Our Town

Gwinnett/Walton Community & Family Magazine

— An EndResultz Media Company EndResultz.com

Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett/Walton area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett 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 2023 by Our Town Gwinnett. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

Publisher/Owner

Dr. Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultz.com

Creative Director

Elsie Olson Elsie@EndResultz.com

Editor

Catherine L. Osornio Editor@EndResultz.com

In This Issue

5

Photography

Emil Powella

Photography Distribution Coordinator

Holly Cooks

Cover Story

Feature Writer

Kristen Eleveld

Feature Writers

Victoria R. Crosby

Tana Poncsak

Traci Sanders

Contributing Writers

Jane Bishop

Jason A. Black

Bill Crane

Terie Hansen

Tanisha Turner

Pam Walker

7

Ryan’s Remarks

By Dr. Ryan T. Sauers

Wow, it is October and fall is here. Can you believe it? That means we are also in the final quarter of 2023, and the holidays will be here before we know it. The holidays always tend to bring times of busyness and stress. With that in mind, I have written an article that I hope can help all of us.

In our fast-paced world, getting caught up in the whirlwind of social media updates, texts, calls, invitations, and constant notifications is easy. The Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) has become a prevalent concern, leaving many of us feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and perpetually dissatisfied. But don’t worry, because today we’re going to discuss ways to overcome FOMO and embrace the present moment.

Let me explain. FOMO is that nagging feeling that you’re missing out on something better, more exciting, or more critical happening elsewhere. It can be triggered by seeing friends’ posts about their vacations, parties, or achievements, or simply by the relentless stream of information vying for your attention. But here’s the bottom line: FOMO is a construct of our minds. It is not real, and it’s time to regain control over it. So how do we do that?

First, we need to define our priorities. What is our “WHY” and what truly matters to us in life? So, the first step in conquering FOMO is to clarify our values and priorities. What are our long-term goals and dreams? If we knew we had one more day to live, would we be worried about missing out on something? By having a clear vision of what’s essential, we can filter out distractions and focus on what aligns with our values. And always ask yourself, is this something that will make any difference ten years from now?

Second, we must limit social media time. Social media platforms are fantastic for sharing information but are a breeding ground for FOMO. Such platforms make it easy to focus on things that don’t matter and where we can waste a lot of time. They are also a place where we can get caught up in comparing our lives with other’s lives. So, I recommend we take control of our digital life by setting specific times to check our accounts. Reducing our screen time helps alleviate FOMO and improves our overall mental well-being. I say that being “constantly connected”

Continued on page 11

Get Ready for Soups and Ciders – It’s Officially Fall!

By Tana Poncsak

Change is good, right? Many say change is inevitable. And when the seasons change, the weather isn’t the only thing that changes. You may also notice a difference in food, clothing, routines, and activities. And after the hot days of summer, fall is often a welcomed change!

Here are some easy things you can do to embrace the fall season.

Food

When it comes to food, fall is generally the season to pull out the recipes for warm, hearty soups and stews, and to replace your frozen concoctions with warm teas and hot apple cider.

Relish in the taste of seasonal vegetables and enjoy the robust flavors of roasted acorn and butternut squash. And don’t forget the pumpkin! For the home

Make some small changes to the decor in your home to celebrate the season. Change out your sofa pillows with some that have fall colors or themes.

Add a fall wreath to your front door.

Replace summer smelling candles for some with autumn fragrances such as apples and cinnamon. Or fill your home with the smell of autumn with a big pot of hot apple cider simmering on the stove.

Activities

With the cooler temperatures, people still want to get outside and enjoy the cooler weather. Fun fall activities include:

Apple picking – We’re lucky in that apple picking is just a short drive away. And with those apples, you can bake my grandmother’s Apple Cake – a family favorite.*

*Nanny’s Apple Cake

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1 1/4 cup vegetable oil

3 cups all-purpose flour

3 cups chopped apples

1 cups sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 tsp vanilla flavoring

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Beat eggs, add sugar, vanilla flavoring, and oil. Beat three minutes

Mix all dry ingredients together

Mix ingredients together -- the dry and the egg, sugar, and oil mixture

Add the chopped apples, then add chopped pecans - mix all ingredients thoroughly

Pour into a greased Bundt pan or cake pan

Bake at 350 degrees for one hour and 15 minutes or until cooked through

Top with a dusting of powdered sugar

Serve topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Pet Perch: Exercise? Or Over Excitement?

By Terie Hansen

While there is no doubt that dogs need exercise, many dog owners turn to running and racing around in a yard or a park as the only form of exercise their dog gets. The problem is that if the only interactions you have with your dog are of high excitement, that is what you are patterning – a dog whose mind doesn’t know how to settle down; a dog that is always looking for the next high-energy engagement activity; a dog that typically demands attention from you on a pretty consistent basis.

On the other hand, training burns a ton of energy, both physical and mental, and has many positive side effects such as creating a calm, relaxed state of mind. Your dog learns to focus. Your dog is learning valuable commands. Your dog has your undivided attention, so it is less likely to demand your attention at other times during the day.

Take in a nearby festival or chili cook off – Many metro areas hold festivals to celebrate the community and welcome the season. It won’t be long before the greenery of summer will give way to the beautiful colors of fall. Take a hike or a drive and enjoy the scenery. And for those sports fans, there’s always plenty of football! Happy fall y’all! Continued on page