DEC. 2021
MAGAZINE
Church Girl CEO
IN THIS ISSUE
SHAWN BROWN, FOOD NETWORK STAR, OWNER OF CHEESECAKED
HOLIDAY ISSUE
LEFTOVER OVERHAUL BEAUTY FAVES TO LOOK YOUR BEST…AND MORE
CONTRIBUTORS CEO/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DEBORAH FRANKLIN SENIOR EDITOR JC GARDNER
Featured Columnists
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A Drink From The Well Spiritual Corner: Debrayta Salley
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Resolution Evolution: JC Gardner
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Travel & Tourism: Tracy Shorter
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Beauty and Fashion: Nichelle Johnson, Kolor Beauty
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Soul Focused: Latanya Henry-Smith, PhD, LSSP
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Culinary Tales: Cedreka Baggett
A Message from the Editor-in-chief Deborah Franklin Happy Holidays!!! The holidays have always been very special to me. A time for family, friends, and most of all good food. Yes, I said it, food! One of my favorite things to do is try new recipes. When I moved to the East Coast from Texas, I had to learn a lot about how to fix some of the family holiday favorites. I couldn’t just go in the kitchen and grab what my mama or grandmother had cooked; I had to learn for myself. I didn’t get the skills like my mama, Ola Franklin, or my brother, Mark Franklin, to taste something, know what’s in it, and go home and cook it. I’ll never forget I wanted to cook a sweet potato pie. If your mama is like mine, she didn’t have any of the recipes written down. She just did everything by memory. Ok, I have to admit I’m not that person. I live for a good cookbook. Trust me, I’m a whiz at following a recipe, and I don’t deviate well until I have cooked it at least once. Now back to that sweet potato pie. Listen, I still can’t cook that bad boy without my recipe that I wrote down while living in Baltimore. That paper is so greasy now. All I can say is if I lose that greasy paper, I can’t fix that pie. What holiday recipe do you love to cook? What new recipe this holiday will you be trying? The greasy paper is here for you so you can try the sweet potato pie. Send your favorite recipe and pictures of your holiday spread to info@churchgirlceo.com. You never know, you and your pictures could be featured in the next issue! Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. Deborah Franklin
Yours in Christ,
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The Beauty of Winter By Debrayta D. Salley Scripture References: Isaiah 55:10-11 I recently shared with a friend that I Love the Winter months because everything sounds quiet and it seems like the environment around us embraces a time of stillness. Personally, I don’t necessarily go into complete hibernation like some animals do in order to “conserve energy to survive adverse conditions or lack of food;” but I definitely take advantage of the opportunity to “lay low” (which means to chill, mind my business, or stay hidden) a little more than usual. The Winter Season on the Northern Hemisphere takes place between December 21-March 20. It’s the coldest season of the year that brings about cold temperatures, rain and snow. Can you say Brrrrrr?! That’s the part that I can’t say I care for so much. How about you?
our lowest. When we are weak, God is Strong and He Shows UP and OUT! Rest in His grace – it is sufficient! • Journal your thoughts, experiences, and especially how you feel while journeying through the season and compare it to what God’s word says about the matter. It will help you keep things in perspective and serve as manna to chew on later and/or to share with someone else that may need to eat from the wisdom you gleaned.
I do however believe that there is Beauty in Winter. The season itself is very similar to the winter seasons in our lives. Read Isaiah 55:10-11. It encourages us to trust in the fact that while there may be some long, cold days with harsh conditions that may at times be irritating, discouraging and seem to impede our movement, it’s ALL soaking our grounds and will eventually produce buds, flourishing into something great! To God Be the Glory! Now isn’t that encouraging?
Remember, there is no season in our lives, personally or professionally, where God is not present, no circumstance that he has not already conquered and truly no winter experience that doesn’t serve a greater purpose. As Ecclesiastes 3:11 states: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Life is Beautiful - Even in Winter!
Here are a few ways I’ve discovered that may help one to stay encouraged and empowered during those winter moments: • At the first sign or report of “snow” falling, get your camera ready to capture the moment. Keep the photo nearby to remind you of the Beauty that can be found in Winter.
Debrayta (Dee) Salley aka Dee Life Mentor Coach is the Founder of Debrayta Salley Enterprises, LLC. Also known as, “The Life Coach Who Writes”, her mission is to “Empower Paths, Support Growth and Inspire Change” using Writing, Speaking, Inspirational products, Workshops and Events. Connect with Ms. Salley: Website: www.deelifmentor.com Social Media: DeeLifMntrCoach – FB, Twitter, and IG
• Always stay flexible in life so that when things don’t go as smoothly as planned, you will be equipped to stand firm and continue on despite what’s occurring around you. • Do not grow weary while waiting. Giving up is not an option. Breakthrough is typically near when we are at 5
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Resolution Evolution By JC Gardner For example, how are you committing to going to the gym when you are on carpool duty 24/7? How can you start a business with no money? And you can’t find a new boo hiding in the house. LOL If you are really serious about starting the new year with an eye towards winning and having tangible accomplishments, then you have to first do some discerning, planning, and communicating! Let’s look at each of these: Discernment: Have an internal meeting with yourself and ask: Is it the right time? Are you mentally ready? Do you have the resources, energy, and focus to make a change? Meditate, pray and reflect on this new goal/idea until the vision is crystal clear. Planning: You probably already have a hectic schedule. How are you planning to fit in this new dream? Can something be let go or moved down the priority list so this can take precedence? Take time to create a detailed agenda or schedule of all that is needed to get this idea off the ground. Add milestones and timelines to help stay on track. Seeing this on paper will do one or two things: 1. It will be a boost of inspiration and confirmation you are on the right track. 2. It will cause you to pump your brakes until certain things come into better alignment.
So many of us make New Year’s resolutions, which are like personal “contracts” with ourselves that we are going to make good on some particular commitment: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Lose weight Start a business Become more spiritual Declutter Find a new Boo …and the list goes on!
Communication: Tell someone your good news! I’m calling it “good news” because working on your self-development is a great way to improve your lifestyle. Sharing it with someone else will create an automatic accountability partner. When you bring the right people into your vision, they should be cheering you on and helping you get over the finish line. Also, those in your immediate family/circle should be “in the know” so they, too, can help you achieve your goal(s). These are just three ways to turn your resolutions from wishful thinking to concrete action. And dare I say you don’t have to wait until January 1st to start something new. There’s no time like the present. If you plan on making some new resolutions or even revisiting some old ones, just know the power to succeed is in your hands. Wishing you all a very blessed and safe holiday season. Cheers!
But how many of us actually follow through with these plans? I remember pre-COVID going to the gym the first two weeks of the year. The exercise room where Zumba took place looked like an old-school house party. Space was at a premium! We were gettin’ our groove on, practically dancing and sweating on top of each other. One month later, there was enough space to fit a tractor-trailer. Gym attendees started out strong but then something happened, and they just stopped showing up. Starting a new routine is hard work, especially with so many competing priorities. It’s like you have to squeeze this “new task” into your life and oftentimes, there really is no room to handle one more thing! So, these new resolutions just fall to the wayside because you didn’t set yourself up for success.
JC Gardner is an award-winning, bestselling author, speaker, writing coach and ghost writer. She has written several books, along with contributing to numerous publications. Helping aspiring authors bring their projects to life through her writing coaching program is a blessing and a gift. As a speaker, she uses faith, humor, and real-life examples to serve women who are ready to rediscover their destiny. 7
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Food Network Star, Shawn Brown, Dishes on Baking Therapy By Deborah Franklin Many times, we’ve been told you never know who you're sitting next to so be on your best behavior. Never in a million years would I have imagined sitting next to the wonderfully talented chef, Shawn Brown, who was featured on the Food Network. For those of you who don't know, it’s one of my favorite channels. Okay, full disclosure! I had to slow down some of my episodes because I was trying to cook everything. I was killing my waistline and budget with all the new dishes. But I digress. I was in awe of Shawn’s story. She possessed such poise and grace that I had to have her on the cover of our holiday issue to showcase how her cheesecake business came to fruition after a devastating accident. Shawn shows that with faith and perseverance, there is a rainbow after the storm. DF: What was your inspiration for starting your cheesecake business? SB: I've been a baker all my life, but it was only after losing my ten-week-old son and being pronounced dead twice at the hands of a drunk driver that baking became my therapy. I didn't know it at the time but bringing people joy brought me joy. At the time, there was a boom in cupcakes. I thought there isn't anything small in a cheesecake form. Why not create a brand that is similar to cupcakes but in cheesecake? DF: How has cheesecake changed your life? SB: I get to bring joy to the world every day! My desserts make people smile and even for a second, they can be happy! It brings me joy to bring other people joy. DF: Tell us about your experience being featured on Food Network? SB: It was an honor to win "Most Over the top Milkshake in the country" via Food Network and also being featured on Food Network’s sister company the Cooking Channel was so much fun. We did the Christmas Chowdown Special with Carla Hall, and it was an absolute honor. It was a lot of work and long days but once you saw the finished product, you knew it was all worth it. Watching it back was so cool! 10
DF: Tell us about your Atlanta locations? SB: We recently opened at the Underground Atlanta this month. I'm so happy to be able to reopen after being closed for close to two years battling breast cancer. To now be cancer-free and be able to do what I love is a blessing. This location is in an artsy historic mall in downtown Atlanta. There is so much history, and I feel honored to be part of its comeback. Our Norcross location will have all of our famous cheesecakes, milkshakes, and unicorn grilled cheese but this location will have an event area to host everything from a birthday party to baby showers or anything celebratory. DF: Do you plan on expanding to other cities? Where? SB: I would love to expand to cities, especially my hometown Inglewood, CA. My goal is to eventually franchise all over the country. DF: What is your favorite holiday dessert and why? SB: Sweet potato pie cheesecake. This recipe was passed down to me by my grandmother and it also tastes so good. It's like my favorite two desserts combined then I added a caramel topping...yum! DF: What wine would you pair with cheesecake? SB: Sweet red wine or a sweet Riesling DF: When you hear, Church Girl CEO, what does it mean to you? SB: Church Girl CEO means to be a woman that lives for the King and wants to make Him proud. She is fearless, faithful, and a warrior. A Church Girl CEO can take her tragedies and turn them into triumphs! She understands she can do all things through Christ that strengthens her and walks with the grace of the Lord while being a mom, a wife, and a CEO! To keep up with Cheesecaked and their sweet creations, visit https://cheesecaked.com and follow their Instagram @cheesecaked. Cheesecaked Underground Atlanta is located at 50 LOWER Alabama Rd. Atlanta, GA 30303 Cheesecaked Norcross will open in 2022.
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A New Year is coming! Beauty Evolution Beauty By Nichelle Johnson, Kolor Beauty
You will be happy to know that it comes in 26 colours you will find hard to resist. Experience my personal favorites, Rouge Allure 99-Pirate, and Rouge CoCo Gloss 724-Burnt Sugar. Visit Chanel’s website or your favorite department store. Remember ladies, less is more sometimes! The right lip color is sometimes all you need to take your look to the next level. Find your new favorite color; you owe it to yourself in 2022!
Ladies! Ladies! A New Year is quickly approaching! Fall in love with the same you in a new way! When a new year is on its way or has come already, we immediately think or even say out loud to the world, “It’s a new year and it’s a new me,” as if we are chasing someone other than who we are. Yes, I agree, that with every New Year we should be evolving into a better version of ourselves; however, I also believe that sometimes just small adjustments will suffice. For some of us, it may be finding a new favorite lipstick, a new fragrance scent, whether flowers or musk, or a completely new look through a total makeover! As this New Year approaches, I find myself drawn to colors, fragrances and scents that allure you into my world. I personally love a good Chanel Lip anything -- lip gloss or lipstick. It has always been the lips for me. Step into the limited edition of Chanel’s Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colours for just $45. Only Chanel can pull off a perfect lip that is hydrating and richly pigmented. It is available in 5 shades that range from intense cools to rich warms. If you are a lip-gloss girl and you like that shine with good color depth, then the Rouge CoCo Gloss $32 is your friend.
Lastly, I have decided I will always be remembered by the scent I leave behind. With that being said, I am deeply obsessed with Tom Ford’s Private Blend Eau De Parfums. Lost Cherry is getting quite the attention. It is exotic black cherry and liqueur, with almond, Turkish rose, and jasmine sambac blend that awaken the senses. If you are looking for something that mysteriously sends whispers that “a Lady has entered the room,” then try my personal favorite Café Rose. OMG! It’s a floral perfume that exposes the nocturnal, enchanting pleasures exuding below the surface of the rose. The notes are Turkish rose, Bulgarian rose, and coffee. Both are in the $200 range, but you’re worth it or ask that special someone to present it as a gift! And there you have it, Ladies! Once again beauties, less is More! I rest my case. My fellow beauty adventurers, with all of these new exciting beauty accessories mentioned, let’s try to remember that it is YOU who brings Life to these beauty must-haves! In 2022, I will focus on brands that are upcoming and give household names a run for their money. I’m excited for them all. See you in the New Year!!!
Nichelle Johnson aka Kolor Beauty… Nichelle has over 25 years of experience in the Make Up industry. She has worked with some of the top cosmetic lines such as MAC, Estee Lauder, Fashion Fair and Benefits Cosmetics. She is currently freelancing as an Estee Lauder Expert throughout the MD, DC, VA, & DE Corridor where she teaches women skin care and makeup daily routine techniques. 14
Good Grief Celebration of Life By Latanya Henry-Smith, PhD, LSSP The holiday season is a time of joy and happiness for many people, but for others it is a time of depression and grief. During this pandemic, we have experienced a great deal of unexpected transition of our loved ones, and the holiday season often intensifies the feelings of sadness and grief. However, there are ways to diminish those feelings. Everyone expresses grief in their own way; there is no wrong way to grieve. Celebrating the life of our deceased loved ones is one way to lessen the feelings of grief. Remembering the things we loved most about our dearly departed helps to elevate our mood. Focusing on the good can also help add joy back to the holidays. There are multiple ways to celebrate the life of our loved ones. Listed below are seven ways to celebrate. your loved one. Remember new traditions do not diminish previous traditions.
1. Talk. Share stories with family and friends; be sure to include the children as they may have stories of their own to share. One way to share during gatherings is to have a Memory Jar (box, stocking, basket, etc.). Family and friends write a favorite memory of the loved one and place it in the jar. The memories are then read aloud to those gathered at a designated time.
5. Play. Play loved one’s favorite music and/or games. 6. Light. Light a candle (preferably in their favorite color) in their honor.
2. Make. A collage is a fantastic way to celebrate life. This is also a great activity to include children. Gather pictures of the loved one, especially ones celebrating previous holidays. Once completed, display the collage in a place of honor. If you are tech savvy, this could also be a slide show that can be played during gatherings.
7. Reflect. Have a moment of silence during gatherings or have a holiday toast.
3. Donate. Purchase a gift that you would give to your loved one and donate it to the loved one’s favorite charity (or a local charity) in their name. Another option is to donate the money you would have spent on a gift.
Dr. Latanya Henry-Smith is a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology who provides psychoeducational assessments, counseling, and consultations in Texas public schools. Her passion is to bring healing to children and their families as they navigate through school and life.
4. Create. Celebrate by creating a new holiday tradition in honor of
Latanya Henry-Smith, PhD, LSSP Founder, Sapphire Emerald Solutions & Associates sapphireemeraldsolutions.com
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What To Do With Leftovers? New Twist On Side Dishes By Cedreka Baggett
www.theproductivemomskitchen.com Leftovers are a staple in any household with children. You can take them on the go and they make an excellent side dish that is phenomenal! They're great for making sandwiches or just eating straight out of the container, but I have some tips to help you get more creative when it comes time to use those leftovers from your fridge. The first thing most people do with leftovers is to transfer everything individually into containers. Using a container that has two sides is preferable because it allows you to place your meat and/or veggie sides together in each one, thereby creating a meal ready to reheat and eat. Or if you like your food separated, you can use several small rectangular-shaped containers to hold your different food types; each one could be a portion size. Then you can just grab your selections on your way out the door. No measuring or transferring needed!
a few recipes you can glam-up with awesome side dishes that are easy to make. You may even find some meals to be more exciting than they were before! We hope these tips will give everyone an idea of how easy it is to get creative with their food.
Leftover Steak Into Steak Fajitas
I also have a trick for when you are in need of something to go with your meat/veggie combination. Add a bed of lettuce or rice, then top with your meat and veggies creating an entire new meal.
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Some of the best recipes are simple, and even better when you can turn an already made dish into a new dish. Now you didn't turn the page just to read about leftovers. I bet you would also love 16
Sliced Peppers Sliced Onions 1 tbsp. Garlic 1 tbsp. Cumin 1 tbsp. Lime Juice 1 tbsp. Red Pepper Sliced steak? 2 tbsp. Olive oil
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Sour Cream – optional Tortilla Shells
Delicious food will always be a must, but it's even better when you can turn those leftovers into something new and tasty. It makes mealtime that much more enjoyable! Just before you eat your meal, feel free to have a nice, sweet sip of a delicious drink to help you wind down from your busy day.
Directions: Heat oil then stir fry on high heat peppers, onions, and garlic. After about 3 minutes, add leftover sliced steak to the pan with cumin and red peppers. Continue stir-frying for another 2 minutes. Fill tortillas, squeeze with lime juice, and enjoy!
MoMaRita ● ● ● ● ● ●
Side Dish:
Roasted Garlic Potatoes ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
1 tbsp. Olive oil Salt to taste 2 tsps Garlic, minced 2 tsp Rosemary, ground 1/2 tsp. Thyme, ground Black pepper to taste 3 - 4 large potatoes (I prefer red potatoes)
1 quart pitcher or container 2 cups White or Pink Wine 1 cup Apple Cider Sparkling Juice 1 Orange, sliced 1 pk. Strawberries, sliced 1 pk. Blueberries Directions:
Mix wine and apple cider juice. Add orange slices, strawberries, and blueberries. Let it get a nice chill for 15 minutes. Stir and Enjoy!!!
Directions:
Cedreka Baggett is active in the armed forces as a chef in the Navy; she has many passions, but number one is cooking. Through her love for cooking, in 2019 she birthed Bagge’ whose mission is to bridge the gap between generations through cooking and creativity with originality and ingenuity.
Wash, peel, and dice potatoes in quarters. Boil potatoes in a large pot of salted water. After boiling for around 10 minutes, pierce potatoes with a fork to test for doneness. Once done, drain well. In a separate bowl, combine olive oil, rosemary, thyme, garlic, black pepper in a small pan over medium heat. Stir Frequently for 2-3 minutes. Strain oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Preheat the oven at 425 degrees, move potatoes to a baking sheet, let roast for 30-35 minutes. Flip potatoes a few times while cooking. Once done, serve immediately.
Website: www.baggecollections.com Ecookbook: https://baggecollections.com/products/bagges-top-mom-picks-recipe-book Instagram: @bagge_llc/ Facebook: @BaggeLLC 17
Winter Adventures By Tracy Shorter At the end of the calendar year, two festive holidays occur near each other and that is Christmas and New Year’s Day. It’s the perfect opportunity to close out the year traveling with family and friends. When planning your winter getaway, you must first decide on the location. There are so many options -- from warm beaches to the mountain ski slopes. Depending on your preference and budget, opportunities will vary because the winter season is also the peak season in some locations. Since most people tend to lean toward seeing snow in December, we’ll focus our attention on three (3) cold-weather destinations where you and your family can create unforgettable memories.
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Breckenridge, Colorado.
This place is just a day trip from one of my favorite locations: Denver, Colorado. It is a small city with mining roots and excellent options for mountain skiing and unique boutique shops. The resort in Breckenridge has snowmobile rentals, carriage rides, snowcat tours, ice/snow sculpture contest, indoor and outdoor ice skating, just to name a few. If skiing is not your thing, no worries! You can have lots of fun playing in the snow, checking out the restaurants, and just enjoying the scenery while sipping hot chocolate. 2.
Washington, D.C.
You may not think of the nation’s capital as a winter tourist destination; however, you will find that D.C. has a cool winter vibe but without excessive snow. There are many attractions at your disposal. Consider booking a hotel in the Central Business District, which will allow you to have walking access to many of the museums and landmarks, like the Smithsonian Museum of African American History, Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the United States Capitol Building, and many others.
Lake Tahoe, California.
Just two hours east of Sacramento, Lake Tahoe is a beautiful place year-round, but it comes alive when people visit the ski resorts in the winter. One of the top ski destinations in the country is Squaw Valley, which is located there as well. you must be careful when visiting in the winter as road conditions can be challenging. So, if driving your personal vehicle or a rental car, be sure to include snow chains so you are well prepared.
Wherever you choose to vacation this winter, be sure to include those special people in your life. Experiencing a new location with family and friends makes all the difference. If you need additional travel planning services, give us a call today. Note: Before making any travel arrangements for the suggested locations, please check for rules and guidelines regarding COVID-19. 19
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