February 2021
thesofiamagazine.com
Trish Luzzi ENGEL & VÖLKERS Asheville
The Art of Cupping | For The Love Of Olive Oil | On The Music Scene
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from the staff of SOFIA!
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Contributing Writers Natasha Kubis Peggy Ratusz Laurie Richardone
CONTENTS 6
T rish Luzzi Going the Extra Mile Natasha Kubis
8 T he Ancient Art of Cupping
Photographer Bren Dendy
P.O. Box 18416 Asheville, NC 28814 828-230.7537 thesofiamagazine.com
Natasha Kubis
10 Love & Olive Oil Laurie Richardone
12 W omen Making Music Spotlight on Nicole lĂšnd Peggy Ratusz
All advertising published in SOFIA is believed to be truthful and accurate. However Sofia Magazine assumes no responsibility and shall have no liability whatsoever for errors, including and without limitation, typographical errors or omissions in SOFIA. Any reference made to Sofia Magazine is not to be construed as making any representation, warranty or guarantee concerning the information advertised in SOFIA. The content of all ads contained herein are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. The opinions and statements contained in advertising or elsewhere in this publication are those of the authors of such opinions and are not necessarily those of Sofia Magazine reserves the right to edit or refuse any advertising submitted to this publication. February 2021 | thesofiamagazine.com
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Dig Deep, Practice and...
“We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light
Find Your V o i c e
�� Jazz �� Soul �� Rock �� Country
Blues Pop
the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and
Pre-Teens to Baby Boomers Novice to professional
sane future.” Peggy Ratusz
Vocal Coach – John F. Kennedy
828.301.6768
peggymarie43@gmail.com
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February 2021 | thesofiamagazine.com
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To Trish, it’s not just about the brick and mortar of the home. It’s about going that extra mile for her clients. That can mean getting her hands dirty in crawl spaces and attics, understanding water and radon testing, being knowledgeable about septic systems and wells, and establishing trusting friendships with her clients. She goes above and beyond to make sure all the details are taken care of and her client can feel at ease throughout the process. She is able to get the resources her clients need so that they don’t have to sweat the small stuff. For instance, Trish had some out-of-state clients who purchased a home, but were not moving into the home for several months. Trish would check on their house every week and pick up their mail. Trish embodies everything you could want in a real estate advisor. She has keen negotiation skills, she’s detail oriented, a great problem solver, and to top it all off, she has a fun loving and charismatic personality.
Trish Luzzi
Going the Extra Mile By Natasha Kubis
Photos by Bren Photography
T
rish Luzzi has been on the back of a motorcycle since she was 16 years old. Her love of freedom and exploration has given her the reputation of being a gypsy among her family and friends. Her openness to adventure is what led her from Canada to the United States to pursue her career in the media and real estate industries. She is passionate about encouraging others to take chances and follow their dreams. Helping people achieve their goals is what makes her the dedicated, determined, and savvy real estate advisor that she is today. Trish has a great team of professionals 6
thesofiamagazine.com | February 2021
at Engel & Völkers, and she feels blessed to work with Bethany Behrmann, their amazing broker in charge, who guides and encourages the team daily in their professional careers. Trish has lots of personal experience with buying and selling homes which motivated her to get her real estate license in 2018. Real estate is a way for Trish to help people settle down and get to where they want to be on their journeys. She wears many hats in the industry and enjoys both sides of a real estate transaction, whether that be selling someone’s home or finding them their next dream home.
Trish and her partner, Jim, also coown Aero Property Investors where they work with people who want to get into the real estate game, but don’t want to handle all the aspects of property management and house flipping. Their company’s goal is to maximize their client’s funds by helping them invest in local and affordable real estate. They also work with realtors and clients to clear out homes in preparation for closings. Trish’s journey began in Hamilton, Ontario, where she served as the Community Relations Representative for the McDonald's Corporation. One of the greatest achievements of her career was serving on the board of
directors to build a Ronald McDonald House in her home town. While raising money for the project, she met Don Luzzi, her future father-inlaw and mentor, and the person that catalyzed her career in the media industry. Don was the president of two radio stations in Hamilton & Toronto and Trish was impressed by his sharp negotiating skills, cleverness, and refined business sense. She knew from their first meeting that she wanted to work for him and had asked him for a job at his station. After a few years of working for different radio stations, Don hired her at his station for sales and marketing. His integrity and leadership skills separated him from the rest of the pack and the skills Trish learned from him early on in her career left a lasting mark on her for years to come. She has been divorced from her ex-husband for a long time, but she continues to remain close to Don, and he continues to be one of her closest advisors. Trish’s own father passed away when she was just a little girl, and her mother taught her and her siblings to always be strong willed and autonomous. When Trish went through difficult times in her life, her family reminded her to stay true to her independent, spontaneous, and adventurous spirit. This sentiment is what inspired her to get her motorcycle license. She was determined to be the driver of her own destiny, not just a passenger along for the ride. Trish’s sense of adventure led her from Canada to the United States, where she became a permanent resident and lived in Florida and Connecticut, eventually settling down in North Carolina. She has managed teams of account executives whose focus was helping realtors market themselves in the digital world. She also
worked with big companies such as Sotheby’s and Coldwell Banker to assist them in utilizing their marketing dollars to attract buyers and sellers. While living in Connecticut, she became the Senior Director of Sales Operations for Hearst Connecticut Media. Trish had always been determined to move to the Carolinas and when she met her partner, Jim Fritz, they were able to make that dream a reality. Trish and Jim share a love of adventure and motorcycles, so the winding and scenic mountain roads of Western North Carolina were a major draw for them. “It doesn't take much of a nudge from either of us to drop what we are doing and go for a ride any month of the year.” A typical ride for them lasts from 3 to 10 hours and they can end up in another state just to go to lunch.“We have covered all of the Northeast, including New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont. Our best trip so far, was a 6-day trip from Connecticut to the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia with a group of friends.” Her true home is on a bike, boat, or a horse, and is where she finds her ultimate peace of mind. Tragedy struck when Trish had a bad car accident a few years ago and she found herself apprehensive about getting back on her bike. With the support and encouragement of Jim, she is determined to get back to riding and becoming that adventurous free spirit once again. Trish hasn’t let go of her media background and is also an account executive for AVL Media Inc. and does freelance work for SOFIA magazine. She is proud to be a part of the publication because it focuses on local business women and has featured some great gals on the cover, many of
whom she works with in her industry. On a personal level, Trish is super optimistic and there is no place for negativity in her world. She can always find the good in any situation. While she strives to be the best version of herself, she knows it’s also important, especially for women, to love ourselves the way we are, and be comfortable in our own skin in order to truly give to others and to be of service. She is a Rotarian with the Hendersonville Rotary Club and some of her major goals for 2021 include completing 30 charitable activities (she has a food drive set up in her neighborhood for Manna food bank in February), as well as taking 30 hikes, and 30 motorcycle rides. Trish Luzzi Real Estate Advisor ENGEL & VÖLKERS Asheville trish.luzzi@evrealestate.com trishluzzi.evrealestate.com 828-423-0248
February 2021 | thesofiamagazine.com
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Photo by Bren Photography
The Ancient
Art
of Cupping By Natasha Kubis
W
hen Olympic Gold Medalist, Michael Phelps, appeared in photographs sporting red circular marks all over his body, people questioned if he had been in an altercation with an octopus. In recent years, celebrities and athletes alike have brought the ancient art of cupping therapy to the public eye, making it more mainstream than ever before. Cupping may be trending at the moment but it is in fact a universal therapy practiced by many cultures around the world. It can be traced back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern times, and as early as 1550 BC. It was prescribed for various ailments in the records of Herodotus, Hippocrates, Celsus, and Aretaeus. Its roots can be found in the ancient healing systems of Tibetan, Oriental, and Ayurvedic medicine (traditional Indian medicine), as well as Unani (a South Asian and Middle Eastern folk medicine). As ancient and widely used as this technique is, it is widely misunderstood in our modern culture and the marks that it leaves on the skin can make people quite apprehensive, understandably 8
thesofiamagazine.com | February 2021
so. Having some knowledge about the technique may help transform it into a viable option to treat your aches and pains.
fibromyalgia, and arthritis. It can be used for bronchial congestion caused by allergies, asthma, and the common cold.
What is cupping used for?
How does it work?
Cupping is effective for relieving pain, relaxing muscle spasms, increasing local blood circulation, and detoxifying local tissues. It can increase range of motion in the joints, and promote flexibility in the ligaments, tendons, and in-between muscle layers. It is most effective for neck, back, knee, and elbow pain, as well as for conditions like tendonitis, sciatica, tension headaches, migraines,
There are several cupping methods. A traditional technique used by practitioners of Chinese Medicine is called Glass Jar Fire Cupping. The practitioner will light a cotton ball on fire and use it as a heat source to warm the glass cup and to remove the oxygen from inside of it. The cup is then placed on the skin and as the air inside of it cools, a vacuum effect causes the blood vessels to
expand and the skin begins to rise. More modern versions of cupping methods used by massage therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors, or for home use do not use fire, but instead, create the vacuum effect with glass, bamboo, earthenware, or silicon cups that are moved across the skin, or remain stationary.
Is it similar to massage? Cupping has a similar effect on the body as massage except that cupping uses suction or negative pressure rather than the tissue compression used in massage techniques. The suction stretches the tissues up from the underlying structures, thereby releasing muscle tension and loosening areas of restriction. This creates an expansion of the tissues while increasing blood flow, promoting better functioning of sweat and sebaceous glands, flushing capillary beds, and dispelling stagnation and congestion.
How does it affect the skin? The suction of the cups often leaves temporary marks on the skin. The marks resemble bruising, but are not painful. They are the result of bringing blood and toxins to the skin’s surface. The color of the marks can range from light pink to dark purple, depending on your condition. The marks can last from about 3 to 10 days. To help reduce this duration, it is recommended to drink plenty of water after your treatment.
Does it hurt? No, it does not hurt. Most people find it relaxing and feel a warm suction, as though their skin is being lifted.
How many treatments will you need? The effects of cupping are cumulative and the treatment should be repeated until the ailment is resolved. The severity of the marks will usually diminish with
Photo by Bren Photography each follow up treatment, indicating that the stagnation in the tissues has decreased.
Are there any risks associated with the technique? It is important to see a licensed acupuncturist, Doctor of Chinese Medicine, licensed massage therapist, physical therapist, or chiropractor who has been adequately trained in the technique. Do not be shy about asking about their training before booking a session. The risks of cupping are very low with a trained professional who has adequate experience. There are cupping sets available for home use, but it is important to have proper knowledge of safe cupping practices before trying it on yourself or others. Cupping is contraindicated for those with blood clotting disorders (like deep vein thrombosis or history of stroke), bleeding disorders (such as hemophilia), or those who take blood thinners (such as warfarin). It is not recommended for skin conditions such as allergic dermatitis, psoriasis, or eczema. Cupping is contraindicated in cases of severe diseases such as cardiac failure, renal failure, ascites due to hepato-cirrhosis,
and severe edema. Cupping should not be applied over broken bones, dislocations, hernias, and should not be used on the low back or abdomen during pregnancy.
The Takeaway Cupping is a wonderful option to help ease pain and inflammation, increase blood flow, promote relaxation and well-being by calming the nervous system, aid in detox, and provide a deep-tissue massage. The cupping marks also make for a good story when wearing a bathing suit or a strapless dress!
Natasha Kubis is a licensed acupuncturist and certified yoga teacher. For more information, visit acuwellhealth.com
February 2021 | thesofiamagazine.com
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Love &
Olive Oil
By Laurie Richardone
Love is in the air, with a generous dash of olive oil. Love & olive oil might appear to be an odd marriage. When I think about my many trips to Italy over the years, these are the words that come to mind. What is it they have in common? No other cuisine appeals to us as immediately and sensuously as Italian food. Everyone loves this mediterranean cuisine. It is no surprise that olive oil has been part of the Mediterranean diet for 6000 years. It is the lubricant in culinary life in Italy. It’s what all the centenarians in Sardinia attribute to their longevity, along with having a plethora of love in their life. The important reasons for this is, it simply tastes amazing on most foods as a finishing ingredient, and the base 10
thesofiamagazine.com | February 2021
to savor a sauce, and‌ it is one of the healthiest fats you can eat. Olive oil is the secret ingredient that has you fall in love at first bite. Whether you are a passionate cook or have no chef skills at all, but do care about eating well, a quality bottle of extra virgin olive oil is an affordable luxury that will never disappoint! Bring love and olive oil into your kitchen to add that sprinkle of magic that has food taste so good. Dishing up a bowl of soup drizzled with a fine virgin olive oil will have you go from like to love in one savory spoonful. To your good health and happiness.
Lemon Olive Oil Cake This simple delicious cake is made in Italian kitchens throughout Italy. Tips on choosing a quality extra virgin olive oil. • Taste. If you have an opportunity to test out an olive oil before buying it, do so. • Look carefully on the back label for the initials of the true country of origin: IT for Italy • Pure extra virgin olive oils are the highest in polyphenols. Polyphenols have powerful antioxidants displaying anticancer, anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. 1 1/2 cups Bobs all purpose gluten free flour ( or other GF all purpose flour) 1 1/2 tsp psyllium husk, ground 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp fine sea salt 3 large eggs 3/4 cup natural cane sugar or coconut sugar 3/4 cup whole milk yogurt ( or goat) Finely grated zest of 3 lemons (organic) 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil Place rack in center position and heat to 325 F. Lightly oil a 9-10 inch springform pan. ~ Serves 10
1. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, psyllium husk, and salt in a medium bowl. With an electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar in a large bowl for 5 minutes. Or until pale and thick. 2. Add yogurt and zest, beat to combine. With the mixer on medium speed, add oil in a quick steady stream. Reduce speed too low and gradually add in flour mixture just to combine. Whisk batter by hand to make sure everything is incorporated. 3. Pour batter into pan. Bake until the cake is golden, and the center springs back to the touch, and edges pull away from the pan. About 40-45 minutes. Let cool in the pan for a couple of minutes on the rack, then release from the pan and let cool completely before slicing. To serve - Dust with powdered sugar, and place lemons on top of cake.
Candied lemon recipe: Take 2 lemons and slice thinly. In a shallow sauce pan put 1/2 cup filtered water and 1/4 cup pure cane or coconut sugar. Simmer until sugar is dissolved. Add lemon slices, and simmer until lemons become translucent. Takes about 30 minutes. Swirl pan around occasionally. When ready, place lemon slices on parchment paper to dry out a bit. Can be made a day ahead.
For scheduled Cooking Classes in Asheville, Visit: LaurieRichardone.com
February 2021 | thesofiamagazine.com
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Women Making Music Spotlight on Nicole lÚnd Coming into her own... By Peggy Ratusz
M
y song-sister, Ellen Trnka was the person who helped me get started and who made my move to the area easier as I worked to make a name for myself around here some 17 years ago. Because of Ellen’s openness, I now pay it forward in her honor. Fielding calls from newly transplanted artists makes me happy and has become part of my reputation. One such transplant who emailed me on my birthday in 2016 was Nicole lúnd. She'd just moved here from New York City & was researching Asheville's blues music happenings. That email led to our working together on a holiday variety show & my helping her with a couple of bookings.
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With an education in Music Industry Studies from Appalachian State, singer songwriter lÚnd (artist’s moniker), holds down a full time job while still managing to create and produce her own music. And now, she is about to release her highly anticipated and remarkable debut record “Right This Time.” A logistics person in her day job, she handles distribution of anesthesia machines and ventilators for a medical device company. The demands of that position did not deter her from recording the album during this pandemic. Paramount in her decision to forge ahead was the fact that scheduling the players was easier, especially since they are all notable
instrumentalists and singers, who normally would have had regular, robust touring schedules. To discover where this energy and know-how began, I ask her about her background and childhood growing up in Charlotte, NC. “My father was an architect and artist and my mom worked from home keeping his books and tending to our needs.” With an older sister and younger brother, lúnd says she’s “proud to represent as ‘middle child’.” “I sang along with Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Bonnie Raitt when I was young. I consider them my voice teachers.” So at 9 years, she decided to audition
for the Charlotte Children’s Choir and got in. From grades 6-12, she attended a magnet school for the arts where she majored in voice and photography.
I was honored to hear these tracks before the mixing and mastering process. If they sound this good now, we’re all in for a gratifying listening experience when they all drop later this year.
With her father’s encouragement and support, she interned for and headed up the street team for Derek Truck’s band when she was a teen. At 17 she moved to Boone, NC to attend Appalachian State majoring in the aforementioned Music Industry Studies. She spent 2 years in Atlanta “observing the music scene” and the next 10 dabbling in a variety of music-related activities in The Big Apple. “I struggled with stage fright for a very long time. I still don’t feel 100% comfortable on stage. For one of my first college performances, I held my eyes closed throughout the performance. So it’s been a slow process for me.” Getting into that college jazz ensemble made dealing with her fears a little easier; primarily because the director “saw something in me and gave me a chance. I just had to work to achieve my goals and he gave me the opportunity to do that work.” The ripple effect these leadership roles created, manifested partner and mentorships with notable players and songwriters; namely guitarist Paul Olson from the band Scrapomatic. Scrapomatic’s lead singer is Tedeschi-Trucks Band’s lead backing vocalist, Mike Mattison. Along with Mark Rivers, also a TTB backing vocalist, both appear on several tracks on Nicole’s upcoming release. She met and became friends with Atlanta based and acclaimed drummer Yonrico Scott, (Royal Southern Brotherhood, Earl Klugh, Derek Trucks Band) who mentored her until his sad and untimely death just over a year ago. I took notes while listening to the tracks she emailed me ahead of our
Each track is treated with a unique and refined melody; well-placed harmonies, and certainly musicianship of the highest quality. interview, and I wrote down the words: “mood album.” It was cool that she referred to them in the interview without my prompting, as a collection of ‘moods.’ Her lyrics are sparse and yet full of meaning. The melodies, style and rhythm come together effectively to tell a story between the lines. Listeners will identify; they’ll fill in the spaces with their own reflections. The easy rolling rock-feel title track, “Right This Time” evokes Tedeschi but its lÚnd’s honey drenched phrasing that makes it her own. “Here I am babe, here for the taking. Don’t let me down; be the man I need now; arms wide open. But please, don’t let me be wrong ‘bout you… I wanna be right this time.” The straight 8’s feel of, “Don’t You Leave Me” has a thumping Amy Winehouse throwback sound as the backing vocals take it an octave higher on the hook. Nicole’s vocal trills are a thrill. It’s a beckoning-ultimatum-song. It’s a “hey get back here, we’re not done yet” vibe that empowers as it pleads. “Not Comin Home” is a haunting finger-picking dirge that confirms the end of a relationship that even after a long period, had not developed enough to make her want to stay or even explain. “I’m not comin’ home. No use lookin’ I’m out of sight, too far for you to fly. When the day breaks I’ll be gone. And you never thought I’d be the one to move on.”
With clarity and reflection, and toward the end of our interview, lÚnd articulates: “I’ve been such an active observer that it’s taken me a while to come into my own.” Right This Time is produced by Tyler “Falcon” Greenwell (Susan Tedeschi, Colonel Bruce Hampton, The Wood Brothers); Engineered by Jim Georgeson and Dowell Gandy from Echo Mountain Studio. The extraordinary players include local teacher and sessions guitarist, Brandon Townsend; guitarist Dave Yoke (Susan Tedeschi, Dr. John, Scrapomatic); on bass is Brandon Boone (Tedeschi-Trucks Band); and New Orleans-based drummer, Isaac Eady. Along with Mike Mattison and Mark Rivers from Tedeschi Trucks band, Gabe Dixon rounds out her backing vocalists. I enthusiastically recommend you to follow lÚnd on Instagram: instagram.com/lund.music/ And to visit her newly minted website: lund-music.com
Peggy Ratusz is a vocal coach, song interpreter, and songwriter. For vocal coaching email her at peggymarie43 @gmail.com
February 2021 | thesofiamagazine.com
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