Moments January 2013

January - February 2013

Executive’s Hobby Holds Charm Family Inspires Creations

Organizing with Resolve Planning Key to Success

Warming Up to the World’s Best Chili Recipe See inside momentsJanFeb01.indd 1

12/27/2012 5:33:59 PM

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ARE STANDING BY. Our Urgent Care Centers are staffed by pediatricians, equipped with X-rays and labs, and ready to help seven days a week. To find a location near you, visit choa.org/urgentcare.

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Moments Magazine | January - February 2013

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Moments Magazine | January - February 2013

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John Hall Publisher Kevin Atwill Editor Adlen Robinson Director of Content Ryan Garmon Advertising Director Autumn Vetter Photographer Jeff Bucchino Graphic Design Contributing Writers Alyssa LaRenzie Crystal Ledford Jennifer Sami Autumn Vetter

Contents 8

Moments Mom

Meet Deanna Lucas, head of a large HR department and jewelry entrepreneur in her spare time.

10 Home Matters

Organizational strategies for busy moms, plus Meal Planning 101.

12 Personal Finance

Getting your family’s budget in shape, from a woman’s perspective.

26 Warm Up With Chili

Check out the World’s Best Chili recipe, simple, easy and delicious.

Forsyth Mom - Page 8

Moments Magazine

is published bimonthly by the Forsyth County News Co., 302 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Cumming, GA 30040.

Advertising rates and deadlines available upon request.

Contact Ryan Garmon at (770) 205-8960 or rgarmon@forsythnews.com.

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Moms at Work ����������������������������������������������������� 14

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Fitness ����������������������������������������������������������������� 18

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For the Health of It ��������������������������������������������� 22

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Facebook.com/ForsythMoments

Smart Snacking ��������������������������������������������������� 24

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From the Cellar ��������������������������������������������������� 28

Twitter.com/ForsythMoments

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School Spotlight ������������������������������������������������� 30

Follow us online at forsythnews.com, as well as: and

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Moments Magazine | January - February 2013

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Jan. 11 & 12

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12/27/2012 6:03:45 PM

Welcome to

H

appy new year to our Moments readers and their families!

2013 promises to be another busy year and this is the perfect issue to help you ring it in.

Be sure to read my article about getting and staying organized in the months to come.

Autumn has a terrific piece about a local triathlete. What an inspiration to those of us who need to be exercising more.

Now that winter is in full swing, make sure you check out Alyssa’s article about staying healthy.

All of us busy moms know we definitely don’t have time to be sick.

I can’t wait for you to meet this issue’s Mom at Work. I’ve known Jody since our daughters went to preschool together. Cumming Elementary is lucky to have her.

And our Moments Mom, Deanna Lucas, makes the most beautiful and unique jewelry I’ve ever seen. Please know how much we appreciate your readership and feedback.

Best,

Adlen W. Robinson is a longtime resident of Forsyth County and mother of four. A contributor to the Forsyth County News for more than 10 years, Adlen is author of “Home Matters: The Guide to Organizing Your Life and Home.” E-mail her at contact@adlenrobinson.com.

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Moments Magazine | January - February 2013

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THE CUMMING PLAYHOUSE PROUDLY PRESENTS...

Mardi Gras January 18 - 27, 2013 Thur. Fri. Sat. 8:00pm / Sun. MAT 3:00pm

The exciting song, “Masquerade” from Phantom of the Opera will open the show with the beautiful voices of The Showtime Singers of Atlanta, Rhett Wallers Dixieland Band with the Mardi Gras Dancers, and the Cumming Playhouse Singers Ensemble. This will be a tribute to Dixie, New Orleans Jazz and along with dancing, singing and a few additional surprises to round out the show.

Mountain Music and Medicine Show February 2, 2013 8:00pm (On Groundhog Day)

Originating in Dahlonega, Georgia, the MOUNTAIN MUSIC & MEDICINE SHOW has won three GABBY awards from the Georgia Association of Broadcasters for the best locally produced radio program in the State of Georgia. Amazing, especially considering that the MMMS is an all volunteer effort.

Doc Johnson’s traveling Miracle Medicine Show has come to town and set up on the Square in front of Nix’s Store, the hub of local commerce and social center of the area. Doc brings musical acts of the time with him as well as his own brand of humor while he exhorts folks to buy his “Wizard Water” elixir for improving their lives.

Steel Magnolias February 14 - March 24, 2013 Thur. Fri. Sat. 8:00pm / Sun. MAT 3:00pm

Steel Magnolias is the story of six small-town Louisiana women who deeply care about and for each other. At the heart of the story is M’Lynn Eatenton and her vibrant but diabetic daughter Shelby. The two love each other, yet they struggle for control of Shelby’s life. Despite warnings from doctors that pregnancy might be life-threatening, Shelby decides-much to M’Lynn’s chagrin--to have a child. A year later, as a result of childbearing, her kidneys fail. In an act of love that enhances their bond, M’Lynn donates one of her kidneys to save Shelby’s life.

Presented by the Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre (MAT) Award Winning, Gypsy Theatre Company.

The Cumming Playhouse 101 School Street Cumming, GA 30040 playhousecumming.com 770.781.9178 momentsJanFeb06-07.indd 7

12/28/2012 10:15:32 AM

Rooted in family Moments Mom

Busy executive makes jewelry at home

D

eanna Lucas has a schedule that would make most women’s heads spin.

Besides being a wife and mother of two, Lucas is a regional human resources manager for a national law firm. She also runs a jewelry-making business from the family’s home.

Reflecting on her wonderful children, 11-year old Kenedy and 7-year old Torey, and supportive husband, Vince, she notes it was “much more difficult when the kids were little.”

The family moved to Forsyth County from New Jersey in 2007, after living for a year in Dunwoody trying to decide where they wanted to settle.

In addition to Forsyth County’s excellent schools and beautiful atmosphere, she said there was another reason the family chose to move here. “Vince’s oldest brother and his wife and kids live here in the county so we wanted to be near family.”

Deanna Lucas is grateful for her family, including husband Vince and children Kenedy and Torey, and their support.

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“There were these bottle caps necklaces that my daughter wanted to buy and they were about $20 to $25, which I thought was high for what you got,” Lucas said. “I looked at them and I thought, well I can make that.”

Deanna Lucas’ family includes son Torey, left, and daughter Kenedy.

Family is of paramount importance to Lucas, who grew up in south Florida. Her father is originally from Havana, Cuba, while her mother hails from Barcelonetta, Puerto Rico. “My parents moved to New York as children and actually grew up in the same neighborhood,” she explained.

Her mother’s father was the first Puerto Rican world champion boxer, which is how the family ended up moving to New York. So how did Deanna from south Florida meet Vince, a New Jersey native?

See Lucas pg. 16

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Home Matters

Organizational tips for busy mothers

Planning can ease the hustle, bustle

T

he first of the year usually prompts most of us to set goals and make some resolutions.

While goal setting is an important step in achieving success, too often this is also a time of year when we tend to feel discouraged if our resolutions are not met.

Busy moms and women are always on the lookout for ways they can meet goals and be successful in their lives while at the same time being more efficient at what they do.

If you don’t write down your goals for the year, chances are they are not going to materialize.

But instead of just writing down goals, make a detailed plan for how you plan on achieving them.

For example, if losing weight is the goal, map out how you will accomplish that.

How many days can you exercise and for how long?

What sort of eating plan will you adopt?

Most experts recommend that losing one to two pounds a week on a weight-loss program is the method most likely to be successful.

Get a day planner. Nothing can help you organize the days and keep track of progress like a day planner.

I prefer one that has rings so I can customize it to fit my lifestyle. At the back of my day planner are sections such as goals, books, quotes, to-do, etc.

Hang a large (depending on the size of your family) calendar somewhere in a central location of the home, usually the kitchen.

Train your family members to record all appointments and activities on this central calendar.

Update the day planner weekly by recording things from the family calendar into your personal day planner.

That way, no matter where you are, you can see what’s happening with the schedule and those of your family.

Once a week, spend a few minutes reviewing the upcoming week. I recommend doing this on Sunday afternoon or Sunday night.

That way, when the crazy rush of Monday morning begins, you have a plan in place.

Spend a few minutes making a weekly “to do” list as well as a “to call” list.

While planning for the upcoming week, why not go ahead and jot down a menu schedule?

If you just take a few minutes to plan out a meal strategy, you can save hours (and a lot of money) by not making those 6 o’clock runs to the grocery store, or frantic calls for pizza delivery.

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Before I make out my list, I survey the refrigerator, freezer and pantry. I can then plan my menu around that.

While you make your weekly menu plan, go ahead and knock out a grocery list.

Always take a pad of paper or small notebook with you in the car, your purse, or diaper bag. Then, when you are in a waiting room or anywhere else with idle time, you can jot down things you need to do or purchase.

If you are trying to clean the house, crank up some favorite music and turn off the television.

Nothing can help you organize the days and keep track of progress like a day planner.

When the TV is on, you tend to stop what you are doing and watch. When the music is blaring, you tend to move faster. And with house cleaning, the sooner you finish the better.

Always do as much to prepare for the morning rush the night before. If you have young children, lay out their clothes for school, ensure backpacks are ready to go.

If you exercise first thing in the morning, lay out those workout clothes. If you head out the door super early, get the coffee ready to go, plan a breakfast ahead of time or make lunch and have it ready.

A few minutes the night before always makes the mornings run smoother.

scary

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Refrigerators don’t have to be Thorough cleaning benefits upkeep, cooking

W

hen you open your refrigerator, what do you see?

Sparkling clean shelves lined with neatly placed containers and bottles for this and that? Or a jumbled mass of food and things loosely wrapped in foil or plastic wrap?

When deciding what to cook for dinner, do you rummage through your refrigerator, cautiously peering into containers?

Do you secretly wonder whether you will find something edible, or possibly something that may take first prize at the science fair?

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Well, if you are in the latter category, prepare to take back your refrigerator.

Although even the most organized among us has to do refrigerator-maintenance, there is a way to minimize the amount of time it actually takes to clean out the fridge.

The first step, however, is to do a thorough cleaning.

Begin by taking every single thing out of the refrigerator, including the side door shelves if you have them.

Using hot, soapy water, thoroughly clean the inside of the refrigerator, paying special attention to hard-to-reach places like produce drawers (remove those, if necessary).

Next, wipe off all jars — the bottoms, as well as the lid part.

Now is the time to consolidate. If you have four jars of pickles, try to get them all into two jars (and don’t buy pickles for a while).

Before returning everything to the refrigerator, it’s time to do some grouping. Preferably on the kitchen table or large counter, group like items together: all jellies and jams; salad dressings; pickles and olives; barbecue/steak sauces; cheeses; and lunch meats.

Here is the key to refrigerator organization: When you return these “groups” to the fridge, keep them in their appropriate group.

I’m a bit of a container freak, so I keep them separated that way.

I have a container that holds all of our pickles/olives, while another one holds cheese.

There’s one for all sandwich-making condiments like mustard, mayonnaise, etc. That container really comes in handy for husbands and children.

They know exactly where to find the mustard or mayonnaise and they can even remove the entire container and put it back where it belongs.

Keep the doors of your refrigerators organized in the same way.

Place all salad dressings on one shelf. Ketchup and barbecue/steak sauce on another.

No, things will not always be put back in the right spot, but it’s much easier to straighten up a refrigerator when it is organized in this manner.

Also, designate a spot for leftovers. That way, you can immediately see what’s there and what may need to be tossed out.

Once the refrigerator is cleaned and organized, tackle the freezer.

The best way to keep a freezer clean and user-friendly is to designate each shelf for a different category.

For example, use one each for breads, leftovers, breakfast foods, vegetables, etc.

I also keep a variety of nuts and spices in my freezer. Nuts tend to go rancid quickly due to their high oil content.

Keeping them in the freezer prolongs their life and keeps them fresh.

If you are fortunate enough to have a second refrigerator or a deep freezer, save money (and headaches) by keeping an inventory list on top of the freezer with the current contents. Especially if you keep a lot of meat on hand.

If you pull out a roast, just mark it off the list. And consult it when making out a shopping list.

Before planning a weekly menu and/or making a trip to the grocery store, always consult your refrigerator and freezer.

Now that they’re organized, you can see exactly what’s there and what you need.

-- Adlen W. Robinson

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Personal Finance

Moms can ensure financial well-being New year ideal time to review

T

here’s no doubt women today are taking a more active role in their families’ financial wellbeing.

Ann-Margaret Johnston, a certified public accountant who owns Johnston & Associates in north Forsyth, said there are many things women can do at this time of year to help improve their families’ finances and teach children to become good financial stewards.

“Nowadays women are working, so they’re more into what’s going on financially,” Johnston said. “I don’t think there are many women anymore who would say they’re completely clueless about their family finances. In fact, it might be the opposite now and more men are clueless about it.”

Johnston’s first bit of advice for women is, if they work, to always take advantage of pre-tax benefits, such as 401K matches and health, dental and life insurance plans through their employers.

“Make sure you’re always putting away pre-tax money if you’re employed,” she said.

She also advised setting specific financial goals and using a professional to help in planning.

“I’m a firm believer that if you don’t set goals you’re not going to get anywhere,” she said. “If you don’t write 12

put money away for yourself and your those down and plan toward them, family.” they’ll never happen.

Women can also use the start of a “Always, if you have investments new year to try to save money for their like stock portfolios and those types families. of things, always look at those. You should always, at least every quarter, look over what stocks you have and how safe they are, what your dividends and interest rates are for that.

“Always sit down Ann-Margaret Johnston, a certified public accountant, advises setting with a good specific financial goals and using a professional to help in planning. financial planner and “When you have some down time try to figure out are you on the right after the holidays, go a take a good path for where you want to be.” look at all your monthly bills,” she said.

Johnston said it’s also important “Look at your garbage bill, look at your for women to make sure their families cable or satellite bill, your cell phone are always putting money away into and your home phone, your Internet savings. bill.

“Even if it’s just $20 a month, just “Ask yourself, ‘What can I eliminate?’ something, and you can’t touch it.

As an example, she said many Just put it away and forget about it,” people have decided to drop home she said. “Save for a rainy day. It will phones or Internet if they can access always rain, so you’ve always got to

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the Web via cellular phone data plans.

Johnston said sometimes calling providers can lead to discounts.

“If you call them up and tell them you’re looking elsewhere, they’ll often work with you to keep you as a customer,” she said. “They would rather have you as a customer at a lower rate than not at all.”

This time of year is also a good time for moms to check up on documents such as wills and life insurance policies.

“Make sure, especially if you have children, that your will is in order. If you’ve moved during the past year, you’re going to need to have those wills in the new county where you live,” she said.

“And, especially if your husband is the main bread winner, you want to make sure you have some sort of life insurance plan in place and up to date.

If your spouse was to die, you want to make sure you and your children are not homeless.”

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This time of year is also a good time for moms to check up on documents such as wills and life insurance policies Johnston said any time of the year is good for moms to start teaching their children the value of work and savings.

“I’m big on working at a young age. If kids get bored, they get in trouble,” she said. “I think a good thing to do is start them thinking about working and that working is how you earn money to do all the things you want to do.

“And start teaching them to automatically put 10 percent aside into a piggy bank. If you start them early, it’s no big deal. It’s like, ‘I may have gotten $20 from grandma, but $2 goes into my savings, so I have $18.”

-- Crystal Ledford

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12/24/2012 3:16:02 PM

Moms at Work

Love of learning

Life’s journey leads to classroom T

here are many teachers who love their jobs, but Jody Price is particularly passionate about

hers.

“When I think about how far I have come, I have had quite a life journey,” Price said.

Back in the mid-1990s, Price was a stay-at-home mother to 4-year old Tricia and 2-year old Cody.

“In 1997, I found myself divorced and in the middle of a major life change,” she remembered. “I was angry at God and really not embracing the changes at all. I was scared and didn’t know what I was going to do.”

According to Price, what kept her going were her two precious children and the support of friends and family.

“A friend came to me and didn’t really ask but rather told me I was going to teach a Sunday school class of children at church,” she recalled. “It was during that process that I experienced an epiphany. I remember thinking I am going back to school and am going to be a teacher.”

Price said the decision was not without some anguish and

apprehension. “I was terrified of failure and it had been quite a while since I had been in school.”

In January 1999, Price started at North Georgia College and State University by taking one class. “I had such a wonderful professor who was so supportive. When I got an ‘A’ in his class, I felt so much gratification.”

That “A” also gave her the confidence to take three classes the next semester. Again Price made A’s in each class. She then went on to be a straight-A student while pursuing her undergraduate degree in eduation.

“It was hard going to school and raising two young children while trying to be the best at everything,” she said.

After serving as a student teacher at Cumming Elementary during her

final year of school, Price was thrilled to accept a teaching job there after graduation.

“I taught fourth grade for three years, then I taught second grade for a year, but I really found my love was teaching fifth grade,” she said.

A driven person, Price soon decided to go back to school to pursue her master’s degree. In addition, she earned an endorsement in math.

While she could teach math in kindergarten through eighth grade, Price’s true passion is teaching math and science to fifth-graders.

“I love the kids. I absolutely love seeing their ‘ah-ha’ moment when they figure something out for themselves,” she said. “I love that they are mature enough to have a sense of humor Photos: Autumn Vetter

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about things, and that they feel special since they are the oldest in the school.”

Price said the atmosphere at Cumming Elementary is positive and uplifting. “We have great leadership and I love my co-workers.”

Assistant Principal Dawn Bush had nothing but praise for Price.

“She is one of the most charismatic teachers I’ve met,” Bush said. “She works hard building positive relationships with her students, and they adore her.

“Jody is dedicated to giving her all to the kids, and she is an outstanding teacher.”

But Price is quick to point out that it hasn’t been an easy path.

“I can remember being so tired and thinking I couldn’t possibly get everything done that needed to be,” she said.

“Unless you are a single parent, you will really never know what it is like.”

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Home of CDA II Performance Academy Ages 18 Months - Adult Jody Price, center, with Assistant Principal Dawn Bush, left, and Principal Pamela Pajerski at Cumming Elementary.

While she spends many nights up late grading papers, Price said her job as a teacher is as rewarding as it is fun, adding “I truly love what I do.”

To relieve stress, she has always enjoyed gardening and working in her yard. “I also love doing projects around my house,” she said. “I am always looking for inexpensive, creative ways to do home improvement and decorating projects.”

With her daughter 20 and in college, and her son a senior in high school about to go off to college, she feels as if there has been a shift.

“I never felt like I really had time for me,” she said. “I am always running around doing things for others. I think now it’s time for Jody.”

-- Adlen W. Robinson

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12/26/2012 11:14:30 AM

Moments Mom Continued from Page 9

Lucas: “I knew I wanted to create pieces that were classic”

“We were in a wedding together in Florida and we ended up marrying in 1999 and I moved there,” she recalled.

The couple lived in south Jersey as Lucas worked as a human resources manager in Philadelphia before accepting her current job in 2007. With a demanding and time-consuming career, most people would think Lucas had no time to do anything else.

What started as a simple motherdaughter craft a few years ago, has evolved into a growing business of fine jewelry making. “There were these bottle caps necklaces that my daughter wanted to buy and they were about $20 to $25, which I thought was high for what you got,” Lucas said. “I looked at them and I thought, well I can make that.”

After doing some online research, she ordered the bottle caps but they were sold only in bulk. “It all sort of snowballed. I had all of the supplies and my daughter and I started making them, and I decided to try to sell them.”

Lucas and her daughter took the bottle caps to some school craft shows, where they “sold like hot cakes.”

After that she experimented with creative picture frames, and then discovered she had a knack for making jewelry.

“Jewelry is so popular, it’s literally everywhere,” she said. “I knew if I was going to make it, it had to be different.”

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Lucas wanted her materials to be higher end, but at the same time affordable. “I really wanted the jewelry to be unique and customized. I knew I wanted to create pieces that were classic.”

Deanna Lucas finds making jewelry at home to be relaxing.

She explained that her goal was to create pieces a woman could wear to work, on a date, out shopping or just anywhere.

She found that she loved antique vintage pieces, semi-precious and precious stones. With gemstones such as jasper, pyrite, white turquoise, howlite and agate, to name just a few, she began experimenting with necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

During her research, she also discovered a local artist, Glenn Levent, who works with hand-forged copper.

“I absolutely love Glenn’s work. It is amazing what he creates with copper, he is so talented,” said Lucas, who began incorporating copper pieces in her jewelry and other items.

“I love shopping at antique shops to find one-of-a-kind crosses, coins, and even vintage metals that I use in my pieces.”

To say her jewelry is unique would be an understatement. As she noted, “Not many people have jewelry that is made from real volcanic lava beads or wooly mammoth ivory beads.”

Lucas draws inspiration from her family’s roots. “I love the old architecture and landmarks in Cuba, and my designs mirror that, the contrasts of color and texture and these gems from another era.”

Her line features various collections that are inspired by different structures

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“I love shopping at antique shops to find one-of-a-kind crosses, coins, and even vintage metals that I use in my pieces.” or places in Cuba.

The cathedral collection has pieces with beautiful, rustic crosses accenting the beautiful gemstones, while the Hemingway collection reflects the beauty of the Caribbean.

Lucas, who can spend an entire week on one necklace, sells her jewelry online as well as at various boutiques and arts and crafts shows.

The Internet has helped Old Havana Couture reach customers the world round, including Lithuania, where her first customer lives.

Lucas said she feels so blessed to have found something she enjoys doing.

“It is my stress reliever. After the kids are in bed, I put some piano music on and spend hours making jewelry. I never feel dread about spending hours making jewelry. It is truly my passion.”

-- Adlen W. Robinson

Lucas sells her jewelry online as well as at various boutiques and arts and crafts shows.

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Photos: Autumn Vetter

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Moments Magazine | January - February 2013

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12/24/2012 3:14:25 PM

Fitness

‘Dedicated towards her goal’ Triathlete qualifies for world championships

T

he first time veteran runner and spin class teacher Christine Grant raced a bike that moved, she took third place in a duathlon.

When the north Forsyth resident added swimming to the mix, she found herself hooked on a new sport, triathlon.

And after three years of racing, she qualified seventh in the 45-49-year-old female triathlon age group and will represent the USA Triathlon amateur team in the International Triathlon Union’s World Championships in London next September.

Her coach of more than a year, Jon Adamson, describes Grant as the perfect client “because she’s very dedicated towards her goal.”

However, cycling friend Dustin Heard is quick to point out that you would never hear that from Grant.

“She would never tell you anything good about herself ... she’s very humble,” Heard said.

“When I first met her, she was super quiet … But when it would come to a climb, she’d just take off.”

Grant’s determination has earned 18

her the nickname the “Pit Bull” from her Cumming-based Northstar Bicycle cycling group.

“I think I just wanted to challenge myself and see how I did in each race,” Grant said. “I was just having so much fun.”

After her first year racing, Grant realized she had qualified to compete at the USA Triathlon National Championships. “I had a horrible, horrible race, but it was a great experience.”

Two years later, Grant got her “game on straight,” and qualified for both the sprint distance race — a total of about 16 miles of swim, bike, and run —

and the Olympic distance, about twice the distance of a sprint, at the national competition in Burlington, Vt. “It’s not easy to qualify for both races since they’re one right after the other, but our structured [training] approach made a big difference,” said Adamson, 75, who is based in Alpharetta and a veteran of several triathlon and Ironman world championships.

Since just the top 18 in Grant’s age group of about 400 competitors qualify, Adamson noted that this is a “pretty good achievement.”

After placing 21st in the Olympic distance her first day out, Grant placed eighth in the sprint distance the next day.

She got an e-mail a couple months later letting her know that she had qualified for both race distances to compete in the 2013 World

After three years of racing, north Forsyth resident Christine Grant has qualified for a spot on the USA Triathlon amateur team competing in London in 2013.

Moments Magazine | January - February 2013

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Championships in London, and asking which distance she’d like to do.

“I was extremely excited,” she said.

“I think I called everybody I knew, and said, ‘We’re going to London! Get your passports ready.’”

In the meantime, Grant will focus on her daily training.

“It’s a lot of real tight time management between all the workouts, working full time, commuting, family, all the responsibilities,” she said.

Grant’s longtime boyfriend and local chiropractor Todd Brown, 47, who cheers her on each step of the way, has been instrumental with her nutrition.

“What a lot of people don’t realize is there’s really four legs to any triathlon,” he said. “The fourth leg is recovery.

Because you’ve got to be able to wake up two days later and go out and train again.”

Grant and longtime boyfriend Todd Brown enjoy competing in triathlons together.

Brown runs most races with Grant stating, “She always beats me, but we’re getting closer.”

Added Grant, “I don’t think I would do it as much if [Todd] wasn’t doing it too. And that’s why it’s fun, doing it together.”

Originally from a small town in New Hampshire, Grant moved to California several different times while in her 20s and early 30s. She and Brown met out there about fifteen years ago.

According to Grant, it was Brown’s daughter, Catelyn, who first grabbed her attention. “I always joke that Katelyn was my first love, Todd was my second,” she said.

During business hours, Grant is

a director of consulting services for Linkage Inc. in Alpharetta. Katelyn Brown attends college at Auburn University, and Grant and Todd Brown make their home in north Forsyth, often training in and around Lake

“I think I just wanted to challenge myself and see how I did in each race,” Grant said. “I was just having so much fun.”

Lanier.

Grant will be racing on Roswell Bicycle shop’s triathlon team, for which Adamson is the manager, beginning in 2013.

Adamson said the biggest reward of coaching is “people like Chris.”

“They’re willing to do the work and do everything I ask, and all you can really ask is that they do the best they can,” he said. “She’s doing better and working hard at it, and she’ll be racing to her potential come September next year.”

-- Autumn Vetter

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770-887-0756 433 Canton Highway • Suite 312 Cumming, Georgia 30040 Moments Magazine | January - February 2013

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12/24/2012 3:12:56 PM

Community Notes

Calendar

Happenings about town

C T F

umming Garden Club meets at 10 a.m. the second Tuesday of every month at Cumming Baptist Church. For more information, call (770) 844-7061.

he Cumming Sunset Quilters is open to anyone interested in joining them at 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month in Northside Hospital-Forsyth’s Building 1400. For more information, call (770) 889-9471. orsyth County Schools’ Mentor Program will have a training from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Forsyth County Board of Education, 1120 Dahlonega Hwy. For more information, e-mail sbrookshire@forsyth.k12. ga.us or lshadburn-simpson@ forsyth.k12.ga.us.

H

elping Hands Partners, an organization assisting Forsyth County families, is in need for its empty food pantry.

Food and household items are needed. Residents may drop off donations at 523 Veterans Memorial Blvd. or call for pick up. For more information, call (404) 545-5721 or (678) 3418075.

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aith’s House invites women to its new single moms’ club, where they can connect, get links to community resources and more.

There are two locations for meetings, with dinner and child care provided. The club is free to join. For more information, call (770) 205-6311 or e-mail valerie@faithshouseinc.org.

T

he Chestatee River chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution meet at 3 p.m. the second Sunday of each month at the Forsyth County Public Safety Complex on Setting Down Road.

For more information, call (678) 513-6127.

A

ARP Tax-Aide is seeking volunteers to help taxpayers in need of assistance filing their 2012 tax returns. For more information, go online at www. aarp.org/tavolunteer8.

T F

he Place of Forsyth County is in need of volunteers with SUVs or vans to help with a weekly food box run from The Place to a church on Majors Road. A team is needed each Saturday. Please call Ashley, Ruth or Sandy at (770) 887-1098 to reserve a spot. amily Haven, a nonprofit organization supporting victims of domestic violence, has moved its thrift store from Canton Highway to City Shops, 598 Veterans Memorial Blvd. The thrift store also is in need of volunteers. For more information, call (770) 844-0842.

W

orld Heritage Student Exchange Program is seeking local host families for international students for the 2012-13 school year. For more information, contact Roxanne Lawson at (770) 833-5717 or go online at www.whhosts.com.

P

IER Thrift and Consignment Center, 5185 Browns Bridge Road, is in need of volunteers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. The store is a nonprofit group that trains and employs adults with disabilities.

For more information, go online at www.pierfoundation.org.

G

arden of Empowerment, a nonprofit organization with the purpose of empowering separated, divorced and widowed women to move forward with their lives, is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

For more information, go online at www.gardenofempowerment. org.

T

T

he Holistic Moms Network meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Land of a Thousand Hills Coffeehouse, 5095 Post Road, with informational speakers, yoga groups, and play groups for mothers interested in holistic health and green livng. For more information, e-mail Ann Linke at holisticmomforsyth@yahoo. com, or visit www.holisticmoms. org. he Cumming Civitan Club meets at 11:45 a.m. the first and third Thursday of each month at the Golden Corral on Market Place Boulevard. For more information, call Ann Raines at (770) 887-3778.

Moments Magazine | January - February 2013

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B

aby Boomers of Cumming and North Fulton is a group of married couples who enjoy social activities like dinner, theater, trivia and more. For more information, e-mail boomercouples@gmail.com.

A

uditions for “The Marvelous Wonderettes” will be from 7-10 p.m. Jan. 15-16 at the Cumming Playhouse. The May show by Pie in the Sky Productions is looking to cast four women for acting and singing. For more information or to schedule an audition, e-mail leighannmusic@ gmail.com.

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Learn Interior Design or 34 other careers!

he Acting Troupe of Lambert will perform “13: The Musical” at 7 p.m. Jan. 17-19, with a matinee at 2 p.m. Jan. 19 at Lambert High School, 805 Nichols Road.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students. For more information, go online at www.atldrama.org.

A

ge Well Forsyth will have a Mardi Gras show Jan. 18-27 at the Cumming Playhouse. Tickets can be purchased as a Christmas present, and funds help seniors in Forsyth County. For more information, go online at www. playhousecumming.com.

A

ARP Driver Safety will have a one-day class from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 19 at Northside Hospital-Forsyth, 1400 Northside Hospital Drive. The refresher defensive driving course is open to members and nonmembers (cost is $12 or $14 respectively). Participants may receive an insurance discount for completion. Bring a sack lunch or use the hospital’s cafeteria.

Drinks will be provided.

Forsyth Campus Lanier Technical College www.laniertech.edu Ph 706.216.5461 EOI

Moments Magazine | January - February 2013

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12/26/2012 4:52:05 PM

For the Health of It

But Mommy Can’t Get Sick...

Tried, true methods for fending off illness

M

others often assume the caregiver role when children get sick, so there’s no time for them to come down with something themselves.

The role of vitamin D in warding off winter illness has been a popular topic of research in the medical community. But good, old hand washing and flu shots may still be the best bet to stay healthy.

The link between the increase in winter illnesses and the lack of sun exposure may seem to make sense, given that vitamin D is produced naturally in the human skin when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet-B rays, explained DeeDee Stewart, an urgent care physician at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Forsyth.

“We tend to get more illness in the winter, and we’re not in the sun as much in the winter,” Stewart said. “So people started making the jump to, ‘Well, maybe vitamin D — because we’re not getting sunlight — must have something to do with our immune system.’”

Though studies have shown some connection in the vitamin and regulating the body’s immune system, an article published in October in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the supplement did nothing to prevent colds or other respiratory infections.

The more than 300 participants in the randomized, double-blind study who took either a placebo or vitamin D 22

Mysteries of SAD difficult to unlock Spending time outside in sun may help Although spring will be here before we know it, there are still plenty of dreary days ahead weather-wise.

If you feel particularly down during the winter months, perhaps you suffer from SAD. SAD, or seasonal affective disorder, is a type of depression that affects an estimated half million people, particularly during the months December, January and February.

Experts say the disorder may be caused by a biochemical imbalance in the hypothalamus due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter.

Symptoms of SAD include anxiety, depression, lethargy, mood changes, overeating and sleep and social problems.

I also learned that most sufferers of SAD show signs of a weakened immune system during the winter, and are more vulnerable to infections and other illnesses.

While my research found that there is no cure for SAD, many sufferers experience relief through light therapy.

There is an expensive light box you can buy, or there are actually places that will dispense intense light therapy.

I could not find any such place around here, though there appear to be numerous clinics in the United Kingdom, where SAD seems to flourish.

For mild sufferers, doctors recommend simply spending time outdoors on sunny days, even when it’s cold.

The next sunny day we have, even if you do not suffer from SAD, try spending your lunch hour taking a stroll outside.

Your mood is likely to be improved.

--Adlen W. Robinson

Moments Magazine | January - February 2013

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supplements had about the same rate of contracting an upper respiratory tract infection, according to the study.

The seasonal winter infections likely aren’t a result of lack of sun exposure, but the time spent indoors could be one of the causes for increases in cold and flu illnesses in those months.

“We don’t get out as much, the windows aren’t open, we’re more in enclosed spaces,” Stewart said. “There’s just more exchanging of viruses.”

Those viruses can live for days on surfaces, so it can take only a touch of the surface and to the face for the illness to claim its next victim.

Simply washing your hands and keeping them away from your face can help prevent a virus from entering the body, Stewart said.

Hand washing is extra important for mothers caring for a sick child. It can stop a virus from traveling to other members of the family.

“If you’re taking care of a sick child and a well child, the last thing you want to do is spread it,” Stewart said.

“As you’re running from one child to the next, that’s how it happens.”

Good, old hand washing and flu shots may still be the best bet to stay healthy

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Cleaning surfaces where viruses can live and keeping sick children separated from others can also help contain the germs, she said.

Stewart also recommended a flu shot, which can protect against multiple strains of the virus.

“The flu hit early this year, and unfortunately I don’t think a lot of people got their flu vaccines yet,” she said. “Even if you’ve gotten [the flu], go ahead and get your flu shot because it may protect you against other strains of flu in the coming months.”

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Check out our Facebook Page @ Facebook ID: North Cumming 1715 Friendship Circle | Suite 100 | Cumming, GA 30028 Phone: (470) 253-7349 | Fax: (470) 253-7352 Moments Magazine | January - February 2013

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12/26/2012 5:27:13 PM

Smart Snacking

Canned pumpkin packs flavor all year

Spice up muffins, other goodies

I

love using canned pumpkin because it is nutritious and adds so much flavor to a variety of foods.

You can add it to pancakes, breads, cookies and, of course, muffins.

Canned pumpkin is inexpensive and available all year long.

Loaded with vitamins and other nutrients, you can feel good about incorporating it into your diet.

This recipe is super easy and extremely low in calories and fat.

I like to make mini-muffins rather than the big ones. These are perfect when accompanied with some hot cider.

Don’t forget the cinnamon stick for stirring and added flavor.

-- Adlen W. Robinson

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Mini Pumpkin Muffins

 1 cup whole wheat flour  1 cup all purpose flour  2 teaspoons baking powder  1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon  1 ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice  ½ teaspoon baking soda  ¼ teaspoon salt  1 (15 ounce) can pure pumpkin  ½ cup fat-free liquid egg substitute  1/3 cup granulated no calorie sweetener  1/3 cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line mini-muffin pans with foil baking cups, or spray it with nonstick spray.

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt.

In medium-large bowl, combine remaining muffin ingredients, and whisk until uniform.

Add to the flour mixture, and stir until just mixed and smooth.

Evenly distribute the muffin batter among the cups of the muffin pan, and smooth out the surfaces.

Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, 12 to 15 minutes.

If using regular muffin tins, allow a few more minutes baking time.

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Moments Magazine | January - February 2013

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12/27/2012 2:07:24 PM

Moments Magazine | January - February 2013

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12/27/2012 5:47:11 PM

Photos: Autumn Vetter

Dinner Matters

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Winter Garnishes can Comfort enhance chili

have a chili confession: I could eat it all year long, but it is particularly comforting and delicious during the winter months.

Whenever I do make chili (and that’s often), I always make a big pot.

That’s because chili freezes beautifully and also since it tastes better the next day anyway.

I like to freeze it in individual glass containers since the crushed tomatoes may corrode plastic containers.

You will notice the secret ingredient is a little bit of unsweetened cocoa powder.

Some chefs use a little bit of chocolate, but I think the cocoa powder works perfectly.

As far as the type of bean you use, experiment. I often use black beans or pinto beans. Here, I used the classic kidney bean.

Just give them a good rinse to rinse away any excess sodium.

As far as I’m concerned, the garnishes for the chili are just as important as the chili.

They can really make it feel more special.

Put out bowls of them and let your family and/or guests garnish their own bowls of red.

World’s Best Chili

 2 tablespoons canola oil  1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped  1 poblano pepper, seeded and finely minced  ½ jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely minced  1 medium onion, finely chopped  Salt and pepper  2 tablespoons chili powder (more to taste)  1 ½ teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder  1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes  6 cups water  2 pounds ground beef (or ground turkey)  1 can light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed  1 can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed  Garnishes: Shredded cheddar cheese, pickled jalapenos, sour cream, cilantro, tortilla chips In a large pot, heat oil over medium high heat. Cook peppers and onion until soft, about 10 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the vegetables from the pot. Add ground beef and cook until beef is cooked through.

Drain beef and then return to the pot. Add vegetables back to pot with cooked ground beef. Stir in chili powder and unsweetened cocoa powder and stir to combine. Add crushed tomatoes and water and bring to a boil.

Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour in the beans. Add more chili powder and some cayenne if you want it spicier. Cook for an hour over low heat, adding more water if necessary. You can also pour the whole thing into your slow cooker and put it on low.

Good mood foods

battle winter blues Feed your body the right choices

W

hile we tend to have fairly mild winters in Forsyth County, when the days are cold and gray, my mood almost always suffers.

Thankfully, there are some steps we can take to help us feel better until spring arrives.

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One of the most important things to remember about your mood is that it can actually improve if you feed your body the right foods.

Just like cheap fuel tends to make your car sputter and not run as efficiently, the wrong food choices limit the body’s ability to run at its peak performance.

In addition, when you put quality foods into your “tank” you will not only feel better, you’ll look better and have more energy.

In the last decade or so, carbohydrates have gotten a bad rap.

Moments Magazine | January - February 2013

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12/27/2012 5:42:15 PM

Serotonin helps you relax and keeps you from being sad. Guess what carbs do? They help raise your levels of serotonin.

Just be sure to choose the right carbs — whole grains, vegetables, fruit, high fiber cereals, brown rice and whole wheat pasta.

Fat also gets a bad rap. When you eat foods that are high in fat, you increase your endorphin levels, which makes you happy.

Try eating fats that are monounsaturated, such as olive oil, nuts and avocados.

Omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood, especially salmon, lobster and shrimp, walnuts and olive oil have also been shown to help reduce depression.

It’s extremely important to eat enough protein, something women often don’t do. Protein provides energy and increases alertness.

Eggs are a marvelous source of protein. I recommend choosing organic.

Other good sources are low fat

milk, yogurt, tofu, lean meats, legumes, turkey, chicken, bananas, and green leafy vegetables.

Some vitamins and minerals are also involved in mood-related disorders.

Folic acid is important for numerous reasons and a lack of it may be linked to depression.

Some good sources of folic acid include turkey, asparagus, beets, spinach and oranges.

Selenium is also critical to help you avoid feeling grumpy or depressed.

Good sources of selenium are whole grains, broccoli, tuna, eggs and even sunflower seeds.

Caffeine is fine in moderation. If you have too much, however, it can make you feel anxious or interfere with your sleep.

My favorite caffeine choice is green tea with pomegranate.

If you are feeling down, munch on an apple and some nuts and start planning your spring garden.

-- Adlen W. Robinson

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Moments Magazine | January - February 2013

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12/27/2012 5:42:36 PM

From the Cellar

‘Lost’ grape turns up in flavorful wine Chilean favorite has deep ties to France

I

am the perfect example of why good marketing works.

I was looking around my favorite wine store when I saw the Oops Wines.

Intrigued by the funny name and the prices of less than $10 a bottle, I decided to give them a try.

The verdict? They were all terrific.

I later did a little research and discovered there is an interesting story behind the wine’s unusual name.

Although these wines hail from Chile, the story behind them begins in France.

Early in the 18th century, there were six main grapes of Bordeaux: cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, carmenere, malbec, merlot and petit verdot.

Of course, France was known for producing wonderful wines with these fine grapes.

In the 1860s, however, a terrible “root louse” that was basically an aphid essentially wiped out the vineyards throughout Europe.

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Moments Magazine | January - February 2013

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When it came time for replanting, all but the carmenere came back.

The grape was later transplanted in Chile, where it grew alongside merlot and for a century was mistaken as merlot.

That is why many people thought that merlot from Chile didn’t really taste like merlot.

In many cases, it wasn’t merlot. It was part merlot and part carmenere.

In 1994, a viticulturist named Jean-Michel Boursiquit revealed the mistake, thus giving some clever marketing people the idea for the name “Oops.”

It has since become known as “the lost grape of Bordeaux.”

The labels on all of the wine bottles are whimsical and clever with plenty of information about the grape’s interesting history.

All of them have some of the carmenere in them, along with other popular grapes.

There are also cute nicknames for the wines, such as the chardonnay, aka “Bodacious Blonde,” or the 100 percent carmenere, “Spicy Splendor.”

I recommend these wines for sipping and also think they would make a good hostess gift.

-- Adlen W. Robinson

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Moments Magazine | January - February 2013

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12/27/2012 5:37:02 PM

School Spotlight

Get to know your schools

Silver City Elementary Fun facts: The school was named after its community, a former trading post. Silver City students are divided into different shuttles, which have regular meetings called “galaxy gatherings.” These meetings help teach character education and promote leadership skills. The shuttles also competed this year to gather toys for a school collection drive. 

Special programs: The school received the National Institute for Direct Instruction grant for the Silver City initiative. The $70,000 grant is going toward reading materials and coaching for the reading mastery program implemented in kindergarten.

It will expand to first grade next year. Teachers model themselves after community service with the Blue Skies organization, which works with families of children fighting a terminal illness. Teachers spent a week of their summer vacation serving those families.

-- Jennifer Sami 

Principal: Paige Andrews Address: 6200 Dahlonega Hwy Cumming, GA 30028

Contact: (678) 965-5020 Fax: (678) 965-5021

Photos: Jim Dean

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Moments Magazine | January - February 2013

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Moments Magazine | January - February 2013