Irmo Chapin Life Magazine - January/February 2024 by Lexington and Irmo-Chapin Life Magazines

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FROM THE

inside

FEATURES

20 Years of Publishing ............................. 14 Midlands Technical College..................... 20 Setting Up a Home Gym......................... 26 Rock Steady Boxing................................. 28 Emmanu Wheel Ministry ........................ 32 Holiday Party............................................ 38 Purpose Through Perseverance............... 41

COLUMNS

Faith Matters............................................. 9 Tom Poland.............................................. 17

publisher

Happy New Year! Have you ever used a weird method to track passing time? Maybe I am the only crazy person who does this; however, I use two things to track time gone by. The first is my purchase of Q-tips. My family knows there is no substitute for Q-tips. Generic cotton swabs just don’t get the job done. I always buy the biggest container of Q-tips I can find which is currently the 500 count. I used my last Q-tip this morning and can’t believe that almost a year and a half has passed since my last Q-tip purchase. WOW! A lot has happened over those 500 days and now it is time to refill my supply. The other task that I’m responsible for is changing the air filters in the house. I write the date installed so that when I replace them, I can see how long it has been. I know the filter companies recommend monthly changes, but I tend to swap them out quarterly. Once again time marches forward. I hope you enjoy the look of our rebranded magazine. It has been a long time coming and we don’t want to go the way of Oldsmobile and become your grandparents’ magazine. We are morphing into a multi-media company and a one-stop shop for local businesses to receive quality marketing assistance and production offering graphic design, video production, podcast production, media placement, rebranding solutions, and digital media creation and placement. My goal is to show more personality than we have in the past and promote worthwhile change in our local communities. I can’t do this without your help. If you see or know of something going on in Lexington County shoot us an email or pick up the phone (gasp!) and call us. We welcome, encourage, and need your input. In addition to our monthly magazines, we will be offering videos and different opportunities that keep us all connected throughout each month. Congratulations to the Chapin High School cheerleading team and the Dutch Fork High School football team on their State Championships. What an accomplishment! Have a wonderful 2024 and for once I am going to get a small box of Q-tips. I don’t want to have to wait another year and a half to revisit my goals and plans for success. Thanks for reading! Todd Shevchik

DEPARTMENTS

From the Publisher................................... 5 Calendar of Events................................... 7 Lexington Leader..................................... 11 Spice of Life.............................................. 44

Happy New Year!

IRMOCHAPINLIFE.COM

803.356.6500 irmochapinlife.com irmochapinlife.com

Jan Johnson Editor & Director of Digital Media lexlifeeditor@gmail.com

Kim Curlee Production Manager kimcurlee214@gmail.com

Anne Reynolds Sales Director annerabonreynolds5@gmail.com

Jane Carter Editorial Designer jcarterdesign@comcast.net January-February 2024 | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | 5

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CALENDAR OF

events

JANUARY•FEBRUARY Sunday, January 14 The Lake Murray Bridal Show Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center 1110 Lincoln St. | Columbia | 1 pm – 4 pm Presented by Hudson’s Classic Catering, Southern Oaks, The Gin on 391, and 104.7 WNOK this event offers brides and grooms-to-be the opportunity to explore the latest wedding trends, taste incredible food samples, win door prizes, and connect with the experts who can bring their dream weddings to life. For tickets visit lakemurraybridalshow.com. Friday, January 19 – Sunday, January 21 Jurassic World Live Tour Colonial Life Arena | 801 Lincoln St. Columbia Jurassic World comes to life in an action-packed, live arena show. Experience some of Jurassic World’s most iconic dinosaurs including Blue the Raptor, the mighty T. Rex, and more. For tickets visit coloniallifearena.com. Tuesday, January 23 MTC Showoff Audition Harbison Theatre | 7300 College St. | Irmo 1 pm – 7 pm Students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Midlands Technical College are invited to audition for the annual talent show. The top ten performers will work with local producers and perform live on stage at Harbison Theatre in March. For more information visit harbisontheatre.org.

Thursday, February 1 – Sunday, February 4 Royal Hanneford Shrine Circus The Jamil Temple | 206 Jamil Rd. | Columbia Come enjoy the circus at The Jamil Temple, all proceeds support their operations. For tickets visit etix.com. Friday, February 9 Daddy Daughter Date Night Crooked Creek Park | 1098 Old Lexington Hwy. Chapin | 6 pm – p pm Young ladies and their dads or grandfathers can enjoy this Alice in Wonderland-themed date night. The evening includes dinner, dancing, a memory photo, and a goody bag. Space is limited. Tickets must be purchased in advance at icrc.net. Saturday, February 10 John Lakin & Friends Sounds of Amazing Grace Harbison Theatre | 7300 College St. | Irmo 7:30 pm National recording artist and locally known worship leaders celebrate the history of Gospel music. This performance-based experience incorporates established and independent artists who share their unique sound while their enthusiasm for the message resonates beyond the lyrics. For more information visit harbisontheatre.org.

Saturday, February 10 The Lake Murray Polar Plunge Lake Murray Dam | Hwy 6 at Corley Mill Rd. Lexington | 10 am – 12 pm This event is part of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run campaign and 100% of the funds raised directly benefit Special Olympics programs around the state. For more information contact Mike Still at mstill@so-sc.org. Saturday, February 24 Shuckin’ on the Shoals Oyster Roast Saluda Shoals Park | 5605 Bush River Rd. Columbia | 5 pm – 8 pm This annual fundraiser includes all-youcan-eat oysters and steamed shrimp, delicious sides, craft beer and wine, live music, raffles, and prize drawings. For more information and to purchase tickets visit icrc.net. Saturday, February 24 Lauren Daigle – The Kaleidoscope Tour Colonial Life Arena | 801 Lincoln St. Columbia | 7 pm The award-winning contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter brings her tour to Columbia. For tickets visit coloniallifearena.com.

Happy New Year! irmochapinlife.com

January-February 2024 | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | 7

OVER 40 SC ARTISTS ON DISPLAY

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faith MATTERS CHUCK MCALISTER Senior Pastor Dutch Fork Church

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Quail, Fire Ants, and God’s Care Growing up in South Carolina, one of my favorite things to do was to quail hunt. There is something about watching the dogs work and experiencing that explosive covey rise that is one of the most exciting experiences that you can have in God’s country. As I moved into my adult years, the quail population began to decline dramatically, and the quail hunting of my youth became a distant memory. Wildlife biologists searched for a reason for the decline and only in recent years have some of them reached a consensus that one of the major contributing factors to the decline of the quail population was the fire ant... the fire ant, that’s right. It seems that fire ants were getting into the nests of the quail and destroying their eggs. Fire ants were introduced into this country in the soil used as ballasts in South American ships in the 1930s coming into port at Mobile, Alabama. We are told that fire ants are spreading at the rate of about five to ten miles per year and are causing damage everywhere they go. It is hard to believe that these little creatures with their aggressive behavior and venomous bite could wreak such havoc on livestock and wildlife habitats and even on humans, but that’s the way it is. Sometimes it is those small, insignificant things that bite us and hurt us the most. The Bible says you can’t be trusted with the big things until you have been faithful in the little things (Luke 16:10). Sometimes we get so busy that we don’t pay attention to the small things of life and then, before we realize it, those small things have begun to overwhelm us. It may seem like a small thing taking your family out into God’s country, but it may be the memory your children need to realize that you and God care about them. It may seem like such a small thing to take your family to church on Sunday, but it may be the thing your children and family need to build a habit that can see them through the rest of their lives. Yes, giving attention to the small things is important. It does matter, and it can change your life. It seems like a small thing that God sent His Son, but it’s not small at all. It’s the only thing that matters. He came because He cares for you. Question: What small thing do you need to give attention to today? Prayer: Lord, help me to see those things in my life that seem small and insignificant, but are important and need my attention. n

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IRMO-CHAPIN by Warren Hughes

leader

Billy Easterbrooks Irmo resident and owner of Carolina Outdoor Adventures, Billy Easterbrooks treats clients to lifetime experiences through forays into the Midlands’ most scenic destinations like Congaree National Park (CNP) and Lake Murray. For example, last fall Easterbrooks led a kayak trip through CNP’s Cedar Creek, a beautiful black water stream. The threehour trip “put and back” guided tour highlights Bald Cypress, Tupelo, Pine, and Willow Oak trees along this slow-moving creek. The park is also teeming with wildlife from wild boar, otter, deer, various birds, and water creatures. Easterbrooks’ company is one of a few permitted to operate in Congaree National Park and offer a guided trip along Cedar Creek. At other times, Easterbrooks schedules Lake Murray adventures, popular among them the three-hour paddling trip around the Dreher Island State Park. The excursion includes a stop on a peninsula with an active protected Osprey Nest, home to the protected bird. Another stop is in a cove, where wildlife features osprey but also turtles, snakes, hawks, woodpeckers, and the occasional sighting of an American Bald Eagle. As one participant noted, the CNP Cedar kayak trip treats people to “so much nature and history during your paddle,” adding, “The kayaks are great with comfortable seats and seat backs, we could have paddled all day.” Easterbrooks also offers a full-moon version of the trip several times a year as well as a nature walk on CNP’s Kingsnake Trail. With an abundance of diverse vegetation and wildlife the tour appeals to all ages and interests and is also a favorite for birders. He launched Carolina Outdoor Adventures in 2015 after several years of planning multi-day kayaking and camping trips down local rivers with friends. In 2018, Carolina Outdoor Adventures became one of a handful of businesses irmochapinlife.com

authorized to conduct excursions on Cedar Creek in Congaree National Park. “In 2020, business took off. People were tired of being stuck indoors and wanted to go kayaking,” he shared. Easterbrooks is a supporter of the non-profit Friends of Congaree Swamp and is surprised that a lot of people don’t realize that South Carolina has a National Park. “I love being able to help people locally and from all over the world experience Congaree National Park. It is such an asset to have in this area and is an incredibly beautiful and diverse area,” he said. n

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Chapin High School 2023 5A State Cheerleading Champions

! s n o i t

a l u t a

r g n o C

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Dutch Fork High School 2023 5A State Football Champions

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20 T H A N K YO U FO R R E A D I N G

Irmo-Chapin Life

M AGA Z I N E

Tim Whipple

The Origin of

IrmoChapin Life

IrmoChapin Life Staff

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by Todd Shevchik

Miriam Atria

This January marks our 20th anniversary of publishing our original magazine, Lexington Life, and what better way to celebrate our 20th birthday than by going back in time to 2004 when Lexington Life was merely an idea filed in the back of my head. I have been involved in media advertising since my days at the University of South Carolina when I worked at the student newspaper, The Gamecock. I learned the ins and outs of advertising sales and management and other than the ridiculous number of parking tickets I racked up trying to hustle in and out of the Russell House, it was a tremendous experience. After graduation, I ended up at 104.7 WNOK radio working in advertising sales and was not very successful at first. It was during that time a bright, bubbly, bleach blonde made her presence known and showed me how to be successful in advertising. We quickly became friends and began selling together to provide the best bang to our advertising clients with creative ad packages. I still think it is crazy that Donna and I started on the same day in radio and after a wonderful company Christmas party when she randomly pulled my white elephant gift, a giant salami of all things, we began to date and celebrated our 26th anniversary last September. After a brief stint in law school, I took a job selling advertising on Time Warner cable with CableVantage. I learned much there in four years, such as doing video production and media placement on networks like ESPN, USA, and CNN to name a few. irmochapinlife.com

Stressful would be the kindest way to describe the transitional process as I have worked tirelessly to rebrand Lexington and Irmo-Chapin Life from one-dimensional products into a multi-dimensional media company. One of my mottos has always been, “You can’t do it for the money” if you want to be successful. I don’t produce magazines to Irmomake money, I produce magazines to help our clients Chapin achieve a greater level of exposure than what they could achieve on their own. In essence, having a mutual fund of over 200 customers provides an economy of scale that benefits everyone. I describe that as a win-win situation and any time a win-win develops, good things follow. One of my pet peeves is when businesses are taken advantage of by fly-by-night media companies. They cite exorbitant, inflated readership numbers and attempt to blur the lines, which can be confusing to advertisers. Here are a couple of tips businesses can use to compare apples to apples. First, ask to see a print bill to verify the number of issues printed. Legitimate businesses should have no problem providing Years of this information to you. Secondly, ask to see the USPS postage Irmoreceipt to ensure that each magazine is mailing the quantity they Chapin claim to be mailing. Postage is a significant expense and one that differentiates magazines. Lyman Whitehead Media landscapes are changing fast and so are we. We are now offering digital and video services unique to the market, at fair In 1998, I left CableVantage to branch out on my own. I startand reasonable prices. Customers depend on our organization to ed an advertising agency where I handled creative design and impromote their businesses and provide positive exposure, and complementation of multi-faceted ad campaigns in newspaper, radio, munity goodwill, while, at the same time, having some fun and television, and billboard advertising. I specialized in automotive laughter along the way. advertising and business was booming. I’m super excited about 2024! I’m just a phone call or an email Donna and I had two small children, Joey and Jenna, and just away. In addition to evolving Lexington and Irmo-Chapin Life moved to Lexington to raise our family. I saw a need for local busiMagazines, we will be producing social media content and pronesses to garner additional exposure in Lexington and Lexington gramming (podcasts, videos, news, and reels) for old and new cusLife was born. My partner Mike Burney and I hired Anne Rabon tomers who want those services. We are natural storytellers. to help with our startup and in August 2004 the first edition of LexTodd Shevchik Consulting has been created to help businesses ington Life hit mailboxes. There was no Facebook or social media with media campaigns and purchases, plus political consulting and at the time and our recipe for local exposure went gangbusters. The guidance for anyone needing assistance navigating local municipalimagazine continued to grow, and we added Lake Murray Life in ties concerning zoning, variances, and other governmental red tape. 2011, now called Irmo-Chapin Life, to our portfolio of magazines. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. UnfortuLake Murray Life morphed into Irmo-Chapin Life in 2013. nately, my competition is imitating the 2006 version of our comFast forward to 2020 and after “floating” through the pandemic pany. I will admit that change is tough, however, change is necesit became crystal clear that I had to adapt to survive. As an orgasary for survival. I have resurrected a popular saying from my high nization, we needed to do more for our customers. Any time true school days, “No Fear!” change happens tough decisions have to be made. Working with This month, I made an extremely sizable investment in my my spouse, we had all our eggs in one basket and Donna was forcompany so that I can provide additional digital, video, and metunate enough to secure a position with WIS-TV 10. Existing staff dia solutions to area businesses and non-profits. Twenty years is a were offered partnership opportunities and invited to bring new long time. Moving forward, I’m adapting to reach both younger ideas to the table. Their empty notebooks provided me with a clear and older generations providing a superior product that is second sign that after a decade of working together, finding new personnel to none. was essential for the metamorphosis to occur. Come join me, it’s going to be a lot of fun!

Local

Stories

Leaders

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M U LT I - M E D I A 16 | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | January-February

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The Work of Hands by Tom Poland

Folks say the future belongs to “Knowledge Workers.” A so-called knowledge worker is someone who manages information within a specific subject area. I suppose I’m a knowledge worker. I’m more at home with a keyboard than I am with a saw or drill, but I’m not unique. Work, today, for many, comes down to pressing plastic keys. I never picked up too many handyman skills. And so, I envy those who work with their hands. More to the point, I admire people who maintain our cars, repair leaks, and build cabinets. They hold the world together. Office workers use tools like PowerPoint, Excel, and Microsoft Word. A landscaper can use those tools too and can even design a rock wall on a computer, but sooner or later he has to work with the earth, a level, stones, and saws. The stonemason’s tools are his hands. The beautiful, tiered walls, flagstone walkways, and patios he builds are functional art. His natural stones and their hues, lines, and textures please the eye. I hope we never run out of people who work with their hands. We need talented hands—carpenters, plumbers, and electricians. We need people who don’t mind rolling up their sleeves and getting dirty. And yet we convince too many young people that earning a living means going to college. Off they go studying philosophy and art appreciation only to find themselves helpless when their sink clogs. Imagine a world without basket weavers, potters, wrought iron gate makers, artists, photographers, and people who build fine musical instruments. People who make collectible brooms, decoys, and fused glass art. People who find joy and beauty in the work of hands, though it can be mighty hard work. Their day often runs from dawn to dusk. For some artisans, the tradition was passed down to them. Life bequeathed them a calling. Not all prosper, but one true joy in life is loving what you do. If you love your work, it’s not work. irmochapinlife.com

As a boy, I used to cross the Augusta Highway and go up to the grove of oaks shading Cap Dunn’s small blacksmith shop. Every day he’d be there hammering molten ingots of iron, cherry-red sparks flying. As rivulets of sweat streamed down his dark face, I could tell he enjoyed the work. Yes, it was smoky, grimy work, and he didn’t make a ton of money, but the man who loves his work is rich in other ways. Five years ago, I spent two afternoons with the Caines Boys over Georgetown way talking about the path that led them to their grandfather’s calling, duck decoy carving. Before carving, Jerry and Roy Caines worked the coastline as shrimpers. “We were married to the sea,” said Jerry. They started carving in 2005. “We both work on decoys,” said Roy. “I do the rough cut and Jerry does the art.” It took six months to make their first decoy. Tupelo gum is the preferred wood although Jerry said they’ve carved some from cedar. Roy passed I heard and that saddened me. I sure hope Jerry is soldiering on. I envy artisans, craftsmen, and tradesmen. They do real work. I wish I could build furniture, repair things, and keep things shipshape. I’m just not cut out for it but thank goodness others are. So, here’s something to think about. What if your son or daughter announces that going to college and sitting at a desk is not an option, that they’d rather make fine furniture or landscape yards? All I can say is this: There’s much satisfaction in designing, building, and finishing something. It can be a beautiful desk or yard or fence, most anything. I like to think that at day’s end, artisans, tradesmen, and craftsmen feel better about their work than the business analyst who runs figures and sees a new BMW is within reach. You see, craftsmen leave us beauty and functional art, a legacy. And the legions tapping computers? Well, they leave work, usually around 5 o’clock. n January-February | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | 17

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50 YEARS of shaping South Carolina’s workforce by David Kohen 20 | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | January-February 2024

After World War II, Americans were told that a high school education by itself would not be sufficient to make a good living in modern society. The brass ring was only for those with at least a bachelor’s degree from a four-year liberal arts college or university. The phrase “To get a good job, get a good education--go to college” was heard countless times in TV commercials back in the 1970s. One particular ad for CLEP, the “College Level Examination Program, “ depicted Abe Lincoln trying to get an executive position through an employment agency. Lincoln didn’t have a college degree and was told, “You ain’t goin’ nowhere without that sheepskin, fella!” Times have changed. Each year thouirmochapinlife.com

sands of young people become college graduates, burdened with tremendous student loan debt, and many cannot find a job in their field of study. According to a 2017 Strada-Gallup survey of college students, forty percent of liberal arts grads said that, if they had to do it again, they would have picked a different major. There is an air of uncertainty hanging over America’s economic future in the minds of many young people. Consequently, many high school graduates are choosing to learn a skilled trade in a two-year program at a technical school. This allows job security at a much faster pace. Midlands Technical College (MTC) will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024. In irmochapinlife.com

1974, three separate career-oriented institutions merged to form MTC. Today MTC has seven campuses across the Midlands: Airport Campus, Batesburg-Leesville Campus, Beltline Campus, Fairfield Campus, Fort Jackson Center, Harbison Campus, and Northeast Campus MTC is one of our state’s largest two-year colleges, serving approximately 22,500 people each year. There is open enrollment for two avenues of study. First are the Academic Programs, where students can earn degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Second, are the Corporate and Continuing Education courses which lead to certifications and licensures. Midlands Technical College currently offers more than 150 programs in a wide variety of studies and trades. A majority of the degrees, diplomas, and certificates can be earned in less than two years. Examples of skilled labor degrees that will always be in high demand are specialized training in specific aspects of automotive repair, emergency medical training to become an EMT or a paramedic, HVAC repair and installation, electrical engineering to be an electrician, plumbing, and welding. Schools like MTC used to be thought of primarily as “trade schools” where a person learned how to work with their hands in a physical labor trade. However, the demand for more high-tech workers created the need for two-year training backed up with a degree in areas such as accounting, business, biology, medical technician, physical therapy, chemistry, computers, dental assistance, graphics, phlebotomy, web design, and paralegal. MTC degrees open doors for graduates to become employees of local businesses or large companies. Many have utilized MTC as a “junior college” and then transferred their hours to graduate from a four-year school such as USC. Many other MTC graduates gain skills that allow them to become self-employed and own their businesses with degrees in floral design, art studio, cake decorating, carpentry, interior decorating, personal training, and small engine repair. Midland Technical College offers community resources such as a dental clinic that offers cleanings, x-rays, screenings, assessments, and teeth whitening at lower January-February 2024 | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | 21

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Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm | Saturday 10am-4pm 130-C Amicks Ferry Rd., Chapin, SC 29036 • (803)298-5213 www.facebook.com/merlenormanchapin/

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Dr. Ronald L. Rhames

“Whether you are looking for a great career, to enhance your current skills to be competitive in our global society, or to transfer to a four-year college, I am certain that you will find enrolling at MTC to be one of your best decisions.” — Dr. Ronald L. Rhames

Sierra Artemus

costs in exchange for allowing students (under supervision) to treat you. The Harbison Theatre at the MTC Irmo campus is a performing arts venue that draws talented performers from around the world. Visit harbisontheatre.org for upcoming performances and ticket information. Harbison Theatre can also be rented by the public for recitals, performances, and business use. The Enterprise Campus, at the Northeast Campus, is available and offers space to office and industrial users. It connects education to industry while helping emerging businesses grow. The industrial park on the Midlands Technical College Enterprise Campus has 100 sub-dividable acres for sale. What do Midlands Tech graduates have to say about their MTC experience?

Sierra Artemus is a 2015 MTC graduate with an associate in art (writing) degree who continued her education at USC, majoring in journalism. In 2022, Sierra joined WISTV News 10 in Columbia, SC where she was key in pioneering and developing the lifestyle show “Soda City Live”, which she executively produces and hosts. She explained how MTC was what she needed coming out of high school. She thought it irmochapinlife.com

would be simpler being a “community college,” but found out that the work was hard and demanded her dedication, which she appreciated. Sierra continued, “Your future is in your hands. If you want something out of life, you have to work hard for it.” Martinique Scott’s story is one of determination. She was attending MTC in 1996 but had to drop out to take care of her family. Twenty-five years later in 2021, she returned to MTC to finish her associate degree in interdisciplinary studies, graduating in 2022. Martinique said, “Midlands Tech embraced me so carefully. I spoke with the staff, from registration to financial aid to advisement. Everyone treated me so kindly; they were patient with me, and they helped me think through the process.” Dr. Ronald L. Rhames, a 1978 MTC graduate, has been the president of MTC since 2015. He said, “Whether you are looking for a great career, to enhance your current skills to be competitive in our global society, or to transfer to a four-year college, I am certain that you will find enrolling at MTC to be one of your best decisions. You will find that the college offers specific education and training programs that translate into lifelong opportunities.” n January-February 2024 | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | 23

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Setting Up a

Home Gym

in a Small Space by Kim Becknell Williams

Finding a place to exercise can be challenging depending on schedules, locations, membership fees, and business hours. Rather than going out to a gym, setting up a home gym in a small space might be the solution. A home gym stays open every day, all day and night, and offers the most convenient location without any drivetime. Having exercise equipment readily available has proven to be an effective way to keep working out continually. By keeping things set up or at least within reach, it prevents deterrents and distractions. Not sure if you have enough room? You might be surprised to find you have adequate space in your home to create your gym. It doesn’t require a lot of room or a lot of money unless you choose. Think out of the proverbial gym box.

26 | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | January-February 2024

Small spaces can be easily converted to workout areas. The location might be a corner of a room, a garage, a walk-in closet, or a single room dedicated to working out. Determination to make it work and a little imagination is all it takes. Cindy Barringer started with a treadmill gradually adding equipment over time. “I began with a treadmill in a corner of my bonus room,” Barringer said. “I started working out with my trainer via FaceTime during Covid. As I progressed, I added basic items, such as a stability ball, a bender ball, dumbbells, a medicine ball, and bands.” She didn’t stop there. “I eventually added a BOSU ball and a weight bench. For cardio workouts, I also use online videos.” In this space, she also has her home office, so it works for both purposes. And it

has its rewards. “All of my equipment combined takes up very little space and allows versatile exercises,” she said. “Working out at home has allowed me to remain consistent and maximize my time.” Starting with small pieces of equipment is the simplest way to begin. They are typically low in cost, transportable, and easy to tuck out of the way when not being used. Equipment for Small Spaces Pieces of equipment that do not require a lot of space include: • Yoga strap • Dumbbells • Kettlebells • Bender ball • Sliders/gliders • Balance pods • Balance discs • Medicine ball • Looped band • Exercise band • Yoga blocks • Jump rope So where does the equipment go? The next step is to find a location suited best for your home and your lifestyle.

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Creating the Workout Space Survey the areas in your home that might be small gym possibilities. Look up, down, and all around for movement considerations. Low ceilings can be limiting for overhead exercises. There should also be enough room to move around comfortably. Many people find workout areas in garages, but cement floors can be tough on joints. Rubber gym mats are an option to add cushion. They can be found in many sporting goods stores and online retailers. Exercise/yoga mats are another option for adding comfort to other types of floors. Since the mats roll up, they can be tucked out of the way when not in use. A corner of a room can be an ideal location without disrupting the decor. Hampers, bins, and baskets store equipment out of sight. Add shelving or cabinets for extra storage. Organize bands and straps by hanging them on hooks. Debbie Polk has created an exercise space in a small area in her family’s great room, so she has access to her TV for streaming workouts. The location in the center part of the house provides the ultimate convenience. Plus, the stored exercise equipment serves as a helpful reminder to exercise. “I love the flexibility and convenience of working out at home in my great room. I use my television for Jazzercise on Demand which offers many options for dance mix, sculpting, and stretching in different time segments such as 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60-minute sessions,” she said. “I also use YouTube for yoga and walking videos.” The equipment stays out of sight when she isn’t exercising. “I have my exercise props: dumbbells, exercise band, bender ball, yoga blocks and strap, gel knee pads for yoga, and yoga mat in an attractive wicker basket next to my fireplace,” Polk said. “The basket of props makes it convenient for work-

ing out and serves as a reminder to work out if I haven’t yet.” Using a home office? Keep a limited amount of equipment tucked away under a desk for quick exercise breaks during a workday. If you go into an office, check with your supervisor to see if it’s okay to keep some things at work for exercising. Many people find staying active allows them to be more mentally alert. A Little More Room If you find you have more space, consider adding other equipment: • Stability/balance ball • BOSU ball • Step • Weight bench • Suspension cables • A rack for dumbbells • Battle ropes • Mounted workout bar • Over-the-door pull-up bar

to ensure proper form while working out. The mirror also makes a small space look bigger. Seeing visual progress is another motivation. Don’t forget the music. Gyms are rarely quiet places. Whether you use your smartphone, a TV, radio, iPad, or another device to listen to music or podcasts, make sure you have it set up as well. Amplify the sound with a small wireless speaker. Ultimately, your gym space is what you want it to be. With or without a gym membership, it provides a place and the opportunity to add exercise in the most convenient location…your home. n

For even bigger areas: • Rower • Treadmill • Stationary bike • Punching bags • Tires Décor and More The right decorative touches provide motivation aside from their aesthetic value. Personalize the space by hanging motivating pictures of others or yourself. Try peel-and-stick inspiring quotes to hang on the walls. Paint the space with your favorite color. Use chalkboard paint if you want to write your WOD (workout of the day), keep track of reps and sets, or write your inspiring messages in chalk. Consider hanging a mirror on the wall Thank you for voting us Irmo Chapin Life Magazine’s Best Towing Company! We appreciate your business!

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Pummeling

PARKINSON’S at Rock Steady

BOXING by Erin Bluvas

When he looks at old photos, he can see it now. A lack of expression. A bit of a scowl. The signs of facial masking associated with Parkinson’s disease. “Pictures from holidays, graduations – I don’t recognize myself,” says Chapin native Glen Ross. Then other symptoms began to emerge. Fatigue, confusion, and some behavioral changes. Sixty-four-year-old Glen thought he was experiencing the typical signs of aging, but his wife of 40 years, Danielle, knew something was off. The doctor discovered a thyroid problem, and Glen underwent surgery in June of 2022. After the operation, things got even worse. Glen’s endocrinologist referred him to a neurologist and his sister, a nurse practitioner in North Carolina, advised him on what questions to ask. A thorough examination and an MRI scan resulted in a clear diagnosis: Parkinson’s disease. At work, Glen’s condition seemed to progress even more rapidly. The long hours and multitasking demands of his job as a project manager with an international company were no longer possible. Days starting with two a.m. meetings in different time zones and spent working across multiple computer monitors and programs were taking their toll. “I couldn’t use spreadsheets, couldn’t use keyboard shortcuts, and I couldn’t stop my left hand from trembling,” he says. Meanwhile, Glen and Danielle were work28 | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | January-February

ing a new part-time job managing his condition. They saw specialists, sought second and third opinions, tried different medicines to manage symptoms, looked for local resources, and generally tried to understand and adjust to their new life. It was all hands on deck, with family jumping in to help find solutions and a path forward. The members of the Parkinson’s disease group at his mother’s nursing home were resolute in their advice: take boxing classes. Rock Steady Boxing Irmo was ready for them. Answering the call Margi McLeod-Conroy was working as an esthetician when a long-time client and friend, Dona, arrived for her appointment in tears. Her husband, Roger, had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. There was a place in Charleston called Rock Steady Boxing that helped tremendously with his symptoms, but they could only go there once a month when they visited his neurologist. It was 2015, and no such place existed in the Midlands area. Margi and her husband, Terry, had been looking for a way to help people – to share their compassion with others. They had found it. “It’s almost as if God picked me for this,” says Margi. “We wanted to do something to give back to the community, and the door just flew open.” A suite had just become available at Athletes Arena where the couple were avid CrossFit participants. Another sign.

tates movement and is found to be low in people with Parkinson’s. It also improves blood flow and endurance. The second half of the class focuses on everyday living. These “functional drills” can include dressing a mannequin, turning around in a circle, heel placement when walking, transitioning between sitting and standing, doing laundry, shaving – anything to maintain and improve independence and quality of life. Mondays and Wednesdays are reserved for fighters who use wheelchairs and walkers, and a Plan of the Week (POW) from headquarters keeps the curriculum fresh. Every class ends with stretching to improve flexibility, breathing, and digestion.

Movement as medicine Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Rock Steady Boxing opened in 2006 and has grown to include more than 900 gyms worldwide. It’s a boxing-inspired physical fitness program designed to improve symptoms and quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Scientific research has shown again and again that exercise prevents, benefits, and can even slow the progression of chronic conditions. Rock Steady Boxing builds on this knowledge by targeting specific challenges (e.g., balance, walking) that are often experienced by these individuals. A typical class begins with warm-ups. In irmochapinlife.com

addition to physical exercises, Margi and coach Gwen Taylor lead the group in voice activation activities like call and response to tackle the soft speech often associated with Parkinson’s. The next 30 minutes are the heart of the program and its results. With support from spotters – spouses or volunteers known as corner men/chicks – the participants engage in three-minute stations with 30-second breaks. The high-intensity interval training (HIIT) uses different types of boxing bags (speed, heavy, even water-filled) to get the “fighters’” heart rates up. This type of workout increases dopamine – a chemical in the brain that facili-

Fighters as family Pat Runager was skeptical when he arrived at Rock Steady for his first class two years ago. “I expected to see people moping around, but I found the opposite,” he says. “Everyone was aggressively going after it to make themselves better. There’s an immediate kinship, and I’ve found friendships and a likeness that have created a pretty tight bond that you can feel and see in our interactions.” A consistent presence every Tuesday and Thursday, Pat found Rock Steady Boxing Irmo when he was more than 14 years into his diagnosis. Up until that point, the now-68-year-old had successfully managed his condition with medications. When existing symptoms (e.g., balance) began to worsen and new ones (e.g., tremors) began to appear, his son-in-law discovered Rock Steady Boxing. Pat’s doctor said to go for it. With stairs as a particular challenge, the USC alumnus had stopped attending the away games of his beloved Gamecocks because he didn’t know what hurdles the opposing football stadiums might present. Pat not only regained his ability to navigate unfamiliar environments, but he also found a community. “Gwen and Margi are not just coaches; they are participants,” he says. “They know what we’re going through and have the right tools to help.” Beyond the classroom, those tools include connecting Rock Steady’s roster of fighters with local experts and resources. Many of the participants find the organization through referrals from neurologists and physical therapists, but Margi also invites January-February 2024 | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | 29

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“Going through this stuff is tough, but there’s a great deal of camaraderie and laughter is good medicine.” — Danielle Ross clinicians and other specialists to provide demonstrations and education. There is a close link with the Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group as well. Thomas Falk of Assisting Hands Home Care first learned about Rock Steady Boxing several years ago from a client’s family member. He says, “They do a fantastic service. The exercises are fast-paced and the energy in the gym is electric. At first glance, Parkinson’s Disease and boxing seem to be an odd combination, but it makes perfect sense for physical therapy.” This holistic approach results in improved symptoms, delayed progression of the disease, and a better quality of life for fighters and their families. They see changes in agility, muscle memory, posture, stress, their ability to avoid freezing up, and many other areas. They learn how to safely engage in everyday life to avoid falls and other injuries. “The fighters can feel the difference, and the people around them can see the difference,” Margi says. “Alongside their

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balance and coordination, they lose their confidence. Here, they regain it.” Clients and their families are such believers in the program that many continued paying for classes even when the company had to shut down during the pandemic. They wanted to support the coaches, and they wanted to ensure that the program would be there for them when it was safe to return. “Everyone experiences Parkinson’s disease differently, and yet we’re all in this together,” Glen says. “The social aspect of the class is good because we get to be together and so do our spouses.” “We share things and it’s really helpful to talk with the other spouses so we can understand each other’s experiences but also, so we know what to look for and expect in the future,” Danielle adds. “Going through this stuff is tough, but there’s a great deal of camaraderie and laughter is good medicine. We think the best of Margi, Terry, and Gwen and are grateful for their passion to help people with Parkinson’s disease.” n

January-February 2024 | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | 31

EmmanuWheel Ministry by Tenell Felder EmmanuWheel started from humble beginnings as a group of church volunteers doing home repairs and yard work. Now, the 501(c)(3) ministry has grown to more than 350 volunteers helping others gain safe access to and from their homes. “We partner with other churches, organizations, and businesses to provide wheelchair ramps for people who can’t afford the cost of construction or building materials,” said EmmanuWheel Director Chris Sharpe. “Being a Christian organization, the entire reason why we’re doing this is to share the love of Jesus.” EmmanuWheel serves Richland, Lexington, Saluda, and Aiken counties; however, Sharpe says they will travel to other counties if there is a need. “We’ve done a wheelchair ramp in Goose Creek. We’ve also been asked to go to Rock Hill, Orangeburg, and other places around the state to help,” said Sharpe. Sharpe estimates EmmanuWheel will build 75 ramps this year. Building a wheelchair ramp helps families safely leave their homes with a disabled family member for doctor’s visits or other necessities. Without one, transporting someone with little or no mobility can become dangerous. 32 | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | January-February 2024

“It could be risking their lives just to leave home. Let’s say the husband is in a wheelchair. His wife has to figure out a way to get him down the steps, and into a car for a doctor’s appointment,” said Sharpe. “In one case, there was a 34-year-old woman who was pretty small, and she had to put her dad on her back to walk him down the steps to get into the car. You want to do whatever you can to help when you see those situations,” said Sharpe. EmmanuWheel’s wheelchair ramps are customized and built with pressure-treated lumber. Aluminum modular ramps are used for temporary situations. “Each ramp is custom built to the specific home. The ramps are on code and abide by the American Disability Act (ADA) standard for accessible design. We’ve made modifications to make sure that we stay up to those standards,” said EmmanuWheel Board Chair Bob Groomes. “No two ramps are ever going to be the same. Sometimes it might be a six foot long ramp off the back, but other times it could be an eight foot ramp that needs to be in the front yard.” Ramp size, type, and placement are determined by the homeowner and EmmanuWheel volunteers. irmochapinlife.com

“We send a crew out to evaluate the situation. They talk to the homeowner, and we get the idea of where they want the ramp. Then we scope it out to make sure that we can put it where they want it because sometimes, we can’t,” said Sharpe. “We make sure to come up with a happy medium as to where it’s going to go. Then we design it to make sure the ramp fits, and that it comes out to basically the exact number of board feet we need per board.” The prebuild team then assembles the sections and the team assigned to that site builds the ramp. It usually takes one day for a team to build a ramp, a majority of which is done on weekends. EmmanuWheel teams are made up of volunteers from churches, non-profits, and local businesses. “We have so many great people that come alongside us,” said Groomes. Mungo Homes, Palmetto Citizens Credit Union, and AAA Heating and Air are just some of the business partners that have assisted EmmanuWheel by providing funding, building materials, and volunteers. Service clubs also get involved by providing volunteers to build ramps. “The Latino Lions (the Latino branch of the Lions Service Club) are extremely active. They do one ramp a month like clockwork,” said Sharpe. Groomes encourages anyone interested in getting involved to come out on-site when a ramp is being built. Volunteers are trained, so no prior building experience is required. “For people interested in participating – come out, observe, see what is going on. No previous experience is required. We will train anyone,” said Groomes. “We are constantly looking for teams. There is a huge need. You would think we’re going to run out of ramps to build, but the need is so huge. We are actively looking for new teams all the time,” added Sharpe.

“Once you’ve done one ramp project, you get hooked. When you see the look on someone’s and they thank you, and some of them are crying … it isn’t anything I did or anything that we did. These are things that God allowed us to do.” — Chris Sharpe The average price for a wheelchair ramp can come to $1,200 or higher depending on the price of building materials. EmmanuWheel covers the cost of the wheelchair ramp by providing volunteer labor, planning, and materials for those who qualify for assistance. “On our website you can fill out a referral and email it where it goes to our client intake coordinator. We confirm we are helping people who need assistance,” said Sharpe. Referrals might also be made by nurses and social workers. “We have a reputation of people reaching out to us. A lot of hospitals and nursing homes will not allow someone to leave until they have access to their home, and they will notify us,” said Sharpe. It’s been thirteen years since EmmanuWheel began under the leadership of Jeff Kirby, and since then they have built more than 600 ramps and are quickly approaching 700. “Back in 2009, we irmochapinlife.com

January-February 2024 | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | 33

decided at church that we were going to get a group of guys to fix things on people’s homes. Just a little work – home repairs, yard work, things like that. On that team, we had a guy who was a contractor who knew how to build homes. We had someone ask if we could build a wheelchair ramp. So, we went and built that one. Then somebody else that needed a ramp came to us,” said Sharpe. “Word got out that we did wheelchair ramps, then nurses and social workers flooded Jeff Kirby with requests for ramps.” Groomes and Sharpe say that the past thirteen years showed them how God has worked through EmmanuWheel to help those who needed it the most. “It’s just the story of EmmanuWheel, how God opened doors and brought the right people to us over and over again,” said Sharpe. For information on how to volunteer with EmmanuWheel, contact Chris Sharpe at 803-466-6052 or on their website, emmanuwheel.org. n

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We rang in the holidays island style with a Tribute to Jimmy Buffett Christmas Party. Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us! Special thanks to: Always Eventful by Kaylee • @always_eventful_by_kaylee Danni Snaps Photography • dannisnaps.mypixieset.com Big Tuna’s Kitchen and Krafts • jeff@bigtunakraft.com Hudson’s Smokehouse • hudsonssmokehouse.com

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Finding

PURPOSE through

PERSEVERANCE by Erin Bluvas

Marathon runner Jeff Koll was on a mission trip in Liberia when he contracted malaria. Doctors say his training made his heart strong enough to save his life, and now he’s using this second chance to help others.

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Jeff Koll considers himself an accidental runner. He didn’t mean to qualify for the Boston Marathon, but he did. He also didn’t mean to get malaria, but he did. Koll’s running career – though he probably wouldn’t call it that – has revolved around fellowship. The Iowa native moved to South Carolina 25 years ago to work for Colonial Life, and that’s where he was invited to start running with the organization’s corporate track team. “I made a lot of good friends and started doing some local races,” says Koll, who had no aspirations to train for something as big as a marathon. “We ran some 5K and 10K races, and then they talked me into running a half marathon.” Over the next several years, Koll con-

tinued running but he also began playing golf and tennis. Then he hurt his knee. Koll was told he could go all-out using forward motion, but that it was best to avoid side-to-side movements. “I thought about it for three seconds and decided to quit tennis,” he says. “I got back into running but almost quit in 2018 because of the pain when I tried to run longer distances. I realized I had been training wrong and began training the right way.” Koll decided he would compete in one fast and flat marathon, and then never do another. He ran in the Myrtle Beach Marathon in 2022 – “accidentally” qualifying for the Boston Marathon, which he had no intention of running. January-February 2024 | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | 41

His friends from his small group at his church, Mount Horeb in Lexington, had other ideas though. They invited him to join their Ville to Ville Relay team to run 75 miles from the peaks to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains (Asheville, NC to Greenville, SC). Along the way, they kept up a steady stream of encouragement to run in the Boston Marathon. Koll began training, even competing in The RunDisney Dopey Challenge, where he participated in a grueling four days of back-to-back races (each starting at 5:30 am), including a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and then a full marathon. This was in early 2023. A few weeks later, he would leave for Liberia on a mission trip with his church. A veteran of mission trips – he’s previously traveled to Alaska, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic – Koll was no stranger to the preparations required for these types of adventures. At the recommendation of Passport Health, he began taking malaria and typhoid fever medications to prevent contracting these infectious diseases. However, due to some negative side effects, the strict timelines for taking the medicines, and the fact that they were going to a low-risk area, Koll and his physician agreed he would not complete the full course of malaria medications. The trip went as planned. The group provided a medical clinic, offered teaching/education, and helped build houses. Koll continued training for the Boston Marathon. “Twice, I separated myself from the group by getting up early to run on my own, and I think that may have been when it happened,” Koll says. After returning to the United States, Koll had some congestion. He felt better for several days and then he began having stomach pains and body aches/shivers. After some trial and error at urgent care and being sent between hospitals, Koll was finally diagnosed with malaria. That was when he lost consciousness. For ten days. “I have a vague memory of my daughter and dad visiting, but I thought it was a dream,” Koll says of the foggy state he endured while they waited for the right medications to arrive from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and then waited some more for the treatment to work. “When I fully woke up, it was dark and late. My arms were strapped to the bed, and I had tubes in my mouth and nose.” 42 | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | January-February 2024

Koll tried to move around but felt intense pain in his abdomen. What he didn’t realize was that over the past week-and-ahalf, his organs had failed one by one. His lungs, kidneys – nearly everything but his heart. “The doctors told my wife that they didn’t know why I was alive,” Koll says. “She told them I had been training for a marathon, and they said that must be the reason.” Koll would soon find another reason for his survival. Meanwhile, the pain was so severe that he thought it was time to die. He remembers the sun shining in through the window and a palpable energy in the air. “I thought, ‘This is God here to take me

away. I’ve had a great life, this pain is killing me, and I’m ready to go,’” Koll says. “But then I heard God’s answer, and it was ‘no’.” Koll says his pain left him at that point, and it didn’t return. But he had other challenges. Among its effects, the malaria had taken Koll’s ability to walk and 30 pounds off his already trim frame. He had a long road ahead of him to recovery. His path began when his wife shared the outpouring of prayers and well wishes from his church and local community. A humbling experience, he says. Walking those first 10 feet to the door of his room was incredibly difficult, but each day he walked to it and back. “The look back at the bed reminded

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“The doctors told my wife that they didn’t know why I was alive.” me of my moment with God,” he says. “I knew I needed to do something with this second chance, so I pushed myself to go farther each day. I wasn’t in a position to help anyone in my condition, so that was my motivation.” Koll couldn’t believe that merely a month earlier he had run nearly 50 miles in the Disney race, and now he struggled to walk around the intensive care unit. So, he walked 10 times around it. He made progress every day, and after a month of hospitalization and rehab, he went home – continuing kidney dialysis on an outpatient basis for a few more weeks. Seven months later, Koll is back to running 40 miles per week and has competed in a half marathon. He’s also begun speaking with groups about his story. It began with breakfast with a friend, Paul Curlee, who asked Koll to speak to his work group about his experience. He plans to provide a similar talk for his own workplace and church. Koll hopes to get back to mission work soon, providing broader opportunities to share his story. Whether on mission trips or when counseling others, Koll uses his second chance to help others. He asks what they are passionate about and the biggest challenges they’ve overcome. “Every time I ask these questions, I learn something valuable about them and about life,” says Koll, who now has his own story of triumph to share. “I also encourage them to consider helping others who are at the beginning of that journey as well. I really and truly believe that if everyone tried to help someone else, we could make this world a much better place.” n irmochapinlife.com

January-February 2024 | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | 43

spice OF LIFE Less Sugar. More Taste.

Diabetic Friendly Recipes Garlic Butter Shrimp and Zucchini 2 tsp olive oil 2 medium zucchini, spiraled or grated into noodles 5 medium-sized portabella mushrooms 1 tbsp butter 1 tsp garlic, minced 1 lb raw shrimp salt and pepper ¼ cup parmesan cheese, shredded parsley, chopped Heat olive oil in a skillet and add squash noodles and mushrooms. Cook for 2-3 minutes until tender and season with salt and pepper as desired. Remove from the pan. Place the pan back over medium heat, melt butter, and add garlic and shrimp. Cook and stir as needed until the shrimp is fully cooked. Add squash and mushrooms back to the pan and stir to heat. Sprinkle with parmesan and garnish with chopped parsley.

44 | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | January-February 2024

Caprese Casserole 16-oz whole-wheat penne 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup white onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 (24-oz) jar marinara sauce ½ cup low-fat ricotta cheese 3 large ripe tomatoes, sliced 8-oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced 1 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar| Freshly ground pepper Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Cook the pasta according to package directions, drain, and keep warm. Heat the oil, and add onion, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in marinara and cook until warmed through, about 3 minutes. Add the pasta and stir to combine. Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with spoonfuls of ricotta and half of the tomato slices. Add the remaining pasta mixture and top with the remaining tomato slices and mozzarella. Bake until bubbling on the edges, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with basil, drizzle with vinegar, and garnish with pepper.

Steak Taco Bowl 1 tbsp olive oil, divided 1 tsp minced garlic ½ small onion, sliced thinly 8 small portobello mushrooms, sliced 1 small poblano pepper or bell pepper salt and pepper 10-oz steak, sliced thinly 1 tbsp taco seasoning mix ¼ cup queso melting cheese Heat the olive oil in a skillet and add garlic, onions, mushrooms, and peppers. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and remove from the skillet. Add taco mix to sliced steak. Add olive oil to the skillet and heat over medium. Add steak and stir fry until brown and cooked, about 1-2 minutes depending on the thickness of slices. Add cooked veggies back to the skillet with steak and stir. Heat queso and pour over the steak mixture.

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Lemon Garlic Grilled Chicken Breasts 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 2 bunch of asparagus ½ cup olive oil 2 tsp garlic, minced 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional) ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce Juice of ½ lemon 1 tsp salt 1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper 2 tsp onion powder 1 tbsp parsley, minced Red chili pepper flakes, crushed Slices of lemon To prepare the grilled chicken skewers, slice chicken breasts into 1-inch-sized cubes. In a bowl combine olive oil, soy sauce, hot sauce, lemon juice, minced garlic, and season with salt, pepper, and onion powder. Reserve ½ of the sauce and marinate the chicken in the remaining sauce from 15 minutes to overnight, in the refrigerator. Blanch the asparagus in boiling water for 2 minutes, then soak in ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside. Thread the chicken onto metal or bamboo skewers. Grill the chicken kebabs (on an indoor or outdoor grill), brushing with olive oil. Throw asparagus on the side and grill until you see charred marks. Remove the chicken skewers and asparagus from the grill and serve immediately sprinkled with red chili pepper flakes, parsley, slices of lemon, and the reserved sauce.

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Roasted Pistachio-Crusted Salmon with Broccoli 8 cups broccoli florets with 2-inch stalks attached 2 cloves garlic, sliced 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided ¾ tsp salt, divided ½ tsp ground pepper, divided ½ cup salted pistachios, coarsely chopped 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped Zest of 1 medium lemon, plus wedges for serving 4 tsp mayonnaise 1¼ pounds salmon fillet, cut into 4 portions Preheat the oven to 425ºF and coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Combine broccoli, garlic, 2 tbsp oil, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 5 minutes. Combine pistachios, chives, lemon zest, the remaining 1 tbsp oil, and ¼ tsp each salt and pepper in a small bowl. Spread 1 tsp mayonnaise over each salmon portion and top with the pistachio mixture. Move the broccoli to one side of the baking sheet and place the salmon on the empty side. Roast until the salmon is opaque in the center and the broccoli is just tender, 8 to 15 minutes more, depending on thickness, and serve with lemon wedges.

Stuffed Peppers 3 bell peppers 2 tbsp olive oil 1 medium onion, diced 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 lb ground beef 2 cups riced cauliflower 1 cup chunky marinara sauce (sugar-free) 1 tsp fresh thyme ½ tsp sea salt ¼ tsp pepper, freshly ground 1 cup mozzarella, shredded and divided Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise, remove inside, and place in a casserole dish cut side up and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté onions in oil for 3-4 minutes or until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add ground beef and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up the meat. Set aside in a bowl. Cook riced cauliflower on medium heat and sauté for 5-7 minutes or until softened. Add marinara sauce, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper and mix. Turn the heat down to medium-low for 2 minutes until completely heated through. Transfer the ground meat mixture back to the pan and stir to combine. Cook for an additional minute or until heated through. Take off the heat and stir in ½ cup of shredded cheese. Spoon the meat and sauce mixture into the halved peppers and top each pepper half with the remaining cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for an additional 5 minutes. n

January-February 2024 | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | 45

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48 | IRMO-CHAPIN LIFE | January-February 2024

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