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January/February 2012
Vegan Valentine Treats
Consignment Biz Gives Back Local Interscholastic Equestrian Assoc. Team
Juicing!
Valentine's Day Specials Call for Details
1935 S. Church St. Murfreesboro Phone: 615.624.6478
See calendar, page 8, for Karaoke Nights! Visit Restaurant to Find out about Tequila School! B.Real
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Hello
2012
This time last year, I married my forever man, Luke SauvĂŠ. We whisked ourselves away to New Orleans, where a small group of friends met us to celebrate and be witness to our nuptials on New Years day. Not long after, I started investing and buying equipment for my publishing company. Everything just fell right into place. Luke, thanks for believing in me. I love you! 2011 was a very special year, one of growth and celebration. I've had the opportunity to connect with old and new friends, many lent their expertises to B.Real Magazine in one way or another. You guys inspire what's next! In Spring 2012, B.Real Magazine will expand in Middle Tennessee and improve in format. The first of these improvements has already come into play with www.brealmagazine.com. We wanted to provide our readership with an accessible, user friendly, online community. Our online expansion allows us to have a better reach to all of Middle Tennessee. Please visit our new website, join in discussion, and let us know what you think about the content we share. We also want to provide another way for our advertisers to get the exposure they deserve! Cheers to the New Year! - ColleenSauve' Publisher/Executive Editor
Luke and Colleen SauvĂŠ, pictured on their wedding day in New Orleans City Park
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February 18th 2012
9am-7pm At Tennessee Miller Colliseum Over 100 Vendors Offering Home & Garden Products/Services!
For more information visit www.hypeeventsmboro.com or for vendor information contact hypeeventsmboro@yahoo.com
Coming in March 2012: Sassy Shoppers Spring Market and The Funky Hens Marketplace
Meet the color of 2012: Tangerine Tango
b.Real Contents 10 6 Contributors 7 Magazine locations 8 January 2012 9 February 2012 10 Consign & Co. Brings Fantastic Deals & More to Community 12 Juicing 16 Team Need A Hand
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21 Real clean: Hydrogen Peroxide 22 Focus on Now 24 Vegan Valentine Treats 26 Love & Marriage 27 Winter Weight Gain 29 Fun Flower Embellishment
NEW! www.brealmagazine.com Publisher/Executive Editor/Graphic Design, Colleen Sauve' just.b.colleen@gmail.com Assistant Editor/Advertising, Melissa Bledsoe just.b.melissa@gmail.com
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50%
vegetable based ink
We Use
615-624-8185 Cover photo by Kelly Hite Vegan Valentine Treats by Jayda Couch
Associate Photographers: Kelly Hite, Joy Dement Chambers Contributors: see page 7 Become a Contributor contact, just.b.colleen@gmail.com B.Real Magazine is a media cooperative. Copyright 2011. 2012. or download tagReader app
January/February 2012
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l a e r . B s n o i t loca
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3 Brothers Deli (Downtown) Aesthetic Center of Murfreesboro (Highland St.) Beverage Mart (Middle Tennessee Blvd.) Big Lots (KMart Shopping Center) Blue Agave (Church Street) Bodhi Tree Salon and Day Spa (Cason Lane area) Carla & Co. (The Avenue) CNG Wine & Spirits (Rutherford Blvd.) Crystal Cleaners - 3 Locations Davis Market (Main St. & Middle Tennessee Blvd.) Discount Beer & Tobacco (Thompson Lane area) Downtown Square (shown in picture) Enchanted Planet (Greenland Dr.) Fabulous Finds (Maple St.) Friends and Family Massage Care (Barfield Crescent area) Golden Eagle Stirfry (Thompson Lane area) Hooters (Broad St. near KMart Shopping Center) Jet's Pizza (Cason Lane area) Jim N Nicks BBQ (Sam Ridley) Jozoara Coffee Shop (Thompson Lane area) Jules Hair & Colour Studio (Old Ford Pkwy) Outside Keathley University Center (MTSU Campus) Lancaster Christian School (Mayfield Dr.) LaSiesta (Greenland Dr.) Limestone (Rutherford Blvd. area) Liquid Smoke (Downtown) Mai Alterations (The Avenue) Mapco (NW Broad) Mapco (1415 Memorial) Mapco (3392 Memorial) Marco's Pizza (Northfield area) Mellow Mushroom (Rutherford Blvd. area) Mimi's Boutique/Merle Norman (The Avenue) MOAB (Maple St.) Murfreesboro Athletic Club (Memorial Blvd.) Outside Hastings (Memorial Blvd.) Paige's Pantry (Downtown) Penny's Closet (Georgetown Plaza) Personally Yours (Barfield Crescent area) Ray Hines & Co. (Downtown) Split Endz (Thompson Lane area) Stepping Stone Academy (near Broad & Rutherford Blvd.) Sugaree's (Downtown) Sunshine Health & Nutrition Shop (Church St.) The Greenery (Downtown) The Learning Circle (Barfield Crescent area) The Market (Murfreesboro Rd) The Sweet Spot (Barfield Crescent area) The Trading Post (Old Nashville Hwy) Top of the Block (W. Lokey Ave.) Smyrna US Post Office (Mayfield Dr.)
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Local contributors come from a variety of professions. They lend their voices/talents to B.Real Magazine providing insight, research as well as unique and thoughtful content. Visit www.brealmagazine.com to learn more about them, and how they serve our community! --"If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, will answer you: I am here to live out loud." Emile Zola Not pictured: Mitch Warren, contributor, Holly Johnson, graphic design intern, Suzie Rodgers-Thornton, marketing intern
iro
Ashley Beth Shap Contributor
January/February 2012
Melissa Bledsoe g Editor/Advertisin
Kelly Hite Associate Photographer
Alisa Jernigan Editor
Beth Warren Contributor
Amy Hatcher Contributor
Beth Hardiman Contributor
Jayda Couch Contributor
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NaTasha Gaines Contributor
Colleen SauvĂŠ Publisher/Editor
Joy Chambers Associate Photographer
Holly Finney Contributor 7
Community calendar events are subject to change at the discretion of the event coordinator(s). Please check available resources online. If you would like to submit an event for the Spring issue, please send to just.b.colleen@ gmail.com
Community calendar events are subject to change at the discretion of the event coordinator(s). Please check available resources online. If you would like to submit an event for the Spring issue, please send to just.b.colleen@gmail.com
Written by Melissa Bledsoe Photos by Kelly Hite
Consign & Co.
Pictured: Lori Hoge and Emma Doan
In today’s economy, families are looking for ways to cut costs and better manage their budgets. This is especially important if you have children because they are constantly growing out of things, getting their clothes stained, or simply wanting new styles to wear. More and more families turn to consignment sales for a solution. Consignment sales are a great way for people to shop new and used merchandise at a fraction of the cost. Some families are not only shopping these sales, but using them as a source of extra income. Becoming a consignor is a great way to clean out your closet and make a portion of the sales on the items you submit. Shopping at a consignment sale has many benefits. If you have never gone to one before, then you should check out the next Consign and Co. sale on Feburary 29th! When you walk in to a Consign and Co. sale for the first time, you will marvel at everything they have to offer! Gently used and presorted items from area consignors are perfectly displayed, and the excitement of finding a great deal for less than what you pay in the department store is in the air! In a large warehouse space conveniently located near the New Salem Hwy Exit off of I-24, Consign and Co. has spring and summer sales highlighting different seasonal items. At these sales, you can shop for home furnishings, men’s and women’s clothing, along with a wide range of children’s clothing, accessories and toys. If you like finding a great deal for you and your family, you must get acquainted with the Consign and Co. team! When Lori Hoge was pregnant with her now 18 month old son, Hunter, she and her mother, Tammy Myers, attended their first consignment sale. Lori was pleasantly surprised when she saw all the great things she was able to get in preparation for her new baby. She said they had a blast 10
Consignment biz brings fantastic deals & more to Murf reesboro! looking for the best deals and bargains. The best part you ask? They paid a third of the cost you would spend at a department store for the same products! From this day on, they were hooked. They started seeking out consignment sales online and in newspapers. They even traveled to surrounding counties to attend them, but noticed there were not many options for consignment sales in Rutherford County. Tammy, an entrepreneur, loved the concept and knew this was something the community needed. With Tammy’s entrepreneurial spirit and Lori’s new found passion for shopping and saving, Consign and Co. was established. They put together their first sale in November of 2010. It was a success! While volunteering at a Consign and Co. sale, long-time family friend Emma Doan, found that this too was her calling. With a background in retail, she made it her goal to ensure that merchandise offered by Consign and Co. be of utmost quality. She said that she wants to provide items that are not only safe but in good selling condition. Lori quickly chimed in to tell me about a great deal she got on a baby monitor at a previous sale. She said that later in the evening after putting Hunter
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down for the night she was ready to pull out her new purchase and found it damaged beyond repair. “Thank God it was me instead of one of my shoppers,” said Lori. Now, they inspect each item turned in because they know the importance of customer satisfaction. They are shoppers too! What are the advantages of shopping consignment sales over yard sales? Quality of products: All items submitted by consignors are pre-screened so you can be sure you are getting products of the highest quality that are not ripped, stained or torn. Condition of products: During the pre-screening process, each item is tested to be sure it is in good working condition with new batteries if needed. Variety of products: They currently have over 150 consignors and growing, so you are sure to have a large variety of items to choose from.
donate them to the Sheperd’s Supply Clothing Closet. Their goal “is to supply ALL the foster children in Rutherford County with new or gently used clothes, shoes, toys, school supplies, and hygiene items at NO COST,” according to foster parent, adoptive parent, and Officer of the Rutherford County Foster Parent Association, Rebecca Floyd. With budget cuts from the State and very limited resources in the community, the Sheperd’s Supply Clothing Closet was developed out of necessity only three months ago. “Lori’s donations from her consignment sales (two now) have helped the Shepherd’s Supply Clothing Closet get our feet on the ground. We started with the donations of one of Lori’s sales, and have grown to a clothing closet able to support/supply for several foster children a week. Although we are still unable to supply warm clothes and basic necessities for the ever growing 160+ foster children in Rutherford County, with Consign & Co.’s help we are well on our way,” according to Rebecca. Consignment sales are a great way for families to save money, earn money, and even give back to the community. Look for consignment sales in your area in local publications, newspapers and online. If you are interested in consigning your own items, be sure to read all the rules and regulations on "tagging and preparing your items for sale" by reading the instructions on consignandco.com. It is also important to see what will be done with the unsold items. If they will not be donated, please take it upon yourself to help out a local community organization or charity that needs support from people like you.
Safety of products: They take the time to research the latest recalls and make sure that their shoppers are aware. They do not sell recalled items, and offer recall information on their website to ensure the safety of the products they sell. If you are anything like Lori, you are going to want to be one of the first shoppers in the door to make sure you are getting the best selection. She has actually gotten to a sale before it began and stood in line for over an hour only to find she wasn't one of the first shoppers. If waiting in line does not interest you, and you want to shop before the public, look to see which consignment sales offer presale passes. Most consignment sales offers these passes to consignors, volunteers and like first time moms, teachers, militar and even first-time grandmothers. Not only does Consign and Co. help families save money, they give back in a much bigger way. After each sale, consignors are contacted regarding unsold items. Consignors have the option to pick up these items or
January/February 2012
Consign and Co. 809 Park Ave Murfreesboro, TN 615-624-2539
lori@consignandco.com emma@consignandco.com www.consignandco.com 11
Juicing by Colleen Sauvé
You’ve likely seen the juicing informercials hosted by the Juiceman, Jay Kordich. He’s a vivacious 88 year old man who appears to be at least 20 years younger with the energy of someone 40 years younger. Kordich credits juicing for his outstanding age defiance and cancer survival. Just google the man and take a look! Being in my twenties, I was ignorant to his message. I never made a connection to the white bushy-brow juice fanatic. As I approach my later twenties, I am beginning to face the taxation of my former hard partying ways. That being said, it took another juice spokesperson, Kris Carr, a model/ actress and former Budweiser spokesgirl to draw my interest. I can relate to this girl! Kris was diagnosed in 2003 with a stage-four cancer known as epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, which was discovered in both her liver and lungs. In her documentary, Crazy Sexy Cancer, Kris shares her struggles, but most notably her openness to alternative treatment, including vegan diet, juicing and positive energy practices, like dancing and yoga. Eight years later, she still lives, beautifully and vibrantly! Her story inspired me so much that I began eating primarily a vegetarian diet in 2007. Why, would I do that? I didn’t have cancer. The truth is, I had my own reoccurring health issue that I felt was never adequately treated. I too, wondered, “what if ?” Since the age of two, I have had severe bouts of constipation that were treated back then by suppository. Now that's an uncomfortable experience, and if you are child it can be traumatic. Again at age 15, I had to keep a "#2 Diary" and record if and when I went. It was humiliating. This is something that is suppose to happen naturally, right? Not for this girl! I ate the Standard American Diet just like everyone else. I needed a diet that would regulate me better, and the diet keeps me set for life - not just overnight or when it becomes an emergency situation. It worked! Not only did it work, but the moderate acne that I also struggled with went away and my weight 12
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stopped fluctuating. It sounds easier than it is, no doubt, but after a while the change begins to agree with you so much that you love yourself for it. Discipline builds more than character, it brings results! Eating primarily vegetarian is just the tip of the iceberg. I already knew my homegirl Kris became a devout juice junkie and lived to tell the tale, so I was ready to learn more! My friend, Holly Finney, contacted me about hosting a juicing demonstration at her house in West Nashville. Already eager to learn, I rounded up a couple of friends, and we juiced. Our demonstration was guided by Suzanne Greenwell an anesthesiologist and esthetician who in the last five years began blending and juicing her way to better health. For her, natural health has become a passion as well as spiritual fulfillment. She is certified in colon hydrotherapy and plans to pursue a holistic health consulting business in the future. She brought a wonderful energy to the demonstration, no sales pitches, just honest conversation and the tools to get blending and juicing. We used a Vitamix blender and Champion juicer. Suzanne introduced super food powders, rich in minerals and proteins depending on the powder. We worked with a variety of fruits and vegetables* in the raw, experimenting with flavors, and combined them with flavored super food powders to pack it with more complete nutrition. The blended drinks had a smoothie quality, while the juiced drinks were as you can expect, juice. When blending, we added the super food proteins, and combined with the smoothie texture and chocolate flavor, you’d never suspect that handfuls of spinach were the main ingredient. This is an ideal way to get kids interested in blending and trying alternative ways to consume more greens. Essentially, we created entire meals in a glass. Juicing was an earthier experience, though I appreciated the true freshness and quality of it. We experimented juicing different fruits and vegetables together. Some tasted better than others, and I wish I had written down which ones were best. Unfortunately for you, I was immersed in the experience. Kris Carr has a recipe swap feature on her website Crazy Sexy Life, http://crazysexylife.com/2007/recipe-swaps/. You’ll find her and Dr. Oz toasting a fine glass of sexy green juice. Juicing fruits and vegetables alone (without super food proteins) is a great addition for your diet but not a replacement for complete meals. The benefit of having your meal in the glass is that it allows your body to more easily digest and absorb more the nutrients. Digesting solids causes the body to break down the solid food, and the process takes hours. Solid food may be broken down in the stomach for up to 2.5 hours, while afterwards can reside in the large intestines for up to 96 hours. That’s four days! Of course, that is the worst case scenario, but consider this... in four days, a person will likely eat 12 more times. During this long process, the body is absorbing the liquid nutrients and water from the solid foods January/February 2012
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Murfreesboro's largest consignment sale kids * ladies * home
April 18-21 WEB: www.preciousangelsconsignment.com FACEBOOK: fb.com/kidsale you consumed. Your body is juicing for you, but it’s taking up to 5,000 times longer, causing bodily stress in the process. When you provide your body with fruits and vegetables that have already been juiced, your body readily absorbs what it needs and passes the excess with ease. Again, the solid food timeline provided is a worst case scenario, and I’m not suggesting that you stop eating solid food entirely. Fiber is still a much needed component to complete nutrition. There are solid foods that are certainly easier for the body to digest than others, and no two people are the same when it comes to deciding what works and what does not. Raw food is certainly trending in favor of digestion ease, but it too can be problematic for individuals who do not adequately produce cellulase, an enzyme produced by intestinal bacteria. Other blending and juicing benefits include weight loss and alkaline diet. Alkalinity is the cancer fighting agent that has proven to slow the rate at which cancer is able to grow in the body. This is how many people have inhibited the growth of their cancers, including Kris Carr, who as you read had stage-four cancer. Alkaline diet practices could be an entire article on it’s own, and I encourage you to research and read on the subject as it is quite fascinating. If you are considering changing your diet, please consider all aspects of your overall health before doing so. Supplementing blending and juicing once a day could impact your health in a positive and remarkable way. I want to thank Holly Finney and Suzanne Greenwell for inviting me and my friends to join their discussions and experience blending and juicing. Cheers to healing from the inside, out! * we used: apples, mangos, pineapples, pears, ginger, beets, carrots, kale, spinach and red peppers
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Pictured left to right, back row: Trina Simmons, Berit Gerrard, Brittany Jernigan, Morgan Lanza, Elaine Gerrard and Abby Frazier. front row: Yelena Barrett, Anna Wermert and Savannah Frazier
h, coach
Courtney Smit
Looking around Murfreesboro today, you don't see much of the agricultural lifestyle that once sustained the area. If you tour the outskirts of the city, you'll find farms and stables still thriving today. Just take a trip down Halls Hill Pike and you'll find Need A Hand horse stables. The name is symbolic of a helpful and hands-on philosophy at the stable. The stable is a large facility with 25 stalls with an indoor and outdoor arena. It is maintained and operated by Courtney Smith, a MTSU graduate of the Horse Science program. Courtney provides horse training, boarding and riding lessons at the stable. She and Racheal Hunt conduct several Fun Shows throughout the spring and summer seasons where they have up to 41 horse and rider competitions. The Fun Shows not only celebrate the equestrian sport, but they are meant to encourage riders in a casual and enjoyable atmosphere. Having competed on the MTSU Equestrian and Horse Judging team, Courtney is no stranger to more serious competitions. She excelled in the arena, but also won the 2007 Churchill Award and 2008 Outstanding Young Professional Award giving testimony to her work and dedication. Courtney was approached by a fellow trainer about starting a Murfreesboro Interscholastic Equestrian Association team for local teenagers. Having 10 lesson horses trained and available, Team Need A Hand came together. We went to the stable in late November to meet coach Courtney and the team. The team meets twice a week for their lessons. It was a rainy day, but with an indoor arena they didn’t miss out. The teammates saddleup their horses before each ride. They learn their horse, each has a favorite, but ultimately the goal is for each rider to know how to handle and ride any horse - not just their favorite. It’s about horsemanship. As a member of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association, no team member is required to have their own horse. The horses are provided. This is a great opportunity for any student in middle to high school who wants to learn and ride. 18
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The team primarily rides Western style, and competitions are judged on horsemanship and reining. Middle school and high school students compete in separate competions based on their age group. Having only been together as a team for less than a year, both the middle and high school teams placed at the October 30th 2011 IEA compeition in Cookeville. Middle school took an impressive 2nd place, and high school took a merit worthly 6th place at the compeition. To be such a new team, their achievement says a lot about their progress as new riders. I talked to several of the teammates from varying ages to get a perspective on their experience and thoughts about the team. Anna, 11, said “I like riding all the different horses.” She took lessons for two years at the Need a Hand stable. She does have her own horse, Jackson, which boards at the stable. Abby, 15, said, “my sister rode, she rode English, but I liked Western. I like it for rodeo.” She would like to get involved in rodeo’s when she gets better and has her own horse. She loves horses and wants to have many when she grows up. She loves her team because “we get along really great!”
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Trina, 17, said she didn’t have lessons before, but she was around horses during activities with the Girl Scouts. She never rode competitively until she joined the team. She is interested in joining the college team at MTSU, and her coach is helping her find a horse. “When I get my horse, I’ll board it here, and I’ll help with the team. These girls are like my sisters. Coach Courtney is the most amazing person in the world. She is patient and kind. She is more than a coach really, she is a mentor,” Trina expressed.
at markcull@gmail.com. Mark and Susan Cull own The Compass Rose Farm and have been very helpful with the team. Team Need A Hand will compete in two competitions in January! We wish them luck as they continue to make their team known.
In order to compete, the team must continuously raise funds. They welcome sponsorships, which have greatly helped in the past. Sponsors include, Applebee's Restaurant Northfield Blvd., Simmons Custom Painting, The Frazier Family, The Compass Rose Farm, Dr. Grey Barker and Barfield Animal Hospital, Dr. Peter A. DiCorleto, Ms. Jeanie Wilson, Ms. Tonya Farmer, Ms. Tanya Garrett, Ms. Kim Moseley and Mr. Joe Roberts. Naturally, the parents of the riders are also contributors and have been very helpful and giving in support of the team. If you would like to learn how to help Team Need A Hand, please contact Mark Cull
Written by Colleen Sauvé Photos by Kelly Hite
The IEA celebrates it's 10th Anniversary this year! visit www.rideiea.org
www.coxfamilyMA.com Don't let Your Child Fall Behind in Sports Training
S.p.e.e.d
Strength. Performance Endurance. Education. Development
Speed is one of Rutherford county's most innovative & exciting training programs for kids aged 6 to 15 years old. Training involves Fitness, QuickHand, QuickFeet, Coordination, Balance & Plyometric drills to concentrate on S.P.E.E.D throughout the year.
Now is the time to enroll your kids! Mondays & Thursdays at 6 pm Only $5 per session!
After School Enrichment Program • • • • •
Olympic TaeKwonDo Study & Snack Time Interactive Activities Basic Gymnastics Hip-Hop Dance Easy access from I-24, exit 81
2227B Southpark Dr. Murfreesboro 37128
! n a e l c l a re ren
by Beth War
The great switch to natural cleaners has been an everlasting learning experience in my household. I constantly read, search and explore new options for my natural ‘arsenal’. As I made the switch, I reluctantly passed by the bleach in the cleaning aisle. Bleach is my former number one ally. What else could possibly replace the veritable opponent of mold and salmonella?
The short answer: hydrogen peroxide! Yes, the simple brown bottle of H2O2 lurking in your cabinet, begging to be used is ready to fill in the cracks of your green cleaning routine.
For mildew: 1 part hydrogen peroxide, 2 parts water. Spray and allow to penetrate. I usually leave it one hour before scrubbing. For healthy mouth/white teeth: 1 part hydrogen peroxide, 1 part water: swish in mouth one to two times daily after brushing. As a bleach alternative in white laundry: ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide in the bleach compartment of washing machine. Natural surfactant/counter cleaner: 1 part hydrogen peroxide, 2 parts water, 10 drops tea tree oil. You can also add 10 drops of other essential oils as desired for scent. Toilet bowl disinfectant: Hydrogen peroxide sprayed directly into toilet bowl after cleaning with baking soda/vinegar mixture. To disinfect cutting boards: 1 part hydrogen peroxide, 2 parts water, sprayed directly onto cutting board after use.
Hydrog re n
pe ro xide
h202
For me, the love of hydrogen peroxide stemmed from an article I read recommending it as a vegetable cleaner. It’s an oxymoron: non-toxic with bleaching properties.
At only $1.00 per bottle, I have found hydrogen peroxide to be the most affordable and versatile cleaner in my natural cleaning belt. I love that I can use the same bottle for my dental health that I use to clean my counters and toliets.
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Focus on Now
by Amy Hatcher
We made it through the holidays and the New Year is upon us! For many, the New Year offers promise of new things, better things, successes where we may have failed in the past. It gives hope for better health, thinner waistlines, more workouts at the gym, stopping smoking, getting out of debt…and on and on. It is a time to reflect on the past and to look ahead to the coming year. Typically, our New Year’s resolutions involve adding more- more effort, more attention, more time and more stress. It is easy to toss around lofty goals that most of us have long forgotten by February. If you are anything like me, we are already pulled, in what seems, to be a thousand directions. If you are anything like me, more is exactly what you don’t need. We have chosen more technology, more meetings, more work, and more extracurricular activities. We do this in spite of the fact that the real, pure and simple things in life are often where we find our greatest fulfillment and greatest rewards. This year will be different... This year I resolve to take a different approach and to simplify. I want to focus on the real joys of life, on the things that are truly most important. I propose that instead of adding to our plates in 2012, that we get rid of some of the extra baggage and unnecessary stress. Let’s focus on what truly fulfills us. After all, we alone possess our own lives. We have the power to make this life whatever we want it to be. We have the choice. This New Year promises growth, change and another step in the journey towards the life we want to live. Getting back to the basics... I grew up on a farm in rural Williamson County. We raised beef cattle and horses. We gardened in the summers and burned wood in the winters. We worked hard and cooked amazing meals. After a long day of work, we sat on the front porch and got to know our neighbors. We lived close to nature. As soon as I was old enough, I needed to experience something more exciting. I was off to school chasing my career. Here I am, 15 years later, realizing that those wholesome values are transcendent. All of the experiences of this life have brought me back to the comforts of my roots. 22
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This year I will get back to what is important... I will focus on my passions. I choose to spend my time on the things that I love, things that make me feel good, happy and fulfilled. My resolution is to shift my focus from doing more to doing less. It is to shift my focus from constantly looking forward at what I have to do or back on what could have been done. I want to start focusing on each moment and making those moments really count. Put pen to paper... I propose we make a list of the things, no matter how small, that feed our passions and bring us joy and fulfillment. I would like to propose that we shift our lives in the direction of these things. My passions include cooking, health, gardening, nature, family and my marriage. In my life these things are remarkably woven together. My list includes things that make me feel REAL, PURE and SIMPLE...
Things I like
to focus on
ter: the sound of running wa creeks, lakes, rivers watching seedlings grow good friends long chats walks in the woods fruits organic vegetables and front porch swings Spring’s first harvest cooking from the garden vintage aprons farmers markets crisp fall air grass between my toes the crunch of Fall leaves
My New Year’s resolution is to live by this list, even if I have to let other things go. My resolution is to find better balance, to simplify. Make your list and post it prominently as a reminder of your focus. Spending time on things that do not fulfill you is life’s greatest waste! This year I am wishing you more balance, better focus, and more simplicity. To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter... to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring - these are some of the rewards of the simple life. ~John Burroughs January/February 2012
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Vegan Valentine Treats
This Valentine’s Day treat your loved ones with a dessert you don’t have to feel guilty about. Raw cacao powder is quite nutritious. Containing iron, calcium, protein and a good source of fiber, this super food contains more antioxidants than a glass of wine or cup of tea. It is also known to be one of the highest dietary sources of magnesium, flavanols and polyphenols. Sweetened with agave, which has a lower glycemic index than sugar, and mixed with cashews, dates and coconut for a well rounded taste, these small snacks are nothing but good for you!
Recipe for Raw Chocolate Bites Ingredients: 1 cup raw cashews 1 cup dates 5 tablespoons raw cacao (cocoa) powder, plus more for topping 4 tablespoons shredded unsweetened coconut, plus more for topping 2 tablespoons agave nectar Instructions: Process all ingredients until blended well. Shape mixture into small bite-size balls. Dip in cacao powder and coconut. Enjoy! 24
cut along this line and keep these recipes
By Jayda Couch Photos by Kelly Hite
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Love & Marriage
I do. This short phrase carries the weight of the
world in significance. Women spend months upon months planning for their perfect day – the one special moment that will unite them to another person for the rest of their life. If you are anything like me, you may have focused so much on planning the wedding that the actual marriage was thrown to the wayside. A quick one-day pre-marriage class left me reeling with things I didn’t know about the man I was about to marry. How are we going to split up household chores, when are we planning to start a family, who balances the checkbook and pays the bills, what is our idea of discipline – all of it was totally overwhelming and I took the approach of “we’ll figure it out as we go along”. That notion landed me in a world of trouble when “life” set in, and the honeymoon was over, as the saying goes. My husband and I will be remarried for three years January 16th. Our first go around began December 1, 2001, but six years into the marriage things began to unravel, expectations went unmet, feelings were hurt and frustrations ran rampant. I said, the words I never thought I would say “I want a divorce.” This expensive lesson led to months of soul searching and the time apart was beyond valuable. God used that year apart to grow us separately and bring us back together – focusing on Him with the help of others gave me the tools I needed to chisel away the hardening of my heart, which has taken place over the years. February is the month of love – we celebrate as children with paper hearts and valentines, candy and flowers. However, true love goes far beyond the commercial aspects of Valentine’s Day. So what does it take to make a relationship work and keep a marriage together? What I’ve found so far has made a drastic impact on my life with my husband. Love is a choice. Bottom line – you choose to love your spouse, boyfriend, fiance etc. even when they are difficult and unlovable. Feelings are unreliable and change constantly. Feelings can easily be affected by 26
By Beth Hardiman
behavior or circumstances. To choose to love is to accept that marriage is hard and there will be days that you don’t want to be married but you do it anyway. In Gary Chapman’s book The Five Love Languages, he explores the idea that everybody has ways they want to be loved. These languages are described as “quality time,” “physical touch,” “gifts,” “acts of service” and “words of affirmation.” According to the book, my languages happen to be “gifts” and “acts of service” – that’s how I feel loved and appreciated and believe that I am truly cared about. My husband’s are “physical touch,” “quality time” and “words of affirmation.” I had to learn to love him through his languages and not my own. I am also learning the love languages of my children so I can encourage and comfort them the best way I can. I also believe it’s important to find something you enjoy to do together whatever that may be. My husband and I are avid football fans and spend our Fall Saturdays and Sundays in front of the television and checking our fantasy football scores. We love it and love to be together during that time. A wise friend of mine once told me, “However you get a man is how you have to keep a man.” My husband loved me first for my personality and sense of humor, and those are the things I loved about him too – when looks fade we’ll still have what attracted us in the first place. I have little universal advice for relationships, but I do strongly believe that men’s greatest need is to be respected and women’s greatest need is to be loved. If these things are kept in balance and are freely given relationships can flourish. I challenge you this Valentine’s Day to appreciate who your special someone is to you and to love deeply.
winter weight gain By: Mitch Warren, Tri-Fit CPT Winter weight gain has been a common complaint of many people. It seems that every winter we add a few unwanted pounds. Unfortunately, when summer arrives we typically don’t lose the extra weight. Over time, what started as a few minor pounds turns into a few more and it’s time to buy a new wardrobe. You may wonder what contributes to this weight fluctuation and how you can break the pattern.
One explanation for seasonal weight gain is our body’s natural ability to store more fat as winter approaches. History has shown that many animals and even humans mimic this behavior in hopes of surviving the winter months. The extra layers of body fat protect us against the cold. It is then used as fuel in the late winter and early spring when food stocks would historically be low due to the now melting frost. We also have a tendency to eat more in the fall when food is plentiful after harvest time. During this time, we also select starchier foods to further enable the process of insulating the body.
Another likely reason for seasonal weight gain is the influence of natural hormones in
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winter weight gain our body. The fluctuation of hormones and other chemicals in the brain can result in variations in appetite and cravings. Some neurotransmitters can also influence the way we eat. Overweight individuals often have low levels of these neurotransmitters and the results can include excessive appetite, depression and sleep disorders. At the same time, the lack of daylight caused by the shortening days during late fall and winter can bring on seasonally affected disorder or winter depression. An effective way to give a boost to the energy levels and emotions is to eat high carbohydrate foods including sugar treats like chips, cookies and cereals that give us a fast blood sugar ‘fix’. As this cycle continues year over year, the effect of being depressed after gaining weight and eating in order to cope with the resulting weight gain will soon become evident. So, what is the solution?
If all else fails and you succumb to gluttony, there is always exercise! Despite the cold weather, exercise can do nothing but help us in this time of need. Often our physical activity levels drop in the winter and we have a tendency to want to stay home and rest. Though natural, we should realize we are not cavemen. We have heated living and can drive down the road to a grocery store. So we do not need to build up body fat the way that they did. Get up and start moving around, maybe even join a gym. It is easier to burn off the sweet potato casserole now rather than waiting around for bikini season. You can easily avoid winter weight gain with these suggestions, and be satisfied with how you look year round!
In today’s society, we have many ways that can combat this winter weight gain. Food substitutions are by far the easiest option. By choosing a food group that has a similar taste quality, yet contains less sugar and is also rich in fiber, you can easily combat the cravings for sweets and high carbohydrate meals. An example would be to use a healthy recipe that doesn’t call for all the fattening ingredients we are so accustomed to. If you’re in charge of deserts, simply substitute some white chocolate pretzels over brownies with icing on top. If you like to snack on crunchy foods try some celery sticks or an apple.
Another great suggestion would be to reduce the amount of food consumed while incorporating periodic snacks throughout the day. The body’s metabolism will run at a higher rate if meals are not so heavy and are spaced out more evenly. The metabolism is responsible for our ability to burn calories and perform energy demands correctly. When large meals are consumed and eaten sporadically as opposed to smaller meals more frequently, we dramatically increase our chance of storing fat. Thus, reducing meal quantities and providing healthy snacks in between meals could be a useful tool in aiding your winter regimen.
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B.Real
Fun Flower Embellishment by Ashley Beth Shapiro Want to refresh your outfit for that romantic Valentine’s Day date? This simple accessory will add flare to any hat, purse, or jacket! Most of the supplies can be found at home or found in a craft store. This project can be pinned or clipped on almost any garment.
January/February 2012
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Supplies Needed:
felt (2-3 colors) large safety pin hair clip (strong yet discreet) thread needle fabric+metal adhesive decorative bead, button, or stone with a flat back. stitching holes is a plus! (instead of using a needle and thread, you can use fabric/metal glue warning: it will not be as durable!) Estimated Cost: Free to under $10.00
DIY Instructions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Plan your design by drawing a flower to be the base. Cut out flowers identical but smaller in a receding order. Stitch or glue one on top of the other through the middle. if using just glue, let dry for a few hours. Stitch the safety pin and clip through base only. Apply light adhesive to stitching, fabric, and metal to reinforce Stitch or glue the bead or stone in the middle of your fabric flower.
Simply clip or pin your embellishment to your outfit, and show off your one of a kind design!
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Local Business Support Boost local economy and shop local
Beauty Aesthetic Center of Murfreesboro, p. 27 Business Services Art Directions, shown right Children's Activities Cox Family Martial Arts, p. 20 Culinary Arts/Food/Restaurants Blue Agave Mexican Restaurant, inside cover Fitness Cox Family Martial Arts, p. 20 Murfreesboro Athletic Club, p. 28 Health/Medical Aesthetic Center of Murfreesboro, p. 27 Bell Buckle Family Medical Clinic, p. 23 Local News/Events Dirt & Digs Home & Garden Show, p. 4 HobNobMurfreesboro.com, back cover Precious Angels Consignment Sale, p. 14 Photography Joy Chambers Photography, p. 4 Retail Personally Yours Gift Shop, p. 15
We hope you enjoyed this issue.
November/December 2011
If you would like to advertise your business in B.Real Magazine, please contact Melissa Bledsoe, (615) 364-7269 or just.b.melissa@gmail.com 31