Womens Hart 2014

May 2014

W

omen

• Crafts • Fashion • Food • Health • Home • Life

INSIDE: 0 Carolina Cawthon 0 Hala Moddelmog 0 Ilka McConnell 0 Boot Camp 0 Skin Care Tips 0 Recipes

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MAY 2014 WOMEN

Spend Mother’s Day with Mother Nature Good memories are usually the best gift of all. Mother’s Day is May 11, so why not spend the day with Mom while enjoying Mother Nature? Georgia’s State Parks provide plenty of places where families can enjoy being together, soaking up springtime scenery. Below are ideas for a Mother’s Day that will make moms and grandmas smile for months to come.

1) Take a Wildlife Walk: Birds, blooms and butterflies are sure to make Mom happy when you sign up for a guided nature hike. On Saturday, May 10, Tugaloo State Park is hosting a bird walk and Panola Mountain State Park will lead a moonlit hike to the mountain.

2) Picnic in the Park: Give Mom a day off from cooking by packing a picnic basket with her favorite goodies. All of Georgia’s State Parks have picnic tables with beautiful views of forests, lakes or mountains. Large families can reserve open-air shelters or enclosed group shelters with barbecue grills. Find a picnic spot near you at www.GeorgiaStateParks. org/map.

3) Brunch with a View: If restaurants are more Mom’s style, visit a state park lodge where diners are treated to bountiful meals. Afterward, you can walk off that banana pudding with a walk in the woods. Dining rooms are found at Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, and Unicoi State Park in Helen.

4) Go “Glamping”: Moms who enjoy camping will love being treated to “glamour camping.” Several Georgia State Parks offer yurts – a cross between a tent and a cabin – for just $70 to $80 per night. New yurts at Tugaloo State Park have beautiful views of Lake Hartwell.

5) Gift Cards & Passes: If you can’t resist wrapping something, consider a gift card, annual pass or membership to Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites. Annual passes provide free parking or historic site admission, and Friends membership provides an Annual ParkPass and variety of discounts.

Georgia has more than 60 State Parks and Historic Sites, offering overnight accommodations, museums and a wide range of outdoor recreation. Smaller children can burn off energy on playgrounds and with pedal boats, while older kids can enjoy geocaching, mini-golf and disc golf. Families can also enjoy fishing, boat rental, swimming, biking and many other activities.

To learn more, visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org or call 1-800-864-7275.

W

omen Vol. III, No. I

inside

May 2014

Beauty

18 Skin Care Tips: When in cancer treatment

Food

17 Easy meals made in muffin pans

Health

5 Join HealthierHart today 15 Obesity during pregnancy - A growing problem

16 Boot Camp: Women push their limit, find their strengths

Life

4 Poll Question: What is something you do like your mother?

6 The Journey of Carolina Cawthon: Living Life with No Regrets!

19 Fun ways to be a fit family 11 Hala Gaines Moddelmog 12 Working Together Home 20 Enjoy a Successful Ladies Night Out 21 Plants that purify the air WOMEN is produced and developed by The Hartwell Sun 706-376-8025 Fax 706-376-3016 hartwellsun@hartcom.net www.thehartwellsun.com Robert Rider, Publisher

Mark Hynds, Editor Lauren Peeples, Staff Writer Lake Morris, Staff Writer Christine Blomberg, Advertising Sales Carole Byrum, Advertising Sales Larry Dodgens, Advertising Sales Peggy Vickery, General Manager Vickie Baskins, Design MAY 2014 WOMEN

3

The Hartwell Sun asked a few of it’s readers.....

What is something you do like your mother?

“My mother was very family oriented. She was the reason we all were so close, and I have tried to do that with my family. We are very close.”

“I don’t do that much like my mom, but my daughter does so much like me. I always made them pick up their shoes before going to bed and put them were they should be, she does the same thing now. Everything has to have a place.”

Judy Thornburg, daughter of Marie Burleson

Cathi Barrett, mom of Tiffany Hamilton

“I raise my children like she raised me. I do with them just like she did with me.”

“I talk like her.”

Tia Blackwell, daughter of Lisa Blackwell

April Carter, daughter of Sandra Billings

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MAY 2014 WOMEN

706-376-5454

Join HealthierHart today

By Peggy Vickery OK Hart County citizens, we have no excuses for the year of 2014. It is time to get healthier. Please don’t let poor eating habits or lack of exercise kill you, make you sick or keep you from doing the things you enjoy.

All year, the Bell Family YMCA and Ty Cobb Regional Health Care are teaming up to help Hart County get healthy. I have to mention, the Hart County Hospital Authority, too. They gave the YMCA a grant so the facility could be expanded.

The program is free of charge for six weeks. No gimmicks either, just your dedication and will power are all that is needed. There are no prescriptions, food to buy, no signed contracts, no new

A free six week program that can make a difference in your life and transform you into a healthier you clothes, no new shoes required, just an opportunity to use the Y as much as possible for six weeks. Oops, I forgot to mention there is a $15 fee for the lab work. But really all else is free of charge. (The lab work will provide much needed information to get you started on the right track.)

I know you can’t wait to find out how.

HealthierHart is a six-week program in which you will receive a health assessment, meet one-on-one with a Ty Cobb Wellness coach and a YMCA Healthy Lifestyle coach to help assess your personal needs. Over the course of the six weeks, you will have complete access to the YMCA

free of charge. Your coach will make regular contact with you to monitor your progress, suggest changes and offer encouragement. This program is available to anyone residing in Hart County and any Bell Family YMCA member.

The YMCA offers so many programs to get you motivated and help you get back into shape. Plus you will meet lots of new people who will also encourage you. This program is based on sound medical and physiological practices.

I am so grateful that I have a wonderful group of exercise friends at the Y who keep me accountable each week, whether it is meeting them for a run or boot camp at the Y.

You can have that too if you sign up.

Recently at New Spring Church, Perry Noble stated: Information plus application equals transformation. This is your opportunity to take advantage of HealthierHart, a free program that can make a difference in your life and transform you into a healthier you.

So far over 140 people have already made that commitment and are doing great in the new program.

For more information, call 706-856-9622 or drop by the Y on Bowman Highway. What are you waiting for?

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Check out the excitement for MAY! • May 24th - Cars and Guitars in dow n tow n Ha rtw ell-10 a .m .-2 p.m .

• May 24th - Lake Hartwell Music Festival a tGu m Bra n ch Pa rk .4-10 p.m .,hea dlin er Ra n da llBra m letta n d the GeoffA chison Ba n d.

RE-DEFINING THE “GYM” EXPERIENCE

• May 24th & 25th - Challenge of the Centuries Bike Ride

The Bell Family YMCA, located in the center of Hart county, is here to serve the needs of our community. We are not simply here to provide just a place to workout, but to provide a place where everyone from every walk of life can find themselves part of our family. Our Annual Campaign each year allows us to never turn anyone away for inability to afford being a part of this community. Financial assistance is available to anyone and for anything the Bell Family YMCA offers. So, come join us today for a life changing experience!

• June 7th - The Hartwell 50 Mile Yard Sale 8 a .m .-1p.m .

• June 7th - First Saturday’s Concert a t Ha rtw ellM a rin a 71682

• June 27th- 28th - Pre-Fourth Extravaganza Weekend!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

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Aerobics Classes Senior Aerobics Free Child Watch while working out Adult Sports Youth Sports Gymnastics Volunteer Opportunities After School care

Bell Family YMCA 281 Opal Street Extension Hartwell, GA 30643 706.856.YMCA(9622)

• August 8th-10th - Hartwell’s first Wet and Wild Weekend. Som ethin g w eta n d w ild foreveryon e in the fa m ily.Ca n oe,K a ya k s, Sta n du p Pa ddle boa rds,W a tercra ftra ces,W a k eboa rd exhibition s,a 5k ru n a n d a on e m ile fu n colorru n w ith a spla shdow n tha ten dsin the w a ter.Y ou don ’tw a n tto m issit.

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0 The Journey of Carolina Cawthon

Carolina Cawthon

Living Life with

By Mark Hynds Editor When Carolina Cawthon turns 80, she wants to look back at her life without any regrets. For the forty-something

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MAY 2014 WOMEN

(L-R) Daughter Tanya, son Dave, husband Chuck and Carolina.

NO REGRETS! mother of two and grandmother of two, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Always a straight A student with one of the highest averages in her classes, Carolina got pregnant with her daugh-

ter, Tanya, just before Carolina turned 16. She dropped out of high school and went to work, undaunted by the challenges of being a young mother.

“You always start out with a plan,” said Carolina. “But if that plan falls apart, you make a new plan. The world doesn’t end if plan A didn’t come to pass.” She credits her parents for teaching her that lesson.

Having “jumped both feet into adulthood,” according to her dad, Carolina and her boyfriend rented a camper to live in. Later, they would move into a larger mobile home and eventually buy a house. But the good times didn’t last.

“Unfortunately, the person you think you should marry when you are 16 isn’t the person you should probably marry,” said Carolina.

Carolina’s second child, Dave, was born 18 months after Tanya. According to Carolina, that was actually by

design.

“I was raised as an only child so I always knew I would have two kids close in age,” she said.

“So by the time I was 18, I had two kids and a mortgage.”

Being a young mother taught her a lot about parenting. She offered some advice for those in a similar situation.

“Whether you had your children when you planned to have them, you owe them a decent upbringing,” said Carolina.

She suggested getting family support if it’s available and stay in school. If it’s not, then you need to enter the workforce.

“Make raising your children the base for what you do next or you’ll end up with your life in a mess and when your kids are grown you’ll remember a lot of things you didn’t do for them that you really wanted to.”

Carolina added that not being able to buy your child all of

the designer clothes is OK and doesn’t mean you are failing.

“But if you quit spending time with your child, quit teaching your child how to treat other people, and quit teaching them to take whatever situation they are in and make the best of it, that’s when you’ve failed.”

For Carolina, making the best of the situation has always been her mantra. She obtained her high school equivalency, started working at Gips Manufacturing and never looked back. More importantly, Carolina’s quantum leap into adulthood is something she draws from in her daily life. For the record, her two children have done pretty well too.

Tanya was a STAR student and valedictorian at Hart County High School, graduating at 16. She graduated from the University of Georgia and is a media specialist at Chase Street Elementary in Athens.

Tanya’s daughter, Melvie Anna Hudson was born in March.

Carolina’s son, Dave, was CMA’s first black belt and teaches at the Monroe branch of CMA. His daughter, Lilly Martin McKim, is 8 years old.

“The fact that I survived all that told me I had a leg to stand on, that I was a little tougher than I thought,” said Carolina.

She worked at Gips until it closed in 2007. She left there on a Friday and started at Berle Manufacturing the following Monday. When she left Gips, she was involved in human resources, payroll, and designing patterns. At Berle, she landed in a completely different part of the process, shipping and receiving. She’s been there ever since.

Along the way, she married Chuck, her husband of 18-plus years. The two of them opened Contemporary Martial Arts in 1996. Carolina remembers that

Carolina trains with her husband Chuck during her MMA fighting career.

first year.

“We opened it in that little building next to the old gin (on Cleveland Avenue),” she said. “Both of us had jobs so we picked that one figuring we could pay the rent for the term of the lease even if we didn’t have any students. We based our decision entirely on worstcase scenario.”

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Today, CMA conducts a variety of classes six days a week with more than 150 active students, and is home to a plethora of champion level mixed martial artists.

In 2008, Carolina faced yet another challenge, but this one was self imposed. Having immersed herself in all things Continued to page 8

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CMA fighters Andrew Ballenger, Ryan Peace, and Carolina Cawthon.

Continued from page 7 martial arts including earning her Black Belt, she decided she wanted to join the other fighters at CMA inside the ropes.

“It was the last frontier,” said Carolina. “I knew I would regret not doing it.”

The biggest hurdle, it turned out, was Chuck.

“It took me weeks just to get him to let me train, much less fight,” she said. “He reluctantly agreed,” Carolina won her first fight, a unanimous decision over Emily Watts.

“That moment is still untouchable,” said Carolina about winning that first one. “I had gotten through the training and gotten through the fight.

It was an amazing moment.”

Her career lasted just under 19 months. But she was certainly good while it lasted, finishing 6-0 and earning the Georgia State Welterweight Championship Belt. All the

while being a grandmother in her early 40s.

Today, Cawthon is still in the middle of her latest challenge, being a student at the University of Georgia.

After leaving the fight game, she decided she wanted to go to school to be a dietician.

Nervous about being a freshman at Georgia, she researched and determined she could earn enough transferable credit at Athens Tech. She spent her freshman year there, on a much smaller campus.

“I was really nervous about going to school and expected no one would talk to me,” said Carolina. “I’d be that old lady that sits on the front row.

Turns out the kids are nice and I’ve made some friends.”

Currently a junior, Cawthon hopes to graduate in May 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Dietetics and a minor in biochemistry. Taking 11-14 hours per semester, she has

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“My whole life is laid out on the calendar semester by semester,” she said. “I’m always working ahead. I don’t leave anything to the last minute because you never know what may come up.”

When she needs a break, Carolina said she will use some accrued vacation time from Berle.

“Sometimes, when things get out of hand, I’ll take a morning off,” she said.

Carolina also has a secret weapon in one of her longtime CMA students, Dinah Rios. Rios will frequently call Carolina and offer to cover one of her classes.

“She’ll tell me to go home and rest or go visit my granddaughters,” said Carolina.

Rios, who started taking classes from Carolina back in 1998, said “everybody needs a little break now and then.”

“Carolina’s been teaching these classes six days a week

Another night of studying at home. Photo by Chuck Cawthon.

for 16 years as well as working full time, being a mom, and in the last few years, going to college full time,” said Rios.

“Since she has been so dedicated to her students, I felt the least I could do was try to be there for her when she needed some time away, which is very rarely. These classes have been

(and) continue to be part of my life all these years so I’m going to be there anyway as often as I can.”

Rios considers Carolina both a friend and an inspiration.

“She is truly someone who knows what she wants and has Continued to page 10

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maintained a 4.0 GPA. She earned the Marian Wang scholarship at the end of her sophomore year and was just recently awarded the Bill Flatt Family scholarship.

“It’s never too late to go back to school,” said Carolina.

“If you feel in your heart you want to, then you need to do it.”

Along with taking classes five days a week in Athens, she works at Berle three mornings each week and teaches fitness kick boxing classes or weight resistance classes every night and on Saturday mornings at CMA. Needless to say, time management is critical to her success. Carolina said she sits down at the beginning of every semester with her course syllabuses and matches them up with her color-coded calendar that already includes family events, CMA events and work items.

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something or have to get something done or worried about making a good grade, he’ll tell me ‘you’ve done this, this, this, this and this. You’ve studied all those hours. You’ve got this.’”

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Chuck, according to Carolina, is he doesn’t have traditional expectations about what a wife is supposed to do.

“He doesn’t complain that he only gets three or four home-cooked meals a year,” said Carolina. “And he doesn’t mind doing laundry.”

Chuck said it’s just about making the most of it, which is usually time.

“Our time together is very limited,” he said.

“By the time I get home from teaching classes, she is either in bed already or still studying.

Usually I go to bed before her, and then we have about five minutes each weekday morning to see

each other or talk. Our ‘quality time is on Saturdays and a few hours on Sunday. It’s tough, but this is her dream. It doesn’t matter how long it takes her to graduate, I’ll still be here.

She supported me when I had the dream to have a full time martial arts school and it is only right that I return the support.”

As for keeping up with her schedule, Chuck said it helps him stay focused as well.

“I would be lying if I said that I didn’t feel like the world’s biggest slouch compared to her work ethic and packed out schedule,” he said.

“I feel guilty if I ever think that I am tired or think that I have too much on my plate.”

After graduation next May, Carolina said she will have a couple of options, get a master’s degree or join the workforce after obtaining her certification. Either way, it will mean more long hours of studying, being on the road, being in the classroom or being on the job.

But for Carolina, it’s just one more step toward no regrets.

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Continued from page 9 the ability to manage her life in such a way that she attains her goals,” said Rios. “She has a great sense of humor. She encourages you to do your best and reach your maximum potential without pushing or making you feel inferior. I consider both she and Chuck part of my family.”

During her daily track, there are times when Carolina gets down and wonders if it’s all worth it. When those moments happen, she reminds herself about those regrets.

“The things I regret most are the things I let slide, that’s what motivates me,” said Carolina. “I want to look back on my life and say that was time well spent.”

Carolina’s husband Chuck has had a front row seat for much of Carolina’s journey.

She calls him her “biggest cheerleader.”

“When I’m worried about

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MAY 2014 WOMEN

Hala Gaines Moddelmog A recipient of numerous awards, her proven leadership accomplished a first for women in business The Metro Atlanta Chamber, which represents more than 4,000 member companies that employ nearly one million workers in the region, announced that Hala Moddelmog has been elected President by the MAC Executive Committee. She took office on Jan. 6. She replaced Sam A. Williams who retired after 17 years as MAC President.

Moddelmog was a 1974 graduate of Hart County High School. “I am honored to join the Metro Atlanta Chamber,� said Moddelmog. “Atlanta is uniquely positioned for success with its diverse economy, global access, abundant talent and low costs of business and

lifestyle. I am looking forward to joining my colleagues on the MAC team, our board members and volunteers, as we build on a strong foundation of excellence and success to create and retain jobs, foster growth and prosperity, and promote metro Atlanta as the premier place to live, work and play.�

Moddelmog, a Georgia native, has extensive experience leading successful, high performance organizations.

From 2010 to 2013, she served as Arby’s Restaurant Group President where she led the divestiture from public company to private ownership in a deal valued at more than $400 million.

From 2006 to 2009, Mod-

delmog led Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the global grassroots network working to eradicate breast cancer, as president and chief executive officer. She was the first woman in corporate America to lead an international QSR brand (quick service restaurant) in 1995 when she was named president of Church’s Chicken, a division of Atlantabased AFC Enterprises at the time. She subsequently led Church’s to record sales and profit performance.

Moddelmog was selected following an extensive search led by the MAC executive committee, with more than 250 individuals receiving consideration during the process. “There is an abundance of leadership talent in the Atlanta region,� said Paul Bowers, 2013 chair of the MAC board of directors and president and CEO of Georgia Power. “However, Hala’s 33 years of leadership in the for- and non-profit sectors along with proven track records in marketing and brand management, fundraising and development and leading operations in franchise networks make her the ideal choice. Moreover, her passion for Atlanta and

Hala Moddelmog

her collaborative spirit make her uniquely qualified to build on past success to move the Metro Atlanta Chamber forward.�

Moddelmog has served on multiple boards: public, private, advisory and non-profit, including director of AMERIGROUP Corporation. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Georgia Southern University.

Moddelmog earned a M.A. in journalism and mass communication from the University of Georgia and a B.A. in English from Georgia Southern University. She has attended executive education programs at Harvard University and Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, and has received the National Association of Corporate Directors’ (NACD) certification.

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Hart County Archway Partnership director Ilka McConnell (center) meets with county administrator Jon Caime (left), recreation department director Jim Owens and others about a new project in Hart County

Working Together Ilka McConnell brings people and groups together to facilitate projects that will improve the quality of life in Hart County

By Lauren Peeples Staff writer Goal-oriented, driven, organized and project-motivated are just a few words that could be used to describe Ilka McConnell. McConnell, who serves as the director of the Hart County Archway Partnership, is known locally for her exceptional skills in bringing people and groups together to facilitate projects that will improve the quality of life in Hart County through growth and development. Many recognize her eagerness and willingness to serve and always with a smile on her face.

“Ilka has done and continues to do an excellent job as a public servant serving the citizens of Hart County. She has a deep understanding of the people and priorities of Hart County. She has a great skill to match the needs of 12

MAY 2014 WOMEN

Hart County to the resources available at the University of Georgia,” said Hart County administrator Jon Caime.

“In addition, she has a passion for public service and has taken on extra tasks such as grant writing and planning that are not a normal part of her job responsibilities, but are critical needs that she has helped us address.”

Raised in Peachtree Corners, located northeast of Atlanta, McConnell is a University of Georgia “Triple Dawg” after earning a bachelor of arts degree in anthropology, a master’s degree in public administration and a PhD in adult education.

McConnell began her career in the private sector working in financial services at a privately-owned company. She later worked in marketing, as a business analyst, in internal audit, and managed a com-

munications/web content team with the company.

She earned her MPA while working full-time. After graduation, she was hired at the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government, where she consulted with local governments on human resource issues like pay studies, executive searches and organizational assessments. In fall 2008, she joined the UGA Archway Partnership just as Hart County became a new Archway community.

“I joined Archway because I wanted to work directly with a community to tackle issues and challenges that leaders and community members felt were important. I learned so much from working with the Institute of Government, but was always really curious about the conversations that had taken place in the community both before and after the specific

projects we assisted with,” said McConnell.

“Having an opportunity to be part of the community, understand the ongoing bigger picture of things happening in the community, and be able to work with people over a long-term period of time on things they cared a lot about was really important to me.”

In her position with Archway, McConnell works with various groups and organizations on projects and issues within the four communityidentified priority areas, which include: education, planning and visioning for the future, tourism development and community leadership development.

“We try to provide a neutral forum and bring different stakeholders to the table to discuss issues of common interest, help coordinate the group’s efforts to address them

and connect the groups with UGA and higher education resources,” said McConnell.

Examples of specific efforts that McConnell and Archway are currently working to develop include: the Hart County Quilt Trail and a new driving tour (tourism development), supporting the Hart County Chamber’s Leadership Hart Steering Committee (leadership development), implementing new multipurpose walking/running/biking trails at the recreation department’s Elberton Highway Park that will break ground this fall (planning and visioning), landscape designs and enhancements for the entryway into Hart County and the industrial/business park adjacent to Interstate 85 (planning and visioning), and supporting Hart County Schools’ Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)

initiatives with connections to relevant UGA resources.

Quilt Trail coordinator and committee chairman Mike Gordon has worked alongside McConnell to establish the trail since planning began in 2012.

“The UGA Archway Partnership has been a boom to our community. Ilka is the prime mover of the very positive initiatives brought to us by the Archway Partnership.

It is through her facilitation and consensus building that we have been able to drive the many projects here from ‘possible’ to ‘done’,” said Gordon.

“My wife, JoAnn, and I have been blessed to get to know Ilka and Jon (McConnell’s husband), and to have them as friends.”

McConnell said what she enjoys most about her position is that every day is unique.

“Every day is different, there’s always something new

Ilka McConnell meets with Hart County Schools associate superintendent Kathy Leard.

to learn and so many different people in the community to work with and learn from,” said McConnell.

“I really enjoy the people the

most and I like to brag that I have the best co-workers on the planet, from the Archway committee members who help Continued to page 14

MAY 2014 WOMEN

13

Brighten Your Home!

ing, traveling and spending time with friends and family.

She also enjoys making and binding handmade books. McConnell married her husband, Jon, in April 2012. The couple resides in Hartwell with their dog, Lucy.

For other young women starting out on their chosen career path, McConnell encourages them to be curious and pursue what interests them.

“You never know where it might lead. Not all career paths are straight lines, many are curvy. Each step can help bring you closer to what you enjoy and are good at doing,” said McConnell.

“Seek out good multiple mentors who can help you grow and offer you a sounding board as you are thinking about your career. Take time to invest in building a good network of colleagues and contacts.”

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Ilka McConnell stands with Quilt Trail member JoAnn Gordon at a quilt block located in downtown Hartwell.

Continued from page 13 guide Hart County Archway’s efforts, to the wonderful members of the various Archway project committees, and the UGA students and faculty who work with us.”

McConnell deems the biggest challenge is creating a balance between work and life.

“What I do is so rewarding that it’s pretty tempting to do it at all hours of the week,” said McConnell.

As for the future, McConnell said she is taking a few steps back to relax and establish her plans for the future.

“I just finished up school and graduated in December after seven years working on my degree part-time. Honestly, I’m taking a little break right now to enjoy some newfound spare time and come up with some new, future plans,” said McConnell.

In her spare time, McConnell enjoys gardening, walk-

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Obesity during

pregnancy a growing problem Changes to the body are her body mass index, or BMI, expected during pregnancy, which measures the relationand weight gain is one of the ship between height and changes most often associated weight. If a woman’s pre-pregwith pregnancy. But excessive nancy BMI is in the healthy weight gain during pregnancy range, she should gain between can cause complications for a 25 and 35 pounds during woman and her pregnancy. baby.

Underweight Contrary to popular The American women should belief, a woman does Congress of gain between not need to double her calorie consumption to Obstetricians 28 and 40 provide nutrition for and Gynecolopounds. Those her baby. gists reports that who are overmore than 50 weight or obese percent of pregnant women should gain between 11 and are overweight or obese. Many 20 pounds. But the amount of women begin their pregwomen gaining 40 pounds or nancy intending to eat healthy more during pregnancy has inthroughout their pregnancy. creased by 29 percent over the But those good intentions can last 30 years, according to the get pushed aside when mornNational Center for Health ing sickness makes it hard Statistics. Many of these to stomach certain foods. In women did not begin their addition, craving certain foods pregnancies with a healthy for no apparent reason can BMI. make it hard to stay on course.

Gaining too much weight Other women may already during pregnancy puts a be overweight at the onset woman and her fetus at risk of pregnancy and continue for complications. Extra to gain weight. Women who pounds can increase the risk of have not lost pregnancy weight developing high blood presfrom a previous child may besure, early-stage heart disease, gin their subsequent pregnancy type 2 diabetes, and other at a disadvantage. issues. Preeclampsia, gestaContrary to popular belief, tional diabetes and postpartum a woman does not need to weight retention are other double her calorie consumpconsiderations. tion to provide nutrition for In terms of the fetus, cesareher baby. Nor should she gain an delivery, stillbirth, prematutoo much weight. According to rity, congenital anomalies, and BabyCenter and the Institute childhood obesity are common of Medicine, the amount of among babies born to overweight a woman should gain weight mothers. What’s more, during her pregnancy depends obese women may not be able on her starting weight and to elect for anesthesiology, like

an epidural or spinal anesthe anesthesia, during delivery because obscured physical landmarks and excessive layers of fat can make administration risky. It’s also more difficult for doctors to conduct ultrasounds on obese or overweight women, making it challenging to track the baby’s well-being.

Nutritionists warn that good eating habits during pregnancy should begin as early as the first trimester. Too often pregnant women do not realize they have a problem until they’ve already gained weight.

Compounding the issue is that many OB/GYN doctors do not readily discuss appropriate weight gain with pregnant patients.

Weight gain may be an afterthought to blood tests, genetic testing and lifestyle options doctors mention early on in the pregnancy.

Many women feel that

pregnancy is a chance to eat without regard to diet and a time to enjoy foods that may normally be off-limits. However, this could be a recipe for excessive weight gain. Doctors offer these recommendations for keeping healthy during pregnancy: • Only consume an extra 300 calories per day and not until the second and third trimesters.

• Aim for 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.

• Stock the refrigerator with healthy, fast snacks.

• Track calorie intake to make yourself more accountable.

• Lose weight before you become pregnant again.

• Talk to a nutritionist if you need help managing meals.

• Make breastfeeding part of your postpartum plan. Breastfeeding burns around 500 calories per day.

MAY 2014 WOMEN

15

Megan Brown works on an exercise during the Boot Camp class.

(Photo courtesy Total Body Fitness)

BOOT CAMP Women push their limit, find their strengths

By Lake Morris Staff writer Quiet, tranquil Saturday mornings are getting a bit more intense in Hartwell.

At the Hartwell Plaza Shopping Center, Total Body Fitness and Tanning is putting a select group of its members through a boot camp.

The Boot Camp class is the

most physically demanding class the gym offers, co-owner Gary Cobb said.

The class began earlier this year, and it has been growing in numbers since.

“It started out with just a few people that were interested in trying something different,” he said. “Since then the people in the class have been the people really growing it. They

Kelly Andrews and Natasha Wright do tandem pushups during the Boot Camp class at Total Body Fitness.

(Photo courtesy Total Body Fitness)

16

MAY 2014 WOMEN

Brandy Lovelace performs a tire flip during the Saturday Boot Camp class at Total Body Fitness.

(Photo courtesy Total Body Fitness)

invite other gym members out, and we use our Facebook page to also advertise it.”

Flipping oversized tires, running over two miles, push ups, jumping jacks and anything else the trainers can think of, the Boot Camp class pushes the body to the limit.

It may come as a surprise though that a class with a name that is drenched with and oozes testosterone, is made up of mostly women.

“We have about 30 people in the class, and over half are women,” Cobb said.

There are three sessions on Saturday, with 10 people in each class. Cobb said the female majority has been the rule.

“It wasn’t until a session we had March 29 where we had h aas many guys as we did women do the class,” he said. d He said the fear many women have of bulking up w with strenuous exercise is w unfounded. u “We do a lot of exercise with body weight and a lot of cardio b work,” Cobb said. “Our campw eers do gain muscle along with llosing weight, but it is lean muscle.

The goal of this class is not

to bulk up, it is to lose weight, get in shape and improve cardiovascular fitness.”

So does the class help people accomplish their goals of losing weight and getting in shape?

Cobb said the proof is in the participants.

“All the campers that have committed to coming out and doing it, have lost weight, gained strength and improved their quality of life,” he said.

“There is also a camaraderie between them, and there is nothing but positive encouragement out there between all of them.”

Cobb stressed the class isn’t for everyone, but doing some form of exercise is a must for both women and men. He said a mix of cardio and weight training is a good way to start getting in shape, and eventually get that lean, sculpted physique matched with the bonus of a strong, healthy heart.

Total Body Fitness members get a scan card that allows them to access to the facility 24/7.

Total Body staff are also on hand at certain times during the day. For more information call 706-436-5219.

Easy meals made in muffin pans Chicken and Broccoli Cups Frozen puff pastry makes these rich and creamy appetizers a snap to prepare.

2-1/2 cups diced cooked chicken breast 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) reducedfat reduced-sodium condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted 1 cup frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and drained 2 small plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped 1 small carrot, grated 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 garlic clove, minced 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients; set aside. On a lightly floured sur-

face, roll pastry into a 12-in. x 9-in. rectangle. Cut lengthwise into four strips and widthwise into three strips. Gently press puff pastry squares into muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Spoon chicken mixture into pastry cups. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Yield: 1 dozen.

BBQ Meat Loaf Minis Kids can prepare meat loaf in muffin cups. For added spice, try adding 2 teaspoons chili powder and 1 cup of salsa.

1 package (6 ounces) stuffing mix 1 cup water 2 tablespoons hickory smokeflavored barbecue sauce 1 pound ground beef 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded

cheddar cheese Additional hickory smoke-flavored barbecue sauce, optional Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, combine stuffing mix, water and 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce. Add beef; mix lightly but thoroughly. Place 1/3 cup mixture into each of 12 ungreased muffin cups, pressing lightly. Bake, uncovered, 18-22 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°.

Sprinkle tops with cheese; bake 2-4 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. If desired, serve with additional barbecue sauce.

Yield: 6 servings.

Mini Spinach Frittatas These mini frittatas are a cinch to make and just delicious. They’re a “must” to try if you’re tired of the same old

party fare. It doubles easily for a crowd and even freezes well.

1 cup ricotta cheese 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2/3 cup chopped fresh mushrooms 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 24 slices pepperoni In a small bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Place a slice of pepperoni in each of 24 greased miniature muffin cups.

Fill muffin cups three-fourths full with cheese mixture. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until completely set. Carefully run a knife around edges of muffin cups to loosen. Serve warm.

Yield: 2 dozen.

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MAY 2014 WOMEN

17

Skin Care Tips When in cancer treatment The effects that cancer treatment can have on a person’s skin have long been overlooked. But patients who have suffered through skin rashes and burns will be glad to know that a growing trend in treating cancer focuses on curing both the disease and helping patients maintain their selfesteem and quality of life. A new movement combining oncology and dermatology aims to address both the disease and the potentially negative consequences that rashes, burns and blemishes can produce.

“For obvious reasons, the skin, hair, and nails have not been the topmost concerns in oncology -- the most important goal is to treat and cure the cancer,” says Mario Lacouture, M.D., who specializes in dermatologic conditions that result from cancer treatments.

“But skin side effects can affect patients’ sense of self and their interactions with others.

These side effects can lead to costly treatments, affect overall health, and perhaps most significantly, they may require that anticancer treatments be reduced or stopped altogether.”

Upon receiving a cancer diagnosis, patients concerned about the potential impact that treatment may have on their complexions should discuss their options with their physicians. After initiating such discussions, men and women being treated for cancer can take additional steps to maintain their appearance and quality of life both during and after treatment.

• Alter your skin care routine. Upon receiving a cancer diagnosis, patients must make 18

MAY 2014 WOMEN

a host of lifestyle adjustments to many things, including to their skin care routines.

Intense skin rashes and burns are common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, and certain side effects are actually an indicator that the treatment is working. While such consequences can affect patients’ self-image, these side effects are entirely manageable.

“What many patients do not realize is that most dermatologic side effects are manageable, allowing people to maintain their quality of life and continue their cancer treatments,” says Lacouture.

Recognizing traditional skin care products’ ineffectiveness at combating the dermatologic

side effects of cancer treatment during her own battle with the disease, cancer survivor and entrepreneur Lindy Snider began working with dermatologists, oncologists, nurses, and skin care formulators to address the issue, eventually developing Lindi Skin (www. lindiskin.com), a collection of skin care products designed specifically for individuals undergoing treatment for cancer and related disorders.

Combining state-of-the-art technology with innovative natural ingredients, Lindi Skin products include a host of botanical extracts boasting anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties, while providing a

soothing and gentle solution even for those patients with especially sensitive skin.

“Tarceva, the medication I take for lung cancer, has played havoc with my skin, which has become unbelievably dry and sensitive,” says Phyllis of Coral Gables, Fla. “(Lindi Skin) products are the only ones I can use on my face and body.

They actually soothe, whereas all others create a burning sensation.”

• Embrace antioxidants.

Often touted as miracle ingredients in a host of foods, antioxidants can be found beyond the dinner table as well. In developing Lindi Skin, Snider and her team designed an exclusive formulation of concentrated botanicals that deliver high levels of beneficial antioxidants to the skin. Known as the LSA Complex(R), this formulation includes Snider’s pioneering use of astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant that is only now beginning to receive widespread recognition for its restorative properties, a decade after Snider began using it in her skin care products.

While astaxanthin can relieve the pain and inflammation in the skin that cancer patients often feel, it also can help those suffering from less severe, non-cancer related skin problems, such as sunburn, rosacea, dry skin and UV damage.

Skin damage is an often overlooked side effect of cancer treatment. But cancer patients should know that side effects like skin rashes and burns are manageable and don’t have to negatively impact self-image or quality of life.

Fun ways to be a fit family

Obesity is a global epidemic affecting people of all ages.

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of Americans are considered obese, while Statistics Canada notes about 25 percent of Canadians are obese.

Being overweight or obese has been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer, and children who are overweight are likely to be overweight or obese adults.

While eating a diet that is low in fat and high in wholegrain fiber, vegetables and lean proteins is important, exercise remains one of the key factors in maintaining a healthy weight.

However, many adults and children simply do not get enough exercise during the day. An active lifestyle is often hampered by the prevalence of digital devices or sedentary

jobs that encourage more screen time than fitness time.

But there are ways for the entire family to get fit. Exercising together is not just a great way for families to get healthy, but also a great opportunity to spend time together. The following are a handful of ways families can work together to incorporate more exercise into their daily lives.

• Tackle chores. Yes, tasks around the house can count as exercise. Working together not only gets you moving but also cuts down on the time it takes to tackle tasks around the house. Mowing the lawn, vacuuming the rugs, sweeping the floor -- all of these activities can get the heart pumping.

Make it fun by setting chores to music or competing against one another to see who gets their task done first or the best.

• Compete in the pool.

Swimming is a low-impact activity that works many muscles

in the body. Taking a dip in the pool can be both relaxing and beneficial to your health.

Compete with family members to make the most of the time spent in the water.

Host relay swimming races, see how long each member of the family can tread water or create any other competitions that keep everyone in the pool moving.

• Create an outdoor obstacle course. Set up a series of obstacles in your yard and host your own triathlon. You can jump through tires, climb through tubes and scale trees.

Make it fun by having adults try to ride tricycles or pair up an adult with a child for sack races. The opportunities for fun are only hampered by your imagination.

• Go for family bicycle rides.

Traverse your neighborhood or blaze new trails by riding bikes together. Young children can be strapped into trailers

that are pulled behind the bike or ride in seats attached to the bike itself. This gives everyone a chance to enjoy the great outdoors and hone their cycling skills.

• Go hiking. Hiking is another fun family activity that also happens to make for great exercise. Choose a trail that may not be level and push everyone’s endurance to the test.

• Stroll the beach. Walking or running on sand offers more resistance than walking on pavement. Take a stroll at the seaside. Break up the walk by collecting shells or stopping by the water to observe marine wildlife.

• Hit the dance floor. If you’ve been invited to a wedding or a Sweet 16 party, cut a rug and take advantage of the DJ and dance floor.

When enjoying yourselves, you probably won’t even realize how much you’re exercising.

MAY 2014 WOMEN

19

Enjoy a Successful

Ladies Night Out Women are busier today than ever before. The demands of work and the responsibilities of family life can dominate a woman’s time, making it increasingly difficult to find time to kick back and relax.

As their careers take off and families grow, many women find it challenging to make time for social interactions, particularly with their female friends. But ladies’ night out is a great way to relieve stress and maintain social contacts.

Making time to hang out with friends can be good for the body and mind.

Give plenty of notice

The

When planning a ladies’ night out, give several weeks’ worth of notice so more people can carve out time to attend.

Begin plans for a get-together a month or more in advance, asking friends which dates work and which will not. Treat a night out with friends just like you would any important obligation.

Try something new It may be tempting to lean on old habits and make ladies’ night out the run-of-the-mill dinner and drinks. Instead, think unconventionally and find ways to make time spent with friends more engaging.

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MAY 2014 WOMEN

How about signing up for a cooking class where you can socialize and learn a few new culinary secrets? Otherwise, do something out of character.

Attend a poetry reading or visit an art museum.

Have a plan Plan activities before everyone leaves the house. Otherwise, you may waste precious time brainstorming where to go or what to do.

There is a good chance those participating in the night out are pressed for time, so maximize moments spent together by planning the night in advance.

Downplay the role of alcohol Alcoholic beverages are often at the center of social occasions. Women are largely social drinkers, but alcohol does not need to be a part of the festivities.

Overconsumption of alcohol has been linked to the development of breast cancer and may cause damage to the heart and liver. Look for ways to spend time together that don’t involve alcohol.

Hire a sitter A night out with the ladies is a chance to enjoy some adult time with friends. Having kids in tow can make it difficult for women to relax. Rather than worrying about what the children are up to at home or if your spouse is going to call, hire a trusted sitter to stay with the children. This way everyone can relax and know the kids are well cared for.

Keep activities private Women who move between different social circles may have some friends that overlap.

Rather than risking hurting a friend’s feelings, try not to advertise social plans with everyone. This could mean restricting postings on social networking sites. Flagrant check-ins or streaming photos from your night out could seem disrespectful of others and may lead others to feel left out. A night out with the ladies is an ideal way to unwind and enjoy a respite from packed daily schedules.

Following a few suggestions can make these social opportunities even more enjoyable.

Plants that purify the air House plants are the ultimate in functional decorating. Some well-placed greenery can not only brighten a space but also purify the air -- and they’re also helpful in creating a more relaxing, restful ambiance in any room. We know that spending time in nature is linked to reduced stress levels and relieve tension.

The following plants are easy to take care of and effective at increasing oxygen and clearing out toxins for cleaner breathing air. So try adding one to your bedroom or office space for a little dose of zen.

Aloe Plant The gel of the aloe plant has a number of healing properties, from soothing skin burns and cuts to detoxing the body, and it can also help to monitor the air quality in your home. The plant can help clear the air of pollutants found in chemical cleaning products, and when the amount of harmful chemicals in the air becomes excessive, the plants’ leaves will display brown spots. Just an FYI: Grows best with lots of sun.

English Ivy NASA scientists listed the English Ivy as the number one best air-filtering houseplant, as it is the most effective o absorbing formplant when it comes to aldehyde. It’s also incredibly easy to grow and adaptable -- try it as a hanging or a floor plant. Grow in moderate temperatures and medium sunlight.

Rubber Tree Rubber trees are good for cleaning the air and are one of the easiest plants to grow, as they thrive even in dim lighting and cooler climates. The nt is a powerful toxin low-maintenance plant eliminator and air purifier.

Peace Lily The beautiful peace lily plant is a wonderful low-maintenance flower to keep in the home. Peace lilies do well in shade and cooler temperatures and requires weekly uce the levels of a watering. They can reduce number of toxins in the air but are poisonous to pets.

S Snake Plant Snake plants don’t n need much light oor water to survive, sso they’re an easy cchoice for any corner oof your home. The p plant absorbs carbon d dioxide and releases ooxygen during the n night (while most p ay), so add one to plants do during the day), your bedroom for a clean-air boost.

Bamboo Palm The attractive bamboo palm also made NASA’s list of ttop clean-air plants w with a purifying score oof 8.4. It’s also partticularly effective at cclearing out benzene aand trichloroethylene.

These need to be well-watered, watered, in shade or iindirect sunlight.

Philodendron The heart-shaped philodendron (pictured at left) is a p popular plant choice ffor indoor areas, as tthey’re easy to care ffor and can grow d decorative vines. Like tthe English Ivy, they aare particularly good aat absorbing formaldehyde. hyde. Th They ey can also llast for many years when properly cared ffor. Grow with moderate water and some sunlight and they’ll be fine.

Spider Plant One of the most common house plants, Spider Plants are decorative, easy to ggrow, and also make the NASA list of the b best air-purifying plants. Put the spider plant on a pedestal or in a hanging basket close to a sunlit window. Spider plants are effective at fighting pollutants including b benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene.

Red-Edged Dracaena This beautiful, vib brant plant can grow to be ceiling-height (15-foot dracaenas are common), making it a great plant ing up space. space It also for decorating and filling removes toxins including xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde from the air.

Grows best in sunlight.

Golden Pothos The Golden Pothos makes the NASA list for its ability to clear formaldehyde from the air. Try adding it to your kitchen or living room as a hanging plant, as the leaves will grow down in cascading vines.

They grow easily in cool temperatures with l levels of sunlight. low W Begonia Wax The wax plant is a heavy hitter in filtering out benzene and chemicals produced b by toluene, a liquid found in some waxes ng to a University of and adhesives, according Georgia study conducted last year. Place in an area with abundant sunlight and this semiwoody succulent will produce pretty clusters of flat white, pink, or red flowers during the summer.

MAY 2014 WOMEN

21

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A Special Thanks To Our Advertisers Antiques Shoppe on the Square, 14 Beauty LA Nails & Spa, 9 LC Nails, 9 The Beauty Shoppe, 14 Events Hart County Chamber of Commerce, 5 Fitness Bell Family YMCA, 5 Food Quality Food, 7 Greenhouse Sunnyhill Greenhouse, 10 Gifts The Flower Cottage, 20 Herbs Mother Thyme Herb Shop, 14 Insurance Barbara Brooks Insurance Services, 7 Skelton-Morris Associates, 9 Woodmen of the World, 10 Jewelry Diamonds-n-Gold Direct, 24 Tena’s, 11 Laundry American Laundry & Drycleaning Co., 4 Quilting Annies Pretty Pieces, 9 Medical Anderson Bariatric Physicians, P.A., 13 Athens Regional, 23 Clear Creek OB/GYN, 2 Daws Wellness Center, 8 Northeast Georgia Hearing & Balance Clinic, 22 Ty Cobb Regional Medical Center, 2 Rugs Orian Rugs, 17

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second at Athens Regional. From the minute we arrived at ARMC, we had outstanding care and the accommodations were like a nice hotel—the best of both worlds. I will say that if we have a third, it’ll be at Athens Regional.�

Jennifer Chastain Emily’s Mom

For information, or to learn about our online childbirth classes, visit

AthensHealth.org/Mom2Be MAY 2014 WOMEN 23

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