Nourrir Magazine, Feb. by Nourrir Magazine

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STRENGTH in softness NOURRIR / ISSUE FOUR

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NOURRIR STAFF

NOURRIR CONTENTS

CONTENT EDITOR

GRACE ANDERSON grace@nourrirmag.com

CREATIVE EDITOR

FREYA BOULAKBECHE freya@nourrirmag.com

CONTRIBUTORS

FATIMA OLIVE, JOHN WAGNER, JODIE ARNOLD, DR. KATE CRAIG, JUSTIN BABAK HICKMAN, ALI LOREN

STAFF

EDITORS’ LETTER

CONTRIBUTORS

NOURRIR HEALTH 7

ON THE COVER

STYLING BY Freya Style, PHOTOGRAPH BY Justin Babak Hickman

NOURRIR BEAUTY 8

SUBSCRIPTIONS

MEDIA@NOURRIRMAG.COM

TWO BUDGETS

LUSTS & MUSTS

SPOTLIGHT

NOURRIR TABLE

FINAL THOUGHTS

NOURRIR’S MISSION STATEMENT Nourrir, the French word meaning “to nourish” is a multi-media lifestyle magazine designed to feed all five of the senses - sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. We will feature food, fashion, travel, current events and women who inspire us. We don’t want to tell women how they are supposed to be, we want to give them information that will support their path, today. With commitment to responsive and insightful storytelling, and a keen and fresh editorial eye, Nourrir dares women to not only be good enough, but exceptional. We believe in you.

media@nourrirmag.com

facebook.com/nourrirmag

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@nourrir_mag

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NOURRIR

EDITOR’S LETTER

he holiday season is done. The decorations dismantled, stored, and wrapped. 2016’s window of excitement, maybe closed and sealed. Perceived reality sets in to the quotidian rhythm like a deep breath of regular. The post-holiday let down can leave us exhausted, overwhelmed, and frankly down on ourselves. I feel tired. Extenuated, actually. And I realize, the tired is a call to let go of the grind. What would happen if I simply accepted that downtime, that need for quiet, the desire to re-group, plug-back in, take time for me, recharge or however you want to call it, is essential? What if strength wasn’t assumptively found in outward exertion? What if strength was quiet? Peaceful? Soft? Tonight, as I write this letter to you, NYC winter air chills me to the bone. As I settle into the hotel bar to enjoy a Bruichladdich, I feel calm. The breath transforms into acceptance; life unfolds as life unfolds - with or without my effort. Softening to the flow is not weak. “I bend, but I do not break” La Fontaine’s 1668 classic, Le Chene et le Roseau intended to demonstrate how the king was not as all powerful as common perception would have. The significance today is that of an invitation to remember sometimes our strength can be derived from our “bendability”. Hamish, our cover man and February’s main squeeze, knows the curve balls life can throw. He knows how to adapt with flexibility, creativity, determination and a dose of softness. Although we don’t agree with everything his business persona represents, we do believe in the power of adaptability, self-acceptance, hard work and softness. February will show the other side of the Trainerator which will serve as a reminder not to judge a book by it’s cover and not to compare our life path with the veneer of someone else’s. Hamish is now woven into the fabric of American history and African-American history. No matter how each of us culturally identify (or not), we can all join together in February to celebrate our amazing African-American history during Black history Month. Let us celebrate!

Freya CRE ATIVE EDITOR NOURRIR MAGAZINE

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EDITOR’S LETTER

hen I sit down each month to write my Letter from the Editor, 1. I usually wait until the last possible second, and 2. I never really know what I want it to be about before I start typing. Sometimes, I feel like the blank, white screen is mocking me. Sometimes, I am so excited to share my feelings about events, places, things, ideas, that it writes itself. This month, it’s in between. I know what I want to write, but I am finding the words difficult to spill out. My heart and mind are in turmoil over the state of this country, its future and how we treat each other. One of the biggest issues I have is the #OscarssoWhite hashtag and the movement behind it. There seems to be a disconnect between those who are outraged over the lack of black actors nominated, and those who believe that the best performance should be nominated instead of making sure you have a box checked for Asian, Black, White options within each category. The problem with this argument is that both sides are really not addressing the issue at hand - it’s not that black actors weren’t nominated, it’s that black actors were not even given the chance to audition for the roles. A vast, vast majority of the mainstream scripts are written specifically for white actors in leading roles while black actors are stereotyped in street thugs and criminals. And within this subsect, it’s the black actresses who feel the brunt of this racist mentality. Thankfully, the goddess of the small screen Shondra Rimes is reinventing the landscape of network television and giving us strong, smart, sharp women of color. And the viewers love it ratings are incredibly high and the actresses who portray these wonderful characters are winning the highest awards. Movie makers? Listen up. Take notes. For every written role for a white actor, a black actor can deliver the same Oscar-winning performance. You just have to give them a shot.

Grace CONTENT EDITOR NOURRIR MAGAZINE

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CONTRIBUTORS JUSTIN BABAK HICKMAN Justin is a designer and photographer from Minneapolis. After seven years importing boutique wines in partnership with his father, Justin has been consulting with individuals, small businesses, non-profits, combining his visual talents and his interest in marketing and communication.

JODIE ARNOLD Jodie is a curator of terrible Craigslist ads, a runner of marathons, and she enjoys recreating popular movie trailers using only Precious Moments figurines. She lives in Chippewa Falls with her husband and twin sons and is most grateful there’s a brewery less than a mile away. FATIM A OLI V E Fatima Olive is a freelance editorial makeup & hair artist. Her career spans a broad spectrum of the beauty industry from consulting with cosmetic companies to developing products, as well writing about beauty. At the heart of it Fatima is a beauty pragmatic—a woman who loves showing other women how to look their best with great products and simple techniques.

N M “Each of us is a unique strand in the intricate web of life and here to make a contribution.” - Deepak Chopra

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NOURRIR HEALTH The healing work of finding yourself paves the road to a meaningful life.

ALI LOREN Ali is a wife, proud mother to three, Jesus lover, a pretend chef, mediocre baker, home decorator (on a tight budget), fashion lover, DIY attempter, high-energy, dream chaser loving my life making the most out of each day. K ATE CR AIG, D.C.

Dr. Kate is an inventor, entrepreneur, health advocate and life-time student. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology at College of Saint Benedicts/Saint John’s University and received her Doctorate in Chiropractic from Northwestern Health Sciences University. While advancing her clinical studies in chiropractic school, Dr. Kate discovered the powerful connection between yoga and Chiropractic. As a creative manifestation of this discovery, Dr. Kate created The Align Block; an ergonomic yoga block designed to support the low back and hips.

BY DR K ATE CR AIG

he definition of alignment is to “come into agreement.” So, why do most of us feel at war and continual contention with our bodies, our minds, ourselves? It seems there’s either too much of one thing and not enough of another; constant imbalances in the way we work, care for our bodies, spend time with loved ones, etc. For instance, have you ever heard yourself utter the words, “I had to work late to meet a deadline” or “I decided to eat a croissant before bed,” or “I’m just too tired. I can skip yoga this morning.” We’re spiritually hungry, intellectually dry, emotionally exhausted, and experiencing extreme adrenal fatigue. Is this ringing a bell for anyone? Before reading any further, take a moment to remove all distractions. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and find a quiet space to let a simple, yet revelatory truth, really sink in: the power of alignment in every facet of our lives. How do we realistically achieve alignment, or agreement, within our personhood? How does one find balance in mind, body and spirit… really? Think of the following lines as being the prelude to unraveling this big topic and solidifying into a practical, sustainable reality. Margin is a catalyst for discovery and satisfaction. Conversely, busyness robs us of an authentic life experience. Busyness is also the by-product of a deeper identity confusion – it tends to reappear most when we don’t have an understanding of who we are and why we are alive. Busyness is also rooted in a lie that tells us our personal value, or worth, is dependent on what we do. This lie wars with the truth that our value is in our being and not in our doing

(remember, you are in fact a human being, not a human doing). The value of our personhood is constant and it is unchanging. It is does not depend on how other people view us, nor is it something we can strive to achieve. When we adopt an accurate sense of self, our mental health, physical health and spiritual health will directly benefit and we will immediately see this change by looking at the fruit we bear within our everyday lives. Revelation of our identity affords us the ability to say “no” to things that do not and will not serve us in life. The saying “sometimes ‘no’ is the best ‘yes’” is powerful. The revelation, or the revealing of who we are at the core of our innermost being, affords us the ability to say “yes” to the true value-adds in life, leaving no room to give in to other things that deter us from our true path and calling in life. I love this excerpt from Jamey VanGelder: “Much can be learned from watching a powerful person say ‘No.’ Discretion is the choice to willfully limit your participation […]. ‘Yes’ may be what opens doors of opportunity, but it’s ‘No’ that demonstrates your power.” Building an intentional awareness about your identity can and will remove that constant fight to keep your priorities in-line. Now, instead of always feeling like we’re constantly warring against ourselves, we are fighting for ourselves and on behalf of ourselves. We begin to take care of ourselves and build awareness around areas of our lives (mind, body and spirit) that require our attention and need nurturing. We realize we are not victims to our circumstances, but are indeed powerful – powerful to make agreements with ourselves through

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our true identities, powerful to say ‘No’ and to say ‘Yes’, and powerful to realign in life and make a real change. We all love to be inspired, right? We actually seek it out because it speaks into our identity and our callings. We read writings from Shakespeare, Rumi, and Earnest Hemmingway. As children, we gushed at the adventures and musings of Mark Twain and Roald Dahl. We crave spiritual and theological truths found in scriptures like this one: “Thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light,” (Matthew 6:22 KJV). In other words, if our heart is set on one pursuit (our identity and purpose), our body, our personhood (mind, body and spirit) will be full of light. The revelation of knowing who we are and what we were created for literally releases light into every other part of our life and personhood. So, where do we begin? Below you will find 5 keys to help in this journey of self discovery. Here are 5 keys for creating realignment in our lives 1. Take time to rest and reflect 2. Do something you loved doing as a child 3. Turn off your phone and have a long conversation with a loved one. 4. Practice yoga. 5. Pay a visit to your chiropractor, body worker or therapist 6. Eat whole foods and prioritize sleep. “May this be the year you experience the soaring energy, the uncontainable joy, the deep rest, the peaceful acceptance of self only available in the agreement and full acceptance of who you are.”

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NOURRIR BEAUTY

TWO BUDGETS: FRUGAL

Be bold and wear your heart on your lips. Paint them red and paint the town.

For the gal who has champagne tastes on a shoestring budget - looks for under $100

BY FATIMA OLIVE , PHOTOGR APHS BY JOHN WAGNER

am known for many things; my work, speaking my mind, and most of all, for almost always wearing and eye catching shade of red lipstick! So much so that every picture my daughter has ever drawn of me always features a bold shade of crimson on my lips. Many women compliment me on my intense lipstick color and tell me how courageous I am to wear such a bold shade. The compliment is usually followed with a confession that they themselves feel they could never be so bold. My question: “does it take confidence to wear red

lipstick or does wearing red lipstick boost your confidence?” Truth be told…..it’s both! There are days when I look in the mirror and all I see are my flaws; a wrinkle here a sunspot there, I know there is only one solution, and it’s RED! These are the days when the red on my lips draws attention away from my flaws and focuses on my strengths. The act of applying my lipstick is like a magical ritual that transforms my appearance as well as my mood. Looking at my ruby lipped reflection I see a more attractive and confident woman, and the best part is, it’s achieved in mere minutes.

Does it take confidence to wear an intense red lip? Of course! The color red is powerful and empowering. Red demands attention, and when you wear it you have to be prepared for admiration. When I wear my favorite classic shade of red I feel as if I am channeling some Hollywood glamour of old. So to all those neutral lipped women who admire red from afar, I say give red a chance. It may take a little a bit of confidence to put it on, but you’ll feel more confident wearing it. It’s all about finding the right red and then embracing the adoration.

H&M Chiffon Dress, $10

Faux Fur Hooded Collar Denim Coat, $49

Stone Chevron Tights, $10

H&M Loafers, $14

SHOP YOUR CLOSET FOR MORE GREAT LOOKS

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TAN WEDGE BOOTS

TAILORED DENIM JACKET

TAN CROSSBODY

CRIMSON SHIFT DRESS

Lace Up Wedge Boots, $36

Maurices Denim Jacket, $39

Embroidered Passport Crossbody Bag, $29

Ruffle Back Dress, $47

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TWO BUDGETS: SPENDY

For the woman who has capital to invest in a chic wardrobe - looks for under $1000

LUSTS & MUSTS Here are five things we’re obsessed with this month - don’t say we didn’t warn you.

T By Alexander Wang Bra Insert Sheer Top, $176

APPS Period Tracker Harmonize by staying on calendar with your body and your period of this pretty period tracker. With this app, you can pinpoint the exact days of fertility, anticipate the start of your cycle and keep a journal of your symptoms. Knowledge is power. Just Cavalli Long Wool-Fur Cardigan, $577 Erika Cavallini Organza Sheer Stripe Trousers, $321 Ava Velvet Turban in Orange, $37

SHOP YOUR CLOSET FOR MORE GREAT LOOKS

MOVIES Deadpool out Feb. 12

BOOKS The Book of Night Women by Marlon James

GIFTS TO GIVE Itty Bitty Planters by Hinkleville Fish Plant Pot Hinkleville is run by one girl, a Toronto-based artist, Janet. It all began with her passion to make art and share her interests and experiences, also to make all sorts of fun and unique things that she would want to wear/use. The piece featured above is wheel-thrown and hand carved, making it adorably unique! It is made using white porcelain clay on a pottery wheel, Kiln-fired making the cup food safe. The planter is approximately 1 inches tall, 1 inch wide. Picture and description by Hinkleville.

Equal parts sarcasm, butt-kicking and superheroes, star Ryan Reynold promises a better time than you had watching The Green Lantern, and plenty of laughs.

BLACK SILK PANTS

MOTORCYCLE BOOT

STRIPED COVER UP

PRINTED SILK SCARF

Barbara Bui Jogging Pant, $370

Ash Studded Biker Boots, $290

Mismatched White Diamond Ear Cuff & Earring, $4,106

Emilio Pucci Silk Triangle Scarf, $385

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Marlon James changed our lives. Since reading this book, he has gone on to win the illustrious Man Booker Prize. Be prepared, these stories will leave deep imprints. And, they must be told.

MUSIC Papaoutai by Stromae Stromae, is the Belgian sensation taking over the world with good beats, phenomenal dancing and relevant subject matter. This song, for example, is about absent fathers. Stromae is the thinking woman’s dance club jam.

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NOURRIR SPOTLIGHT Follow one man’s path to find his version of success and happiness BY GR ACE ANDERSON & FRE YA BOUL AKBECHE , ST YLING BY FRE YA ST YLE , PHOTOGR APHY BY JUSTIN BABAK HICKMAN

THE TRAINERATOR

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amish Ganga stands at 6’10” and 300 pounds. For In all intents and purposes, Hamish visually represents a literal definition of a brick house - each stone handmade by backbreaking labors of love and a strong dose of intention. Corner him in a dark hall and he’ll flash you his million-dollar smile and his undulating and silky-smooth French accent, and you’ll forget his powerful thighs can crush a man to death. As owner of the wildly successful Minnie Fitness in Minneapolis and Chicago, Hamish’s sculptured body testifies to his dedication to the craft of bodybuilding. But,try to imagine where the giant of a man stands today, once stood a scrawny, knobby-kneed boy from the Congo. As just a child of four, Hamish’s father moved the family from the Congo to France following a promotion. He returned to the Congo only to move back to France as a teenager (due to the 1993 civil war). France during the 90s was dominated by Ralph Lauren American Flag sweaters, rap and R&B music and basketball The Dream Team. These were the influences which catapulted Hamish to follow his dream of becoming a pro basketball player in the USA. The first thing Hamish wanted to experience upon arrival at his new American University home was to have a burger - a Burger King burger, of course! Changing countries is a labyrinth of obstacles, joys and realizations. Any immigrant can describe the many challenges involved in the process- leaving all you have ever known for the complete unknown potentially hostile new environment.

Many flee conflict, such as civil war, famine or persecution. They leave behind language, tradition, food, culture, family and memories. A common misconception is that all immigrants are poor, uneducated and dangerous to the fabric of society. Immigration and the people involved are as complex and varied as humanity itself. Immigration humbles even the proudest and most accomplished (even the Queen of Iran was an immigrant). One aspect though is a constant integration into a new culture requires both the actions of the immigrant and the willing participation of the host. The one vital piece of knowledge that Hamish has learned throughout the process of immigrating is to keep yourself as informed as you can. “My advice to immigrants would be to learn the native language and make education a priority, if they haven’t” he said. “As far as the people, there are a lot of ignorant Americans, just like there are in every country. But overall, Americans are good-hearted people. If you need help and show that you’re willing to work, you’ll find someone who would give you a shot.” Failure has never been an option for Hamish, so the success he has today is deeply rooted. “I’ve always wanted to make my dad proud,” he said. “Growing up, I would sit outside our house with dad and would tell him about the things I wanted to do and have when I grew up. My dad was a really successful and hard-working man. He traveled all the time and I feel like I’m following his footstep. I want to set up a great life for my future children and I know that it requires sacrifices.” The struggles of the past and the determination to be as successful as his father has paved the way for the comforts Hamish enjoys today. On the

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weekends, he travels to Chicago where he has a second apartment, which allows him time to reflect on his busy week. “Because I’m always around people on weekdays, staying home alone and enjoying the great view of downtown Chicago is all I need.” Then Sunday rolls around, Hamish boards a plane to Minneapolis and starts the cycle again. “My day is pretty much the same every day,” noted Hamish. “My alarm goes off at 4 a.m. and I get up to feed the dogs and hop in the shower. I leave for work around 4:30 a.m. and immediately start training at 5 a.m. I usually train clients until 10-11 a.m and run the business after that.” At this point, Hamish has already done more in the seven hours he’s been awake then most people do in 24 hours, but his day isn’t even half done. “I take two-to-three hours to train myself and go back to work again at 4 p.m until maybe 9 p.m. I’m usually home by 10 p.m. and in bed by midnight to start all over at 4 a.m. the next day. The passion for healthy living is evident when you first meet with Hamish. You’ll rarely see him imbibe liquor or scarfing down the latest fast-food craze, but you will swig water by the gallon. And, it’s that attitude that he tries to impress upon the people who enter his gym. “I may be hard on my clients but that’s because I truly care,” Hamish commented. “I take it personal when/if they don’t succeed.” “I’ve grown to not be superstitious or religious,” he said. “However, I believe that everything happens organically for a higher purpose. So I try the best I can at everything I attempt to do. If it works – great, if it doesn’t, I move on to the next project. I don’t waste time dwelling on things. I remind myself of where I want to be every day.”

“I don’t waste time dwelling on things. I remind myself of where I want to be every day.”

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NOURRIR TABLE Flourless & Gluten-Free Blueberry Pancakes - all the decadence, but without the guilt B Y A L I L O R E N , fashion and lifestyle blogger

Ingredients 2 over-ripe bananas, mashed 2 eggs, beaten 1/8 tsp baking powder Toppings

Directions 1. mix eggs and baking powder in a bowl. 2. Add the mashed bananas. and heat a pan on medium low heat and spray. 3. Spoon mixture into pan to create small pancakes - cook on one side and flip. Top with what you wish! These taste best when eaten right away.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

SÖDERMALM

Want to know what it’s *really* like to have children? Jodie answers, honestly. BY JODIE ARNOLD, FREELANCE WRITER, WIFE & MOTHER - NOT NECESSARILY IN THAT ORDER

ell, I’m 4 years 10 months into motherhood and I think I’m finally understanding what all the fuss is about. Translation: I’m warming up to it. We’re seriously dating at this point. I’ve never been terribly romantic about motherhood. In fact, I had negative amounts of enthusiasm towards the whole idea. I got married a second time for some crazy reason (love) and suddenly the idea of having a baby seemed so cute! The baby belly perched perfectly upon an otherwise unscathed body (like on TV). Pushing a small child on a swing in a lovely park while wearing a clean sundress and heels. Folding tiny adorable baby clothes while my child slept peacefully in one of those cute Moses baskets. So...basically my perception was bullshit. Why do we all think we’re going to be so special and have this magical parenting experience that is nothing like the frazzled bunch of moments our friends pretend they’re not having? Is there some reason we need to post these adorable seconds on Instagram and pass that off as real life? Even when I find some website that tells me how motherhood is “hard”, it isn’t being real with me. It’s being diplomatic with the shit storm that is mothering at least...most of the time. I don’t even know what happens to my days as a stay-at-home mom. I only know I get to the end of them and wonder, “What the hell just happened?” Repeat this for years on end and yeah. You might find yourself reaching for the whiskey. Let’s blow my initial perceptions out of the water and just burst some bubbles. Fun! 1. My body was seriously scathed.

Some women lovingly look at their stretch marks and celebrate them. They write entire books about how happy they are they have them. I’m not there but I will tell you IT HAPPENS. If it doesn’t, you’re an alien or can afford to not get them. Either way, I hate you. Nothing personal. My feet started looking like Ewok feet at 30 weeks (I had twins, which is double the “fun”), and I couldn’t wear shoes. My boobs got big, then small, and now they’re sad. Sad, sad boobs. I have a c-section scar that doesn’t look cute in a bikini. I bled for weeks on end after birth and wore pads the size of blankets. I rustled when I walked like I was wearing corduroy pants. I know it could be worse but this is the reality. This is what we women need to share with each other. 2. This park situation. It never happens this way. Your sundress will not be clean. And it probably won’t be a sundress. It will mostly likely be yoga pants with flip-flops. The park won’t be lovely. It will be loud and filled with little assholes that shove your kids down and hog the slide. This will prompt you to parent other people’s children and yell at them. Then you’ll have to leave the park. Oh, maybe this just happens to me? Anyway. 3. Folding baby clothes? Do people really do this? I have laundry sorters for CLEAN clothes. I wash them (hopefully) and throw them into these organizers. Pants here! Underwear there! Ooopps...those are dirty still! Whatever. Toss! And a Moses basket? Seriously? No. I think I put my kids in the laundry basket sometimes. Maybe I was hoping they’d pick up on the chore vibe early and turn into helpful little gentlemen. They sure as hell weren’t sleeping either. They were screaming at me most of the time while I lugged my swollen body up and down steps, doing the mom thing plus the wife

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thing and missing the me thing. This is no case against motherhood. This is a case for being real with each other about motherhood. REAL. Motherhood isn’t always fun. It’s not pretty. It’s not easy (ever). A friend once told me being a mom was like having a job, and as the kids grew, the job got easier. Well that’s a gooddamn lie but she’s right. Motherhood is a job. Except you don’t get lunch breaks, you never punch out, and you don’t get paid. It never gets easier. You are now completely emotionally vulnerable to little people that can CRUSH you and it’s awesome. Now where’s my whiskey...

Can’t get enough of Nourrir? Check out last month’s issue. It was a good one.

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