Nona Magazine | Vol 4 Issue 8

Letter From the Publisher

March’s issue is a vibrant blend of business excellence, featuring the trailblazing women of Northwestern Mutual, Easter with a twist on a traditional side dish and a tempting St. Patrick's Day cocktail recipe. There’s even a Easter kids craft We welcomed a new Lake Nona eatery, and learned how to boost our springtime health, along with upcoming events & more

Letter From the Editor

Dive into this month’s issue of Nona Magazine for a festive ride! Curating this issue helped me unleash my inner child with an Easter kids' craft idea, we elevated a traditional holiday side dish, and shook things up with a cool St. Patrick's Day cocktail I was able to get to know a bit about the powerhouse women of Northwestern Mutual, explored a new Lake Nona eatery, and gather Spring wellness tips. I’m excited to share some of my faves this month!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

04

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Meet two women on the Northwestern mutua team that are making a difference

07

HOME & GARDEN

Something fun for the kids! A stained glass Easter egg craft

10

AROUND ORLANDO

Check out Smoke & Donuts. A “sweet”

BBQ spot near downtown Orlando

12

AROUND LAKE NONA

Crumbl Cookie is finally open! Read bout their media day and more

17

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Boost your health this Spring with a few tips!

13

CULINARY CORNER

A quick way to make your deviled eggs a little bit “fancy”

15

CULINARY CORNER

Drunken Leprechaun

Cocktail! Perfect for a fun St Patrick’s Day party!

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Nelly Liranzo, a Top 10 Women Leader in 2024, dances through the financial landscape with a passion for impact. Focused on putting clients first and perpetually learning in this ever-evolving field, Nelly's commitment to community services echoes her dedication to giving back.

From the Ronald McDonald House to the Lake Nona Regional Chamber of Commerce, Nelly is weaving a tapestry of positive change.

Dive into the pulsating heartbeat of Lake Nona's financial scene, where Sujeiry Mejia and Nelly Liranzo shine as true powerhouses at Northwestern Mutual These dynamic women are not just financial wizards; they're trailblazers shaping the future of the industry Sujeiry Mejia, a trailblazing pioneer, doesn't just follow the rules she redefines them.

Leading the charge in the New Client Category in 2023 and dominating the Southern Region in 2024, Sujeiry's secret sauce lies in connecting with locals and building rock-solid relationships But it doesn't stop there; she's a mentorship maven, a community builder, and a champion for financial literacy.

For Sujeiry, it's not just about achieving personal success; it's about uplifting others and fostering a network of empowered professionals.

SUJEIRY, MEJIA

As both Sujeiry and Nelly envision a prosperous future for Lake Nona, their emphasis on diversity and inclusion paints a vibrant picture The financial landscape here isn't just growing; it's evolving, pulsating with innovation

With investments in real estate, technology, health, sports, and education, the duo remains at the forefront, architects of an enduring legacy for the next generation. Their passion, resilience, and unwavering commitment make Sujeiry Mejia and Nelly Liranzo true inspirations in the dynamic financial tapestry of Lake Nona

STAIN GLASS EASTER EGG SUN

CATCHER

some piece of clear plastic – use an empty plastic container from the store (the kind of clam shell package they sell fruits and pastries in), a plastic folder with clear sheets or an empty laminating pouch that has been run through a laminator You will also need a design – you can download our free easter egg templates at the end of the post.

1 Print the design and slip it under the piece of plastic. You can even tape it to the plastic piece to keep them in place, which is particularly useful if a kid is doing this part

LET’S GET STARTED!

black glue (white Elmer’s glue + black acrylic paint)

clear plastic (from an empty plastic container, a plastic folder or an empty laminated pouch) sharpies (the more colours the better!) free printable templates (at the end of the post)

TIP:

Let the finished piece dry overnight or for about eight hours The raised outlines created by black glue present very compelling borders, making it very easy for young artists to colour. They are also thick enough not to let the light through, therefore giving a convincing stained glass effect

2 Drawing the outlines is relaxing You can influence the boldness of lines by how hard you squeeze the bottle. And sometimes you don’t need to squeeze at all, but just guide where the line goes Watch the video to see it done!

5 Use a double-sided tape and stick the suncatchers onto the window I made four templates, but once they get painted in different colours, it looks like there is an even bigger number of designs! Download them below.

4 After you ’ re done colouring, cut the egg shape out. Since the surface we painted on is translucent, you don’t need to cut very close to the lines As a result, even children who aren’t expert at using scissors can do a good job!

3 Now, how to colour the clear plastic? The easiest and cheapest way is to use sharpies. My son can colour with them without difficulty, and the result is vibrant and consistent!

NB: In the direct sunlight, sharpie-coloured suncatchers fade in about 30 days. Since we do this craft for seasonal decor with my kids, this time frame is just about perfect for us to enjoy the suncatchers, then take them down and make new ones! If you want something more permanent, use special stained glass paints They’re also easy to use: we made a project with them here.

Embarking on a savory adventure at "Smoke & Donuts," the fusion of barbecue and sweet indulgence proved to be a gastronomic masterpiece Custom fresh donuts, warm and dusted with sugar, teased my taste buds before the main act

The brisket donut sandwich, a harmonious blend of succulent brisket and sweet donut, left an unforgettable impression. The pinnacle was the sample platter pulled pork, tender ribs, and flavorful brisket each bite infused with the perfect smokiness

This culinary escapade at "Smoke & Donuts" was a symphony of flavors, showcasing the artistry of barbecue with a sweet twist, making it a must-visit haven for food enthusiasts.

MARCH SATURDAY

23RD 4 P M

Crumbl Cookie Lake Nona celebrated its grand opening with a bang, inviting local influencers to a media day filled with excitement and fun The store, known for its unique offering of rotating weekly flavors, promises a delightful surprise with every visit

For added convenience, customers can easily place orders online, ensuring they never miss out on the latest cookie creations. The grand opening was an unforgettable event, complete with cute swag bags that included a frisbee, retro pink sunglasses, and fun hair scrunchies, embodying the joy and spirit of the Crumbl Cookie brand.

Don't miss out on the deliciousness and fun at Crumbl Cookie Lake Nona!

DIRECTIONS

Bring 2 quarts water to a boil in a medium saucepan Carefully add eggs to boiling water; boil 12 minutes. Remove eggs, and place in ice water to cool completely, about 15 minutes Once completely cool, peel the eggs, and rinse under cold running water. Pat eggs dry.

Slice eggs in half lengthwise, and remove yolks. Using a plastic dough scraper, push the yolks through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a small bowl. Using a fork, stir in mayonnaise, olive liquid, and Dijon mustard until smooth Place mixture in a piping bag, and pipe evenly into egg white halves Garnish each with a small dollop of caviar and if desired, sliced olives.

Caviar Topped

Deviled Eggs

Active Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 45 mins Yield: 6

INGREDIENTS

2 quarts water

6 farm-fresh pasture-raised eggs

2 tablespoons Duke’s mayonnaise

1 tablespoon liquid from jarred pimientostuffed green olives

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 (30-gram) tin Siberian sturgeon caviar

4 pimiento-stuffed green olives, thinly sliced (optional)

LEPRECHAUN

Equipment:

Cocktail Shaker

Jigger

Collins Glass

Ingredients:

2 ounces sour apple schnapps

2 ounces coconut rum

4 ounces pineapple juice Maraschino cherries for garnish

1 to 2 drops liquid green food coloring

Instructions:

Add the coconut rum, apple schnapps, pineapple juice, and green food coloring into an ice-filled cocktails shaker.

Shake vigorously and then strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice Garish with cherries

As the world awakens to spring’s embrace, let’s jazz up our well-being! Dive into the rainbow of seasonal fruits and veggies, sip the pure joy of crisp water, and dance under the sun with walks or garden adventures. While about 40% of Americans might be low on vitamin D, living in the sunshine state surely keeps our numbers shining bright

Fuel your body with nature’s goodness, and discover a burst of renewed energy Explore upick farms like Southern Hill Farms or Lake Eola Farmers Market for a family day filled with fresh produce delights. Embrace the season’s zest with top-notch sleep and stress hacks –thank you, daylight savings, for those extra sunshine-filled hours! These tiny health tweaks will bloom into your most vibrant self, primed for the flourishing days of spring!