Heartbeat Connection Magazine February 2016 by Nicole Flothe

POETRY x

Collection

poem fragment by James Berry Bensel; from Golden Treasury of Poetry illus by Joan Walsh

Book a Session A Portrait A Scene & Flowers An Animal

Artist Suzanne Ervin www.semyart.com

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Mission: Sharing About Living with Heart. Create * Conceive * Connect

Letter from the Editor

News, Celebrations, and Giveaways

Heart of Fashion

Create 3 Different Outfits with the same Dress & Fiammisday.com

Kitchen Corner

13 4

Save The World's Food Now! Beef Broccoli & Potato Casserole

The 4 Dimensions of ExtraOrdinary Leadership

Author: Jenni Catron

The 4 Dimensions of ExtraOrdinary Leadership Ebook Giveaway

You Asked? We Answered.

How Can We Love Ourselves?

Austin & His School Celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday

Heart of Home & Family

Time To Get Heart Healthy

Heart of Travel

Family Spring Break Tips

Tech Tips & Apps

Caring for Kids' Dental Health with Tech... & February Apps

Featured Foundation

Beef Broccoli & Potato Casserole

Buckner International

Are some companies making a difference in the world? At Heartbeat Connection Magazine we discover the answer. Online, we share exclusive company reviews. Be sure to visit us at www.heartbeatmag.com.

Letter from the Editor

I'm always amazed at how each month goes faster than the one before. Is it my imagination, or has time started moving at a quicker pace? I love the moments that I can pause, take a deep breath, and look around at the beauty that life has to offer. It might be messy sometimes, but I choose to live a life with the glass half full! My oldest son is almost 16 years old and I can remember the day I got my license to drive. I couldn't believe that I was able to drive on my own and I was a nervous wreck. Now driving is something I handle with caution, but before I can blink an eye I've driven to and from work. They say with daily practice you can become an expert with enough hours dedicated to what you'd like to learn. I wish my son a very Happy 16th Birthday and that the future will be very bright for him! What have you done this month to make a difference? Search for a foundation or an organization you are passionate about and help support their cause. It will not only impact others, but, you will be fulfilled.

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With love, Nicole Flothe Managing Editor

This month's cover feature is a photo of a beautiful girl playing her guitar by Lorri Lang, photographer.

"Father to the fatherless, defender of widows - this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families." Psalm 68:5-6

Lee Heyward - Style with Lee Shelly Aristizabal - You Asked & We Answered Beth Gatrell - Tech Tip of the Week Cheryl Flothe - Heart of Travel, Recipe Corner Heart of Home & Family

by Lee Heyward StylewithLee.com This is the way I teach clients to think about their clothes. Everything you buy should help you create 3 different outfits. Great tips from Ivanka's newsletter today on wearing 1 dress 3 ways. First she adds a business jacket for work. Then she removes the jacket for dinner and a movie with her husband. Over the weekend she adds a jean jacket for a fun outing with the kids. To learn more visit Lee Heyward's Facebook...www.facebook.com/stylewithlee.

Children's Fashion and Fiammetta---Childrens' Boots for a Perfect Look for the Mountains Childrens’ boots create a perfect outfit for the mountains. They’re warm, comfortable, Blogger Simona fashionable, and suitable for the city. Boots for children are a suitable look for various from Florence, occasions. This is the time of year for winter holidays with weekends in the snow. What’s Italy better than a pair of boots for children to wear to their girlfriend’s for both day and evening, in the hotel, or dining out? These Naturino boots, in addition to being waterproof, breathable, and suitable for the snow and all weather conditions (including rain and cold), would also be perfect for a dinner or an evening out with a casual look. Children's boots are a must-have in the wardrobe because their use can be varied and fun. Today I'll show you a look with Naturino boots that is really convenient, practical, and even for women. And your child will feel comfortable and warm. With a Caffelatteacolazione dress, a scarf with any accessory you want, and a wonderful circle; I think your little girl could really go anywhere! Some advice: If you travel to the mountains, put her boots on for the journey so you won’t need to put them in the suitcase. And, with a pair of sneakers, you will have all the shoes she’ll need for the whole weekend. Here’s the look I created with these fabulous boots for children. What do you think about it? Look with children's boots DRESS: Caffelatteacolazione SCARF: Blumarine PIN to FLOWER: Accessorize CERCHIETTO: Caffelatteacolazione BOOTS: Naturino ♥

♥

by Cheryl Flothe

I just read an article, Waste Not, Want Not, in National Geographic about how much of the Earth’s fruits and vegetables (one third to one fifth) goes to waste. That amount of food, 2.9 trillion pounds a year, could feed two billion people. Shocking! Various groups around the world have determined that, “…trashed food has become a matter of international urgency,” and they’re making a big push towards solving the problem. About half of the waste has to do with consumers who are picky about size, shape, and condition of the foods they consume; while the other half is just lost or thrown away! And the US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand are the worst offenders! Think about it and look into it---you’d be surprised. To find out more, go to: http://www.foodwastealliance.org/ and www.fao.org/home/en/ Along those lines, it got me thinking about sustainable food choices and eating seasonally with foods available in the US, as a certain percentage is lost during storage and shipping. For example, in the Salinas Valley in California, “…thousands of tons of fresh greens…,” are thrown away because they can’t be stored for cross-country shipping. What a travesty! It makes no sense and something must be done. As individuals, we can do our part to avoid food waste by: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Eating what’s in season. Buying locally (look on produce labels and buy at produce stands) or growing some of your own. Storing food properly; making sure to cook, eat, or freeze the fruits and vegetables you buy. Preparing and serving only what your family needs for a meal and using or freezing leftovers. Finding out about the global food waste problem and becoming part of the solution.

Beef Broccoli & Potato Casserole In my quest to save the world’s food supply, I found broccoli’s in-season now. Any broccoli recipe I found would have to appeal to somewhat picky eaters. I was happy to discover this one-dish meal which combines broccoli, hamburger, potatoes, and cheese. These simple ingredients are delicious together and the final product is similar to Shepherd's Pie. Of course it can be tweaked from mild to spicy, depending on your family's tastes. Enjoy the casserole and remember to buy in-season! Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

1-1/2 pounds broccoli, cut into 1-inch florets---about 6 cups (Or you can use thawed, frozen broccoli.) 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided 1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef 1 large onion, chopped 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1-1/4 teaspoons salt, divided 4 cups low-fat milk 1/3 cup cornstarch 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, preferably orange (Or substitute cheese of your choice.) 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric 4 cups frozen hash-browns or precooked shredded potatoes 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper Cooking spray 1/4 teaspoon Hungarian paprika, preferably hot (of course you can season to taste)

Directions: 1. 2.

Preheat oven to 450°F. Toss fresh broccoli with 1 tablespoon oil in large bowl. Spread out on a baking sheet and roast, stirring once halfway though, until just soft and browned in spots--about 15 minutes. (Or use thawed and drained frozen broccoli, skipping roasting with 1 tablespoon oil.) Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add beef and onion and cook, breaking up beef with spoon, until beef is browned and onion is softened---10 to 12 minutes. Stir in Worcestershire, garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside. Whisk milk and cornstarch in large saucepan. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, whisking often, until bubbling and thickened enough to coat back of spoon---6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheese, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and turmeric until cheese is melted.

Photo from Eating Well.

Spread beef mixture in 9 x 13-inch (or 3quart) baking dish. Top with broccoli and pour cheese sauce evenly over top. Combine potatoes, egg, pepper and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. Sprinkle evenly over casserole. Coat the top with cooking spray. Bake casserole until it is bubbling and potatoes are beginning to brown---about 40 minutes. Sprinkle with paprika. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

To make ahead: Prepare through Step 6; cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day or freeze for up to 1 month, defrosting in refrigerator for 2 days before baking. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking (Step 7). Storage tip: For long-term freezer storage, wrap pan of food in a layer of plastic wrap, then a layer of foil. The plastic prevents freezer burn and the foil will help keep any odors from seeping into food. Recipe adapted from Eating Well.

The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership by Jenni Catron Book Review by Nicole Flothe You have the capacity to become an extraordinary leader—if you are willing to embrace a deeper definition of leadership and take action to apply it. In The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership, Jenni Catron, executive church leader and author of Clout, reveals the secrets to standout leadership found in the Great Commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Weaving a winsome narrative filled with inspiring real-life stories, hard-won wisdom, and practical applications, Catron unpacks four essential aspects of growing more influential: your heart for relational leadership, your soul for spiritual leadership, your mind for managerial leadership, and your strength for visionary leadership. Leadership isn’t easy, but it is possible to move from ordinary to extraordinary. Jenni Catron shows the way. Quotes I loved from the book... Great Commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" (v. 30). Then he proceeded to give those questioning him the second-greatest commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (v. 31) The Great Commandment has enormous implications for us as leaders. This is where extraordinary is found. The heart of a leader is the truest part of who he or she is. Your heart is the center of your emotions, desires, and wishes. Your heart is what most connects you with others. Before we can lead others from our heart, soul, mind, and strength, there is a key first step. I believe it is the starting point of leadership. To lead others well, we must first lead ourselves better. Extraordinary is a result of a hungry, teachable attitude and a commitment to consistent growth and progress.

About the Author To learn more about the author visit... http://jennicatron.com Thank you to Booklookbloggers.com for the opportunity to review this book.

The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly. Jim Rohn Extraordinary leaders step up to help make decisions and to guide the way, especially when circumstances are complex. Jenni Catron

by Shelly Aristizabal of Business Women Connect

Q: How can we LOVE ourselves? A: Today I LOVE Today, LOVE is my intention...  Love IS what life is all about--we are on the planet to LOVE God, LOVE others, and LOVE living our lives to the fullest!  1. I love my children. I am amazed at how strong the feeling of love I feel for my sweet, wonderful, children. I love, love, love being a mom and feel it is the ultimate gift from God to have this unbelievable responsibility to raise another human being. The love/bond from parent to child and child to parent, I believe, is never broken. I was not raised in an outwardly demonstrative loving family. Though I know my parents did the best they could with what they had within them; I knew in my heart that I wanted to make sure my children would see, feel, taste, enjoy, and KNOW they are loved beyond any condition or circumstance or action. I LOVE you, Nicolas, Spencer, Alexander, & Emma XOXXO

2. I love my family. I am not close in proximity or emotionally to my family---my parents, sisters, or extended family. I moved away when I was 18 and though we do what we can, it still takes effort to have relationships. But the love is there and though I don't often express it---I do care and love all of you : )   3. I love my friends. Now, I have actually felt that the friendships I’ve cultivated throughout my life are the feelings of family I always longed for. Some people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, and I love all of you for how you’ve touched my life. XOXO   4. I love my lovers. We can never "unlove" someone. But the love can fade, or be broken, or damaged, or shift, or maybe the timing or the growth of the person can affect the love. I have only been in love a few times in my life, so far. I treasure the love I was given and am happy to have the opportunity to love the men who have added so much to my life. I am the woman I am today because of the men I have loved. Thank you---I love you, still.   5. I love my God. God is love and His love is unconditional. No matter what we do, He will love us. Once we truly understand that type of love, then we can truly love ourselves and love others with that agape love we all long for. The thing is, we already have it---now celebrate it and let that love shine through! XOXO To learn more visit...www.shellyaristizabal.com/blog Here are a few tips from the Cleveland Clinic on staying Heart Healthy...

by Nicole Flothe

Austin's school kids enjoying a Dr. Seuss celebration!

Tina shared some news on Facebook..Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! Austin had green eggs and spam for his breakfast this morning. They celebrated Dr. Seuss birthday at their school. Dr. Seuss was a famous American writer and cartoonist best known for his collection of children's books! Dr. Seuss is one of our family's favorite children's authors!

Austin working out on his FES Bike--he's always making everyone crack up with all his different facial expressions. Austin also got new privacy windows for medical care on his Spidey Bus. So thankful to Sign King!

Do you like green eggs and ham? I do not like them, Sam-I-am. I do not like green eggs and ham! Would you like them here or there? I would not like them here or there. I would not like them anywhere. I do so like green eggs and ham! Thank you! Thank you, Sam-I-am!

-Dr. Seuss

To learn more about Austin and his journey to recovery visit Facebook.com/austinervinhealing. He continues to progress with his nursing care, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, and schooling. We all thank you for your prayers, support, and belief in his recovery.

by Cheryl Flothe

February brings us the fun and romance of Valentine’s Day, but, it’s also the perfect time for National Heart Month. Did you know heart disease is the leading cause of death for women and men and that most heart disease is preventable? We are not all born with risk factors that lead to heart problems---we develop heart disease through poor lifestyle habits that can also cause other problems that directly affect our hearts. The main diseases that can lead to heart disease and stroke are diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. What can you do? 1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

Diet – Lower fat, less salt, lower meats, more fruits and vegetables, less processed foods, and smaller portions. Exercise – Walk more, lift a few weights, ride a bike, hike---whatever you enjoy, just get moving. And take your family with you! Stress – High stress can lead to many physical problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and weight gain. Try to find ways to deal with your stress such as removing situations that bring it about, coping mechanisms, and getting out in nature. Sleep – Not getting enough sleep can lead to stress, weight gain, tendency for diabetes, and increased blood pressure. Try for 7-8 hours per night. Weight management – Lifestyle factors 1-4 directly affect your chances of weight gain and obesity. Work on each of them to reach a healthier weight. Smoking – Smoking in itself is the leading preventable cause of premature death in the U.S. It not only hardens the arteries of your heart; it damages blood vessels, affects your brain, increases blood pressure, increases blood cholesterol (LDL), decreases good blood cholesterol (HDL), and the list goes on. The best thing you can do for your heart and health is to quit.

As you can see, taking care of your heart and health involves “all of the above.” Think of your body as a well-oiled machine---like a car. If you don’t take care of it, it will break down. And you can’t replace yourself as easily as your car! Taking care of your heart and the hearts of those you love is an important part of living a long and healthy life. It’s never too early or too late to start.

by Cheryl Flothe Places to go: 1. Go somewhere besides an amusement park or resort. There are plenty of fun places to go that are less crowded and expensive. If you’re from the north, go somewhere there’s a beach, if you’re from the south, find the snow! There are many sites online with family vacations to less-traveled places. 2. Short on time or money? Try a Staycation! “Vacation” in your area by visiting parks, zoos, beaches, or having picnics and barbeques. Check your local paper or city website for activities. 3. Enjoy being together at home. Movies, games, ice cream sundaes, pizza nights, sleepovers---whatever is fun for the family. 4. Enjoy the outdoors! Go camping, fishing, hiking, skiing, sledding, or ice skating. How to get there: 1. Book airfare in advance and save the most by traveling mid-week rather than weekends and Mondays. 2. Drive your car and save $$$ on airfare and car rental costs. 3. Compare the cost of renting a motor home with what you’d spend on hotels, dining out, and car rental. 4. Check out train travel pricing. There are some scenic routes and also vintage trains that would be fun. Travel Tips: 1. Pack a few carry-ons with several days of clothes in case your checked bags are delayed. 2. Kids’ activity and snacks backpacks. Don’t leave home without them! 3. Pack items you’ll need at your destination. Save time and the hassle of buying sunscreen, a small first aid kit, and clothing/gear for the climate your visiting by bringing them with you. Sometimes they are not readily available when you reach your destination. 4. Hand carry medications---prescriptions, antihistamines, and pain killers. 5. Carry a list of contacts with you. Sometimes cell phones are lost and you lose all your contacts. Places to stay: 1. Do your homework online in advance for hotels on sites like hotels.com, Kayak, Trivago, etc. 2. Travel mid-week for savings. Weekends and Fridays are usually the most expensive. 3. Choose condos or houses so your family can spread out for a few days and cook at your home-away-from-home. Often saves the cost of booking two rooms or a suite. 4. Check out vacation rentals management sites. Homeaway.com, Vacation rentals.com, AirBnB, or other vacation rental sites in your travel area. Some people have great results with Craig’s List and Groupon, as well. Food: 1. 2. 3.

Save big on meals by stocking up with breakfast and lunch foods. Try to get hotel rooms with small refrigerators or pick up a Styrofoam cooler with ice. You can picnic on-the-go and save your money for a few nice restaurant meals. Choose hotels with breakfast. Breakfasts for the family add up---find hotels that serve breakfast for free. Shop around for restaurants in the areas your traveling to---you can save a lot by eating at local eateries.

2016 March Madness Clinic & Skills Challenge Work with Elite Trainers Learn Advanced Finishing Moves Challenging Ball Handling

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February Apps by Nicole Flothe

Caring for Kids' Dental Health With Tech... by Beth Gatrell Online you can learn information to ensure your childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s teeth and mouth are healthy. American Dental Association has news, educational resources, science and research, and links to public programs. Visiting the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research can provide you with information on cleaning baby's teeth, sealing out tooth decay, how teeth grow, best ways to care for them and so much more. Dental Care.com is a great resource to help kids learn correct and healthy dental habits along with fun activities to make taking care of their teeth even better. There is also lots of information for parents, including awards you can give kids for good dental hygiene. Mouth Healthy Kids has a website packed with information as well as games, videos, quizzes, activity sheets, and more great resources for kids, teens, parents and educators. The National Education Association is another valuable resource to check out. Colgate and Aquafresh offer tips on brushing, oral care, and dental visits. They also include wiggle teeth and the tooth fairy! Lots of dentists recommend electric toothbrushes like those from Sonicare and Oral-B. You can research the varieties available online to make the best buying decision. And to get even more high tech with your teeth, download some fun with the Disney Magic Timer App which will help count down the proper amount of time kids should be brushing their teeth. More information and resources are available at WIC Works and Dental associates. Make caring for their teeth fun and your kids will want to take care of them forever! And donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to download our free Into Tomorrow App which will keep you smiling and showing off that great dental health!

February Apps: My first app, GoToWebinar, I use to listen to online events or seminars that are in session. I highly recommend it as I'm always learning in my fields of interest. The kids downloaded Rolling and are fascinated by the different levels they can attempt to beat with the ball rolling on a virtual line. Fun! We went to CiCi's the other day and more and more restaurants are adding apps as a highlight where they can advertise to their customers and also give great discounts. We received free drinks with the app and one free meal! Thanks Cici! Collabor8 & TestFlight are two apps that work together, TestFlight is how Collabor8 gets updates and the program is still in working mode. Someday the plan is that if you want to get paid to promote someone else's business you can Collabor8 and they would promote yours. Win! Win! The last three apps all have to do with Walt Disney. Applause was offered during Disneyland's 60th year celebration TV event and you could scan the music on tv and see interactions. It didn't work on my phone, but it was probably because there were so many people using the app at once. It has other specials and offers in the app so I'll continue to use it. We then went to Disney World and, of course, had to get the app along with WDW Secrets, a great app to learn all about the behind-the-scenes things at the theme park!

To view more information about iPhone apps visit

www.heartbeatmag.com, What's on my iPhone.

Featured Foundation

by Nicole Flothe

"Father to the fatherless, defender of widows - this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families." Psalm 68:5-6

I was listening to WayFM on the radio yesterday and they were sharing a fundraising mission to help support children without shoes. I was able to find their mission online and share their great story!

Buckner International transforms the lives of vulnerable children, enriches the lives of senior adults and builds strong families through Christ-centered values. Their legacy...Dr. Robert Cooke “Father” Buckner founded Buckner Orphans Home in Dallas after seeing the needs of hurting and orphaned children in post-Civil War Texas. In the first years, Buckner Orphans Home was filled with children left parentless due to disease and hardship. It was Father Buckner’s deep compassion for the hopeless and helpless that served as the driving force behind his ministry. He constantly looked for innovative ways to deliver social ministries, including those to elders, combining his theological beliefs with a progressive social conscience. In their leadership...Dr. Albert L. Reyes is the sixth president to lead Buckner International since our founding in 1879. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Joint Council for International Children’s Services, the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and the T.B. Maston Institute. Follow Albert on his blog at www.bucknerprez.com and also on Twitter @bucknerprez.

Each pair of shoes donated through Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls® shines hope into the life of a vulnerable child. The shoes have been prayed over. They carry a message of encouragement. They bring a smile to a young face. According to research, the hope that those shoes bring is more than just warm fuzzy feelings. Hope changes lives in many ways. Hope reinforces a belief that there is a team of people who wants you to succeed. Hope is often communicated and transferred through interaction with other people. Every step of the process of Shoes for Orphan Souls – from their shoe collection to the prayer to the hand-written notes tucked carefully inside the shoes to the delivery – is packed with person after person investing into someone’s life.

http://www.shoesfororphansouls.com/3-ways-hope-transforms-lives/ To learn more visit http://www.buckner.org.

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