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Dr. Morgan Trahant Lang
LOUISIANA LADIES 89 I Am My Fathers Daughter Three truths of life from dad
26 A Tribute to Steel Magnolias The 30th Anniversary of the Louisiana based classic
64 Shirley The Elephant An unlikely Louisiana Lady
84 What Would Mama Do? Keeping it real with Teri Netterville
C ON T E N T S
FASHION
44 Summer Must Haves Summer’s best looks 31 Beach Weddings Destination weddings to swoon over
HOME AND ENTERTAINING
18 Hostess with the Mostess By the light of the full moon 48 Myron Griffing A colorful look at local designer Myron Griffing 41 Travel Tips Travel light and enjoy the ride 46 The Boss of Southern Cuisine Chef Harris shares her recipe for green beans with new potatoes
KIDDOS
13 A REAL Mother’s Day A funny look into balancing life and parenting 60 Get a Clue, Fight the Flu The importance behind the flu shot 71 Finding Beauty in Hidden Places Embracing the moments of motherhood
HEALTH & BEAUTY
80 Integrate Your Health Relationships for longevity 99 Eating Healthy at Disney Tips for a healthy family vacation 50 Aqua Gold The ultimate, customized facial rejuvenation
COMMUNITY
8 YWCA On a mission for women 77 Dustin Greer Monroe’s up and coming artist 52 C&C Mercantile An old treasure revived with art and cuture 68 Audiobook Review Becoming 112 From Her Perspective Jessica Latin 102 Must Attend Events 104 Coffee Talk A look at the best local coffee shops in North Louisiana
Page 2 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 3
READLOLA.COM
Every time you find
HUMOR
in a Difficult Situation
YOU WIN •
•
T
his quote came to mind last Tuesday evening. I was desperately searching for a medicine syringe to give my three-year-old a dose of Benadryl. He was screaming due to an ant bite that caused an allergic reaction. Homework papers were scattered on the table. My oven timer was beeping to let me know the pre-made casserole was ready, and my husband was folding laundry I had fallen behind on. Finally, I found a syringe, but not the one that fit the children’s Benadryl bottle. These are the days you just want to throw your hands up. You have all been there, I’m sure. I let out a familiar “ughhh” and my husband came to assist. You learn to improvise in these times, so I poured the liquid medicine into the syringe. “Oops -- a little too much,” I said, as I went to adjust the amount. Let’s just say I “over adjusted” as the liquid Benadryl shot up in the air and on to the top of my husband’s head. He looked at me with a little frustration in his eye just before the sticky syrup dripped down his face. This is the moment that quote came to mind. I began laughing, the good laugh until you cry kind of laugh. At this point Andrew had no choice but to join me. Laughter is contagious, right? We both laughed until our stomachs hurt. We decided to find the humor in this stage of life we are living. We are in this together, full of chaos, take-and-bake casseroles and parenting. He wiped his face, gave me a good hug and resumed his laundry duties. I chased around the three-year-old, bribing ice cream to take his medicine. The chaos resumed, but my heart was at peace. I know one day we will miss these trenches of being mom and dad. I also know that as long as we can find the humor is these difficult moments, we will win. This issue of Lola Magazine celebrates Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. We share stories of motherhood and give gratitude to our mothers and fathers who have loved us and encouraged us along the way. This issue also takes a look into the growing trend of destination weddings with two stunning beach weddings. We pay tribute to the 30th anniversary of the Louisiana classic, Steel Magnolias, and the courageous women upon whom the story is based. Be sure to check out our summer must haves, tips to pack efficiently for summer vacations, and our list of local coffee shops to find the perfect cup of joe. We wish you all a great end of the school year and a bright beginning of summer. There will always be days when we feel overwhelmed and want to throw our hands up. When these times creep up on us, I hope that you can find the humor, embrace the chaos and get a good belly laugh from it all!
Cheers! Bevin Page 4 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
PUBLISHER Bevin Sutton Hicks Bevin@readlola.com MARKETING & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carie Cotter Hart Carie@readlola.com ASSISTANT ADVERTISING ASSOCIATES Ashley Dillard, Shreveport/ Bossier/Natchitoches Ashley@readlola.com Hillary George Hillary@readlola.com Shannon Lewis, Ruston Shannon@readlola.com DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Tommy Stow Sutton 318-560-5785 DISTRIBUTION ASSOCIATE Carl Hammock 318-607-7106 ART DIRECTION & LAYOUT Richard Creative Lola@richard-creative.com CONTENT EDITOR Kathy Spurlock EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT / CONTRIBUTING WRITER / ASSISTANT EDITOR Rosemary McMaster Ariana Boyd lolamaginfo@readlola.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dr. Nicole Cotter Donesa Walker Jessica Comegys Teri Netterville Payton Denney Clinton Downing Chef Hardette Harris Angela Vinet Danielle Richard Kate Pedrotty Melissa Martin Kheysia Washington B.S., RDH Christy Melville Kirsten Gladen Danye Phillips Jessica Latin CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Brittany Strickland Jarrett Warren Misty Swilley COVER Photographer: Brittany Strickland Destination Weddings / Mario and Megan Chavez / Belize FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION Email Carie@readlola.com *Reproduction of contents without express written permission is prohibited. Lola Magazine is published bi-monthly by Stamper Marketing, LLC. 3811 Youree Drive, Shreveport, La 71105, Phone (318) 573-6847. Lola Magazine reserves the right to accept or reject any advertiser. Distribution of Lola Magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products and/or services. Lola Magazine makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the publication’s content. Nonetheless, we do not guarantee the accuracy of all information, nor the absence of errors. No responsibility will be assumed. Visit us online at readlola.com to subscribe. Lola Magazine is owned by Stamper Marketing, LLC.
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WRITTEN BY KATE PEDROTTY PHOTOGRAPHY BY JARRETT WARREN
new store opened in Mall St. Vincent in November 2018, just in time for the holiday shopping season. The cozy boutique near Dillard’s immediately stood out, its modern, upscale décor enhanced by twinkling lights, gold and silver bows, and window displays featuring festive party dresses and sparkling jewelry. At a grand opening fashion show, volunteer models walked the runway in outfits they had carefully curated from the store. Evening gowns mixed with business casual wear, vintage dresses and hats, and designer jeans – every unique ensemble a vivid expression of the model’s personal style, but also a gesture toward something more meaningful. These models were strutting their stuff for a purpose, supporting work that directly served over 5,000 women, girls, and other community members in 2018. Their oneof-a-kind clothing came from Fab Finds, an upscale resale boutique created by the YWCA of Northwest Louisiana as a
source of continuing, unrestricted support for its programs serving the survivors of sex trafficking, senior women, teen girls affected by trauma, and many other community members. Fab Finds is stocked entirely by donations, and all proceeds are directly reinvested into these local programs and others administered by the YWCA. The national mission of the YWCA – an organization more than 160 years old, and active in Shreveport-Bossier for nearly 100 years – is simple, yet profound: “Eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, and dignity for all.” The YWCA of Northwest Louisiana, led by executive director Dr. Belinda Roberson, has translated this sweeping organizational mandate into a cohesive set of programs addressing critical issues in our local community. Building on a rich history of providing assistance, shelter, and training for women working to overcome domestic violence, racism, and economic discrimination, the YWCA of Northwest Louisiana has proved itself ready and willing to adapt its resources and expertise to address 21st century challenges. A prime example is the YWCA’s leadership in the FREE Coalition, an alliance dedicated to ending human trafficking in Northwest Louisiana. In 2018, the FREE Coalition educated nearly 4,000 people in sex-trafficking prevention, including every employee in the Bossier Parish school system from bus
Page 8 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
drivers to principals. In September 2018, the coalition hosted a free anti-trafficking workshop geared toward teen girls at the YWCA office on Olive Street. The workshop featured an
while also learning skills and strategies that strengthen their personal
interactive presentation on human trafficking awareness, risk factors, signs, prevention, and reporting skills for teen girls. Human trafficking statistics in Louisiana are alarming, especially among children and youth. In 2017, there were more than 350 child sex trafficking victims identified in Louisiana, including 16 from Bossier Parish and 74 from Caddo. The YWCA serves young women in northwest Louisiana through two additional programs, the LEAD program and a brand-new initiative, Young Women Choosing Action. Young Women Choosing Action is a national program funded by the Centene Foundation, and the YWCA of Northwest Louisiana was one of four YWCA affiliates chosen to launch the new program in 2018. Young Women Choosing Action, a leadership program targeting young women ages 13-19, gives participants the opportunity to work collaboratively on a social action project aimed at addressing a community injustice
well-being. The program is “trauma-informed,” an approach that explicitly recognizes the trauma and hardship that many participants have already experienced in their young lives but also reinforces the conviction that these young women can be empowered to create positive change for themselves and their communities. Young Women Choosing Action operates on a small group model and follows a 12 week curriculum that incorporates the planning and execution of the social action project (this group created an anti-bullying campaign) along with sessions on activities such as yoga, mindfulness, and goal-setting. The participants in the inaugural Young Women Choosing Action cohort were asked to write a reflection on their experiences in the program. One participant noted that she joined “…to better my standards as a person and have a positive attitude as a young lady.” A second young woman shared that, after completing the social action project on bullying and learning about positive communication while in the program, she plans to “be around positive people [who] don’t have negative thoughts.” Another participant reported that the program had helped her make a significant change in her relationships with her peers: “This program truly helped me be a better person. I came in so shy. I never wanted to talk and interact with the other girls. Now, I’m so bold and social. I really enjoy making new friends now.” The LEAD (Leadership Empowerment and Development) program, which has been sponsored by the YWCA for several years, was developed for girls ages 12 to 18 and offers an ongoing series of regular meetings and workshops addressing topics such as self-respect, healthy relationships, drug and alcohol abuse awareness, social media and online safety, effective communication skills, and college readiness. In 2018, the LEAD program served over 400 young women in our community. Other key YWCA initiatives include education and support programs that serve parents in Caddo Parish Head Start and public housing, a free trauma counseling program
May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 9
geared toward women and girls who have been the victim of a crime, and the Senior Women Advocacy Program providing assistance to women 65 or older who have experienced crime or trauma, either in their past or ongoing in the present. The organization also organizes free financial empowerment and legal education workshops throughout the year to help women of all ages gain the skills and knowledge necessary to provide and advocate for themselves and their families. The YWCA’s Racial Justice Committee has also spearheaded critical community conversations about race and racism through its Dialogue on Race (DOR) program, a sixweek discussion series guided by trained facilitators who are themselves alumni of the program. The YWCA of Northwest Louisiana helps further the national mission of “eliminating racism” through both DOR and a series of public forums, reaching more than 120 community members in 2018. “The YWCA of Northwest Louisiana has been active in our community since 1925, and we are very proud of what the organization has accomplished, especially on behalf of vulnerable women and girls,” says executive director Belinda Roberson. “We know that we have the capacity to empower women to make significant changes in their lives, so it is so important that we have the resources necessary to sustain and grow these vital programs.” Some YWCA programs are supported by local, state, and federal grants from both public and private entities, but grant funds are not guaranteed from year to year and cannot cover all of the expenses associated with every program. The idea for Fab Finds as a consistent source of unrestricted operating dollars for the YWCA was born after several years of brainstorming, research, and even one “field trip” to East Texas to observe operations at a similar resale shop. Former board president Rachel Scott led the committee that secured a location and oversaw the creation of an eye-catching logo for the store, and Roberson wrote a successful grant to the Beaird Foundation to provide the start-up funds necessary to prepare Fab Finds for its grand opening in November 2018. Fab Finds specializes in quality gently used women’s clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories, and shoppers can also find a small selection of children’s clothing and housewares. Because the boutique is stocked entirely by donations, the inventory is constantly changing and there are always surprises. Fab Finds contributes to the local economy by employing a store manager, with volunteers doing much of the behind-the-scenes work of receiving, examining, and sorting donations. The YWCA is also participating in a clothing recycling program that pays the organization for donated items
in poor condition that cannot be used in the shop. Nearly six months after its opening, Fab Finds has given the Shreveport-Bossier City community a new way to directly connect with and support the YWCA’s critical work. For the high school girls participating in Young Women Choosing Action and the thousands of community members, primarily women, who have found counseling, comfort, and other assistance through the YWCA’s programs addressing domestic violence, racism, and economic discrimination, Fab Finds has indeed made a fabulous difference.
Photo Credits: Jarrett Warren
Page 10 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
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Momin’
and the Work/Life Balance: A Farce of Epic Proportion
I
WRITTEN BY PAYTON DENNEY
’ll never forget the first time I lost my balance and faceplanted for one of my kids. I had just returned to work after my lengthy maternity leave. The working mom guilt was on me like permanent marker. My brain could not fathom that God had entrusted me with two perfect little beings. It had taken so much effort to get them here safely, so I was terrified that something was going to screw up my newly established first child(ren) utopia. Leaving all that preciousness for work each day left me feeling empty and sad. I loved my work, and up until becoming a mother, it defined me. At work I was valued and useful. And after many years of busting my tail, I was actually earning a decent living. This mom gig was new and scary, but it came with an overwhelming sense of love that I had never felt before. To say that I was conflicted is an understatement.
On this particular occasion, I arrived at my mother-in-law’s house after a 10-hour day at the office. Screeching into the driveway, I threw the car in park and shimmed my high-heeled, pencil-skirted self down the front walkway. I barged through the front door. As I bent down to greet my babies, I could feel my twin tummy skin lump up. But
"
This mom gig was new and scary, but it came with an overwhelming sense of love that I had never felt before.
it didn’t matter. Seeing those two-teethed grins was the highlight of my day. I snuggled each baby and asked them questions they couldn’t understand. Wide eyed and happy, they waved their arms and blinked back at me. Someone suggested that we go outside into the sunshine for some fresh air. It was a beautiful afternoon. So out we went as the twins toddled along behind. Dakota had found his footing early, skipped the walking part, and went straight to running. He could not be
May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 13
trusted in open spaces. His sissy took a few steps, then fell on her bottom and giggled. Our Granny lived on a popular street in Broadmoor, and her yard sloped down to the sidewalk and then eventually to the street. In half a second, Dakota took off down the hill toward the street. It was happening. “Danger. Danger. Disaster ahead,” rang the alarm in my brain. And like a middle-aged man in yard aerating shoes, I took off through the grass toward my escaping child. My heels only allowed for three steps before forcing me to leap forward and slide to a stop just short of the sidewalk. I may have gotten grass in my teeth. I can’t remember. However, I do remember the hysterical laughter coming from the adults standing behind me. Dakota had stopped running short of the street. There were no cars in sight. In the last 9.5 years that I’ve been a working mother, I’ve learned that losing my balance is inevitable. Just when my work schedule can’t fit another appointment, the school nurse calls or someone wakes up with fever. You haven’t lived until you step on a Lego at 2 a.m. after scrubbing vomit chunks out of carpet. And when the stomach bug has finally cleared itself from my home and the kids are all back in school, my tummy begins to rumble. Without fail, these disasters happen when Pat is at the fire station. Every. Single. Time. Then the dog gets diarrhea. My best put-together mom effort occurs at the start of each new school year — coordinated outfits, matching socks, labelled school supplies. I’ve had all summer to prepare. We’re prompt, well fed. Sometimes we’re even early. We come unraveled shortly thereafter. A few weeks in and debris falls out of my vehicle as the kiddos hurriedly exit in car line. And… we’re running late again. “Put together” was great while it lasted. Unfortunately, it’s not who we are. Work is controlled. There’s a process. It’s predictable. I’m good at it. At work I can begin and finish a project in orderly fashion. And the best part is that the financial and professionally gratifying rewards are in direct proportion to my efforts. But with parenting, there is
no such equation. Take eating well for example. I’ve always valued healthy eating habits and exercise. All my life I’ve been active. Veggies and lean meat are my jam. It wasn’t as difficult feeding my family well when my children were babies. But now that they’re grown and are active in multiple activities, the challenge to provide nutritious timely meals oftentimes feels insurmountable. It takes a lot of planning. The weekly calendar coordination of work, sports, spousal shift work, volunteer activities, homework and tutoring, without fail, invokes a line of sprouting chin pimples. Oh, and we have to eat. So, I grocery shop and prep meals on Sunday. Then each morning before work, I plug in the crockpot. She died last week. Sometimes it seemed that she was my only ally. It feels appropriate to hold a memorial service. I have filed taxes more times in the past 9 years than I have exercised. Don’t tell my cardiologist. But really? When am I supposed to find time to do that? The people that have an answer to this question are the same people that still believe in the possibility of a work/life balance. In all honesty, I just don’t think we can be friends. Because while you’re over there killing it, I’m pretty sure it’s killing me. The only thing I’m killing is my coffee pot. Please don’t tell my cardiologist that either. The biggest argument in my house is over laundry. Its mountainous form heaped high on my formal dining table infuriates my husband. He wants me to eliminate it. I just can’t — mainly because I’m exhausted but also because I don’t want to. That does not go over well. While my house is clean, it’s messy. Dakota likes to throw his underwear onto fan blades and Dylan makes slime in her bathroom
Page 14 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
So what can I tell you about balance? sink. Cameron’s shoes are a permanent closet—an embarrassingly disheveled I can’t find it. I tackle each day with fixture on the boot dryer. My friends excuse for a closet. I blinked a few times. know this about me and chose to love Heather was staring at my face. She everything I’ve got. I give my energy me anyway. But secretly, and more often was waiting for me to realize that not to whomever needs it most that day. I than not, my messy house makes me feel only was she not in her closet, but she try not to worry because helicoptering was in MINE! We both began to laugh over my children has not shielded them like a failure. from harm. It’s just made me crazy. I’ve One Halloween while Pat and I hysterically. She summed me up with this, stopped feeling guilty about enjoying my were hosting an adult costume party, my friend Heather disappeared. I was “This is the perfect example of you. busy mingling with the other guests and Everything else in this house is perfectly refilling the nacho bar. My house was put together, but your closet is a disaster. clean and aglow with festive candles and "This is the perfect example of you. holiday décor. After Everything else in this house is perfectly making the rounds, I spotted Heather put together, but your closet is a disaster." sitting alone in the living room. She was looking at her phone and giggling. The house is how you take care of your We share the same sense of humor, so I family, your friends and your clients. inquired. Handing her phone to me, she Your closet is how you take care of you.” She’s right. The current state of my closet work. Because even though I can’t have said, “look at this.” It was a picture of her sitting atop is a direct reflection of my emotional it all, I can have what matters. That’s all the balance I need. an explosion of clothes. She was in her health.
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Page 18 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
in cleansing with the changing of the seasons and aligning your daily rhythms in harmony with the moon cycles. It’s important to reconnect with the earth and honor your body with the fruits of the current season. All matter moves with the moon’s energy, and water is in constant m o t i o n , including inside our bodies, which is why the tide is highest on a full and new moon. It reminds us that we are a part of something much bigger. The word “season” is derived from Sanskrit meaning rhythm. It refers to the cosmic rhythm that we are all being influenced by, even if we can’t necessarily understand or perceive it directly. Like a gentle and wise teacher, the earth uses her seasons to model when to rest and reflect,
when to cleanse and activate, when to shine bright and create and when to return back to self. In the spring nature provides the nourishment for energy we need to grow and manifest. Support your body with vitamin- and mineral-rich nourishing herbs, such as nettles, chickweed, dandelion or red clover. On into summer it’s easy to overdo it, so we find cooling, hydrating allies like watermelon, cucumbers, and tomatoes. I meticulously planned this dinner party to happen on the first day of spring with the entire evening to match. Hosted at the Shreveport Aquarium, guests toured through the bubbling tanks of beautiful sea life. They then gathered around two long family-style tables surrounded by fresh botanicals and candlelight to set the scene while we created a spring-inspired nourishing meal complete with a mellow acousticguitar. This was probably our most involved dining event yet! We started the evening out in the aquarium by greeting guests with an amazing orange blossom coconut martini. Guests then made their way through the vast Photo by Brittany Strickland
Photo by Brittany Strickland May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 19
tanks of rare fish into the string-lit atrium for fresh shucked oysters, ceviche tacos, and custom sushi. The tour continued through the shark tanks, and on to the stingrays where guests got to feed and touch these exotic creatures! Once everyone made it to the river view patio, they were seated at tables under the canopy of a 100-year-old oak tree and hanging tea lights. The dinner consisted of a bountiful salad with a floral lemon lavender vinaigrette, topped with toasted seeds, nuts, spiced chickpeas, and dried fruits. Next was a wild caught red snapper with spring pea purée, Meyer lemon hollandaise, and baby romanesco. For dessert, a white chocolate mousse, strawberry consume’, and raspberry sorbet. After the delectable dinner, guests mingled around a cozy fire pit and enjoyed music by Victoria Wells. The Shreveport Aquarium was the perfect venue to host such a welcoming spring dinner honoring the blooming season and the high tide of the full moon. Overlooking the fast-moving Red River with the beaming moon overhead, it was an awakening evening after such a long soggy winter.
Did you know?
THE LAST TIME THE FULL MOON HAPPENED LESS THAN one day of the March equinox was 19 years ago, in 2000, and the next time will be 11 years from now, in 2030. But that’s not all: March’s full moon was also a supermoon, meaning that it will be slightly larger than most of the other full moons this year. What an extra-bright way to greet spring! THE DATE OF EASTER IS RELATED TO THE FULL MOON? Specifically, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the full Moon that occurs on or just after the spring equinox. And because the equinox happened to be a full moon, we had to wait until the next full moon cycle, putting Easter late in April.
Photo by Brittany Strickland Page 20 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
Pretty Toppings for Fresh Flavors
A FUN WAY TO SERVE salad this summer is to let guests top their own like we did at the dinner experience. Lightly toss the greens in a vinaigrette and set out small bowls of different toppings for everyone to choose some or all! Our favorites: (besides the old stand-bys):
Photo by Brittany Strickland
• Crispy Chickpeas - not only are they are great substitute for a crouton, they are packed with nutrients and protein! • Toasted Nuts & Seeds - another great healthy way to add crunch! We used almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and hemp seeds. • Cooked Quinoa • Crumbled Cheeses - try goat or feta • Dried Fruits • Roasted Beets - you can find these in the produce section most anywhere now!
Crispy Chickpeas 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed. Then pat dry. Drizzle of olive oil Sprinkle of sea salt Your favorite seasoning blend (We use garlic & herb. Moroccan is also delicious! ) • • •
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pat the chickpeas dry between two paper towels then place on the baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil, toss in seasonings, then roast the chickpeas in the middle of the oven, tossing every 15 minutes, until deeply golden, dry and crunchy, 40 to 45 minutes.
Simple Lemon Vinaigrette ½ cup olive oil Juice of 2 lemons (1/4 cup) ½ tsp dijon mustard 1 garlic clove, minced or powder ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper ¼ teaspoon dried minced thyme • • •
Whisk the oil, lemon, mustard, garlic and sugar (if using) together until combined. Add salt, pepper and thyme to taste. Serve over your favorite salad greens.
Photo by Brittany Strickland May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 21
Photo by Brittany Strickland
Photo by Brittany Strickland Page 22 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
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We offer in-house financing with 0% interest & no finance charge for 24 months!
How do we schedule a visit to see Dr. Foster?
To schedule a complimentary exam, call 318-797-8833 or request online at www.fosterortho.com
SHREVEPORT
1914 E. 70th St., #H Page 24 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
BOSSIER CITY 3011 Airline Dr.
HEALTH MATTERSbut SO DOES TASTE...
Louisiana has the second highest obesity rate in the nation. According to the Louisiana State Health Assessment, 36% of adults and 40% of children in Louisiana are classified as obese, polling higher than the national average in every other chronic disease category. In addition, about 14% of individuals across Louisiana have been diagnosed with diabetes, and 39% have been diagnosed with hypertension.
Eat Fit Louisiana has been designed as an easy and efficient tool to help end this epidemic in our great state. To change these statistics, Don Juanz’s Baja Beach Tacos, the only Ochsner Eat-Fit certified restaurant in North Louisiana, has teamed up with Eat Fit Shreveport to offer thirteen healthy menu options. Eat Fit Shreveport and Don Juanz Baja Beach Tacos are making the HEALTHY choice the EASY choice by simply
choosing one of the menu options marked by the Eat Fit seal.
S H R E V E P O RT 1409 East 70th Street, Suite 101A BOSSIER CITY 2333 Airline Dr.
www.donjuanz.com
Don Juanz’s motto, “We Put More into It than You’ll Ever Know,” was founded in 2006, and they have continued to make it their mission to serve only the freshest, highest quality cuisine that you can feel good about eating- everyday! They start with fresh food prepared with locally sourced, organic ingredients. You won’t find a microwave at Don Juanz. Their tortillas are made fresh for each order and salsas are made from scratch every day. One of Don Juanz’s favorite success stories is that of Lowell Kenyan. Lowell, a pastor at River Valley Church, lost a hundred pounds in one year! This father of six credits his weight loss to two things: Following the words of Jack LeLanne, “If God didn’t make it, don’t eat it,” (though Lowell admits this was the hard part- especially when dining out) and by only consuming eighteenhundred calories a day with controlled carb intake. He recognized that it’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle. His diet consists of grilled seafood, vegetables and eventually combining exercise into his regimen.
Lowell attributes his road to success directly to Don Juanz, where he’s a daily fixture. He dines on grilled, sashimi grade yellow-fin tuna tacos or yellowfin salad with organic greens and house made honey-lime cilantro dressing. Don O’Byrne, owner of Don Juanz, is so proud of Lowell and has loved being an important part of his journey. Download the Eat Fit Louisiana app today and start your journey to a healthier, happier lifestyle.
Don, you saved my life!
I’m forever grateful for a true entrepreneur with a passion to help people live better, really. Painful to see the guy on the right! My only regret is that I didn’t make the switch sooner. Anyone in our area who wants to get healthy again, Don Juanz is THE place when you’re eating out!
– Lowell Kenyan
Download the Eat Fit smartphone app and follow @EatFitShreveport on Facebook and Instagram, @OchsnerEatFit on Twitter, and visit www.EatFitShreveport.com for more information about Eat Fit. May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 25
Steel Magnolias 30th Anniversary WRITTEN BY CLINTON DOWNING
W
riter Robert Harling wrote “Steel Magnolias” as a way of coping with the passing of his sister, Susan Harling Robinson, who died at age 33 in 1985 from complications related to Type-1 diabetes. This comedy-drama is about the bonding of a group of Southern women in northwest Louisiana. The title suggests the main female characters can be both as delicate as the magnolia flower, and as tough as steel. Robert Harling is one of three children of Robert M. Harling Jr. and Margaret Jones Harling. He was born in 1951 in Dothan, Alabama. Robert graduated from Northwest State University in Natchitoches, where his family had relocated. He went on to obtain a law degree from Tulane University Law School in New Orleans. However, Robert never used his law degree. Skipping the bar exam, he instead moved to New York City to become an actor. He auditioned for bit parts in plays and television commercials while being a ticket seller for Broadway shows. While he was living in New York, Susan passed. Harling was no writer. A friend suggested that he write to process his grief. It was to serve as a healing process and allow him to share the story of his sister for his nephew, Robert, to later learn about. He wanted his namesake to remember her legacy and understand his mother’s death. He had no idea what he was writing. What was intended on being a short story evolved into a play. It was a 24/7 tsunami of Southernness typed on the keys of his typewriter. All he knew was that it was an accurate
portrayal of her life and captured her spirit accurately. That was good enough for him. In a mere ten days, Robert poured out the words of the impactful events that created the story around these six central characters. Harling didn’t want to use the real names, so he gave the character based on his mother the name of a close friend from Alabama, who was called M’Lynn. After as search through the family tree, Susan became Shelby after one of his mother’s cousins. Clairee came from “a fabulous aunt” in South Carolina and his sister’s best friend was named Ouiser. She in no way resembled the character. There was just something about that name that fit. He has never told who he actually based this character upon. He wrote the character Truvy for an actress, Margo Martindale, that he knew from Texas. He thought that since people come to the beauty salon to speak the truth, that a name like Truvy was fitting. The character Annelle just came to him one day. It was so Southern to take two first names and just jam them together. Growing up, Harling knew the mystique of a beauty parlor was that guys were never allowed. You never knew what went on in there. All the women that entered came back different somehow. It was a hermetically sealed environment. It was the best place for him to set the location of these women expressing their true feelings. From brown football helmet hairdos to Shelby drinking her juice, it became a place for the women to dish on all the gossip, stories, heartaches and joys. Much like a kitchen where women gather, the beauty salon was a place
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Steel Magnolia House Bed & Breakfast
Sally Field & Julia Roberts from Steel Magnolias May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 25 27
Susan Harling Robinson
where they nurtured their souls while making themselves feel good on the outside. On March 28, 1987, Harling’s original Off-Broadway play opened at the WPA Theatre in New York City. It was billed as a drama. When they played before its first crowd on opening night, Harling and the cast were shocked. It was riotously
Goodbye Girl” and “Footloose.” He was about to embark on telling a powerful story of these Southern characters. Actresses Lucille Ball, Cher, Bette Davis, Elizabeth Taylor, and Golden Girls Betty White, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur and Estelle Getty all attended the play. There was much interest in movie roles for the film adaptation. Taylor had been
“After women, flowers are the most lovely thing God has given the world.” Christian Dior
funny and played straight as an arrow. None of the actors thought they were doing jokes. They were just talking like the people of that part of the country talk. It’s like the line, “There is no such thing as natural beauty.” That was actually something someone in Natchitoches said who sold makeup. It was a statement, not a joke. When it was placed in a theatrical situation, people responded to the honesty of it. Harling didn’t tell his parents, Robert and Margaret, about the play until just before it opened. He had been sending drafts back and forth to his brother prior to its debut. His parents came to New York to visit a week before they went into rehearsals. That is when his mom asked if she could read the script. Harling told her that she shouldn’t. He told her is was about her and Susan and the whole thing. Being the Steel Magnolia that she was, she insisted on reading it. As Harling would walk past her, she would be sobbing. He felt terrible for having his mom relive it all over again. After she was finished, he told her that they would just kill the play. She told him it was wonderful as she closed it. That was it. End of topic. The rest is history. On the other hand, his daddy didn’t read it. He didn’t know what the hell was going on. Robert was the most nervous he had been in his life on opening night. As his mother sat on one side and his father on the other, their lives were about to play out on stage in all the personal details. He wasn’t sure how people were going to react, much less his father. As everyone was laughing in the audience, he looked over at this father. He was not laughing. He could visibly see his father’s chest rise up. From that moment on, the cathartic experience of Steel Magnolias started in his family. The play didn’t work miracles, but it helped them grieve as the world was grieving with them. With the appeal of the play, Hollywood came calling. Tristar Pictures would acquire the rights to the story. Robert was insistent that he be given a first shot at writing the screenplay. Herbert Ross was attached to direct the film. This Brooklyn native was an accomplished dancer, choreographer, actor turned director. Ross had directed “Funny Lady,” “The
told that the role of M’lynn would be perfect for her. She sat there listening to the line, “When it comes to suffering, she’s right up there with Elizabeth Taylor.” No one laughed louder that Taylor that evening. The play would go on to play 1,126 performances before closing on February 25, 1990. Bette Davis saw the play and pushed heavily for the role of Ouiser in the forthcoming film adaptation. She also wanted Katherine Hepburn cast as Clairee and Elizabeth Taylor cast as Truvy instead. She courted Harling on the idea, even inviting him to tea. Davis and company were in their prime. Their advanced aged worked against casting. Other actresses aimed for leads. Winona Ryder and Meg Ryan wanted to play Shelby. Ryan was briefly attached to the film and opted out to do “When Harry Met Sally.” Laura Dern then campaigned for the role and lost it to a then unknown, Julia Roberts. Georgia native Julia Roberts had just done her first film, “Mystic Pizza.” When she walked into the room with that signature smile, Harling knew in an instant that was his sister. Roberts was awarded the role of Shelby Eaton Robinson. She was the essence of the great Southern gal: spicy, smart, witty with a layer of compassion underneath. Sally Field would be awarded the role of M’Lynn Eatonton. This two-time Academy award winner had all the chops to play the overprotective motherly role. Her Virginia roots and the strong characters she had played in her award-winning “Norma Rae” and “Places in the Heart” allowed her to capture the screen and deliver powerful dialogue through tears. It would garner her a Golden Globe nomination. Country music legend Dolly Parton was cast as Truvy Jones. She had tried her hand at another play-adapted film, “9 to 5,” a few years prior. She would play the heartfelt beautician with a bigger-than-life heart. It was a role that was not a far stretch from who she is in real life. Harassed by director Herbert Ross for not being a polished actress, Parton endured and delivered some of the most memorable moments of the film. She was not alone in this harassment. Julia Roberts also endured much ridicule from this glorified
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choreographer turned director. Young and in her first major role, Julia would go on to get the last laugh when she was the only actress from the film to be nominated for an Academy Award that year after a Golden Globe win for that role. The role of the rather homely and displaced beautician, Annelle Dupuy-DeSoto, went to an unlikely choice, Daryl Hannah. Hannah had never played a role of this caliber. All her previous works showed a more glamorous persona as a goddess of cinema with such roles in “Splash” and “Roxanne.” Determined to get the role, Hannah dyed her blonde locks brown and wore glasses to the audition for this awkward character. She was barely recognizable. Shirley MacLaine embodied the character of Louise “Ouiser” Boudreaux on the big screen. This curmudgeon of a character was a perfect role for this Oscar winner. Her snippy comebacks and witty remarks became standout dialogue in the film. MacLaine relished in playing the bitchy one. With phrases like, “I’m not crazy. I’ve just been in a bad mood for 40 years,” “A dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste,” “Oh he’s a real gentleman. I bet he takes the dishes out of the sink before he pees in it,” “I’m not as sweet as I used to be,” and “You are too twisted for color TV,” it was apparent that cinematic gold was solidified in her performance. It would also be MacLaine that let the director Ross know what he could do with himself for the harassment of Dolly and Julia in front of the entire cast and crew. That day changed the remainder of the shoot. Her brazen personality had come through off camera as well. Fresh off an Oscar win for “Moonstruck,” Massachusettsborn Olympia Dukakis was cast as her stylish and sophisticated sidekick in life, Clairee Belcher. It was questioned that this northerner would be believable as a southern belle. According to many locals during filming, she delivered the most authentic accent of them all. One of her most memorable quotes was, “Well, you know what they say: if you don’t have anything nice to say about anybody, come sit by me!” Robert Harling was insistent that the film be shot in his hometown of Natchitoches. The bulk of the images of M’lynn’s home are of the Cook-Taylor house, which was built in the 1840s. A residential home at the time, the family who occupied the Natchitoches landmark relocated to an apartment as not to disturb the filmmakers during the shoot. In 2003, the property was turned into a bed and breakfast and renamed The Steel Magnolia House, which still is in operation. Rooms and information of this historic home are available on the website www.steelmagnoliahouse.net. Intent on filming the story in as realistic way, director Herbert Ross hired the actual doctors and nurses who looked after Susan Harling in her final days to do the same with
Shelby on the set. The nurse who turns off her life support in the film is the same one that did it for Susan in real life. Most of the extras in the film were cast using locals and those in the region. Local events like the Natchitoches Christmas Festival lit up the screen. Behind every great woman is a supporting man. For the film Dylan McDermott played Shelby’s lawyer husband, Tom Skerrit played Shelby’s father and M’lynn’s husband, Drum Eaton. The late Sam Shepard played Truvy’s sporadically employed husband, Spud Jones. Much ridicule and criticism were given for the shallowly developed characterizations for the male roles in this film. It was never Harling’s intention to broadly develop those characters. They were not the central focus of the film. They were accompanying characters to this group of strong women who laughed together, cried together, rejoiced together and grieved together in a truly unique bond most Southern women form. Behind every tear they found a rainbow of hope. Behind every cloud they saw a glimpse of sunshine. Firmly planted together they weathered the storms and flourishing as beautiful as a full-bloomed magnolia and as strong a beam of steel. This year, “Steel Magnolias” celebrates its 30th anniversary of theatrical release as a motion picture. It will play across the country this May 19, 20 and 21 by Turner Movie Classics through www.fathomevents.com. Grab your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your aunts, your best girlfriends or your best gay friends and share an afternoon with six amazing characters we have all grown to love and adore.
The Cast of Steel Magnolias
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Forever Starts in
Brides are ditching tradition for destination WRITTEN BY ANGELA VINET PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRITTANY STRICKLAND May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 31
Being whisked away
to a breathtaking destination to say “I do” is a dream for most couples. Brides are flocking to destination weddings for a more intimate experience marrying their best friend. Less stress, no over planning, no giant guest list, just a simpler special day seems to have many brides saying “yes” to a destination wedding. From the moment that ring is gingerly placed on her finger, the wedding is being planned. A lifetime of waiting, a lifetime of dreaming, a lifetime of collecting ideas this wedding is life. Our two featured brides both chose a destination wedding over a large, lavish affair. The brides simply wanted to enjoy their day with little fuss. They wanted to eat the food, dance with their handsome husbands, and have quality conversations with the limited guest list. Both brides were able to have their perfect wedding day, marry their best friends, and still have time to eat their cake.
Meghan and Mario Chavez
Like all good stories, these two love birds were good friends who also conducted business together. Over time their relationship grew and bloomed into something so much more true love. After dating for roughly two years, the dynamic duo developed a passion for international travel, falling in love with Belize. Little did Meghan know that Mario had been through nine diamonds before finding the perfect one to place
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on her finger, though she had told him she would be happy with a rubber band. Proposing to her on the top of the Altun Ha Mayan Temple just before an entire cruise ship of tourists climbed the steps, Meghan was shocked as the tourists all cheered thanks to the skilled ancient Mayan builders, conversations at the top can be heard down below. Both Meghan and Mario fell in love with a small island just off Belize, Caye Caulker. They decided to invite their close friends and family with over 35 people traveling to Belize for their special day. Bringing the children and parents that could attend, the happy couple had much to celebrate. From 8 months engaged to Mario’s rib forever, the two were united on the beach with flowers in her hair that her bridesmaids found on the island true to islander style. So inspired with their own wedding, the Chavezes are opening a wedding planning business on their special island.
Our Belize Bride Recommends: • Scout the location, plan a prewedding trip there to find everything you will want or need on the days leading up to and prior to the wedding. Be familiar with your area. If you don’t feel comfortable, then hire someone who does. • Meghan chose to bring her photographer, our very own Brittany Strickland, to capture her special moments. • Know that things happen, and plans change. Meghan learned ukulele for the wedding, but the day before realized the aisle was too long to play for her groom, so the islanders pulled a gorgeous bouquet together for her to carry the night before the wedding. • Use local when you can. Meghan used a local lady to craft her wedding day jewelry. • Have an itinerary for your guests that does NOT include the bride and groom. Brides need their spouses for support and this prehoneymoon time together helps for things to run smoothly. • Make a checklist of everything needed for the trip and use it.
• Quadruple the amount of time you think you need to get dressed island time is real, and most islanders do not have watches. It’s because they have no schedule. • Carry the dress, groom’s wedding clothes and jewelry on to the plane. Check the rest but keep those on you just in case.
Kelsey Kiper and Aaron Henley
Kelsey and Aaron’s story begins with a casual meeting and a crush, which led to a deep friendshipturnedloving relationship. Their engagement story of an exotic destination with thoughtful tender moments of pampering and romantic dinners culminated with a proposal after every girl’s dreams. Aaron left no detail out from asking her widowed mother for permission to marry to the private beach, fullcourse dinner lit by lanterns and a ring carefully placed in the dessert complete with a mariachi band to serenade his future bride. To Kelsey, who dreamed of her big day since she was a little girl, the thought and pressure of a large wedding at home was not as appealing as spending more time with her family and intimate friends on her special day. She decided upon the exquisite Santa Rosa Beach on 30a. Her day was everything she dreamed it would be, and the newlyweds were stress free to enjoy their celebration, eat the food, and dance the night away with their friends.
Advice from our 30a bride: • Keep the guest list simple to enjoy your day. • Choose a familiar destination this helped guests feel comfortable attending. • We brought our photographer Brittany Strickland, who is a dear friend of the family. • Join the area’s social media group to ask for recommendations
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such as wedding planners, hair, makeup, facials, nails, and venue. • Visit the destination before the wedding to line up the professionals and bring someone you trust. Taste the menu and find a wedding planner that matches your personality. • Use the rehearsal dinner as the true rehearsal for instance, get your hair done as it will be for the wedding day. This way, there is time to make changes before the big day. • Go to the wedding a few days before to unpack and make sure all items are there and accounted for. • Create “Welcome Boxes” for every guest. Kelsey had a box of goodies such as water, snacks, Tony’s, sunscreen, mints, do NOT disturb door hangers, map of Watercolor Beach area, and coveted 30a stickers. • Don’t feel like you have to get married on a Saturday. Friday weddings are easier booking wise the next day we could relax with our guests. • Trust the vendors do the homework and have faith in them. • Don’t let anyone sway you from something you don’t want it is your day. Kelsey politely said no several times to the idea of a seated dinner. • Get there early to relax.
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6 012 Line Ave. • Shreveport • (318) 606-4558 May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 39
For All Things
Bright & Beautiful
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208 West Park Ave. Ruston 318-255-2525 thefashionofruston.com
SAVVY
WRITTEN BY MELISSA MARTIN
TRAVELS
Packing tips for family vacations
I
1
Packing cubes help you stay organized so you know exactly where your items are. It also assists with unpacking quicker while conserving space in your luggage.
2
Always carry a small bag that contains the items that you may need as soon as you arrive, just in case your room is not available, or luggage has not arrived. (swimsuits, sunscreen, goggles, etc.)
3
When you are flying with kids, pack their own backpack that includes snacks, a blanket (it can get cold on flights), hand sanitizer, and leisure items to keep them busy (books, games, toys, etc.)
4
Be sure your luggage consists of hard-shell suitcases with four 360-degree spinner wheels, and a retractable handle. This will make it much easier to travel from Point A to Point B!
5
If you have enough space and your luggage is not overweight (check with your airline on their max weight per bag), travel with your hanging clothes already on hangers. This makes for one less task to do once you arrive at your destination. The quicker your belongings are put away, the faster you can get to the pool!
6
Invest in a digital hand-held luggage scale. This item could save you $$ in overweight baggage fees, which are typically $100 and up each way!
7
Carry a portable battery power pack to charge your phone, tablet, laptop, etc. There are never enough electrical outlets in an airport, and you don’t want to be stuck without a working phone!
once read a quote that said, “I’d rather have a passport full of stamps than a house full of stuff.” This is something that my husband Eric and I believe in. We love to travel and see the world, and we do so with our twin girls, Ruby and Mable, age 8. We’ve established our own family motto: “Collect memories, not things.” Over the years of traveling as a family of 4, I’ve come up with a system that decreases the likelihood of me becoming stressed out (or losing my mind), because vacation is all about relaxing and living in the moment. Of course, let’s be honest, it still happens from time to time, I mean, I am a wife and a mother!
Hopefully this list can benefit you on your next trip and keep you sane!
8
Pack a large trash bag or laundry bag to bring back any dirty clothes (on cruises it’s very cheap to do laundry, if laundry is that something you want to do on vacation.)
9
Tips! Always tip!! Tip the person who helped you with your luggage getting on/off the parking shuttle. This goes for any airline employee who helps you with your luggage. ($1- $2 per bag.) If you are staying at an all-inclusive resort, this does not mean that the tips are inclusive as well! Tip the server who brings you a drink pool side, your waiter at dinner, the bell hop who brings your luggage to your room, housekeeping, etc. We normally bring a stack of $1 bills, so we have plenty of small bills for gratuity!
10
If traveling out of the country, make photo copies of your passports and keep them in a safe location. If you do not have a passport, get one! You never know when and where your next adventure may take you. When traveling abroad notify your bank or credit card company of your travel plans, so that they don’t mistake your charges for fraudulent ones!
11
To track flight prices check out some of these websites and mobile apps: Hopper, Skyscanner and Google Flights are some of my favorites!
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12
If you travel by air frequently, invest in a TSA Pre-check membership ($85 for 5 years) to avoid longer lines at airport security. If you plan on traveling out of the country more than a couple times a year invest in a Global Entry membership ($100 for 5 years) to avoid longer lines at airport security and upon returning at U.S. Customs. Some travel reward credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve card reimburse you for this cost. Children ages 12 and under may use the TSA Pre-check Lane at airport security when traveling with a parent or guardian who has the membership attached to their boarding pass.
13
Many resorts, hotels and condos may provide items that you may need when traveling with children such as cribs, strollers, etc. When renting from a car rental service, you may also rent a car seat for
an additional fee if you choose not to travel with your own. However, if you chose to bring your own car seat along, most airlines will allow you to check the car seat free of charge. I recommend gate checking car seats so that they don’t get thrown down the luggage carousel or lost prior to arrival at your destination.
14
Parents, while flying and you see the drink cart come by, go ahead and order a drink because you deserve it! If you forget to pack something, no worries! All you really need to travel is an ID/passport, and a credit card. You can get everything else once you arrive! This summer, book the vacation, go on the trip! Even with little kids! I promise, it will be worth it! Cheers to a life full of adventure!
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VERTAGE
HARPER HOUSE JAC CLOTHING VERTAGE
SUMMER
Must-Have
VERTAGE HARPER HOUSE
CHATEAU EN MAE
ACCESSORIES
CHATEAU EN MAE
PRETENSES
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JARRETT WARREN
JAC CLOTHING
HARPER HOUSE RODEO BOUTIQUE RUSTON
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CHATEAU EN MAE
CHATEAU EN MAE
VERTAGE
HARPER HOUSE
PRETENSES
CHATEAU EN MAE
HARPER HOUSE HEMLINE MONROE
May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 45
“An old-fashioned simple favorite in the Harris household. This was one of our favorite dishes my dad (Welton Harris) used to make, straight out of his garden. Good times and great memories.”
THE WRITTEN BY H.D. HARRIS, BOSS OF CHEF PRIVATE CHEF SERVICES SOUTHERN An old-fashioned simple favorite in the Harris household. This was one of our favorite dishes #USUPNORTH my dad (Welton Harris) used to make, straight out of his garden. Good times and great memCUISINE ories. www.foodtourslouisiana.com
Chef Hardette Harris Chef Services, Inc. 281-701-7432 www.chefservicesinc.com www.foodtourslouisiana.com
Green Beans
with New Potatoes SERVES 8 2 medium ham shanks 3 garlic cloves minced 1 onion large chopped 3 lbs green beans fresh cut in half 1 ½ lbs new potatoes small cut in half 1 TB all-purpose seasoning. ½ tsp garlic powder Salt & pepper to taste • In a large pot cover shanks with water. • Add garlic and onions. Cover and boil about 30-45 mins until meat is easily pulled from the bone. Remove bones.
• •
• • •
Add potatoes and cook for about 20 minutes. Add green beans and continue cooking for about 15 minutes until beans are soft but not falling apart. Potatoes should be tender. Add garlic powder, all purpose seasoning, salt and pepper Serve with cornbread Options: Ham hocks or smoked turkey thighs can be substituted for ham shanks.
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gypsy TRIBE
H A N D C R A F T E D L A Z Y S U S A N S & S E R V I N G T R AY S
Louisiana Start the party with a TRIBE gypsy serving piece! (318) 617.4677 Shreveport, | tribegypsy05@att.net Bringing Artisan style to your everyday décor. May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE Join the TRIBE! | Page @tribegypsy05 47
Myron Griffing WRITTEN BY BEVIN HICKS
A colorful look into the life of local designer Myron Griffing. { Liz Bowen and Myron Griffing with Space:Interiors}
A few years ago, the cover of City Life Magazine caught my eye. It
was of Myron Griffing’s now widely known “Green Room.” His eclectic design work had been featured many times before. I was always intrigued, but this exquisite room, with bold prints and a high gloss, emerald ceiling, was beyond fabulous! My interest was piqued to learn more about him, so, in now-normal social media fashion, I sent him a friend request on Facebook. He accepted.
S The Green Room
everal months later, Myron was standing behind me at a local burger restaurant. I recognized his signature snazzy fashion and news-boy hat. Excited to meet him, I introduced myself. It is possible I was a tad overzealous with my “It’s so nice to meet you; I feel like I am meeting a celebrity!” remark. He handled it with modest charm, and we made small talk. Soon after our introduction, Myron contacted me about contributing to Lola Magazine about sharing his space design tips. We quickly became friends and his quick wit is always around when I need a good laugh. Although Myron is one of the most sought interior decorators (he does not have an interior design degree) in North Louisiana, not all of his followers really know the man behind these beautiful and unique spaces. He takes his design work very seriously, but Myron Griffing is definitely more than meets the eye.
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He was born in Monroe, experience was featured Louisiana, and spent his in Forum Magazine. After early childhood in Delhi, that, doors began to open, LA; Bradley, AR., and Plain and before he knew it, he Dealing, LA. He attended was booked 2-3 months Plain Dealing Academy, out with clients wanting where he played most sports, his “signature look.” Myron as including football where he “To be honest, I was quarterback of Plain was quarterback until his blown away at how wellDealing's 1986 senior year. “That’s when they received my rooms were! Championship Football team brought in a dude from the It was great...Still is and public school in Springhill it has given me a lot of and we went on to win State. I can most confidence! I am VERY grateful to the assuredly say we would NOT have won Lord for whatever talent he has provided State had I been quarterback... I couldn’t me and grateful to my clients for their see over the linemen!” he laughs. He trust.” was treasurer of his class (and lost $400 He was thrilled to learn folks were at one point.) ”I still don’t have a clue open-minded and looking for something where it went, maybe stolen, maybe different. “They entrust me to design lost, maybe thrown away... Not sure, I their personal spaces, that’s a big deal.” wasn’t very good at my job,” he jokes. Myron’s work cannot be classified to a From there he graduated from Louisiana specific style. Tech University in 1991 with a degree in He refers to his designs as “Transitional graphic design. Modern” and he incorporates a “mix” of He spent many years in the daily items from local/regional retail shops, grind of the corporate world searching estate sales, and even ‘big-box’ stores. for a career or anything that held his “Hey, if it works in the space, I don’t care interest. From “pushing lotion and where it comes from!” he laughed. soaps” at Bath and Body Works, selling When beginning a project Myron gutters, wireless phones, owning a tree asks his clients to provide few photos of transplanting company to most recently the “look” they are trying to capture. He being a mud engineer in the oil and gas is a firm believer in “a picture is worth industry, Myron gained experience on 1000 words,” but nowadays, clients won’t every end of the spectrum. He purchased know exactly what they want. his historic Highland home in 2012, only “They just want their space to to be “let go” from his oilfield position be comfy, relaxing and to love in early 2013. “That was a time for a lot it; so they leave it up to me and of real, on my knees, praying,” he said. Project Director Liz Bowen With 2 mortgages and 2 vehicle notes, to come up with something... things were pretty tight fiscally. which we do.” He has an He had only 3 clients in 2013 with uncanny ability to select one two in Shreveport and one in Nashville, key piece and design an entire TN. He scratched out a living selling space around it. Myron knows paintings (yes, he can also paint) and about color as well. “That items from his home. In 2014, Myron is something I learned at participated in Shreveport’s first “Pop- Tech with my graphic design Up” shops sponsored by the Shreveport background.” He knows that D.D.A. “This is truly where anyone other multiple colors can work than family/friends first became aware alongside each other as long as of me.” One of the jobs he got from this you keep the hues similar and
there is a unifying element throughout the room or home. This “unifying element” can be color, patterns, shapes, textures, etc...”It’s these elements that make your home look cohesive.” There are many favorites in his extensive portfolio of over 150 projects and he is proud of each and every one of them. One of his very favorite projects, and dearest clients, is the Pierremont home of Lisa and Gary Love. The color palette of smoky blue, soft pink, light grey and veins of gold evolved into a space that is truly breathtaking. The entire design was based around an oversized Audubon print which now hangs prominently above the stately mantel. Every detail in this home is design perfection. Walking through the front door you are immediately immersed in its charm. The space is stunning, yet the design is very livable, gives a sense of calm and feeling of being home. Myron also exalts the home of Pete and Shelly Kammer in his reel of striking design work. The dining room was designed around two original paintings by Katie Stevens Lewis that work in harmony with the custom window treatments and serene color palette. One of Myron’s signature looks are his ceilings. Especially, wallpapering ceilings. Their Master Suite showcases a papered ceiling
The home of Lisa and Gary Love
May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 43 49
The home of Shelly and Pete Kammer
in a subtle graphic print that creates depth, is modern and sexy, albeit sophisticated. The gorgeous house, nestled in the Long Lake neighborhood, is filled with unique pieces, like the 1920s bar in the study; a huge sectional (punctuated with 3, pink Angora pillows) that accommodates 10 and a custom headboard in the Master. Myron was able to create a home that oozes style, elegance and yet is comfortable for this blended family of 6. This list of favorites goes on and on and you can see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice that each one holds a special place in his heart. All of the gratitude and accolades Myron receives from his clients (and his rather substantial social media following) pale next to what he clearly views as his greatest fulfillment. This comes in sharing his talents with Philip Rodgers and all of the St. Jude Dream Home team. In authentic Myron fashion, he describes working on this project as “a big, fat, hairy, honor to be affiliated with such a world class organization like St. Jude.”
Visiting St. Jude Research Hospital and meeting the families, children and staff was the most moving experience of his life. This is the third year Myron and his team at Space: interiors have been asked to design the St. Jude dream home. “It just kinda keeps getting better and better. The first year we helped raise $1.45 million; last year we raised $1.6 million, which is a new record for our area.” This year is going to be stunning with a color palette and Home of the Horton Family design plan of Coastal Modern. Myron continues to hold high aspirations for himself and his team but is humbled by the great blessing of having a job that he truly loves. “It never feels like going to work.” He is continuously a step ahead of design trends yet stays true to his designer’s instinct when making his clients’ visions come to life. The “green room” is a celebrated showcase for his design talents, with regal lines and bold colors... but the biggest secret about Myron Griffing’s designs is that his spirit is just as colorful!
We have moved!
4838 Line Ave. • uptown shopping center 318.210.0061 #shopchateauenmae
Page 44 50 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
Red1Salon is a beautiful space for beautiful people Red1Salon was created to make every client feel that they are the most important person in the building! Staffed by a team of exceptional stylists that often partner together to meet the needs of our clients we know you will leave feeling your very best. Void of egos, negative energy has no place here! Find your place at Red1Salon. Exclusive retail and styling lines include Kevin Murphy and Joico. red1salon
(318) 963.0901 May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 51
@Red1Salon
“In a world of instant gratification, restoring broken things is a lost art.” Derek Simmons
C & C Mercantile FEED YOUR SOUL • CREATIVE COMMUNE • EMBRACERS OF THE UNIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRITTANY STRICKLAND WRITTEN BY ANGELA VINET
Old is NEVER Out.
A lifetime in the making, the newly named C & C Mercantile and Lighting is a twist on something that’s been around Shreveport for generations. With smooth jazz tunes floating through the air, this eclectic world created by Lauren and Derek Simmons is a space where creative dreams are born, nurtured and put on display. An artistic destination, coffee house, and antique lovers’ delight, C & C Mercantile and Lighting converts customers to friends the moment one graces their doors as this place treasures deeper connections above all else. This is a place where dress up days often pop up. Those that thrive within their walls treat each day with a zest for life that is infectious, grasping there is but one life to live, make each day amazing. One of the curators of all things cool is co-owner Derek Simmons, who is the second generation in this family-owned business. Though C & C Lighting has been a staple in Shreveport lighting since the late 1940s, Derek’s family purchased the store front roughly 20 years ago. Growing up on a farm on the very west side of Shreveport, only a small bridge separated his home from his grandparents, binding the two properties and families. That small bridge was Derek’s whole world, the world within the borders of the family farm where the only culture cultivated was a love of county life. Once he was of age, he began apprenticing in the family business of all things electrical. He was also given responsibilities working in the store after school. Derek absorbed all the life and trade skills from the older men at the store eager to pass their
knowledge to an enthusiastic youth. He learned the art of bending brass, soldering different metals, and welding materials, where he found a love of manipulation of metals and a deep appreciation for fixing broken things. As time progressed, so did Derek’s education in this new
Page 52 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
world of art, lighting, and antiques with exposure to treasured family heirlooms and high-end items. He still vividly remembers the first time a fixture was left for repairs that cost more than a car, a $30,000 Baccarat crystal chandelier - something not seen every day. Being in the well-traveled customers’ homes, their affinity for culture and art was ingrained into their decor, and Derek slowly realized there was more to the world than Shreveport, Louisiana. He began to feel the pull to see what else the world had to offer. When the chance to travel to Greece and Brazil on humanitarian work came along, he jumped and never looked back. What these world travels did for Derek was to enlighten him of a world where mom and pop shops were a family affair, a world where broken things were not discarded, a world where heirlooms were a gift, a treasure. He liked this world very much. Derek took advantage of great opportunities to travel extensively for roughly 5 years touring the country testing pipelines. He’s seen America’s shiny outer shell while also seeing the underbelly of America - what people tend to not see when traveling. When he got the call that his grandparents were ill, there was no question he would return home. What surprised him was how ready he was to come back and settle into Shreveport. He knew though his home town had some rough spots, it could easily be a rising star with some dedication and work.Meanwhile, while Derek was touring the United States, his future was doing the same. Lauren Simmons, well known Shreveport Pop Artist and theater junkie, was also traveling the country with Cirque de Soleil attending to the performers with their wardrobe and the costumes on the Hello Kitty tour. Also getting a taste of a bigger world than she had formerly known, Lauren’s creative side continued to blossom. Her watercolors were her solace during a busy working schedule. Life on the road stopped for her after her son, Hudson, affectionately known as Biggie, was born. At this time, she decided to give painting a full-time chance and moved to Nashville, where her art exploded on the scene. In the beginning, her art was more fashion driven, not even having commission work yet, but her painting caught the eyes of collectors and people started buying her work. When she decided to move back home,
she also had a pull that as well traveled as she was, Shreveport had the makings to be great, to be fun, to be a place to spend the rest of your life. Both Lauren and Derek’s lives had been preparing them for the very moment they met at none other than the very store they now own together. Nomads no more, it was fireworks for these two when they literally bumped into each other in the back room of C & C lighting. She turned around and saw her future, while he knew after his lasting glance at her he could not rest until they had a conversation. A lifelong journey to this moment, these two have created a culmination of all their talents for the perfect creative space to feed your soul. The universe brought them both back to Shreveport to live their best life: a life neither knew was possible, but they had always wanted. This life with their community to cultivate cultural experience in a place they’ve built together. Just like the Simmons, the store is the perfect blend of dark wood tones, leather, and big heavy hand-carved furniture with color, daintiness, frilly finds, sparkles and eye-popping art - the perfect blend.... the two together.
May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 53
WITHIN THE WALLS OF
C&C MERCANTILE AND LIGHTING “If you look for the positive, you’ll find it. This art community is what we’ve always wanted a positive group of creative thinkers.” Kathy Ross
MEGHAN AWALT, FLORIST
PAIGE POWELL, GRAPHIC DESIGNER & MIXED MEDIA ARTIST To see Paige Powell’s work is to be completely absorbed by the art. Her spin on Shreveport images is playful and thought provoking with works like Gold Dome Mothership and Rubber Duck Pond. Her manipulation of the hues from the photographs she takes woven with her distinctive style and creative wit have this pop art artist’s clients coming back for more. In an effort to find something other than canvases easily sold at pop-up art events with different price points, she began using handbags, pillows, servicing trays, and greeting cards, which have done well as gifts and Shreveport mementos. With her well known Great Raft piece, which was commissioned by its namesake, the color and composition are perfection as the building itself is swallowed up by the “great raft” of 1800s.
Designer, creative genius, and floral artist Meghan Awalt creates exquisite organic arrangements unique to our area. Each arrangement is exclusive - not to be recreated, as a work of art. Using a color palette from her clients, Meghan uses cooler soft colors almost muted with visually appealing vibrant greenery or blooms to create one-ofa-kind arrangements. Mixing textures and colors, these natural arrangements are quite popular with current brides. Her clients want something different than what can be found in magazines, which she delivers every time. Wanting the arrangements to stay true to Louisiana, she forages for materials to complete the natural look of the arrangement. Being steered by the shape of the bloom or stem, she honors the shape to build the arrangement around the bloom. In true artistic style, Meghan wants her arrangements to be an experience by encompassing all of the senses using things like mint to set them apart. Elegant dinner parties, weddings, and love offerings are her specialties for those who want something natural and breathtakingly beautiful.
What was just for fun has turned into a full-time pop culture gig with clients asking for Christmas cards or family portraits to custom pieces and just for fun art. Take a look at her 318 series - all unique, quirky and wonderful.
LYONS’ PRIDE COFFEE Coffee is LIFE at Lyons’ Pride Coffee, exclusively in C & C. Read more about this amazing locally roasted coffee on page 104. Page 54 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
“I’ll always paint. I’ll never not be creating; my life is perfect for me to create right now.” Lauren Ross May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 55
Our new courtyard is a great place for meetings and studying while you enjoy your coffee and treats PHOTOS BY BRITTANY STRICKLAND
Page 56 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
“It’s all about community, together we are truly all stronger. I’ve found my tribe as we are all slightly misfit enough to weave the perfect tapestry.” Peter Lyons
SHV, SWEET TEE 18 shirt designs, SHV airport code hats, and now Louisiana-themed socks, Kathy Ross and daughter Lauren Ross Simmons created a brand every Shreveport and Bossier City native loves to boast - Sweet Tee designs. The girls decided to design t-shirts to remind people why the SBC is special. Kathy explained these special places hold cherished memories for many with long-forgotten fun of the Hamel’s log ride, Betty Virginia rocket, and Thrill Hill. People started sharing their memories and buying their wares. After being in business for 5 years, they have heard some great memories, such as the origins of the rocket ships which were sold all over the country to promote children’s curiosity while in the space race of the Cold War, or how
one person’s grandfather used to test drive Harleys down Thrill Hill. Each memory brings a smile and with it, a positive feeling about Shreveport. It’s that simple what Sweet Tees are all about - bringing smiles by way of happy memories as these two artists bring joy to others not only with cool designs, but with happy memories.
Nicole Spikes with Sweetport Treats
FEATURED ARTISTS Lauren Ross Simmons, Pop Artist and Bringer of Joy Lauren’s work of iconic figures blends pop culture, fashion and vibrant color on large canvases creating cheerful, gorgeous works. Intended to bring joy, her work is well known for her bold take on an existing icon - creating something of beauty with colors so boldly mixed it is happiness just to gaze upon them. Meredith Piper, Contemporary Artist - Drawn to the outdoors, Meredith’s work explores the beauty of the nature that surrounds us whether landscapes, flora or the human form. She is a talented live event painter and recently completed a floral series that is being showcased at C & C. Margaret Becton Cox, Fine Artist - Ranging from contemporary landscapes to mixed media abstracts, Margaret’s work is greatly influenced by the reflections and reveries of Southern life. Her work brings peace to onlookers much like walking into a dream.
Anthony Reans, Abstract Artist - Working with the nature of universal relationships and subjective reality, Tony creates abstract compositions concentrating on the connections between balance, space, surface and relationships of line art. Sweetport Treats, Fresh from Paris learning the art of Parisian Pastry, Nicole Spikes of SweetPort placed her sweet feast of macarons, madeleines, and meringues on the perfect Parisian table scape by Lauren Simmons. Patrick Sart Shields, Conceptual Artist - Patrick’s career embraces a wide range of mediums that include mixed media, watercolor, photography, sculpture, ceramics, video and performance art, as well as author/artist of three published art books. The works exhibited at C & C feature Louisiana scenes both playful and vibrant, evoking feelings of joyful happiness. A nice mix of both pop and folk art with New Orleans flair.
May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 57
Ultimate Customized Facial Rejuvenation Technique, the new “Super Facial” WRITTEN BY LINDSEY PENNINGTON, MD
Dr. Pennington is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. She offers complimentary consults to discuss any procedures or questions patients may have. Her office is located at 6030 Line Ave Suite 110 in Shreveport. Phone (318) 216-5366. Before and after photos can be viewed in office for patient privacy and some are available online on Instagram and Facebook @ penningtonfacialplastics.
BEFORE
AFTER
A
s a cosmetic facial plastic surgeon,
for patients with conditions like nickel
the mainstay of my practice is
allergies and other skin sensitivities. Unlike
staying up to date on the most
traditional micro-needling techniques that
cutting-edge technology to help my patients
only puncture the skin with topical product
look and feel their best. I do have to be
application, AquaGold is able to infuse the
cautious and weed through all the trends
products directly into the skin at depths of
and hype and make sure I’m providing
6 mm, at the level of deeper dermis where it
high-end, safe procedures that have proven
can have a more significant effect.
outcomes. I must admit when first learning
Some of the solutions that can be used
about the AquaGold Fine Touch and seeing
to infuse are Botox, hyaluronic fillers such
all the celebrity endorsements, such as Kim
as Juvederm, pigment reducers, vitamins
Kardashian in her prep for the Met Gala,
such as C, E and B, growth factors such as
I was initially thinking this is just another
PRP (platelet rich plasma -- your body’s
gimmick and held off on adding it to my
own natural growth factors -- my personal
practice.
favorite), and glutathione. There is a range
But after attending multiple conferences
of different AquaGold “cocktails” that I can
and speaking with other physicians, I was
specially customize depending on what the
convinced to try it. The Guinea pig was
patient’s goals are that visit.
me. And WOW, can I say the effects were
After having my daughter, I was
amazing. While I offer an array of skincare
struggling with pigment changes, change
solutions to help at the surface level of
in tone (looser skin) and adult onset acne.
your skin, this treatment can restore and
I used a combination of Botox, Juvederm,
rejuvenate the skin’s beauty from within the
PRP, and vitamin C to address fine lines,
dermis.
pore size, adult acne, pigment and improve
AquaGold Fine Touch is a device made
tone and texture. Boy, was this a game
of a glass ampule with 24 karat gold hollow
changer for me. Despite being an exhausted
needles that release product along the entire
new mom and business owner, people kept
length of the needle. Each needle is smaller
commenting on how refreshed I looked and
than a hair follicle. The 24K gold minimizes
wanted to know what I was doing with my
risk of irritation. The benefit of gold all
skin! I was officially hooked and knew I
comes down to chemistry. Gold is more
needed to start offering this to my patients.
biologically compatible with human skin
The magic of AquaGold is in its ability
than other metals. There are only a handful
to distribute cosmetic injectables deeply
of substances that pure gold reacts with
and evenly across the face, giving you
(mercury, hydrochloric acid, and in some
incredibly natural-looking results that can
cases, iodine), and none of them are found
make you look years younger in just a few
in the human body. This is a game-changer
minutes. It covers a larger treatment area
Page 50 58 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
0.18 mm
0.13 mm
Professional Model channel length: 600μ, 1000μ Consumer Model channel length: 250μ
Hair Microchannel
Professional Model channel length: 600µ, 1000µ Consumer Model channel length: 250µ
than traditional dermal filler and Botox
help with superficial plumping to improve
but to my
injections while allowing them to be
fine lines and wrinkles, while giving the
patients. I
absorbed over more surface area than with
overall skin quality a very “airbrushed”
recommend
a single syringe. This is a procedure that
appearance. Platelet rich plasma contains
can be done to the face, neck or chest.
hundreds of proteins called growth factors,
seeking out a
During the treatment we give patients
which are naturally occurring proteins that
the option to have topical numbing cream
signal pathways within neighboring cells
applied to their face, even though the
to grow, create new cells or specialize in a
needles are so small that it is essentially
certain job.
board-certified physician that specializes in cosmetic procedures. Be cautious that compounds are carried out by a physician using sterile technique and using brand name AquaGold
painless, unlike traditional micro-needling.
Growth factors play an integral part
The skin is then cleansed and prepped
in maintaining healthy skin structure and
for the procedure.
The customized
function, primarily through fibroblasts.
compounded solution is prepared by
As skin ages, levels of natural growth
myself (the physician) with precision and
factors and fibroblasts (cells responsible
care. I use a gentle “stamping” motion to
for creating collagen and maintaining skin
penetrate the skin intradermally, delivering
integrity) decrease, leading to unwanted
the solution painlessly without any bleeding
skin laxity and sagging. We can all see the
for mothers, who have many caregiving
into the face, neck and chest. The treatment
signs of this as we age, when we start losing
responsibilities, but moms certainly don’t
takes less than 20 minutes to complete and
skin tone, texture, and tightness. These
have a monopoly on letting life get in the way
involves no downtime or recovery other
growth factors can now be placed back into
of taking care of themselves. And while it’s
than leaving the office looking a little pink.
the skin to stimulate fibroblasts and other skin rejuvenation pathways to fight back
hard to prioritize something like taking time
Almost anyone and everyone is a great candidate for this treatment, especially
against aging and improve tone, texture and
patients who feel their skin looks dull and
slow the breakdown of collagen.
are trying to get overall skin rejuvenation.
This is a great treatment to have done
With Botox as an optional part of the
before a special event to really give your
cocktail results can be reduced pore size,
skin a natural “glow-up.” Results typically
decrease in redness and flushing, decrease
last 2-3 months or more depending on
in oil production and breakouts, smoother
compound used and can be seen as early
skin, brighter skin and a decrease in sweat
as the day of the procedure. This can be
production. People who suffer from Rosacea
repeated as often as monthly or in between
are also great candidates because it has
treatments such as chemical peels, micro-
proven to significantly reduce the associated
needling, dermaplaning, and the traditional
redness and flushing. Patients who have
Botox and filler injections.
equipment to ensure you are receiving the highest quality treatment and lowest risk of complication. Many of us have so many responsibilities in life that we forget to take care of our personal needs. This is particularly true
to care of your skin, when you have so many other items on your to-do list, self-care is an important aspect of emotional and physical health. The relaxation you get from self-care can trigger the relaxation response, which can prevent chronic stress from damaging your health, so in a sense, self-care is good for you inside and out. Taking time out to care for yourself can remind you and others that you and your needs are important, too. Having a well-cared-for body can make you feel good about yourself and your life and
trouble controlling acne and acne scarring
So, as far as new trends and celebrity
conveys to others that you value yourself.
have seen a huge improvement. Adding
endorsements, this is one that I have found
This can contribute to long-term feelings of
hyaluronic acid filler such as Juvederm can
to be medically beneficial not only to myself
wellbeing.
May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 51 59
Get A Clue
The flu shot can be a hot topic of discussion in American homes. One thing is for certain: Either you always get the shot, or you don’t.
WRITTEN BY KHEYSIA WASHINGTON B.S.,
RETIRED REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENE PROFESSOR
W
hen it comes to vaccinating our children, it becomes a bit more heated. Many people have mixed feelings as to why they don’t get the flu shot and I am here to offer you some information to get you a head start in considering your options. Many parents are struggling with the choice of whether or not the battery of childhood vaccinations is safe, and this article is not presented to offer any sophisticated advice about that topic. I am offering some information about the flu shot that many don’t know.
For example, did you know that the flu vaccine for next year is already being manufactured? That’s right! How’s that even
possible? Vaccine manufacturers look at the strains of flu that were prevalent during this flu season and give their best “shot” at predicting what will be prevalent next year. It’s gambling; they are betting on which flu viruses will be going around. These manufacturers are pretty good at guessing but sometimes they are a little off. Page 60 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
Did you also know that it’s possible for United States economy. Each year the flu costs the United States you to get the flu shot and still get the flu? approximately $10.4 billion in direct costs for hospitalizations
There are several reasons why this might happen. The most common reason you may get the flu after getting the flu shot is that you already have the flu at the time of getting the shot. That’s why it is really important to tell your healthcare provider of any pending illness that you have prior to getting the shot or any fever that you have upon getting the shot. Another common reason that you may get the flu after getting the flu shot is that you may get exposed to the influenza virus during the two-week period after getting the vaccination that it takes the body to develop immune protection. The third explanation for experiencing flu symptoms after vaccination is that the flu vaccine can vary in how well it works. The final reason that persons may get the flu in spite of getting the flu shot is that persons some get flu viruses different than the ones that they are vaccinated against. “How is that possible?” you say. Here’s some explanation: The seasonal flu vaccination typically provides protection against type A, B, and C and some type of H and N subgroup. There are an estimated 16 different types of flu viruses that can circulate annually. The flu vaccine, however, only provides protection against three to four types. Given this information, kids who get the vaccine and still get the flu will typically experience much less severe symptoms and shorter duration of symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control. This is especially important for children with chronic illness, such as asthma and other respiratory ailments. All children ages 6 months and older should see their pediatrician for flu vaccine starting around early September, as flu season runs from October to May. It’s best for kids to get the flu shot early as it takes their immune systems two weeks to start protecting them from the flu. The flu vaccine is not a perfect tool but is the best way to protect against flu infection. An issue with flu this year was the necessary closing of schools in our area. Many schools were closed for sanitation due to the rampant spread of the flu. The flu is a virus that is spread easily by person to person contact, airborne, or contact with bodily fluids of a sick person. This makes children especially vulnerable to the spread of this dreaded bug. What makes the flu so dangerous? Well, bacterial infection of the lungs is the number one danger. Additionally, other organ infections can be as dangerous, including infection of the heart and brain. This is why it is of critical importance to prevent the spread of flu when possible. Figured in to the impact of the flu is the impact on the
and outpatient visits just for adults, with the costs for children more than double. The cost for breakdown for a family visiting an emergency room averages $753 with additional dollars spent on prescription drug costs. Additional costs can be calculated for lost wages and other expenses for over-the-counter drugs. For those patients requiring in-patient hospitalization, well, you get the idea where this is going.
What are the risks associated with getting your children vaccinated?
While almost all people who get the influenza vaccine have no serious problem from it, some people may have an allergic reaction to it. You should talk to your child’s doctor or nurse prior to having them vaccinated if you have these concerns and they will provide you with necessary information. The most common side effects from the flu shot are soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling at the site where the shot was given. Low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches may also occur for a day or two as your immune system begins to protect you from the flu virus. Does this mean that the flu shot actually gave my child the flu? Absolutely NOT! The flu shot that is given with a needle cannot give you the flu. The shots that are given with a needle are not made with any live flu virus. In spite of all of the facts presented, some will not get the vaccine and there are ways to help stop the spread of the flu. You should stay greater than 6 feet away from sick persons or wear face masks when you or your children are sick. Wash your hands frequently during cold and flu season and instruct your children to do so as well. Encourage children to eat nutritious meals and to get plenty of rest, both of which are good for the immune system.
Now that we know that the flu vaccine is recommended for children, who else should get it? Anyone who works around children (especially
daycare employees and teachers), pregnant women or women considering becoming pregnant, nursing mothers, persons with weakened immune systems, caregivers, and otherwise healthy adults and elderly adults. This article is has hopefully provided you with some tools that you can speak with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about regarding the flu shot so you can make informed decisions regarding your family’s health.
May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 61
Uptown Shopping Center 5802 Line Avenue Shreveport
318-828-1645 @pretensesboutique
Page 62 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
JUMP into Summer
POOL OPENS MAY 11! MAY
JUNE
2 .............Trivia Night
6 .............Trivia Night
4 .............Family Fiesta Pool Party
7 .............Tennis Mixer
7-8 ...........Ladies Golf Tournament
10-13.........AJGA
9 .............Wine Dinner
15 ............Parent Child Golf Tournament
12 ............Mothers Day Brunch
16 ............Father’s Day Brunch
17 ............Schools Out Pool Party
18 ............BINGO
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T
Shirley the Elephant: AN UNLIKELY LOLA LEGEND WRITTEN BY CLINTON DOWNING
hey say big things come in small packages, but that is not altogether true. Often very wonderful things come in big packages. The elephant is the largest living land mammal. Like its body weight, this creature has tons of meaningful insight to share with us. She speaks to us in terms of sensitivity, loyalty, and determination. The elephant is a superior guide when we are on a journey that requires our patience and devotion. As a child, we all dreamed of joining the circus. Under that “Big Top,” we were amazed at the majestic pachyderms that appeared larger than life. Many of us also saw the 1941 Disney animated classic, “Dumbo,” based on the then-unpublished children’s book by Helen Aberson and Harold Pearl. It was as story that gracefully explored the effects of cruelty. It was a story of triumph in embracing our differences. It was a story that touched on the cruel world of bullying that continues today. Now some 79 years later, cinematic genius Tim Burton has brought this children’s classic back to the big screen with a CGI and live action adaption. This film ironically comes one year after the smash “The Greatest Showman,” based on the life of entertainment visionary P.T. Barnum and his circus. It would also come two years after that very circus would bring its last curtain call after 150 years of entertaining the masses under the scrutiny of the treatment of elephants and other animals used for performances. I happened to attend one of the last shows of this legendary circus. Watching the spectacle as an adult didn’t resonate the same as it did as a child. While I am still young at heart and hope I never totally grow up, knowing the back story of the elephants in such captivity tugged at my heart. It was
disheartening to see such a display. It did transcend me back to 1976 when I first saw Shirley. Shirley is a kind-hearted Asian elephant who has defied every odd in her hard life once filled with misery and struggle. She was born in Sumatra, south Asia, back in 1948. She is an ex-circus elephant. At the tender age of 7, she was captured in the wilds of Asia and sold to Dori Miller, owner of Carson and Barnes and Kelly Miller circuses. For the next 24 years, Shirley performed with them. Although it was a norm at the time, we now know that circus elephants generally experience indescribable suffering throughout their career. As sensitive, intelligent creatures, the circus lifestyle can be horrifically damaging. Many elephants who have spent long times performing show symptoms of depression, aggression, and PTSD as a result of their confinement and isolation. Shirley is such an elephant who was experiencing such a living death. In 1958, while the Kelly-Miller Circus was traveling through Cuba, Fidel Castro seized power. Shirley and the entire circus were held captive by Castro’s forces for several weeks before finally being released. In 1963, the circus traveled by ship to Nova Scotia and was docked at Yarmouth Harbor when a fire broke out in the engine room. This incident caused the ship to sink, killing two animals on board. Shirley was rescued, but not before sustaining severe burns on her back and legs. Today she is missing a large section of her right ear as a result of the fire and has several scars on her back, side, and feet. At the age of 30, while performing for the Lewis Brothers Circus, Shirley was attacked by another elephant.
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Her right hind leg was broken. It healed poorly and is the cause of her limp. After one year performing in the circus, Shirley was retired in 1978. At the age of 7, I was there for that very retirement. I remember entering under a massive red-and-white circus tent with my sister and paternal grandparents. I can still perceive that image in my head like it was yesterday. It was like I was living in the movies. Sawdust was under our feet as well walked to the bleacher seating. The aroma of roasted peanuts illumed the air. With cotton candy in hand, we watched the clowns, aerialists, animals and their trainers take over the three rings. It was pure amazement. Aerialists were high in the air above us only separated by a net from the ground. Lions and tigers were jumping through rings of fire. It was everything I had seen in the “Greatest Show on Earth” in its restored form. At the close of the show’s finale, the ringmaster asked for silence. A larger than life tiered cake was rolled out and placed on a big drum by a few clowns. At that point, Shirley entered the tent on the grounds of Bernstein Park. This was her bon voyage from the center ring that she has called home for more than two decades. She was finally only steps away from her next destination that she would call home for another 22 years of her life. Shirley had now found a more calming lifestyle as an exhibit at Monroe’s Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo. She would call the zoo her home for those 22 years as the sole elephant. While it was not as strenuous as the circus, it was still a lonely life. During this time, Shirley developed a strong bond with her caretaker, Solomon James. Day in and day out, Shirley and Solomon were together for all those years at the zoo. Despite all his and the zoo’s best intentions, it became
apparent that Shirley needed a place to roam more freely for the remainder of her life. She was now 48. She was in what were expected to be the final years of her life. On July 6, 1999, Shirley found a freedom of sorts. She was transferred from the zoo to The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee. Shirley would not make this 14-hour journey into the unknown alone. Accompanying her on this long journey from Louisiana to Tennessee was her best friend, Solomon. It was a sentimental journey as this would be their final hours together after forming a bond over two decades. Upon arrival to the sanctuary, mixed emotions between James and Shirley were evident. They were ending a chapter of her life as she was to begin another. At the time she arrived, she was the fourth elephant to become a resident of the sanctuary. What was thought to be an uncertain response for her change of location took a most unexpected turn. One of the elephants, Tara, would be at the barn weighting. It was the first time in two decades that she had been in contact with another elephant. It was an equally emotional time as Solomon removed her chain for the last time and gave her a final bath. As tears fell from his eyes, he knew this would be that bittersweet moment in his life. Several days into her stay at the sanctuary, Shirley would encounter an elephant named Jenny. Their reactions to one another were mesmerizing. It was an instant connection. It was though a familiarity could be sensed in
May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 59 65
their mannerisms. It was unlike anything the sanctuary staff had seen. It was magical. The two elephants nearly bent the bars of their barn stalls to be near one another. As it would turn out, Shirley and Jenny had performed in the circus together 24 years earlier. These two trumpeted as they bumped their ample-sized bodies together in a typical gesture of affectionate camaraderie. They created an instant, mother and daughter-like bond. Jenny had also sustained a leg injury and weathered abuse in the circus. No longer economically beneficial to the circus, Jenny was soon dumped at a shelter for cats and dogs before being relocated to the sanctuary through the assistance of a devout animal activist. They roamed daily side by side on the vast terrain. Sadly, it was only seven years before Jenny’s previous injury would cause her to become very ill. She eventually became too weak to cover the vast distance they once roamed. Being the ultimate “mother,” Shirley led Jenny to a valley and lay her down on a soft underbrush. As Jenny shifted comfortably, Shirley stayed with her day and night, even using her trunk to help her change position. Two other elephants, Tara and Bunny, would join in this vigil and the four elephants trumpeted consolingly for 3 hours. They were celebrating her amazing life. When the sun rose the next morning, Shirley could no longer bear to watch her friend suffer. She left the scene to mourn the eminent death of Jenny. That night Jenny died as her two other friends stayed with her until daybreak. Shirley’s mourning was real and evident in her appearance. Her trunk dragged the ground, her shoulders slumped and she was unable to open her eyes completely. She could not eat and refused to trumpet. She was hurting and filled with sorrow. It had taken years for them to reunite and now she was gone forever. Almost 13 years since Jenny’s passing, Shirley has become
the grandmother of the herd roaming the Asian habitat. Her journey to the habitat became a 12-minute film for National Geographic and PBS’s Nature Series. It was part of “The Urban Elephant,” a project from 2000 that won two Emmy awards and broke hearts everywhere. This story of her life can be found on the Argo Films YouTube Channel, but I warn you to have some tissues in hand. Last year, Shirley celebrated her 70th birthday at the sanctuary. Her longtime friend, Solomon James, made that same journey he had made 20 years ago for the first time to celebrate this joyous occasion. That bond was once again evident. It was an emotional moment for them both and a happy reunion. In 2018, Shirley’s story was published as a children’s book, “Shirley’s Story: The Heart Always Remembers,” by author Mary Helen Blanchard and illustrator, Sue Brunner. Both longtime educators teamed up to bring this incredible story to life on page. It was their intention to enlighten, entertain and educate young minds on a magnificent mammal’s life. Having taken her children and classmates to see Shirley during her days at the zoo, Mary Helen knew it was an important story to tell when Shirley made newspaper headlines for her transition to the sanctuary. It is available at www.shirleytheelephantstory.com. As July approaches and Shirley is about to celebrate her 71st birthday, she remains the oldest elephant living at the sanctuary. She is also the 3rd oldest elephant living in North America. Shirley’s journey can be followed via e-camera with live feeds at www.elephants.com. Donations can also be made for her continued care on the site as well. It’s a monthly gift I’ve made as a routine in my life. Symbolically, the elephant’s meaning deals primary with strength, honor, stability and tenacity. The elephant is a symbol of good fortune, luck and protection. We can gather more symbolic meaning of the elephant by observing it in nature. Specifically, their symbol of responsibility because they take great care of their offspring as well as their elders. Over the span of her seven decades on Earth, Shirley has endured a journey that many of us are blessed to not have lived. Shirley’s story will also resonate with those who have journeyed through life enduring their hardships, the loss of loved ones, and battles with depression and addiction. Shirley symbolizes hope. Shirley teaches us to never give in when life is at its worst. Shirley enlightens us with inspiration that we may all find that sanctuary of solace. Shirley shows us that with strength, love and perseverance, we can trumpet toward the best days of our lives.
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May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 67
AudioBook Review BY DANIELLE RICHARD
BECOMING By Michelle Obama Read by the Author
B
ecause I knew so little about our former First Lady, I was really looking forward to reading her autobiography. During the time she and President Obama were campaigning and actually living in the White House, I was up to my eyeballs with a newborn and family life. Politics was not something to which I could devote much time or interest. The muchanticipated “Becoming” by Michelle Obama was released last year and quickly became a bestseller. It is now on pace to become the best-selling memoir of all time. After listening to the fascinating tale, I could easily see why so many people loved it. Mrs. Obama takes the listener all the way back to the beginning of her own life, and shares all of the best and worst parts that influenced her growth and passions along the way. We learn all about the city she loves, the family and community who love her, and her impressive academic achievements even while struggling to feel good enough throughout her school
career. She also shares with us her path of meeting and falling in love with Barack, and their eventual rise to being the first African American couple to live as President and First Lady in Washington, D.C. What struck me throughout the entire book was how incredibly relatable I found the whole journey to be. I knew Mrs. Obama had working-class roots, but I foolishly assumed that someone from Chicago with two Ivy-League degrees would not have a whole lot in common with myself -- a bookworm from Franklin Parish, Louisiana. Seriously, about the only thing Winnsboro has in common with Chicago is that we share the same time zone. But it was more than a little thrilling to find that we shared a lot of experiences and values. Mrs. Obama’s father was a blue-collar worker, while her mother stayed home to raise their children. (Similar!) Her parents were loving and devoted, and indulged a million questions from their children, always speaking to them as adults. (Similar!) As a child, she successfully negotiated a
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PRO TIP: In this instance, you may want to choose the audio version over the physical book. The experience is much more authentic to hear it in the author’s own voice.
substitution of peanut butter in lieu of scrambled eggs as her protein source for breakfast. (Same as my 9-year old!) Of course, there were plenty of topics where our experiences didn’t align, and Mrs. Obama shares her difficulties with the same openness as other aspects of her story. Readers will find many of these experiences just as relatable regardless of background. She graciously lets the reader in on the heartbreaking feeling of watching her father’s health decline over the course of many years while living with Multiple Sclerosis. Later in adulthood, she and President Obama struggled with infertility and miscarriage, another heartbreaking hardship that affects so many more average Americans than many realize. The experience of campaigning with her husband for president was another totally foreign but completely captivating one to learn about. Although we all know the outcome and watched as she and President Obama presided over the White House for 8 years, the recounting of her perspective throughout all of it never felt predictable. Listeners can easily hear the apprehension in her voice as she admitted that politics wasn’t her first choice for her husband’s career. We feel with her the overwhelming nature of a grueling schedule during the campaign for first the Democratic nomination and
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then the Presidency. You understand fully the emotion she carries with her as she finds her family whisked into the day-to-day life of occupying the massive home that is the White House. We come to empathize with her efforts to maintain as much “normalcy” as is humanly possible for their two children while all of this is taking place around them. All told, it’s a breathtaking story of a woman who has seen and experienced far more than she ever dreamed possible. The girl from the South Side of Chicago has so much in common with women all across America, and if you’re not one of millions of Americans to have read her instant classic, I highly recommend it. Her relatable journey, worries, and optimism are a fascinating story from which we can all learn.
AVAILABILITY
Hardcover Book: AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, TARGET, WALMART, BOOKS-A-MILLION, APPLE BOOKS, INDIEBOUND Audiobook: Audible.com
Book Club Reading Guide: Download as a pdf from becomingmichelleobama.com
About the reviewer: Danielle
Williamson Richard is a graphic designer, owner of Richard Creative, and the art director of Lola Magazine. She is all about organizing and creating, and has been a book nerd her whole life. Audiobooks and podcasts have become a near-obsession in her adult life, as listening while doing mundane chores makes for a much happier mama. Danielle is the mother of two exceptional children, and spends her days managing Richard Creative with her husband, James.
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FINDING BEAUTY IN THE HIDDEN PLACES Understanding the Joys of Parenthood While Celebrating the Pain BY DONESA WALKER, M.ED.
P
arenting is described as the hardest job with the least amount of recompense and yet it is also the most fulfilling job with the greatest rewards and deepest sorrows. I’m feeling very reflective these days as my boys are both moving on in their lives and that means change. Moving from being Mommy to Mother. Last year as this process became a reality for me, through deep pain, I wrote the poem “This Mother’s Hurting Heart”. That pain was deep and awe inspiring but it also caused
me to examine a role I had always dreamed of but never fully understood. The Role of Motherhood. This role is not for the weak nor is it for the male counterpart despite what society wishes to say to the contrary because we are specifically designed and tasked for this role from creation. I know this is not a popular thought nor is it the current trend but it is the truth. Motherhood is a role for women because it requires a certain understanding of who we are as women. The feminist movement has had some good and some bad to it. It has helped
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and harmed the female role in our world. You see women were never meant to be equal to men but rather to do all the things that men cannot. God specifically chose to design a woman differently from the man. From dust, He created man…yes, the rhyme of how boys are made which says …of dirt, snails and puppy dog tails, well, the dirt part is true…and from bone, he made woman. Not just any bone, but the rib bone. The bone which is closest to the heart for love and under the arm for protection. Man was made in God’s image and woman was made to be a helpmate for him to accomplish the big challenges that God had given him. Sugar, spice and everything nice is the things girls are made up of so that rhyme goes but the truth is that sugar can be too much sometimes and give you tummy aches and the spice, well, some of us are just spicier than others… the everything nice…well, this is a lesson that needs teaching to a few! The point is celebrating women doesn’t mean putting t h e m into a
box nor is it trying to make them exactly like men. Women as mothers are not only life bearers to populate our earth but women are life bearers from creation. We are meant to give life to others through our words, deeds, and actions even if we never give birth or mother others in the physical sense. When trying to achieve any other purpose, a woman is found desperately searching for the person she is to become. A mother isn’t a role that happens only because we gave birth. A mother is a role we choose to fulfill. I said I always dreamed of being a mother and even in school and college people laughingly called me “Momma Donesa” because I was always trying to “mother” people. Mother isn’t a role I will ever grow out of or change. New memories will be made and new roles in life will be played. I will always be a mother. But the time of the children being dependent on me has shifted and this is bittersweet. Recently, I said as much to my mom and she said she knew, and for me to remember she lost three kids at once…that’s because my sister and I traveled off to college shortly after the murder of my brother in 1989. I can only imagine now the pain she felt and how bereft
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THIS MOTHER’S HURTING HEART WHO KNEW that when your kids grew
WHO KNEW that the hours/days/months/
years of planning birthday parties/special events/etc. that once thrilled their hearts WHO KNEW that the toddlers who once begged for every moment of your time now would now become an endurance of epic proportion? barely tolerate your presence in search of WHO KNEW that the endless sleepless friends and fame nights of crying for you would now WHO KNEW that those sweet mouths become sleepless nights of worry for their that were once sustained by your breast future and their safety? now break your heart with their careless WHO KNEW that the scars/pains of words not meant to hurt or sting childbirth would only begin the scars/ WHO KNEW that those hands that once pains inflicted unintentionally by those caressed your necks and twirled your hair same children? now slap at you if you get near as your WHO KNEW that those nightly cherished kisses now embarrass them? hugs/kisses might be your last? WHO KNEW that the feet that once ran WHO KNEW that your morals/advice in joy to your presence now run away as and wisdom so carefully shared would be fast as they can towards others who are ignored with disdain for a time until they much more exciting learn them themselves? WHO KNEW that the children who once Only Another Mother. And her advice: begged you for more time to read, play Cherish these moments because those & spend with them now see you as a days of sweetness are but a few and soon distraction from their lives as they move in you too will touch the pictures in memory a new direction? poignantly wishing for those days long up, they grow away?
WHO KNEW that the words I love you from your child’s lips would no longer mean you’re their only love?
the emotions. My mother is my best friend, confidante, and example, as well as being my hero. Never did I imagine that I was her biggest blessing and her biggest heartache at the same time. You see, that’s the role of mother. Finding the beauty in the hidden places. Finding the diamonds under the coal. Finding the gold amid the dirt. Finding the rainbows despite the storm. This is the depth of Motherhood. I hear tell by those around that being a grandparent is super cool and so much better than parenting but I find that hard to believe. I loved being Mommy. It was my dream and I continue to live it fully. It is time to embrace new dreams and
past....
- Donesa Walker time to fill those days with being Mom, Mother, Grandmom, Friend, Sister, Mother-In-Law, and many more. So, a loving salute to all moms out there whether you are a mom in the making, a mom on loan, a mommy in the battlefields of toddlerhood, a mom swinging the teen years, a mother in law, a mother in age, a mother of none or a mother of many.Motherhood is a blessed time of life that starts from the moment you are born a woman to the end of your days. For today, I lean on the wisdom my Father taught me…You are always a mother for you are the mother of the woman you will become.
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From brain injury to
BRAIN TRAINER LIFE HAPPENS. Some life circumstances we
WRITTEN BY CHRISTY MELVILLE
think are tragic truly are a blessing in disguise, rich in learning and rewards. Fifteen years ago, my life turned upside down. I woke up one morning full of dreams and eager to begin an exciting career. I recently had earned my bachelor’s degree summa cum laude with a New York City internship under my belt, and I was ready to take on the world. My trip back home to Louisiana was supposed to be temporary as I searched for competitive employment in a larger metropolitan area. Then, life happened. In June 2004, I was a passenger in a vehicle that hydroplaned going full speed on Highway 71. All vehicle passengers were ejected, and I landed on the highway. I was transported to LSU Health Sciences Center where I received top-notch treatment at the Level I Trauma Center. The crash shook me up pretty badly and caused quite a few internal injuries. I had multiple surgeries, was coma induced, and diagnosed with a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Before this event, I had never heard of a TBI, and it is just as scary as it sounds.
FROM PATIENT TO PROFESSIONAL Like any injury, recovery is possible. As a 21-year-old patient, I had to relearn to walk, brush my teeth, and comprehend simple sentences. I participated in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs at LifeCare and Willis-Knighton hospitals. Physical, occupational, and speech therapists worked to help me reconnect and grow new neural pathways, and ultimately to rewire my brain. As I began to recall my lifelong interest in health and wellness, I resumed my paleo-like eating preferences from my earlier years when I was a distance runner. I feel like diet and physical activity played an important role in my recovery. After a couple years of rest and rehabilitation, I began to feel more like my old self. I became successfully
employed in the local healthcare industry. I took night classes and got my MBA. I was in leadership positions for several social and professional organizations. I was honored with a Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 award in 2009. Thanks to my healthy lifestyle and neuroplasticity, all cylinders were firing and cognitive deficits from the TBI were not permanent. As an adult with prior knowledge, I can look back and observe the process of recovery as I regained more complex thinking abilities.
FROM TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH A few years later, a perfect storm of events that included remarkable job stress, little sleep, an unhealthy diet, and more tore up my gut and dysregulated my biological systems. I began to suffer chronic fatigue, migraines, and brain
fog. I was confused. My TBI recovery had gone so well, and I was a welleducated, successful professional. Why was my brain acting weird again? I got scared, but I was relieved to find functional medicine and learn that most people face some degree of cognitive impairment now and then. Our lives are very stressful as we juggle school, children, finances, and trying to get that promotion. Conveniences of the 21st century result in our sedentary lifestyles, and we often rely on food that is quick but non-nutritious, filled with unnatural ingredients that our bodies cannot metabolize. This can be a dangerous combination that leads to all kinds of chronic inflammatory conditions. Thanks to functional medicine, these conditions may not have to be permanent. Following my research of credible
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sources and evidence-based solutions, I made some lifestyle changes. I returned to more ancestral eating habits, spent more time outdoors, purposefully practiced prayer and mindfulness, and engaged in more thought-provoking activities. Once again, I saw my physical health rebound and my cognitive health restored, so much so that I am training to become a certified functional medicine health coach. I have a special interest in collaborating with clients and their licensed practitioners to help people reclaim their cognitive health. I have deep experience and reason to be passionate about brain health. On more than one occasion, I personally witnessed how cognitive health is dependent on a combination of factors that include diet, exercise, stress management, adequate sleep, and brain stimulation. Not too many years ago, theory held that the brain is a physiologically static organ; that we are
born with a fixed intelligence and injury to the brain permanently damages cognitive abilities. We know today that is just not the case. Neuroplasticity is a complex concept that explores how everyone’s brain changes throughout life. Much like we go to the gym for strength training, or we train for a long-distance run, we have to exercise our brains. Brain training in some fashion can be part of the solution to create or restore cognitive function, as long as you put in the work. If you don’t use it, you lose it. Today I help people work toward stronger cognitive health as a brain trainer at LearningRx ShreveportBossier. I enjoy seeing clients of all ages strengthen their skills so they can better reason and articulate, and improve reading, calculation, and social skills. Brain skills that can be strengthened include focus, processing speed, comprehension, memory, and logic and
reasoning. Improved cognition results in increased confidence and changes people’s lives for the better. One of my favorite success stories is hearing of a young adult who worked with a different trainer say his brain is now “a human calculator!” Donesa Walker, owner of the local LearningRx, is a qualified educator with decades of success. She is passionate about training people’s brains so they can function independently. If you, your child, or your employees struggle with memory recall, social interaction, judgment, or trouble reading and writing, please call LearningRx to set up a consultation with Donesa. She is an expert in learning abilities, and she can help you find the best training program for your personal needs. Chronic conditions require long-term, personalized care and patience for every individual. LearningRx trainers are here to help your mind grow!
1032 BURGESSVILLE RD. | RUSTON (318) 255.4208 | pearcelumber.com May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 75
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• MONROE ARTIST •
Dustin Greer was raised on a ranch in Texas in true
cowboy style.
Since he could walk, he
showman
was a for big rodeo crowds, but he never had any desire to be a cowboy.
H
PHOTO CREDIT: MISTY SWILLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
e did not leave the ranch often until except for school. He spent his time with his studies, reading books and his love for dance. His passion for dance helped get him through his parents’ divorce at thirteen. After his parents split up, he moved to Oakdale and began the second of his many lives he has lived along the way. Dustin tested in school as a “certified genius.” School was not really his thing either. His father bred him to be in the rodeo business but living in a town like Oakdale, he was different than the other kids. He dressed different and was always on rollerblades or dancing. Not your typical “Oakdale boy.” Dustin always searched for knowledge, studied religion, got into dark places and pulled himself out. At 25, Dustin met a girl and fell in love. He registered for classes at McNeese State for physics, but lost interest quickly, and he and his girlfriend split up. For years he searched for his true passion. He prayed earnestly for direction and traveled to Maui, San Francisco, Venice Beach, Baton Rouge twice, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Lewisville, and Lafayette seeking roots. After 10 years of traveling, he ended up in Monroe and began painting homes. This was not his dream job by any means, but he could listen to spiritual sermons and do the work for hours a day. Eventually he became really good at painting houses and due to his genuine nature, his business quickly grew. A wild child at heart, he began building
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“Painting is the only
thing, even above dancing, that is enough unto itself for me.” relationships with the good people he was doing work for and started to understand the kind of man he wanted to be. On a whim one day after being turned down for a date, he started painting art on an old board with leftover paint. This was the moment he finally found his purpose. For Dustin, painting art was almost like dancing. He felt more at home than anything he had ever done. A few weeks later after another bad day, he started to paint the walls in his bedroom. This was exhilaration for Dustin, but he was living with a roommate at the time who had rented the house, so this specific project was ended and painted over. With ninety-nine cents he drove to Walmart and bought his first canvas. This was the day his art came to life. To
Dustin painting is the one place that he can finally gather his thoughts and emotions and share them with the world. He says, “When I pick up a brush, it's like a war and a dance, and it comes from nowhere until it is on the canvas and then it is everything that I am feeling and everything that I have lived. Painting is the only thing, even above dancing, that is enough unto itself for me.” His goal is to make the transition from painting homes to doing his art full-time, and one day to paint a masterpiece. Until then his prayer is to create art that will touch the way he was touched when he saw a Rothko in person. He hopes to create pieces that will add life and inspiration to others. Dustin believes in dreaming the
biggest dreams you can imagine and always pushing the envelope when It comes to stepping out on what God calls us to do. After many years of living on the wild side, he is grateful to have found peace and he sees this life is a gift, that every day is precious moment. He has gathered wisdom over his lifetime and when asked what his greatest advice would be, he said, “Live life with a little bit extra zeal if you can, always forgive people and to make wise decisions. Life ain't a game and one bad decision can change everything. But, if we can all open our eyes just a little bit more, there is an artist in each of us. We just have to be brave enough to see it.”
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w w| w . mMAGAZINE i s t y s w| iPage l l e79y p h o t o g r a p h y . n e t May-June 2019 LOLA
INTEGRATE YOUR HEALTH
R E L AT I O N S H I P S Fo r L o n g e v i t y
here is a small town in eastern Pennsylvania named Roseto that was settled by Italian immigrants in the 1880s. It was named after the village in southeastern Italy from where the immigrants originated. In the 1950s, it was noted that the residents of Roseto had a dramatically lower rate of heart disease compared to their neighboring towns, despite the fact that its citizens did not follow what would be considered a hearthealthy lifestyle: They smoked cigarettes, drank wine, consumed sweets, and cooked with lard. The striking difference between Roseto
and more typical American towns, however, was the town itself: The community was close-knit, the citizens visited each other and celebrated together, often several generations lived under one roof, and elders were revered and included. Roseto at the time had no crime, alcoholism, drug addiction, and very few applications for public assistance. Citizens were not lonely. They were supported and the town was protected from the modern world. In essence, they were connected and happy. Sadly, in the 1960s the traditions began to crumble, the western lifestyle was introduced, and the incidence of chronic disease rose to match that of the surrounding communities.
Table Photo Credit: Candace Chaney
INTEGRATE YOUR HEALTH with Dr. Nicole Cotter
Nicole M. Cotter, MD is an integrative physician in Shreveport,
Louisiana. She was the first board-certified Integrative Medicine physician in northwest Louisiana and is one of the few integrative rheumatologists in the nation. She is the owner of Integrative Medicine of Shreveport-Bossier (www.integrativemedicinesb.com), a consultative practice where she partners with patients to create personalized health plans that integrate complementary medicine with conventional to care for the whole person. Page 80 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
Dr. Cotter with her family in Australia activates the sympathetic nervous system, fuels inflammation, and increases the risk of chronic disease. It makes it more difficult for us to cope with stress. Loneliness impairs memory and increases the risk of dementia. It also increases the risk of an early death. Loneliness has been shown to be as detrimental to a person’s health as smoking. Mother Theresa said it well when she said, “The greatest disease in the West today is not tuberculosis or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love.” In the 1930s, a group of scientists started the Harvard Study of Adult Development, which would become the longest longitudinal study of its kind. The study initially included 268 Harvard sophomores and 456 men raised in inner-city Boston, tracking them over their lifespan in the hopes of identifying the predictors of longevity. It has since incorporated the wives of many of the subjects, as well as their children. The current study director, Dr. Robert Waldinger, gave an excellent TED talk summarizing the findings of
”
From the observations of this town, the term “Roseto Effect” was coined, describing the phenomenon by which a close-knit community experiences a reduced rate of heart disease. Although we talk a lot of about nutrition and exercise, there is more to health and longevity than what we eat and whether we go to the gym. The community in which we live and the relationships we have are vital to our health. In truth, relationships preserve health and loneliness is deadly. Loneliness is experienced when we are physically isolated but also when we are emotionally isolated, illustrated well in recent research into the emotional consequences of social media in our youth. Loneliness
Dr. Cotter with her husband, Dr. Jim Cotter, in South Africa
If t h e re i s on e thi ng we are go o d at i n Lo ui si an a, it is co m m u n i t y. We ce l ebrate bi g an d kn ow h ow to bring p e o p l e to g eth er to h ave a go o d ti me. May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 81
this study. He states that “the clearest message we get from this 75-year study is that good relationships keep us happier and healthier.” This research shows that the people who are the most satisfied in their relationships at the age of 50 will be the healthiest at the age of 80, and that relationship satisfaction is a better predictor of health than cholesterol. Dr. Waldinger describes three big lessons learned from the Harvard research: Social connections are really good for us, it is not the number of friends you have but the quality of the close relationships that matters, and that good relationships not only protect our body but they protect our brains. In our society, we are misled to believe that wealth and fame matter most, but the Harvard study has illustrated that the people who fare best in life are those who foster relationships with family, friends, and community. If there is one thing we are good at in Louisiana, it is community. We celebrate big and know how to bring people together to have a good time. The good news is that fostering our community and relationships is good for our health. Let’s put down the smart phones, call a friend, organize dinner with the neighbors, and spend some quality time with our significant others and families. In the words of musician Tim O’Brien, “if there’s ever an answer, it’s more love.”
Dr. Cotter Disney Cruising with her family
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230 Carroll Street • Suite 4 Shreveport, LA 71105 • (318)865-3311 Page 82 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
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Keeping it Real with Teri Netterville
Your Voice Matters Page 84 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
About a month ago, and out of the blue, my sister Kimberly sent this text to me: Hey T, I’ve had this subject matter on my heart to send to you for some reason. I don’t know why other than maybe this would be a good subject for you to expound upon in one of your articles for Lola Magazine or maybe a subject for you and Denise to talk about on the radio one night. I’ve just been thinking so much about the impact of our words when spoken or written, so I am simply passing these thoughts onto you to use however you wish. I love you, K.
She wrote: We’ve grown up hearing that words are powerful and that they must be used with caution and great care. From experience, we know that hurtful words can wound us deeper than physical pain… And, sadly, these word wounds can’t heal until properly attended to with more positive words of love and affirmation. Encouraging and loving words can heal a broken spirit and allow one to recognize their truest potential for greatness. These words of goodness can feel like salve to the soul. Dad so believed in the power of words that he actually prayed over us each night, as he ‘thought’ we were sleeping. He wanted his whispered words of empowerment to emanate into our subconscious minds and then manifest themselves into our daily lives. Weren’t we so lucky to have a dad like that? Our words can be tangible gifts that we offer to strangers. A compliment, a word of encouragement, kindness and even a simple smile can be the fuel that keeps another soul going in that moment. Our fear of looking weird, being intrusive, and being dismissed or embarrassed almost always keeps us from voicing what our hearts are wanting to say to a stranger.
Praying out loud can have a profound impact on the person praying the prayer, as well as the one hearing the prayer. I have always loved those who are unafraid to lift others up with kind and heartfelt sentiments. This tells me they are confident in themselves and that they realize the value of speaking goodness into their hearts. We watched our dad do this our whole lives. Our children have always gotten embarrassed when we complimented strangers in public, yet we are now seeing them do the same thing as they mature into young adulthood. We teach by example. Teri, I think you could write an incredible article encouraging people to find the courage within themselves to use their voice to inspire others …and to practice doing this on a daily basis. As we know personally, this can have a profound impact in their own lives.
W
ell, my sister, I don’t have to write that article. You just did a beautiful job of writing it for me. I love every word my sister Kimberly shared with me that day. I especially love the idea of using our own voices to encourage, inspire and empower others to do the very same thing with theirs. Each and every weeknight, around suppertime, my friend Denise Arthur and I try to do just that during our “American Mama” segment on a radio program called, “American Ground Radio.” Our co-hosts, Stephen Parr and Louis R. Avallone, mostly talk about the politics around our nation and those that hit closer to home, here in Shreveport. But in our “American Mamas” segment, Denise and I do our best to simply lend a voice for those who maybe feel stifled in their ability to express themselves freely in their daily lives regarding mama issues, marital issues, women’s issues and here lately, a lot of political issues. Our radio show airs at 6 p.m. each night on KEEL radio (101.7FM & 710AM). You can also download the “Radio Pup” app to listen in. Denise and I usually come on the air around 6:20ish. We are having a blast using our voice in this particular media realm.
May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 85
Encouraging and loving words can heal a broken spirit and allow one to recognize their truest potential for greatness. When Lola Magazine asked me to simply share with you guys the reasons I have chosen to lend my voice through the avenue of radio media, the answer is quite simple… and it is for the same reasons I love to write for Lola. It feels like a gift. To be able to lend my voice for the sake of goodness and in hopes that maybe something I write or something I say can touch or move another to think about their own lives in a new and positive way, or with fresh perspective, then I feel like I am doing something good that honors my Heavenly Father. And if, in turn, someone feels inspired to lend their own voice in whatever capacity is most comfortable for them, then my gosh, to God be the Glory even more! If we do not accept the opportunities that come our way to use our voice to speak up and speak out, we simply risk
losing the very opportunities that could challenge, inspire and encourage another to do the very same thing with their own voice. And at this point in my life, that’s just simply not a risk I’m willing to take. I want everyone to fully recognize the value in their own personal thoughts and beliefs.
Your voice matters. Everyone’s does. You must remember that.
And always remember that when you are afforded the opportunity to use your voice, you must always, always, always… Keep it real. ;-)
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I am My Fathers
DAUGHTER BY KIRSTEN GLADEN
I
often wondered where I got my love for the English language and prose from. And just recently, it hit me-from my parents. Neither of my parents are considered professional writers, nor have they been published. However, they are both indeed writers in their own right. My mother is an avid reader and journaler. Every night my mother chronicles her day. She documents her thoughts and feelings, what she ate, what she wore, or what the family did that day. She even has a special designated desk in her upstairs loft to do so. This is a practice she adopted as a pre-teen and a tradition she has kept throughout her adult life. My father on the other hand, always has a stack of standard-sized index cards held together with a small gym clip. He can inevitably be found sitting jotting down ideas, devising a to-do list, or concocting goals for himself or devising processes and procedures to achieve said goals. At one point, during the height and popularity of Palm Pilots (Professional PDA Organizer) and Blackberries, he adopted that as a means to chronicle his day; however, he ultimately ditched it and prefers the antiquated pento-paper method. To date, if you ask my father a question, he will write, draw, illustrate or explain on one of the index cards. Likewise, the pen-to-paper method was
“The dullest pencil will always remember more than the sharpest mind.” THOMAS JEFFERSON
always championed in my household growing up. Former President Thomas Jefferson once said, “The dullest pencil will always remember more than the sharpest mind.” My father being an Army Infantryman with over 25 years of military service, he is always
practical, logical, methodical or any other adjective that can be used to describe an individual that is deliberate and calculated with their actions. Undoubtedly, my father echoed that sentiment and he always encouraged my three sisters and I to brainstorm our ideas by writing them down, curate unique ideas through mind mapping, and create and check off todo-lists. So, it came to me, I am a hybrid of both of my parents, nonetheless, I have adopted my father’s ways the most. I am a lover of language that enjoys expressive writing like my mother, but I can be technical and dissect, critique, and analyze material like my father. Whenever I devise an idea, campaign, article, business plan, etc... I rarely, if ever, begin by typing on a computer first. I begin with pen and paper, although archaic in this technological age, I prefer to jot down my ideas, mind map, scratch through words, or crumple paper until I can visually see my thoughts come together on the paper like I did with this very article. And, I have dozens of legal pads at home to prove it. Aside from having a love for writing, I also enjoy indulging in self-help literature and motivational podcasts. My father always encouraged self-awareness and garnering ways to improve areas in which an individual may lack through seeking knowledge.
May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 89
To that point, about a years ago, I discovered Lewis Howes, a renowned author, entrepreneur, and former professional athlete who hosts a podcast entitled ‘The School of Greatness.’ The podcast produces long-forum conversations with varied high-profile guests on topics of business leadership, personal, development, and entrepreneurship. At the conclusion of the podcast, Howes always asks his guests to name three truths that people can remember them by-lessons that they can share with the world considering there is no social media or any other digital platform to recall their lives, I am always intrigued by the answers the guests give as they serve as an oracle for themselves and mankind in general. And suddenly, I had an “ah hah moment,” a phrase Oprah Winfrey coined to describe a personal awakening or epiphany. With all the writing my father does, the cumulation of knowledge, the curation of thoughts, ideas, and goals he invests in writing on those index cards, wouldn’t it be great for him to sum up his life experiences with his truths on one of his index cards? So, in preparation for this article, I called my father and gave him an assignment, which he executed with thoughtfulness and precision. Below is his finished product in his own words and handwriting. He actually devised four instead of three. They are as follows:
Making Dad
I will forever reference this index card. My father has taught me several lessons throughout life and unknowingly prompted my writing career by equipping me with the ability to be a free thinker, analyze information, take a deliberate and methodical approach to solving life’s problems, and most importantly the power of a pen! I carry him with me everywhere I go. After all, when I’m at my best and utilizing the skills he’s taught me, I am my father’s daughter. And now, my father is officially a published writer.
HAPPYSince 1936
Make Your
FATHER’S DAYwith 1032 BURGESSVILLE RD. | RUSTON (318) 255.4208 | pearcelumber.com Page 90 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
DADDY’S My dad is my hero! He always said, “You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him”. Also, “Never get below a quarter tank of gas.” MICHELLE ALLEN-CASSEL
GIRLS
W
e asked our Daddy’s Girls to reach out on Facebook and share some of their favorite words of wisdom from their fathers. Cheers to all of us Daddy’s Girls, and Happy Father’s Day to all the dads who have loved and supported us!
My daddy told me, “You are the mother of the woman you will become and you get to advise that woman each day so make wise choices and give her sage advice”... this is still my reflection. DONESA WALKER
“All you need is love” … obviously not a quote from my dad, but he is a Beatles fanatic. The man raised me with quotes from The Beatles.
My dad Jim Sanders, football coach and life coach too. Dad’s “hundred dollar talks” never fail to inspire me with confidence and a positive attitude. Dad always says “you can never love a child too much!”
MARISOL O’NEAL
SUSAN LEA May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 91
Claude’s advice to all of us: Live as good a life as you can. Take care of your body. Be truthful, honest. Pay your way. Love your family, and they will love you. LARK GOODWIN
JB & R! (Jump Bust and Run) My dads acronym for hurry up and get it done!! He was also BBW (big bad wolf) now he has settled into his role as Daddy Rabbit! I love my daddy, Dicky Nealy. SHELLY NEALY
I’m so grateful for my daddy. He always encourages me to be adventurous and strap on and step out of my comfort zone. I always know he’ll catch me when I fall. Thank you, Daddy. EMMALINE DYER
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Lola
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3015 E TEXAS ST • BOSSIER CITY • 318 584-7374
O
H MY GOODNESS! If we said it once, we said it a hundred times while dining at David Alvis’ Silverstar Cantina in Bossier City. Everyone knows when David does something, he does it first class. He knocked it out of the park with his latest restaurant venture, Silverstar Cantina, an upscale Mexican dining experience. The atmosphere exudes a “Southwestern Chic” feel, with lush seating and cobalt blue lighting. Local artist Vanicka Terhune’s stunning abstract bull painted in blues and hints of gold hangs as a centerpiece to the bold-yet-sophisticated dining area. David bought this statement art piece at the St. Jude auction after it had been designed for the 2017 St. Jude Dream Home. The staff at Silverstar Cantina greets you like family when you walk through the doors. They always have a smile on their faces and go out of their way to insure your experience is unforgettable.
We started the evening with fresh, madeto-order margaritas. The world-class tequila selection is something to experience. The Cantina Rita was the perfect combination of a classic top-shelf margarita made with jalapeno tequila, fresh cucumber, lime and agave. It was a display of willpower to only have one. My next visit will be on a weekend so that I can order that second Cantina Rita. Chips and salsa are a staple for Mexican dining, but when the name Silverstar is involved, even staple items are way above average. We were served chips seasoned with a hint of Mexican spice to pair perfectly with fresh house-made salsa, full of flavor and just enough spice. If you are already a fan of David’s other restaurants, you are a fan of Silverstar’s au gratin potatoes. The queso at Silverstar Cantina was especially exciting when I realized it is a spin-off of the famous au gratin sauce topped with fresh pico-de-
May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 95
Lola REVIEWS
gallo and Mexican cilantro. Our second, must order, appetizer was fried avocado stuffed with fresh pepper jack cheese and lump crab meat. You cannot go wrong with this combination, but it exceeded our expectations. After a short battle of forks, I won the last bite of the fried avocado and we ordered entrees. We were advised to try the Red Snapper topped with a garlic, white wine, butter sauce and diced tomatoes. I am a carne asada kind of girl and couldn’t pass up the Wagyo Carne Asada served on a bed of veggies and chimichurri sauce. We made the right decision in deciding to have both. It would be impossible to pick a favorite of the two. The Red Snapper was flaky and cooked to perfection, but the garlic, white wine butter sauce… OH MY GOODNESS! One of the most delicious fish entrees I have ever eaten. David himself is not a fan of skirt steak, so he wanted to find a cut that embraced the Mexican flavors but still tender. The Wagyu Carne Asada does just that, bursting with flavor yet tender enough to cut with a fork. It is served with hot, house-made tortillas for fajitas. The steak itself is so delicious I chose to forgo the tortillas to save room for dessert. Key-lime pie is a personal favorite of mine and this one did not disappoint. It is light and tangy with fresh lime flavors. I can’t imagine a more perfect key-lime pie, even in Mexico.
I can’t say that I was surprised by every detail exceeding my expectations at Silverstar Cantina. It is the David Alvis way to create an unforgettable dining experience for his guests. In every aspect from the chic décor’, the excellent service, to the upscale Mexican cuisine, David Alvis has done it again. Be sure to call for reservations for your own, OH MY GOODNESS experience at Silverstar Cantina.
SILVER STAR CANTINA 3015 E TEXAS ST • BOSSIER CITY • 318 584-7374
Page 96 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
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Page 98 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
Eating Healthy at
WRITTEN BY DANYE PHILLIPS
Disney
As spring break season comes to a close and summer is reeling us in, we are in fullon vacation planning mode, right?
I’m not talking about any ordinary vacation, but for many of us Louisiana Ladies, that means planning a vacation to Walt Disney World! Whether you are road tripping down to Orlando, Florida, this summer or starting the preparation for a trip 180 days from now, you are planning every last detail of this trip, so why not plan out your food and fitness details, too?
I
n Spring of 2018, I recognized a lot of my personal training and nutrition clients vacationed to Disney and returned to Louisiana feeling guilty, as if they had cheated all of their hard-earned progress in the gym and with their eating habits. This was such a trend it was overwhelming, and I felt helpless as a coach and trainer having to rebuild their confidence and take a few steps back to continue with their programming. My family has taken Disney vacations almost annually since I was a child, so I was very familiar with the struggle of over indulging on Mickey bars and pretzels and skipping the exercise because our days were jampacked “rope drop to fireworks” style. I knew a more proactive, planning approach to maintaining health and fitness on vacation to Disney was needed. Today, I am sharing with you 10 of my top tips and strategies from my recently published Healthy Disney Planning Guide and you too will be able to experience the Magic of Walt Disney World by bringing home all of the happy memories without the extra pounds!
May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 99
1.
Bring a Fitbit or tracking watch and challenge your family and friends to a step contest each day! You will probably double your
daily step count at a minimum with all of the walking you will be doing but don’t let that fool you into thinking you can double your snacking indulgences as well. Sadly, the calories in versus calories out do not automatically balance at Disney.
2.
When choosing your lodging, choose a resort or hotel with a workout facility if you are a regular gym-goer. Disney has
3.
three tiers of resorts, and Value resorts (least expensive) do not have workout facilities. Some of the Moderate level resorts do and all of the Deluxe resorts have those workout rooms. If you are looking for a physical activity outside of lifting weights, here is a list of additional activity options in certain resorts: yoga; volleyball; tennis; surfing programs; swimming; horseback riding; archery; guided fishing excursions; golfing; canoeing and kayaking; bicycles and surrey bikes; basketball; and running trails.
5.
Pack workout clothes for every day you will be out of town. You may not
exercise outside of walking every day, but when you see those workout clothes every time you open your suitcase you will feel the little nudge to complete your regular habits a few times.
6.
Disney FIT TIPS
4.
Snacks purchased in a Disney park, while beautiful and Instagrammable, are generally filled with sugar and high fat. I encourage you to grab
When making your dining reservations on your mydisneyexperience app, make reservations based around similar times to your normal daily eating habits. For example, if you practice intermittent fasting at home and don’t eat your first meal until noon or later, then I recommend not booking a character dining breakfast as your digestion will be thrown off and you may not feel pleasant the rest of your day. If you normally eat dinner at 6 p.m., then I recommend not booking an 8:30 p.m. dining reservation. You want to feel full of energy for the parks your next day, not lethargic and sleepy and grumpy because your system does not understand that you are on vacation.
Ask your server or the chef for modifications to your meals. No fear! They want to
give you the best experience and I have never had any cast member refuse to make a modification. For example, most dishes that come with pasta are about 3 times the amount of an appropriate serving size and you can ask for a half portion of that starchy carbohydrate. If you would like extra vegetables, your server can accommodate that as well. The dish you desire does not come with a lean protein? Ask for a side of grilled chicken or steak or shrimp etc. There is the possibility of an upcharge, but I have never been charged when on the Disney Dining Plan.
a snack like a grilled chicken skewer from a quick service stand at the Harambe Market in Animal Kingdom or in the Frontierland snacking post out front of the Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom! Disney welcomes you to bring your own snacks and meals into the parks as well and I definitely always have my cooler backpack filled with protein shakes and healthier snacks.
7.
Disney chefs are wonderful when it comes to allergy friendly meals and preparation. When booking your
reservations, you can make specific allergy related requests. Remind your cast member when checking into your reservations that you have specific allergy requests and a chef will come out to your table to go over the menu or buffet and let you know exactly what fits into your request.
8.
Review the restaurant menus for your particular dining
reservations ahead of time and fill out your Disney Daily Food Diary so that you know what you plan to eat and can balance out your daily meals.
Page 100 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
9.
Plan in a resort day or a rest day and some down time in every day! Even if you have extra magic hours
and are doing your best to make the most of the parks and ride every ride, know in advance, it simply is not possible to do everything Disney has to offer. Come to peace with that and remember when you and your family are well rested and have had nutrient dense meals in addition to some fun indulgences, you will all enjoy each other’s company exponentially more each day.
10.
Write down your post trip plan to get back to your regular routine and nutrition habits.
Perhaps this means having booked personal training sessions or classes at a gym like Sleek Physique set up for a day or two after you return home. For me this means I order meals from Hostess with the Mostess so that I don’t have to stress about making healthy meals after travel. Whatever you decide to do ahead of time, tell your friends and family about it so they will help to hold you accountable to your goals.
2019 0506 Pure Barre.indd 1
Walt Disney World and the Disneyland parks are truly the happiest and most magical place on Earth, and I know you as a mom or wife or friend want those memories for yourself and your friends and family. For daily tips on health and fitness at Disney I hope you will enjoy and connect with me on Instagram @healthydisney and if you love these tips and want more details then I hope you will enjoy my book, “Healthy Disney, Your Guide to a Fit and Magical Vacation; Volume 1 - The Planning Phase.” You can find my book on Amazon by searching “Healthy Disney” or on my website at www.danyephillips.com. The audio book should be available by the time you are reading this as well. Volume 2 is in the works and will be focused on the Disney Boardwalk restaurants and activities right outside of Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Look for it on Amazon in late June, early July 2019 in paperback and e-book format. If you love podcasting and want to listen to discussion about Disney restaurants and fitness and health tips, then I hope you will join me for some fitness, food and Disney travel discussion at www.danyephillips. com/podcast Visit Until next time, have a fit and la.com lo d a re magical Disney day! table for your prin Sincerely, Danye Phillips od fo y "Disne " ry dia
May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 101
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May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 103
COFFEE TALK
Nothing says,“I’M GOING TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS DAY” like a good cup of joe. Lucky for us, our area has some of the best brews you can find. Be sure to check out all of our local coffee shops complete with good vibes and friendly folks ready to serve up your favorite caffeinated concoction. WRITTEN BY ANGELA VINET
Enjoy the patios at Rhino Coffee
SHREVEPORT Rhino Coffee
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Photo Credit: Brittany Strickland
CCs Coffee House
LYONS’ PRIDE COFFEE Coffee is LIFE at Lyons’ Pride Coffee, exclusively in C & C Mercantile. Here, shoppers are treated to samples of freshly roasted coffees either hot or cold - it matters not to Peter Lyons, coffee expert and owner of Lyons’ Pride Coffee. Offering specialty beans hand-picked and imported from Costa Rica, soon to be roasted locally, these beans have some great names, such as Red River Blend, and are packaged with local artists’ work on the labels. Peter is passionate about coffee, having earned a professional degree in coffee roasting. With his goal to educate the coffee conscience, Peter can teach people how to brew different coffees as well as help them develop their palates to find a bean and brew of choice. The name of Peter’s business is a big clue as to his true desires. Peter has dreams of working with the marginalized workforce. From people with special needs to battered women, Peter wants to help them all by training them in the art of coffee making and serving.
4735 Youree Dr. Shreveport, LA 71105 9488 Ellerbe Rd. Shreveport, LA 71106 ccscoffee.com
Retro 521 Coffee. Cafe. Venue. 521 Barksdale Blvd. Bossier City, LA 71111 retro521.com
Jelks Coffee Roasters
456 W 61st St, Shreveport, LA 71106 jelks-coffee.com
4J’s Java & More 605 Texas Ave. Shreveport, LA 71101 4jscoffee.com
Even wanting to train delinquent youth for their own storefront Page Page104 96 || LOLA LOLAMAGAZINE MAGAZINE || May-June May-June2019 2019
Allegro Coffee Company 1380 E 70th St. Shreveport, LA 71105 allegrocoffee.com
flavor notes of nutty chocolate that people tend to gravitate towards. Another fan favorite is the Nicaraguan beans with hints of cherry. Roasting guru Mike explained that the bean flavor
GOLA Coffee
depends upon the country of origin which is why coffee can have
1 University Pl. Shreveport, LA 71115 shreveportbcm.com/gola
such a huge spectrum of flavors for him to highlight as a roaster. A great place to stop by for a cup of joe on the go or group study sessions, Railway Coffee has plenty of room to spread out,
RUSTON
wifi, healthy lunch options from Crumbs Catering, and some delicious brews for any day’s craving.
MONROE
Parish Press
1007 N Trenton St. Ruston, LA 71270 parish-press.business.site
Bayou Brew House
7129 Desiard St. Monroe, LA 71203 No official website facebook.com/pages/category/Coffee-Shop/ Bayou-Brew-House-680051695711248
Railway Coffee
130 W. Park Ave. 103 Pelican Blvd. 202 W. Mississippi Ave. Ruston, LA 71270 www.railwaycoffee.com
Cypress Coffee
RAILWAY COFFEE Roasting beans since 2015, Railway Coffee has quickly become a coffee hot spot in Ruston, Louisiana, with several locations the beans are booming. With one location downtown in Railroad Park and the other in The Nest just North of town, coffee lovers can get their fix all around Ruston. Importing their beans from all over the world, Railway Coffee perfects the art and science of roasting for a perfect brew. Co-owner Mike Davis said it best, “Coffee Roasting is an art and a science. You have to understand the science to make the art - one doesn’t work without the other.”
Their bestselling bean is the Columbian for expressos and by the bags as a crowd pleaser with its medium roast and interesting
523 DeSiard St. Monroe, LA 71201 No official website or Facebook
CYPRESS COFFEE, CO. Cypress Coffee, Co. is the spot to sip on some tasty beans in Monroe, Louisiana’s historic district on Desiard Street. Within walking distance to the Ouachita River, this downtown location is stylish and ready to serve up some coffee along with tasty treats. The perfect work spot or grab and go, the coffee bar is ready to serve.
Photo Credit: Brittany Strickland
May-June May-June2019 2019 || LOLA LOLAMAGAZINE MAGAZINE || Page Page105 97
A family affair, Cypress Coffee, Co. is operated by Shelby Sheppard whose passion for coffee has turned into a full-time love affair. Her parents, Phillip and Teresa Sheppard, also own, Bayou Brewhouse - a college coffee brewhouse where Teresa whips up cinnamon rolls the size of a softball daily. Often sold out by noon, most loyal customers reserve their rolls early. Cypress Coffee, Co. has the same treats as the Bayou Brewhouse, delivered daily and pairing well with their blends. A local favorite is the Bayou Bleu for dark coffee lovers; however their aptly named Cypress Crossing is the house specialty with a lighter roast, tropical fruit flavoring and hints of caramel. Known for their seasonal blends as well such as the King Cake Latte, one of the staples on the menu is the Heath Bar Latte which sounds like the perfect drink to sip with a massive, home-made cinnamon roll.
CC’s Coffee House
2350 Tower Dr. Monroe, LA ccscoffee.com
Photo Credit: Brittany Strickland
8610 Fern Ave. Shreveport, LA 71105
A face you know. A bank you can trust.
Barry Milligan
Vice President Commercial Lender
Page Page106 98 || LOLA LOLAMAGAZINE MAGAZINE || May-June May-June2019 2019
@bomest1903
Jana Freeman Forrest Vice President Branch Manager & Lender
Congratuations to
FightLikeEmilie.org on the launch of your new website built by Richard Creative
The Fight Like Emilie Foundation exists to support research, institutions/organizations, families, and initiatives, as well as to raise awareness in the fight to defeat childhood cancer.
Check out their new website and consider an online donation today.
A Creative Agency for Smart Businesses
info@Richard-Creative.com
318-490-6555
May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 107
Page 108 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
A Celebration of Women For a century, the Woman’s Department Club has empowered women IN 1919 — at a time when
music, art and more."
there were limited educational
Kelley, who joined in the
opportunities for women —
1980s, said over the decades
the Woman's Department Club
members have educated each
emerged as a place Shreveport
other on everything from life
women could learn from each
skills to hobbies to cultural
other. It was organized in
affairs. "When I joined, I learned
November 1919 by a group
so much from the ladies," she
of ladies inspired by the city's
said. "We had cooking classes all
oldest literary club — the
the time ... and when I moved
Hypatia Club.
here, I had only been married
"It started out as a book club," said Shirley Kelley, club manager and longtime member.
five years, and I came up here, and I learned to cook. The
ladies
spread
their
"They started out with book
knowledge. Everyday there is
reviews and then it progressed
something new you learn from
to English literature and then
each other."
ON MAY 18,
the Woman’s Department
Club will celebrate 100 years of that shared knowledge at its centennial celebration — A Century of Women. The event is 6-9 p.m. at the club, 802 Margaret Place. Dress is era cocktail attire from the past century. Sandra Harrold, centennial committee chair and the club’s first vice president, said the evening will feature performances from soprano Gail Odom and the Shreveport-Bossier Choir, a group that graced the club’s 400-seat auditorium in the 1920s. In addition, a trio of keynote speeches will bring to life the history of the club. Among them is an address by folk musician Elizabeth DiSavino, an academic who did extensive research on the club’s co-founder, Katherine Jackson French — an early collector of turn-of-the-century Kentucky folk ballads. French was a Kentucky native who earned a doctoral degree in English literature from Columbia University and completed post-doctoral studies at Yale University. She moved to Shreveport in the late 1910s to teach at Centenary College, according toDiSavino’s research.
May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 109
North Louisiana’s
MUST-ATTEND EVENTS
May 1-31
May 2
tinyurl.com/318CrawfishCrawl
May 2
lsuhsfoundation.org/healers
laholyangels
May 3
LaFoodPrize
May 4-5
nelaarts.org
Derby Day May 4
shreveportevent.com
SHREVEPORT STUFFED SHRIMP FESTIVAL May 5
YourProvenance
May 11
stuffedshrimpfestival.com
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE
AIRSHOW
May 11
lovingthislifejada
May 18-19
Page 110 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
barksdaleafbairshow.com
May 19
winecountrybistro
May 19-21
fathomevents.com
FASHION PRIZE
mudbugmadness.com
May 31
readlola.com/fashionprize
June 15
bluemanrun
7TH ANNUAL
FEAST!
BY SHREVEPORT GREEN June 6
YourProvenance
SUNFLOWER TRAIL & FESTIVAL
June 15
June 21-22
redrivercrossroadhistorical.org
festivalnet.com
THE CROSS LAKE FLOATILLA
June 15
May 22-23, 29-30
May-June 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 111
floatilla
nwlahba.org
MUST-ATTEND EVENTS
May 24-26
North Louisiana’s
STEEL MAGNOLIAS IN THEATERS
FROM HER PERSPECTIVE
Jessica Latin, MA, LPC
Renewing Lives & Reducing Stigma Photo by: Young Professionals Ent.
after the birth of my daughter, I suffered from perinatal depression and anxiety. Although this has been a whirlwind experience that I would not wish on anyone, I am grateful that I have the personal experience and I am working to gain more knowledge in this area to ay is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month. One help other women in my community power through pain. in seven new moms may suffer from a perinatal mental In 2019, I started JL Counseling LLC, a mental health counseling illness, such as postpartum depression. Although there private practice specializing in domestic violence and maternal has been a decrease in recent years, infant mortality rates are mental health. My goal is to be a beacon of light in the community troubling in the state of Louisiana, child abuse and neglect cases have to show other women that it is okay to not be okay, that we are all also significantly increased in the state and I can’t help but think that imperfectly perfect, and that help is here. I have partnered with some of these cases could have been prevented by raising awareness several local organizations, including a midwife who refer clients and offering resources to those women who were dealing with a to me, in a collaborative effort to raise awareness and potentially perinatal mental illness, which resulted in the demise or removal of save lives. I also want to educate and work closely with medical their children. professionals in the area to ensure that they are screening frequently I always had goals of owning my own counseling private practice. and providing resources for those with a positive screening. I also As a matter of fact, about five years ago, I made myself a vision board want to help medical professionals be more sensitive and mindful in on Pinterest, and starting my own counseling private practice was their approach with dealing with perinatal mental illness. the last goal on that board. I did not know at the In the last year and a half, I have started a time; however, that one of the hardest experiences Facebook support group for women dealing GET HELP in my life would be the launching pad for which with maternal mental health problems. With the my private practice stands on today. In 2017, my help from a local perinatal professional we have If you or anyone you know is suffering from a perinatal mental husband and I went through a miscarriage at revamped the group into Shreveport-Bossier disorder or if you are unsure approximately nine weeks. It was devastating yet Sisterhood of Support (S.B. S.O.S.) and have and need a screening, please I was resilient and this inspired me to reach out started holding meetings locally at Bonne Fete contact JL Counseling LLC at wellness@jlcounselingllc.com to other women who have gone through the same Maternity in Shreveport on the third Tuesday of to schedule an appointment thing. I was amazed at what I discovered. Almost every month from 12 p.m.- 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 7 if you are in the Shreveport/ every other woman I have had contact with in the p.m. Bossier and surrounding areas. last 10 years disclosed to me that they had one or The idea is to have a mentor/sponsorship Visit postpartumsupport.net more miscarriages and have dealt with and are still style peer-led group to help women grow their to find resources and a support dealing with the traumatic after effects on their support systems to help them process and push coordinator in your area. body, emotional state, and their relationships. through their motherhood struggles. Our goal If you or someone you know is struggling with depression and It helps me to help others. That is why I chose is to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental suicide ideation, please call the this career path. I always have the burning desire illness especially amongst women and mothers. National Suicide Prevention to do more and to go above and beyond. I never I want to educate mothers on the importance Lifeline 24/7 1-800-273-8255 want anyone to have to feel alone as many often of self-care and putting their needs first so that do. During my healing process, I became the first they can be the best mother they can be for ambassador in the state of Louisiana for 2020 MOM, a national their children. I want to make the topic of maternal mental health organization that works to bridge the gap between medical providers less taboo and help others feel comfortable in expressing their likes and women dealing with perinatal mental disorders, while raising and dislikes about motherhood in a judgment-free zone. Through awareness for maternal mental health and improving diagnoses group counseling coupled with individual counseling, along with a and treatment. I also became a volunteer support coordinator for strong community presence, I hope that we can eventually decrease northern Louisiana for Postpartum Support International (PSI), the number of suicides, infant deaths, child abuse, and neglect cases another national organization that raises awareness and helps in our community and increase the number of loving, supported, provide resources for perinatal mental illness. Immediately following knowledgeable, emotionally and mentally stable women and mothers my miscarriage, I became pregnant again. During this pregnancy and to help nurture the future leaders of this world.
M
Page 104 112 | LOLA MAGAZINE | May-June 2019
Over the years, we have worked hard to build a team of smart and genuinely compassionate people who want to be the best at what they do. At Cosse and Silmon Orthodontics we are a highly efficient, sometimes loud, always fun Orthodontic Team absolutely obsessed with delivering unrivaled customer service. Our award-winning staff sta wants your appointment to be the best part of your day! SHORTER TREATMENT TIMES
AIRWAY AWARE
Because of our state-of-the-art equipment and innovative treatments and techniques, achieving your perfect smile at CSO takes significantly less time than the national average of 27 months.
CSO is the only orthodontist in the area with CBCT 3D imaging. This extreme technology provides extensive information in minutes providing the best treatment plans (with the least extractions) while helping diagnose any airway or breathing issues at the same time.
IN-HOUSE FINANCING TEAM With an affordable pricing structure, in-house and extended financing, and a full-time insurance coordinator, CSO is committed to helping you get the most out of your insurance benefits and getting your monthly payments where you need them to be.
At Cosse and Silmon Orthodontics, we take pride in living up to our reviews and reputation. If you haven’t been to one of our
FOUR CONVENIENT LOCATIONS
yet, give us a call and come see what everyone is talking about!
SHREVEPORT
230 Carroll St., #1
318.869.1248
BOSSIER CITY
4001 Viking Dr., Ste B
STONEWALL
MINDEN
4974 HWY 3276, Ste G 164 Country Club Ste A
www.CosseOrtho.com