Health & Wellness
FOOD + BEVERAGE
LAVENDER LOWDOWN: A MOCKTAIL
HEALTH + WELLNESS
BUILDING HEALTHIER HABITS
WELLNESS
WOMEN AND ADD JANUARY
So Much Joy
"I don't know where I am going from here, but I promise it won't be boring!" - David Bowie Happy Anniversary, Texoma City Lifestyle!
This month, Texoma City Lifestyle celebrates one year arriving in your mailboxes on a monthly basis. We are forever thankful for our founding partners who helped make our dream a reality. Eighteen local businesses trusted us to share their brands and their stories with our growing commu nity. Without their founding partnership, we could not have become the community hub that we are today. Since December 2023, we have grown from 36 pages to 44 pages, filled with exciting local events, inspirational stories, and highlights of all that is special in Texoma. Our partnerships have grown over the past year from 18 local businesses to over 30, allowing us to share even more with our readers each month!
Our January issue focuses on Health and Wellness. Whether you are starting a new health journey or revamping a former one, we hope this issue inspires you to get out of your comfort zone. You will find the most worthwhile endeavors happen in that space! Spa 31 owner, Alisha Rosenthal, shares how her new space, while revitalising others, has also reenergized herself and her dreams. Check it out on page 16.
Brad Rhodes, our monthly Realty Report expert and local broker of Easy Life Realty, gives us a recap of the housing market in 2024 and what we might expect to see in 2025. If you are in the market for a new home or just want to refresh your current home, you might consider trying Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year, Cinnamon Slate, on an accent wall warming up your office or used as a yummy backdrop to your white quartz kitchen counters.
We hope this year brings you joy, prosperity and peace. All of us at Texoma City Lifestyle wish you many blessings in the new year. We'll see you around town!
Happy New Year, Texoma!
IRELAND, PUBLISHER
January 2025
PUBLISHER
Barbara Ireland | Barbara.Ireland@citylifestyle.com
AREA DIRECTOR
Roger Ireland | Roger.Ireland@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Danielle Poche' | Danielle.Poche@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Lucas Ridley | Lucas.Ridley@citylifestyle.com
STAFF WRITER
Jennifer Haveman | Jennifer.Haveman@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Kimberly Blaker, Mel Boban, Kristin Burnell, Roger Ireland, Mike Zapata
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Courtney Mitchell, Kristi Murry, Mike Zapata
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley
AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto
LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick
city scene
1: Sherman Police, Criminal Investigation Division, at the Sherman Animal Shelter for a photo shoot 2: Jennifer Taylor with award recipient, Jenna Zapata, at Grayson’s Leading Outstanding Women of Influence ceremony. 3: Trick or Treat on Travis Street in downtown Sherman, Texas 4: At State of the Community presented by Texoma HR and sponsored by Freedom Boat Club 5: Freedom Boat Club at Ebby Halliday Realtors in Texomaland for Photos with Santa benefiting Marine Toys for Tots 6: Nat McClure and Amanda Fisher serve others at Grand Central StationDining Car Soup Kitchen 7: Day Star Landscapes team swaps shovels for spatulas at Hugs Cafe cooking class
city scene CONTINUED
8: Ailshires attend Annual Chili Cook Off Dinner and Auction raising funds for Grand Central Station 9: The inaugural Texoma FC Supporter’s Club event 10: New Denison Mayor, Robert Crawley, at State of the Community presented by Texoma HR
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YOUR INSTAGRAM PHOTOS WITH @TEXOMACITYLIFESTYLE
CITY SCENE
MELIDA AILSHIRE
business monthly
STATE OF THE COMMUNITY
Texoma HR presented State of Community Texoma sponsored by Freedom Boat Club at the Sherman Municipal Ballroom. Kent Sharp from SEDCO, Tony Kaai from DDA, and Joey Grisham from BEDCO shared valuable insights into the future of the Texoma area. Community members enjoyed a great turnout and connecting with the community, discussing upcoming growth, and addressing the challenges and changes ahead.
WELCOME NEW PARTNER, INTERIOR HOMESTORE
Welcome new partner! Carol Davis of Interior HomeStore has provided interior decorating and design services, home furnishings and home accents in Sherman, Texas, for the past 40 years. Their approach is to incorporate your tastes and meet your budget. It is their goal to create comfortable living spaces that are both elegant and practical. The designers are inspired by the clients’ needs, lifestyle and desires for their home. 702 N Travis St, Sherman InteriorHomeStore.com
AWARD-WINNING STAFFORD HOUSE PROVISIONS
Stafford House Provisions is thrilled to announce that they've been awarded the 2024 Presidents’s Award and People’s Choice for Best Commercial Interior by Texas Downtown! This recognition is a testament to the heart, design, and atmosphere that make Stafford House inside the historic Katy Depot a special place in Denison. Stop by to experience the award-winning ambiance for yourself. Enjoy fine dining, wine tasting and cocktails in a warm, comfortable environment. 101 E. Main St, Denison StaffordHouseProvisions.com
D2 Built - Where Innovation Meets Craftsmanship!
As a family-owned and operated construction company, we take pride in seamlessly blending cutting-edge building technology with meticulous attention to detail. Experience the difference of a builder who values lasting relationships, delivering excellence in every project we undertake.
COMMUNITY IN DOWNTOWN SHERMAN
A revitalization effort in downtown Sherman of developments, renovations and upgrades is underway! Urban Sherman is committed to doing its part in rebuilding our classic downtown. Contact us for available properties.
www.UrbanSherman.com 940.289.0222
WELCOME NEW PARTNER, EYE CARE TEXOMA
Eye Care Texoma offers a wide range of optometry services by Dr. Eric Newberry, O.D. and team. State-ofthe-art equipment helps them provide the most accurate diagnosis and prescription possible. They have an on-site lab for spectacle fabrication so patients can get their new lenses quickly. Eye Care Texoma is confident they will provide you and your family with the best options to meet your eye care and vision needs. 417 W. Main St., Denison EyeCareTexoma.com
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Alisha Rosenthal, owner
NEW SPACE, NEW YEAR, NEW YOU
Spa 31 is thrilled to announce its move to a brand-new location, marking an exciting chapter in its journey to offer clients exceptional wellness and beauty services. This relocation represents a commitment to enhancing customer experiences, providing a more spacious, serene, and luxurious environment tailored to rejuvenation and relaxation. The new space will continue to offer Spa 31’s signature treatments, including soothing massages, revitalizing facials, and advanced skincare therapies, while also introducing upgraded amenities to further elevate the spa experience. Unique to the area, the new facility will allow Spa 31 to provide “head spa” treatments, luxurious scalp and hair treatments that are second to none. Additionally, space to provide infrared saunas, full body treatments, showers, and more allow the staff to provide comprehensive, higher scale treatments that are without peer in the region.
This expansion reflects Spa 31’s dedication to growth and innovation, ensuring clients can enjoy a state-of-the-art facility designed for comfort, privacy, and personalized care. With convenient access and enhanced features, guests can anticipate the same high-quality services they’ve come to love, now delivered in a refreshed and inspiring setting. The Spa 31 team is eager to welcome both loyal patrons and new visitors to this exciting new chapter, where wellness and relaxation remain the heart of their mission. 220 E. Evergreen St, Sherman
Spa31.com 903.487.0750
Spa 31 Announces A New Location
ARTICLE BY ROGER IRELAND PHOTOGRAPHY BY COURTNEY MITCHELL
GET GLOWING WITH MESO-NEEDLING
Absolute Aesthetics Offers The Latest Facial and Skin Boosting Treatment
ARTICLE BY DANIELLE POCHE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY COURTNEY MITCHELL
Meso-needling is an advanced skin rejuvenation method executed using very thin, fine needles called microneedles. Different from Micro-needling, this non-invasive skin treatment is used to improve skin elasticity and firmness by combining traditional Microneedling techniques with specially formulated serums. At Absolute Aesthetics, they combine powerful, medical-grade peptides, vitamins, and nutrients to nourish and boost skin cells. This process aims to stimulate collagen and elastin production in the deep layers of the skin, improving its overall structure. Introduced as a skin renewal technique, Meso-needling is often embraced by younger individuals as a means to prevent skin aging and strengthen skin appearance. Used to treat melasma, discoloration, wrinkles, dehydration, and many other skin conditions, this procedure is tailored to your individualized needs using custom formulations of serums.
This non-surgical option for improving skin appearance makes it an attractive alternative to more invasive procedures like facelifts or laser resurfacing. The key is
that it stimulates the skin’s natural repair mechanisms, encouraging collagen production and skin regeneration for a more youthful, glowing complexion. One of the major benefits of Meso-needling is that it allows for better absorption of serums and active ingredients into the skin. The tiny channels created by the needles allow these ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin, making them more effective. Since Meso-needling is a relatively mild procedure, recovery time is typically short. Many people experience only slight redness or irritation, similar to a mild sunburn, that subsides within a few hours to a day.
If you are looking to smooth fine wrinkles and fine lines, improve the appearance of scars, correct uneven skin texture, or reduce hyperpigmentation, give Jason a call at Absolute Aesthetics.
327 W. Main St, Denison, 903.624.1211 AbsoluteAesthetics.org
JASON BADGETT, OWNER OF ABSOLUTE AESTHETICS
Jason Badgett, BSN, RN is the founder, owner and primary injector of Absolute Aesthetics. As both an artist and a practitioner, Jason helps make his patients look and feel their best with non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
3. Enhances Radiance:
Promotes a brighter, more even skin tone.
4. Reduces Pigmentation
Addresses discoloration or age spots.
1. Improves Skin Texture:
Reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and scarring.
2. Boosts Hydration:
Infused serums hydrate the skin at deeper levels
5. Stimulates Collagen Production:
Helps maintain skin elasticity and firmness.
ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER AND HOW IT AFFECTS WOMEN
WOMEN AND ADD
ARTICLE BY KIMBERLY BLAKER
Hyperactive women may go at full speed until they crash from the overload.
According to Sari Solden, in her book Women with Attention Deficit Disorder, “Almost all women find that life today is complex, upsetting or frustrating, but they are still able to meet most of [life’s] demands reasonably well…. For women with untreated Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), however, the demands of daily life can be crippling. It cripples their self-esteem, their families, their lives, their work and their relationships.”
ADD, also known as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), affects between three and five percent of the population. However, adult ADD, especially as it appears in women, often goes unrecognized.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ADD IN WOMEN
The symptoms of ADD are many. Some are more commonly seen in women and opposite the more recognized symptoms seen in men. This makes detection unlikely and diagnosis difficult. Each person’s experience with ADD is unique. While there is a multitude of characteristics, most women with the disorder don’t have every symptom. Instead, each woman has a mixture severe enough to impair some areas of life.
MENTAL VS. PHYSICAL DISORGANIZATION
Disorganization is typical and often a severe problem for women struggling with ADD. They may be unable to organize their homes, offices, or lives. To outsiders, the disorganization isn't always visible. That's because women who lead professional lives may have assistants, secretaries, and cleaning services to assist them. Some ADD women have a partner who compensates for their organizational dysfunction, as well.
Other women with ADD find clutter and disorganization an incredible distraction. These distractions, coupled with the responsibilities of everyday life, lead to mental disorganization. The disorganized brain struggles to store, weed out, and organize logically. For these women, being tidy and organized equals survival.
HYPERACTIVITY VS. HYPOACTIVITY
Women with ADD can be at either end of the spectrum, either hyperactive or hypoactive (underactive). Hyperactive women may go at full speed until they crash from the overload.
Family life can also suffer from a hyperactive mother. She may be unable to sit and play games or read to her children unless she finds the activities stimulating.
Many women with ADD are at the other extreme. They're hypoactive, unable to muster the energy to do much of anything. These women are often unable to keep up with life's many demands. Maintaining a home, participating in family activities, staying in touch with friends, even holding down a job can be a significant challenge.
INATTENTION VS. HYPERFOCUSING
The problem is women with ADD struggle with the inability to regulate attention. So it doesn't mean they can never maintain attention. Instead, their ability to focus is based on interest and whether the activity is stimulating. Many women daydreamed through school when they were younger. Yet the subjects or activities they found fun, interesting, or exciting didn't pose such a problem. Adult life with ADD is often the same.
Hyperfocusing, which is the opposite of inattention, also poses problems and can coexist with symptoms of inattention. While it may be challenging to focus on some things, a woman may hyperfocus on that which interests her and be unable to shift her attention. Hyperfocusing can last for hours, days, and longer and makes it difficult to break for important matters. Meals may be forgotten, and family members can carry on conversations without being heard. So hyperfocusing puts a strain on the family. If a hyperfocused woman does manage to break away from what she's engrossed in, she may wander aimlessly and forget what she's doing.
For some women, having ADD is like being on an emotional roller coaster.
IMPATIENCE AND IMPULSIVITY
Standing in lines, sitting in waiting rooms, and being placed on hold for lengthy waits drives some women with ADD to the brink. So they may avoid these situations altogether. Women with ADD may be impatient either visibly or internally or act impulsively. Minor nuisances can cause significant agitation. Other women with this disorder can maintain their composure yet still feel anxious and annoyed.
Women with ADD may also be impatient about life and events. A woman may plan her whole education or entire life in one day and need for it to happen immediately. She goes into things full swing rather than step-by-step. As a result, women with ADD may have a change of heart after much investment of time or money or feeling spread too thin, with too many goals to achieve.
Impulsiveness is seen when women with this disorder act or speak without thinking. This often leads to trouble by spending impulsively or jumping into relationships and even marriage. Some struggle socially and interrupt conversations or blurt things out they later regret.
MOOD
Mood swings, being overemotional, or easily frustrated is another problem. For some women, having ADD is like being on an emotional roller coaster. Extreme mood shifts sometimes lead to a misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder, though the two can coexist. Women with ADD are frustrated by the slightest aggravations. A simple mistake seems a major ordeal and may result in anger, storming off, and dropping a task altogether. If interrupted in the midst of something, a woman may become irritable and annoyed. Depression, although not a symptom of ADD, often coexists or is a result of the debilitating disorder. Depression in the ADD woman may stem from a lack of self-worth because she's unable to hold down a job
or adequately care for her family. It can also result from not achieving up to potential because of attention problems or the inability to stick with things. It also sometimes comes from feeling overwhelmed. This feeling can dominate the life of a woman with this disorder.
THE CAUSE OF ADD
Research indicates ADD is a neurobiological disorder with a strong genetic link. According to the nonprofit organization Children and Adults with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), complications during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, exposure to nicotine or alcohol during fetal development, or several other environmental factors may also play a role in the development of ADD.
MISDIAGNOSIS
Studies show the incidence of ADD in men and women is nearly identical, says Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D., co-author of Understanding Women with AD/ HD. There are several common reasons women with ADD often go undiagnosed.
Doctors often diagnose the depression that accompanies ADD, but miss the ADD itself. Women, more often than men, have coexisting anxiety and depression, which must be treated as well.
Also, women who are more hyperactive, hyper talkative, and impulsive are sometimes misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Many doctors still look for signs of ADD more typical of boys. Many doctors fail to understand that ADD symptoms in females often don't appear until puberty or later because of hormonal fluctuations. When girls enter adolescence, during PMS, and as estrogen levels drop in perimenopause and menopause, the symptoms of ADD often worsen.
Also, girls tend to try harder in school, so their ADD patterns are often masked or overlooked by teachers.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Several treatments are available for ADD. The most effective is prescription medication. There's a multitude of stimulant and non-stimulant drugs available for treatment.
Behavioral therapy is also beneficial for both coming to terms with the lifelong disorder and to relieve negative coping behaviors. Coaching is also useful for learning new skills and strategies for structuring life. Because ADD is neurobiological, therapy and coaching work best in conjunction with medication.
Several ineffective treatments are on the market, as well. Suspect therapies, according to CHADD, include dietary plans such as the Feingold Diet and vitamin and mineral supplements. Other treatments that lack evidence include anti-motion-sickness medication, Candida yeast, EEG Biofeedback, Applied Kinesiology, also known as Neural Organization Technique, and Optometric Vision Training, to name a few. Often, excessive claims are made about these treatments, citing a few favorable responses or studies that don't hold up to scrutiny.
WHERE TO FIND HELP
An accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential. Finding a qualified provider isn't always easy because adult ADD, particularly as it affects women, isn't always recognized. Before seeking a diagnosis, read
some recommended books for a better understanding of the disorder and the diagnosis and treatment process. Also, compile a list of questions to ask your provider to ensure he has a clear understanding of the disorder and appropriate treatments. If you don't feel comfortable with a physician's responses, seek help elsewhere.
SYMPTOMS OF ADD
Some of the symptoms commonly seen in women, partially taken from Attention Deficit Disorder in Adults by Dr. Lynn Weiss, are as follows:
• Difficulty completing tasks or following through on plans
• Difficulty shifting attention
• Excessively shifting from one activity to another
• Trouble concentrating on reading
• Impatience
• Frequent preoccupation in thoughts and not hearing when spoken to
• Difficulty sitting still or excessive fidgeting • Sudden and unexpected mood swings
• Interrupting in conversations, speaking without considering consequences
• Hot-tempered • Need for high stimulus
• Forgetfulness
• Low tolerance for frustration
• A tendency toward substance abuse
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE ZAPATA
A LOOK AHEAD
Easy Life Realtor, Brad Rhodes, Looks Forward To Real Estate In 2025
As we find the year winding down, we begin to look forward to what awaits us in the new year. Easy Life REALTOR and Broker Brad Rhodes was happy to share his thoughts on what he expects to find in the 2025 Texoma real estate market. But first, it is important to understand where you are coming from. For Brad, a REALTOR/broker in the Texoma region for the last ten years, an understanding of the future comes from an understanding of the past. Born in Paris, TX, Rhodes moved to the Texoma area and was fortunate to watch the region grow alongside his pool business, founded in 1997.
He eventually sold it in 2003 and moved to Dallas for 10 years before moving back to Sherman in 2014. Able to glean the nuances of the local real estate market, Brad has experienced the kind of success that comes from hard work, a knowledge of the market, and even a little luck.
Brad was excited to share some information about what he does. “Easy Life Realty will be celebrating 9 years in January 2025. I have enjoyed getting to be a part of that as both a real estate agent and a broker. I spend seventy-five percent of my time on real estate work and twenty-five percent of my time on my broker duties. Honestly, the last three years were challenging. 2020 was a big seller's market. People were paying over fifty thousand dollars and in many cases above one hundred thousand dollars over list prices. 2024 was challenging because of interest rates. Home values doubled in ten years.
“Real estate and construction control the entire market”. Rhodes also added that “We are close to
the end of the housing market correction. Contrary to opinion, the goal in real estate is a normal, fair market. Now that the election is over, I believe the market will start picking up. 2025 is going to be a better year moving forward. A better market for buyers and sellers.”
Rhodes believes the Texoma market will see changes in the first half of 2025 because of the new technology jobs that will be available as construction in the local technology industry begins to be completed. Rhodes was quick to add, “It is about to get better. People are ready for changes.”
According to Brad, “I get two questions from homeowners looking to sell. Is it even a good idea to move right now and will I be able to find a home I like?” His answer: “Even with today’s mortgage rates, you probably have enough equity to make your move possible. Furthermore, there are about fifty percent more homes for sale now than last year. So, you’ve got more options.”
CONTINUED >
As far as the coming changes are concerned, Rhodes is prepared and is ready to play a part. “Realtors do so much for the community and we are happy to do so. I think local service is an important element of what a realtor does. It connects us in a very real and grounded way.” Brad has volunteered his services and abilities for the Child and Family Guidance Center of Texoma where he has served on the board for five years, including President in 2024. The Child and Family Guidance Center of Texoma exists to strengthen, improve, and empower the lives
of Texoma children and families in need, through compassionate and restorative mental health care. They provide these services at no cost to families.
Rhodes also hopes he can inspire other people on their journeys in fitness and health. He is still motivated by his mother. “My mom will be 86 and she is still my inspiration. I have adopted her motto as my own: Keep Moving!”
BradRhodesRealtor.com 903.820.6001
“I believe the market will start picking up. 2025 is going to be a better year moving forward.”
REBA’S RANCH HOUSE
HOLISTIC CARE AND SERVICE IN THE TEXOMA COMMUNITY
ARTICLE BY MIKE ZAPATA
“Reba’s Ranch House provides so much of that for me. It has been a perfect fit. It is incredible to work for an organization that actually practices what they preach.”
Reba’s Ranch House brings a much-needed service to our Texoma community. The organization incorporates holistic care by providing a calm setting for rest, warm meals for nourishment, and sensitive staff for spiritual connections.
The brainstorm of musician Reba McEntire and Dr. Darius Maggie, her gynecologist, the organization arose from the pair thinking of ways to provide services and resources to meet the community’s needs. Having opened in 1992, Reba’s Ranch House provides room and board for any caregivers who have a loved one in a hospital in North Texas or South Oklahoma. Adrianne Johnson, Operations Officer for Reba’s Ranch House, is excited to show off the facility and explain the many programs that are available at no cost to any of the residents of the facility. Johnson, a United States Air Force veteran, was happy to find a program that matched her personal passions so well. A Texoma native, Johnson brings a tremendous knowledge of the area as well as her experience in caregiving. She is always happy to share her knowledge of local resources to families staying at Reba’s Ranch House. When asked what led her to the organization, she was eager to answer. “I have a passion for mental health and caring for hurting people. I want to meet the needs of people while they go through challenging times. I want to help break the stigmas that are often associated with mental health. Reba’s Ranch House provides so much of that for me. It has been a perfect fit. It is incredible to work for an organization that actually practices what they preach. Moreover, it is something that I appreciate and respect very much. I am very proud to be part of an organization that walks the walk.”
The many amenities and services that Reba’s Ranch House provides are all free of
charge for caregivers and their families. The facility has twelve comfortable, well-appointed rooms available. Even hand made quilts are found in each room for a more homey and comfortable stay. A comfortable and functional community kitchen and dining area are also available for guests. Donations for quick meals are available and weekly meals are prepared for families through the House’s Meal Ministry Program.
The Legacy Library, another important amenity, is available for guests needing a quiet room for reading, meditation, or prayer. Comfortable chairs and couches, a great selection of spiritual, self-help, and upbeat books, and great natural lighting can be found here. This room has been dedicated to the vision and devotion of the founding community leaders believing in the creation of Reba’s Ranch house.
Guests with children will find a wonderfully stocked playroom with age appropriate toys, puzzles, games, and books for supervised children. For those with personal laundry needs, the facility provides a common laundry room. An outdoor park setting, with manicured paths and sitting areas, provides numerous places for quiet contemplation or meditation. A memorial to Reba’s bandmates and friends that perished in a tragic airplane accident may also be found in a park behind the facility along with memorial plaques. The beautiful trees and landscaping provide peace and comfort to guests.
One of the lesser known programs available but no less important, The Room For Hope provides for those struggling with the devastation of cancer and its treatment. It was originally created by Girl Scout Maria Hayes to complete her Gold Award. She identified that there was a need for this type of service in the
“I have a passion for mental health and caring for hurting people. I want to meet the needs of people while they go through challenging times”
region and started the Room as a place where patients and families battling cancer could find the items they needed. The Room For Hope provides encouragement and care items to support patients and families during a very bleak time. Here guests will find a selection of new and loved wigs, hair products, prosthetics, and bras at no cost. Also available, a selection of hats, scarves, books, and comfort items donated by survivors, church groups, and friends.
Recently, the Texoma Community Foundation (formerly the Texoma Health Foundation), the owner and operator of Reba’s Ranch House, announced a pledge to match dollar for dollar, a generous gift amounting to a twelve million dollar investment in creating a region of well-being. A big portion of the funds will be directed to four primary focus areas. These will include Self-Care and Social Context, Mental Health Workforce Retention and Development, Support for Essential Needs, and Advocacy for Rural and Tribal Investment.
Reba’s Ranch House is an incredible asset to our community and continues to grow and improve the services they provide to neighbors in need.
RebasRanchHouse.org 903-463-REBA
CINNAMON SLATE
ARTICLE BY DANIELLE POCHE
BENJAMIN MOORE’S 2025 COLOR OF THE YEAR
Embrace the beauty of quietly colorful hues with the Color of the Year 2025, Cinnamon Slate 2113-40. A delicate mix of heathered plum and velvety brown, this nuanced color brings a smooth familiarity to any design. This color offers enduring style and a modern sensibility.
Cinnamon Slate offers the versatility and depth needed to transform any space, whether you want to create a cozy living room or a chic modern kitchen. It’s the ideal paint choice for homeowners and designers who want to embrace a rich yet neutral color that stands out without overwhelming the room.
BenjaminMoore.com
BUILDING HEALTHIER
HEAR FROM N.A.S.M. CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER ABOUT ESTABLISHING THE BEST HABITS
ARTICLE BY KRISTIN BURNELL
The new year is a classic kick off to start fresh and build many resolutions that we all hope stick around. How many times do your resolutions fall through each year? It can be challenging to build new habits and switch up routines if you’re looking for a change. That’s why we rounded up the best advice to establishing habits and making them stay for good. We spoke with Danielle Johnston, National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified personal trainer and aspiring kinesiologist, who broke down her top tips to maintaining healthy habits this new year.
HABITS
START WITH A SMALL HABIT AND MAKE IT SOMETHING YOU ENJOY
Think 1-3 things maximum and then give yourself at least a month or two to apply the change. If you like to eat and cook, maybe try a new recipe or browse a cookbook in the library or bookstore for inspiration. If you like fashion, maybe try cleaning out a section of your closet (i.e. tops, bottoms, shoes, etc) to make way for 1 new piece. If you like being outdoors, maybe you try adding in just a 5 minute walk down the road.
IF YOU MISS A DAY, TRY AGAIN
If you miss a day or make a mistake with whatever resolution you’re working on, take that next opportunity to try again. Danielle uses the goal to eat healthier as an example. Health can be interpreted in many different ways but if you can take the small first step of looking at ingredients, that alone can make a world’s difference in the recipe you use so maybe you don’t even have to alter or substitute it. Or if your goal is to snack less but one day you snack more, don’t wave the flag and sabotage your efforts. Take a minute to breathe through the moment and then move on, enjoying the ebb and flow of health instead of going all in or nothing. Starting small allows you to adjust everyday habits that will, with time, transition to lifestyle changes.
CREATE 3 DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESOLUTIONS
Danielle says to create 1 health resolution, 1 personal resolution, and 1 professional resolution as it is the best format to better yourself in multiple realms instead of just physical health. Too often, we get caught up in this “New Year New Me” mindset and create a list of things you want to change or start doing. But as they get lost in the busy to-do list of life and we forget,
“The new year is a classic kick off to start fresh and build many resolutions that we all hope stick around.”
we can also feel like a failure and revert to “I’ll try again tomorrow or next year”. But what if you don’t have to start over, just keep going.
TRACK YOUR PROGRESS AND VISUALIZE YOUR FUTURE
Whether you keep a notebook of your habit building, or keep track on your phone, it is important to acknowledge the personal progress made. This will also help you see the future that you want to build as you make more desirable changes in your life. If you want to track how you feel after working out, it will serve as a reflection on the progress made through what has been written down. This will encourage you to continue pushing for your goals!
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTI MURRY
Nutrient-Rich Dessert To The Rescue
ARTICLE BY MEL BOBAN
smart SWEETS
This recipe is a classic favorite. If you cut the bars into 16 pieces, they are around 270 calories each. They are very filling, packed with healthy goodies and taste, oh so delicious. If you can’t finish them yourself (it makes a lot!), bring samples along to your next workout class to share the love. Your accountability group will be asking you for the recipe! These come in handy for a quick breakfast on-the-go or an afternoon snack. You’ll want to taste these out of the oven once they cool a bit... simply scrumptious.
Combine:
• 1 cup wheat flour
• 2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled
• 2 cups oats
• 2/3 cup of your choice of chopped nuts
The beginning of the year is packed with inspiration and motivation to get back on track after a sweet-filled holiday season. It can feel extreme, and it also can be depleting to cut oneself off from everything indulgent after weeks of eating favorite sweet and savory recipes. For sugar lovers who believe going cold-turkey feels intimidating or overwhelming, nutrition-packed desserts are a great way to stick to healthy food goals without the guilt.
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 2/3 cup raisins
• Optional: chocolate chips as desired
• Optional: add additional seeds or nuts on hand such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.
Notes: Boil quinoa at a 2:1 water to rice ratio. For estimating, 1/3 cup of uncooked quinoa yields 1 cup cooked quinoa.
Add this mixture slowly to combine:
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup peanut butter, almond butter or sunflower butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 banana
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, or until when the edges get golden brown. Bake in a 9x13-inch glass dish. After they cool, slice and enjoy. Keep them covered to maintain freshness.
JANUARY 4TH
Katy Trail Park Run
DENISON KATY TRAIL | 9:00 AM
Join fellow runners for a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you! The runners all take part for their own enjoyment. Please come along and join in whatever your pace! After the run, grab a post park run coffee at CJ’s Coffee on Main! ParkRun.us/KatyTrail
JANUARY 7TH
Game Night
LANDON WINERY DENISON | 6:00 PM
Drink, eat, socialize, connect, and play! Grab some friends and join the fun playing your favorite games! Enjoy your favorite card games, board games, dominos, and, of course, the wine!! Meet new people, try new wines, relax and unwind. It’s all fun and games until the wine runs out! Seating is first come, first seated; no reservations. LandonWinery.com
JANUARY 11TH
Cars and Coffee
SHERMAN MUNICIPAL BUILDING | 7:00 AM
Come join us for Cars & Coffee Sherman! Come see the various makes and models of cars, trucks, and bikes and stay to enjoy breakfast and coffee from the onsite food truck. This family friendly event is presented by Ramsey's Twisted Garage, Rivas Upholstery, and Cielito Lindo. Facebook. com/CarsandCoffeeSherman
