Bella Magazine - September 2018 by Bella Magazine

YEARS 2006-2018

september 2018

G E T C R E AT I V E SAV E S M A R T E R MIND•BODY•SOUL

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Issu e On e Hu n d re d For ty- S eve n

YEARS 2006-2018

Joey Coakley Beck Publisher & Owner jbeck@beckmediagroup.com •••

editorial

For editorial consideration: editorial@beckmediagroup.com

inside

Contributors: Dr. Ally Bowersock, Faith Jones, K.L. Kranes, Member One Federal Credit Union, Sarah Raines, Hayleigh Worgan Editorial Intern: Cassandra Kuhn, University of Florida •••

advertising With over 12 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) 904-6800 or email advertise@beckmediagroup.com Shannon Peters Advertising Sales Representative shannon@beckmediagroup.com

September 2018

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bella style

Lusso Boutique in Roanoke is carrying an exclusive line of handcrafted clothing and accessories that are making a big difference in the lives of women around the world. Read about ABLE.

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bella finds

For the perfect night in—or the perfect night of discovering your hidden talents—Ladies Drawing Night is a great new book from a group of creative women!

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local women

Writer Sarah Raines spotlights Dr. Melanie Almeder of Roanoke College and her writing workshop initiatives taking place here and in Florida!

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mind • body • soul

NEW THIS MONTH: Enjoy Dr. Ally Bowersock’s new column and ‘learn to love fitness!” Also in this section we highlight getting outside your comfort zone and how you’re never too old (or young, for that matter) to take part in activities.

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bella sips

FINALLY a home craft brew source focusing on women... Meet Southern Hills Homebrew Supply!

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save smarter

Member One Federal Credit Union’s column doesn’t dissappoint this month: How to maintain your family’s finances now and well into the future.

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virginia made

•••

operations

For general inquiries: bella@beckmediagroup.com Sara Coakley Office Manager

This month, Hill City Handmade of Lynchburg features Marion Hedgepeth and her company, Guy Piper Handmade! You will love her tounge-in-cheek mugs, totes and other accessories. Check them out!

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bella eats

We’ve found THE BEST book for creating bulk freezer meals and the recipes are actually very good! Check out this month’s feature cookbook, Seriously Good Freezer Meals by Karrie Truman. (We’ve even included one of her recipes!)

pages 26-27 LLC

P.O. Box 107 Roanoke, Virginia 24002 540.904.6800 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. ©2006-2018 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

young female writers club K.L. Kranes shares the tumultuous life of young writer Kenya Vazquez-Alvarado.

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happenings

As summer winds down, check out these great local events to get outside and enjoy all the community has to offer!

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profile

This month meet Fain and Kyle of Cedar Rush Farm, two firstgeneration farmers in Craig County. september 2018

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bella style

AccountABLE

Fashion

One fashion and accessory company is making a worldwide difference for women

Written by Cassandra Kuhn

Crafted while on a mission trip in Ethiopia, Barrett Ward envisioned a company that strove to end the ongoing issue of poverty and prostitution in third world countries. ABLE was born with the purpose to empower women by employing them in their production centers and giving them a safe environment where they can focus on living a simple lifestyle and give them the dignity to overcome their adverse circumstances. From fashionable leather handbags and wallets to elegant handmade jewelry pieces and clothing, ABLE offers an array of stylish items to spice up your Fall wardrobe. And each item made by ABLE is named after one of the women they work with and is handcrafted in Ethiopia, Mexico, Peru, or their home base located in Nashville, Tennessee. Aside from the stylish products, ABLE is committed to providing a safe work environment for every woman, free from harsh labor and unfair treatment. Their “AccountABLE Initiative” allows them to provide liveable wages, refined safety and equal opportunities for all employees to customers in order to ensure their mission and safe policies. ABLE also works to defeat the stigma of relying on a charity and give women incentives for working and help build their confidence. For more information on their initiative, visit their website www.livefashionable.com. Luckily for us, Lusso on Franklin Road (at Piccadilly Square) in Roanoke exclusively carries the coveted ABLE line of clothing and accessories!! Stop by and check out these gorgeous pieces firsthand. You will fall in love with their handcrafted, extremely well-made items and as an added bonus, you know you’re doing good for women of the world.

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bella finds Ladies

Drawing Night by Julia Rothman, Leah Goren, and Rachael Cole with photos by Kate Edwards

Do you like drawing? Or painting? What about hanging out with your best friends for a relaxing night? Then try a drawing night! Ladies Drawing Night is based off a night that Julia Rothman, Leah Goren, and Rachael Cole had gotten together with their friends to have a drawing night. They talk about their works and what they like in terms of drawing style. And from there they started a movement! Women across the country would come together and follow their lead. Now they’ve created this new, gorgeous book! See how they do it and what they use. Meet the women of drawing night and see how they draw fashion and patterns and making time to draw. Regardless of your drawing ability, with Ladies Drawing Night you too can join the party. Get your friends together and host your own ‘ladies drawing night’ for yourselves! Snap pictures of you and your friends having fun and share them to Instagram with #ladiesdrawingnight. Find in your favorite book shop.

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local women

Photo by Megan Cole

Sarah Raines is a local of Salem, Virginia majoring in Creative Writing as well as minoring in Psychology and Literary Studies at Roanoke College. Sarah currently holds the position of Content Editor of Roanoke Review. And when she isn’t cuddling her pup, she’s most likely typing away at her next poem, story, or nonfiction piece. page 10

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Written by Sarah Raines

Using Writing Workshops to Make a Difference Say, “hello” to Dr. Melanie Almeder, the John P. Fishwick Professor of English at Roanoke College. Outside of undergraduate teaching, one of the ways that Dr. Almeder makes a difference is by leading writing workshops in the Roanoke Valley as well as in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Dr. Almeder has spent time using writing workshops to help women struggling with drug addiction in Roanoke. At various points between 2006 and 2010, she visited Bethany Hall to aid women in producing “fiction, memoir, and poetry based off a series of prompts.” Further reflecting, Almeder lovingly notes that some of the females produced “good mythologies of themselves” in addition to stating that her efforts resulted in those involved in the workshops dubbing “their writing group, ‘Cat Got Climbing Gear.’” Dr. Almeder, with the help of her students, has also devoted herself to preparing for and heading workshops for homeless individuals at Trust House in Roanoke. In Spring 2016, she requested students enrolled in her Senior Seminar in Creative Writing course to suggest written works as well as writer websites and devise writing prompts for those at Trust House. Through Roanoke College’s Pathways Program, Almeder says herself and her students possessed the means “to order books for the clients and to give each client who participated in our workshops their own set of journals.” When it came to actually carrying out the workshops, she and students Stephanie Spector and Hannah Bridges lead the gatherings. Most recently, Dr. Almeder carried out a writing workshop for the O, Miami Poetry Festival in Miami Dade County, Florida, this past April. The event itself was called This Living, This Dreaming, This Singing: A Poetry Workshop and took place at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. She chose poems that “would help people feel encouraged” and supported. Once everyone had read the poems, Almeder notes proposing several writing exercises so that patients, doctors, and staff could create poems of their own. When reflecting on the writing that occurs at events, Melanie says, “Every individual human being…has language, has experience…and has a song to sing that deserves to be heard.” And that’s what she is showing those who have and will participate in her writing workshops. You do matter. I matter. The man standing next in line matters. What are we waiting for? It’s time to introduce our voices to the world. |

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Take me to

2 Piccadilly A shopping destination of women-owned boutiques featuring designer clothing and accessories to exclusive home décor and professional interior design services. Everything is at Piccadilly Square!

Meet Elaine & Seely Stephenson Written by Cassandra Kuhn

Plenty of little girls want to be designers when they grow up. Seely Stephenson is one of the lucky, hard-working few who has made it actually happen—and in partnership with her talented and well-known mother to boot! Seely grew up in South Roanoke with mom, Elaine Stephenson, who is one of the original—and certainly one of the most well-respected—interior designers in Roanoke. Since opening her own firm in 1996, Elaine Stephenson has brought a touch of timelessness and innovation to the Roanoke Valley with her unique ability to turn a dream home into a reality. She offers a wide range of interior design services for every aspect of your home or business and is ASID and CID certified to provide professional services. Her team provides a detailed presentation of space planning with the guarantee of creating sophistication and livability in the client’s project. She works with every client to ensure their thoughts are put into a cohesive plan that suits their needs and interprets the taste and lifestyle of the client before making her selections. Elaine’s style combines traditional Southern charm with a lively and chic atmosphere, and she has a countless variety of fabric, wallpaper, and paint swatches for every in between displayed throughout the office. We love that Elaine’s firm has a welcoming atmosphere and feels like home as soon as you walk in. Her clients are very important to her, and the connections made go beyond interior design! Fast forward to 2018, and this month Seely begins work with her mom’s firm and helps the group expand their reach from Roanoke into the Carolinas and based in their North Carolina office. “I opened my business over 20 years ago in Roanoke, here at Piccadilly Square on Franklin Road, and have watched the city grow and change, for the better in many ways,” says Elaine, “Lately, clients ask us to help them design new spaces at the beach or maybe renovate a mountain home. Seely will be able to help us manage work in these outlying areas.” Like any great design firm, Elaine Stephenson Interiors boasts repeat, happy clients and a stellar reputation for figuring out how to create functional spaces not only work but also look gorgeous. “I’ve heard people say they can’t afford a designer,” says Seely, “but a good designer figures out a client’s functional needs for a space first, and then makes it aesthetically pleasing—while helping make good Cassandra a sophomore at the University of Florida choices that prevent costlyismistakes.” Preventing mistakes andstudying saving money during a new build or house Journalism.dream She enjoys hiking, kayaking, and listening to all kindsInteriors seems poised to continue to remodel is a homeowner’s come true. And Elaine Stephenson of music. Being from Roanoke, she enjoys coming home to the make their clients’mountains dreams and come true in our Valley for years to come…especially with the addigoing to her favorite local and shopsbeyond and eateries. tion of their newest team member! If you find yourself in the area, stop by her office to meet her friendly staff and see how Elaine can turn your space into your dream!

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3107-3117 Franklin Road • South Roanoke

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mind•body•soul

YEARS 2006-2018

Learning to

Love Fitness First Steps Toward Life-long Wellness

Written by Dr. Ally Bowersock

We’ve all heard the stories: unsuccessful, frustrating, tasteless diet attemps, hiring a personal trainer to lose weight in your wallet and not your waistline, joining a fad gym and never using the membership. You have the best intentions of improving your health, but these vicious cycles lead to dead-end results. Why bother when you might as well beat your head against a wall and at least save some money? The key to sustained wellness success is finding joy in what you do. It doesn’t matter what “it” is, whether it be hiking, walking, swimming, Ju Jitsu, Crossfit, whatever! The next few months of articles will be dedicated to telling the stories of real local runners who found joy in running through finding their way through depression, addiction, sometimes both, sometimes as a result of seeking to find a new version of themselves. The beauty of these stories is that they are all related, no matter what brought them to running. They have found a support system through running, even though they may run or walk different paces and different routes, the activity and sense of community brings them together in friendship and fitness. The first story is that of Stephen LaFontaine, a former smoker turned half-marathon finisher. Stephen was smoking a pack to a pack-and-a-half every day and cycled between quitting smoking and gaining weight several times before he gave up smoking for good and found running as his new “healthy addiction”. After taking up walking while dealing with life without nicotine, Stephen was sometimes walking as long as 1.5-2 hours every day just to curb the cravings. While these habits were keeping the smoking cravings away, he felt as though he should be making more improvements in his bodyweight and his overall fitness. So began Stephen’s journey into running for life. He sought camaraderie in a running group to get started. “I never saw myself as a Stephen BEFORE runner…but I wasn’t seeing results in walking so much. I heard about the free training groups through Runabout Sports Roanoke and got involved with the pub runs.” Being surrounded by people who are encouraging, who promoted positive healthy lifestyles and enthusiastic about being physically active, Stephen said, were a powerful motivator for him. Since July 2017 when he joined “Team Runabout”, Stephen has lost over 53 pounds and gone from a 12:30/mile for three miles to a 8:43-mile in the same distance. “You don’t have to be the fastest, it’s about challenging yourself to be more active and fit”, he recommends. Stephen’s successes are a testament to the power of community and support when making a lifestyle change. It’s difficult doing something new and different, but it is at least fun and motivating when you have a network of people working toward similar goals and cheering for you alongside Article courtesy of you in the journey. By finding fun in a fitness community, you don’t have to feel lonely or without purpose in making these changes for lifelong health. RunAbout Sports has a mission to support the local fitness community in the Roanoke Valley. They carry a wide variety of shoes, apparel, hydration gear, and nutrition products to meet all of your fitness needs. www.runaboutroanoke.com w w w. l o v e l y b e l l a . c o m

Dr. Ally Bowersock is co-owner and director of programming at Runabout Sports Roanoke. She is also an assistant professor of Exercise Physiology in the Department of Basic Sciences at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Ally is also a passionate advocate for more recess for children in the Roanoke Valley! When she's not working out, coaching, or teaching, Ally enjoys playing outside with her husband, Tyler, their two children, TJ and Rory, and their dog, Rocco. september 2018

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mind•body•soul

YEARS 2006-2018

Outside Your

Comfort Zone Childish

I study the little orbs of water resting on the hairs of my forearm and then my mind drifts to the skips of droplets tickling the leaves around the pull deck. I’ve walked outside to clear my head, to stop myself from being overwhelmed from another round of résumé prepping, cover letter writing, and the numerous “what if ” potentials of the future. It’s been raining for about twenty minutes and all I want is to dive into the chilled depths of the chlorine water before me. I haven’t swam in the rain since I was seven or eight and it just seems so plain childish… doesn’t it? My paint-chipped toes continue to awaken the circles of water on the pavement as I keep telling myself I need fresh air. I’ve been out here long enough for the droplets to bring out the scent of my shampoo while turning my curls into an Einstein-inspired blob. Soon, it stops raining and I head inside. I’m sitting on the couch in front of my computer when raindrops hit the skylight again. No, I need to focus. Then, I catch sight of the pool. My waist shivers at the water embracing it. I pull the goggles over my eyes and look up to droplets hitting the outside frames. Seconds later, air bubbles form in front of my face and I flip over to see the circles made by the rain silently smoothing onto the water’s surface above. I smile. Yeah, this is childish.

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Written by Sarah Raines

I have tried to do things that me uncomfortable lately. But I hadn’t realized until a month ago that some activities I did in my youth have become ones outside of my comfort zone. At twenty one, “adulting” is new to me and jumping into the pool on a rainy day just seemed like taking a step backwards. It felt random and silly. Nevertheless, it was taking a step forwards because I had to accept one youthful side of myself still being present years later. So, you know those things you miss doing? Do them. |

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Engage at

Every Age

You are never too old (or young) to take part in activities that enrich your physical, mental and emotional well-being. No matter your age, there is no better time than now to start. To help do just that, consider these tips from the Administration for Community Living:

Be Well

• If you don’t usually exercise, choose a low-impact activity

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that you can do a little at a time. Walk for 10 minutes in the morning, sign up for a tai chi class or learn gentle stretches, for example. Remember, it is wise to consult a health care provider before beginning an exercise routine. Exercising is less of a chore when you do it with people you enjoy. Gather a group of friends or join a class. Some senior and community centers even offer free or low-cost options. Good nutrition is vital. Keep an honest record of what you eat. If you have a condition like diabetes, consult your doctor before changing your diet. Nutritionists can be excellent resources, whether you have special dietary needs or not. Eating healthy foods and staying active may reduce physical health risks, and you also can exercise your mind by reading, playing games, taking a class or simply being social.

Reinvent Yourself

• Second or even third careers can be personally and

• •

financially rewarding. Determine whether you have the skills needed for something new. If not, seek out classes or training, and remember to ask whether financial assistance is available. Express yourself through the arts. Learn to paint or draw, dust off those dancing shoes, take an acting class or finally write that novel. As a bonus, studies show the arts can improve brain health. Keep expanding your knowledge and growing by learning a new language or taking a computer class. Or, if you’re more an adventurous type, maybe you’ve always wanted to travel and discover other cultures.

Give Back

• Consider using your experience to serve others. Volunteers

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meet a range of community needs, from mentoring atrisk youth and providing job training to helping families recover from disasters. Find opportunities by visiting local organizations or charities. Pick and schedule service activities that match your skills and interests. If you are handy, assisting with a nonprofit housing organization may be most rewarding. If you enjoy working with kids, contact a local school to talk about ways you can help. If you want to help others more informally, consider helpful tasks like driving neighbors to appointments, babysitting for working parents or tutoring kids in your neighborhood. If you are a member of a spiritual community or club, ask if there are outreach programs that need assistance.

Increasing your well-being—physically, mentally and emotionally—can be made simpler by finding activities that fit your personality and interests. Visit oam.acl.gov to find more information and resources to engage at every age. w w w. l o v e l y b e l l a . c o m

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bella sips Women Craft Beer Lovers UNITE!

We know your frustration. You love beer just like all your ‘man friends’ do. BUT the local breweries popping up left and right (and even national companies) just don’t cater to women... it’s a ‘man’s world’ (insert eye roll here). Well, Southern Hills Homebrew Supply in Roanoke is doing something about that! Opened in 2015, Southern Hills had the idea of providing the Roanoke Valley with everything you need to make home brew, ciders and wine. Located in a rustic log cabin just a mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway on Franklin Road, their goal is to bring you the best equipment, freshest brewing ingredients, informative classes and widest selection in Southwest Virginia. And they do deliver! With their newly opened addition, owner Robb Burden plans to hold classes to teach you how to brew craft beer, cider and wine at home. His first class will take place on Thursday, September 20 with Laura Barton leading their monthly Women’s Brew Night. You’ll learn everything you need to know to make your own one gallon batch of craft beer. (Look for additional classes as Southern Hills Homebrew Supply expands their class line up - Intro to Beer Making and Intro to Wine Making, as well as advanced classes for the more experienced brewer.) So even if you’re just a little bit curious about the craft brew world, or are a seasoned expert, stop by and see Robb and his team at Southern Hills. You’ll be totally welcomed there. For more information visit www.southernhillshomebrew.com where you can find info about all their supplies and upcoming workshops and classes.

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t s e W e g a l l Vi

The Shoppes at

SHOPPING DINING SERVICES

Located less than 1.5 miles from I-581 on Electric Road in Roanoke County

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save smarter Presented by Member One Federal Credit Union

Financial Tips for Growing Families How to maintain your family’s finances now & well into the future.

Whether you have a new baby on the way or already have children in your household, being financially stable should be a top priority. As vacation season winds down and the school routine ramps up, it’s a perfect time to reexamine your family’s financial situation to ensure you’re on track. We’re here to offer tips for setting your family up for success now and into the years ahead. Ensure your household finances are stable.

While it can be tough to determine what to make a financial priority, there are a few things that should always remain at the top of your list. These include meeting your basic needs like food and electricity, paying down debts, setting aside an emergency fund, and saving for the future. Maintaining a household budget is key to ensuring that you live within your means to meet these financial goals. If you’re finding it difficult to pay your housing costs or set aside savings, take a hard look at your budget to identify areas to cut down on expenses.

Take steps to protect your children financially.

There are several ways to do this, but some options include investing in life insurance and establishing a will. Life insurance serves as a financial safety net for your dependents in case something happens to you or your spouse. A will ensures that the distribution of your assets and how your children are cared for after you’re gone are followed according to your wishes. While these investments in your future won’t yield a return right away, they’ll provide peace of mind and make certain that what’s most important to you is taken care of.

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Save for your child’s future. It can be a daunting task figuring out how much you should save, especially when you add children to the equation. A good starting point is to decide what you’re saving for. For children, a popular long-term savings goal is higher education or even a wedding, but you may also want to consider short-term goals such as summer camps, family trips, or educational tools. All savings goals should be worked into your family budget to help determine what you can truly afford. To reach the long-term savings goals, look into education savings accounts, 529 plans, or even a Roth IRA. It’s important to research your options as each has specific criteria for contributing and unique benefits. Since there’s no best way to save for your child’s future, you may want to consult a financial advisor. As with any savings plan, the earlier you start the better. Making sure your household is financially solid is one of the best ways to set your family up for success. It can be a difficult adjustment—in several ways—when a little one joins your clan. But following these tips could help guide you and your expanding family on the path to financial success. 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. september 2018

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Meet Marion Hedgepeth of

Written by Faith Jones of Hill City Handmade

Guy Piper Handmade

Bell 20%a Read e Sep OFF d rs get t w/ urin cod g e:

BEL

LA2

Every day our social media feeds and timelines are full of hilarious memes. Most of the time they’re attached to instant thoughts of “that’s so me!” or a flash of a friend’s face who fits the description to a tee. “The mind of a creative person is like a web browser that has 2,857 tabs open all the time.” One would be hard pressed to find a maker who would debate this popular quote to be untrue. Marion Hedgepeth is one who agrees wholeheartedly. Marion’s maker journey began at the age of ten years old when she learned to knit. During her senior year in college, she opened her first handmade shop on Etsy. As with all things after college, life happens. A full-time job and being a full-time wife and mother took priority until 2015. Things began to change as she and her husband moved to Richmond from Lynchburg and she became a stay-at-home mom. Marion knew that this was her chance to begin rebranding her knitting business into Guy Piper (Handmade + Vintage). Inspired by the middle names of her daughters, Rebecca and Olive, Guy Piper has taken off in the last three years. Marion’s one stop shop for clever mugs and handmade accessories (including tote bags), speak to customers through pop culture and current events. If you’re a fan of those quirky ladies of the Golden Girls, you’re sure to find that quote from Sophia, Rose or Blanche on a mug. Yes, the one you wouldn’t dare say aloud. The handsewn tote bags of Guy Piper provide inspirational quotes on the outside and bold patterns that reflect her love of fabrics on the inside. A recently renovated sunroom in the Hedgepeth home serves as her studio and workspace. Yet another creative DIY Marion took on herself. As if she doesn’t have enough on her plate with one successful business, this maker is also the co-owner of Merry Bee Photobooth Co. “I have always described myself as a ‘restless creator’—meaning I’m always moving from one project to the next. I’m not quite happy if I’m not working on something.” Though it’s often tough to juggle homeschooling, running a store, photo booths and being a mommy, the future looks bright. Marion envisions Guy Piper expanding beyond her online shop and local craft markets and into retail stores. Aside from working creatively, Marion enjoys her garden and hanging with her peeps. That would be peeps as in the four chickens she calls her BFFs. The surprises from this maker don’t end there. One of her life goals is to have a pet dwarf caiman someday to feed her crocodile/alligator obsession. That someday depends on a change of heart from her husband, which does not look promising in the near future. For now, Marion is content spending time with her family and snuggling with her peeps as often as possible. www.guypiper.etsy.com /guypiperhandmade

@guy_piper

Faith Jones is a local entrepreneur, creative, and believer. Her businesses include Faith Inspired and The Hill City Handmade. Faith has a degree in Art and Photography and is a former high school art and culinary teacher. She enjoys spending time with her family and travelling. Faith’s motto is, “Paris is always a good idea.” page 22

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bella eats Seriously Good Freezer Meals

Growing up in a large family, Karrie Truman has always been keen to find ways to cut costs and, more importantly, time. She lives her dream of spending time with her family while getting into all sorts of trouble and living life to the fullest. You know, doing crazy things like making 50 freezer meals in a day, raising chickens, learning to make things the old-fashioned way, and dancing to 80s music while cleaning her house. Today she is a urban homesteader wanna-be, runs the blog Happymoneysaver.com and has a new book out, Seriously Good Freezer Meals for other “wanna-be” homesteaders! Thus the title. These aren’t your bland and boring quick and tasteless freezer meals. Karrie tested and played with spices and flavors to get these meals tasting oh so good. She used hardly any processed foods too. You get way better flavors from cooking things from scratch and using her flavorful base recipes. Want to make 2, 3 or even 5 of one recipe all at once? Well, she’s done the math for you on the bulk ingredients so you can bulk cook to create many meals at once for later. The book provides an all-encompassing look at cooking freezer meals: getting organized, making lists, shopping strategies, nutritional information, making a lot of freezer meals in one day, freezer organization, freezer meal swaps, thawing and more. It also offers a mini starter program for beginners, an intermediate program and, for more advanced cooks, a guide to making 50 freezer meals in a day. Yep, you read that right: 50 meals in a day! Check out this book full of 150 easy recipes to save your time, money and sanity. Seriously! For more details check out her blog. You can find this book at your favorite bookshop or online. page 24

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from the book: Coconut Cashew Basil Curry Soup

One of my most requested recipes from family and friends is this coconut cashew curry soup. You will love the rich taste, deep flavors and crunch of the salty cashews. Makes 6 servings 2 lbs (1 kg) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced 1/2 tsp (2 mL) garlic salt 2 tbsp (30 mL) vegetable oil 1 onion, quartered 1 tbsp (15 mL) minced garlic 1 tsp (5 mL) minced or grated fresh ginger 1/2 jalapeño pepper 2 cans (each 14 oz/398 mL) coconut milk 2 cups (500 mL) chicken broth or Homemade Chicken Stock (page 349) 2 tbsp (30 mL) curry powder 1 tsp (5 mL) salt 1/4 tsp (1 mL) freshly ground black pepper 11/2 tsp (7 mL) dried basil 1/2 cup (125 mL) salted roasted cashews Garnishes Chopped fresh cilantro (optional) Small fresh basil leaves (optional) Sliced jalapeño pepper (optional) 1. Sprinkle chicken with garlic salt. In a large wok or skillet over high heat, heat vegetable oil until smoking. Working in batches, add chicken and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until no longer pink inside and slightly crispy on one or two edges. Using a slotted spoon, transfer chicken to a bowl and set aside. 2. In a blender or food processor, combine onion, garlic, ginger and jalapeño; blend on High until smooth. Add coconut milk, chicken broth, curry powder, salt and pepper; blend until smooth. __________________________________________

Make It Now In a large saucepan, combine chicken and any accumulated juices, coconut milk mixture and dried basil. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Immediately reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes to deepen flavors. Remove from heat. Ladle into bowls and top with cashews, plus cilantro, fresh basil and jalapeño, if using. __________________________________________

Make It a Freezer Meal Let chicken cool completely. Pour

chicken, coconut milk mixture and dried basil into a labeled gallon-size (4 L) freezer bag. Seal, removing as much air as possible, and freeze. Place cashews in a quart-size (1 L) freezer bag and seal. Place both bags in another gallon bag and seal together. __________________________________________

Thaw and Cook Place soup in refrigerator for at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours to thaw, or run lukewarm water over bag until you can break soup apart. Pour bag contents into a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Immediately reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes to deepen flavors. Remove from heat. Ladle into bowls and top with cashews, plus cilantro, fresh basil and jalapeño, if using.

Recipe & Image courtesy of Seriously Good Freezer Meals: 150 Easy Recipes to Save Your Time, Money & Sanity by Karrie Truman © 2017 www.robertrose.ca Available where books are sold. w w w. l o v e l y b e l l a . c o m

Photo by Charity Burggraaf

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september 2018

bella magazine

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young female writers club *

Monthly feature of regional young women making their way in the world and making a difference along the way!

Never Give Up

“I hate people feeling sorry for me,” Kenya Vazquez-Alvarado says on a sunny spring afternoon. Her voice is steady and controlled. The same way it is as she relates each detail of her tumultuous life. I don’t feel sorry for Kenya. I feel pressure. Pressure to get her story right and represent her honestly because it’s important. She is important. I’ve interviewed many talented young female writers and found they all have one specific thing in common. Writing is their outlet. It’s how they cope with and make sense of the world. Kenya shares this with them. “I usually don’t talk about my feelings at all and writing is the only way I can pour out my feelings and emotions,” Kenya explains. Kenya may share this trait with other young writers, but her Written by K.L. Kranes personal story isn’t typical. She didn’t grow up in a safe, stable environment encouraged to write by teachers and family from a young age. Kenya found her talent for writing by way of a long and difficult journey. Originally from California, Kenya spent the early years of her life moving around. As a single parent with six children, Kenya’s mother struggled. Eventually, she decided to move her family across the country to Virginia, not realizing at the time the chain of events she would put into motion. It was during a trip back to California that their family secret was discovered. Kenya’s mother wasn’t a legal US resident. After that, it all happened swiftly. Kenya’s siblings were removed from her mother’s custody and placed in foster care. Kenya, who happened to already be in California visiting family at the time, waited helplessly across the country for news. When it came, it wasn’t good. Kenya’s mother was deported. Kenya was only 10-years-old. Kenya remained with her aunt and uncle, who managed to bring the rest of her siblings to live with them in California. It wasn’t easy, but they were together and safe, for the time being. When Kenya was in 6th grade, just one year after her mother was ripped away from their family, Kenya’s older brother, Joey, received a devastating diagnosis. He had leukemia. After a twoyear battle with cancer, Joey passed away. He was 18 years old. Kenya’s mother never got to say YEARS goodbye. 2006-2018 “Going through that, having my brother pass away and not having my mom there was difficult,” Kenya admits.

The Tumultuous Life of Kenya Vazquez-Alvarado

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Just barely in her teens, Kenya found herself in the role of the caretaker for her two younger siblings. Her older sisters had gone away to college in Virginia. “We were three and my aunt had six kids,” Kenya explains regarding the crowded living situation. “This just happened and I’m by myself taking care of my little brothers. It was difficult because I had sports and school.” Throughout this time, Kenya never thought to pick up a pen and write. Instead, she focused on her day-to-day responsibilities. Outwardly, Kenya appeared strong. Inwardly, she battled with depression. “I’m the type of person who doesn’t like to show my feelings,” Kenya explains. But under the surface, her feelings of anger and emptiness grew, weighing her down with their burden. “So I went to a counselor sophomore year,” Kenya says. “She said I needed to try writing.” Kenya decided it “wouldn’t hurt.” So she began to put her thoughts down on paper. She showed her writing to her counselor who encouraged her to keep going. “It kept making me feel better,” Kenya says. “I wouldn’t feel so angry all the time.” Then came an opportunity. Kenya’s older sister asked Kenya to come live with her in Virginia. Kenya decided it was time to return to the east coast. Now a junior, Kenya had to start over again at a new high school in Falls Church, VA, one with a more rigorous curriculum than she’d ever experienced before. “It was difficult at first. I thought that everyone was smarter than me because I didn’t get the same education,” Kenya explains. But, Kenya didn’t give up. With the help of the teachers and administrators at George C. Marshall High School, she quickly caught up to and surpassed many of her fellow students academically. Several teachers noticed Kenya’s talent for writing poems and quotes and encouraged her to write more. “My inspiration for my quotes are just things about life and what I’ve been through and how life has taught me so much,” Kenya explains. After graduating from high school, Kenya received the Luke McGuire scholarship and currently attends Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. However, she has no plans to study writing. “Writing is a big part of me, but I don’t think I want to pursue it,” she explains. Instead, Kenya’s wants to focus on criminal justice and hopes one day to join the FBI. “I grew up without a mother. I grew up seeing violence,” Kenya says. “It’s hard. You don’t want to end up in the streets. You don’t want to say one of your family members is dead. Growing up like that made me want to help people. I want to make sure people are safe.” At the end of our interview, I ask Kenya what advice she would give other young women who might be struggling. She pauses thoughtfully for a moment and then says, “Don’t ever give up no matter hard things get. At the end of the day, work hard and focus on your dreams. It will get better.” No, I don’t feel sorry for Kenya. I feel grateful that she let me into her life. I feel proud to have been able to write about her story of how writing helped her so that now, she can help others. 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. w w w. l o v e l y b e l l a . c o m

september 2018

bella magazine

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September Happenings Move over Summer, Fall is coming!

YEARS