Invitation Family - Fall 2017

FALL 2017

Pillows è

Personality Opportunity in the Delta TACKLE TEST ANXIETY Tips from an expert

HOLIDAY TREATS

Halloween | Thanksgiving | Christmas

in this issue ON THE COVER Mississippi-themed pillows from Calhoun City’s Little Birdie Pillow Co., photographed at The Z Bed & Breakfast in Oxford, set the scene for fall.

Photographed by Joe Worthem

Good Reads Well-being 3 Fall Family Reading / Head to your local library, and 12 No Excuses / Starting an exercise routine may be a check out these recommended books.

struggle, but the results are worth the effort.

Life Around the House 4 Learning Curve / Initiatives to improve educational 16 Pillow Panache / Family is at the heart of The opportunities are making a difference in the Delta.

Little Birdie Pillow Co., a Calhoun City-based business that 8 Trail Ride / Gather up the family, hop on a bike, and take in the outdoors on north Mississippi’s Tanglefoot Trail.

CONTRIBUTORS / EXPERTS

Study Hall 10 combat Acting on Anxiety / Learn to recognize and school-related stress with advice from an expert.

specializes in decorative pillows.

Eats + Treats 18 Holiday Confections Noted 20 Lunchbox Love Notes

Dr. Cecilia Miller Marshall

Heather Thorn

Kimme Hargrove

Brooke Hutson Gibson

Dr. Cecilia Miller Marshall is a licensed psychologist with more than 30 years of experience working with children, adults and families. She has practiced in Mississippi and North Carolina. Special areas of interest include anxiety and depression in children and teens; learning and attention disorders; family adjustments and transitions; and integrating mindfulness and behavioral practice methods.

Invitation Magazines’ food blogger, Kimme Hargrove, lives in Ocean Springs with her husband, James, and two children. She began cooking as a hobby and found a niche in balancing sophisticated recipes with simple preparation. She is also part owner of Delta Supper Club and works part time as an account executive for a marketing firm out of Greenwood.

Heather Thorn has worked as an exercise specialist and personal trainer at North Mississippi Medical Center’s Wellness Center in Tupelo for 19 years.

She is a nationally certified American College of Sports Medicine health fitness specialist, and she earned her bachelor’s degree in sports fitness management from the University of Alabama.

Brooke Hutson Gibson is a Missouri girl who married an Ole Miss alum/lifetime Rebels fan. Brooke worked in nonprofit PR for several years before a new job for her husband moved the family from St. Louis to Oxford in 2016. She is a proud mom of two little boys, a freelance writer/editor and an avid volunteer for their church.

Fall 2017 | INVITATION FAMILY

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hello INVITATION FAMILY

is excited to bring you our second issue. We appreciate your positive response to our premier summer issue that launched in July and hope you’ll enjoy our fall issue just as much.

In this magazine, we are turning our focus to the Mississippi Delta, where a host of people are making a positive impact on their communities.

On page 4 you’ll meet Jaby Denton, founder of The Marks Project and a native of Quitman County. This fall, Denton realized his dream of providing free housing to seven teachers in Marks. Others, like T.Mac Howard, who now lives in Clarksdale with his family and children, are also making a difference. Howard’s Delta Streets Academy in Greenwood has grown over the last six years and now has 60 boys enrolled in grades seven-12. In May, the school had its first graduating class, and all of the graduates are attending community colleges or universities this fall.

It’s no secret that school can be difficult and stressful as the weeks progress. While some level of anxiety is normal for students, some children become excessively anxious or stressed over schoolwork and testing. Be sure to read our Study Hall section on page 10 for professional advice, includes warning signs to look for.

Of course, everyone deserves a little break from studying, so meet your kids in the kitchen to whip up the fun and festive Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas-themed recipes featured in our Eats + Treats section on page 18.

We hope you enjoy our fall issue of Invitation Family, and we’ll see you back here in January.

publisher Rachel West

editor in chief

advertising consultants

Emily Welly

Katie Carone, Hillary Jordan, Leigh Lowery, Lynn McElreath, Stacey Raper, Moni Simpson, Whitney Worsham

copy editor Kate Johnson

director of design & production Emily Suber

photographers

contributors

Lena Anderson, Maddie Beck, Brooke Hutson Gibson, Kimme Hargrove, Katherine Henson, Hallie Thomas, Amanda Dove Wells

Joe Worthem, Jen Kadar-Brown

office manager

ad designer

Hollie Hilliard

Zach Fields

Facebook “f ” Logo

@invfam on Instagram & Twitter

CMYK / .eps

Invitation Family on Facebook

INVITATIONFAMILY.COM 2 INVITATION FAMILY | Fall 2017

Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

good reads

Fall Family Reading

Fall is the perfect time for all members of the family to curl up with good books.

Visit your local library, and check out one of these recommendations from Suzanne Argo, head librarian and branch manager at B.J. Chain Public Library in Olive Branch.

r

m m e n d e d fo

r

eco

adults

Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane

by Lisa See (March 2017) Historical Fiction

This story of a Chinese mother and her daughter, who has been adopted by an American couple, traces the very different cultural factors that compel them to consume a rare native tea that has shaped their family’s destiny for generations. A beautifully woven plot by a New York Times best-selling author.

r

m m e n d e d fo

ages 14 +

r

eco

The Hate U Give

by Angie Thomas (February 2017) Young Adult Fiction

After witnessing her friend’s death at the hands of a police officer, Starr Carter’s life is complicated when the police and a local drug lord try to intimidate her in an effort to learn what happened the night Kahlil died. This best-selling novel by Jackson’s Angie Thomas is a heartrendingly honest account of what is happening in America today.

Pax mended for recom

ages 8-12

Sara Pennypacker (February 2016) Juvenile Fiction After being forced to give up his pet fox, Pax, a young boy named Peter decides to leave home and get him back. A compelling novel about the powerful relationship between a boy and his best friend. Full of adventure, friendship and loyalty. Nominated for 2018’s Magnolia Book Award.

Fall 2017 | INVITATION FAMILY

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life

LEARNINGCURVE Initiatives to improve educational opportunities are making a difference in the Delta.

WRITTEN BY Brooke Hutson Gibson

living in a town with no park, playground or ballfield, where crumbling schools lack the resources to recruit teachers. In Mississippi, some of our neighbors live with this reality. But change is afoot in the Delta as diligent and visionary Mississippians are quietly fueling a rebirth in the area by improving educational opportunities and offering hope.

The Marks Project In Marks, a dot on the map about 20 miles east of Clarksdale, nearly 40 percent of the population lives in poverty. The Quitman County schools receive consistently poor ratings, and they currently provide no after-school programs. The lone grocery store has been shut down, and the county hospital has closed.

Jaby Denton (pictured on opposite page), a Quitman County native and founder of The Marks Project, is on a mission to change this reality.

He was inspired a few years ago while volunteering with a mentoring program called Straight Talk. “I learned how deficient the kids were in their education, and I knew I had to do something,” Denton said. “I went to the superintendent and said, ‘How can I help?’ ” He was told the school district had a hard time recruiting teachers. With that, The Marks Project was born, and it quickly grew to encompass more than efforts to improve education. Denton is working

4 INVITATION FAMILY | Fall 2017

PHOTOGRAPHED BY Joe Worthem

Thanks to The Marks Project, a hundred-year-old building now provides living space to seven teachers and will soon house a youth center on its first floor.

to create awareness and to recruit volunteers to partner with him in finding solutions for Marks’ biggest needs: education, economic development and recreation.

This fall, Denton’s dream to help provide free housing for teachers is coming to fruition. The Reclaimed Project – a worldwide missions organization – purchased an 8,000-square-foot building on Main Street and partnered with The Marks Project to put it to use. With the help of donations and volunteers from churches and communities around the state, the upstairs space has been remodeled to provide living spaces for seven teachers. Once funds have been raised, the downstairs will be transformed into a new youth center, offering a safe place for afterschool activities, tutoring and mentoring for Marks’ children and teens.

The Reclaimed Project is just one example of the partnerships

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ALCORN COUNTY FAIR SEPTEMBER 14-16 CROSSROADS ARENA

GREEN MARKET

OCTOBER 7 HISTORIC CORINTH DEPOT

“It’s easy to talk about the problem, but IT’S BETTER TO TALK ABOUT THE SOLUTION.” - Jaby Denton that have been crucial to the success of The Marks Project’s initiatives.

Through its JumpStart program, the University of Mississippi will send 15 tutors into the middle school and high school twice a week this school year. To create recreational opportunities for citizens, the City of Marks donated 8 acres of land, and The Marks Project is currently raising funds to install playground equipment, build a community pavilion, add basketball courts and bathrooms, and complete the ballpark. Partnering with Youth Opportunities Unlimited, The Marks Project is also raising money to reopen an abandoned building to house a community fitness center and a screen-printing business. A Mississippi printing company has stepped forward to train and support students in the art of screenprinting. Both ventures would provide jobs for Marks residents.

“It’s easy to talk about the problem, but it’s better to talk about the solution,” Denton said. “The problem isn’t going to disappear, and it’s imperative that we do something to help so the young people have a future and a place they want to call home.”

Learn more at marksproject.org.

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Fall 2017 | INVITATION FAMILY

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life Greenwood’s Delta Streets Academy started as an after-school program and has grown into a private school for boys in grades seven-12.

Delta Streets Academy T.Mac Howard, a native of Brandon, says he experienced “a complete paradigm shift” as a Mississippi State University student volunteering with Desire Street Ministries in New Orleans in the summer of 2005.

He decided he wanted to use his experience to help in his home state.

“When I came back to school after that summer, I knew I had to do something [in Mississippi]. I knew I wanted to make a difference in the Delta,” Howard said.

He was hired to teach and coach at Greenwood High School, where he quickly saw a need to help at-risk boys outside of the school day. He talked to friends and neighbors about his dream to start an after-school program, and people began pitching in to make it possible.

The program grew, and while the boys were committed to coming to the after-school program, Howard noticed they weren’t committed to showing up for school. He began to make plans to start a Christian allboys school with a different model, one that would encourage a strong work ethic, character, responsibility and discipline.

In August 2012, Delta Streets Academy launched with 14 boys in seventh and eighth grades, two full-time teachers and three part-time teachers. Additional grades and teachers have been added, and in August 2017, the school year started with 60 boys in seventh-12th grades.

This past May the school’s first class graduated, and all seven graduates are attending community colleges or universities this fall. According to Howard, those seven young men represent what Delta Streets Academy is all about. “Our ultimate goal is for them to understand who Jesus is and how He can radically change their life and give them hope,” he said. “We want to prepare each of them to leave here ready to further their education or with a trade, ready to work.”

Students pay only $75 a month to attend the school. The rest of the budget comes from individual donors, churches and two large annual charity events held in Greenwood and Jackson.

6 INVITATION FAMILY | Fall 2017

“We want to prepare each of them to leave here ready to further their education or with a trade, READY TO WORK.” - T. Mac Howard

Two of this year’s seniors have been with Delta Streets Academy since its inception. “One wants to be a pharmacist; the other, a doctor.

And I have no doubt they will,” Howard said. “It’s so exciting to see how they have grown and who they’ve become.”

This year, Howard is also developing a mentoring program and is looking for men in the community to commit to walking alongside students one-on-one.

“We’re giving these guys hope and helping them see that there’s something better than what they’re used to,” Howard said. “I’d love to replicate this model in each city in the Delta. That’s my big dream.”

Learn more at deltastreetsacademy.org.

Mississippi Teacher Corps Across the Delta, graduate students are filling positions in criticalneeds school districts that are challenged every year to find teachers who are willing to move into their communities.

Many of these students are members of the Mississippi Teacher

“Without the teachers from MTC, the teachers here would be even more overworked than they are and wouldn’t be able to dedicate as much energy to each student.”

- Mary Bryan Barksdale

Corps (MTC), which was created in 1989 at the University of Mississippi to help alleviate this ongoing problem. The two-year program trains non-education majors to teach in high-poverty public schools in Mississippi, the majority of which are in the Delta. Participants receive on-the-job training while earning master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction from the University of Mississippi. They are compensated with $1,000 sign-on bonuses, teaching stipends, free housing, school supplies for their classrooms and full scholarships.

During the 2017-2018 school year, 18 of the 28 teachers involved with the program are serving in the Delta.

“We’re sending in young, passionate teachers who love their students,” said Dr. Joe Sweeney, director of MTC. “We have good relationships with principals and superintendents at each of the districts, and with their teacher shortage they have more need than what we can give.”

Sweeney, an alum of the MTC program, said they now also offer bonuses for teachers who agree to stay and teach a third and fourth year.

“We try as much as possible to give them the support they need. The hope is they have a great experience and choose to stay,” he said.

Christine Rickert, a High Point University alumna and native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is teaching Spanish and English while coaching track at West Tallahatchie High in Webb. She says MTC recruits teachers with a variety of experiences to work in the Delta. “I think these varying backgrounds really help to bring diverse views and thoughts to the students, many of whom have never left Mississippi,” Rickert said.

Mary Bryan Barksdale is an Oxford native and a graduate of Bowdoin College in Maine. After graduation, she began teaching high school in Leland with the MTC program. It did not take long for Barksdale to recognize that teachers working in depressed areas of the state have incredibly hard jobs. “Without the teachers from MTC, the teachers here would be even more overworked than they are and wouldn’t be able to dedicate as much energy to each student,” Barksdale said.

Sweeney points out that it’s not just about providing teachers. “We really encourage them to go in and be part of the community – find their place, really help their students and make a difference.”

Jillian Davis, a native of Vidalia, Georgia, and a graduate of Mercer University in Georgia who teaches seventh-grade math at North Panola Middle School, agrees. “The program is not just providing teachers; it is providing families for those who work at the school and for the kids.

I hope that as the year progresses, we become a family that can depend on one another.”

Learn more at mtc.olemiss.edu.

LESSONS IN FARMING Outside Delta classrooms, the Alliance of Sustainable Farms is working to teach farmers to be successful in the region.

“Mississippi is made up of small farmers, and a lot of them are struggling,” said Keith Benson, founder of the Alliance of Sustainable Farms. “They can’t compete in the big wholesale market.”

In 2011, Benson and a small group of farmers formed the alliance in Holmes County. They created strategies to support local farmers with critical training, technical assistance and marketing support. They also help connect them to and build long-term relationships with regional farmers markets, CSAs, specialty markets and restaurant buyers. The hope is that these partnerships will help transform the economic landscape for poor, rural and underserved communities in the Delta and beyond.

“It’s an opportunity to provide help and support to farmers and growers so they can be successful and increase their production,” Benson said.

The alliance hosts field days at local farms, typically on the third Friday of the month. During the field day, they highlight the farm hosting the event and bring in experts to educate the farmers on a variety of topics that are key to their success.

“We have to grow the number of farmers, help them access markets and help them be successful in order to have enough produce for the people to enjoy,” Benson said. “We had to step back and work on how to support the farmers in order to get food on the tables.”

Benson’s hope is that 10 years from now Mississippians will be living healthier lives thanks to the success of small growers and farmers. “If we can keep it going, farmers will not just survive but thrive,” he said. “When the economies of these small communities are thriving, everybody wins.”

The alliance encourages Mississippians to help support their mission by getting to know the local farmers, buying their produce, attending a field day and supporting sustainable agriculture.

They are a 501(c)(3) organization, and donations can be made on their Facebook page; search @AllianceofSustainableFarms.

Fall 2017 | INVITATION FAMILY

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What will your next front door look like?

life

Trail Ride Gather up the family, hop on a bike and take in the outdoors along Tanglefoot Trail.

WRITTEN BY Amanda Dove Wells

N

CALL ME TODAY and I’ll

help you find the perfect home for you and your family!

CHRIS SUBER

(662) 419-0231

CLSuber@gmail.com 1923 University Ave. Oxford, MS 38655 662.234.5621 Each office independently owned and operated.

8 INVITATION FAMILY | Fall 2017

ILLUSTRATED BY Maddie Beck

estled along the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, a recently paved trail beckons families to jump on their bikes to experience the state’s hill country and discover several charming north Mississippi towns along the way.

A ride down the 43.6-mile asphalt trail offers a glimpse into the area’s fabled past and stunning scenery. Get an up-close view of mature hardwood forests; kudzu unlike anywhere else; Mississippi crops, including cotton and soybeans; and wetlands. The path was once traveled by the Chickasaw Indians and early explorers Hernando de Soto and Meriwether Lewis. After them, trappers, traders and armies followed suit. Tanglefoot Trail even crosses King Creek near a spot that the last Chickasaw king, Ishtehotopah, called home. Pioneers traveled the trail in wooden wagons in pursuit of a place to settle; later, the Civil War left its path of destruction along the trail. The railroad sped onto the scene in New Albany in 1886 with a 10-wheeler engine named the Tanglefoot.

Today, Tanglefoot Trail winds through six communities: New Albany, Ecru, Pontotoc, Algoma, New Houlka and Houston. Besides bikers, the 10-foot-wide trail is open to walkers and runners, as well as pets (on a leash). The trail is open to visitors 30 minutes prior to sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset, every day of the week. Visitors can enter Tanglefoot Trail at public roads and Whistle Stops, located in Ingomar, Ecru, Algoma, and New Houlka, where the old train depots once stood. These rest stops also offer parking and are complete with bathrooms, water fountains and picnic tables, making them the ideal place for a picnic lunch along the trail.

It’s likely about to get even easier to take a family bike ride along the trail. “The city is working on bringing in some automated bikerental kiosks for the trailhead and Downtown New Albany Car Park,” said Sean Johnson, New Albany Tourism’s executive director. The bike-rental system would allow riders to use a smartphone app that accepts payment for the rental and uses Bluetooth technology to unlock the bike from the rack. Approval from the city is still pending but looks promising.

Since its official opening when construction was completed in 2013, communities along the trail have seen an influx of visitors.

“The trail has been a great addition to New Albany in terms of tourism and quality of life,” Johnson said. “[It] has brought folks to the area from just about every state in the country, from Alaska to Maine. It complements our downtown and restaurants and gives people from around the country another reason to make New Albany a destination.”

A stop in NEW ALBANY is an opportunity for fun. Take the kids to Vintage Market, where you’ll experience old-time charm at the soda fountain, or grab a burger at Game Tyme, a walk-up burger stand near the trailhead. Try your hand at disc golf at the course at Park Along the River, or make an appointment at nearby Wolf-Howl Wolf Preserve, where you can get to know wolves and their pups.

The small village of ECRU began when the first official steam-run train ran through the town on July 4, 1888. Today, Ecru serves as the “Biggest Little Town” in North Mississippi. Here, visit the home of the “Trolley Burger,” Main Street Trolley, located – you guessed it – on Main Street. The rib eye sandwich is worth a try, too!

What was once hunting ground of the Chickasaw Indians, PONTOTOC was incorporated in 1836 and built along a public square just a few blocks from Tanglefoot Trail.

Thousands came to the town on July 4, 1888, to watch the “driving of the silver spike,” a celebration of the railroad reaching Pontotoc. Now this Main Street Community hosts annual events like the Bodock Festival, a festive Christmas parade and a Fourth of July celebration on the square.

Once the Gulf and Chicago Railroad extended its line from Pontotoc, ALGOMA grew by leaps and bounds thanks to the abundance of available timber and the H.W. Owen Tie Company. Algoma was proud to be known as the “Crosstie Capital of the World.” In 1913, a tornado destroyed much of Algoma’s timber, and the town became a farming community. Today, you can attend Algoma’s Crosstie Festival every October, taste some crispy Southern catfish and visit an authentic old country store.

Established in 1812 at the intersection of the Natchez Trace and Gaines Trace, NEW HOULKA is Chickasaw County’s oldest town. After you take a load off at Whistle Stop, venture a few blocks east for a peek at a beautifully restored schoolhouse.

In HOUSTON, you’ll want to take part in the Mississippi Flywheel Festival, held in April and September each year. While you’re there, wander along Pinson Square for local shopping and cuisine.

Fall 2017 | INVITATION FAMILY

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study hall

Acting on Anxiety Learn to recognize and combat school-related stress.

EVEN THE MOST WELL-PREPARED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

can become anxious when they sit down to a standardized test or college entrance exam. Psychologist Cecilia Miller Marshall says recognizing signs of test anxiety and practicing strategies to combat it can help teenagers succeed.

Invitation Family: What is test anxiety all about?

Dr. Marshall: What we typically call “test anxiety” is essentially an exaggeration of the “jitters” that are a normal part of facing challenging situations, such as making a speech, competing in a sports event or taking a test. In small amounts these reactions can actually help us become more alert and goal-directed.

IF: It seems a certain amount of test anxiety is normal, but how do you know when it becomes a problem?

Dr. Marshall: Test anxiety becomes a problem when it begins to interfere with the test-taking itself or with other important daily activities.

Examples would be worrying about the test constantly during other activities; becoming so anxious that you forget material you previously mastered; becoming irritable with family and friends; or developing physical symptoms, such as poor sleep, headaches, nausea or a change in appetite (too much or too little). Anxiety impacts both the mind and the body.

IF: What warning signs can teens (or their parents) watch for so they can begin to deal with anxiety before it becomes an obstacle?

Dr. Marshall: The first indication of trouble might be a teen’s talking more than usual about an upcoming test or expressing exaggerated fears

10 INVITATION FAMILY | Fall 2017

(“I’ll never make a score high enough to get into a good college.”) On the other hand, some teens may become withdrawn and uncommunicative.

Either of these reactions is a good signal for parents to open the door to communication. Keep in mind that the door should be opened gently and without judgment or criticism. As with all good communication, more than one conversation will likely be needed to address the young person’s concerns and worries.

IF: When anxiety impacts the mind, what are some cognitive strategies teenagers can use to cope?

Dr. Marshall: Cognitive symptoms of test anxiety may include constant worry, negative thinking (“I’m terrible at math”) or catastrophic thinking (“if I don’t do well on this test, I won’t get into college and will end up living in my parents’ basement forever”). Cognitive strategies begin with simple recognition and awareness: noticing when you are worrying too much and labeling it as such. Positive activities, such as listening to music, taking a relaxing bath or shower, taking a walk or talking to a friend, can help interrupt or redirect negative thinking. For the catastrophic thinking, it is also helpful to recognize and label it and then come up with some less dire outcomes (“if I fail this test, I will just have to take it again. I won’t like it, but I will do it”).

IF: What physical strategies can be practiced to combat anxiety?

Dr. Marshall: Physical strategies focus mainly on breathing and muscle relaxation. When people become tense, the shoulders tend to rise, compressing the chest and reducing oxygen intake. The simple remedy is to drop the shoulders, open up the chest and breathe deeply

into the belly. When focused on it, most people are amazed at how much is going on in the body during the simple act of breathing.

Deep breathing can be helpful in as little as three breaths taken just before starting a test or, for even better results, in a more focused practice lasting 20-30 minutes or more.

To relax tense muscles, it is helpful to sit or lie down in a comfortable position and do a “body scan.” Start with the toes and work up to the head and face, noticing each muscle group and relaxing it as much as possible. There are many online videos and apps that can provide some guidance for this practice.

These strategies can be especially effective when used preventively to reduce tension before studying (or before any other anxiety-provoking experience). They can also be used in the moment: Before looking at the test, do a “shoulder check” and breathe in and out deeply.

IF: What are some other situations that can cause anxiety in teenagers, and can similar strategies be used to deal with it?

Dr. Marshall: A 2013 survey by the American Psychological Association identified school as the primary source of stress for teen­ agers. Other potential sources of anxiety are social relationships, family conflict, managing technology, bullying and developing personal identity. The cognitive and physical strategies described for test anxiety can be helpful in these situations as well.

IF: Of course, anxiety affects people of all ages, not just teenagers preparing for tests. How might it manifest in younger children, and how can parents help them cope with it?

Dr. Marshall: With the recent increase in testing in schools, test anxiety is definitely affecting younger students. Parents can act preventively by having regular communication about what is going on in a child’s life, at school and elsewhere. A daily, brief, relaxed “sharing time” can be very helpful.

Any significant change in a child’s behavior, mood or physical health can be a warning sign of stress or anxiety. Young children often respond very well to breathing and relaxation exercises. There are lots of free videos for younger students (such as Belly Breathe, featuring Elmo, on YouTube). Regular routines for eating, sleeping, recreation and self-care can also be very comforting to younger children.

The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for the individual guidance of a licensed mental health professional. To find a psychologist in your area, go to the Mississippi Psychological Association website, mpassoc.org, and click on “Find a Psychologist.” Additional resources, including recommended children’s books on topics like anxiety, are available on the American Psychological Association website, apa.org.

Fall 2017 | INVITATION FAMILY

11

well-being

Starting an exercise routine may be a struggle, BUT THE RESULTS ARE WORTH THE EFFORT. WRITTEN BY Emily Welly

s parents, we’re often telling our children to stop making excuses, but when it comes to starting fitness routines, we are not always good at heeding our own advice. Here are some of our most common excuses, and why it’s worth the effort to combat them.

I don’t have time.

“Nobody has enough time,” said Heather Thorn, exercise specialist at North Mississippi Medical Center’s Wellness Center. “But even if you can find 15 minutes, that can get you started.” The trick is in the planning. Thorn suggests first taking a realistic look at your schedule. Are you a morning person? Then try getting up before the rest of your family to sneak in a workout at home or at the gym. Or perhaps you can use your lunch break to take a walk or to fit in a strength-training routine, and then eat at your desk later. If you can’t make time during the day, set aside time in the evening for yourself, pack a workout bag and drive straight to the gym after work. “You have to prioritize it. You have to schedule it like an appointment,” Thorn said. “The people I see succeed long term do have a plan.”

I’m too tired.

If you can push through that excuse, a regular exercise routine can actually solve that problem, according to Thorn. “You will be energized,” she said. “It will give you more energy to get you through the rest of your day.” And that’s not all: Exercise can lead to better brain function, less anxiety, better sleep at night, weight loss and more.

12 INVITATION FAMILY | Fall 2017

I’m not interested in joining a gym.

You don’t have to join a gym to get in shape. Take an early morning or evening walk or a run around your neighborhood. During the workday, consider taking a walk during your lunch break, or try some simple strength training in your office. For a quick mental break while at home or work, download a meditation or guided-imagery app on your smartphone, and try it out while lying on the floor with your legs up against a wall. Try working out at home, guided by a fitness DVD or a yoga routine streamed on Netflix. If you are working out at home, Thorn recommends exercising in a space separate from the rest of the family so you are able to focus on the task at hand without distractions.

I don’t know how to get started.

Thorn suggests considering two things: What do you have time for, and what do you like? Some people prefer cardiovascular exercises such as walking, running or biking to get their heart pumping and work up a sweat. Others prefer strength-training or circuit-training classes that mix cardio and strength training. Yoga uses guided imagery to help participants focus on breathing and distance themselves from distractions. It also has the added bonus of teaching techniques to cope with stress throughout the day. “[Yoga] teaches you how to breathe and relax,” Thorn said. “It’s a real self-check; you’re completely in tune with the body and mind.”

Fall 2017 | INVITATION FAMILY

13

well-being

MINUTE WORKOUT

YOU CAN DO ANYWHERE ILLUSTRATED BY Maddie Beck

Warm up by walking/jogging in place 3-5 minutes.

Exercise specialist Heather Thorn had busy parents in mind when she created this 15-minute cardio interval routine that can be done anywhere. For each cardio exercise, do 45 seconds of work, then rest for 15 seconds. Beginners should do it once through, and modify if needed. For a 30-minute advanced workout, repeat the circuit.

5. Squat and overhead reach with arms

1. Jumping jacks 2. Shoulder taps

Start in the plank position, then tap each hand to the opposite shoulder.

3. Low-impact single-leg run

Standing, start with one leg back, and lift the opposite leg, bending the knee and bringing it toward the torso. Pump arms as if running fast, and bring leg up and down as fast as you can for 25 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

6. Jump rope

Use a real or invisible jump rope to jump in place.

7. High knees

Like jogging in place with knees up high.

8. Plank to push-up

Start in plank position on elbows and toes, then go to a beginning push-up position. Return to plank.

Up, up, down, down. Modify by doing it on your knees.

9. Skaters

4. Mountain climbers

From the plank position, hop each foot forward and back like climbing a mountain.

14 INVITATION FAMILY | Fall 2017

Think speed skater. Hop on right foot, lifting left foot up or tapping it behind you on the floor, and then alternate sides.

Opposite arms should swing in front and back of body while doing this move.

10. Push-ups 11. Butt kickers

Bending the knee, bring heel toward glute and repeat with other leg.

12. Burpees

Jump into a push-up position, jump into a squat, then jump up, reaching overhead with arms.

13. Ab crunches 14. Single-leg glute bridge

Lay on back with knees bent and feet on the floor. Extend one leg out straight and push through other heel to make both hips into a bridge. Halfway through, switch legs.

15. Superman

Lie on stomach with arms forward on floor, lift and lower arms and feet while squeezing glutes and engaging back.

Cool down by stretching.

Fall 2017 | INVITATION FAMILY

15

around the house

Pillow Panache Family is at the heart of The Little Birdie Pillow Co. WRITTEN BY Emily Welly

usan Hardin of Calhoun City didn’t know what to expect when she showed up with a bag of custom-designed decorative pillows at the Mississippi Wholesale Market in Jackson in 2015.

To her surprise, the pillows were a hit, and she left the market with a stack of orders and a new mission for her family.

It all started a few months earlier when Susan and her husband Tony’s three oldest daughters (they have six children in all) were in college at Mississippi State University. Tony had a small business making personalized items like signs, child-sized chairs and stadium seats, and the girls asked their dad to use his equipment to make some pillows they’d designed to give as sorority gifts. The pillows became sought after on campus and among the Hardins’ friends and family, and Susan decided to give the Jackson market a try.

After the success there, the family business’s focus became 100 percent pillows, and The Little Birdie Pillow Co., complete with an official logo, was born. Susan left her job as a high school English teacher and

16 INVITATION FAMILY | Fall 2017

began frequenting markets in Dallas, Atlanta, Jackson, Biloxi, Las Vegas and more. This month, she’s taking their goods to High Point Market in North Carolina, one of the biggest home-furnishings industry shows in the world.

Little Birdie now has 15 employees, including several skilled clothing and furniture makers from Calhoun City, along with high school students (including their own children) and teachers who help out after school. The building that houses their business is owned by the city.

The Hardins’ daughters are still designers and participate in lengthy creative sessions in the spring and fall, when Little Birdie debuts around 50 new designs, in addition to their holiday, seasonal and collegiate lines. To keep current with the latest trends, they often purchase the rights to use certain design elements, and they also do hand lettering and painting. Their custom work has included town courthouses and local landmarks.

Susan says the current home-decorating craze keeps customers

“Since we started, we wanted to be a company that gives back.”

coming. “It’s an easy way to add a whole different look,” Susan said.

“Our price point and the range of designs make it easy to change them out seasonally.”

Their pillows have an average -Susan price point of $30, are washable and are all printed on the same ivory background, which makes them easy to mix and match.

Little Birdie’s “Be Still Pillow,” from their inspirational line, which features a green wreath with the words “Be Still” in the middle, was one of their first designs and is still their most popular. State- and hometown-themed pillows are also in high demand – and not only in Mississippi; pillows can be ordered for any state. According to Susan, Little Birdie pillows are currently in 47 states and Canada. And while they are sold in locally owned and specialty stores around the South-

eastern United States, they are also available from big retailers, including Home Goods and Altar’d State – orders that Susan said help them pay the bills.

Hardin Little Birdie also has a philanthropic aim. Profits from the “Addie Pillow” benefit the people of Guatemala, the country from which they adopted their youngest daughter. They also create custom designs for organizations to sell as a way to raise money to fund mission trips or other causes. “Since we started, we wanted to be a company that gives back,” Susan said. “We’ve been very blessed.”

Learn more at littlebirdiearts.com.

Little Birdie Pillow Co. pillows, pictured opposite and above, feature seasonal motifs, team spirit designs, state and hometown imagery, inspirational messages and more. The company also takes custom orders.

Fall 2017 | INVITATION FAMILY

17

eats + treats

HOLIDAYConfections

Spend family time in the kitchen this fall making simple treats that everyone will love.

RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHS by Kimme Hargrove

Halloween Witch Hat Cookies / makes 24 cookies 1 package Keebler Fudge Stripes Original cookies 12 ounces orange chocolate candy melts 1 package chocolate Hershey’s Kisses Lay parchment paper across countertop. Unpack cookies and place, chocolate side up, on paper. Melt about half the package of candy melts according to package directions. Using a small spoon, dollop ½-1 teaspoon of the melted chocolate on the center of a cookie. Immediately place a Hershey’s Kiss on top, pushing down gently to ensure it stays in place. Repeat with all cookies.

Allow to set until ready to serve or package.

Thanksgiving Bark / makes 24 servings ½ cup smooth peanut butter 1 package (16 ounces) vanilla or white chocolate almond bark Assorted toppings (pretzels, Reese’s Pieces candy, marshmallows, chocolate chips, orange or yellow sprinkles) Lay parchment paper across countertop. Melt peanut butter by heating in microwave for 1530 seconds, and set aside until ready to use. Melt bark according to package directions. Pour onto parchment paper, and spread using a spatula or spoon until about 1/8- to ¼-inch thick. Drizzle peanut butter over melted bark. Use a butter knife or spoon to swirl the peanut butter into the chocolate. Quickly sprinkle with toppings. Cool until bark is completely hardened (at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight). Break or cut into pieces to serve or package.

Christmas Ornament Cookies / makes 24 cookies 2 packages Double Stuff Oreo Cookies 1 package (16 ounces) vanilla or white chocolate almond bark Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Assorted toppings (mini sugar pearls, mini M&M’s, holiday sprinkles) Lay parchment paper across countertop. Melt bark according to package directions. Using small tongs or a fork, gently dip 1 cookie into the melted bark, carefully allowing the excess chocolate to drip off. Gently tap against the side of the bowl as needed to remove excess chocolate. Immediately attach a Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup to the top of the cookie. Decorate with toppings. Repeat with all cookies. Allow to harden until ready to serve or package.

18 INVITATION FAMILY | Fall 2017

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19

noted

When I pack lunches for my elementary school-aged children, I tuck little love notes into their lunch boxes. At the start of this school year, I found a whole pile of the daily notes I wrote last school year still stashed away in the front pocket of my 7-year-old’s lunch box. She said she “couldn’t just throw them away!”

–Emily Welly, Editor in Chief

Words have meaning to children and adults alike. On this page, we invite you to share how words – written or spoken – have made an impact on you and your children. Share a story or a picture by emailing us at emilywelly.invitation@gmail.com for a chance to be featured on the “Noted” page in our next issue.

20 INVITATION FAMILY | Fall 2017

You Know She’s Worth It

The South’s Leader In Estate Jewelry and Diamond Solitaires On The Square Oxford, MS

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www.vanatkins.com