The Gwinnett Area’s Family Lifestyle News Magazine
Our Town July 2012
Lilburn l Lawrenceville l Snellville l Grayson
Meet Ann Weeks of Five Forks Academy
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You’re invited to Dr. Lorraine Gravante’s Summer Evening Open House Please join us for this one night only celebration at our new office! Over $2,000 in Give-aways, Cocktails, and Hors D’oeuvres. Thursday, July 26th from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at our office 2176 Oak Road, Suite D Snellville, GA 30078 20% Discount on all Products! Raffle Drawing at 7:30 (you must be present to win)! Please RSVP at 678.990.9400 by Monday July 23rd.
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July 2012 IN THIS ISSUE…
Magazine The Gwinnett Area’s Family Lifestyle News
Our Town
Lilburn
l
Lawenceville
Publisher/Editor D. Flores
Graphics Our Town
and
Design
Cover Photo D. Flores
l
Snellville
l
Grayson
Contributing Writers:
Glenton Ashby Chef Jennifer Hill Booker Susan Cadley, LPC Sagdrina Jalal, BS Ed, CPT Carol Chandler-Wood Julie Mills, CMT, LLCC Crystal Huskey Althea Lawton-Thompson Terie Hansen Denita McGuinn
Our Town Magazine
P.O. Box 644 l Snellville, Georgia 30078 Telephone: 404-824-5396 www.OurTownMag.org For reader comments or questions, please E-mail us at life@ourtownmag.org Our Town is published and direct mailed monthly to prestigious homes in the Gwinnett Area. Opinions expressed by the editorial staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town reserves the right to edit and or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers. Entire contents copyright 2012 by Our Town. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without prior written permission from the publisher.
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About the Cover....................................................................5 Calendar of Events.................................................................7, 15 Fitness: Getting off the diet roller coaster.....................................8 Finance: Unicorns...................................................................9 Family: Summer Learning Loss.....................................................10 Counselor’s Corner: Recharge your inner battery....................14 Education Corner: Social Media affecting students................11 Wellness:
Habits ...............................................................13
June Crossword...........................................................................16 Health: Swapping foods .............................................................12 Crossword Key...........................................................................16 Pet Page: ................................................................................16/17 Recipe: ......................................................................................18
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Our Town Magazine
ABOUT THE COVER Meet Ann Weeks
by Crystal Huskey pools in the dry riverbed.
There’s always a silver lining – the number of Gwinnett County residents who have personally and financially grown due to the recession is astounding. While financial growth because of a recession may seem unlikely, it’s remarkable how some people grow the most when they are under pressure. Others, who may have lost their job and even their home, are suddenly willing to risk everything to pursue their dream. For Ann Weeks, the recession brought out an entrepreneurial, creative side that she channeled into her business. As a 27-year Gwinnett County resident, Ann Weeks feel as if she and her family have matured along with the county. “I feel connected to the community,” Weeks said, “and as I have matured, so has my focus.” In 2005, Weeks open an education-based child care center called Five Forks Academy. The center has developed a good reputation in the community because of their dedication to the children, staff and parents. “Our center has grown,” shared Weeks, “but the economy has not.” She recognized that she would need to cut expenses if she was going to stay in business. First, she tackled the utilities. “I recognized that my energy and water bills could be cut by initiating energy-efficient measures,” she said. “As I was doing research, I realized how important these issues will be in the future, especially for the children.” She brought her energy-saving measures into the classroom. “As I was making decisions about updating the irrigation system to be more water conservative, and therefore less expensive to operate,” she said, “I decided to show the children about water conservation using harvested rainwater.” The school installed a 300-gallon cistern and together
Our Town Magazine
“In the end,” Weeks said, “the children are learning to be Earth Friendly and we will benefit from their emerging ideas and efforts in the future as they mature. I know that what they experience here will be remembered and practiced later in life.” About the author: Crystal Huskey is a freelance writer, musician and mother of two in East Atlanta. She writes regularly for multiple newspapers and magazines. Visit crystalhuskey.wordpress.com for more of her writing. embraced the “Three Rs” – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. She requested an additional recycle bin, along with an energy audit from Walton EMC; she then made changes to improve the efficiency of the equipment and building. With each change she made, she shared her knowledge with the children in her care through age-appropriate activities. With whatever materials and resources they have on hand, Weeks and her teachers show the children how to care for the Earth. A milk jug and chop sticks, for example, make a great bird feeder. Ketchup bottles make great paint dispensers. Whatever fruits and vegetables are left over from the children’s meals are put into a used detergent bucket and dumped into the compost bin, according to Weeks. They have also planted their own seeds for tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, peas, beans, lettuce, herbs, sweet peppers, flowers, watermelon and strawberries. Not only do the children tend to the plants, but they also enjoy the critters that make their way into the garden. “We have a bunny that eats our lettuce,” Weeks said, “and the children shout with joy when they notice him in the garden.” Beautiful butterflies are also attracted to the garden, as well as birds that eat from the feeders and drink from the rainwater that
Continues on page 6
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For Advertising Information Call 404-824-5396 • E-mail: life@OurTownMag.org OTG-022 OurTownMagMay.indd 1
Our Town Magazine 5/4/12 9:31 AM
Happy 4th of July 2012
July Calendar Brown Bag Concert July 1, 2012 Gwinnett Historic Courthouse 185 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville www.gwinnettcounty.com Food and retail vendors on hand and FREE crafts and activities for kids. . Stone Mountain Park’s Summer at the Rock! July 1 - Aug 7, 2012 Stone Mountain Park U.S. Highway 78 East, Stone Mountain www.stonemountainpark.com Summer at the Rock offers amazing ways to enjoy your not-so-lazy days. Stone Mountain Park’s Lasershow Spectacular™ July 2-Aug 5, 2012 Stone Mountain Park U.S. Highway 78 East, Stone Mountain www.stonemountainpark.com The show features 45 minutes of spectacular fireworks, lights and laser effects all choreographed to great music. Prelude To The 4th July 3, 2012 Gwinnett Historic Courthouse 185 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville www.gwinnettcounty.com Musical celebration held on the Historic Courthouse Lawn.
Summer Concert Series July 3, 2012 Chateau Elan Golf Club & Resort 6060 Golf Club Drive, Braselton www.chateauelan.com Live music in the Pavilion by “The Jesters” 45th Annual Fantastic Fourth Celebration July 03 – 04, 2012 Stone Mountain Park U.S. Highway 78 East, Stone Mountain www.stonemountainpark.com Fireworks and fun, Lasershow spectacular three nights in a row! 10th Annual Fabulous Fourth of July July 4, 2012 Mall of Georgia 3333 Buford Drive, Buford www.simon.com Mall of Georgia’s 10th Annual Fabulous Fourth of July Celebtration! Scrapbook Expo July 06 – 07, 2012 Gwinnett Center 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth www.scrapbookexpo.com Scrapbook manufacturers and local scrapbook and craft stores with Make & Take Projects, selling scrapbooking supplies and tools to the public.
Animalympics July 11, 2012 Aurora Theatre 128 Pike Street, Lawrenceville www.auroratheatre.com Childrens Playhouse
Lilburn Farmers’ Market July 06 – August 31, 2012 Greenway Trail Parking Lot 76 Main Street, Lilburn www.cityoflilburn.com Hungry? Looking for the best place to buy farm-fresh food? The Lilburn Farmers’ Market features produce, fruits, vegetables, baked goods and many more yummy food products.
10th Annual Silent Auction July 12, 2012 Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett 3100 Club Dr., Lawrenceville www.gwinnettcounty.com There will be live beach music, summer fun, lots of food and unique items to bid on at this year’s Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services’ Silent Auction.
Movies Under the Stars July 07 – 28, 2012 Mall of Georgia 3333 Buford Drive, Buford www.simon.com See website for movies and times.
Kidgits Mini Chef July 14, 2012 Mall of Georgia / Nordstrom Court 3333 Buford Drive, Buford www.simon.com/kidgits See website for detials.
Lawrenceville Farmers Market July 07 – October 20, 2012 Gwinnett Historic Courthouse 185 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville www.gwinnettcounty.com Come out and shop for fresh fruit, vegetables, and breads. Every Saturday
Daybreak Dash Fun Run July 14, 2012 Settles Bridge Park 380 Johnson Road, Suwanee www.gwinnettcounty.com Celebrate National Parks and Recreation month by joining the Daybreak Dash. Run, walk, stroll or even skip while enjoying the serene park surroundings.
Repticon - A Reptile & Exotic Animal Expo July 07 – 08, 2012 Gwinnett County Fairgrounds 2405 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Lawrenceville www.repticon.com Repticon is excited to be back at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds.
Continued on pg. 15
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Our Town Magazine
FINANCE
Unicorns By Glenton Ashby
“Do you believe in unicorns?” asked my daughter. “No” I said. “But, have you ever heard of narwhals? They’re sort of unicorns of the sea.” One is imaginary and one is real. They’re similar but different. Most of us do a lot of imagining, or fantasizing, about having and doing all sorts of things. As long as we keep ourselves grounded in reality we don’t have a problem. Where having and doing things is concerned, we have to keep ourselves grounded in reality, financially speaking, to avoid problems. We can wish we had all sorts of things and wish we could go all sorts of places. But, as Steven Wright says, “You can’t have everything. Where would you put it?” The current financial realities are: interest rates close to zero for savers, many people with high debt loads, many people with mortgages underwater and a difficult job hunting environment for those out of work. In spite of that, to deal with our reality we have to apply good financial principles. We have to cut debt, if possible, build cash, spend cash and keep our investments simple. Maintaining good, basic financial practices is not rocket science. It’s more like managing your weight. The basic requirements of weight management (and weight loss) are tied to good habits: consume fewer calories than you burn, exercise and eat the right kinds of food. If we consistently consume more calories than we burn and eat a lot of food containing calories that are hard to get rid off, we put on weight. That extra weight is then difficult to lose. The basic requirements of good financial practices and of managing your money are also tied to good habits: spend less than you earn, save money on a regular basis and manage and/or avoid debt. Keep doing that – make it a habit. If we spend less than we earn, there is money available to be saved or to pay off debt. We have to make good choices and decisions. A budget helps us be in control of our spending. Stick to your budget. Stay away from credit card spending, especially if you cannot pay off your card every month. The alternative is being financially overweight: too much debt, spending money we don’t really have, no extra cash for emergencies. If you are saving money, or have an emergency fund in a savings account, try to find the highest interest rate you can. That may require some searching and will probably mean an on-line bank. Make sure it is FDIC insured. Current interest rates are very low compared to a few years ago and will most likely stay low for a long time. Try to earn as much interest as possible. If you have an emergency fund and are able to save money beyond that, make a point of using some of your savings to reduce any outstanding debt. While you’re at it, work with your children on developing good habits also. Just as parents are responsible for helping our children develop good eating and exercise habits, we are also responsible for helping our children learn about the real financial world and developing good financial habits. Good habits developed early in life usually turn into good habits practiced later in life. As Solomon said, “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” (Prov. 22: 6, NLT) As long as you remain realistic it’s okay to dream about how you would like things to be, and even plan accordingly. It’s even okay to believe in unicorns!
Feedback and topic suggestions are welcome – email HalcyonTimes@HalcyonFP.com, or comment at www.HalcyonFP.com/halcyon-times. Tweet @halcyonplanning. Glenton Ashby is the founder and owner of Halcyon Financial Planning, LLC, a fee-only financial planning and Registered Investment Advisor firm. Visit HalcyonFP.com.
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amilies bristle at the idea of making children study over the summer, but the research is clear. The loss of learning over the summer is real and it is significant. Ask any school teacher about Summer Learning Loss and you will find out the the first four to six weeks of a new school year is spent bringing students back to where they were at the end of the previous school year. Imagine how much more progress children would make if they didn’t lose vital skills over the summer. Here are just a few facts about Summer Learning Loss. * Students score lower on standardized tests at the end of the summer than at the beginning of summer. This is most relevant to high school students who will take critical SAT or ACT tests in the fall. Fall PSAT scores are used as the initial screen for National Merit Scholarships, a big reason why so many students seek summer tutoring for these tests. * Students lost about two months of math skills and one month of spelling skills over the summer. Kids who don’t read over the summer see similar losses in reading skills. The worst part is, those losses accumulate and follow the student into college and beyond.
They take their children to the library, give them reading lists and provide workbooks in math. This certainly helps, but won’t make up for a child who has fallen behind in science, math or reading. So, what can we do about it? Summer is a great time for students who have struggled in a specific subject to get the help needed to hit the ground running in the fall. There are fewer distractions in the summer and some focused attention on specific concepts can go a long way towards ensuring a student’s mastery and confidence. This time of year, it is important to actively engages students in summer tutoring programs including one-on-one subject specific tutoring, SAT and ACT prep, and exclusive Summer Academy programs. Article by: Denita McGuinn Want to know more about how we can help this summer? Give us a call at 770-237-8535 or send an email to ahendry@ collegetutors.com.
* Parents play a key role in filling the gaps over the summer - as our savvy College Nannies & Tutors parents already know.
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Our Town Magazine
EDUCATION Corner Is Social Media and Technology Affecting our Students? By Carol C. Wood - Total Learning Concepts, Inc.
If you are a parent of a school aged student, you are likely wondering if your children are being negatively affected by using so many different forms of technology and electronic devices. From computers, cell phones, music devices, electronic notebooks, Facebook, Twitter, and other forms of social media, many students are involved in their use. Is all of this electronic interaction and technology negatively impacting our students’ attention span, ability to focus, memory skills, writing, inter-personal communication and achievement and cognitive abilities? As a parent and educator who have observed many students throughout the years, I would have to answer, yes! According to a research study by Lloyds TSB insurance, over the course of the last ten years the average attention span has dropped from 12 minutes to about 5 minutes from what it was once was. For example, we “surf ’ the internet, giving various websites and YouTube videos only a few seconds to determine if they are worth reading or viewing. The internet is intended to distract and every time a person’s thoughts are interrupted, his or her brain has to reorient itself. This takes time and prevents us from performing our best in whatever our current endeavor is. Additionally, because we are all able to look up so much information so fast, we are increasingly becoming a society of impatient people. Declining attention spans are having a serious impact on task performance and increases the risk of accidents, such as pans being left to boil over on the stove, baths allowed to overflow, and freezer doors left open, the survey suggests. Last year more than £1.6 billion of damage was caused by people not concentrating properly, the research found. Interestingly, the over-50 age group is able to concentrate for longer periods than young people, suggesting that busy lifestyles and intrusive modern technology, rather than old age, are to blame for our mental decline. “More than ever, research is highlighting a trend in reduced attention and concentration spans, and as our experiment suggests, the younger generation appear to be the worst afflicted,” said sociologist David Moxon, who led the survey of 1,000 people. Relative to memory skills, since we are able to readily locate information, phone numbers, and facts via the internet or electronic devices, rather than by researching through books, papers, and periodicals, we do not have to remember as much. This is hampering our ability to retain information, particularly our short term memory, which is related to attention span. It is shocking that in this study, a quarter of the people polled said they regularly forget the names of close friends or relatives, and seven per cent even admitted to momentarily forgetting their own birthdays! Following are a few interesting findings from Social Times: • • • • • • • • • •
• •
People spend 700 billion minutes on Facebook each month 41.6% of people access emails on their mobile phones Facebook users instill 20 million applications every day, most of which are distractions Social media addiction is real and can be evidenced by those who report phantom phone vibrations, reaching for a phone that doesn’t exist, fidgeting and restlessness. The average office worker checks his or her email inbox 30-40 times per hour, once every 1.5 minutes 500,000 people join Twitter each day 12 million Twitter users following 64 or more Twitter accounts. Here are some of my own observation of students and adults in the marketplace. The use of email, text messaging, Facebook, Twitter is a preferred method of communication because it is quick and removes the sometimes social awkwardness that can occur with face-to-face or phone conversations. Young children being allowed to use their parent’s cell phones and electronic games at the dinner table, rather than having to learn to listen to or participate in conversation, which requires proper pronunciation, grammar, voice inflection to reflect intent, and polite manner. This allows children to connect to technology and disconnect from people! Adults setting a poor example by answering their cell phones, checking emails, text messaging and playing games during meals, while driving, during business meetings, consultations, and even job interviews! (I didn’t hire that one!) Employees checking personal emails and visiting various website during business hours, costing companies financially each year in unproductive time. This is no different than stealing money out of corporate bank accounts!
Since there is limited space in this publication, I would like to continue this topic next month with suggestions on how to prevent students and ourselves from being negatively impacted by using too much technology, electronic devices, and social media. I welcome and look forward to hearing from you about what you have done in your own homes and lives to restrict and control this over and obsessive use. We have a responsibility as parents, grandparents, mentors and teachers to train young people in ways that will benefit them throughout their lifetime. And, right now it seems that the culture of youth is imbalanced with too much technology and not enough face to face, inter-personal, and social interaction with others or the ability to be quiet and reflective about the meaning and course of their lives. Please email me at carol@totallearningconcepts.com.
Carol Wood is the founder and owner of Total Learning Concepts, Inc., a private, professional tutorial service located in Gwinnett County. Please email questions to ccwood@bellsouth.net or fax to 770-381-1626. OTM
Our Town Magazine
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Swapping Foods
Health and you Now that the summer months are here, fresh vegetables are available at road side vendors, the watermelons and peaches of the Deep South are in abundance, and outdoor grilling is in full swing. I absolutely love it!! It’s the healthiest time of the year! I think all of us have a favorite recipe we love to prepare in the summer months. In order to be healthy, we don’t have to give up our favorite foods but, instead, we may need to change the way we prepare them. The old recipes handed down from grandma might not be the healthiest choice. We can get the same flavor, if not better, by using less butter, oil, and fat to prepare our foods. Try sautéing fresh veggies in water and then removing them from the heat and adding olive oil and seasoning. Use Balsamic vinegar and olive oil to marinade your meats and veggies before putting them on the grill. Look in vegetarian magazines and cookbooks to get fresh, new ideas. Remember, it is not about the caloric count as much as it is the nutrient value of the foods. You will soon see that, once you add up the calories to keep that “summer” figure, incorporating fresh fruits and vegetable is a no-brainer (they contain very few calories but are packed full of nutrition). All I ask is that you not ruin the vegetables by cooking them to mush or adding fat back and salt! Trust me, they taste great on their own! July 4th is America’s time for food, fun, and family. However, it can also be a time when unhealthy eating choices can easily be made. Believe it or not, with a few simple modifications, you can still enjoy bar-b-ques and burgers. So as you grocery shop for snacks and cookout grub, consider some of these healthy food swaps. Odds are, they’ll taste better and no one will recognize the difference as they polish off a platter of leaner foods.
Tailgating Food Swaps • Pork Bratwurst for Turkey Brats: It’s a difference of 450 calories and 37 grams of fat for the pork, versus 160 calories and 9 grams of fat for the turkey. Still boil in beer and soak in mustard and they’re really quite tasty. • Burgers for Chicken Sandwiches: A 6 oz. angus beef patty yields 500 calories and 43 grams of fat, whereas a 6 oz. grilled chicken breast yields 281 calories at 6 grams of fat. Season any way you like, and still add a slice of reduced-fat cheese! • Queso for Salsa: Choose a baked corn chip and feel free to dip into a fresh or store-bought salsa. Just two tablespoons of the cheese dip has 40 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. Hearty salsas offer about 10-15 calories and zero fat per two tablespoons. Also consider guacamole or hummus. Party Makeover • Chips and Salsa Instead of serving nachos with highcalorie cheese, switch to the popular duo - baked chips with salsa - and reap a healthy reward of tomato-based antioxidants. Calories saved: 100 - 200 Nutrients added: Lycopene and Vitamin A • Teriyaki Chicken Skewer: Instead of serving traditional BBQ chicken wings - which are loaded with high-fat skin and not much healthy meat, try grilling skewers of skinless chicken breast meat with teriyaki sauce. These skewers are easy to grill and easy to eat. Calories saved: 300 - 400 • Hearty Chili Bowl: Instead of cream-based clam chowder, score some points with your friends with a pot of
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warming chili made with hearty beans and extra-lean ground beef. Calories saved: 150 - 250 Nutrients added: Fiber, folic acid, and various minerals • Shotgun Sandwich: Sandwiches can be very healthy, but not when you slather them with mayonnaise and load them up with layers of salami and cheese. Completely make over your party sandwiches by choosing whole grain bread and low-fat deli cuts like roast beef or turkey. And go easy on the mayonnaise and spreads – you’ll hardly even notice the difference but you’ll save a lot of calories and fat. Try low-fat mayo or spreads, or better yet, choose calorie-free mustard. Calories saved: 150 - 250 Nutrients added: Fiber, B vitamins, and magnesium • Sideline Fruit Kabob: Instead of chocolate chip cookies, try serving cut-up fruits like melons, apples, and grapes on kabobs. To add some zest, serve fruit yogurt on the side as a dip. Calories saved: 100 - 200 Nutrients added: Fiber, Vitamin C, antioxidants, and probiotics Be safe, have fun, and be healthy! Julie Mills, CMT, LLCC of Body of Health See our ad on page 4 www.bodyofhealthandlife.com
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WELLNESS
Habits
W
hen I lived in Maryland, I would buy a honey bun from the convenience store next to the building where I worked every Thursday. I would heat it up in the store’s microwave and eat it slowly as I drove home from work. I did that every week until I stopped working in that building. When I had XM Satellite in my car, I always turned on the radio as soon as I got into the car and listened to music or talk radio as I drove to appointments. I did that every day until my subscription ended, when I began driving in thoughtful silence. We all have habits – good, bad, and indifferent. Healthy, unhealthy and neutral. A cup of coffee in the morning, a cigarette during an afternoon work break, a bowl of ice cream or a cocktail late at night during the evening news, a lunch-time power walk with co-workers, a daily phone call to a family member or a secret friend. Some healthy habits should be maintained and even intensified. But we could benefit from changing or ending other regular activities that bring unbalance and disorder to our health and lives. Why is it so difficult to change some habits, but others shift into autopilot within a few weeks? Psychological research on the subject indicates most habits take an average of 66 days or 2 months to stick. Others, however, may take up to 8 months to get into our system. The time of acceptance depends on how resistant we are to the activity in which we’re engaging or the change we’re implementing. If you like exercise walking with friends at work, it will be easier to make it a routine part of your week. If you are dependent on nicotine or alcohol, the challenge of giving it up will be harder and may take more time to overcome.
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Habits form because of our circumstances, routine, associations and environment. A change in any one of these things will ultimately change our behavior. But change is not easy. It takes desire and effort to occur. When I considered the habits I was able to change, I noticed that a change in my situation or routine occurred at the same time. What habit do you want to start or end that is dependent on your daily routine, the people you associate with, or where you live, work or play? Here are a few tips to help: One thing at a time. Too much change at once can be overwhelming. Be patient. It takes at least 2 months for an easy habit to form. Get support. Associate with others who are doing what you want to do or going where you want to go. Don’t stop trying. You may not get it right the first few times, but don’t quit attempting. Change may be difficult, but it can be done. If you look back at things you used to do, places you used to go, and the people you used to associate with and see a difference from today, then it can happen again. Be patient and persevere as new habits positively alter your lifestyle.
Althea is the owner of Aerobics, Yoga & More Studios in Lilburn and producer of the Altheatized video series. Email your fitness or wellness comment or question to her at Althea@AYMFitness.com..
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Counselor’s Corner Recharge Your Inner Battery “The time to repair a roof is when the sun is shining.” John F. Kennedy My cell phone alerted me: “Battery Low-10%”. I touched the “dismiss” button and kept on talking until the phone in my hand went dead. I was cut off mid sentence with no other way to call the person I was speaking to back. There were signs along the way, as I was alerted many times by my phone, but I ignored it. We ignore nudges, hints, whispers and out right alarms blasting, that our inner battery, our energy reserves are getting low. So instead of waiting until it’s too late and you are totally drained, let’s create a plan for you to remain fully charged. In order to do this, you must be willing to be awake, alert and pay attention to you. Many people get in the habit of caring for others before they take care of themselves. There are many reasons for this including a learned belief from family, getting attention/ seen, attempting to secure a relationship, or being thrust into being responsible at too young an age. This caring for others then becomes a habit and if the caregiver is not careful, a full battery drain will occur. We’ve all heard the metaphor from the airline industry about putting on your own oxygen mask before assisting others. If you haven’t, here’s the reason why: we cannot fully assist others if we are not taken care of first. We can manage our lives better when we take that same caregiving spirit to ourselves first. For many people this idea brings up the word selfish. If it does for you, ask yourself this question; if you had no oxygen flowing to your body, how would you live or assist others? If I have your attention now, it’s time to begin noticing the signs of a low battery and create an action play to recharge before your energy reserves are depleted. Here are some ideas to consider: 1) Awareness - Noticing is the first step. Just as your cell phone warns you that it’s low,
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By Susan Cadley
how well do you listen to your body, emotions, and thoughts? Some nudges that might be trying to get your attention can include: feeling edgy or short with others, fatigue, being consistently late, addictions, tripping/falling frequently, or even fantasizing about running away to the beach can be a clue. 2) Take Inventory - What or who is depleting you? When you name something, you make it real as it’s no longer something you are just thinking about. Write down a list of who/what is draining you and share this with a trusted friend, family member, counselor, or clergy member. By having a witness to share with, you create a deeper level awareness because someone else knows what you are experiencing. You are not alone. 3) Create a Plan to Recharge – Ask yourself; what creates a sense of renewal for you? Who do you spend time with that uplifts your spirit? What or who brings you joy? What does your body need to feel nourished? Write down the answers to these questions as this is the road map to your own personal “Recharge Plan”. Renewing doesn’t have to mean a week long retreat somewhere, it could be though. Research has shown that simply sitting in silence and focusing on your breathing for a few minutes can recharge your inner battery for the entire day. Consider adding small amounts of recharge time to your day including time in nature, turning your phone ringer off, eating nourishing food, talking to positive people, engaging in creativity, listening to music, napping, are just a few ideas to get you rolling. Recharging your own internal batteries is important to your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual self. Well-being begins with taking excellent care of your inner and outer world first. You’ll then bring a fully charged you to your relationships, work, with enough energy to create the life you desire. Susan Cadley, LPC, CSC, Licensed Professional Counselor & Certified Soul Coach is available for couples/ adult individual counseling and workshops in Suwanee, GA. She may be reached directly and confidentially at 678-296-1278; www.coachingforyoursoul.com
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CALENDAR - Continued Atlanta’s Exotic Bird Fair July 15, 2012 North Atlanta Trade Center 1700 Jeurgens Ct, Norcross www.northatlantatradecenter.com This is the best show in GA to purchase your birds and everything you need to care for them. Gwinnett Young Singers 9th Annual Summer Music Camp July 16 – 20, 2012 Lilburn Christian Church 314 Arcado Road, Lilburn www.gwinnettyoungsingers.com Classes in Choir, Handbells, Percussion, Orff and Sightsinging. Lilburn Idol Finale in City Park July 20, 2012 Lilburn City Park 76 Main Street, Lilburn www.cityoflilburn.com Watch American Idol on TV? Then you would love Lilburn Idol, watch locals audition and perform live in Lilburn. Hairspray July 20 – August 5, 2012 New London Theatre 2485 East Main Street SW, Snellville www.newlondontheatre.org Play
Continued from pg. 7
Aqua Aid July 21, 2012 Mountain Park Aquatic Center & Activity Building 1063 Rockbridge Rd., Stone Mountain www.gwinnettcounty.com A tri-AQUA-thon competitive triathlon event all in the water - 10 minutes each of aqua running, aqua cycling, and swimming. Enjoy light snacks and prizes. Proceeds to benefit Susan G Komen for the Cure, Alzheimer Association, and American Heart Association. Age 15-up AMC Sensory Friendly Films July 21, 2012 Discover Mills, AMC Theatres 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville www.amctheatres.com Special sensory friendly screening of your favorite films, great for families with autistic children. Today’s film, Ice Age: Continental Drift Dog Day at the Park July 21, 2012 Pinckneyville Park 4650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross www.gwinnettcounty.com Fun for the whole family, including the dog! Celebrate National Park & Recreation month and National Hot Dog Day!
Year One Braselton Bash Car Show July 21, 2012 Braselton Park 115 Harrison St., Braselton www.braselton.net Family-oriented car show
Youth Sports Expo July 28, 2012 Rhodes Jordan Park 100 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville www.gwinnettcounty.com The largest youth sports expo in the state!
Moonlight & Music Concert Series July 27 – September 28, 2012 Gwinnett Historic Courthouse 185 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville www.visitlawrenceville.com Each concert offers various styles of music including blues, jazz, rock, folk, country, bluegrass, motown, swing and more!
19th Annual Asian Culture Experience July 29, 2012 Gwinnett Center 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth www.asianculturalexperienceinga.com A celebration of Asian cultures featuring music, dance, arts and fashion shows.
Annual Christmas in July July 28, 2012 Grayson Arts & History Center 2070 Rosebud Lane, Grayson www.cityofgrayson.org This years display includes a Georgia Bulldog Tree, Whimsical Fairy theme tree and lots of new wreaths, gift ideas and ornaments. Punt, Pass & Kick July 28, 2012 Rhodes Jordan Park 100 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville www.gwinnettcounty.com A national skills competition in punting, passing, and kicking with scores based on distance and accuracy.
Dr. Gravante’s Suumer Evening Open House July 26, 2012 2176 Oak Rd. Suite D, Snellville www.drgravante.com A night of celebration with over $2,000 in give-aways, Cocktails and Hors D’oeuvres. Please RSVP at 678.990.9400 by Monday July 23rd.
There’s never a dull moment in Gwinnett. For more events go to our new website at www.ourtownmag.org and get updates thru our fan page and Twitter.
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PET PAGE
PET OF THE MONTH Kobe is the most loving yellow lab. He has the cutest face you could ever see on a dog. Kobe loves to eat, which explains his large size. He loves to play fetch & go on walks while holding his own leash. -Kayla Hunter
My name is Boogie Mineo, I am a 6 year old chihuahua and I will bite you if my mom is around otherwise I’m a big chicken. I have 4 other dog friends that I live with as well as a cat I don’t like, 3 turtles, and 2 birds. I love to wear clothes and have a wardrobe bigger than most peoples children. This picture was taken on my birthday and my mom had the cake made to look like me!!!
SEND IN YOUR PET FOR “PET OF THE MONTH!” Send to: PO BOX 644 Snellville, GA 30078 or life@ourtownmag.org
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PET PAGE
Dog days of summer As we move into summer and the temperature rises so does the chance that your pet could experience heat related trauma such as heat stroke, burned foot pads and yes sunburn! According to the American Red Cross Heat Stroke(Hyperthermia) and Heat Exhaustion occurs when a dog severely overheats-most commonly in the spring and summer months when the weather turns warm and the dog has not yet acclimated to it. Dogs don’t have sweat glands, so the only way they can dispel heat is by panting and through the pads of their feet. If you plan on taking your dog out during the spring and summer months make sure it has access to plenty of cool water and shade during these times.
the dog’s nose, the tips of its ears and the belly and groin area that may not be covered by the clothing. Reapply regularly and after swimming. Use a sunscreen of SPF15 or more that is nontoxic to dogs, or one formulated for babies. These are more certain to be hypoallergenic and less likely to irritate the dog’s skin. Dogs love to be a part of the action, so whatever you plan on doing this summer bring the dog, but remember to protect them from the dog days of summer! Terie Hansen Owner of Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care Please email questions to info@gooddogcoaching.com
Hot pavement is hard to avoid in the heat of summer. Asphalt, metal boat docks and car or truck surfaces get extremely hot in the summer sun as well. We remember to wear sandals, walk on the grass and not sit down on these surfaces in the heat of the day but what about our dogs? Look at your dogs pads, they seem pretty tough right? All footpads are made of fat, connective tissue and a thickened layer of skin. But the bottom line is they are exposed skin which of course can be burned and burned pads may not be readily apparent to the eye. If your dog is limping, refuses to walk, licks or chews at their feet or if you notice a darkening in color, blisters or redness these are all signs that their pads may be burned. Keep your dog off these surfaces as much as you can in the summer months. When walking your dog keep to the grass as much as possible. It’s easier on the feet and softer on their joints as well. Sunburn affects all dogs, but particularly those that have little or no hair, light colored skin, pigmentation problems and short legs, as the sunlight reflects off the ground and burns the abdominal area of dogs that are close to it. Dogs are also susceptible to skin cancer, and areas of their bodies such as the nose, paw pads, groin, eyelids, tips of ears and inside of the legs need to be protected regularly against the sun. You can use a light weight T-shirt to protect the dog’s body if you plan on being out in the heat of the day. This will actually keep the dog cool as it will deflect the sun’s rays. Dab sunscreen on the exposed bridge of www.mansbestfriend.com
Nancy Churchill, DVM n Pam Zaidspiner, DVM n Bill Connolly, DVM Brad Harris, DVM n Kathryn Padgett, DVM n Pat Zook, DVM
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Recipe Chimichurri Sauce
Original recipe by Chef Jennifer Booker
Chimichurri is traditional Argentinean sauce, both versatile and delicious. It is traditionally served with grilled steak, but is delicious on grilled chicken, fish and summer vegetables! yields 2 cups Ingredients: 2 cups fresh flat leaf parsley ¼ cup fresh oregano leaves 6 garlic cloves ½ small white onion 1 cup good quality olive oil 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Preparation: Pulse the garlic and onion in the food processor until finely chopped. Add the parsley and oregano and pulse briefly. Add the olive oil, lime juice, vinegar, and red pepper flakes, pulsing until just incorporated. You want your Chimichurri Sauce to have the texture of smoothly chopped parsley. Adjust flavor with sea salt and black pepper. Serve room temperature and refrigerate after use. Enjoy!
Recipe provided by: Chef Jennifer Hill Booker Please free to contact Chef Jennifer at: www.yourResidentgourmet.com www.ChefJenniferBooker@gmail.com
Happy Grilling It’s time to dust off those grills and get ready for the summer. And nothing means summertime more than picnics, swimming pools, and grilling out. However, grilling can be very intimidating. Should you marinade or dry rub, use charcoal, gas, or wood? How hot is too hot? Should you flip the food before or after you close the lid and add the barbeque sauce? Confused yet? Well read on. This Art of Grilling! guide will help take the guess work out of grilling and help you enjoy those lazy days of summer! I’ve also included a delicious recipe for Chimichurri-a wonderful alternative to tomato based sauces.
moving it around as quickly as they can move their tongs. They think that this will prevent their food from sticking but it actually encourages it, because the item hasn’t had a chance to sear on the outside. High heat sears the outside of the food, helps prevent sticking, and gives food that delicious grilled flavor you’re looking for. Frequent flipping lowers the temperature of the food and prevents a proper sear. The best approach to flipping? Wipe your grill rack with oil, get it very hot, place the item on the grill, and then leave it alone; flipping half way through its cooking time.
Wet marinades vs Dry rubs? A marinade is a combination of liquids, spices and usually an acid like fruit juice or wine, while a dry rub is a mixture of dry herbs and spices. Tougher cuts of meat like flank and skirt steaks will benefit from the marinade because it will help tenderize the meat. On tender foods like chicken breast, pork chops, or shrimp you can use either onejust be mindful of the time they stay in the wet marinade. For example, steaks and chicken are best if marinated overnight while seafood and fish should not be marinated more than an hour. For dry rubs, coat the food with olive oil, apply the rub, and allow it to sit from 30 minutes to as long as overnight.
Cover On or Cover Off ? For most grilled item, it is best to keep the lid closed. This helps the food retain its natural juices and enhances flavor. Closing the lid increases the heat and whether your grill is charcoal, wood, or gas, it becomes a combination grill/convection oven. This will cause the food to cook from both direct contact with the grill as well as from the trapped heat surrounding it. So beware, this will shorten the cooking time. Sauce it up! There are grilling purists who believe that adding any type of sauce to grilled foods is a culinary sin! For the rest of us, it is generally recommended to add your sauce of choice toward the last 20 minutes of cooking. Most barbeque sauces contain high amounts of sugar which causes it to burn easily. Burnt sauce equals burnt tasting food. So, if you want of a more pronounced barbeque sauce flavor on your food, then you can add more sauce right before you remove it from the grill and serve additional sauce on the side.
Charcoal, Gas, or Wood? That depends on what part of the world you’re from and if you like that smoky charcoal flavor, wood flavor; like hickory; or that char flavor gas grills give to your food. Charcoal or wood burning grills tend to be less expensive but require greater skill to light and hold at a steady temperature. You may even opt to have both a gas grill and a charcoal/ wood burning grill. That way you have the ease and convenience of a gas grill as well as the option of a hickory smoked rack of ribs. How hot is too hot? Heat level depends on the type of food that you are cooking. A thick on-the-bone chicken breast will take longer than a skewer of vegetables. Start in the ‘hot spot’ of your grill to create the sear on your food, and then move it to a cooler spot on the grill. If you’re using a gas grill you can turn the gas down for the remainder of the cooking. Remember, that even in the initial part of cooking more delicate items such as shrimp, vegetables or fruits, you would not use as high a heat.
Recipe provided by: Chef Jennifer Hill Booker Please free to contact Chef Jennifer at: www.yourResidentgourmet.com www.ChefJenniferBooker@gmail.com
To flip or not to flip? Most grill ‘newbies’ put their food on the grill and then immediately start
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“The Village Vets has been a huge part of both my life and my pet’s life. I have been volunteering with the practice for about seven months in hopes to better prepare myself for a career in veterinary medicine. The doctors and technicians have easily become my second family. Each and every person in the practice is dedicated and passionate about what they do and they have consistently provided the best possible care for my dogs.” Zach Stephens Zack and his mother Lisa Stephens, with George and Warwick
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