WOMEN OF THE Kristen M. Toepfer

Kristen M. Toepfer is an advocate for stroke victims and those with aphasia. She is a consultant, speaker, and survivor. Kristen received an A.S. in Liberal Arts from Sussex County Community College. She is retired from UPS as an industrial engineer. After suffering a stroke, brain swelling, being in a coma, and numerous brain surgeries, Kristen has fought her way back to health and advocates for others who have undergone similar circumstances. She makes videos for Facebook support groups. Kristen belongs to Supermodels Unlimited. She won the Director’s Award for the Mrs. New Jersey America Pageant in 2022. In 2021, she was nominated a Stroke Hero by the Stroke Foundation. In her spare time Kristen enjoys hiking and outdoor activities.

Tocarra Lewis is the driving force behind the A Modest Living LLC (AML) mindset changing movement. After identifying a need to help people move from day-to-day survival mode to thriving, Tocarra developed a cadre of evolving services to meet people where they are and help them to change their lives. As a life coach and a certified nonprofit professional, she has worked as a life coaching professional since 2009. She has a B.S. in Public Policy with a concentration in Human Resources and Nonprofits from Georgia State University, and an M.S. in Healthcare Management from Clayton State University. Tocarra is a Certified Nonprofit Professional and an accredit-

Linda K. Faires

Linda K. Faires is the owner of Suadela Goodies. With over ten years’ experience, she creates and sells many sugar-free goods including pies, banana bread, cinnamon rolls, chocolates, gourmet popcorn, toffee, and peanut brittle. She also makes and sells fudge and glazed pecans. Linda earned an A.A.B. from Mountainview College in 1991, a Paralegal degree from Ashworth College in 2013, and earned Ministry credentials through Universal Life Church in 2016. She hosts a show on Friday nights, The International Music Hour on Saturdays, and co-hosts the Indie Spotlight Hour Monday nights on Distant Thunder Radio.

Linda is also a brand ambassador

How did you get started in your field/ industry?

I became a stroke and aphasia advocate because I had a massive hemorrhage stroke in 2018. I was in a coma and then had eight brain surgeries. I couldn’t talk for two years. It became my mission to spread awareness.

What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

Some challenges that I face are that every time I have a seizure I take a couple of steps back in recovery. I call it ‘stroke recovery tango.’ ed member of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. AML is a life coaching and connections organization that promotes the well-being of the whole person through a wide array of services including financial literacy, business mentorship, life coaching, and youth programming. They also help with housing and home furnishing options that are both practical and economical. Living a modest lifestyle isn’t about minimalism or following a popular trend; it’s about taking a holistic approach to building a sustainable life. Through their various programs and services, AML shares their values and equips their clients to be able to find the fertile soil needed to grow even in a desert land. amodestlifestyle.com for Just Strong Clothing, which gives her a chance to help other women empower themselves on any path they choose to follow. She is a member of Dun and Bradstreet. She published a poem called “Through The Years” and a song entitled “Destiny” on Terry Petersen’s CD titled “Coming Home.” In her spare time, Linda enjoys learning Korean, writing, gardening, and being a DJ.

What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

Women today face challenges when going back to the workforce after years of not working. Women are not prepared for today’s environment.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means getting out of your comfort zone. It means being confident and determined to accomplish your goals.

Kelsi F. Benanti is a Realtor with One Sotheby’s International Realty. She has over seven years’ experience and specializes in new development opportunities, corporate relocation, commercial real estate, acquisitions, international off-market opportunities, and redevelopment opportunities. Kelsi speaks English and Italian. She belongs to the Miami Board of Realtors and attended Ramapo College of New Jersey. Kelsi enjoys being with her family. www.sothebysrealty.com www.suadelagoodies.com

How did you get started in your field/ industry?

I’ve been cooking/baking since I was 16, having learned from my mother and grandfather. There weren’t many sugar-free treats when I was growing up. Creating treats for my son, husband, and family pushed me into my career. What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

Getting over the ‘sugar-free’ stigma is difficult. People believe those words mean no taste. Finding the correct sweetener posed a challenge for me. COVID also caused a huge obstacle.

President, Lead Designer Controlways

Renowned global fashion designer, Renée Greenstein, is the founder of Women with Control® and ATTITUDES by Renée®, two of the best-selling fashion lines on QVC. Renée has been blazing trails for over 15 years with the shopping channel as one of its first minority-owned fashion lines. Her fashion and jewelry collections are headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, where she serves as president and lead designer of her company, Controlways.

From childhood, Renée developed a passion and a love for people. She ventured to Manhattan to pursue her strong interest in fashion and soon became a fit model, finding her niche in the dresses and sportswear apparel categories. From a brief stint at the Fashion Institute of Technology and working as a fit model, Renée became aware that fashion catered to a very small portion of women. In addition, she discovered her innate ability to communicate to designers and patternmakers how clothes should fit.

Renée used these insights to give suggestions on how clothing could be better made to fit all women. These realizations inspired her to create her own size-inclusive clothing lines. She developed a philosophy that she applies to her career and everyday life: no matter what her size or shape, every woman has wonderful and unique qualities that her clothes and accessories should help her express.

Her style mantra, “Style is not about size, it’s about attitude,™️” is one that she shares with every woman she meets. The more women feel free to accept themselves as they are, the more Renée enjoys her career as a fashion designer.

As an autodidact in both fashion and art and an avid student of people, Renée loves to meet and talk to people. She and her husband, Justin, collect art and find it everywhere from flea markets to galleries. They are patrons of The Public Theater in New York City. Renée’s flair, genuine playfulness, and compelling life experience has resonated with millions of women around the world. She brings the best styles to her customers by researching trends, offering them inspiration, and encouraging them to express their true selves. She currently travels from New York to Europe shopping for fabrics, accessories, and global influence. Renée’s community of avid fashion fans, known as ‘Wardrobe Warriors,’ is flourishing and growing every day on Facebook and Instagram.

Why do you think your clothes make women feel so confident and self-assured?

My ladies (whom I lovingly call Wardrobe Warriors) know my mantra, “Style is not about size, it’s about attitude™️.” My warriors know that my goal is for them to have the confidence to go out into the world and know that they look put together, not thrown together. I work hard to make sure that all my designs fit well on all shapes and sizes, and that the fabrics I use feel luxurious. One of the most popular features in my Women with Control™️ collection are the styles that have my trademarked Blu Tec control system™️, which I like to describe as a gentle hug. It smooths the belly area, and as many women have told me, gives them a little more confidence. When you combine that ethos with my eye for prints, my ability to interpret trends into modern classics, and innate understanding of how women want to feel, you get clothing that makes my ladies feel beautiful. Who are some designers you were inspired by?

I have been inspired by Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, and Elsa Schiaparelli. It’s amazing what you can find just people-watching and taking the time to stop and take in what’s going on around you. I am also inspired by my world travels. Being able to see how women in other cultures express their personal and regional style is endlessly inspiring. What is the difference between your two brands, Women with Control™ and Attitudes by Renée™?

Women with Control™️ is my core pieces—primarily bottoms. I use fabrics that are comfortable, can be worn year-round, are washable, and fit so well that I tell my ladies they don’t need to wear shapers. The fit of my pants led me to trademark “No more Wiggle, No more Jiggle™️.” My Attitudes by Renée™️ line is the sister to my Women with Control™️ collection. This is where my ladies can have fun with special fabrics and fun prints. I’m also known as the “Maxi Dress Queen,” because I have had tremendous success with my maxi dresses by perfecting the fit and using fabulous prints inspired by my travels around the world.

No matter what your size or shape, what is one piece of clothing that every woman should own?

Well, I am going to cheat here and say there are two items. #1: Leggings- with the right leggings, you can have the perfect piece in your wardrobe 12 months a year that can be dressed up or layered under a dress, tunic, or for a workout. #2: A maxi dress- when you have the right one in your closet, you are never worried about what to grab when you need something that is perfect for everything. reneegreenstein.com

Can you give us a sneak peek at what will be trending next season?

I understand that especially in today’s environment, most purchases are thought about as an investment. I want my customers to know that when they purchase a new style from me, they will have years of great quality and something that will never look dated. Don’t get me wrong, I am obsessed with fashion, and I am always looking for ways to reinvent great items. I always say my ladies are the canvas and I get the honor of adding to their beauty. For spring, I still feel that comfort will continue to be a huge factor (one I’ve always kept in mind in my designs), be affordable, and make you feel great. Dresses are crucial for spring and summer, and it is the perfect throw-on-and-go piece. Prints, prints, prints are so important for spring. The key to a great dress is the fit, which I can proudly say I have perfected. Pants of all lengths will always be a staple in most women’s wardrobes. Again, the key is the fit, but this can also be a fun time to play with colors. You will be seeing a strong influence in shorts, utility relaxed leg pants, full and wide leg pants, skinny leg pants, jumpsuits, caftans, off-shoulder dresses, and tops. There will be tons of prints including mixed prints, moody, tropical, and scenic prints from around the world. What does the word power mean to you?

Power is the ability to be true to yourself and to be sure the world sees the best you have to offer. Power is being who you want to be. My motto is “Life is not a dress rehearsal; live for today.” Power is about being unapologetic and confident in your strength as a woman to help others reach their highest potential without tearing each other down. It’s standing strong in your beliefs and feeling in control of who you are, knowing no one can change that. That’s power.

Stuffed Flounder with Crab

Ingredients

4 flounder filets

1 lb. imitation crab, diced fine

1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed

1 egg, whisked

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

¾ cup mayonnaise

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°.

1 tspn. Old Bay Seasoning

½ tspn. seasoned salt

½ tspn. pepper

1 Tbsp. parsley

8 very thin slices butter (reserve to top flounder)

2 Tbsp. seasoned bread crumbs (reserve for top of flounder)

Mix all ingredients (except flounder, butter, and bread crumbs) together in large bowl, making sure to mix well.

Season flounder on both sides with seasoned salt and pepper. Line cookie/baking sheet with tin foil and spray well with PAM.

Lay each flounder filet flat on sheet. Grab a huge handful of stuffing and mold it into a log.

Place in the middle of the flounder and pull each side up. Flip over so the seam is on the bottom. Continue till all are full. They should be about 4 inches wide depending on the flounder itself.

Sprinkle each stuffed flounder with a little seasoned salt and a sprinkling of seasoned bread crumbs. Slice very thin slices of butter and place two atop each piece of flounder. Bake for 35 minutes – or till fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve with slices of lemon.

Pasta with Asparagus and Lemon

Ingredients

1 lb. spaghetti

2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 large bunch asparagus, trimmed, and thinly sliced on a diagonal

3 fresh garlic cloves, smashed

½ cup chicken broth

2 Tbsp. lemon zest

¾ tspn. crushed red pepper flakes

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

2 lemons, juiced

4 oz. Parmesan cheese, finely grated (about 1 cup), plus more for serving

Directions

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 ½ cup pasta cooking liquid.

While pasta is cooking, heat oil in a large, heavy pan over medium-high until shimmering. Add asparagus and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until asparagus turns bright green, about 2 minutes. Add garlic, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes. Stir, and mix until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and let sit until pasta is done. Add drained pasta to pot with asparagus mixture and return to medium-high heat. Squeeze juice from both lemons into a separate bowl, then add to pot. Next, and add Parmesan cheese, chicken broth, and most of the reserved pasta cooking liquid. Cook, tossing vigorously and adding more pasta cooking liquid if needed, until sauce is creamy and emulsified and pasta is coated, about 1-2 minutes. Taste and season with more salt if needed. Remove and discard garlic. Serve immediately, topped with more Parmesan.

Passover Macaroons

Ingredients

1 egg

¾ cup sugar

7 oz. coconut flakes

3 Tbsn. butter, melted

1 ½ cups dark chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.

By Geri Shumer

Mix all above ingredients, except chocolate chips, together. Drop large spoonfuls onto a well-greased cookie sheet. Wet your fingers with water and gently shape each spoonful into a dome shape. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes, then lower temperature to 250 and bake another 10 minutes.

While the macaroons are baking, melt the chocolate in a saucepan over a low flame. When the macaroons are done let them cool 3 minutes and then dip the tops of them into the melted chocolate. Let cool 30 minutes before serving.