Reflection Issue V

OCT 2016 | Issue V

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Letter from the Editor Mission statement Reflection Magazine is a publication aimed at revolutionizing women’s self-sense of beauty in their reflection.

We advocate for confidence in every individual’s unique style and aesthetic.

Through our distinctive view and portrayal of fashion and beauty, inside and out, we promote the celebration of young, undiscovered talent in clothing design, while steering away from the conventional notions that are currently placed in the fashion industry. We strive to be a contribution to the day when women will look in the mirror and not feel the need to compare themselves to an impossible, edited, and unrealistic image of perfection. Instead, they will appreciate the glamor and elegance they possess in their own expression of style.

Paul Andrews

Hello readers!

It’s been a busy month putting together this gorgeous fifth edition! There’s a treat in store for you with this one. Our designer based issue features talented designers from around the globe including our featured designers from India, Germany, the Philippines, and the United States. We also have in store empowering real life stories, articles about staying stylish, healthy living and Fall beauty tips and tricks from our amazing writers!

We are finally in Fall! (for those of us who are in the northeast of the United States) and what says autumn more than pallets of warm tones and colors (bright red and oranges) which by the way are a great way to lighten up any wardrobe! More of a “groufit” kinda gal? accessorize with large colorful enamel jewelry to add a surprise to your look! Now let’s try not to do the orange jumpsuit (unless it’s Halloween). Yes it is Fall, yes orange is very appropriate but cross the color wheel and POP with a lapis blue jumpsuit and a stylish neutral hat. Give people a reason to turn their head and watch your unique style strut its stuff!

Have a beautiful and Inspiring day and everyday following!

Publisher

Joe Klaus

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Publisher&CEO

Marketing&Sales

Cover Artwork

Exective Editor

Contributing Writers

Contact

Joe D’ambrosi

Art Directors Joe Klaus Nazir Abbas

Managing Editor Joe Klaus

Scatto Savit

Aleta Love Caitlin Santomauro Sara Kate Egan Prangthong Srirungthum Paulina Gueorguieva Virginia deGuzman Ana Ionita

Photographers

Associate Features Editor

Nazir Abbas Kevin Sperando

Graphic Artists

Thank you to our internet sources for other images used throughout this publication

Aleta Love

Joe Klaus

Nazir Abbas

1.800.680.3213 info@reflectionmagazine.net

Copyright Information Reflection Magazine (ISSN 1931 – 5295) is published monthly by UA Media, Inc., 24 Woodbine Avenue, Northport, New York, 11768. All contents copyright 2016 by UA Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction or use in whole o rpart of the content without the prior written consent of UA Media, Inc. is strictly prohibited. All logos and trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. Although the writers and the publisher have exhaustively researched all sources to ensure the accuracy and the completeness of the information contained in this publication, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein. The opinions expressed in all materials are those of

Nazir Abbas

the authors and do not necessarily represent those of UA

Virginia deGuzman

States of America.

Media, Inc. or Reflection Magazine. Printed in the United

Anthony Anastasiou

Media Correspondant Richard Brooks

Social Media Virginia deGuzman

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Paul Andrews

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Contents of this issue OCT 2016 | Issue V

Feature Designer Marina Hoermansder

Featured Designers

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Richa Aggawal

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Marina Hoermanseder Marc Bumgarner

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SADAK

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Contents of this issue

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60 64 68 72 74

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on m r o nH Whe old h take

th: l a e H uilt B t n Pla

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Featured Designer 14

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Indias Next Big Fashion Designer To Watch Aleta Love

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young designer with a earthy sense of style, Richa Aggarwal sees fashion “as a cultural translator where new technology meets old world craftsmanship.” She gets her inspiration from the India of today, and also relies heavily on traditional pieces with a modern twist.

According to the publicity for the show: “The soul of her latest collection lies in the colours and textures of the vibrant streets of India. The earthy like fabrics and well detailed patterns are constructed to re-create a multi-layered experience. Simple and effortless hand done surfaces create traditional feel as well as offer modern functionality. The construction of her pieces blend the old with the new by putting together the traditional Indian techniques of handlooms and hand made designs.

John Hopkins, Head of Department Fashion and Textiles at WSA remembers Richa as highly motivated and driven individual: “I am very pleased to hear of Richa’s success,” he says. “She has built on her graduating collection at WSA to extend her theme further and celebrate the vibrant styles and ingenuity of street wear that can be found in India”. She used different types and textures of material and blended together for pieces that are sensational.

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photos coutesy of: www.richaaggarwal.com/

Her designs are simply beautiful and well thought out in detail.

Her philosophy :The idea is to blend tradition with a sense of eccentricity and revolution of new age, by using fabrics as a tool that is able to travel through time.

Richa Aggarwal graduated from the ‘National Institute of Fashion Technology, India’ with the best design collection award in 2007. After she joined the design team of Madura Garments exports ltd. This was where the industrial connection, really helped her with commercial aspect of design.Her accomplishments kept on building when she was awarded a J.N.Tata scholarship in 2010. Richa went on to pursue her masters in fashion design from London.

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In 2011, she launched her own label in London. She was a hit and kept gaining exposure and popularity.

This lead to the next big thing for her In 2012, Richa showcased her debut collection in Lakme Fashion week which earned her rave reviews in both local and international media. Vogue India recognized her as the ‘next upcoming designer to watch out for’.

Harper’s Bazaar also was interested and labeled her as the ‘new designer who set the fashion fraternity abuzz’.

The soul of her designs lies in the interest of old and new India, making it wearable and desirable for everyone. Perfectly constructed it concentrates on fine detail and the quality of her pieces are flawless.

It reflects the balance of rich and poor, volume and structure, colors and textures. The fabrics contrast and usual couple of patterns offer riot of patterns but are well put together.

Various animal prints are also introduced in her designs and has a storytelling effect. The motifs for embroideries and surface developments gives a feel of an earthy slight bohemian feel.

This collection embodies the strange mystery of nature and heritage.

She has been pushing to the top and is unstopped able.

Her company and style is located in New Delhi, India Find her latest designs at www.richaaggarwal.com She is also on Facebook and updates regularly and connects with her customers.

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photos coutesy of: www.richaaggarwal.com/

RICHA AGGARWAL

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ROSENTHAL ANNA KATHLEEN TEE

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photos coutesy of: http://www.rosenthaltee.com/ photos coutesy of: www.richaaggarwal.com/

RICHA AGGARWAL

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photos coutesy of: http://www.rosenthaltee.com/ photos coutesy of: www.richaaggarwal.com/

RICHA AGGARWAL

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As Seen Through Blue Eyes

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ocial media has been a platform for voicing opinions.

because it is their body. Slut shaming is an ill concept created

In a great way, this has lead to the expansion of

to pigeonhole girls into feeling embarrassed if she likes sex or is

ideas. Girls now can actively discuss feminism on

unafraid to wear what she wants to wear because it makes her

forums in order to gain a wider audience with both

feel powerful and confident. Anybody who thinks otherwise is

guys and girls. Many guys today, still, shy away

just trying to bully girls into being submissive and stay true to the

from the idea of feminism. They deem it almost as a ‘girls only club’ with twisted views of a feminist being a lesbian man hater.

These are untrue biases that are not at the true core of feminism.

Feminism is for everyone. It’s even more imperative that we have guys join our cause because in a lot of ways they still have the voice of influence.

There’s room for everyone in the cause.

But still, when girls are arguing their points through the World Wide Web, and their points are valid, a guy’s normal retort is to call the girl a slut. When he does this, it’s the equivalent to when he has no valid response he just calls a girl crazy in order to invalidate any of her feelings or words. The word slut itself was created by men as a way to keep women from being confident in her sexuality. But we are stronger than misogyny.

So we are here, calling all shameless sluts to join in. Girls should be allowed to do whatever they want with their bodies

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standards that men create for them.

But if we educate enough people about what the true core of feminism stands for to protect both sexes. Too many times have guys been subjected to what is called ‘reverse sexism’ in which girls use societies rules in their favor. One example of this is how it’s socially acceptable for a girl to express her emotions and to cry, but if a guy tries to it is deemed weak. If a guy hits a girl, people will intervene in order to protect her, but if a girl is hitting a guy, people will just ignore it because it’s not seen as a threat. These are social structures that have been in place for many centuries and it leaves guys feeling isolated and trapped.

So when I say feminism is for everyone, it really is about equality for both sexes. So, guys we need you! We need your help to bring everyone into the fold and if we join forces then I believe that will be the fundamental catalyst for change.

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lue Eyes is my pen name for the right to be extremely honest and open with a variety of subjects and ideas, without jeopardizing my

identity. I am writing to you because in times of great stress and great problems many of us seek the comfort of words and thoughts of people who have been there before.

Lying awake in the time between late night and early morning and you can’t differentiate between the two are the times when loneliness seeps in, and so, I would turn to stories of people who have felt such strange and bizarre things as I have. Now it is my turn to give back, because we all need to make a mark, a stain, something...before we are pushed aside for a younger, fresher perspective.

I want you to know that if you really think about it,

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you have survived everything you have gone through.

You will be ok.

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Featured Designer 24

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Marina Hoermanseder Pushes Fashion Far Into the Future Sara K. Egan

streets of Berlin, and something more prevalent in Hoermanseder’s past shows.

Taking industrial to a whole different level, the reach of 3D printing into the fashion world is being tested worldwide by intrigued designers eager to experiment.

Ms. Hoermanseder has proven successful with her crafty creations, which fit the futuristic and overtly shapely bill perfectly. Her storybook bell skirts that look unreal in their bubbly shape, to space age gleams on perfectly-moulded dresses appearing like they’ve been poured right onto the models themselves - send us on a rocket ship to far-off planets. The edgy metal details from before are still present with this theme too, yet interestingly, these mindboggling yet versatile masterpieces also manage to mesh with a surprising softer side of her taste just as well.

Flowery details, including thousands of leather flowers blooming all over her latest collection, along with soft pastels and pops of pale lime green, seem to give ode to her original hometown of Vienna, and all of its

ornamented opulence. Frilly, feminine details can be found in abundance throughout her presentation, and the flowy skirts, gentle blouses, and comfortable cloth could fit right in at any work or leisure function.

Put together these conflicting aspects of the clothing, and we’re left with almost a tease to the eye. Out of this world shapes of the next century, infused with small, delicate touches of the last, and we’re left somewhere in the middle, both mesmerized and thoroughly impressed. Perhaps that is what makes Ms. Hoermanseder such a special budding talent - her fine ability to showcase and harmoniously blend two realms at once, whether that be two eras, two cities, or two very opposing takes on style. And neither side suffers in the least in compromising to the other. Instead, they each flourish, much like the carefully created flowers and endless belt trails that are so much of her liking. We eagerly await what curious combinations she will come up with next.

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t Berlin’s fashion week in late January, Marina Hoermanseder made waves with her envelope-pushing pieces like a 3D printed vest top and lacquer dresses, and those highlighting one of her most signature looks - utilizing multiple belt loops at once - while firmly securing her place as perhaps the city’s most soughtafter new designer. We were left in awe of not just these very unique garments that she’s quickly making a name of herself for, but equally so of her smooth way of bringing together two rather opposite components into one stunning work of art, even better in their combined splendour than they were on their own.

She can seemingly make anything out of belts and buckles, but her favorites in this regard are skirts and handbags, which become an optical illusion asking where one belt begins and another ends.

When used alongside overstated rivets and zippers, sharp lines and more industrial fabrics, these works are able to effortlessly represent a grittier look, perfectly at home on the

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photos coutesy of: www.marinahoermanseder.com/

MARINA HOERMANSEDER

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MARINA HOERMANSEDER

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An Attitude of Gratitude – How Being Grateful Can Help You Become a Positive Thinker Caitlin Santomauro

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ratitude is defined as an emotion expressing appreciation for what one has. This appreciation can be for anything from people and relationships to material things as well. Humility is defined as the quality or state of not thinking you are better than others.

To be humble is to be modest, not proud or arrogant. Positive Thinking is the technique of changing your mental attitude by fostering optimism

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and expecting good results. Basically, positive thinking is creating thoughts that will transform energy into reality.

All three of these terms intertwine with each other. To be grateful is to humble one’s self. To think positively you must practice gratitude and humility.

In the beginning of my journey to changing the way my mind worked, these ideals were completely foreign and confusing to me. This is why I defined them. I needed to know exactly what each of these terms meant in order to begin implicating

Reflection Magazine | Oct 2016

them in my own life. To live and think positively, just like anything else, takes some practice. Anyone can make the decision to change their thinking from negative to positive but it does require some work.

It’s very easy to dwell on all the bad things that are going on in your life, rather than focusing on the things that are good. Living this way will ultimately make things worse.

Dwelling on the negative things will result in more negativity. Negative thoughts and emotions can close off your brain to anything that is good

In order to enhance your life, negative thoughts have to go. It seems like an easy concept, however change doesn’t always come easy.

To rid your mind of negative thinking you must retrain your mind to start thinking positively. The mind is very powerful. If you begin to think positively on a regular basis, you will start to feel better emotionally and physically, and ultimately your life will change for the better.

The first key to training your mind to think positively is to adopt an attitude of gratitude. This will help open your eyes to all the good things you have in your life. According to Dr. Robert Emmons, the author of “Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier”, there are three stages in practicing gratitude.

First, recognize what it is you are grateful for, then acknowledge it, and lastly, appreciate it. Practicing gratitude can have a huge impact on your life, especially when it comes to training your brain in a positive way.

Gratitude puts things into perspective, allowing you to see the good in every situation which will make it much more difficult for you to complain about things. It also helps you realize the things that you have and puts less focus on the things that you want.

The best way to practice gratitude is by making a “gratitude list”. This list can consist of anything and everything you are grateful for.

When I made my very first gratitude list, I had to start off with the obvious things such as family, health, and being alive. The trick is to be as thorough as possible. Try not to list just family, actually list out the names of the family members you are grateful for. When I began my process, being grateful did not come natural to me. Working on this list helped my mind become aware of all the things that were good in my life, even the small things that I initially would not think of being grateful for.

Something as simple as hot water or a bed to sleep in can really open a person’s eyes and help them realize that even though things may not be perfect, there are always things to be grateful for.

One fundamental quality of a person practicing gratitude is to be humble.

As said earlier, to be grateful is to humble one’s self. People who are proud are completely wrapped up in themselves and think little of others.

People who practice humility are modest and show empathy towards others. Just like being grateful, being humble did not come easily to me at first. It is another skill that with practice becomes more natural over time. The more grateful you become, the easier it is to have humility. When you humble yourself it enables you to be more thankful. Ultimately, both gratitude and humility go hand in hand with each other and learning to be grateful and humble are key assets in changing your mind to think positively.

Expressing gratitude and humility increases optimism and empathy.

Optimism, which is ultimately positive thinking, helps people cope with their problems. In order to think positively and optimistically, you must identify positive emotions. Three key factors to having positive emotions are being content with your past, being happy in your present, and being hopeful for your future. To achieve positive thoughts in these three areas, one must express gratitude.

Being content with your past may be hard for some people. However, you must remember that even in the darkest of days you can find something to be grateful for. For me, this was the hardest part of my process. For me to become content with my past, I became grateful for two major things. First, I’m grateful to be alive, and I am grateful to have survived and made it through the hard times.

To be happy in your present life is all about being grateful. If you constantly focus on your gratitude, you will always be aware of the good things in your life and therefore you will be able to be happy and positive. To ensure this happiness and positive thinking, continuing reading and adding to your gratitude list on a daily basis. When you read your gratitude list daily, it keeps everything you are grateful for fresh in your mind. When you add to it, it keeps yourself humble by always appreciating at least one thing in your life every day.

Once you have become content with your past, happy with your present,

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or positive around you. Basically, focusing on negativity keeps your brain engrossed with anger, fear, and stress. Also, Negative thoughts produce negative feelings which affects a person’s mood and behaviors. Living in negativity will only lead to failure, disappointment and constant frustration.

and are practicing gratitude and humility, you will start to notice that your mind is thinking more positively.

When your mind is thinking positively you will be filled with hope and when you are hopeful in the present, being hopeful about your future will soon come easily as well.

Positive and negative thinking are both contagious. People tend to gravitate towards the positive and optimistic people, rather than hang around people who are constantly negative. Gratitude strengthens relationships between people because the more grateful you are, the more optimistic you will be, and being positive and optimistic attracts more good people into your life.

Surrounding yourself with people who practice this way of thinking will help keep your spirit up and also help you learn how to train your own mind to think in the same positive ways.

Teaching your brain to stop thinking in a negative way and start practicing positive thinking will have a major effect on anyone’s life. Always remember that your mind is very powerful and if you fill it with positive thinking your life will change for the better.

A few more suggestion to keep your mind thinking positively are;

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mediation, writing, and time for yourself.

Meditation is another thing that you will become better at with practice.

Start by downloading a meditation app onto your phone. I began by using an app called “Head Space”.

This taught me the fundamentals of mediation practices which helps keep a clear, less stressed or cluttered mind. You can also try meditation guides that are found on Youtube.

Writing is another way to stay in positive thought. By writing, I don’t mean that you have to be a novelist or a professional writer. Get yourself a notebook or journal and start off writing at least one positive experience from your day. You can do this at night, where you can reflect on your day, or in the morning, where you can reflect on the day before. A study that was published in the Journal of Research in Personality, showed that people who wrote about positive experiences had better mood levels and experienced fewer illnesses.

Having free time for yourself is also very important for positive thinking.

Give yourself the time to relax and also use this free time to practice the principles of positive thinking. This can help you become more content,

Reflection Magazine | Oct 2016

less stressed, and also allow you to explore what your mind can do when it is no longer thinking negatively. I try to give myself at least an hour a day to focus on me. Start by making your surrounding peaceful by lighting incents or candles. Then allow your mind to take you where you need to be, you know what you need better than anyone else. During this time you can meditate, write positive things, work on your gratitude list, or even just kick back and relax. Just make sure whatever you are doing, you do it with a positive, grateful and humble mindset.

Always remember that gratitude, humility, and positive thinking all come from practice, so please do not give up if it doesn’t come to you easily in the beginning. It took me a while to grasp all of these concepts, but in the end it is more than worth it. Thinking positively will only be beneficial to your life. You will become a happier, healthier, and more beautiful person inside and out.

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Featured Designer

Eclectic and Unique: SADAK

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This is the first thing that jumps out at you when you visit the homepage of designer Sasa Kovacevic, and scrolling through his collection you start to see why.

Serbian-born Sasa Kovacevic is quickly becoming known as a world-renowned costume and fashion designer. He graduated with his degree in Fashion Design from Kunsthochule Weißensee in Berlin, Germany in 2010, but founded his fashion label SADA 4 years earlier in 2006.

Since then he has presented his collections in Paris and Tokyo and designed some of the iconic costumes that were featured in The Hunger Games 3, Mockingjay Part 1 as well as costumes for the Afrika! Afrika! Circus tour.

When viewing the collection, you fully understand the individuality of each piece as if it were a standalone artwork that can be interpreted without back up. The clothes are unique in their individual right but there are still distinctive characterises of the cultures and periods that shape the styles. It is specifically that mix of old and new, culture and innovation that makes the collections so wonderfully interesting.

Kovacevic’s work fits around the idea that the world has of Berlin. The city is known for being eclectic, a multi-cultural haven for artists and creative types who let their art do the talking and this is what is in essence captured in the collection

at SADAK. Come fashion week, countless inspirational photos can be found online of “streetstyles” from Berlin, throw pictures of the SADAK collections into the mix and people won’t know the difference between designer and consumer.

His collections and reputation are slowly gathering a following and have earned Sasa nominations for various European fashion awards including “Designer for Tomorrow”, “European Design Award”, and “Baltic Fashion Awards”.

The social media following is picking up the pace with the young crowd and with over 3,000 Facebook likes and a quick look through of the comments, it is easy to see why there’s a whole new generation that is impressed with these new fashion ideas. While it can be considered streetstyle chic (over the top street style to put it bluntly) and very relatable, there is still a feeling of luxury to the brand. The elaborate embroidery and exotic prints still give the clothing the appearance of haute couture.

His career has picked up momentum and doesn’t look like it is slowing down any time soon. Sasa is definitely one of the most impressive and unique designers to watch from Berlin not only for his strong belief in the pride of individuality (which is what Berlin is all about) but for the high-quality clothes that he makes, both wonderful and weird at the same time.

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“Pride in individuality”

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SADAK

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photos coutesy of: http://www.sadak.de/

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photos coutesy of: http://www.artikal.com/millinery.htm photos coutesy of: http://www.sadak.de/

SADAK

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Reach an audience around the globe.

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For more information contact us at: 1.800.680.3213

Featured Cover Model Model: Kelly Photographer: Nazir Abbas

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When Hormones Take Hold: A New Mother’s Anxiety

GIRLS ONLY

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t’s 5:30am. My gurgly, cooing ‘alarm’ doesn’t have a snooze button, but I can give it around five minutes before the lovely sounds turn into hasty groans of ‘give me my milk right now!’, in baby language of course. What I’d give for a couple more hours of sleep! But in this short time I’ve grown used to the early mornings and at this stage I’d be happy just to feed Amelie and plonk myself back down into the cosy kingsize. Instead, we (by that I mean me) drag ourselves downstairs to the living room where I swear it’s at least five degrees cooler and 100% less cosy - a real slap in my already moody face.

Then she smiles. Her toothless face and squinted eyes secure my attention and melt my heart. I’m hers for the morning and no longer moody.

But still seriously bloody tired! We have a little play and then some milk

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before we settle back into the considerably less spacious sleeping space of the sofa. As I snuggle tight and struggle significantly to become comfortable on the sofa that is probably even too small for one person, I stop to think. What has my life become?

I’m now too hot, numb in places from awkward laying and have a baby-toe poking into my belly button - one which seems to find its way in there every ten minutes or so, with the sole purpose of waking me up. So basically I lay there, while she sleeps. I’m bombarded with all kinds of thoughts.

‘This is hard.’ ‘I’m so tired.’ ‘I haven’t slept in weeks.’ The usual.

‘I don’t want to do this anymore, I hate this’ That one stops me in my tracks. I haven’t ever wanted anything more than a baby. How could I feel like I

Not long after the baby wakes, I feel myself fill with dread. I’m not quite ready to tackle baby duty all over again, I’ve only had - wait was that already an hour? I had laid there for an hour, crying. I just wasn’t good enough at being a mother and it was too hard for me.

Around three weeks pass, my feelings however, do not. I’m now in a closer relationship with the thermostat than my husband, constantly checking to make sure it’s a baby-appropriate temperature, and can’t actually remember the last time I saw Joe. I mean of course I have seen him, but spending actual time together - no idea of the last time. When he gets home from work, he takes over while I sleep. Then, we swap shifts at around midnight, and cross paths once again around 5 or 6 am when he is up for another duty with the baby, and I sleep. Dinner on several occasions for me, has been a piece of ham, a handful of salad and a bit of bread.

So it’s no wonder I’m not really enjoying the new lifestyle I have been ‘blessed’ with. On top of everything else, I’ve been gifted a baby suffering from colic - so it’s uncontrollable

crying for me to deal with. As I sat on the sofa one day, and it suddenly dawned on me that I had spent (literally) every day for over 4 weeks rocking the baby and as soon as I stopped (again no exaggeration) she would scream. It wasn’t an escalated grizzle-to-cry-to-scream that my pre baby self had imagined; it was just an almighty ‘don’t you dare stop rocking me, you slave’ kind of scream that was reality. And that’s exactly what I felt like. Enslaved by my barely one month old!

I had read about a surge of hormones during pregnancy, but didn’t anticipate the effect of the fall of hormones post pregnancy. Feeling the effects of this during the first few weeks after labour is termed ‘Baby Blues’ - but to me it felt more like ‘Baby Black and Blues’. I felt emotionally (and to be honest physically) bruised.

I’m bombarded with all kinds of thoughts.

‘This is hard.’ ‘I’m so tired.’ ‘I haven’t slept in weeks.’ The usual.

But she didn’t care. She just cried for milk, pooped almost every hour and wanted to be held all day every day. (Single mothers I salute you, you’re all hands-down heroes) I look down at the observant eyes, and smile at her, but she doesn’t respond. I shake the adorable rabbit rattle I so excitedly bought her whilst pregnant, but she doesn’t respond she doesn’t even look. So, I carry on; ignoring the agonising pain my body is still in after labour, bowing down to every need of the precious one. Babies are rather unresponsive in the first few weeks, and compared with

the effort required to put in, mothers get very little back.

The exhaustion is incomparable to anything I’ve ever felt. With a baby there’s just no chance to catch up. Not on sleep, not with friends, not with housework. It feels like a never-ending hangover. Only the bottles I’m clearing are milky ones! I’ve lost track of the number of days my breath still stinks of the night before and before I know it, it’s 5pm by the time I’ve had a chance to attend to my personal needs.

So do I love my baby? Of course.

Do I love my situation? No. I mourn my freedom on a near-daily basis, I long for a bath instead of a shower and maybe just one evening eating out would be nice. I’m sure my pre-baby self would’ve assumed there are plenty of people to help, but for one, none of them come equipped with milky-tits that your newborn requires nearly hourly, nor did I anticipate the attachment. I’ve heard that a ‘mother knows best’, but as a mother myself, I now feel it. My incredibly difficult baby is hard work, and makes me feel like crying one hell of a lot of times, but there’s nothing else I’d rather do. It’s my job.

It’s not so much that I struggle doing it, but more that I have no option to have a break.

By the end of the third week I had convinced myself that I was not cut out for motherhood and I began doubting myself; and soon after, began believing myself that my baby would become unwell or even die under my care. Hormones, again.

I cleaned and sterilised her bottles

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don’t like it? And using such a strong word - the ‘h word’? I’m immediately ashamed and taken over by guilt as I look at my beautiful little angel, who is beyond perfect. I adore her. Now I’m tired and feel awful about my thoughts.

(exhausted) obsessively. I lost track of how many times I put on or removed a blanket for fear that she would overheat or freeze. I didn’t really leave the house without my husband for fear that I would forget to take something essential and she’d suffer as a result. The anxiety (something I have never felt before) took over my every thought, and I felt trapped in my own head.

Then one day, I began to feel better. It was odd, the anxiety somehow went as rapidly as it appeared. She smiled (at around 5 weeks) and I realised I had a happy baby. She was happy because of me. I’m fairly certain my hormones had a lot to do with it too and that they began settling around week 5 too.

I started to value myself, and tried to see the good that I was doing. I have always loved my child unconditionally, but have not always loved being a mother - the two are different. I love an all-youcan-eat buffet, but wouldn’t like to be at one for my entire life 24/7, so I guess it’s kind of similar. I had to accept that it was ok not to like cleaning vomit, rocking up and down, and wiping butts around the clock. But nobody had spoke of baby blues and the awful (albeit natural) feelings they may evoke. I was surrounded by women who I thought were all perfect parents

enjoying every single moment. But I’ve since realised that I certainly wasn’t alone.

I just wish I knew then, that it was totally okay, and wholly normal to feel the way I did. *As with all situations, people may respond differently in specific cases. For me, luckily, my hormones cleared up and I felt better fairly soon. If for some reason feelings similar to this persist, it’s important to seek professional help. Baby Blues are a short term experience.

If feelings similar to these continue, it may well be the start of post-partum depression, a condition that is much more serious and needs medical attention. Please don’t suffer alone.

about the author Vivian Rose is a new member of the Reflection family as a “mummy bloger” From the UK. She covers personal topics for family fun time and food to the serious. She gives the dish on “The raw, honest and (often) comic realities of motherhood”.

Visit mummingmadness.blogspot.co.uk for more from this talented writter!

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Former Formula racer, now- Fashion Designer: Mark Bumgarner 54

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As what happens to this young designer, life can make a full detour from your original plans and brings you to the right path, designer.

Bumgarners’ racing career starts at age 6, mounting up over 350 trophies from both kart and Formula racing. He spends his teen years racing sports car around the world in countries such as Europe, the United States and Canada. As it became arduous to get sponsorship from the Philippine companies, he decided to come home and stop temporarily his racing career.

During this cessation in his life, he hung out with fashion stylists and show directors at parties. By being surrounded by this creative group of people, his love for fashion became apparent. Not long after, he became

a part of a denim brand styling team in 2012. In fact, the night after the styling gig, he decided to make his first collection.

When asked in an interview with Cheche Moral from Philippine Daily Inquirer about the difference of being a racer and a fashion designer, he quoted saying, “Racing is different, for it is very, very physically demanding. It is also one of the most dangerous sports in the world. I have, in fact, broken a few bones from racing. Fashion, on the other hand, has a different kind of euphoria—meeting clients and deadlines, coming up with new ideas, material sourcing. Both fields are similar in terms of personal triumphs and challenges.”

Having no mentors and not a single fashion designer friend, it did not stop him for pursuing his dream.

He remembers the adversity he went through during the first year of his business; with no formal training in clothing construction, he recalls having sleepless nights in his seamstress shop just to finish a dress.

All his hard work has paid off when a celebrity stylist Kat Cruz-Villanueva introduced him to Filipina actress Heart Evangelista. The actress saw the skillmanship and the passion the designer executes in creating her gown thus he immediately became

the favorite designer of the actress.

When asked about the most challenging part of breaking in the industry by Moral, he said, “The most challenging for me was getting my name out there. It was not a very easy transition from sports to fashion.

But I have a dream and a vision.”

Indeed, vision and perseverance help Bumgarner to make his dream come true. Last year 2014, the designer took up short courses at Central Saint Martins London to hone his skill--- a proof of his dedication on his craft.

Just recently, Bumgarner and his muse actress/painter Heart Evangelista joined forces to launch collaboration. The pieces are hand painted by Evangelista with flower designs while the dress and glass beads are embellished by Mark.

The gowns highlights timeless and femininity in every portion.

Check his pieces at: Facebook- Mark Bumgarner Manila Instagram- MarkBumgarner

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x racer now fashion designer, Mark Bumgarner showcase his latest work at the latest Manila Fashion Festival. His Fall 2016 collection features bold colours, asymmetrical cuts, ruffles skirt and deep V neckline whilst still maintaining his signature romantic yet minimalistic touch. Draping techniques in silk combined with nude corset top and brocade in high waist and wide pants are also seen in his line up.

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MARK BUMGARNER

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MARK BUMGARNER

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D N A N O E I L H S A STY F D N N A O E I L H S A STY F D N N A O I E H L S Y A T F S D N N O A I E H L S Y A ST E AND F HION L S Y A T F S D N N A O E I STYL AND FASH E L Y T S Jumping For Jumpsuits!

Aleta Love

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ne trend that has made a splash into the fashion industry and has never went out of style is jumpsuits! Jumpsuits not only was made to stay but over time it has evolved. In 1919, the first jumpsuit was invented. It was invented by the Florentine Thaya it was launched as a subversive and liberating garment during the Futuristic period. It was a T- shape and was cut from one piece of cotton or African canvas.

Thayat considered jumpsuit a universal item of clothing, a creative, do-it-yourself fashion solution adding seven buttons, a belt, a straight cut and few seams and a variety of accessory combinations to change the look of the jumpsuit worn.

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The jumpsuits of the past are considered retro and everything great in fashion comes back. There’s always an additional twist when it’s brought back and is in the presence but vintage jumpsuits are timeless.

Vintage jumpsuits add a retro flair to any wardrobe.

Jumpsuits came into vogue during the 60s, and stayed popular throughout the 70s, popular during the disco era. Jumpsuits were popular for men and women, but the trend continued for women well into the 80s.

Take a look at the styles of the jumpsuit over time:

1952

1960s

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1935

2016

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A Bustier Cady jumpsuit with bodice and slim trousers, slightly narrower at the base are trending today.

Pleats at the waist and small leather belt combination is beautiful combined with an invisible zip fastening at the back. This sexy yet elegant trend is the jumpsuits of 2016.

Summer-like jumpsuits can be paired with a cardigan or fall-like trench coat jacket so you never have to put any of your jumpsuits away. It’s all about the power of layering!

Are you looking for an instantly hot outfit to wear next summer 2017? If so, then I am here to share with you my favorite jumpsuits and rompers to try on this hot season.

I hear many ladies say that jumpsuits and rompers were invented for effortless wear. I think they’re not right. Sure, this garment is very easy to wear, but you have to be self-confident to try it on. Today’s fashion world offers plenty of styles to wear from Mondays to Sundays.

From stunning designs starting from silken cocktail jumpsuits to casual rompers and denim playsuits.

Personally, I like the way ladies make these onesies look dressy by styling them with a high heels, or tone them down with cool glittered flats, sneakers, wedges or a chunky sandals. It’s all about the pairing of accessories and shoes.

Recommendations: Find some amazing jumpsuits online: www.fashionnova.com www.rue21.com www.charlotterusse.com

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And your nearest H&M store!

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N O I H S A STYLLE AND F STY E AND FASHION D F N A A S E H L Y IOFN T H S S A STYLLE AND STY E AND FA D F N A A S E L Y T S Groutfits:

From Sloppy To Chic

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f you are looking for an effortless look yet fashionable trend, try a groutfit. The term groutfit comes from the combination of words, gray and outfit. A groutfit is putting two or more articles of clothing that’s different shades of gray worn together. Groutfits have earned themselves a bad rap due to their lack of color and slouchy nature giving a dull appearance.

Amongst us fashion savvy millennials showing up to anywhere of importance or even leaving the house in a groutfit has been considered one of the fashion don’ts – until recently.

The winter is a time for darker warmer colors. Pairing the right shades of gray together will give you

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a chic and warming look. You can still wear that trendy top with a killer bottom, both shades that is gray and still can make a statement.

The average groutfit may have previously consisted of a baggy top and bottom but that is no longer.From chunky turtlenecks coupled with a pencil skirt. Or sleek skinny jeans with a silky gray top, this monochromatic look is about to be your go-to-winter style.

You may think it’s hard looking stylish in the winter with all the gray but it’s about stylizing. Play around with your present pieces of clothing and shades of gray to perfect your look.

Reflection Magazine | Oct 2016

It may seem like an unexpected trend but this look has been around forever. However, some would argue that all-gray outfits are just not fashionable.

It’s all about using your personal fashion sense and monogramatic magic!

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N N O I H N O I ASH SHIO N

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E L Y T S D N A N O I H S A F So Trendy! 2016 Aleta Love

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ashion week gave us the scoop on many new fashion trends and styles to come for the remaining of the year into the year to come.

These new Fall/Winter styles are mouth dropping and eye-opening with the risky yet fun style looks.

There are a lot of remixes of the past styles from the previous years adding new features, color palettes and fabrics that are designed to perfection!

Here's a few New Fall/Winter trends for 2016:

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Extra Long-Sleeves This fashionable yet creative piece keeps you warm all winter long. Great with any bottom and comes in a variety of patterns and materials. Seen recently by Pop icon Rihanna at a Puma event.

Puffer Coats Fluffier and bigger puffer coats is now the new thing.

Great from fashion and function.

This is a sleek and sheek sexy new spin on the trench coat. 2016’s trench coats hits the spot with nailing a new design of the trench coat.

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Trench Coats

Platform Shoes Not only does it go with everything, it gives you height. Slimming your legs and gives you a slimmer silhouette. These shoes are beautiful and a must have to your fall shoe collection.

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Ballet School Style Fall/Winter 2016 This is an elegant and mystical look. Great for a night on the town or a black tie affair. Beautiful early.

The Military Jacket These 2016 edgy military jackets has a modern day look with a vintage day twist.

Pleats Fall/Winter 2016 Another elegant pick for the Fall.In every color pleat skirts look amazing.

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Leggings

Leopard Print Jackets

You cannot go wrong with leggings. Simple black leggings or patterns really does the trick for keeping things simple and comfy.

Leopard print jackets are back and better then ever.

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Get all wrapped up in autumn with these cozy and inviting beauty finds!

Sara Egan

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hen fresh fall weather blows in, it brings with it a zest for experimenting with exciting, new fall looks, and why not start by revitalizing your beauty routine? Amp up your color palette with the help of smoldering burnt oranges, toasty tans and ravishing dark reds. Together or alone will have you cozying up to autumn in all its glory. It’s not only about choosing the proper shades this time of year, but hydrating and care is also important as temps drop. Our picks below effortlessly combine these elements while singing an ode to the pure pleasure that these few precious months provide.

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hours.

Each year, about when the leaves begin to change, a certain famous and highly revered beverage takes over the souls of women everywhere, and even on our cosmetics shelf it simply cannot be parted with.

The beloved pumpkin spice latte can now be found far beyond just your corner coffee house!

We’ve discovered a particular incarnation of the stuff that’s worth sharing.

This version actually serves two purposes, one of which is to continue to feed your thirst for more and more PSL, while also quenching your lips in cold weather.

Taking on this noble duty is the soothing Pumpkin Spice Body Lotion from Ollie + Max Soap Co. Just remember to try and not eat it, despite its organic nature and devastatingly tasty smell.

Continuing the theme of warming and satisfying caffeinated drinks, bring a

little extra boost to your eyelids this season with a shade that will enhance any of your favorite new fall outfits.

Origins’ GinZing Brightening Cream Eyeshadow in their Coffee Buzz color will make all of your other shadows seem boring, outdated and well, sleepy. This versatile tan hue with a subtle shimmer and smooth, cooling texture will be complementary to other current trends without being overpowering or gaudy.

What’s autumn without breaking out a fresh nail color to try? With the Courtney polish from

Zoya's Urban Grunge collection on your nails, you’ll instantly find yourself dreaming of vibrant, red maple leaves, earthy beetroot, honey cranberry sauce, or a nice, big glass of rich merlot on a chilly night. This sharp maroon beautiful polish is just what you need to bring in the fall season right, and will add some clever punch to any outfit. Transitioning to this from the bright cherry reds of summer won’t be too difficult either, so don’t be shy.

You can even use all of the above color suggestions - for lips, eyes and nails together without looking the least bit overdone, so this

fall let yourself fly freely with fashion!

Give yourself another reason to show off your perfectly on-trend nails by adding yet more flair to them with nail decals, use them to get into a Halloween nail decor or to fully revel in this most beautiful season. Born Pretty’s fun yet sleek black and white Halloween slip decal sets will have us celebrating all month long, from the spooky spiders to the ghoulish ghosts and more. Don’t miss their separate section devoted entirely to skulls, if that’s the way you like to display your scary spirit. Or instead, their silver hologram leaf foils can be worn even after the lights of jack-o-lanterns have faded, to keep your November light and cheery.

Now don’t waste another moment of the joy of autumn, and get to testing out all of these fabulous, festive finds for yourself!

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Start out with the lips, an area that those of us with a lip balm addiction cannot go without before stepping outside the house in this cold weather. Try Burt’s Bees’ Harvest Time Lip Gloss - with its telling name - will indeed mesh with your "harvest time" clothing color choices, and give your face a pop of lavish color like a glowing October sunset or a friendly campfire in a couple quick swipes of the wand. Even when the cool autumn air starts chapping your lips, this moisturizing, protecting gloss will hold its ground for you, all while staying put and looking lovely for

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Plant-Built & Plant-Strong A Vegan Athlete Setting the Record Straight

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he word vegan means different things to different people.

For some, it means removing dairy, meat, fish, eggs, and honey from their diet. For others, it extends to the use of any and all animal products, including wool and leather. The word vegan can be an encompassing word for a lifestyle that’s thoughtful; one that looks at how our choices roll out and affect the world that we live in. Personally, I do not want to consume foods that make me feel as if my body is a graveyard. Instead, I crave foods that make me feel alive; as if I’m flourishing inside. I desire to love myself and put positivity out into the world, honor and respect myself enough to only invite in the good. It is empowering: nourishing the body with whole, nutrient-dense foods that come from causing no harm or suffering to those without a voice.

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Kelly O. Schlegel is the Founder of Kelly O. Fitness, LLC and a Certified Fitness Trainer. She can be contacted through the following: Website: www.kellyofitness.com Email: kellyofitnessllc@gmail.com Instagram: @kellyo.fitness , @___kellyo Facebook: Kelly O. Fitness LLC , Kelly O

A vegan diet relies on plant-based foods including fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts, and seeds.

As a vegan athlete, Certified Fitness Trainer, and Founder of an Online Coaching Personal Training company, Kelly O. Fitness LLC, a common question I am asked is, “But where do you get your protein?” Despite what the meat and dairy industries want us to believe, animal products are not the sole, or even the best, sources of protein. The protein you desire to obtain from meat, dairy, and eggs come as a packaged deal, which includes saturated fats, cholesterol, and absolutely no fiber. That specific type of diet is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. Why jeopardize your health in this way when we have plenty of other options for protein-rich, nutrient-dense foods?

Why feed into the animal-cruelty that in the meat and dairy industries? If you are unfamiliar with the pain

Reflection Magazine | Oct 2016

and suffering these creatures are subjected to on a daily basis, I urge you to watch Earthlings, Vegucated, Live and Let Live, Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret, and Forks over Knives. Let’s think of the strongest land creatures on our planet. The elephant, gorilla, giraffe, horse, buffalo, wildebeest, and panda.

Amongst a myriad of other animals, they eat a strict plant-based diet. You can get all the protein that you need by eating plant-based foods, plus you get plenty of fiber, micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and zero cholesterol.

So how much protein do you actually need? The recommended daily protein intake per day is about 56 grams for an adult man and about 46 grams for an adult woman. Based upon your health and fitness goals and how you may wish to shift your body composition (body fat vs. lean muscle mass), an increase in these recommendations of protein

Kelly’s Favorite Potein-Rich Recipe: Balsamic Maple Glazed Tempeh (from The UnDiet Cookbook by Meaghan Telpner) Prep time: 20 Minutes Cook time: 40 Minutes Total time: 1 Hour Yield: Serves 2 Ingredients 1 package tempeh, cut into 1 inch cubes ½ cup balsamic vinegar 2 tbsp maple syrup 2 tbsp tamari 2 cloves garlic, minced ¼ cup olive oil 1 tsp dried thyme 2 tsp arrowroot starch Getting the Marinade Ready In a bowl, mix together the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, tamari, garlic, olive oil, and thyme.

Add the tempeh to the bowl, stir and cover.

Let sit in the fridge for 2-24 hours, mixing occasionally.

Cooking Preheat oven to 350.

Place tempeh and sauce in a glass dish and cook covered for 20 minutes.

Remove from oven, stir around and bake for another 20 minutes.

Remove tempeh cubes from sauce and set aside.

Place remaining sauce in a pan over medium heat.

Add arrowroot starch and stir constantly to thicken.

Plate tempeh and scoop marinade over top as a sauce, or serve on greens or whole grain of choice.

Kelly’s Back Routine:

Sets 1a.) Wide Grip Lat Pulldowns 3-4 1b.) Unilateral Dumbbell Bent Over Rows 3-4 1c.) Wide Grip Lat Pulldowns Behind the Neck 3-4 2a.) Stiff-leg Deadlifts 3-4 2b.) Hyperextensions 4 3a.) Seated Pulley Rows 4-5 3b.) T-Bar Rows 4-5

Reps 8-12 10-12 8-12 8-10 12-15 8-12 8-10

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grams may be advised. You will get these protein grams through the consumption of nuts like peanuts, cashews, almonds, and walnuts; nut butters like peanut butter, almond butter, and cashew butter; seeds like sesame, hemp, chia, sunflower, pumpkin, flax, and quinoa; beans like fava, kidney, black, garbanzo, lentils, and black-eyed peas. Protein is also abundant in soy products like tofu and tempeh, or in meat substitutes like seitan (wheat protein).

You’ll also consume protein through vegetables!

I challenge you to rethink what “healthy” means to you. Evaluate your current nutrition and ask yourself if you’ve become a creature of habit through mainstream media and big corporations pushing the propaganda of “meats and dairy makes you stronger”. Dig deeper! The answers to our every health requirement and desire come from fresh, whole, nutrient-dense food: plants! I am Plant-Built and Plant-Strong, and I invite you to join me in pursuing our greatest health and fitness goals through a vegan lifestyle.

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Show off your FAB self!

Photo Contest Name: Helena Gomez Country: England, UK Age: 25 years Theme: Out of this world

Septembers Theme: Showcase Your VIRGINIA DEGUZMAN Makeup Skills! social media | design | photography | mix media behance.net/virginia_deguzman

Thank you to all participants this month! Join us for Octobers challenge!

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Reflection Magazine | Oct 2016

Have your picture be featured in our next issue!

OCTOBERS CHALLENGE:

Show off your Fall style!

Visit ReflectionMagazine.net for more information, rules & terms

Entries are submitted by emailing us at info@reflectionmagazine.net Entries that are not complete or do not adhere to the rules or specifications may be disqualified at the sole discretion of Reflection Magazine.

You may enter only once a month and you must provide the information requested below.

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Eligibility: The “Show off your FAB Self ” Photo Contest is open only to individuals who are at least eighteen (18) years of age. This photo contest is open to anyone prior to the deadline of the contest. The contest is open to individuals in any country. ANY VIOLATION OF THE OFFICIAL RULES BY ANY WINNER (AT PUBLISHER’S SOLE DISCRETION) WILL RESULT IN THE WINNER’S DISQUALIFICATION AS WINNER OF THE CONTEST. Terms: Reflection Magazine reserves the right, in its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the contest (in its sole discretion) if needed.

Show off your FAB self!

Photo Contest

In the subject line of your email please include: “Fab Self Photo Contest” and Your Name In the body of your email please provide the following: Full Name, Email Address, Country of Residence & Age **Please send your picture as a jpeg attachment

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