Summer 2017 femmes INTERNATIONAL Magazine

femmes INTERNATIONAL Who Is Angelia Dunbar? femmePRENEUR Extraordinaire!

RISING Stars Young Ladies on the RISE

Land of the Rising Sun & Cherry Blossoms Esther Madeline Croes Shares Why Melinda Cooper Says, “A Picture IS Worth a Thousand Words!”

Refreshing Globally Inspired Cocktails

summer 2017

FROM 3906

I believe each day gives us something; a few minutes of afternoon light casting intricate shadows on a dining room wall, or a delicious Pesto because the basil got knee-high. Maybe some things broke my heart....... I write about them all. My name is Becca. I live in Dallas but I left my heart in Florence, Italy. I'd like to thank you for reading.

From3906.blogspot.com

femmes INTERNATIONAL

RESERVED. REGISTRATION ON OR USE OF THE MAGAZINE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF femmes INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE’S USER AGREEMENT AND PRIVACY POLICY. THE MATERIALS ON THIS SITE MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED, DISTRIBUTED, TRANSMITTED, CACHED OR OTHERWISE USED, EXCEPT WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM femmes INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE.

IN THIS ISSUE

LIFESTYLE FEATURES Bare Pt. 1: Depression by Nicole Stone Six Ways Happiness Good for Your Health Melinda Cooper, A Picture Says a Thousand Words

Globally Inspired Refreshing Summer Drinks Compounding Pharmacy, Donna Barksky, D.Ph, PharmD

Reach for Stars by Kat Clausen

The Art of Healing by Brenda Wakefield

So, You Want to do Biz w/Mexico from International Business Consultant, Claudia Herrmann

IN THE KNOW

FEMMES ON FIRE

Experts Talk About: MEDICAL/AESTHETIC, INTIMACY, FOOD & COOKING, PUBLICITY & MARKETING, BUSINESS CONSULTING

Following in 2017: Ashley Berges, Dallas, Texas Ekaterina Petersil, Singapore Tali Sharot, London, England Leah Laprise,Montreal, Canada

BE INSPIRED Esther Madeline Croes Shares Japan Morocco! The Pinnacle of your Bucket List by Noor Saadeh

RISING STARS Sierra Barnes, Artist and Writer trying to Create in a World Full of Chaos Nicole Stone, Author, Student, Volunteer

ON THE COVER Angelia Dunbar, femmePRENEUR Extraordinaire!

PR ~ STRATEGIC MARKETING ~ BUSINESS CONSULTING ~ EVENT PRESS

Publishers & Editor femme = femme, sister = sister Robin, Isabell & Becca With summer in full swing and fall just around the corner, or so push the retailers, our thoughts are still on summer activities, travel, family, and friends. So our summer magazine is packed like a beach bag. At femmes INTERNATIONAL, we have embraced the changing of the seasons and this issue is filled with everything from thoughts of backyard entertaining to back to school, from wellness to motivation, and business to last minute travel.

We start with a feature profile of Angelia Dunbar, a dynamic entrepreneur, mother, mentor, and philanthropist. Her positive attitude drove her to success and she will definitely inspire you. The magazine’s pages unravel how happiness promotes good health and how successful women find happiness. One young lady’s honest, three-part series shares her feelings about depression and offers hope for others. You will find eclectic information such as how to conduct business with Mexico or how to reach for the stars. Meet our young femmes who are changing their worlds with their art and hearts. Nicole Stone graces our cover, and she, along with local artist Sierra Barnes, are the first femmes INTERNATIONAL’s Rising Stars. See what these ladies are doing!

Globally, inspired cocktails and fashions will have you dreaming of cool summer breezes, romance, and nights of dancing. You will be mesmerized by the explosion of Japan in full bloom, and the enticing exotic colors of Morocco; pinnacles for your Bucket List.

We are of course following our femmes on FIRE and we have some outstanding content on what a compounding pharmacy really is, and what it can do for you. Let’s be inspired to search, learn, and think smartly about important issues for women and how we can be supportive of our female counterparts. femmes INTERNATIONAL is happy to announce the launch of femmes UNDER 40, our newest title, focused on younger women. You will discover an array of articles from Biz Bytes, Healthy Style, Be Inspired, and everything in between.

Visit femmes INTERNATIONAL, enjoy our radio station, and learn how you can become a member and participate. www.femmesinternational.com.

Robin, Isabell & Becca

Introduces…

A Menstrual Breakthrough The Antibacterial Ultra-Thin Pad Eliminate discomfort and embarrassing moments with Angels Secret, Feminine Hygiene for Your Intimate Needs.

Proven to balance PH and hormone levels Helps protect against germs and bacteria Fights against vaginal irritations and infections Helps to reduce inflammation Reduces unwanted odor Naturally Deodorizing • Super Absorbent • Breathable

Order now – www.freshpadtoday.com or call 469-955-6530

Angelia Dunbar, femmePRENEUR Extraordinaire!

Angelia Dunbar, an Arkansas native, was raised and inspired by a hard-working entrepreneurial family and particularly a strong father and a grandfather who took her under his wing. She states, she was predestined to carry the torch that was passed to her and Angelia does that with honor, loyalty and respect.

In her book, Slaying with My Broken Pieces, she tells her tale of becoming a single

mom

struggling to live on her own, trying to survive without the welfare system; a woman

who

triumphed

over

domestic violence though love held her in a relationship of battering, captivity and even temporary blindness for too long.

After watching the TV show Dallas and hearing that everything is BIGGER in Texas, she knew she needed to get there. Dunbar laughs but is serious when she says, “All my life I knew I was created different and was to succeed and to be on the fast track in life.� When it came to her career, that was no exception. The example of being dedicated to the task at hand, giving it your all and being considerate of those around you, which she observed from her grandfather, led Angelia to the life of loving, living and giving that she has today.

This is one lady who has faced the lion roaring loudly, but stared him down and roared even louder herself. In the middle of a divorce and facing a cancer battle, Dunbar was suddenly removed as a partner in a real-estate firm. Yet she NEVER gave up. Her faith gave her the 9

necessary footing to withstand potential failure and strength to go forward in building a company that today brokers multi-million dollar real-estate deals, a brand that includes community development outreach entities, writing and public speaking. Angelia was not going to be a victim but rather a thriving survivor with a desire to help others by sharing her story, serving her community and others in need. And that is what she does!

A

strong

motivating,

self-starting

approach to life moved her to start her own realty company in 2004 and she has added a mortgage company as well as a development business and a non-profit.

Her life’s work is to educate, equip and empower people whether with their home, career or personal life. It is important to Dunbar to give her clients a home building/buying experience that elevates housing design

from

a

technical skill to an art form. She digs in at the construction sites and

is

most

definitely

hands

on!

Not only does she mentor

her

children and others working under her, Dunbar is also active in her community and church and even leads a finance group, In the Black Community. She speaks endearingly about teaching others on the vital importance of budgeting, finance, credit and savings.

10

Having followed her family’s entrepreneurial spirit, Angelia’s son, Dezmond and daughter, Abrielle,

now follow

in her

footsteps. Angelia says she leads by example and hopes “to leave a legacy for my kids. The only way to do that is to grow their mindset and in return it will grow their assets.” Her famiy’s work ethic has proved to be the differntiator!

Her extensive realty business includes Buying, Selling, Investing, Commercial and New Construction, Custom Home Building as well as Residential and Commercial Development. It is very important to Angelia that her real estate clients gain a real understanding their positioning and power during the whole home buying/selling process.

While every good home starts with a solid foundation, so does a meaningful life. And more important than the successful businesses Angelia Dunbar has built, is her true loving spirit; Ms. Dunbar gives back in so many ways and this is what makes her so extraordinaire…her church, her non-profit, she even donates every 10th house she builds. She feels that is her duty.

A femmePRENEUR Extraordinaire!

Find her book on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Slaying-BrokenPieces-Angelia-Dunbar-

11

10 Habits of Happy Successful Women

1. {Appreciate Life} Recognize the full worth of life and don't take it for granted.

2. {Choose Your Friends Wisely} Your vibe attracts your tribe. Who are the top five people in your circle of influence? Prosperous and positive or Negative Aunt Nellie and Broke Uncle Bob? Surround yourself with a community that will support you in your goals and aspirations.

3. {Be Considerate} Think of others. Value + respect their opinions.

4. {Personal Development} A plant only keeps growing and blooming with proper care, water and soil. What and how often are you feeding your mind? Are you investing in your personal growth with books, coaching, mentoring?

5. {Creative Problem Solving} Think outside the box. Don't be afraid to go left when everyone else is going right.

6. {Passion + Purpose} Find what sets your soul on FIRE. Learn to do it well and you can turn your passion into a paycheck!

7. {Laugh} It truly IS the best medicine.

8. {Forgive} Holding on to junk will eat a hole in your soul. Learn to let stuff GO. 9. {Gratitude} Get an attitude of gratitude and practice it DAILY. Want to take this a step further?

Start a gratitude journal. It will change your perspective and your life when you focus on what is going right and your many blessings instead of what is going wrong.

10. {Invest in Relationships} Want more success in your life and business? Learn to build PEOPLE.

12

Happiness Is Good for Your Health

Need some extra motivation to get happier? Check out the ways that well-being has been linked to good health.

Over the past decade, an entire industry has sprouted up promising the secrets to happiness. There are bestselling books, songs preaching be happy, happiness programs teaching the power of positive thinking and feeling and institutes offering knowledge and research on this feel-good elixir.

But they all raise the question: Why bother? Many might prefer to focus on boosting productivity and success rather than positive emotions. Or perhaps you have tried to get happier but always seem to get leveled by setbacks. Why keep trying?

Recently, a critical mass of research has provided what might be the most basic and irrefutable argument in favor of happiness: Happiness and good health go hand-in-hand. Indeed, scientific studies have been finding that happiness can make our hearts healthier, our immune systems stronger, and our lives longer.

Several of the studies suggest that happiness causes better health; others suggest only that the two are correlated—perhaps good health causes happiness but not the other way around.

Happiness and health may indeed be a virtuous circle, but researchers are still trying to untangle their relationship. In the meantime, if you need some extra motivation to get happier, check out these ways that happiness has been linked to good health.

13

1. Happiness protects your heart Love and happiness may not actually originate in the heart, but they are good for it. A 2005 study found that happiness predicts lower heart rate and blood pressure.

Research has also uncovered a link between happiness and another measure of heart health: heart rate variability, which refers to the time interval between heartbeats and is associated with risk for various diseases.

2. Happiness strengthens your immune system Do you know a grumpy person who always seems to be getting sick? That may be no coincidence: Research is now finding a link between happiness and a stronger immune system.

People who are high in positive emotion are nearly twice as likely to have high antibodies—a sign of a robust immune system. Instead of merely affecting symptoms, happiness seemed to be literally working on a cellular level. .

3. Happiness combats stress Stress is not only upsetting on a psychological level but also triggers biological changes in our hormones and blood pressure. Happiness seems to temper these effects, or at least help us recover more quickly.

Happiness also seems to carry benefits even when stress is inevitable and the hearts of the happiest people recover most quickly.

4. Happy people have fewer aches and pains Unhappiness can be painful—literally. People in a good mood get rosier ratings of their health than people in a bad mood.

14

Positive emotion also mitigates pain in the context of disease. Women with arthritis and chronic pain rated themselves weekly on positive emotions like interest, enthusiasm, and inspiration for about three months. Over the course of the study, those with higher ratings overall were less likely to experience increases in pain.

5. Happiness combats disease and disability

Happiness is associated with improvements in more severe, long-term conditions as well, not just shorter-term aches and pains.

Those who report being happy and satisfied with life most or all of the time are about 1.5 times less likely to have long-term health conditions, like chronic pain and serious vision problems, and are less likely to be frail. Happier elderly people (by the same measure of positive emotion) were less likely to have a stroke; particularly true for men.

6. Happiness lengthens our lives

In the end, the ultimate health indicator might be longevity—and here, especially, happiness comes into play. Happier people are 35 percent less likely to die over the course of about five years than their unhappier counterparts.

As the science of happiness and health matures, researchers are trying to determine what role, if any, happiness actually plays in causing health benefits. They’re also trying to distinguish the effects of different forms of happiness (including satisfaction),

positive the

emotions effects

of

and

life

“extreme”

15

happiness, and other factors. Should we look not just at life satisfaction levels but life satisfaction variability: Researchers found that low life satisfaction with lots of fluctuations—i.e., an unstable level of happiness—was linked to even earlier death than low life satisfaction alone.

All that said, the study of the health benefits of happiness is still young. It will take time to figure out the exact mechanisms by which happiness influences health, and how factors like social relationships and exercise fit in. But in the meantime, it seems safe to imagine that a happier you will be healthier, too.

Be Happy. Live Longer.

16

Bare Pt. 1: Depression

By Nicole Stone February 21, 2017 nicoleqstone

Wake up. It’s time to get up, we need to get ready. Wake up.

You have so much to do, you’re wasting time. Wake up.

Don’t snooze the alarm again. Wake up.

We need to do the dishes and start some laundry, work is in an hour. Wake up.

We have a paper to finish, you know it’s due soon. Wake up.

We need to cook for the week and start going to the gym.

You need to start taking better care of yourself. Wake up.

Why are you being like this, you need to get up right now. Wake up.

You’re hopeless, why do you even bother?

I give up.

But I can’t give up I have too much to do.

I guess I’ll get up.

Even though I don’t want to. Even though I want to crawl back in bed, slither back under the sheets and go back to sleep.

I guess I’ll get up.

Even though I’m tired of feeling this way, I’m tired of being sad, I’m tired of coming home to an empty room and crying to myself.

I’m tired of everyone else being happy around me and not being able to share that happiness.

I guess I’ll get up.

Even though I want to give up, to ignore all my responsibilities and stay in this room. Windows drawn shut, door closed. Lights off.

I have to get up.

People are counting on me. They can’t see me like this. You’re being weak, you’re being stupid.

Get it together.

We have a group project due today and you are presenting.

Get it together.

Don’t let your friends see you like this, you’re supposed to be the strong one.

You’re supposed to be the one people look to for advice, for strength.

Get it together.

You don’t have time to feel this way.

Suck it up.

This is for those who battle depression every day. This is for the ones looking, hoping for a little ounce of light to peek through their dark times. This is for the people who think they are alone and lost. That was me once, it still is me at times.

It took me a long time before I realized that I was not fighting this fight alone, and neither are you.

It feels as if you’re going crazy you think things you can’t control you feel sad when you’re supposed to be feeling happy. It’s not something you can just “suck up,” and move on from. It’s a lasting, dark shadow that haunts your steps every minute of every day. Some days are better than others but sometimes you’re so lost you don’t know what to feel, you’re drained. But you’re not alone.

You are loved. You are cherished. Even in those dark times.

You are not hopeless. You are not weak.

You are strong.

Nicole Stone, Student, Entrepreneur, Author

Picture Says A Thousand Words

By Melinda Cooper Without out any doubt statistics are showing people want to be entertained! Yes, entertained through pictures, videos, information, and technology. People want to learn in a quick snap of a finger, a glance of an app or videos that are giving information they didn’t have to look up or study. Yes, entertainment comes in various ways.

Of course, everyone has heard ‘A Picture Says a thousand words’.

Pictures bring emotions, try to not to smile when you see a picture of a baby laughing out loud. Check out a picture that shows a child standing in the rain and instantly your emotions, your thoughts and your ideas take you to a place you weren’t a moment ago. The pictures you see on Facebook or any other social media do exactly the same! The statistics are showing people are willing to ‘Read’ more posts with pictures rather than just words. How often do you see a famous quote or a quote of the day? They are usually placed on a picture that would enhance the words or capture the eye. People are more willing to read them, share them, or simply push the ‘like’ button representing their possibility of returning to your page.

The famous quote that sat on President JF Kennedy’s desk the Breton Fisherman’s Prayer “O, GOD, Thy Sea is so Great and my Boat is so small” could be shown with a picture that has the quote and your name or your business name. With this simple task it places your name and your ideas with the author’s name and if you pick the right picture people will continue to pass it along eagerly sharing it with others!

Facebook as so many other social media platforms is your first hello to the prospective clients and/or partners which means you need to allow this first greet and meet to be as comfortable as possible. You want to give them a feeling to immediately like what you provide, what you offer up as a handshake while letting them know you are willing to entertain them. Your pictures and/or posts are your form of entertainment while allowing them to get to know something of you because of the quote that you are using.

Share pictures and quotes that speak to you, that represent the words you want to share then find the words that say what you want to say! This is your magnet to the world, those who are meant to see you are going to automatically be drawn to you and those who are wavering now have an opportunity to learn more about you.

I prefer to utilize quotes of success, hope, business, or teamwork which will give you an insight to who I am. I challenge you to read through your ‘newsfeeds’ notice the pictures that are popping up and what do they say to you. Then consider what you have to say that you are willing to share not only in words yet through pictures as well.

Melinda Cooper; Owner of Living the Dream Business, #yesdreamscometrue

So, You Want to do Business with Mexico

By Claudia Herrmann

Although many U.S. companies have been carrying out cross-border transactions on a regular basis, there are many misconceptions that have caused some U.S. businesses to fail in Mexico.

These misconceptions are often based on the lack of knowledge of the Mexican market, failure to recognize fundamental differences in the business cultures and/or an inadequate selection of a Mexican business partner.

Thus, the commercial relationship goes sour, sales do not reach expected levels, and in the end, both sides are frustrated about the perceived lack of results shown by the Mexican business partner, or lack of support by the U.S. partner.

Can U.S. businesses compete in the Mexican market?

The answer is a definite yes. However, U.S. companies should be aware that the marketing Mexican market is dominated by Mexican companies, and that many U.S. concepts must undergo a previous “tropicalization process� or adaptation of the business concept to the local market, in order to, satisfy local customer needs. Moreover, U.S. companies are facing a demanding clientele that has become accustomed to a variety of companies fiercely competing in the Mexican market, and that has also become increasingly aware of and educated in such issues as consumer satisfaction, product liability, high quality service and good manufacturing practices.

Several U.S. companies have found out to their great surprise that despite their high-quality products and services in the U.S. market, their business concept did not have a chance of succeeding in the Mexican market. Some things just do not translate well when it comes to a foreign market.

Thus, many U.S. companies have found out that competing in the Mexican market is not as easy as they initially thought, and also, that venturing into the neighbor’s market is not just a matter of having a secretary translate their contracts and materials into Spanish, and sending some summarized information to their potential customers. Many Mexican nationals travel to the U.S. on a continuous basis, therefore it is likely that the U.S. franchisor’s trademarks and business concept are widely known in Mexico, so that the failure of the U.S. franchise in the Mexican market will most likely adversely affect the goodwill of the trademark among the Mexican customers.

How to do business successfully in Mexico?

Here are some valuable tips for U.S. companies: Pay attention to personal relationships. Mexicans like to establish first a personal relationship and then do business. This goes hand in hand with being patient. Relationships are not made overnight.

Know the market well before starting a cross-border venture. Obtain assistance from local experts who will guide you through the unchartered waters of Mexican business culture, customer preferences, competitors and what works and doesn’t work in Mexico.

Obtain legal assistance in Mexico. Many U.S. law firms have offices in Mexico.

Establish a budget for your international expansion. You have to invest money in order to make money. This means paying marketing, legal and tax experts, as well as translators/interpreters and other professionals. In the end, relying on local experts is money well invested.

If possible, learn Spanish. That will be greatly appreciated in Mexico.

Get acquainted with Mexico’s history and culture. Mexico has 4,000 years of history and Mexicans are proud of it. Obtain advice on the local culture before you plan your first trip. You do not want to give an impression of not being culturally savvy and much less of being arrogant and patronizing. There’s a good chance that your business partner or potential customer is world traveled and far more sophisticated and wealthier than you. Make sure you’re at the same cultural and intellectual level as your Mexican counterpart.

Document, document, document! Negotiating points, prices, terms, main and ancillary provisions in contracts, all should be set forth in writing. When you are at the end of your negotiation and it’s time to memorialize it in an agreement, make sure it’s a side-by-side English-Spanish document.

Claudia Herrmann, http://www.dienstinternational.com

Reaching for the Stars!

By Katherine L. Clausen

There are many different marketing strategies that can help your business stand out in a crowd. Personally, I always recommend having at least three different marketing strategies running simultaneously to help increase awareness and to improve your revenue streams.

While marketing is hugely important to every business, there are strategies and support that everyone needs to make sure they are moving forward. Below are a few strategies to help keep you motivated in reaching your goals.

1. Dream Big – And write it down.

Write it down every day.

Allow yourself to dream the big dreams – fall in love with your dreams – be resolute about accomplishing your goals.

Writing down your goals everyday allows them to become part of your subconscious, which in turn allows them to become your internal compass and helps steer you in the direction you really want to go and avoid those shiny objects.

2. Only share with people you KNOW will support, you especially in the beginning when the dream/goal is new.

Be selective with those who are allowed to know your most inner desires (no negative folks allowed).

23

Well-meaning people in your life will talk to you about being realistic, about how life really is. Its ok for them to live with those limits, don’t allow them to enforce those limited beliefs on you.

3. Plan steps to take EVERY day.

When planning your week, write these steps on your calendar on a specific day with a time – this will make them as important as any other appointment you have and limit the excuse of “I just didn’t have time”.

Remember you don’t have to know exactly how to accomplish your goals and dreams, just take the next steps you think will lead you where you want to go. The amazing thing is other stepping stones will appear like magic to help you accomplish your goals.

4. Make them small bite size steps.

This is where many battles are lost, as we start with the end in mind, because we make big elaborate plans. Which can be great, just start at the smallest first step of these grand plans.

Do one thing at a time for your goal. Don’t over- plan or you will be overwhelmed, which can lead to no steps accomplished.

5. Forget the all or nothing mindset, it doesn’t work long term.

Resolutions fail due to the ‘I have to change everything all at once mindset.’ We are creatures of HABIT! Our brains like things that are routine.

Change one maybe two things in your routine, or business system. Keep it that way for two weeks, then if it works, keep it going and add something else. If it does not work, tweak it and try it again for two more weeks.

6. TAKE ACTION! DO SOMETHING towards your goals TAKE ACTION every single day, week, and month!

Spend time everyday focused on your vision.

Do something to move you forward each day - small steps, For example: do the research, make the phone call, write the email, etc.

7. Spend at least 2 hours every week on the projects that will make your dreams come true.

Be selfish here! Schedule this time! Don’t let 30 days go by without taking action on your dreams and goals.

24

8. As a reminder TAKE ACTION. No dream has ever become a reality that stayed in your head.

The mysterious link between making your dreams or visions and goals reality? The ACTIONS YOU TAKE – EVERY DAY, WEEK and MONTH 9. Have a bad day? Or week? Or month? Forgive yourself and START AGAIN! Distractions, illness, life is going to happen. Sometimes we have to adjust what we are focusing on.

Adjust – Then FORGIVE (very important step) START AGAIN – There is NO time limit on your dreams. You only fail when you give up.

10. Have an accountability person that will call you on your crap.

Have an honest conversation with this person on what their role is. Make sure to talk about what things will help get you back on track.

Have a set time each week or month to meet with this person 11.

Have an accountability person that will celebrate your wins.

Take the time to Celebrate! Do not move past this step like it is no big deal. Our brains need the endorphins to stay motivated. This is a step most of us downplay as we tend to focus on what is next.

12.

Have an accountability person that will comfort you when things get hard.

Because sometimes change is scary.

Word of caution – only meet for this reason OCCASIONALLY. 13.

Keep a positive mindset! Read or watch something positive every day.

Have Affirmations!

Meditate!

Walk in nature!

The two most important aspects I want you to remember from this article are below and iof you practice them, they will take you a long way toward accomplishing your goals.

1. FOCUS on your Goals - Every day.

2. TAKE ACTION – Every day

At Your Empowered Solutions, we are here as a resource for your business. We support business owners in accomplishing goals, reducing stress, putting systems in place, leadership development, delegation, and the ability to take non-working vacations.

Contact us at info@yourempoweredsolutions.com for a complementary Solution Session.

25

femmes

fire

An Exciting New Department Profiles of femmes on fire, following their passions, leading others to find their paths, changing lives, communities and the world. We will follow them for one year as they evolve and grow themselves, their businesses, their causes, their worlds.

Honoring & Following Dedicated, Focused Women as They Traverse 2017 Leah Laprise, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Simply Happiness Coaching, Radio Host, Speaker, mentor showing femmes how to tap into their full potential.

Ashley Berges, Dallas, Texas, United States; Nationally Syndicated Radio Host of #LYTL (Live Your True Life)Perspectives, Author of The 10 Day Challenge to Live Your True Life.

Ekaterina Petersil, Singapore; Leader in international Edutainment & Networking events and representative of world famous speakers; Tony Robbins and Eckhart Tole in Russia. 50 Goals for 2017.

Tali Sharot, London, England; A leading expert on human decision-making, optimism and emotion best known for discovering the neural explanation behind optimism.

Are You a

femme 26

fire ?

Ashley Berges Following femme on FIRE, Ashley Berges, keeps on the go around Dallas!

She is not only the author of The 10 Day Challenge to Live Your True Life, talk show host of #LYTL Perspectives with aB, but is launching The Celebrity Perspective via Amazon Prime in May 2017.

Berges was been spotted at Behind The Scenes:đ&#x;Ž¨ Arts N' Beats Downtown Dallas, supporting good music and young artists at Tapa the Band’s fisrt fundraiser to produce their first song DIL MERA. And she wowed at the Dallas Arboretum’s Mad Hatter’s Tea & Luncheon, a fashion heaven of Dallas’s be seen and beautiful!

Ashley Berges ignites audiences with her life-changing revelation that led her to pull herself out of a life of self-loathing based on the negative burdens she allowed others to place on her coupled with her own insecurities.

Following Ashley Berges in 2017: How to Live Your True Life. @ashleyberges

Ekaterina Petersil Since we last published, Ekaterina has pulled off a HUGE event for Tony Robbins in London filling the conference many people speaking her native Russian. She wrote: Breathtaking and dries up in my throat when I think of the coming (now over) of the most important and exciting event of the year. * 10,000 men will gather at the Tony Robbins seminar in London * The delegation consists of more than 1200 people from 27 countries and 119 different cities.

Originally from a small Russian city, Petersil now lives in Singapore where she co-found and produces educational programs through MeetPartners, an eduentertainment business.

Official representatives of, Tony Robbins and Eckhart Tole in Russia, her team has organized more than 500 eduentertainment events in Russia, London, Miami and Singapore.

Following Ekaterina Petersil in 2017: 50 Goals for 2017. @MeetPartners

27

Tali Sharot Dr. Sharot’s lab investigates how motivation and emotion determine our expectations of the future, our everyday decisions, our memories and our ability to learn. By understanding the brain mechanisms that mediate these effects their aim is to identify ways to encourage behavioural change that enhance well-being. Dr. Sharot’s lab is interested in questions such as when and how do other people influence our decisions and judgments? Why do we process information in a biased manner? when, how, and why do people deceive themselves? How do these processes go awry in depression?

Following Tali Sharot in 2017: Why are we wired for optimism?

Theoptimismbias.blogspot.com

Leah Laprise Empowering Women to Thrive In Business + Life is the mission of Leah Laprise in Montreal and she is super busy doing just that. Since she became a femme on FIRE, Laprise has held her 5K Success Challenge: How to Infuse More Income into Your Business with a Simple Plan and SOUL & MINDSET BUSINESS MASTERMIND, a program for those who understand that inner work reflects outer success... and who CRAVE more success in their life and business!

How to tap into your full potential to manifest prosperity in your life and business drives Leah to implement daily mindful success routines, master secret productivity hacks to improve focus, monetize your brand just by being YOU! And BIG NEWS, Leah just posted she is excited to announce that she will be hosting a transformational VIP event in Florida in June!!

To be continued...

Following Leah Laprise in 2017: Manifest + Thrive Business. @LeahLapriseManifest

28

Rising femme NICOLE STONE

29

Tell me something about your home life...where you grew up, siblings, experiences that maybe affected your life path.

I was born in Magnolia, Arkansas and moved to Texas when I was in fourth grade.

When I was little I loved to dance. I was in every dance class you could think of. I wish I stuck with it but when I was 3 years old I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. It was about the size of a baseball and I had to immediately have surgery. The only thing I can remember from that time was a nurse coming to take me away from my mom and carrying me to prep for surgery. After, the doctors didn’t think I would make it, they had no choice but to tell my parents to go and say their final goodbyes. The following year the tumor had returned, this time the size of a grapefruit.

A surgery was scheduled and done and every year I had to go back for MRIs to check to see if there were signs of it returning. It truly is a God given miracle that I am alive and well today.

When did you know you were a writer/blogger? Tell us about your blog, the purpose, etc.

I actually never intended to be a writer. I am a Strategic Communications major at Oklahoma State and for our graduating portfolio we are required to have a website with up to date blog posts. It took me a while to really figure out what I wanted to write about on my blog. I discuss my struggle with anxiety and depression in some of my very first posts and I’ve grown to love writing. I put my heart and soul into my blog because it helps ease my anxiety. I love to cook, just like my blog, it gives me something to focus on other than the worries and stresses of life. My blog is where I share my life experiences and also my cooking adventures. I know a lot of college kids struggle to keep a healthy lifestyle during those 4 years so that is what my recipes are for!

By sharing what I’ve been through, I want to be a light for someone going through dark times. I want to inspire people to be the best they can be.

What do you believe in? As a millennial what is important to you in the world you will help shape?

I believe that it’s so important to give back and love each other. No matter who it is. I believe that everyone has their own struggles and obstacles in their life and everyone needs a little love.

That is what I try to do in every little interaction with anyone, to show love, show kindness and then you are doing your part to make this world a better place. One step at a time.

How do you give back to your community?

So, my family and I started a non-profit about 4 years ago called The Source of Hope. It’s based in Dallas and we strive to just help anyone we can. Whether it be to find a job, giving them a few home cooked meals, or even just praying over them. Whatever we can do to give that person a better life.

"Give a person a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a person to fish and you feed them for a lifetime.”

30

Rising femme SIERRA BARNES

31

Tell us something about your home life...where you grew up, siblings, experiences that maybe affected your life path.

I grew up in Dallas, the oldest of three, living with my family in my Great Grandparent’s house that they built when my mom was little.. My family has always supported me and my art and are always there when I need help. I love them so much and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for doing all that they do for me, especially my Mom. She’s my best friend and is always there for me. She’s my rock and I don’t know what I’d do without her. We have been through a lot together. In 2002 I was diagnosed with Craniopharyngioma (brain tumor), my Uncle passed away in 2011, and my Dad recently passed away in May 2016. My Dad was one of my biggest supporters and I believe he is watching over me, supporting me and is proud of what I’ve done so far. All of this hasn’t been easy. But it’s inspired and motivated me as an artist as well as a person. All that I’ve been through has only made me better and stronger. My goal is to turn these obstacles and challenges into something beautiful through my art and poetry to help and inspire others.

When did you know you were an artist? Tell us about your art, especially about the poems with each painting.

I created one of my first paintings when I was five years old, right after my brain surgery. It was an abstract named Complicated and I still it today as a reminder of what I can and did do. Art has always been a part of my life and I’ve always expressed myself and my emotions through my art and poetry. One day I just decided to combine them both. Some are very abstract and others are abstract figures, mostly in acrylic and watercolor paints. They come from a very emotional place, whether it be something I’m going through at that moment or something I’ve experienced in the past. Many things influence my art and poetry, but my daily life, things I observe, and things I’ve been through are just a few. Sometimes the painting inspires the poem and other times the poem inspires the painting. I know not everyone will get or understand my art and poetry and that’s okay. I know it will help and inspire those who it’s meant to; saying you are beautiful and don’t give up. With so much hate and judgment in this world, if you have the courage and the strength to live your dreams, be yourself, and not give up... I admire you!

Do you plan a career in art?

Yes, I’ve been in different shows and galleries in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and I’ve had my first solo art show in April 2016 at Art Is Life Studio. One of my dreams is to own my own art gallery.

I can’t image doing anything else but art. I like to think of my art as my calling. I am meant to do this!

How do you give back to your community?

In 2002 I was granted a wish from the Make a Wish Foundation Of North Texas to meet singer/actress Hilary Duff. Today, I continue to assist the Make a Wish Foundation by donating art for their Wish Night Auction and I’ve also raised money myself for Make a Wish. My goal is to find more opportunities to help others and to give back.

32

________________________

The World’s 1st Fashion MLM

Rachel Barnes 214.672.3847 English Rudy Rodriguez 214.566.4754 English/Spanish 1Fashion Global Official Distributors TEAM INTERNATIONAL

________________________

The World’s 1st Fashion MLM

Rachel Barnes 214.672.3847 English Rudy Rodriguez 214.566.4754 English/Spanish 1Fashion Global Official Distributors TEAM INTERNATIONAL

Globally Inspired Refreshing Summer Drinks Ice-cold cocktails, lemonades, and sodas taste good all year round, but they truly become a necessity right about now, when just making it through another day of obscene temperatures and sticky humidity is a victory worth celebrating. These cooling drinks relieve our thirst, yes,

but

more

than

that,

it

sometimes feels like they have the power to restore our sanity.

When choosing a summertime bracer, it's all too easy to fall in the same old ruts so branch out and explore

some

of

the

other

refreshing drinks that are enjoyed around the world.

TINTO DE VERANO While we're on the subject of booze and soda combos, let's take a minute to discuss Spanish tinto de verano, a red wine and lemon soda drink that's a favorite summertime sipper on the Iberian Peninsula (can you get any more hot-weather appropriate than a drink whose name literally means 'red wine of summer'?). If you like sangria, then you'll love this cheat-sheet version: it achieves remarkably similar flavors—fruit and tannins

from the wine, citrus brightness from the soda—but takes all of 10 seconds to mix up (30 if you add a slice of lemon for garnish).

Tinto de Verano is usually made with a bright, fruity, and cheap red wine (often entry-level Tempranillo), cut with a lemony, not-too-sweet soda called gaseosa. At home, make tinto de verano with Pellegrino Limonata; if you can't find that, feel free to use lemon-flavored Fanta or even Sprite or 7-Up, but be sure to dilute those sweeter sodas with a glug of plain seltzer. Like sangria, tinto de verano pairs well with a variety of easy summer foods, but it's most often sipped solo at bars and parties.

CAIPIRINHA Alright, so an easydrinking refajo or tinto

de

verano

enables

day-long

imbibing

without

getting

you

too

wasted. But when it's already evening and you're ready for little

something

a

stronger,

Brazil's national

cocktail, the limey and ever-so-refreshing caipirinha, could be the way to go. Calling upon just three ingredients—cachaça, a hard liquor distilled from the sugarcane that has long been the country's top export; sugar; and plenty of muddled lime, a well-mixed caipirinha is tart and, loaded with ice, incredibly cooling. For decades, the drink—which in its home country is available in even the tiniest dive bars—was all but unknown in the U.S., as very few cachaça producers exported their brew. But in recent years, a few good brands such as Avua Prata, Novo Fogo, and Leblon have started producing for the North American market, and the caipirinha's profile (and availability) has risen. The cocktail is wonderful sipped on its own or served with seafood dishes.

AGUA FRESCA

The epitome of refreshing—its name translates to "fresh water"—an icy-cold agua fresca encapsulates summer not only through its temperature but also via its ingredients: sweet, ripe, tropical fruits. Made with just three ingredients—water, fruit, and sugar—an agua fresca is pretty much as close as you can get to fruit in a liquid form. To make the drink, fruits such as mango, pineapple, watermelon, and guava are blitzed in a blender with water, strained, sweetened and occasionally balanced with an additional squeeze of lemon or lime.

Thirst-quneching aguas frescas are also beautifully bold in their colors: the traditional streetside stands where the drinks are sold boast a rainbow of ice-filled tubs from which vendors ladle out bright pink, wine-red and pale yellow beverages.

Though most often prepared with fruit, aguas frescas are also sometimes made with flowers, herbs, and grains: a well-known example of the latter category is horchata, the creamy cinnamon-scented rice milk drink. Also worth a taste is agua de jamaica, the floral, deep red brew made from hibiscus flowers and often accented with lime. It's the ideal antidote to a too-spicy taco or torta.

We are already in possession of everything we need to live with infinite grandeur, infinite abundance and infinite health.

Visit Our Website for Retail Locations, Events or to Become a Vendor

What is an Independent Compounding Pharmacy?

By Donna S Barsky, D.Ph, PharmD

Compounding is the Art and Science of Creating Personalized Medications Pharmacy compounding is the art and science of preparing personalized medications for patients.

Compounded medications are made based on a practitioner’s prescription in which individual ingredients are mixed together in the exact strength and dosage form required by the patient. This method allows the compounding pharmacist to work with the patient and the prescriber to customize a medication to meet the patient’s specific needs.

A Brief History of Compounding At one time, nearly all prescriptions were compounded. With the advent of mass drug manufacturing in the 1950s and ‘60s, compounding rapidly declined. The pharmacist’s role as a preparer of medications quickly changed to that of a dispenser of manufactured dosage forms, and most pharmacists no longer were trained to compound medications. However, the “onesize-fits-all” nature of many mass-produced medications meant that some patients’ needs were not being met.

Unique medication delivery for your unique needs Compounding enables prescribers and pharmacists to meet the special needs of patients. One of its most important benefits is to those patients who have difficulties with commercially available medication. With the prescriber’s authorization, pharmacists can custom-prepare medications in a variety of unique dosage forms, including: • • • • • • • •

Capsules Oral liquids Troches or lollipops Topical preparations Suppositories Eye and ear drops Nasal sprays Sterile Injections

THE RESULT? A WAY TO TAKE MEDICINE THAT HELPS INCREASE PATIENT COMPLIANCE. 41

Custom Flavoring Custom flavoring is available for most oral medication forms, and unique delivery systems may be employed to help give medication to finicky patients. Many medications can be taken through a flavored lollipop. Infants especially benefit from alternate delivery devices such as pacifiers or baby bottles. These devices, which are provided in childproof packaging, allow parents to dispense prescription medicine easily and accurately.

Capsules Medication can be compounded into customized capsules, especially in cases where an alternate strength is required or to omit potential allergens or irritants, such as dyes, preservatives, or gluten. To lessen the number of doses to be taken, multiple medications often can be combined into a single dosage or made into sustained-release capsules.

Vegetarian capsules made from cellulose are available for patients who do not want to take a gelatin capsule.

Oral Liquids Many medications can be compounded as oral liquids for those patients who have difficulty swallowing tablets and capsules. Some patients may have problems tolerating the taste of a commercially available liquid, but a compounding pharmacist can make a pleasant-tasting, custom-flavored oral solution or suspension which can be administered easily and accurately. Some medications may be available as effervescent powders, which are mixed with water to make a fizzy drink.

42

Troches/Lollipops

Troches and lollipops are used to keep drugs in the mouth when local action is needed there. Troches also may be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve, which allows the medication to enter the bloodstream quickly and easily. Some troches can be chewed and swallowed by a patient who cannot or will not take a capsule or tablet. These dosage forms can be enhanced with natural sweeteners and pleasant-tasting flavors, making them ideal for geriatric and pediatric patients.

Topical Preparations Topical methods of delivery also are widely used because they allow the absorption of medicine directly through the skin, and may help avoid potential side effects such as stomach upset or drowsiness. Topical medications often are prescribed for pain management, inflammation and nausea/vomiting. They are easy to use and are effective delivering the medication as needed. Topical medication forms include:

Gels • Creams & Lotions • Sprays • Foams • Stick Applicators, such as Lip Balms

Suppositories Patients who cannot take medications orally are ideal candidates for compounded suppositories. Available in various shapes depending on the route of administration, suppositories can be given rectally, vaginally or urethrally. By melting or dissolving into the body cavity, they allow the medication to pass quickly into the bloodstream. They can be used for hormone replacement therapy (HRT), to fight nausea, or to treat local conditions such as hemorrhoids, infections, or inflammation.

43

A compounding pharmacist working closely with you and your physician can prepare medication in a dosage form that has been customized to your particular needs.

Fortunately, compounding has experienced a resurgence as modern technology and innovative techniques and research have allowed more pharmacists to customize medications to meet specific patient needs.

Trained, PCCA member pharmacists can now personalize medicine for patients who need specific:

▪

Strengths

▪

Dosage forms

▪

Flavors

▪

Ingredients excluded from medications due to allergies or other sensitivities

What else makes an independent pharmacy different?

Patient care and customer service The independent pharmacy offers a wide variety of services to the public, including medication therapy management services—more than half of independent community pharmacists offer this important service—as well as health screenings, Clinical nutritionist, orthopedic supplies, compression wear, wound care and individual consultations for better health and anti-aging.

Customer service is the mantra in these privately owned drugstores, perhaps even more so than in other settings. Independent owners take great pride in serving their patients and playing an important role in their communities. Close to 60% of them participate as speakers for local organizations, so it is not surprising that communication is one of the top skills necessary to succeed as an independent pharmacist. You must be able to foster unique patient-to-pharmacistto-physician relationships.

There is more accessibility for the patient for one-on-one direction to help better your health and find the pathway to a more active life.

We know that we are living longer, however, we don’t always life better. It is the independent pharmacist’s job to help make that active longer life happen.

If you are looking for that healthy pathway and need help, contact us at www.Texasstarpharmacy.com and make an appointment for your first step toward your new lifestyle.

44

The Art of Healing

By Brenda Wakefield, MS, LMT, LMTI, CEP Touch Therapy is an art utilizing a combination of energy and touch. There are many modalities of touch, and this article talks to the synergy of holistic bodywork as evidenced in the results through Craniosacral Therapy (CST). This inspirational work is a framework to relay the art of healing by touch. Many times, a person's inability to find a solution to pain and discomfort, beyond western medicine, overlook alternative healing options. Truth be told, they just don't know about them. The CST journey IS AN AMAZING way to allow the body to self-correct.

Simply, CranioSacral Therapy is a light touch which enhances the body’s natural healing ability to dramatically improve your quality of life. Think of it this way: release tension/stress deep within the body to let go of pain and discomfort and overall, feel better. Who would not want to feel better after chronic conditions have enslaved the body and mind day after day? The relief one can experience from a single to multiple CranioSacral Therapy sessions, is a surprise to many, and is why I practice this modality weekly. The body takes ownership thru the Inner Physician, coined by Dr. John Upledger, an Osteopathic Physician featured in TIME magazine as one of America’s next wave of innovators.

From 1975 to 1983, the work and research of Dr. Upledger ‘s team at the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan, State, led to The Upledger Institute being founded in 1985 by Dr. Upledger, creating a worldwide opportunity to teach the value of this effective approach.

What value does CranioSacral Therapy bring to the client lying on the table? An opportunity to tap into the central nervous system, hit the reset button, and get clearance to forge forward and improve all systems. The craniosacral system is tissue and fluid that protect the brain and spinal cord, and when compromised, leads to dysfunction and discomfort. The issue is in the tissue.

45

Collectively, all ages included, a host of conditions may be relieved: • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • •

Migraines and Headaches Chronic Neck and Back Pain Stress and Tension-Related Disorders Motor-Coordination Impairments Infant and Childhood Disorders Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries Chronic Fatigue Fibromyalgia

TMJ Syndrome Scoliosis Central Nervous System Disorders Learning Disabilities ADD/ADHD Birthing Trauma Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Orthopedic Problems And Many Other Conditions

Sessions are in a safe and quiet office, and proof is in the results. How awesome to receive bodywork, and to release stress, without the need to undress. Fantastic! Just lie down on a comfortable table fully clothed and relax. Wow! Schedule an appointment now.

The session starts with an evaluation using light touch on various parts of the body to check the rhythm of the flow of craniosacral fluid around the central nervous system. Just imagine a piece of cellophane floating on top of water and the ease of movement barely touching it. The light touch compares to five grams which is roughly equivalent to a nickel. It’s is all that is necessary to achieve phenomenal results. Light touch and listening are specific skills used in craniosacral therapy, to then treat what is found from the information detected by the therapist. It is like using a metal detector but with hands which find the restrictions within the tissue.

An hour of your time may be the best amount of time spent to gain relief and experience a deep, relaxing bodywork; a phenomenal experience. No two sessions are the same. The body speaks, it’s time to listen.

Brenda Wakefield, www.handsofchoice.com, 214-380-9700 Office, 469-955-6530 Mobile

46

in the know Kathryn E. White, M.D. Dr. White has lived in Texas for more than 30 years, though she is a native of Marietta, Georgia. She attended college at Houston Baptist University and medical school at University of Texas – Houston; completing her internship and residency at University of Texas Southwestern-Parkland Memorial Hospital which is one of the busiest programs in the United States. She is Board Certified and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She was one of the first physicians to affiliate with the premier hospital, Baylor Medical Center in Frisco, as she relocated recognizing the need in this growing community. She now focuses on gynecology and aesthetic medicine.

Why could sex painful? It has not been before but lately I am finding it uncomfortable enough that I am finding excuses to not share intimacy.

Sex can become painful for many reasons. A common reason is infection. There are a variety of vaginal infections that can be responsible for pain and some may not have other associated symptoms. Various gynecological conditions such as endometriosis or ovarian cysts may also cause pain. A very common cause associated with aging and menopause is atrophy of the vaginal tissue. Declining estrogen levels result in thinning and dryness of the vagina. This tends to worsen over time and often makes having sex impossible. This can also happen in women who have premature menopause related to chemotherapy for breast cancer. There are a variety of treatment options including oral medication, vaginal estrogen and even laser treatment. The MonaLisa Touch is a revolutionary carbon dioxide laser which is very effective at treating vaginal atrophy with no downtime and no medication! It is very simple and takes about 10 minutes every 6 weeks for 3 treatments. Maintenance treatments are once per year thereafter.

If you are suffering with painful sex you should discuss this with your physician and be evaluated. This is not a normal condition and you should not have to suffer or give up your intimacy.

Kathryn E. White, M.D., www.kathrynewhitemd.com

47

in the know Isabell Rossignol Looks can be deceiving! She speaks eloquently but she knows how to stomp through the mud and the alligators, without smudging her high heels.

According to Isabell, “Being a publicist is not an easy endeavor.

It takes dogged determination and fortitude to reach the important decision makers and it requires finesse in gaining the apple at the end of the rope! Intricate and refined delicacy are necessary when you are trying to accomplish public relations exposure. You have to use your cowboy boots in a subtle and gentle manner.�

How do I as an entrepreneur use publicity to my advantage?

Every Entrepreneur's Secret Weapon is Publicity.

As an entrepreneur, would you rather pay $100,000 for a Forbes back cover ad or be featured on the front cover editorially at no charge? Would you rather purchase a $40,000 commercial ad during the Daily Show or be an invited guest on the show?

Unlike the paid science of dollar-per-inch advertising, publicity is an art of skillfully presenting and persuading journalists to cover stories. Ad space is sold, while editorial space is earned.

Getting featured depends solely on newsworthiness and compel, not payment.

It is important to have a Publicist on board.

Isabell Rossignol, www.rossirob.com

48

in the know Becca Menig “I believe each day gives us something; a few minutes of afternoon light casting intricate shadows on a dining room wall, or a delicious Pesto because the basil got knee-high. Maybe some things broke my heart... I write about them all. My name is Becca. I live in Dallas but I left my heart in Florence, Italy. I'd like to thank you for reading.� Those are the words by this stunning author, blogger, cook (she does not call herself a chef, though her culinary talents could land her in any 5-star restaurant) are on her blog site, from3906.blogspot.com. More impressive is her knowledge of food in its simple natural flavorful state and how to use it in refreshing dishes.

What is the difference between good carbs and bad? And how do I get more good carbs in my meals?

The time frame in which a carbohydrate affects blood sugar levels, is the difference in what we call a good carb or a bad carb.

Carbohydrates fuel our bodies by this conversion, providing much needed energy. The speed at which we gain and use that energy is important.

A bad carb will convert quickly, giving you a quick pick-me-up. It will however, drop your energy level just as quickly, leaving you hungry and lethargic. These spikes of up and down should be avoided.

A good carb will convert by releasing energy slowly and sustainably. Hunger is satisfied and we are energized. Athletes look to such carbohydrates.

The rate at which a specific food, by itself, raises blood sugar, can be measured by the Glycemic Index. Low glycemic foods are below 55, high foods are above 70. Considering carbs, you want to keep your choices in the low range, 55 or under.

A serving of pasta, which unfairly gets a bad rap, comes in as spaghetti with the great rating of 43 when cooked al dente. A serving of pumpkin or rutabaga come in at 75 and 72. Peanuts are 14, Basmati rice is 58, and dried dates surprise at 103.

Learn more about carbs; check out a Glycemic Index. They are readily available in print and online.

Becca Menig, www.from3906.blogspot.com

49

in the know Claudia Herrmann Dallas Chair and National VP of AMEP USA and CVO of USA AMEP Foundation.

Ms. Herrmann is also an editorial writer for the El Hispano News (www.elhispanonews.com) where she has a weekly column titled "En Perspectiva", and for the Al DĂ­a Newspaper, with a monthly column.

Corporate Lawyer licensed in Mexico only and founding partner of Dienst International, a Dallas based consulting firm providing international cross-border business services.

If I want to do business with Mexico, what are the initial aspects to be considered? I own a Marketing Company in the US. Though many U.S. companies have been carrying out cross-border transactions on a regular basis, there are many misconceptions that have caused some U.S. businesses to fail in Mexico. These misconceptions are often based on the lack of knowledge of the Mexican market, failure to recognize fundamental differences in the business cultures and/or an inadequate selection of a Mexican business partner.

Thus, the commercial relationship goes sour, sales do not reach expected levels, and in the end, both sides are frustrated about the perceived lack of results shown by the Mexican business partner, or lack of support by the U.S. partner.

Can U.S. businesses compete in the Mexican market?

The answer is a definite yes. However, U.S. companies should be aware that the marketing Mexican market is dominated by Mexican companies, and that many U.S. concepts must undergo a previous “tropicalization process� or adaptation of the business concept to the local market in order to satisfy local customer needs. Moreover, U.S. companies are facing a demanding clientele that has become accustomed to a variety of companies fiercely competing in the Mexican market, and that has also become increasingly aware of and educated in such issues as consumer satisfaction, product liability, high quality service and good manufacturing practices. Several U.S. companies have found out to their great surprise that despite their high-quality products and services in the U.S. market, their business concept did not have a chance of succeeding in the Mexican market. Some things just do not translate well when it comes to a foreign market.

49

Read the full feature article on doing business with our neighbors to the South.

Claudia Herrmann, www.amepusa.org

in the know Dr. Kat Smith Through my own traumatic history of molestation and rape, I know first-hand what you are feeling, thinking and what may be blocking you from receiving and giving love at its fullest potential. Learning to seize your own pleasure and please your love means being free of guilt, fear and past hurts. Letting go of the beliefs and experiences that stifle your sexual expression and intimacy is key in laying the foundation for your relationship. Dr. Kat is a certified intimacy expert, author and speaker and TEDX Speaker.

It’s so easy in our fast-paced, plugged-in culture to lose touch with the connection we once had in those early days of dating. It seems our mobile phones get in the way of real connection. How do I change this?

Today’s couples are emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted and one way to remedy this is to put away the devices, get off the internet and turn off the television in order to spend some quality, present time with the one you love. Spend some time in touch, face to face and be in the moment on a regular basis. The more time you spend disconnected from your lover, and connected to outside interests, you are putting a strain on the attraction, desire and passion you once felt.

Like any living thing, with neglect, it will shrivel up, (errr…maybe a bad phrase choice) or wither away and die. We tend to spend more time dedicated to our favorite television shows or allowing other people and things to take valuable time away from our intimate lives. And I am not talking only about sex. Intimacy and sex are not the same thing. Intimacy encompasses so much more; trust, care, affections, support, nurturing, bonding, communication, passion and yes sex, but intercourse lasts, on average, about 7 minutes. What are you doing with the rest of your time to connect with your lover?

Here are some tips to disconnecting from your decides and rebooting your love life: 1. Date night is mandatory - set a schedule and take turns planning a fun or exciting evening together. Trade off kids with another couple with kids so they can do the same.

2. No run by kissing - take a moment and hug and kiss slowly. Look into each other’s eyes and send them off with well wishes for a great day or a safe drive. Hell, say I love you while holding eye contact.

3. Create a romantic, relaxing space to nurture your relationship. Your bedroom should invite intimacy and romance.

Check the lighting, remove electronics and clutter or anything that reminds you of work, exercising or household chores.

Get out of the habit of putting your love life last. Make it a priority and get back to the business of being in love. Want to learn more? Take the 3051Day Power Challenge to receive sexy and fun tips on creating and maintaining a deep intimate connection you desire. Go to DrKatSmith.com and sign up for free.

Dr. Kat Smith, wwwDrKatSmith.com

in the know Dr. Donna Barsky, D. Ph, R. Ph Our philosophy has always been that patient healthcare is more than just a prescription. What Texas Star Pharmacy offers is an independently owned, family run pharmacy that also provides specialized prescription compounding, durable medical equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc.), children’s and adult immunizations, orthopedic braces and supports for both children and adults, acute wound care, wellness care and education to help us become better patients.

What does a compounding pharmacy offer different than a regular pharmacy? And how is that important to our health?

Pharmacy compounding is the art and science of preparing personalized medications for patients.

Compounded medications are made based on a practitioner’s prescription in which individual ingredients are mixed together in the exact strength and dosage form required by the patient. This method allows the compounding pharmacist to work with the patient and the prescriber to customize a medication to meet the patient’s specific needs.

Compounding enables prescribers and pharmacists to meet the special needs of patients. One of its most important benefits is to those patients who have difficulties with commercially available medication.

There is more accessibility for the patient for one-on-one direction to help better your health and find the pathway to a more active life.

We know that we are living longer, however, we don’t always life better. It is the independent pharmacist’s job to help make that active longer51life happen.

Donna Barsky, D.Ph, PharmD, www.texasstarpharmacy.com

ようこそ日本へ Yōkoso Nihon e

The Land of the Rising Sun & Cherry Blossoms

Born on the island of Aruba, Esther Madeline Croes, dreamed of a trip to Japan. At age 11 she left for boarding school in Zeist/Utrecht, Netherlands where she finished my college.

Returning to Aruba at age 21, Esther met her husband, a Jewish Russian Gynecologist, married and had 2 sons. Living in Curacao, Croes started her own flower business, where she studied the Art of Ikebana/ Japanese style of flower arranging. Her sons’ saw her passion for her work and learned to appreciate the arts, as not only did she love art, she loved opera which she taught and shared with her boys. Her dream was to one day to visit Japan!

Years go by, her sons grow and follow their passions. Then this year before her April 6th birthday, she received a call from her daughter in law in Miami telling Esther to pack a suitcase for two weeks. No questions asked, be ready and a taxi would pick her up the next day.

Trusting her family, she packed the bags and when arriving at the Schiphol AirPort of Amsterdam, she was greeted by a KLM agent who had her already checked in; pre- arranged by her son. They even provided breakfast as she awaited the departure. She admits to being excited and curious but her heart was filled joy and calmness.

54

Once the plane pulled to the gate for boarding, Croes saw the Japan brand across the airplane and she was overwhelmed with happiness, love and emotions she could not control saying she left it all in the hands of the universe!

Her son was waiting her arrival in Japan. It was Cherry Blossom season and they were going to see and experience all she had ever dreamed of and talked about with her boys as they grew to manhood.

Tokyo was a blazing with technology, expensive shopping and pink and white blossoms.

55

Kyoto, once the capital of Japan, is a city on the island of Honshu. It's famous for its numerous classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses.

The cherry blossom tree is a sight to behold, especially when it is in full riotous bloom. There are several varieties of the cherry blossom tree, and while most of them produce flowering branches full of small pinkish-hued flowers, some of them produce actual cherries.

In Japan, the cherry blossom is more than just a beautiful flowering tree. There are thousands upon thousands of cherry blossom trees in Japan, and each year the Japanese people closely anticipate and follow the blossoming of the trees. When the trees are in bloom, people come in large groups with their families and friends to view the flowers and to enjoy festivals with food, drink, and music.

Hanami, Cherry Blossom viewing season has arrived in many areas of southern Japan. It means sooner or later, most of the top hanami spots that are located around Japan would welcome sakura flowers. Every year, Japan’s first cherry blossoms appear in Okinawa (southern Japan) then move northwards to Hokkaido by early May.

56

The significance of the cherry blossom tree in Japanese culture goes back hundreds of years. In their country, the cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life. It’s a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short. When the cherry blossom trees bloom for a short time each year in brilliant force, they serve as a visual reminder of how precious and how precarious life is. So, when Japanese people come together to view the cherry blossom trees and marvel at their beauty, they aren’t just thinking about the flowers themselves, but also about the larger meaning and deep cultural tradition the cherry blossom tree.

Esther Madeline Croes lived her dream; Japan stole her heart from the culture to the art of food and eating to the down to earth grateful people. Their unique style is everywhere throughout the county, Croes says and she and her son plan to return.

57

Esther Madeline Croes, Each day provides its own gift.

58

Morocco! The Pinnacle of your Bucket List

By Noor Saadeh Morocco! The names alone are so enticingly exotic: Casablanca, Marrakesh, Fez, Tangier. Each conjures up film, music, food, architecture and the stuff Orientalists dreams are made of. You want pristine Mediterranean beaches, or perhaps a camel trek through the Sahara. Watch local women (and goats) produce the lovely Argan oil found in the cosmetics on your shelf. (Go look!) Mountain ranges, valleys, mudbrick buildings that mimic the local soil of varying hues. Even manicured towns that you swear came right out of Heidi and the Alps. Morocco truly has it all.

We only skimmed the surface on a recent ten day visit and it was sensory overload all the way. If you want to do the country justice, you need at least a month. Or better yet, search the old medinas in Fez and Morocco to find a beautiful courtyard home and turn it into a Riad - a Moroccan bed and breakfast! Our Parisian host in Fez did just that. Once the home of wealthy banker, Riad Kitani is a perfect model of a refurbished Moroccan home. Head there in the off season ( May - Oct) and stay there for peanuts with the great dollar to dirham exchange rate!

Food, glorious food! Oh those Moroccans know how to spice their way into your heart.

Masters of the couscouseri and savory tagines.

You get your daily veggies and then some! You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted Moroccan olives and of course the incredible mint tea served everywhere, especially to welcome guests.

59

For those with more European taste buds, the Moroccans mix it up at breakfast with le petite dejeuner of lovely breads made of semolina, crepes, croissants, and marmalades (from the abundant orange groves), and local spiced olives, accompanied by mellow cafĂŠ crema.

Now is your time to try out your high school French! Unlike French nationals, Moroccans love to speak with you en francais, particularly in the north. I was able to be misunderstood in 3 languages - English, Arabic AND French!

English is common everywhere but for Arabic speakers, it takes a while to decipher the accent!

In addition to the scenery and food, the architecture of the Islamic cities blew me away. Exquisite craftsmanship is visible everywhere, particularly in Fez and Marrakesh. The tiles, the calligraphy of Quranic verses and names of Allah, coupled with intricately carved cedar wood and filigreed lamps (you must not miss the lamps!) was so incredibly inspiring to the artistic eye. femmes International must visit the world’s first university opened by Fatima al Fihri, a woman, a

60

Muslim AND a refugee! That will debunk a few of your stereotypes! Also do take a day trip to the coast to support women’s Argan oil cottage industry that produces Morocco’s claim to export fame.

As a Muslim and historian, it was an amazing step back in time to the Golden Age of Islam. Imagine as you tour the various sites and museums, gardens and fountains, that all this existed while Europe languished in the Dark Ages.

Guides and descriptive plaques all contribute to expand the visitor’s knowledge of a great civilization that produced physicians, scientists, inventors, artisans, and philosophers and helped usher in the Renaissance.

Fortunately much has been preserved and Moroccans are working tirelessly to refurbish and bring all that beauty and tranquility back to life. Stumbling on an exquisite ablutions fountain in a crowded alley in the Medina, never fails to delight and amaze.

Take care! In the tiny and twisting streets of Marrakesh, motorbikes, mopeds, bicycles, tuc tucs and the occasional donkey cart all compete with pedestrians. Takes a bit of getting used to but these motorists (and others) are magnificently adept at dodging all! The initial hearing of the call to prayer that rings out from every minaret 5 times daily might startle the novice, but soon becomes soothing and even anticipated. Just in case you thought you were still in Kansas. And speaking of Kansas…there is a

61

replica of the giant Minaret of Marrakesh, (origin Seville) right there in the Kansas City Plaza!

My words cannot do Moroc justice. Just go and let your senses fly!

Noor Saadeh, www.noorart.com

62