C
ontents
Spring Edition March 2011 Volume 5 Issue 1
Features
Comfy Your guide to comfortable living
EDITORial EDITOR Mary Leslie English
03 Big Boss Baking Company
ART
A new boss is in town...Big Boss Baking Company may be the new kid on the block but is creating a big success story
advertisinG
ART DIRECTOR Mary Leslie English
ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Elizabeth Hyde 336.888.3567 • ehyde@hpe.com
I AM A BUSY MOM STYLIST PET LOVER SPORTS FAN
06 outdoor haven
I AM A
10 Easter Activities
336.888.3564 • dblankenship@hpe.com
A lisitng of local Easter egg hunts and fun for the entire family
Kim Hayes
12 Do-it-yourself spa day
336.888.3596 • dprawel@hpe.com
Survivor
I’M A SURVIVOR WHO IS ALIVE AND WELL, and look forward to even the most simple moments each day. Although I was frightened after my diagnosis, I knew I could get through it with the support and encouragement I received during my treatment at Thomasville Medical Center. The personal attention and care I received was amazing. Now I’m back in full force – making jewelry, styling hair and keeping up with my 19-year-old daughter!
Extend your home’s living spaces to the outdoors and create an inviting spa area
ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES Annissia Beal 336.888.3524 • abeal@hpe.com Deanna Blankenship
Tips and information on creating a relaxing spa day at home
14 FINISHING TOUCH
336.888.3563 • kimhayes@hpe.com Donna Prawel Roger Boyd 336.888.3597 • rboyd @hpe.com Sandy Southards 336.888.3587 • sksouthards@hpe.com Amy Loflin 336.888.3592 • aloflin@hpe.com Amy Reed 336.888.3591 • areed@hpe.com
Penny Wilson
Comfy is a specialty publication of The High Point Enterprise, and is published quarterly
Breast Cancer Survivors Since 2002
Questions or Comments about Comfy? Comfy Magazine P.O. Box 1009, High Point, N.C. 27261 To submit articles & features for consideration, email: mlenglish@hpe.com
Hear more stories & learn how you can customize your cancer care www.ThomasvilleMedicalCenter.org
336-476-2572
12
On the Cover: Big Boss Devil’s Food Cupcake with Chocolate Buttercream
Comfy Magazine • Spring 2011
There’s a New Boss In Town
Lavinia Hensley and the Big Boss Baking Company are serving up sweet bites of happiness with their ever-expanding menu - muffins, homemade granola, cupcakes, brownies and Whoopie Pies - topped with a the sweetness of success... Text Mary Leslie English
Blueberry Walnut Homemade Granola
W
hat do you get when you mix a heaping cup of fresh ingredients with a gallon of passion? A new local business that offers a delicious menu of baked goods with a friendly smile. “I love to bake and always have,” says Lavinia Hensley, owner of Big Boss Baking Company. The company was born out of a necessity to make a living and this love. For years Lavinia and her husband, Rodney, worked as contractors building spec houses. When the housing market began to turn in 2006, they decided that they should explore other options to make a living. Having always loved watching cooking shows together, the couple often thought of how great it would be to open a coffee shop or small cafe of some sort. Eventually, the Hensleys went for it and made their dreams a reality turning the garage of their High Point home into an industrial kitchen with racks for freshly baked goods and oversized ovens to crank out the orders. Initially, the couple intended to create an internet business and ship their baked goods anywhere in the country. But, while they were developing their menu and marketing materials, they began to draw a following. Neighbors and friends got to be guinea pigs, tasting new and old favorite recipes - and they kept coming back for more. This excitement from the public got the Hensleys to explore the local market and not just focus on the internet business. Big Boss goods can be found in two local businesses in the High Point area - Biscuit Factory in High Point and The Wet Whistle in Archdale. In turn, Big Boss invests in the local economy by using some freshly grown produce from farmers at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market. After spending some time at the farmers market last fall, the Hensleys are excited for the spring and summer seasons to go back and sell their goods while gather more fresh ingredients and new product ideas. When asked where she got the recipes for her baked goods, Lavinia explained that many of them were things that she has always made for her friends and family over the years.
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Each recipe has been perfected and tweaked - especially her Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. She explained that the ingredients are her secret that she has been working on the recipe for many years. Her granola line is homemade and full of fresh ingredients. The Blueberry Walnut granola has tons of blueberries and walnuts and goes great with a glass of milk. In total Big Boss has created four different flavors of granola - Blueberry Walnut, Honey Almond, Orange Pecan and Peanut - which for many has become an addiction!
Whoopie Pies
(whoop•ee pie): noun – a combination of a cake, cookie and a pie. Rich, chocolaty goodness with a super fluffy cream filling. A must try.
Comfy Magazine • Spring 2011
Fresh Chocolate Chip Cookies and Blueberry Walnut Granola
The Big Boss cookie line is extensive from Simply Sugar Cookies to Chinese Five Spice Cookies - there is a flavor for everyone. But, if chocolate is your thing, there are also three varieties of brownies. Or, maybe you would like to try Whoopie Pies. You say, “What is a Whoopie Pie?� Big Boss describes on their website that the “moist, chocolately richness of the Whoopie Pies will have you licking your fingers and reaching for another one!� Overall, the Big Boss Baking Company is offering fresh goods to order. Lavinia explained that freshness is the key to her business. Some ask why she doesn’t have a storefront and she says because she want to provide the customer with the right-out-of-the-oven taste of her cookies, brownies, muffins, cupcakes and granola. If you would like a taste of what Big Boss offers, then visit them at www.bigbossbaking.com and order online or call for delivery.
Can there be such a thing as homemade baked goods available online? You bet! Big Boss Baking Company makes their goodies fresh when you order in hand measured, small batches - the same way your mom did! Big Boss Baking Company makes homemade baked goods from scratch - the same way your mom and grandma did - with a heaping helping of love added for some extra special goodness. Granola - Muffins - Whoopie Pies - Cookies - Cupcakes
862-BOSS (2677)
A^kZ Adc\! AVj\] D[iZc ZVi YZhhZgi BigBossBaking.com
Comfy Magazine • Spring 2011
Outdoor Haven Extend Your Home’s Living Spaces
Comfy Magazine • Spring 2011
A
s the weather warms, Americans spend more time in their backyards and gardens, taking advantage of their outdoor living and dining space. Recent decorating trends are helping homeowners create inviting outdoor spaces. It’s no longer about simple picnic tables on patios or decks. There now are many new ways to create welcoming ambience. More homeowners are using innovative products for the backyard and garden made with recycled materials -- a small way to make a big difference. For example, recycled plastics are being used in functional yet stylish decking, vertical gardens, flower pots, bird houses, furniture and more, diverting this valuable material from landfills. “Consumers have many options today to create beautiful backyards and other home spaces with recycled products,” says Steve Russell, vice president of plastics for the American Chemistry Council. “For instance, recycled plastics can be used to create all sorts of functional and fashionable products, from modern lawn chairs to chic accessories to long lasting fences.”
WellWatchers Sick Child Care ...
Here are some great tweaks for your outdoor spaces this season:
Providing you peace of mind alternative when your child is too sick to attend school or day care and you need to work.
• Divine Decking: To create decks, gazebos and other outdoor structures, many builders are now using composite lumber, some of which is made with recycled plastic shopping bags. These composites are typically stain- and water-resistant and don’t attract those pesky backyard bugs that enjoy wood. • Light It Up: When entertaining outdoors at night, the right lighting adds ambience while illuminating pathways for safety. You can up-light trees for dramatic effect. Energy-efficient solar lighting is a great choice, as you avoid dealing with cords in or under your yard and save electricity in the process. • Feel-Good Furniture: Homeowners nowadays can lounge on brightly colored chairs and benches and dine on stylish tables made with recycled plastics and other innovative materials. Green minded consumers can choose furniture made from post-consumer containers, such as plastic milk jugs, detergent containers and margarine tubs. And best of all, you’ll save time and money by not having to stain or weatherproof this second generation furniture.
Available Monday Friday 6:30 am - 7:30 pm For more information call us at
336-476-2742
• Grow-Up: Short on space in your yard? Vertical gardens are a conservationist’s dream, allowing plant lovers to create hanging gardens in even the smallest corners, indoors and out. Vertical gardens often are made with recycled plastics, and can create a flower or vegetable source on just about any type of wall. They help turn even the smallest studio apartment or backyard deck into a green oasis. For more tips on how you can help “close the recycling loop” by using recycled products to create a greener sanctuary for your home and garden, visit www.plasticsmakeitpossible. com. (StatePoint)
207 Old Lexington Rd. Thomasville, NC
www.thomasviIlemedicaicenter.org
Comfy Magazine • Spring 2011
For your
soaking pleasure Make a Spa a Centerpiece, Not an Eyesore When done right, a hot tub can enhance a yard and add a comfortable getaway for homeowners. When done wrong, a spa can look like an eyesore. That’s why homeowners who are looking to add a spa or revamp what they already have should employ the assistance of a landscape designer. Landscape designers can incorporate greenery, design elements and walkways to make the spa fit seamlessly with the yard. Working together with landscape architects and hot tub installers, homeowners can design a look that works with the space they have. Perhaps the spa will flow into an existing pool. Maybe it is nestled in a quiet spot in the yard to create a secret hideaway.
When designing a spa retreat, keep these tips in mind. • Lighting: Many times a dip into the hot tub takes place at night. Be sure to include lighting that allows safe passage to the hot tub. However, don’t make it so bright that privacy is infringed upon. • View: Place the hot tub so that while in the water bathers have a nice view. Whether it looks out on a garden, the pool, or mountains in the distance, the spa shouldn’t be situated so that one is looking at the back of the garage. • Privacy: It’s much easier to relax when the spa is shrouded in privacy. Consider trees, shrubs, tall potted plants, and other structural elements encircling the hot tub for privacy.
$100 SPENDING SPREE!* *WITH ABOVE GROUND POOL PURCHASE
12 MONTHS SAME AS CASH on above ground pools and spas
INGROUND POOLS
10% OFF Hayward purchase
starting as low as $12,000 All liners on sale- ABOVE & INGROUND (limited quantities)
YOUR COMPLETE BACKYARD HEADQUARTERS! MAKE YOUR BACKYARD YOUR SUMMER DESTINATION SPAS • GRILLS • PATIO FURNITURE GREAT SELECTION • AFFORDABLE PRICES
W Market Center Dr High Point B&H POOL & PATIO SHOP | 201 (336) 841-3222 • bhpoolandpatio.com
Comfy Magazine • Spring 2011
of High Point
We offer an exquisite selection of fine lighting suitable for remodeling or building a home. 2EGENCY $RIVE s (IGH 0OINT .#
s
Come experience the Butler’s difference!
www.finelites.com
ECONOMY PLUMBING “The Repair Specialists” Lic. #04239
Water Heaters Busted Pipes Running Commodes Clogged Drains We Answer Our Phones 24/7
www.thebarefootplumber.com
883-4491
Easter
Comfy Magazine • Spring 2011
Family Activities Everyone grab your baskets and get ready for fun with these local Easter egg hunts and family-friendly events... City Lake Park Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 16, 10am-1pm 602 West Main Street, Jamestown The High Point Parks And Recreation Department’s Easter Egg Hunt is free admission. Hunts for 3 and under, 4-7 and 8-10 years of age. Attractions include inflatables, train ride, carousel, with food and beverage available for a fee. Event will be held rain or shine. In case of rain, the event will be moved to the gymnasium.
Natural Egg Dyeing at High Point Museum
Saturday, April 16, 10am to 4pm Sunday, April 17, 1pm to 4pm 1859 East Lexington Ave., High Point Get ready for the Easter Bunny! We’ll provide eggs you can dip in dyes made from plant material, like onion skins and blueberries. All ages welcome. $1 per egg. Limit 2 per person. Free for members.
Easter Egg Hunt at Creekside Park
Saturday, April 16, 3pm Archdale The event is open to children up to fifth grade. The Easter bunny, who will make a special appearance at the event, has hidden nearly 3,000 eggs in the park. Children, with Easter baskets in hand, should meet the recreation center. All eggs have candy or a toy and some include prizes. For more information, call 431-1117.
Thomasville Parks and Recreation Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 16, 10am Cushwa Stadium, Thomasville Pre-school thru 5th grade meet at Cushwa Stadium for a funfilled morning of Easter egg hunting. Rain Date: Easter Monday Call 336-475-4280 or 336-475-4287 for more upcoming events.
10
Brunch with the Bunny at Oakview Recreation Center
Friday, April 22, 9:30am - 11am 503 James Road, High Point (336) 883-3508 • www.highpointnc.gov/pr $1.00 per person Come out and enjoy a morning with the Easter Bunny! Participants will enjoy a light brunch with the guest of honor available for photos. Afterwards, we will make an Easter craft and have a bunny hop relay. Bring your camera to capture that special shot.
Comfy Magazine • Spring 2011
Announces a new addition, the “Gilded Baby” Room
see what’s brewing online at
hpe.com
Shop for that perfect baby gift, nursery crib bedding and accessories, wall art, and precious clothing from newborn to 3T sizes
local news and sports • browse jobs & classified
The High Point Enterprise Online hpe.com
Make our store your destination for Vera Bradley, Kamelon, Willow Tree, flags, gifts, unique jewelry and much more! 1104 North Main Street, High Point
336.887.4290
Mon.-Sat. 10am to 5pm • thegildedlilybypatra.com
11
Create a spa experience at Home
12
P
eople looking to escape stress often turn to spa treatments for rest and relaxation. However, if trips to the spa for massages and facials aren’t in the budget, create a spa experience at home. Stress is a big health problem. Over 50 percent of Americans are concerned about the level of stress in their lives. And 62 percent of Americans say that it’s their jobs that contribute to the most amount of stress. Stress can exacerbate existing health conditions and lead to new ones. Individuals may feel fatigued, irritable, depressed, overeat, undereat and suffer other consequences if overstressed. Doctors often suggest therapies to combat stress in people’s lives. One such therapy can be massage or spa treatments popular in many salons. But these services can be expensive and might be an indulgence better left as an occasional splurge. Those interested in reaping some of the benefits of spa treatments at home can try the following ideas and just consider how much time and money you’ve saved by opting for the doit-yourself route. • Invest in the right equipment. Purchase an ultrasoft and thick robe and slippers. Stock up on loofah sponges, long-handled bath brushes, wash cloths, bath salts, and moisturizing creams. Simply using professional products can seem indulgent. • Set the mood with music. If you can arrange to have music in your bathroom, you’ll be glad you did. The right soothing melodies can help melt away the stress, make you feel more removed from reality, and, if you live with others, drown out the household sounds that may remind you of everything else going on, taking your attention away from the here and now of your home spa experience. • Homeowners with a spa bathtub can indulge in soothing jet-propelled massage whenever they desire. If installing a new tub is not in the cards, purchase a spa mat that can be suction-cupped to the bottom of a traditional bathtub. An external pump blows air bubbles through the mat, creating the same effect as a spa tub. You may want to follow up after you get out of the tub by applying a rich conditioning cream to your skin. • Rely on aromatherapy. There are many essential oils that can be added to bath water or applied to the body. Depending on the aroma, a person can induce calm and contentment simply by inhaling a few scents. • Start with a facial. Saturate a small towel with warm water and placing the towel gently on your face. Afterward, cleanse with a gentle soap. For all skin types, lightly ground regular oatmeal makes a soothing and gentle scrub. Use a natural astringent like witch hazel or, for those with oily skin, head to your pantry for some apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, either of which complements the skin’s natural acid balance. • Foot therapy. Soak your feet in a basin of water to which you’ve added 2 to 4 tablespoons of sea salt and a few drops of the essential oil of your choice — rosemary and peppermint are especially deodorizing. • Ask a spouse to provide a massage. He or she can use unscented mineral or olive oil to rub down achy parts of the body. It is much more costeffective than a spa massage.
Top 10 Essential Aromatherapy Oils
A home spa experience should include products and tools to revitalize the body, face and hair. Here is a short checklist:
• Peppermint: Useful in treating headaches, muscle aches, digestive disorders such as slow digestion, indigestion, and flatulence. • Eucalyptus: Helpful in treating respiratory problems, such as coughs, colds, and asthma. Also helps to boost the immune system, and relieve muscle tension. • Ylang Ylang: Helps one to relax, and can reduce muscle tension. Good antidepressant. • Geranium: Helps to balance hormones in women, good for balancing the skin. Can be both relaxing and uplifting, as well as antidepressant. • Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Relaxing, and also useful in treating wounds, burns, and skin care. Lavender (Lavandula vera) : Helps to balance hormones in women, good for balancing the skin. Can be both relaxing and uplifting, as well as antidepressant. • Lemon: Very uplifting, yet relaxing. Helpful in treating wounds, infections, and house cleaning and deodorizing. • Clary Sage: Natural pain killer, helpful s in treating muscular aches and pains. Very relaxing, and can help with insomnia. Also very helpful in balancing hormones. • Tea Tree: A natural anti fungal oil, good for treating all sorts of fungal infections including vaginal yeast infections, jock itch, athletes foot, and ringworm. Also helps to boost the immune system. • Roman Chamomile: Very relaxing, and can help with sleeplessness and anxiety. Also good for muscle aches and tension. Useful in treating wounds and infection. • Rosemary: Very stimulating and uplifting, good to help mental stimulation as well as to stimulate the immune system. Very good for muscle aches and tension. Stimulating to the digestive system. Source: National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy.
1. Long handled natural bristle bath brush 2. Loofah or Terry cloth washcloth (Avoid synthetic scrubbers as they are overly harsh) 3. Bath salts 4. A selection of essential aromatic oils 5. Anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory cleansers, toners and moisturizers (more on this later) 6. Coarse sea salt 7. Plenty of chilled spring water (with a splash of lime or lemon) to keep your body hydrated and to eliminate toxins from the inside out. Source: Discovery Health
We want to protect your heart. That’s why we’ve created comprehensive rehabilitation programs to treat heart disease. We also offer cardiopulmonary services and advanced heart monitoring capabilities. We even have nationally accredited Chest Pain and Stroke Centers. So when deciding on which hospital to trust your heart to, what should matter most to you is how much you matter to us.
www.ThomasvilleMedicalCenter.org
(336) 472-2000
Asif Wahid, M.D., F.A.C.C. Board Certified Cardiologist
Why are we so committed to cardiac care? Because something greater than blood flows through our hearts.
13
Comfy Magazine • Spring 2011 the finishing touch
Nature’s Gifts Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
14
The Finest for
Your Finest! Specializing in Wedding Gown Cleaning, Preservation, Alteration and Restoration FREE EVALUATION HAND CLEANING ANTI- SUGAR STAIN TREATMENT PERSONAL INSPECTION AVAILABLE EVIRONMENTALLY-PURE LASTING PROTECTION INTERNATIONAL GUARANTEE INSURED SHIPPING
1651 NEW GARDEN ROAD, GREENSBORO 336.218.8285 159 SOUTH STRATFORD ROAD, WINSTON-SALEM
336.725.0077
804 WESTCHESTER DRIVE, HIGH POINT 336.886.4009 15