Simply Bowie January 2023

MISSION

PUBLISHER

Veronica Fountain

Veronica@simplymagazines.net

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ro Moreno

Tracey Connor

Frank Sparks

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Tiasia Saunders

Myia Borland

Leelyn Ellis

Brittney DeZwaan

Lauryn Forbes

Lauren Porter

LAYOUT & AD DESIGN

Natthaphon Foithong Natt@simplymagazines.net

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Veronica Fountain

Veronica@simplymagazines.net

Veronica Fountain Publisher & Owner

Bring on the New Year!

JANUARY MARKS THE BEGINNING OF NOT ONLY A NEW CALENDAR YEAR BUT ALSO THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SETTING PERSONAL GOALS.

Perhaps you’ve resolved to exercise more regularly, take up a new hobby or volunteer at the local animal shelter.

Whatever your goals may be, we hope the people, places, recipes and tips and tricks in this issue will inspire you to focus on wellness in the new year.

And while diet and excercise are vital to your physical health, overall wellness includes your mental health As well. This month, we at Simply Bowie encourage you to live your best life by taking care of yourself both inside and out.

We asked local experts for wellness tips, plus tips on how to decorate that room for health & wellness, and it’s a New Year- New Body, Doctor, Career, Diet, and Resolution.

I’m ready to blossom Simply Bowie and the Launch of the Simply Annapolis to an amazing year. Thanks for reading, Bowie.

Happy New Year!

Contributor ’s PAGE

Leelyn Ellis is a senior at Howard University, majo ring in journalism and minoring in English. She also serves as the executive secretary for the Howard University Association of Black Journalists. “I love telling stories, and writing has always been something that I’m passionate about. Outside of journalism, I’m working on other creative writing projects, including my own novel.”

Braxton C. Babb is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana. She is a Senior Broadcast Journalism major and English minor at Howard University. On her campus, she serves as Vice President of Black Girls House, Social Media Director of B.E.S.T. You Programming, and host for Howard Hotties. Due to her passion for uplifting and being a role model to young girls, her long-term goal is to pursue a career in entertainment media with a primary focus on Black Women.

Tiasia Saunders is a junior Media, Journalism & Film Major and English minor at Howard University. She is from Danville, Virginia, and enjoys writing and reading during her free time. Tiasia plans to get her master’s degree in Data Journalism when she completes her bachelor’s degree. She aspires to become an author and own a publishing company one day.

Askya Alexander is a graduating senior, journalism major at Howard University. When she’s not writing her next Simply Magazine article, you can find her immersing herself in all things pop culture, following the latest beauty trends on TikTok, or reading something from her never-ending TBR list!

“I’m excited to intern for Simply Magazines this fall because it gives me the opportunity to do something I love: writing! To be a student and be able to have this experience is something I’m eternally grateful for.”

Myía Borland is a senior journalism major at Howard University. She adapted a niche for writing from her mother who also studied journalism at Howard and Myía now writes about culture and climate news. Her future goals include writing for major magazines and media outlets that cover these topics. This semester interning with Simply Magazine helped Myía learn new ways to storytell and helped her learn about people and businesses beyond the DMV area.

A New Year, a New Body: NEW DOCTOR, NEW CAREER, NEW DIET, AND NEW YEAR RESOLUTION!

Is a better body a better self? Is a perfect body our best self? In the visual culture we inhabit we increasingly believe that a better body will lead to a better life, one where we are happier, have a better job, a better partner, and things go well for us.

Think about the New Year’s resolutions we make, the majority of them are about the body –to exercise more, to change our diet, or straightforwardly to lose weight. While exercise might be undertaken under the guise of health, it’s often for beauty, and as beauty becomes the dominant value we, at times, risk our health for it.

While setting a goal to see your doctor more regularly might seem less glamorous than other New Year’s resolutions, it can actually form the foundation for more common resolutions such as “getting healthy.” Seeing your doctor regularly can help you stay healthy and on track to having a good new year.

Visits to doctors have been especially impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. One in five Americans reportthat they have delayed seeing their doctor because of the pandemic, but seeing your doctor is one of the best things you can do for your health.

Even if you had a great time in 2020, most of the world agrees that we’re glad to leave that year behind. Like many people, you’re probably eagerly looking forward to 2021, and have big plans ahead. Those big plans may very well include a positive change in your work life, be it a new job, a promotion or a change of career paths. If so, follow these steps towards zeroing on what you want from your work life and making it happen.

Make a list of exactly what you want

The more specific your career goals, the better you’ll be at achieving them. Before starting your search, take an hour or so to sit down and create a list of your wants and needs for your next job. These could include salary range, length of commute, benefits and workplace culture, as well as the types of skills the position will allow you to exercise and develop. Having trouble? Evolution Coaching has a certified career coach waiting to work with you!

…And why someone should want you

By far, this is the hardest part of any job search. Unless you’re that rare person blessed with tons of confidence, determining the “selling points” about yourself can feel like a confusing, uncomfortable or even impossible task.

As hard as this task seems, however, there are easy ways around it. One simple way is to ask close friends or trusted colleagues to describe your best qualities as a person and as a professional. Getting an outside perspective helps you see yourself more clearly. You can also work with a professional career coach to help you determine your strengths and assets, as well as how to present them to potential employers.

Update your resume and create a portfolio

Preparing your resume in the best resume format can be another task that feels intimidating, but don’t stress. If you’re feeling befuddled by how to summarize years of experience on a piece of paper, work with a professional resume writer or utilize resume editing services. They will help you concisely describe yourself in a way that gets the attention of potential employers.

While the scientific community is still divided on whether or not the mind diet works, the early evidence is promising. A mind diet is an excellent option if you want a healthy way to eat that may also support your brain health.

So there you have it, our diet plan for 2023. What are your thoughts? We would love to hear what you think. And do not forget to share this article with your friends and family who may be looking for a healthy diet plan for the upcoming year.

Before You Start

First, make sure that you have realistic goals. You do not want to set your sights too high and then be disappointed when you do not meet them. Try starting with a modest weight loss goal of five pounds per month. Next, choose a healthy diet plan that fits your lifestyle and preferences. There are plenty of options, so take your time and find one you can stick with for the long haul. Finally, get plenty of exercise in addition to your healthy diet plan. The combination of good nutrition and regular activity is the key to sustainable weight loss success.

Mind Diet

The mind diet is quickly gaining popularity due to its impressive health benefits, including reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. The diet is also relatively easy to follow, with guidelines that focus on natural, healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and fish.

Fostering Health & Wellness at Home: The Bathroom

By Leelyn Ellis

There’s nothing better than visiting a beautiful spa or hotel, and immediately being immersed in a peaceful, stress-free environment where all of your worries can melt away. And while we tend to get caught up in the aesthetic of things, functionality is key in any space–and particularly in the bathroom. Here are a few things that you can easily implement to create the perfect calming space, right in the comfort of your own home.

Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus is one of the best plants for human health. The leaves promote relaxation, decrease stress and anxiety, and act as a natural decongestant, clearing up any early signs of a cold. Wrap the leaves around your showerhead to create a relaxing aroma when mixed with the hot water.

Oil diffuser: If you aren’t able to get your hands on the eucalyptus leaves themselves, opt for essential oils. Eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint oil are some of the most effective oils for improving mental function, sleep, and reducing stress. Buy an oil diffuser, add in your favorite essential oils, and watch how any space is instantly transformed into a relaxing environment.

Showerhead: Replacing your showerhead is a quick fix that can immediately upgrade your space and experience. Head to Amazon and try to find ones that match your specific needs and preferences, whether it’s a handheld model or one with different water patterns.

Declutter: Declutter your countertops by getting rid of products that have expired or you no longer use. Use storage bins and baskets to organize the remaining products, creating a more streamlined and visually appealing space. Keeping things tucked away will help maintain the atmosphere that you’re trying to create.

Quality linens: Quality linens may be more expensive, but it’s an investment that’s worth every cent. When buying new towels, lean towards high quality Turkish or Egyptian cotton towels for luxurious, soft, absorbent material. If you’re looking for ways to also be ecofriendly, opt for bamboo towels. Compared to cotton, bamboo towels use less fertilizer and pesticides to thrive. It’s also antimicrobial, which means it’s a great option for bathrooms without good ventilation.

Plants: In addition to eucalyptus, plants are an amazing way to bring nature into any space. When picking plants for the bathroom, go for options that will thrive in moisture and are easy to maintain. Succulents are quick, cost-effective plants that require little to no maintenance, and easily add pops of color. Spider plants are another great option that needs little light, and do well in humid environments.

The Millenial Guide to Decorating a Home: Save or Splurge

By Leelyn Ellis

Congratulations!

You bought your first home, but now it’s time to furnish. You may feel like you need to start fresh and buy everything all over again, but it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Find most of what you need at Homesense, Home Goods, Target, IKEA, Home Depot, and Wayfair, and make use of your local thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace. Below, find a quick guide of what you should and shouldn’t splurge on.

Splurge on Art

The art pieces in your home can make or break the space, so this isn’t something you want to skimp on. Invest in quality pieces and frames that complement your vibe and your home’s.

Save on Dinnerware

Unless you collect vintage china, there’s no need to spend a lot of money on dinnerware. Find a set that’s the perfect size and aesthetic for whatever you’re going for.

Splurge on Comfort

When you lie down every night, you want to be comfortable. Splurge on a quality mattress that fits your needs of firm or soft and will last a while. The same logic can be applied to your sofa, sheets, and sleeping pillows. You spend the most time with these pieces, and they should be enjoyable.

Save on Rugs

One of the most unlikely large costs in decorating: rugs. A quality area rug can start around $400 and go up to $10,000, which can be destructive to furnishing benefits.

Save on Decor

Mirrors, vases, and other miscellaneous decorations add character to a home, and don’t cost too much. Save on decor items by buying them over time and finding them at local stores and shops.

Essential Non-Essentials

We’ve covered the basics, but what about everything else? That depends on your specific wants and lifestyle. Do you find yourself spending $8 on coffee every morning? Do you have pets that shed? Are you the type of person to eat out or cook every meal? If you fall under any of these categories, here are a few additional things you may want to splurge on.

Kitchen Knives

Sharp, quality knife sets can improve your cooking experience greatly. Not only do you reduce the risk of accidentally cutting yourself, but it quickens the process entirely.

Vacuums

Pet hair can be a deterrent to having furniture in your home. Get ahead of any mess and buy a quality vacuum that’s powerful, easy to use, and has a compact design to fit in any space.

Coffee Machine

Investing in a good coffee machine will reduce the temptation of going to Starbucks every morning. And while it may be a costly investment, it’s surely going to pay off in the long run.

Pots and Pans

If you’re spending most of your time in the kitchen and value the cooking experience, good pots and pans are a necessity.

Ultimately, the way you choose to decorate and furnish your home is your choice, but it shouldn’t break the bank. Weigh the pros and cons for each item you purchase, and curate a space that is unconditionally you.

Faith And Family Helped Tonya Brigham Become A Queen In The ‘Smoothie

King’ Empire

Article by Lauren Porter

Corporate America was draining Tonya Brigham.

As a successful event planner helping others celebrate the happiest days of their life, the married mother of two was traveling so often that she as mentally and emotionally drained.

Needing a break from it all she turned to prayer to seek counsel on finding peace, asking God to release her from the confines of an 80-hour work week. Instead, she was promoted and received a hefty pay increase. In order to save her marriage and protect her mental health, Brigham finally made the tough decision to quit, and spent the next two years devoted to her family. The decision fulfilled her, until things changed in her life. Her husband lost his job—their only source of income—and she had to make a decision to get back to work, and fast. Brigham turned to Smoothie King, became a franchise owner and set her sights on success. She quickly rose to the top.

In the two years since opening the doors of her very own location in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Brigham has spawned accolades unparalleled for someone in her position, including being named the #1 producer in the

JUST WHEN SHE THOUGHT SHE HAD LIFE FIGURED OUT, GOD HAD OTHER PLANS. HER COURSE WOULD LEAD HER TO OWNING ONE OF THE TOP ìSMOOTHIE KINGî FRANCHISE STORES IN HER REGION. HER STORY IS A TRUE TESTIMONY.

Smoothie King DC Market and #1 store in the Northeast demographic.

Here’s how faith and family helped Brigham become a queen in the Smoothie King empire. Within a month and a half of her grand opening,she was number one in sales

in the DC market, number one in the Northeast and in the top 4% in the nation and she has been on top ever since.

Name: Tonya Brigham

Current Title/Company: Owner of Smoothie King Shop in Bowie, Maryland

Her humble beginnings: I grew up in a very small rural little town in North Carolina, and was a psych major. When I first got out of school I worked in patient psych at a psychiatric unit. I moved up to DC and worked at a children’s hospital in the adolescent psych unit and eventually became burned out. I became a flight attendant with US Airways. My routes were to Rome, Paris and Madrid. It was pretty cool, and insane and crazy. It was really great, except for, when you get over there, you’re so jet lagged, and you don’t know anybody. I did it for about a year, and after a while, it was like “Eh, this isn’t so great.” I moved back to DC, and eventually became an event planner. My largest one was with the National Association of Home Builders, and that was about 97,000 people. My last position was with the National Retail Federation. It was one of those jobs where there’s just so much stress and so much pressure. You’re working on a convention that takes you six, seven months to plan, but you’re also working on five or six other meetings. The deadlines just never stop. You have all these different stakeholders. The buck stops with you when you arrive on site and something goes wrong, it’s in your lap.

Her calling: Every time I would get on an airplane to go somewhere, something traumatic would happen. It was, literally, like God was prying my fingers off of a job

that made me sick. One morning I can remember getting up very early in the morning before five o’clock, doing my devotion, my time with God, and I’m just writing and complaining and put the pencil down. I picked up and wrote “Just quit.” I’m like, “Lord, was that you?” I know I want to quit, but I wasn’t just thinking that. He took me to scripture and confirmed it. I turned in my resignation that day. What He said was, “Get in your house, and get your house in order. Get your marriage in order. You’re out of order. For three years, he put me in this house and he stripped me of those cute little suits. All he had me do, every single day was serve my husband. Serve my family. Clean my house. Stay before him. On this journey of this three-year walk through the desert in my house, I started saying, “Lord, I need to make some money. My husband’s like saying ‘Well, when is this spiritual journey going to be over, because we still have a mortgage?’”

Her journey: During this journey, at some point, I started just kind of doing some research online and I discovered Smoothie King. The more I discovered, the more research I did, the more excited I got about it. The number one guest is that soccer mom. It’s women who are just like me. They have a gazillion balls up in the air. My husband initially said “No. Where are we going to get the money from? We live in an upper-middle class neighborhood. We have a mortgage. We have responsibilities here. Where are we going to get the money to do this?” And God just said, “I told you to move. I told you to move.” It’s truly been a faith walk. It was so hard to do this. Even with getting the loan. The first bank denied us. The second bank said the same thing. The third bank said the same thing. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. I opened my doors 10 days before Thanksgiving, November 2014. I’m thinking, “Dear God, I sell cold drinks, and I’m opening up at Christmas time.” Within a month and a half, two months, I was number one in sales in the DC market. Number one in the Northeast; in the top 4% in the nation. I have stayed there ever since. Corporate is calling saying, “What’s going on in Bowie, Maryland?” “What in the heck is happening?” “How are these numbers?” What they said is, your first year, you literally are not going to make any money, because you just have to put so much into your company.

Her biggest influence: My greatest mentor really has been following God. He orders my steps. He’s put some amazing mentors in their 70s and 80s around me who speak into my life and their wisdom applies across the board. Whether it’s with my husband, my children, my business, it’s the wisdom of God.

The biggest misconception about the industry: Because you see a lot of people in my store and you see

it flourishing, folks do not realize the sacrifice that it has taken to reach that point. It is a huge stressor on the marriage. It’s a huge stressor on your children. Nothing is more important than my family. That is the hardest thing, I’m sure with many business women, is I will lay down my life for my children, but at the same time, I have real responsibilities.

Success will cost you. Success always comes at a price. I think until you go through it, and I love people who’ve gone through it, because they understand that price. They can emphasize with where you are.

Her biggest lesson learned: I look at what my biggest problem has been, then I figure out my biggest lesson. My biggest problem is I tend to hire my team to be of the demographic of teenage and early college. I take very seriously everyone God has put under me. He’s going to hold me accountable by how I treated them, and what I poured into them. I think the biggest lesson has just been, “When I give these lessons to these kids,” I say this all the time, “I’m not training you for Smoothie King, I’m training you for the board room.” Your personality may get you in the door, but working your butt off is going to keep you there.

Her biggest career accomplishment: Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce just named me entrepreneur of the year for 2016. I go to First Baptist Church of Glenarden. In the middle of last year, I’m doing the best I have done. I was so tired, I tried three times to get up to go to church that day. At the end of one of his sermons, Pastor Jenkins says, “You know, there’s a lady in our church. She owns a Smoothie King at Bowie Town

Center, and her courage, when she would come up and talk to me, has just blown me away. She kept pushing.” This one man speaking about me for seven seconds, like 600 people rushed through my doors—for months! They would say, “I heard the pastor mention you.” They replayed his sermons on the radio and I got a whole fresh crop of people who don’t even go to my church who were like “I was listening to the radio, the fact that you’re African American, the fact that you’re a Christian, I want to support you in my community. I want my children to see you.” That for me was like the biggest thing. I wasn’t expecting, to have someone who had heard my journey just say “I am so proud of her courage,” was just like “Wow, God, I thank you for that.”

The smartest advice she’s ever received: You work and you earn, and you make a living. You treat people fair and live life to God be the glory.

In her downtime: I love Sudoku and reading my bible. I can just chill by myself, literally just listening to music and talking to God, and I’m good.

What she never leaves home without: My phone, my keys and my checkbook — inside there’s a picture of my family.

Her theme song: The song from the Jeffersons, “Movin’ on Up.”

On her bucket list: Purchase a vacation house in Lake Tahoe.

What’s next for her: My goal and what He told me is that I was going to have 25 of these stores. I may be 65 when I open up that 25th, that’s His business not mine.

HOLISTIC HEALING

By B. De Zwaan Photographer: Ro Moreno

Over the last few years, holistic healing has become more of a buzzword, but what does it look like, and how can you incorporate it into your life? We talked to Shirleta Henson McKann, owner of DReM’s (pronounced like Dream’s) Legacy Holistic Wellness Center, about the services she offers and how you could incorporate them into your life.

Shirleta started DReM’s Legacy Holistic Wellness Center as “a side business where I wanted to give services to indigenous women of color.” She used to only offer doula services where she would focus on the family as a whole, but it mainly focused on the women because, at their core, doulas are birth assistants. She has since added etheric touch to her list of services, so she now accepts male clients and has even worked on a child.

In her doula work, she assists women with pain management, prenatal care, support during labor, and even with postpartum care. Some of the self-care elements that are included in this are womb massages, and yoni steams. Womb massages are linked to revitalizing the organs, while yoni steams are linked to cleansing and sooting the vagina not just after birth but can also be helpful with periods. Shirleta also said, “In some cases when we deal with our indigenous and African cultures, we sometimes provide spiritual support as well.” She caters to each of her clients and their specific needs regarding the birthing process.

Shirleta also talked about how many women of color need an extra advocate, especially in the hospital. She recalled fondly on her experience giving birth, ”That’s why I got into it. As a mother of 3 myself, I was grateful to have my mom as a support because she was brought up old school where the women in the family were there to support the

younger women during birth.” But she acknowledged that not every woman has the support system she had so that is why she is happy to be that support system for them. She also has a background as a registered nurse that focused on labor/delivery and cardiac, so all she has done is move more toward the holistic side.

Shirleta originally started with reiki work but eventually transitioned to etheric touch because it is more geared toward people of color. Etheric touch according to her, “It is an indigenous healing ceremony designed to infuse the body with energy for renewal and rejuvenation. It assists with cleansing the body, relaxing the mind and awakening the soul. You use the energy from your ancestors, and spiritual background, and you pour it into the person you are helping.” She states that it helps provide a kind of mental reset and it can also be good for mental health because many people of color have a stigma when it comes to getting treatment for it. She said, “It provides not the treatment but the support you need to not be afraid to accept that you need that type of support for your mental health.” This shows that this is important because it can help provide some support to those who are not ready to seek full mental health treatment. A starting point if you will. She also wants you to know that etheric touch is not just for women it can be used by men and even children if they need a mental reset.

Now if you are still on the fence about all of this holistic stuff she said that she loves to meet people where they are and show them what exactly it is that she does. You are always free to ask questions about what doula work or etheric touch is if you are interested in it. And in some cases for etheric touch, she may even let you sit in on a session with the client’s permission of course.

She said that the most rewarding part of her business is, “Seeing the progression of people after my service. Seeing happy families and better lives is the most rewarding. Nice to see the moms come back cause they are having another one. I’ve had people come back months later saying they still feel good after the ceremony that was performed. You are teaching people how to heal themselves.” Her goal is not for you to continue coming back but to give you tools to better heal yourself. That does not mean you cannot come back if you need another reset several months down

the road she even goes to her teacher or other people in the industry for those, but it is important that you are taking what you discuss in your session with you in your everyday life.

When it comes to holistic healing DReM’s Legacy Holistic Wellness Center is a great place for your doula, self care, mental health and etheric touch needs. Shirleta said that she should be accepting walk-ins soon at her practice or you can schedule an appointment with her with the information below.

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

Welcome to the 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards! Nominations will be accepted between February 1 and April 30 as the first part of the competition. The second part of the competition is June 1 to August 31. Participating is easy! Simply choose a category, make your nomination, and fill in your email address*. Complete the registration at

Candidates must receive a required minimum number of responses and a minimum overall rating to be eligible for a Reader’s Choice Award. Candidates are judged on a set of criteria relevant to their category, based on a standard five-point scale converted to a percentage: excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor.

by Lauryn Forbes Photography by Ro Moreno

When trying approaching challenging topics such as weight loss, horomones and premenapausal symptoms, it can often feel like someone is throwing a textbook in your face. Rarely is your specialist as passionate about your successful journey as if it was their own. Customers at BeBalanced Annapolis are able to tell a different story. Meet its owner and wellness coach, Rachelle Polk. Her practice is mainly focused on sustainable yet holistic methods of weight loss. “Our real goal is to educate and empower women after they’re feeling better to help continue to live and lead a good, clean, healthy lifestyle”, she says.

With their first franchised location opening in 2015, BeBalanced as a whole is an innovative business focusing on hormone balancing for weight loss, which can alternatively can

help symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, depression, and anxiety. “We are dealing with all natural hormones that work with what you’re already producing in your body to get them balanced, as opposed to hormone replacement therapy”, Polk says. Though the topic of hormones could put some off, she asserts that their product is “a balancing act, not replacement”.

Starting as a BeBalanced customer herself in 2017, her own journey is what connects her to her patients. After being laid off from her job, understandably stressed, she began her BeBalanced regimen the very day after seeing them at a networking event. The rest, one can presume, was history. “I am always remembering how I felt and how frustrated I was that it propels me forward into really trying to get the

Article

word out to women that they don’t have to suffer like this anymore, like our moms did”, she says.

What sets her business apart from other weight loss clinics is its all-natural holistic approach to losing weight - and what comes along with that is a multitude of other benefits. In the signature 14-week comprehensive weight loss and hormone balancing program, Becoming Balanced, they come at problems from numerous different directions. For one, they start with a whole food diet - you won’t find any prepackaged meals or protein shakes here. This, along with their natural hormone supplements, meditation, and other holistic techniques is their recipe for success. They also look at stress, cortisol, estrogen and progesterone. According to Polk, her customers experience on average 15 to 20 pounds lost in the first 30 days, with other

hormonal symptoms lessening in that same period.

While the majority of their customers are women ages 35-65, but Polk asserts that any gender, any age can benefit from this treatment. “My youngest client is 14 and my oldest client is 82”, she says. Her business is very client focused, with a large dedication to one on one private coaching as opposed to popular weight loss group sessions such as Weight Watchers. However, they do also offer group support if one is interested in that format. Her team focuses on their “drive to really help women change their lives. And that’s what we’re doing here”, she says. Polk emphasizes that this program is not just for weight loss - it is a way to change one’s life and perspective. This, she affirms, makes BeBalanced a different approach than any other program.

In the new year, it is typical for weight loss to be a top resolution - and it’s much easier with dedicated and passionate people on your team. BeBalanced Annapolis is currently accepting new clients, and is encouraging customers to utilize their free consultation. After registering, one can expect a 30 minute session where they figure out whether the program would be a good fit or not. To get in touch, visit: https:// bebalancedcenters.com/ location/annapolis/

It doesn’t take long to notice that The Green Garden is not your average clinical therapy office. Founded in October of 2020, Dr. Chona Green, Psy.D. is striving to help her community in more ways than one. Though her practice is new, Dr. Green however is not new to the industry, and has worked in the mental health space for ten years.

Health & Wellness

While it is definitely a play on her last name, she chose to call her company the The Green Garden because she wants to give off a “peaceful, calm energy”. When choosing the name, she imagined expanding into a larger wellness practice center, full of greenery and fountains. Even her company’s website is filled with calming serene images and the color green. She wants her patients to know that their experience will be a peaceful one.

Dr. Green’s practice mainly focuses on young adults, helping them not only with common issues such as anxiety, depression, but also through assisting their discovery of who they are and their identity. Knowing how tumultuous this period of life can be, she aids young people figure out how to make the transition to adulthood, while simultaneously nurturing their communication and assertation skills. Dr. Green also assists with other age groups, but her primary clientele at this time is young adults.

What sets her apart from other companies is that she practices from an overall holistic approach. While mental health is extremely important, she realizes that it’s also important to look at other things in one’s life, such as exercise, diet, sleep, and even people one surrounds themselves with. These, she says, are ”factors that I think are so important when it comes to mental health, because those can all make us more depressed or make us feel more anxious.”

Additionally, in her practice, Dr. Green emphasizes the importance of establishing a genuine connection with her patients. A far cry from standard clinician-patient relationships, she always wants to make her patients feel like they can talk to her about anything. “What I really appreciate about my practice, are actually my clients and the repore that I have with them is really special”, she says. “What kind of keeps me going is seeing them progress and seeing them improve”. With this, she feels honored by the trust that her patients have in her, and celebrates their wins as if they were her own.

Article by Lauryn Forbes Photography by Ro Moreno

With this, she wants people to know that she will also bring her personality to the session, and is not afraid of humor. “I’m never going to judge you. I’m never going to criticize the decisions you make, but we are going to talk about you know, maybe there was a better decision”, she says. She feels that it is very important to have someone to hold you accountable and responsible for your goals, whether its the start of a new year, or any time of year. She’s there to hold her patients accountable every week.

In the New Year, Dr. Green plans to expand her business, aspiring to help other clinicians open up their own private practice. Being both a clinician and a business owner, she can speak from both entities, and she plans to use that knowledge as she moves into the coaching space. She wants other clinicians to know that they can do it by themselves, and that they do not have to invest large sum of money to get started.

For now, she remains a solo practice, but with her goals and plans in the horizon, The Green Garden is shaping up to become a community staple in the mental health world.

College Degrees Can be A Dieting Dilema

By Myía Borland

Diet and exercise are being marketed into our lives daily. While the health craze is at an all time high, some people have difficulty finding ways to create and maintain healthy habits. While college students in the U.S. face academic challenges each year, they also are suffering

from food insecurity. The Center for Nutritional Psychology defines food insecurity as, “having minimal or no access to nutritious and safe foods.” Poor eating habits have been linked to mental health issues amongst college students, which can negatively impact their school work.

Whole Foods Market near Howard’s campus and dorms. Photo by Myía Borland

Howard University is located in the Shaw neighborhood of Northwest D.C. Due to the rise in tuition and gentrification in the area, expenses are high. In 2022, food prices increased upwards of nine percent, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The grocery store within walking distance from campus is Whole Foods Market, a grocery store known for upscale organic produce and items. This is the store many students have

to shop at unless they travel further to other stores such as Trader Joe’s, Target and Giant.

Robert Davis is a senior at Howard and lives in an apartment right near campus. He shared that he can get a few items from this store, however often travels to get other necessities at a better price.

“Shopping at Whole Foods can be expensive for students like me who are working with a

smaller budget. While it is conveniently close, it is geared toward permanent residents who have stable incomes. I don’t have a student meal plan and that would not be a cost effective option either. When I have the time, I drive to Costco and use my membership card to shop wholesale.”

As a busy college student, there is not always time to go shopping. Davis said his

schedule sometimes causes him to find quick alternatives. There are several restaurants in the area, many of which are fast food restaurants. While it may not have high nutritional value, these options are quick and affordable for students when they cannot find time to cook.

“When I don’t have groceries, I have less healthy meals and end up eating fast food or small meals.”

Research studies have begun to show that poor eating habits can be linked to an increase in stress.

“When I don’t have enough to eat, I have a lack of focus due to less fuel. If my diet is off I can’t focus well,” Davis shared.

Davis is also a soccer player, which means he burns calories and exerts lots of energy at practice and during games.

“As an athlete, I lose energy faster and I can’t give the same performance as I would on a full, wholesome diet.”

It is important that students learn what they can do to make sure they have good sources of nutrition. Students can research quick and cost efficient recipes online to help combat the challenge of a busy schedule. One way Rob has been able to tackle cooking is with a meal prep delivery service.

“I like to get my food delivered by HelloFresh because it comes with recipes that are healthy and easy to make. I enjoy being able to create delicious meals by myself.”

As students navigate their work life balance, a healthy meal should not be a cause of stress. Simple and nutritional meals should be accessible and affordable to everyone. Right now college students are preparing to become the next generation of leaders and innovators. Fueling the body with the right foods will fuel the mind for success.

Fast food restaurants on Georgia Avenue. Photo by Myía Borland.