FW Jan 2021

January 2021

Wake Forest Baptist Health Cancer Center

Salemtowne Retirement

iHeart Radio

Lyndhurst

Delivering Care for Generations…

Self-care isn’t optional.

Neither is your mammogram.

Lyndhurst is pleased to offer our patients the latest technology and convenience in Women’s Health. In our effort to provide one-stop, annual well woman exams, we also offer the convenience of 3D mammography in our Winston-Salem office.

For more information, call 336.765.9350 or visit www.lyndhurstgyn.com for a list of services.

www.lyndhurstgyn.com 111 Hanestown Court, Suite 151 Winston-Salem, NC 27103 336.765.9350

445 Pineview Drive, Suite 110 Kernersville, NC 27284 336.993.4532

1908 Caudle Road, Suite 101 Mt. Airy, NC 27030 336-789-9076

304 Mountainview Road King, NC 27021 336-765-9350

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

Piedmont Federal Savings Bank

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT?

TERRI BURKE PHOTOGRAPHY

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?

FUN! If there isn’t FUN involved then I don’t want to do it! I have a bad case of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) so if there’s a way to work harder to earn more fun, then I am all in! That said, I have learned that sometimes, the FUN has to come from within... so if it’s not there, I create it! I surround myself with positive, passionate and enthusiastic people and that helps a lot! I learned a long time ago that just about ANYTHING can be made fun if you have the right attitude!

Beauty Counter

Aside from my three precious boys (greatest achievements 1,2+3) and my marriage of 15 years, my greatest achievement is the incredible team of women that I lead. These women are courageous, passionate, dedicated, intelligent, and come from so many different backgrounds and career paths. It started with just a few ladies and a dream, and now we are over 250 strong all over the US and Canada—making a real difference in our communities and industry. I’m so proud!

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2021?

For 2021, I think it’s safe to say, we are all looking forward to the return to pre-pandemic-normalcy— in whatever small forms we may be offered.

My hope is that we can begin to enjoy being present with each other once again. As an extraextroverted-people-person, being with people face to face is my favorite! I can’t wait to give someone a real HUG!

EMILY ANNE JONES

910.617.7749 | EA.BEAUTYCOUNTER@GMAIL.COM BEAUTYCOUNTER.COM/EMILYANNEJONES

Executive Director

Follow us on facebook and instagram @forsythmags

Forsyth Mags 14 The Team Shares Their “Word of the Year”

16 Recipe 18 In the Spotlight Changing 26 Voices Communities Coping 32 Five Strategies for Changing Time

24

Refresh By 38 2021: Being SoberMinded You Don’t 80 When Have the Job You Want

106 Celebrations

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COVER STORY

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112 Calendar of Events

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100 January 2021 | 9

PUBLISHER Brooke Eagle Brooke@ForsythMags.com

The Publisher Perspective

EDITOR Keela Johnson Keela@ForsythMags.com

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Tamara Bodford

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

JODIE BRIM PHOTOGRAPHY

Kristi Marion Heather Spivey

ongratulations! You made it to 2021! I love the month of January because it signifies new beginnings. While yes, we are all perfectly capable of making plans and setting intentions ANY time of year, it’s always a bit more exciting at the beginning of a new year – the ultimate fresh start.

While I am not one to set New Year’s resolutions, I do like to choose a word for the year. My word for 2020 was gratitude…and I won’t lie, it was quite challenging at some points during 2020. What is the idea behind choosing a word for the year? Think of it as your theme. You focus on this word, the meaning behind it, how it can help you grow as a person and perhaps even more importantly, how it can help you be a better human to those around you.

Journal about it. Set it as your phone background. Write it on your mirror. Put a lot of thought into it before choosing! I considered several… compassion, focus, forgiveness, intention, joy, mindfulness, passion, present, simplicity… but the one I landed on is the perfect fit.

Permission.

ADVERTISING Advertising @ForsythMags.com

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Vonda Henderson

BACK OFFICE & VIRTUAL ASSISTANT The Office Nerd, Denise Heidel

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Jodie Brim Photography

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS JEJ Photos Jodie Brim Photography Photo Artistry by Melinda

CONTENT EDITORS Kim Beane Meghan Corbett (Assistant)

SENIOR STAFF WRITERS

Permission to be myself. Permission to not need approval from others. To seek growth and not be held down. Permission to hold onto the good memories of the past but to let go of the bad ones.

Permission to give myself grace. Permission is a big deal for this recovering people-pleaser. Realizing that I am the only person that can fully give myself this… is a big milestone. I am confident that in giving myself permission, I can in turn be a better daughter, sister, dog-mom, friend, advocate for my community and leader.

I am absolutely honored to be serving as the President of the Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce for 2021! I’ve been a part of this group since I was a timid 22-year-old with no idea how to network and I’m incredibly grateful to the people in this organization who have been such a huge part of my professional and personal growth. The theme for this year is “reboot” and I think we can all agree that we need a bit of rebooting after this past year. I love this group because, like Forsyth Woman, they are all about supporting one another and supporting local. If you are interested in learning more or becoming a member, visit Lewisville-Clemmons.com or send me an email, brooke@forsythmags.com.

We’ve featured the owner of Club Pilates on our cover this month! Kristin had her grand opening in February of 2020 and despite the extremely difficult circumstances, has not only survived, but thrived as a business owner. I’ve had the pleasure of taking a class at her studio and I would highly recommend it! They meet you where you are regardless of your current fitness level. Try an introductory class for free to see how you like it! Be sure to tell them Forsyth Woman sent you!

As always, thank you for choosing to pick up Forsyth Woman each month. I hope you’ll learn something new and valuable within these pages! We love what we do, and I am grateful that our amazing readers allow me to have my dream job with a dream team!

Meghan Corbett Carolyn Peterson

OTHER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jen Brown Adele Casanova Elisa Coppede Lisa Doss Julie Fritz Amy Hill Taryn Jerez Jean Marie Johnson Debbie Lanier Brooke Orr Tabatha Renegar Susan Schabacker Lauren Sephton Megan Taylor *others credited throughout accordingly

GRAPHIC DESIGN & PRODUCTION Emerson Designs

All my best,

Brooke Eagle, Publisher

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WEB DESIGN/ MAINTENANCE Nu | NuExpression.com

CONTACT ForsythWoman.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.

BROOKE NOTES

Club Pilates

YOUR SPACE. YOUR PLACE. Workout in your own personal station at the cleanest place in town!

Try a FREE introductory class to feel the benefits for yourself!

CLUB PILATES WINSTON-SALEM 336.717.1222 • clubpilates.com/winstonsalem • winstonsalem@clubpilates.com

Keeping It Real

BY DR. DEBBIE LANIER

Now that 2020 lives only in our rearview mirror, can somebody shout or dance or something?! We’ve all confronted real challenges and uncertainties on varying levels, but we’ve faced them, nonetheless.

Here we are, stepping into a brandspanking new year. But “new” doesn’t fix things unless something “new” awakens in us.

I felt the Lord stirring me, just weeks ago, to help folks step into 2021 with daily devotions to supercharge their purpose.

People feel worn down and worn out by this battle called “2020.” Every kind of crazy keeps crashing in on our hope.

Chaos and confusion seem certain to trample our peace.

But hear me… while life feels shut down, God desires to wake something up in you! YES, YOU! His Word is everything you need to find your way through the fog. It positions you to flourish even in the mayhem, I promise!

My new book, Awaken My Soul: 31 Devotions to Supercharge Your Purpose, is available on Amazon for just $10 (https://bit.ly/AwakenMySoul).

I desperately long to help you fall in love with God’s Living Word that speaks to every single sentence in the story of your life! For real!

EVERY SINGLE ONE! So, do yourself a favor and begin this New Year well. Consider extending the gift to others, too!

ALL PROCEEDS will help young pregnant women in need, so as you invest in yourself, you’re investing in mamas who need you, too! I get nothing out of this except knowing I’m doing what God called me to do… help people discover their anchor! And THAT, my friends, is more than enough!

Together, let’s make a difference and BE the difference! Awaken, my soul!

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

JANUARY

Winter Sale

Fraleigh’s Boutique 40% O FF TO 75% OFF

336-766-7440 FraleighsBoutiqueNC.com

Monday-Friday 10am-5pm | Saturday 10am-4pm 2626 Lewisville-Clemmons Rd. Clemmons, NC 27012

TWENTY TWENTY ONE Word of the Year studies are growing increasingly popular and they are a great way to have a focus or theme for personal or spiritual growth through a calendar year. It takes some time, effort, and dedication, but a Word of the Year can help you learn, grow, and even achieve specific milestones or accomplishments. Even companies and organizations benefit when everyone has a shared goal or vision defined by a Word of the Year. We polled our writers to find out what words they are embracing for 2021. If you haven’t chosen a word yet, draw some inspiration from our team!

Denise Heidel, has been doing a Word of the Year study since 2017 and writes about it in her January column, “My Grace-Full Life,” which is published in our sister-magazine, Forsyth Family!

Denise Heidel, Writer

Surrender

Amy Hill, Writer

Flexibility

Elisa Coppede, Writer

Carolyn Peterson, Senior Staff Writer

Tamara Bodford, Senior Account Executive

Lauren Sephton, Writer

Brittany Orie Leak, Writer

Kristi Marion, Account Executive

Brooke Eagle, Publisher

Reflection

Elevate

Hope

Hyyge

Resilient

Joy

Permission

Robin Bralley, Forsyth Family Publisher

Susan Schabacker, Writer

Hope

Journey

Jean Marie Johnson, Writer

Heather Spivey, Account Executive

Keela Johnson, Editor

Debbie Barr, Writer

Tabatha Renegar, Writer

Martie Emory, Writer

Melinda Smith, Photographer Photo Artistry by Melinda

Jon Eric Johnson, JEJ Photos, Photographer

Meghan E.W. Corbett, Senior Staff Writer & Assistant Editor

Restore

Kind

Creative

Inspired

Well-Being

Joy

Priority

Jen Brown, Writer

Trust

Believe

Hopeful

BY LAUREN SEPHTON

t. com n e m o m htmo ww. abright g i r b w @ o mentc

Hi! I’m Lauren. I’m a college student, freelance writer, and foodie. Stay tuned each month to find everything from achievable dessert ideas to healthy, quick dinners that’ll happily feed the family.

Healthy Swedish Meatballs in Creamy Sauce INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

Swedish Meatballs:

Swedish Meatballs:

• 1 lb. Ground Chicken • 1 lb. Ground Italian Pork Sausage (mild or spicy) • 1/2 large Sweet Onion, finely diced • 1 large Egg, whisked • 1/3 cup Whole Milk • 1/4 cup Panko, breadcrumbs • 2 Garlic Cloves, minced • 1 tsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil, + more for browning the meatballs • 1 tsp. Salt • 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper • 1/2 tsp.

Ground Nutmeg

Creamy Sauce: • 2 1/2 cups Broth, chicken or beef • 1 cup Whole Milk • 1/4 cup Flour, all-purpose • 3 tbsp. Fresh Parsley, chopped • 1/2 tsp. each: Salt & Black Pepper • 1/4 tsp.

Ground Nutmeg

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1. In a large frying pan over medium high heat, add in the teaspoon extra virgin olive oil to heat up for 1 minute. Add in the finely diced onions to sauté for 4-5 minutes, until fragrant. Remove the onions to a small bowl to cool and set aside the frying pan for later.

2. In a large bowl, add the sautéed onions and remaining meatball ingredients. Mix all ingredients together until evenly distributed.

Use approximately 1 tablespoon batter for each meatball, around 1” diameter.

3. Add a drizzle of olive oil into the large frying pan over medium high heat to warm up for 1 minute. Then, brown the meatballs on each side for 1-2 minutes, working in batches. Then, place them in a large serving dish to prepare the sauce.

Creamy Sauce:

1. In the large frying pan (final time using it – yay!), add in the flour. Continuously stir the flour over medium high heat for 1-2 minutes, until slightly browned and toasted.

2. Stir in the sea salt, black pepper, and ground nutmeg. Whisk in the milk and broth, bring to a boil, then add in the meatballs to simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until fully cooked.

3. Transfer to a serving dish to serve warm. Enjoy!

DINE IN, CARRY OUT AND CURBSIDE DELIVERY

Your Neighborhood Dinner Destination

Midtown Cafe & Dessertery

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Hearty Meat Lasagna Chicken & Dumplings Butternut Squash Lasagna Pot Roast Fish N Chips And Many More

151 S. STRATFORD ROAD | WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27104 | 336.724.9800 | MIDTOWNCAFEWS.COM

This column is dedicated to uplifting incredible women that might not be featured in the local news about their accomplishments.

These are abridged versions of these incredible women; please find them and ask them more!

BY JEN OLENICZAK BROWN

DR. BRITTANY PEARL BATTLE

CHELSEA BARNES

I like to think I am made up of the best parts of both my parents.

I love hard, laughter is my medicine, and I’m unapologetic in fighting for the things I believe in.

I am an attorney by day, and a deep thinker by night. I work hard and I love harder. I’m often a little too blunt, and won’t hesitate to tell you the first thing that comes to my mind. I’ve got a streak of “YOLO” with a heaping spoonful of responsibility and doing everything “right.”

I care deeply for others and am passionate about social justice. I’m an avid bargain shopper, and I am most happy at a beach far, far away from Winston-Salem.

What makes you YOU?

What are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of fighting through all the things that could have kept me from being where I am today. I have experienced violence in many different ways throughout my life, and those experiences could have prevented me from accomplishing all the things that have made me proud – finishing my PhD, organizing annual Juneteenth celebrations which honor the Black elders and ancestors in my hometown, organizing OccupyWSNC, mentoring and teaching, showing up for my family and friends.

All these things were only possible because I did the work to fight through things that were meant to break me.

What keeps you going when things are tough?

Finding the joy and staying firmly grounded in intention, even when the work is exhausting and overwhelming. In social justice work, there is so much trauma and tragedy, but there is also joy in fellowship and relationship-building, and that is crucial in getting through those difficult moments. There were days this summer during OccupyWSNC that I did not know how I could do another day in Bailey Park, but the joy that we found in the smallest moments and focusing on the purpose that brought us to the occupation allowed me to push through.

What keeps you up at night?

To be honest, nothing keeps me up at night, because sleep is a crucial component for being able to do the work and contribute in the ways that I do. There are many things that worry me about this world though. I certainly struggle with the fears of how we can combat white supremacy, police violence, colonialism, neoliberalism, capitalism, and patriarchy which make us all less safe. But I choose a practice of hope and love because I think it’s the only way that we can not only survive but know the fullness of life as we push for a reimagined future.

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What makes you YOU?

What are you most proud of?

I’m proud to be a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and of my greatest accomplishment: becoming an attorney. Native Americans comprise only 0.2 percent of attorneys in the United States. Achieving this milestone was “bigger than me.” I do everything I can to honor those who helped me get here by paying it forward to help others achieve their dreams.

What keeps you going when things are tough?

Growing up, a phrase my mom always told me was that I’d “regret failing to reach my fullest potential.” That phrase has been a guiding light for me throughout my life, pushing me to give my absolute best in everything that I do, no matter what challenges I might face. I have a personal responsibility to succeed because of the things she sacrificed for me to get where I am today.

I keep going because I want to make her proud.

What keeps you up at night?

I often describe my life to others as “the hamster wheel.” I’m enjoying the ride, but I often think critically about what it means to live a meaningful life. I challenge myself to live with no regrets and encourage others to do the same. I think about what I can do to leave an impact on the world that I’ll be proud of, and what I can do to ensure the spaces I am a part of reflect the rich diversity of our world.

Massage Envy

BY BROOKE ORR

P R O F E SS I O N A L WO M E N O F W I N S TO N - S A L E M Anything is possible when women band together to lift one another up.

2020 was a year of challenges and the members of Professional Women of Winston-Salem (PWWS) rose to the occasion, offering virtual learning opportunities tailored to the specific needs of professional women facing the fall-out of the pandemic. One member recalls a virtual luncheon where the guest speaker inspired her to prioritize self-care. “It is easy to become hyperfocused on the needs of others. The next thing you know you are in a self-sacrificing spiral - going through the motions. Our family, friends, and employers need our best selves, and practicing self-care allows us to give that to them. It is like on an airplane when the flight attendant instructs passengers to put their oxygen mask on before helping others with theirs.”

Andrea Kimura, PWWS President, says that the organization provides an inclusive environment, a safe place to talk about professional and personal challenges. She says women in the group joyfully welcome new members into their close-knit circle, offering support as they do life together.

quarterly philanthropic focused initiatives. Past outreach includes a member clothing drive to support Dress for Success Winston-Salem, a global not-for-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and life. Members look forward to a new initiative in 2021, partnering with The Shalom Project through their Flourish program. Flourish is a high-impact poverty reduction model aimed at supporting women and their families who are on their journey out of poverty. All participants gather weekly to share a meal and engage in a wide range of programming, which is provided by a Community Support Network. In addition to supporting community, women-focused, notfor-profits, the PWWS also provides a scholarship fund for single mothers in or attending school in Forsyth County. The PWWS Scholarship Fund provides $2,000 for tuition and books for one semester or a quarter of study at an accredited institution.

That unconditional support is why PWWS has continued to grow, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2020. The first formal PWWS meeting was held during lunch in November 1990, and the organization continues to meet monthly during lunch for networking and continuing education.

In addition to monthly luncheons, members also gather throughout the year for special events, providing ample opportunities for members to get to know one another and address concerns specific to their personal and professional journeys.

As the saying goes “it is better to give than receive” but members of PWWS have extensive opportunities for both.

In addition to countless philanthropic projects PWWS members also receive a sponsored membership to the International Alliance for Women, an expanded network of potential clients, colleagues, employers, customers, friends, and associates, professional development, and access to at least 12 highly accomplished and inspiring guest speakers each year. 2020 was challenging, but PWWS and its members are resilient and their commitment to supporting women is an inspiration. 2021 holds lots of exciting things for this organization, and you are invited to be a part of it all through membership and/or sponsorship. Find out more at pwws. org. For membership or sponsorship information e-mail info@pwws.org.

PWWS’s mission is to provide valuable personal and professional resources to a network of positive, supportive women that inspire and empower professional women of Winston-Salem.

The members of this organization live out their mission through

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Brookridge Retirement

Running Changes Everything

BY LAUREN SEPHTON

Whether you are determined to walk or run across that finish line, Keith and Emily Davis are on a mission to make that goal achievable to anyone willing to take the courageous first step to living a healthier, more fit life. They began their No Boundaries Training Program in August of 2006, shortly after opening Fleet Feet Winston-Salem, understanding that it isn’t easy to get motivated, and then to stay motivated. Do you have a sedentary lifestyle currently? Have you not run in years or maybe not even in your lifetime?

That’s okay, as this is nothing new for Fleet Feet in Winston-Salem! The No Boundaries program meets every person at every stage of life. Over an exhilarating couple of months, the trainees will slowly build up their endurance through time intervals that begin at their level. Emily explained, “The whole idea is to get the body moving, to prove to yourself that you can do it.”

The No Boundaries program prepares each participant to be ready to cross the finish line and keep each person motivated by encouraging mentors and group accountability. “Running truly is a sport of togetherness. Over the years, we’ve watched how the programs foster lifelong friendships, communities, and even marriages,” said Emily. “You’re never alone.” Whatever your “what if” may be, the No Boundaries training program is your opportunity to throw it out the window. It’s your opportunity to break through those barriers because “running changes everything.”

Meet Alexia, a woman that never considered herself athletic, yet crossed her very first 5k finish line last year. Without thinking much about it, Alexia joined No Boundaries after a friend mentioned it to her as a way to spend quality time together. When it came to the first day, she felt slightly intimidated and that inevitable “what in the world feeling” when you are stepping outside your comfort zone. As the first few weeks went by, she slowly built up her endurance and confidence as she trained with the interval group that was a mix of both running and walking. Of course, life is not always smooth sailing. Her beloved grandfather passed away in the midst of her training program, leaving Alexia discouraged

and unmotivated for two weeks. However, she was determined to finish what she started, and with encouragement from her mentors, she was able to get her “slow” back. But now, her goal had become more than just crossing that finish line. She was determined to do this for her grandfather, to be a better role model for her children in living a healthier lifestyle, and to break the generational curses of high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.

“Did I want to give up? Absolutely. But through it, I’ve found my self-care. A time to get in my zone at my own pace,” said Alexia.

“It taught me that if you try something new, you never know, you might end up liking it!”

Meet Pat

, who boldly declares that “Fleet Feet changed my life.” She began the No Boundaries training program in 2009, at the age of 70. “The day I started training was the night my husband passed away. I knew God had a plan for me when I took first place in my first 5K (Ardmore RAH). God’s gift to me had a purpose – to inspire other women, to let them know they could run at any age.

Since that time, I have run many races, including four half-marathons, placing in each one. Now at 81, I am still using my gift to run to inspire and to keep healthy and energized. Running changes everything!”

The next No Boundaries beginner 5k training program starts January 28th at Fleet Feet Winston-Salem. So, don’t overthink it! Perhaps it’s time for a new beginning. Learn more at fleetfeetws.com. You’ll be surprised what you can accomplish if you just take that first step.

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Fleet Feet Winston-Salem is located at 278 Harvey Street next to LA Fitness on Stratford Road. Local owners Emily and Keith Davis have watched thousands of people change their lives through running since they opened in 2006. Contact them at www.fleetfeetws.com. Check them out on Facebook (@FleetFeetWinstonSalem) and Instagram (@fleetfeetws).

C E L E B R AT I N G Y O U R TA L E N T S + P E R S O N A L B R A N D

Jodie Brim Photography

Jodie Brim Owner

www.jodiebrim.com | 336.997.9487 @jodiebrimphotography 405 N. Cherry Street, Suite 200 | Winston-Salem

Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce

Leadership Award Michael McGilvary Marzano Capital Group

Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce

Member of the Year Award Denise Heidel The Office Nerd Virtual Assistant

Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce

Community Service Award Jason Skinner Paparazzi Hair Salon

Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce

Spotlight Caterer of Choice Award Chick-fil-A of Clemmons

Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce

Education & Workforce Hero Award Brooke Eagle Forsyth Magazines

Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce

Young Professional of the Year Award Brooke Eagle Forsyth Magazines

Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce

Ambassador of the Year Award

Julia Reilly Bermuda Run Country Club Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce

Director’s Choice Award

Traci Moore & Deedee Bowen Nothing Bundt Cakes of Winston-Salem Learn more about the Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce at lewisville-clemmons.com

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2021 is the year to take care of yourself.

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Low back pain, pain in fingers, wrist and shoulders are all signs that you need some self-care.

Get a massage and acupuncture and feel the relief!

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“HOMETOWN HERO” L’Tona Lamonte, head women’s basketball coach at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), introduces herself as L’Tona, not Coach Lamonte. This humble “hometown girl” has returned with her family to her birthplace of Winston-Salem as a WSSU alumni (99’) and as a community leader with a trusted voice aimed at giving back.

Entering her fifth season at WSSU, Coach Lamonte uses her voice on the basketball court to yell, scream, laugh, and giggle with her players, all in one hour! In her community, L’Tona uses her voice to give back to the neighborhoods that helped to raise her. Close-knit neighborhoods like Piedmont Circle and Happy Hill Gardens are where she developed a love of family, friends, and reading. She loved the Tuesday book-mobile stops and still appreciates the driver who would stay in her neighborhood, even when she was the only person reading on the bus that day. She learned the fundamentals of basketball at age 13 at a free camp in the mountains organized by Mr. Bill McClain (“Mr. Bill”). She played at the neighborhood recreation centers under the protective eye of Ben Pickett and Mr. Brown. According to L’Tona, “Keeping these centers open saved my life.” Now she is back in Winston-Salem to save the lives of others.

After graduating from WSSU as a two-sport athlete and completing an internship at the University of Tennessee with then Athletic Director Joan Cronan, Coach Lamonte spent 14 years in Division I athletics. The internship was arranged by Dr. Dennis Felder, a legend at WSSU, and was part of her bachelor’s degree in sports management.

This opportunity led to coaching at Georgia Southern, Western Carolina University, North Carolina State University, Belmont University, and North Carolina Central University. While at Georgia Southern,

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she continued her education and earned a masters’ degree in kinesiology. She could have continued on this path of Division I success but chose to return to her alma mater and to the friends and family who protected her and encouraged her to excel in college. As the first college graduate in her family, L’Tona credits her mother, grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins, and neighbors for the loyalty and support that propelled her to “be the best L’Tona she can be.”

Back in Winston-Salem, Coach Lamonte pays it forward. She strives to enhance every neighborhood that she grew up in. She and the Lady Rams provide food deliveries to families in need, have plans for playground & recreation center enhancements, volunteer at Ronald McDonald House, and build homes for Habitat for Humanity. Covid-19 has impacted some of these community service opportunities, but she still found a way to safely deliver food to a local hospital and low-income neighborhoods this October.

She sponsors free basketball camps at Camp Hanes and at WSSU, and serves on the board of GIDE (Guiding Institute for Developmental Education), led by the same Mr. Bill who first introduced her to basketball.

Despite her extensive coaching experience and community activism, L’Tona did not recognize the fact that she was a strong community leader until she completed Leadership Winston-Salem in 2019, finding a powerful voice for community change.

“I want to empower the community, especially those who feel helpless.”

She advocates for more support for the Housing Authority and programs that can provide tutoring, food, and recreation for the underserved, as well as education for residents on college preparation and smart college financing. Her messages to her players, neighbors, and daughters (she has three, Tyler, Kamry and Kadence) are important words of wisdom passed down from her mother and grandmother: turn obstacles into opportunities; work hard and give your best effort; never judge someone by “right now”; and faith without works is dead.

Coach L’Tona Lamonte is using her strong voice, powered by love for her hometown, her alma mater, and her family, to change our community. Every town needs a hometown hero like her.

Lewisville Laser & Aesthetics

The Power of Design with Lighting “I have a bad case of the winter decorating blues,” said one of our design customers. The way everything looked at Christmas was amazing, but now that I have taken down all the decorations, the room feels so drab, and I find this is the perfect time to think about changes. Lighting will be the first thing on my list. During winter, your home gets less natural light than any other time of year, and this can greatly affect your mood and the appearance of your home. During the holidays, our homes are filled with the ambient light of trees, garlands, and holiday candles. We would all feel more festive throughout the year if we paid as much attention to lighting as we do during the holidays. Accent lighting provides focused interest to a room. This method of lighting can highlight an architectural feature like bookcases or a doorway. LED spotlights produce additional lovely effects.

LED lighting has become the hottest trend, especially since it is so energy efficient. A note of caution though is that the spectrum is important for the LED choices. The bulbs and the ceiling’s recessed lighting should coordinate with the spectrum of color. Lumens are an important term with LED lights.

There are 2700 lumens warm and then there are 3000 lumens cool lights, but you can get these both warm and cold. It is important to purchase the same color of bulbs (if using LED bulbs), and lighting changes throughout with the same spectrum. Closets without windows generally need at least a 3000-4000 spectrum daylight to see better. Fluorescent has almost gone by the wayside, except for the homes that these were used in five or more years ago. However, most have not replaced the fluorescent lighting in their closets. For me, I have replaced my strip fluorescents with strip LED lighting in my closets, except for my master closet where I used recessed LEDs with a center decorative fixture. Some lighting can be a work of art in and of itself. Aesthetic lighting is still particularly important with today’s changes to energy efficient LED choices, such as candle sticks, solid crystal chandeliers, and table lamps. My favorite lighting is still the warmth that shines from the decorative lamps on end tables and bedside nightstands. My personal choice is to use 3-way lighting that is incandescent for those lamps. My overhead LED recessed lighting is 2700 warm that will match most incandescent bulbs. Electricians like to use 3000 lumens warm, which is a brighter light but can go more towards daylight in color. It has become very difficult to find 2700 lumens with recessed options. We are not sure what the shortage is, but it may have to do with global COVID-19 and manufacturing.

June DeLugas Interiors

JUNE DELUGAS LEADS AN AWARD WINNING DESIGN TEAM

Overall, lighting is a versatile and essential design consideration in any home or business. Lighting makes a huge impact, but can be confusing and a technical part of design. Let one of the designers at June DeLugas Interiors, Inc. “light up your life” and assist you with updating the lighting plan in your home. Come visit our retail store and design center to see the stunning lamps pictured in person.

God Bless,

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAY SINCLAIR

June

2018, 2017, 2016, 2016, 2013

Extraordinary Design

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAY SINCLAIR

It All Begins with

STRATEGIC PLANNING, REMODELING AND TURNKEY IMPLEMENTATION LUXURY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN • COMMERCIAL DESIGN • HOME FURNISHINGS & ACCESSORIES

www.junedelugasinteriors.com North Carolina’s Premier Interior Design Firm | 2575 Old Glory Road, Clemmons | 336-778-1030

Taking a Break:

BY JEN OLENICZAK BROWN

Whether you choose to or it’s forced upon you, you might need to take time away from your career. Regardless of the reason, navigating the reentry can be stressful and worry-inducing, especially when you’re letting anxiety take over.

I remember talking to a friend of mine who had stayed at home for a few years to raise her kids after a successful business. She sold her business, took 5 years off, and when she tried to go back to work, every worry and concern hit her like a ton of bricks: she was convinced the working world had changed that much that she couldn’t just “go back in” – and while there were a few changes, for the most part, everything was still exactly the same as when she left.

So what’s the problem? The same one that affects people with any sort of gap in their work history or resume: confidence. I’m not saying it’s easy to answer the tough questions like “Why did you take time off?” especially when you are being interviewed by someone who could never dream of a “break” for “personal reasons.” After this stretch of remote schooling, COVID, and 2020 in general, we’ll see many more breaks in resumes and career history – especially for women – and we need to learn how to talk about it.

BE HONEST This might be obvious, but be honest about why you took a gap.

You don’t have to give every single tiny detail, but you should be able to say it was for personal reasons, family reasons, or health reasons and leave it there. Don’t wait until you are in the interview to say it either; practice saying it out loud ahead of time and make sure you can say it in a way that is clear, with finality.

You don’t have to go into great detail about it or give all of the background information as to why you needed to take the time off. Just say it and be ready to move on.

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What happens when you need to take time away from your career?

DON’T FRET Ok, so you’re probably worried that you’re going to be judged for taking that time off, right? Here’s a not-so-well-known fact: people that judge other people think everyone is always judging them. It’s one of those “Oh, well I judge so of course they judge!” moments – and the truth is, if we think that we are constantly being judged, we might be judging other people. One of the things to combat this? Stop judging people! Don’t compare yourself to others – compare yourself to yourself. Your growth should be compared to your own growth.

Easier said than done right? Here’s a motivator – if you are nervous about someone judging you, you’re going to pass that nervous energy off to the person interviewing you or talking to you about the job you’re looking to get! You don’t need that negativity, trust me.

LEAD WITH YOUR VALUE Repeat after me: I have value no matter how long of a break I took from the workforce.

Say that as many times as you need for you to believe it – or at least fake it until you believe it! We’re coming off of a period of immense trauma, and a lot of folks have had to take a leave from work for their kids, lost a job because of COVID, or made a change moving to another part of the country or state – circumstances that aren’t always the most confidence-inspiring. A gap in work history can leave us feeling “less than,” and in reality, everyone has them!

Take time out to think about how to be comfortable with the time you needed to take off from your career. If you need to feel accomplished, or have something to talk about, take an online class or two in a skillset you’ve always wanted to master. And above all, remember: you have value!

Restoration Med Spa

Five Coping Strategies for Changing Time

BY JEAN MARIE JOHNSON

With or without champagne, I am the type who bubbles over with energy and enthusiasm for the new year ahead. I say adieu to the year that’s passed by, sweeping my home clear of every festive thing in sight, replacing red candles for white, and focusing on the joyful, peaceful possibilities that await in the 365 days ahead.

This year though, I’m noticing that my happy enthusiasm is a bit tempered against the tumultuous backdrop of 2020.

Those 365 days told their own complex story and, for me, ushered in new challenges of faith, perseverance, hope, and adaptation. Even so, 2020 was a year filled with unique and lasting learning. For that, I am grateful.

I am aware that, regardless of how enthusiastic or optimistic we may be, our coping skills can take a battering in a year like 2020. That’s why I’m revisiting these skills this year. My first stop is psychologist Dr. Leahy, author of The Worry Cure, who stresses the importance of a coping mindset. He offers five “ingredients” that I’m putting my own special spin on in 2021: Adjust your expectations – this one’s the hardest for me. I tend to be highly organized and planful, meaning that I can also be somewhat inflexible. Dr. Leahy advises: “Change the expectation to match reality, realizing it’s not catastrophic.” It’s a mantra I’m adopting as I take a close look at “reality,” at things as they are, not as they were, as the starting point. Which of your expectations can you adjust?

Don’t view everything that you had as essential – this is the quintessential “letting go” nudge. For me, it isn’t so much about what I have or had; it’s about getting stuck on routines that are no longer viable. So I’m experimenting with loosening up my self-imposed ways of doing things, along with my schedules so that I can be more spontaneous and “ready to go” when the opportunity presents itself. Yoga at a friend’s instead of at the gym? I’m in! What can you move over into the non-essential category?

Focus on what you can do, not what you cannot do – this one hits me in the gut and makes me sad. For a variety of reasons, my current ability to travel is limited, and I’m unable to see far-flung friends and family. When I focus on what I can do, I reach for Facetime, Zoom, text, and send surprise cards and packages to keep my connections strong and my emotions in a good place. I also put my energy into building new friendships and meaningful connections. How will you focus on what you can do versus what you can’t?

Go on a politeness binge – this is my favorite coping strategy.

I especially appreciate Dr. Leahy’s suggestion that we implement a “protocol of politeness” toward our significant others, those living and coping under the same roof as us. To state the obvious, the kinder that space underneath the roof is, the calmer we all are. I like that a lot. What behaviors can you increase and eliminate as you “go on a politeness binge” in your home?

Think of this as a chapter in the book you are writing – This one resonates deeply as I consider the present as a moment informed by the past and inspired by the future.

As a strategy, it helps me focus on creating experiences I want to be part of my story. It also helps me to consider how I want to be able to think back on this time from some point in the future. How will you write this chapter of your story?

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Budget Blinds

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oo L o on for th t t n e Year 2021 & Still Wa H i l l c re st Vision Has You C overed Y H L

BY AM

When it comes to eyewear, Dr. Hall and her team at Hillcrest Vision are dedicated to ensuring that you find your ideal fit. With so many varieties of shapes, lenses, and brands, it can be hard to determine which glasses suit your needs. Not sure where to start?

Dr. Hall suggests consulting a professional.

Opticians at Hillcrest Vision are able to combine your prescription information with the most flattering frames for your face and features. “Oftentimes, people prefer to browse frames by themselves or feel like they’re bugging the optician if they ask for advice, but this couldn’t be further from the truth,” explains Dr. Hall. “Our opticians love styling patients in frames.”

vision and better prevent your vision from fluctuating. In addition, glasses make a great accessory. Dr. Hall believes wearing glasses is one of the best ways to showcase your personality, especially while face masks are mandatory, and many people are working from home and are limited to expressing themselves at work from their shoulders up during video meetings. Hillcrest Vision stays on top of the latest eyewear trends and has a great selection of glasses to choose from. When asked about what she believes will be some of the newest eyewear trends for 2021, Dr. Hall is seeing an increase in demand for colorful, funky, fun frames, in addition to more comfortable, lightweight classic pieces. In the mood for a more classic look? For men in particular, Dr. Hall suggests a metal semi-rimless frame. She considers this look to be timeless while also fitting a wide variety of face shapes. If you value quality over making a fashion statement, finding a pair of sturdy, well-made glasses is essential. If you’re looking for sunwear, in Dr. Hall’s opinion, the quality of Maui Jim is unmatched. While still being stylish, Maui Jim provides the highest quality polarized lenses with double-sided, no-glare treatments.

Considering contact lenses instead of glasses? While wearing contact lenses has its own advantages, Dr. Hall guarantees that eyeglasses will always provide the sharpest

Heard the buzz about blue light blocking glasses and wondering if they’re worth the hype? Dr. Hall believes investing in a pair of blue light blocking glasses is time and

Are your glasses just as exhausted from the chaos of the year 2020 as you are?

Maybe the arms of your glasses are starting to become a bit loose, your lenses are scratched, or you’re not seeing as clearly out of them as you once did. On the other hand, maybe your glasses are in excellent condition, but you’re simply looking for a change. As the founder of Hillcrest Vision in Winston-Salem, Juawana Hall, O.D., has the best tips for finding your perfect pair of frames to start the year 2021 in style.

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money well spent if you spend more than four hours per day in front of a screen, but only if you find a quality pair. According to Dr. Hall, blue light radiation increases the rate of cataracts and macular degeneration, as well as sleep disruptions, eyestrain, and eye fatigue. However, don’t be fooled by the low prices of blue light blocking glasses you may see online. Dr. Hall warns buyers, “You get what you pay for.” Cheaper blue light blocking glasses are cheaper for a reason – the blue light protection coating is sprayed on, causing it to wear off quickly (the same is true for UV protection in cheap sunglasses).

Aside from blue light radiation alone, it is imperative to take care of your vision while spending so much time staring at a computer screen. Dr. Hall advises, “Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Blink a few extra times and allow your focusing system a break before looking back at the screen.”

Invest in your vision and treat yourself to a new pair of glasses from Hillcrest Vision to start the year off on the right foot. You can read more information about Dr. Hall and her team at hillcrestvision.com; contact them by email at info@hillcrestvision.com, or call (336) 760-2020 to speak to a team member directly. You can also follow Hillcrest Vision on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on the latest company news.

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The Effect of COVID-19 on AARF ANIMAL ADOPTION & RESCUE FOUNDATION

BY COURTNEY BRAVINDER, PHOTOS BY CAROL MAURIN PHOTOGRAPHY

When you ask people what they like most about Super Bowl Sunday, it’s usually the same answer. Watching the commercials, eating good food, the halftime show, and obviously the football game. Well, if someone were to ask me, I would definitely answer, the PUPPY BOWL! The Puppy Bowl is an annual television program on Animal Planet that mimics an American football game similar to the Super Bowl, using puppies. Shown each year on Super Bowl Sunday, the show consists of footage of a batch of puppies that play inside a model stadium, with commentary on their actions. There’s nothing cuter than watching puppies wrestle with each other and then conk out from exhaustion. Well, you can imagine how excited I was when my mom said we were going to have our very own puppy bowl.

I’m sure you’re wondering how we were able to find that many puppies to participate!

We have had the great privilege to foster for AARF for the past five years. It’s the most rewarding experience and I have learned so much during that time. I’ve asked Mitchell Currin, the Executive Director of AARF, to share about the organization, how COVID-19 has impacted them, and what their needs are. Here is what he had to say: AARF is a no-kill, foster-based animal rescue. We adopt over 900 cats and dogs each year. We are a private, nonprofit organization supported by individual donations, grants, and the fees associated with our adoptions. While we do have some cats in our facility, almost all AARF animals are fostered in the homes of caring volunteers. The foster-based approach is what makes AARF special. Our fosters can provide socialization and nurturing that animals in shelters don’t have access to. We are able to help animals with special needs, pregnant or nursing moms, and newborn kittens and puppies that would face health risks in a traditional shelter environment. When you adopt a dog or cat from AARF, you know that you are getting an animal that has been evaluated in someone’s home with our family and our pets.

We have maintained fairly consistent adoption numbers compared to last year in spite of not being able to host our weekly Saturday adoption fairs and closing our on-site cat adoption facility to the public most of this year. Pets have provided an excellent structure and companionship for families who find their lives limited by school closings and COVID-19 restrictions. We are worried about the impact of facilities that spay and neuter cats and dogs who were closed or limited in their services due to COVID-19. It’s hard to say what that impact will look like in 2021, but we anticipate an uptick in homeless litters of kittens and puppies next year as a result.

AARF provides the veterinary care for the animals we take in, which is our organization’s biggest cost.

Any animal adopted from AARF has, at minimum, spay/neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, microchips, testing, flea, and heartworm preventative.

With a perfectly healthy cat or dog, we basically break-even with each adoption. However, as a no-kill organization, we are committed to the best outcome for each animal we take into our program. This means that veterinary costs often exceed what would be considered routine. We make up the gaps with generous donations from folks in our community who care about animals and want to help. The best way to help AARF expand our reach and mission is to open your home to foster and/or adopt with AARF. Fosters are the lifeblood of our organization. Every foster in our program means that our capacity for care increases. By fostering with AARF, you can help countless animals find their forever homes.

If you would like to find out more about AARF, visit their website at aarfws.org.

2021 : Refresh By

BY JEN OLENICZAK BROWN

Ah, the New Year. Out with the old, in with the new, and this year, I don’t know anyone that wanted to keep 2020 around.

Maybe you’re looking back on 2020 with, not necessarily loathing, but as an incredible jumping off point for improvement and making your life a better place. You’ve tried it other years, and finally, decide this is your year to…go to the gym more!

And then you remember…wait…you’ve tried this whole gym thing for the past three years. And every year, it starts amazing!

January 1, you’re there! January 2, got it! This goes on for a few weeks and then, the inevitable hits: you stopped going.

This year is going to be different, you decide with resolve.

You’re going to hire a trainer: someone to hold you accountable, checks in on you, and share the successes and the not-so-great moments. Fast-forward to the future, and you are still going to the gym. You kept your resolution! Congrats!

The difference? Accountability. Apply that notion of accountability to maybe another aspect of your health that you’re thinking about for 2021 – drinking less alcohol. You might be thinking, but there is no personal trainer for this!

Ah, but there is – and her name is Jenn Kautsch, the founder of Sober Sis.

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“Good intentions fall to the wayside without a structure of support,” Jenn says. “When you’re thinking about goal setting, it’s about changing your relationship with drinking.

Maybe you’ve had too much over the holidays or through 2020 and you want to reset or reboot for 2021 – and you need those partners on the journey of progress.”

Jenn runs “21 Day Reset Challenges” every month (and if you’re reading this before January 3rd, you have time to hop on one right now!) to become what she calls “soberminded.” It’s not a place for folks struggling with alcoholism: it is a place for folks who find themselves mindlessly pouring that 5 pm wine or, as Jenn has seen during the pandemic, drinking out of boredom. “I’d wake up in the morning with good intentions but “wine o’clock” would roll around and I’d fall right back to my habit of an evening drink (or three!).

Creating Sober Sis and the 21 Day Challenge provided that support group that women need when they are working to break – or make a new – habit. “People will decide they want to drink less and so we provide space to take a break.

The first 7-10 days are the hardest, this is when most people give up when on their own. We share tools early on to help with cravings and support women through the hardest part of the obstacle course. Jenn says, “Instead of perfection, we’re focusing on progress in the group.”

Being Sober-Minded This supportive group allows for accountability, connectivity, and learning – and works to keep any feelings of shame far away. “We look at a slip up as feedback, not a setback,” said Jenn. “In the group when someone makes a mistake, we focus on remembering the lesson. It’s like recon – we celebrate it, say thank you for the information and feedback that we can all learn from.”

This is a far cry from what we might be experiencing when we do this on our own – think of the last resolution you tried and remembered mid-March? I don’t know about you, but I think it’s me, that I can’t do it, that I’ve failed.

This network of women that make up Sober Sis is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week – and the challenge and group are complete with coaching, connection, and, something I love – alternatives to alcohol that aren’t just syrup in seltzer. “There are so many alternatives out there that are exciting,” Jenn said. These are often showcased on her Instagram, ranging from craft non-alcoholic beer to non-alcoholic premade, just-refrigerateand-open cocktails like a “Mindful Mule” a non-alcoholic Moscow Mule from Spirity Cocktails or bottles to keep in your fridge from Mingle Mocktails.

If 2020 has found you like many women, either using a bit more alcohol than usual to cope with boredom or loneliness, or maybe just ready to start fresh and sober-minded in 2021, check out Sober Sis and join one of her monthly 21-day challenges: TinyURL.com/SoberSisFW. And remember – this is all a marathon, not a sprint.

Jenn Kautsch, Sober Sis Founder.

Sober Sis

Find out how to RELAX and be SOCIAL without a drink in your hand

T I N Y U R L .CO M / S O B E R S I S F W

The Forsyth Magazines Podcast Turns ONE!

BY BROOKE EAGLE, PHOTO BY JODIE BRIM PHOTOGRAPHY

On January 2, 2020, episode 1 of the Forsyth Magazines podcast released!

Cheri and Justin Lingafelt, owners of Accent Prone, kicked things off with a fun and motivational 20-minute episode. Since then, we’ve recorded and released 37 more episodes and have lots more in the works! Below is a list of who has been featured on each episode. See one that piques your interest? Head to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any major podcast streaming platform, search ‘Forsyth Magazines’ and scroll down until you find the episode you are looking for! All episodes are available on our website as well, Forsythwoman.com!

If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe and leave a review!

Podcast subscribers receive a notification each Thursday morning reminding you that a new episode is up for your listening pleasure!

Ep 1 Accent Prone

Ep 21 Inner Strength Pilates

Ep 2 Trellis Supportive Care Ep 3 WFBH Outpatient Imaging

Ep 22 Sixth Sense Health and Wellness

Ep 4 Winston-Salem Dash

Ep 23 Hip Chics Boutique

Ep 5 One Crafty Miss

Ep 24 Tour de Boutique 2020

Ep 6 Lewisville Laser & Aesthetics

Ep 25 Windsor Jewelers

Ep 7 Dara Kurtz

Ep 26 Lewisville Clemmons Chamber of Commerce

Ep 8 Nitsa’s Apparel Ep 9 JEJ Photos & Toujours: Community Over Competition Ep 10 Second Harvest Food Bank Ep 11 Twin City Fashion Week Ep 12 Restoration Med Spa Ep 13 Family Services

Ep 27 Marzano Capital Group Ep 28 Leadership Lewisville Clemmons Ep 29 Parks Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Ep 30 Piedmont Federal Savings Bank

Ep 14 Forsyth Mags: Keela Johnson & Robin Bralley

Ep 31 Providence

Ep 15 Hope Community Church

Ep 33 Mike Silver for Judge

Ep 16 The Engaging Educator, Jen Brown

Ep 34 Lyndhurst

Ep 32 Fraleigh’s Boutique

Ep 17 Forsyth Plastic Surgery

Ep 35 Emily Davis, New Balance & Fleet Feet

Ep 18 Budget Blinds of North Winston-Salem

Ep 36 Beauty Counter, Alysia Grimes

Ep 19 Habitat for Humanity Ep 20 Novant Health Vein Specialists

Ep 37 The Barn at Reynolda Village Ep 38 Professional Women of Winston-Salem

It has been an honor getting to have authentic conversations with 50+ local business owners and advocates for our community. If you’re interested in being on a podcast episode or have a recommendation, email brooke@forsythmags.com.

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4 Financial Resolutions for 2021

BY STEVEN GALLO, CFP®

The beginning of the year is a good time to review your finances and make any course corrections necessary to achieve your financial goals. Here are four things you can do to help get your financial house in order.

• Calculate your personal net worth. It does not have to be complicated. Make a list of your assets (what you own) and liabilities (what you owe). Subtract the liabilities from the assets to determine your net worth. Do not panic if your net worth declines during tough market periods.

What is important is to see a general upward trend over your earning years.

• Automate good habits. Take this moment, when you are feeling gung-ho about your finances, to automate any good behaviors you have committed to. If you want to save more for retirement or repay debt, automate those monthly debits with your payroll office or your bank. Do it now, while you are feeling motivated, so it does not get lost in the yearlong shuffle.

• Review beneficiaries’ designations on your retirement accounts, annuities, and life insurance. The beneficiary designation is your first defense line to ensure that your assets transfer to your heirs quickly. Keep information on beneficiaries up to date to ensure the proceeds of life insurance policies and retirement accounts are consistent with your wishes, your will, and other documents.

• Check your insurance coverage. Make sure you not only have auto and homeowners or renters’ insurance but also consider umbrella liability insurance, especially if your assets exceed the liability coverage provided by your other property and casualty policies. See what coverage you get for disability and life insurance from work and Social Security and purchase supplemental coverage if you need more. Finally, if you are in your mid-50s to 60s and have $200k-$2 million in assets outside of your home, you may want to consider purchasing long-term care insurance.

This is not an exhaustive list, but these are some of the steps you can take to strengthen your personal financial life. It is never too early or too late to organize and plan for the financial security of you and your loved ones.

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January 2021 | 43

January: Human Trafficking Awareness Month

BY ELISA W. COPPEDE

What is a severe life-threatening problem that affects every country in the world? Human trafficking. According to dosomething.org, a website dedicated to helping young adults volunteer, promote social change, and conduct civic action campaigns to make a real-world impact on causes they care about, “internationally, only about .04% of survivors of human trafficking cases are identified, meaning that the vast majority of cases of human trafficking go undetected.” How many international human trafficking cases does this translate to? “Internationally, there are between 20 million and 40 million people in modern slavery today,” the website states.

What is even more shocking is that many of these cases occur in the United States, not a far-off country. “In 2018, over half (51.6%) of the criminal human trafficking cases active in the US were sex trafficking cases involving only children,” the website states.

Why is this a business that continues to flourish? Just like all supply versus demand industries, this business continues to move on because the profits are so high. “Human trafficking earns global profits of roughly $150 billion a year for traffickers, $99 billion of which comes from commercial sexual exploitation,” the website reports.

With numbers as terrifying as this, it is vital to properly educate ourselves on human trafficking, as well as learn how to prevent future cases from happening to loved ones.

Since there are a great number of myths out there about human trafficking, it is first important to be able to distinguish between truth versus myths. Take time to educate yourself this January and learn and read on to learn all about the dangers of this far too common “business.”

HUMAN TRAFFICKING MYTH #1: Only women and girls are victims of human trafficking.

This is absolutely a myth in that this industry does not only seek women and girls. One study estimates that as many as half of trafficking cases are male. What types of males are most vulnerable to becoming trafficked? According to the Polaris. org website, which operates the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline, “this percentage may be even higher, but male victims are far less likely to be identified.”

Also, LGBTQ boys and young men are particularly vulnerable to trafficking, so it is vital to note this.

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HUMAN TRAFFICKING MYTH #2: Human trafficking only occurs in “underground” or shady locations.

This is another commonly stated myth about human trafficking. While many may think that this illegal activity occurs in seedy, drug-fueled spots, many of the victims of human trafficking are sought out in extremely common places.

These spots include restaurants, cleaning services, construction sites, factories, and more.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING MYTH #3: Traffickers target random individuals whom they do not know.

This is another false statement. Sadly, many victims of human trafficking often are “recruited” into the industry by romantic partners, friends, and even family members. Since there is a level of trust already there, it is easy to understand how so many young adults get lost in this trade.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING MYTH #4: Only runaways are vulnerable to human trafficking.

While runaways can absolutely get caught up in trafficking cases, these are not the only individuals who may become “groomed” for this industry. According to Polaris.org, “human trafficking can happen to anyone.” However, it is vital to note that some people are more vulnerable than others.

What are the risk factors that could make one more vulnerable? “Specific risk factors include recent relocation, substance use, mental health concerns, involvement with the child welfare system, and being a homeless youth,” the website states. Often traffickers know how to spot these individuals and can help create dependency quickly.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING MYTH #5: Trafficking victims are held against their will and cannot physically escape.

This is our last “myth” to debunk. While this can occur in specific situations, this is not the case for all victims. Some victims become so dependent on their leaders that they lack the necessities needed to get out of the business safely (i.e., transportation, accommodations, jobs, etc.) Other victims become so manipulated, they do not identify as being under the control of another person.

Please properly educate yourself on this horrible crime so we can prevent future victims!

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EXPLORE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF PILATES AT CLUB PILATES WINSTON-SALEM

BY JULIE FRITZ, PHOTOS BY JODIE BRIM PHOTORAPHY

We all want to be healthy, and now more than ever, it is important to keep your immune system healthy, too. While there are many factors in healthy immune function, regular exercise plays a crucial role. If you are like most people, you may find it challenging to find an exercise program that fits your needs, schedule, and body. If you have not thought about Pilates before, you might be surprised to learn how it can improve your health and daily life. Pilates is an effective and sustainable workout for everyone, from elite athletes to those with limited mobility. The practice uses a wide variety of exercises and equipment to strengthen the whole body, from your lungs to your feet and everywhere in between. Pilates focuses primarily on core strength, posture, and pain-free movement, and it can provide the health benefits that you have been looking to incorporate into your life. Club Pilates Winston-Salem can open the door for anyone ready to feel better in their body and get the most out of life.

CLUB PILATES WINSTON-SALEM Kristin Henry opened Club Pilates in Winston-Salem in January 2020. Kristin is the studio owner, lead instructor, and master trainer, and it is her passion for Pilates that inspired her to open her studio. While teaching yoga in college, she was also studying Muay Thai, kickboxing, acrobatics, and massage. She then discovered Pilates and quickly saw that it pulled aspects from all of the forms of exercise that she already loved. “Pilates incorporates the flexibility of yoga, the strength and precision of martial arts, and the alignment of acrobatics,” said Kristin. “It approaches the body as an interconnected system of needs rather than focusing on just one or two aspects of health.”

AN EXERCISE DESIGNED DURING A PANDEMIC The original Pilates equipment was designed as a response to the last great pandemic, the Spanish Flu of 1918. Joseph Pilates was a German acrobat living in England during World War I. When the war began, the British government interned him and his circus troupe, along with other Germans. The internment camp had terrible conditions, but he was determined to keep himself and those around him healthy. Joseph designed exercises that were completed by the group daily, but many were too weak to leave their beds. For those who were unable to stand, he used the bedsprings to create resistance exercises, which they could do without getting up. This opened up a whole world of exercise options for those with mobility limitations. Pilates lore states that no one in Joseph Pilates’ care died of the Spanish Flu while participating in his exercise programs. To this day, it serves as a testament to the power of Pilates and its ability to keep people healthy when it matters most.

A PERFECT EXERCISE PLAN FOR COVID-19 Because of its origins, Pilates is the perfect form of exercise during this pandemic. Much of the equipment used was developed specifically to help those with health challenges strengthen their bodies inside and out. While each person is different, Pilates is frequently one of the first forms of exercise approved by doctors during recovery or when a person is just starting to exercise. A regular Pilates routine can reduce many common health issues and chronic illness risk factors. Pilates is also recommended to many elite athletes by coaches and physical therapists to keep athletes performing at their best and to minimize the risk of injury. In today’s landscape, that means keeping people mobile while reducing pain, improving strength, regulating weight, and boosting immune and lung function.

CLUB PILATES WINSTON-SALEM IS TAKING SAFETY SERIOUSLY As national and state COVID-19 protocols continue to develop, Club Pilates Winston Salem has stayed ahead of the pack with the numerous cleaning and hygiene practices in place to keep their team and participants healthy and safe.

Kristin said, “We are taking this very seriously and want to make sure we can keep everyone as safe as possible. We know that the health benefits of Pilates can reduce many risk factors for COVID-19, and we want to continue to be a place where people can improve their health with peace of mind.”

Upon entering the studio, you immediately feel the difference in the care that Kristin and her team take to keep their members safe.

Before class, each person uses the touchless temperature check, then continues to the designated handwashing station. Each participant has a full set of equipment during class and is six feet from the next person to allow for easy social distancing. After every use, all of the equipment is cleaned using a safe and effective, hospital grade, virucide cleaning agent. Twice a day, they fog the studio with a disinfectant solution to ensure they have taken care of every nook and cranny.

You might think that is plenty, but their most impressive safety measures are the ones you can’t see! They have treated the entire studio with an EPA-registered solution called Monofoil D, which continues to kill viruses and bacteria on surfaces for three months! When professionals tested the studio, the equipment came back with a reading of zero, which means there is absolutely no bacteria, organisms, or viruses on the surface! Since the most significant risk for COVID-19 is the airborne particles, Club Pilates Winston-Salem did not stop there. “We even clean the air itself!” said Kristin. “In addition to running multiple UV air purifiers in the space, we also have three Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization systems in our studio air circulation. This air cleaning process is amazing as it actually breaks apart the virus and destroys it!”

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Club Pilates is pulling out all the stops to keep participants safe and comfortable inside the studio, and the members can tell!

One member wrote online, “I cannot give enough praise for the way Club Pilates Winston-Salem is handling opening in times of COVID-19. They have implemented safety/ cleaning measures that would make an infectious disease expert proud. If you are looking for a great place to work out with outstanding people that makes you feel safe, this is the place. They are keeping you healthy and giving you a great workout. Thank you, Kristin, Jennifer, and staff!!”

-Angela L.

THE EVERYDAY HEALTH BENEFITS OF PILATES Members of the studio are seeing stunningly quick results with the incredible benefits of Pilates. Kristin shared, “Our clients always have the intention of a healthier lifestyle, but they are often surprised by the additional health benefits. After about two months of classes, a member shared with me that she was not only stronger and more flexible, but that she had even grown an inch!” Beyond improved posture, strength, flexibility, and core control, Pilates has also been shown to improve balance, coordination, circulation, lung capacity, stress levels, and pain management. Pilates is the closest thing possible to a one-stop-shop in your workout!

A POSITIVE COMMUNITY ATMOSPHERE

PILATES TEACHER TRAINING

Club Pilates Winston-Salem does not just provide exceptional physical benefits; it also opens the door to a wonderful community of supportive and kind individuals. Kristin has been overwhelmed with the support that she has seen this community provide to each other during the last year. “During our closure, we got several kind messages from members who knew how much we missed and cared about them. Now that we are back together, it is such a delight to see everyone in the studio again, even if it is only from the eyes up,” Kristin added.

“Every day in class, I see mothers and daughters working out alongside each other, neighbors laughing together over a difficult exercise, and new friends chatting after class. It is just such a wonderful environment.”

In addition to being a great space to increase your health and wellbeing, Club Pilates Winston-Salem is also an amazing place to start a new and fulfilling career. Starting in late January, Kristin will begin a 500-hour comprehensive training program for individuals who are interested in becoming instructors. As a Master Trainer, Kristin has the expertise and experience to support and cultivate amazing new instructors. The program is incredibly successful, and many of the current instructors at Club Pilates have completed this training.

THE CLUB PILATES EXPERIENCE At Club Pilates, there is something for everyone. The studio offers group and private classes for participants of all levels. The beginner classes give students the tools to quickly develop their strength and skills, while the higher-level classes continue to challenge more advanced practitioners. There is a free 30-minute introduction class available so that newcomers can try the equipment and feel the exercises for themselves. After your introductory class, you can choose to drop in for individual classes or purchase a monthly membership. Memberships are available in sets of four classes, eight classes, or unlimited monthly classes.

For more information about Club Pilates Winston-Salem, their classes, and teacher training program, you can call them at 336717-1222 or visit their website clubpilates.com/ winsonsalem. The club is located at 371 Lower Mall Drive in the Thruway Shopping Center. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram by searching Club Pilates (Winston-Salem).

January 2021 | 49

Winston-Salem: A “Just Right” Retirement

BY JEAN MARIE JOHNSON When it comes to the question of retirement, almost everyone has a Goldilocks story. Here’s mine: Arizona?

Too hot and remote Florida?

Too humid and crowded Costa Rica, maybe?

Too unknown. Period.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina?

Just right.

Okay, okay, I know that natives often retire in place, right here in the familiar, with their tribe nearby. Others move on to retirement oases replete with clubhouse, golf, bocce ball, and all of the rest. For me, neither option draws a “just right” reaction. Instead, when my artist-husband, Dean, and I thought about how to ease our way into retirement, we immediately thought of Winston-Salem, a true city with a hometown feel. We didn’t arrive here blindly. Dean had lived here in the late 1970s when downtown was far from being a positive draw.

Even so, the people were friendly, the climate was great, the drivable proximity to the mountains and the beach was a plus, and the city’s size was, well, “just right.” Over the past 20 years, we’d visited a few times, and with each visit, the city became more attractive and more alive with restoration and innovation, as well as artistic, cultural, and culinary diversity.

For Dean, the choice was a no-brainer, especially since he could immediately immerse himself in the local arts scene.

The potential dealbreaker was me: • I was still working, albeit from home.

• I had only ever lived in my home state, Connecticut.

• Most of my family and friend-tribe was in the Northeast.

• I was “a Northerner” (whatever that means).

• My life, all of it, was there, not here.

• Dean worried and fretted. My sister was hesitant. My tribe whined.

• We came anyway. Packed up our senior canine, our SUV, trusted the movers with our stuff and landed.

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“How is the adjustment?” I had but one response to this oft-repeated, projection-laden but well-intended question: “What adjustment?”

Here’s why: • First, I was R-E-A-D-Y for a new, semi, sort-kinda, easing- myway- into- retirement chapter.

Arriving with an open mind and an open heart, • I didn’t expect “things” to be the same here.

• I did expect to find new experiences, discoveries, and a few surprises.

• I didn’t expect to experience the interpersonal norms and manners that I was accustomed to.

• I did expect to find “the good and the bad” when it came to people, just as I do everywhere.

• I didn’t wear blinders or expect instant perfection.

• I did expect that by doing my part, I’d stumble a bit, but find my way.

Second, Winston-Salem blew me away. I wanted a city with history, neighborhoods, and a vibrant, honest pulse. And it is. But the more poignant and personal part is that, as a “transplant,” I am putting down roots. In a literal sense, I am creating gardens in a formerly barren backyard, but it’s more than that. In the end, a place, any place, is about the people who make it so: • My neighborhood is awesome: “What took you so long to get around the block?” Dean asks.

• In the three short years I’ve lived here, I have come home to a bouquet of get-well flowers, six homegrown tomatoes, a metal peacock figurine, and countless other gifts of pure kindness.

• My small network of new friends, mostly, but not all transplants, are welcoming, inclusive, and ever-so-helpful at a moment’s notice. “You’re coming for the holidays again, aren’t you? My Uncle George keeps asking about you guys.”

I don’t need to say more, but I am not alone in my personal assessment: Forbes once again included Winston-Salem in the “Top 25 Places to Retire in 2020.”

That’s sounds “just right” to this Goldilocks!

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Flower Power:

The Growth of an Idea

BY TABATHA RENEGAR

If any one person in the Triad epitomizes the proverb, “Necessity is the mother of invention,” it is Amy Lynne Dunlap. Born in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, Amy got a job with a florist cleaning buckets, sweeping floors, and occasionally working with flowers when she was 16. Throughout every shift, Amy was watching and learning, and realized she had a talent for design! After graduating from the University of Kentucky with a BS in Horticultural Science and then a Master’s in Agricultural Education & Communication from the University of Florida, she was off and running. Amy worked as a designer for the Grand Floridian Hotel in Disney World and many other floral shops, moved to Hawaii and started a family, eventually landing in Winston-Salem, where she parlayed her talent and experience into a busy floral design business.

Amy Lynne Originals (ALO) was born in her Ardmore basement!

ALO soon grew out of her “home office” and moved to several charming locations, primarily downtown, before settling perfectly into the colorful ALO Studio in Winston-Salem’s West End, where it thrived until December of 2018. All the while, Amy was watching and learning. Although this time, it wasn’t just about design and flowers!

Well, not exactly.

As a designer and floral visionary, Amy longed for access to more diverse and interesting flowers than what wholesale distributors offered. The problem? Finding them and knowing what was available. Amy soon learned that local flower farmers were struggling to reach and sell their products

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to designers in the area. Once Amy realized that her challenge in finding unique, local flowers mirrored the struggle that local producers were having, her wheels simply would not stop spinning!

INTRODUCING STEMZ! I asked Amy how she knew it was the right time to step away from floral design to pursue her next idea. “The driving force behind the shift from ALO to Stemz simply started with a need for change. I wanted to mix things up and stay inspired in the cut flower industry. After closing ALO, I planned to jump directly into flower farming. It felt like a natural next step given my background in horticulture. While flower farming is still my long-term plan, I simply couldn’t ignore the realization that the cut flower supply chain in NC needed change, too!

So, I switched gears again and put all my energy into figuring out how to strengthen the industry.”

In true entrepreneurial form, Amy turned her research into a full-time job which led her to the NC IDEA Micro Grants. “Stemz is a completely different entrepreneurial journey from ALO,” explained Amy. “I knew from the beginning I needed guidance and support to build something impactful and scalable. The NC IDEA grant application itself taught me to really dig deep and answer tough questions about product-market fit, customer discovery, and creating value for my customers. All the research and effort that went into filling out the application was as valuable as the grant itself! And the guidance and education from NC IDEA did not stop after receiving the grant. NC IDEA

continues supporting Stemz with advisor meetings and educational opportunities - it is an exceptional organization!”

After a three-month competitive application process that drew 156 applications from across the state, Amy and Stemz were one of only 15 NC IDEA MICRO grant recipients chosen!

How have farmers reacted upon learning that a whole new avenue to additional sales has been created for them? “Cut flower farmers simply love to farm,” said Amy. “They love testing new flower varieties, trying new methods, and simply growing a beautiful product. The ‘selling’ part of the business often takes them away from the farm and from doing what they love. When we approach a farm and introduce our concept of ‘cultivating connectivity,’ there is often excitement at the notion of more time on the farm!”

Stemz is growing every day with active buyers throughout the Triad and Charlotte.

Buyers choose from inventory spanning many farms across NC. After firmly establishing their Winston-Salem hub, Stemz plans to expand into key locations in NC and then into the southeast/mid-Atlantic regions.

As Amy noted, “I’ve spent most of my adult life working with flowers. If I see a way to help build up the industry I love and make it stronger, I am all in!”

For more information about how your entrepreneurial spirit could get the boost it needs, visit: ncidea.org. For more about the Stemz story, go to findstemz.com.

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Embrace Change

“The secret of CHANGE is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old but building the new.” ~ Socrates I’m sure you have heard it said, “The only constant in life is change.” (Heraclitus). Last year will be remembered not only as the year of the CoVid-19 Pandemic and a contentious election, but a year that brought many changes in our lives almost daily. From the 3 Ws (wearing a mask, washing our hands, or waiting at a distance of 6’), working from home, home schooling children, not hugging or seeing our friends and families, shopping for groceries online, foregoing haircuts, missing planned social events….. and the list goes on….we have all had to deal with change!

Many years ago, as we settled our youngest daughter in her new dorm room at college, we were preparing to leave, giving hugs with tears rolling down our cheeks, I said to her, “We don’t always like change, and it’s not always easy, but change is good for us.”

(I was saying that as much for my benefit as hers.) The changes you have adjusted to since March of 2020 have not always been easy, but I do think some good has come out of those changes.

I have had to adjust and rethink…and yes, embrace change, as I do business in the weeks and months ahead.

Many businesses where I shopped for home décor items have closed. It’s now taking longer and longer for custom furniture pieces to be delivered. Until CoVid cases decline in our area, I will be consulting via FaceTime and shopping local and online. In recent weeks I have been conducting appointments in this manner and have found it works! Here is a testimonial from a recent client:

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“After months at home during CoVid, my family and I realized how badly our home needed some updates. Not only were some things dated, we knew we weren’t using our space in the most efficient way. We called Ava with ReDESIGNS by Ava and were able to do a FaceTime appointment! Once she saw our challenges, her creative wheels started to spin! She came up with ideas to re-arrange and offered solutions we had never thought of!

Plus, Ava is a whiz at finding great bargains.

She was able to shop for some new accents and send her ideas electronically for us to look at! We loved them all! We never thought we’d refresh our house this way, but it worked!

Technology can be such a blessing, especially when it’s utilized by someone as talented as Ava Lewandowski!” ~A recent client We are all spending more time in our homes these days. You may need ideas to help make your space serve your family better or just need to make a few updates to freshen up your home. Making a few changes will lift your spirit and your mood. Give Ava a call to schedule a FaceTime appointment.

Decorating Tips for the New Year • Healthy green plants are always a positive addition to any room. They will add life to a room.

• Pick up a bouquet of fresh flowers at the grocery store. I think of flowers as vitamin F. • Add pillows to a sofa or chair in pretty patterns, textures, and colors for a quick update.

• Turn on the lights. It’s January, and it’s cold and gets dark early. Turn on a few accent lamps to bring warmth to your home at night.

To warm your body…

CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

1 TBS vegetable oil 1 large onion, chopped (1 cup) 1 ½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces or shred after cooking the chicken and place in Crock Pot) ¾ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper 1 32 oz. carton Progresso chicken broth 1 can (14.5 oz) organic fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained 1 can Green Giant Steamcrisp Mexicorn whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, drained 1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce 1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chilies 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder Garnishes: ½ cup chopped FRESH cilantro Slices of lime Tortilla chips or Fritos ½ cup sour cream Brown onion in oil. When nice and brown, remove from pan and lightly brown the chicken pieces.

Place in Crockpot. Add remaining ingredients (except garnishes) and cook on low for 4 hours. (Serves 8).

10 Reasons People Choose ReDESIGNS by Ava: 1. They’ve seen the results on TV Home makeover shows or in a friends house.

2. They want a fresh, designer look but haven’t been able to create it.

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Goodbye Goals: Accomplish the Unexpected by Abandoning Certain Goals

BY TARYN JEREZ

After a year like 2020, the saying “We make plans and God laughs” has never felt more accurate. The truth is, you can make plans and set resolutions all day long, but there may come a point where those goals no longer suit the life you are pursuing.

While pouring time and purpose into how you want to grow personally, professionally, and spiritually are very important, it is equally important to think about what happens when the goals you set don’t serve the evolution you’ve experienced.

The trick to accomplishing your goals in a way that genuinely leaves you feeling fulfilled is learning how to decipher the ones that feel like stepping stones paving the future versus a boulder standing in the way.

CHECK-IN WITH YOURSELF When you close your eyes and try to envision the life you want to be living six or even 12 months from now, you probably have a clear image in your head. You can see improvements, growth, and fulfillment in different areas of your life based on what your heart desires. Even when it may not feel like it at the moment, you are changing just like the seasons change. The goals you set for yourself last year may no longer align with the things you want at this stage. For instance, you may have set a goal to achieve a promotion at work that would lead to monthly travel, but as you’ve begun seeing your kids struggle with virtual schooling this year, you no longer see that promotion as an opportunity but a setback. It doesn’t mean you’re a failure if you take your name out of the running for that promotion. Instead, by checking in with your needs, you not only see how that goal no longer serves you but may find a new one that will take you to even greater fulfillment in this season.

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GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION

SUPPORT YOUR LATEST VISION

If women didn’t already put enough pressure on themselves to accomplish everything in the world, add the weight of social media comparison and outside opinions, and clearly, you see how unhealthy the pressure can become.

One of the best things you can learn to do in life is permit yourself to lessen your load when it feels too heavy. That fear of looking like a hypocrite or feeling flakey by abandoning a goal you once were proud to share can be very real. Understand that not everything you set out to do will feel like the right fit as time goes on. You have to move some goals out of the way to make room for new ones. Chances are that the life you envision for your future self is a happy one, not because you stuck to a plan that didn’t serve you but because you let it go and went after one that did!

Carve out time to allow yourself to take inventory of the different categories of your life. Think about family, friends, health, finances, work, hobbies, church, and all the other components that make up who you are and where your time goes. Where do you see opportunities for improvement and added joy? Do you want to start painting again? Have you had your eye on a cabin rental for your family? Are you ready for a new professional challenge? Is this the year you run your first 5k? All of those dreams are part of the vision you have for your life. You deserve to see them happen! Take time to support that vision by creating next steps that will help you accomplish those goals.

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January 2021 | 57

Walk It Out!

BY JEAN MARIE JOHNSON

Over thirty years ago, in the predawn hours of a typical workday, I decided to go for a walk. Not a big deal, right? Except that it was.

I was in the midst of a ginormous life change, and walking sounded like one small change that I could initiate and embrace.

As a child, I had walked everywhere. Almost always, when we needed to get to a supermarket, a doctor, a dentist, a pharmacy, or whatever, we’d walk. I even walked myself to the Emergency Room of a hospital when a neighbor’s dog decided to take a bite out of my butt. So embarrassing for a teenager!

Later, as a young commuting professional, my wheels all but replaced my feet. So getting up that April morning meant reclaiming something familiar, something I truly missed. Fast forward to the present and I am looking back on over thirty years of nearly daily walking. I walk alone, walk with my dog, with my husband, with my neighbor, with someone I meet along the way – or any permutation thereof. I’ve even walked with a stray cat who seemed to crave my company, if only for the distance of a block.

I love the fluid and organic nature of letting each walk be its own unique experience.

Of course, as an early morning walker, I’ve had numerous encounters or near-encounters with nature: the all too familiar bears in the northwest corner of Connecticut, the coyotes further south, and everywhere, the skunks, raccoons, possums and, even once, a bona fide mountain lion stalking its prey. Did I mention that walking can be adventurous?

Yes, walking is good for us. It gets us moving, burns calories, tones muscles,

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and is a great low-effort workout. We’ve got all that. What gets less notice may be more subtle, but equally compelling. Here are three key reasons why I walk:

GOT A PROBLEM? WALK IT OUT Walking is a very effective conduit to problem-solving. Experts suggest that you first get a clear fix on the problem you are trying to resolve. Then, do one of two things: head out on your walk while focused on that problem, OR, let it go.

Either way, your superconscious will get into the zone and do the work for you.

Most of us have had this experience and marveled at its occurrence, especially when my “problem” is an idea void. When I’m stuck, I start walking. And that’s when the ideas start to flow.

FEELING STRESSED? WALK IT OUT Walking improves your mood by pumping up endorphins and has even been referred to as “meditation in motion.” So instead of reaching for that second or third “whatever,” take a few steps and keep going.

If you can walk in a natural environment, all the better. Studies show that being in nature or even viewing photos of nature helps to reduce stress, along with feelings of anger and fear.

FEELING ISOLATED OR LONELY? WALK IT OUT Loneliness is not our friend. It messes with our emotional well-being and can have long-term detrimental effects on our physical health. The pandemic has increased our feelings of loneliness as we’ve self-isolated and hunkered down.

Walking helps. For one thing, you are likely to see other people, old familiars as well as new faces. Whether you walk down the street, around the neighborhood, or at a local park, you will have the opportunity to connect. Have a dog? That fur baby can be your instant ice breaker.

Call me a walking evangelist and I say, “Guilty as charged!” Walking isn’t a magic wand any more than the next thing, but that first step may prove to be the impetus for many, many more.

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Inner Strength Pilates & Self-Care

BY AMY DIXON, OWNER OF INNER STRENGTH PILATES, WITH DENISE HEIDEL

2020 was supposed to be the year of focus and the year of vision.

Basically, we started last year believing that anything was possible in 2020. And indeed, it was. But it kind of went the other direction with COVID. But let’s not go there – no one wants to talk about COVID anymore, right? After all, it’s 2021 now. We’ve already experienced a year of job losses, health scares, lockdowns, testing, masking, toilet paper shortages, and more. As one pastor put it, “You may emerge from 2020 as a monk, a hunk, a chunk, or a drunk.” Such results would completely depend on where one put their focus. And if there’s anything we’ve seen clearly from our time in 2020 – it’s that self-care is a priority.

We have all been forced to slow down and, in some cases, even stop.

As we prepare for a new year, and you reflect on the last, what have you learned about yourself?

While we may be a little jaded from our last year and hesitant to believe in the possibility of hoping for good things for 2021, let’s stay openminded and be committed to the necessity of self-care. We have to embrace the mindset that self-care isn’t a luxury. It’s an essential part of daily life. If we don’t take care of ourselves, we can’t take care of others.

We won’t have the strength or energy to handle the daily challenges or obstacles we all face.

With all that said, let’s use 2021 to start fresh and prioritize self-care so, at the end of it, we come out with the healthiest, most balanced versions of ourselves.

First, focus on the calendar. What do we allow in our lives? What boundaries do we need to put in place? How do we manage our to-do list in a healthy way that leaves time to nourish our spirit, mind, and body? What can we say ‘Yes’ to, and as importantly, what do we say “No” to?

Second, focus on your temple. First Corinthians tells us that our body is a temple, given to us by God, for the Holy Spirit. That doesn’t mean we worship ourselves, but that we worship the One who created us.

Caring about and taking care of the one body He gave us is a form of worship and appreciation to our Creator. Our bodies are miraculous, and God designed our immune systems to protect us and keep us healthy. So, we need to choose healthy foods and make sure we get plenty of rest, sunshine, and regular exercise while avoiding the things that drag our bodies down.

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Third, focus on positive living. Look for joy in each day.

Live by the principles of Philippians 4:8 and concentrate on the things that are good, noble, true, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. Demonstrate the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Boost your immune system.

Socialize as much as you can. Journal. Be grateful.

Learn new things. Pay it forward. Serve others.

Take deep breaths. Pray.

Fourth, identify the things we need to let go of. What do you do with the bags filled with fear, loss of control, worry, and uncertainty? Give them to God. Jesus told us His yoke was easy, and His burdens were light (Matthew 11:30), and Peter reminded us to cast our worries on Jesus because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

The hardships of 2020 may leave scars for years, even decades to come, but we have learned much from it.

And ultimately – those lessons come down to whether we move forward with a better balance and perspective….

Or if we continue to struggle and be held back by our refusal to care for ourselves as our Creator intended.

Remember – worry is when we ruminate over things that we should have given to God. Worry holds on.

Prayer lets go.

Make self-care a priority in 2021, trusting in the strength God offers to all who lean on Him. At Inner Strength Pilates, our tagline asks the question, “Where does your inner strength come from?” Our business is based on Christian principles designed to nourish the lives of our clients. From Pilates, facials, massage, lymphatic detox, and postural work – we are working to help others from the inside out by choosing the best course of action for the individual – not making the person fit a routine.

Inner Strength Pilates is located at 4983 Martin View Lane, Harper Hill Commons, Winston-Salem, NC, literally just around the corner from Harris Teeter. For information on services, call 336-813-5320, visit innerstrengthpilatesnc. com or contact Amy Dixon at amy@innerstrengthpilatesnc. com. Classes and private sessions are by appointment only.

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January 2021 | 61

Dealing with SAD: Seasonal Affect Disorder

BY JEN OLENICZAK BROWN

Every year, it happens like clockwork: the sun starts to set at what seems to be mid-afternoon.

You make dinner, clean up, and are ready to go to bed, so you look at the clock and realize the horrific truth: it’s only 7 pm.

But it’s so dark. Your energy is zapped; you feel meh… and it’s so dark!

For years I had no idea what happened to me in the late fall and winter months. Every year I would start feeling exhausted, upset, and ready to go to bed earlier than ever before. In the beginning, I didn’t talk about it with people, because like most mental health struggles, I felt the stigma around conversation.

The more I talked to people…the more I realized that this is a pretty normal thing. This change of seasons that results in a sort of depression, otherwise known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), affects more than 20% of Americans. Often called casually the “winter blahs” SAD can be a major depressive disorder that is four times more common in women than in men.

While I’m not a medical professional, and people should see their doctor if they are experiencing symptoms of SAD, we don’t openly discuss mental illness enough – and should. The stigma disappears when we openly discuss!

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According to American Family Physician, SAD includes symptoms like: • A change in appetite (especially a craving for sweet or starchy food) • Weight gain • Heavy arms or legs • Drop in energy • Fatigue • Oversleeping • Difficulty concentrating • Irritability • Increased sensitivity to social rejection • Avoidance of social situations For me, it was the drop in energy more than anything else. Like I mentioned, as soon as it got dark and cold outside – or even cool! – I would immediately notice a dip in my energy that would last until that first week of beautiful spring weather when things warmed back up.

Which makes sense, because this winter depression is believed to be caused by a lack of sunlight.

So how do we deal with this?

Again, as I mentioned, I’m not a medical professional – but there are some things that help me get through these nasty winter months, and I’m more than happy to share with all of you!

TALK TO PEOPLE I’ve been through a lot with my depression, both serious and seasonal, as well as my anxiety. The absolute worst thing I did across the board for all of it? Keep it to myself.

The more I talked about it with my family, close friends, and therapist, the better I started to manage what I felt so ashamed about. Shame is an incredibly nasty emotion – talk about what you’re struggling with to people you love and trust. I promise they won’t judge you.

SUNLIGHT, ALL THE SUNLIGHT Also, wear sunscreen.

Real talk: I try to get outside in the sunlight as much as possible during these months. Even if that “get out” is setting up work in a sunny part of my home, I make sure it happens whenever possible. I’ve also invested in what’s called a “happy lamp” – a light that emits vitamin D like the sun! It’s pretty concentrated, so I only use the happy lamp for 30 minutes a day…otherwise, I feel like I’ve just had a pot of coffee.

EAT AND DRINK WELL What I eat is directly related to how I feel – if I’m skimping on food or eating junk all day and drinking that pot of coffee that I think I need, I end up feeling so much worse than if I take time to eat food that I enjoy AND is good for me.

For example, this morning I wanted to drink another cup (pot) of coffee – but I knew how much better I would feel if I drank water. Fast-forward to writing this for all of you, and I’ve drunk several glasses of water and feel much better (and hydrated). This doesn’t mean I deprive myself of treats! I just make sure I take care of my body and my mind.

And again, please see a doctor if your symptoms aren’t helped by things you can do. I am also on a regular antidepressant that allows me to commit to these coping techniques! Stay well and good luck!

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Your House Wants A Facelift

BY TABATHA RENEGAR

REARRANGE THE FURNITURE. This is one of my all-time favorite things to do! A switcheroo can truly change the entire vibe of a room! A great book about this is: Use What You Have Decorating by Lori Ward. The fun before and after photos are sure to inspire you!

I woke up on New Year’s Day and thought to myself, we need to rename this month.

January should really be Drabuary! The bright, festive holiday decorations are all wrapped up and put away for another 11 months, it’s cold outside, and the sky is about 50 shades of…. well, you know.

There isn’t even another really big holiday to look forward to for months!

As I was moping around the house with these thoughts in my head, I looked around and decided to take action! Rather than settle for drab, why not take advantage of this time to perk things up around my house? I don’t mean major renovations – just the opposite! What are some small, inexpensive, or free things that we can do in our own homes to bring some freshness and good energy to where we live?

PROPAGATE PLANTS. If you’ve got the winter blues, how do you think your houseplants feel? It will only take a few minutes on Google or Pinterest to find step-by-step instructions on how to turn your favorite plant into several that you can spread throughout the house.

Move your art around. Sometimes just swapping out a landscape watercolor in your living room with an abstract in your den can make a room feel refreshed!

Get some new faces! Do you have framed photos of family and friends on shelves, mantles, and tables? Empty them and start over! Maybe with updated photos of those beloved folks or, have some fun and stick a picture of Brad Pitt or Lady Gaga into a frame and see if anyone notices!

For more fun ideas on freshening up your home in the New Year, put ‘use what you have decorating’ or ‘freshen your home’ in the search field on Pinterest.

ADOPT A FISH.

CANDLES, CANDLES, & MORE CANDLES!

For well under $50.00, you can add a cute little aquarium to any room in your house. Not only is a colorful fish a great stress-reliever, but the tank light will give off a soothing hue.

For maximum glow, place candles next to mirrors, either above a fireplace or in a container next to a mirror resting against a wall. Windows work well, too. A candle in a glass holder will also be brighter as the light inside will be refracted. Similarly, candles will offer more light against a white wall.

PAINT. And speaking of walls…. Paint one! Or the whole room. When it comes to making a dramatic change without a dramatic cost, you can’t do much better than painting.

Accent walls behind a headboard are very trendy right now and make a big impact with minimal work! (Check back and I’ll have my own before and after photos of this to share!)

CHANGE OUT YOUR SHOWER CURTAIN. You spend a lot of time in this room; why not add a bright pop of color or a funky pattern to add some pizazz to the loo? Do you have a glass door to your shower?

Then find some bright new towels in fun patterns for the same effect.

LIGHT IT UP!

FRESH FLOWERS!

Adding a few small lamps to a room can make it feel cozier and brighter at the same time. There are countless inexpensive options in local thrift stores and at Goodwill. Use as is or with a fresh coat of spray paint in a bold color.

When all else fails, run out to Trader Joe’s and bring home a few bunches of colorful flowers and fresh greenery, and then spread them throughout your home. And think outside the vase! Put them in wine glasses, bowls, pitchers, jars… any vessel that holds water is fair game!

New Year, New Journey

BY LAUREN SEPHTON

Whether you have been dreaming of starting your own business or cultivating a healthier lifestyle, this new year offers new opportunities to achieve your goals. When it comes to making health-based resolutions, there are a few hints that will keep you strong and help sustain you to meet your goal through the end of the year.

HOW TO KICK SUGAR CRAVINGS After a holiday season full of decadent desserts and warm cozy drinks, you’re often left with sugar cravings that can be hard to kick. However, follow these simple steps that will let you enjoy a little indulgent without the binging.

First, don’t restrict your cravings. Yep, that’s right! It’s okay to treat yourself to a little sweet after a meal, but the key to not overindulging is to understand that a craving is not the same as hunger. Often, a “craving” is linked to your brain’s reward system to eat something that’ll release a lot of dopamine.

On the other hand, “hunger” is your body craving energy and seeking a nutrient-dense healthy meal. Nonetheless, listen to your body, and if you are craving a sweet treat, try a healthier alternative like fruit or just limit yourself to one serving size each day.

Second, eat three balanced meals. Stock your pantry with healthy snacks and try to eat three balanced meals daily. A balanced meal is easy to achieve, no matter how advanced you are in the kitchen. The ticket is to focus on the three core food groups: carbohydrates for energy, protein for enzyme production, and fresh vegetables for antioxidants. When planning your meal, consider the ratio of one quarter complex carbohydrates, one-quarter proteinrich foods, and one-half vegetables to keep a healthy metabolism. In addition, try satisfying those sugar cravings with healthier alternatives like fresh fruits, protein smoothies, granola bars, roasted nuts, and yogurt parfaits to give you that extra boost of energy and antioxidants throughout the day.

Three, simply enjoy life outside the kitchen. While it’s completely okay (and healthy) to enjoy a little sweet, sometimes the easiest method to kick those sugar cravings is to keep the trouble at a far distance. The first step would be to avoid processed foods or place your favorites in a cabinet that is hard to reach until the times

you need that special treat for that special moment. Other suggestions include taking a brisk walk outside or catching up with a friend over the phone instead of searching for that hidden, loaded richness.

Finally, take care of your body by getting proper sleep, avoiding excessive stress, and taking multivitamins to prevent any deficiencies. Sleep deprivation can alter your appetite-regulating hormones, making you crave more calorie-dense processed foods. Under a great amount of stress, your brain may require up to 12% more energy, which often leads to those uninvited sugar cravings since processed carbohydrates provide the body with one of the quickest energy sources.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE & EATING HABITS • Eat more whole foods. Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and natural proteins provide a plethora of nutrients that your body is desperately craving to function properly.

• Find what physical activity you enjoy most. With the abundance of sedentary jobs in today’s work environment, most individuals may find themselves sitting more often than not. Therefore, it’s important to use this time to find activities that fit your schedule and meet your level of enjoyment.

• Give yourself time to relax. It’s okay to schedule out time in your week to give yourself a few hours of downtime, which can help you better focus and be more productive throughout the week.

• Limit screen time. In today’s technological world, it’s important to find time to detox from the electronic devices that are now being linked to inducing depression and anxiety among time-intensive users.

• Learn to enjoy the small moments in life. Every day is a gift to be enjoyed and an opportunity to serve loved ones in your life. Whether simply bringing coffee to a coworker or cooking a homemade dinner for the family, try to have a positive mindset by finding your blessings in life.

The key is to take your first step, however small it may be. There’s no better time than the present to begin your new journey this year.

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New Balance

January 2021 | 67

Organize Your Way to Better Health

BY BROOKE ORR

In many cultures, the New Year represents a new beginning - a chance to improve upon perceived shortcomings experienced the year before. Polls show that Americans’ top resolutions fall into the same three categories each year. Category one is health. Goals in this group are often related to weight loss, increased physical activity, and increased intake of nutrient-dense foods. Two is finances. This category includes goals around career changes, paying off debt, and increasing savings. The third grouping is happiness.

This category includes improving relationships, prioritizing self-care, and decreasing stress. Surveys suggest that despite good intentions, only 7% of Americans stick to their New Year’s resolutions which is probably why the categories do not change much year to year. This is not meant to discourage, but to suggest trying a different approach to the “New Year-New You” mindset.

Research suggests that success in the above categories starts at home. Studies show that the home environment affects the way we sleep, eat, and relate to the world around us. So it makes sense that prioritizing 2021 New Year’s goals around home improvement may help naturally improve other areas of life, i.e., health, finances, and happiness. Don’t panic! You don’t have to go on HGTV or Marie Kondo the whole house. Start the New Year off right with the below suggestions.

While the Kondo style of organizing is too extreme for my blood, rule 2 of her tidying method is essential to creating better habits this year.

Kondo says, “Think about what kind of house you want to live in and how you want to live in it. In other words, describe your ideal lifestyle.

Seriously consider the ideal to which you aspire.” Results from a 2010 study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that the way people describe their homes may reflect whether their time at home feels restorative or stressful. Women who described their homes using stressful vocabulary were more likely to be depressed, and clutter was associated with decreased psychological well-being. It’s not all gloom and doom for disorganized readers; studies also found that a slightly disorderly environment can increase creativity. The important takeaway? Be intentional. Once you have visualized the general ambiance you want for your home, go back and walk through each room, considering its individual function or role it plays in creating your ideal lifestyle.

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Take the kitchen, for example. It is often considered the heart of the home. Most want a kitchen that encourages family and friends to gather around enjoying food and company.

According to resolution trends, many also want a kitchen that enables them to make healthier food choices. Research shows that people are more likely to choose nutrient-dense foods in an orderly environment. Create this environment by: • Start with the refrigerator/freezer. Take everything out, throwing away anything expired, and wiping down items you plan to keep. Sanitize refrigerator and freezer. Put Items back by category - dairy, beverages, fruit, vegetables, etc. Helpful Hint - pre-wash fruits and vegetables so that they are ready to grab and go.

• Next, tackle your pantry following the same steps above.

Helpful Hint - place the foods you want to eat more of at eye level.

• Then, take everything out of cabinets and drawers. Throw away storage containers that no longer have matching lids and organize items as you put them back in.

• Last but not least, clean off your counters. Store appliances in cabinets or drawers and select only one or two items that bring you joy to display prominently.

Kitchen organization supports healthy eating goals, but organized chaos inspires creativity in a home office or homework nook. Rebecca McCrone, contributing writer at Articles of Innovation, says to use lots of visual stimulation in this room. McCrone says, “you never know where inspiration will come from. But if there’s one thing that’s for sure, it’s that more stimulation is great for the creative mind. During projects, we often post pictures around the room. Sometimes they revolve around the project topic, and other times they have little or nothing to do with it. Then when the energy in the room is lagging, facilitators will have participants look for inspiration in the pictures.” In addition to photos, use pops of your favorite colors, neatly display kids’ crafts, and your favorite office supplies to inspire creativity.

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TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AS YOU CARE FOR OTHERS This past year has thrown us lots of curveballs. Is it any wonder that self-care is trending? As we get ready to say good riddance to 2020, it might be worth asking, “What if we could give the perfect gift to ourselves for the New Year? What if we borrowed a fraction of our energy use to take care of others and focused that energy toward taking care of ourselves?”

Let’s be honest. We all want to start the new year happy – perfect even. We’ll sometimes make unreasonable resolutions. We expend enormous amounts of energy, time, and emotion trying to meet all the normal year demands: working from home, making sure the Zoom space is free of toys and clutter, cooking, cleaning, shopping, keeping up with children’s online classes, overextending our capabilities and our financial resources. If you throw other COVID-related issues on top of that, the stress multiplies exponentially.

Taking care of yourself as you care for others can not only help improve your own mental and physical state, but it can also help you be more present during whatever limited gatherings with friends and family look like this year.

General tips: • Set realistic expectations. This is especially important around budgets and time commitments.

• Plan ahead. Include downtime and time doing things you enjoy and find relaxing.

• Basic needs. Basic needs are even more important during stressful seasons and times as the impact of including adequate sleep, nutrition, exercise, and outdoor/sunlight time can reduce overall stress levels.

COVID specific tips: • Reach out to others virtually to maintain a level of connection and to reduce feelings of loneliness.

• Work toward accepting the differences this year will bring, instead of focusing on the negatives and wishing things were different.

• Be creative and embrace “new” ways to celebrate holidays and spend time with loved ones this year. Some examples include: o Virtual get-togethers with family and friends o Include a theme or focus such as watching or sharing a movie, eating a meal, playing virtual and interactive games, a talent show or contest

Follow Family Services on social media for some curated mindfulness practices designed to help you find some calm in this topsy-turvy world. But even with some of the best coping strategies and mindfulness exercises, sometimes life is too stressful to handle alone. Sometimes talking with a therapist who will listen and look for ways to approach challenging situations can help people feel safer, stronger, and regain a sense of control.

For families facing intense challenges that are overwhelming, Family Services is here with essential counseling and support. Our highly qualified, professional therapists provide effective services for a wide range of life concerns and challenges in a confidential, respectful, and collaborative environment.

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Freezing, Arranging & Defrosting Food

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

You, too, can become a master of the freezer arts! An expression most people would never consider possible!

We tend to assess in seconds a half-bag of green beans or a five-pound bag of chicken thighs with enlarged chunks of ice as an immediate loss.

We throw thousands of dollars of frozen foods away each year, never wondering how to balance the absolute need for preserving a variety of foods at low temperatures. There is a magic to the freezer with no risk to botulism, which typically connects to canned foods. Here’s how!

WHAT TO FREEZE? With the high cost of foods, especially meats today, testing what works and fails in the freezer is an expensive experiment. With the expectation that a freezer will stop time for a later date, it’s easy to toss in anything and everything!

All baked goods without frosting or glazing, batters, doughs, fruits, flours, nuts, sauces and vegetables transition well from frozen through the thawing process; yet, some require specific instructions: • Avocado: Puree with lemon juice.

• Bananas: Ideal for smoothies or an ingredient in bread recipes.

• Berries: Do not wash; instead, dry well!

• Cabbage: Only use in cooked dishes!

• Garlic: Prepare in oil.

• Fruit in syrup: Applicable to apples, citrus fruits, grapes, plums and pomegranates.

• Herbs: Prepare in water or oil, and use in cooked meals or dressings.

• Meats (chicken, ground beef and turkey): Debone and chop in small portions for easy thawing and adding to recipes.

• Pasta: Cook until it reaches al dente! Do not rinse, but allow to dry. Freeze noodles without the sauce!

• Peaches: Peel and slice first!

• Pizza: Must reheat at 400 degrees.

• The Rigid Container: Reusable containers possess straight or tapered sides and are constructed from plastic, glass, aluminum or waxed cardboard. Consider using ice cube trays, wide-mouth Mason jars, plastic coffee cans and baking dishes covered with aluminum foil.

Tip: Always stir liquids with a nonmetal utensil to eliminate air bubbles!

• Flexible Bags or Wrapping: Make sure bags and sheets, such as parchment paper, are constructed from moisture and vaporresistant materials and labeled freezer safe. Foils, identified as “heavy-duty” and “metal” will serve to protect vegetables, fruits, meat, fish and poultry. Don’t forget to pack it tightly!

• The Food Saver: Freezer bags serve a purpose for short-term freezing; otherwise, vacuum sealers properly extract air from bags and containers!

EVEN FROZEN FOODS HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE

Tip: Consider buying breads marked clearance. Extracting a loaf for a Sunday meal is an ideal time saver! Just heat in the oven!

Food in a frozen state is never indefinite. Storage timelines are essential for good taste and quality. Baked goods and bread can remain in ice for six months, while citrus and non-citrus fruits can last up to 12 months. Proper packaging determines whether nuts, for instance, maintain their freshness for six months or eight. It’s a good idea to plan weekly meals to use dated meats first and save current additions for later.

Tip: Find an alternative source to preserve cooked egg whites, hardboiled eggs, cream-based soups, sauces, mayo-based salads, fried foods and cooked rice!

Tip: Check to ensure added items freeze in 24 hours. Overpacking a chest will have difficulty maintaining a zero-degree consistent temperature!

THE TRICK IS IN THE CONTAINER

THAWING METHODS

Freezer burn does not render food unsafe, only less desirable.

The ideal “wrapping” protects items from drying out while preserving their nutritious value, flavor, texture and coloring!

Packaging oftentimes is not moisture-resistant or leakproof, made of food-grade plastics or durable enough to withstand low temperatures; therefore, consider using one of the following freezer-approved receptacles.

The defrosting process takes time; therefore, never rush it! We’ve all immersed meats in hot water, thawed on counters to room temperature and returned thawed items to the freezer! Stop! In the future, think in advance, transfer all frozen items to the refrigerator and give it the proper time to cool gradually. The second option is to use the microwave’s defrost setting. In all the time it took to prepare the food for the chest freezer, give it time to thaw naturally!

All hot foods, such as baked loaves or casseroles, must cool completely before placing them in the refrigerator. Waiting 24 hours before transitioning foods to the freezer will help retain natural coloring, flavor and texture!

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January 2021 | 73

My January Thanksgiving

BY JEAN MARIE JOHNSON 2020 was the epitome of a very long, hard year. We are oh-so ready to move on.

I’ve been thinking a lot about that: How do we best “move on” when there is so much hardship still with us? I’m not one for denying or minimizing hardship and loss, but I also know that it’s not a good thing to get stuck there. So I made the choice to begin 2021 with a reflection on the people and things that bless my life. An internal shift immediately occurred as the knowing and beautiful words of the late, great Toni Morrison came to mind: “She is a friend of mind. She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order. It’s good, you know, when you got a woman who is a friend of your mind.”

— Toni Morrison, Beloved I am beyond blessed to have a handful of beautiful, kind, smart, deep, bad-ass women who are friends of my mind. How did I get so lucky? I am not waiting eleven months until Thanksgiving to give a major-big-time-all-out shout out to my friends of mind.

I am grateful for you, for what we do for one another – • helping each other live our messy and complex human experience with more joy; • helping each other do our own work of reframing life’s hard edges; • recognizing and celebrating the gifts of experience: acceptance acquired, patience learned, challenges met, and yes, wisdom gained.

You, my friends of mind; you give it back to me “in all the right order.” And so I am grateful.

Perhaps the very best thing about being in this state of gratitude is that it’s there when I need it – a perpetual

refueling station that turns my fragmented attention to what enriches and sustains me.

I can go there at any time and in any moment when I am stuck in a “woulda-couldashoulda” an “if only,” or a yesterday that glimmered with potential but fizzled out.

I know that I am not alone in this. As women, I know that we intuitively understand that other women are a necessary part of our soul tribe. And so, in this first month of our brand new year, I am thinking about my soul tribe – the several, utterly unique women who are woven into the fabric of my life: Those in the great beyond who grew and shaped me, and Those who helped me to understand and to heal Those in the here and now whose shoulders I lean on and from whose strength I carry forth Those whose hands I count on when mine are simply not enough Those whose hearts open up a wide space for me when mine is seeking or sad, and, also high on the list Those with whom I dance…and dance You know who you are.

We come to one another raw and real. From there we

gather: we listen, hear, create, challenge, console and conjure…and from that newly alive place, we carry on. And on, and on.

I am so grateful for you.

The literary tour de force, the late, beloved epitome of a wise woman, Toni Morrison, got it completely right. As women, we gather the pieces for and with each other and then make meaning of them. Listen again: “She is a friend of mind. She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order. It’s good, you know, when you got a woman who is a friend of your mind.” — Toni Morrison, Beloved It is good, indeed, a blessing beyond measure. A large measure of my January thanks-giving.

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January 2021 | 75

Making a Plan to Reduce Credit Card Debt

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

Credit cards often feel like a weighted chain pulling you deeper into the obscene four-letter word, debt. On average, American households owe more than $15,000 to credit card companies.

While it may feel overwhelming, you, too, can acquire financial freedom by forming new habits and assessing current bills.

THE MONTHLY PLAN Sometimes, knowing where to begin is difficult. Debt may continue to grow on a statement, but you may not know why.

Determine whether you are providing the expected minimum payment by the due date. How high are your rates, and how much are you paying in interest? When the bigger picture is understood, you can move forward by preparing a viable plan to suit your financial situation.

• Use a Spreadsheet: Whether you prefer a notebook, spreadsheet or online program, it’s a good idea to establish a monthly budget to see how much you spend per month. The visual helps you pinpoint your spending, tracks payoff progress while identifying ways to save money.

• Designate a monthly budget for three of the uncontrolled expenses – cash needs, food and gas. Perhaps, you need a fourth expense titled insurance and taxes. Most importantly, include savings in your budget! Treat it as an expense to ensure money is readily available for emergencies.

• Some credit cards offer an incentive for spending.

While receiving a $50 credit every quarter is helpful, spending with multiple credit cards requires a delineation to associate one card with food or gas, for instance. Most importantly, plan to pay off each account monthly!

• Create an online account to check your credit card balances weekly to ensure you do not exceed the earmarked amount.

• Start looking at changes to your monthly expenses.

Do you need a landline? Can you use YouTube and Netflix and eliminate the high expense of cable? Start packing lunch and limit your mid-day purchases, including snacks and drinks. Is it possible to welcome a roommate to your living situation?

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CUT AND DESTROY High interest rates can hold you back from making progress! Reach out to your creditor to inquire if a lower rate is available, especially if you have a good record and are a longtime customer. It’s time to cut ties with the card; therefore, destroy it. Don’t try to store it in a box. The temptation may be too great. As you make a plan to pay off the balance, consider increasing your monthly payment or possibly doubling it. Sacrifices may take time, but you’ll reduce the percentage of interest while lowering your payment.

Tip: Do not close accounts once paid. It will cause your overall utilization to increase. Allow your efforts to reflect upon your credit score!

PAYING OFF MULTIPLE CARDS It’s easy to create a mindset of buying now and paying later, except when money is not readily available to make up the difference. Juggling several credit cards leads to multiple accounts to manage. Financial guru, Dave Ramsey, recommends to his readers and listeners the option of using the debt avalanche method, which concentrates an effort to pay off cards in full starting with the highest interest rate. Once paid, move the funds to boost the next card. As a viable, logical method, it offers a plan to pay off multiple cards quickly.

IS A BALANCE TRANSFER FOR ME? Through online searches, irresistible deals are available for those who seek 0% interest on balance transfers. In filling out a new application, most credit card companies offer a set timeline for payoff, typically 12 to 15 months. Transferring large amounts often includes a 3% upfront transfer fee. Before jumping forward and agreeing, refer to your financial spreadsheet to determine whether or not you can afford the payments for the duration of the promotion.

LIVING WITHOUT CREDIT CARDS Accepting the challenge of saying goodbye to credit card debt will take you from holding the mountain upon your shoulders to financial freedom. In cutting and destroying credit cards, the next logical step is to live without returning to the added cost in spending! Removing debt will change your life!

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No Baby Fever?

It’s Okay Not to Want Children By the time you enter your mid-twenties, you start noticing that many of your friends from high school and college are pregnant or have had children, while you’re still eating Taco Bell at midnight and binge-watching every season of Vanderpump Rules for the fifth time.

You start to question your life trajectory and suddenly you become aware of your ticking biological clock. It becomes harder to make plans with friends who are married and have families of their own, which means spending many more nights swiping on dating apps or ordering takeout and crying on your couch. It seems like you should be on track to settle down and start a family, but it’s just not what you see or want for yourself.

You see children crying and pitching fits in restaurants, and you’re relieved that the tantrum is not your problem. In fact, you struggle to understand why everyone seems to “ooh” and “ahh” over every baby they see while you remain cool-headed. Society expects women to be maternal and gush over children, so what exactly is your problem? Are you a bad person because you don’t want to hold your coworker’s baby and can’t seem to connect with every child you meet? Will you be considered less of a woman if you never become a mother?

The truth is, the societal pressure is not all in your head. In fact, it may be genetically hardwired into you as a female.

A woman’s fertility, or ability to get pregnant, begins to decline after age 30. It’s possible that years of evolution have conditioned women to start feeling pressure to seriously consider having children as they enter their mid-to-late twenties, as opposed to solely feeling pressured by seeing their peers post on social media about their child’s first day of pre-school. Feeling the pressure to have children may be confusing to women who have no desire to be mothers. Lots of women may balk at the idea of a young woman expressing that she doesn’t want kids, and many even insist that she will change her mind one day. In reality, she may not change her mind - and that’s okay!

Instead of viewing yourself as problematic for not always having a favorable view of children, there is something to be said for going against the grain. Having children because you “should” rather than because you genuinely desire them, may cause resentment and poor parenting and coping skills down the road. Being an unhappy mother does not create a healthy environment for child-rearing. We’ve all seen (or heard about) the movie Mommy Dearest, and although wire hangers are not as prevalent anymore, no one wants to see the film played out in real life.

Women may not be programmed for worrying about their teenager missing curfew on the weekends, but that does not mean these same women cannot excel in the workplace or have successful relationships. Becoming a parent requires selflessness, and a lot of women go into parenthood without having a clear understanding of what they’re signing up for.

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BY AMY HILL

Many women, however, believe that there are still too many countries to explore, too many promotions to earn, or too many mission trips to go on before they are able to put 100 percent of their time and energy into starting a family.

While some women are amazing mothers, some women are amazing pet owners. If you don’t want children of your own, that doesn’t mean you can’t be the world’s greatest cat mom or the coolest aunt to your nieces and nephews. You can always bring them back souvenirs from your recent trip to Machu Picchu and enjoy all the time you spend with them, but also enjoy the luxury of handing them back to your siblings when the tantrums start!

When your home and office are the same place, take time for yourself.

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January 2021 | 79

BY JEN OLENICZAK BROWN

Work might look a little different right now, but studies over the past five years remain the same: more than half of U.S. workers are unhappy in their job – this statistic can range from 53% to a whopping 85% of people!

Consider that for a moment: one in two people are unhappy with their work. Is that you or someone you know? Many people feel underemployed, stuck, underpaid … and when it feels like you’re just clocking in to pay for the life you might not get to live, it’s understandable that the unhappy-at-work feeling has risen over the past few years. We define ourselves by our work, so finding something that “works” (or stop defining yourself in this way… that’s another article!) is often critical to many of us.

Just how do we leverage the job we have to get the job we want? Here are a few quick tips to get the ball rolling towards the right fit:

DO YOUR FIRST JOB

TAKE INVENTORY

START ONLINE WATCHING

This might sound difficult, especially with the emotions that are coming with doing something that makes you unhappy, but this is critical, especially if you need the job you have. Make sure you are doing this job, and all of it, before you start looking for another position – unless you do not need this job.

I tell folks consistently that the best time to interview for a job is when you have a job because you aren’t operating from a place of desperation. You’re looking for something when your basic needs are already taken care of, which means you can truly find something that fits rather than something that needs to happen.

Look at the accomplishments from the job you’re currently in, your skills, the things you can do and maybe don’t love, and the nonnegotiable things. Make some lists and take an inventory of what you have to offer, what you want to do, and what you absolutely don’t want to do. While this article is focused on people that are unhappy with their jobs, there are probably some parts of your current job that don’t destroy your soul. These are the pieces that might be “skills you can do” – on the other hand, if you’re in sales and working at a company that screams SELL SELL SELL at you every chance they get but you’re a relationship builder, maybe you want to avoid aggressive “sales” companies for the near future.

I wanted to title this, start online stalking, and reconsidered, but this is essentially what I mean.

Hop on LinkedIn and start setting up alerts in the job search tab for keywords you are interested in.

Maybe it’s MUSIC or ANIMALS or PUBLIC SPEAKING. Start looking up companies and people at those companies and see what their background looks like – and look to see if they are hiring! If you’re nervous about looking at profiles, put your LinkedIn in “private mode” in the settings, and search away. Take note of jobs, connect with people, and follow companies – you’re building a space that you can check on a semi-regular basis for job listing and postings.

GET YOUR RESUME IN ORDER This point is last, intentionally. Set up a system to look, THEN start working on your resume. Why do the work if you’re not exactly sure where you want to go?

Make sure your resume is specific to the job or industry you’re looking to move into and be certain you’re focused on accomplishments and changes, not just tasks you did in a position. How is the position you were indifferent to or changed because of you? What did you accomplish in that job?

Any place that you can offer metrics or specifics – use it!

All in all, take it slow – especially if you already have a job! You’re looking for the one you want, not another job you dislike. Good luck!

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Taryn@onecraftymiss.com January 2021 | 81

Building & Maintaining a Vibrant Customer Base

BY ADELE CASANOVA

VISION & MISSION For any business, the vision and mission statement should be the starting point for their definition of successful customer service. The vision and mission statement of the business should be shared with employees on a regular basis in order to maintain focus on the ultimate goal of customer satisfaction.

DOCUMENTATION

Every successful business needs a loyal customer base. How do businesses create such a base of clients for continued support?

The answer lies in large part in the quality of customer service a business continually offers. Oxford Languages Dictionary defines customer service as “the assistance and advice provided by a company to those people who buy or use its products or services.” Another way to define customer service is to say it is the prompt and personalized assistance given to clients with their satisfaction as a main goal. Here are some techniques that a business can employ to achieve this level of service that results in creating that important loyal customer base.

CONSISTENCY & COMPETENCE An all-important aspect of customer service is the consistency of quality of services and products.

When customers visit a business regularly, they expect the quality of the experience, service, and product to never vary. The way to achieve this quality of service is through the combination of vision, documentation, and employee training. All of these pieces of the customer service model will result in competence on the part of the employees. Combined with customer loyalty rewards, these techniques will lead to satisfied customers.

Careful and complete documentation of expected procedures, services, and product features should be compiled and available to all employees. This should be a part of a comprehensive training offered employees that will result in competent and consistent customer service. Knowledge of the business’s products and services is the core of successful customer service.

EMPLOYEE TRAINING Consistent, ongoing training is a key component of this customer service model.

Training should include a variety of aspects of needed job knowledge for superior customer service: • Product/Service Knowledge - Product features, service details, and pricing. This information can be included in training documentation and must be kept updated.

• Communication Skills – Greetings, persuasion techniques, positive language choices. Live training sessions will allow employees to practice and perfect these verbal techniques.

• Crisis Management – Handling complaints calmly and with empathy. Role playing during training can be extremely helpful in preparing employees for a variety of potential service complaints.

• Time Management – Staying on task in a timely manner to maintain organization.

Training employees to work through tasks in orderly sequence. This ensures the staff is ready with all needed supplies to carry out services on schedule.

• Empathy – Connecting with the customers and keying into their needs and wants.

Listening skills should be included in training.

• Connection – Finding commonality and noting personal information for personalized service. Keeping records of customers’ purchases and service preferences can lead to special attention customers will value.

• Inventory Tracking – Real-time inventory information that guarantees quality service. Have a system set up that automatically updates inventory and have that information readily available to all employees.

CUSTOMER REWARDS Customers love to feel valued and rewarded for their loyalty. There are many ways to reward customers, including loyalty cards, special sales, exclusive sales events, and rewards for reaching purchasing goals.

Depending on the type of business, either product or service or a combination, there are many ways to combine rewarding incentives to encourage customers to return regularly. These loyal customers are a prime source for new clients through a referral program that can reward the referring client with bonus products and services.

It is easy in today’s world of electronic communications to keep customers informed about incentive programs and sales. It is critical to gather contact information from clients in order to reach them with special incentives. Though most communication in today’s marketplace between businesses and customers is electronic, don’t forget the value of handwritten notes of thanks and appreciation.

It is certainly more cost-effective to serve returning customers that it is to recruit new customers. That is why a business’s loyal customer base is critical for continued success. Excellent customer service is a multi-faceted concept and requires vision, training, and incentives. New or small businesses without an extensive team of training professionals can follow trade magazines that highlight the successful techniques employed by larger businesses.

Any techniques for customer service success on a large scale can be customized for any size business and made to fit that business uniquely.

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January 2021 | 83

BY TARYN JEREZ OF ONECRAFTYMISS.COM

When is the Last Time You Revisited Your “Why”?

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.

“What is your why?”

It’s one of the first questions you are asked when you start a business plan, but how often do we really revisit it?

Sure, you might have read a blog post or two or watched a really thought-provoking TedTalk on the subject, but do you actually think about it? More than likely, you have a million things on your plate, from professional to personal, that the why behind it all isn’t something you’ve revisited in some time.

The truth is that as you are starting your new year off and looking into the future of your business, it’s the perfect time to circle back on your why.

Understanding the motivation behind the steps you are taking towards growth just might be the secret ingredient for creating a banner year in your business!

THINK BACK Many people launch businesses because of something they enjoy, have a talent for, or see a genuine need in the marketplace. What about you?

Think back to what first inspired you to start your business. What factors played a part in the hunger you felt to make it happen? Was there one major mission behind it or a collection of things fueling that fire? Often business owners think of their “why” as just another section on a business plan when, in reality, it is the ever-present purpose that drives you.

Close your eyes for a moment and think about what your why started out as in the very beginning and ask yourself how it’s changed.

DIG DEEPER Now you know your why and you feel like you’ve done your part in this whole “revisiting” plan, right?

Wrong! There’s a little more to it. If you want to sustain and grow your business, you’ll have to dig deeper. What’s the real meaning behind what you’re doing? Don’t think about what answer sounds good to an investor or a sales pitch. Challenge yourself to let your mind wander a little, visiting not only the why that first got you started but the one that’s kept you going and inspires you now. Why are you doing the work, and what drives you? What are your mission and vision? What goal are you trying to accomplish?

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STAY CONSTANT Ask any entrepreneur today, and they will tell you that the journey they chose wasn’t free of failure and included so much redirection that they felt like a GPS recalculating.

The why that drives you in your business and your life will surely encounter experiences and events that challenge you. It’s so easy to let life derail you from the mission you started with. Keep your purpose close by and let it help direct you when you’re not sure which direction to take. Give yourself permission to pivot in your business and even take a pause when it’s not aligning with your why. Stay consistent in pursuing the things that motivate, encourage, and inspire you, as these are key indicators you are still working with your why in mind.

MAKE IT COUNT Knowing your WHY is the foundation of your business. The answer to that question is your key to success because it’s how you remind yourself to keep going in the difficult seasons. It’s also the compass of your business, directing you away from the things that aren’t serving you or don’t show alignment with your needs. As you go through the next few weeks of this new year, invite yourself to make your why really count! Everything you do from morning email replies to the customers you serve throughout the day help build a road that - when paved with the things that reflect your why - will get you to your destination.

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The Bamboo that Doesn’t Break

BY JEAN MARIE JOHNSON

“Resilient people are like bamboo in a hurricane – they bend rather than break.”

-Brad Waters, Writer and MSW

My mom, Caroline, had a way of fooling people. It wasn’t intentional, but some made the error of mistaking meek with weak.

Nothing could be further from the truth. When trouble rolled in and turbulence rocked our world, she was a fortress of strength, courage, and adaptability. She was that bamboo in a hurricane.

Caroline was resilient. She had the remarkable ability to withstand adversity and to bounce back from difficulty. That’s the thing about resilience; it’s two-sided. When we’re resilient, we can hang on and hang in there when everything has been turned on its head. We can also pick ourselves up and carry on again when we’re bent low because we are not permanently broken.

I understand now how my mother’s resilience allowed her to live with and live through many challenges and adversities.

Resilience was something Caroline quietly and intentionally nurtured through focused attention and curated action. While there are many steps we can take to build our personal reserve of resilience, these six made my mom the bamboo that doesn’t break.

SIX WAYS TO REACH FOR RESILIENCE Start with an intention, not a “To Do” Take a few minutes in the morning to clear your mind and your heart.

Let go of lingering feelings and remind yourself that the 24 hours ahead of you are fresh and new. Then decide how you want to experience them. When I feel overwhelmed with too much to do or worry about, I choose an intention such as “I will be peaceful and calm today.”

Or, “I will not get ahead of myself; I will take one thing at a time.”

Take control with positive actions and goals Once I’ve set my intention for the day, I identify a handful of specific things I will do to sustain the positive.

That often includes: taking a walk at lunchtime, getting a “Thinking of You” card in the mail for a faraway friend, or scheduling a “hard-stop” at five so that I can enjoy an hour with a good book before dinner. The options are endless.

The more you practice “taking control,” the more positively-addictive it becomes.

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Stay focused on the present When we experience prolonged distress such as the pandemic, job loss, or a persistent illness, we often gravitate to catastrophizing, or envisioning worstcase outcomes. Our resilience takes a beating and keeps us stuck in negative thought patterns.

When you catch yourself going down that slippery slope of helplessness and despair, reel yourself back in. Take a few deep breaths to calm your mind and your body, then focus on the present moment, where you are right now.

Stay connected to your tribe The pandemic has taught us to be creative in order to sustain our bonds of connection with others. As those closest to me are the farthest away, this means random texts, scheduled virtual Happy Hours, and Facetime. Here, where I am now planted, sustaining connection takes the form of evenings on the porch with neighbors, kind words to everyone I interact with, and waves to every passing vehicle in the neighborhood.

All of these intentional actions build a bridge out of isolation, reinforcing that I am not alone.

Make your peace with uncertainty Take a few moments to consider the countless experiences you’ve made it through.

Looking through that lens, you realize that even “the best-laid plans” can go awry, regardless of your meticulous planning.

Did you get through it? Did you learn something from it?

Were you able to carry on despite the uncertainty and the outcome? The point is this: you already know how to get through uncertainty, so stop wringing your hands and wasting your priceless energy on fighting it.

Practice good self-care Caroline prayed the rosary every day for 25 years. She also walked daily, fed the birds, and “gabbed over coffee” with the ladies in the neighborhood when she could.

Those activities constituted her self-care. While mine are different, they amount to the same thing: respecting myself by nurturing myself so that I can show up in my life as Caroline did in hers: bamboo that bends but doesn’t break.

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Improve Your Health + Boost Your Happiness With Teas That Enrich + Enhance Your Life

BY SUSAN B. B. SCHABACKER

It’s 2021! Explore the exciting world of tea, discover your favs, and get healthier and happier, sip-by-sip.

Improving our health is a common New Year’s resolution and drinking more tea is an ideal addition to your bucket list.

Let’s refocus our health and detox from the hustle and bustle of the holidays.

It’s time to get healthier and celebrate life with teas!

Find comfort from the cold with a cuppa tea that warms you from within.

It’s hard not to love this versatile beverage. And it’s hard to believe that the same plant, Camelia Sinesis, produces so many different types of teas – black, green, oolong, pu’erh, and white.

There’s a tea to suit everyone’s tastes, whether you prefer strong black teas, less caffeinated green teas, subtle white teas, or caffeine-free rooibos, herbals, or tisanes. Diverse shades and textures appeal to your senses, tantalize your taste buds, and treat your tummy while yielding plentiful health benefits.

Black Teas (Assam, Chai, and Keemun) are heart-healthy, boost immunity, and improve gut health by promoting growth of “good” bacteria and inhibiting growth of “bad” bacteria.

Whether you are trying to ward off coronavirus, the flu, or the common cold, drinking black tea regularly can be beneficial.

Green Teas, like Sencha, Gunpowder, and Genmaicha, have been in the spotlight amongst health-conscious tea drinkers. From preventing diseases to boosting brain function, green teas contain the amino acid L-theanine, which has anti-anxiety properties.

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White Teas, like White Peony, Silver Needles, and Shou Mei, have even higher antioxidant properties than green teas because they are less processed. The unopened buds and young new leaves are steamed, then dried, and retain a light, delicate flavor reminiscent of florals and fruits.

Crazy about coffee? Give tea a try, too. Take a break from your regular cuppa Joe. With less caffeine than java that can give you jitters, tea is an ideal substitute. If you’ve yet to experience whole leaf, loose teas and are used to dunking a stapled bag with tea dust or “fannings,” it’s time to discover teas that haven’t been over-processed. The difference can be compared to locally grown, organic, farm-fresh tomatoes versus commercially grown grocery store tomatoes.

They are worlds apart!

We may have to wait for 5 o’clock happy hour for alcoholic beverages, but you can enjoy teas any time of day or night. Tea pickme-ups can help you feel more alert and awake, while other teas can calm you, enabling a better night’s sleep. Whatever your daily routine, adding teas to your life can make you healthier.

Tea can provide solace for the solo and solitary, bringing people together. Social aspects of teas have been utilized by generations of ancestors and are a valued part of tradition. From afternoon tea, tea ceremonies, or tea for two, tea can be shared and enjoyed with company and conversations.

Tea is a life-giving source - comfort in a cuppa – enhancing + enriching our lives in many ways. Tea is so much more than just an enjoyable beverage. Tea varieties are special, unique, and different. Since it’s up to your own taste buds, no one tea is better than another, but all varieties bring you better health + unlimited happiness!

Whether you’re on the go - travel mug in hand - clocking in at work, or relaxing at home, tea can soothe your soul + senses and help your health. So, let’s amp up on antioxidants, fill up on flavonoids, and get healthier together. Pinkies out, everyone. Steep, share, sip, and savor!

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A Beginner’s Mind

BY JEAN MARIE JOHNSON

had everything to do with the mindset I brought to it.

It’s a drain being conscious, isn’t it? Even so, as we navigate a world much changed by a global pandemic, that mindset of how we approach and experience “newness” matters more than ever. The key, I think, lies in adopting a “Beginner’s Mind.”

It was the ‘90s. I had a new job, a “new” husband, a “new” 1870s house. Well, other than the job, nothing was exactly new, but all new to me. I threw myself into those fresh experiences with a sense of happy exhilaration and a no-time- to-lose mindset. The job was a slam-dunk, a perfect fit at the time for my experience, education, and inclinations.

The rest, however, was another story. I started gardening for the first time. Thank you, Martha Stewart! I read magazines like “Old House Journal” and “Victorian Homes” to pick up on the 19th century esthetic, and we signed up for ballroom dancing lessons. Well, in the spirit of full disclosure, I signed us up. My new husband had just returned from a long business trip and was worn out. In the meantime, I had managed to stub my big toe in a big way and was hobbling about.

In Japanese, “Beginner’s Mind” is called Shoshin. It means exactly that: the mind of a true beginner. Kids bring a beginner’s mind to everything. They do so unabashedly, with relentless curiosity and imagination. They ask questions, explore, and throw themselves into the new experience, the new learning.

Looking back, I realize that in terms of gardening and decorating, I did that, without having a framework or a term to define it. But as for the ballroom dancing, not so much. When we adopt a beginner’s mind we are: • Free of preconceived notions of what “should” be • Free of expectations about what will happen, or what the outcome will be • Filled with curiosity about what is • Open to possibility

“Well, I’m pretty tired and you’re barely walking.”

I think the primary reason my later-in-life, leap of faith move to the South has been filled with so much joy is because I’ve brought a beginner’s mind to all of the newness. Absent the “should be’s,” and the predefined desired outcomes, I have immersed myself with curiosity, suspended judgment, and been open to all possibilities. There is enormous freedom and even peace in that!

No matter where you are right now, you can cultivate a beginner’s mind, one that is open to possibility. Consider these three tips:

“Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine, and you’ll perk up once we’re there.”

Take the backseat in a conversation. Suspend what you think you know to make room for new understanding and insights.

“Do you still want to go?”

“Of course, why not?”

My new hubby relented and off we went. Suffice it to say that we were a mess. Between Dean being dead on his feet and me being a near facsimile of dead weight, it looked – and felt – hopeless. And even though we returned for a second, clumsy round, we didn’t seem to have the right attitude or mindset about the whole thing. We gave up.

I’ve been thinking about the starts and stops I’ve initiated and terminated, those I’ve continued with and those I’ve given up on over the years. I realize that whether or not I stayed with a given thing

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Bring a fresh set of eyes to something familiar. Imagine you are doing an everyday activity like brushing your teeth or making your bed for the first time. What do you notice?

Observe your automatic judgments. Pay attention to how often your go-to response is “that’s good” or “that’s bad.” When we suspend those autopilot interpretations, we make room for accepting things as they are, not as we evaluate them through our own beliefs and expectations.

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Vinegar for Health & Healing & More

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

Vinegar is one of the most magical ingredients in your household! If you should possess one gallon in your pantry, the following information should encourage you to buy or desire to make more!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TYPES OF VINEGAR? Even though all titles include the word “vinegar,” they are not interchangeable!

WHITE VINEGAR Standard white vinegar, termed distilled, contains between four to seven percent acetic acid and water! Made from the formation of grain alcohol, it is a staple ingredient for cooking, baking and pickling vegetables.

Due to its antimicrobial properties, one cup vinegar to three cups water serves as an effective cleaner and disinfectant in the home. Other purposes include relieving sunburn pain, improving the life of fresh-cut flowers and cleaning block countertops, small appliances and tarnished metals.

Clean Your Microwave: To eliminate odors or food, combine ¼ cup of distilled white vinegar and one cup of water. Microwave on high until the mixture boils and steams the glass. Allow to cool for a few minutes; then, wipe the inner walls and plate clean!

Improve the Smell of Your Drain: Once weekly, pour one cup of distilled, white vinegar down the drain and allow to sit for 30 minutes. Afterward, rinse with cold water.

Tip: Never use vinegar to clean granite or marble countertops, stone tiles, wood furniture, dishwashers and egg spills. When mixed with bleach, the result is a toxic gas; therefore, do not wash clothes combining bleach and vinegar.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR Created by extracting the liquid from crushed apples in a two-step fermentation process, the coloring appears murky.

The nutrition from the fruit includes betacarotene, calcium, iron and potassium as well as enzymes and amino acids from fermentation. As a result, the health benefits span from cell and tissue growth to healthy bones and heart. Every aspect of the liquid boosts a positive response to either prevent age-related illnesses or common digestive disorders! Home remedies use it to clear congestion, alleviate athlete’s foot, avoid morning sickness, ease a headache or relieve a sore throat.

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A Tablespoon Daily: Studies prove drinking apple cider vinegar (ACV) daily promotes weight loss, if consistent. One tablespoon, after three months, led to a reduction of 2.6 pounds, while two tablespoons shed 3.7 pounds.

Reduce Night Sweats or Fever: Acids from ACV draw out heat from the body due to fever and night sweats while replenishing the body with minerals to maintain hydration.

Either sponge the body down with apple cider vinegar before going to bed or add a half cup to a warm bath and soak.

Look at the benefits of each herbal infused vinegar: • Thyme Vinegar: Contains vitamins A and C, iron and magnesium. In possessing antiseptic properties, the liquid can subdue coughing and aid digestion difficulties.

• Oregano Vinegar: As an antioxidant, antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent, oregano fights infections! Consumption would fight bacteria, viruses, especially colds and flu.

• Sage Vinegar: Rich in anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antioxidant compounds, consumption of the liquid aids brain, heart and oral health, and promotes wound healing.

Soothe a Sore Throat: Combine an equal solution of apple cider vinegar and warm water. Stir and gargle!

• Rosemary Vinegar: Calcium, magnesium and potassium balance fluids surrounding nerves and heart tissue, and lower blood pressure.

Heal Burns: By pouring ACV onto a burn, it will aid to minimize inflammation and swelling while reducing soreness.

Rather than buy plastic jugs and glass containers, research how to make it yourself! Of the two methods, seek out using heat! All it takes is 20 minutes of your time and waiting until ready to use!

RED WINE VINEGAR As a high potency antioxidant found on the skin of grapes, red wine vinegar (RWV) has two ingredients – resveratrol and acetic acid. Through using red wine vinegar in meals and salads, it can slow down the aging process, promote weight loss and stabilize blood sugar. RWV also contains calcium and magnesium, a proponent in increasing bone density.

Two Tablespoons Daily: A study focusing on adults with insulin resistance discovered consuming two tablespoons of RWV before a carbohydrate-enriched meal reduced blood sugar by 64% while increasing insulin by 34%. A daily dose guarantees the rewards of good health!

OTHER HERB VINEGARS Beyond a pantry staple and an appreciative gift for your friends, you’ll discover having a small variety of vinegar readily available can boost flavoring in a meal or apply as a healing remedy.

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January 2021 | 93

Encouragement & Guidance for 2021

BY MEGAN TAYLOR The clock strikes midnight, resolutions are made and salutations are said for the new year. The first day of the next 365 always brings about a sense of hope, newness, and a yearning to do better than you did last year. Yet, sometimes we need a push in the right direction for accomplishing that growth. This step forward can come in various forms, such as speeches, TEDtalks, movies, and of course, books. Many books, fiction and nonfiction, have been written on topics, such as motivation, lifestyle advice, and new beginnings. As we start the next 12 months, consider these three books if you are looking for a change or just an extra dose of encouragement.

WHY NOT ME?

By Mindy Kaling

Well-known for her roles on The Office and The Mindy Project, Mindy Kaling has experienced it all. Broken into sections, readers are given heartwarming stories about Kaling’s journey throughout Hollywood, the realities of friendship, and life, in general. She shares realizations about America’s view on weight for women, how she doesn’t look like the typical Hollywood actress, and more. A New York Times #1 bestseller, Why Not Me? is guaranteed to provide laughs, life and career advice, and much more.

This book follows Kaling’s first book, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, another collection of essays that offer motivation and encouragement to those who need it.

YEAR OF YES: HOW TO DANCE IT OUT, STAND IN THE SUN, AND BE YOUR OWN PERSON

BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING BEYOND FEAR

by Shonda Rhimes

by Elizabeth Gilbert

Just like Mindy Kaling, Shonda Rhimes is famous for creating hit-shows Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, as well as, producing How to Get Away with Murder. In her memoir, Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun, and Be Your Own Person, Rhimes channels the one year she said “yes” to all the decisions that scared her introvert self. According to Rhimes, this awakening came at Thanksgiving when her sister stated that Rhimes “never said yes to anything.” She gives readers an inside look at what her life was like before the year of yes and what happened after the year of yes had started. The lessons Rhimes learned gave her adventures, confidence, and love for herself. The Washington Post calls the book “honest, raw, and revelatory” and the Chicago Tribune states that “she can help motivate even the most determined homebody to get out and try something new.” Here’s to your new year of yes and trying new things that get you out of your comfort zone. Adventure and opportunities are waiting for you – have fun!

You may be familiar with Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Eat, Pray, Love; however, she continues to dish out guidance in her essay, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. Calling all creative minds and readers alike! Big Magic centers around Gilbert’s perspective on creativity and drawing inspiration from those around you. She encourages people to be curious. In addition, she equips people with steps and approaches on how to face your fears and tackle your artistic dreams, whether it is writing a book, completing a project, or just adding more creativity to your everyday life. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear is another must read book for the new year.

A new year may end much differently than it began. Yet, we can help determine which path our year may go through our actions and efforts.

Don’t be afraid to hope and dream big for changes in 2021. With a little guidance, encouragement, and effort, anything can happen.

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January 2021 | 95

Underemployed?

How to Strategically Build Skills In a Time of Uncertainty

BY JEN OLENICZAK BROWN

We’ve all heard of unemployment, especially during 2020. That word seems to pervade every single conversation about work, careers, and the economy these days.

What about underemployment?

Underemployment can look two different ways: it could be working part-time when desiring (and searching for) full-time work, or it could be having a specific skill set for a position or career and using little to none of those skills in a current position.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, underemployment is measured by a count of workers who have part-time jobs but want full-time jobs – before the pandemic, we were looking at almost four million workers who were underemployed by this standard, which is often referred to as semi-unemployment. Take that number, add in the folks that are working in fields that have nothing to do with their training (and desired work, remember that’s important!) and you have a lot of people stuck in this statistic. What makes things even worse? Women are more likely to be underemployed than men.

What do we do when we find ourselves underemployed? There are a few big jumping-off points to build skills in this time of uncertainty while we’re waiting – or looking! – for our next move:

DO YOU QUALIFY? And I don’t mean for the job you’re looking for! If you were working fulltime and now are part-time because of reasons outside of your control, you can look into unemployment. You might not qualify depending on your situation, but it never hurts to look into assistance, especially if you need financial help!

CHECK YOUR SKILLS Do a quick look at your skill set – do you want to go into a position that uses your current skills, or do you want to develop more? Which skills are “keepers,” and which ones are those that you had to learn to stay alive at this job, and you’d rather not use – or things you went to school for that you’re transitioning out of? And how can you pivot those skills to a new profession and – this is important, especially for my liberal arts audience – if you went to school for theatre, music, dance, fine art, or other areas that you might not be directly working in (theatre major here!), pull out the skills that you can apply in everyday life, whether that is public speaking, project management (Have you ever organized a group of actors for a show? Trust me, it’s harder than many project management jobs I’ve done!), event management or coaching. The skills you honed are not useless, even if you don’t use them now!

WHAT ABOUT SKILL BUILDING? How can you take time out of your current position to focus on skills you will need to get out of underemployment?

Start focused and small: make a list of skills you want to focus on – from tech to public speaking – and take one at a time. Make a one to ten chart – one being where you are now and ten being where you want to go. Then come up with a plateau for each number. For example, maybe one in regards to public speaking is “nervous and anxious,” and ten is “confident without filler words.” Figure out what two, three, four, and more are – and work on those skills one step at a time. If you try to do a major skill build all at once or try to build multiple skills at the same time, you’re going to end up feeling frustrated with your lack of progress. Slow and steady build a lasting race.

DIG IN Are there skills you can build or refine in your current job?

Maybe some extra tasks you can tap into or shifts you can pick up that might refine your skills further? Don’t discount things you can develop in your current position while you’re waiting for your next best thing.

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January 2021 | 97

SLOW FASHION:

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

The evidence is in the fiber! How many articles of clothing are not faring well after one year? Do you notice the remnants after removing a load of laundry from the dryer? Most likely, the two indications point to a petroleum-based, synthetic polyester!

As a plastic, it’s not biodegradable nor does it survive as a regularly worn fiber. As shoppers, we cannot help buying inexpensive clothing that includes great color patterns or quotes.

Polyester is the reason our drawers and closets have little space remaining to add yet one more garment. We know just by assessing the material, quantity is not necessarily measured in quality; therefore, it’s time to invest in quality fibers!

WHAT IS SLOW FASHION? The return home from a day of boutique, consignment and retail chain shopping leads to a mixed bag of pleased and questionable purchases. We have outfits that fit well and are comfortable, while other items eventually end up in the far corner of the closet or at the bottom of the folded stack. How many items still have tags attached or last worn in the dressing room? Our wellmade, fashionable clothing often takes a special occasion to don. Perhaps, it’s because a large number of exposable apparels suit our day-to-day needs. It’s time to make changes!

• Start buying name brands that regularly fit your body and make you feel great!

• Smaller companies often stand behind strong ethical policies from backing the product to the quality of the fiber.

• Be mindful of labels and choose to not purchase synthetic fibers.

• Intentionally look at the quality of the fabric!

• Stop hoarding poorly made items that can transition to a rag in a year!

• Don’t give up on the garment.

Some manufacturers offer to repair damaged items, such as outdoor wear, backpacks and bootmakers.

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INVESTING IN QUALITY FIBERS WHAT ARE QUALITY PLANT FIBERS?

MOTH REPELLANT

A new label to look out for is called, “GOTS,” which stands for “Global Organic Textile Standard.” In addition to promising the use of organic plants, the certification also guarantees a green standard, comprising of less energy usage and water, and fair treatment of employees and production methods.

Housing a large number of natural fibers leads to the ultimate environmental conditions for moths and their larvae. They thrive in dark, warm rooms. Spotting a moth flying around a closet may lead to a horrifying finding – an infestation.

Shoppers can find the label in the following fibers:

A holey garment requires placement in a freezer-safe, sealable bag. Larvae will die after 48 hours in the freezer.

Hemp: With the frequency of wearing hemp, it becomes increasingly softer. Three times more durable than cotton and maintains the body’s coolness in summer and comfort in winter. The fiber is resistant to UV rays, mold and mildew, and absorbs carbon dioxide.

Plants require small amounts of water, no pesticides, and grow quickly.

Try the following strategies to keep your clothes moth free: • Use red cedarwood rings, hangers and balls as an effective deterrent.

• Hang dried herb sachets made from lavender, rosemary and thyme in dark areas, such as closets, drawers and cupboards. Moths detest strong fragrances!

Linen: As a durable and significantly soft material made from the flax plant, it acts as an insulator in warm climates. The plant can grow without pesticides in poor soil conditions while using little water.

CLOSET CHOICES

Organic Cotton: Since cotton is a pesticide-dependent crop resulting in harming fish and wildlife due to water pollution, farmers changed the biodiversity in manufacturing techniques.

The transition to organic resulted in a healthier fiber for those who have sensitive skin or allergies.

Invest time cleaning out your closet to keep the clothes that make you feel great!

Ask yourself, “How does it make me feel?”

“Is it comfortable?” “Does it fit well” and “When was the last time I wore it?”

Beyond the decisions to discard, donate or sell, consider letting go of sentimental items, such as maternity clothing, formal dresses, gowns and your wedding dress! Once the closet contains only the essential items, think about a stress-free dressing experience to choose garments that fit your body perfectly!

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January 2021 | 99

WOMEN ON THE MOVE RAVEN GRIFFIN

Raven Griffin is the marketing manager at Kaplan Early Learning Company. With a passion for storytelling and a heart for children, Raven specializes in branding, marketing, ecommerce and public relations at Kaplan. As a native of the Triad, Raven returned to the area after graduating with a M.A. in communication from Virginia Tech. She was recently recognized with the Winston Under 40 Leadership Award, which is awarded to 20 of the community’s outstanding leaders under 40 based off qualifications related to excelling in their fields, contributing to the community and demonstrating strong leadership for WinstonSalem and Forsyth County. Between her faith and foundation in Jesus Christ coupled with her firm belief of living out Virginia Tech’s motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Raven considers services to be a form of love in action. Consequently, she serves our community at various capacities by extending her time and gifts through her church (Calvary Baptist Church), mentoring high school girls, supporting the Family Service’s Pre-K Priority initiative, volunteering with the local affiliate of the National Association for the Education for Young Children (NAEYC) and engaging with the local Virginia Tech alumni chapter. When she isn’t on the go, Raven also enjoys providing marketing consultations to local small businesses, baking delectable confections and spending time with family and friends.

AMALIA NAPPO

Amalia Nappo is the owner of Tinderbox Fitness for Women located in Winston Salem. Amalia purchased the allwomen’s fitness facility in April of 2020 during the pandemic and was even featured on the front page of the WinstonSalem Journal with the headline “Who Buys a Gym During a Pandemic? A Winston-Salem Woman Did.” She has worked in the fitness industry since 2011 and is a seasoned fitness instructor, event coordinator and former fitness studio owner for more than seven years while she was working a full-time career. Prior to purchasing Tinderbox Fitness for Women, her experience and career revolved around information technology & quality management, but she left that profession when she decided to purchase Tinderbox Fitness. Amalia is a native of Long Island, NY with 1st generation parents originating from Italy. She has a passion for people and fitness and is pursuing what she believes is her calling to be a good steward and nurturer to women by providing overall fitness, health and wellness services.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family including her three children. She also enjoys traveling, trying new things and places, and meeting people.

If you are interested in submitting yourself or someone you know for a future Women on the Move feature, visit our online application link!

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DANIELLE WALLER

Danielle Waller is owner of the Danielle Waller State Farm Agency which she opened in Winston-Salem on October 1st of 2020. She started her first job with State Farm by working for a local agent in 2012 as a marketing coordinator. This is where she found her passion for the insurance industry and helping others.

Eight years later, she opened the doors of her own agency. She enjoys having the opportunity to get to know her customers and their lifestyles while being able to make recommendations to help protect their assets when the unexpected happens. Danielle loves doing things differently and has kept this mindset when she opened by splashing a little bit of pink in everything she does with her office. She also loves being active in her community and partnering with other local businesses in the area. She just started a new series on her social media platforms where she is highlighting other small businesses in the Triad. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her friends and family, travel and enjoys working on house projects with her significant other, DJ.

SPENCER COUCH

Spencer Couch, a 25-year-old native to the Winston-Salem area, graduated from NC State University with honors and began working at her current employer, 97 Display, in 2018. Since then, Spencer has continued to move and shake throughout the company.

Having helped to develop a robust advertising department with the support of her peers and leadership team, she is now transitioning to a full-time consultative sales role.

Spencer is excited to continue her journey at 97 Display to focus on helping small businesses achieve their dreams. In her spare time, Spencer enjoys spending time with her sweet puppy, Rosie, who helped her adjust to working from home during COVID.

KATIE LYALL

Katie Lyall, a 2020 graduate of Appalachian State University, will begin a position with SteelFab, Inc. as a project engineer. Katie is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Troy (Joanna Lyall) Shaffoe and David Lyall. A 2016 West Forsyth graduate, Katie served as the Clemmons Courier’s Titan Tattler for two years, was selected as the Hugh O’Brien (HOBY) representative for West Forsyth, served as the president of Friends of Rachel, an anti-bullying club, and participated in Concert Choir all four years. She went on to major in Construction Management at Appalachian State. After summer internships at The Christman Company in 2019 and SteelFab, Inc. during the summer of 2020, Katie was asked to join the SteelFab team.

In her spare time, Katie enjoys cooking and experimenting with new recipes, decorating, singing and all types of music.

GARDENING ALL YEAR LONG

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

The love of plants, whether they are flowers, herbs, fruits or vegetables, can thrive in your care whether they begin as seeds germinating in trays or are ready to transition to the earth. With a handful of practical tips, an eagerness to watch seedlings evolve, you can ease your purse and continue making green-fingered magic year-round.

JANUARY

MARCH

Eager gardeners anticipating spring have more than just the spring seed catalogs to keep them satisfied. Just because the winds are fierce, it doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy gardening. With a few supplies, you can get a head start into the planting season. Buy a full spectrum grow light, roughly $16, or a 10-inch x 20-inch seedling warming mat, approximately $12. With a “seed starting potting mix,” pots and a tray to contain your plants, start with seed packets of herbs, especially mint and vegetables such as broccoli, celery or kale. Use a water bottle to spritz your plants for the first two weeks.

If you can bear the cold temperatures, start tilling and preparing your soil. One method is to create mounds with a minimum of twofoot rows. Rains will trickle down the hill to foster adequate moisture, rather than drown in pools of water. Start planting rows of asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collards, lettuce and spinach, cloves of garlic, crowns of horseradish, onions, potatoes, radishes, sweet corn, turnips and yams.

FEBRUARY Do you have any additional room to start a few more trays? Consider beginning the germination process of beetroot, Brussel sprouts, celery, peppers, eggplant, leeks and tomatoes.

Be aware of farming or small general stores selling young flowering vines or small fruit bushes, like berries.

Plant it in a pot, and allow the natural sunlight to foster new growth and maturity.

Tip: Plant onions and carrots close to each other. They need little room to grow.

APRIL Be wary of planting your herbs outdoors.

Catnip, chamomile, chives, dill, lemon balm, parsley, all mints and valerian are invasive and will spread quickly!

Start experimenting with ways to save space. A sturdy trellis would be a solution for cucumbers, small melons, peas and beans. Chicken wire tied in a circle and filled with layers of straw and dirt are perfect for potatoes. Stakes can adequately hold not just tomatoes, but tall herbs such as dill, as well. This year, grow a hanging basket of strawberries.

Tip: Plant vines such as watermelon in between rows of corn.

MAY

OCTOBER

• Create an “L” shape and till in compost, mulch and leaves to create an environment of decent soil. Plant sunflowers to feed the birds and deter the wildlife, such as deer.

A fantastic educational experiment for children is to regenerate your favorite foods. Just place basil, carrots, celery, cilantro, garlic, ginger, green onions, lemongrass, lettuce and sweet potatoes in a Mason jar full of water, and watch the transformation!

• Plant multiple crops two weeks apart of beans, cucumbers or corn to ease the work during harvest.

• Start collecting the flowers of leaves of herbs. Take cutting to dry first thing in the morning!

JUNE Mark your calendar. It’s pumpkin time! The best location is along the border of your garden. Leave at minimum two feet between seeds, and thin out clusters often. To train your vines to grow outward, consider using a sturdy trellis. Remember, pumpkins need plenty of water!

JULY Enjoy the harvest. Be sure to cut back your herbs to ensure new growth. Start thinking about the fall garden!

AUGUST The ideal time to begin planting cold crops, such as carrots, leeks, lettuce and even potatoes.

SEPTEMBER Despite the short season, consider a second crop of your favorite vegetables, especially if you love salads.

Tip: Rather than toss your leaves to the curb, throw them on your garden to lighten heavy soils and attract earthworms.

NOVEMBER Propagating plants from cuttings is not difficult.

Take the elderberry bush, for instance. Cut a six-inch woody stem just below a leaf of elderberries, lilacs or butterfly bushes. Soak the stem in water for one day. Cut the end before dipping it into a rooting hormone. Plant directly into a “seedling starter potting mix.” Mist daily with a spray bottle. Do not saturate!

DECEMBER If you love gardening and realize your interior space is not large enough, make a cold frame or build a small greenhouse.

Gardening can occur throughout the year! It’s never too early to try a new technique!

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What “Home“ Taught Me

BY JEAN MARIE JOHNSON

Amidst all of the hunkering down at home, I found myself following a thread of thought that ultimately led me to every configuration of four walls that I called “home.” It’s funny what I remember. Well, not “ha-ha” funny, but curious and revealing, giving truth to the saying, “wherever you go, there you are.” Looking through the lens of “home” - that simple, profound, and sometimes loaded little word – I saw myself in every version of the four walls I recalled.

her resilience within those four walls, a young girl who also discovered her hustle. Man, could I hustle! School stimulated my mind and my creativity like nothing else, but odd jobs and gigs raised me up…and eventually, out.

I babysat, never managing to master diapering, alas; I tutored; I sold Avon through high school and beyond. That house taught me the importance of being able to create my own meal ticket – no matter what.

There’s a very early memory of my mother bringing my baby sister home from the hospital on a mid-September day in Connecticut. The sun was shining, the dogwoods were turning, and I was beaming down at the sister who would become my forever-through everything-would never-tellanother-soul friend, my Laotang. In that little pink house that my dad built, I learned a fierce form of primal, sibling love that would stand the test of time and oh-so-much change.

A series of condos followed, mostly a blur against the backdrop of a no-nonsense corporate hustle that made my first husband and me more akin to ships passing in the night.

For all of the time I spent alone, surrounded by my four walls, something else was emerging: an irrepressible desire to make my house my home. I didn’t grow up with “nice things,” but I had my father’s deeply rooted appreciation for beauty and a penchant for self-expression to match.

A few years later, we moved to a three-story apartment building. I lived within those four walls until I was 23, and in so many ways, it was an experience that shaped me. Long before I began reading Virginia Woolf, I discovered the utter necessity of, if not a whole room of my own, at least a space! That space was the top tier of the bunk bed my sister and I shared. Believe me, that tiny oasis of personalized turf was off-limits and sacrosanct. Once I climbed that four-step ladder, I was the queen of my own turfdom. Isn’t that exactly what today’s “she-shed” is all about?

By the time the old house bug became the “MO” of my forever husband, Dean, and me, I was in full throttle, making every inch of every one of those 19th-century walls my own.

Thank God for the well-honed resilience and the hustle, because there is no challenge quite like a 19th-century would-be masterpiece – or two, or three! A far cry from the bustling working-class neighborhood where I grew up, I learned about life in the suburbs, in a small town, and in the country, eventually trading in my stilettos for “sensible” footwear that allowed me the freedom to explore nature with a beginner’s mind.

Descending was a different matter, rife with all kinds of experiences. My sister and I survived a near-drowning, Lucky, our mutt, was hit by a car three times, my mother and I escaped a fire, and we mourned my father’s passing on the day of my 8th-grade graduation. I know, it all sounds so awful, but what I see is a young girl who cultivated

104 | ForsythWoman.com

As I look around now, in this quieter chapter, I know that my 1968 North Carolina ranch house is a little bit of everything that every house has taught me about myself. There’s familiarity and comfort in knowing that wherever I go, there I am. I can count on it.

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focuses on lifestyle modification that provides employee learning experiences to enhance awareness, increase intrinsic motivation and build skills that promote behavior change.

Experience • Quality • Customer Service Dr. David S. Chermak • Dr. John C. Hanson Orthodontics for Children & Adults

Never Underestimate the Power of a Smile!

Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 11:30am - 1pm | Join us on Zoom!

pwws.org

WINSTON-SALEM 336-760-1491 • CLEMMONS 336-766-8244 • KING 336-983-4551

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CELEBRATIONS

Rosanna + Matthew Bailey 09.29.2020 1828 collective

Beau Renegar Beau Renegar of Winston-Salem became an Airmen Apprentice in the U.S. Navy after graduating from boot camp in the Navy’s Special Operations Division on October 15, 2020.

Beau will be stationed at NAS Pensacola where he will train to become an Air Rescue Swimmer.

Hannah + Zack Medlin 10.10.2020 Celia Rawson Photography

Congratulations to Claire Myers!

2020 Graduate of NC State Poole College of Management!

January 2021 | 107

CELEBRATIONS Emily Krewson + Ben Watson 5.22.21 Photo by Allen Watson

Olivia Rose Johnson was born October 21st, 2020 to two very excited parents, Jon Eric and Jordan Johnson.

January 2021 | 109

COME TEST DRIVE A NEW OR PREOWNED CAR, TRUCK OR SUV

Modern Toyota, George George Kortesis Kortesis

Modern Toyota Winston-Salem, 3178 Peters Creek Parkway 336.785.3100 Please call for appointment.

Chrystal Yates Mosquito Authority

336-399-3873

Chrystal.Yates@Allentate.com

ChrystalYates.com

KELLEY CARNALL

Independent Consultant

Rodan + Fields, Kelley Carnall

Rodan + Fields is changing skin and changing lives by partnering with independent business owners across the US to redefine the future of aging.

NC Prep Photos

www.rodanandfields.com Call Today: 336-391-2735

We shoot; you score.

Hire the best sports photographer around!

brad@ncprepphotos.com — ncprepphotos.com — 336.813.1120

proud supporter Emerson Designs

of Forsyth Magazines

252.558.2331 | aron.emersondesigns@gmail.com

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QUALITY WORK AT COMPETITIVE PRICES

Dawson Tree Service

EMERGENCY SERVICE • STORM DAMAGE • TREE REMOVAL • PRUNING • CABLING STUMP REMOVAL • TRIMMING • CRANE SERVICE • BUCKET TRUCK SERVICE Locally Owned & Operated • Licensed & Insured Serving the Triad Since 1986 336-345-2572 • DAWSONTREESERVICE.COM

Singing Bird Salon

Be Fabulous. Be Green.

Be Eco Chic.

Tayler

Hutchens

Hairstylist Tayler Hutchens, Hairstylist (336) 909-2856

An Organic Hair Salon p 336 778 2234

6341 cook avenue ste b clemmons nc 27012

Tayerjoe2012@yahoo.com

Tue-Fri 10-6 | Sat 10-2

By Appointment

Susanna Nunn Insurance Agency, Inc.

Sober Sis Tinyurl.com/SoberSisFW

State Farm, Kendall BodKendall fordBodford

Insurance Account Representative

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

My Grace-Full Life

Bus 336-993-4600 Fax 336-993-4615 kendall@nunnagency.net 805 N Main St | Kernersville, NC Find us on Facebook Susanna Nunn State Farm Insurance

(Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)

MyGraceFullLife.com Read My Grace-Full Life each month in Forsyth Family!

January 2021 | 111

SECOND WEDNESDAYS

JANUARY 17

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN OF WINSTON-SALEM MEETING

BEETHOVEN, SCHUBERT & BRAHMS

11:30am-1pm, Footnote on 4th Street in W-S. Join PWWS for the monthly meeting. Learn more at PWWS.org.

Due to limited seating capacity, preregistration is required. A virtual option will also be available.

NOW - JANUARY 3 “TRAVEL ADVENTURE” EXHIBIT Kaleideum North, 400 West Hanes Mill Road in W-S. You can go ANYWHERE – over land, sea or air – in the new exhibit! Using LEGO® bricks, visitors can think creatively to plan and build vehicles to move through all kinds of terrain, including mountains, jungles, oceans and deserts…just to name a few! Included with museum admission and free for Kaleideum members. kaleideum.org

From the Rainbow

NOW - FEBRUARY 27 WINTER SEASONAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM Learn more about natural health and wellness, self-care, yoga and Ayurveda with Melina Meza. For more information and/ or to sign up, visit sunriseyoga.net. Explore practices that span a range of focuses— some are dietary, some meditative, some yoga- or exercise-based, and others geared to sleep or self-care. The intention in this program is to inspire each person to fall in love with simple weekly practices that you can do at home while sheltering in.

Learn more about nutrition for the seasons, Ayurveda for modern times, and offer yoga tools for stress management and grounding. Included in the program are 10 60-minute Zoom meetings, weekly yoga practice from 4-5pm, handouts, recipes, tips and more! Cost: $150-$280/person.

JANUARY 16 DON QUIXOTE

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8pm, Steven Tanger Performing Arts Center, 300 North Elm Street in Greensboro. Welcome the new year with a study in contrasts: the sinfonia concertante is a musical genre that puts multiple soloists in contrast with an orchestra. greensborosymphony.org

4-5:30pm, UNCG School of the Arts, 100 McIver Street in Greensboro.

Beethoven Sonata for cello & piano, Schubert “Arpeggione” Sonata for viola & piano, and Brahms piano quartet.

Cost: $6-$32/person. greensborosymphony.org

JANUARY 23 MICHAEL CAVANAUGH: THE MUSIC OF BILLY JOEL 8pm, Steven Tanger Performing Arts Center, 300 North Elm Street in Greensboro. Handpicked by Billy Joel to star on Broadway in the musical Movin’ Out, Michael Cavanaugh will have you rockin’ in the aisles to “Piano Man,” “Uptown Girl” and “New York State of Mind.” In the event this performance is postponed, all tickets issued, including those booked as part of the 2020–21 season, will be valid for admission to the rescheduled engagement. Patrons will be promptly alerted to any schedule changes, should they occur. greensborosymphony.org

FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 4 AN EVENING WITH ANNA DEAVERE SMITH Online. We live in a winner-takeall society. And yet, part of our potential as humans is our potential for compassion and our resilience in the face of adversity. While doing research for her play “Let Me Down Easy,” award-winning playwright/ actor/educator Anna Deavere Smith interviewed people in the U.S. and abroad who demonstrated grace in the face of dramatic challenges. This storytelling speech celebrates the resilience of the human spirit, the power of empathy, the strength of imagination and hope. **The film adaption of Smith’s play “Twilight: Los Angeles” is available to view as a complimentary companion piece to Smith’s appearance with the performing arts series. theschaefercenter.org

FEBRUARY 5

FEBRUARY 20

RICHARD SMALLWOOD GOSPEL CELEBRATION

AMERICAN RHAPSODY

8pm, Steven Tanger Performing Arts Center, 300 North Elm Street in Greensboro. Experience the electrifying stylings of gospel legend Richard Smallwood joined by guest conductor, Dr. Henry Panion and the Gospel Community Choir prepared by Corey Williams. Cost: $6-$32/ person. greensborosymphony.org

FEBRUARY 6 MUSIC OF QUEEN 8pm, Steven Tanger Performing Arts Center, 300 North Elm Street in Greensboro. Whether you’re an average fan or someone who knows every song ever recorded by Queen, there’s something for everyone including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” “We Are The Champions,” “Another One Bites the Dust” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” The best tunes that Queen and Freddie ever recorded through the years – a brilliant combination of passion and power! Experience a high-energy tribute to one of the most influential rock bands of all time, joined by the full symphonic forces of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra. In the event this performance is postponed, all tickets issued, including those booked as part of the 2020-21 season, will be valid for admission to the rescheduled engagement. Patrons will be promptly alerted to any schedule changes should they occur. Cost: $20-$80/person. greensborosymphony.org

FEBRUARY 13 ROLLING STONES TRIBUTE 8pm, Steven Tanger Performing Arts Center, 300 North Elm Street in Greensboro. A rocksolid rendition of Mick Jagger’s vocals (and moves!) – including the Stones’ number one hits: “Satisfaction,” “Paint It Black,” “Ruby Tuesday,” “Honky Tonk Women” and “Angie.” greensborosymphony.org

8pm, Steven Tanger Performing Arts Center, 300 North Elm Street in Greensboro. Experience America from a musical standpoint on a concert that pairs the beloved and familiar with the excitement of discovery. Jazz titan Duke Ellington produced a number of large-scale orchestral works, including the score for his only ballet, The River. Aaron Dworkin’s spoken-word, multimedia work The American Rhapsody sets the words of George Washington to Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Symphonic Variations on an African Air. Antonín Dvořák, inspired by the sounds of Native American songs and AfricanAmerican spirituals, created one of the world’s best-known masterpieces. greensborosymphony.org

FEBRUARY 21

Wine | Bar Supplies NC produced Market Goods Take N Bake Meals Butcher Shop Items

STRAVINSKY DEVIL, SOLDIER & VIOLIN 4-5:30pm, UNCG School of Music, 100 McIver Street in Greensboro.

Cost: $6-$32/person. greensborosymphony.org

FEBRUARY 25

Wine Merchants

BALLETX Online. The special Schaefer Center Presents production will include a recorded introduction by BalletX co-founder Christine Cox, the BalletX 15th Anniversary Season video and mixed rep selections “Increasing” and “Fancy Me.” In honor of BalletX’s 15th Anniversary Season, the company has commissioned a documentary film by Daniel Madoff that highlights its growth, trajectory and continued commitment to redefining ballet in the 21st century. theschaefercenter.org

*DISCLAIMER: EVENT DETAILS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK EVENT WEBSITES & SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES FOR UPDATES AS THE DATES DRAW NEAR.*

Vin205.com (336) 765-8175 205 S. Stratford Rd. Suite N | Winston-Salem, NC 27103 WineMerchantsVin205

winemerchantsbistro

January 2021 | 113

Conversations with Your BFF I think we all can agree that kicking 2020 to the curb and chalking it up as a bad relationship is a good idea.

You know the kind of relationship I mean; the ones that teach you a lesson but are definitely not a blessing. But as 2021 peers around the corner, what else or who else should you set aside in your life?

I am so glad you asked!

YOU CAN’T GET MORE TIME, SO USE IT WISELY This past year, we all have had just cause to complain…a lot!

Unfortunately, complaining can become a rut you find yourself in, leading to excuses for why you don’t act in relationships and projects. Don’t waste any more time complaining or judging others and their lives. You do you!

You are the only person you can truly fix or control, so concentrate on what you can do and the difference you can make.

KNOW WHEN TO SAY ‘NO’ Most of us try to do as much as we can for others and when we can’t do what we promised, we hurt others and feel bad about ourselves. Some people are afraid to say ‘no’ because they feel they will disappoint someone, but by not being able to follow through on your promise, you create a result much worse than disappointment. A person who knows how and when to say ‘no,’ along with justification of the refusal, is more respectable than a person who says ‘yes’ and doesn’t keep the commitment they made.

CHANGE – YOU MAY NOT LIKE IT, BUT IT’S ALWAYS HAPPENING Change is most definitely a part of life, but accepting it is hard. The best way to manage change is to anticipate it is coming. Reacting to a situation passively is the wrong road to take. Be active; if you feel a change is coming, anticipate and prepare for it. Having an offensive attitude, you will benefit from the change and any opportunities it brings.

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Besides the Entire Year of 2020, What Should I Leave Behind in 2021?

BY REBECCA COOPER

EVERYONE NEEDS A TRIBE Successful people are always accompanied by quality people they can rely on and that they surround themselves with, otherwise known as your ‘tribe.’ No one succeeds alone. In 2021, reach out to others and build a network of good friends who will be with you through the good and bad times.

TOXIC PEOPLE ARE LIKE PIGS IN MUD SHAKING OFF ON YOU Motivation not only comes from within but from the positivity in your personal universe. To stay motivated, you need to have people around you who support you and tell you the truth, not sugarcoat things. If the people around you are toxic in the sense that they constantly discourage you and have no ambition, and are good with the status quo, you will never be able to achieve great things. These toxic people will also encourage your negative thoughts leading to you doubting yourself. It has often been said: ‘We are the sum of our best friends,’ so choose wisely and keep the toxic ones from shaking their mud and negativity onto you.

NEVER DOUBT THAT GREAT THINGS ARE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER To succeed, personally and professionally, you must have confidence in yourself. Stop doubting your ability to do great things or for great things to be just around the corner, coming your way. Get in touch with your strengths and your weaknesses, working on the areas you may not excel in to turn those into strengths. And never compare yourself and your journey in life to others.

We are all on different paths, overcoming obstacles, but we eventually get to where we are meant to be. Encourage each other, never compare. Life will be much happier and so will you.

When the clock strikes midnight, and 2020 becomes a year where the world was upside down, remind yourself to stay motivated, with good friends by your side, becoming more resilient and positive in the new year.

farm fresh meets sophisticated dining TUESDAY Half Price Wine by the Glass WEDNESDAY Half price Whiskey & Bourbon THURSDAY $3 Off Martinis SUNDAY $5 Absolut Pepper Bloody Marys & $4 Mimosas

Young Cardinal Cafe & Co

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

Jeffrey Adams on Fourth @youngcardinalws

336-448-5188 | HOURS: Monday Closed | Tuesday - Sunday 8am - 3pm

424 4th Street NW, Winston-Salem (formally Hutch & Harris)

A N D R E WS R E S TA U R A N T SWS .CO M

Marzano Captial Group

Planning for a great year.

336-766-0464 · marzanocapitalgroup.com

WEALTH MANAGEMENT · RETIREMENT & INSURANCE PLANNING · EXECUTIVE & EMPLOYEE BENEFITS · 529 PLANS FOR COLLEGE Securities offered through LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Independent Advisor Alliance, a registered investment advisor. Independent Advisor Alliance and Marzano Capital Group are separate entities from LPL Financial.