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Because a woman’s heart speaks its own language. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, and its symptoms are sometimes unexpected—jaw pain, cold sweats and nausea, to name a few. The Seton Heart Institute Women’s Heart Program is dedicated to helping women identify their risk factors for heart disease and providing care that is tailored to their unique needs. To schedule an appointment, please call (512) 324-3440 or visit SetonHeart.com/women.
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FOR A BETTER AUSTIN IN 2012
Keeping with our mission, AW MEDIA is excited to team up with Roy Spence, co-founder of GSD&M and co-founder and CEO of the Purpose Institute, to introduce the Giving Man Pledge. The Giving Man Pledge challenges Austin men (and women) to pick something of personal passion and purpose and give to it. The Pledge can be one of time, talent or treasure. It can be something as small as smiling more at strangers to brighten their day. Share your pledge today by posting it at atxman.com/givingmanpledge and help make Austin better for it.
atxman.com/givingmanpledge
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Contents Ja n ua ry
60 On the Cover balancing act
How Mardy Chen transformed her life through living and breathing yoga. By Shelley Seale / Photographed by Cody Hamilton
68 Features Photo by Cody Hamilton.
trial by fire For the victims of the Labor Day wildfires, starting again is a life-changing experience. By Sarah Rigdon
74
tenth anniversary Ten years after the first issue went to press, we get an update from inaugural cover woman, Amy Simmons of Amy’s Ice Cream. By Deborah Hamilton-Lynne
austinwomanmagazine.com 9
Contents ja n ua ry
46
Getaway
experience a fresh start at travaasa. on the scene 20 5 things you must do this month
44 bedroom makeover Simple changes that will make a big difference.
savvy women 80 relationships Online dating over 50.
22 around town
gourmet
82 you should know Terri McCormick.
26 spotlight event Wicked.
48 Foodie alert Healthy (and delicious!) food.
84 all the right questions
28 philanthropy Dell Children’s Gala. 30 Horoscopes Happy birthday, Capricorn.
50 girl walks into a bar JuiceLand serves up healthy concoctions with a twist.
Refresh
your ’do.
86 personal Best Rid yourself of unnecessary things.
32 just passing through Anna Quindlen.
52 guilty pleasure Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label.
must list
to your health
34 editor picks
54 fitness Small changes for a big difference.
on the cover
36 current chic Refresh your look.
58 wellness Make your health resolutions a reality.
40 beauty Moisturizers to get you through winter.
opposite sex
Photo by Cody Hamilton. Makeup by Jenny Lin, makeupbyjennylin.com. Hair by Araceli Guerrero, Avant Salon, avantsalon.com. Stella McCartney tank and Tonic bottoms available at Bettysport, 916 W. 12th St., bettysport.com.
fresh starts 42 wardrobe makover Update your wardrobe with 2012 trends.
10 austinwoman j a n u a r y 2 0 1 2
76 simply irresistible Meet Ted Sabol-Williams.
78 memo from JB Reflective do-overs.
88 last word A fresh start.
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AWMedia
aw AUSTIN WOMAN MAGAZINE
Co-Founder and Publisher
Melinda Maine Garvey vice president and Co-Publisher
Christopher Garvey Co-Founder
Samantha Stevens Executive Editor
Deborah Hamilton-Lynne Art Director
Victoria Millner assistant art director
Adrienne Rosales marketing and operations director
Dustin Woodhead marketing and operations associate
Sadie Barton editor-at-large
Mary Anne Connolly associate editor
Joelle Pearson contributing editor
Julie Tereshchuk copy editor
Chantal Rice Fashion + Style editor
Erika Cerda Contributors
Rudy Arocha, Lauren Barton, Robin Campbell, Nicole Carbon, Jill Case, Christine Cox, JB Hager, Cody Hamilton, Katherine Howard, Christine Imperatore, Chrissie Jarrell, Caleb Kerr, Deborah Mastelotto, Molly McManus, Rachel Merriman, Joelle Pearson, Sarah Quatrano, Betsy Richter, Sarah Rigdon, William Russell, Courtney Sanchez, Natalie Yerkovich Account Executives
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Austin Woman Magazine is a free monthly publication of AW Media Inc. and is available at more than 1,150 locations across Austin and in Lakeway, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Pflugerville. All rights reserved. For submission requirements, contact ideas@austinwomanmagazine.com. No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission. For copies of articles, call 512.328.2421.
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From the Editor “Another
fresh new year is here. Another year to live! To banish worry, doubt, and fear, To love and laugh and give!” I love that quote from William Arthur Ward because it epitomizes the optimism I always feel when a new year rolls around. As the clock strikes 12 on Jan. 1, all things seem possible and I visualize myself standing on a long dock, looking out toward the horizon, not knowing what the future holds. With that thought in mind, we decided to take a look at making a fresh start in this issue, not simply making a resolution that is easy to put aside until we make the same resolution the next year, but how to genuinely make a fresh start, how to change your life for the better. Making a fresh start requires action, but prior to action, there must be intention and planning, and after the initial action, there must be a commitment to follow through. Many times we have no idea where to begin and set out without a plan. Many times a fresh start is forced upon us. Either way, a fresh start requires courage and implies hope. The cover photo depicts several qualities that are required for making a successful fresh start: dedication, passion, balance and determination. Mardy Chen chose Bikram yoga as a means to a fresh start for a satisfying avocation when she left the corporate world to become the master of her own domain. Her pictureperfect poses and story will leave an indelible mark in your mind. The phoenix is the mythological creature that rose from the ashes to start anew and it could well become the symbol of Bastrop following the summer’s tragic wildfires. Sarah Rigdon explores the impact of surviving a life-changing trauma and the necessity of making a fresh start, talking with a trauma nurse who has seen it firsthand, families that lost everything in Bastrop and TV news anchorwoman Judy Maggio, who learned that her house had burned to the ground while she was on assignment in California. It is an eye-opening look with a fresh perspective on the things that really matter. On the lighter side, we look at ways to update your hairdo, your wardrobe and your bedroom in this issue, as well as 12 healthy changes to make in 2012 and healthy cuisine. Our roving food critic walks into a juice bar, and we create a recipe for making a fresh start at a local destination spa and resort. A newly single mature adult shares tips for online dating, while The Last Word addresses a subject women of all ages and stations are affected by: domestic violence. We interviewed an on-air personality that gives Austinites a fresh start each morning, cheerfully and with zest, even if it is the crack of dawn. Finally, we encourage you to make a fresh start in 2012 by making Austin better with the Giving Man Pledge. Visit atxman.com/givingmanpledge for giving ideas and to see the impact your pledges are making. So as the bells ring in the new year, raise a glass and toast to a fresh start! We hope that somewhere along the way, Austin Woman will help you banish any worries, doubts or fears you may have and help you live, laugh and give to the city we are fortunate to call home. All the best in 2012!
deborah hamilton-lynne Executive Editor
Photo by Korey Howell.
LIVING BIG
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Contributors CODY HAMILTON is a cross between photographer, retoucher and illustrator. He uses situations, framing and digital editing to create works of art that leave memorable impressions. Cody grew up in Wyoming. He graduated from The Art Institute of Colorado, receiving an award for the best portfolio. In addition to honing his portfolio and photography skills, Cody stays busy remodeling his house and spending time with his wife and daughter. Cody’s photographs have been featured in Austin Monthly and Tribeza. He has contributed to projects for Southwest Airlines, GSD&M, Door Number 3 and T3. Austin local and University of Texas graduate JENNY LIN unknowingly began her career in makeup with MAC Cosmetics eight years ago while studying full time. During that time, weddings and fashion shows ruled her agenda. In 2009, a passion ignited after her first short film, Play Land. A year later, Jenny turned loose and began her freelance career in makeup for film and print.
Austin has fed, housed and educated SARAH RIGDON for seven years, and she does her best to give back. She earned a bachelor’s degree in writing and rhetoric from St. Edward’s University. As a senior, she became the program director for The Dionysium, a monthly show at the Alamo Drafthouse. She held the post for two more years, stopping only to teach English in Korea. She has since returned to her adopted home of Austin. Sarah would like to thank everyone she interviewed during her research on Bastrop for talking to her during such a difficult time. Her work has appeared in the Austin American-Statesman and Austin Woman. SHELLEY SEALE is an author and freelance writer in Austin. She has written for National Geographic, USA Today and Globe Pequot Press, among other publications, and can usually be found traipsing in remote places when not in Austin. She loves Austin, farmers markets, yoga and wine.
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Did You Know...
Dense breast tissue makes it more difficult to identify abnormalities on a mammogram? THANKS TO HENDA’S LAW, STARTING JANUARY 1, 2012, THE MAMMOGRAM FACILITY IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO TELL YOU IF YOU HAVE DENSE BREAST TISSUE.
YOU MAY BENEFIT FROM A BREAST ULTRASOUND. The Breast Center of Austin Owen Winsett, MD
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HENDA’S LAW...
On completion of a mammogram, a mammography facility certified by the United States Food and Drug Administration or by a certification agency approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration shall provide to the patient the following notice: If your mammogram demonstrates that you have dense breast tissue, which could hide abnormalities, and you have other risk factors for breast cancer that have been identified, you might benefit from supplemental screening tests that may be suggested by your ordering physician...
On the Web austinwomanmagazine.com
reading for a fresh start for 2012 Associate Editor Joelle Pearson talks with author Joan Anderson about her book A Weekend to Change Your Life.
FOOD b Healthy and nutritious recipes from Travaasa and JuiceLand. b Explore Snap Kitchen’s 21-day challenge: three weeks to a leaner you. best of the BLOGS b From simplykellyblog.com: If your fresh start includes blogging, check out this tutorial to learn how to add social media buttons to increase your exposure. b Are you a blogger? To be considered for the best of the blogs, please submit a sample of your best work to submissions@awmediainc.com. books Read our reviews for: b A Weekend to Change Your Life by Joan Anderson b Fresh Start by Julie Russo b This Year I Will by M.J. Ryan b Organize for a Fresh Start by Susan Fay West the giving man pledge b It’s not just for men, so ladies, let’s make Austin a better place in 2012. Read how to make your pledge and an idea for giving that can feed a hungry child with a click a day. Visit atxman.com/ givingmanpledge. the last word b Please submit your entries to thelastword@awmediainc.com by Feb. 1, 2012, for the March topic, “The Entrepreneurial Life.” PLUS b Advice on how to help a friend get through a divorce. b Complete horoscopes and January calendar. b Tenth anniversary update feauturing cover women from Austin Woman’s first year.
on the scene /
5 Things you must do this month
Austin Wedding Guide’s Bridal Extravaganza Jan. 7 and 8, noon to 5 p.m., Palmer Events Center
Nina Beall presents Large and Small Works—A Holiday Exhibit! Through Jan. 28, Laura Bush Community Library, Westlake Immerse yourself in Nina Beall’s collection, currently on display at the Laura Bush Community Library. Beall has presented work throughout the country and received several Illinois Arts Council grants. She has a passion for teaching people about art and has plans for personalized studio tours in February. Beall describes her work as semiautobiographical, “with themes that are immersed in the nature and culture of the South and Texas.” Rural motifs flow through all of her paintings, evident in the vivid depictions of Small Sunflowers and Zinnias in warm reds, oranges, yellows and pinks in acrylic on canvas. This piece and others depicting wildflowers, trees and farmlands are for sale at the holiday exhibit. A portion of the proceeds will aid the Laura Bush Library with the development of their Art Program for the Public. Beall also welcomes visitors by appointment to her studio. Visit ninabeall.com.
Blushing brides planning nuptials in 2012 should round up their wedding parties for the Bridal Extravaganza, which promises to be a spectacular event. There is a chance to win great prizes and save costs with $500 in special Bridal Bucks. Be sure to check out the latest styles in wedding dresses and suits at the fashion show, and prepare to be spoiled by 220 exhibitors presenting a variety of products and services to help make the special day perfect. Tickets are $14 and free for children younger than 12. Purchasing online early at austinweddings. com/bridalextravaganza is recommended, as the first 500 brides will receive a free VIP tote.
MomCom Austin Kathy Griffin
Jan. 21, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Jan. 7, 8 p.m., The Long Center for the Performing Arts
In the modern world, the role of mom takes on many different facets. Moms juggle raising families with business and artistic and community projects. All you moms resolving to kick-start a new creative venture or further an existing project in 2012 should check out MomCom’s upcoming event. The discussion sessions and panels provide an opportunity for women to come together and connect with other successful mothers in Austin. Speakers include Liz Garton Scanlon, a children’s author, and Christiane Woodley Erwin, president and CEO of Crestview Doors. Join them and other presenters as they share their experiences and inspirational stories in a forum promoting community spirit. Register online through Jan. 21 at momcomaustin.com.
Ring in the new year with a healthy dose of laughter, courtesy of one of the funniest women in comedy. This month, Kathy Griffin will perform one show at The Long Center for the Performing Arts. Griffin has received many favorable reviews from throughout the country for her humorous storytelling ability, and has achieved success in many different fields. She is a New York Times bestselling author, a winner of two Emmys and has been nominated for a Grammy. This event will showcase Griffin’s comedic talent as she pushes the boundaries
of humor, and is sure to be a great way to kick off 2012. Visit thelongcenter.org to purchase tickets.
20 austinwoman j a n u a r y 2 0 1 2
Show and Technology: 14th Annual Home and Garden Show Jan. 13 to 15 (various times), Austin Convention Center Planning any renovations to your residence in 2012? The 14th annual Home and Garden Show is a great place to start if you are on the lookout for that perfect design for your new living space or just want to soak up the multitude of creative ideas. Displays range from plants and outdoor living items to the newest trends for indoor spaces, with amazing show-only discounts and prices. Special guests include Ted Seibert from the Sand Sculpture Company with a sand castle attraction. The whole family will enjoy the interactive cooking demonstrations and the pet and kids’ zones. For more info, visit austinhomeandgardenshow.com.
on the scene /
around town
dancing with the stars
Ryan Nail & Lindsay LeBlanc
Taletha Jouzandi & Vaughn Brock
a christmas affair
Judge Samuel Biscoe & Jessica Nail
Patsy Woods Martin & Mark Moy
Joanna Linden, Cristina Desek & Lisa Matulis-Thomajan
Charity ladies
Vicki Howard & Abby Argo
Kumara Wilcoxon & Angel Figueroa
Charity bash auction
Kerri Lohmeier & Jaime Tower
22   austinwoman j a n u a r y 2 0 1 2
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on the scene /
around town
new milestones
Barbara Tocker & Rosalie Samuelson
Teresa Lingren, Meg Roy & Scott Lingren
happy salon holiday party
Kay Wicall & Elisabeth Earl
Kerri Morrison, Byron Lane & Kappie Bliss
fleming’s 10th anniversary
Don & Janice Hurst
building hope
Carolyn Wonderland
24   austinwoman j a n u a r y 2 0 1 2
big reds & bubbles
Tracey Haas & Turk Pipkin
Chef Brad Sorenson and Jennifer Grathwohl
spotlight event
wicked The Tony Award-winning musical Wicked sold out in record time when it came to Austin in 2009. This January, theater fans have another chance to catch one of Broadway’s biggest hits. The spectacular show is the story of the witches of Oz, before Dorothy showed up. Wicked has thrilled audiences throughout the world and is sure to dazzle Austin once again. For tickets (starting at $38.50), visit broadwayacrossamerica.com/austin or call 512.477.6060. Jan. 25 through Feb. 12 at Bass Concert Hall.
26   austinwoman j a n u a r y 2 0 1 2
B For more events, see the complete January calendar at austinwomanmagazine.com.
Photo by Joan Marcus.
on the scene /
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on the scene /
philanthropy
The Art of Healing Dell Children’s Medical Center goes beyond medicine to reach mind, body and soul as art, music and pet therapy take center stage at the 2012 Dell Children’s Gala. By Rachel Merriman One of the first and largest social events of the year, the annual Dell Children’s Gala raises money for Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, which provides essential medical care to more than 142,000 children in Central Texas each year. More than 1,000 people attended last year’s benefit, raising a record-breaking $1 million. The black-tie benefit is hosted by the Dell Children’s Council, a group of volunteers who advocate for children’s health care through Dell Children’s Medical Center. Dell Children’s Medical Center serves the Central Texas community through many outreach programs. The hospital partners with the Austin Independent School District to care for children with special medical needs such as asthma or diabetes, to keep them safe while they attend school. In addition to essential medical care, the AISD School Health Program works with registered nurses and counselors to provide other beneficial services such as health education and crisis intervention. Part of the AISD School Health Program, Children’s Health Express is a mobile clinic that travels to schools to bring care to children who lack health insurance or a guardian provider of medical care. The hospital also partners with Start Strong, an organization that focuses on the prevention of
dating abuse in middle school-aged girls and boys. The hospital’s commitment to providing Central Texas with patient-centered, holistic care is reflected in this year’s theme, The Art of Healing. More than 142,000 patients benefit each year from therapeutic play, pet therapy, music therapy and art therapy. The 850 art pieces featured in the hospital were specifically chosen for their clinical healing power, not just their aesthetics. “Since ancient times, art has been used as part of the process for healing,” says Robert Bonar, CEO of
Dell Children’s Medical Center. The gala will take place Jan. 28 at the Austin Convention Center Ballroom, located at 500 E. Cesar Chavez St. The gala begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and a program from 8 to 10 p.m. Guests will enjoy live music, a casino lounge and dancing from 10 p.m. to midnight. The gala concludes with an afterparty at the Four Seasons’ TRIO beginning at 11. For more information about the Dell Children’s Gala, visit childrensaustin.org/cmcf/.
Austin Woman Sponsored Events eWomen Luncheon
Shawn Colvin and Lyle Lovett in Concert for Marathon Kids
Jan. 13 at Cool River
Jan. 13 at the Paramount Theatre
Experience the exciting power of accelerated networking, an eWomenNetwork process that gives you an opportunity to promote who you are and what you do, ask for what you specifically need from others, develop new business alliances and learn new strategies for promoting your business and generating more revenue. For registration info, email riccineer@ewomennetwork.com.
Join two of Texas’ treasured singer-songwriters, Shawn Colvin and Lyle Lovett, live at Austin’s historic Paramount Theatre. This is a special concert to benefit Marathon Kids, supporting its mission to provide free running/walking, nutrition and schoolyard gardening programs for more than 250,000 Texas children. For tickets, call 512.474.1221.
28 austinwoman j a n u a r y 2 0 1 2
on the scene /
horoscopes
Happy Birthday, Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 20 THIS MONTH This year, at least until June, we are practical realists. We think a thought, have an idea, plan a plan and we aren’t happy until it’s a reality. We need to visualize, but results are important to us. We’re doers. We don’t want risk; we want direction. We want clear goals and strong plans. We want results that are tangible. We want to be charitable, generous and patient. We need a strong self-image and self-worth to be successful. We long for the “good, simple life.” We don’t believe in quick profit without responsibility any longer, and we are willing to accumulate slowly, but surely. It feels safer, somehow. Ideally, we are able to rise above pettiness and see the big picture. This year, I am suggesting that we work with the earth’s own solid resources (gemstones) as support for our intentions. It’s believed that each stone possesses its own vibrations to help bring certain kinds of energy to us, but even as an aid to visualization and focus, you can increase your own will
and intent by carrying your chosen stones. Your year: OK, now just settle down, all of you. Yes, in the past you’ve been predictable and sane and rational, and you’re now tired of it. Yes, these last two years were all upheaval, resurrection and rebirth. It’s been a little painful to watch the changes in you (normally, you resist change) but this year everything will seem justified. You get to have all the fun. You get to be the most creative. You get all the dates. You win at blackjack. Kids love you. The press loves you. And you get to explore new pleasures. You just might get overwhelmed. Let’s try a little amber. Amber encourages creativity and boosts self-confidence. It’s considered to be especially valuable for artists to help clarify ideas. Now, remember: It’s always best to be carefree, not careless. —Deborah Mastelotto, deborah@pinkaustin.com For all horoscopes, visit austinwomanmagazine.com.
SYMBOL: The goat ZODIAC WHEEL ORDER: Tenth house HOUSE MEANING: Career, social standing, destiny ELEMENT: Earth QUALITY: Cardinal PLANETARY RULER: Saturn BIRTHSTONE: Garnet KEY CHARACTERISTICS: Hard-working, responsible, reliable STRENGTHS: Determined, loyal, sincere, obstinate CHALLENGES: Pessimistic, fatalistic, miserly and grudging COLORS: Black, earth tones, indigo and orange
Capricorn Austinites
Jan. 10
Jan. 11
Jan. 14
Jan. 20
Jan. 20
Marc Winkelman CEO of Calendar Club and Kirkus Media
Richard cherwitz The Intellectual Entrepreneurship Consortium at UT
lolis baab Communications Director, Girl Scouts of Central Texas
crystal cotti Executive Director, Sylvan Learning Centers
cyndi hughes Literary Maven
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on the scene /
just passing through
Anna Quindlen Pulitzer Prize-winning author comes to Austin. By Christine Cox
AW: Your most recent novel, Every Last One, has been met with high acclaim. Is it your favorite novel thus far, and do you ever feel stuck or creatively blocked? AQ: I felt in control of the craft during Every Last One in a way I never have before, so it will always have a special place in my personal history as a novelist. I’m a chronic self-doubter, but despite myself, I think I managed to succeed at the task and theme I set. As for writer’s block, I don’t believe in it. I believe in the despair that accompanies the fear of not writing well. But that doesn’t mean you can’t sit down and churn out some sentences. They just may not be very good sentences. Madeleine L’Engle once wrote that inspiration comes during writing, not before. As the Nike people say, just do it.
AW: What is your daughter doing now and how do you think her life differs from your own? AQ: My daughter is an Anna Quindlen (middle), keynote for the Planned Parenthood annual fundactress, does stand-up and raiser, with Austin co-chairs Beverly G. Reeves (L) and Aimee B. Boone (R) is the talent wrangler on the ABC talk show The Mother, journalist, bestselling Chew. The biggest difference between her girlhood and my own is that I didn’t author and Pulitzer Prize winner Anna Quindlen is know any woman who one of the most well-loved and respected women worked except my childless in current times. She was the keynote speaker at and single Aunt Catherine. the Planned Parenthood annual fundraising dinner Maria knows women in November, an event at which the organization, reporters, lawyers, judges, having recently suffered huge funding cutbacks from Planned Parenthood actresses and executives, state government, raised more than $650,000 to Austin, founded in 1938. many of whom have support high-quality health care and education ser33,000+ raised families while risvices for low-income and uninsured Austin clients. Number of Austin men, ing through the ranks. As Quindlen serves on the national board of directors for women and adolescents I said the other night, she Planned Parenthood. She spoke passionately about served by Planned once asked me if a man her belief in women’s reproductive rights during her Parenthood each year had ever been secretary of keynote. 69,870 state. In other words, we Austin Woman caught up with Quindlen following Total number of client might as well have grown the event. visits to Planned Parentup on different planets. I hood health centers like her planet better.
AW: Your Public and Private column was one of my favorites in The New York Times. Is there one column in particular to which you still refer or think of often? AQ: Readers seem to feel a particular affinity for the one I wrote about grief after my sister-in-law died. I’m pretty proud of the ones I wrote about Anita Hill when she accused Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment. And I’m very proud that I took up the cause of gay men and lesbians. AW: I have two daughters in their 20s. I often wonder what the world will look like for them as they grow in their careers. What do you think will be the most significant contribution women will make in the 21st century? Can women change the world? AQ: Women have already changed the world. Countries in which women take a major leadership role are more peaceful and prosperous than those that do not. The current generation of young people is more tolerant and pluralistic than any in history. It’s only been 45 years since The Feminine Mystique was published, and yet all our expectations about how women should act and what they can do have changed. It’s been the swiftest and most thorough social revolution in American history. Good enough? Not yet. But I’m optimistic. After all, if I’d been born 50 years earlier, I would have had a radically different—and deeply unhappy—existence. Every once in a while, I send Gloria Steinem an email that says, “Thank you for my life.” I mean it. For more information and a link to Quindlen’s archive of Public and Private columns that originally ran in The New York Times, visit annaquindlen.net.
By the Numbers
last year
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27,009
Number of clients who received birth control from Planned Parenthood last year [H Number of services provided to clients in Austin last year]
5,206
Breast cancer screenings
5,228
Cervical cancer screenings
18,796
Testing and/or treatment for sexually transmitted infections
7,116
HIV testing
206
HPV vaccine More information at plannedparenthood.org/ ppasshs/
F o r i n fo r m ati o n o n m em b er sh i p , r eser vati ons, or di spl a y t a bl e r a t e s , p l e a s e em ai l : co n tact@texaswomeninbusiness. or g
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NEW YEAR! FRESH START! GOALS and TARGETED STRATEGIES! • A New Year’s Overview of TWIB strategies and plans designed to support and inspire you in 2012. • Facilitated Networking to encourage and motivate. • Plus—Brainstorming for business success for all Texas Women in Business to grow and prosper in the new year!
January 20 at Shoreline Grill
11 a.m. Check in and Casual Networking 11:40 a.m.–1 p.m. Luncheon/Program
Save The Date Go Red For Women Summit
February 23rd, 2012 Hilton Austin, 500 E. 4th St. Join us to hear stories from brave survivors and learn how you can reduce your risk for the #1 killer of women, heart disease. Sponsorship opportunities available: 512-338-2442 or taylor.engel@heart.org.
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must list /
editor picks Must see
Must hear
Quantify Me
Audrey Auld, Come Find Me
If you’ve pledged to get healthy in 2012 but the thought of calorie counting, logging food and tracking steps already has you overwhelmed, head to Women and Their Work (1710 Lavaca St.) for an exhibit exploring the artistic side of such self-observation. Austin/ Brooklyn artist Laurie Frick’s work combines neuroscience, art and ideas of self to explore the effect such practices have on the human mind. The habits of her life make up her carefully crafted pattern installations. Quantify Me opens with a reception on Jan. 14 from 7 to 9 p.m., and the exhibit will continue through March.
This month initiates singersongwriter Audrey Auld in to her first year as an American citizen. The Australian expat lives in Nashville, TN, and recorded her latest CD in Austin at Congress House Studio. Come Find Me is full of Auld’s facetious lyrics, including those in the song Forty: “The good die young, here’s the proof, I’m forty.” Her voice and words on this CD suggest that 40 isn’t going to slow her down at all; she’s just beginning to explore her range and talents. You’ll find Auld back in Austin Jan. 13, performing at the Rock Room at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20. Contact Steve Stagner at barbedwiremusic@earthlink.net for (necessary!) reservations.
Must have
Must let loose
Must taste
The Versalette
Austin Gorilla Run, Jan. 21
A Mess of Greens, Jan. 20
Simplify packing for all your 2012 travels with the Versalette, a transformative piece of clothing that morphs from shirt to skirt in moments. {r}evolution apparel was started in Austin by Shannon Whitehead and Kristin Glenn, who met while backpacking throughout the world. The Versalette, the signature piece of their new clothing company, is made in the USA with entirely organic and sustainable cotton. Best of all, it can become any of 15 different items— scarves, several dresses and a purse—saving space in your luggage and time while you travel. Funded by a Kickstarter campaign, Versalettes have been available for pre-order since November. Production begins this month.
This year, get in shape a la a gorilla and give our furry friends a fresh start. Austin’s second annual Gorilla Run—a 5K in which participants dress up in gorilla suits—is letting loose on Jan. 21 in downtown Austin. The race raises money for the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund, which helps gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Registration costs $99 and includes a gorilla suit, which participants are free to keep. Little gorillas pay $45, and returning gorillas, $50. Groups and themed gorilla uniforms are encouraged. Participants will receive a free lunch at Fadó Irish Pub following the race. Register or donate online at austingorillarun.com.
Gain a new perspective on Southern food at BookPeople on Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. University of Texas professor and author Elizabeth Engelhardt will speak about her latest book, A Mess of Greens: Southern Gender and Southern Food. She will be joined by panelists Carol Ann Sayle of Boggy Creek Farm and Stephanie McClenny of Confituras. Engelhardt teaches in the Department of American Studies and the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies. Her book explores food traditions in order to understand the major shifts in Southern ways of life that followed the Reconstruction and Jim Crow eras. Edible Austin co-hosts this event, which will also include a food tasting and drinks provided by Saint Arnold Brewing Company.
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must list /
current chic
Simple Chic
Transform your staples with these statement pieces. By Erika Cerda and Christine Imperatore Photos by Caleb Kerr B The little black dress is an essential part of every woman’s wardrobe. Its versatility makes it a style canvas that can be dressed up for even the swankiest of affairs or toned down for an average day at the office.
W Add some culture to
your little black dress with this tribal styled scarf. Madewell moondance circle scarf, $55, available at Madewell, 11501 Century Oaks Terrace, 512.821.1593.
W Heading out for
happy hour after a long day at work? Try a mixed metals look with a silver necktie. Langford Market silver necktie, $34.50, available at Langford Market, 249 W. Second St., 512.482.8500.
S Clutch your style and be fashion-forward with this oversized futuristic pouch. Madewell metallic telegram clutch, $56, available at Madewell, 11501 Century Oaks Terrace, 512.821.1593.
W The smallest touch
can sometimes make a big statement. Belt your little black dress with this minimalist look in a bold hue. Madewell suede blue skinny belt, $39.50, available at Madewell, 11501 Century Oaks Terrace, 512.821.1593.
T Add to your hard-
ware heavy look with a flash of gold in the form of this simple gold bangle. Nordstrom diamond dust gold cuff, $38, available at Nordstrom, 2901 S. Capital Texas Hwy., 512.691.3500.
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T Tahari Lilibeth black sheath dress, $98, available at Nordstrom, 2901 S. Capital Texas Hwy., 512.691.3500.
R Splash some color on the canvas
and step in to the color-block trend with these psychedelic platforms. Jessica Simpson Evannan platform heel, $97.95, available at Nordstrom, 2901 S. Capital Texas Hwy., 512.691.3500.
Austin Cosmetic Dentistry A new approach to creating life-changing smiles.
Austin Cosmetic Dentistry is the result of our doctors devotion to delivering life-changing Smile Makeovers in an environment of luxury and complete comfort. Guests, who have often put off having much needed dental work, are reassured by the doctors extensive experience in cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry. They also appreciate the atmosphere of compassion and understanding that comes from doctors who have both had their own Smile Makeovers. Finally, they are relieved to learn how far dentistry has come in making guests completely relaxed and anxiety-free during every part of their treatment. Dr. John Christian Schiro and Dr. Arturo Garcia, are both graduates in the advanced level cosmetic and reconstructive courses offered by the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. (This highly specific training takes years to complete.) Now, they have completed literally thousands of Smile Makeovers as well as hundreds of Full-Mouth Reconstructions. This vast amount of experience allows the doctors to back their work with an unheard of Last Time You Pay policy. In short, they will repair or replace any porcelain restoration that they place at no additional cost, even in the event of accidental trauma!
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must list /
current chic U Take a cue from the men with this boyish
B This age-old pairing may seem too casual and maybe even a little lackluster at times, but with the right accessories, a T-shirt and jeans can bring out your inner style maven.
blazer, adding a feminine twist to menswear. Gibson black riding jacket, $98, available at Nordstrom, 2901 S. Capital Texas Hwy., 512.691.3500.
Madewell white v-neck pocket T, $19.50, and rail straight jeans, $98, available at Madewell, 11501 Century Oaks Terrace, 512.821.1593.
W Add some glam to
W Grow your simple ensemble in to something beautiful with this florarama scarf. Madewell rainbow reflections scarf, $59.50, available at Madewell, 11501 Century Oaks Terrace, 512.821.1593.
W Celebrate the return of the
earring with these fun and colorful sparklers. Kate Spade New York crystal kaleidoscope chandelier earrings, $98, available at Nordstrom, 2901 S. Capital Texas Hwy., 512.691.3500.
W Treat your look with the Midas touch and add this gold belt. Madewell woven gold belt, $49.50, available at Madewell, 11501 Century Oaks Terrace, 512.821.1593.
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your T with a mixed metals necklace. Madewell moonlight sparkle necklace, $59.99, available at Madewell, 11501 Century Oaks Terrace, 512.821.1593.
X Feminize your casual look with these ladylike pumps. Enzo Angiolini castalia purple suede pumps, $89.95, available at Nordstrom, 2901 S. Capital Texas Hwy., 512.691.3500.
must list /
beauty
Winter Skin Protection
With harsh winds and lower humidity levels, winter months provide a cocktail for dry, tight or chapped skin. Worse, indoor heating accelerates the problem. Your skin’s natural lipid layer will be challenged during the winter months, but you can fight back by using a strong moisturizer before braving the cold.
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance An ultra-rich phytonutrient moisturizer designed specially to combat dry skin. $60, available at Beauty Salon & Spa, 3300 Bee Cave Rd., 512.329.0684.
Aveda Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Crème With vitamins, plant derivatives, antioxidants, marine elements and alkalizing tourmaline. $37, available at Happy Salon, 1605 W. 6th St., 512.454.0080.
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Kiehls Rosa Arctica Formulated with a rare “Resurrection Flower,” hand-harvested at full bloom to ensure efficacy, it reawakens cellular activity. $60, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200.
Bliss The Youth as We Know it Anti-Aging Moisture Cream Formulated with the 10 most effective anti-aging ingredients found during all their years as the “spa-thority,” this helps produce a regenerative effect like no other. $79, available at Sephora, 9722 Great Hills Trail, 512.342.8484.
Philosophy Hope in a Jar A cult favorite that combines exfoliation, hydration and protection. $15 to $105, available at Sephora, 9722 Great Hills Trail, 512.342.8484.
Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief This light, comfortable cream-gel is a drink for skin, continuously plumping it with hydration. $34 to $46.50, available at Macy’s, 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., 512.329.2300.
Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture A lightweight, dualaction formula that moisturizes dry areas while it controls oily shine. $10, available at any local drugstore.
OLAY Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Restores elasticity with an amino peptide complex. $24, available at any local drugstore.
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fresh starts /
wardrobe makeover
Update Your Wardrobe
For spring 2012, get ready for a resurgence of femininity not seen since the reign of Grace Kelly. The coming season’s sweetness is offset with tongue-in-cheek whimsy, like car-inspired prints on the runway at Prada or the massive waistcinching belts at Celine. Spring collections include a bevy of floral and tropical prints, suiting in sorbet palettes so juicy you can almost taste them, and even more color blocking.
Be on trend: new trends, trends to keep and trends in transition. By Lauren Barton, Personal Style Manager at Nordstrom, Barton Creek
New Trends
’50s Femme There’s nothing quite like a sky-high wedge, but spring’s runways also call for a more demure kitten heel. The knife-pleated midi-skirt from fall can get a quick refresh with a floral blouse or peplum jacket in the new pastels. Try a smaller-framed satchel or clutch. (Store your slouchy hobo in a dust bag for safekeeping!) Structured, ladylike bags are a huge spring trend. Fashions available at Nordstrom, 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., 512.691.3500.
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Trend to Keep from Last Season
Color Blocking Keep those bold buys from earlier color-blocking adventures and give them a springtime spruce up by combining them with softer hues. Think peony pink and emerald or eggshell with tomato. Pair this clean look with a block-heeled sandal instead of spike-heeled booties to freshen it up for the new season. Go for an exaggerated wide belt to finish the look and save last season’s rustic leather for later.
Trends in Transition
’70s revival There’s nothing like a punkinspired ensemble to add some edge to your look, but stay on trend. Try mixing in a stud here and there with a floral print and circle skirt. The ’70s revival left a lot of prairie-inspired fashion in its wake, so it’s easy to make the jump from country-style calico prints to an even more playful tropical design. Masculine shapes in muted colors don’t have to totally fall by the wayside during spring. Though we love the camp shirts, military jackets and slouchy boyfriend trousers, a shift to more feminine menswear-inspired looks like structured peplum jackets and high-waisted, wide-leg trousers keep the look flattering and of-the-moment.
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fresh starts /
bedroom makeover
Refreshing the Bedroom
You may be tired, but your bedroom doesn’t have to be. By Betsy Richter What is the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you see before you close your eyes at night? Your bedroom. Shouldn’t the room where you spend most of your time be the most comfortable and supportive environment in your house? Ring in the new year with a bedroom makeover. You don’t have to sell all of your furniture to make a fresh start. Begin by cleaning and purging the miscellaneous items cluttering up your space. Dust off lamp shades, ceiling fans and window sills, vacuum or sweep under your bed, free the corners of the room from dust or cobwebs and organize closets, shelves and drawers. The first step is to make the room shine. Secondly, look at your room with new eyes. What is looking worn out and tired? Eliminate those items first. Then consider the things that remain. What are your favorite pieces? What do you like about them? Color? Fabric? Pattern? Comfort? Revitalize the things you love and accessorize the room to complement these items.
Five things you can do to cost-effectively refresh your bedroom 1. Add or replace an area rug. Shop online for the best prices. Place it partially under the bed and mostly in front of and on the sides of the bed. Placing area rugs on top of wall-to-wall carpet can provide a nice effect, and they are especially pretty on hardwood floors. 2. Dry clean your current bedspread, shams and bed skirt or buy a new set. Splurge on this. If you buy a good quality duvet or bedspread, it will be with you for a long time. Cut velvet, silk or heavy cotton are good choices. Choose a fabric that breathes, meaning no polyester or rayon. Your bed is your sanctuary. Be tactile. Your bedding should be as soft as it is lovely. Want to add drama and make getting the room ready easy? Buy a bedspread and bed skirt combination.
44 austinwoman j a n u a r y 2 0 1 2
Splurge on a really special piece of art. Image courtesy of Decorating Den.
3. Replace lampshades or add accents to the ones you have. After cleaning your lampshades, if they still lack character, consider replacing them. Inexpensive and fun lamp shades are available at Target, Home Depot, the local lighting or decor stores in your area and online. Don’t be afraid to add a pattern or color to your shades. You can also update the look by adding new fabric to your shades. A word of caution: Check on the flameretardant qualities of any fabrics you choose. 4. Splurge on a really special piece of art. If you have a large wall, clear it of any small art, patch and paint the wall, then buy something with a fabulous punch of color to go with your décor. Even if there is only a splash of the same color you have in your bedspread or furniture, art can pull the whole room together. Canvases can be cost-effective if you can find a large one you like. Check out Austin Auction Gallery for quality paintings, antiques and decorative items. You can find reasonable and attractive artwork online at overstock.com and many online art sellers as well.
5. Easiest and most cost-effective way to update: Add a current color. In 2011, turquoise was the color du jour to add drama or pizzazz to a room. Paired with browns and creams, this color combination never disappoints. For 2012, Pantone is naming indigo as the color you will see accenting rooms, cars, housewares, etc. Not quite blue, not quite purple, indigo is a very moody color. It adds a sense of seriousness to an already dark room or whimsy to a lighter room. Indigo is best used as an accent or coloring one large item in your room. I would not recommend more than one focal point of the color, as it may be a short-lived trend. Pillows can add a new color to your room and be easily and inexpensively switched out next year. Fresh paint can also create a new mood in the entire room. If you want to play it safe, go for an accent wall in a trendy color. Betsy Richter, Texas real estate broker, Austin Home Staging
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fresh starts /
getaway
A Retreat for the Body, Mind and Soul
Experience the recipe for a fresh start in 2012 at Travaasa. By Deborah Hamilton-Lynne From time eternal, humans have craved solitude as a way to refresh and renew their bodies, their minds and their souls. In that context, the word “retreat” can be defined as “a quiet time; a period of quiet rest and contemplation in a secluded place.” After the December issue of Austin Woman and the winter issue of ATX Man went to press, a retreat was definitely in order. Beyond rest and contemplation, I was hoping to
46 austinwoman j a n u a r y 2 0 1 2
sample offerings that might allow me to make a fresh start in 2012, to add the focus of a healthy lifestyle to my hectic schedule. The problem was I had to stay near Austin and I only had three days. As serendipity would have it, I received an invitation to visit Travaasa. Billing itself as the “only experiential hotel in Texas,” Travaasa (formerly known as The Crossings) promised a wide variety of adventures, classes and workshops, spa treatments, healthy cuisine and fitness experiences to choose from. The location couldn’t be beat: less than 30 minutes from home, surrounded by the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. It was exactly the tranquil and secluded retreat I needed. Travaasa Austin is now a destination resort with a sister location in Hana, Hawaii. The vision was to create hotels that embody the spirit and culture of their locations, embrace nature, offer worldclass spa services and healthy cuisine, as well as a sense of adventure. With a smorgasboard of experiences to choose from and a tranquil setting, it
is the perfect combination for a retreat that allows down time, pampering and experimenting to find activities to incorporate in to your routine. I decided to explore activities in the following categories: healthy cuisine, fitness, self-care and renewal for the mind and spirit. Travaasa encourages guests to customize their experiences with a variety of activities, posted on weekly basis. Below is my recipe for a fresh start based on my mini-retreat and time at the resort. Healthy Cuisine I arrived in time for a culinary class and demonstration held in Jean’s Kitchen. Although I am not really a fish lover, the meal included black drum on sweet potato puree with kale. (See the recipe on the Austin Woman website.) Not only was it delicious, but we were also given many helpful tips for preparation and information on the nutritional and health benefits of the food. What I learned from both the demonstration and the meals served at the resort was healthy meals can be time-efficient and simple, as well as delicious. In general, we all know the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, especially those that are fresh and
locally grown, but having healthy meals prepared for you can give you the boost you need to realize that you can do it at home. Long story short, I have made the commitment to actually plan healthy meals based on the nutritional and health value, and, yes, I do plan to incorporate kale several times a week. Fitness Fitness was a tough one for me because I really do not stick with any one thing for very long. At Travassa, there is a wide variety of fitness options to consider and sample: everything from core conditioning, hatha yoga, a full-body workout and hiking, to an equine experience and a full-out challenge course. Keeping with the Texas vibe, for those who remember Urban Cowboy, there is a mechanical bull, and you can learn to do the Texas
Two-Step. Because I have made a commitment to myself to hike The Camino de Santiago de Compostela (all 600-plus miles of it) in 2013, I decided to try Pilates as a way to strengthen my core and maintain correct posture as I begin to train in 2012. In addition to the introductory class, the instructor was very interested in my motivation for learning Pilates, took a long time discussing the benefits with me and, again, I came away believing that I can and will take the time to incorporate a fitness routine in to my schedule. Self-care I admit that this is an easy one for me. I have written about spas and spa services for more than 25 years and it is one of the great pleasures of my chosen vocation. I am always surprised when women tell me they feel selfish when they take the time or spend the money on spa services. Leaving out the myriad health benefits of massage, facials and body treatments, let’s just say, “if Mamma ain’t happy, ain’t no one happy,” and leave it at that. If the only thing you can do for yourself is taking a day for R&R, then
treat yourself to a day at the spa. The options at Travaasa for day visitors include a full day of bliss, a half day of serenity and access to the pool, sauna and whirlpool with any spa service. For a fresh start, try the Ancient Purification Ritual, a treatment that helps you relax and eliminates toxins with a scrub, followed by a marvelous, warm mud-and-herb wrap and massage, finished with essential oils of rosemary, eucalyptus and lavender. For a unique massage with an Austin twist, try the Rose massage. Who knew that getting a massage while listening to Janis Joplin could be so relaxing? Mind and Spirit While this is an area often overlooked, I believe all fresh starts begin and end with the mind and the spirit. The simple practice of meditating for only 20 minutes a day is said to extend your life by 10 years. At Travaasa, mind and spirit are fed first by the location and surroundings, secondly, by a wonderful Zen garden and meditation center, and thirdly, by classes and workshops that allow you to experience guided meditation, journaling and creating a vision board, as well as walking the labyrinth. My recipe for renewal includes all of these practices. Whether you have a day, three days or a week, Travaasa can provide a place of retreat for your body, mind and soul. Explore, experiment, sample a variety of experiences and create your custommade recipe for a fresh start in 2012. To start the new year off right, Travaasa Austin is offering a month-long series of special classes, rates and programming designed to help guests tackle their resolutions head-on. For more information, visit travaasa.com/austin.
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gourmet /
foodie alert
Good-for-you, Delicious Food Love your body: Feed it tasty food. By Joelle Pearson Admit it: When the FDA declared pizza was a vegetable last November, a part of you thought, “Well, this is great news for me!” I kid. Of course, the FDA wasn’t saying pizza is a vegetable, but that the smidgen of tomato paste atop it is. Though Americans at large balked at the ruling, were we really that surprised? Nutritionally empty processed pizza is one of the cheapest “meals” to produce (ask Dominos, who revealed the price of their pizza is marked up almost 900 percent). In a recession economy, Congress is going to choose saving green versus eating green. Unlike the government, you don’t have to worry about feeding 31.7 million children. You’re only responsible for yourself and your family. Consider yourself blessed to live in Austin, where motley restaurateurs and entrepreneurs, nutritionists and naturalists, athletes and activists have congregated and created a community in which healthy food is not only abundant, but also affordable. Austinites spend more money at restaurants than any other residents in the United States (about $6,000 per household annually, compared with Atlanta’s $3,500 or Detroit’s whopping $871). Analysts suggest it’s because we’re financially better off, but analysts aren’t surrounded by our selection of fusion food trailers. Since we have the means to eat out often, we should make healthy choices when doing so. What do we mean when we say “healthy?” Low fat? High fiber? Gluten-free? Protein-rich? I like to ignore all of these fads and follow Michael Pollan’s first rule of thumb in In Defense of Food: Don’t eat anything your grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food, and you’re going in the right direction. Think unprocessed, real food with ingredients you can pronounce. Even a hamburger can be healthy when it comes from a good source and doesn’t make up the foundation of your personal food pyramid. So whether your gastronomical New Year’s resolution was to lose weight, go Paleo, try raw foods, eat local or, as a friend put it, “just get off my diet of margaritas and queso,” Austin has an eatery for you—even if you’re just craving a healthy slice of pizza.
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a Obake Bowl from Koriente Beef, chicken, pan-seared tofu or shrimp sauteed with button mushrooms, broccoli and carrots. Served with steamed rice.
For the Blossoming Vegan
For the World Traveler
If you’re trying to lose weight, reduce or reverse chronic illnesses, curb cancer or most importantly, experience the creative symphony in which vegetables can compose sweet sounds, try incorporating two to three plant-based meals per week at one of Austin’s award-winning vegan restaurants.
Your take-out box is soaked through with a brown, slimy something before you’ve even opened it. You fear sleeping through the night after finishing off a plate of mystery cream curry. Cheap shortcuts sacrifice nutrition and mask poor cooking. In Austin, there’s no excuse to feed yourself unhealthy versions of international delights.
Beets Café (1611 W. Fifth St., suite 165) offers creative raw versions of omnivore favorites like the raw Reuben (a succulent blend of caramelized onions, marinated mushrooms and cashew cheese) or creamy queso (a blend of cashews, carrot, lime, miso and spices). For a tranquil sit-down experience, try Casa De Luz (1701 Toomey Rd.). Their exclusive macrobiotic prix-fixe menu packs the most macronutrients per forkful, using seasonal vegetables and prepared by an all-volunteer kitchen. Check their website for availability of blue cornbread, a warm, crumbly bite of Southern comfort. Daily Juice Café (4500 Duval St.), known for its revitalizing power smoothies, also offers an impressive spread of raw deli items, including decadent vegan chocolates disguised as antioxidantrich super foods.
Asian: The founders of Koriente Restaurant and Tea House (621 E. Seventh St.) pined for low-calorie, MSG-free Asian cuisines that were affordable for a family budget. Using fruit juices, natural oils and garden fresh veggies, their expansive menu serves up a Korean/Japanese blend of teriyaki chicken, spicy beef bulgogi bowls and japchae. Finish your meal with a soft scoop of green tea ice cream, a sweet mute palette enlivened with a drizzle of honey and crumbled pistachios. Mexican: Zocalo (various locations, including 1110 W. Lynn St.) subs popular staples in Mexican cuisine with non-refried beans, queso fresco and lard-free tortillas, creating beloved Tex-Mex favorites that won’t give you the night sweats. Past the plates, Zocalo remains environmentally friendly by participating in a locally run recycling program and uses biodegradable/compostable togo packaging materials.
gourmet Indian: Bombay Express (13000 N. IH-35) recreates Indian street food using a deep index of spices that alchemize vegetable dishes in to a thing of heart-wrenching beauty. Popular specials include the tomato omelet, an eggless, chickpea-flour herbed flatbread dotted with onions and tomato and served with a spicy green chile-ginger dipping sauce, or the Aloo Prathaa, a multi-layered whole wheat bread filled with seasoned mashed potatoes and served with yogurt. With window service and a pristine interior, the relaxed hub is worth a short drive.
b Banana Nut Pancakes from snap kitchen
even though it’s been plaguing our thoughts since breakfast. It may not French: Francophiles know rich foods create a rich life, and enjoy them (as with everything) in moderation. be Mom’s, but plenty of Nestled in the industrial district, Justine’s Brasserie places come awfully close (4710 E. Fifth St.) offers a simple primer in French (and use ingredients even cuisine. Buttery dollops of escargot will sate perfectly she would recognize). before a Salade Endive Poire Roquefort (roasted brussels and endive tossed with smoky pulls of duck) or steak tartar. Perfectly timed courses make your dinner an evening-long affair, and the backdoor garden offsets the rustic guillotine looming in the corner. (Mon dieu!) Blue Dahlia Bistro (1115 E. 11th St.), a rustic, attractive lunch alternative, compiles lighter Euro-French fare from organic, local ingredients when possible. Try the open-faced tartines served on cuts of wood—crusty bread and thick slices of tart Bries, chutneys or meats ($6 to $9).
For the All-American Pork chops! Hamburgers! Macaroni and cheese! In my time spent abroad, I never saw Americans get more animated than when describing their favorite American dishes. We don’t always have the time to recreate our Mimi’s meatloaf,
h Vegetable, herb and flower gardens at eastside cafÉ
The garden-cum-Eastside Café (2113 Manor Rd.) is a cozy home converted in to an all-natural eatery. Their motto¬“We don’t grow everything we serve, but serve everything we grow”¬will please curious locavores, if the all-natural beef meatloaf with Shiner Bock bacon tomato sauce ($14.95) or creamy smoked salmon ravioli ($14.95) doesn’t first. Stroll through their surrounding 1/3-acre garden and you’ll gain a new standard for “garden fresh.” If you’re going to shell out $20 for a pie, shouldn’t it be made from fresh-cut meats and dough baked from scratch? Austin Pizza Garden (6266 W. Hwy. 290) mounds inventive combinations (like the Formagio Cremosa, with cream cheese base and fajita chicken topped with fresh grated Parmesan and goat cheese) in to titular masterpieces that have a home-cooked humbleness. Burgers: most pleasing when they require both hands. You can’t avoid them completely. (And who says you should?) Daily ground Black Angus beef, buns baked from scratch and hand-cut Kennebec fries comprise the Hopdoddy (1400 S. Congress Ave.) ingredient base, with menu items ranging from earthy (the Janis Joplin: a chewy hempseed patty with avocado and a bright horseradish sauce) to suicidal (the El Diablo: a pepper jack/habanero/ serrano/salsa roja/chipotle mayo firestorm).
For Those Who Think In the Box I remember my college days, heating my dinner from a plastic carton, wondering just what “mechanically reconstituted chicken meats” were. If skill (or motivation) hinders you from preparing food at home, several prepared-food kitchens in Austin offer high-quality takehome meals at a fraction more than those in a deep freezer.
Vegan? Paleo? Only 1,200 calories a day? At Snap Kitchen (various locations), you’ll find a colorful selection of dishes that incorporate organic, local ingredients that fit every lifestyle. Snap offers customized meal plans, which can be delivered or picked up after preparation. Start your day with peanut butter pancakes, end it with cider-brined pork tenderloin—and never lift a Quick Alternatives finger. Except to call in your to Your Favorite order, of course.
Go-To Chains Like?
Try:
Pizza Hut b
Austin Pizza Garden
La Madeline b
Blue Dahlia
Pei Wei b
Koriente
Applebee’s b
Eastside Café
McDonald’s b
Hopdoddy
Taco Cabana b
Zocalo
Frozen meals b
Snap Kitchen
Souper!Salad! b
Casa De Luz
My Fit Foods (various locations) was created by an athlete and for athletes, but they’ve found their low-carb, balanced meals are in demand by pretty much all. On their 21-day meal plans, the average woman loses between 6 to 12 pounds by eating a diet that emphasizes vegetables and lean proteins. Their boxed breakfasts, lunches and dinners are guaranteed to re-vamp your vitality.
austinwomanmagazine.com 49
gourmet /
girl walks into a bar
The Main Squeeze
JuiceLand provides the perfect balancing act to help you get back in to the swing of things. By Nicole Carbon A girl walks into a bar (that would be me) and a handsome man offers to buy her a drink (that would be Matt). He orders me a Ninja Bachelor Party and the drink arrives green. This isn’t your typical bar; this is a juice bar. It’s time to clean it up, people! It’s a new year and time for a fresh start. I’m not saying you can’t have your cocktails and drink them too. I’m just saying we need to find the balance. Meet Matt Shook, owner of JuiceLand, who knows a thing or two about the balancing act. This isn’t your conventional granola, hippie juice bar. It’s actually more like a bar. Here, they rock it. The music is pumping, the employees look as though they could be in a band (many are) and the key thing I noticed, other than their smiling faces and welcoming demeanor, is they all have a healthy glow about them. Unlike a typical bar, it actually smells really good in there (think fresh fruits, herbs and such). Coming from someone who is more than comfortable saddled up to your average bar, this place is awesome. I kind of wish it was a regular bar with nighttime hours (and I find out several other customers feel the same and request this from Shook as well). Shook got his start in the juice-bar industry more than 10 years ago at the Barton Springs Road spot then called the Juice Joint, which served only simple offerings such as carrot and fruit juices. It wasn’t too exciting, other than the fact that some band members from ZZ Top were regulars. In 2003, the manager of the establishment left and serendipity stepped in. The opportunity fell in to Shook’s lap to take over what had become the Daily Juice. Most recently, Shook parted ways with the Daily Juice coowners and kept the two Barton Hills neighborhood locations, renaming them JuiceLand. Long story short, the Daily Juice business model included plans to evolve and expand externally through franchising. Shook wanted to keep just two locations and grow internally, adding to the menu and using only the highest quality ingredients. The menu changed for the better and now includes even more cleanses and herbal tonics. What remained the same is Shook’s commitment to using fresh fruits
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food like a lover waiting to come home from war.” and organic vegetables, and freshly squeezing the juices For those new to cleansing, just one Cold Shower will used in all the menu items. That’s JuiceLand’s claim to make a world of difference. The combination of cucumfame and why their juices and smoothies taste the best (and may cost the most) in town. There’s no denying that ber, mint, parsley, watermelon, lime and salt hydrates and flushes. It’s like a shower for the internal organs. using all organic fruits and vegetables that are freshly Shook believes that modern medicines are a squeezed is expensive. You get what you pay for and the crutch, and that people who opt for juice cleanses added health benefits and taste are the proof. immediately see the health benefits with clearer Shook is an advocate of the juice cleanse, and when I skin, better sleep and a slimmer waistline. The met up with him, he was on day three of a 10-day juice Medicine Man is a perfect cocktail for what ails you. fast. He was highly energetic and engaging. His skin was It is a combination of lemon, ginger, garlic, jalapeño, glowing and his eyes looked bright. This is his answer to cilantro, beet, turmeric, oregano and habanero. balancing his vice of consuming rich foods and regularly Shook created the Orange Kush, a combination indulging in adult beverages. Shook has a lust for life and of fresh orange juice, banana, hemp seeds, hemp doesn’t hold back. protein, hemp oil and yerba maté as the cure for “Certain times of the year [such as during South By overindulging in adult beverages. Southwest and the Austin City Limits Music Festival], I “I swear, for anyone who has a hangover, this will feel like it’s Mardi Gras in my mind,” he says. set you straight,” Shook promises. While he does regularly give in to his vices, Shook exShook really knows his Austin audience—the plains it can’t always be a free-for-all in terms of what we regular drinker—and has put in our bodies. He finds come up with a clever way his balance with regular to incorporate his juices in juice fasts. to cocktail creations. He “Here at JuiceLand, we suggests purchasing any live a balanced lifestyle. We one of his freshly squeezed are not food fascists,” Shook juices in the 24-ounce says, explaining people size, mixing it with a local don’t have to commit to a spirit, like Dripping Springs full 10- or 30-day juice fast Vodka, and, voila, you have cycle; cleansing for just a cocktails for yourself and day will reset the body’s eight friends—a perfect insides. “You will never taste start to a dinner party. I a cocktail or experience a like Shook’s style. Now you meal like when you do after JuiceLand can have your cocktail and coming off a cleanse. After 1625 Barton Springs Rd., 512.480.9501, drink it too! a juice cleanse, you look at juicelandaustin.com
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gourmet /
guilty pleasure
Toast Like a Queen Veuve Clicquot is the grande dame of Champagnes.
Known among connoisseurs as one of the finest Champagnes in the world, this distinct yellow label also holds the royal warrant of Queen Elizabeth II. A new world record was set in 2010 when a single bottle of Clicquot retrieved from a shipwreck was sold for 30,000 euros. The house was founded by the fascinating widow Dame Barbe-Nicole Clicquot, one of the world’s first great businesswomen and one of the richest women of her time, and quickly became the favorite of European nobility. This guilty pleasure is appropriate for all occasions, so put on your tiara and toast all of the great women in your life. Cheers!
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to your health /
fitness
Fresh Start for a Fit 2012 Small steps that can make a big difference. By Natalie Yerkovich and Chrissie Jarrell Welcome to 2012! This is the year you’ll feel healthier, have more energy and achieve your fitness goals. Easier said than done, right? We’re taking a fresh look at resolutions this year and focusing on small changes that make a big impact. Making incremental improvements helps fitness and healthy habits become a part of your lifestyle instead of just a phase you go through for a couple of months. We reached out to some of Austin’s top fitness experts and asked them to share their secrets to success. Here’s what we asked them: Share your top tip for small change that makes a big impact. How do you motivate yourself throughout the year? What quote inspires you? There were some recurring themes in our conversations with these experts. The most common tips involved the need for variety in terms of fitness activities, the importance of a sense of community in fitness groups, specific goal setting and how consistency is more important than intensity. We’ve included their tips here, and you can find more motivational information for the year ahead at myfitlist.com. Enjoy this valuable insight from fitness pros throughout Austin and make 2012 your fittest year yet.
Dave Appel
the pool for a swim. Rediscovering the fun in your fitness program will help motivate you for the next challenge. Set a goal to try a totally new activity like stand-up paddle boarding or jump in a game of pick-up basketball.
TOP TIP: Every morning, I attempt to keep my focus on how great I will feel inside and out once I have gone for my run or workout. Focusing on that helps me from fixating on why I would rather hit the snooze button.
Holly L’Italien
MOTIVATION: Like a fine wine, we would like to get better with age. That comes with treating our bodies better by listening to them, eating more mindfully and striving to not look or act our ages.
MSOM, LAc, ACN. Acupuncturist and applied clinical nutritionist at Merritt Wellness Center (merrittwellness.com) TOP TIP: Be a rebel. Don’t accept that just because you’re getting older that you’ll need to get used to prescription medicines, chronic pain and weight gain, or that just because other members of your family are in poor health that that’s the way it has to be for you too. Given the proper support and nutrition, you can achieve optimal health, regardless of your age or genetics.
TOP TIP: Use training tools to boost your fitness. At Cycle Camp USA, we teach cyclists how to train with a heart-rate monitor. This simple tool can give you real results. MOTIVATION: Change it up. Even though I’m a cycling coach, I still enjoy going for a run or hitting
INPSPIRATION: “Eat well. Move well. Think well.” -Unknown
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The Austin Bodyworker (austinbodyworker.com)
INSPIRATION: “I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” –Michael Jordan
MOTIVATION: I pick different goals throughout the year. For several years now, I have competed in the Danskin Triathlon in the spring. This fall, for something new, I decided to enter in a fitness competition in the bikini division—a bold move for a 48-year-old! I’ve noticed that as my diet has improved, so has my athletic performance, and how comfortable I am in a bikini.
Director of training and development at Cycle Camp USA (cyclecampusa.com)
Kate Ripley Maliawco
INSPIRATION: “Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson
Katie Forrest Co-founder, Thunderbird Energetica (thunderbirdenergetica.com) TOP TIP: We often take for granted the amazing resources for health and wellness we have here in Austin. Living in a fit city is a privilege that I am thankful for every day. We have the ability to choose from an array of local businesses that are all here to support our healthy habits. Utilize your resources; they are an essential element to staying healthy. MOTIVATION: I was definitely in a rut following Ironman World Championships in Kona in 2010. It
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to your health / was not until I went to watch one of our sponsored athletes, Cole Kirkpatrick, race motocross that my competitive spirit was revived. I think it is important to constantly surround yourself with champions—champions of all walks of life. Champions help motivate me to seek out and pursue the activities that I excel at and remind me to constantly push myself to my limits. Who knows? You might be that one person who is unintentionally motivating someone else to better themselves, so always try your hardest. INSPIRATION: I get so hyped on Ke$ha, so I will have to say it: “This place about to blow.” –Ke$ha
Lydia Michelson-Maverick RYT, Austin Aerial Yoga (austinaerialyoga.com). Photo by Rafael Rodriquez TOP TIP: Stress less! Stress produces all sorts of chemicals in the body and can cause weight gain and harm the body in ways we are only beginning to understand. Yoga and meditation are some of the best ways to reduce the impact of stress on our lives. MOTIVATION: I love, completely love, all the fitness activities I pursue: aerial dance, dance and yoga. I couldn’t imagine trying to achieve fitness goals without an activity that I felt deeply passionate about, which will be something different for everyone. INSPIRATION: “Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome.” –Samuel Johnson
megan Parsons Managing director, Relentless Training Systems (relentlessatx.com)
fitness
Ryan Nail Founder and owner, CoreFit (corefitaustin.com) TOP TIP: Constantly change up your routine. It will keep you from getting bored and demands a change that your body must try to adapt to, giving you dynamic results. MOTIVATION: Being a leader in the fitness community, I believe I must lead by example. I have no right to tell anyone to do anything if I don’t push myself the same way or harder. As I do my workouts, I also learn new ways to do exercises that transfer in to my CoreFit classes. So I know that I’m not just working out for myself, but for my clients. And to change lives keeps me working out and motivated all year long. INSPIRATION: I have a quote in CoreFit and it’s also my motto in life: “Hard work pays off!”
Sara-Mai Conway Owner, Flywheel Fitness (flywheelfit.com) TOP TIP: Working out with my dog has reminded me that fitness is supposed to be fun. We all grew up playing, not working out. Try to incorporate more play in to your workouts. MOTIVATION: I’m a planner and a list maker, so I actually do write down my resolutions each year. It makes it more real to see it on paper. I have something to look back at throughout the year and it keeps me honest. Some things I’ll get to and others I won’t, but it’s important to put goals out there.
TOP TIP: Balance, balance, balance. I approach everything with the outlook of work hard, play hard. I view my career, social life, family and friends as my lifestyle, and it provides a completely different approach to life. Instead of compartmentalizing my health and wellness, I live it daily.
INSPIRATION: “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” –Annie Dillard
MOTIVATION: I started something new the day after Thanksgiving: twenty-one days of daily writing and exercising my dreaming muscles. This is not goal setting; it is dreaming, dreaming up new possibilities.
Body by Frame (bodybyframe.com)
INSPIRATION: “Never forget that each new day is bringing you closer to your dreams.” –Flavia
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Stephanie Flores TOP TIP: Lift hard and look hot. Lifting weights has many benefits, but it has to be challenging. WOW = women on weights. You are not going to get bulky unless you eat like a football player and neglect cardio.
MOTIVATION: I stay motivated each year by goal setting. I set a goal for each quarter and write them down on a vision board. Then I make a plan to achieve them. It can be to wear a bikini by spring break, to compete in a fitness competition by the end of summer, wear a certain costume for Halloween and look great for a Christmas party. INSPIRATION: I always say to my clients, “Make the time, be prepared and no excuses.” If you can do these, you will achieve your goals.
Tobie Funte Owner and certified Pilates and Barre instructor at Pilates Bodies & Barre Austin (pilatesbodiesaustin.com) TOP TIP: Keep a food diary. It is so easy to nibble throughout the day and eat mindlessly. By writing down everything you eat and drink, you become aware of how much or little you consume and where your diet may be lacking in nutrients. MOTIVATION: Visualize your success and focus on the positive. When you do anything repeatedly, you can actually change the pathways of the brain, so any negative self-talk becomes part of your thought process. As women, we tend to be so hard on ourselves, so we have to shift our thoughts from negative to neutral, then from gratitude to appreciation. I remind myself of this every day. INSPIRATION: “You are only as young as your spine is flexible.” –Joseph Pilates Where do you go from here? There are hundreds of fitness businesses in Austin that can help you reach your fitness and wellness goals this year. Myfitlist is a great place to start to find the perfect fitness resources for you. Connect with us online at myfitlist. com or on Facebook at facebok.com/myfitlist. We want to make it easier for you to get and stay fit. Here’s to 2012!
Chrissie Jarrell and Natalie Yerkovich, the gals who created myfitlist. com, do the grunt work for you. Well, the organizational grunt work, anyway. They work hard to connect people with the fitness groups, information and resources they need so they can grunt, sweat and tone to achieve their personal goals.
Look good, feel good,
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austinwomanmagazine.com 57
to your health /
wellness
Get Healthier in 2012 Twelve ways to make your health resolutions a reality in the new year. By Jill Case Another year has come and gone. And it’s time to think about what you want to change in your life. But instead of making several New Year’s resolutions that you probably won’t keep, why not try to make one change each month? If you incorporate all 12 of these changes in to your life, you will be reaping many health benefits by 2013. 1. Manage stress. Stress can cause everything from headaches to insomnia, and chronic stress may contribute to more serious conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Try proven stress-management techniques such as relaxation and meditation, or sign up for a class in yoga or Tai Chi. Any aerobic exercise also serves as a healthy way to relieve stress. Go to the American Heart Association’s website, heart.org, for tips on managing stress. 2. Eat vegetarian food once a week. Scientists and environmentalists are touting the benefits of going meatless at least once a week. Several studies have proven that eating more fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. In addition, reducing the meat in your diet helps the environment since the production of meat generates a high amount of greenhouse gas emissions, uses large amounts of water and requires more fossil fuels to produce than plant foods. Go to meatlessmonday.com for more information and recipe ideas. 3. Take breaks when sitting. A study in the European Heart Journal points to research that shows that people who sit for long periods of time without taking breaks had larger waistlines and higher triglyceride levels. The adverse effects created by sitting for too long can be partially offset by taking frequent breaks to get up and move around. Simply stand up and stretch every 30 minutes or take a brief walk around the office. Try standing when you talk on the phone and moving around during the call. Every little bit of movement helps. For some tips on how to avoid sitting too much, go to fitwatch.com/weight-loss/are-you-sittingtoo-much-tips-for-getting-off-your-butt-645.html. 4. Do Kegel exercises. No matter what age you are, you can benefit from doing Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles of your pelvic
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X
eating more fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.
floor. Strengthening these muscles, which support your bladder, uterus and bowel, will help control or prevent problems with urinary incontinence. They can even help women who have problems reaching orgasm. Remind yourself to do these exercises three times a day. They are easy to do almost anywhere and anytime. For instructions on the proper way to perform Kegel exercises, go to mayoclinic.com/health/kegel-exercises/ WO00119. 5. Nurture your relationships with family and friends. Studies have shown that people in stressful marriages were more likely to have heart attacks, need heart surgery or die from heart attacks than people in healthy marriages. In addition, bad relationships cause stress, which leads to high blood pressure and other conditions that are adverse to your health. Go to webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/importance-of-personalrelationships-for-lowering-stress-topic-overview for tips on how to nurture your relationships and lower your stress too. 6. Get more sleep. The adverse effects of too little sleep are highlighted in recent studies. Lack of sleep is thought to increase blood pressure and raise cholesterol levels, putting you at higher risk for heart disease. It can also cause stress, which raises the level of stress hormones in the body, leading to more inflammation in the body. Studies also show that those who slept fewer than seven hours a
night were more likely to be obese or overweight. Visit mayoclinic.com/health/sleep/HQ01387 for tips on getting a better night’s sleep. 7. Take vitamin D. Research studies show that virtually no one gets a sufficient amount of vitamin D from diet and exposure to sunlight alone. Furthermore, a deficiency of this important vitamin has been linked to heart disease, different types of cancer, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and osteoporosis. People can benefit both from taking a vitamin D supplement and from short, safe sun exposure. The Food and Nutrition Board recommends that women take 600 international units, or IUs, of vitamin D per day to supplement their diet. For more information, read The Vitamin D Solution: A 3-Step Strategy to Cure Our Most Common Health Problems by Dr. Michael Holick. 8. Add resistance training to your workouts. When most people think of resistance training, they think of free weights, dumb bells or bar bells, but you can also do resistance training using your own body weight, resistance tubing, full water bottles or cans, and weight machines. Resistance training is important for women because muscle mass decreases as you age. By doing regular resistance training, you keep and enhance the muscle mass that you already have. Stronger muscles will help reduce your risk of osteoporosis by increasing bone density. It can also help protect your joints, which will reduce your risk of injury. To get started with resistance
AW Media training, go to womensheart.org/content/exercise/ strength_training.asp. 9. Wear sunscreen every day. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, more than 2 million people are diagnosed with 3.5 million cases of skin cancer every year, and it occurs in people of all skin pigments. They recommend that you wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy or cold days. Apply your sunscreen about 15 minutes before going outside. Also, you need to remember to protect your lips by wearing a lip balm with a sunscreen of SPF 30 or more every day. For more information about skin cancer, visit aad.org/skin-conditions/ dermatology-a-to-z/skin-cancer. 10. Floss at least once a day. What you really need to know is this: Not flossing can have dire health consequences. First, it can lead to gingivitis, a gum condition that, if left untreated, leads to periodontal disease, which can cause tooth loss and infection of the jawbone. In addition, recent studies indicate that gum disease is linked to an increased risk for heart attacks. Visit ada.org/sections/publicresources/ pdfs/teeth_materials_floss.pdf for instructions on the correct way to floss. 11. Keep a gratitude journal. Dr. Robert Emmons, a researcher at the University of California Davis, is currently involved in long-term research regarding the science of gratitude and thankfulness. According to his website, “those who kept gratitude journals on a weekly basis exercised more regularly, reported fewer physical symptoms, felt better about their lives on a whole and were more optimistic about the upcoming week, compared to those who recorded hassles or neutral life events.” Go to psychology.ucdavis. edu/labs/emmons/pwt/index.cfm?section=4 to check out the research. For information on how to start your own gratitude journal, visit simpleabundance.com/gratitude_journal.html. 12. Limit your exposure to second-hand smoke. Obviously, if you smoke, you need to quit. If you do not smoke, you are still exposed to second-hand smoke, and this can be dangerous. The American Cancer Society says approximately 3,400 lung cancer deaths each year are a result of second-hand smoke. You can make your home and cars smoke-free environments, and urge your employer to make your workplace smoke-free, if it is not already. In addition, avoid places where you will be exposed to second-hand smoke. For more information about the dangers, go to cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/tobaccocancer/secondhand-smoke. Make 2012 your healthiest year ever by taking charge of your good health.
Tiara Tuesday &
Giving Man Pledge
Happy Hour COME CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF OUR JANUARY ISSUE!
01.10.12 Vince Young Steakhouse 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Benefitting: Young Women’s Alliance
R 6:00 Check-in opens R 7:00 Raffle drawing begins R 7:30 Book chat begins Register at awmediainc.com
GENTLEMEN, YOU ARE INVITED TO THE FIRST
GIVING MAN PLEDGE HAPPY HOUR. SAME TIME, SAME PLACE!
1 AW BOOK CHAT: Suits by Nina Godiwalla
Join us for the quarterly AW Book Chat with bestselling author and entrepreneur, Nina Godiwalla as we delve into the world of Wall Street raconteurs and high finance. Moderated by executive editor, Deborah HamiltonLynne, Godiwalla will recount her years at Morgan Stanley and the travails of a young woman of Indian descent attempting to infiltrate the boys club of corporate banking. She has been featured in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times and the
book was a top pick of both USA Today and Texas Monthly. An engaging speaker, Godiwalla appeared at the 2011 Texas Book Festival. Already under development as a television series, Suits, is a book you will not soon forget. Godiwalla will be available for book signing and will be available for audience questions following the book chat.
book chat supported by
Balancing
pose One-Arm Peacock in Lotus level Advanced “this develops balance and firms the abdominal wall, arms, hips and buttocks. I enjoy it as it builds concentration. You just have to try!” Tonic Lifestyle Apparel top and Mika shorts available at Pure Bikram Yoga, 507 Pressler St.
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How Mardy Chen transformed her life through living and breathing yoga. By shelley seale // Photos by cody hamilton Makeup by Jenny Lin, makeupbyjennylin.com. Hair by Araceli Guerrero, Avant Salon, avantsalon.com.
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pose Bow level Beginner to advanced “This pose opens the rib cage, allowing lungs to expand. The 360-degree flexion of the spine increases circulation, helps with back problems and aids in digestion.” Shakti Active Wear available at Pure Bikram Yoga, 507 Pressler St.
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Mardy Chen remembers clearly what she was doing on Sept. 11, 2001. The Houston native was about to be married and was living in New York City, where she had met her fiance, Jeff. Chen had moved to Manhattan in 1998 for a job in the finance industry. She was walking to work that morning when she heard the first crash. She didn’t know what it was, but a short while later, she stood in her boss’ office and watched through the window as the second plane flew into the World Trade Center. On that day, everything changed for Chen. “I had never been afraid like that in my life,” she says. Late that night, after she and her fiance were safely back in their apartment, Chen knew she wanted to move back to Texas to be closer to family. Her reaction to 9/11 was visceral and internal. Not only did she feel the disbelief and shock, as we all did collectively, the event also caused a seismic soul change. “It made everything very clear,” Chen says, noting that her finance job was unfulfilling, and the shock of the tragedy caused her to rethink her priorities. “It awakened me to my purpose. I thought, ‘I’m going to stop talking about the things I’ve wanted to do, and just do them.’ It was the first moment that I really, fully trusted myself.” What was that thing she had been wanting to do? Yoga. Bikram yoga, to be specific. For many years, Chen was a dedicated runner—until she started having knee and back problems from the physical impact of the sport. “Yoga had been on my to-do list for two years before I actually stepped into a studio,” she says. “I thought it would be good for my body and what I was doing to it with running.” Chen popped into a Bikram yoga class at Barton Creek Country Club. “I walked in thinking I was just going to sit and breathe,” she admits with a laugh. Instead, it turned out to be the hardest thing she’d ever done. “Difficult, yes, but I loved it! I felt so clear, grounded and energized. Immediately afterwards, I called my mom
and said, ‘You’ve got to try this.’” Chen was hooked. She kept up the practice in Austin from early 1998 until she graduated from the University of Texas that May, and later moved to New York. In the fast-paced environment of Manhattan, yoga became her grounding force, both physically and emotionally. Her job was stressful and she missed family and friends back in Texas. “It was sometimes the thing that enabled me to get up in the morning,” she remembers. “It provided me with a community that I didn’t feel otherwise in New York. I would lie to my boss and say I had an engagement and would go take a yoga class.” After Sept. 11, her yoga practice became essential to her well-being, providing the only place she felt safe. Chen signed up for the nine-week Bikram teacher training, which she completed in the spring of 2002 in Los Angeles. She found the 500-hour certification program to be intense but rewarding. The aspect she found most intimidating was getting up in front of people, talking and leading a class from a raised platform. “I want to do what I’m afraid of,” she says. “I want to take risks.”
She had also introduced her new husband to Bikram yoga. He found that the physical intensity and focus of the yoga practice added to and improved the martial arts that he had been doing for years. After Chen became certified, the couple moved back to Austin, where she began teaching in a local Bikram studio to gain practice while planning the opening of her own yoga business. In November 2003, Pure Bikram Yoga was born, its first studio opening in Westlake. (At the time it was called BYD Austin.) “Opening my own studio was my goal from the time I signed up for teacher training. I knew that I wanted to share this style of yoga with as many people as possible,” Chen says, admitting that opening her own
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pose Half-moon backbend level Beginner to advanced “this backbend increases flexibility of the spine and promotes proper kidney function. It also firms and trims the waistline, hips, abdomen, buttocks and thighs, and improves symptoms of depression and anxiety. Onzie tank and Tonic Lifestyle Apparel shorts available at Pure Bikram Yoga, 507 Pressler St.
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business was scary. “I had a fear that no one would show up to class.” But they did, and during the next five years, business steadily increased. By that time, Jeff was ready to join the business and had completed his Bikram teacher training in the fall of 2008. “After that, we were ready with guns blazing,” Chen recalls. “We had a shared vision to work together, open more studios and empower people through this practice.” The couple opened the downtown location in July 2009, Cedar Park in November 2010 and then the newest location in South Austin, which opened in October 2011. The name was changed from BYD to Pure Bikram Yoga to reflect its mission as a true Bikram studio, following the traditional style faithfully. Being able to work with her spouse is a big plus for Chen, who says the pair has different strengths that complement one another. “We’re on this journey together,” she says. “We are always learning from each other, as well as the other teachers and staff members. I’m a big believer in constant feedback; we operate on the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, or constant improvement.” During this time of business expansion, Chen had another experience that influenced her trajectory. A Glimmer of Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides rural villages in Ethiopia with access to clean water, medical care, education and microfinance loans, offices right behind the Westlake studio in Davenport Village. After seeing a video that featured two little girls, Chen got involved with the organization. “I had no plans to go to Ethiopia,” she says. It wasn’t a good time; she was in the midst of opening new studios and awash in business details. “But I kept dreaming about those girls. One night over dinner, I just put down my fork and looked at Jeff and said, ‘I have to go.’”
Adonosisae remembered her, and took her to see his school and village, this time much improved, thanks to A Glimmer of Hope. But it was the women in Ethiopia who impacted Chen the most. “I was sitting there, halfway across the world, watching these women come in to get their microloan papers,” Chen recalls. The small seed capital of $100 to $300 allows budding entrepreneurs to open a market stall, buy a sewing machine or purchase materials for resale. Whatever enterprise they start, they are creating a revenue stream and future for their families. “I was so inspired, witnessing these women. They were supporting not only themselves and their own families, but each other. It was a real sense of community that we seem to be lacking here.” These Ethiopian women lit a spark in Chen to create something that would foster the same support and community among women back home. “I came home and at first, I felt so guilty,” she says. “I kept asking myself what I was going to do about it.” Chen is clearly a woman of action. To not do something seems to have never occurred to her. She created a nonprofit arm of Pure Bikram Yoga, starting with a group she called Pure Women. Meant to enable women to come together to share, learn and support one another, Pure Women empowers women to become the CEO of their own lives. The group meets every other month to talk about ideas, challenges and business and to share resources. There are now about 200 women on the mailing list, and some 30 to 40 show up to each event. Different speakers are brought to the meetings, educating on topics from nutrition to financial planning and goal-setting. “It’s awesome to see women come out of their shells and talk about their dreams, what they want to do in life,” Chen says. She added another nonprofit component in the summer of 2011 with Pure Action. Its mission is to bring the ancient benefits of hatha yoga to modern medicine, and it focuses on two areas: research and community education. The research is conducted by Stacy Hunter, Ph.D., who scientifically documents the health benefits of yoga through assistance from labs at universities such as Columbia and Yale. For example, Hunter will set participants up on a five-week yoga regimen, testing them before and after in areas such as heart rate, cortisol levels and blood sugar. The community education aspect of Pure Action aims to bring this knowledge and the personal benefits of yoga to everyone. Pure Action conducts a six-week class series at the KIPP School for children and their parents in separate yoga classes. The teachers are involved on a voluntary basis to bring yoga to underserved communities. When talking about these community projects,
“Fulfillment comes not from material things, but from giving to someone who can never pay you back. It’s one of the tenets of yoga, and it’s what I’m trying to do.” -Mardy Chen In Ethiopia, Chen finally met the two girls from the video, who were cousins. She also met a young boy named Adonosisae, who took her hand and said he wanted to show her his school. It was a 45-minute walk from his village to the school, which was startling in its meagerness. The children used rocks for their seats. “I think I said three words the whole time, I was so shocked,” Chen says. When Chen visited Ethiopia the next year,
Get Your Own Fresh Start with the Pure 60 Challenge Bikram Yoga is a specific style of yoga founded by Bikram Choudhury at the Yoga College of India. A practicing yogi since the age of 4, Choudhury was told he would never walk again after a weight-lifting accident as a teenager. Yet through the practice of yoga, his knee recovered completely. Choudhury was the first person to scientifically document yoga’s curative abilities to heal chronic physical ailments and restore the body. In order to bring the practice to more people, he created an exact sequence of 26 postures that could heal anyone, regardless of their condition. The sequence is performed in 90 minutes in a room heated to 105 degrees. This allows the body to become malleable and safely stretch, and also cleanses the system of toxins. Some tips are helpful when starting a Bikram yoga practice. First, hydration is essential; you should drink four to five liters of water and at least one liter of electrolyteenhanced liquids throughout the day. You should also practice on an empty stomach, allowing several hours between a meal and yoga. If you must eat, have something simple like a piece of fruit or energy bar. The heat is there for a reason; it has tremendous health benefits, but if you feel dizzy or unsteady, simply sit down for a bit. It’s recommended to stay in the room rather than leaving. Take your second class within 24 hours; the benefits of Bikram yoga are exponential when classes are taken close together. Set a goal of five classes within your first 10 days. Starting in January 2012, Pure Bikram Yoga is offering its second Pure 60 Challenge. Beginning anytime between Jan. 1 and 10, you are challenged to complete 60 yoga classes in 60 days for a new life. The registration fee is $30, which directly benefits the Pure Action program to fund research and community projects in Austin. Participants will receive a gift bag with a T-shirt and other goodies, and have the chance to get free class cards along the way. The Pure 60 Challenge will be celebrated with parties midway and at the end.
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Mardy’s Advice for a Fresh Start B Don’t take on too much B Take baby steps B Do one thing rather than taking on too much and burning out; other things will organically follow B Be consistent; it takes 28 days to create a new habit
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Chen mentions something that one of her trainers told her during her Bikram certification program. “Fulfillment comes not from material things, but from giving to someone who can never pay you back. It’s one of the tenets of yoga, and it’s what I’m trying to do,” she says. Chen wants to bring together the entire Austin community, including other yoga studios. “I don’t look at them as my competition,” she says. “What we do here at Pure Bikram is unique, but there’s something for everybody, and there’s enough to go around.” Chen says one of the things she loves about Austin is how supportive it is of yoga and alternative health practices, and how many like-minded people live here. “People are living and breathing yoga here,” she says. “At any given time, there are more than 150 places in this city to take a yoga class, and there are more yoga teachers in Austin, per capita, than any other U.S. city.” Chen is so serious about wanting to bring the
practice to everyone that her studio offers a worktrade program to people who can’t afford the fees. About 50 people currently perform some sort of work trade in exchange for classes. Her biggest challenge as an entrepreneur has been to discover and communicate clearly exactly what her mission is and what she wants to do. “I’m a people pleaser, and I want to be friends with everyone,” Chen confesses. “But you have to be direct and honest in many situations, even if it’s not what someone wants to hear. That’s one reason we changed the name, to be more direct about what we do here. You can’t be all things to all people; you have to be true to yourself, as well as your customers and the other people on your team.” Chen’s journey has helped her find faith in that mission, in exactly what she decided she wanted to do with her life that terrible morning in September 2001. “My greatest reward is coming into the studio and seeing people becoming stronger, more confident and positive,” she says. “I see people transforming every day.”
pose Mountain level Advanced “mountain pose requires tremendous concentration and balance. It is one of my favorite postures from Bikram’s 84-posture advanced series.” Stella McCartney tank and Tonic bottoms available at Bettysport, 916 W. 12th St., bettysport.com.
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Trial Fire by
For the victims of the Labor Day wildfires, starting again is a life-changing experience. By Sarah Rigdon
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K
im Rigdon is a registered nurse of 16 years and supervisor for disaster health services with the American Red Cross of Central Texas. Because the Bastrop County Complex Fire was a national disaster, the national Red Cross office deployed her. She
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provides shelters with medical needs—personnel, equipment, basic supplies—and helps victims return to their pre-disaster lives. She’s also my mom. It’s easy to forget these things when I sit down with her to relax and talk. Family has a way of doing that, making you forget the amazing things they do outside of just being your family. I tease her about fidgeting with her phone but, of course, she’s working, filling in a volunteer survey from Red Cross Disaster Services. It asks how many disaster operations she’s been deployed to. Starting with Katrina, she counts on her fingers the names of all the hurricanes that have hit Texas since, and she ends with an anomaly for her career. Not a hurricane, but a fire. Red Cross shelters opened throughout the state on Labor Day weekend, but Bastrop was the biggest. Between volunteer responsibilities and her day job, Mom didn’t get a day off for about three weeks. Along with her volunteer team, she assessed and sheltered people forced to flee their houses with nothing. After Kim Rigdon the fire, she and
her fellow Red Cross volunteers drove through charred neighborhoods, making sure people sifting through the remains of their houses wore safety masks and had enough to drink. Once the shelters closed, the Red Cross set up a service center that assisted victims who needed help replacing medications and medical equipment. I asked her what scenes stand out to her. “A mom,” she begins. A mom taking care of her severely disabled child, a young adult. She just needed help figuring out how to do for him in a shelter what she would normally do at home. Shelter volunteers worried the son would be upset about the commotion, but he seemed to like it. All she asked for was a cot near an electrical outlet for her son’s feeding tube. In the end, her house was fine and they were able to return home. My mom shakes her head, recalling how calm the woman seemed, how little she complained with so much to complain about. On behalf of the Red Cross, my mom delivered the condolence calls to the families of the two people who died in the fires. Cause of death: conflagration. The mind turns in to itself at the thought. “There’s not much to do [for people during a condolence call], but what I can do is say,” she holds joyce and out her hand, her mac payne voice catching in her throat, “‘On behalf of the American people, we are so sorry for your loss.’” (We cry together for a moment.) The Bastrop County Complex Fire quickly became the largest wildfire in Texas history.
the state map ignite with wildfire symbols on the news, and days later, satellite images of a thick column of gray drifting from its source in the heart of Texas. On the ground, residents began to realize the recovery would take years. Their pre-disaster lives were over.
“Why we’ll stay here.”
When the last of the flames were extinguished, two people had died, 1,649 homes had been destroyed and 34,000 acres had burned. A Texas Forest Service report released in October counted the damage at $250 million. Fire affected 96
percent of Bastrop State Park, a National Historic Landmark and home to the Lost Pines ecosystem. Bastrop was not alone as its residents evacuated in fear. Steiner Ranch and several other communities throughout Texas watched
Joyce and Mac Payne had less than 15 minutes to leave their home. Joyce grabbed her cat, their computers, a brand new printer, a few photographs, two of her watercolors. Among the things she put in the car was a multi-pack of paper towels. She laughs as she remembers it. “Even when you do prepare for emergencies, with such little time, you don’t think straight,” she says. They had built a house full of photos and mementos from years of world travel, of Joyce’s membership in The Ninety-Nines, a female pilot association, and an impressive collection of antique Japanese furniture. Friends had been gently nudging them to start traveling again. After the Paynes spent the month of September living with four different friends, they joked about feeling like nomads. The occasional joke got them through the first few weeks. “Well, the kids won’t argue over who gets the antiques, now,” Joyce quipped. But after five weeks of insurance tasks and daily reminders of not being able to cook, the weight became heavier. “I would say, ‘Honey, you want a hamburger? Oh, wait, we don’t have a skillet!’” She and Mac needed something to look forward to. A couple of friends from Greece suggested they go on vacation. They took care of the details. “We didn’t know how long we were staying, even, until they showed us the ticket information,” Mac says. A month, it turned out. “They decided for us. And I think we needed that.” The Paynes took a little time to decide whether to rebuild or buy a new house, and finally found a new house in an unharmed portion of Tahitian Village. They were humbled by the response from throughout the state and the nation. Joyce received a check for $100 from a woman who wanted to help, but didn’t feel right keeping it. They gave it to a fellow artist, a metal worker who lost his studio and job in one fell swoop. Months later, during the Austin Civic Orchestra’s holiday concert, Joyce and Mac were presented with a commissioned work of art, a sign of appreciation to add to their once-large art
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collection. Mac helped found the ACO in 1977. Later, Joyce joined the board of directors. They are also members of the Bastrop Fine Arts Guild, their web of support since the fires. They settled in Bastrop for a reason, and Mac says catastrophe has only reminded them of it. “This is what told us why we live here,” he says, “And why we’ll stay here.”
Torn Up, Pulled Together JaDene Donaldson of AMM Insurance Company in Bastrop lost the home she and her husband built 20 years ago. Only one home was left standing on her block in the subdivision of Mahalo Court. She and her husband had recently installed a new sprinkler system. The fires were so hot the water in the sprinklers burst through and melted the sprinkler heads. Such badly damaged infrastructure makes it hard for people to rebuild. JaDene and her husband decided to buy a new house instead of wait. “I need roots,” she says, noting the rebuilding process would have taken too much time. She’s in touch with her neighbors almost every day, but their community is scattered. Her best friend lived across the street from her, accessible at any time. Now they live in different cities. The day after the fire, JaDene went back to work, helping take care of all her insurance claims as quickly as possible to help her city get back to normal—something she new how to do. Getting dressed for work that morning was another matter. “I thought, ‘Oh! I don’t have a bra!’” she remembers. And her collection of 500 pairs of shoes had been reduced to one. In the aftermath, for her, the flow of emotions has been a steady stream. “It is every day,” she sighs, a daily realization of one more thing she doesn’t have. After 32 years of marriage, the list of things she lost will take many days to realize: her Christmas decorations amassed throughout the years, every ornament her kids ever made. Those who lost everything have been finding it easy to lose track of what everything includes. “My husband called me one day and asked if I could bring him some old towels.” The request required her to think for a minute if she even had any old towels. When JaDene recalls the damage, she says, “Our community is torn up.” Later, when I ask her about Bastrop’s response to rebuilding, she says, “This community has just pulled together.” After an initial rend, the threads have begun to reknit somehow. She’s been pleased with
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Ongoing Volunteer Relief and Rebuilding Efforts, and How You Can Help For as many people affected by the fires, at least as many rushed to help. Because the Bastrop fire was declared a national emergency, federal aid is still available to victims. Nonprofit organizations in Austin and throughout the Hill Country, as well as officials with the Bastrop County office, offer some of the following services, both short term and for the long haul: B The American Red Cross of Central Texas offers a wealth of information for fire victims. Visit centex.redcross.org B Bastrop Church of Christ and Bastrop County Fire Relief manage the two main distribution centers for those affected by the fires, directing donations to those who need help most. Visit bastropcofirerelief.org. B When FEMA closed the Bastrop Disaster Recovery Center on Nov. 18, volunteers formed the Bastrop County Recovery Center to provide ongoing case management and relief resources. The center receives no government support and seeks donations and volunteers. Visit bastroprelief.org/support. B Ongoing meetings for the Bastrop County Long Term Recovery Committee (bcltrc.org) are usually held twice a month. Partnering with St. Vincent de Paul services, the committee provides ongoing case management for victims. B The Community Recovery Committee works with businesses to incentivize returning to Bastrop County, and they’re looking for volunteers. See Bastrop County Disaster Relief’s website for more information: co.bastrop.tx.us/bcdisaster. B Children and families can access free crisis counseling funded by FEMA and administered by the Texas Department of State Health Services in coordination with Bluebonnet Trails Community Services. For information on crisis counseling available in your county, call the 2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network. B Parts of Bastrop State Park reopened Dec. 2, but restoration and stewardship efforts are ongoing. You can help ecological recovery efforts by mailing a tax-deductible donation to support the Bastrop Recovery Project (details at tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/ bastrop/fire), donating to Friends of the Lost Pines State Parks (friendsoflostpines.org) or donating online to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation. B Food bank tip: Non-perishable food items are always accepted, but cash donations are better. Food banks are able to stretch your dollars further than you ever could at the grocery store, so they get more bang for your buck. The Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, for example, puts 96 percent of donations in to programs that serve Central Texas. Every dollar donated buys $5 worth of nutritious food and makes two meals. Food banks are also able to sort and distribute the food more quickly when they buy it. When donating non-perishable goods, remember to check the expiration dates.
the county’s response and thinks the general consensus on rebuilding is that it’s coming along as quickly as it can. Her priorities, she says, have shifted since the fire. “I had to realize that we are very blessed,” she says, adding that she and her husband were fortunate to be financially stable when the fire hit. And while she donated to charities before, she
donates more now. “If I had clothes and things to donate, I would donate them too.” While she looks for ways to give, JaDene has received a lot of kindness in return. She and a friend often worked with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Bastrop, and the organization brought her a large collection of clothes when they heard the news. During Thanksgiving dinner, surrounded by
loved ones, JaDene and her family looked at each other and bowed their heads. “When we went to bless our food,” she says, “there was not a dry eye in the house.”
Judy Maggio and Kim Rigdon photographed by Rudy Arocha; Red Cross photos by Dennis Drenner.
Just Stuff The Red Cross website provides a page specifically for Central Texas wildfire response and resources, including a pamphlet entitled “Picking up the pieces after a fire.” On page three, at the bottom of a list of tips for taking care of one’s emotional health, the pamphlet reads, “Realize that, sometimes, recovery can take time.” Judy Maggio would know. The veteran Austin reporter and KEYE-TV anchor lost her home to fire in January 2006. While in Los Angeles with her husband covering the Longhorns’ National Championship game, Judy got a call in the middle of the judy maggio night. Investigators later suspected it was an electrical fire that started in the bedroom, but there was no definite cause. Their two daughters were staying with family, and their dog was rescued, but they lost their beloved cat. The house was almost completely burned, but friends were able to dig some photos and other memorabilia out of the rubble. They demolished the house and used the original plans to rebuild on the lot. To those struggling through the emotional roller coaster of starting again, she has some advice. “Allow yourself to grieve,” she says. “There are days when you feel fine and can handle the long list of tasks that follow a fire: dealing with insurance, finding a new place to live, etc. Then
there are days you feel like crawling in bed and staying in the fetal position. That’s OK too. Any time you have a major loss in your life there are ups and downs and plenty of tears shed. That is all normal.” Judy credits a strong support system of friends and family with helping her get through that time. Even KEYE viewers felt moved to bring by essentials. “We felt a bit like Jimmy Stewart in It’s a Wonderful Life. Every ounce of kindness we ever bestowed on someone else was returned to us tenfold,” she says. She felt fortunate her family didn’t need to use
public resources available to fire victims, but says it’s important to reach out for help, and certainly nothing to be ashamed of. What changes after a fire, besides everything? “I think going through a major life event such as a fire changes you as a person,” Judy says. “I’ve never been very materialistic, but you realize that in the end, your possessions are just stuff. When I knew our girls were OK and that we were OK, then I knew I could survive the fire. Yes, we lost sentimental mementos, videos and photos that can never be replaced. But, you learn to live with it and those things seem to take on less value in your life.”
austinwomanmagazine.com 73
10 year anniversary
Austin Woman magazine The Beginning With a 27-page newsprint issue featuring Amy Miller of Amy’s Ice Creams, Austin Woman magazine launched in September 2002. By Deborah Hamilton-Lynne Photo by Rudy Arocha The year was 2002 and a group of supportive young women gathered for happy hour. As is the case with women’s conversations, the subjects centered on relationships and work. After a member of the group shared her frustrations about her job—what a bad fit it was and how miserable she was—the entire group decided that life was too short to be miserable and offered suggestions. That unhappy young woman was Melinda Maine (Garvey). The suggestion emerged that, with Melinda’s background in advertising and publishing, she should start a magazine for women. The proposal came from Robin Campbell, entrepreneurial philanthropist and owner of Cupidz Clozet. The idea struck a chord among the group and was seconded and supported by Samantha Stevens, who became Garvey’s partner and co-founder, and Austin Woman magazine was born. “When I heard it, I knew that I had to do it,” Garvey says. “The hair literally stood up on the back of my neck, and the next day I wrote a business plan. No one was writing about women at the time; it was in the middle of the tech boom and the news was all about men.” Seven months later, in September 2002, the first issue of Austin Woman rolled off the presses. The 27-page newsprint issue promised features on books, wine, travel, fitness and relationships. The monthly cover story promised to fea-
ture “an Austin woman who has done something exceptional in her personal and professional life and for her community.” From that first issue, Austin Woman was a success. The mission remains the same: to present the most informative and relevant content for and about Austin women that the city has to offer. Looking back to the first year, the women who graced the first 12 issues were indeed exceptional. They were philanthropic and quintessentially Austin. They loved Austin and represented the best of what this creative and entrepreneurial city has to offer. They were and continue to be a part of the story of the indefinable Austin woman, none more so than the first cover woman, Amy Miller (Simmons), founder of Amy’s Ice Creams. Her first store opened on 35th and Guadalupe Streets in 1984, and by 2002, she had nine retail stores and her master’s degree from the University of Texas in Austin. She was the mother of two young children and served ice cream in her “laid-back, colorful, adventurous and cool” stores to governors and movie stars, as well as throngs of dedicated Austinites. Fast forward to 2011, and like Austin Woman—although Amy’s Ice Creams has grown to 15 retail stores in Austin, Houston and San Antonio—the cool, laid-back Austin vibe and the mission remains the same. “Our goal is to make people’s day,” Simmons says. “I do not want to franchise and become a huge company. We are and always will be a community-focused business and a people-focused business. I say that I want Amy’s to be around for 100 years. We have fun and so much of what we do can’t be replicated on a large scale.” Of her experience of being chosen as the first Austin Woman cover profile, Simmons says, “Our operations manager got the call and I was so excited to be asked. The first person I called was my mother, who was an academic with a doctorate degree from Bryn Mawr. Although she was always encouraging,
cover women through the years 2002
2003
September
October
november
december
january
february
Amy Miller (Simmons)
Susan Dell
Luci Baines Johnson
Liz Carpenter
Tish Hinojosa
Gwen Crider
74 austinwoman j a n u a r y 2 0 1 2
Hanna Curran of Sanctuary
open-minded and positive, she was also very aware of the struggles women of her generation faced. I had a huge sense of pride when I called to tell her about the cover. I felt that I was being recognized not only for my success as a business person, but also for my success as a woman.” Recently, Simmons picked up a copy of Austin Woman in her doctor’s office and was disappointed
when the nurse called her name for her appointment. “I was enthralled with the article I was reading and didn’t want to stop reading,” she says. “There were at least 10 takeaways in that issue. Austin Woman continues to be relevant and a great overall publication for women. I am proud to continue our association.”
amy simmons, photographed at the Burnet Road location of Amy’s Ice Creams. “I had a huge sense of pride when I was asked to be on the first cover. I felt that I was being recognized not only for my success as a business person, but also for my success as a woman.”
march
april
may
june
july
august
Toni Price
Jody Conradt
Kristin Armstrong
Anne Durrum Robinson
Susan Combs
Toby Futrell
austinwomanmagazine.com 75
opposite sex / simply irresistible
Ted SabolWilliams Meet the handsome hairdressing heartthrob of Jackson Ruiz. By Molly McManus Photos by Rudy Arocha There’s no other way to put this: Ted Sabol-Williams is good with his hands. Let’s just say he can stroke the strings of a guitar, finger the keys of a saxophone and knows how to work a pair of scissors, a comb, a curling iron and, well, this is the part where your imagination can run wild. Allow me to paint a picture. You’re entirely relaxed and at peace, reclining as his hands firmly massage your head, neck and hands. You eventually come to your senses with the devilishly attractive, 6-foot-5inch Sabol-Williams towering over you, wrapping your head in a towel, telling you to, “Follow me.” You gladly oblige as this mysteriously captivating cutting specialist leads you through the salon of Jackson Ruiz to discuss how you’d like your hair cut and/or styled. With a conscious approach to each movement, Sabol-Williams meticulously moves through your hair, providing the end result of pure perfection. Sabol-Williams, originally from Sheboygan, WI, moved to Austin in 2010 to pursue a career in hair, inspired by the work of awardwinning hair guru Allen Ruiz. “I see hair as a sculpture, seeking what it needs to get it to where it needs to be,” illustrates Sabol-Williams. Sabol-Williams really is an artist, inspired by classic hair and styling, geometric cuts and natural beauty, insisting “less is more.” When he’s not in the salon, Sabol-Williams continues to explore the city, dancing at shows and eating at restaurants, fulfilling his other passions for music and food. Along with playing multiple musical instruments, he claims to make the best shrimp fajitas you’ll ever taste. Sabol-Williams will undoubtedly satisfy every last lock on your head, leaving you with a new look and renewed confidence. He’s saving you a seat. For an appointment, visit Jackson Ruiz Salon, 500 N. Lamar Blvd., suite 120, 512.478.7744.
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memo from jb
Reflective Do-Overs Things I would have done differently if I had known then what I know now. By JB Hager / Photo by Rudy Arocha It’s frightening rolling in to 2012. It just has a “far in to the future” ring to it. It’s not far at all; it’s right now and that scares me. In my 20s, I was a planner. I was on a career path with a clear destination and a white board chock-full of goals. Throughout my 30s, all the steppingstones were positively defined. I was a newlywed, first-time homeowner, a new father and I had fitness goals, etc. Then came the 40s. Lordy, what happened? I started to get retrospective. I’m doing the things I want to do day in and day out with my career, and my family and friends, leaving far too much time to be reflective, wondering what I’ve done right and wrong to get me here. Is this an early mid-life crisis? How can I put my new “reflective” mode to good use? I can gladly share with you things that have me pondering my past in the hopes of saving you some time, energy and grief moving forward in to 2012. They say you can learn from your mistakes. If so, my friends, I am a Harvard grad of life. Learn from these, for which I wouldn’t mind having a do-over: I would have gotten married and had a kid sooner. My wife and I had a long engagement and I could have pulled the trigger sooner. The thought that you are a better “picker” when you get older is delusional. It’s risky either way. I also think I would have been a better parent when I was young and clueless. Now, my daughter is 10 and my 44-year-old butt can’t keep up. I’m chronically exhausted and I don’t even have a real job. I would have spent less time listening to The Cure. It seemed like a good idea at the time to come off as moody and introverted. All it accomplished was leaving me moody and introverted. I would have started writing earlier. I was too scared to put it out there. One day I just started calling myself a writer and was astonished that people believed me. If I met a man at a bar and he told me he was a matador or an etymologist, I really have no reason not to believe him. I would have invented flavored vodka. I would have made an effort to meet more interesting people. I was busy chasing trends like cigar bars and martini bars, thinking I was missing out on something. It was just a revolving door of idiots, myself included. What trendy thing are you chasing
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right now? After all, I met my wife in a running group, not at Cedar Street Bar. I would read, read, read. Women have always been better readers and love to discuss books. Want to start an interesting conversation? Show up on the beach reading a best-selling chick book. It would have been much more effective than putting a Budweiser box on my head and entering the belly-flop contest. I would have taken more photographs. I don’t think this is ever going to be a problem for anyone moving forward, given smartphones and all. Some documentation of my 20s would have been nice. I would have never sported trendy facial hair. You can’t undo that. There is nothing good about a goatee. Luckily, no photographic evidence remains. I would have been less self-conscious. I was so worried about my image, I was afraid to do anything. Once I realized I had no self-image, it I was busy chasing trends like cigar bars and martini bars, became much easier thinking I was missing out on something. It was just a to form one. The best thing about passing 40 revolving door of idiots, myself included. is no longer caring what anyone thinks of you. It’s liberating. I would have dumped affordable. A Shelby Mustang comes to mind. What is toxic friends and realized when I was becoming toxic. floating around today that means something to you? If I had a dollar for every time I got the “Why am I I would have had my mid-life crisis earlier, wasting my time” speech. although, come to think of it, it’s actually been quite I would have been a better listener. People are quite insightful. Maybe 2012 won’t be so frightening after interesting if you ask questions and actually listen. I all. 01/01/2012. Here’s to a fresh start and the insights would now have 10 times the amount of interesting to come. You know what they say: There are no friends if I were more inquisitive and spent less time mistakes; there are only lessons to be learned. driving around with my Jeep doors off, blaring Pearl Jam, trying to act angry at “The Man.” JB Hager can be heard as part of the JB and Sandy I would have bought something meaningful that Morning Show on Mix 94.7 Austin weekdays 6 a.m. to I knew I would always treasure, back when it was 10 a.m.
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savvy woman /
relationships
Rated MA (Mature Adults) Exploring uncharted waters of online dating for 50-plus singles. By Robin Campbell After my recent divorce and lengthy separation, I began to entertain the thought of re-entering the dating world. I found it to be a bit frustrating, not to mention daunting, for a woman entering her 50s to find a compatible individual in such a youth-oriented city as Austin, where the average age is 32. I began chatting with my single friends in hopes of finding out where they meet prospective dates. The answers varied. Suggestions included bars and happy hours, friends of friends, chance meetings and online. I anticipated all these answers, with the exception of the latter. Online dating? Really? At my age? Because I’ve lived in Austin for nearly 30 years, I know a number of friends who were more than happy to introduce me to the perfect person. Unfortunately, that “perfect person” was usually someone I already knew and had no real desire to go beyond friendship with. Perhaps it was my history and association as part of a couple? Either way, I was not comfortable becoming a part of the He Said She Said game. Also, I am no longer working for corporate America, where most of my peers were young and single and hanging out with friends in bars. For me, this didn’t seem like an option either. Was it time to investigate what was always taboo to me: online dating? To me, it seemed like placing an ad in the classifieds, or worse, like that cheesy “Piña Colada” song! Then I thought about the idea that we do live most of our lives online today with email, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, so maybe I would give it a whirl. What would one or two more online presences matter? According to the 2010 census, nearly 30 percent of baby boomers are single. Other reports also suggest that divorce has doubled among the 50-plus crowd, which explains why almost 40 percent of these boomers are opting for cyber dating, according to Experian Hitwise, an Internet tracking firm. This also explains why the 50-plus market is one of the largest growing demographics entering the online dating world. This is not our first rodeo. We know what we want and we are not likely to waste time. (We have less time to waste than
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our younger peers.) My journey began with researching the sites. Yes, we’ve all heard of Match.com and eHarmony. Because I wanted to widen my search and narrow quality results, I chose two other sites: Chemistry.com (owned by Match.com) and one recommended by a friend called MillionaireMatch.com, a site that tends to have more success-minded singles and has been in the game for more than 10 years. Then I selected current photos (taken in the last three to six months—very important). I composed an honest, open profile (also very important) and selected attributes for a desirable match. Then with one click of a button, I put myself out there for the world to see, or at least the online dating world. I think I read a thousand profiles. It’s not easy to talk about yourself. Just ask “Frank,” who, in his bare-chested profile pic, describes himself as “hot!” Do not get me started on the wink thing either. I began getting all these winks and could not determine what they meant: Interested? I think you’re hot? I’m wasting your time? I finally added, “Please, no winks. Either you are in or out!” To my surprise, I still received winks, which meant these winkers had not read my profile. I received an amazing letter from one man in Atlanta,
who was very, very attractive. I shared his info with my good friend, who shared in my excitement and, like two schoolgirls, we began to squeal. Was he for real? Two more emails with more romance. Could this be the one? Very convincing. However, after a search rendered no such person, along with no Facebook or LinkedIn accounts (my credibility benchmark for suitors), he turned out to be a fraud. This does happen, however, the majority of people I’ve encountered online seem to be honest or more apt to lie about age or weight, another rant of mine. Why start off a potential relationship with lies? After two months and a few dates, I came across an intriguing email from a gentleman from the Seattle area. We exchanged numerous emails, text messages and phone calls, finally arranging to meet. He visited me in Austin. We had an amazing time and he met the approval of several friends. Shortly after his departure, I was invited to visit his world. I came home two weeks later, head over heels in love! As I finish penning this article from Seattle, who would have ever guessed I would have met my soul mate online (yes, I said soul mate) and we would be spending the holidays in Paris together? Yes, love does happen online. My advice to you is to take that plunge as I did in to uncharted waters. There are plenty of fish!
Robin’s tips for choosing an online dating site and writing the profile that will attract your soul mate.
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1. There are so many online dating sites to choose from that it is best to be selective. Look for one that best suits your criteria. Maybe you prefer successful, career-minded matches or a Christian-based site. It’s important that you choose the online dating site best suited to your personality and interests, whether it be one that caterers to vegetarians, seniors or Republicans. 2. Photos: Invest in some great headshots. After all, you want to meet your soul mate, not a prospective employer. Make sure to include as many as 15 photos that show the different sides of your personality. Happy shots are best. I advise that you skip seductive photos. Pics with Fluffy or Fido are great, especially if the potential man in your life will be spending time with them as well as with you. Include photos that show your interests, such as playing guitar, sailing, hiking, cooking. You get the idea. Most importantly, the photos should be current. There is nothing worse than meeting face to face only to have a potential date discover your photos were from 20 years or 20 pounds ago. 3. Composing an honest and positive profile free of clichés such as “I enjoy walks on the beach” is a must. You want to attract someone with similar interests, so if you are active and want someone who enjoys running on the trail, share that in your profile. Be specific. If you love music or travel, share what types of music you enjoy and your favorite places for travel. Share your favorite foods, cocktails or wine. It helps to add a bit of humor. Keep it light, and avoid being too lengthy. 4. A word to the wise: Be cautious about the details you share. Avoid names, where you work, your address, email, pics with friends and children until you have had multiple exchanges and feel a level of comfort with an individual. 5. Finally, avoid negative statements such as “I hate,” or opening up baggage from past relationships. Remember, this is potentially the start of something new and enjoyable. There are plenty of online dating tips on the web if you need a few more ideas for a successful profile. Remember, this should be fun. Do not fret if you do not get it right at first; you’ll have the opportunity to revise if necessary. You are making a fresh start, so get going. Your soul mate is waiting!
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savvy woman /
you should know
Tuning in to Terri McCormick On or off the air, Majic 95.5’s radio host will make your day. By Molly McManus Photo by William Russell As a 512 area code flashed across her phone, Terri McCormick dismounted a treadmill in Detroit, to answer the call that would lead her to a new life. On the end of the other line was radio station Majic 95.5, offering her an opportunity to move to beautiful and sunny Austin.
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This was just what McCormick had been looking for: a change of pace, a fresh start, an adventure. The bubbly, bright and bold blonde picked up and moved with her daughter, Katie, to be a radio host in the Live Music Capital of the World. Although this change was welcomed, it was extremely difficult for McCormick to relocate after living in the Midwest her whole life. Being in her 40s and not knowing a soul brought challenges in meeting people, as a lot of people her age were set in their routine, their ways and life. McCormick immersed herself in her work, attending networking events, going to shows and, especially, staying positive. There’s a certain warmth about McCormick that translates across the airwaves and a genuine essence that is felt within minutes of speaking with her. “I’m all about the energy of something,” McCormick enthusiastically explains, illustrating the positivity that accompanies her to work. At Majic 95.5, McCormick balances many
responsibilities, such as music director, host of Majic at Work and co-host of Majic in the Morning. She’s on your dial at 6 a.m., bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, letting you know that, at Majic 95.5, “we want to make your day.” That motto of the morning show embodies McCormick’s own effort in bringing an overall feeling of optimism to the show, her career and her life. And this woman truly does eat, sleep and breathe positivity. Whether she’s in the shower, on Lady Bird Lake’s hike-and-bike trail or hanging out with her daughter at an Austin hotspot, she’s thinking positive thoughts. It takes effort to live in this manner when you’re tired, upset about something or just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Whatever the case, McCormick manages to shine it on at 6 a.m. every morning, bearing her Austin listeners in mind. “I’ve come to work with my shirt inside out. Another time with two different pairs of shoes on,” she laughs. With a good breakfast, a night of sleep and three alarms set every morning, McCormick powers through
A new year. her day with animation, fearless of any obstacles that may come her way. McCormick has been in the radio business for more than 30 years. Prior to moving to Austin, she got her start by opening her very own radio station with her husband in Detroit. This was when radio was much more localized, untouched by the corporate monopoly that exists today. However, McCormick adapted alongside the ever-evolving radio, making her place as a radio force to be reckoned with. In 1994, McCormick also had to adapt to the devastating loss of her husband. Selling their station to a larger network, she continued to work in the industry with independence, drive and determination. She brought this determination along with her to Austin when she moved in 2006. In addition to the warmer climate, McCormick loves the vibe Austin encompasses: its friendliness, beautiful wildflowers, the number of people out and about, and of course, the wonderful music scene. Her first show was at the Parish on Sixth Street with The Fray. “It’s a great place to be this time in my life,” asserts McCormick of Austin, the city she now calls home. The fluidity McCormick exhibits in any given situation fits perfectly with the constant development and transformation Austin has undergone, the city altering right in front of her eyes. With the skyline alone changing every year, she relishes in learning about the city as she grows along with it. “The Frost Tower was the biggest building and now I can’t even see it from my studio,” says McCormick. McCormick’s youthfulness is a lesson to be learned by anyone and everyone. As elementary as it may seem, by believing in yourself, remaining positive and switching things up, you can avoid becoming stagnant in whatever it is you are doing. It’s never too late to do what you want to do, whether that means starting a new job, moving to a new city or making other huge adjustments in your life for the better. “Whether you like it or not, it will enhance your life,” McCormick endorses from her own firsthand experience. You’ll never know until you try. Take McCormick’s story and open yourself up to new possibilities, experiences, music, people and most importantly, positivity. Listen to Terri McCormick on Majic 95.5, weekdays from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check out majic.com for playlists, blogs, upcoming concerts and events.
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savvy woman /
Refresh Your ’Do
What to know before you go to the salon in search of a new look. By Andrea Claire We all use the new year as a starting point for “the new me.” Gym memberships, resolutions, new attitudes—all this and more will kick-start 2012. What is the easiest way to get a fresh look when it comes to a hairdo?
all the right questions There is no need to think makeover madness when you think of a fresh look. A subtle change can be all that you need, i.e., bangs versus no bangs, or simply add a different texture with beachy waves. “The hair most women want now is slightly layered with beautiful waves. To achieve this look, make sure your stylist cuts a layer from the tip of your chin blended in to the length of your hair. Add volumizing spray to the roots of your hair and blow dry upside down to achieve maximum volume. Flip your hair back into place and spritz a mist of thermal styling spray in to your dry hair, then with a large barrel curling iron (try Remington’s T-Studio Pearl Ceramic Large Styling Wand), curl 2- to 3-inch sections in one direction from bang area to the nape of your neck. The thermal spray will set in the wave when used with your iron, but remember not to touch the hair while it’s warm for the best lasting wave. To style, brush out with a boar-bristle paddle brush, and finish with spray-dry shampoo, the fuller and looser, the better.” –Richard Marin, celebrity hairstylist. richardmarinhairstylist.com What is the most important thing to consider when choosing a new hairstyle? Lifestyle. Think about what you have time for. Do you have time to blow it out every day? Do you have small children who cling to your leg as you are trying to beautify yourself? Do you have an unpredictable schedule with a career that doesn’t allow for an hour with blow-dryers and curling irons? Do certain lengths and styles flatter certain facial shapes? Of course. But don’t be married to this way of thinking. Hairstyles that suit everyone: B The graduated bob (think Victoria Beckham) B The collarbone-length long-layered blunt (think Heidi Klum)
84 austinwoman j a n u a r y 2 0 1 2
B Side-swept bang (think Cameron Diaz) B Long hair with layers and a soft wave (think Amy Adams) What are the current hairstyle rules for your 20s and 30s versus hairstyles for your 40s and 50s? The old rule, “Cut your hair off at 40,” has gone out the window. If you are a long-hair-loving woman, leave it. But there are some faux pas to consider if you are in these age categories: 20s: Be lifestyle appropriate. If you are a student, you may still have some creative flexibility, but if you are entering the workforce, your hairstyle may be dictated by your type of employment. 30s: Sporting any undercuts, dip-dying, hard geometrical shapes? Sorry. Unless you are fronting a rock band or in a career that allows selfexpression, it’s time to get grown-up-girl hair. 40s: Long hair is fine but remove the blanket effect by adding in long layers and softening the texture. As we age, our faces start to lose elasticity and sag. Long, one-length, flat-ironed hair will just accentuate an aging face. 50s and older: If you are covering up your gray hair, stay clear of going too dark, which can age you. Consider a few highlights mixed in with your all-over color, as this creates depth as well as stretches time between colorings, camouflaging root regrowth. How can you freshen up your look with color? You can freshen up your look easily with a semipermanent color change. The semi coats the outer layer of the hair shaft, adding shine. And since it’s a semi (lasting up to four weeks), you can play with the hue or the level of darkness with very little commitment.
Andrea Claire is a celebrity hair and makeup artist now based in Singapore with work in international magazines and ad campaigns. Celebrity clients have included Lady Antebellum, the Bond Quartet, Alanis Morissette and The Veronicas. Go to andreaclaire. onsugar.com for more on beauty.
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savvy woman /
personal best
A Party for Unnecessary Objects A professional organizer is born from the rubble of sentimental and meaningful things. By Katharine Howard I am a professional organizer, but that hasn’t always been the case. My house was once home to gaggles of garish gifts, swollen shelves of souvenirs and precarious piles of periodicals. So many tchotchkes I didn’t buy or use, much less like, inhabited my house. I wanted my home to say, “Katharine lives here.” Instead, it muttered something barely intelligible about kittens, eclectic junk and old movies. Something had to be done. Sorting through my belongings was daunting. I required reinforcements with the perfect mix of good cop, bad cop and Keystone Cops. My friends Anna and Lici were ideal for the job. They arrived at dawn on the second Saturday in January, Anna sporting a headband with cat ears and Lici toting a box of kolaches. Our plan was to sort all day. Their instructions were simple: Keep only the objects that you love or need. Simple? Yes. Easy? Far from it. On the one hand, I knew it was time to jettison the flotsam and jetsam from S.S. Katharine. On the other hand, these were my possessions—not mere objects. On the other hand, well, I only have the two hands. I was running out of excuses. At the end of the day, it was night, and the only pieces that didn’t fall in to the love or need category that I couldn’t seem to let go were: A deep purple Evan Picone suit, circa 1985 (shoulder pads included). That suit set me back $285. I loved the color, and the size 8 boxy jacket and pencil skirt fit me back then. I have since realized that only Prince can wear that shade of purple, and that only according to a select group of designers, to which Messieurs Evans and Picone did not belong, was I a size 10, much less an 8.
86 austinwoman j a n u a r y 2 0 1 2
A rabbit-shaped soup tureen. A going-away present from my Aunt May when I moved from Savannah, GA., to Austin, I had not used it once. I never latched on to the idea of serving carrot soup from a tureen shaped like a bunny, but I adored my Aunt May. Three years’ worth of Martha Stewart Living magazines. Approximately 7,200 pages of this practical periodical had taken up residence in my dining room. My longstanding goal was to learn to organize, decorate and entertain—not collect magazines. Exit those hard-copy magazines. Enter marthastewart. com. To celebrate my newfound freedom from clutter, I threw a going-away party for those last three hangerson. I invited my closest friends for brunch the following Saturday. I asked Lici to photograph the festivities. Following Martha’s instructions to the letter, I set the perfect weekend brunch table. Donning the purple suit was a challenge; it was a tad snug. After serving carrot soup from the bunny tureen, I asked my guests if they wanted any of the items that I was letting go, like the purple suit. Perhaps one of my friends planned to dress as Linda Evans for Halloween or had a country home in need of a scarecrow with shoulder pads. Oddly, there were no takers. After the party, I washed and packed the unnecessary objects and took them to my favorite nonprofit. That night, I uploaded the party photos to a private Internet album for all my guests to share. Liberated from the clutches of clutterdom, I created a home that said, “Katharine lives and thrives here,” ultimately inspiring me to hang the shingle for my new career. Katharine the Great Organizer combats chaos and restores order in Austin and several states.
the last word /
aw view
Illustration by Sarah Quatrano.
A Fresh Start Welcome, 2012! This year, I will celebrate my daughter’s 14th birthday and my son’s 12th. I will also celebrate my 11th anniversary of ending the cycle of domestic violence in my life and the lives of my children, and it all started with an epiphany. An epiphany is defined as “a sudden, intuitive perception.” In layman’s terms, an epiphany happens when a metaphoric lightbulb flickers on and gives you clarity about a situation or occurrence in life. An epiphany is also often described as life-altering, a defining moment, and can serve as a catalyst for much needed change in one’s life. My epiphany occurred when I was in my own home with my infant children and a loaded gun fell from my abuser’s coat pocket. When the gun hit the floor, in a split second, I had to make a choice between life and death for not just me, but for my children, because I am sure there was more than one bullet in that gun. Prior to my epiphany, I had been living a life wrought with domestic violence for four years. I was very accustomed to the cycle because the violence had become part of my daily life. It was truly a cycle because there were happy moments in my life with my abuser but, inevitably, it ended in violence. He would sincerely apologize and I would forgive him and the cycle would start again. I ignored my scars and broken bones because they would eventually heal and disappear from view. I tucked away the pain of miscarrying a baby. Amidst all the verbal and mental abuse, the thousands of dollars in property damage and the financial mayhem he caused me, I covered the cycle like the many black eyes I covered up so I could hide my reality of violence from the rest of the world. But, for some reason, seeing the gun hit the floor put the cycle in to laser focus and the epiphany that not only was my life in the balance, but so were the lives of my children, was loud and clear and undeniable. I picked up my then 8-month-old son and 2-year-old daughter, crept to my car and
88 austinwoman j a n u a r y 2 0 1 2
drove to the SafePlace emergency shelter. I left my cycle for good, although, at the time, I was angry and resentful that I had to uproot my life; I had essentially become homeless. In hindsight, I know my epiphany and the subsequent choice to go to the shelter saved my life. After living at SafePlace, I changed my mindset for the better, and without coercion, every other aspect of my life fell in line like dominos. SafePlace’s resources gave me the confidence and courage I needed make a fresh start in my new reality without violence. In my heart, I knew that this tragedy in my life had created the opportunity for me to give back and help others. It became clear that I was in the unique position of helping survivors because I had been in their shoes and I could see life from their perspective. So in 2005, I started JONAH Ministry to create hope for survivors of violence through arts, music and quality-of-life improvement projects. In 2011, I started the Survive2Thrive Foundation to give families the resources to permanently end their cycles of violence and go from living in survival mode to thriving in their new realities without violence. I went back to the SafePlace shelter where my children and I lived, and I served on the foundation board of trustees for four years. I speak to organizations about domestic violence and lobby for legislation protecting victims of domestic and family violence. I have had the honor of meeting both Vice President Biden and President Obama, and I am completing my first book, a resource guide for survivors of domestic violence. My greatest pain has become my greatest victory, and this tragedy has given me my mission. And it all started with an epiphany. Hello, 2012, new friend! I greet you with an open heart and gratefulness for what is to come and all the experiences that led me to this place of peace and purposefulness.
–Courtney Sanchez
March’s Last Word topic will be “The Entrepreneurial Life.” To be considered, email a 500-word submission to thelastword@awmediainc.com.
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