Northside Woman January 2014

JANUARY 2014

f f o TO DR. SEUSS s t a H

Roswell gallery features "secret art" of beloved author

Around the World

68-year-old woman's solo global pilgrimage

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staff

Katie VanBrackle

Candy Waylock

katie@northsidewoman.com

candy@northsidewoman.com

Kelly Brooks

Devon Morgan

kelly@northsidewoman.com

devon@photosynthesisatlanta.com

EDITOR

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

SENIOR WRITER

PHOTOGRAPHER

DEVON MORGAN/PHOTOSYNTHESIS STUDIO

Christina Appen PUBLISHER

christina@northsidewoman.com

associate publisher Kelly Brooks kelly@northsidewoman.com general manager Hans Appen hans@northsidewoman.com sales executives Hans Appen, Abby Breaux, Linda Cohen, Mike Dorman, Wendy Goddard, June Meltzer, Becky Nelson, Jade Rodgers sales assistants Susan Hernandez, Phyllis Anderton production David Brown, A.J. McNaughton, Suzanne Pacey

{ INSIDE }

northside women { 6 }

UNSUNG ‘SHE’RO A Year in the World Author Betty Brown

{ 10 } THE INTERVIEW

The secret art of Dr. Seuss

Ann Jackson Gallery, Roswell { 13 } WOMEN IN SPORTS

Basketball star Cindy Brogdon

770.442.3278 | 770.475.1216 (fax) 319 north main street, alpharetta, ga. 30009

+ stay connected online!

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facebook.com/northsidewoman twitter.com/nsidewoman Northside Woman is published monthly & distributed free throughout north metro Atlanta. © 2014 Appen Media Group. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be copied or reprinted without the express written permission of the publisher.

4 | northsidewoman.com | january2014

northside lifestyle { 16 } GOOD EATS

Vegging out with Lanna Potter { 18 } SHE READS

Revisiting literary classics { 20 } HER HOME

Visit to Planet Organized

the cover

Sisters Mary Wheeless and Valerie Jackson carry on their mother’s artistic tradition at Ann Jackson Gallery—a cornerstone of the trendy Canton Street shopping area in Roswell—and one of only 30 galleries worldwide licensed to sell the art of beloved children’s book author Theodor S. Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss. Learn more on page 10.

{ 22 } HER STYLE

Purging your closet { 24 } HER HEALTH Faith-based fitness { 26 } ASK THE VET Budgeting for a dog { 27 } PET OF THE MONTH { 28 } SHE BLOGS { 30 } JANUARY CALENDAR

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unsung‘she’ro

A Year in the World Baobab trees on the island of Madagascar.

Betty Brown takes risks, confronts fears during solo global pilgrimage

By KATIE VanBRACKLE

katie@northsidewoman.com

“T

he shortest path to knowing oneself first leads around the world.” – Unknown Two years ago, Roswell resident Betty Brown, then age 68, embarked on an unforgettable adventure – one that would take her far away from her home, her friends, her “temple of the familiar” as she calls it. She spent one full year traveling and working her way through 10 countries – living out of a single carry-on suitcase.

And she did it all solo.

Especially remarkable is how Brown spent those 12 months. This was no luxury cruise around the world for senior citizens. An occasional hotel stay was the exception, not the rule. Brown slept in youth hostel bunk beds, stayed with local families or traded volunteer work for room and board.

She taught English at a Tibetan refugee school, did farm chores on a remote Australian Outback station and visited small Irish villages in the company of a professional storyteller.

She ate whatever her hosts served, rode in whatever transportation her modest budget would allow and, in general, learned to “go with the flow.”

What prompted Brown to undertake such an unusual journey?

In February 2002, Brown finalized a painful divorce, ending an almost 34-year marriage. In March of that year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 58, and endured a mastectomy in April. Her favorite aunt died in October and her beloved mother passed away in December.

Emotionally and physically exhausted 6 | northsidewoman.com | january2014

The fewer expectations I have about any place, people or things, the more I allow myself to relax and be delighted.”

Betty Brown from the “year from hell,” Brown needed, as she put it, “something to look forward to.”

Brown’s two sons were grown and living their own lives and she had long since retired from her full-time corporate job. The end of her marriage and the death of her last parent prompted some major soul-searching. Who was she now? What did she want from her life?

“There was restlessness and a curiosity to challenge myself by becoming a pilgrim,” she said. “I needed a new, larger school for learning and wanted to view life through fresh eyes. I had no goals and only knew in my gut or intuition that it was the right thing to do.”

Brown was no stranger to international travel, having lived abroad for a time and traveled extensively with her former husband. But she had never

traveled alone. Group tours did not appeal to her as she wanted the time and flexibility to interact with local people and truly absorb each new place.

Brown knew her year of adventure would not involve tourist traps and hotels.

Her voyage of discovery would focus just as much on the internal as the external – taking risks, facing fears and finding peace.

In 2010, she began a year of planning – not details of the trip itself, but practical matters such as who would care for her pets, her house and her finances during a long absence.

As for trip details, Brown knew from previous travel that planning every minute can be exhausting and disappointing.

“The fewer expectations I have about any place, people or things, the more I allow myself to relax and be delighted,” she said.

Brown selected a mixture of developed and developing countries, including Australia, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, Tibet, Madagascar, Ireland, Spain, Morocco and France, and did not rely upon travel books for advice on what to see or do, preferring to arrive in the country and ask local residents what they would recommend.

She made many new friends by staying in hostels, with local families through the travel-hosting program Servas and the HelpX international volunteer program.

“With these three modes of lodging, I stayed in so many different beds that I laughingly thought about calling my book ‘In and Out of 101 Beds in a Year.’ I loved the catchy title but wasn’t sure it conveyed the right message,” she said. “However,

MEET THE AUTHOR On Friday, Jan. 3, from 6 to 8 p.m., Betty Brown will host a “meet the author and book signing” event at Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee in Roswell, 352 Atlanta St. Book clubs or others wishing to contact Brown may send an email to bettyb2brown@gmail.com.

BUY THE BOOK “There and Back: An Elder’s Solo Global Pilgrimage”

by Betty Brown is available for purchase on e-readers and at Amazon.com.

All proceeds benefit various global nonprofit organizations, particularly those supporting women and children in the developing countries Brown visited.

being open to many types of beds and sleeping arrangements created rich experiences with fabulous local people and other travelers.”

For those who worry about loneliness while traveling solo, Brown contends that we are only as alone as we choose to be.

“I traveled from country to country,

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unsung‘she’ro

▼ ‘SHE’RO, Continued from Page 6 and from one night’s lodging to the next by myself, but I was never alone when I didn’t want to be,” she said.

Brown’s experiences are detailed in the book, “There and Back: An Elder’s Solo Global Pilgrimage.” Writing the book after her year of adventure was Brown’s way of processing all that she had learned and sharing her insights with others.

She is donating all profits from the book to various global nonprofit organizations, particularly those supporting women and children in the developing countries she visited.

“This book came from the world,” she said. “And I wanted any money earned to go back to the countries where it is most needed.”

Rather than being a typical travelogue, “There and Back” reads more like a personal journal full of observations and revelations.

By living and working with locals, Brown experienced firsthand some of the hard realities of life in her chosen countries – including standing outside a school in Nepal as police forcefully prevented her group of Tibetan refugee students from attending a celebration of the Dalai Lama’s birthday.

There were challenges to overcome along the way, and Brown is candid about several missteps, such as losing her debit card in a Bangkok ATM machine and leaving a daypack containing her computer in the backseat of a taxi in Kathmandu. She learned important lessons about adapting to challenging situations.

Brown includes packing lists and 8 | northsidewoman.com | january2014

detailed travel planning tips in her book as inspiration to other “pilgrims.” Overall, she says, there are more good people in the world than bad, and it’s okay to trust yourself, take a risk and prepare to be delighted.

Her favorite memories are of magical moments in beautiful natural settings – walking beneath Madagascar’s towering Baobab trees, diving along Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, riding elephants in Thailand and catching glimpses of rainbows during long hikes along the misty seaside cliffs of Ireland.

After returning from her year-long pilgrimage, Brown said the question most people ask is, “Weren’t you afraid of traveling alone?”

“For me, it’s not a question of being courageous, it’s about willpower,” she said.

“Telling myself this is something I want to do and it’s important to me. And then with patience and determination, making it happen.”

She certainly had misgivings, but chose not to let her concerns stand in the way of her dream. Instead, she said, she took fear along with her on the journey “as a respected enemy,” but always kept moving forward. Brown intends to keep traveling as long as she is able to do so.

She visited South Africa in 2012, spent 10 days in Iceland in 2013 and early in 2014 plans to head to Romania to stay with a friend in Transylvania.

“It is truly a blessed time in the history of humanity to be old,” she said.

“Instead of life being practically over in our 60s, my generation is divorcing, traveling and even giving birth at unheard of ages.

It is my hope that my book will serve as a guide to any who decide to venture forth outside their comfort zone.” ■

1) Betty Brown and son Jordan Brown ride elephants in Thailand. 2) Brown with fellow teachers at a Tibetan refugee school in Nepal. 3) The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. 4) Nepalese police prevent students and teachers from attending a celebration of the Dalai Lama’s birthday.

5) An unexpected snow shower at Drak Yerpa in Tibet.

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theinterview

A little bit of

‘Whoville’ on Canton Street

By KATIE VanBRACKLE

katie@northsidewoman.com

I

f you pay a visit to Ann Jackson Gallery on Canton Street in Roswell, you might see a few very familiar faces inside. How about the Cat in the Hat? The Grinch Who Stole Christmas? The Lorax?

These characters and many more were immortalized in the beloved children’s books of author and illustrator Theodor S. Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss.

But while you might easily recognize Dr. Seuss’s storybook characters on the gallery walls, there will be plenty of surprises as well. As you might suspect, the imaginative Dr. Seuss always had a few hidden tricks up his sleeve.

Geisel often created works of art purely for his own enjoyment—never intending to share them with the public.

This private treasure trove, known as the “secret art” of Dr. Seuss, contains paintings, sculptures and some very unusual taxidermy specimens—made of clay and embellished with the beaks, horns or antlers of deceased zoo animals, courtesy of Geisel’s father who was a zoo superintendent back in the 1930’s.

Ann Jackson Gallery is one of only 30 galleries worldwide authorized to sell the secret art of Dr. Seuss, who died in 1991.

“There is a huge market for the art of Dr. Seuss. In fact, he is our best selling artist ever,” said gallery owner Valerie Jackson.

In 1997, Audrey Geisel began slowly releasing treasures from her husband’s secret art collection—including lithographs, serigraphs and sculptures carefully reproduced from the original works. It was Ted Geisel’s wish that his secret art only be shared with the public after his death. The reproductions sold in Ann Jackson Gallery range in price from $250 to $30,000.

“At first we weren’t sure if the idea would work so we started small with only a few pieces,” said Valerie. “But then a movie version of “The Grinch” starring Jim Carrey was released, sparking fresh interest in Dr. Seuss. People came from all over the Southeast for our first secret art exhibit. It is so joyful to see people’s faces light up when they see his art.”

Valerie expects equally enthusiastic response when the gallery hosts February’s “Hat’s Off to Dr. Seuss!” national touring exhibition. Ted Geisel loved hats and developed quite a collection through 10 | northsidewoman.com | january2014

the years—some given as gifts, some purchased, and some made himself.

In honor of the 75th anniversary of Dr. Seuss’ second book, “The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins,” a sampling of those hats will be shared with the public for the first time, along with more prints and sculpture from the secret art collection.

“Hats Off to Dr. Seuss!” will open on Saturday, February 1st from 5 – 9 p.m. and continue through February 16th. The exhibit is free and open to the public and all visitors are encouraged to wear Seussian-style hats of their own.

► See INTERVIEW, Page 12 1) “Every Girl Should Have a Unicorn” by Dr. Seuss. 2) “The Lorax.” 3) Gallery owner Valerie Jackson and sister Mary Wheeless.

4) The gallery, 932 Canton St. in Roswell.

5) An archival rough drawing from “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.”

PHOTO 4 BY KATIE VANBRACKLE. ALL OTHERS BY DEVON MORGAN/PHOTOSYNTHESIS STUDIO.

Ann Jackson Gallery sells exclusive “secret art” of Dr. Seuss

january2014 | northsidewoman.com | 11

theinterview ▼ INTERVIEW, Continued from Page 10

12 | northsidewoman.com | january2014

PHOTOS BY DEVON MORGAN/PHOTOSYNTHESIS STUDIO

Valerie is always looking for new ways to get local residents excited about the world of art. It has, after all, been her world for as long as she can remember.

She is the oldest of eight children born to Ann Jackson, who was always an enthusiastic and talented artist, but with eight kids in tow, found little time for her cherished hobby. Yet she continued to paint when she could—selling her work out of her garage or at local art festivals.

Eventually, Ann and her husband, Basil, an electrical engineer at Lockheed, decided to take a big chance and try something new. Basil quit his job, and the two of them went to framing school with the goal of opening their own art gallery and framing shop.

This was in 1971, Valerie said, when Roswell was still a sleepy suburban town with only about 5,000 residents. The Jacksons chose quiet Canton Street as the initial location for their gallery, but soon moved to the town square when renovations promised to transform the neglected park area into a pleasant destination. From the very beginning, Ann Jackson Gallery was a big success and helped draw residents and tourists to the square.

“We were the first art gallery and framing shop in Roswell and we carried very sophisticated artists for the area,” said Valerie.

As the town square continued to thrive, rents were increased and traffic became more congested. Ann and Basil Jackson were also ready to retire—with plans to buy a sail boat and sail around the world. It was time for a change.

Valerie remembers the day a woman came running in to the gallery with the news that Canton Street, a bit farther north, was being evacuated.

“There was a fire in an old gun shop and the heat was causing ammunition to explode,” recalls Valerie. “Eventually the entire roof of the building blew off.”

After the fire, Valerie walked up to the storefront of that gun shop and looked inside at the wide expanse of bare walls reaching up to the roofless sky. “And I’ll never forget the feeling that came over me,” she said. “I looked at that big open space and immediately saw it as an art gallery. I just knew.”

Her mother thought it was a mistake to move from a successful town square location back to the relatively shabby Canton Street area, but Valerie persisted--buying the gallery from her parents and seeing them off on that worldwide sail, then moving in to the former gun shop.

Once again, Ann Jackson Gallery picked the right place at the right time.

“The 1996 Atlanta Olympics prompted the City of Roswell to sink $5 million dollars into renovating the Canton Street area and for two years we had to deal with construction and road work,” said Valerie. “But two new restaurants opened on either side of the gallery and when all the dust settled, we had people lining up at our door before we even opened.”

Ann Jackson Gallery’s success paved the way for today’s wide array of shops,

restaurants and art galleries lining Canton Street, now known nationally as a trendy, bustling suburban hot spot.

Running the gallery is still very much a family affair—Valerie has employed all of her siblings at one point or another to help with the family business. Hanging on the gallery walls are paintings by mother Ann Jackson as well as artistic sisters Victoria Jackson and Margaret Jackson Killorin.

And right next to those works of art stands a larger than life portrait of none other than the Cat in the Hat, grinning and tipping his trademark stovepipe hat.

“Ted Geisel always said that the Cat in the Hat was his alter ego,” said Valerie.

“He was a quiet, rather shy man, but he had a real mischievous streak.”

Gallery visitors are likely to pick up other interesting bits of trivia about Dr. Seuss from any of the Jackson family members. After all, says Tricia Killorin, one of Ann Jackson’s fifteen grandchildren, “Our family has lived in Whoville for quite some time now.” ■

Ann Jackson Gallery 932 Canton St., Roswell, Ga. 30075 770-993-4783 | annjacksongallery.com

1) “Wisdom of the Orient Cat” by Dr. Seuss.

2) “Green Cat with Lights” by Dr. Seuss.

3) “Andulovian Grackler” by Dr. Seuss.

4) Marsh scene by Victoria Jackson, Ann Jackson’s daughter. 5) Southern landscape

by Ann Jackson, the gallery’s founder.

Johns Creek Teacher Inducted Into

women in sports

Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame Cindy Brogdon’s impressive basketball career includes an Olympic silver medal

By KATIE VANBRACKLE

katie@northsidewoman.com It’s always a surprise when students at Northview High School in Johns Creek discover that one of their teachers is an Olympic silver medalist.

“I really don’t make a big deal out of it, but sometimes the students come in my office to say, ‘Coach Brogdon, we just googled you---we had no idea!’”

Cindy Brogdon, Department Chair of Health and Physical Education at Northview High, was only 18 years old

when she joined the first-ever women’s Olympic basketball team back in 1976.

One of her teammates was a few years older than Brogdon, but both were from the South, and they decided to room together. That teammate was none other than the legendary Pat Summitt, who would go on to hold the record for the most all-time wins for a coach in NCAA basketball history.

The USA women’s basketball team won the silver medal in Montreal that year, and Brogdon’s basketball career was just getting started.

Named the State of Georgia’s Most Valuable High School Basketball Player for four years in a row (1972-75), Brogdon became the first female in the state to receive a full athletic scholarship on the collegiate level. She spent one year at Mercer University before joining Pat Summitt to play with the powerful Lady Vols at the University of Tennessee. She was named

a three-time Kodak All-American and was featured in Sports Illustrated and Newsweek as one of the nation’s top collegiate athletes.

Brogdon also played professional women’s basketball for the New Orleans Pride for two years. Her numerous career honors include induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee---home, incidentally, to the world’s largest basketball measuring 30-feet tall and weighing 10 tons.

On February 7, Brogdon will receive a new honor when she is inducted into the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame along with Ted Turner, John Smoltz and three others.

Larry Winter, President of the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame, calls Brogdon a “true pioneer in women’s sports.”

Today, Brogdon is passionate about sharing her love for health and fitness with her high school students. She has been with Fulton County Schools for 24 years, previously coaching basketball at Centennial High before moving to Northview where she now coaches women’s golf.

The Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame ceremony will be held Friday, February 7, at the Buckhead Theater.

For ticket information, visit www. atlantasportshalloffame.org. ■

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designing dreams

newmaster $20K bath, bedroom

Family gets BEFORE...

By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@northfulton.com

W AFTER

ith a gasp and a cry of “oh my gosh,” Alpharetta resident Terri Wylie took her first look at her newly decorated bathroom and bedroom Dec. 11. Both rooms were completely redecorated pro bono thanks to the Designing Dreams charity.

“Everything is so beautiful,” Wylie said. “It’s so different from what it’s been for a long time. It’s hard to believe.”

The Wylie family has lived in their Alpharetta home since 2000. Wylie herself suffers from multiple sclerosis and has difficulty moving around. Her husband, Kevin, an active volunteer in the community and her primary caretaker, died in October 2012.

Since then, it has been just Wylie and her three children.

“I feel very passionate about how our environment affects our

overall well being. I don't mean that it has to be fancy, fussy or formal, but it should be a pleasing place to live whether it is your bedroom or your living room. Especially, if your life has been turned upside down,” Todd said.

Designing Dreams was started

by Todd in 2009.

“I had the idea in the middle of the night. [In 2009], the economy was not at its peak,” Todd said. “Everyone was surrounded by negativity. This is something to give us all a positive to focus on.”

Fundraisers are held each year to support the remodeling and redecorating for one lucky family.

Wylie’s bathroom and bedroom makeover is worth $20,000, Todd said.

“We met with the recipient to understand what her needs are,” she said. “Then we go over colors, accessibility and storage needs. We do as much as we can with our funds and donations.

“It continues to grow,” Todd said.

“I hope to continue it each year.”

After careful planning, it took

JONATHAN COPSEY/STAFF

Rooms redone thanks to charity

Terri Wylie is speechless after seeing her brand new bathroom and master bedroom, thanks to the efforts of Designing Dreams.

two weeks of work to finish the project. For all this time, Wylie was not allowed into her bathroom, so it would be kept a surprise.

Todd redid the bathroom with all new cabinets, counters, mirrors and frames and a walk-in bathtub. In the bedroom, there is a new dresser, along with artwork, lighting and window treatments.

“You can’t believe what this means,” Wylie said. “It’s absolutely amazing.”

An emotional Todd agreed, “When you experience the feeling of dramatically changing someone's life, it's the best gift. I get back more than I give.” ■

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goodeats

Vegging out

Milton resident Lanna Potter publishes Asian-inspired cookbook showing salads can be scrumptious, too

By KELLY BROOKS

kelly@northsidewoman.com

F

or many Americans, the phrase “Chinese food” evokes visions of neatly folded white boxes teeming with delicious-yet-greasy noodles, meat and veggies.

It means something quite different to Milton resident Lanna Potter, a native of China’s Anhui province, west of Shanghai.

That sort of Chinese takeout, she said, is not authentic.

“It’s junk. I grew up there—we don’t cook that way.”

But Potter, a self-described “former chubby girl,” is no stranger to the allure of junk food. She went through about a decade of yo-yo dieting that started when she was a teenager in the ‘80s.

After college, she moved to Chicago for an accounting job and gained about 40 pounds in a year, she said. In 2004 she married her husband, Michael, and changed her eating habits around the 16 | northsidewoman.com | january2014

same time.

She started cooking healthier food and became a vegetarian. Eating healthier changed her life. And it’s not just about weight—she has more energy, better skin and fewer stomach and allergy problems, she said.

In late 2012, she wrote and published “Light Asian Salads: Quick and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes” to encourage others to enjoy the veggie-heavy yet savory dishes that helped her escape the weight and well-being fluctuations of her past.

NORTHSIDE WOMAN: When did you decide to start taking control and making these healthy recipes?

LANNA POTTER: I didn’t cook until I came to the states and lived by myself.

At first I was experimenting with simple American- or Western-style food. I would bake things like pasta or lasagna, but that wasn’t helping me lose weight. It wasn’t until I transitioned into a vegetarian diet that I started looking for new recipes. So

that’s when I did research online, bought books and started teaching myself how to cook. I watched Food Network and learned some techniques here and there.

Vegetarian diets are often very globally inspired, so my mom also sends me cookbooks from China whenever she finds something interesting. I make Chinese food, Korean food and Japanese food a lot.

Those are my favorites.

When and why did you make the dive into being vegetarian, and mostly vegan?

I was never a big meat-eater, I just ate too much junk food. Quitting meat wasn’t that difficult for me but I did like seafood and chicken. In Asian cooking we tend to use a lot less meat—we dice it up into very small pieces and use a lot more veggies.

That’s the traditional way of cooking Asian food, Chinese or not. Meat was more for flavor than nutrition. About 10 years ago, right around when I married my husband, I decided I didn’t know why I was always

feeling sluggish…so I started taking out some of the red meat, and then I felt better.

And then about eight years ago I had an episode of food poisoning in a restaurant eating a chicken dish, and I stopped eating chicken. About six years ago I quit dairy. That’s when everything changed for me. My skin got clearer and I had much more energy. Everything didn’t happen all at once. It took me about four years to understand what was not working for me.

I’m sure for everyone it’s different and it’s just a matter of figuring it out for yourself.

How does your husband like your food and health expertise?

My husband is not a vegetarian, but because I’m preparing healthy, homemade

goodeats food we eat almost no processed food.

So he has lost about 40 pounds himself.

We’re both feeling better. I’ve never been healthier; that’s the most important thing.

It’s not so much about weight anymore.

Now that you’ve figured out what exactly works for you, how do you make meals that are consistently interesting?

I try to make food with a ton of flavor, but not as oil-based. In the states we use too much oil in our cooking. If you watch Food Network, celebrity chefs dump a cup of oil here, a stick of butter there. It’s too much. Even olive oil. If anyone wants to lose weight, my first piece of advice is cut out the oil. You don’t have to cut it out 100 percent but if you can, cut it in half. Flavor your dish with more seasoning instead of oil.

When people think of Chinese takeout food, that’s covered in oil.

Its’ so bad. Cut back on oil and add more green vegetables. One of the reasons people say they don’t like vegetables is because they don’t really eat a variety.

They always get the same thing, like spinach or cabbage. I get tired of those too. You’ve got to try different things. Go to the grocery store. If there’s one thing you haven’t tried before, try it. And add seasoning to keep it interesting and play with your taste buds.

How do you create your recipes? Where does that inspiration come from?

I like Asian food and spicy food, and my favorite is Korean food. When I moved here and started to cook at home I wanted to learn how to make it. Unfortunately on major TV networks you don’t see a lot of Asian-style cooking, so I relied on the Internet and followed some Korean food bloggers. I didn’t want to do things that were too complicated because I was busy, so I learned the easy and healthy dishes. I also have a lot of Asian cookbooks. That’s how I get my ideas. For this particular book, I wanted it to be healthy and flavorful, with a lot of Asian twists, and super easy. For most of the recipes, you don’t even have to turn on your stove.

When did you decide to make this into your own kind of franchise, with a website, book and YouTube channel?

I’m one of those people that has way too much energy; I just want to produce something. I always wanted to publish a book. I’m not a writer, but I love to cook and I love to eat healthy. So I started putting together a bunch of recipes that I use often and then added in ones I was still learning. Most of the recipes in the book are family favorites. I self-published this first book with some help from a local publishing house. Everything in the book I did myself, from taking the pictures to creating the nutritional charts. After I published it about a year ago, I started my blog, and then a YouTube channel.

What else do you like to do for fun?

I like to stay active. I’m taking Wing Chun, a Chinese martial art. I’m also trying Filipino kali, a stick-fighting technique, and Jeet Kune Do, the style invented by Bruce Lee. I’ve always wanted to take martial arts classes but never had the time.

Now, I’m working at home so I have more flexibility. I also do weight-lifting and Zumba.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to try Asian cooking?

A lot of people are intimidated by it. I say start with one or two things. Asian cooking is easy but you want to make sure you don’t overwhelm yourself with complicated recipes. The Internet is the best source. Find the easiest recipe with familiar ingredients, and a short ingredient list. Start experimenting. Asian cooking emphasizes fresh ingredients.

One of the most popular dishes is stir fry, and it’s actually one of the easiest. Stir fry is a great way to incorporate more veggies in your diet. You can add a little bit of tofu, meat or seafood but it’s veggie-heavy and very healthy for you. But remember with stir fry, never use a bottle of sauce. That’s junk and it’ll ruin your recipe. Always make your sauce according to the recipe.

And sauces are usually very simple—just soy sauce, maybe some sugar, some vinegar and that’s it.

1

More Information lannapotter.com youtube.com/user/lannapottertv

Recipes from “Light Asian Salads” 1. Mango Rice Salad

Video: http://youtu.be/HMvvcmF8V4k Cooking Notes: Use leftover rice from your favorite Asian takeout restaurant to save cooking time. This is a slightly sweet salad that tastes good for any meal. Try it as breakfast.

Ingredients • 1 cup cooked white rice • 1 cup diced mango • 1 diced English cucumber • 1 small diced red bell pepper • Juice from 1 lime • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 tablespoon sugar • ½ teaspoon salt • Ground pepper to taste • 2 teaspoons finely chopped green onions Instructions 1. In a small bowl, whisk the lime juice, oil, sugar, salt and pepper to taste.

2. In a large bowl, add rice, mango, cucumber, red bell peppers and green onions. Drizzle the dressing over it and mix well.

Serving Size: Makes four 1-cup servings Nutritional Information (per serving) Calories: 181; Fat: 7 g; Cholesterol: 0; Sodium: 294 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 28 g; Protein: 3 g

2. Chinese Low Mein with Peanut Sauce

Video: http://youtu.be/h8M_7iMQ6kc Cooking Notes: This classic noodle dish comes with insanely good peanut dressing and can be served cold or warm.

Use smooth peanut butter for the creamy consistency. Also, try using tahini in place of peanut butter for another delicious noodle dish.

Ingredients • ½ cup peanut butter • 1 teaspoon sugar • ¼ cup rice wine vinegar • 1 tablespoon water • 2 teaspoons sesame oil • 2 teaspoons soy sauce • 1 cup shredded cabbage • ½ cup frozen vegetable mix (diced carrots, peas, corn, green beans) • ½ cup diced cucumbers • 6 ounces uncooked Low Mein noodles • 2 thinly sliced green onions Instructions 1. Cook the noodles according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Be careful not to overcook them. Drain and rinse under cold water. Drain again and set aside.

2. Cook frozen vegetable mix in microwave.

Drain and cool. Add to noodles.

3. In a small bowl, mix the peanut butter, sugar, vinegar, water and sesame oil.

Add more water if the sauce is too thick. Poor sauce over the noodles and vegetables. Chili sauce is optional.

Serving size: Makes six 1-cup servings Nutritional Information (per serving) Calories: 360; Fat: 24 g; Cholesterol: 0; Sodium: 376 mg; Potassium: 277 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g; Protein: 10 g

3. Korean Spinach Side Salad

Cooking Notes: This is a boldly flavored side salad, traditionally served with rice and other dishes in Korea. Blanch the spinach in hot or boiling water first to wilt it without destroying the texture.

Ingredients • 2 tablespoons soy sauce • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil • 1 tablespoon toasted white sesame seeds • 2 cloves minced garlic • 2 teaspoons sugar • 6 cups fresh baby spinach Instructions 1. Blanch the spinach in boiling water for 40 seconds. Remove spinach quickly and rinse in cold water. Gently squeeze the spinach to remove excess water.

2. Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, seeds, garlic and sugar and add to the spinach.

3. Put the spinach salad in a small cup and pack it down tight. Turn the cup upside down on a plate and serve.

Serving Size: Makes four ¼-cup servings Nutritional Information (per serving) Calories: 66; Fat: 5 g; Cholesterol: 0; Sodium: 486 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 5 g; Protein: 2 g ■ january2014 | northsidewoman.com | 17

shereads

The rest of the story…

Revisiting beloved literary characters

By KATIE VanBRACKLE

katie@northsidewoman.com

T

here are plenty of strong opinions out there about sequels---authorized or otherwise---of our favorite literary classics. Some prefer to let the original author have the final word---leaving our heroes and heroines safely preserved in the past. Other readers are anxious for new takes on beloved characters and enjoy a fresh perspective on old favorites.

If you dare to venture into new territory, be prepared to read with an open mind. Some writers try to stay somewhat faithful to the original book, while others veer off into totally new territory---“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,” anyone?

March

By Geraldine Brooks

From the book cover: From Louisa May Alcott’s classic “Little Women,” Geraldine Brooks has taken the character of the absent father, Mr. March, who has gone off to the Civil War leaving his wife and daughters. To evoke him, Brooks turned to the journals and letters of Bronson Alcott, Louisa May’s father. In Brooks’ telling,

18 | northsidewoman.com | january2014

March emerges as an idealistic chaplain in the little known backwaters of a war that will test his faith in himself and in the Union cause as he learns that his side, too, is capable of acts of barbarism and racism.

As he recovers from a near mortal illness, he must reassemble his shattered mind and body, and find a way to reconnect with a wife and daughters who have no idea of the ordeals he has been through. From the vibrant intellectual world of New England and the sensuous antebellum South, March adds adult resonance to Alcott’s optimistic children’s tale and portrays the moral complexity of war, a marriage tested by the demands of extreme idealism, and by the temptations of a powerful forbidden attraction.

Note: “March” received the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

Rhett Butler’s People

By Donald McCaig

From the book cover: Fully authorized by the Margaret Mitchell estate, “Rhett Butler’s People” parallels “Gone With The Wind.” Through Rhett Butler’s eyes we meet the people who shaped his larger than

life personality as it sprang from Margaret Mitchell’s unforgettable pages: Langston Butler, Rhett’s unyielding father; Rosemary his steadfast sister; Tunis Bonneau, Rhett’s best friend and a onetime slave; Belle Watling, the woman for whom Rhett cared long before he met Scarlett O’Hara at Twelve Oaks Plantation, on the fateful eve of the Civil War. Of course there is Katie Scarlett O’Hara, the headstrong, passionate woman whose life is inextricably entwined with Rhett’s: more like him than she cares to admit; more in love with him than she’ll ever know.

Note: Some online reviewers enjoyed reading about Rhett’s backstory---others were “appalled at how modern authors try to put a smiley face on a novel that really ended the way it should have.”

Jane Eyre’s Daughter

By Elizabeth Newark

From the book cover: In this sequel to Jane Eyre, young Janet Rochester is consigned to Highcrest Manor and the guardianship of the strict Colonel Dent while her parents journey to the West Indies. As Janet struggles to make a life for herself, guided by the ideals of her parents, she finds herself caught up in the mysteries of Highcrest.

Why is the East Wing forbidden to her? What lies behind locked gates? And what is the source of the voices she hears in the night? Can she trust the enigmatic Roderick Landless, or should she transfer her allegiance to the suave and charming Sir Hugo Calendar? Whether riding her

mare on the Yorkshire moors, holding her own with Colonel Dent, or waltzing at her first ball, Janet is strong, sympathetic, and courageous. After all, she is her mother’s daughter...

Note: Online reviews were mixed--some felt Jane and Mr. Rochester (who are absent for most of the story) didn’t ring true, but found Janet’s storyline engaging. Bottom line: if you are a die-hard fan of the original, you might want to skip it.

Otherwise, many felt it was a nice read.

Death Comes to Pemberley

By P.D. James

From the book cover: A rare meeting of literary genius: P. D. James, long among the most admired mystery writers of our time, draws the characters of Jane Austen’s beloved novel “Pride and Prejudice” into a tale of murder and emotional mayhem.

It is 1803, six years since Elizabeth and Darcy embarked on their life together at Pemberley, Darcy’s magnificent estate. Elizabeth has found her footing as the chatelaine of the great house. They have two fine sons, Fitzwilliam and Charles. Elizabeth’s sister Jane and her husband, Bingley, live nearby; her father visits often; and preparations are under way for their much-anticipated annual autumn ball. Then, on the eve of the ball, the patrician idyll is shattered. A coach careens up the drive carrying Lydia, Elizabeth’s disgraced sister, who with her

husband, the very dubious Wickham, has been banned from Pemberley.

She stumbles out of the carriage, shrieking that Wickham has been murdered. With shocking suddenness, Pemberley is plunged into a frightening mystery.

Note: I love how one online reviewer, Julie, described this book as “a tender squeeze of affection from one national literary treasure to another. I can just see these two outrageously smart, sublime writers sharing a pot of tea and chatting about their writing lives.” ■

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january2014 | northsidewoman.com | 19

herhome

A visit to Planet Organized What’s your hot spot at home?

By CHARLENE TITTLE ReInspiredLife.com

I

love my girlfriends! When I announced my latest column is devoted to organizing, they barely chuckled, gasped or even snorted.

We creative types tend to be on another planet that rarely collides with Planet Organized. Being the Crowned Queen of Procrastination never helps either.

Always the optimist, I believe this year, the Magical 2014 will be the one!

I feel certain the diet will finally work, regular exercise will become a joy and my organizational skills will make Martha Stewart green with envy (or royal blue – as it is the new Pantone color of the year…but I digress). Let’s face this journey together and pinky-swear we will triumph over our “stuff.”

What’s your “Hot Spot” at home? You know the one---you avert your eyes when passing and only clean up when you’re expecting the Queen to visit.

1. The Mud Room Alternative If you are lucky enough to have a space to carve out between parking and the most used door in your home, create a niche for “stuff” in a fashion that says

20 | northsidewoman.com | january2014

‘organized.’ Place a small table or chest near your entrance and hang decorative hooks above, Add a fun umbrella stand, slide in a basket for shoes, a small lamp and decorative tray for keys and clutter and you’ve created your own minimudroom.

2. The Paper Trail Everyone has that dreaded stack of mail that ends up on the kitchen counter or dining room table. An idea that seems to help in this case is a pair of lidded baskets. One gets the junk mail, the other the “keepers” for the month.

At the end of the month, sit down with the DVR and sort out-of-date coupons, things that need filing and things to toss. A once-a-month purge keeps it from taking over your living space.

After the initial sorting of old files and junk mail, call EcoShredding.com – a female-owned Alpharetta business who comes to you. You can even watch your paper shred into confetti – oh joy!

3. Photo Purgatory My biggest New Year’s guilt is the boxes of family photos aging in the closet under a pile of blankets.

I promise myself every year that I will organize and respect the past. My new hero in this department is Laura

herhome

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4. The Makeup & Jewelry Monster This is my favorite problem to solve. You can literally go shopping in your own house for small dishes, trays, decanters, vases, and odd containers to stash your beauty items in a creative, fun way. Decanters are great for shampoo, mouthwash, bubble bath and other liquids.

Vases will corral makeup brushes. Lidded jars hold Q-tips and cotton balls. Trays will define and simplify the space, and lovely small dishes are great for your oft-worn jewelry. If your house is short on items that could be used for this project, a field trip to your favorite antique market is a perfect way to collect a handful of unique containers at a very affordable price.

I must admit I’ve become fairly adept at purging. Keeping a tote or basket handy to toss in unwanted items makes it easy to gather a quick load to drop at a local charitable donation spot. It makes me feel great not only to lighten my load, but to give items that someone else can put to good use.

Of course the downside to this is

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I have to be careful when I shop at my favorite spots: The Drake Closet, North Fulton Community Charities or Goodwill, not to buy back some of last month’s purges. ■

Happy organizing in 2014!

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herstyle

When tosay

Goodbye

Tried and true rules for cleaning out your closet

By LORI WYNNE

fashionwithflair.com

T

he New Year is a great time to re-evaluate what is useful in your wardrobe and what is just taking up valuable space in the closet. What clothing has served you well, but needs replacing?

What items are outdated or ill-fitting?

Rules to follow when culling your own wardrobe closet • Throw out sweaters and knits that are stretched out, snagged, pilled or have holes.

• Toss shoes and boots that have worn out soles and heels that cannot be repaired by a cobbler.

• Throw out items that have stains and fading.

• If you didn’t wear last season, donate it.

• If it hasn’t fit in two years, donate it.

• If it isn’t a part of your lifestyle anymore, donate it.

Organize what is left By season Hang items in your closet according to season. This helps you see exactly what you have to build outfits for a particular season.

By category Hang shirts, blouses and tops together. Pants and jeans together, dresses together, skirts together, and jackets and vests together. This aids in knowing if you have an over-abundance or are lacking particular items.

By color Hanging blouses, tops and other items according to color will help you determine what color you have abundance of or are lacking.

Use double-hung rods Hang shirts and jackets on upper rod. Hang pants and skirts on lower rod. This helps you visualize more outfit combinations.

Store sweaters with pieces of cedar to 22 | northsidewoman.com | january2014

inhibit moths from eating them. They love wool and cashmere that is soiled or has body oils on it. Dry clean your sweaters before storing them for the warmer months.

Formal wear should be covered and hung separately from your everyday wardrobe.

Side note When doing an in-home closet consultation with clients, I always allow a few sentimental pieces to stay in the closet. Make sure they are in the back of the closet and do not take up more than 1% of your valuable real estate. Better yet, store them in another closet in the house away from your everyday wardrobe.

For tips on organizational items to use in your closet, check out my article on page 14 of the January 2013 issue of Northside Woman: http://issuu.com/appen-inc/docs/ nsw_0101134

Places to donate your gently used “treasures” The Drake Closet now has two locations—825 Mimosa Boulevard in Roswell and 26 Old Roswell Road in Alpharetta.

Proceeds from these resale fashion boutiques benefit the Drake House which provides emergency housing for women and children in North Fulton. Donations are accepted Tuesday-Friday from 11-3 and Saturday 10-1 or by appointment.

Dress for Success (dressforsuccess.org) takes your gently used professional wear and gives it to women who are interviewing for jobs, helping them feel confident and look their personal best.

Consignment shops such as Designer Consigner in downtown Alpharetta will consign your designer and up-scale department store items that are clean and in excellent condition. ■ As a personal wardrobe consultant and owner of Alpharetta-based Fashion With Flair, Lori Wynne helps people look their best. Contact her at fashionwithflair.com.

herbeauty

Renew yourbeauty routine in 2014

By CYNTHIA MORRISSON EIKE Visage Designs by Cynthia, LLC

T

he holiday season is behind us, and the new year and its resolutions are ahead. Resolve to renew your beauty routine by adding these beauty tips to your routine for 2014.

pamper your skin once a week with a facial treatment Dry, winter skin benefits from a deep hydrating facial masque like Karuna Hydrating Sheet Face Masks ($28). These unique, all-natural fibers, single-use sheets are infused with custom blended beauty boosters of peptides, plant extracts and anti-oxidants to renew and rehydrate your skin. Deep cleansing masks are great for all skin types to detoxify skin and purge pores. Try Formula 10.0.6 Deep Down Detox Ultra Cleansing Mud Mask ($6).

Both masks gently exfoliate too.

Out with the old & in with the new!

Clean out your makeup drawer and throw out anything that smells “off,” has discolored since buying it or is beyond the manufacturer’s expiration date. Toss any skincare that has ever irritated your skin or

you aren’t inspired to use. Taking care of your skin will become a priority when you use products you love and get results.

When was the last time you washed your makeup brushes?

These essential tools are just as important as the makeup and need to be cleaned at least twice a month. Quality makeup brushes are expensive and like a cashmere sweater, should be washed gently. Bobbi Brown’s Conditioning Brush Cleanser ($16) is gentle and very concentrated, so a little goes a long way.

Lather bristles using warm water, rinse in cool water, squeeze out excess water and let dry overnight, resting off the edge of the counter with air circulating all around brush head.

ideal for any skin needing extra moisture.

A few drops of Mario Badescu’s Rose Hips Nourishing Oil ($20) reduces flakiness and dehydration when used twice daily and added to your regular moisturizer.

The most important beauty tip for 2014?

This year, let’s resolve to focus on the good qualities we each have. Smile every morning and tell yourself you are beautiful! That smile will start your day off on a positive note and remain with you all day… and all year! ■

Cynthia has been a makeup artist for more than 25 years. She provides consulting and makeup application services through Visage Designs by Cynthia. Contact her at visagedesigns@gmail.com.

Resolve to ban dull, dry, flaky skin Boost your skin’s moisture this winter by adding facial oil to your usual routine. Smooth L’Oreal’s Age Perfect Glow Renewal Facial Oil ($25) over your regular serum and before moisturizer as a turbo moisture boost of eight essential oils that are

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january2014 | northsidewoman.com | 23

herhealth

Faith-based

Fitness

Hip hop dance workout meant to be fun, motivational

By CAROLYN ASPENSON

Top: Cast of beginner-level DVD, “Shazzy Fitness In the Beginning.” Left: From left, instructors Leslie Alison and Apollo Levine, program founder Kristy McCarley, instructor Vera Musgrove.

T

wo years ago, Alpharetta resident Kristy McCarley decided to take a risk. She’d just been laid off from her corporate job and thought the timing was right to move forward with an idea she’d been developing for two years. “I really felt God was guiding me to this place, to make that decision,” she said.

So Kristy put her heart and soul into hours upon hours of work developing a faith-based workout program called Shazzy Fitness, a hip-hop cardiovascular DVD exercise program designed to improve fitness levels of beginners to advanced exercisers.

“I wanted to create something that people like me, who might not be great dancers but love a good beat, could work out to,” she said.

McCarley named the program Shazzy after the story of the Hebrew prophet, Daniel. “Since this is a faithbased workout, I wanted to name it after someone who represented strength in faith,” she said.

“I chose Daniel because he is an excellent example of true faith during incredible circumstances. His Babylonian name is Belteshazzar but that’s a bit long, so I cut it down

to Shazzy.”

The workouts, designed by professional dance and exercise choreographers, incorporate popular, familyfriendly hip-hop dance moves and exercises designed to increase cardiovascular efficiency and burn calories.

“My goal was to create something faith-based with fun, motivating music that families could do together,” she

said. “All of the music is Christian and parents can do the workouts with their kids and not have to worry about the lyrics. Plus, the songs talk about God and I feel they bring people closer to their faith.”

McCarley doesn’t take credit for the DVDs. Instead, she gives credit to her team. “I’ve been blessed to work with a group of amazing people who really know their stuff,” she said. “They put together workouts designed around hip-hop dance moves for people who want to exercise but also want to have fun while doing it. All I did was bring together a group of talented choreographers and musicians, they really did the work.”

She hopes her program will be the next big thing in home exercise DVDs and is moving toward a certification program for instructors to teach the classes in health clubs and churches.

The DVDs can be purchased through the Shazzy Fitness Facebook page or website at shazzyfitness.com. ■

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herhealth

Women choosing wisely in the new year

By DEBBIE KEEL

North Fulton Hospital CEO

H

ere it is 2014. Seems like just last night I was spending New Year’s Eve at a hospital in New Orleans where I was then CEO, on the roof, watching fireworks displays over Lake Ponchartrain and waiting for all our electronic systems to go haywire.

It was New Year’s Eve 1999, and the turn of the century, a once in a lifetime event for all but a very few of us. And the pundits had led us to believe that we could quite possibly have a big meltdown – gas pumps might stop working, ATMs wouldn’t be able to give us cash, airplanes would be unable to land or takeoff and hospitals – places where high-tech, frequently lifesaving machines beep and moan – would grind to a halt.

Of course, none of that happened. We went to bed knowing that our hospitals were still caring for people and even the lowly time clocks were still functioning properly. Y2K had come and gone, not with a bang but a whimper.

It makes you realize that the big changes in life don’t always happen in a

Most women still make their families’ health care decisions, or at least influence them to a large degree. moment but often over many years. Often, you don’t even notice them while those changes are taking place.

For example, how many women do you know that were raising their teenagers that New Year’s Eve and now are choosing longterm care for elderly parents?

How many women do you know that were playing tennis twice a week in the spring of 2000 and are now in the fight of their life battling breast cancer?

How many of your friends who were helping their daughter plan her wedding are now helping her choose a hospital in

which to deliver their grandchild?

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Most women still make their families’ health care decisions, or at least influence them to a large degree. It’s a burden you carried in 2000 and still carry today.

Best of luck to each of you in choosing wisely.

Please feel free to call on your community hospital if you need help. ■

Debbie Keel ▲

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woman's best friend

Ask the vet Q

I would like to adopt a dog, but I’m not sure how to budget for pet ownership. How do I come up with a ballpark figure for basic supplies, food and vet care for a medium-sized dog?”

A

Pet adoption is a wonderful and rewarding experience. As a veterinarian, I know that pets lead happier and healthier lives with responsible owners, so it is important to budget for the cost of pet ownership to ensure you can provide for their needs. If you are ready to become a pet owner, and are particularly interested in adopting a medium-sized dog, here are some things to consider as you budget for your new companion.

Medium-sized dogs need to be walked daily, so one of the very first things that dog owners need to purchase are a good collar and leash. There are many brands available, some that even have a lifetime guarantee, meaning that if your dog bites through it, you can send it back and they’ll replace it at no additional cost to you. You can get a good quality leash and collar for around $20 to $40.

One of the most challenging aspects of dog ownership can be potty training. Crate training is usually the easiest and fastest way to potty train your dog. Crates are also very good for dogs to sleep in and to be kept in whenever needed. Crates are sold at all pet stores, as well as online. The price range on crates varies, but you can get a medium-size dog crate for around $60.

Deciding on what diet to start your dog on can be a daunting task. There are many good

Who is your favorite

?

Do you know an Unsung She’ro who works tirelessly?

A fabulously creative artist, author or musician?

Talented teacher or mentor?

Successful businesswoman or entrepreneur?

Outstanding athlete or fitness guru?

Or a best friend, mom or neighbor with an inspiring, funny or touching story to share?

We want to hear from you!!

Northside Woman is all about celebrating and connecting the amazing women who live in the North Fulton and South Forsyth communities of Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek and Cumming – helping you get to know your neighbors and build business and social networks which allow women to support and encourage each other.

Please share your story ideas with our staff by emailing Editor Katie VanBrackle at katie@northsidewoman.com.

26 | northsidewoman.com | january2014

woman's best friend

gourmet diets that are nutritionally balanced.

These gourmet diets can be pricier, but a plus for your pet if you can afford them. If gourmet diets do not fit your budget, you can get good, nutritionally balanced diets for less. For a medium-sized dog, a regular, well-balanced dry food diet can cost around $230 a year. The water and food bowls for your dog food can be around $10 to $20.

Last but not least, veterinary care. Keeping your pet healthy by having yearly exams and vaccinations is a very important part of keeping your dog healthy. Preventive, good quality veterinary care needs to be part of the budget. A yearly exam including vaccinations, fecal, heartworm test and monthly parasite prevention (this includes heartworm, flea, tick and intestinal parasite prevention) can be around $350 per year. Extras that are routinely done such as anal glands, nail trims and ear cleanings can be around $50 to $100 per year depending on how frequently these are needed.

So to sum it up, in your first year of owning your medium-sized dog, it may cost you around $2 per day, which includes a crate, food and water bowls and a good leash and collar, which are usually one-time purchases. But with all the love and attention that they give us in return, I’ll say it’s the best $2 that you can spend in a day. ■

Dr. Beatriz Segarra is the owner and veterinarian at the Village Animal Hospital on Abbotts Bridge Road in Johns Creek. www.thevillage animalhospital.com

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Leslie is still a puppy, she will require a lot of time and commitment as she matures. Please make sure your schedule can accommodate Leslie’s needs prior to applying. To find out more about Leslie, or to apply for adoption, please go to www.furkids.org.

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sheblogs

If I could

turn back time I

’m the baby in my family by a long shot. My siblings are 10, 12 and 13 years my senior. No matter how old I am, they are always way older. (They like to offset this inequity by saying, “You realize you were an accident, right?” To which I respond, “You know Mom loves me best, right?”)

I bet they are feeling it since I turned 41. Fortyfreaking-one. Not 29, not 29 and holding, not even 39 and holding. I can no longer say “I’m too young for that to happen!”

The cold, hard facts: I have more gray hair than I care to admit. I’ve succumbed to wearing reading glasses.

Sometimes I think I’m being shot at in the morning, only to realize it’s just my knees popping like guns on a battlefield.

There’s a ditch between my eyebrows I’m certain would hold form if I were brave enough for Botox (I’m not.)

I have scars and sunspots and take daily medications so my thyroid won’t cause my width to surpass my height.

Facing the fact that no matter how vigorously you try to hang on to your youth (exercise, serums, skinny jeans), coasting into the great decline is a humbling experience.

But if given the opportunity to turn back time, would I? Not a chance.

I’ve learned to appreciate these days we get — even the rainy, achy, wrinkly ones — because far too many are robbed of their old age. Like my dad. He was killed in a car accident a month after his birthday. I was 10. He was 46.

One day he was there, the next, he wasn’t. Just that quick. The closer I come to his age on his last birthday, the more I realize how young he was when he died. So whenever I’m grousing about stiff joints or picking up another prescription, I remind myself of the folks who would love to be old and gray, sipping tea on the porch while their grandkids play on the lawn, but never had the chance.

Who am I to complain about the tally of birthdays, the wrinkles and the grays? The only way to get from here to there is by blowing out one extra candle every year.

Instead of seeing birthdays as a time to bemoan our lost youth, let’s see them as a gift of extra time to live and love.

The next time you say, “I feel so OLD” (like I do when my kids point out they are as tall as I), remember your kids may be taller and you more gray, but you’re alive and kicking (unless you’ve had hip replacement, in which case perhaps you are fist pumping) — and that warrants an extra slice of cake.

I’ll probably have two extra slices.

I’m Mom’s favorite, after all. ■ Amy M. Dawson is an Alpharetta-based writer eternally grateful for the delete key and a good shredder. She writes about balancing work and life at www.amymacpr.blogspot.com.

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todo

JANUARY summer and fall, Jane Haessler and Mark Mckain were out and about on Canton Street, snapping photos and drawing people who roam this suburban hotspot.

Their visual art exhibit offers a glimpse into the lives of people in Roswell. Free.

Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. www.roswellgov.com

11

Group Run at Big Creek Greenway 8 – 11 a.m. Totally Running hosts group runs on Saturdays at the Big Creek Greenway’s Bethelview Road Entrance.

All are welcome. In the case of inclement weather, contact Totally Running, 678-341-8032.

3

Discussion and Book Signing ▲ 6-8 p.m. Author Betty Brown, Northside Woman’s latest “Unsung SheRo,” will speak and sign copies of her book “There and Back: An Elder’s Solo Global Pilgrimage” at Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee House, 352 Atlanta Street, Roswell. Come hear the inspirational story of Brown, who at age 68, explored and worked her way through 10 countries in 11 months, and did it all solo.

4

Bring One for the Chipper 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Keep Roswell Beautiful hosts their annual Christmas tree recycling event at the Home Depot locations on Woodstock Road and Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell. Keep your tree out of a landfill and receive free mulch from “treecycling.” keeproswellbeautiful.org/ event/bring-one-chipper/ The Wok Whisperer cooking class 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Learn the essentials of wok cooking—healthy, fast and seasonally focused. Menu: stir-fried shrimp with bean sprouts and cilantro; Cantonese-style stirfried pork with Chinese broccoli; Kung Pao chicken; and stir-fried tofu with pickled ginger. $45 class fee. Harry’s Farmers Market Salud! Cooking School, 1180 Upper Hembree Road, Roswell. www.wholefoodsmarket.com

9

Relay for Life Alpharetta Kickoff Event 6-7 p.m. Learn all about Relay for Life Alpharetta, how you can get involved and the impact you can make in the fight against cancer. There will be a short presentation, activities and light refreshments. State Bank and Trust, 2380 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta.

Georgia Ensemble Theatre presents “The Only Light in Reno” Shows continue through January 26. It’s August of 1960 in Reno and filming on “The Misfits” is behind schedule with no end in sight. The Sierra Mountains are on fire and Reno is in total blackout.

Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift are playing board games with an accused murderess and Marilyn Monroe is locked in the bathroom. This is the hilarious story of when Hollywood came to the Biggest Little City in the World and everything went up in flames. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. www.get.org

10

“People on Canton” visual art in Roswell Through January 23. This past

30 | northsidewoman.com | january2014

18

Free Art Lessons at Ocee Library 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Free art lessons for kids ages 7-16 are taught every 1st and 3rd Saturday through April at Ocee Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek. Students can learn watercolor, color pencil, pastel and more. Contact Sophia at northview.guide.club@gmail.com.

Wine and Dine in Monterey 7 p.m. At this Publix Cooking School demonstration, enjoy a wine country dinner inspired by Monterey, California-one of the largest wine producing regions in the U.S. and one of the most picturesque. Menu: Grilled artichoke crostini with spinach pesto; crab agnolotti with brown butter, pecans and sage; panroasted halibut with butternut squash and Brussels sprout hash; dark chocolate cremoso parfait. All items paired with wines. $45. Publix, 4305 State Bridge Road, Alpharetta. 770-751-8560.

Night Hike in Roswell 7-9 p.m. Join a naturalist on an outdoor journey to see what happens as the sun goes down and the night comes to life.

Hike through the wetlands or woods, visit with a nocturnal animal up close and warm up by the campfire complete with marshmallow roasting. Suitable for all ages. $10 general public and $7 CNC members. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. www.chattnaturecenter.org Home By Dark Songwriters Show 8 p.m. If you missed them at Alpharetta’s inaugural Songwriter’s Festival in November, here’s your chance to see the best performing songwriters in America with top notch instrumentalists. James Casto, Victoria Banks and Ernie Halter share the stories behind the songs and share heartfelt performances. Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. www.gwinnettcenter.com

children’s and adult fiction and non-fiction books as well as CDs and DVDs at this winter sale benefitting the Friends of Northeast Spruill Oaks Library. Northeast Spruill Oaks Library, 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek www.friendsofspruilloaks.org “Mardi Gras Musical Variety Show” at Cumming Playhouse 8 p.m. on Jan. 24, 25 & 26; also 3 p.m.

Sunday matinee. The 3rd Annual Mardi Gras Musical Variety Show will feature hits of the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s through a “magic jukebox.” Add some jazz, Dixieland, a bit of comedy and a touch of voodoo and you’ll experience a great time in New Orleans. Cumming Playhouse, 101 School Street, Cumming. Purchase tickets online. www.playhousecumming.com

25

Ice Carving Festival ▲ 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Chill out for a good cause at the Ice Carving Festival at Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road in Roswell. Atlanta Ice Marvels will create a 12-ft. ice sculpture and culinary students will compete in their own ice sculpting competition. Life music, food trucks, a magician and inflatables for the kids and a bonfire with s’mores make the event fun for the whole family.

Proceeds benefit Children’s Charities which is raising funds for an Early Autism Detection Unit for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Tickets available at www. ticketalternative.com, search: ICE FEST. www.childrenscharities.org

Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library Winter Book Sale Friday 1-5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sun. 2-4 p.m. Purchase a wide range of teen,

New Orleans! With Aaron Neville and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band 8 p.m. Celebrate the birthplace of Jazz, Blues, Gospel, and the many forms of American popular music. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band incorporates funk and bebop into the traditional New Orleans style and multi-Grammy winner Aaron Neville is from the first family of New Orleans music, the Neville Brothers. Cobb Energy Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy, Atlanta. www.cobbenergycentre.com

31

“Willy Wonka Junior” in Roswell ▲ 7 – 9 p.m. Also shows at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 1. The Roswell Showstoppers present a fanciful musical for children of all ages.

Willy Wonka, the world’s most famous chocolatier, plans to retire and leave his factory to one of five lucky contest winners ---and the true test of character begins. Will poor Charlie Bucket, who loves his family and Wonka Bars with all his heart be able to find the last elusive golden ticket? Join Charlie, Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregard and Mike Teavee as they tour Wonka’s land of imagination. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell. $12 tickets. www.roswellgov.com

Looking Ahead

FEBRUARY

Creative Digital Photography 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. A workshop to help people feel comfortable with their digital SLR camera, leaving the auto setting and stepping into the more creative and fun side of photography. $60 for the general public, $50 for CNC members. Advanced registration required. 770-992-2055 ext. 237.

Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. www.chattnaturecenter.com

24

Juried Art Show for North Fulton High Schools 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Roswell Arts Commission is sponsoring a juried art show for talented artists in North Fulton’s high schools. An awards reception will be held Friday evening from 6 – 9 p.m. with ribbons and prize money which can be applied toward furthering a student’s art education. The art will be on display through February 6 at the Roswell Visual Arts Center, 10495 Woodstock Road, Roswell.

Alpharetta. See website for tickets. $10 cash parking fee at the gate. www.bigapplecircus.org

30

Big Apple Circus in Alpharetta ▲ Through February 17. Catch the high-spirits and pulse-racing thrills of the world’s greatest circus artists in one ring under the Big Top. Watch rowdy pups perform amazing tricks, double trapeze artists soaring high above, a bashful clown, an irrepressible flimflam man, and a juggler extraordinaire. Verizon Wireless Amphitheare, 2200 Encore Parkway,

1

Hats Off to Dr. Seuss! ▲ 5-9 p.m. Ann Jackson Gallery in Roswell will exhibit never-before-seen hats from Dr. Seuss’s Private Collection along with prints and sculpture from the Art of Dr. Seuss Collection. World renowned Dr. Seuss Collection Curator Bill Dreyer will be on hand to unveil the hat collection and deliver a captivating talk on the art and life of Theodor S. Geisel, Dr. Seuss. Free and open to the public. RVSPs are suggested: Valerie@annjacksongallery. com, 770-993-4783. Visitors are encouraged to wear Seussian hats. Ann Jackson Gallery, 932 Canton Street, Roswell. www.annjacksongallery.com

january2014 | northsidewoman.com | 31

O U R S TA F F

Welcome to

North Fulton Women’s Specialists

Sowmya Reddy, MD Board-Certified OB/GYN

The specialized care you want. The personal attention you deserve.

Sheila V. Garnica, MD Board Certified OB/GYN Certified Menopause Practitioner

OB/GYN SERVICES

IN-OFFICE PROCEDURES

• Preventive Exams and Pap Smears

• Birth Control

• Preconception, Family Planning and Contraception Consults • Prenatal Care and Delivery

(IUD, Nexplanon, Depo Provera) • Treatment for Heavy or Frequent Periods

• Teenage and Adolescent Care

• Investigation of Incontinence

• Menopause/Peri-Menopause Management

• Colposcopy and LEEP

• Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery • Waterbirths

(treatment for abnormal paps) • Ultrasonography

Alexandre K. Eaccarino, DO

To learn more about the services and physicians at North Fulton Women’s Specialists, visit NorthFultonWomensSpecialists.com. Now accepting new patients and most major insurance plans. Same-day appointments available; call (770) 410-4388.

Michele P. Clark, MSN, CNM Certified Nurse-Midwife

www.NorthFultonWomensSpecialists.com

32 | northsidewoman.com | january2014