may2019
B E L L A E AT S GET OUTDOORS MIND • BODY • SOUL
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may 2019 M ay 2019
Issu e On e Hu n d re d F i f ty- F i ve
Joey Coakley Beck Publisher & Owner jbeck@beckmediagroup.com •••
editorial
For editorial consideration: features@beckmediagroup.com Contributors: Lindsey Bierle, Beth Deel, Jason Gallimore, K.L. Kranes, Member One Federal Credit Union, Laura Richards, Jenn Schultz, Hayleigh Worgan •••
advertising
With over 13 years experience in Southwest & Central Virginia, Bella is your BEST advertising option with proven results, loyal readership, wonderful content, and an award-winning design! To market yourself and your business to the women of Southwest & Central Virginia, call us at (540) 339-6117 or email advertise@beckmediagroup.com
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Bella Outdoors
Join us each and every month as we inspire and empower women of all ages to get outdoors by showcasing products, highlighting regional adventures and profiling women doing good for our outdoors. Beth Deel shows how you can save the planet by starting in your kitchen. And Chantilly Farm is kicking off their 2019 season! Check out Jason Gallimore’s article about their first event, Bluegrass & BBQ!
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Travel
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Bella Finds
Have a toddler and think you can’t travel? Wrong! Laura Richards shares her recent voyage to Charleston, South Carolina... with a toddler. Eeeeek, it CAN be done!
Spring is in full swing and we’ve found a few perfect products to ease into that transition and to help look and feel your best!
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Everyday Brave
What does it take to build a life you love, right where you are? A little bit of Everyday Brave. This month Jenn interviews Elizabeth Laing Thompson, author of When God Says, “Wait” and When God Says, “Go”.
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mind • body • soul
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Bella Eats
What’s the big deal with colon cancer screenings in women? Lindsey Bierle, D.O. of Carilion Clinic explains the importance of this screening that often goes overlooked. And we’ve provided resources for addressing mental health challenges in the workplace.
Keep cool on the grill this outdoor cooking season with these refreshing, dairy-infused recipes for warmer days!
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operations
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For general inquiries: bella@beckmediagroup.com Sara Coakley Office Manager
LLC
P.O. Box 107 Roanoke, Virginia 24002 (540) 339-6117 Bella Magazine is the property of Beck Media Group LLC. It is a free publication printed monthly and is distributed throughout Southwest and Central Virginia and beyond. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse ad space for any advertisement or editorial content the staff deems inappropriate for our readers. The concept and design of Bella Magazine, as well as the design, advertisements, art, photos and editorial content is property of Beck Media Group LLC and may not be copied or reprinted without written permission from the publisher. ©2006-2019 Beck Media Group LLC All Rights Reserved. PRINTED IN VIRGINIA w w w. l o v e l y b e l l a . c o m
Save Smarter
Member One Federal Credit Union offer tips for thriving with your woman-owned business in this month’s issue. From getting funding to building your network, they’ve compiled a great starting point for beginning (or maintaining) your own business.
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Young Writers Club
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What We're Reading
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Happenings
K.L. Kranes takes us to the 2019 NoVa Teen Book Festival, which devotes an entire day to the exploration and celebration of young adult literature.
Check out this star-studded roster of iconic women who have written powerfully about what it means to be a feminist yesterday, today and tomorrow. The Future is Feminist is a refreshing and provocative book featuring a wide range of voices.
Regional events happening all over Southwest & Central Virginia to pencil into your social calendar! This month we spotlight Opera Roanoke’s final 2019 performance—Rossini’s romantic comedy, The Barber of Seville. And family fun can be found at Salem Parks & Rec’s Movies in the Park kicking off in May with A Dog’s Purpose.
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Bella Outdoors Kitchen Swaps for Big Impact
5 easy swaps to transform your kitchen into a planet saving sanctuary. Written by BETH DEEL
In America, our kitchens are one of the biggest waste-
producing rooms in our homes and one of the easiest areas to make simple, environment-friendly swaps with BIG impact. With spring in full swing why not turn May into a fun monthlong challenge that will benefit you, your home and the planet! You will not only save money but you will reduce your overall household waste stream and enjoy fun, new habits!
Swap Plastic Food Storage for Glass
But glass is breakable you say? Yes, glass breaks more rarely than you think and is way more eco-concious, versatile and SAFE. This is an incremental swap. You don’t need to throw out all of your plastic food storage for glass, but as you purchase foods sold in glass jars, save them. You can also find a treasure trove of glass items at your local thrift store and yard sales. The benefits of using glass containers are numerous. Here are just a few: glass does not contain harmful BPA {Bisphenol A} that are present in many plastics; glass does not retain food smells or stains; you can easily freeze food in glass containers; all glass is safe for reheating and glass has a terrific use-lifespan.
Swap Pre-packaged Foods for Bulk
Take a look in your refrigerator and pantry. How many prepackaged foods have you purchased and brought into your home? These typs of foods are convenient but the environmental impact is devastating because most of this packaging can’t be recycled easily. Research which local grocery stores, co-ops and stores sell food in bulk where you can bring your own containers and clean re-usable bags to purchase the foods you need. Often it is not only cheaper to buy your food from bulk bins but you can purchase only what you need reducing the chance of throwing away unused food. Additionally, buying from bulk can be fun and you can really turn your pantry into a more aesthetically pleasing experience devoid of marketing and often times (ugly) packaging from corporate food manufacturers.
Swap Single Use Grocery Bags for Re-usable
If you haven’t jumped on the re-usable bag wagon yet, what are you waiting for? This is THE easiest swap of all and has exponential enviromental impact. Swap all plastic/paper grocery and produce bags for reusable bags. Even better, shop at local markets for seasonal produce, meats and dairy whenever possible, you will be supporting your local economy, local farmers and purchasing way less packaged foods by doing so. Here are a couple facts from resusethisbag.com to inspire your choice to always bring your reusable bags shopping: •
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Plastic bags don’t biodegrade, but they can break down through photo degradation. When photo degradation (decomposition through exposure to light) happens, the bag breaks down into small, toxic particles. An estimated one million birds, 100,000 turtles, and countless other sea animals die each year from ingesting plastic. The animals confuse floating bags and plastic particles for edible sea life such as jellyfish and plankton. Once ingested, the plastic blocks the digestive tract and the animals starve to death. Other animals drown after becoming entangled in plastic waste. It takes 12 million barrels of oil to produce the plastic bags that the U.S. uses every year. One person using reusable bags over their lifetime would remove more than 22,000 plastic bags from the environment.
Swap Paper Towels for Cloth
Swapping one-use paper products in your kitchen for re-usable cloth alternatives is easy, money-saving and convenient. Many of us use paper towels, paper napkins and wipes everyday in our kitchens. By swapping to cloth we are saving trees, trash from landfills and eliminating yet another one use item from our lives. Being prepared is the key to this swap. Invest in enough microfiber towels, huck towels and cloth napkins. Pro tip is have more than you think you need with a basket for each type and a laundry bag or container to collect used ones. Pre soak in baking soda and vinegar to help remove grease and or stains. Presto! You now have a great system in place and you are one step closer to a zero-waste kitchen! w w w. l o v e l y b e l l a . c o m
Swap Your Garbage Habit for Composting, Recycling and Alternative ‘Bags’
This swap will make your life easier in the long run but takes a little practice when getting started. Plastic garbage bags are NOT biodegradable and wreak havoc across the planet threatening entire eco-systems and species. There is much to learn about alternative biodegrable and compostable bags but unless these type bags go to a composting facility they also do not biodegrade properly. Ideally, most of the ‘wet waste’ we throw into our kitchen garbage bins could be composted right at home except for those including dairy and meat. Seperating food waste and adding it to a simple DIY compost or worm bin can offer many benefits including rich soil and fertilizer for houseplants and gardens. Next, make sure you are seperating recyclable items from trash. Check and see what items your municipal recycling program accepts and find alternative methods for recycling, re-using or upcycling the rest. The only ‘trash’ you should have left for your kitchen bin should be items you can’t recycle or re-use and non-compostable food scraps. By composting and recycling you should be able to reduce the size of your kitchen bin substantially and without wet items or food mucking up your ‘trash’ you should be able to use paper bags, liners made from newspaper or no bag at all. Gasp! Let us know how your kitchen swaps go this month! TAG US @bella_magazine with #bellakitchenswap #plasticfree #zerowaste Beth Deel is a local mom, artist and fun-maker! She plans socially responsible events at Good Times Event Co. and strives to reduce her personal environmental impact at home and at work, through planet-friendly lifestyle changes, environ2 0 1 9 and | zero b e lwaste l a mgoals. agazine | page 7 mental activism
may
Bella Outdoors Chantilly Farm Kicks Off Their 2019 Event Season About the Farm
Many in our region are becoming familiar with Chantilly Farm, a 200 acre events venue and campground situated in the rolling hills of Floyd County. From their year-round camping facilities to their growing roster of annual events, Chantilly Farm was named the 2015 Small Business of the Year by the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce and is an official affiliate venue of The Crooked Road, Virginia’s heritage music trail. The venue’s 4,000 square foot indoor facility is increasingly popular as a rental option for weddings, reunions and other private events, but many outside presenters have fallen in love with Chantilly Farm’s beautiful outdoor stage and picturesque setting for hosting outdoor events. The farm currently serves as the host venue for events that include the Floyd Auto Fair, Floyd Energy Fest, Gospel Jubilee, VW Bus Campout (large photo), Floyd Livestock & County Fair, Cirque du Floyd, Blue Ridge Stakeout, Tour de Floyd and Tour de Dirt. Chantilly Farm has partnered with Blue Mountain Adventures to provide new group camping and glamping opportunities. These thoughtfully designed spaces will feature shared fire pits, seating, picnic tables, bell tents and other fun elements with plenty of space to pitch extra tents. In addition, the camping areas will be in close proximity to Chantilly Farm’s recently expanded hiking and mountain biking trails and a newly developed 9-hole disc golf course. “As the idea of community resonates with more and more people, we find that interest in group camping has grown significantly. Whether it’s a team building retreat or just a group of friends, people want to step out into nature together where there are fewer distractions so they can be present and truly connect”, says Ashleigh Ward, Chantilly Farm’s Director of Planning and Business Development.
First Up, The Region’s Premiere Bluegrass Festival
Each Memorial Day weekend crowds gather in the venue’s beautiful festival fields to celebrate the coming of summer with some of the biggest bands in bluegrass and mountain music. Now in its ninth year, the Chantilly Farm Bluegrass & BBQ Festival will feature an all-star roster of prominent bluegrass talent including The Steeldrivers, Flatt Lonesome, Lonesome River Band, Junior Sisk, Nothin’ Fancy, Breaking Grass, Deer Creek Boys, Carolina Blue, Salt & Light, Five Mile Mountain Road, Loose Strings Band and many others. The Festival, taking place on May 24-25, is widely known in the tra-
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ditional bluegrass community as the official home festival of Mountain Fever recording artist, Junior Sisk, one of the bluegrass genre’s hottest artists in recent years and a native of nearby Franklin County. “It’s been so exciting to be a part of the wonderful things going on at Chantilly Farm and to see the growth the festival has experienced over the last few years,” Sisk commented. “There’s no doubt that this is a festival that our entire region should be very proud of.”
The Festival recently formed a partnership with HoosierDevil, an Asheville, NC based events management company, to boost the marketing profile of the event and talks are underway for additional partners in the future. Founded in 2013 by Steve Johnson, the company has worked with an impressive list of clients, including MerleFest, Red Ants Pants Music Festival, Jam in the Trees, the Steep Canyon Rangers, and more. New owner Maggie Rainwater, who purchased HoosierDevil from Johnson at the start of 2019, brings expertise in publicity, promotion, event management, and social media. “Chantilly Farm’s Bluegrass and BBQ Festival is an event I look forward to every year,” Maggie Rainwater shares, “and I could not be happier for HoosierDevil to have the opportunity to work alongside the
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Bella Outdoors
Written by JASON GALLIMORE
Chantilly Farm team. Chantilly treats everyone at the event—staff, volunteers, bands, guests—like family, and the positive, laid-back atmosphere they have cultivated at Bluegrass and BBQ is something truly special. When you combine such good vibes with a beautiful location, a variety of curated vendors, and a stellar lineup featuring the best in bluegrass, old-time, and mountain music, you have a recipe for a spectacular event. I believe the sky is the limit for Chantilly Farm and their Bluegrass and BBQ Festival, and HoosierDevil is delighted to be part of it!” In addition to the Festival’s stellar lineup, activities include RV and tent camping, a stage-side beer and wine garden, arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities, opportunities for jamming, hiking and biking trails, cornhole, midnight campfire jams, kite flying and more. BBQ will be available from several regional vendors along with a wide variety of other delicious foods. This year’s Festival features a brand new VIP option for those who are looking to be treated like bluegrass royalty. Weekend and single day passes are on sale now along with lots of other important info at chantillyfarm.com or by calling (540) 808-4984.
Jason Gallimore is an independent event planner and marketer living in Salem. Jason serves on the Board of Directors for both the Floyd Center for the Arts and Floyd County Chamber of Commerce. With a lifelong passion for music and the arts, Jason is involved in a wide range of festivals and special events in the region. w w w. l o v e l y b e l l a . c o m
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Laura Richards is a natural-light maternity, newborn and family photographer in Roanoke, who specializes in heirloom-quality albums, wall art, prints and more. When she’s not photographing or editing, she’s chasing after her toddler Tucker. www.laurarichardsphotography.com w w w. l o v e l y b e l l a . c o m
Bella Travel
Have Toddler, Will Travel Visiting Charleston, South Carolina
Written by LAURA RICHARDS Photos courtesy LAURA RICHARDS PHOTOGRAPHY
The first time I visited Charleston, I was five
months in to dating my now-husband, kidless and carefree. This time around, I went as a wife and mom, armed with a detailed itinerary centered around nap time. Like most of our plans these days, this trip was semilast-minute, born during an ice cream date with my husband and mapped out during a one-hour coffee date with myself. My goal was to make our weekend there as stress-free and kidfriendly as possible. Looking back, it was just that.
Day 1 • Friday
We arrived at lunch time, making our first stop D’Allesandro’s Pizza (D’Al’s for short). This eclectic, neighborhood pizza joint is worth every second of the eight-minute drive from Downtown Charleston. They have a range of specialty pizzas, all baked to crispy perfection. I got the Bare Naked, topped with olive oil, garlic, pepperoni, roasted red peppers and fresh mozzarella. Our only regret was that we didn’t order larger pies. After lunch we drove 15 minutes to Waterfront Park, where we stumbled upon Hazel Parker Playground, the cutest toddler-friendly park. After so much time in the car, it was great to let our 2-year-old release some energy. (If you’re lucky, you’ll get a whiff of some delicious meat smoking nearby.) After the park, we headed to our hotel, the charming Andrew Pinckney Inn. This was a big splurge for us, but so worth it. I wanted to stay in the heart of downtown, so we could easily head back if Tucker needed a nap (or if we forgot one of the million things toddlers require throughout the day). We also opted for a slightly bigger room so we could fit his playard. My favorite part of our stay here was the delicious breakfast, complete with a biscuit bar, homemade sausage gravy, fresh fruit, yogurt, and quiche. They also prepare an impressive cheese and wine reception every afternoon. Both breakfast and wine are hosted in the newly renovated rooftop solarium, which features massive windows looking out onto Downtown and Waterfront Park. After settling into our room, we headed out to explore downtown and peruse the Charleston City Market. The prespring weather was absolutely perfect for strolling. We lucked out on sunny, 70-degree-plus days all three days. Our first dinner in town was at the Charleston Crab House, located right next to the City Market on Market Street. Though kid-friendly, my husband and I were underwhelmed by our meals (a snow crab steam pot for him; she-crab soup and steamed mussels for me). At $70, this was our most expensive meal the whole trip.
Day 2 • Saturday
After breakfast at the hotel and a walk around Downtown (my plan was to visit the farmers market, but it was closed for another event), we headed to Sullivan’s Island for a morning at the beach. It wasn’t crowded, which was great for our unpredictable toddler. For lunch, we walked a block to Mex 1 Coastal Cantina. The atmosphere is fun and funky (think bright, sugar w w w. l o v e l y b e l l a . c o m
skull-adorned walls). My shrimp torta was amazing, and after a couple of hours at the beach, the refreshing Hydrator (vodka, passionfruit puree, and coconut water) was a must. They also have a great kids menu, including my son’s rice bowl, which came out within a few minutes of ordering. Later that afternoon, we drove 30 minutes to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. I chose this one specifically because they have a petting zoo, which I knew my son would love. We didn’t explore too much of the gardens, because the deer and peacocks at the petting zoo were such a hit. I did, however, take advantage of the lush backdrop and sunset glow for some family photos (of course!). Side note: If it had been raining, plan B was to check out the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry. On the way back, we stopped at Lewis Barbecue for dinner. This was a quick find on Google, but hands-down the best barbecue I’ve ever had. Lewis is such a gem! It oozes hipster vibes and has tons of outdoor seating. Ordering at the counter meant we didn’t have to wait for our food. Our pulled pork sandwiches were topped with pickled red onions and dill pickles, and the queso macand-cheese was downright glorious (I’m not ashamed to say I scraped the bowl clean). They also have a bar, which is unique and much-appreciated.
Day 3 • Sunday
Our last day was short and low-key. After breakfast, we walked to the Pineapple Fountain, where my son and I played in the water. Our plan was to take a ride on the Charleston Water Taxi, but it wasn’t running that day. During our walk, we stopped at Bakehouse, where I got the best Lavender Mint Tea, perfect to have in hand while strolling to Tiedemann Park to let Tucker run around before the 6-hour drive home. Bottom line: If you’re down for the six-hour drive from Roanoke, Charleston makes for a great weekend trip. Whether you’re traveling with kids or just your spouse, a cobblestone-alley, overflowing-window-box, pastel-dream-come-true getaway awaits.
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bella finds
The Big Book of Less
Finding Joy in Living Lighter Less stuff, less stress, less overthinking, less judgement— paring down allows us to live better. Read about how doing less allows us to reclaim our space, our time, our lives. The Big Book of Less: Finding Joy is Living Lighter is an uplifting manual for living lighter and celebrating the freedom of less. www.flowmagazine.com
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bella finds Spring is in full swing and we’ve found a few perfect products to ease into that transition and help you look and feel your best!
Arm & Hammer Body Powder Spray We are loving Arm & Hammer’s new Invisible Body Powder Spray! This first-ever cake free invisible body spray powder leaves no white mess on clothes or your body and keeps you feeling fresh all day. Let’s face it: we sweat AND we stink. This new dry spray contains Arm & Hammer baking soda and odor neutralizing ingredients (no talc!) to absorb moisture and sweat. Find at your favorite drugstore.
Plexus Slim & Lean
It’s important to eat right, maintain a healthy weight and keep your gut health in check in order to look and feel your best. Plexus offers two products to help with that—Lean and Slim. These gutfriendly products not only taste great but are easy to add into your daily routine for that extra push in the right direction! www.plexusworldwide.com
Carol’s Daughter
In 1993, Lisa Price was encouraged by her mother, Carol, to create high-quality products for natural hair and everybody’s skin and so began Carol’s Daughter! Our favorite product right now is their Love Butter body balm! Blended with shea butter, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil and more, this original collection all-over body balm instantly nourishes skin, leaving it silky soft. The spicy scent of cinnamon, clove and frankincense captures the feeling of passion and love. (Their Monoi Repairing Hair Mask is to die for!) Find Carol’s Daughter products online at carolsdaughter.com or locally at She’s International Boutique in downtown Roanoke.
Plackers
Not going to lie. Our favorite flossing trick is keeping Plackers flossers in our car for easy flossing while zipping around town. (Our dentist loved the idea and could tell we floss way more than we used to!) And now they come in newly developed Sure-Zip packaging and smaller travel packs, so they are easier than ever for beautifying on-the-go and keeping your smile super healthy! Find at your favorite drugstore.
Rembrandt Teeth Whitening products
The name you trust for teeth whitening, Rembrandt, has recently launched their reformulated Deeply White toothpaste to help you achieve three shades whiter teeth in just one week! Check out all their highly effective whitening suite of products including a 1 Week Whitening Kit and their 2 Hour Whitening Treatment that quickly provide professional-level results from the comfort of home. www.rembrandt.com
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Everyday Brave
A Little Bit of Everyday Brave What does it take to build a life you love, right where you are?
Written by JENN SCHULTZ
It takes courage to say yes, to try new things, and to take a gamble on yourself. Usually it comes down to decisions that happen any old day. Here’s something I’ve only figured out and started admitting recently: I want to be a writer. But even putting out my thoughts in this column feels like it takes a lot of courage. So if you’re figuring it all out, you’re not alone. Recently I met North Carolina-based author Elizabeth Laing Thompson, in town to speak at a Women’s Day event. How often do you get the chance to meet someone who has gone after the same dream you have? I had to pick her brain! Her answers give insight into pursuing any dream, not just writing, or even creativity. It goes beyond just full-time careers. Here’s a glimpse into what it looks like to pursue a passion in real life. Have you always dreamed of becoming an author? In the second grade, I was Student of the Week—you know, when you get to be the class line leader and make a poster about yourself. On that poster I wrote that I wanted to be an author. Of course, I went through a veterinarian phase, and in high school and college I explored journalism and broadcasting and ministry, but I always circled back to words. One night a bout of severe jet lag gave me a novel idea that wouldn’t let go. I started scribbling and plotting and outlining at about two a.m., and when my poor husband woke up the next morning, I stood in front of him, manic and bleary-eyed, and announced, “I’m writing a novel! I’m going to be a writer!” I had everything to learn—I knew nothing about how to write a novel, much less how to get one published—but I was willing to learn, and I’ve never looked back. What do you hope people will get out of your books? I am always seeking humor in holiness and hope in heartache. I hope people read my work and realize that God is joyful and even playful, and faith can be fun. When you really dive into the lives of people in Scripture, you find so much depth and honesty and even humor. And more than anything, I want to help people see that no matter how dark life gets, hope lives on. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be? You’re in for a long, slow ride—way longer and slower than your poor twentysomething brain can even fathom without exploding—so be patient and enjoy the ride. All the rejections, detours, and delays are part of the writing life, part of learning to write better and live fuller. They’re part of your story, part of you—so don’t wish them away. w w w. l o v e l y b e l l a . c o m
What is your advice for pursuing a dream, regardless of what it is? Hmmm, to answer this one I have to go older than Old School and quote Kenny Rogers: “You gotta know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away, know when to run.” Sometimes we pursue dreams that will come true eventually, but it’s going to take a lot of holding before anything happens. And we have to be okay with that. Have to stop obsessing over when and how we’re going to reach the final destination, and just enjoy the journey. And honestly? Sometimes life—and in my view, God—points us to a different dream than the one we had in mind for ourselves. Of course, the movies and Mickey Mouse and the American Dream will hammer a different message into your heart—“Dreams come true! Dreams come true!”—but the fact is, we don’t all get to do exactly what we set out to do. Sometimes we have to fold, sometimes we have to walk away, sometimes we have to run. But if we’ll be flexible enough to walk through different doors than the ones we originally knocked on, we can still live fulfilling, exciting lives. Changing your dream doesn’t mean you’re giving up or admitting failure—it means you’re adaptable and imaginative and brave, willing to pursue a new goal and daring to love a new life. Find Elizabeth’s recent books When God Says, “Wait” and When God Says “Go” at your favorite bookseller. Connect with her online at www.LizzyLife.com Jenn is a constantly-caffeinated wife, mama, and writer. By day she goes on adventures in Roanoke with her two boys. By nap time she pens whatyoumakeitblog.com, empowering moms to live a beautiful and purposeful life, right where you are. Chat with her on social @whatyoumakeitblog.
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mind • body • soul
Colon Caner Screening in Women What’s the big deal?
Written by LINDSEY BIERLE, D.O.
It is well known that women should begin receiving mammograms for breast cancer screening at age 50. What is less commonly discussed is the importance of colonoscopy screening in women. Though men are at slightly increased risk compared to women, colon cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer diagnoses and deaths in women in the United States. Age is one of the most important risk factors for development of colon cancer, with increasing risk seen at 50 and older. Other important risk factors include family history of colon cancer, smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity. Why is screening with colonoscopies of vital importance when discussing the possibility of colon cancer? Often screening can detect pre-cancerous growths well Photo from recent Carilion Colon Cancer Crawl before symptoms develop. With screening, pre-cancerous growths called polyps caught in the early stages can oftentimes be successfully identified and removed, and most insurance plans cover the cost of routine screening colonoscopies. If your colonoscopy result is normal, you may not even need another screening test for another decade! Though there are several alternative types of screening tests available for detecting pre-cancerous colonic polyps, colonoscopy is the only test that allows for both detection and prevention because of its ability to remove any identified growths at the time of the procedure. Talk about an instant fix with rapid results! w w w. l o v e l y b e l l a . c o m
Despite recommendations for women to begin screening at 50, many do not. What’s the big deal with screening? Common myths regarding colonoscopies include intolerable bowel preparations, pain from the procedure, and significant time away from work. There are several agents used to clean out the gut the day prior to the procedure, and many of these are much more palatable and tolerable to ingest than the regimens of years past. Contrary to popular belief, colonoscopies are not painful! In fact, you will receive light sedation during the procedure and will not remember it at all. Most people are able to return to work the following day without major difficulty. Some important signs and symptoms that can occur with colon cancer include abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, changes in stool habits and low blood counts. If any of these occur, please talk with your primary care doctor for further evaluation. Colon polyps can enlarge in the absence of symptoms and eventually turn into cancerous growths, however, so women should be screened at 50 despite feeling completely healthy otherwise. Remember, colon cancer is preventable and potentially treatable when caught early! Call your doctor today and schedule an appointment to discuss screening colonoscopy. Lindsey Bierle, D.O., is a Carilion Clinic resident in internal medicine. Following her father’s passing from colon cancer in 2017, Dr. Bierle has become a fearless advocate of raising awareness of colon cancer and the importance of colonoscopy screening for early detection of colon polyps before the development of colon cancer occurs. For more information about colon cancer and screening guidelines, contact your primary care doctor if you have questions or concerns.
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mind • body • soul
Mental Health Challenges at Work Resources for addressing workplace mental health challenges.
Every year, about 1 in 5 adults in the United States experiences a mental illness
and 1 in 25 lives with a serious mental illness that substantially interferes with or limits at least one major life activity. Mental illness is a top cause of worker disability in the U.S. and 62 percent of missed work days can be attributed to mental health conditions. A leader in employee benefits, Unum recently published the report, “Strong Minds at Work,” on the prevalence of mental health issues in today’s workplaces. The research revealed just 25 percent of managers in the U.S. have received training on how to refer employees to mental health resources and more than half of people are unsure how to help a colleague with a mental health issue. “The development, implementation and promotion of mental health strategies has become a top priority for many of today’s employers,” said Michelle Jackson, assistant vice president of market development at Unum. “Creating a workplace culture that promotes mental health resources and encourages employees to take advantage of them helps to destigmatize mental health issues and can lead to a happier, more productive workforce.” Some of the report’s findings include: • Fifty-five percent of employees said their employer did not have, or they were unsure if their employer had, a specific program, initiative or policy in place to address mental health. • Sixty-one percent of employees felt there’s a social stigma in the workplace toward colleagues with mental health issues; half of them felt the stigma has stayed the same or worsened in the past five years. • Among employees with a mental health issue, 42 percent went to work with suicidal feelings. “The fact that such a high percentage of employees have come to work feeling suicidal is troubling,” Jackson said. “While this is certainly a worst-case scenario and employers would hope issues would not progress to this level, it also emphasizes the need to ensure support and resources are understood and readily available in the workplace.” page 20
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The bulk of mental health resources are usually offered via an employer’s health care provider and can include medical care, an employee assistance program (EAP), counseling referrals and financial and legal counseling. However, employees often don’t fully understand the resources available to them. According to the Unum study, HR professionals said 93 percent of their employers offer an EAP, yet only 38 percent of employees were aware of this resource. More than half of HR professionals said they offer financial counseling, legal services and telemedicine services, but a fraction of employees said they were aware these services exist. “Employees should ask their HR department what mental health resources are available and be supportive of colleagues who may be struggling,” Jackson said. “Offering support to others and knowing where to direct them can not only save lives but also help create a more inclusive workplace environment.” To download a copy of the mental health report, visit unum.com/mentalhealth.
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Keep Cool on the Grill
Save Smarter
Four Tips for Thriving With Your Woman-Owned Business
Provided by MEMBER ONE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
It will come as no surprise to Bella readers that
women are a significant driver of entrepreneurship and independent business growth in the United States. Here are the stats to prove it: over the past two decades, the number of women-owned businesses has jumped 114 percent, with 39 percent of all U.S. businesses having majority women-ownership. (That’s according to the 2017 “State of Women-Owned Business Report,” commissioned by American Express.) But just because we ladies are crushing it, doesn’t mean it’s easy out there for a girl boss. Female business owners still face a unique set of challenges on their way toward success, so this month we’re talking about four powerful steps women in business can take.
Get the Funding Your Business is Worth
According to Experian.com, when women apply for business loans, they tend to apply for smaller amounts than men—possibly due to fear they will be denied. And indeed, investors statistically do tend to overlook and underfund women-led businesses. To help combat this inequity when it’s time for fundraising, be confident, know your business’s data backward and forward, and ask for what you know your business is worth—not what you might believe you “could” get. If you decide to apply for a business loan, work with the business services team at a credit union or community bank, one with an authentic interest in supporting local, independent business owners.
Find Your Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is elusive for any independent business owner, but women are often also handling increased family responsibilities. Remember that if you don’t take the time you need to reenergize, it will be harder to give your best to your business or your home life. Committing to healthy habits, delegating or outsourcing work where feasible, and following a consistent schedule are all good page 24
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tips for work-life balance, as is blocking off one “unbookable” catch-up day each week.
Get Certified as a Woman-Owned Business
This step is especially worthwhile if you plan on doing business with a local, state, or federal entity — though it can be positive for your brand image even if you don’t work with government agencies. As a certified womanowned business (WOB), you could have increased opportunities to work on government contracts. You can choose to self-certify your business or go through a third-party certifier. Learn more about either option at certify.SBA.gov.
Build Your Network
Much is often made of the generalization that women are more inherently relationship-focused than men. While we’re always cautious of generalizations, if this one is true then it’s a strength to play up! Building your network and making valuable connections is always good for business, especially when you can connect with fellow female business owners. Women helping to build each other — and their businesses — up are a force to be reckoned with. Even better if you connect with inspiring and successful businesswomen who may become your mentors. Article courtesy of
Join Member One here each month for more money-saving tips and financial advice! Be sure to visit their website, www.memberonefcu.com, for more info on their products and services. Member One Federal Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. w w w. l o v e l y b e l l a . c o m
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Young Writers Club
Hitting the Books at Va Literary Festivals Spotlight on NoVaTeen Book Festival
From what kind of mind is the idea of a “highlander scrunchie” born? Only from the minds of writers. This term budded and blossomed during a panel called Girls Run the World at the 2019 NoVaTeen Book Festival when four female authors discussed the importance of writing supportive rather than competitive female relationships. While there is no official definition yet, based on the panel I define “highlander scrunchie” as a term used to describe the cut-throat nature of high school in which girls will do anything to be the only one standing at the top of the popularity heap, as in there can be only one girl to place the epic, magical scrunchie in her hair (think: Highlander meets Heathers). Rewinding back a few hours, as I passed by the red-shirted volunteers scanning tickets for the NoVaTeen Book Festival, my expectations included a day spent listening to stories of inspiration, poetic discussions and thoughtful discourse on literature. I didn’t expect to witness the birth of terms like “highlander scrunchie” or laugh so much about irradiated water in the 1920s or the death scene in the movie Titanic. Perhaps one look at the abundance of rainbow-dyed hair and I should have known not to judge NovaTeen by the same standards as other book festivals. In its sixth year, the Northern Virginia-based event caters to a very specific audience—young adult books and the people who love them. With the sun warming the air to a pleasant 70 degrees for the first time in weeks, my steps developed an appropriate spring as I walked the halls of my former alma mater, a place much changed since I attended. But under a sleek modern makeover, the perfume of angst and awkwardness remained. Ah, the scent of high school. It is eternal and the perfect place for a book festival celebrating literature devoted to teens. While Virginia is no stranger to book festivals, only one devotes an entire day to the exploration and celebration of young adult literature. The festival featured both national and locally-based authors such as Lies We Tell Ourselves author Robin Talley who grew up in Roanoke, Virginia. Whether it is innate in young adult authors and readers or whether the overall atmosphere of the festival was simply more relaxed, there was an unpretentious and comfortable comradery in the air not always common to other literary festivals. Conversations bloomed easily in line for the food trucks posted in the parking lot or while waiting for the next session to begin. NoVaTeen was a safe space for all young adult literature readers, teens and adults alike. “The authors are from all different walks of life and I can relate to them on a spiritual level. Everybody understands you here. We’re all readers,” explained a 13-year-old girl at the festival. The ease extended to the panelists on stage. Between serious discussions, outbreaks of giggles erupted over under-seasoned tacos or how “Slytherin” it was to cheat on an online Harry Potter test to get Hufflepuff. This reminded me of watching a Saturday Night Live (SNL) skit where the actors couldn’t stop laughing. Like with SNL, the audience at NoVaTeen laughed along, too. Once off the stage, authors drifted into the crowds, chatting and engaging with attendees. w w w. l o v e l y b e l l a . c o m
Written by K.L. KRANES
“I think it’s [NoVaTeen] very lively and more personable because it’s not as big as other events. Authors are walking around and you can talk to them. They’re very down to earth. It’s lit!” explained Libby Tully, a teen who has attended the festival for the last three years with her mother. In fact, mother-daughter duos were common at NoVaTeen. I brought along my teenage daughter and fit right in with other adult-teen pairs who stopped by vendor tables to spin a wheel in hopes of a free book or descended on the book sale table. While author panels included levity, they also tackled more serious subjects such as the loneliness, frustration and anger many teens feel. Panels such as Lean on Me explored the complexities of teen friendships and the Revolution panel discussed how recent political turmoil influenced the author storylines or writing processes. The NoVaTeen Book Festival reflected the overarching complexity of teen literature, which must maintain a fine balance of emotional and intellectual exploration teens will find relatable while remembering not to take life too seriously. As a young adult writer myself, I’ve attended many festivals, all of which have their own unique and wonderful personalities. NoVaTeen’s personality celebrates what I think is the thread that weaves young adult literature readers, young and old, together—open minds, open hearts and a good dose of quirky humor. *For a list of suggested Virginia Book Festivals, visit www.lovelybella.com
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K.L. Kranes is a blogger and author of young adult novels. Her debut novel, The Travelers, was published in 2016 by Saguaro Books, LLC. See more from K.L. at www.klkranes.com/blog. |
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What We're Reading The Future is Feminist
What it means to be a feminist yesterday, today and tomorrow.
A star-studded roster of iconic women
write powerfully about what it means to be a feminist yesterday, today and tomorrow in The Future is Feminist. Refreshing, provocative, moving and hilarious, the book features a wide range of voices, including feminist of diverse eras, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations and religious backgrounds. These 21 poets, essayists, activists, actors and professors address topics ranging from financial independence to resting bitch face, from workplace harassment to online trolls. Here readers will find Caitlin Moran describing the “12 Things About Being a Woman that Women Won’t Tell You”; Sophia Jawed-Wessel on “The Lies We Tell Pregnant Women”; Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on why feminism must not be exclusive; Roxanne Gay on why we expect women characters to be ‘likeable’; Naomi Alderman on building a truly feminist society; and many more contemporary voices alongside such classic feminist writers as Sojourner Truth and Mary Wollstonecraft. The diverse points of view in The Future is Feminist are sure to spark conversation about what feminism means and what a feminist future could look like. They are brought together in this beautiful, vibrantly designed book that you will cherish, give as a gift, and return to for inspiration. page 28
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Regional
events
happenings
to put on your social
calendar!
Spring Happenings
Opera Roanoke closes its 43rd season with a new production of Rossini’s ever-popular romantic comedy, The Barber of Seville. Join Opera Roanoke on May 9 and 10 at 7:30, or on May 12 at 3pm at Mill Mountain Theatre. Named after that famous singing barber, factotum, and matchmaker Figaro, the heart of Rossini’s sparkling opera beats around his heroine, Rosina. This fully staged production will feature several Opera Roanoke debuts, including Stephanie Foley Davis in the role of Rosina and Alex DeSocio as Figaro, led by the dream team of conductor Steven White and stage director Scott Williamson. Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend with Opera Roanoke and Rossini! (Event is family friendly with subtitles.) www.operaroanoke.org
Movies at Longwood Park
Join the Salem Parks and Recreation for their family-fun tradition of Movies in the Park as it kicks off their 2019 season on May 18 with a showing of A Dog’s Purpose. This special event will take place at Salem Red Sox field (dogs are welcome for this showing!). There will be a dog adoption event taking place during the movie free treats will be given to all the furry friends! Movie will start at dusk. (Please note: other movies during the season will take place at Longwood Park. Dogs are only allowed at the May 18 event.) www.salemva.gov
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Our monthly Happenings feature is sponsored by RIDE Solutions. They provide alternative transportation options – ridesharing (carpooling and vanpooling), biking, public transit, walking, and guaranteed ride home services – to residents living within the greater New River and Roanoke Valleys and Region 2000 regions of southwestern Virginia. www.ridesolutions.org w w w. l o v e l y b e l l a . c o m