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Spotlight On Women In Construction RHONI THOMPSON R.L Cole Enterprise
HEATHER BAINES HR Construction Services
MARGARET HEWITT
Director of Planning, Design & Construction for The MetroHealth System
PHOEBE LEE CEO, AFFINITY APPAREL
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From the Editor: Shelley M. Shockley CELEBRATING SPRING AND WOMEN Longer days, daffodils blooming and the melodious songs of birds are a sign of spring, a renewal - an awakening. After the year we've all experienced, it is good to feel that deep stretch of the earth coming to life. The sun is shining and we feel the joy of new beginnings. This is also a time that we honor and remember the many contributions of women in our society. Pausing to remember the successes of women is bittersweet because as we celebrate our wins it is clear that in so many ways we are not at the finish line. The 2021 theme for Women's History Month is “Choose to Challenge,” acknowledging our progress to advance women's rights but letting us know there are still problems we need to challenge. The “Live Your Dream” (liveyourdream.org) blog cites it this way, “For example, women still earn less on average than men, carry the majority of household and childcare responsibilities, face workplace stigmas and double standards, and are underrepresented in leadership, STEM careers, and politics.” The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics found that while women make up close to half of the total labor force, 47%, when you compare wages the median annual earnings for women is $41,977 and it is $52,146 for men. Making the gap perfectly clear is payscale.com which reports that as of today, 2021, women make 82 cents for every dollar men make. There is still much work to do in this area, and it is our challenge to do our part. We're all very familiar with the “#metoo” movement started because of the years of abuse against women in Hollywood, and spreading throughout the industry once the covers were listed, these biases continue today. Women are still underrepresented in powerful positions, and recent studies indicate that may not change due to a lack of access to management positions. We have all experienced in one way or another the dismissive tones of our male managers when we offer an idea or solution, yet days later find our idea reworked to appear as a new suggestion and as his concept. In each edition of this magazine, we highlight an area in STEM that is woefully lacking in women or other minorities. This has ranged in areas from engineering to medicine. Strides are made, but the gap continues to exist and in some instances grow.
and business to ensure that women will receive equity in pay and respect in the workplace. Although not mentioned above, possibly one of the most important areas we are challenged to change is the level of violence against women in this country. Domestic violence against women, human trafficking, and the “rape culture” is still prevalent. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) looks at Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and is inclusive of men, but the statistics are still startling. The agency reports, “Data from CDC's National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) indicate: About 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime and reported some form of IPV-related impact. Over 43 million women and 38 million men have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.” Human trafficking which the National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) describes as “a form of modern-day slavery,” happens every day in every state of this great union. Ohio is no different and happens to have the distinction of being a place where the numbers are rising. In 2019, Ohio ranked 14th out of the 50 states in terms of active cases. So, it is clear we all can choose one of these topics as a challenge so that we can be part of the solution to these problems. In this issue, we bring to you women doing their part to challenge the status quo in the legal, construction, and business communities. Arleesha Wilson, Esq. opened her law firm at the beginning of 2020 and despite the challenges of a global pandemic she is striving. To learn more about her journey and how she is making a difference, check out the feature on her. Women are making a name for themselves in the construction industry, and freelance writer Rhonda Crowder introduces us to three Cleveland women representing the trucking industry, Laborers and finally one working on sustainability in construction. The paths taken by Rhoni Thompson of R.L. Cole Enterprise; Heather Baines founding owner of HR Construction Services and Margaret Hewitt, director of planning, design & construction for The MetroHealth System are each unique, yet inspiring. Please check out their feature stories.
The world of politics has been the focus of this country for the past four years and is a definite sign of inequity in leadership positions. We all cheered in November when the Biden-Harris ticket successfully defeated the Trump administration for many reasons, one being that for the first time we would have a woman, Vice President Kamala Harris, become the second most powerful person in the world and the first female to hold that position. Yet, if you look at Congress we are setting records in 2021 with a record number of women serving, 124, that is still only 27 percent of the total.
So, you have been challenged, let's all go out and make the world we live in better for ourselves and especially for our daughters and granddaughters.
So, yes, we must applaud the advances, but our challenge is to continue fighting for more inclusion on all levels of politics
Until next time, enjoy this edition and make time for self-care.
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Third generation entrepreneur Phoebe Lee graces the cover of this edition. Not only does she come from a family of entrepreneurs, Lee collaborates with them on business ventures, and seeks to find the unique perspective that will set her business apart from others. She's always thinking ten steps ahead of the trend to keep herself, VDP and Affinity Apparel relative as the world evolves.
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HOW TO SAVE MONEY USING INTENTION SETTING Marsha Walker Eastwood
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BETTER BEAUTY LESS BACTERIA BRITTANY “Blushing Brit” Garrett
PHOEBE LEE
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Contractors Assistance Association (CAA) presents three Phenomenal Women in construction
Armed with drive, determination and a keen understanding of entrepreneurship, Shaker Heights native, Phoebe Lee is developing a name for herself in the business world. Phenomenal Woman recently caught up with Lee to discuss her business endeavors and her plans to contribute to Cleveland's textile industry growth.
FEATURE
RHONI THOMPSON In 1993, Rhoni Thompson and her father started a trucking company. But, it laid dormant for more than a decade. Then, in 2004, she did a name change and took full ownership yet maintained full-time employment so the business could take care of itself, to secure equipment and build a financial base.
PAGE 12 ARLEESHA WILSON
HEATHER BAINES Although Heather Baines has worked in environmental safety for over 23 years, the time she spent working as safety director on the Medical Mart project (now the Global Center for Health Innovation) sparked more attraction to construction.
Cleveland attorney Arleesha Wilson, Esq. practices real estate and bankruptcy law, and services individuals in what she calls, “the justice gap.”
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PAGE 13 MARGARET HEWITT “I have known since I was 16 years old that I wanted to be in the construction industry,” says Margaret Hewitt. “I was always curious about how things are constructed.”
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DELICIOUS RECIPES
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How To Save Money Using Intention Setting When it comes to saving money, I am reminded of the words of author Ray who said, By: Marsha Walker Eastwood, “How much you can B.S.Ed, MSHSV PWM Contributing Writer learn when you fail determines how far you will go into achieving your goals.”When it comes to successfully saving money, most of us have failed. Each false start is more frustrating than the last, due in large part to the fact that our savings strategy is terribly flawed. The decision to save money requires behavior modification. For some it is just a minor adjustment, but for most of us it requires a major reset. Change is hard, and saving money is even harder because of the trickledown effect. I can look back on my own failed plans and false starts. No matter how hard I tried, something always seemed to need my financial attention whether I could afford it or not. I am one of those selfless individuals who cannot stand to see people I care about filled with angst over financial issues so I would always feel the need to help in ways large and small to my own detriment. It only took a few years for that selflessness to nearly put me under water. When my own resources ran low, I took out a loan. As I paid it down something came up and I added on to the original loan. When another issue came up I got another loan, and another loan, until I had three loans each with staggering interest rates. These payments were in addition to my mortgage, utilities, cable, phone, and of course, food. Food was last because even if it came down to peanut butter and jelly, I would survive. I created a cheap-to-make side hustle just to have money to put gas in the car and treat myself to an occasional ice cream sundae. I sold my crafts at a flea market with the lowest space rate. I would arrive at midnight to get one of the best spaces to set up, set my alarm clock and sleep in my van until the 5 am call. Although setting up a tent and table in the dark was hard, so was baking in the sun and feeling like a drowned rat in the rain. Bottom line…. I made enough money to survive. Then one day I took a long, hard, and honest look at my finance and it suddenly dawned on me that my entire financial situation was the result of two things –my overabundance of generosity and most importantly my failure to engage in intention setting. New York Times best-selling author Brenna Yovanoff offers the perfect description of the importance and impact of intention when mapping out a strategy to reach a goal. “Intention is one of the most powerful forces there is. What you mean 6 ▒ MARCH - APRIL 2021
when you do a thing will always determine the outcome.”This means you have to take a very individual approach to saving money and create the necessary steps that will allow you to reach your goal. An important thing is the difference between a goal and an intention. When forming your intention setting strategy, begin by viewing it as your personal call to action and a commitment for the long haul. Think of it as a long-term financial plan with the goal being to create an ongoing and sustainable method of saving money. When you think about creating a goal, the goal should not have an end date, and make certain that your definition matches your intent. Think of it as concrete evidence of your intention setting coming to fruition. This process requires a few steps to be successful. The first and perhaps most important step is to turn off the noise! You must learn to turn a deaf ear to all those quick fix infomercials and testimonials from people who swear by whatever information is being offered by the show host. The tips on how to do it are all over the map, and many may not be applicable to your financial situation. While many seem oh-so-practical, many are not very realistic. The televised fixes are a lot like weight loss fixes. The sudden and extreme deprivation paves the way for failure. Sure, while cutting out cable, cutting out entertainment and obsessive couponing seem like a commonsense approach, that form of instant and extreme deprivation can prove to be very unhealthy. Just as everyone's weight goal is different, so is creating a plan to save money, and both are easier said than done. The second step is to examine your current monthly budget and creating a diet of sorts - separating the lean, the fat and the discretionary. Some items may fall into more than one category. The lean is the fixed payments where there is little to no wiggle room and includes shelter cost, medication cost, car payments, car, life and health insurance costs, and mandatory professional memberships that are required for your job. Shelter costs are included because no matter where you live there is a fixed cost whether it is rent or a mortgage. The fat is the semi-controllable accounts. Examples include food, paper products, utility costs, internet access, cable TV, entertainment costs, car maintenance costs, gasoline, credit card debt, loan debt, clothing, personal care, pet care, cable add-on subscriptions, magazine subscriptions, car washes. Each one of these categories can have a goal attached to it.
Everyone must eat, and it costs more to eat unhealthily than it does to eat healthy. Meat is a staple of most meals and chicken, fish, or even pork tenderloin can replace more expensive cuts of meat and create a variety of meal options. A reasonable goal is to shave $50.00 a month off the food budget. Comparable store brand paper products can easily shave $10.00 a month off a budget. You do not have to give up entertainment cold-turkey. Opting out of cable TV and replacing it with either a Fire stick or Roku stick can result in a savings of hundreds of dollars a month. You can always catch your favorite shows a day or week later. If you subscribe to cable TV, be wary of the add-ons and make sure you are only getting what you really want. If you only want HULU check your account each month and make sure no add-on services have been added. Those few extra add-ons make a difference. Taking a few extra steps can save a lot of extra dollars. Turning off TVS, radios and washing larger loads of clothes can save about $40.00 of fat a month. With gas prices estimated to reach $3 this summer, fewer trips to the grocery store saves enough fuel cost to pay for a Sunday picnic. These monthly savings can go towards funding your savings account and allow you to reduce debt and become a part of your discretionary budget. Money that has been freed up; some to save and some to pay down debt. About those high interest loans: They should only be taken out in the direst of circumstances. Depending on your
credit standing, you may be forced to seek help from lending institutions that are all too willing to lend you few hundred dollars at ridiculous rates of interest. The average repayment on an $1800 loan is a little over $350 a month. This means skipping or reducing credit card payments or short paying utility bills. The most important thing to remember is that these companies are all too willing to loan money and the one thing that will totally sabotage any savings goal is to refinance the loan. What originally was going to take 15 months to pay off is now extended to 24 months. One year ago, I created an intention setting. I listed and prioritized all my budget items. Thanks to the pandemic and some nifty gardening, some of my goals were more attainable than others. Many loan balances were decreasing as were my credit card balances. I called my car insurance carrier and was given a $50.00 reduction on my premium payment. I began taking almost all the savings to pay down the high interest loans. I got a personal loan at 24% to pay off one of the triple-digit% loans. The $200 a month in savings was used to pay down another credit card loan. All the other monthly savings were used to pay off the remaining high-interest loan. Now all the extra savings goes into savings account which has a balance approaching four figures. By creating an intention setting with the goal of severing the ties of my high interest loans and reducing overall credit, I was able to not only see daylight but to realize actual savings, something I had never been able to do. n www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 7
Cleveland Attorney
Arleesha Wilson
Seeks To Close The Justice Gap
defendants plan a life that would not find them in front of her in the future. To achieve this she said, “I saw them as human beings so I would use the opportunity to inspire them, or get them to think about what life would look like without coming back here.”
By Shelley Shockley PWM Managing Editor Cleveland attorney Arleesha Wilson, Esq. practices real estate and bankruptcy law, and services individuals in what she calls, “the justice gap.” The justice gap is that place many working class folks find themselves in, she explained, “you have a legal problem but you don't have money to afford the traditional law firm and you make too much to qualify for legal aid. So we offer services that can accommodate more people and give them access to justice.” As a middle school student, Wilson says the spark for a legal career came from the tenacity of current Ohio Eighth Court of Appeals Judge Anita Laster Mays as she sought to become a Cleveland Municipal Court judge. Wilson said, “There was a woman running for judge (Laster Mays) who had family members plastering her campaign material all over the neighborhood.” This happened a couple of times and then she said, “finally she won. Just seeing that, being exposed to such a momentous occasion I said okay, I'm going to be a judge too.” The desire never left and she graduated from high school, headed off to Bowling Green University and began studying criminal justice. Wilson explained the Criminal Justice path was a little more broad than pre-law, and it would still get her into law school. Before heading to law school, she used her degree to obtain a position in the Cuyahoga County Probation Department as a probation officer. In this position, Wilson worked in the high-risk area working with defendants who had multiple felonies, were on house arrest, or could pose a flight risk. While working on behalf of the state, she said her role was to help 8 ▒ MARCH - APRIL 2021
The tactic worked as she recalled shopping in a local Walmart when a woman came up to her and asked her name. When she confirmed her identity the woman said, “You were my probation officer and I'll never forget a conversation that you and I had. After I was done with probation, I went on to find a job and I have never been back and I always wanted to thank you.” That encounter illustrated the good work she performed as a probation officer, “That was a great moment,” beamed Wilson. Working in a courtroom, observing the day-to-day machinations of lawyers and judges fanned the flame inside Wilson, so after serving five years in the Cuyahoga County Probation Department, she quit her job and enrolled in Cleveland Marshall School of Law as a full-time student. At the time of enrollment, Wilson and her husband Jamal had been married about eight years, and were the parents of small children ages five and two. She recalls, “My first day of law school was my son's first day of kindergarten and I had just sent my daughter back to daycare.” The challenges of this time were many, but none were related to home. Wilson recalls asking around for advice on how to make this work and a colleague and trusted mentor said, “if your marriage survives law school, you're on to something,” yet she and her husband are still going strong today. She explained, “He cooked, did laundry, and there was never any strife around the fact that I was going out to do more, to do better. There was motivation, and the wind behind the wings.” With a supportive husband, Wilson worked on obtaining her Juris Doctorate degree and being as present as she could in her roles of wife and mother. During this period she said, “I was raggedy, it was a lot, but I had to make sure I was really clear about how I managed my time.” That meant no time for lollygagging around as many of her law school colleagues could. Many of the students were fresh out of undergrad just coming to law school, and had no responsibilities. Her explanation of how she navigated was simple, “When you have your eyes on the prize, hard is hard, but you keep trucking and eventually I was done.”
Wilson graduated with dual degrees, a J.D. and a Masters in Urban Planning. She initially researched an MBA to support, A&J Property Doctors, LLC, the business she and her husband founded in 2008. In that business her husband, a carpenter, remodeled homes, and they eventually wanted to buy and sell homes before realizing they had a lot more to learn to launch that type of business. With a love for real estate she said, “the masters in Urban Planning felt like a much better fit. It was all about real estate development, understanding the market and market analysis and financing so that was me trying to hone in the skill of real estate development.” The book knowledge and experience will help her meet her goal to, “some day syndicate a multi-million dollar real estate deal.” An opportunity to put those skills to work and gain practical experience in real estate development led to her employment with Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP) where she started as an intern before becoming the Real Estate Development Manager. While working with CNP, Wilson learned the fundamentals of real estate development, analyzing the potential of properties, preparing legal documents, contracts and how to determine successful acquisitions. When she successfully passed the bar exam, Wilson was still employed at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress when she announced on Facebook that she was a lawyer. The congratulatory posts were plentiful, as were the requests for legal assistance. Of this time she says, “People hear you're a lawyer and think you know all the laws and do all the things and I would get so many people reaching out to me saying hey can you help.” Still enjoying her job at CNP, she would take the calls, but refer them to attorneys she was familiar with. Then, after referring a lot of business to different lawyers, her aunt reached out needing help. Wilson said, “she couldn't afford to pay a different lawyer and because I was in a position to help her, I said I'm going to figure this out for you and began doing the research.” Her research and help from colleagues helped get a good result for her aunt. For a good while, Wilson worked during the day as the real estate developer and began developing her skills as a practicing attorney in the evenings. When the legal calls continued to increase and the joy she once felt as a developer had diminished she remembers, “I reached this pivotal moment where I said I can no longer do both.” This was the end of 2019, and soon the Law Office of Arleesha Wilson would be a reality. As the new year began Wilson was excited about the future, “the business had grown to a place where I felt I could support myself off the business so I quit my job. It felt freeing, like I'm stepping off to do the thing I'm called to do.” While excited, the first step into the entrepreneurial world was frightening to Wilson she says because she had never been a full-time business owner, so as she was “still developing the foresight to know that being a woman you
can be fine as a business owner.” These thoughts were true as she said she hit her income goals in the first few months and was feeling affirmed in her decisions. That soon changed. She said, “I think it was March and there was a $7,000 dip in revenue because of the shutdown so it felt like the end of the world. It was rough. Fast forward a year, I feel like I have survived, I'm still here. Here to tell the story.” Many of the pandemic challenges did not impact Wilson as she already worked from home, and the clients she worked with were more comfortable with the virtual meetings. This minimized her business overhead. While she does maintain a shared office space downtown, the need to rent large space was not necessary. After successfully surviving her first full year as a solopreneur during a pandemic, Wilson works to continue growing her firm. As the People's Esquire she has the goal of “building a million dollar firm by 2023,” which will include hiring two full-time associates and building out her digital brand. The digital platform will include information to help those in the justice gap who are still in need of help. The first offering from this platform is the Ebook “The Renter's Code,” which Wilson describes as the tool, “for individuals that may have troubling relationships with landlords. The information that tenants need, to protect their rights and not get evicted. We spell out from the time you consider signing a lease to moving in, to moving out, what are the legal considerations along that path that each tenant should take.” The platform will include more Ebooks as well as courses and webinars. When she's not practicing law or spending time with family, Wilson mentors students at Cleveland -Marshall Law, sowing a seed just as they have been sown into her. Her mentees will soon graduate, which brings her a great deal of joy. She has had mentors throughout law school, and continues to lean on them as a solo entrepreneur explaining, “they help me understand where problems are and how to brainstorm about common issues we may have.” When asked what advice she would give the 17-year-old following in her footsteps, Wilson was adamant when she said, “You are enough, and I would follow up with you, know what? You are more than enough. Because you show up in the world as a black woman there are so many people that will tell you you're not enough, that you don't look the part, that you don't dress the part, or sound the part. That your work ain't good enough, but you know what you are enough, in fact you are more than enough.” Away from the hustle and bustle of life, Wilson enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and traveling. Her civic work includes, membership on the Union Miles Development Corporation Board, The telos Institute, a non-profit geared toward fostering leadership in young adults and the Ellipsis Institute, also a non-profit that supports women of color in the academy. < www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 9
Phenomenal Woman Magazine Congratulates
NATOYA J. WALKER MINOR on being appointed as
Deputy General Manager of Administration and External Affairs at The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA)
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THREE WOMEN MAKE MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY By Rhonda Crowder, PWM Contributing Writer
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n the heels of Women's History Month, we wanted to take the time to shine a spotlight on three phenomenal women who, on a daily basis, prove construction is not just a man's world. Rhoni Thompson, Heather Baines and Margaret Hewitt, all members of the Contractors Assistance Association (CAA), are making significant contributions to this field in Northeast Ohio.
Rhoni Thompson Drives Parents' Legacy In Construction Transportation In 1993, Rhoni Thompson and her father started a trucking company. But, it laid dormant for more than a decade. Then, in 2004, she did a name change and took full ownership yet maintained full-time employment so the business could take care of itself, to secure equipment and build a financial base. Between 2006 and 2007, Thompson started working at the company on a consistent part-time basis. Thompson, who holds a master's degree in Social Work, managed both her private practice and R.L. Cole Enterprise until about two years ago. “Being bankable is key and thankfully I found an institution that aligned with my plan and supported me during this process,” she says. “As business increased, I was able to leave my full-time job. Today, I am happy to say that RLC requires all my attention.” R.L. Cole Enterprise services include building materials transportation, clean fill transportation and dump, spoils removal, landscaping, salt hauling and dry bulk transportation. This second generation operation, with a 10-man field crew and a small office staff, has worked on several key area projects such as Opportunity Corridor (Phase 3), MetroHealth Center, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's (NEORSD) Doan Valley Tunnel and others. “R.L. Cole is a unique business,” says Thompson. “We are generally present in the preparation phase of most projects providing the materials for roads, bridges, parking lots, buildings, and parks.” When asked what she likes most about her career in construction, Thompson says, “It is a constant SWOT analysis. I'm always looking at ways to improve and opportunities for growth and remaining aware of any threats.” As a little girl, her dad - who is still actively involved in the business - always told her, “You should never stop learning. When you stop learning you stop growing.” In fact, Thompson's parents instilled entrepreneurship and hard work in her at an early age. She got her first taste of it at age 12, with the then family business, a prior trucking company owned by her parents. “When our business was in the basement, I worked when I was called to duty. I mostly copied tickets, put them in numerical order and I learned how to properly file documents.” At age 14, her parents moved the company 12 ▒ MARCH - APRIL 2021
out of the basement and, she says, that's when true accountability began. She says her business goals today are quite simple: to positively impact her community, her employees, her family and increase revenue and net profit. “All four of those goals demonstrate examples of what I value, what I hold dear,” says Thompson. “I have learned to be comfortable with the habit of self-analysis and identifying what needs attention. Most often, I am focusing on establishing a sustainable and strong infrastructure, creating new customers/relationships, increasing professional knowledge and training.” She also looks forward to hiring her first female truck driver. To young girls and women, interested in construction, her advice is do what you want to do, never be swayed by stereotypes, get involved, ask questions, and get comfortable with rejection. Thompson considers an opportunity to be a role model as her greatest accomplishment as a woman in construction. She tells the story of Samira, a little girl who enjoys playing with electrical devices, taking things apart, making all sorts of concoctions. “She is a total STEM child. It is obvious she loves working with her hands and likes to be creative,” says Thompson. “When she found out I owned a trucking company, she was amazed.” Thompson continues, “I hoped, in her amazement, she felt she could do anything. That was an accomplishment for me because, at her age, I was not aware of these things.” Thompson says she was not aware that a woman could drive a truck or design a building. “And I certainly was not aware a woman could continue her parent's legacy and become the owner of a trucking company,” she says. R.L. Cole Enterprise is a member of the Contractors Assistance Association (CAA).
Heather Baines
Ensures Safety Of Construction Sites And Workers
Although Heather Baines has worked in environmental safety for over 23 years, the time she spent working as safety director on the Medical Mart project (now the Global Center for Health Innovation) sparked more attraction to construction. “After working on that project, I saw the disparities. There were not a lot of women or people of color,” says Baines. She also discovered the majority of the labor didn't even live in Cuyahoga County. Instead of complaining about it, she decided to do something - start a construction company, thus the beginning of HR Construction Services. “I wanted to impact people's lives,” says Baines. “I wanted people to have a good livable wage. I wanted to change lives.” HR Construction Services, LLC is a union contractor signatory to Iron Workers Local 17, Cement Masons Local 404 JAC, and Building Laborers' Local 310. They install rebar for concrete companies, self-perform concrete placement for parks, and carry out other small projects. They also provide general contracting services. The company's first project was the build out of the Cement Masons Hall in Cleveland. Baines' staff is small, fluctuating between seven to ten men and women, white and black. “I have a diverse workforce. I hire intentionally, inside and outside of the city,” she says. HR Construction Services performs safety inspections, audits and training. They also ensure workers have personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, safety glasses and fall protection gear. Clients include Cleveland Public Power and The Cleveland Water Department. Baines is an instructor in both 10/30 hour, American Red Cross First Aid, AED/CPR, AWP and Powered industrial equipment. She also sits on the Safety & Risk Management Council of the American Society of Concrete Contractors. “Safety is safety. It's about caring about people, making sure they are safe on the job sites. You have to really care about people, that they can go home in one piece to their families, whether the job is inside or outside,” says Baines.
She enjoys the fact her work allows her to be a part of the development of the city where she grew up, and takes pride in seeing a completed project she worked on. Baines considers her greatest accomplishment as creating jobs, being able to pay her employees including the benefits. She also takes pride in recently completing work on two turnpike bridges. “I'm maintaining work for my employees,” she says. Her goal is to expand each area of expertise represented in HR Construction Services. She wants to work on more bridges, increase employees in each trade she's signatory to and ensure her staff is well trained. “I spend a lot of time on making sure everyone has the necessary tools,” said Baines. As owner of a small construction company, she admits it is difficult to survive. Baines spends a lot of time on everything from managing the business to field work but doesn't mind since she loves her work. “The goal is to grow the business.” When it comes to women in construction, she thinks more are needed in both ownership and workforce. “There are opportunities. If you know what you want to do, go for it,” she says. For those exploring ownership opportunities, her advice is to build an A-team and get a mentor, an expert who knows the waves and tides of the industry. She's had one since starting HR Construction Services. “Women sometimes think they can't do this work, but can do these jobs,” says Baines. “There are tons of things we can do. I'm seeing more ladies going for project management, estimating, controlling, and safety, even in the trades.” Heather Baines is treasurer of the Contractors Assistance Association (CAA). Continued on next page... www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 13
Margaret Hewitt Champions Sustainability In Construction
“I have known since I was 16 years old that I wanted to be in the construction industry,” says Margaret Hewitt. “I was always curious about how things are constructed.” With that, she went on to earn an architecture degree from The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and has been a part of the construction industry for over 30 years. Hewitt is currently the Director of Planning, Design & Construction for The MetroHealth System, where she manages a team of project managers who support MetroHealth by renovating and constructing facilities for patient care. “I manage a team of professionals who are some of the best at what they do,” says Hewitt. “We all work hard to support MetroHealth and ensure that we deliver the facilities needed to help the system be strong and transform.” Prior to coming to MetroHealth, Hewitt was the founder and chief executive officer of The Construction Green Team where she began to champion sustainability in construction. “I started that company with a passion for improving the impact of construction on our environment,” says Hewitt. She's managed more than $10 billion in construction projects, having reached the Platinum level of LEED and INVEST certifications. As an owner's representative, she has constructed courthouses for the Illinois Supreme Court, convention space for The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, K-12 schools for Chicago Public Schools, Cincinnati Public Schools and Akron Public Schools, and hospitals for University Hospitals of Cleveland. Hewitt is a member of Construction Employers Association, American Institute of Architects, National Association of Minority Architects, United States Green Building Council, Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, Black Environmental Leaders and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Why construction? “What I like most about construction is that you are always looking into the future,” says Hewitt. “The team is always planning for tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year.” 14 ▒ MARCH - APRIL 2021
Hewitt considers her greatest accomplishment in construction, mentoring young women into the industry. “I have recently mentored two young women who have decided to make the construction industry a career path. That is very rewarding,” she says. Her current career goals include promoting and pursuing sustainability in construction. “The build environment is responsible for 30 percent of carbon emissions,” she says. “We each should work to reduce the negative impact of construction on our environment.” When asked what she would change about the construction industry, she says, there should be more recognition and value given to the people who do the work. “The people who do the work are unsung heroes. Without their hard work, we would not have places to live, work, and play,” says Hewitt. “We would not have roadways and bridges. We would not be warm, safe, and dry while indoors.” She believes there should be more women in construction because it allows for more diverse viewpoints, which improves the outcomes. “It is an excellent wage to take care of families,” Hewitt adds. “There should be more women in construction because it is an industry that impacts the future of all human beings.” To women interested in construction, young and mature, she advises, “Remember that you belong here. I have been in this industry for more than 30 years, and I love it.” Hewitt continues, “It is a great feeling to drive by the projects that I have worked on and know that I was a part of each project's success. You don't have that opportunity with other professions.” Margaret Hewitt is the current president of the Contractors Assistance Association (CAA).
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PHOTOS: JASON GARRETT 16 ▒ MARCH - APRIL 2021
PHOEBE LEE CEO, AFFINITY APPAREL & ENTREPRENEUR EXTRAORDINAIRE rmed with drive, determination, and a keen understanding of entrepreneurship, Shaker Heights native, Phoebe Lee is developing a name for herself in the business world. Phenomenal Woman recently caught up with Lee to discuss her business endeavors and her plans to contribute to Cleveland's textile industry growth. According to the Oxford Language Dictionary, an entrepreneur is “a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks to do so.” The art of entrepreneurship is nothing new to Phoebe Lee, CEO of Affinity Apparel. A national leader in the uniform marketplace, Affinity Apparel provides daily workwear apparel for more than 400,000 employees annually, representing hundreds of companies. Lee previously oversaw operations at VDP Safety & Uniforms, a Cleveland-based supplier of safety apparel and equipment, where she held the position of president for five years. One could say that it is in Lee's DNA, beginning with her grandparents in Glen Allen, Mississippi, and continuing with her mother, Verna Lee, a successful marketing and management consultant as well as the founder of the family business Candy Lady & Kids. It should come as no surprise that Phoebe would continue the family tradition. For the younger Lee, her childhood included both the entrepreneurial world but also the daily grind of working for a company, her Dad was a driver with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit System (GCRTA). These early images of both sides of the coin helped to shape the vision of this young entrepreneur. To pursue her dreams and attend a four-year college away from home, Lee attended Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) during her senior year in high school. This early introduction to collegiate life she said afforded her the opportunity of going away to college. The program, now known as College Credit Plus, presented her the opportunity to enroll in college courses for transferable credit to Clark Atlanta, thus decreasing the amount of money needed to achieve her goal. Of the experience, she said, “It allowed my parents to send me away. I did well, I had straight A's. It's part of my roadmap.” Fashion has always been of interest to Lee. She set her sights on working in the industry and understood that there are many ways to achieve this goal, so she studied Business Administration with a concentration in Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management. Choosing these focus areas would prove valuable down the road when she established her own business. After graduating from Clark Atlanta College with honors, Lee traveled to the US fashion
capital, New York City to pursue her dreams. She studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, and immersed herself in the fashion industry working in wholesale sales of women's clothes. The experience was invaluable and the money was good. Lee remembers, “I was working with trendy fashions. As women, we know that today we like this style, but tomorrow that may change.” Despite the good commissions, she said after ten years the work was losing its luster, “I was a showroom manager, but it was a trendy thing. Like a roller coaster and it was driving me crazy. I was over the hustle and bustle of the New York business world.” Determining how to get off the roller coaster and what her next steps would be, she reached out to her confidant and one of her best friends - her mom. As they were talking, her mom recounted meeting with someone thinking of retiring and possibly selling their safety gear business. The opportunity piqued her Mom's interest so she enlisted both of her children to learn more about this company that sold hard hats, safety cones, and other gear. Lee recalls, “I began learning virtual before there was this virtual world and my mom and brother attended in person because I was still in New York.” She said the opportunity was of interest because although there are many minorities and women-led businesses in this industry, the key to success she said is understanding how to market yourself and utilizing the designation as an MBE (Minority-Owned Business Enterprise). Using the status to your advantage is something Lee believes she is well versed in, “A lot of people don't understand the MBE certifications and how to market themselves. That is something I grew up with and learned from my mom being an entrepreneur in the minority business world, a Woman Business Enterprise (WBE).” The business was a fit for Lee because “It is something I love, it is still fashion in a sense. Although it might be a polo, you might care how you look, or the fit.” As an apparel company, specializing in organization uniforms, Lee saw this as a “business that could repeat itself without having to chase sales. The chasing of sales Lee said changed in 2020 because she learned you have to keep chasing those sales just like in any other business. Explaining, she said, “If you stop that chase your business could suffer. If their budgets go down your budget goes down, so you have to be able to pivot.” In pivoting she had to expand her reach, provide excellent customer service, and “make the buyer's job easier.” Continued on next page... www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 17
“ There is just something about Cleveland. Everyone knows someone from Cleveland, so when you’re not here, you always meet people that know of the city. I think that you rep harder for Cleveland when you’re away.
Fueling her thoughts was her involvement with Cuyahoga Community College, where she serves on the Board of Trustees, and her involvement with the Fund Board (Fund for Our Economic Future) and being a member of the Trustees Committee on Manufacturing Works, all work she said that helped her, “realize what I'm back in Cleveland for.”
To give a clear understanding of the challenges she faced during the pandemic, Lee reflected on the world in 2008 when she was graduating from college. Entering the workforce, the country was embroiled in the “Great Recession,” and the challenges for new grads were many. She said, “You might have thought you were going to have this great job at a Fortune 500 company but something happened beyond our control and the jobs weren't there.” Once the country rebounded from the recession, businesses were flourishing, and would continue for several years. Lee, however, was introspective and forward-thinking. She said, “I began thinking we can't continue rolling like this. Something is going to happen.” This was about 18 months ago and she recalls being “Outside the box. It was almost as though, “I was waiting for something to happen, and I started working on moving into more manufacturing because there aren't many women in manufacturing.”
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At this point, she begins to wax poetic about her hometown, a city she readily admits she was not anxious to return to. She recalled, “I was a diehard, I never wanted to come back. I came back because my father was sick. A month later he passed away and I was kind of stuck. I couldn't get my apartment back in New York so it honestly changed my life.” It also changed her perspective. She went on to say, “There is just something about Cleveland. Everyone knows someone from Cleveland, so when you're not here you always meet people that know of the city. I think that you rep harder for Cleveland when you're away.” Now that she's back, she is invested and looks forward to being a part of the economic growth. Describing it as “a hard-working brilliant city,” She looks forward to rejuvenating the manufacturing industry in Cleveland. It's an industry that has changed, “It doesn't have to be dirty and grimy, it's smart manufacturing now and Cleveland has the workers,” Lee noted.
The Pandemic and the challenges of 2020 had an impact on Lee's business ventures, but as a forward thinker, she was already looking ahead. She said, “About two years ago, I was telling my Board and people in my company that we need to be manufacturing more. I'm always thinking the floor is going to fall from under us. You can't get too comfortable. An off-shoot of what I was doing before, even if it's only five items that we can manufacture in Cleveland, provide jobs. Who knows this could be an industry. That's what 2020 did.” Losing customers and lots of clients due to the downturn in the economy made Lee pivot and begin to try some of the things she had been thinking about. Confirming her ideas on manufacturing she said, “A lot of our supply chain was overseas,” so it is only fitting that she and others begin to look at making this area home to a new industry. While the loss of jobs had a direct impact on her business, she envisions a brighter future in this area. Of her struggles, she said, “We provide uniforms for people with a workforce so if they are laying off their workforce or not bringing them back in, their uniform allowance is not being used.” She continued, to counter this “We had to try to find more customers, going out for new sales.” As she remembers a Cleveland where people worked for Coca-Cola and LTV Steel and made enough to put children through school, she's looking to bring that kind of economic stability back to the city in the apparel and textile industries. Local manufacturing has not started, but she is currently testing the waters with a few items currently produced in
California. In the interim, Lee is busy traveling between Cleveland and Atlanta and developing ideas for the next project. When conceptualizing projects, she often seeks the advice of mentors that include not only her mom, Verna Lee but Hilton Smith, Glen Shumate and Dr. Alex Johnson. She said, “I regularly ask for their opinions on different projects,” their willingness to support her is another reason she is excited about Cleveland's prospects in manufacturing and business in general. Lee said Atlanta is one of her favorite cities and part of the lure is the collaborative nature of people and she has seen that same trait in Cleveland. She said, “I've had so much help from other professionals. It (Cleveland) has that 'helping hand' that I didn't necessarily know before coming back. Our ecosystems in Cleveland are growing.” Lee is not only a mentee, she mentors college students from Wayne State University, helping them to navigate the world they will soon encounter. She also enjoys the work she does with the Tri-C Board, an appointment remembered as “the most life-changing professional event.” Former Governor John Kasich appointed Lee to the five-year term and it is her hope to be reappointed when her term concludes. The joy in her voice as she remembers a recent graduation ceremony, “One graduate as young as 16 and one as seasoned as 55. That's so inspiring to me because entrepreneurship is constant learning, constant pivoting. It keeps you fresh on your feet.” <
PHENOMENAL FACTS: §
Bachelor of Business Administration, Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management - Honors Clark Atlanta University
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Fashion/Apparel Design, Accessories Design Fashion Institute of Technology, New York
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A graduate of the inaugural class of the Emerging Young Entrepreneur (EYE) Program
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Board of Trustees, Cuyahoga Community College
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Member, Contractors Assistance Association
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Serves as a mentor for the ACE (Architecture, Construction, Engineering) Program
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Works with Diversity Compliance Coalition of Ohio
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Worked as a model appearing on Good Morning America, The Today Show, NY Live, VH1, etc.
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Served as a committee chair for the NAACP Freedom Fund Gala
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20 ▒ MARCH - APRIL 2021
Tri-C’s Western Campus STEM Center Earns LEED Gold Certification New building is second at Parma site honored by U.S. Green Building Council
More than 4,500 plants grow on “living walls” inside the Western Campus STEM Center at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®), establishing roots for yet another honor from the U.S. Green Building Council. The STEM Center recently received LEED® Gold certification from the organization. This is Tri-C’s eighth building with a LEED designation, a nationally recognized benchmark for green design, construction and operation. “This building features green building aspects we’ve never used before, such as living walls and solar panels,” said David November, the College’s sustainability manager. “It reflects the continued evolution of College efforts to be at the forefront of the sustainability movement.” The STEM Center opened on the Parma campus in fall 2019. The new building added more than 60,000 square feet of academic space, with classrooms and labs designed to expand educational experiences for students entering science-focused fields. Living walls serve as the green centerpiece of the STEM Center. The plant-filled panels stretch up to 22 feet high in the atrium, creating a healthy, natural and peaceful environment for students and staff. Skylights above the living walls bring natural light streaming into the interior. Solar panels built into the skylights are expected to generate 5% of the building’s electricity needs. Other sustainability features of the new building include: §
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A near 40% reduction in typical energy use due to building design, efficient heating and cooling systems, LED lighting and the solar panels, bringing an estimated annual savings of more than $50,000 Plumbing fixtures designed to save nearly 79,000 gallons of water per year An emphasis on using regional and recycled materials during construction
The College also diverted 81% of construction waste from landfills through sorting and recycling during the project. Tri-C collaborated with Weber Murphy Fox and Ellenzweig architects on the building. Construction was overseen by The Albert M. Higley Co. The STEM Center joins a growing list of Tri-C sites awarded LEED certification. The administrative center at Simulated Scenario Village at Western Campus earned certification in January.
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IN A TIME WHERE HEALTH AND SANITATION IS A MOJOR FOCUS, HERE ARE SOME PRACTICAL WAYS TO KEEP YOU SAFE: As a makeup, artist I am professionally trained in skills and techniques of offering makeup services. One of the things we learn as professionals in any area of beauty is sanitation and infectious disease. As someone who handles multiple clients a day, I have to make sure that I apply good sanitary practices. As an artist, I am equipped with numerous products to ensure I keep things safe for all clients. I carry 99% alcohol in a spray bottle to sanitize lip pencils, eye liners, brushes, tools and palettes. I use liquid lipsticks to which I carry disposable lip wands to apply then throw away, as well as disposable mascara wands to apply mascara. I also use disinfecting wipes to wipe down every product I used before packing it up and I spray my chair and kit with disinfecting spray or alcohol in between clients. These challenging times have caused everyone to change the things they were doing in regards to germs and sanitary practices. Lucky for me, I already practice this routine before COVID and it was second nature to do these things. Some professionals still fail to practice sanitation so I'm going to tell you what to look for if you are going to get your makeup done as well as how you can maintain sanitary practices at home. Sanitation is very important in makeup because there are items that are applied to very sensitive areas such as your eyes and lips.
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If you're wearing makeup every day, I'm sure you're using some type of brush and sponge. If you do, you should wash your brushes after every use and at minimal once a week. Brushes are breeding grounds for germs and bacteria. For extra measure in between every application, I usually spray my brushes with alcohol to sanitize them. If you're using beauty sponges, they're easy to clean and should be cleansed between every use and dried properly. Sponges can grow mold and it's important to replace your sponge every month but the max amount of time you want to keep a sponge is 3 months. Other things you can do to keep your risk of break out and infection low is paying attention to the expiration dates on your products. Yes, makeup does expire! On the back or bottoms of many of your makeup products, you should see a picture of a jar with an open lid that has a number and a letter (eg. 12 M). What does this mean? This tells you how many months you should keep that product before throwing it away. General timelines are 3-6 months for mascara, 12 months for concealers, lipsticks, foundations, and 24 months for powder products such as setting powders, face powders and eyeshadows. It is important that you're replacing these products as close to their expiration dates as possible to decrease the chances of bacteria growing in your product.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR FROM YOUR PROFESSIONAL MAKE UP ARTIST First things first, your makeup artists should always wash their hands before providing makeup services, if they touch anything other than your face or any makeup tools or products they should be sanitizing their hands afterwards. For example, if the artist receives a phone call or message and touches their phone, they should always sanitize their hands afterwards. Sometimes makeup products perform better when warmed, this requires the artist to add the product to the back of their hands before use. Your artist should always ask if you're comfortable with this first, artists should always keep a mixing palette on hand to place product on. This is a metal palette that can be cleansed and sanitized with alcohol after every use. Another thing to pay close attention to is brushes and tools. Make sure every brush your artist is using is clean, some brushes can stain after use but if every brush being used looks to still have product on it, I would ask the artist if they're clean before use. It is very important your makeup artist cleans brushes between each client. Brushes carry a lot of bacteria and can cause break outs and infection.
Another big tip when going to a professional is to make sure they are not applying any product straight from the container to your face. I don't mean every product but things like; mascara, concealer (which usually has an applicator) and lipstick should always be used with a disposable tool or transferred to a palette and used with a brush or other type of applicator. One other thing to look for is whether the products your artist is using. are clean, is there makeup all over the outsides? These are causes of concern. Products should be wiped down and sanitized after every client. After every application, I wipe my products and palettes with a disinfecting wipe and then spray the insides of my palettes with alcohol and let dry before putting them away. If you ever see your artist is not following these best practices, make sure to bring it to their attention. Unfortunately, some artist do not know some of these practices and it is important to express your concerns so they can change their techniques.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT SCIENCE MEETS BEAUTY. Driven by the ambition to achieve better for your well being, UVé is determined to bring a new level of hygiene to cosmetics. Uvé beauty is a game changer for me because their brushes and sponges are 99% bacteria free. They're soft and blend easily but most importantly you don't have to worry about it holding germs and bacteria. Should you still wash these, yes definitely! But their sponges are antimicrobial so they do not produce mold like other leading beauty sponges. Learning about these products were a dream come true for me as a germ freak and makeup artist.
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CELEBRATE ALL-STAR MOMS WITH A SIMPLE, DELICIOUS MEAL (Family Features) From big things like juggling a career and family priorities to little things like writing lunchtime love notes, there are so many ways moms lift up their families and the people they love every day. In today's world, where multitasking has taken on a whole new meaning, it's clear moms deserve to be celebrated.
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One of the easiest ways to do something special for the allstar mom in your life is to make her a homemade meal and enjoy some quality time together around the dinner table. For those in need of inspiration, consider a delicious option like this Tuscan Chicken Pierogy Skillet for an easy, elevated, sure-to-impress dish that comes together in 45 minutes.
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The key ingredient: Mrs. T's Pierogies, which are pasta pockets stuffed with creamy mashed potatoes, cheesy goodness and other big, bold flavors. Found in the frozen food aisle and available in 13 flavors, in full and mini size varieties, they can be boiled, baked, sauteed, fried or grilled. They are easy to prepare, which means less time in the kitchen and more time together. Visit mrstspierogies.com to find more recipe inspiration to celebrate mom.
Tuscan Chicken Pierogy Skillet Prep time: 10 minutes, Total time: 45 minutes, Servings: 4 1 3 2 4
box Mrs. T's Pierogies 4 Cheese Medley tablespoons olive oil, divided boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness kosher salt, to taste ground black pepper, to taste cloves garlic, minced
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bag (5 ounces) fresh baby spinach cups diced tomatoes teaspoon dried Italian seasoning cup chicken broth cup heavy cream cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional, for garnish tablespoon cold water tablespoon cornstarch fresh basil, for garnish, crushed red pepper flakes, for garnish
Boil pierogies according to package directions. Drain then toss pierogies with 1 tablespoon olive oil to keep from sticking. In 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper, to taste, and cook 810 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to plate, cover and allow to rest 5-8 minutes. Slice thin. While chicken rests, lower heat to medium-low and add remaining oil to same skillet. Add garlic, spinach and tomatoes; saute 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant. Season with Italian seasoning and salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in chicken broth, heavy cream and 3/4 cup Parmesan. In small bowl, whisk cold water and cornstarch then stir into pan. Simmer 4-5 minutes until thickened and creamy. Return chicken and pierogies to skillet and toss to combine. If desired, top with additional seasonings, to taste. Garnish with fresh basil, Parmesan and red pepper flakes, if desired.
KITCHEN STAPLES HELPFUL FOR HEART HEALTH Taking care of your heart health requires a commitment to the right routines and smart decisions, such as adopting a heart healthy diet. Foods you might already have in your kitchen can offer powerful vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant compounds that may help contribute to heart health. Decades of research shows that each 8-ounce serving of 100% orange juice, such as Florida Orange Juice, is packed with key nutrients and valuable plant compounds, which may play a beneficial role in helping lower blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease. Consider these additional heart health benefits of 100% orange juice:
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While many people associate vitamin C with its ability to help promote a healthy immune system, it's also been shown to support cardiovascular health. Orange juice is an excellent source of vitamin C providing more than 100% of the recommended daily value in an 8ounce glass.
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In several research studies, higher intakes of the flavonoids typically found in citrus were associated with reduced risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke.
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In one 8-ounce serving, 100% orange juice provides 10% of the daily value of potassium, which is an electrolyte that helps maintain fluid balance affecting blood pressure. Diets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Some studies found folate and vitamin B6, both watersoluble vitamins, may help protect against heart disease by
Orange Juice Shrimp Quinoa Bowls
lowering homocysteine levels in the blood, an amino acid believed to cause damage to the arteries and increase the risk of blood clots when elevated. One 8-ounce glass of orange juice contains 15% of the daily value of folate and 8% of the daily value of vitamin B6. “Drinking Florida Orange Juice is not only delicious, it delivers a powerful combination of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds,” said Dr. Rosa Walsh, director of scientific research at the Florida Department of Citrus. “From helping to reduce hypertension to fighting inflammation, it is an excellent choice to include in a heart-healthy diet.”
Servings: 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 6 2 1 1 1/2 1/4 1/8 1 1 3 1 1 2
You can add the heart health benefits of 100% orange juice to your diet with the powerfully nutritious punch of Orange Juice Shrimp Quinoa Bowls, the perfect mixture of textures with tangy, spicy and sweet flavors. Or start the day strong with a Florida Sunshine Grapefruit Smoothie for a breakfast beverage that requires just a few minutes of prep and blending.
cups water cup quinoa cup Florida Orange Juice tablespoon hot sauce tablespoon honey tablespoon soy sauce tablespoons vegetable oil, divided tablespoons lime juice tablespoon white miso pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined teaspoon kosher salt teaspoon ground black pepper bell pepper, diced English cucumber, sliced into half moons scallions, sliced avocado, sliced teaspoon sesame seeds tablespoons cilantro, chopped
In pot, bring water to boil. Add quinoa, reduce to simmer, cover and cook 15 minutes. Fluff with fork. In bowl, whisk orange juice, hot sauce, honey, soy sauce, 4 tablespoons vegetable oil, lime juice and miso. Remove half and set aside. Add shrimp to remaining half and marinate 15 minutes.
Find more heart healthy inspiration at floridacitrus.org.
Florida Sunshine Grapefruit Smoothie Servings: 1 Heat large skillet over medium-high heat and add remaining oil. Season shrimp with salt and pepper then add shrimp to wok and saute, cooking approximately 2 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Place 1/2 cup quinoa in bowl and top with bell pepper, cucumber, scallions, avocado and shrimp. Drizzle with dressing that was set aside and garnish with sesame seeds and cilantro.
1 cup Florida Orange Juice 1/2 cup Florida Grapefruit Juice 1 ripe banana 1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract In blender, blend orange juice, grapefruit juice, banana, yogurt and vanilla extract until smooth. Serve immediately.
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GIVE SPRING SALADS A FRESH SPIN With spring and warmer weather comes salad season, offering a perfect canvas for creating refreshing meals and appetizers centered around tasty greens, juicy tomatoes and crave-worthy dressings. Give your salads an update by avoiding the same tired mixes and instead create tasty meals fit for the season. One easy way to up your salad game is by starting with quality ingredients like Fresh Express salad blends, NatureSweet Cherubs Tomatoes and Litehouse refrigerated salad dressings. These fresh, flavorful ingredients can be combined in a dish like this Chimichurri Chickpea Salad, a perfect way to go green this spring for nearly any occasion. Part of the appeal of dishing up a homemade salad is the unlimited options you have at your fingertips to make the bowl of greens uniquely “yours.” For many, this means one thing: the more toppings, the better. With grilled chicken, crispy bacon, tomatoes, ripe avocado, hard-boiled eggs, blue cheese and a bed of fresh lettuce, this classic Cobb Salad offers an ideal lunch or even a quick family meal. Because both these recipes can be made in 20 minutes or less, they provide simple solutions when short on time. Plus, the fresh ingredients sum up everything spring meals are made of. Find more ways to create litehousefoods.com/iheartsalad.
easy
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delicious
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Chimichurri Chickpea Salad Total time: 15 minutes Servings: 4 1 2/3 2 2 1/4 2/3 1/2 1/2 1 1/4 1 1
cup fresh cilantro cup fresh parsley tablespoons dried oregano garlic cloves, minced cup red wine vinegar cup olive oil teaspoon salt teaspoon pepper can (14 1/2 ounces) chickpeas, drained teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes bag Fresh Express Baby Kale Mix cup NatureSweet Cherubs Tomatoes, diced
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medium avocado, diced tablespoons Litehouse Avocado Ranch Dressing
In food processor, combine cilantro, parsley, oregano, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Pulse until sauce is smooth. Place chimichurri sauce in small bowl with chickpeas and crushed red pepper flakes; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight, if possible. Divide kale, tomatoes and avocado between four bowls. Top each bowl evenly with marinated chickpeas. Drizzle with avocado ranch dressing and serve.
Cobb Salad Total time: 20 minutes Servings: 4 3-4 1/4 1 1 1 halved 1 1/4 1/4
eggs pound bacon bag Fresh Express Sweet Butter Lettuce pound grilled chicken cup NatureSweet Cherubs Tomatoes, ripe avocado, sliced cup blue cheese cup Litehouse Homestyle Ranch Dressing
Bring pot of water to boil. Use slotted spoon to place eggs in water. Boil 10 minutes then transfer to ice bath to stop cooking process. Peel eggs and slice. Heat skillet over medium heat. Dice bacon and add to pan. Saute until bacon is crispy and fat is rendered, about 7 minutes. Remove from pan with slotted spoon. To assemble salad, start with bed of lettuce. Top with hard-boiled eggs, grilled chicken, tomatoes, avocado, bacon and blue cheese; toss in ranch dressing.
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A LEMON DELIGHT FOR ANY OCCASION Sweets with enhanced fruit flavors are often among the best of the best when it comes to family treats. For example, these Baked Lemon Donuts are a unique dessert that can double as a sweet, fruity breakfast. Delicious and packed with lemon zest, they are coated in a lemon-sugar topping for a burst of lemon in every bite.
Baked Lemon Donuts Serves: 12 2 3/4 2 1 3/4 2 2 2 1/2 1
cups flour cup sugar teaspoons baking powder teaspoon salt cup buttermilk eggs tablespoons butter, melted teaspoons lemon juice teaspoon vanilla extract teaspoon lemon zest
Lemon Sugar Topping: 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1/2 cup butter, melted
In large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add buttermilk, eggs, butter, lemon juice, vanilla extract and lemon zest. Stir until combined. Pipe batter into donut pan. Bake 9 minutes. Cool on wire rack. To make topping: In bowl, combine sugar with lemon zest. In separate bowl, place melted butter. Place donut face down in melted butter then face down in lemon sugar topping. Repeat with all donuts.
Heat oven to 350 F.
Bacon Banana Bread For your next brunch celebration, whether it's a special occasion or just an excuse to spend time together, consider adding what may become a new family favorite to the menu. This Bacon Banana Bread combines two morning meal classics in one easy-to-enjoy bite. Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 70-80 minutes Servings: 6-8 Nonstick cooking spray 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup sugar 3 medium bananas, mashed 1/2 cup canola oil 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 8 slices Coleman Natural Bacon, cooked and cut into 1/4-1/2-inch pieces Preheat oven to 325 F. Lightly grease 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. In large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, baking soda, baking powder and sugar. In separate bowl, combine mashed bananas, canola oil, eggs and vanilla extract. Add banana mixture to dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
In small bowl, toss bacon and remaining flour until bacon is lightly coated. Fold flour-coated bacon into batter. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake 70-80 minutes, or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack 20 minutes before inverting bread onto wire rack to cool completely. Cut and serve. For more brunch recipe ideas, visit ColemanNatural.com.
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GOING THE DISTANCE
FOR OUR
COMMUNITIES. At Dominion East Ohio, going the distance for our customers means more than just delivering safe, affordable natural gas. It means being a positive force in the communities we serve. Our EnergyShare® program has raised $6.8 million and helped more than 70,000 people in Ohio alone. These resources, combined with more than 6,300 volunteer hours from our employees, have benefited organizations as diverse as the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition.