9007 336-999-3000TOWING

5720 Country Club Road Winston-Salem, NC 27104 Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:30pm

5730 Country Club Rd Winston-Salem, NC 27104 Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:30pm

52

IN THIS ISSUE

COVER STORY Restoration MedSpa:

8 | ForsythWoman.com

Elevating Aesthetics to Incredible New Heights

52

People of Prominence Series: Tonya Hairston

20

How to Increase Your “Feel-Good Hormones” with Simple Lifestyle Hacks

22

4th Annual Women on the Move Conference

32

Safety and Self Defense

44

How to Know the Difference Between a Healthy and Unhealthy Friendship 56

48

79

FINE DESIGNER JEWELRY, SWISS TIMEPIECES, DIAMONDS & CUSTOM DESIGN

STRATFORD ROAD | WINSTON-SALEM

336.721.1768 | WINDSOR-JEWELERS.COM

IN THIS ISSUE

16

10 | ForsythWoman.com

18

Practical Ways to Practice Self Care

68

Cozy Book Ideas

72

Ultra-Processed Foods: A Hidden Threat to Your Family’s Health

74

Vintage Ventures

76

Taking the High Road

82

REACH Women’s Network Hires Its First Executive Director

86

40

36

Schedule your free consultation at home or work!

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PUBLISHER Brooke Eagle Brooke@ForsythMags.com

I

EDITOR Keela Johnson JODIE BRIM CREATIVE

recently came across a fun fact (okay, I saw it on social media) that the second Friday in January is known as Quitter’s Day. This is supposedly the day when most people give up on their New Year’s resolutions. If you’re reading this and you’re still sticking to your goals—GO YOU! That’s amazing!

ADVERTISING Advertising @ForsythMags.com

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER JEJ Photos

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS JEJ Photos Jodie Brim Creative

• Sleeping at least 8 hours a night

Megan Smith Photography

• Eating a set number of grams of protein

*others credited

• Having a good day

Speaking of things that make me happy—how INCREDIBLE is this month’s cover photo?! Jon Eric of JEJ Photos absolutely knocked it out of the park with this fun and unique shot. I was thrilled to be at the shoot and even more thrilled when Marisa, the founder of Restoration MedSpa, said she was open to doing something out of the box. You can learn all about Restoration MedSpa starting on page 52.

We’re also getting SO EXCITED for our 4th Annual Women on the Move Conference! It’s happening Thursday, March 20th, at our NEW venue—Legacy Stables and Events! This year’s theme is IGNITE, and we can’t wait to spark passion, purpose, and motivation in women to pursue their dreams. You know we love a

throughout accordingly

CONTENT EDITOR Meghan Corbett

good theme, so expect lots of red and gold, and we’re encouraging attendees to wear those colors too! Grab your tickets at tinyurl. com/FWWOMC25 or head to page 32 and scan the QR code.

As always, this issue is packed with incredible content. From cozy book ideas (page 72) to the legacy of African American history (page 64), safety and self-defense tips (page 44), and nonprofit features like Smile Together (page 40), there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss our coverage of the Wine Women & Shoes event benefiting Ronald McDonald House of the Piedmont Triad (page 48)—we’re thrilled to sponsor it again this year!

And HOW COULD I FORGET?! Our February Girls’ Night Out is another Galentine’s Party at Robert Hall! After countless requests to bring it back, we couldn’t say no. Join us on Tuesday, February 11th, for a night of dancing, glam, and fun with your favorite ladies. This is a ticketed event, so be sure to follow us on social media (@forsythmags) or check out page 79 for the ticket link.

Here’s to choosing happiness and making February one to remember!

SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Martie Emory Carolyn Peterson

OTHER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Debbie Barr Jane Burnette Suzy Fielders Amy Hill Brandon James Taryn Jerez Michael Johnson Tanner Johnson Debbie Lanier Halleigh Milleson Susan Schabacker Lauren Sephton Renee Skudra Megan Taylor Sheridan Watkins *others credited throughout accordingly

GRAPHIC DESIGN & PRODUCTION Stefanie Lyons

WEB DESIGN/ MAINTENANCE Next Wave Services

Brooke Eagle,

CONTACT

@brooke__eagle

ForsythWoman.com

Publisher

12 | ForsythWoman.com

EXECUTIVE Tamara Bodford

Robin Bralley

• Getting 10,000 steps a day

You might be wondering why I included “having a good day” on my habit tracker. I’ve shared this before, but cold weather can be tough on my mental health. I’m a summer girl who thrives on sunshine, so I’ve learned that I have to work a little harder to maintain a positive mindset in the winter. I firmly believe that having a good day is a choice. If you wake up and decide you’re going to have a bad day, guess what? You’ll probably have one. But if you choose to look for the good, you’re much more likely to find it. While we can’t control everything, we can control how we respond—and that’s powerful.

SENIOR ACCOUNT

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

As I’m writing this, we’ve just passed Quitter’s Day, and I’m still feeling motivated to stay on track with my goals. This year, I created a habittracking sheet for the month, and for my Type A personality, there’s nothing more satisfying than filling in that little circle to say, “Yes, I did it!” My habits this month include:

I set a goal to hit these habits 28 out of the 31 days in the month—except for my step goal. I’m determined to hit that every single day!

Keela@ForsythMags.com

888-892-3204

Forsyth Woman Disclaimer: Please note that the inclusion of stories and articles in Forsyth Woman magazine does not imply endorsement of products or people. The views of the authors are presented for information and entertainment only, and may not necessarily reflect the views of Forsyth Woman. Specifically, Forsyth Woman in no way endorses any claim associated with health and/or well being with respect to any particular person. We disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. We will not be held responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any loss or damage that is caused or alleged to have been caused in connection with the use of, or reliance on, any content in this magazine. Forsyth Woman reserves the right to deny any advertisement or listing that does not meet Forsyth Woman standards. Submissions are welcome but unsolicited materials are not guaranteed to be returned. Forsyth Woman assumes no responsibility for information, products, services or statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. ©2005 by Forsyth Woman, Inc.

the publisher perspective

Marisa Faircloth, PA-C 40+ Years Experience

Marisa Faircloth, PA-C 40+ Years Experience

Experience Matters Want to look better, improve overall health and reach your skin and body goals?

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Winston-Salem Greensboro

336.999.8295 Empowered by Beauty Backed by Experience

Hair is a fundamental part of who you are. Not only does it help express your personality and style, it can also represent your culture.

Having a stylist who understands and relates to different cultures helps ensure you get a style that fits you and that you love, and improves your customer experience. And that’s where Alkali’s Heather Martinez shines. She brings culture and hair together in spectacular fashion.

HOW DOES YOUR PUERTO RICAN/MEXICAN CULTURE INFLUENCE YOUR WORK AS A STYLIST?

WHAT’S YOUR ABSOLUTE FAVORITE SERVICE?

I absolutely love blonding! It lets me get creative and design so many different looks—my favorite being natural, lived-in styles.

HOW DO YOU PERSONALIZE YOUR SERVICES FOR EACH CLIENT?

JEJ PHOTOS

In so many ways! For one, it’s made me more knowledgeable and skilled in working with different hair types, textures, and styles. I’m also bilingual, so I’m able to communicate effectively with Spanish clientele. Being able to break the language barrier for the Latin community is important to me, as I know they often struggle to express their hair needs and wants. I love being able to make clients with different cultural backgrounds feel more comfortable and happier with their hair.

WHAT TYPE OF CLIENT BEST MATCHES YOUR PERSONALITY?

I’m more of a ‘read the room’ type of stylist and do my best to meet my clients where they’re at. That said, if you prefer a calming, relaxing experience, or you like to work during your appointments, you should feel right at home in my chair.

OUTSIDE OF HAIR, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN?

I take the ‘whole picture’ into account. For example, I don’t just look at my clients’ hair, I also look at their skin and what stands out most about their features. This way, I can create a look that enhances and flatters their face shape and skin tone, and works best with their hair type and texture.

I love hanging out with my family and my fur babies (my dog Faye and my cat Pepper), reading, and cooking delicious dishes inspired by my Puerto Rican/ Mexican culture. I’m also obsessed with the band The Smiths!

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP TIPS FOR AT-HOME HAIR CARE?

I’m all about creating a safe space for everyone—all are welcome in my chair and at Alkali!

If you want easy, beautiful loose waves, sleep with a heatless curling set. Invest in high quality hair products because they really do make a difference. And last but not least, wear a slicked back bun on shampoo days—that way, your hair will still look cute.

336.724.1453

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE YOUR CURRENT AND POTENTIAL CLIENTS TO KNOW?

Are you ready to go blonde or want a gorgeous lived-in look paired with a fun, but soothing experience? Book your appointment with Heather today!

407 West End Blvd, Winston-Salem

studioalkali.com

Fea t h e r Lite Cosm e tics Embracing & Enhancing Natural Beauty

by M A R T I E E M O R Y

W

hen visionary Kim Harrell founded FeatherLite Cosmetics in 2004, her mission was crystal clear – creating lightweight, clean, all-natural mineral makeup that enhances natural beauty, while also prioritizing skin health.

Enter Tamara Vander Lugt, who met Kim in 2016 after years of personally searching for a natural foundation that wouldn’t promote breakouts on her problem skin. She was immediately enamored with Kim’s products, and the two became friends.

“Like many, I wasn’t actively searching for better options and had accepted my limited choices. I met Kim through a networking group, and during our conversation, her passion for clean, effective products resonated deeply with me. Having struggled with hormonal and cystic acne well into my 20s, I understand how deeply skin issues can affect self confidence. It’s not just about appearance – it’s about how you feel presenting yourself to the world. Even if others don’t notice your imperfections, they sense how you carry yourself,” Tamara shares.

She understood the importance of products designed for sensitive skin, and Kim matched her with foundation shades – and samples to try – during their first meeting.

“To my amazement, her products not only avoided breaking me out but actually improved my skin, as well. From that moment, I became a loyal believer in FeatherLite and her commitment to creating lifechanging products,” Tamara adds, explaining the deep connection she shared with Kim, often bonding over life, business and the craft of product creation.

“Her talent and passion were unparalleled, and I treasured every moment troubleshooting ideas together,” she shares.

When Kim sadly passed away in 2023, Tamara attended her memorial, met her family and, as a devoted fan of her work, expressed an interest in continuing Kim’s vision.

“Over the following months, her journals, notes and formulas were entrusted to me, and

16 | ForsythWoman.com

I spent a year researching how best to uphold her dream,” Tamara shares. “On November 1, 2024, we officially relaunched FeatherLite Cosmetics. I stepped in as CEO, joined by my investor and now President, Lee West. Continuing Kim’s legacy is both a privilege and a responsibility I hold close to my heart.”

At the root of the FeatherLite purpose is the belief that beauty is empowering, and the company tagline “Because You’re Beautiful” reflects that.

“Beauty is multifaceted, and everyone deserves to feel it on multiple levels. Helping someone see and embrace their beauty is the most rewarding part of this journey,” says Tamara.

FeatherLite products combine nature’s finest ingredients to produce 100% mineral-based, high-quality, non-toxic, cruelty-free makeup that’s naturally gentle, non-irritating and free from harsh chemicals, parabens and artificial fragrances. All formulations are endorsed by board-certified dermatologists and estheticians, ensuring they meet the highest standards for safety and effectiveness.

As the FeatherLite mission continues to grow, the hope is to continue Kim’s legacy by ensuring the company has the resources to uphold the original vision, while offering a new generation the vital formulas that inspire confidence and well being.

“We believe that what you put on your skin should be as pure as what you put in your body,” Tamara adds.

Currently, FeatherLite Cosmetics is available exclusively online, but Tamara notes the company is actively exploring strategic partnerships to expand their reach locally, nationally and, eventually, globally. Each seasonal collection is available only once a year (The Winter Collection launched December 1st and is available until February 28th), and every collection includes 15 eyeshadows, three blushes and one or two illuminators featuring a balanced mix of shades to suit all skin tones.

This winter, the “Rose” line is taking center stage, with vibrant pinks to sultry plums, shades like Holiday (a bright pink shimmer) and Plum or Wine to deliver versatility and depth.

Blend them with Coal, Cinnamon, Vanilla or Rose Silk for a customized shading effect. Pair these with blushes like our bold Rosewood, neutral warm Antique Rose or our light and soft Roses for a natural, radiant finish that works on every complexion,” she suggests.

The equally wonderful spring collection will be available from March 1st until May 31st, the summer collection from June 1st until August 31st and the fall collection from September 1st until November 30th.

To discover more about FeatherLite Cosmetics and to shop online for your own lifechanging products, visit FeatherLiteMakeUp.com or email info@ FeatherLiteMakeUp.com.

Because You’re Beautiful

Fall�in�Love

WITH YOUR HAIR AGAIN

BLOWOUTS Treat yourself or your loved ones to a blowout from Blowouts & Bubbles, complete with a soothing scalp massage and a glass of bubbly.

GIFT CARDS Give the gift of luxury with a Blowouts & Bubbles gift card – perfect for anyone on your list.

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by L A U R E N S E P H T O N

Hi! I’m Lauren. I’m a freelance writer and a food blogger with a passion for food that tastes good and is good for you! Stay tuned each month to find everything from achievable dessert ideas to healthy, quick dinners that’ll happily feed the family.

Honey Chipotle Chicken Wraps These Honey Chipotle Chicken Wraps are an easy, high protein lunch that comes together in less than 30 minutes!

The chicken is super juicy, layered with mozzarella and lettuce in lavash bread and toasted until crunchy. And, if you’re feeling extra fancy, serve them with homemade fries tossed in melted butter, parmesan and fresh herbs.

Servings: 10 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

For the Honey Chipotle Chicken: 1 lb. Chicken Breasts, skinless and boneless 1 tsp. EACH: Paprika Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Black Pepper ½ Lemon 3 T Honey 4 Chipotles in Adobo Sauce, about ½ can 2 T Olive Oil For the Honey Chipotle Aioli: ½ cup Yogurt ½ Lemon ¼ cup Honey 4 Chipotles in Adobo Sauce, remaining ½ can

For the Wraps: Lettuce, chopped Lavash Bread Olive Oil Grated Mozzarella

INSTRUCTIONS

For the Honey Chipotle Chicken: 1. Slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Finely chop the chipotle peppers for both the chicken and aioli. Set aside half of the chipotles for the aioli sauce later.

2. Combine all ingredients together in a large skillet over medium high heat. Turn on heat to medium high and sauté for 8-12 minutes, until chicken is saucy and fully cooked. Set aside.

For the Honey Chipotle Aioli: 1. Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Set aside.

To Assemble the Wrap: 1. On a piece of lavash bread, layer on the lettuce, honey chipotle chicken, aioli sauce and grated mozzarella. Fold both sides in to seal the filling. Place in a skillet drizzled with olive oil to cook 1-2 minutes on each side, until golden. Wrap in parchment paper to help keep the lavash together. Enjoy warm!

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MY DREAM HOUSE IS WITHIN REACH THANKS TO SOMEONE WHO DONATED THEIRS.

PEOPLE OF PROMINENCE SERIES Tonya Hairston Tonya Hairston gives off sparks. She is a clap of joyous thunder upon the nonprofit scene as the Food Pantry Manager at Crisis Control Ministry. Her dedication to the population she serves daily is inspirational and infectious. She is on the front line of providing those in need with sustenance and hope.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHILDHOOD AND FORMATIVE YEARS. I am from Winston-Salem. My mother died when I was seven years old. My sister and I were raised by my mother’s brother and his family. My childhood was pretty much me just trying to fit in. I have struggled on occasion because my mom passed when I was so young, and so I certainly had low self esteem and low self worth. I was an angry kid, teenager and then young adult who was just finding my way.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER PATH LEADING UP TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY; AND, BE SURE TO TELL US ABOUT THE TRANSITION INTO NONPROFIT. My career path has been a winding road.

I started working for my uncle when I was 13 years old. He owned a janitorial business, and I worked for him until I was 18. I went on to work in housekeeping at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital. After that, I worked as a CNA and then customer service for UPS. I worked my first retail job full time at Dillard’s.

From there, I went on to work my first corporate job at Aon Consulting. I always worked retail jobs part time even when I had other full time employment as a claim processor for more than 18 years.

I eventually realized that I was happier working retail jobs, so I left my processor job and jumped into retail full time. I was in my mid-40s at that point, and everyone thought that I was

20 | ForsythWoman.com

by M I C H A E L J O H N S O N

insane to make the complete transition to retail. But, I realized I was not happy in the corporate world, and I needed to go where I felt I belonged. I held several positions at Lowe’s until I applied for my first full time nonprofit job which was at the Enrichment Center.

I was a job coach for individuals with developmental disabilities. I started with them in June of 2021, and I worked for them until January 2023. I took a long, hard look at my life in April 2024 when I was also working for a grocery chain part time and realized, at age 52, I wanted to do nonprofit work permanently. I wanted something where I could use all my knowledge and skills and feel passionate about the work. It was nothing short of a blessing that Crisis Control Ministry was hiring for a Food Pantry Manager.

This job at Crisis Control Ministry was made for me.

PROVIDE ONE OR TWO ANECDOTES PERTAINING TO THE CELEBRATION OF SERVICE THAT CRISIS CONTROL MINISTRY PROVIDES. We had a woman who was homeless at the Bethesda Center beside us at Crisis Control. She’d finally gotten rehoused and needed help from Crisis Control Ministry for her housing deposit, and she also needed food. She came into the Food Pantry so excited about our services. We are very blessed to get flowers from our partnering grocery store in the area, and we gave her two dozen roses along with food to last her a few weeks.

The flowers were so special because she’d never been given flowers, and it touched her deeply.

We also once had a man who had been sick and lost his job. He needed medication, rent and utilities help as well as food. He and his large family came to us for assistance and received his and his son’s medication. We assisted with all utility payments, and he assumed that he was only going to get a small box of food.

He and his family of six received more than 200 pounds of food. The joy upon all their faces was wonderful. I will say that I often cry a lot of tears of joy at my job.

WHAT SPECIFICALLY DO PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT YOU ALL DO THERE AT CRISIS CONTROL MINISTRY? We are the largest Emergency Assistance Provider in Forsyth County. We provide short term emergency services for residents of Forsyth and Stokes County including rent and mortgage payments as well as utility bill assistance. We provide food from our clientchoice food pantry. We also provide medication from our licensed free pharmacy. Our Client Choice Food Pantry offers healthy food demonstrations with a nutritionist using the food that’s donated to our pantry.

WHAT IS A “FOOD DESERT” AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT THOSE YOU SERVE? There are 21 “food deserts” in Winston-Salem, and we (Winston-Salem) are ranked 7th on the national list of food hardships. A “food desert” is an area that has limited access to quality, nutritious, affordable and healthy food, especially fresh fruits and vegetables.

Neighborhoods that are considered food deserts are low-income areas with limited access to transportation. For the community that we serve, this is the predominant reason for their crisis. If I’m in an area where I cannot get to healthier foods or healthier options, I eat what I have. That may create health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol issues which then can lead to strokes, heart attacks or, even worse, death of a loved one which will put the person or family in a crisis where they cannot work.

HOW CAN OUR READERSHIP GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR MISSION? It all goes back to “Donate, Donate, Donate.”

We would love to partner with local gardeners and farmers to get fresh fruits and vegetables for the clients we serve. When donating any canned goods, any items that are low sodium or no salt added would help tremendously. Low sugar items are always welcomed. Canned fruit and unsweetened apple sauce work as well.

Our Client Choice Food Pantry was just recognized as a NEFPAT (Nutrition Environment Food Pantry Assessment Tool) Gold Nourishing Food Pantry for our efforts to provide our clients with healthy food alternatives, diverse fruits and vegetables and providing alternative eating options, and that’s all from the donations that we receive.

Learn more about Crisis Control Ministry at crisiscontrol.org.

be my valentine

336-766-7440 | FraleighsBoutiqueNC.com Monday-Friday 10am-5pm | Saturday 10am-4pm | 2626 Lewisville-Clemmons Rd. Clemmons, NC 27012

How to Increase Your

"Feel-Good Hormones"

with Simple Lifestyle Hacks

by D E B B I E B A R R

Hormones are chemical messengers produced in various glands of the body. They travel through the bloodstream to help the organs that keep our bodies healthy. There are about 50 hormones, but only a few that can make us feel happy, sometimes even euphoric. Three of these “feel-good hormones” are serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. What’s amazing is that it’s very easy to increase each of these hormones naturally – and increase our own happiness – with simple lifestyle hacks.

SEROTONIN (“THE MOOD BOOSTER”)

DOPAMINE (“THE REWARDER”)

OXYTOCIN (“THE LOVE HORMONE”)

About 10% of serotonin is made in the brainstem, and about 90% is made in the gut. Serotonin is a mood regulator that also influences our behavior. It helps us stay focused and makes us feel calm, stable and happy. Serotonin also impacts blood clotting, plays a role in our sleep/wake cycle, digestion, appetite and memory.

Dopamine is made by nerve cells at the base of the brain and also by the adrenal glands. Dopamine is created when one amino acid, tyrosine, is converted to another amino acid, L-dopa. When enzymes act on L-dopa, it becomes dopamine. Dopamine plays a role in movement, memory, attention, sleep, kidney function and motivation. It’s called “the rewarder” because, when we do something pleasurable, the brain rewards us by releasing a large dose of dopamine. Dopamine makes us feel happy, motivated, focused and alert.

It makes us want to repeat whatever triggers a dopamine reward. This is why junk food is so addictive!

Oxytocin is made by the hypothalamus gland but stored in and released by the pituitary gland.

Oxytocin causes the uterus to contract during childbirth and moves breast milk toward the nipple. Both of these facilitate bonding between mother and baby. But, oxytocin also helps connect people socially and romantically. It is involved in creating trust, romantic attachment, relationship building and sexual arousal. That’s why oxytocin is called “the love hormone” or “the cuddle chemical!”

When serotonin is low, we are more likely to feel anxious and depressed. The most commonly used antidepressant medicines increase the level of serotonin in the brain. If you or a loved one take an antidepressant, you can probably attest to the positive effects of serotonin on mood.

You can increase your serotonin naturally with: • Sunlight: 10 to 15 minutes of daily exposure to sunlight boosts serotonin levels. Those who don’t have access to sunlight may experience a drop in serotonin that causes a low mood known as seasonal affect disorder (SAD). The treatment for SAD is artificial light therapy.

•

•

Exercise: When we work out, our bodies release tryptophan, the amino acid that serotonin is made from. Five 30-minute aerobic workouts and two strength training sessions a week is enough to increase your level of serotonin.

Food: It seems reasonable to assume that eating foods containing tryptophan, such as turkey, would increase serotonin. But fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains are more likely to accomplish this. These complex carbohydrates trigger insulin, which helps tryptophan reach the brain.

22 | ForsythWoman.com

When dopamine is low, our mood may also be low. Motivation and sex drive may be low, too. Low dopamine makes us feel tired and unhappy, and may result in memory loss, difficulty sleeping and make it hard to concentrate.

Low dopamine is associated with restless leg syndrome, Parkinson’s disease and ADHD. You can increase your dopamine naturally with: • Food: Foods rich in tyrosine are known to increase dopamine.

These include chicken, almonds, apples, avocados, bananas, beets, chocolate, green leafy vegetables and green tea.

•

Relaxing activities: Any activity that relaxes you may trigger a dopamine reward. For many people, reading a book, exercising, yoga, playing with a dog or hiking in the woods may stimulate the release of dopamine.

It’s uncommon to have a low level of oxytocin.

But, when it does occur, it may play a role in bringing on depression, especially postpartum depression.

You can increase your oxytocin level naturally with: • Hugs: Simply touching someone can increase his or her oxytocin! Cuddling, hugging, getting a massage and romantic intimacy can all stimulate the flow of oxytocin.

•

Music: Music has a unique ability to connect and bond people, and oxytocin may be part of the reason. In one study, oxytocin levels were found to increase when measured before and after a group of people participated in improvised singing.

•

Exercise: According to one study, exercise can also increase oxytocin. The study measured oxytocin in the saliva of participants after high-intensity martial arts training and found that it was elevated.

•

Laughter: When we laugh, it triggers oxytocin which, experts remind us, is an important part of social bonding. As if to prove it, they claim that if you laugh on a date, you’ll be more likely to have a second date! (Worth a try, for sure!)

WINTER RADIANCE UNVEILED THE PERFECT SEASON FOR CHEMICAL PEELS

Perfect Peel Package Series of 3 for $600 For more information, call Meredith at 336.765.9350, ext 1424 or visit lyndhurstgyn.com for a list of additional services.

Lyndhurst Medical Spa 111 Hanestown Court, Suite 151 | Winston-Salem, NC 27103 | 336.765.9350

lyndhurstgyn.com We are in the Novant & Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Networks.

Keeping It Real YOUR BEST LIFE JODIE BRIM CREATIVE

by D R . D E B B I E L A N I E R

Most people want to live their best life; they just don’t want to change anything to get there. (Honestly, I have an aversion to change.) But, if we keep doing what we’ve always done, we’ll get what we’ve always gotten. Anywho! If change is out of the question for you, you might want to turn the page.

“Ignore it and it will go away.” It’s our motto when we encounter repercussions we don’t want to face. Perhaps we’re doing something we know down deep in our souls is not right.

There’s a constant gnawing in our gut, yet we find a thousand reasons to help it make sense in our head.

A great mentor, Chuck Colson, told me years ago, “We ALL have the infinite capacity to justify our actions.” (Guilty! A thousand times over, this is the reason for my messes!)

This tendency sounds eerily similar to Israel’s response to the Prophet Jeremiah every time he heard from God and tried to speak into their situation. God’s people had become so deafened to God’s counsel because it was nothing they wanted to hear. They were bound and determined to do what they wanted when they wanted, and however they wanted to do it.

In fact, the Scriptures say that God’s People were living so far from His ways that they behaved WORSE than the pagan nations who inhabited the land before God gave His promised land to them. (2 Kings 21:9) Now, that’s off the tracks!

God’s People kept finding individuals supposedly speaking on God’s behalf that would tell them what they wanted to hear. (May I NEVER be that person!) These phony “prophets” predicted peace and prosperity to counteract Jeremiah’s legit warnings of real trouble ahead if they stayed on this course.

But, this is it folks. Denying the Truth never changes the Truth. If God says so, it IS so Every. Single. Time! His Way Works!

Our wrongdoing never goes away because we deny its existence. It’s not God who needs to change; it’s us.

If we ever TRULY tasted the love of God, we would never hesitate to move where He leads, to live like He designed us to live. We would understand He desires our good more than we crave good for ourselves. He’s not waiting to see if we’ll mess up. He’s hovering close to help us move toward every good thing He planned for us.

People often talk about the wrath of God like He gets a belly full, then rushes out of the gate to squash us when He’s had enough of our nonsense. Where did we get this distorted thinking?

The wrath of God is when our loving Father simply steps back. He takes His Hands off a thing because we’ve relentlessly insisted that we are going to do it our way. We don’t want or need His input. Abba gives us what we think we want until…we don’t! THAT’S the wrath of God! Friends, wherever you are today, this doting Father hovers near. He longs to see your life thrive. It’s been His dream for you from the beginning.

If you feel stuck or frustrated with your course, stop where you are. Don’t keep doing things your way. Try His! I know, I know. You hate losing control.

(I GET IT!) But, once you relinquish your illusion of autonomy, you realize you never really had control anyway. It was all fantasy. Besides, resting in His embrace, following where He leads, aligning your life with His Word, Will and Way…it truly is YOUR BEST LIFE! JUST TRY IT! Your best life awaits!

For comments or prayer, please contact Dr. Lanier at HopeCommunityChurch.tv.

24 | ForsythWoman.com

Caring Staff, State-of-the-Art Facility We offer online scheduling!

SCAN

ME

Flexible Financing Options for Every Budget

Convenient hours for your busy schedule!

DENTAL

UNIVERSITY DENTAL ASSOCIATES SCOTT F. TUCKER DDS, MS, PA

Serving our community, one smile at a time.

The Crafting

OF A DELICIOUS DINING EXPERIENCE the most enticing menu, F rom imaginative cocktails, and extensive

wine list—including many from your favorite local wineries—there is just so much to love about Six Hundred° in Winston-Salem.

This significantly beautiful space greets you with oversized windows, a genuinely happy vibe, and the spirited setting of the Innovation Quarter, promising an experience for all your senses!

There’s the chef-driven menu, offering a collection of locally sourced dishes prepared over a wood fire, with the skill and passion that make every entrée incredibly unique. From delicious small plates to seasonal specialties, it’s always a treat to be seated at the culinary bar, where you can watch the chefs at work. If you’re celebrating a special occasion (it’s February, after all!), grab a seat at the cocktail bar and enjoy watching the bartenders show off their expertise as you sip on something wonderful!

With all this to love, nothing could be more perfect for a memorable Valentine’s Day celebration than an evening bathed in their impeccable ambiance and finished with one of the chef’s romantic dinner specials. With February 14th arriving on a Friday this year, plan to relax with one of their Valentine’s Day featured cocktails or a bottle of fine wine to toast your one and only!

Perhaps best of all, you’ll always know your favorite Six Hundred° dish was created with

26 | ForsythWoman.com

by M A R T I E E M O R Y

the freshest ingredients, almost always from a local source.

“We love the quality of the ingredients we get from local farms and vendors,” shares owner Jeff Bacon. “We do beautiful things with those! Even the firewood for our woodburning hearth is local, and we try to get most of our proteins from North Carolina— definitely the pork is all local—and most of the seafood.”

The restaurant relies on local farmers, including Fair Share Farm and Heritage Harvest Farms, both from Pfafftown, NC, for the naturally grown greens, microgreens, and mushrooms that you’ll love the taste of in many of their signature dishes.

With a creative flair that’s centered around the roots of Southern cooking, head chef Todd Martin takes flavorful to a new level at Six Hundred°, and the menu offers something interesting for every palate. Jeff will tell you his current favorite menu item is an old-school dish his chef has made lighter and more modern—the Chicken Fricassee!

With a charming view of Bailey Park from their supremely comfortable patio, Six Hundred° is also a local favorite for a laid-back Sunday brunch and a gem for dining and socializing any day of the week, boasting some of the finest hospitality you’ll find in the Triad area.

While you’re enjoying getting to know their creative menu and unrivaled level of service, here’s a fun bit of trivia: The restaurant’s

name is truly a reflection of the fact that 600° Celsius is the temperature at which gas evaporates from wood inside a bonfire to produce embers—what could be more authentic than that?

For locals and new explorers of the vibrant Innovation Quarter alike, Six Hundred° is a must for dining and relaxing!

Six Hundred° is located at 450 N. Patterson Avenue in Winston-Salem, NC, 336-2836754. Learn more about their distinctive menu, group reservations, or hosting your next private event at sixhundreddegrees. com. Follow this favorite WinstonSalem dining destination on Facebook and Instagram @Sixhundred_wsnc.

Six Hundred° is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, and for Sunday brunch.

Behind

the Brand

with JODIE BRIM CREATIVE

WHAT IS PERSONAL BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY?

Think of it as a curated collection of images that reflects your personality, values, and expertise.

Personal brand photography captures you in your element, doing what you love, and showcases the behindthe-scenes moments that make your journey so inspiring.

Headshots: Headshots are the visual representation of you. They capture your professional appearance, usually focusing on your face, and are often used for things like your LinkedIn profile or your website.

Personal Branding: Personal branding involves creating an authentic story that showcases your skills, values, and unique personality. By shaping how others see you and positioning yourself as an industry authority, personal branding becomes your secret sauce for standing out and attracting amazing opportunities.

When done right, personal brand photography gives your audience a glimpse into your world. It helps you establish a deeper connection with your community and allows them to see the real you. It’s about building trust, credibility, and a strong personal brand that attracts your dream clients or opportunities.

How is personal brand photography different from headshots?

Think of personal branding as the story behind the headshot - the essence of who you are and what you bring to the table. When done right, it’s like a magnet, attracting the right people and opportunities into your life.It’s all about showcasing the authentic and unforgettable YOU!

Jodie Brim Creative | Located in Downtown, Winston-Salem Empowering Female Entrepreneurs Through Visual Storytelling. info@jodiebrim.com

.

www.jodiebrim.com

Love Notes

How to Create a Meaningful, Beautiful Love Note for Anyone You Love

by K A R E N C O O P E R

It is always a good time to express your feelings to those you love.

In fact, the theory goes…the more love we put out into the world, the more will come back to us. And in the month of February, you have a special opportunity as St. Valentine’s Day approaches, to show through the written word just how much those in your life mean to you.

Writing a love note gives you the chance to think through your thoughts and find just the right words to convey your admiration and appreciation for your intended recipient. You can choose the tone of the letter and the content based on how it will best be received and know that the words you write will come straight from your heart.

A handwritten note is particularly special and intimate since the practice of handwritten notes is not as customary as it once was. It’s something the reader can return to again and again to remember how special your words made them feel. You can decide whether your note will be delivered in person or by mail.

You ultimately decide how your note will be written, but here are some ideas for making your message of love as meaningful and memorable as it can be…

TELL THE PERSON YOU’RE WRITING EXACTLY WHY YOU’RE TAKING THE TIME TO WRITE TO THEM A love note or note of admiration is a unique type of correspondence, and you need to make sure the object of your affection understands the reason you are writing.

PICK SOMETHING YOU LOVE ABOUT THE PERSON What makes your special person stand out from the crowd?

What do you especially love about them? Write it down in detail.

The things you appreciate most may not be the things your beloved considers to be his or her most obvious strengths, so tell them why it matters.

INCLUDE A HAPPY MEMORY THE TWO OF YOU HAVE SHARED As you are writing your letter, choose a particularly fond memory and write about it in detail. Tell the one you’re writing how that memory made you feel. What you may not know is your memory may be something your recipient has forgotten over time and this may bring back a wonderful feeling for them.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT STATIONERY FOR YOUR LETTER Since a love letter is not just an everyday piece of correspondence, it should not look like one. This is a time to get creative. Visit your craft store and find special paper, lace hearts, pressed flowers, stickers, or any other additions that you choose.

This is a note you want the recipient to be wowed by. Don’t forget to buy a special envelope, too. Make it beautiful. Make it your own creation.

TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE THE PERSON HAS MADE IN YOUR LIFE If you’re writing a note such as this, surely your life has changed for the better since meeting this person.

This is something you will want to convey in your letter. Explain in detail how this person has enhanced your life and give some examples of how that is true.

BE GENUINE TO WHO YOU ARE It is most important to make this note an authentic expression of your own true feelings. Let your own personality come through in your writing. Don’t write words that don’t reflect who you really are. Speak from your heart and let your writing flow naturally.

NEVER SAY ANYTHING YOU DON’T MEAN Think about what this relationship means to you now in the present moment. Allow your writing to reflect what is true now and do not make grandiose promises or gestures. You may want to write about what you admire or appreciate about the recipient of your note. Perhaps you could tell them why you love a special talent or creative ability they have. Let them know that you see who they are and truly recognize their special gifts.

Nothing feels better than knowing someone cares about what matters most to you.

28 | ForsythWoman.com

Navigating the Digital Dating Landscape

by S U S A N B O Y O U N G B A I L E Y S C H A B A C K E R

Dating today

i s a landscape transformed by technology and shifting societal norms, starkly contrasting with historical courtship practices.

In earlier generations, dating often revolved around structured social settings, family introductions and community events where interactions were more tightly regulated and often aimed at leading to marriage.

Fast forward to today, and the dynamics have shifted significantly.

The rise of dating apps and virtual platforms has not only expanded the pool of potential partners but has also altered the pace and nature of relationships. Unlike past eras, where courtship could last for several months – if not years – current dating culture often embraces a more casual and fast-paced approach, emphasizing instant connections and convenience.

Generational differences play a vital role in how dating is approached today. Older generations may prioritize stability, long term commitment and the traditional ideals of romance, while younger individuals might be more open to short term relationships and exploring new forms of intimacy through digital means.

chats can be a great way to establish trust before meeting in person since they provide a clearer picture of who you’re communicating with online. Above all, always meet in public places for the first few dates, ensuring you have a way to leave if you feel uncomfortable.

Finally, consider informing a friend or family member about your plans, including where you’re going and who you’re meeting.

Safety is paramount for everyone, particularly women, when it comes to dating. The bulleted checklists below will help ensure both inperson safety precautions and cybersecurity tips for online dating.

IN-PERSON DATING SAFETY CHECKLIST • • • •

Choose Public Locations: Opt for well populated places such as cafes, restaurants or parks for initial meetings to ensure a safer environment.

Inform a Friend: Tell a trusted friend or family member about your date plans, including the time, location and who you’re meeting.

Stay Sober: Limit alcohol intake and be cautious with drinks to remain alert and aware of your surroundings.

Have an Exit Plan: Arrange your own transportation or have a plan in mind for leaving should you feel uncomfortable at any point during the date.

Set Boundaries: Trust your instincts; if something feels off, don’t hesitate to cut the date short.

Limit Physical Affection: Reserve affection for when you feel completely comfortable, and avoid being overly trusting until you know the person better.

Keep Personal Details Private: Avoid sharing sensitive information, such as your home address or financial details, during the first few meetings.

For single women navigating this landscape, understanding these differences can be key to finding a compatible partner. Engaging with dating apps tailored to specific interests or demographics can improve the chances of meaningful connections. Always read reviews carefully and research the available platforms thoroughly.

Some sites might offer more safety features or cater to those looking for serious relationships, whereas others might focus more on casual encounters.

•

BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT SHARING PERSONAL INFORMATION

CYBERSECURITY TIPS FOR ONLINE DATING

When it comes to virtual dating, safety should be a top priority. Here are a few helpful tips to stay secure while exploring new connections online. First, always maintain anonymity until you feel comfortable. Avoid sharing personal information such as your home address, workplace or identifying details until you know the person well. Video

• •

• • • •

•

Use Reputable Dating Platforms: Stick to well reviewed and vetted dating apps that prioritize user safety.

Create a Unique Profile: Avoid using your full name, address or other identifying information when creating your online dating profile.

Be Cautious with Photos: Choose images that do not reveal personally identifiable information, such as your home or workplace.

Communicate Within the App: Utilize the messaging features in the dating app until you feel confident in transitioning to other communication methods.

• Verify Your Date’s Identity: Conduct a search or check their social media profiles to validate their identity before meeting in person.

• Trust Your Instincts: If something feels suspicious or uncomfortable, do not hesitate to block or report the user on the platform.

Utilize Privacy Settings: Take advantage of privacy features on dating apps to enhance your security and control who can see your information.

Remember, prioritizing personal safety is crucial, and it is always better to err on the side of caution. By taking precautions and being mindful of the digital dating landscape, you can navigate both the inperson and online modern dating world with confidence and safety.

30 | ForsythWoman.com

Valentine’s Day Specials - February 14th Call or visit us online to make a reservation

Cupid’s Couple Combo

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7am - 3pm $25

1 Select Appetizer to Share 2 Select Comfort Foods Entrees 1 Dessert to Share

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151 S. Stratford Road | Winston-Salem, NC 27104 | 336.724.9800 | MidtownCafeWS.com

PRESENTING SPONSOR

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Event Photography by Jodie Brim Creative

Full-Day Event

Impactful Presentations Networking  Shopping Food + Drinks And More Forsyth Woman Magazine’s “Women on the Move” initiative comes to life through its 4th Annual Women on the Move Leadership Conference. Join us as we spark passion, purpose, and motivation in women to pursue their dreams.

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by TA R Y N J E R E Z

A monthly column that keeps its finger on the pulse of Forsyth’s artists and their inspiring stories!

Sarah Mosseller | Feminist Conceptual Artist & Rug Hooker This month’s featured artist, Sarah Mosseller, transforms her family’s artistic legacy and tradition into unique works that amplify important stories and illuminate powerful values.

How would you describe your work?

My work combines Appalachian hooked rugs with feminist conceptual art, creating pieces that amplify women’s voices and untaught women’s history. Each piece is rooted in tradition while challenging modern systems of oppression, using art as a form of storytelling and activism.

What was your journey to developing your artistic skills like?

I was first introduced to rug hooking in my great uncle’s rug studio in Lynn, NC where I grew up. I remember hand dying wool yarn and using wooden shuttles to hook rugs with him. My journey began with the stories of my great-great-grandmother, Lillian Mills-Mosseller, whose Appalachian hooked rugs were featured in the MET and Smithsonian. Her artistry inspired me to carry on the legacy in a way that reflects my own values. Along the way, I’ve blended traditional fiber art techniques with modern feminist themes to create something uniquely my own.

How have you grown, personally, as an artist?

I’ve grown by embracing my heritage while daring to step into uncomfortable spaces as a feminist. Art has taught me to be unapologetic in my voice and has provided a deeper sense of connection to my ancestors and to the women who experience my work. I’ve also learned to navigate balancing tradition while also challenging it.

What is your secret for carving out time to truly be creative?

I view creativity as a form of self care and healing. My work isn’t something I fit in; it’s essential. I schedule my time intentionally, often connecting art with my other passions, such as feminist advocacy and wellness. Making space to create is as vital as any other commitment.

(Honestly, not having children is also a huge help.)

POPPIES FOR PERSEPHONE

Do you have a favorite story behind one of your projects and why?

On a recent trip to Portugal, I visited the Museu do Aljube – Resistência e Liberdade, a museum dedicated to those who resisted fascism. One exhibit particularly moved me; the stories of women who led the anti-fascist movement, using the carnation as a symbol of liberation and resistance. Inspired by their courage, I sought out hand-dyed wool yarn from a woman-owned business in Portugal and created a piece that reads feminista feroz – Portuguese for “fierce feminist.” This piece honors their legacy while intertwining my heritage of rug hooking with the spirit of feminist resistance worldwide.

What are you working on that excites you right now?

I’m currently working on PILLOW FIGHT, a feminist art experience that transforms a tired patriarchal trope into a feminist reawakening.

This project reclaims and reimagines the “sexy pillow fight,” turning it into a space of empowerment and connection for women. It integrates Appalachian hooked rug pillows with feminist workshops and is designed to spark genuine friendships and support women’s health and happiness.

What is one piece of advice you’d like to share with fellow artists, especially those at the start of their careers?

Embrace your unique voice and trust your instincts. Your work doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be powerful. Art creates beauty, but it can also create change.

Challenge the wrongs you see in the world, one creation at a time.

If you are interested in learning more about this month’s artist, Sarah Mosseller, you can find her work online on Instagram @smosseller.

34 | ForsythWoman.com

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CHOICE AWARDS

2024 WINNER

New Year, New Project As the new year begins, many homeowners feel inspired to tackle renovations and give their spaces a fresh start after the holidays. If you’re considering remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, or simply breathing new life into your home with new furnishings, you’ve come to the right place. Renovating key areas like the kitchen or bathroom has become a popular way to elevate the overall aesthetic and infuse your personal style into your home. Hiring a professional eliminates the overwhelming task of making all the decisions that come with a remodel, from selecting paint colors and cabinets to sourcing the ideal materials. At June DeLugas Interiors, we provide comprehensive turnkey design and remodeling services. Our approach goes beyond remodeling to include every detail, such as light fixtures, window treatments and custom furnishings.

Our design process begins with an in-home consultation to discuss your needs, style preferences and any existing furnishings you want to keep. We take photos and measurements of the rooms involved, which are then used to create CAD drawings for a 2D representation of your space. From there, we select samples and swatches of paint, fabrics and finishes that align with your vision, and we create detailed renderings to bring the design to life. Once all the elements are selected, we meet with you at our design center to review the proposed designs and make any necessary adjustments based on your feedback. After finalizing the plans, we coordinate with subcontractors to ensure a smooth transition from concept to completion. At June DeLugas Interiors, our goal is to make the remodeling process seamless and exceed your expectations every step of the way. Transforming spaces into extraordinary!

Our portfolio of projects is listed on our website, junedelugasinteriors. com, under the “projects” tab at the top. You can see some of our projects from the past 10 years; and how the styles and design trends have changed over the years. The first step is picking up your phone and making an appointment. We look forward to discussing your dream remodel with you.

God Bless,

June

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Making Dollars, Making $ense Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Marzano Capital Group is an other business name of Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC. All investment advice is offered through Independent Advisor Alliance LLC, a registered investment advisor.

Independent Advisor Alliance is a separate entity from LPL Financial.

Why Do We Worry About Money?

BY BRANDON JAMES, FINANCIAL ADVISOR

It may be surprising to hear, but even those who’ve accumulated substantial wealth may still worry about money.

While financial success often brings comfort, it doesn’t alleviate every fear, insecurity or concern. These fears run deep, often stemming from childhood experiences, societal pressures or the responsibility of managing wealth.

Understanding the psychology behind this phenomenon can help us address it more effectively. Here are three main reasons why we worry about money, even when we have enough of it.

1. FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN One of the most significant sources of financial anxiety is the fear of the unknown. This includes concerns about market volatility, economic downturns and unexpected life events. Even with substantial assets, the unpredictability of the future can cause stress.

Being mindful about money is what helped you build your assets in the first place, but it can also lead to excessive worry.

It’s important to have a comprehensive financial plan that includes contingency strategies. Regularly reviewing this plan can provide a sense of control and preparedness, reducing the anxiety associated with financial uncertainty.

2. RESPONSIBILITY TO OTHERS Many of our clients feel a strong obligation to provide for their families, support charitable causes and contribute to their communities. This responsibility can be a source of worry,

particularly when it comes to ensuring that wealth is managed wisely and ethically.

Creating a legacy plan that aligns with your values can help address these concerns. By clearly defining your financial goals and establishing trusts or other structures to manage your wealth, you can ensure that your resources are used in ways that reflect your principles and provide for those you care about.

3. MAINTAINING FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE Maintaining financial independence is a common worry, even for those with significant wealth. The fear of running out of money or becoming a burden to others can be a powerful source of anxiety. This is often magnified as people approach retirement or face health issues.

It’s crucial to plan in advance for concerns regarding healthcare and to consider longterm care insurance. This can provide peace of mind and help ensure you remain self sufficient.

We are empathetic to these concerns and are committed to helping you navigate them with confidence. Our personalized approach and deep client relationships allows us to tailor strategies that address your unique financial worries. Remember, while it’s natural to worry about money, having a valued advisor by your side can make all the difference in achieving financial confidence.

38 | ForsythWoman.com

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Each apartment features a private outdoor living area with a ground-level patio or upper-level porch. Everything is designed to simplify life so you can focus on doing what you love.

Join a class in our heated indoor pool. Stroll the trails on our 46-acre wooded campus. Meet friends for lunch in our café. With a full complement of amenities a short walk from your door, every day is an opportunity to live life to the fullest.

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With classes, programs and activities to nourish mind, body and soul, you’ll have opportunities to live well and feel great.

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Multiple entrées to choose from daily with options ranging from hearthealthy dishes to homestyle favorites.

Extend YOUR PEACE OF MIND Brookridge offers the security of lifetime care with priority access to a full continuum of care on-site, if ever needed.

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SMILE TOGETHER Inspiring the World of Cleft and Craniofacial Care

by M A R T I E E M O R Y

W

hile calling to reschedule her son’s annual appointment with the Duke Cleft and Craniofacial Center, Chrissy Wrede made a connection that has grown into an amazing non-profit, Smile Together.

Chrissy and Carlee Jones, Coordinator for the Duke Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Team, bonded quickly, both heralding the depth of care provided by the Duke staff, and its impact on patient’s families, including Chrissy’s. As they like to share, the two literally created Smile Together one afternoon in April of 2019.

Chrissy’s son, Austin, was born on World Smile Day in 2016, especially significant because Austin was born with a cleft lip and palate. With no history of a cleft condition on either side of their family, Austin’s condition was diagnosed at the 20-week ultrasound, and he was born with a unilateral complete cleft lip and palate. That means his lip, nostril, gumline and the entire roof of his mouth were not connected. Cleft lip and palate is among the most common congenital conditions, affecting one in 700 people – that’s one baby every two hours in the United States.

“The first year for these kids is tough,” Chrissy explains. “They can't breastfeed, have to use special bottles and, at one week old, Austin was fitted for a special retainer for nasoalveolar molding (called "NAM"). The NAM helped bring his gumline together and shape his nose. He wore it 24/7 up until his first surgery at four months old. The first surgery repaired his lip and nose, but his palate and roof of his mouth remained open until his second repair surgery at 11 months old. We started Austin with solid food around six months, but not without challenges, as everything he ate went right up into his nose and eventually out with a big ol' sneeze. Austin had a third surgery this past December at the age of eight to graft bone from his hip to his cleft and relocate his nasal septum.

He couldn’t chew for more than six weeks or play with his buddies or throw the football with his dad – he had to give up a lot at a time when it felt unfair.”

Caring for Austin introduced Chrissy and her family to a supportive cleft community – one they want to continue nurturing.

On their own, Chrissy and her family had raised funds to benefit the treatment of cleft conditions throughout 2017 and 2018, and by 2019, knew they could have a greater impact by partnering with the Duke Team.

“Carlee and I created Smile Together so everyone can have an experience like ours and, more importantly, to advance the standards and techniques for future generations. Cleft and craniofacial kids have to face so much and do it with incredible strength and bravery. We celebrate that every day!”

Now a strongly supported, patientfocused 501(c)(3), Smile Together pursues a scenario where all barriers associated with cleft and craniofacial conditions are removed – and where children can reach their full potential.

Their mission is to provide an equal opportunity and comprehensive services to all patients, despite background, culture or ability.

Donors can be assured that 100%

40 | ForsythWoman.com

The Wrede Family

of the proceeds received through the group’s efforts benefit the Duke Cleft and Craniofacial Center within the Division of Plastic, Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery at Duke University. Two robust labs there are dedicated to understanding, advancing and standardizing the clinical and surgical practice of cleft and craniofacial care. With consent, research is integrated into everyday clinical care at Duke, data is tracked, new collection tools are developed and networks are established between different centers to work collaboratively.

Mom Chelene Stone also shares her story: “In 2008, when we learned our baby would be born with a bilateral cleft lip, someone told me about a new ‘NAM’ program that had just started at Duke Children’s Hospital. We met with Dr. Marcus and members of their craniofacial team in January of 2009 before our son, John, was born that March. Every week, we made the drive from Hickory to Durham to see Dr. Santiago, and in October, John received his permanent smile. While middle school was difficult, he is now a thriving, self-confident freshman at Reagan High School. Smile Together is important because, even with medical insurance, the cost of providing care for a child with a craniofacial difference is expensive.

Providing access and innovations for families is so important as well as bringing awareness, particularly in schools, about being kind to everyone!”

Clear from day one of Chrissy and Carlee’s mission, positivity is also key!

“We try to stay humble and thankful for everything we have, and Austin's condition certainly falls within this philosophy. We don't talk about him as different because he's not, and we trust the process and follow the plan,” shares Chrissy.

For more information, visit their website at smiletogether.gives or email info@ smiletogether.gives.

Boutique Wellness

we believe in beauty from the inside out Our commitment to evidence-based practices extends to the products we use, guaranteeing that you receive the highest quality care. Trust our credibility and expertise as we stay ahead in aesthetics and regenerative medicine, delivering advanced, safe, and tailored care for natural beauty and wellness.

February Specials Medical Weight Loss - $333/monthly A Great Hydrofacial Treatment - $150 $20 off Dysport (minimum 50 units) The first 10 patients to schedule one of the services above receive a free C02 laser hand treatment!

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BEHIND

When you sit down at a bar and order your favorite or new cocktail, you probably don’t give a lot of thought to the history behind it or even how it was created.

However, to these three women below, cocktails are a huge part of their job.

the Cocktails

These Three Women Do Much More than Craft Cocktails at Your Favorite Local Bars

by S U Z Y F I E L D E R S

Cocktails have grown in popularity and creativity since that first documented cocktail, Sazerac, in New Orleans in the 1850s. Today, there are no limits when it comes to cocktail creation and ideas.

Angela Williams of Hel’s, Brewer Johnson of The Trophy Room and Morgan Graham of The Remedy all share some of their favorite aspects of their jobs, their favorite cocktails they’ve created and more. If you frequent any of these establishments then you’ve likely seen them around and hopefully know them by name!

ANGELA WILLIAMS Bartender at Hel’s

MORGAN GRAHAM General Manager at The Remedy

As soon as you step into Hel’s, you’ll realize it’s a very inclusive space. They

The Remedy has beverages for all tastes and needs all day long. From providing your caffeine

also have a great patio for relaxation and games in front of the bar’s entrance.

Angela Williams serves up drinks and smiles regularly at Hel’s. She shares that, in addition to being a bartender there, as they have no manager, each employee chips in on various tasks.

Her favorite parts about the job are the people and how it’s never dull. She says, “I’ve met a lot of great people as a bartender. I never get bored. Every day is an adventure.”

Like many bartenders, she loves getting creative in making different cocktails.

Her mom is the reason behind the favorite cocktail she created. Angela’s mom requested a strong fruity drink, and she just threw something together that her mom loved. It ended up being a cocktail called Angie’s Mama’s Drink at her previous job.

She worked with the owner at a previous job and was excited to come work for her at Hels. “It’s a safe space for everyone,” Angela shares.

545 Trade Street NW, Suite 103, Winston-Salem Instagram: @helswsnc

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fix with coffee to a cocktail after a long day, they’ve got you covered. As General Manager, Morgan Graham is a huge part of not just their cocktails but the overall amazing vibe and success of The Remedy, as well.

Morgan shares, “The best part of my job is that I don’t even see it as a ‘job.’ It’s about creating a vibrant, welcoming space that our community can enjoy, while also fostering a supportive and inspiring environment for my team.”

Her favorite cocktail creation is Sage Advice. It was a fun spin on a whiskey sour and featured sageinfused whiskey and a housemade orange-vanilla spiced syrup. One reason it’s her favorite is because it was the first step in The Remedy making their own infusions and syrups from scratch.

In her role, Morgan gets to train the next generation of bartenders. “I love watching someone discover their own flair and how they can play with flavors, build their own style and express themselves through cocktails. It’s incredible to see them realize they have the freedom to experiment and make something truly unique. Being part of that journey, encouraging them to trust their instincts and the spark of excitement when growth happens, is what makes this work so rewarding for me.”

492 West End Boulevard, Winston-Salem Instagram: @theremedyws

BREWER JOHNSON Bartender at The Trophy Room/ Dogwood Hops & Crops You might notice beside Brewer Johnson’s name are two bar names.

The Trophy Room and Dogwood Hops & Crops have a unique setup as they are right beside each other and connected in the back. Both have very different vibes and drink offerings and should be on your list of bars to visit in 2025!

She shares what she loves about the job, “Everything besides the hours is the best part of my job. The people I get to work with, the atmosphere, just about all of it.”

For Brewer, it’s a tie for the favorite cocktail she’s created. She says it’s either the Cowboy Killer, a chamoy mango spicy margarita, or Basic Witches, their famous pumpkin spice espresso martini.

When it comes to inspiration for creating drinks, she says it comes from her garden and kitchen. “I think that a great drink should have an identity beyond liquor,” she says.

517 N Liberty Street, Winston-Salem Instagram: @thetrophyroomws & @dogwoodhopsandcrops

SAFETY AND

SELF DEFENSE

by S U S A N B O Y O U N G B A I L E Y S C H A B A C K E R

Staying safe and protected is a paramount concern for women in an increasingly digital world, and safety and security experts offer a variety of suggestions to help empower women and keep them safe in their online and offline lives.

F

irst of all, learn to become hyper aware of your surroundings when out and about. Practice situational awareness, especially when in unfamiliar environments.

Be mindful of people, places and possible escape routes.

Train yourself to notice unusual behavior, and be alert to any potential threats before they escalate. When walking in public, experts recommend that you limit phone use. That way, you can maintain focus on your surroundings and won’t be distracted by conversations on your phone.

Many experts suggest enrolling in self-defense classes that teach practical skills and strategies, such as assertive body language, verbal de-escalation and physical maneuvers, all of which can significantly improve your personal safety.

Learn these techniques, and practice them regularly to build muscle memory and confidence. You want to be prepared to respond quickly and effectively in tense situations.

Consider carrying personal safety devices such as pepper spray or personal alarms, and set up smartphone applications that will alert friends or authorities in case of an emergency.

Establish a safety plan that includes trusted friends or family who are aware of your whereabouts. Check in with them regularly, especially during late hour outings.

Add location-sharing options to allow trusted contacts to track your location during and install a quick-access SOS feature for invaluable peace of mind. Customize notification settings to enable essential messages while silencing others to help maintain focus.

Stay on the safe side with security settings on devices such as smartphones and computers. Customize your privacy settings on social media platforms, and regularly review and adjust who can see your profiles, posts and personal information.

Limiting visibility to friends or trusted individuals can give you a much more secure online presence.

Install browser extensions or apps that increase online security, such as VPNs, ad blockers, password managers and anti-phishing tools. These can protect sensitive data from prying eyes and reduce the risk of identity theft or cyberstalking. For additional online security, add two-factor authentication and be ever alert for online scams, phishing sites and malware. Never click on urgent messages from someone you do not know that tell you to click a link, open an attachment or download an app.

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TIPS AND TOOLS FOR SELF-DEFENSE AND STAYING PROTECTED ONLINE AND OFFLINE Personal Safety Tools: • Pepper Spray: Easy to carry and effective for deterring attackers.

• Personal Alarm: A small device that emits a loud noise to attract attention in emergency situations.

• Self-Defense Keychains: Designed to be discreet yet effective for close encounters.

Online Safety Measures: • Use Strong Passwords: Create complex passwords and use a password manager.

• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA on all critical accounts for an additional layer of security.

• Regular Privacy Audits: Check privacy settings on social media platforms, and limit what you share publicly.

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings: • Avoid Distractions: Keep your phone away, and be aware of your environment when in public spaces.

• Trust Your Instincts: If a situation feels wrong, take action to remove yourself from it.

Self-Defense Training: • Enroll in a Class: Consider taking a self-defense course. Many local gyms and community centers offer classes.

• Practice Regularly: Consistency in training will increase your confidence and skill level.

Emergency Preparedness: • Have a Plan: Know escape routes in familiar places, and discuss safety plans with family and friends.

• Create a Safety Kit: Fill it with essential items such as a flashlight, batteries, first-aid supplies and contact information for emergency services.

Professional Advice: • Consult with Local Authorities: Engage with law enforcement to learn about crime trends in your area and safety tips tailored to local environments.

• Interview Experts: Reach out to self-defense instructors or cyber-security professionals for personalized strategies to enhance your safety.

Maintaining Physical Fitness: • Regular Exercise: Stay physically fit to improve your overall ability to react in emergencies.

• Mindfulness Practices: Techniques such as meditation can help manage stress and keep a clear mind in critical situations.

Feel more confident in your ability to protect yourself.

Combine education and technological tools to navigate both the digital landscape and the physical world with greater confidence and security.

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Hustle & Heart

by TA R Y N J E R E Z , OF GOFORITCREATIVE.COM

This column is meant to serve as a resource for readers who seek inspiration and knowledge for building their own small business brands. Through actionable advice, find the encouragement to help you keep living your life with hustle and heart.

Messaging & Pricing: Your Brand Power Couple here are few dynamics as powerful for shaping your brand’s perceived value as the relationship between your messaging and your pricing. These two elements are literally your sales power couple – the Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds of your brand, if you will!

T

When you’re looking to position your business in front of top tier clients, communicate your value and build a genuine connection with your customers, you have to make sure your messaging and pricing are pulling the weight equally! I promise – after eight years of working with small businesses – if you think you have a pricing problem, chances are you also have a messaging problem.

PRICING IS A MAIN CHARACTER IN YOUR STORY “Pricing is my favorite part of owning a business,” said no business owner ever. The truth is that what you charge and how you run promotions create a story about their value. Think about when you see a handbag with a price tag of $499 compared to one that cost $49.99. Right away, your brain subconsciously starts telling you a story about each bag. The expensive one might make you take in the buttery leather, stitching details, silk lining and see it as the luxury item from a designer store. Whereas, the less expensive one may be the more practical, cute, everyday purse you grab at Target while simultaneously shopping for cereal and eyeliner.

Your pricing is only one part of your offer’s story. The question is, does the rest of your story support it? For instance, if you’re aspiring to be a luxury spa, but your pricing screams “budget massage from a shady franchise,” your audience will feel that disconnect. If you want to serve budget-conscious moms, but your prices say “private chef and nanny included,” you’re pushing them away instead of pulling them in.

MESSAGING SETS THE STAGE FOR YOUR VALUE Your messaging should be so specifically powerful for the customers you want to reach that they are already internally screaming “take my money” before they see the cost. Your job is to paint a clear picture of why your offer is one they can’t live without. Try not to spend too much time sharing concrete features of your products and offers but really diving into the details of what you sell. What transformation does your product or service provide? Why are you a go-to expert at what you do? What do you do differently than others in your industry?

For example, if you’re a life coach, you wouldn’t just say I help my clients grow to new heights. It’s too vanilla and ambiguous. But,

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you could share before and after client stories who felt lost and overwhelmed when they hired you and are now in a career they love, traveling the world living their best life after.

CRAFT YOUR OWN POWER COUPLE STRATEGY Here are simple steps to include if you’re ready to position your products or services to become an instant “add to cart” decision for your top tier customers!

1. Know Your People: Who are they? What is the problem they need solved? What will they pay for the value of what you offer?

Get crystal clear.

2. Position Like a Pro: Identify where you want to fall in the market.

Make sure your messaging and pricing align to build the right brand perception.

3. Hone In on Your Story: What message does your customer really care about and need to hear? Be clear and compelling, and test your story out in different ways.

4. Refine. Refine. Refine.: Don’t “set it and forget it!” Trial and error is your BFF! Try different approaches until you find what works.

HUSTLE & HEART CHALLENGE This month, look at your pricing and offers through the lens of your customer. Think of the brand you want people to like, trust and connect with and ask yourself if your current messaging and pricing are giving off the perceived value you want the world to see. Where do you see room for improvements? Pricing or messaging or both?

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A Night to Support Families

photos by S A I L O F F P H O T O G R A P H Y

It’s time to get out your party shoes and join the Ronald McDonald House Charities® Piedmont Triad (RMHCPT) for the second annual Wine Women & Shoes event!

Weekly BINGO nights and the Petite Boutique foster connection with staff, other families, and the community and are a vehicle for providing needed supplies such as clothing and diapers to new parents.

The most stylish annual fundraiser in town is happening on May 1st at Legacy Stables & Events. It mixes fashion with compassion and supports the programs that provide a “home away from home” for families to rest, eat and find support as they cope with their children’s medical needs.

Three Ronald McDonald Family Rooms provide a place of respite and rejuvenation for families with children in the hospital. Family Rooms are quiet spaces for families to forget they’re in a hospital; places to rest, regroup and refuel just steps away from their child’s bedside. Each room has comfortable seating areas, kitchens stocked with donated snacks and meals, and computers with internet access. Family Rooms are found in Brenner Children’s Hospital, Forsyth Medical Center and Cone Health.

Helping others is always in style, and Wine Women & Shoes is the fashionable way to support the mission of RMHCPT while enjoying a girls’ night out with your besties!

Last year’s inaugural event raised more than $126,000 – enough to cover the family costs for 16 bedrooms for a year, stock our Family Rooms for five months and sustain our programs in many other ways! We’re looking forward to even more fabulous results on our second pass down the runway.

The benefit to families is what really counts. For parents with a child who is facing a serious illness or medical condition, the unpredictable and often long treatment journey is the most difficult time of their lives.

The cares of daily life seem to stand still while what matters the most is being by their child’s side. Ronald McDonald House® is here for those families. Our House gives families a “home away from home” close to the hospital complete with meals, support and anything else they need – so they can focus on caring for their child.

RMHCPT’s programs give families the physical and emotional support they need to care for sick children – without the high cost of hotel rooms. It has 36 bedrooms and private bathrooms accessible to families 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with staff available onsite 24/7.

Families are asked to donate just $10 per night of their stay, however, no one is turned away due to inability to make a donation. The Family Support Services program addresses the non-medical needs of guest families. It helps them cope with the challenges related to caring for a sick child both in the hospital and after the child returns home. Activities such as Pet Therapy, Craft Nights and Sibling Support address emotional needs.

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Nine Hospitality Carts serve as extensions of the Family Rooms to meet families of children seeking medical care where they are in the hospital or partner medical facility, offering a variety of snacks, beverages, activities and comfort items free of charge. Hospitality Carts operate inside hospitals and clinics in the Piedmont Triad, removing barriers to service and bringing the caring touch of our House to all families of pediatric patients.

Get ready to get glamorous with your girlfriends enjoying wine tastings from top winemakers, shopping a boutique marketplace, taking in a fashion show and bidding on incredible auction items – all for a good cause. A charming “Shoe Crew” will be building anticipation for Wine Women & Shoes online, then working the room and entertaining guests on the big night. The popular “Best in Shoe” fashion contest will be back and bigger than ever, so be sure to wear your most stylish heels – and everyone walks away with a chic swag bag.

Tickets will be on sale February 10th, just in time for Galentine’s Day. Tickets are $125 with all proceeds benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities Piedmont Triad. Be there and be fabulous!

For more information about Ronald McDonald House and their programs, visit RMHCPT.org.

To learn more and reserve your ticket for Wine Women & Shoes, visit winewomenandshoes.com/rmhcpt.

Why You Should Give Up on Multitasking

by D E B B I E B A R R

Does that surprise you? The truth is that multitasking doesn’t work because it cannot work. According to neuroscience researchers, the human brain lacks the architecture to perform two or more tasks simultaneously. In other words, our brains are only capable of focusing on one thing at a time.

Multitasking slows us down because every time the brain leaves one task unfinished to move on to another, it must reorient to the new task. It must first bring the new task to mind and then direct attention to the information that is relevant to perform it. When it leaves this task unfinished and moves on to yet another one, the brain has to do all that reorienting again. What’s worse, according to the neuroscience experts at the Dana Foundation, is when we rapidly task switch, “valuable information, without fail, falls through the cracks.” Thus, not only is multitasking slower than was once believed; it inevitably leads to mistakes.

So, now we know the truth: multitasking involves “task switch costs.” And, that’s not all! In addition, the fast-paced attention switching of multitasking also depletes the brain’s supply of glucose. Glucose is the fuel that enables the brain’s neurons to communicate with one another. Thus, multitasking can lead to brain fatigue which makes it harder to stay focused, harder to be productive and makes us more forgetful.

When people think they are multitasking, what they are actually doing is task switching.

The real truth about multitasking, according to the Dana Foundation, is that

• • •

Do you check your email or browse online while you’re talking to someone on the phone?

Do you respond to text messages while you’re in a meeting or watching TV with your family?

If you’re a student, do you use social media while you’re studying?

All of these are examples of multitasking – attending to multiple tasks at the same time to quickly accomplish as much as possible. When we have a long “to-do” list or feel the pinch of a time crunch, multitasking makes us feel like we’re making the best possible use of our time and getting more done.

There’s just one problem with multitasking: it doesn’t work.

Task switching means rapidly turning your attention from one thing to another again and again. Multitaskers are simply just good at task switching. And the problem with task switching is that it is terribly inefficient. While some people insist that multitasking is a time saver, it’s really not; it actually adds time.

“...studies consistently show that human beings are terrible multitaskers.”

Science is now pointing us all to what does actually work, which is monotasking.

The reason monotasking is superior to multitasking is because, when we switch back and forth from task to task, we give up the efficiency that goes with staying focused on just one task.

Whether we call it monotasking, single tasking or unit tasking, it is now clear that our brains are “wired” to focus on just one task at a time.

Single tasking is better than rapid task switching no matter what we’re trying to accomplish.

It enhances our performance whether we are working in an office, shopping online or cleaning up at home, and it keeps us safer when we’re navigating bumper-to-bumper traffic on the freeway. Many experts now affirm that we perform best when we’re doing one thing at a time. One sociologist said, “We can move from the idea that multitasking and busyness is a sign of our productivity…to the truth, which is that we’re actually more productive when we single task. Our brains are not computers. They were not designed to run multiple apps in any one given time.”

It’s been said that there is an exception to everything, and this is true of multitasking.

While 98% of human beings cannot multitask, about 2% of people are “supertaskers” who actually can. Their brain structure is different from the brain structure the rest of us have.

If you’re one of the rare supertaskers, enjoy your superpower! Otherwise, Psychology Today writer Garth Sundem advises, “...if you’re not a supertasker, the overwhelming message of science is this: just give it up already! By multitasking, you do everything less well.

Instead, if you want to get the most done right, design your life to monotask. Your brain will thank you for it.”1 1. Garth Sundem, “This Is Your Brain on Multitasking,” February 24, 2012.

Psychology Today.

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How to Know the Difference Between a Healthy and Unhealthy Friendship

by H A L L E I G H M I L L E S O N

When I was younger, I was grateful for my friends in school, and I always thought that we would be best friends forever. However, as we grow up and life changes, some of our friendships change. At 24 years old, I have been blessed with new friendships in my life, and I have lost a few.

Losing a friendship is never easy, but it is important only to surround yourself with genuine friends. I have come to realize the true difference between a healthy and unhealthy friendship as I have experienced both types. Below, I am going to explain what I believe are qualities of both healthy and unhealthy friendships.

HEALTHY FRIENDSHIPS

UNHEALTHY FRIENDSHIPS

YOUR FRIEND SUPPORTS YOU: Being in a healthy friendship means that your friend supports you and is proud of you. Your friend is excited for you when good things happen in your life and sad for you when difficult things happen in your life. Having a friend who is supportive means having a friend who is constantly there for you and wants the best for you in your life.

YOUR FRIEND IS ALWAYS COMPETING WITH YOU: Having a friend who is always competing with you and is trying to be one step or season ahead of you in life is not healthy. Instead of feeling supported by your friend, you will feel like your friend is trying to constantly be better than you and have things that you do not have such as getting married before you or getting another degree before you, etc. This friendship is not a supportive one, and it is not healthy to surround yourself with someone who does not want the best for you.

YOUR FRIEND IS TRUSTWORTHY: It is important to have a friend who is trustworthy which means that your friend is someone that you can trust when talking to, especially if that includes talking about difficult things. You know that your friend is not going to tell other people and will keep what you share with them only to themselves. Also, having a trustworthy friend means that your friend follows through on what they say such as actually meeting you for dinner when you schedule a dinner together.

MOMENTS OF JOY & LAUGHTER ARE COMMON: I believe that a sign of a healthy friendship is a friendship that includes plenty of joy and laughter. Being around my best friend is always joyful because we are always laughing which always makes me feel happy.

Having moments in friendships where you can just simply laugh and enjoy being around each other is such a joy.

YOUR FRIEND IS NOT TRUSTWORTHY: Another sign of an unhealthy friendship is that your friend is not able to be trusted. This could mean that your friend shares your secrets with other people, does not follow through on plans, etc. It is hard to be friends with someone who you are not able to trust.

You will never be able to grow in your friendship and have someone to talk to.

MOMENTS OF JOY & LAUGHTER ARE RARE: As I mentioned earlier, I feel that having joy and laughter are important in a friendship, and if you do not feel joy or cannot laugh with a friend, then that is a sign of an unhealthy friendship. Maybe you cannot laugh because your friend is always complaining, always trying to be better than you or is simply not nice to you. Having a best friend means having someone who you can genuinely enjoy being around.

I hope that this article will help people see some different qualities of both healthy and unhealthy friendships. When we surround ourselves with genuine friends, we feel better and experience more joy versus being in an unhealthy friendship. It is sad to me that sometimes our friendships change and go in different directions, and we can still talk to friends who we are maybe not as close to anymore; but it is important to spend time with friends who are there for you no matter what.

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Aging Out Why Am I Suddenly Getting Acne?

by A M Y H I L L

Over the last few years, you may have heard social media influencers discussing the trendy concept of a “second puberty,” or experiencing bodily changes in reference to weight, skin, menstruation, hair and more outside of one’s pre-teen years.

When I first heard about “second puberty” in my early 20s, I never thought I would experience it myself.

Youth-induced invincibility is bliss, and I am sadly eating my words.

When it comes to my own body, I’ve noticed that what was once mild peach fuzz on my upper lip can now become quite noticeable without a proper face waxing regimen in my early 30s. My menstrual cycle symptoms have shifted and become more unpredictable, and I am no longer able to wear certain products on my face without experiencing unexpected allergic reactions and rashes.

My biggest gripe at the present time is persistent acne that has become a thorn in my side over the last year. It seems to flare up

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around my period but never fully fades unless I am spending a lot of time outdoors during the summer months. As a teenager, others often complimented me on my clear skin. Now, at 32, I don’t remember what it was like to go a week without one or two pimples popping up.

While I am blessed to have such a minuscule dilemma plaguing me in comparison to others experiencing much more serious health issues, no one wants to feel discouraged each time they look in the mirror.

Experiencing puberty in reverse? The stark contrast from never having issues with acne as a teenager and young adult to combatting constant breakouts in your 30s takes a toll on your mental health.

Continue reading to learn about adult acne prevention and various treatment options recommended by professionals.

What causes adult acne?

According to a 2022 article published by Harvard Medical School, women are likely to experience acne as they age due to hormonal fluctuations in response to pregnancy, menstruation, menopause and the use of oral contraceptives.

Additionally, an increase in familial and professional responsibilities contributes to an uptick in stress and decrease in quality sleep, which can also wreak havoc on your skin.

Beauty products your 20-yearold immune system once tolerated well are no longer welcome at age 35.

Have you been noticing larger pores and oilier skin?

In women, estrogen naturally decreases over time, meaning our bodies are less efficient than our male counterparts’ bodies at combatting the effects of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone as we age. Adult acne can also be attributed to inflammation in the body, which can largely be triggered by stress and dietary changes.

To treat adult acne, the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) recommends at-home treatments for mild acne (blackheads, whiteheads and small pimples) containing active ingredients such as adapalene, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. These products help clear blackheads

and whiteheads, fight acne and fade dark spots, and unclog pores and exfoliate skin.

John Hopkins Medicine recommends chemical peels and blue light therapies as more rapid methods of treating breakouts.

Be sure to cleanse the skin up to twice each day in order to rid your pores of makeup, bacteria and excess oil. It is typically not recommended to use harsh cleansers in addition to a prescription topical treatment. John Hopkins touts creamy cleansers for taking care of dry and sensitive skin, gentle foaming cleansers for oily skin and cleansers with salicylic acid for clogged pores and blackheads.

Be wary of sugar, and incorporate leafy greats, fruits and vegetables due to their anti-inflammatory nature.

For more severe acne or OTC treatment-resistant breakouts, a dermatologist can prescribe antibiotics, topical creams and gels, or present other solutions to help clear up stubborn spots.

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My Journey with a Sourdough Starter

by M E G A N TAY L O R

If you’ve ever admired the tangy aroma of freshly baked sourdough bread or seeing others successfully make a sourdough starter, you aren’t alone. It has been on my to-do list to make sourdough from scratch for many months. This past fall, I finally decided to give it a try, and let’s just say, the experience was one I’m not sure I’ll be doing again anytime soon.

The path to achieving sourdough doesn’t begin with a recipe for bread – it starts with a starter. This living culture, built from scratch, is the key to great sourdough bread. While the process can be rewarding, it can also be frustrating and messy.

The first step in creating a sourdough starter is simple: mix equal parts flour and water. As I combined these ingredients, I was excited about the potential of what’s to come. This part of the process was easy. The flour provides the natural sugars that yeast feed on, and the water creates an environment where wild yeast and bacteria can thrive. You let the mixture sit, uncovered or covered, depending on your recipe, at room temperature. I stored my starter in a mason jar with the lid loosely on.

The next few days were filled with anticipation as the culture began to develop. It was an emotional rollercoaster at times. I wanted to see immediate results, however, I learned to be patient and let the starter work its magic. During this early phase, I didn’t see much activity, and my starter smelled a little sour. This is normal. So, for the next few days, I fed my starter, divided it in half and did everything the recipe said.

At this stage, the starter will smell more pleasant, often with a slightly tangy or yeasty aroma. It will also double in size within a few hours of feeding. However, some days, my starter didn’t appear to do just that. Sourdough is very dependent on its environment – temperature, humidity and even the types of flour used can all influence how quickly things progress. The good news is I was able to use the discard, or the unused part of the sourdough feeder, to make crackers and biscuits.

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Once my starter was ready, it was time for kneading and baking.

First, I had to add additional ingredients, such as flour, to create a firmer dough. Then, I started rolling and forming the dough into a loaf. This was a little tricky as it took a few tries kneading and reshaping the dough to get it to fit in my loaf pan.

After that, the sourdough needed some time to rise. Some starters may require longer fermentations, while others may rise faster. This is where the joy and frustration of sourdough happens. Each starter has its own personality, and every loaf is a learning experience. However, my part of this experience turned out to be more frustrating. The recipe I used called for milk and to place the bread in a spot at room temperature to rise. I was hesitant to do this, because I didn’t want the milk to spoil. I decided to move my dough to the refrigerator, since it needed to rise for a few hours. The results? It didn’t rise. This was a mistake on my end, and I should have listened to the recipe.

Finally, it was time for baking. My sourdough loaf baked well, albeit a little flat. The crust was golden and crackling, the inside was soft and airy with that unmistakable tangy smell. As for the taste, it wasn’t anything special, but it did taste like sourdough.

The experience of creating a sourdough starter and baking a loaf from scratch was a lesson and, moreso, a lesson in patience.

It is one I would like to attempt again with a different recipe.

However, I won’t be attempting it again anytime soon. The main piece of advice I can leave you with if you would like to make sourdough is to make sure you have the necessary time to feed the starter and let the bread rise. Once you have mastered these techniques, making sourdough bread will become routine in your house. After all, there’s a reason why sourdough has been a staple of human diets for thousands of years – it’s not just the bread that’s worth savoring, but the journey that goes into making it, as well.

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February 2025 | 61

R & R & CPR for Real-ationships

by S U S A N B O Y O U N G B A I L E Y S C H A B A C K E R

FORGIVENESS AND HEALING: THE PATHWAY TO STRENGTHENING FAMILY BONDS Forgiveness is one of life’s most powerful tools. It’s a remedy that can help us heal from the scars of past wrongdoings, especially when they come from those we love the most.

For many, the journey to forgiveness is intertwined with the desire to heal from various forms of abuse, whether emotional, physical or psychological.

By fostering an environment of understanding and compassion, families can transform pain into growth, and in doing so, give the invaluable gifts of rest and rejuvenation – akin to an emotional reset – that can fortify their relationships.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS Forgiveness isn’t merely a way to move on from past hurts; it’s a liberating experience.

When we hold onto anger or resentment, we risk damaging our relationships with family and friends. This is particularly relevant among mothers and daughters, fathers and daughters, and other family connections. Forgiveness allows us to let go of the heavy burden of past grievances and embrace the present and future with a renewed sense of hope.

The process of forgiveness often starts within. It requires acknowledging our feelings, understanding the root of our hurt and allowing ourselves to confront those emotions. This inner work is vital for healing, not just for individuals but for families as a whole. It opens the door to deeper connections while also teaching invaluable lessons about empathy and shared experiences.

HEALING FROM ABUSE For those who have experienced abuse, the road to healing can seem daunting. Abuse creates a fracture, not only in one’s self worth, but also in relationships with loved ones.

Acknowledging the pain caused by such experiences is the first step toward healing.

It’s important to seek professional help, whether through therapy, support groups or trusted friends.

Healing from abuse often requires a safe space where individuals can express their feelings without judgment. In family settings, it is essential for members to engage in open, honest dialogues. This might involve difficult conversations where vulnerabilities are shared and acknowledged. Mothers and daughters, fathers and daughters, and other familial relationships can emerge stronger when they face the ghosts of the past together, armed with understanding and love.

ART OF REST AND REJUVENATION Forgiving and healing are not instant processes; they require time and commitment. However, once a foundation of forgiveness is established, families can begin to engage in restorative practices that nurture their bonds.

This is where the concept of rest and rejuvenation comes into play.

Taking time away together, whether on a family vacation, a weekend retreat or simply spending a day engaging in meaningful activities can create the space necessary for connections to flourish. These moments of rest allow family members to re-engage with each other outside the pressures of daily life, fostering a sense of belonging and security.

Activities like family dinners, game nights or outdoor adventures not only create shared memories but also encourage open communication in a relaxed setting. Such experiences cultivate trust and affection that can strengthen relationships when faced with challenges.

STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS The journey of forgiveness and healing is ongoing. As families navigate through life together, new challenges will inevitably arise.

However, having established a foundation built on forgiveness and understanding empowers family members to face these challenges united. Mother-daughter and father-daughter relationships are often pivotal in shaping one’s emotional landscape.

Encouraging honest discussions, empathy and shared experiences can create a safe haven where the generations feel valued and heard as parents and children learn from each other and grow together. Extending the spirit of forgiveness and healing to friends and extended family can create a support system that uplifts everyone.

When families embody forgiveness and healing, they set a precedent for future generations and become models for the importance of open communication, empathy and resilience.

CONCLUSION Forgiveness, healing from abuse and engaging in restorative practices are invaluable gifts that families can give to one another. In the complex tapestry of relationships among mothers, daughters, fathers and friends, these gifts serve as threads that weave deeper connections.

By embracing vulnerability and understanding, families can rise above their pasts, transform pain into growth and cultivate lasting bonds that withstand the test of time.

It is never too late to start this journey, and in doing so, we can fortify the foundation of love within our families.

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The Legacy of

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY in Forsyth County

by M E G A N TAY L O R

Forsyth County has a rich and complex history of triumphs and challenges that have defined its development throughout the generations.

Among the most significant forces in the county’s history are its African American communities, whose contributions have been integral to the area’s culture, economy and social landscape. African Americans have played a pivotal role in Forsyth County’s growth, facing adversity while also driving change and making lasting impacts on the region.

The roots of African Americans in Forsyth County stretch back to the 18th and 19th centuries when enslaved Africans were brought to the area to work on tobacco and cotton plantations. By the mid-1800s, the county’s population was a mix of both enslaved and free African Americans.

The end of the Civil War in 1865 and the Reconstruction period brought opportunities and challenges. Many newly freed people moved to Winston-Salem, then a growing town, seeking better opportunities. The city became a hub for African American culture, where black business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs began to lay the groundwork for future success.

By the early 20th century, African American communities had established churches, schools and businesses that would become central to African American life in Forsyth.

One of the most significant contributions was the establishment of Shiloh Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, in 1865, which became a key institution in the African American community and a place of cultural

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and political organizing. The church hosted political meetings, educational classes and social gatherings, fostering a sense of solidarity and unity among African Americans in Forsyth.

entrepreneur who ran a funeral home, which was one of the few African Americanowned businesses in Forsyth during the mid-20th century.

Despite the harsh realities of segregation, African Americans also made significant strides in various fields. The first African American school in Winston-Salem, known as The East Winston School, opened in the late 19th century and played a crucial role in educating African American children who had been excluded from public schools by segregation.

Perhaps the most widely known figure in Forsyth County’s African American history is Maya Angelou. A poet, writer and civil rights activist, Angelou’s powerful voice brought global attention to the struggles and triumphs of African Americans.

Throughout the 20th century, several African American leaders emerged in Forsyth County who would go on to shape its cultural, political and economic landscape.

One such figure was Dr. James A. Blair, a pioneering African American physician who helped expand access to healthcare in the community. As one of the first African American doctors in Winston-Salem, Dr. Blair’s work broke barriers and inspired future generations to pursue medicine and public service.

Another trailblazer was M.C. Benton, an influential African American businessman and civic leader. Benton was a successful

Forsyth County’s African American community has also had a rich cultural presence, especially in music, theater and the visual arts. In the 20th century, WinstonSalem became home to thriving jazz and blues scenes, thanks in part to the Great Migration, which brought African Americans from rural areas to urban centers like Winston-Salem in search of better jobs and social conditions.

The East Winston Cultural Center, established in the late 20th century, has been a central force in preserving and promoting African American culture.

Through programs in music, dance, theater and visual arts, the center has become an essential space for community engagement and the celebration of African American history.

The history of African Americans in Forsyth County is one of struggle and achievement, persistence and triumph. From the days of enslavement to the modern-day efforts for social and economic equity, African Americans have profoundly influenced the county’s identity, culture and development.

Their stories are woven into the very fabric of Forsyth County, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire future generations.

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Purpose Push: Stay in Your Lane

Sheridan C. Watkins is a journalist and the owner of Perennial Peaces, a jewelry and gifts brand focused on transcending self-worth to all women. Her true work began after climbing out of a dark place with the help of God and therapy and her life mission is to provide tangible peace through her Divine gifts to help women heal and transform their life. Follow the mission on Instagram and Facebook: @perennialpeaces

by S H E R I D A N C . W AT K I N S

We’re in the second month of 2025 which is the danger zone for New Year’s goals. Something I’ve previously tried to prevent myself from abandoning my goals by February is to build upon my original goals.

However, it was counterintuitive, and I hyperfocused on every little detail and later realized I hadn’t looked back at the initial goals I set and actually strayed far from it. Why am I looking into Facebook ads when I said I would focus on email marketing this quarter? That’s just one example.

It’s easy to get distracted by “shiny object syndrome” because we aren’t staying in our lane and constantly revisiting our goals. Maybe we should write a note to ourselves to put somewhere we’ll see daily, “Stay in your lane!”

The beautiful thing about God’s gifts is He purposefully gives us different ones. If we focus on our strengths, delegate tasks to those who can fulfill them just as well or better and surrender to what only God can do, we will have an easier journey in our businesses.

STAY IN YOUR BUSINESS LANE What role did you envision for yourself when you started your business? If that role brings you joy, and the skills needed to fulfill the role come easily, that is likely your lane. Some business owners and CEOs struggle to trust others with parts of a business because they are emotionally attached to its success.

However, you can’t do everything because it is unsustainable and unhealthy. Strive to remove yourself from being a bottleneck in most or even all areas of your business so tasks can be completed. Leaders who are perfectionists or skeptics can hold up the process for business growth because they don’t trust their team to operate freely in their divine gifts. This can create unnecessary friction and create an environment of discouragement. Steer clear from this outcome by fully delegating tasks and being openminded about the outcome of them. Most of the time, it won’t look the same as how you would have done it, but there are multiple ways to achieve a goal. If you don’t yet have team members to help you, make a list of things you want to remove from your plate and begin mentally releasing control of it before your first helper joins.

STAY IN YOUR INDUSTRY LANE It’s okay to look at other businesses or public figures in your industry for inspiration or clarity, but it’s important to focus on what God has called you to do. If not, imposter syndrome creeps in, and you

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will find yourself distracted by other strategies and tactics that work for other businesses in your industry but may not work for you. An industry that feels crowded is good news because that means there’s a demand for it; and when you add your unique touch, the customers God has assigned to your business will flock to it. Don’t do yourself a disservice by trying to be something you aren’t.

In my business, God was calling me to create jewelry, and I wanted to create something never before seen.

I thought about different materials from polymer clay to metal, but when I began playing with fabric, I knew that was the material with which I should work. From then, the ideas poured in. I enjoy looking at other artists and marveling over what they create using various materials, but I am careful to remind myself that I have found the material I should work with at this point in my business journey because of ease, circumstances and approval from the customers who support me.

STAY IN YOUR LANE AS A CHILD OF GOD The phrase, “Let Jesus take the wheel” is a reminder to trust His plan for your life.

Don’t make things harder for yourself by trying to take control with no clear direction of where you’re heading. God knows how to reach your destiny with minimal delays.

Is it difficult to stay on the passenger side?

Yes. Is it nerve wracking? Most of the time.

But, is it the best choice? Without a doubt.

God tells us in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you…” God gives you an easy ride to prosperity just by accepting Him as your Lord and Savior. If you get comfortable with God steering your life, you’ll find unwavering peace because His job is to get you to your destination, and He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).

Rest assured, goal getter, when you stay in your lane, you’ll accomplish your goals faster. So, keep praying for God to help you in this area, put in the work and revisit your original goals often! I have faith in you.

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Practical Ways to Practice

Through Simple Joys

by H A L L E I G H M I L L E S O N

As I have grown up, graduated college and started my first full time job, I have discovered that I can practice self care through smaller activities that I like to call “simple joys.” Since I do not have much time for myself during the busy work week, I like to incorporate small, simple joys into my everyday life. The beautiful thing is that we do not have to experience self care through large events; actually, we can enjoy self care through everyday, normal activities. Below, I share some of my favorite ways to practice self care amidst the busyness of life.

•

Take a Walk: I love getting outside and walking in the fresh air. Going for a walk allows me time to slow down and have time to myself. I love to think when I walk and reflect on what the week is like or has been like.

Walking outside helps you feel better physically by moving and mentally by giving your mind time to rest.

•

Grab a Coffee or Tea: One of my favorite simple joys in life is going to get an iced coffee at a local coffee shop. Typically, I will go on Saturday mornings to get a coffee, and I always look forward to my Saturday morning coffee. I enjoy trying seasonal flavors of coffee that are offered such as the iced peppermint mocha during the Christmas season. I always enjoy drinking my iced coffee, and it makes me happy getting a “treat” to enjoy.

•

Spend Time Journaling & Reading: Taking time to journal and read is a great way to practice self care and have some quiet moments for your mind during the day. I enjoy doing my Bible study in the mornings when I wake up as this gives me time to sit in quietness before beginning my busy day.

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•

Bake a Sweet Treat: One activity that I love to do is baking. I enjoy baking muffins, cookies and cakes just to name a few. There is something therapeutic about baking for me. I feel that baking is calming for me since I am only focusing on following a recipe to create a delicious dessert. I like how baking is a stress-free activity that helps you feel a sense of accomplishment as you make a homemade dessert to enjoy.

•

Spend Time With Friends: Spending time with friends is another great way to practice self care as your friends can make you laugh and feel happy. Going to grab lunch during your lunch break, going to eat dinner one night, going to sit at a coffee shop or going to walk around a bookstore are all easy ways to spend time talking and catching up with your friends.

•

Take a Break from Social Media: I have found that taking a break from social media for some time is helpful because, otherwise, I will find myself scrolling and scrolling on social media for long periods of time. While I do enjoy social media and keeping up with people I know, social media can also be discouraging. It is easy to get on social media and be jealous about what other people have or it can make you feel lonely. Simply not scrolling for a long time on Instagram has helped me spend time doing other activities such as reading that are better for my mental health.

All of these activities are simple joys that can help you practice self care. I would encourage anyone reading this article to consider what you are doing for self care and think about incorporating some of these easy activities into your everyday schedule. By taking even 10 to 15 minutes to walk outside, read a chapter in a book or call a friend on the phone, you are taking time to practice self care which leads to experiencing simple joys.

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February 2025 | 69

This Old Couch and Why I’m Keeping It

by R E N E E S K U D R A

I am sitting on my floral-covered couch that I bought eight years ago from a thrift store in Forsyth County. Years of sunlight streaming through the living room windows has made it faded, and all the people and dogs who have sat upon it have resulted in tears and other kinds of obvious damage. My closest friend has advised me to throw that and other aged furniture out and go to Costco to buy replacements. She doesn’t bring up the fact that she has money to burn which supports an expensive lifestyle. But, this is where our ideological differences begin. I have made a decision this year to live simply, cheaply and adopt a minimalist approach, making a conscious choice to buy and consume less now and in the future. Besides the antiquated couch, I am keeping other old things – a Keith Urban t-shirt with two tiny holes, Target rain boots with a rip at their tops, once expensive bath towels that show signs of wear with stringy threads hanging from them, a couple of fancy, chipped English plates that were not treated with proper respect in the dishwasher. This article is an argument for why you too should consider keeping what you have and making it do. Here are some reasons why.

do I really need this? Reading Marie Kondo’s book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” made me a believer – particularly her belief in keeping items that bring you joy. I’m not sure why I have four blenders and more than 50 coffee mugs, but most of them are leaving shortly. I simultaneously have decided to keep things which still work but may no longer be aesthetically pleasing, to repurpose old things which may not be in pristine form anymore and to bring less into my home – which means ultimately that decluttering will be a quicker process in my future life.

Admittedly, it is human nature to hang onto material possessions, an idea driven by the status and sense of security that they impart. But, if you can extend the lifespan of those objects, you are engaging in an environmentally friendly practice and reducing consequent waste. The notion of sustainability, using what one has, rather than purchasing more things, allows your environmental footprint to shrink resulting in impacts which make our world less cluttered.

Keeping old stuff is cost-effective as well. In my case, my tattered couch is covered with knitted afghans my mother once made for me and secondhand blankets. Its imperfections are there, but it is still comfortable to relax upon and welcoming to my easily satisfied Bichon Frise. I consequently don’t spend money buying a new couch or the time involved in doing so. Since time is money, I’m saving in several respects.

Increasingly, in concert with extending the life of old things in my house, I now work to also declutter it, filled as it is to the brim with hundreds of books, movies, knick-knacks and antique artifacts picked up from forays in thrift stores and flea markets. As Marie Kondo would say, first thank each item for its time with you and then move your things on to someone who needs it more. Stop sentimentality in its tracks or thinking that tells you – someday I might need this. I have clothes in my closet from decades ago because I still think in the back of my mind I might lose another 20 pounds.

I have kept some old things to help recall cherished memories like the baby clothes of my 32-year-old son. Sometimes, we must remove the weight – the emotional gravitas – of a situation from our shoulders and get rid of all this physical detritus. The clutter admittedly has taken a toll on my emotional state, and I am eager to internalize the thought pattern that I am NOT my stuff, I am more than my possessions. I no longer believe that my family will someday want my things (like my vintage dresses and turquoise jewelry bracelets). I have been told pointedly that they do NOT want these things.

The idea of keeping old things has also taken a turn sometimes to repurposing them in an altered form. I have made a quilt from old jeans, a small bookcase from a weathered ladder, broken and compromised pottery into holding jars for pens, loose change and hairpins. But increasingly, I have also changed my attitude about how I look at life, ruthlessly evaluating my possessions and asking myself,

Living with my old but still functional items and donating other things has made me feel lighter while, at the same time, blessing others who might find these things useful.

My New Year’s resolution is, don’t buy any more stuff, I have enough.

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February 2025 | 71

Cozy Book Ideas for a Long Winter’s Night

When winter arrives, there’s nothing quite like curling up in a cozy corner with a good book. It is a time to snuggle up with a blanket, sip on something warm and lose yourself in a good book. As the days grow shorter and the chill sets in, the allure of cozy reads becomes irresistible.

Whether you’re curled up by the fire or nestled in a quiet nook, the right book can help transform a frigid winter day into something magical. To help make your cold-weather reading even more delightful, here’s a list of cozy book ideas perfect to read on a long winter’s night.

by M E G A N TAY L O R

The Nightingale

by Kristin Hannah This emotional tale of two sisters in Nazi-occupied France during World War II is perfect for those looking for an impactful historical novel. The book’s deep plot and the strength of its characters will keep you turning pages all winter long.

The Midnight Library

by Matt Haig The Midnight Library is a must read. It follows Nora Seed, a woman who finds herself in a magical library that allows her to explore alternate versions of her life.

This uplifting and thought provoking novel is ideal for a reflective winter read with themes of regret and hope.

People We Meet on Vacation

by Emily Henry This lighthearted, yet emotional romantic comedy follows two best friends who go on vacation together every summer, but a falling out has left them estranged. Now, they’re back for one last trip to mend their relationship and focus on love, friendship and second chances.

The Snow Child

by Eowyn Ivey Set in the wilds of 1920s Alaska, this magical novel mixes winter landscapes with themes of loneliness, longing and hope. The beautiful writing and the story of a couple who builds a snow child that comes to life is a win for snowy days.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

by Taylor Jenkins Reid This best-selling novel is a captivating look at Hollywood glamour, love and betrayal.

Through the eyes of aging movie icon Evelyn Hugo, readers are taken on a journey through her complex relationships and the price of fame. Reid’s compelling storytelling and richly developed characters make it an engaging read that’s as comforting as it is dramatic.

The Giver of Stars

by Jojo Moyes Set in 1930s Kentucky, this novel tells the story of a group of women who become “packhorse librarians,” braving the rugged Appalachian mountains to bring books to remote areas. Filled with themes of friendship and resilience, it’s an inspiring, feel good read for any day, not just winter.

In Five Years

by Rebecca Serle This book takes a different approach to romance, blending love with an exploration of fate and destiny.

When Dannie, the protagonist, wakes up five years in the future, she must navigate the mysterious circumstances that led her there. A poignant, unforgettable story of love and life, perfect for a reflective winter night.

The Thursday Murder Club

by Richard Osman The Thursday Murder Club is a witty and heartwarming mystery that follows a group of septuagenarians who meet once a week to solve cold cases. However, they quickly find themselves embroiled in a real murder.

The House in the Cerulean Sea

by TJ Klune This magical, heartwarming tale is set in an orphanage for magical children.

Linus Baker, a quiet government worker, is sent to investigate the home but soon becomes enchanted by the children and their guardian.

As the winter season settles in, these book titles will keep you entertained, comforted and, perhaps, even inspired. Just a suggestion – I would start with either In Five Years, The Giver of Stars or The Nightingale. All three of these books were ones I couldn’t put down! Happy reading!

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ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS: A HIDDEN THREAT TO YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH

by J A N E B U R N E T T E

healthcoachjane.com IG @coachjanebb FB @coachjanebb As busy moms, daughters and sisters, we do everything we can to care for our families. We research what’s best for our kids, try new recipes and often juggle more than we ever thought possible. Yet, one of the biggest threats to our loved ones is hiding in plain sight: ultra-processed foods.

These foods seem like convenient solutions for our hectic lives. They’re prepackaged and often marketed as healthy options. But, beneath the shiny packaging, are ingredients our bodies were never designed to process.

These foods are engineered for one thing – to keep us coming back for more, and the consequences are affecting our families’ health in ways that are staggering.

THE SHIFT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING If you’ve ever wondered why obesity, diabetes and metabolic disorders have surged in recent decades, look no further than our food system. In the 1990s, two of the world’s largest tobacco companies bought into the food industry. With expertise in creating addictive products like cigarettes, they used the same strategies to make food addictive. Ultra-processed foods filled with added sugars, refined grains and seed oils became commonplace. Today, 70% of the average child’s diet comes from these foods. This isn’t just a convenience issue; it’s a public health crisis.

ADDICTIVE BY DESIGN Imagine feeding your child a bowl of cereal in the morning or grabbing a quick snack bar. You trust these foods, especially when labels boast terms like “healthy” or “whole grain,” but they’re part of a system designed to make them addictive. High fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors and other laboratory-made ingredients are put in place to override the body’s natural hunger cues.

In the wild, we stop eating when we’re full. Ultra-processed foods trick the brain into muting these signals, making us overeat. The result? Rising rates of childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes in teens and metabolic dysfunction across all age groups.

THE HIDDEN IMPACT ON WOMEN’S HEALTH As women, we’re especially vulnerable to the effects of ultra-processed foods. While balancing work, family and self-care, these foods are wreaking havoc on our health. Studies show that 26% of women now suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a condition linked to metabolic dysfunction. Infertility rates are climbing, and we’re seeing higher rates of autoimmune diseases, mental health struggles and even cancer.

For many, the reliance on ultra-processed foods isn’t just a choice; it’s shaped by decades of misleading information from the food industry. The food pyramid of the 1990s, which emphasized grains and downplayed fats, was influenced by lobbying from food companies. This false guidance shifted our national diet toward more refined sugars and carbohydrates, fueling today’s health crisis.

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WHAT CAN YOU DO? While the problem feels overwhelming, there are actionable steps we can take. The first step is awareness. Knowing these foods are engineered to be addictive empowers you to make different choices. Start by reading labels carefully and avoiding products with added sugars, artificial ingredients or seed oils like soybean or canola oil.

Shift toward whole, minimally processed foods. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats like olive oil are foods our bodies recognize. Taking the time to prepare meals at home – however simple – makes a huge difference. Convenience is always a factor, but we have to ask if the cost of ultra-processed foods is worth it when it comes to our family’s health.

A SYSTEM THAT PROFITS FROM ILLNESS Our food and healthcare systems are tightly linked. The food industry profits from selling cheap, addictive products, while the healthcare industry benefits from treating the chronic conditions these foods cause. Half of American adults have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, and 30% of teens now show signs of prediabetes – conditions almost unheard of 50 years ago.

As mothers, daughters and sisters, we can’t afford to ignore these warning signs. It’s time to take control of what we eat and feed our families. We may not be able to change the system overnight, but by making informed choices, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from the harmful effects of ultra-processed foods. It starts with small changes, and together, we can make a big impact.

A little about me: My name is Jane Burnette, and I’m passionate about health and wellness. As a holistic health coach with a degree from UNCChapel Hill and numerous certifications, I specialize in lifestyle changes that empower people to achieve their health goals.

My mission is simple – guide clients to optimize their daily habits, so their bodies’ natural healing processes can kick in.

Rather than focus on diets or quick fixes, I teach sustainable strategies for nutrition, exercise, stress relief and more.

Creating more choices for women

Midwifery and OB-GYN care under one roof Call us at 336-765-5470 or visit NHWomanCare.org

Novant Health WomanCare 1730 Kernersville Medical Pkwy.

Suite 104 Kernersville, NC 27284

114 Charlois Blvd.

Winton-Salem, NC 27103

4130 Clemmons Road Clemmons, NC 27013

© Novant Health, Inc. 2023

FOR THE LOVE OF HEARING Don’t miss out on the most important “I love you” this year.

Call for a hearing test!

NICHOLS HEARING AND AUDIOLOGY

336-842-3437

WWW.HEARWELLLIVEWELLNC.COM February 2025 | 75

Vintage Vintage Ventures

A Series Uncovering Vintage Gems In and Around Forsyth County

by A M Y H I L L

Shopping local consignment, thrift and vintage stores helps reduce waste, support small business owners and sparks new hobbies among those who get a thrill out of rummaging through pre-owned goods on a Saturday afternoon. With mass consumerism running rampant with the ease of online shopping and next-day delivery options at major retailers, it’s easy to settle for convenience over quality. However, the Triad hosts a handful of locations that provide high-quality, pre-owned goods at an affordable price that benefits the environment and local economy.

Before checking Amazon or “fast fashion” websites for the media, art or clothing items you need, shop secondhand in the Winston-Salem area to keep the environment healthy and local businesses happy. Below are just a few of the fabulous thrift and consignment joints in the area that offer unique, pre-owned products with storefronts just as charming.

Goodwill NWNC is not only a community shopping staple; in fact, it is a top employer within the state and ensures that its employees earn greater than minimum wage with competitive benefits packages. Its website proudly lists its organization’s core values as driving improvement, taking ownership of performance and behavior, respecting and appreciating others, living the mission and promoting teamwork. Goodwill’s goal is to enhance employees’ lives with professional development opportunities and thorough training practices. Surprisingly, 87 cents of every dollar spent in stores assist in funding programs that aid in finding employment for more than 26,000 job seekers each year.

OUT OF THE BOX CONSIGNMENT GOODWILL OF NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA Serving the community since 1926, Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina is a well known name across the country and is one of 156 local organizations within the United States and Canada under the umbrella of Goodwill Industries International. Well respected as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Goodwill strives to provide affordable clothing, shoes, accessories and household items to anyone and everyone in need.

With more than 80 donation centers in northwest North Carolina, Goodwill receives donations of pre-owned modern, vintage and essential items to resell at a great price, making it a thrift shopping staple. All Goodwill donations are tax-deductible, and items such as clothing, shoes, furniture, collectibles, electronics and even vehicles are accepted as long as they meet certain criteria. To read more about the donation process and find your nearest donation center, visit goodwillnwnc.org.

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Located on Hanes Mall Boulevard in Winston-Salem, Out Of The Box Consignment sells gently used items for a reasonable price. Open since 2016 and owned by Rima Hannoush, Out Of The Box’s mission is to provide a “green alternative to retail shopping” while offering customers a “fun and unique” shopping experience. Whether you’re shopping for clothing, accessories or home goods, browse Out Of The Box’s inventory online at outoftheboxconsignment.myshopify.com.

Cleaning out your closet and don’t know what to do with items that no longer make your wardrobe’s cut? Out Of The Box consignors receive 50% of an item’s final selling price, with items on sale in-store and online for eight weeks. Consignments are accepted appointment-free on Mondays through Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Visit Out Of The Box Mondays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 1520 Hanes Mall Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC. Got questions? Contact a team member directly at 336.999.7463.

MAKE IT A Scent-Sational

by S U S A N B O Y O U N G B A I L E Y S C H A B A C K E R

DIY VALENTINE’S DAY

Valentine’s Day, the season of love and affection, is just around the corner!

This year, instead of traditional gifts, let’s delve into the world of creative DIY recipes! Crafting personalized gifts infused with love, not only soothes the senses, but also delivers a heartfelt message. Here are some DIY recipes and unique packaging ideas to make your gifts unforgettable.

CALMING LAVENDER SACHETS

DREAMY CHOCOLATE LIP BALM

FLAVORED HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

Ingredients: • Dried lavender buds • Dried chamomile flowers • A few drops of lavender essential oil

Ingredients: • 2 T coconut oil • 1 T beeswax (grated) • 1 T cocoa powder • 1 tsp. honey

Ingredients: • 1 cup cocoa powder • 2 cups powdered sugar • 1 cup powdered milk • Pinch of salt • Flavorings (peppermint extract, vanilla or crushed candy canes)

Instructions: 1. In a bowl, mix the dried lavender and chamomile.

2. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to enhance the scent.

3. Fill small fabric pouches or muslin bags with the mixture.

Packaging Idea: Wrap sachets in beautiful, rustic brown paper, tie them with twine and attach a sprig of lavender as a finishing touch.

Include a handwritten note that describes the calming properties of each ingredient.

SOOTHING COCONUT BATH BOMBS

Instructions: 1. Melt the coconut oil and beeswax together in a double boiler.

2. Stir in cocoa powder and honey until well combined.

3. Pour the mixture into small lip balm containers, and let it cool and set.

Packaging Idea: Place the lip balm containers in a small, decorative tin. Decorate the tin with Valentine-themed stickers and a ribbon around the lid. Add a tag describing the nourishing properties of the ingredients.

Ingredients: • 1 cup baking soda • ½ cup citric acid powder • ½ cup Epsom salt • ¼ cup coconut oil (melted) • Essential oils (such as rose or jasmine) • Silicone molds

INVIGORATING CITRUS SUGAR SCRUB

Instructions: 1. Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, combine the melted coconut oil and essential oils.

3. Slowly add the oily mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until it holds together.

4. Pack the mixture tightly into silicone molds, and let them dry overnight.

Instructions: 1. Combine sugar and citrus zest in a bowl.

2. Gradually mix in melted coconut oil until it reaches a scrublike consistency.

3. Add essential oil for an extra burst of fragrance, if desired.

Packaging Idea: Once dry, remove the bath bombs from the molds and place them in a clear gift box. Decorate the box with pink tissue paper and a heartfelt note.

Ingredients: • 1 cup granulated sugar • ½ cup coconut oil (melted) • Zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange • 10 drops of citrus essential oil (optional)

Packaging Idea: Transfer the scrub into a beautiful glass jar. Decorate the lid with a piece of fabric that complements the color of the scrub. Tie it all together with a pretty ribbon, and add a label describing the benefits of a citrus-infused spa experience.

Instructions: 1. Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl.

2. Divide into small jars, adding a few drops of flavoring or mixing crushed candy canes directly into the mix.

Packaging Idea: Add a cute label with directions to prepare the hot chocolate.

HEARTFELT CRAYON MELTS Ingredients: • Broken or leftover crayons in various colors • Silicone heart-shaped molds Instructions: 1. Preheat your oven to 250°F. 2. Remove the wrappers from the crayons and break them into small pieces.

3. Fill the heart-shaped molds with different colors.

4. Place molds in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until melted.

5. Cool completely before removing from molds.

Packaging Idea: Place the crayon hearts in a simple, recycled paper box. Decorate the outside with heart stickers and add a note encouraging your loved ones to unleash their creativity.

This Valentine’s Day, express your love through the artistry of DIY gifts. Each homemade treat brings a personal touch that storebought gifts just can’t match. Spread warmth and joy to those around you – no matter your budget – and ensure your gifts are not just well received, but treasured for their love-infused charm. Celebrate love and creativity – after all, these are the true essences of Valentine’s Day!

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919 Backyard BBQ

OVER-THE-TOP SMOKED CHILI RECIPE

By TANNER JOHNSON

T

here’s nothing like a warm pot of chili when the cold weather hits. To take it to the next level, I love adding a smoky depth of flavor by cooking the chili on a smoker.

Smoked ground beef, combined with a perfect blend of classic chili ingredients, brings out the essence of fall. Whether you’re lounging on a chilly day with your favorite football team or entertaining a crowd with minimal effort, this recipe lets you spend more time enjoying company while the chili practically cooks itself.

I’ve seen a lot of buzz online—on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook—about this “over-the-top” chili. After trying it myself, I totally understand why it’s a hit. While it was trending on social media, I couldn’t find a clear step-by-step recipe, so I decided to freestyle—and I couldn’t be happier with the results. I had a blast playing around with some of my favorite seasonings, and I hope you’ll enjoy this smoky twist on a fall and winter classic as much as I did.

Ingredients: 1 onion, diced 3 cloves of garlic (minced) 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 jalapeño, diced (or two if you like heat) 2 bell peppers, diced 2 cans of diced tomatoes 2 cans of Rotel (fire-roasted and hot are my favorites) • 1 can of navy beans or great northern beans (drained) • 1 (or 2) can of red kidney beans • 2 lbs. of 80/20 ground beef (or 93/7, whatever your preference is) • 3 cups of beef broth • 1 packet of Fire & Smoke Society Chili Homestyle seasoning

• • • • • • •

Instructions: 1. Preheat your smoker to 275-300°F (lower temperatures will give a stronger smoky flavor if you have extra time).

2. Sauté the garlic onion, jalapeño, and bell peppers in a Dutch oven with a splash of olive oil until softened.

3. Add the tomatoes, Rotel, beans, and seasonings into the Dutch oven. Stir well.

4. Then add your beef broth, stir well.

5. Simmer on low while you prepare the ground beef. Form the beef into a dome-shaped ball (flat on the bottom) to sit on the grill grate (or wire rack) above the Dutch oven.

6. Season the ground beef with a sprinkle of chili powder, cumin salt, and pepper.

(Whatever you like) 7. Place the Dutch oven in the smoker and position the beef directly above it, either on the rack or on a wire rack/grill grate placed over the Dutch oven.

8. Stir the chili every 30 minutes or so to ensure it doesn’t reduce too much or burn.

9. Cook the ground beef on top until it reaches an internal temperature of 145-150°F. Once done, crumble the beef into small pieces and mix it into the chili.

10. Stir the chili well, and continue smoking for another 30 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally to incorporate the flavors.

11. Once the chili has reached your desired thickness and flavor, remove it from the smoker and serve. I recommend topping it with shredded cheese, fresh avocado slices, and using Frito scoops instead of a spoon!

For more recipes and demos, follow me on Instagram: @919backyardbbq

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@Yourfirstclasscleaning February 2025 | 81

taking the High road

by R E N E E S K U D R A

Michelle Obama famously said “When they go low, we go high.” When I first heard that statement, the words hit me with the force of an epiphany. That same day, I decided to make them a mantra in my daily life. When someone acts badly, it is admittedly tempting to react in kind (I am no exception to the rule). There is always the easy option of taking the low road and responding in an underhanded, unscrupulous or contemptible manner. When someone insults you, one might feel compelled to retaliate with some choice words or aggressive conduct, but the reality is that rising above another’s offense actually frees you from engaging in petty arguments, character assignations and stooping to their unkind, denigrating and carping level. Taking the high road means prioritizing peace over the temporary satisfaction of winning an argument or having the last say. Another way of phrasing the conduct is simply to “do the right thing.” My son’s Sicilian godfather always advised, “Sii sempre una persona migliore” (always be the bigger person).

In my mind, this translates to choosing the morally superior or ethical course of action in a situation, even when it might be difficult or tempting to react negatively.

John C. Maxwell beautifully expressed the importance of behaving ethically in his 2011 article “The High Road Principle.” He said, “By taking the high road, high roaders ‘drain animosity and bitterness out of relations, serving to keep them open and productive. High roaders benefit themselves, too.’” High roaders choose a path as a conscious act of service to others while keeping their own scruples absolutely intact.

Case in point – when a relative made a terribly hurtful comment about my special needs son not possibly being accepted to one of the most prestigious universities in the country because “he’s just not Ivy League material,” I held my breath and checked my immediate reaction to say something equally wounding. Instead, I took a breath and said, “we’ll see what plays out with his application.” When he was admitted, I sent my family member a short note and said, “Good news! He got in. We are so excited!” I never bothered to tell that relative he later went on to get a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees there, as well. When you take the high road, you do yourself a huge favor – acting with dignity In “Proverbs” in the Old Testament, and maintaining your principles even when others may not. You make a conscious decision to prioritize your values over your emotions. You are effectively saying, it is written that. “It is a man’s glory to “I’m better than this bad situation, and I’m not going to let it drag me down.” overlook an offense.”

That powerful choice shifts the dynamic of any adverse interaction and, more importantly, it shifts your own perspective into doing what is right and In I Corinthians 6:7, the apostle Paul also addresses the proper and vehemently throwing aside any gratification you might net in high road concept when he says, “Wouldn’t it be better retaliation and hitting back, which honestly, is nothing but a temporary to accept the fact that someone is trying to cheat and and mean consolation. take advantage of you and simply choose the high road?” I couldn’t help chuckling when I turned on my country western station the other day, and the DJ brightly announced that he was going to play “High Road” by Koe Wetzel and Jessie Murph.

Popular culture was apparently embracing the idea, too. “Good for them!” I thought as I listened with some amusement to the song’s lyrics: “Imma take the high road, take the road, Imma let you cool down/While I walk outYou ain’t messing me up like the times before/Imma gonna take the high road.”

A historian friend told me later that evening that the phrase “take the high road” actually became popular during the 1948 American presidential campaign where it was utilized to describe how Thomas Dewey dealt with Harry Truman’s dirty campaign tactics. But, the words seem to have originated in the chorus of a traditional Scottish song in the 1800s, “The Bonnie Banks o’Loch Lomond” – “You take the high road, and I’ll take the low road/And I’ll be in Scotland afore ye/But me and my true love will never meet again/On the bonnie, bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomond.” I’m not sure those words in that context are referring to being the best version of yourself, but I do believe that choosing the high road means that you are taking the most positive and careful course of action, one grounded in compassion and integrity, and understanding and saying a firm “No!” to pettiness and negativity.

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ELISA STEIN Dr. Elisa Stein has been a dedicated healthcare professional in the Piedmont Triad area since 2011. Raised in Washington, D.C., she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania before earning her medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine. After completing a general surgery residency in Pennsylvania and a plastic surgery fellowship in Minnesota, Dr. Stein moved to Winston-Salem where she has built a reputation as a double board-certified surgeon in both plastic and general surgery. With more than a decade of experience, Dr. Stein has held leadership roles, including Medical Director, Chief of Surgical Services and Associate Chief Medical Officer at Wake Forest Health High Point Medical Center. In 2024, she opened her boutique private practice in Clemmons, focusing on personalized, patient-centered care. Dr. Stein is passionate about guiding patients through their transformative journeys, offering customized treatment plans for both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. She continues to offer breast cancer reconstruction to women at the VA Hospital in Kernersville and Salisbury. In August 2025, Dr. Stein will graduate with an Executive Master’s in healthcare administration from the prestigious Gillings School of Public Health at UNC. With this advanced training, she aims to bridge the gap between providers and administration, enhancing patient satisfaction, safety and outcomes. Outside of her career, Dr. Stein enjoys skiing, hiking, traveling and spending time with her husband and children.

SAMANTHA HOWER Samantha Hower is the owner of Samantha Hower Real Estate. “I am a four-year veteran of real estate here in the Triad and have been blessed to helped dozens of families during my first three years in the business! I recently launched Samantha Hower Real Estate. As your realtor, I’m here to help you through every step of the way. I’ll work with you to ensure the home buying process is seamless and successful.” Samantha has a degree in business administration from Catawba College. “Outside of my business, I have two fur babies I love, Nala the cat and my chocolate lab, Jax. I am also an aunt! I absolutely adore being an aunt to my three wonderful nephews and three beautiful nieces! They all keep me on my toes, but I can’t imagine life without them!” In her spare time, Samantha enjoys shopping, spending time with her family and going to the beach.

MALLORY FORBES Mallory Fobes is the COO of Cotton and Crate Designs as well as a professional golfer.

Mallory is a 2024 graduate of UNCW with a bachelor’s degree in tourism, recreation and sport. As a member of the women’s golf team, Mallory earned the distinction of being an Academic All-American and set several school records. Mallory combines her passion for athletics with entrepreneurial drive. As a golfer, Mallory balances competing in tournaments with running a business alongside her mom. Together, they own Cotton and Crate, an online brand that focuses on quality pillow covers with lovely designs and uplifting messages that bring warmth and inspiration to homes. When Mallory isn’t working or on the golf course, she enjoys staying active by playing volleyball and pickleball. She credits much of her success to the support of her parents, family, coaches and a close-knit community of friends who have encouraged Mallory on her journey.

Their belief in her has been instrumental in shaping both her personal and professional pathways. Mallory is passionate about sharing her love of golf with others and enjoys working with youth and women who are new to the game. She finds fulfillment in helping them build confidence, develop their skills and discover the joy of the sport.

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SUZANNE HANNA Suzanne Hanna, Ed.S., ALPC, is a life coach for college and teen Girls and is a native of Forsyth County. She earned her B.A. in English literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, her M.Ed. in secondary English education from Clemson University and her Ed.S. in administration and supervision from Clemson University. She also holds certification in affective liminal psychology. Suzanne truly “gets” teen girls, as she has 25 years of experience supporting and mentoring girls in our local schools. Serving as Assistant Principal at Reagan High School, Mt. Tabor High School, Lewisville Middle and Wiley Middle, as well as teaching English at Salem Academy, Suzanne has the unique ability to connect with girls because she’s actually been in the hallways and classrooms with them and understands the social and academic pressures. After witnessing girls who were suffering from anxiety, self-doubt and overwhelm, Suzanne decided to make a career pivot and open a life coaching business to provide teen and college girls with the space and support they so desperately need. As an added bonus, parents also love having trusted and professional mentoring for their daughters. Suzanne is a passionate advocate for supporting teen girls, so providing a safe, shame-free space for them to feel heard and understood is her mission. Suzanne lives in a historic 18th century farmhouse in Pfafftown with her husband, two kids, two Australian shepherds and lots of chickens.

You can find Suzanne on Instagram @suzannehannacoaching.

IMILSY COFRESI Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Imilsy Rodriguez Cofresí is a dedicated educator, wife and proud mother whose passion for learning and family defines her journey. A graduate of Interamerican University of Puerto Rico with a degree in special education, Imilsy has devoted her life to helping students reach their fullest potential. As the owner and visionary behind Challenge Christian Academy (CCA), a unique private school in North Carolina, Imilsy has created a haven for individualized learning. CCA operates on the belief that students deserve to learn at their own pace, with a curriculum designed to strengthen skills and build confidence. Under her leadership, the academy fosters a nurturing environment where small class sizes and personalized attention empower students to excel academically and personally. Imilsy is a strong advocate for education equity, offering support to families regardless of financial circumstances. Her deep commitment to community and education stems from her belief that every child is capable of greatness when given the right tools and encouragement. Balancing her roles as an entrepreneur and a devoted wife and mother, Imilsy credits her family as her greatest cheerleaders and source of strength. Her faith, compassion and resilience inspire everyone around her, making her a true Woman on the Move.

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February 2025 | 85

Hires Its First Executive Director As it continues to grow rapidly in membership and influence, REACH Women’s Network has hired Megan Hoyt as its first executive director. Megan brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofits, fundraising and career development to the new role.

An acronym for Recognize, Encourage, Advance, Connect Her, REACH is a local nonprofit with the mission of advancing economic development and promoting gender equity in the workplace.

Membership has doubled to 274 in the last year, representing a diverse range of ages, ethnicities and professions. In addition to its very popular annual spring conference, REACH offers year round programming that impacts thousands of working women in the community.

“As a longtime Winston-Salem resident and passionate advocate for women, I am thrilled to be joining this movement to elevate working women in our community,” Hoyt said. “There is an incredible opportunity to build on the strong foundation of what has already been accomplished by this mostly volunteer-led organization. REACH is moving this important mission forward. I hope even more women, companies and allies will join us.”

Julia Townsend, REACH founder and co-president, said, “REACH has accomplished a great deal as a volunteer-led organization with only one part time coordinator and a strong board of directors, advisors and membership. Now, we are ready to take our momentum to the next level with the leadership of a dedicated executive director. In Megan, we saw the perfect skill set and enthusiasm for carrying on and expanding our work in helping REACH members strengthen their skills, connections and impact in their individual workplaces.”

In addition to the annual conference, REACH’s programming includes a leadership and mentoring program with Salem College that pairs REACH women mentors with Salem students; the Pink Couch panel discussion series; and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) training.

“One of the things that attracted me to this position, in addition to the commitment and dedication of its board of directors, was the warmth of the membership,” Hoyt said. “Every person I talked with had a story about something important they had learned or someone new they had connected with through being part of REACH. I was on a call the other day with someone who said, ‘I go to a lot of conferences in my industry, but no one sends me to conferences where I just talk to women about being in leadership and what that means, and the nuances and challenges of that dynamic.’ I’m so thankful that we have the opportunity to provide that space as a community asset.”

In 2023, REACH released the Community Survey of Women in the Workplace that surveyed 700 working women in the community about their workplace experiences. The study found that a supportive workplace culture, advancement opportunities and health insurance that includes mental health coverage were as important as a competitive salary in influencing whether a respondent chose to remain or leave her current job.

One of REACH’s key areas of focus in the next year will center on another finding from the survey – respondents indicated that a lack of access to childcare was the number one reason why they felt they did not advance in the workforce.

“Given our mission to support the economic development and gender equity of women in the workplace, our board of directors determined that the short supply of affordable childcare in the community is an important area of focus,” Hoyt said. “This issue disproportionately affects women, both within the workforce and as providers in the childcare industry.”

REACH is working toward finding solutions to the issue with several community partners, including The Pre-K Priority, Greater Winston-Salem, Inc, Imprints Cares and Leadership WinstonSalem. The organizations have come together to create a three-part conversation series, the second being a REACH Pink Couch panel discussion in January.

After selling out for four consecutive years at Wake Forest Biotech Place, the 2025 REACH Conference will be held in a larger venue at the Benton Convention Center, where it can welcome up to 600 guests.

This year’s conference, which will feature panel discussions and lectures on topics as diverse as leadership lessons, self care, DEI and how women can advocate for themselves in the workplace, will take place on April 23rd. Registration will open to the community on February 24, 2025. Additional information is available at reachwomensnetwork.org.

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3608 Clemmons Rd. Clemmons, NC 27012 • 336-712-3155 133 Oakwood Dr. Winston-Salem, NC 27103 • 336-725-3773 5061 University Parkway Winston-Salem, NC 27106 • 336-602-2860

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NEED CHILD CARE?

A CHILD CARE CENTER? A NANNY? AFTER SCHOOL CARE? A HALF-DAY PRESCHOOL? Child Care Resource Center has provided child care referrals for parents and training for child care providers for 30 years.

OUR VISION Ensuring quality early learning experiences for every child in our community.

ENRICHING CHILD CARE. ENGAGING FAMILIES. ENHANCING COMMUNITIES.

336.245.4900 childcareresourcecenter.org mail@childcareresourcecenter.org

February 2025 | 87

LOCAL EVENTS *Event details are subject to change. Please check event websites & social media pages for updates as the dates draw near.*

FEBRUARY 1 UNCF GALA Legacy Stables & Events, 4151 Thomasville Road in W-S. Experience the magic of UNCF’s “A Mind Is…” Gala for the first time in the Triad!

This inaugural event marks a giant leap forward as UNCF expands its reach to empower NC students. This highly anticipated event will honor deserving leaders from the Triad area and will raise funds to benefit students across the state of North Carolina as well as high school seniors from WSFCS. Mingle with community leaders, hear inspiring student stories and enjoy an unforgettable evening! Join us in making history for NC’s students and HBCUs. Learn more and be a part of this transformative night!

FEBRUARY 2 NASCAR 2025 CLASH 9am-9pm, Bowman Gray Stadium, 1250 South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in W-S. The NASCAR Cup Series will return to Bowman Gray Stadium next year, rekindling its history for the seasonopening Clash exhibition race!

FEBRUARY 6 AN EVENING OF ART & ELEGANCE AT SYMPHONY PARK 4-7pm, 12221 Sam Furr Road in Huntersville.

Join us for a unique blend of culture and comfort at Symphony Park’s Art Gallery, Appraisals and Open House hosted in our luxurious Grand Clubhouse. Spaces for appraisals are limited, so reserve your spot now for an unforgettable evening (704.351.6404). Explore our community, discover unique local artists and savor the moment. If you are unable to attend this event, we welcome you to come visit us anytime. Take a personalized tour, meet our outstanding team and experience firsthand why Symphony Park is the community you’ve always dreamed of.

FEBRUARY 8 CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE 7:30pm, Reynolds Auditorium. The high-flying acrobatics of audience favorite Cirque de la Symphonie will keep you on the edge of your seat! Combining popular classical music with soaring flight, tumbling and juggling, Cirque thrills audiences around the world. Don’t miss this one-night-only engagement with your Winston-Salem Symphony!

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FEBRUARY 9 GALENTINES GOALS SETTING & PJ BRUNCH 1:30-4:30pm, Magnolia Studios, 224 Commerce Place in Greensboro.

Celebrate the best gal’s holiday of the year at our PJ-themed brunch provided

by Catch This Tee Catering. We will also be goal-setting, so bring your planner/ journal/agenda or whatever you prefer to plan with! Get inspired, share strategies, and enjoy an oh-so-comfy afternoon out with your community!

Ticket cost = $50

FEBRUARY 11 GALENTINE’S GNO 5-7pm at Robert Hall. Tickets must be purchased in advance! For more info, visit @forsythmags on Instagram or see ad on page 79.

FEBRUARY 13 – MAY 25 REYNOLDA HOUSE MUSEUM – ANDREW WYETH AT KEURNER FARM 2250 Reynolda Road in W-S. One of the most popular and celebrated American artists of the 20th century, Andrew Wyeth spent seven decades painting a particular farm in his hometown of Chadds Ford, PA. “Andrew Wyeth at Kuerner Farm: The Eye of the Earth” will be the first comprehensive examination of this defining subject in his work in 50 years. This exhibition tells the story of the connection between artist and place – one of the most enduring connections in American art.

MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM Times vary, Hanesbrands Theatre. It’s 1927 and Ma Rainey, also known as the “Mother of the Blues,” is recording updated versions of some of her classic songs in a rundown studio in Chicago.

Passionate and headstrong, Ma Rainey battles to maintain authority over her own music, even as her arrogant trumpet player, Levee, aspires to make a name for himself in the music industry.

FEBRUARY 15-APRIL 5

LITTLES: ACT II 10am-12pm, The Little Theatre of W-S. A fun introduction to the fundamental building blocks of drama (body, voice, mind and imagination). Join us on an exciting journey of performance for your little stars. Your child will explore various dramatic techniques, hone their acting skills and flourish in a supportive and fun-filled environment.

Through games, activities and exercises, they will explore scenes and monologues meant just for this creative and expressive age. Drama teaches more than acting skills.

It builds empathy, cooperation and creative problem solving. Cost: $225/person.

FEBRUARY 18-MARCH 25 (TUESDAYS) IMPROV 201 6-8pm, The Little Theatre of W-S. This next level improvisation class will let you dive deeper into your improv skills. In this six-week class, students will learn the long form techniques of group mind, scene mapping, internal prompting and long form scene building through the different formats created over the history of improv performance. Improv 201 is intended for students who are familiar with the basics of improv and want to improve their skills, learn a lot and have a great time. Cost: $180/person.

FEBRUARY 22-MARCH 15 THEATRE DANCE BASICS 9:30-11am, The Little Theatre of W-S. Get musical theatre ready. In this workshop, students will go over the basics of dance moves and techniques used in musical theatre. This will include modern and classical choreography, ballroom dancing and even some tap. Whether you’ve always wanted to learn or you want a brush up, this four-week workshop will get your comfortable and ready for audition season. Register for this class and the vocal workshop at the same time for a 10% discount. Cost: $150/person.

FEBRUARY 26-MAY 4 ANYTHING GOES YOUTH EDITION 5:30-8pm, The Little Theatre of W-S. Anything Goes is a wacky shipboard farce featuring romance, intrigue, colorful characters and a glorious score from Cole

Porter. During our Youth Class to Production rehearsals, students learn all the steps of putting on a show. From auditions to performance. They learn theatre etiquette, stage direction and character development as they work to put on this production. Cost: $400/person.

FEBRUARY 27

purpose and motivation in women to pursue their dreams. All women, no matter where you are in your journey – from those in business, to owners and entrepreneurs, to those who love opportunities to connect and learn from others. Purchase your tickets at tinyurl.com/FWWOMC25. We can’t wait to see you there!

VIRTUAL COFFEE CORNER CHECK-IN

APRIL 4

10am. Join Rene Lofland of Resolute Social for a special members-only Coffee Corner CheckIn. Connect, share, and gain valuable social media strategies & insights from an industry expert in an intimate and supportive setting.

Free to members only.

FUTURE MARCH 8-9 A CHAMBER SERENADE 5pm (8th); 3pm (9th), Reynolds Auditorium.

Estonian composer Arvo Pärt’s “Cantus,” a meditation on loss and remembrance, unfolds with haunting simplicity and profound solemnity, paying homage to Benjamin Britten’s legacy and musical influence.

Britten’s “Serenade,” a masterpiece of chamber music, weaves together tenor and horn solos with ethereal string textures, exploring themes of night, nature and human existence with tender introspection. Join us for an unforgettable concert experience that traverses the depths of contemplation, beauty and musical mastery across centuries and styles.

MARCH 15 GRETA FRYE & ASSOCIATES 5-STAR RECOMMENDED HOME PROFESSIONALS EVENT 10am-1pm, Masonic Center, 4537 Country Club Road in W-S. Meet 5-star recommended vendors ready to assist with all your home needs – from repairs and renovations to design and décor. Be one of the first 60 attendees, and enjoy a free Struggle Bus coffee, courtesy of Greta Frye & Associates.

Save time, meet trusted professionals and find solutions for your home – all in one place!

MARCH 20 4TH ANNUAL WOMEN ON THE MOVE CONFERENCE

PRETTY IN PINK FOUNDATION TRIPLE CROWN CASINO NIGHT 5:30-10:30pm, Legacy Stables & Events. Join us for cocktails, appetizers, a gourmet dinner, a live auction, our diamond giveaway, your favorite casino games and amazing prizes…and fun surprises! Come see why this event is the talk of the town in the Triad! For tickets and sponsorship information, visit onecau.se/tccn25.

Cost: $150/person. Pretty In Pink Foundation’s mission is to provide uninsured and under-insured breast cancer patients in NC with financial assistance for quality, lifesaving medical treatment.

APRIL 12 SHREDDING EVENT SPONSORED BY BERMUDA RUN GARDEN CLUB 9am-12pm, 120 Kinderton Boulevardm in Bermuda Run. $5 per brown grocery bag or equivalent size box. Cash only. Rain or shine.

Proceeds go to various Davie County organizations supported by the Bermuda Run Garden Club.

Contact Marie at 336.650.5518 with questions.

Chilly Water Farm, LLC sits on 325 acres along the Blue Ridge Mountains in Sparta, North Carolina. Founded in 2011 by Kim Brown and daughter Sara Davis, Chilly Water has evolved into a family-run farming operaton that raises grass fed beef. Adhering to organic practices, the cows never receive hormones or antibiotics and are raised with love and respect.

ERS, WHEN QUALIT Y MATT T. GH RI ED EAT BEEF RAIS Our signature Chilly Water Steakburger includes all premium cuts of meat. Enjoy every bite of this tender succulent meat. It makes an excellent hamburger, spaghetti sauce, chili & meatloaf.

Chilly Water Steakburger is sold by the pound.

For pricing & info:

chillywaterfarm@gmail.com chillywaterfarmllc.com HAVE AN EVENT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT? OPEN YOUR CAMERA APP AND POINT IT HERE TO SCAN

9am-4pm, Legacy Stables & Events, 4151 Thomasville Road in W-S. A day full of impactful presentations, networking, shopping, food + drinks, and more. 2025 WOMC Theme: IGNITE! Sparking passion, February 2025 | 89

Conversation with Your BFF We all have had those friends who are good with one liners. In my life, I have heard, “the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason… because you are going forward, not going back!” And, each time I heard that, I nodded in agreement and gave a half-hearted smile and thought, “well, no kidding, and that doesn’t really help right now!” Is there anything we can learn by using that rearview mirror, or should we remain focused on what is ahead, looking out that windshield and just cut ties with what is behind? I am so glad you asked!

“How Do I Focus on Moving Forward and Not Looking Back?”

by R E B E C C A C O O P E R

ONE THING IS SURE IN THIS LIFE…CHANGE In each of our lives, we have the ability to challenge ourselves, change ourselves many times over in our lifetime and optimize our stories. There seems to be a line between those who thrive after therapy/counseling, changing their coping tools and those who dwell or cling to the negative part of their story, using those tools of personal growth to keep themselves stuck in the path they have been on. Sometimes when we discover something about ourselves, we can turn that into an excuse for why we did something or responded in a certain way to a situation. Personal growth is about you becoming a better version of yourself, not finding an excuse for your behavior!

GAINING PERSPECTIVE FROM THE PAST Self-reflection is integral in changing your behavior or learning to adjust to a new stage of life, like divorce, death of a family member or any life change that causes you to take stock in your life. With the right timing, context and support, reflecting on past life experiences is proven to help us gain perspective, learn from our past, foster forgiveness, build on our confidence, handle future difficulties and grow personally.

Looking back can have value, but without perspective, you can get stuck in negative thoughts, regret or that bad things will continue to happen and that we, others or circumstances in general

90 | ForsythWoman.com

are to blame. Checking that rearview mirror and not lingering there is the key, and that is called perspective.

JUST TAKE A GLANCE, DON’T LINGER Perspective is the difference between taking a look back to our past and getting stuck and staying in the past.

We are all wired differently and have our unique set of life experiences which require reflection on the past to move us along in our life’s journey.

We don’t need to examine every detail of our past or completely ignore it to improve and change our future. Having healthy personal growth requires us to widen our perspective, seeing our past, present and where we want to be in the future, in how we have made it thus far and how we have grown personally.

It is also important to surround yourself with people who can help keep you focused on moving forward in life and not continually referencing your past. Positive people who, themselves, are moving forward are the best friends you can have to help you to live a vibrant and forward focused life.

Open Daily 8am - 3pm 424 4th Street NW, Winston-Salem

336-448-5188

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336.893.7069 Mon-Thurs 11:30am-9pm I Fri-Sat 11:30am-10pm I Closed Sunday

527 N L iberty Stre et Win s ton- S alem, NC 27 1 0 1

Farm Fresh Meets Sophisticated Dining TUESDAY Half Price Wine by the Glass WEDNESDAY Half price Whiskey & Bourbon THURSDAY $3 Off Martinis

321 WEST FOURTH STREET | WINSTON SALEM | 336.448.1714 | TUESDAY-THURSDAY 4pm-9pm | FRIDAY - SATURDAY 4pm-10pm | SUNDAY 4pm-9pm

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ay!

PROUD SPONSORS OF THE

FORSYTH WOMAN 2025 WOMEN ON THE MOVE CONFERENCE LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE. REGISTER NOW: WWW.TINYURL.COM/FWWOMC25

336.766.0464 marzanocapitalgroup.com Wealth Management | Retirement + Insurance Planning | Executive + Employee Benefits | 529 Plans Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Marzano Capital Group is an other business name of Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC. All investment advice is offered through Independent Advisor Alliance LLC, a registered investment advisor.

Independent Advisor Alliance is a separate entity from LPL Financial.