Moments March-April 2013

March - April 2013

&

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Moments Magazine | March - April 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 Heidi Kel, former basement baker turned entrepreneur garnering national attention with delicious cookies.

10 Outdoors

Two young women hike a section of the Appalachian Trail during the summer.

18 Careers

Lanier Technical College program helps students prepare for a rewarding interior design career.

24 Asian Lettuce Wraps

Make it hot or mild, Lettuce Wraps are easy and make great leftovers!

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.

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

Facebook.com/ForsythMoments and

Twitter.com/ForsythMoments

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Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

       

For the Health of It ��������������������������������������������� 12 Moms at Work ����������������������������������������������������� 14 Home Matters ����������������������������������������������������� 20 Smart Snacking ��������������������������������������������������� 22 Fashion ����������������������������������������������������������������� 26 Art ����������������������������������������������������������������������� 28 From the Cellar ��������������������������������������������������� 29 School Spotlight ������������������������������������������������� 30

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Welcome to

W

e at the Forsyth County News can hardly believe Moments has turned one!

It seems like just yesterday we were discussing how we hoped Moments would give mothers and women a content-driven magazine that’s informative, entertaining and relevant.

In this issue, you’ll meet Moments Mom Heidi Kel. I loved spending time with Heidi and watching her team make incredible cookies and candies.

I also can’t wait for you to visit my new favorite store, Gabby’s Olive Branch, and try some of its olive oil and

unusual vinegars. Elsewhere in these pages, my decorator friend Carolena Kaye Phares offers her top tips.

Also inside, Autumn shares her first-hand account of hiking along the Appalachian Trail, while Alyssa gives us some tips for keeping our brains sharp — something any busy wife and mother can use.

As always, please know how much we value and appreciate your readership. We are thrilled with your feedback and suggestions. Happy spring!

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 Mom

Cookie Maven takes Company from Basement to Big Time

W

hat happens when you combine a love of baking and the need to make some extra money?

If you are Heidi Kel, that combination evolved into a multimillion dollar empire called Heidi’s Heavenly Cookies right here in Forsyth County.

“It has definitely been a journey,” Kel said when remembering how her company began more than 10 years ago.

As a stay-at-home mom of three children, Kel said that starting and running a business were not in her

plans. Her mother and grandmother were “amazing” bakers and she had always loved baking cookies and giving them away.

Due to a family job loss, however, Kel and husband Andre decided to

“We ship to CEOs, to producers and actors in Hollywood”

make a go of it.

“My friends and family members always loved my cookies and since my husband had an advertising background, we just decided to launch it,” she said.

Kel did extensive research about doing things the right way. She trademarked the name and was sure to follow all the codes and rules for starting a business.

Before long, she was taking orders, baking cookies and shipping them from her basement, which the couple converted into a professional kitchen.

Kel has always believed strongly in

Heidi and André Kel are shown here with daughter Carleigh (holding puppy Bella), and daughter and son-in-law Keali and Andrew Jensen with grandson Nash.

8

Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

Mom and businesswoman Heidi Kel draws inspiration from her family, left, as well as her co-workers, above and below.

Photos: Autumn Vetter

using only top quality ingredients.

Heidi’s Heavenly Cookies are not only tasty, they are works of art.

At first, news of the cookies spread by word of mouth. In the second year of business, though, someone sent some of Heidi’s Heavenly Cookies to a producer at the NBC “Today Show.”

“She called and wanted to talk about the cookies and then they were featured with Kathie Lee and Hoda.

That pretty much propelled us onto the national scene,” explained Kel. After that, the publicity kept coming, and with it the business grew.

When Southern Living featured Kel and her business in a two-page spread, things took off.

The boom also meant the Kel family basement was no longer big enough to handle the operation. In 2007, Heidi’s Heavenly Cookies moved into its current location off of Old Alpharetta Road.

See Kel pg. 16

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Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

9

Outdoors

The Journey Never Ends MEMOIRS FROM AN APPALACHIAN TRAIL SECTION HIKE

M

all the plans I’d painstakingly made.

Much like my hare-brained ideas as children, she showed me why they wouldn’t work.

So we made new plans.

Of all the things to fear in the woods, other humans was our biggest.

We moved our projected campsites off the roads, made escape routes and alternate plans, and went shopping for last-minute items.

We decided we wouldn’t speak to anyone we encountered without first consulting each other on how likely they were to be a serial killer.

After soaking everything we owned in Permethrin to ward off bugs, and Despite intensive planning, Christie Schroeder and Autumn Vetter found doing a trial the going tough while hiking a section of the Appalachian Trail. set-up of our packs, tent and stove, we were ago, it was decided that we’d take a confident in our abilities. section hike during a week’s vacation Eighty miles in five days? What in July. Much planning ensued. could possibly go wrong?

I researched, purchased an AT Our parents and significant others, guide book and way too much hiking meanwhile, were beside themselves gear. Christie booked her flight. with worry. We installed tracking apps I retrieved her from the Atlanta on our phones and promised to keep airport two days before we headed them charged (with a mini solar panel). into the woods, proudly showing her arch is among the most popular times for Appalachian Trail thru hikers to begin their more than 2,000-mile journey.

Of the thousands that take it on each year, only a fourth succeed.

After section hiking the Georgia portion with my oldest friend this past summer, I understand why.

Following an excited phone call to my friend Christie in Chicago a year

10

Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

Then, it was time to go.

We loaded the car and arranged the tumult of directions to get us up the forest service roads to the trailhead for my daddy, from whom I get my awful sense of direction.

When the AT Guide Book directs you to take a “well-graded gravel road,” I don’t believe they intended us to traverse it in a Mini Cooper. But alas we made it, and off we went.

We soon met four men about our age and, deeming them least likely to harm us, adopted them as hiking companions.

The trail was relatively flat to start, and we’d hiked nine miles by the time we stopped for our Clif bar lunch. We grossly underestimated our water intake, however, and upon arrival to Justice Creek after three hours without fluids, we vowed to never again complain about the weight of water.

We almost lit several forest fires with our alcohol stove, but eventually made a nutritious dinner of ramen noodles and tuna, near our rather sad looking lightweight tent.

When it began to rain, we made a flip decision to head to Gooch Gap shelter, 2.4 miles away, in the 30

minutes before dark. We packed up at lightning speed and broke the sound barrier booking it to the shelter.

To ward off bears and sexual predators, we blew our whistles intermittently and sang the worst rendition ever of the “Star Spangled Banner” at the top of our lungs.

The shelter eventually came into view and we rested peacefully knowing that at one blow of our whistle, four able-bodied men and a Boy Scout troop would come rushing to our aid.

By lunchtime on day two, several things were clear: There is no such thing as pain free — we simply adjusted our packs in a way that hurt less; and up is hard, but down is harder.

We hiked as much as possible with our newfound friends. We didn’t ask their names or life stories; none of that mattered. All that mattered were how do I make things hurt less, and when do we get to eat next?

When we were planning, I worried we’d get bored just walking for days. But it’s amazing how much room survival can take up in your mind. And in between all the pain and suffering, I found we were having a twisted, calming sort of fun.

We left our hiking friends at their final destination and continued on to camp at Lance Creek, a 12-mile day. Our pitiful bear bag hung just 6 feet off the ground between two saplings. But tired, hungry and full of Motrin, it looked perfect to me.

Sore feet were among the challenges that Autumn and Christie faced hiking a section of the Appalachian Trail last summer.

Photos: Autumn Vetter

There is no such thing as pain free — we simply adjusted our packs in a way that hurt less Without a soul in sight, my knife, headlamp and whistle doubled as sleeping companions. We woke to reposition every couple hours.

On the third day, our bodies gave in before our minds, and we called my parents from the tippy top of Blood Mountain to come pick us up.

Approaching Neels Gap about 3 p.m., 40 miles from our start, I had mixed feelings. There’s something beautifully simplistic about having no worries but your basic needs.

And after three days, even the Neels Gap Store was a culture shock.

The last steps were almost more difficult than the first, but the journey isn’t over.

Happy Trails, AT. Until we meet again.

-- Autumn Vetter

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11

For the Health of It

Work Out ed classes, Your Continuing reading offer outlets Mind J

ackie Martin wears a lot of hats, but “mom” is one she doesn’t ever remove.

As a business owner, entrepreneur, continuing education instructor, mother of two teenagers and more, Martin knows all too well how the roles can become overwhelming on the brain.

“Often times we get so caught up with what we’re having to do in the immediate when we’re trying to multitask and take care of all the different things we have on our plates that sometimes we forget about working to fine-tune our own skills and our own abilities,” she said.

Keeping the mind sharp may fall 12

Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

to the bottom of the list as a mom manager, but exercising the brain doesn’t have to stop when parenting begins.

“Just because we’re a parent or an adult now doesn’t mean we should ever stop learning,” Martin said. “Even as our children are learning, we need to continue to learn and provide ourselves avenues like continuing education or reading every night or some measure of giving ourselves that chance to exercise and refresh our brains. It just makes us a better person.”

Martin, a Forsyth County work-athome mom, shares her knowledge of management, leadership and prioritizing through continuing education classes at the University Center |GA 400.

The skills apply to the business world, which could help a parent planning to resume a career “keep one foot in the door,” she said, but those abilities to manage and lead also apply at home.

Martin said any venture that keeps the mind active on a new subject can be beneficial. And continuing education classes, such

as photography or scrapbooking, at the university center could offer that outlet.

Those courses could also be shared with older children, she said.

“Studying, reading, interaction, even debate and all of those kinds of things really stimulate our minds,” Martin said.

The library also offers book clubs and occasional classes for adults to continue learning Anything that challenges our facts or assumptions will give the mind some exercise, and books are a great way to do that, said Cleo Slaughter, program manager at Forsyth County Public Library.

“A simple thing like reading a novel or reading or picture book can cause you to see things in a different way,”

Setting aside time for physical exercise will also work out she said. the mind, Martin said.

Slaughter suggested coupling that reading process with “The brain chemicals that occur when you exercise really some natural curiosity by finding a non-fiction book related benefit you and taking time to do that as a parent is huge,” to something in a fiction book to gather more facts. she said.

Moms can read by themselves or with a child, and the -- Alyssa LaRenzie look in a book will benefit them both.

The library also offers other resources that can feed the quest for knowledge, Slaughter said, such as the Learning Express Library online which offers educational and skillbuilding courses for adults.

She also suggested Mango Languages, which is an online foreign language program offered through the library for cardholders.

“It does have a mobile app,” she said. “So if you’re a momon-the-go maybe you can download it and listen to it while you’re waiting for someone in the car after soccer or at dance class.”

The library also offers book clubs and occasional classes for adults to continue learning, she said.

Martin said continuing education courses in a classroom setting can provide a feeling of achievement that may not be as well defined in a parenting role.

“Sometimes the things moms are having to do don’t get measure in the A-B-C-D category,” she said. “You don’t get a recognition or reward for it, but being able to do something outside that has a little bit of an accomplishment ranking and you get an opportunity to test yourself really gives some affirmation to moms.”

Taking a class also provides a setaside time to give the mind some attention.

“Once we’ve had that exercise, then when we’re with our kids, I feel like we’re more relaxed,” she said.

Martin said she’s been following studies on multi-tasking, something many moms “have thought was the key to success.”

Recent research has shown that the brain actual functions at a lower level overall when multi-tasking, she said.

“We as the parents have to be sure that we stay in balance so we don’t find ourselves overly stressed or working too hard or not present with the kids because we’re thinking about something else,” she said.

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Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

13

Moms at Work

Branching Out into Business A

Mom, family find calling in olive oil

fter a long and fulfilling career in the medical world, Kathy Pace decided to become a stayat-home mom to her and husband Tony’s baby, Gabriella. The couple later made another big decision.

“We were both from Long Island, but we decided to make a major change and move to Georgia,” Pace said.

After 11 years as a stay-at-home mom, Pace was ready to do something in the business world.

“For years we talked about starting a business, but we just couldn’t decide what direction we wanted to go in,” she explained.

What began with an idea and extensive research resulted in the opening of Gabby’s Olive Branch, a store devoted to olive oils, vinegars, herbs, spices, olives and other exclusive and gourmet food products.

Her husband, an avid and accomplished home cook, used olive oil every day in his cooking.

“Tony is such an amazing cook,” Pace said. “I started thinking about how he uses olive oil and I began doing some research.”

As it turned out, there’s a lot to learn about olive oil.

“We want to share this knowledge with our customers and help them see the incredible benefits of our olive oils and really educate people about what is on the market,” she said.

14

Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

According to Pace, olive oil is enriched with polyphenols, the Gabriella Pace helps father Tony at the family’s quantity of which depends on business, Gabby’s Olive Branch. the processing.

“Commercial producers wait until nutritional properties. the olives are either ripe or overripe All oils and vinegars also are poured before crushing them to make the oil,” fresh for each customer. Perhaps best she said. “But by that time, there are of all, everything can be sampled. fewer and fewer polyphenols, which is “We want customers to taste the what is good for you.” vast array of product we carry,” Pace Pace also explained that olive oil should always be stored in a dark glass said. “We have oils that are very mild, and we have those that are full bodied.” bottle — not in full sun.

She orders their olive oils and vinegars from around the world; the store’s offerings often depend on the time of year. And she’s quite particular since she only wants the best quality for customers.

At Gabby’s Olive Branch, all of the oil is labeled with its country of origin, when the olives were crushed and

Photos: Autumn Vetter

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Tony and Kathy Pace, joined here by daughter Gabriella, own and operate Gabby’s Olive Branch.

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In addition, there are dozens and dozens of flavored oils and vinegars. Most are quite unusual, such as wild mushroom and sage olive oil and blood orange olive oil.

Tony Pace noted that the jalapeno olive oil is not as hot as one might think, since the jalapenos are picked before they have formed seeds, which is where the real heat is housed.

On the weekends, customers can find French bread from New York and sourdough bread from San Francisco for sampling various olive oils mixed with herb blends.

The shop is warm and inviting and has a rustic, almost Italian feel to it. The beautiful shelves and racks which showcase the oils and vinegars were built by the talented men at No Longer Bound ministry.

“We really tried to have as many local ties as possible,” Kathy Pace explained.

“We wanted Gabby to see how a business operates and to really see the entire process, from thinking of what type of business, to doing the research, to getting it up and running.”

Gabby works at the shop on the weekends. At age 12, she already knows how to ring up orders, help customers with samples, and promote the company to neighboring businesses.

Her father said the family enjoys running the business, which already feels like “a second home.”

Kathy Pace stressed that they want their customers to enjoy the entire experience.

“We are very interactive with our customers and want them to love whatever products they end up choosing,” she said.

Customers can enjoy private “showings” of the store and its offerings, and there are also “ladies night out” events where customers can pay a flat rate and taste a number of olive oils with bread and other food items.

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Moments Mom Continued from Page 9

Workers prepare cookies and other treats at Heidi’s Heavenly Cookies in Forsyth County.

Kel: “You really cannot do it all alone” About that time, Kel said her then 8-year old daughter Carleigh and friends announced they would start a business in the newly vacant family basement. Carleigh had grown up watching the progression of the business.

“I thought that was so cute that they thought they could start their

own business,” Kel said. “It just shows you how our children are always watching.”

Heidi’s Heavenly Cookies may be purchased at different prices,

“I found the women around me were incredibly supportive.”

16

Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

with variety trays and packages the most popular. Each is artfully displayed and carefully wrapped.

There is truly something for everybody, including chocolate lovers and English toffee fans. Gluten-free cookies are also available. Top sellers are the toffee chocolate chip cookies, followed closely by rock-a-mallow macaroons, rocky road eclipse and sea salt caramel bars.

Kel is quick to say she could not have been successful without the support of family and friends.

“You really cannot do it all alone,” she said. “I found the women around me were incredibly supportive.”

One of the most helpful continues to be Kel’s best friend, Deb Calloway.

“When we first began, she worked a full-time job, but we used to meet at night and brainstorm and strategize about the business,” Kel recalled.

“Deb has been with me from the conception to the inception of the business and I could not do it all without her.”

Calloway retired only to come out of retirement to assist her friend with

the business. She currently acts as director of operations.

“It was a good fit,” she said. “I was in the corporate world my entire career and so I had a solid business background.”

Calloway handles the invoicing, accounting and ordering of supplies, among other duties.

“You have to be flexible in business,” she said. “When you get knocked down, you have to pick yourself up and go on.”

Calloway said that when customers call to order cookies, they often share the story of why they are buying them and for whom.

“One of our biggest hubs is New York City, but we have customers all over the country,” she said.

Among that customer base are numerous celebrities. “We ship to CEOs, to producers and actors in Hollywood,” she said.

According to Calloway, the team is a tight-knit group.

“We are really like a family,” she said. “Heidi is very approachable when it comes to the business. Her vision is to ‘think outside the tin.”

Kel likened starting and growing a business to raising a child.

“You have an idea and you think you are going to know how it is going to be, but the actual delivery has pain involved with it,” she said.

“I believe in empowering people, but we all make mistakes.

Sometimes the biggest setbacks and obstacles turn out to be blessings in disguise.”

-- Adlen W. Robinson

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17

Careers

Designs on a new Career Lanier Tech program helps students tap into dreams

F

“I want to help all of my students succeed with whatever their goals are.”

Interior design instructor Amy O’Dell, left, and student Ilona Karneyenka go over some fabric samples at Lanier Tech.

18

Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

orsyth County is fortunate to have a top-notch program at Lanier Technical College that offers various degrees and certificates in the field of interior design.

At the helm of this exciting program is Amy O’Dell, the lead instructor for the department.

“We are so happy to get the word out to the public that we are here and truly offer so much in the way of interiors,” she said.

In fact, there are certificates students can obtain in just two or three semesters.

“Someone might want to take a few semesters of classes and then receive a certificate in window treatments, or they might want to get a certificate to assist an interior designer,” O’Dell said.

She added that many women interested in beginning a career in interior design may think they’ll have to travel to Atlanta for school and don’t realize this is here.

Others may just want to try a

class to see if they like it. “We have such a diverse group of students — the ages range from 19 to women in their 50s.”

O’Dell is passionate about her career and the profession of interior design and understands the intimidation some may feel about beginning classes or changing careers.

“In my first career I was a music teacher, but I was always interested in interior design. The main reason I didn’t go into it, was I was afraid of the drawing aspect of it,” she remembered. “Once I tried it, I discovered I could draw.”

After obtaining bachelor’s and master’s degrees in interior design, O’Dell began working with a home builder. When she was asked to teach a class on the subject, she found she loved sharing her passion with students.

The structure and size of the classes at Lanier Tech is particularly appealing.

“Our program here at is very

hands on and because we have smaller classes, our students get so much individual attention,” O’Dell said.

Ilona Karneyenka, a busy mother with two young children, is one of the students in the program. She had a background in education from her native country of Belarus.

“Interior design has always been my passion, so I decided to take one class and see how I liked it,” she said.

That was several classes ago and Karneyenka noted that O’Dell has been “the best instructor.”

The atmosphere is the spacious interior design classroom is comfortable and upbeat.

“We are really like a family,” O’Dell said. “I want to help all of my students

Photos: Autumn Vetter

succeed with whatever their goals are.”

And apparently O’Dell has been successful at that. In spring 2012, eight of her students graduated.

“We have a terrific career services center which helps our students find jobs, and I am constantly networking and on the lookout for people and companies who are hiring or need interns,” she said.

O’Dell stressed that for such a comprehensive program, a degree or certificate from Lanier Tech is an incredible value and quite affordable.

“I would just encourage those who

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To learn more about the interior design program at Lanier Technical College, go online at www.laniertech.edu.

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have an interest to take a class,” she said. “It’s just like when you started kindergarten and you didn’t know how to read yet, but you learned one thing at a time and soon you were reading.”

-- Adlen W. Robinson

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All proceeds benefit the JSL Forsyth Teacher Grant Program Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

19

Home Matters

Room full of ideas

Decorating doesn’t have to be daunting

W

hen it comes to home decorating, there are two distinct categories of women: Those who are good at it and those of us who have more of a “just wing it” approach.

Those who are gifted in the decorating department, truly love giving advice and making suggestions to the rest of us.

Carolena Kaye Phares is one such person. Owner of Kaye’s Decoartive Arts and Design, since 2006, Phares said she has always had a passion for helping clients discover what they like and making dreams become reality.

“We offer a very personalized service,” she said. “Every client’s needs are different and we want to honor that.”

Phares is also committed to helping her clients realize that sometimes small 20

Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

changes make a huge difference.

“One major trend we are seeing is transforming those white kitchen cabinets by using paint to make them look like wood,” she said. “It completely transforms your kitchen, and is surprisingly affordable.”

A natural when it comes to all things artistic, Phares said that when she was a toddler her mother used to say she was happy and quiet as long as she had paper, crayons and paint. In high school, her favorite class was art.

While raising two children, Phares said she experimented on her own home. When friends began offering money for her work, she was amazed.

“I thought, wait, people are going to pay me to do what I love? Wow! Now there is a concept,” she said.

Her business took off and she was suddenly working full time and loving every moment of it.

Unfortunately, Phares was diagnosed with MS in June 2007 and her symptoms forced her to take a break from her business.

“I missed it so much, but I knew it was necessary to stabilize my health,” she explained.

When her MS went into remission, Phares made a few changes with

regards to the products she uses, and is back in full swing.

“I use only green products and believe that has helped,” she said. “I love what I do so much and am just so thankful for the opportunity to do what I love.”

-- Adlen W. Robinson

v

Tips for Transformation Top 11 decorating tips from Kaye’s Decorative Arts and Design: 1. Always stick to your personal style when decorating. You may be traditional, modern, rustic or contemporary, but stay with what you like and what makes you comfortable.

2. Avoid trends, unless you absolutely love it.

3. Less truly is more. Don’t feel like you have to fill in every space in the room.

4. Whether on a couch or a bed, I love pillows, so pile them on. They can be decorative or pops of color.

5. Buy furniture according to the scale of the room. However, keep in mind that larger furniture does look better in a small room. Believe it or not, it makes the room feel bigger.

6. Sometimes just rearranging the furniture in the house or trying accents from one room to another can change the whole look of a home!

If uncertain how to do this, staging is one of my favorite things to do in a client’s home. It costs less than buying new things and clients are happy to see their items being used — especially the ones that have been in storage.

7. I love to do a dark color on the walls in an accent room — especially, the dining room and master bedroom.

People are always surprised at how much bigger it makes the room look.

8. Look up! Don’t forget the ceiling. I would rather have a neutral room with an amazing “fauxed” ceiling and a unique light fixture any day. It will envelop the room with warmth and beauty.

9. Remember, most decorators/ decorative artists aren’t as expensive as you may think. They want to work with your budget.

Just let them know what that is and they’ll work with you. Don’t let the fear of price be the reason you don’t call.

10. Don’t hesitate to allow a professional make your home the way you have always dreamed of.

They aren’t there to judge or criticize.

They’re there to make you happy and comfortable. If you are not comfortable with the person, look around until you find someone else.

11. Get out of builder grade world! My favorite faux finish is transforming builder white fireplaces and bookshelves into wood finishes that look so real they are astonishing.

-- Adlen W. Robinson

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Photos: Autumn Vetter Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

21

Smart Snacking

Boost your

immunity

S

The awesome powers of healthy foods

pring may be just around the corner, but we still have a ways to go before we can consider ourselves at less risk of the common colds and other illnesses that seem more prevalent in the colder months.

Why not get into the habit of snacking on things that help boost the immune system while at the same time leaving you fulfilled?

Here are some of my top favorite immune boosters that make terrific snacks.

Nuts and seeds Pretty much all nuts and seeds are good for you. Nutritionists always say to eat them preferably raw and unsalted. I wish my palate would go for that, but I like nuts when they are roasted and salted.

I just try not to eat too many of them since they are high in fat and calories. Try to pair them with something enriched by vitamin C to help facilitate iron absorption. A winning combination might be eight almonds and a tangerine.

Greek yogurt

Trail mix

I love that Greek yogurt is no longer considered a “specialty” food.

Be careful about the pre-mixed varieties since many are still loaded with sugar.

For the healthiest of snacks, mix low fat plain Greek yogurt with fresh or frozen berries that have thawed a bit.

Green tea I start nearly every day with a cup of green tea with pomegranate. All green tea is good for you, whether you drink it hot or cold.

If you don’t particularly care for plain green tea, try one of the flavored varieties.

You can also combine it with regular black tea and won’t even taste it.

Photo: Autumn Vetter

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Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

To save money, make your own.

Just combine your favorite dried fruits and nuts and store in an air-tight container.

Just remember trail mix, even the good kind, is high in calories. Portion control is always important.

Kale chips I love greens and one of my favorite ways to snack on them is to make kale chips.

Just wash and dry them well,

remove the tough stems and ribs. Tear into small pieces and toss with some extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.

Bake in a 325-degree oven for 20 minutes or until crispy. Watch carefully because they can burn quickly.

Boiled eggs A personal trainer once told me that telling her clients to make a pot of boiled eggs is her top diet tip for those wanting to lose or maintain weight.

One egg has about 75 calories and 5 grams of fat. Besides being filling, I like eggs because they are an inexpensive source of protein. Boiled eggs also are portable when you are on the go.

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Sawnee Artists Association Presents

March “Art” Madness 12th Annual Member Show & Sale

Ginger Make a tea out of it by peeling it, cutting it into slices, and steeping in boiling water.

Ginger is high in iron and has been shown to help those suffering from chronic headaches, fatigue or irritability.

In my mind, the key to smart snacking is to have a bit of a plan and to always have healthy snacks available. If you are gone during the day, make sure you bring along some snacks to stave off unhealthy trips to the vending machine or fast food restaurant.

-- Adlen W. Robinson

Central Park Recreation Center 2300 Keith Bridge Rd., Cumming, GA (Exit 17 off Georgia 400) Friday, March 15 • Noon - 6 pm Saturday, March 16 • 10 am - 8 pm Paintings, Photography, Wood, Glass, Pottery Jewelry & Much More...

All Original Art A Raffle will be held during the show for 4 pieces of original art! www.sawneeart.org

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v Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

23

Dinner Matters

Asian Obsession Get creative with stir fry

I

could eat Asian food pretty much every day. And even though my family likes Asian food, they’re not as obsessed as I am.

One of our favorite dishes is Asian lettuce wraps. They’re great if you’re trying to stay away from rice or noodles, and can play with the recipe to add things you have on hand.

Don’t have any carrots? Use celery instead. I like shitake mushrooms, but any kind work well in this.

All of the ingredients can be found in the Asian section of your grocery store. Make the sauce as hot or as mild as you like.

While the lettuce leaves make a nice little “wrap” for the filling, if all you have is bagged lettuce, just scoop on top and eat with a fork.

You can make these vegetarian by omitting the meat and using more vegetables or adding cubed tofu.

I always make extra since the filling is terrific for lunch the next day.

Asian Lettuce Wraps

Sauce  2 teaspoons sugar  2 tablespoons water  ¼ cup soy sauce (preferably Kikkoman)  1 tablespoon rice vinegar  1 green onion, finely chopped  1 teaspoon Chinese hot mustard (more to taste)  1 to 3 teaspoons chili garlic sauce (to taste) Whisk together sauce ingredients and set aside. Taste for level of desired heat.

Filling  1 pound ground beef (or two boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces, or 1 pound of ground turkey) 24

Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

 4 teaspoons canola oil  1 clove garlic, minced  ¼ cup green onions, minced  1 1/2 cups shredded carrots, divided  1 cup mushrooms, chopped  1 cup water chestnuts, chopped  2 tablespoons soy sauce  1 tablespoon water  2 tablespoons mirin (Japanese sweet wine)  1 tablespoon oyster sauce  1 tablespoon rice vinegar  Lettuce for wrapping (Boston, bibb or iceberg) In a wok or skillet, heat two teaspoons canola oil and cook beef, chicken or ground turkey.

Drain meat and wipe out skillet with paper towels.

Heat remaining two teaspoons canola

oil over medium high heat.

Add garlic, green onions, ½ of the shredded carrots, mushrooms and water chestnuts and cook until vegetables are softened, about five minutes.

If mixture is too dry, add a little water.

Add cooked and drained meat back into wok or skillet.

Add soy sauce, water, mirin, oyster sauce and rice vinegar, stirring to combine.

Cook another few minutes and then remove from heat.

Stir in remaining shredded carrots and taste for seasoning.

Serve stir fry in lettuce wraps and allow everybody to top their wrap with desired amount of sauce.

-- Adlen W. Robinson

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Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

25

Fashion

Influences from 1980s abound

Photos: Autumn Vetter

Forecast Calls for ‘Bright’

B

right, big and bold continue to be trends in women’s wear this spring.

There are definite nods to the 1980s in the spring 2013 fashion lines.

Leslie Andert, women’s department manager at Belk in Lakeland Plaza, said 2012 spring trends of bright colors and bold patterns will continue in 2013.

“If you look on our displays, it’s all the bright oranges and neon yellows, pinks and blues,” she said, noting there are again definite nods to the 1980s.

“Yep, it’s all about the bright hues.”

Big patterns in floral prints and geometric shapes are also returning this year, Andert said, again taking a cue from ’80s inspiration.

Some style trends this year include tie-bottom shirts, and skirts and dresses that are longer in the back and shorter in the front, she said.

As for Easter dresses, Andert said “almost everything’s in.”

“You have everything from lace and crocheted pieces to straight, sheath looks,” she said.

What Andert referred to as “resort wear” is popular for casual use this spring.

“Everyone’s looking for that,” she said. “It’s that kind of bridge between winter and spring, like what you think of when people are going on cruises or to warm destinations.”

Business suits in bright colors will also be popular this year.

“A lot of our stuff is trendy and more casual, so it was difficult when someone wanted to come in and get an interview suit or something like that,” Andert said. “We’ll be able to offer more of that this year.”

-- Crystal Ledford

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26

Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

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Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

27

Art

Engaging community in the arts

F

Artists Association showcase nears

orsyth County is home to many artists and the Sawnee Artists Association offers a way for them to come together and showcase their works to the community.

A part of the community since the early 1970s, the association currently boasts more than 100 members.

Photos: Autumn Vetter

Annual dues are $25 a year.

On March 15 and 16, the association will hold March “Art” Madness at Central Park. Admission is free and Charlotte Gardner, right, and Evelyn Valk are active in the the event offers the perfect Sawnee Artists Association. opportunity for folks to see the incredible art local artists are producing.

Charlotte Gardner, who along with Mary Negron is cochair of the event, noted there are “so many diverse artists in our group.”

“Besides paintings and pastels, there are wood workings, blown glass, jewelry, sculptures, photography, fabric art, and much more,” Gardner said.

The art will be for sale and prices range from a few dollars to well into the hundreds.

“We are always so excited to raise awareness in our community for artists and their work,” Gardner said. “We would truly love to see Forsyth County and the city of Cumming come together and help us find a permanent place where our members can showcase their art as well as host programs and classes.”

The group currently has art on display at Sexton Hall Enrichment Center in south Forsyth.

Visitors can drop by, view the artwork and, if interested, contact the artists with questions or to arrange a purchase.

Gardner said the association has monthly meetings at McDonald and son Funeral Home in Cumming.

“Lauren [McDonald] has really been an angel to us and we greatly appreciate his support,” she said.

28

Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

The association is always looking for ways to give back to the community. This past Christmas, the group collected a large amount of art supplies and donated them to Jesse’s House, an emergency and long-term shelter for adolescent girls who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, abandonment or neglect.

In the upcoming March “Art” Madness, there will be a raffle of four works of original art and the proceeds will go to the MSG Foundation, which provides meals for those in need in the community.

Gardner said there is so much artistic talent in the community and that she hopes everybody will support the artists at the event.

“We are always open for new members who want to get involved and network with their fellow artists,” she said. “Our main goal is to engage the community in the arts.”

-- Adlen W. Robinson

v

To learn more about the Sawnee Artists Association, go online at www.sawneeart.org.

Growing together and depending on each other.

From the Cellar

Light, refreshing wines for outdoors, grilling

N

ow that spring is more than just something I dream about at night or during cold, gray days, it’s time to turn our attention to what springtime really stands for.

To me, spring means it’s time to get outdoors. I love spring evenings when it is still cool enough to wear jeans and a sweater and possibly sit by an outdoor fireplace. Of course, such a scene requires a glass of wine.

Borsao wines from Spain are perfect for sipping or enjoying with a light springtime dinner.

Garnacha is a grape considered to be highly fruity. These wines are internationally recognized and have won numerous awards.

There is so much history with European wines. In fact, the first written records of winemaking in this particular region date back to 1203 at a monastery.

I tried three of the Borsao wines, and all were less than $10 each.

The 2011 rose, along with its beautiful pink color, is delightfully light and fruity.

My husband, Paul, normally does not drink white, much less pink, wines, and even he loved it.

Another good choice for a light, refreshing wine is the 2011 white.

Quite citrusy and fruity, this pairs well with chicken or fish.

The 2011 garnacha had a rich, deep flavor and a beautiful cherry color. This goes well with grilled lamb chops or any other meat. It is light enough to act as a sipping wine on its own.

In my mind, these are ideal wines because they offer complexity and smooth flavors, while at the same time are affordable.

-- Adlen W. Robinson

v

Feedback If you have a favorite (affordable) wine, please let me know at contact@adlenrobinson.com.

Photos: Autumn Vetter Moments Magazine | March - April 2013

29

School Spotlight

Get to know your schools

Big Creek Elementary Fun facts: The school had just four rooms and was surrounded by a corn field when it opened in 1939, using seven pot-belly stoves to keep children warm in the winter. The school offers “specials,” which is a period for 55 minutes every day used to explore art, music, physical Principal: Sherri Black education and other creative outlets for Address: 1994 Peachtree Pkwy students. Principal Sheri Black said the school Cumming, GA 30041 “has stepped out for our students to ensure that the arts and preserving precious time to develop the whole child during the school day Hem d rick R oa oad R are consistently held as a high priority in our a t t e r practice.” ha lp A Special programs: d Ol  The school has a Think Lab, which features lessons correlated to the standards but allow students to use technology Contact: (770) 887-4584 and the media center for hands-on learning.

Fax: (770) 781-2247 The school has also adopted the Bring You Own Technology initiative, where students can use personal devices like tablets, smart phones and laptops to connect to content in lessons.

-- Jennifer Sami Peachtree Pakrw ay



Mascot: Wildcats Opened: 1939 Enrollment: 662 Size: 97,252 square feet Awards: Big Creek has earned two Georgia School of Excellence Awards, five Georgia Platinum Awards & a Georgia Gold Award. It has twice been named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. It’s also a Clean Air School and has received two gold-level awards from Keep Forsyth County Beautiful. Considered by the state to be a “green school,” Big Creek has also received a national yearbook award from Balfour Publishing.

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Moments Magazine | March - April 2013