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here is a new travel commercial that plays over and over during Louisiana Tech baseball games. I never miss an
opportunity to watch The Junkyard Dawgs play ball, so I see this commercial a lot. It talks about how we will never regret not buying a thinner TV or a smarter smartphone… but at the end of our lives, we will regret the places we didn’t go. This message has so much truth. My family just returned from a trip to Disney World. I didn’t understand the hype of Disney before this past week. Everything was outrageously expensive. The parks were super crowded and we walked over 11 miles our first day. Would I do it again? TOMORROW!! It was worth every bit of the ten-dollar Mickey pretzels and aching feet to experience
4. Contributors
pure fun with my husband and kids. Don’t get me wrong, it is easy to get caught up in the “stuff obsessed” world. We have bought the thinner TVs and the smarter smartphones, but these things truly don’t hold a candle to experiences. It will be a while before we can take another trip to Disney, but the memories that we made are priceless and far better than any “things” money can buy. Lola Magazine has had the honor of bringing you stories and inspiration from countless families and incredible
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women over the past six years. In this issue of Lola Magazine,
COVER
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best southern dishes, spring fashion trends and beauty tips.
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Speaking of travel, check out our spring travel guide for ideas
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on planning your own experiences. Sunshine and longer days are on the horizon as spring makes its way back around. We hope that you enjoy the new beginnings this season brings and experience all that you can. The “more is more” mentality is real, but whether it is the trip of a lifetime or playing UNO for the fifth time in your living room; if we take the time to experience it, “more” is right in front of us.
Happy Spring!
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#BattlelikeaBOS
Brecken Shadow Owens
they faced another The next morning difficult came down with of emotions and young children, Breck infection whirlwind ie (Val) are those ear Valer an or Val and Rob wife his cold Rob and the occasional ions. From day one, vivacious, Ruston anything out decis support kinds of people. This time to time, never unded with love and from surro s were make and s a stranger early March Breck gers. Several of couple never meet of the ordinary. In friends and stran . Rob will charm run-of-the- by g to home rade, drivin at feel low-g that a one run knew every began to friends he wasand their d Lindsay Rome are quite honestly wit, and Val lights ht maybeJordan so ill woulthe you with his quick mill fever. Val thoug phis with Breck being match. Mem If you are to meet Jordan, you, and will or had come her good-time vibes rsperfect hard on all of them up the room with g his two-year mola mely gettin extre and be be drawn to his humor . Val was born to fly fever virus. She took immediately te plane al priva typic a a for and contagious laugh with ged arran i. down they hs and charisma. JordanVal, is full laughs town in Mississipp n as a precaution, eightofmont raised in a small y to St. Jude. him to the pediatricia red the from Ruston with andfamil always a good was time.advis Heed met his by her ted the doctor reassu Rob is a good ol’ boy at the time, i, and as expec pregnant when he met Lindsay. She prehas little virus. match The two met in Bilox due to her risk of he, in fact, had a fly deep family roots. to that not her rs s docto er, of beauty and poise, rating with friend Breck’s fever was the perfect combo Breck and Rob’s broth Mississippi, celeb The following week term labor. Rob,quick wit to to keep Jordan phis. and a going away Mem d to 104. At this point with just enough on bachelor party lingering and spike flew from Shreveport g and took onJim a big hand at the his toes. Jordan and Lindsay wereto sister, volunteered something was wron party. After winning knew Rob’s Val n, ed Mega for married May, 19 2007. table, Rob decid opinion. In hopes to St. Jude. For Three Card Poker him for a second Val the six hours drive st of The Romes, both were originally from the dance floor. Rob n for his high fever, the longe to try his luck on a better explanatio these six hours Val, Baton Rouge, moved to Ruston in 2008arrive and d t Val staring at him to conduct a blood claims that he caugh life. Rob and Breck the doctor decided entire so her and al s, sever move wait a couple of years before over having waitingto hour. They an children. lysis. Afterwanted little urina due to his slick dance a and in test Jude St. r came Jordan Lindsayat were both adopted and hadItalways doctoand duce himself to the is often s, the aced. he decided to intro hours on test result immediately embr came towere ugh she pretended looked forward having children of go their own. Thisyou the test Jude, that to St. pretty blonde. Altho to Val to inform her that once you tain,up said journey ended being a much longer and bumpier she did tell him that ugh uncer and that to be uninterested, abnormal and altho part of the family, a back e becom white a . Val’s bilityexpected. moves for After several months of hoping foring possithan a ride Not know be felt. could they he “had pretty sweet emia how tly . Leuk no is instan e their story began a positive pregnancy test, the couple they decided to see a ed word that terrifi , the were boy”, and this is wher heart sank. Leukemia to expect, whateverything they are, together, just called to make sure was OK. Lindsay warm hear. Val to doctor, they feltwas Eight years later here mother ever wants d imagination, but tell. beyon to but story the time, prescribed a hormonal stimulant and they were told this one fierce was out of town at going strong with who Rob st docto Val had almo would. The be an easyrsolution. to speak At the age of 36, she was too frantic of becoming a shaking hands this was not an easy fix and after Val’s Unfortunately, given up the dream took the phone from get home 4th, 2016, Brecken many to months they moved forward with other options. Rob that he needed mother, but on April told and iful g run several tests, they went for their Inhad 2012a gut afterfeelin having a healthy, beaut ble. Rob Shadow Owens, . as soon as possi andatwas first right attempt the fertility treatment IUI (intrauterine debut into the world thing was not baby boy made his without a that some That n. been Rusto has insemination). After this attempt was unsuccessful, ts to Becoming paren already in route back the local todecided Lindsay to make an appointment with a fertility blessing for both Val g Breck doubt the greatest night, after takin meda difficult decision, because this meant aced all the joys This was doctors infor thespecialist. , room and Rob. They embr gency emer by was indeed facing the struggles of lingshe young families face. accepting that d be trave and struggles that them that they woul e ” The decision needed to be made hs ago, Val and Rob infertility. Shreveport wher LSU “unexplained Up until a few mont g ambulance to night hardworking, youn IUIless again or. to make the huge financial sacrifice sleep spend toa try d were your typical, woul they of IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). They ragewith beautiful, energetic to an go entou through a g ing raisin y, morn famil The next with getting ready to wanted baby so badly, but the cost of this procedure hospitala room two-year-old and doctors entered the sticchances of a successful pregnancy girl. They enjoyed lymphobla is substantial. The acute ng. They were welcome a new baby hopeful upon arrivi s Breck’s diagnosisand four inedso after explaIVF Tech football game cian with are higher attempts with IUI they cancer, sick physi head The going to Louisiana mia. leuke to-face with childhood face- for kensacrifice -stricthe pool with friends. to make IVF. their panic beautiful bald Rob indecided and the swimming ren with scars and ing to Val and child watch ent porch treatm the d Lindsay looks back at this time as one of the most ss at St. They would sit on that Breck neede they did not see sadne state but , heads farm ng to need yard, readi frustrating sad times in her life, inhope June and 2015, they is what St. they wouldand that Breck run wild in the immediately, and they saw JudeIVFJude; St.the and watching his found out for that was also not successful. The morning . animal books to him, leave the following Jude is all about. Hope phis, feeding the fish at r in Memto couple take a break from the stress andtreatment Centedecided face light up when first week of Children’s Research The was Life ic. world Class disappointment built atough new home 48 hours their they had endured. They . Breck was their home on Lake Tennessee. Within was tough, very went le. and adapted a very healthy lifestyle. Feeling defeated by a port e down. They have simple- good but simp had been turned upsid diately taken to ing to imme a “normal” for the teeth infertility and financially exhausted, they looked baby was heart. atHetheendured ing their In March of 2018 put in above his pected from think r. unex an cance to option hood of adoption. Adoption is close to both of their Owens family came harsh reality of child the most halt. Like hearts, but the adoption process is also exhausting and and heartbreaking Lindsay decided it was best for them to just “be still” E | Page 9 LOLA MAGAZIN
Baby Rome
The founder of St. Jude, Danny Thomas, said, “No child should die in the dawn of life.”
Holding On To Hope Through the Heartbreak of Infertility
N HICKS
WRITTEN BY BEVI
The Battle of r Childhood Cance
king for a great f you are ever loo one at Beau find steak, you can you e in Ruston. If ous akh Ste e’s Vin friends with be to ugh eno are lucky , he will make you owner, Rob Owens g family by sendin feel like part of the Orleans beignets New , hot of er an ord the house. to your table, on
I
July-August 2018
MAGAZIN Page 8 | LOLA
|
E | July-August 2018 Lindsay's Story.indd 2
10/24/17 2:00 PM
Where Are
8. Update Stories Title
Katie Bug BY MORGAN GRANTHAM
“God Loves You The Best”
T
hose were the words that 4-year-old Katie Granth am poured into the heart of another little girl sitting with her at lunch one day at school. My history as a witness for Christ has been lacklus ter on the best days and nonexi stent on others. But Katie, that girl had it down. She didn’t get it from me either. Sure, I talked with her about God’s love for her and His love for others. But the Holy Spirit has done someth ing inside that little girl that made it effortless for her to show others the love of Christ. It came as natural as breathing. I will never know who else she spread that love to. That was the only time she told me about it. But she told me with such confidence and ease that I could tell it was a convers ation she had had before. I would give pretty much anythin g to hear her speak words of truth into another friend’s heart, into my heart. But I will not get that chance. The next time I see her, witnessing won’t be necessary.
them and others were strange rs. But each one, accordi ng to the police report and witness es, acted as if we were their very own. Katie was held and loved every moment of her life and these people, strangers, filled in that gap for precious minute s until her Daddy arrived on the scene. They pried open my door so first responders could get to me quickly. They sat next to me and held me so I wouldn’t move and further injure myself. I drive that route multipl e times a day. And even now, more than 18 months later, when I get all the way through that intersection, I think to myself “Wow, that’s how it’s suppos ed to happen. We made it. Seems so easy.” But I know it’s not that easy. My Katie Bug never recover ed. We removed life suppor t on November 26, 2017 and her organs were matched for donation. I don’t know that I will ever be able to find the words to describe what it’s like to watch your child, your first born, your baby girl, suffer in the PICU for a week before hearing that her injuries are too severe. Words will never convey what it was like watching the doctors and nurses remove life suppor t in the OR.
But not having the words is appropriate. Being able to explain it could, quite literally, break your heart. It could kill you. I know that feeling. I have felt that more times than I care to write about. I clearly remember the hours, days, and weeks that followe d. I remember the drive home from the hospital, the first night, looking into the baby monitor and seeing one baby in his bed and the other one...em pty. I remember every detail of so much trauma. Maybe it’s the PTSD, the heightened senses, the overstimulation. But some of it is just me. It’s just how I operate... in the details. A regular heart and soul would crumble under the weight, the heaviness, the grief. People aren’t made to withstand this type of grief, this type of trauma . I knew I would die. I was absolutely convinced I would go to sleep and not wake up. I even fantasized about how it would happen. Nothing could be worse than what we had already been through, so there wasn’t much to lose.
November 19, 2017 Four-year-old birthday parties are the best. They consume hours on the weekends, sometimes multiple ones each day. They include water parties, unicorn parties, bounce houses, pony rides, NERF gun parties and everything in betwee n. Each one has a theme and celebrating with kids is so much fun. That’s exactly what we planned to do that Sunday afterno on. We got ready for a birthda y party. Our Gavin was a brand new 2-year-old. He was loud, rough, and passionate about whatever he was doing. He also needed a nap. So, Kirk was going to stay with a sleeping boy and Katie and I were off to a birthday party: My Little Pony dress, check; ruffle leggings with dirty knees, check; mismatched shoes, check; perfect present picked out and wrapped, check; homem ade card made by Katie Bug, check. We didn’t make it a mile. A man driving an oil field truck ran a red light and T-boned us at 58 mph. Katie never stood a chance. She suffered a traumatic brain injury and other catastrophic injuries. People swarme d us, swarmed Katie. We knew some of Page 26 | LOLA MAGA ZINE
| July-August 2019 July-August 2019 | LOLA MAGAZINE
8
| Page 27
TWINKLE TWINKLE,
Each us have our own story, our own unique triumphs, and our own unique struggles. No one’ s path is exactly the sam e, some go straight, som e go nowhere and others have diversions that complete ly blindside them. Pain and loss are not evenly distributed, but all of us will struggle at som e point. This is my family’s story about how the love of our little boy led us out of the darkest of places.
little star
One Mother’s Story of
Heartbreak, Healing
and Hope
WRITTEN BY GEORGIA
DREW BOSWELL
M
Page 38 | LOLA MAGA ZINE
y name is Georgia Boswel l and I hail reminded of how much good there from Minden, Louisiana. is in the I love so many world. I really can’t imagine a things about Minden; the better place to red brick Main Street, grow up and certainly could Cotton’s Fried Chicken not have asked for and most importantly better parents. Judge Harmo the amazing people there. n and Jean Drew Each time I go home are the most fabulous people or run into someone from on the planet and my home town I I am so blessed to be their daught er. I went to
| January-February 2018
Page 39 | LOLA MAGA ZINE
| January-February 2018
They Now? 9. Update Title
THE
Lady BOfoSoss uthern Cuisine
Lola Magazine has had the honor of bringing you the stories of countless inspirational women and families over the past six years. Here are just a few updates on some of our most heartfelt stories and inspiring women.
"North Louisiana has it's own identity. We have our own culture. We go to our local farmers markets and cook in our own backyards foods to be proud of, and I wanted the rest of the world to know this. We are more than gumbo and jambalaya.”
BY: BEVIN HICKS LAND PHOTO: BRITTANY STRICK Louisiana. te Harris in Minden e first met Chef Hardet She attended The Art local our for shoot photo during a e of Houston and Institut ing someth was Boss Babes group. There in Culinary ic. Although has a degree about her that was magnet Harris spent meeting her, Arts. Chef she seems reserved when years in pretty a total of 24 was lady this that intuition spoke s and cook n working on to our local farmers market was a chef and Housto special. I knew that she y skills to be proud culinar her both that in our own backyards foods no idea all clearly lovely, but I had g for the Houston Police the rest of the world to her passion for and workin n of, and I wanted Housto leaving she has accomplished and after ment. Soon are more than gumbo and I reached out to Depart in know this. We Southern Cuisine. When four years as a personal chef She wanted to offer special w to learn more she spent ort jambalaya.” her regarding an intervie o and returned to Shrevep Antoni ted North Louisiana San celebra for that home to her . dinners about her she invited us hed “North to be closer to her parents chicken. This in 2013 cuisine so she researc a visit; for a visit and fried ng to Louisiana she ideas and as you, I have When returni Louisiana dishes” for menu North about fried chicken! I am telling ing made it someth d, she found nothing. She to this began to notice close expecte come bird said yard She never had ing about it. She na that concerned her. someth Louisia do to Chef with mission sat her we na little piece of heaven. As Gene people spoke about Louisia ed her state Representative unfold. By the “When gumbo and contact Harris her story began to a about making talked they about d inquire a to go box cuisine na Reynolds and time we left her home, with “Official Growing up in Louisia official. She submitted the ad in tow- jambalaya.” meal cornbre and ya, chicken jambala and of fried herself, she loves gumbo Louisiana”. A few weeks North woman of This Meal fans. North We were Chef Harris ed by Rep. South Louisiana staples. ul spirit and but that is passed and she was contact is a go getter, with a beautif to know it’s own set of staples. Chef that will Louisiana has Reynolds office. They wanted na has it’s own talent for Southern cuisine s the menu Harris said “North Louisia exactly how the she suggest go We . culture knock your socks off. our own raised identity. We have and born was Harris Hardette
W
6/23/17 2:41 PM dd 2
2017 06/16 Chef Harris-3.in
9
FEATURED IN LOLA MAGAZINE ISSUE: AUGUST SEPTEMBER 2019
10. Update LOLA UPDATE:
Katie Bug
W
hen I first wrote for Lola, it was 2019. We were a little over a year out from one of the greatest pains you can experience. 2019 seems like a lifetime ago...and I guess it should because, in many ways, it is. If lifetimes are measured in experience, growth, pain, endurance and perseverance, then yes, 2019 was a lifetime ago; although, 2017 still feels like yesterday. In November 2017, my precious girl, my Katie Bug, was killed. The journey that began the afternoon we came home from the hospital without
10
our daughter has been one I wouldn’t wish on anyone...and also, I can’t imagine my life any other way. I don’t know what our home would look like now had Katie survived. I can’t age her in my head or my heart. For me, she will always be 4.5 years old, always spell phonetically and always laugh a big ol’ belly laugh at her Daddy and Gavin’s antics and fun. Gavin isn’t two anymore...like he was when Katie lived in our home. He’s 6-years-old now. He reads, writes, does math, builds the coolest Lego creations and has a tender loving heart. There are
two more boys in this home that she won’t know this side of heaven. Ethan, 3, is the firecracker...the spiciest of the bunch...oh how she would love the energy and life (and noise) he brings this house. Our Ethan, born less than a year after Katie died, scared me. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to love him. But I have loved him all along. Logan, 1, is the squishiest most easy-going of our “Dude Crew” who loves to snuggle and loves watching the big boys do all the big boy things. I wasn’t afraid of adding Logan to our home. I was excited and grateful. Looking at these
boys walking/running around my house and piling couch cushions and pillows on the floor to launch into is such a testimony of grace - undeserved favor. How thankful I am for the grace Katie showed her imperfect parents who adored her. Katie wasn’t perfect, but she loved us in the most perfect way. Katie’s ability to love us this side of heaven stopped on November 19, 2017, but my memories of our life together are no longer dominated by her death and for that, I give all credit to the Holy Spirit’s protective grace…. and lots of counseling. I’ve been in counseling for four years now. I can say that without it, I’m not sure I would have survived. There was a season that even with it, I wasn’t sure I would survive. Life can be very cruel and unfair. It can also be beautiful. It is beautiful... and messy and cruel and hard and not hard. One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned on this journey is that I don’t have to limit myself. I can live in all the feelings and all of them can be right. I can love my boys and miss Katie. I can enjoy my friends and keep the conversation light and fluffy. I can call someone in tears and share my heart when I’m overwhelmed by sadness. I
11.Update
can travel the road of both the easy and the difficult knowing the easy won’t always be easy and the difficult won’t last forever. God has paved a way for me and my family. We continue to give books away each year for Katie’s birthday. This year, our 5th year, we are prepared to give away our 10,000th book! That’s unbelievable and really humbling. We have come to love it and look forward to it every year. A world without Katie seemed so dark and hopeless. But this world is not without her. Katie has her own God story. As do I...and Kirk, Gavin, Ethan and Logan. I have seen God move in so many ways. I get to talk to people about their love, their loss and their pain. I get to hug hurting people and tell them that they are seen, known and loved by the God of the Universe. I don’t tell them it’s going to be okay. The tough reality is that your circumstances can kill you...if not physically, then emotionally, relationally or spiritually. For some, it won’t be okay. But I hold onto hope because I know that darkness and I know what it feels like to be lifted out of it. The journey that began when we left the hospital without Katie has been unbelievable in many ways. Kirk and I are married and we love each other. I love each of my boys as the unique God-given gifts they are. They haven’t replaced Katie and they don’t need to because she holds her own unique place in our family. I’ve struggled with or lost relationships that were really important to me and I’ve gained some new ones that provide a level of friendship I didn’t know possible. We have traveled this road with people at our sides. But, people can be hard... How can you truly love people after your baby dies at the hands of other people? How can you maintain, grow
or create relationships after something like that? I’m still learning the answer to those questions. I’m still walking the path of integrating into a community that has the capability to really hurt you. People are scary. They are also really important. Relationships are important. We aren’t meant to do this alone. Luckily, we are never alone. We serve a glorious and good God. What a beautiful gift of friendship we have in Jesus. He knew my pain then, and He knows me now. He rejoices and weeps with me. He rejoices when all of us are on the living room floor cheering on baby Logan when he takes his first steps or in our (rare) moments of parenting when Kirk and I are able to share with our boys the same grace and patience given to us by our Heavenly Father. He weeps with me when I weep for Katie or friends who are struggling or memories that hurt. He rejoices with me and weeps with me. Because He is my friend and loves me.
As much as my head and heart struggle to come to terms with what has happened to us, I am learning to accept our experience and embrace it instead of running from it. God has, is, and will always work everything for our good and His glory in the midst of our greatest pain. I carry this hope with me because I know it to be true and that hope sustains me. Psalm 27:13 - I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 11
FEATURED IN LOLA MAGAZINE ISSUE: NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2017
12.Update
LOLA UPDATE:
The Eclipse Baby, Caroline Rome
honestly the Jordan and Lindsay Rome are quite Jordan, you will perfect match. If you are to meet immediately be drawn to his humor and charisma. Jordan is full of laughs his and always a good time. He met has match when he met Lindsay. She poise, the perfect combo of beauty and with just enough quick wit to keep Jordan on his toes. Jordan and Lindsay were
Baby Rome Holding On To Hope Through the Heartbreak of Infertility
married May, 19 2007. The Romes, both originally from and Baton Rouge, moved to Ruston in 2008 having children. wanted to wait a couple of years before and had always Jordan and Lindsay were both adopted of their own. This looked forward to having children bumpier and longer much a being up journey ended of hoping for ride than expected. After several months decided to see a a positive pregnancy test, the couple OK. Lindsay was doctor, just to make sure everything was they were told this prescribed a hormonal stimulant and would be an easy solution. fix and after Unfortunately, this was not an easy with other options. many months they moved forward they went for their In 2012 after having run several tests, IUI (intrauterine first attempt at the fertility treatment was unsuccessful, insemination). After this attempt a fertility with Lindsay decided to make an appointment because this meant specialist. This was a difficult decision, the struggles of accepting that she was indeed facing needed to be made “unexplained infertility.” The decision sacrifice financial huge to try IUI again or to make the Fertilization). They to go through with IVF (In Vitro of this procedure wanted a baby so badly, but the cost pregnancy is substantial. The chances of a successful IUI they with attempts four are higher with IVF so after decided to make the sacrifice for IVF. one of the most Lindsay looks back at this time as in June 2015, they frustrating and sad times in her life, The successful. not also was found out that the IVF the stress and couple decided to take a break from built a new home disappointment they had endured. They Feeling defeated by and adapted a very healthy lifestyle. the at looked they exhausted, infertility and financially to both of their option of adoption. Adoption is close also exhausting and hearts, but the adoption process is to just “be still” Lindsay decided it was best for them
for a while and heal. Lindsay had signed up for an infertility doing good at keeping them dry,” when the name awareness 5-K in Baton Rouge to be with “Lindsay women experiencing Rome” was called over the loudspeaker. She the same struggles of infertility and register gasped with for the tiny chance excitement, and her dad asked “What is it Lindsay? of winning a half-priced IVF treatmen Do you t. The 5-K took place on know her?” “That’s me, Dad!! I won!” Her dad had not gotten a very dark and rainy day, but Jordan and Lindsay were not accustomed to her new name, but this is when the going to miss it. They were with their excitement parents and thousands began. Lindsay said that many times she had been afraid to of other hopeful families. Jordan, Lindsay, and their parents keep hoping, but always prayed to “get to the good part were huddled under an umbrella that of the Lindsay says “was not story.” This was the good part. 10/24/17 2:00 PM
Lindsay's Story.indd 2
12
y Britt Elizabeth Photograph graphy Southern Shutter Photo
Lindsay and to see Dr. Heb New Orleans i to his very full December for 22, 2016, Lind home. There w after taking tw were pregnant Rouge to see to her OBGY At sixteen girl and Lind Rome was bo the total eclip that the eclip birth of their Lindsay may be goi who is keep keep faith a Grace is a b like her dad will always
M
y sweet miracle girl, Caroline Grace Rome – our Eclipse baby – has brought more joy to our lives than I can express. I absolutely love being her Mom. Caroline is fiery like her Mom and she’s got her Dad’s sense of humor. She is a girly girl and loves all things princesses, make-up and the color pink. But, she can have a grand ole time digging for rocks in the dirt too. When I read our story in the November/December 2017 issue of Lola Magazine, in my mind I thought, “…and they lived happily ever after.” The last 4.5 years have been filled with our greatest joys and our deepest sorrows. When Caroline was six months old, we received quite a big surprise (I was pregnant again) without the help of fertility treatments! When I told Jordan, his first words were, “Well, at least this one was free!” Just in case anyone is thinking, “Oh! She finally relaxed!” Please remember that I had a 6-month-old (the LAST thing that I was doing was relaxing)! Ha! My sweet miracle boy, Christian Jack Rome was born on October 11, 2018. This just so happens to be the same date as Jordan’s Mom’s birthday (whom the kids call “Zannie”) – I don’t think I’ll ever be able to top that birthday gift! Christian is a firecracker! He is a dinosaur expert and a rather articulate speaker. He also got his Mom’s fire and Rouge Baton to d Jordan made the trip down ty Institute of ber Dunaway of the Fertili Due os. embry four his Dad’s humor. Where in June 2016 and froze had to wait until l schedule of patients, they os. On December the transfer of two embry Caroline may express more to rush over to her dsay called her best friend pregnancy test, and were two faint lines on a on her face, Christian says convinced. They welve more tests, she was -four trips to Baton t! They traveled on twenty Lindsay was released then and what they’re both thinking, list, specia her YN, Dr. Kerry Tynes. were having a baby they out found they n weeks and his delivery usually is ancy. Caroline Grace dsay had a perfect pregn at the same time of orn on August 21, 2017, aware were quite comical. Jordan pse of the sun. Lindsay and the
13.Update
When we brought Christian home from the hospital, I might as well have brought home a baby doll. Caroline wasn’t concerned with him much and didn’t act jealous as long as she got a bottle at the same time he did. Having two children way under 2-years-old was wild, but the best kind of wild. Now that they are 4 and 3-years-old, respectively, they are the best of friends and don’t like being away from each other very long. Their little relationship is such a gift and I’m thankful they have each other. At the end of 2018, our family experienced something else completely unexpected. We were at the beach for our first vacation as a family of four when I received one of those phone calls you hope you never get. My mom was experiencing stroke-like symptoms and was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme, often referred to as “GBM.” GBM is a very aggressive brain cancer
and the prognosis with treatment was two years at the most. She bravely endured two surgeries and several rounds of chemo and radiation however, after 15 months, she entered heaven on January 4, 2020. We talk about Maw-Maw Jane with Caroline and Christian. Although they are too young to have memories of her that are their own, she is still very much with us in our present. 2020 was a challenging year, but the uninterrupted time that we were able to spend together was such a blessing. In the summer of 2021, we moved into a new home with lots more space and the kids have loved it! They spend hours outside playing outside and love to go on an adventure in the backyard. The Lord has blessed us beyond measure. At times it is hard to accept, but His plans are always better than our own. For that, we are forever grateful.
experience, but pse was a once-in-a-lifetime adowed everything. r beautiful baby girl oversh that someone who shares her story in hopes che of infertility, and ing through the hearta away, will continue to ping hope an arm’s length alone. Baby Caroline and know that they are not sure to have a quick wit beauty like her mother, is g this perfect baby holdin s, d, and for the Rome be their total eclipse.
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FEATURED IN LOLA MAGAZINE ISSUE: JULY AUGUST 2017
LOLA UPDATE:
Chef Hardette Harris 14.Update
I
t has been a challenging couple of years, but I’m lucky to still be working on many projects like cooking classes, culinary experiences and my retail products. I planned to reopen my restaurant to the public in August 2021, but it was put on hold. My father got sick in July and my mother a few months later. Taking care of my parents has consumed much of my time, but somehow, I am still busy. I am excited to be planning popups to keep the taste of North Louisiana cuisine on the taste buds of my customers. In January 2022 I was invited by Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourism Bureau, Louisiana Travel Association and Texas Monthly Magazine along with 11 other great Louisiana chefs to represent North Louisiana cuisine in Houston, TX. The “Texas Block Party”. It was an invitation only media soiree to show off Louisiana cuisine to the city of Houston. texasmonthly.com/event/bayou-block-party/#s2 As a part of their Black History Month programming, I was excited to be invited by T-Mobile USA to teach a live virtual cooking class to their Executive Level staff. They learned how to properly pick, wash and cook collard greens, and how to make hot water cornbread, tomato cucumber salad, and fried chicken.
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I had the great honor to be named the 2017 Louisiana of the Year, Country Roads Magazine, Best Small Town Chef of 2017, SBCTB 2018 Attraction of the Year and the 2019 Sales Department Award. It has been tough being away from my regular customers so long. However, it has given me time to focus on exactly how I wanted to show off our food in Northern Louisiana. If you want to continue moving forward in your business, especially if it involves showing your creativity, remain in the same lane where you started. If you’re good at something, hone in on that and keep pushing. Jumping into things that are cool and a great idea can take you away from the intended goal. Just, don’t ever give up on what you set out to do. Never ever be upset about something you didn’t get, or if it seemed liked you lost out on a great opportunity. Be grateful for the opportunity and move forward I look forward to all this year has in store. I am dedicated to keep bringing North Louisiana authentic cuisine to our area and beyond. I will continue my mission to make sure the heritage recipes of our ancestors are recognized, eaten and taught.
FEATURED IN LOLA MAGAZINE ISSUE: JULY AUGUST 2018
LOLA UPDATE:
15.Update
T
he Owens family is thriving! Breck is now 5-and-ahalf-years old, about to start kindergarten in the fall, and successfully won his 3-year battle and treatment with Leukemia at St. Jude. Breck is now considered “NED” (No Evidence of Disease). What an unbelievable experience we went through, but it has made us stronger as a family. He goes back every six months to St. Jude to get checkups to make sure he remains in remission. Breck is running, playing and growing. He is able to do all the things that we prayed so hard to see him do. Vale,
#BattlelikeaBOS our daughter who I was eight months pregnant with while we were in Memphis with Breck’s treatments, is now 3-and-a-half-years old. She’s still the bright light and brings so much love and joy into our family! Vale is sassy and keeps us all on our toes. Rob & Valerie Owens Rob is busy building his entrepreneurial businesses in the restaurant and bar scene all over Northeast and South Louisiana. Valerie is celebrating three years with her online business, Breck & Vale Clothing Co. Her business has now reached all 50 States, which is exciting because her mission when she started was to spread awareness for Childhood Cancer and create this brand that gives back, while also, giving you cute outfits and great content on her social media. You’ll see her on her Instagram stories giving you daily deals, family
updates, and real-life stories of a mom who’s working and building a business while raising two toddlers! Valerie is in the process of a major project that will make her dreams of this brand even bigger! She can’t wait to release the surprise soon on her Instagram account: @bvclothingco We are so unbelievably blessed and grateful to continue our dreams and share that with Northeast Louisiana. All glory to God for saving our son’s life, for giving us the opportunity to give back and create this brand so we can continue to spread Childhood Cancer awareness. Matthew 17:20 - He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” 15
16. Update LOLA UPDATE:
Drew’s Tunes TWINKLE TWINKLE,
little star
k, Healing and Hope
One Mother’s Story of Heartbrea
FEATURED IN LOLA MAGAZINE ISSUE: JANUARY FEBRUARY 2018 16
undergraduate at LA Tech, was a Kappa which is not uncommon for me. If Delta and had more fun than you can there were a sport in the Olympics for shake a stick at. Worrying, I am 100% confident I would After finishing undergraduate at be on the podium every 4 years with a Tech, I lived abroad for six months in gold metal around my neck. London. I was able to obtain a position s. No one’s When we welcomed our beautiful working in the gift shop at Westminster triumphs, and our own unique struggle son to the world on November 27, 2012, Abbey. I befuddled many a tourist go some any straight, trepidation about Motherhood with my strong southern accent during path is exactly the same, some go immediately melted away. There are no employment there. When I returned to words in the ns that completely human language beautiful Louisiana and began to ponder my next nowhere and others have diversio enough to describe how amazing it is steps the hospitality industry seemed to evenly see not your precious baby for the first time. to be calling my name. This resulted blindside them. Pain and loss are in Drew Joseph Boswell, all 7 pounds 11 a move to New Orleans a city that has ounces at some point. always had a thriving of him, was the most beautiful tourism industry. distributed, but all of us will struggle thing I had ever seen. The first time I I had no idea at the time moving to the the love of held Drew in my arms nothing had ever Big Easy would be the smartest thing This is my family’s story about how I felt more natural or right. would ever do, as it led me to meet On March 12, 2014 we woke up my of places. Drew had the sweetest temperament husband Devron in 2007. I knew from and our baby boy did not. Everything our little boy led us out of the darkest and charmed everyone he came into the first moment I met him that he we thought we knew about our future, was one for me. Our relationship just worked contact with. He was a pint sized about life, shattered in an instant. The embodiment of pure love. Our son day before Drew and I could not stop marveling at the was eating gold fish WRITTEN BY GEORGIA DREW BOSWELL was the first grandchild in both of fact I found someone who really our and watching “Thomas the Train.” I can got me and my multitude of quirks. Devron families. To say our world revolved still see him in his green polo and black was and will always be the best thing around Drew is putting it mildly. We tennis shoes running toward me at the that ever happened to me. Our wedding all marveled at each gurgle, snuggle, end of the day on March 11, I had no smile and milestone he hit. Drew in May 2009 was such a beautiful was inclination I would never be able to pick and absolutely beautiful and people often up my sweet child from happy celebration that lasted all day and school again. night. We planned to have children after stopped in their tracks to marvel at how On that first awful day my husband and a few years. precious he was. I clung to each other and were quickly I will always remember calling one Drew loved bananas, books, trains engulfed in a sea of supportive family of my best friends when I found out I and flirting with all the lovely ladies and friends. When my priest came, I was pregnant with my first child in early he came into contact with. He was at remember screaming and telling him I 2012. She was over the moon for wish it were me instead of Drew. I could me his absolute happiest when listening to and needless to say surprised. She told music. Just about every day you could not even begin to fathom how we would me, “I just was telling one of our mutual find him “playing” his go on. The preliminary reports came red piano and in and we had no answers, our little friends I did not think you were going baby bongos. My husband boy and I often was simply gone. to have children. You never expressed marveled at how blessed we were to have much interest about it.” I thought about such a sweet tempered As that first awful day wore on I and healthy baby. could what she said and I had to agree she feel the anger and pain taking was Drew was our entire world and we were over my heart. I felt an urgent need right. When we talked about our dreams a very busy, to but grateful family of three. find an outlet where we could channel for the future while in college and the We of course had heard heartbreaking all that love we could no longer give subsequent years that followed I often stories to of families who lost children our beloved son. So right there on spoke of career goals, finding someone suddenly that and we hurt for them. very first awful day, the idea of what to spend my life with (prior to Devron of However, to be completely transparent the there is in would eventually become Drew’s Tunes course), and how I was going to scrounge those hail reminded of how much good tragedies seemed as far away from y name is Georgia Boswell and I to a better place came to life. Our vision was a nonup enough money for my next trip to many world. I really can’t imagine an us as Antarctica. We never thought from Minden, Louisiana. I love so for could not have asked profit that would spread Drew’s love exotic locale. I always approached Main Street, grow up and certainly of the child loss would happen to us…..until things about Minden; the red brick Drew music to other children who may parents. Judge Harmon and Jean subject better of children importantly most not with and apprehension , one day it did. Cotton’s Fried Chicken people on the planet and have had these opportunities otherwise. I go home are the most fabulous the amazing people there. Each time I went to I am so blessed to be their daughter. I town home my from Page 40 | LOLA MAGAZINE | January-Febr or run into someone uary 2018
own unique Each us have our own story, our
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| January-February 2018 Page 39 | LOLA MAGAZINE | January-February 2018 Page 38 | LOLA MAGAZINE
W
hen thinking back on our family’s journey since losing our son, Drew, on March 12, 2014, it is really staggering to think of all the support that came our way from North Louisiana. So many different gestures of kindness and love coming from so many different people. The opportunity to share our story with the readers of LOLA was without a doubt one of the things we were most proud of and grateful for. Since we last appeared in LOLA our family has grown with the addition of our youngest child, Joseph. He is such a blessing and our little girl, Emmaline, has embraced the role with of big sister with gusto! They both know about their big brother in heaven and at such young ages they have an acute awareness of how precious yet heartbreaking life can be. We tell them that the love we show to others as a
17.Update I am so honored to share my family’s to take care of yourself at your darkest story in Lola magazine for a number of moments . reasons. First, nothing Drew’s Tunes has Drew’s little sister, accomplished would be possible Emmaline, without came into our lives on April the incredible support we 28, 2015. have received Emmaline is a pint-size from North LA. I want d powerhouse to thank those and she knows all about that stood by us from her sweet the bottom of brother. As Drew and my heart. My hope is to Emmaline’s one day spread parents, we straddle the Drew’s Tunes’ work into line between North LA, as there are many children gratitude and grief each and every day. there who could benefit from the music exposure We are so thankful for both of our our foundation provides. We are in the beautiful babies and wish more than preliminary phases of anything we could see them together brainstorming a North LA Drew’s Tunes event, stay even once. “tuned” for updates. Over time the intensity of my grief I also want other women who have has lessened, but heartbreak is the had their hearts broken by life that you undercurrent of even my best day. I can come out on the other side and find can truly say I am happier than I ever joy again. There is no “right” way to thought I would be without Drew in handle any type of loss and what feels my arms. I have found my way down right for you is the path you should the path my life has taken and I am so follow. I know how isolating heartbreak thankful for the light my beautiful boy can be and I hope you can find a way continue s to shine into my life.
family is the greatest way to carry on Drew’s legacy. The foundation we started in Drew’s Tunes has donated over $250,000 since its inception. Thousands of instruments from tubas to maracas have been given to children and programs. We like to think Drew also lives on through the music of the children our foundation has supported. We plan to keep our mission going for years to come but are in the process of scaling back in order to be more present for Drew’s siblings. We know that’s what he would have wanted. Our family continues to navigate a journey that no one should ever have to experience, and we are thankful we have had friends and family to steady us when we needed it most. My core message is this life is not fair. No parent should have to bear the weight of living life without one
of their children. Yet, somehow with your faith, through therapy and slow and steady movements forward you can be ok. I promise you can. Despite the heartbreak, despite never being complete, joy will find a way back into your life and your heart. New Orleans has been my home for a long time. However, my roots and my voice if you have ever heard me utter a syllable are 100% North Louisiana. I always marveled at the kindness and generous nature of people from my necks of the woods but never truly understood how much grace and generosity existed until we lost Drew. There just are not words beautiful enough to convey my gratitude. Thank you beyond to LOLA for giving Drew Tunes and our family this chance to share an update.
Use #twinkletribute4 drew to join the movement with your own video March 8-12, 2018 To learn more: drewstu
nes.org @ tunes4drew
Our foundation is 100% dependent on donatio ns and every dollar we receive helps us make a difference in the lives of other children in Drew’s memory.
Drew always wanted everyone to be It’s hard to believe how much Drew’s My personal favorite thing Drew’s happy and bringing smiles to children’s Tunes has accomplished in such a short Page Tunes does MAGAZ is our INE faces through musical instruments 42 | LOLA Annual Twinkle and time. We by no means have | JanuaryFebruary 2018 done this Tribute. The twinkle performances seemed a perfect way tribute occurs to alone and have had an army of people every March around honor his short and beautiful life. Drew’s angel date who have aided us innumerable different of March 12. Each year we ask people Those initial days, weeks, and ways. Our team is in firm agreement to play, dance or sing to Drew’s favorite months without Drew slowly passed. that Drew’s little light is guiding us each His loss was eventually attributed song Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star to step of the way. To date Drew’s and Tunes SUDC or Sudden Unexplained Death had donated over $174,000 to support post it to their social media with the in Childhood. “Sudden Unexplained #twinkletribute4drew. For our mission. These donations include hashtag Death in Childhood (SUDC) is each video posted with the hashtags the thousands of instruments placed in the sudden and unexpected death of a hands of children, vital music program we donate $1 to a music program (up child twelve months and older, which to $5,000). We do this bring awareness funding and $50,000 to support the remains unexplained after a thorough SUDC foundation. Our foundation to Drew’s Tunes and our mission, but case investigation is conducted. SUDC has garnered national media attention also to celebrate our beautiful boy. Over is a category of death whose underlying the years this grassroots tribute with articles in both Parents has and cause(s) elude our understanding today. reached an audience beyond our wildest ” Redbook Magazine (www.redboo kmag. In the U.S. in 2015 SIDS impacted com/life/mom-kids/a386 95/turning- dreams. The momentum generated by 1,560 children in and SUDC impacted tragedy-into-triumph/). A Nationwide our friends and family in North LA 400 children. SUDC is thankfully rare, SUDC Awareness campaign inspired was a critical part of this happening! but it does happen to families like ours by Drew and spearheaded by a dear The 2017 tribute brought in videos far too often from all walks of life. The friend, Christina Grantham, has moved from professional musicians, countless SUDC Foundation provides countless mountains with over 37 states declaring precious children and many others. We free services to bereaved families and the March 2017 as SUDC Awareness Month were overwhelmed with gratitude when work that they do has been the catalyst for (www.send2 press.com/w ire/thirty- NFL Quarterback Drew Brees agreed vital research into why healthy children four-u-s-sta te-proclama tions-raise- to join in the tribute with his own like Drew can pass away so suddenly. awareness-of-mysterious -childhood- #twinkletribu te4drew video at facebook. We decided to evolve the mission of deaths/). At the core of what we do is com/story.php?story_fbid=101582551 Drew’s Tunes beyond the scope of music love and a determination to make the 63725461&id=207038895460&_rdr. It’s education to include supporting the work world a little brighter like Drew did each amazing to us the amount of lives of the SUDC Foundation. our and every day of his short time with us. beautiful son has touched. Page 41 | LOLA MAGAZINE | January-February 2018
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20.Hostess
Dishes
g n i r p S to Get You Excited About
20
HOSTESS with the MOSTESS WRITTEN BY JESSICA COMEGYS & MIRANDA ALISHA PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARC SMITH WITH CREWTV FILMS
Miranda Alisha was born in Shreveport, Louisiana as the second child of Alvin and Debra Coleman. She attended public school in Caddo Parish graduating from C. E. Byrd High School in 2012. While at Byrd, she was a member of the Orchestra playing the Cello. She was also a member of the award-winning Flag Line 2010-2012. To pursue higher education, Miranda attended Grambling State University where she continued to play the Cello in the University Orchestra. In 2013, Miranda joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and served as Secretary, Program Leader, Vice President, and finally President. She was the Secretary of the Psychology Club and a Research Assistant in the Psychology Department. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology in 2017. After grauation she first pursued her career in New York, and then Austin, Texas. Both states provided new experiences around food and culture. She found herself inspired by many different cuisines including Thai, Mexican, and Indian. She spent numerous hours attempting to recreate her favorite meals from her travels. In May of 2020, Miranda made the decision to try out a plant-based diet. The benefits and changes in overall attitude were undeniable. This also challenged her in the kitchen to find healthy ways to recreate all the meals she loved so much.
21.Hostess
Feeling the call of a long family history in the food industry, Miranda made a life change in 2021 by returning to Shreveport to hone her skills as a cook and caterer. Her focus is on re-creating traditional cuisine in a healthy vegan inspired format. Miranda follows in the footsteps of her maternal great grandfather, Dee Lee Tyler, known as a pitmaster and caterer from the 1960s 70s, and 80s. Miranda’s father has worked in all phases of food preparation and service. Since making the transition to being in the kitchen full time, Miranda’s goals are to learn as much about food and the restaurant business as possible. She is pursuing a certification in nutrition to help her bring awareness to different lifestyles. Her blog, From Miranda’s Kitchen, has a growing following. Follow her journey on YouTube at From Miranda’s Kitchen and on Instagram at @_mirandasstory
A Southern soul food picnic, Easter made easy, weeknight dinners, a cake for every occasion and two cocktails perfect for patio sipping!
W
hen the Lola girls called me to talk about the theme for hostess this issue and mentioned doing Louisiana-style food, my heart sank. While I love spicy carb-loaded dishes as much as anyone, it isn’t something that I lean towards when promoting how to live a healthy lifestyle. But then, I realized, it can be healthy - or maybe “healthier!” So, I asked my friend and vegan chef Miranda Coleman to join me on a picnic… and I let her do the cooking. The healthy bonus: sunshine gives you vitamin D! Miranda can be seen making beautiful vegan dishes at Glow, as well as, on her how-to videos on her social media pages. She shows you how to add a fun twist on old dishes turned vegan and some tasty cocktails for good measure. What says southern picnic like fried chicken? How about a chicken-fried oyster mushroom? I know what you’re thinking, but trust me, it is mouth-watering. Oyster mushrooms are unique in texture and have a very mild taste; they can take on flavor very well, which is why many vegans use them as a meat substitute. And when Miranda cooks, she makes sure to put all the soul in her food. The key to cooking the best-fried oyster mushrooms according to her is the pre-cook and the batter. In this recipe, she sears the mushroom first to help break down some of the tough parts that are in an oyster mushroom and then used a wet batter and a dry batter. The wet batter will help build a flavor in the oyster mushrooms as it fries, and the dry batter will give it a nice coating and crunch. Now for a perfect picnic, all you need is your delicious food, a bottle of wine, a sunny spot and a fun friend!
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S OU T H E R N S OU L FO OD PIC N IC M E N U ● ●
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Mac & “Cheese”
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Chicken Fried Oyster Mushrooms Spiked Sweet Tea
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Stovetop Collard Greens Skillet Vegan Cornbread
Louisiana Island Ice Tea
1.5 oz or 1 shot Cognac 5 oz. Unsweetened Tea 2 Lemon Wedges ½ Tbsp Agave or Honey Ice • In a glass with ice, add in 1.5 oz of cognac of choice, agave or honey, and 5 oz of unsweetened tea. Using a long cocktail spoon, mix from top to bottom. Squeeze in the juice of a lemon wedge. Garnish with an additional lemon wedge and a mint leaf. Enjoy!
22.Hostess
TIP: • This can be made using sweetened tea. Feel free to use your own preference here, it will be addictive either way!
Blue Oyster Mushrooms 2 Tbsp Avocado Oil 1 ½ cup + 1 ½ cup (separated) AllPurpose Flour 1 cup Non-Dairy Milk Additional oil for frying SPICE BLEND:
1 Tbsp Sea Salt ½ Tbsp Pepper ½ Tbsp Garlic powder ½ Tbsp Onion Powder 1 Tsp Crushed Red Pepper 22
Chicken Fried Oyster Mushrooms
½ Tsp Cayenne 1 Tsp Basil (dried
• When cast iron is smoking and Immediately add the mushrooms. Then dip them hot, add in avocado oil. spice blend. Allow to cool into the wet batter, making enough to handle. sure to coat the mushroom • Cut up Oyster mushrooms Place mushroom pieces straight onto the skillet. thoroughly. Now coat them into smaller bite-sized • Divide flour into two Place second cast-iron right separate bowls, add some again in the dry mix, this or patty-sized pieces, set on top of the mushrooms. of the spice blend to each will get your mushrooms aside. This step helps to release nice and crispy. bowl, and mix. Add non• Preheat a cast-iron skillet, all the moisture from the dairy to one bowl and mix • When frying oil is at 350F, have an additional cast iron mushrooms in addition well into a wet batter. place battered mushrooms skillet ready on the side. to adding a crust to into the grease and allow to The second skillet does not • When mushrooms have mushrooms. Cook for 10 cook until deep-fried and need to be preheated but cooled, dip them into minutes before flipping crispy, about 8-10 minutes does need to be able to fit the dry flour mix, making and repeating this process. depending on mushroom nicely into the hot skillet; sure to get into all of the After cooking on both size. Sprinkle with salt after have it ready to use. twists and turns of the sides, remove from heat removing from grease.
Vegan Cornbread
1 cup + 2 Tbsp Yellow Cornmeal
1 Tsp Baking Soda
1 cup + 3 Tbsp AllPurpose Flour
1 cup Non-Dairy Milk
1 Tsp Baking Powder
½ Tsp Salt 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed + 2 Tbsp of warm water Flaxseed Egg
• Sift together all dry • Add cornbread mix to a ingredients into a large 375 degree preheated bowl. oven and bake for 30 minutes. • In a smaller bowl, combine ground flaxseed and warm water and whisk together. Let sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
TIPS:
• By adding 1 Tbsp of ACV or lemon juice ½ cup Vegan to your non-dairy Butter milk, you can make • In a small pot or buttermilk! Try this ½ cup microwave, melt vegan to add another layer Brown butter. After melted, of flavor to your Sugar add brown sugar and cornbread. 2 Tbsp maple syrup. • I prefer using cashew Maple • Add to the flax egg, milk as my non-dairy Syrup butter and sugar milk for this recipe, but combination, non-dairy 2 Tbsp any will do! Just pick Avocado milk, and oil to the dry your go-to nut or soy mix and combine. Do Oil milk. not over mix!
Stovetop Collard Greens 2 Bunches Collard Greens ½ thinly sliced Onion ½ thinly sliced Red Bell Pepper 3-4 cloves Garlic (roughly chopped) 2 cups Vegetable Broth ½ Tbsp Onion Powder ½ Tbsp Garlic Powder ½ Tsp Cayenne Salt and pepper to taste
23.Hostess
• Prep the collard greens by picking, cutting, and thoroughly washing them. • In a pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add in onion, pepper, and garlic. Saute until you see some brown color. • Add in clean collard greens with seasonings and saute an additional 3-5 minutes. • Add in veggie broth and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover collards and cook until greens are tender; 25-30 minutes.
Mac and “Cheese”
4 Tbsp vegan butter • Cook pasta noodles 4 Tbsp all-purpose flour according to box instructions. Drain ½ of a white onion and set aside. (diced) ½ Tbsp olive oil • In a pot, heat butter 2 cups non-dairy milk over medium-high heat until completely 2 Tbsp garlic powder melted. Add in 2 Tbsp onion powder flour; stir constantly 1 Tsp paprika switching between 8 oz. of Vegan Shredded Cheddar whisk and spoon making a roux. Cook Cheese for 3-5 minutes. 8 oz. of Vegan Shredded • Add onions to roux Mozzarella Cheese and continue to stir. Salt & Pepper - to taste Cook until onions are
the bottom of the pot. Add in non-dairy milk and whisk to combine. Stir in half of the combined seasonings.
• Add mac and cheese to an oven-safe dish. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes or until the top is browned to perfection.
• Next, mix in the TIPS: cheese shreds and • Not all vegan cheese reduce heat to low, is created equal! and cover. Allow For this recipe, I cheese to melt enjoy using the completely. Once the cheese is melted, WholeFoods365 add in the remaining brand. It melts nicely and has a good flavor. seasoning and mix • Place a dish under the well. mac and cheese in the soft; about 3 minutes. • Stir in the cooked • Preheat oven to 425 oven to prevent any pasta noodles and degrees. • Add in olive oil to cheese from spilling. remove from heat. loosen anything at
23
E A S T E R M A DE E A S Y MENU SERVES 4-6 ●
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Roasted Carrots & Onion with Fennel & Mint
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Green Tomato & Shaved Honeydew Caprese Lamb Shanks with Red Wine Glaze with Wild Rice
A “Cake for Every Occasion” Coconut Carrot Cake with Strawberry Buttercream
Easter is one of my favorite holidays.
C
olorful dresses, outdoor activities, and all the delicious fruits and vegetables coming into season. You don’t want to fret over a long tedious meal, you want to be outside thawing out in the warm spring sun listening to the kids laughing while they hunt for treat-filled eggs. The lamb shank is highly underrated compared to the popular roast or rack. This beautiful cut of meat cooks up fork tender in 3 hours with little effort. Serve it up with first of the season green tomatoes and a sheet pan veggie mix and you’ve got yourself a magazine-worthy easter spread. Bake it yourself or order up this beautiful Coconut Carrot Cake from Glow that’s perfect for any spring soiree.
Green Tomato & Honeydew Caprese
R
24.Hostess
2 tablespoons thinly ipe honeydew— sliced fresh mint normally reserved for • Whisk together vinegar, lime the bottom of many a fruit zest and juice, honey, salt, salad—shines when shaved pepper, and 2 tablespoons into ribbons and swirled with of the oil in a small bowl torn pieces of creamy burrata until well combined. Toss together tomato slices and 2 and slices of green tomato. tablespoons of the vinegarThis spring salad makes for an lime mixture in a medium impressive dish bowl; set aside. (Reserve remaining vinegar-lime 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar mixture.) 1 teaspoon lime zest plus 2 Tbsp. • Cut honeydew melon in half; fresh juice (from 1 lime) remove and discard seeds. Cut each melon half into 4 1 teaspoon honey wedges; remove rinds. Shave ½ teaspoon kosher salt melon wedges into thin ¼ teaspoon black pepper ribbons using mandoline. 3 tablespoons extra-virgin • Arrange tomato slices, olive oil, divided shaved melon, and burrata 1 medium-size (6 oz.) green on a large platter. Drizzle with tomato, cored and thinly sliced on a mandolin 1 small reserved vinegar-lime mixture. (1½ lb.) honeydew melon Sprinkle with sliced mint, and 4 ounces burrata cheese, drizzle with the remaining 1 torn into pieces tablespoon oil.
Coconut Carrot Cake with Strawberry Buttercream
24
3 cups all-purpose flour 1½ cups sweetened wiggly in the center. powdered sugar and • Preheat the oven to eggs, sugar, brown shredded coconut Remove and let cool vanilla. Beat another 350 degrees F. Grease sugar, and vanilla 1½ teaspoons baking powder for five minutes, then 2-4 minutes or until three 8-inch round until smooth. Beat STRAWBERRY run a knife around the frosting is light cake pans. Line with in the carrots and 1½ teaspoons BUTTERCREAM baking soda the edges of the pan and fluffy. Beat in the parchment paper, coconut. Slowly add 8 ounces mascarpone strawberry powder. then butter/spray with the dry ingredients to and turn the cakes 1 teaspoon cinnamon or cream cheese, out onto a cooling cooking spray. the wet ingredients 1 teaspoon salt softened • Place one cake layer rack. Cover and let the on a serving plate or with the mixer on 1½ cups canola oil 2 sticks salted butter, • In a large bowl, mix low until there are no cakes cool completely cake stand. Spread a softened together the flour, 3⁄4 cup buttermilk baking powder, baking longer any clumps of before assembling. little frosting. Top with 2-3 cups powdered 3 eggs flour. Batter should sugar soda, cinnamon, and • To make the frosting, half the strawberries. 1½ cups granulated be pourable, but not salt. add the cream cheese Repeat with the 2 teaspoons vanilla sugar super thin. extract and butter to a large remaining 2 cake • In the bowl of a ½ cup light brown sugar • Pour the batter among mixing bowl. Using layers. Be careful not 1 cup freeze dried stand mixer (or use 2 teaspoons vanilla strawberries, ground the 3 cake pans and an electric mixer beat to overfill your layers a handheld mixer) extract until a fine powder beat together the bake 25-30 minutes, until the mixture is with fruit. Frost the 1 pound carrots, grated until the tops are just light and fluffy, about cake sides. 1 cup fresh chopped canola oil, buttermilk, strawberries set and no longer 2 minutes. Add the
Roasted Carrots & Onions with Fennel & Mint
T
he ideal big gathering side is one that can sit at room temp for up to three hours and still be delicious, and this is it. The trick to make your guests think the food magically materialized at the last moment? Add the fresh torn mint and re-toss to distribute the vinaigrette just before serving. Also, the key is for these veggies to be room—not refrigerator—temperature, so take them out of the fridge at least an hour before you serve them.
2 pounds small carrots (about 2 bunches), peeled, cut into 3-inch pieces 2 large red onions, each cut through root end into 8 wedges 1 fennel bulb, cut into ½-inch wedges 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper 2 tablespoons raw sunflower seeds 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, coarsely chopped a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons Sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons torn mint leaves
season with salt and not to burn), about pepper. Roast, tossing 2 minutes. Let cool. occasionally, until Stir in vinegar and golden brown and lemon juice; season tender, 20–25 minutes vinaigrette with salt for carrots and 35–45 and pepper. minutes for onions • Preheat oven to 425°. and fennel. Let cool. • Combine roasted carrots, fennel, and Place carrots on a onions onto the same rimmed baking sheet • Meanwhile, cook baking sheet, drizzle and onions and fennel sunflower seeds, coriander seeds, vinaigrette over, and on another rimmed Aleppo pepper, toss to coat well; baking sheet. (Make paprika, and the transfer to a platter. sure to give them plenty of room, which remaining 2 Tbsp. oil • Just before serving, in a small skillet over is key to roasted medium heat, stirring re-toss vegetables to veggies with nicely often, until oil is gently pull up any dressing browned edges.) that may have settled bubbling around Drizzle vegetables at the bottom of the seeds and spices are with 2 Tbsp. oil, platter and scatter fragrant (be careful dividing evenly; mint over top.
25.Hostess Red Wine Braised Lamb Shanks SERVES 4-6
or pot. 3. Season the
in wine. Stir to loosen • Remove the shanks
2 tbsp olive oil lamb shanks with salt all the browned bits from the pot. Set and pepper and add on the bottom of them aside and keep 4 lamb shanks (each shank should them to the hot oil. the skillet. Bring the them covered. be about 1 to Make sure oil is hot chicken broth and • Sauce: Simmer the 1¼ pound) because you want wine to a boil. remaining sauce salt and fresh ground that immediate sear • Braise: Place the herbs that’s in the skillet black pepper on the lamb shanks.; and lamb shanks back over medium heat 1 yellow onion sear on all sides until inside the pot. until thickened to the 1 diced carrot they are browned. desired consistency. • Put the pot in the 2 celery ribs, each • Remove the lamb preheated oven and This should take rib cut into about shanks from the skillet cook for 1.5 to 2 about 6 to 10 2-inch pieces and set them aside. hours. Turn the shanks minutes. 6-8 cloves garlic • Saute: Set the skillet over every 30 to 40 • Skim off any 2 cups low sodium back over mediumminutes, until the additional fat that chicken broth or high heat and add meat is tender and rises to the surface. vegetable broth in the remaining internal temperature • Taste the sauce for 1 cup dry red wine oil. Add the onions, registers anywhere seasonings and fresh rosemary carrots, celery sticks, between 150˚F adjust it accordingly. fresh thyme mushrooms, and and 160˚F. Please
• Serve: Add the lamb use an instant-read shanks back into the thermometer to check pot. for doneness. • Sear: Heat olive oil in • Garnish with fresh a large dutch-oven • Slowly pour in • Remove: Remove your parsley and serve. skillet or a high-sided chicken broth and stir pot from the oven. oven-proof skillet • Prep: Preheat the oven to 425˚F.
garlic to the skillet. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring frequently.
T
his recipe is more of a quick braise for those who might have a bit less time but still want all that braised flavor! All you’ll need to do is a bit of slicing, searing, and then the oven does all the rest! And don’t worry about the look of the bone when you purchase the lamb, after it braises the meat and fat shrink away giving it that Frenched look. 25
S PR I N G W E E K N IGH T DINNERS MENU ●
●
●
Eggplant Sandwich & Green Salad Veggie & Pesto Flatbread
●
Green Botanical Gin & Tonic
Spring Minestrone Soup
Grilled Eggplant Sandwich MARINATED EGGPLANT:
1 large Eggplant 2-3 drops Liquid smoke 1 Tbsp Soy sauce 1 Tbsp Maple Syrup 5 Tbsp Avocado oil 1 Tsp Garlic powder 1 Tsp Onion powder ½ Tsp Smoked paprika
26.Hostess TOSSED ARUGULA:
1 or 2 handfuls Arugula 1 Tbsp Olive Oil 1 pinch Sea Salt
Fig Jam Vegan mozzarella Tomato Slices Bread Slices • Prepare eggplant by cutting long ways into thin slices. Lay slices on a baking dish and lightly sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 5-10 minutes. Using a paper towel, pat away any moisture that was released. • In a bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients. Allow the
Veggie & Pesto Flatbread
½ red onion, thinly sliced red pepper flakes (for garnish - optional) 1 small bunch of broccoli, thinly sliced into small florets fresh parsley (for garnish - optional) ½ yellow squash, thinly sliced into circles • Preheat your oven to 400. Slice ½ zucchini, diced into half-moons and dice your veggies. 1 cup mushrooms, thinly sliced • Take your naan bread and 3-4 stalks asparagus, place it on a sheet pan. chopped into thirds Spread a thin layer of pesto 1 cup feta cheese over it. Top with the roasted vegetables along with the 1 8 oz container storebought pesto feta and spices. Bake for 10 2 roasted garlic naan flatbreads minutes, or until the veggies are tender and the naan is 1 tbsp olive oil starting to brown. salt and pepper to taste • Enjoy while hot.
26
eggplant to sit in the marinade for add the grilled eggplant, tossed 1 hour or overnight. arugula, vegan mozzarella, and • In a hot skillet or grill, put eggplant tomatoes. straight down and allow to cook • Enjoy without trying to eat two! 3-4 minutes before flipping. Cook for the same amount after flipping TIPS: • Fig jam is my favorite to use and and remove from heat. what I usually reach for. Feel • Prepare arugula by adding all ingredients to a bowl and tossing free to use your favorite here; elderberry or blackberry would be with your hand, set aside. really good too! • Toast off the bread using olive oil • Again, not all vegan cheese is or vegan butter. created equal! For this sandwich, I • To assemble the sandwich, add fig find the Miyoko brand is best. jam to both slices of bread. Next
Garden Salad
Spring Minestrone Soup
6 medium green onions 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen) 2 green garlic stalks, or 2 ½ pound asparagus, cut large cloves of garlic into 1-inch chunks 1 pound baby potatoes or 2 cups greens (dandelion, Yukon gold potatoes cut chard, spinach, kale, into 1-inch chunks arugula, etc), sliced into thin ribbons Up to ¼ cup pesto 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes 4 cups vegetable stock or chicken Grated parmesan or pecorino cheese for garnish (omit stock (use vegetable stock for the vegan version) if cooking vegetarian or vegan) ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper ½ pound artichoke hearts (fresh • Give everything a good chop, or frozen), chopped roughly add it to the pot, and let it 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas simmer for about 30 mins. The (garbanzo beans), easiest soup you’ll ever make! rinsed and drained
27.Hostess
Mixed Greens Cherry tomatoes Cucumber Avocado Crispy Onions Cashew Ranch Dressing ½ cup Cashews 1 cup Water ¼ Tbsp ACV 1 Garlic clove ½ Tsp Onion Powder 1 Tsp Dill ½ Tsp Crushed Red Pepper
Pinch Salt and Pepper 3 Tsp Parsley (minced)
• To prepare dressing, add all dressing ingredients to a blender and mix until smooth. Adjust salt to taste. Place dressing in a jar, add in parsley, and stir. Set aside. • Add mixed greens to a larger bowl with 2 Tbsp of dressing and toss. • Add remaining toppings and an extra drizzle of dressing and enjoy!
Green Botanical Gin & Tonic SERVES 3
1⁄3 cup water ½ cup chopped cucumber, skin on ½ green apple, skin on 1½ tablespoons fresh mint leaves 1½ tablespoons fresh fennel fronds juice of 1 small-medium lime 3 ounces gin 12 ounces tonic water fresh mint leaves and edible flowers (I used chamomile and borage), to garnish • In a blender, blend the water, cucumber, apple, mint, and
fennel until completely smooth. Pour through a finemesh strainer or nut milk bag into a jar, and discard the pulp. Transfer the green juice to a shaker, and add the lime juice and the gin. Add a few cubes of ice and give the mix a good shake to chill. Pour evenly between three glasses, and finish with 4 ounces of tonic in each glass. • Garnish with herbs and edible flowers, and enjoy!
27
28.Callie Jo Ad
Class of
2023 BOOK NOW
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a little chilly out, but Spring is just around the corner. Preparing your closet with Spring trends is a great way to anticipate warmer days ahead. Trends to watch this Spring are Bold neon colors, lots of GREEN, big collard shirts and that must have sneaker. Some of our local boutiques gave us a sneak peek of all their must haves for the season.
29.Fashion Title (photos coming Tues)
Clothes provided by Goldies Boutique, Ruston
30.Fashion
Clothes provided by Jac Clothing 30
31.Fashion
Clothes provided by Boutique Barr, Ruston 31
BATON ROUGE Acadian Village 3535 Perkins Road Suite 365 (225) 761-1170
LAFAYETTE
Main Street at River Rance 201 Settlers Trace Blvd. Suite 3009 (337) 991-9980
32.Fashion Ad Jac SHREVEPORT Shoppes at Bellemead 6535 Youree Drive Suite 406 (318) 798-3265
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Clothes provided by Vertage Clothing 33
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shopjacclothing.com • 6 012 Line Avenue, Shreveport • (318) 606-4558
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Clothes provided by JAC Clothing Sunglasses provided by Shreveport Eye Specialists 35
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Clothes provided by Jac Clothing 36
37.Fashion
Clothes provided by Pretenses Boutique 37
Uptown Shopping Center 5802 Line Avenue Shreveport
318-828-1645
@pretensesboutique 38.Ad Pretenses
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T CROSS EXHAUSTION LINE DO NOT CROSS EX HAUSTION LINE DO NO T CROSS
40.Payton
MAMA DOWN WRITTEN BY PAYTON DENNEY
40
It was not my best moment. “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.” I remember lines to books and movies like I should be memorizing scripture. I don’t know why, but simple phrases heard or read once are forever etched on my brain — rattling around from day to day, intermittently convicting me in silent moments. My most recent moment of clarity came after punching my right leg through the kitchen ceiling. In the milliseconds before I crashed through the sheetrock, my brain modified the quote, “all work and no play make Payton a dead girl.” “This will be funny later,” I thought as I leaped forward and spread my arms and legs like a flying squirrel attempting to catch some attic 2x4’s. “As long as this doesn’t kill me.” It took my husband some time to see the humor. It was the week after Christmas, a week I had taken off from work to recharge my batteries. I had planned to watch movies, sleep late and play with the kids. Instead, I woke up each day driven to complete a household project. There were closets to be cleaned out and trash to burn. The pantry was full of leftover Christmas trash snacks which we no longer felt obligated to consume. The desk was piled high with mail correspondence from the past year. All this excess was screaming at me to tame it. So, I made a large pot of coffee and went to work. Several weeks earlier, my husband had wrist surgery. He was relaxing on the couch. As I scampered from room to room, Pat grew suspect. “Are you ok? What, exactly, did you put in your coffee?” “Nothing,” I quipped. “I’m simply completing some projects that need to be done.” Confident that a crash and burn was imminent, Pat chuckled and continued watching his movie.
EXHAUSTION INE
41.Payton
The cleaning frenzy continued for four days, and when I finished with the downstairs, I moved to the attic. On shaky, dehydrated legs, I shimmied back and forth across a 2x6. It was a shortcut to the most offensive part of the overstuffed attic. Although my body ached from the previous three days of hard labor, I was determined to tame the hoarded beast. I’m not clear on what happened next, but as I made my final pass down the narrow board, my load shifted. I increased my speed to try to catch my balance, but my house shoes did not move as quickly as the rest of my body. I surveyed the space in front of me for something to break my fall. The shiny silver ductwork was my only choice. “Too expensive,” I thought. And so, I flung what was left of my childhood into the air and hoped for the best. Down below, Pat sat at the island in the kitchen. He heard a rumbling and then my slipper landed on the bar in front of him. It was not my best moment. The rest of my family came running to see the damage. A can light had broken my fall and kept the rest of my body from coming through the ceiling. Miraculously, aside from a sizable black bruise on my inner thigh, my pride was the only thing damaged. Well, that and the kitchen ceiling. Dylan delivered the clarity. “Mama. Lordy. You’ve been cleaning like a maniac for days. This was the Lord slapping you in the back of the head saying, ‘I said relax!’” All work and no play… it was time to take a break. But for a workaholic relaxing is harder than it looks. I guess 41
But I wonder why it takes extreme measures for me to justify giving my body and mind the rest it needs? I’m addicted to the high I receive when completing a project. Giving myself permission to not be productive feels scandalous. It’s something I want, but I’m out of practice. One would think that a near-death experience would have slowed me down — creating the necessary pause to the daily grind. One would think, but I had other plans. I dusted myself off and continued checking tasks off my list. It was then that my girl child’s throat started hurting. Nothing can hit the pause button quite like a positive COVID test. I can remember at the onset of the pandemic being utterly disgusted when hearing the phrase “new normal.” The annoyance of being required to reschedule an approaching 10-day block of time forced my inner 2-year-old to pout. As I lowered my eyebrows at the now empty week ahead, I felt a chill shiver up my spine. It was the Lord tapping on my shoulder again, “If you won’t rest, I’ll make you.” He always gets the final word. In the past two years, the only time I have effectively rested is during quarantine. Fever and body aches call for sleep. NyQuil makes it possible. After each COVID time out, I have been able to return to work rested and ready to tackle the challenges of the week ahead. But I wonder why it takes extreme measures for me to justify giving my body and mind the rest it needs? It’s as if I have a checklist of items that I must meet before allowing myself necessary healthsustaining respite. Apparently, contracting a life-threatening disease is my only qualifying event. I can remember several years back posting a status of “mama down” on social media. In retrospect, I think I was requesting reinforcement for my decision to lay on the couch and recover from the flu. One of my friends responded back with “that’s an oxymoron.” And she’s right. If mamas quit, the world will fall apart. We believe this fact, and so our list of excuses to rest vaporizes alongside our hope of ever being
42.Payton
42
able to go to the bathroom alone again. I know that I’m not alone in feeling the need for permission to stop and take a breather. On several occasions, after several glasses of wine, among different groups of women, the joke has been shared about this mama exhaustion. “I wouldn’t mind getting in a small wreck. Nothing big, just enough to require a brief hospital stay where I could sleep late and have my dinner prepared by someone.” More than one person out of each group laughs in agreement. We know each other’s pain. We laugh, but it’s not funny. Burnout of any kind is not good. Mama burnout is dangerous. It’s time we started paying attention and address it. Searching for an answer, I went to my husband. I inquired if he ever felt guilty about sitting down to relax. I hadn’t finished asking the question before he answered with a definitive “no.” He blinked back at me in confusion. “Why would I feel guilty about that?” I returned his bewildered look. Neither of us understood the other person’s viewpoint. Pat changed the subject. I became envious of what he knew that eluded me. What do men know about self-care that women don’t? I can sleep late on a Saturday but wake up feeling exhausted. I can have a weekend filled with family fun but arrive to work on Monday feeling emotionally heavier than when I left the office on Friday. I had to know what I was doing wrong. So, I posed the question to my female social media friends. “Mamas, talk to me about rest. Do you allow yourself time for it? Why or why not? If so, how?”
Several of the responses were from people who are as confused and tired as I am. “Rest? Can you use it in a sentence please,” joked one young mom. Another added, “There are mamas out there that rest????!! I just stay tired!” My friend Angela had this to say, “With a husband who works three jobs and a little who is very attached to her momma, “rest” doesn’t come often.” It seems that these women, like me, were waiting for a qualifying event to achieve the rest they so desired. But then, there was another group. Those who actively pursue it. DeAnn shared, “I used to feel SO GUILTY about taking naps on the weekends, and now I don’t. I just know it’s my body’s way of telling me to slow down.” The tired mama problem is not new as my 93-year-old grandmother had this to add, “I became a ‘night person’ because I needed a little time by myself and with four children, I had to find that time after they went to bed.” To this day, she still stays up late. But I think my friend Kelly best captured the answer for which I was looking. And I think it’s the same thought process
men naturally have, “You cannot take care of your family if you don’t take care of yourself. Rest doesn’t have to mean ‘naps.’ Rest, in my opinion, includes much more than that. Rest means time away, time to yourself, time to disconnect and let your mind relax. As an almost 50-year-old, I can tell you how important it is for you, for your family, and for your sanity!” As counterintuitive as it sounds, rest requires planning. Rest has to become a priority if we want to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I’m guessing that a man’s natural tendency toward self-gratification is the secret ingredient to making rest a non-negotiable in their lives. Now, how in the world are we gonna achieve that? It sounds like it’ll involve a late-night planning party with a bottle of wine, my family calendar, and a permanent marker. If the world falls apart, I guess we’ll know what happened. Godspeed mamas. Your emancipation awaits.
43.Payton • ½ PDP Ad Dr. WALLACE, Dr. CHIDLOW, Dr. CRAWFORD, & Dr. BACKOFFEN
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THE POWER OF PLAY
Bilateral Coordination
SKILL SPOTLIGHT:
What it is and why it matters!
B
ilateral coordination is the ability to coordinate both sides of the body together in a coordinated fashion. From the time we wake up to the time we go to bed we use bilateral coordination to complete simple tasks like squeezing toothpaste onto a toothbrush or putting on our pajamas. Bilateral coordination is a skill that is learned early in life and is continually refined as a child ages. Babies first begin to swat at toys with both arms at the same time and as they become more skilled, they are able to more purposefully swat and reach for things. As skills develop, we start to see the arms working together as two separate parts versus together as a whole. One arm may be used to hold a toy while the other arm pushes buttons or turns gears. As an occupational therapist one of my main roles is to evaluate a child’s development and determine how his or her skill set impacts independence with activities they need or want to do in their daily life. Children are presented with activities all throughout their day that require both arms or both sides of the body to work together in a coordinated fashion. In early childhood bilateral coordination is utilized when holding a bottle and learning to roll or catch a ball. Being able to coordinate both sides of the body is an indication that both sides of the brain are communicating and sharing information with each other. Having good bilateral coordination allows the hands and feet to work well together. This is important for future milestones such as crawling, walking, climbing stairs, and playing musical instruments. Many academic skills rely on a strong foundation of numerous skills – a major one being bilateral coordination. Reading a book requires that a child must hold the book, turn the pages, and visually scan pages left to right and top to bottom. Cutting requires one hand to hold and guide the paper while the dominant hand utilizes scissors to cut the paper. You can take advantage of simple activities and games throughout the course of a day to encourage strong bilateral coordination. Being observant as to how your child performs certain tasks can help you determine areas of both strengths and weaknesses. When bilateral coordination is an area of concern you may notice your child is overly clumsy or that tasks take longer than anticipated. If you feel as if your child’s bilateral coordination needs strengthening, review my list of fun toys and activities that can help improve your child’s skills with simple play.
44.Children’s Therapy Toys
44
WRITTEN BY ANNA CLAIRE PRITCHARD, MOT, LOTR Anna Claire is the owner of the Occupational Therapy department at Firm Foundation Pediatric Therapy in Ruston, Louisiana. Her love of occupational therapy began at a young age. She incorporates fun, creative facets as well as holistic approaches to better assist her clients in reaching their goals. She has experience in a variety of settings from a multidisciplinary center for children with Autism and communication disorders to home health and an outpatient clinic for children and adults with a wide variety of diagnoses such as traumatic brain injury, CVA, cerebral palsy, Sensory Processing Disorder and dysgraphia. Her diverse population of clients is one of her favorite aspects of occupational therapy. Due to her innate love for children, she chose Pediatric occupational therapy as her focus. Anna Claire cares for all of her clients on a personal and professional level.
The following are some great toys to improve bilateral coordination!
0-12 months
Blocks
Textured Balls
Nut and Bolt Toys
Pop Beads
1-3 years
3-5 years
Cut n’ Play 45.Children’s Therapy Toys Food Rock ‘n’ Gem Surprise
Scissor Skills Activity Pad
Shuffling Cards
Pop Tubes
Mr. Potato Head
Stack Up!
6-8 years
Jewelry Making Kit
8-10+ years
Cup Stacking
Yoga Bingo
FlipSlide
45
A judge we can TRUST to protect our familie s, DEFEND our values and UPHOLD our constitution. E L E E L C E T C T
46.Erin Leigh DT
CORE PRINCIPLES R R R R
E n han ce the f u ture f or our c hild re n Prot ect our relig ious f re e d oms Promot e our pub lic s a f e ty Preserve ou r cons titutiona l p rote c tion
VOTE TO ELECT
JUDGE ERIN LEIGH WADDELL GARRETT!
47.Erin Leigh DT
ELECTION DAY | March 26, 2022 EARLY VOTIING | March 12-19 WaddellGarrett.com @WaddellGarrettForJudge Paid for by the compaign to elect Judge Erin Leigh Waddell Garrett
DIY Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs
N
aturally dyed Easter Eggs are not only a less toxic approach, but the natural pigment from plants and spices create the most beautiful array of colors and shades. Dyeing Easter eggs naturally may take longer than traditional methods but experiencing the variety of colors found in the foods we eat daily is worth the extra time.
Ingredients
• Hard-boiled eggs, room temperature (white
48.Easter Crafts •
or brown eggs, preferably not super-fresh) Water
• 1 cup chopped purple cabbage per cup of water
• 1 cup red onion skins per cup of water • 1 cup yellow onion skins per cup of water • 1 cup shredded beets per cup of water • 2 tablespoons ground turmeric per cup of water
• 1 bag Red Zinger tea per cup of water • White distilled vinegar (1 tablespoon per cup of strained dye)
• Liquid neutral oil, such as vegetable or grapeseed
Equipment
• Saucepan with lid • White dish • Fine-mesh strainer • A second saucepan or bowl • Baking dish or other container • Paper towels
46 48
INSTRUCTIONS
F Gather your ingredients: You can make separate batches of different colors or one large batch of a single color. Follow the ratios given above for each ingredient to make more or less dye.
F Add water to a saucepan: Pour the
amount of water you need for the dye you’re making into a saucepan.
F Start making the dye: Add the dye
matter (purple cabbage, onion skins, etc.) and bring the water to a boil.
F Adjust the heat: Turn the heat down to low and simmer, covered, for 15 to 30 minutes.
F Check the color: The dye is ready when
it reaches a hue a few shades darker than you want for your egg. Drip a little dye onto a white dish to check the color. When the dye is as dark as you like, remove the pan from the heat and let the dye cool to room temperature. (I put the pot on my fire escape and it cooled off in about 20 minutes.)
F Strain the dye: Pour the cooled dye
through a fine-mesh strainer into another saucepan (or into a bowl then back into the original pan if that’s all you have).
F Add vinegar: Stir the vinegar into the dye — use 1 tablespoon of vinegar per cup of strained liquid.
F Pour the dye over the eggs: Arrange the
room-temperature eggs in single layer in a baking dish or other container and carefully pour the cooled dye over them. Make sure the eggs are completely submerged.
F Put the eggs in the fridge: Transfer the eggs in the dye to the refrigerator and chill until the desired color is reached.
F Dry and oil the eggs: Carefully dry the eggs,
and then massage in a little oil to each one. Polish with a paper towel. Store the eggs in the refrigerator until it is time to eat (or hide) them.
F Natural dyes can sometimes produce
unexpected results, so don’t be surprised if, for example, your red-cabbage dye yields blue eggs. Use the following guide to help you achieve the colors you desire.
SIENNA: Boil eggs in onion-skin solution, 30 minutes.
CHARTREUSE: Soak eggs in roomtemperature turmeric solution, 30 minutes. Follow with roomtemperature cabbage solution, 5 seconds. LIGHT BROWN: Soak eggs in roomtemperature black coffee, 30 minutes.
DEEP GOLD: Boil eggs in turmeric solution, 30 minutes. SALMON: Soak eggs in roomtemperature turmeric solution, 30 minutes. Follow with roomtemperature onion-skin solution, 30 minutes.
LAVENDER: Soak eggs in roomtemperature beet solution, 30 minutes. Follow with roomtemperature cabbage solution, 30 seconds.
LIGHT PINK: Soak eggs in roomtemperature beet solution, 30 minutes.
49.Easter Crafts
PALE YELLOW: Soak eggs in roomtemperature turmeric solution, 30 minutes.
ORANGE: Soak eggs in roomtemperature onionskin solution, 30 minutes.
DARK RICH BROWN: Boil eggs in black coffee, 30 minutes.
LIGHT BLUE: Soak eggs in roomtemperature cabbage solution, 30 minutes.
ROYAL BLUE: Soak eggs in roomtemperature cabbage solution overnight.
Photos by Sarah Pullin 49 47
ST. MARK’S MIDDLE SCHOOL 50.St Marks DT GRADES 6-8
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52.Donesa BY DONESA WALKER, M. ED., LEARNINGRX OF SHREVEPORT
here are lots of discussions out there about voting and rights which are very important to discuss, but one simply cannot overlook the fact that over 80 percent of Americans cannot read the ballot. I know that is a stunning amount, but America is at an all-time low in literacy and due to COVID school closures this is a growing trend. Literacy at the fourth-grade level for America is below 50 percent and only 12 percent can read at a high enough level to get the legal language of a ballot. Louisiana is 41st out of 50 states in literacy! Unacceptable!
• Why then are we not challenging this right to pursue happiness and ease of learning? • Why are we settling for the status quo? • How do we make a difference in our community?
So glad you asked! According to The Literacy Company and U.S. Census Bureau, which underscore the critical need to address illiteracy in the United States: • Currently, 45 million Americans are functionally illiterate and cannot read above a fifth-grade level • 50 percent of adults cannot read a book written at an eighthgrade level • 57 percent of students failed the California Standards Test in English • 1/3 of fourth-graders barely reach the proficient reading level • 25 percent of students in school systems are able to perform basic reading skills • 85 percent of juvenile offenders have problems reading • 3 out of 5 people in American prisons can’t read • 3 out of 4 people on welfare can’t read
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The brain is a terrific tool but it needs stimulation in order to grow something as complicated as the skill of reading, especially in light of learning issues like dyslexia. Did you know that 2 out of 5 kids struggle with reading issues and 20 percent of our population has dyslexia? Training the brain and identifying these weaknesses early is key to making change. Getting assessments on cognitive abilities and knowing where the child struggles can open the door to a world of learning. How can you be the difference for your own child and those around you?
The Literacy Project says, "If you’re a parent and want a deeper dive at the situation, read below for a collection of stats in keys areas in child literacy to help prepare you to make a difference in the lives of your children:” 1. By age 2, a child’s brain is as active as an adult’s and by age 3 the brain is more than twice as active as an adult’s – and stays that way for the first 10 years of life. 2. Cognitive processes develop rapidly in the first few years of life. In fact, by age 3, roughly 85 percent of the brain is developed. However, traditional education takes place in grades K-12, which begins at age five. 3. According to the Department of Education, the more students read or are read to for fun on their own time and at home, the higher their reading scores, generally.
53.Donesa
7. Children’s academic successes at ages 9 and 10 can be attributed to the amount of talk they hear from birth through age 3. Young children who are exposed to certain early language and literacy experiences also prove to be good readers later on in life. 8. Books contain many words that children are unlikely to encounter frequently in spoken language. Books for kids actually contain 50 percent more words that children are unlikely to encounter frequently than regular conversation, TV or radio.
5. 65 percent of America’s fourthgraders do not read at a proficient level.
9. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) found that children who were read to frequently are also more likely to: count to 20 or higher than those who were not (60 percent vs. 44 percent), write their own names (54 percent vs. 40 percent), read or pretend to read (77 percent vs. 57 percent)
6. In a study of nearly 100,000 U.S. schoolchildren, access to printed materials was the key variable affecting reading acquisition.
10. Higher reading exposure was 95 percent positively correlated with a growing region supporting semantic language processing in the brain.
4. Reading and being read to has an impact that extends beyond just hearing stories.
B
ecoming the difference is possible! Talk to kids using big language not watered down. Volunteer to read to a local classroom or after-school groups such as Lighthouse with VOA or Community Renewal. Donate books to your local school for children to take home! Thrifty Peanut Book Warehouse and LearningRx are partnering on a Citywide Book Giveaway on March 2, 2022, which is Read Across America Day! Everyone who lives in the area is invited to get a FREE book of your choice from Thrifty Peanut during that week of literacy. You can donate money towards this project by buying Thrifty Peanut Bucks and donating them to a local classroom or community group or even sponsoring a school! This is the start. These books can then be returned and exchanged
11. The most important aspect of parent talk is its amount. Mothers who frequently speak to their infants have their children learn almost 300 more words by age 2 than children whose mothers rarely spoke to them. Simultaneously, children learn the grammatical syntax and the social nuances around communication in their community. 12. Children exposed to fewer colors, less touch, little interaction with adults, fewer sights and sounds, and less language, actually have smaller brains. 13. The number of books in the home correlates significantly with higher reading scores for children. 14. Students who choose what they read and have an informal environment in which to read tend to be more motivated, read more and show greater language and literacy development. 15. Children who are read to at least three times a week by a family member are almost twice as likely to score in the top 25 percent in reading compared to children who are read to less than 3 times a week.
for another after they have been read and enjoyed. Under this literacy project, our community can make a difference in the lives of our kids and others. Reading is a right that everyone should have. The right to read whatever you choose. The right to hold a book that belongs to you. Literacy is critical to our future for without reading you are left to struggle in the abyss of the unknown world. Be the difference! 53
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“Early data from a landmark National Institutes of Health (NIH) study that began in 2018 indicates that children who spent more than two hours a day on screen-time activities scored lower on language and thinking tests, and some children with more than seven hours a day of screen time experienced thinning of the brain’s SPECIAL cortex, the area of the brain related to critical thinking and reasoning There is also some evidence that children who watch a lot of television during the early elementary school years perform less well on reading tests and may show deficits in attention.”
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9 Visit Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park. 9 Stay in Breckenridge for activities such as the Alpine Slide and Gold Runner Coaster. 9 Day trip to Bond, Colorado for rafting at Rancho Del Rio. Rent a single or double ducky raft and enjoy class 1 and 2 rapids. This is easy rafting for 7 years old and up.
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Meet the
DESIGNERS !
Lola Magazine and Julie Mays JULIE MAYS INTERIORS Heard Construction’s What inspired you to choose a career in Interior Design? 2022 Inspiration Art and design have been a passion since childhood. I spent many summers as a child attending camps at museums to learn about Home is in full swing! proportion, color theory, and pottery making. Design in any realm is my greatest joy. We are thrilled Tell us a bit about your background in design. I received a degree in Interior Design from an accredited program at to showcase the the University of Arkansas. I also have a minor in studio art. I have worked under many great interior designers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, most immaculately Texas and Louisiana. I started my own business when moving to Ruston 18 years ago. I opened my studio and retail location at Trenton 60.designed Inspiration home ourHouse Interiors 6 years ago. This was a dream come true. I love working with so many clients that have allowed me into their homes and area has ever seen. businesses. With each project, I have learned new ways to stretch and grow always striving to be the best designer I can be. We are so proud What projects come to mind that you most enjoyed? Too many to mention! Commercial Interior design projects always of our dynamic peak my creativity. I would say Durrett Law Firm’s downtown Ruston location or the new wing in the main Origin Bank location were two team of designers of my favorites. Can you share a design tip with us? and decorators. A simple rule to always follow with your work: Wisely select important pieces for your space. Wait for them, don’t settle for anything less. The talent of each These are the things we keep rather than replace. of them is truly something to inspire.
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Lauren Roebuck
LAUREN ROEBUCK DESIGNS
What was your inspiration behind owning your own floral and décor business? Growing up in Ruston, I wanted my own business with flexibility and creative control. My parents owned a family business for 40 years and they helped me develop a business mind and work ethic. I have a passion for florals and home décor, but the lasting relationships I have built with our customers is what has pushed me to grow into what we are today. Tell us the story behind Lauren Robuck Designs. My first love is floral design. I started in the industry as a part-time florist while attending college and getting my florist license. As a graduate of Louisiana Tech in Marketing and Management, I knew I had the knowledge for business, but my passion was in creating beautiful florals and spaces. In 2003, I began with a small floral business and have since grown it into a large business of decorating homes, creating lighting for new construction and carrying furniture. I thank God for giving me this talent and the ability to serve others through my florals and home décor. I couldn’t be more grateful for my career path and the reputation we have built with our signature style on interior decorating and floral design. Our original 1800 square-foot home studio has expanded to the new 6800 square-foot showroom filled with a variety of upholstered furniture and cased goods along with home accessories, lighting, wall art, rugs, lamps, and gifts for men and women. It truly is your one-stop shop. My husband, Steven Roebuck, is my strongest supporter, and for the first 10 years my only helper. Now, my daughter Haley(19) and son Alex (14) pitch in. The whole family is involved, along with our 16 employees that we dearly love! I am very fortunate and so thankful to have a job that I am excited about each and every day.
61.Inspiration
How would you describe your décor style? Unique and detailed, insisting “every little detail makes a difference.” My team and I create personalized spaces for each client, ensuring they love the results. I love to use color and unique pieces. We strive for our spaces to exude happiness and light, much like the spirit of Lauren Robuck Designs and my staff. I adore helping clients transform a house into a home by surrounding them with beautiful accessories, distinctive lamps, wall art, and chic furniture.
Making their dreams become a reality brings me so much fulfillment. What project are you most proud of? I was hired to revamp, redo and change the layout of the first home we built, almost thirteen years after we had sold it. It was so fun to renovate the house we built and give it a completely new look and feel! What is your goal for each of your clients? Each home I decorate is a vision of the owner. I strive to help them with what they want; designing the project off of the style of the home and the personality of the client. This is their home and I want them to love everything about it. They live there, not me! I always listen to exactly what they have envisioned and create a space that encompasses their wants and needs.
Emily Pullin
EPULLIN THE COLLECTIVE OF RUSTON
ART+HOME,
What inspired you to choose art as a career path? I have always been drawn to art and interiors many who know me would say it’s in my blood - everyone in my family is very creative. Tell us about how you found your niche in art and design. After earning a degree in Interior Design and working in the industry for a year, I took a different direction and gained a Master’s in Art Education. I have continued to hone my skills as a Visual Artist and recently, with the opening of our shop (co-owned with Mallory Patterson Design): The Collective of Ruston. I have recently begun to broaden my art into designing spaces. Nothing is more exciting to me than watching all of the elements come together to fill beautiful spaces. How would you describe your signature look? I would consider my signature look to be “transitional.” I love mixing old with new - classical lines and modern lines. I think it creates a perfect and unexpected balance in a space. My own home is a great example of my look. It is a constant work in progress. Give us a simple rule to follow in creating spaces to love. Easy - ALWAYS buy what you love. 61
Julie Rogers
JULIE ROGERS INTERIORS
When did you know that interior design would be your calling? As a child, I was always interested in art. I loved to draw and paint. My mother and great-grandmother were also very talented and practiced design and decorating. Perhaps it was “in my blood.” This interest, later in life, led me to pursue the study of Interior Design. Louisiana Tech University offered this degree and so it became my goal to move to Ruston and begin my studies. Tell us about your Interior Design journey? My education at La. Tech began in 1976 and I graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Design which was in the school of Art and Architecture. During my senior year, I worked for Ruston Lumber and Supply Co. in the Design Center. This job allowed me to work with many local contractors on both commercial and residential projects from the ground up. It was fantastic on-the-job training. Soon I would meet my future husband, native to Ruston, Steve Rogers. We married after graduation and Ruston has been my home for 41 years. By choosing a career in Interior Design, I was allowed the flexibility it takes to become a successful mom, wife and professional. Though a small town, Ruston is very large in diversity. We have many talented artists and designers and I have had the privilege of affiliating with many over the years. Most of my work has been as an independent designer. My plan is to continue to work for a few more years.
62.Inspiration
How would you describe your design style? As a professional Interior Designer, I describe my style as “classic” with a flair for transition. This allows me to reflect a modern influence on each and every one of my projects. I share this technique with all of my clients in hopes that they will develop their own sense of style and tradition. Do you have a favorite project? Each and every one of my projects are of equal importance, large and small, and my goal is always the same; which is by using common principles of design and fundamental practices, beautiful spaces will emerge. Thanks to the many people I have worked with and for, I am very proud to say my career as an Interior Designer has been very successful and personally gratifying. Rules to design by? “Focus Focus Focus.” Always encourage your client to set boundaries and try to work within them. But at the same time, insist on flexibility. This can be more fun. In other words, allow your project to evolve with some decisions to be made along the journey. This will allow the designer to be influential as needed. Finally, when your job is complete the result will be a “beautiful space!”
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Angela Pfanner
BIRDWELL’S
What inspired you to choose a career in home décor? Even as a young girl, I would decorate my bedroom for each season. I have always had a love of decorating and styling which was one of the inspiring ideas around starting a business in home décor. How did Birdwell’s come to life? In October 2015, the startup story began with a process of branding, styling and curating to create a unique brand built around the story of our grandmothers. In 2016, our website launched with a goal to offer online sales. We began to participate in holiday Junior League shows, both regionally and locally. With the support of family and friends, the idea of a storefront began to develop. In 2017, Birdwell’s held its first local “launch” preview at Azalea Hall In Bossier City. In April of 2018, Birdwell’s found a storefront home at Airline Plaza in Bossier City! What can we expect to find when shopping at Birdwell’s? We take pride in curating southern lines, brands and local art to create a unique store and shopping experience. Can you share some “décor wisdom” with us? “Your home is a reflection of personal style along with a collection of memories.” For me, this is a reminder of where to start when working with a customer or client on decor and design.
Connie Howard
WOODVALE DESIGNS
What inspired you to be an Interior Designer? You might say Interior Design found me! I grew up in a family of contractors and didn’t really realize that Interior Design could be a career. My first degree is in English Education. While teaching in New Orleans I began taking Interior Design courses at Tulane. I moved to Ruston and some fifteen years later went back to Louisiana Tech and got both my undergraduate degree and the MFA, Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design, the terminal degree in Interior Design. Can you tell us about your Interior Design career? I started my career in Interior Design at mid-life. I was fortunate enough to stay home with my children while they were growing up. When my last child was a teenager, I decided to go back to Louisiana Tech. I had helped friends design their homes but then I started getting calls from strangers and thought “This looks like a business!”. One of my friends said, “I wonder what God is preparing you for?”. As it turned out, I soon needed to work. So, I have always considered my business a blessing from God, who always wants to go ahead of us, preparing the way for us.
Do you have a signature style? I don’t think I have a signature look, although people tell me they can tell when something is my work. My goal is always to give the client the look they want, to interpret their ideas and to be sure they get the best of what their budget will allow. What is a simple rule you always follow in your work? Listen to the client! I always say to my clients, “You know, I go to my home at night... tell me what YOU want!”.
David Hedgepeth
DAVID HEDGEPETH INTERIORS
What inspired you to choose a career in Interior Design? I have always enjoyed being creative, and being an interior designer feeds my need to create. When working with clients, it’s the process of creating that brings together their wants and needs that excites me. Seeing their happiness with the finished project lets me know I made the right career decision. How did you get started in Interior Design? Growing up, my father was an interior decorator and my mother was a seamstress so I spent my early years around the business of creating, designing and decorating. After graduating from high school I entered LA Tech as a journalism major, realizing that journalism was not in the cards I switched majors and earned a degree in Elementary and Special Education. I taught for several years but knew I needed something more creative and went back to LA Tech and found my real passion was interior design. In 1985, I opened David Hedgepeth Interiors, then in 2014 Julie Mays and I opened Trenton Interiors & Company, a Design Showroom, where we could offer our clients one location that would showcase the best in design, from flooring to furniture and accessories.
63.Inspiration Ad
Do you have a signature design style? I don’t believe I have a signature look but do believe my
signature is my ability to design a look that reflects my clients, not me. I tell my clients that when I walk away from their project I want their friends and family to see them and not a designer who has put their stamp on everything. A word of advice when designing a space? Budget. I am always working to achieve the look my clients are looking for but within their budget.
Carmen Hill
CARMEN HILL DESIGN
When did you know that interior design would be your calling? As a child I was always fascinated with structure, form, color and light. I would create a house from cardboard boxes and design a neighborhood with dirt roads and use my brothers’ hot wheels cars. I eventually graduated to a “real” doll house and became obsessed with spending any allowance or monetary gift on furniture and decor to complete it. My talented and artistic Aunt who lives in New Orleans would hand sew bedding for the bedrooms. No detail was overlooked, even down to authentic tiny working light fixtures. This explorative time at a young age created the passion I have for architecture and interior design. What is your goal when designing a space? For thirty years I have been blessed to design some beautiful spaces for amazing clients. All projects begin with space planning with an emphasis on function and then progress to architectural design, interior finishes, furnishings, window treatments and art selections. I believe good design is a sensory not only experienced by sight but also in the way a space feels and the energy it provides. Do you have a specific or favorite style when designing? I appreciate all genres of design and strive to connect with my clients on a personal level to create spaces that represent their personalities and lifestyle. When a project is complete, it is so rewarding to know my client’s dream fused with my vision and talent created a beautiful space that brings them joy and peace.
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The
PA RT 1
Perfectly Imperfect Home on Pecan Lane
The St. Andre Family spent six years 64. Home Redu treasure hunting to make every inch of their home a part of their story... What a story this home can tell... WRITTEN BY SHARON ST. ANDRE PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID SMITH
S
orry Dave, I know I made this decision without you, but I also knew that if I didn’t pull the trigger, it would never happen. In 2014, while doing an internship with North Shore community college for my Vet Technician certification, I was headed to Briar Hill and I heard an ad for a general steel building. They were having a sale, and although I knew nothing
64
THE BEGINNING… about the building, I made the call and got a building ordered. The company assured me they had a local contractor to see the project through. Dave and I met with them in Bossier City. They made an impression and assured us that they could get us into a 40 x 60 building for $150,000. Yeah right! The total went over $200,000 and needless to say, in the end, we were not impressed with them. The dry walls, plumbing and electrical
were not accurate to our plans and the concrete finish was terrible. Yet, here we were with the building and quite a project ahead of us. Our family was skeptical of my vision, to say the least. No one could get inside my head and figure out my vision. Dave, like any good husband, went along with about anything I would dream up over the course of the next six years. We had a sweet fellowship and
65.Home Redu lots of family workdays. Friends came to help, still not really seeing the vision, they trusted, and they were willing to do what needed to be done in that moment. I have an innate need to create. It’s just in my bones. Creating drives me to think outside the box. It also drives most normal people crazy. I draw much of my inspiration from old things. I love to imagine the previous life of all of these objects. From all the hands that touch them before their life to after they are in a box thrown on the floor collecting dust, rusting, and being moved from one location to the next. I started hunting and gathering as many old treasures as possible. For years I hunted locks, keys, vintage silver plated flatware, buttons, scissors, old boards, spindles, porch rails, and the list goes on and on.
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The chance to push my creativity and ideas comes with this house we built from the beginning mostly from what was necessary and what can we could do to fix what the contractors screwed up. It was frustrating initially, but it became this challenge that I embraced and quite honestly became obsessed with. The truth is, most of the time when we were stumped, I would dream of a solution. The next morning I would share my dream and the solutions to the problem. I’d say nine times out of ten the resolution worked. We called our style “industrial farmhouse.” I drew inspiration from magazines, DIY shows, and by visiting flea markets and antique stores. Ultimately, I wanted the finished product to evolve. I was against any of this build to look overdesigned.
66.Home Redu
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he Highland Park house was a highlight of our project. We were gifted an opportunity to salvage materials from a 100-year-old home in the Dallas area Highland Park. The best five days ever! Dave, my sister, Ann, her husband Bill, my sister Pam, all Glamped in this fabulous house. We slept on blowup mattresses, went for popsicles at Steel City Pops every day, shopped daily at Trader Joe’s and came home with beautiful floors, doors, trim, baseboards and charming odds and ends. The previous homeowner would leave notes for her husband, which we brought home with us. There’s something about handwritten notes and old penmanship that has a soul. One big takeaway from this awesome house was the vintage music publication. I decided to incorporate the colors into our design. They displayed perfect mustard yellow and pretty gray. That mustard gave me a run for my money. It didn’t exist, so I mixed it using my own craft paints. I finally mixed the perfect color and I went for it. 66
Perfectly Imperfect I was told it looked like poopy diapers, and I would not like it. Yet, I loved it. There’s something nostalgic about the gray and gold along with some reds, blues and greens. These colors speak to me. I feel wrapped in a big old golden gray hug. Wouldn’t you know, this mustard gold is now all the rage and super easy to find. We said for six years that we would be “finished by Christmas.” Our family gathered this past December in our house which became our greatest “labor of love.” Each Sunday, for every birthday and holiday we come together in this space that we now call home. We have a mishmash of random colors, art and furniture, but somehow they work together, at least in my mind. They present a perfect mix of colors and life for our perfectly, imperfect house. That just became my new motto “The perfectly imperfect house.” My vision is complete and everything is perfectly imperfect in every way. Each inch of this house tells a story, and what a story it is to tell!
67.Home Redu
Follow along in the next issue of Lola Magazine for PART 2 of The Perfectly Imperfect Home on Pecan Lane!
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oP Po PDR PORTRAITS Telling Stories through Artful Headshots
Hey there! My name is Hannah 70. Hannah Gumbo Gumbo. I’m a full-time muralist and illustrator creating work that embraces color, positivity and joy from my home in the Cajun Prairies of Eunice, Louisiana. I’ll be sharing my latest outdoor art adventure with you over the next few issues of Lola! My project the“PopDrop Booth,” is a rentable mobile backdrop that showcases my original paintings while providing an immersive art encounter that can take place anywhere. Through ArtSpark, I partnered with local photographers to create a series of portraits celebrating Louisiana women of small business. These photos highlight PopDrop’s possibilities while showcasing these incredible ladies and their unique career paths. The booth was repainted or redesigned with each portrait session, allowing me to use various mediums and techniques to bring each story to life.
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GET TO KNOW
K R I S T Y H E B E RT KRISTY HEBERT: An engineer, hemp farmer and cannabis advocate.
I
t all began in 2012, when Kristy was run over 7 times back and forth by a drunk driver, shattering her pelvis and leaving her unable to walk for over
a year. During rehabilitation, she discovered she had a chemical sensitivity to opioids. Unable to keep food down, she searched for holistic alternatives and discovered CBD. She went on to graduate in Biological and Agricultural Engineering so that she could help bring more science and research to
71.Hannah
this industry. She has worked in every aspect of the hemp industry, from processing hemp grain and lab testing products for purity to building the first-ever US-grown hempcrete home. In 2017, she founded Cypress Hemp, a Louisiana-based cannabis company with a mission to revitalize the American hemp industry through education and sustainable practices.
A TYPICAL DAY IN KRISTY’S LIFE Running a farm and small business alone makes for a wild ride, but being a cannabis business makes things even less predictable! I hop around between government committee meetings, product design, harvesting hemp and groovy dance parties in the field! Expressions of gratitude and overflowing joy are constant. Life couldn’t be better! WRITTEN BY HANNAH GUMBO PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRITTANY BOUDREAUX 71
VALUES SHE BRINGS TO HER WORK: I believe if you lead through LOVE that life will always guide you in the right direction.
72.Hannah
THE BEST PART OF RUNNING YOUR OWN SMALL BUSINESS
Getting to personally connect with the people whose lives have changed due to the holistic benefit of the plant and our products. It feels inspiring to know that we are able to bring happiness and create a little less suffering in the world.
THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF RUNNING YOUR OWN SMALL BUSINESS Navigating an unprecedented industry with an ever-changing legal landscape is a challenge. We have to constantly adjust to newly implemented laws and regulations, and now being a regional business, we have to keep up with multiple states’ laws and regulations! The biggest challenges though, often feel the best when accomplished.
WHERE CAN WE BUY FROM YOU? Find us at CypressHemp.com 72
Location: Baton Rouge, LA. For
Kristy’s PopDrop portrait, we chose the River Center Branch Library in Downtown Baton Rouge, LA. This location faces the old state capital, combining new and old architecture to tell a continued story of both where Louisiana has been but also where it’s going. Along with running “Cypress Hemp,” Kristy also spends much of her time at the State Capital in Baton Rouge educating legislators on hemp to help create change within Louisiana’s cannabis industry through her appointed position on the Industrial Hemp Advisory Committee. This fulfilling work allows her to take in feedback from universities and advocate for citizens, businesses, and farmers in order to channel that into direct regulations that help all industry participants have a better chance at thriving and succeeding.
inner world to life. But what is a hemp advocate without plants?! Rather than bring the photo booth out into a field, we brought the field to the booth. Dried hemp leaf samples from Virginia along with local blooms were artfully arranged from the PopDrop Booth flowing onto the cement by Sharime Kayla to further demonstrate Kristy’s career brought to life.
Photography by: Sharime
Kayla Jobe is a floral designer and photographer based in New Orleans. Her passion for flowers
and photography come together to produce arrangements for events and weddings, styled photo shoots and still life art prints. She loves collaborating with other creatives and believes the community is where the real magic happens.
Funded by: ArtSpark, an individual artist stipend supported by LEDA (Lafayette Economic Development Authority) and administered by the AcA (Acadiana Center for the Arts).
Creative Direction: Hannah
73.Hannah Gumbo
Gumbo. The inspiration for this shoot came from Kristy’s love of all things groovy. By starting with the color palette and branding of Cypress Hemp, which is really just an extension of Kristy as a person, we brought her
SO CIAL HANDLES: Hannah Gumbo: @hannahgumbo | PopDrop: @popdropbooth Kristy Hebert: @cypresshemp / @hempgineer | Sharime Kayla: @sharime_kayla 73
Pretty x Practical Design = Clear, Concise Communication for your organization
Lola Magazine
74.Ad Richard Creative
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LOUISIANA , LOULET’S ISIA NA , GIVE
COVID BOOT! LET’STHE GIVE COVIDof THE BOOT! 75.Louisiana Department Health
Louisianans come from all different walks of life. Whether you work in an office or on a farm. Put out traps or put out fires. Dribble a ball or walk the mall. It’s Louisianans from all ofthe life.boot. time we come all stepped up different and gavewalks COVID Whether you work in an office or on a farm. Put out traps orIfput out vaccinated, fires. Dribble a ball or walk the It’s you’re get the booster for mall. maximum time we all stepped up not, and get gavevaccinated COVID theso boot. protection. If you’re you don’t get sick or pass the virus on to someone who is If you’revulnerable vaccinated, get the booster maximum like a tiny baby or for an older adult. protection. If you’re not, get vaccinated so you don’t get sick or pass the virus on to someone who is vulnerable like a tiny baby or anyou olderwear, adult. Whatever shoes
step up Louisiana and give COVID boot. Whatever shoesthe you wear, step up Louisiana and give COVID the boot.
To book your free vaccine or booster, visit vaccines.gov. or call 855-453-0774 to speak with a trusted medical professional. To book your free vaccine or booster, visit vaccines.gov. or call 855-453-0774 to speak with a trusted medical professional.
Dr. Karen's Review of the
expected to be in
WRITTEN BY DR. KAREN PENDLETON
fter our last two years that were best described as “unprecedented” and “uncertain,” predicting the future can feel a bit puzzling. But when it comes to beauty, just like medicine and science, it’s safe to say that the trends have evolved with the times. Remember, both 2020 and 2021 were about taking hygiene to the next level, and ‘maskne’ products. 2022 appears to be a year of experimentation... from scientific haircare treatments for hair loss to robots that paint your nails and fragrances that hack your mood.
76.Dr. Karen
SCIENTIFIC HAIRCARE, WITH A FOCUS ON HAIR LOSS
The “skin-ification” of haircare represents the overlap between haircare and skincare, especially with the new focus on the scalp (which is also skin, after all). With all the scalp concerns that have come up during the pandemic, particularly post Covid-19 hair loss, in-office treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and at-home treatments such as Vegamour and Better Not Younger are rising, as well as an inside-out approach to haircare, example being Nutrafol.
ROBOTIC TREATMENTS
Can you imagine scheduling your next self-care appointments (nails, hair and lashes) with R2-D2, C-3PO or BB-8? Well here’s a fellow robot, Nimble. It’s a device that could hack the nail industry by providing efficient, accurate manicures in a quarter of the time it usually takes. Nimble uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, microcameras, 3D image processing, and algorithms to paint your nails for you. It works by scanning each individual nail to identify where the nail starts and ends. 76
After choosing and loading your capsules of basecoat, color and topcoat, the hands are placed into the Nimble chamber, where the magic is performed in 10 minutes. Voila…a perfect manicure with the precise amount of polish. Nimble integrates a warm airflow system to speed up your nail-drying time. Introducing beauty experience automation… LUUM. LUUM uses Robotics, Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and is changing the game for lash-lovers and lash-providers with technology to delicately and safely apply stunning extensions in a fraction of the time it takes today. Experts are predicting this AI wave will make beauty treatments faster, cheaper, and more popular than ever.
NAILSCAPES
Art appreciation…everywhere! According to Pinterest Predicts 2022 report, more people will paint or have painted landscape-style designs, especially galaxy nail art and ocean nails. Also, trending… geode, desert, and constellation-inspired nail art.
DNA-BASED SKINCARE
77.Dr. Karen
WELLNESS FRAGRANCES
Since the dawn of time, the traditional mentality is that we wear scents to smell attractive to others. The current thinking in the fragrance industry is shifting to focus on the wearer. This discussion is not just about aromatherapy but on “wellness fragrances”, which are aimed more at the scientific level, and thus, to change mood. Recall Ani Liu, who is an internationally exhibiting research-based artist working at the intersection of art and science. She has made personalized perfumes that smell like a specific person, helping the mind reconnect to a memory. And, there is a brand specializing in mood-hacking scents, The Nue Co., which uses patented neuroscience technology to tap into different parts of the wearer’s brain and deliver different benefits. The brand’s Functional Fragrance is a fragrance with a function, designed to help you reset at times of high stress. Developed using data insight and research into the connection between cognitive function (the mind) and the olfactory system (the sense of smell). This is an antistress supplement delivered in the form of a unisex fragrance. Understand that smells can trigger both emotional and physiological responses. Put simply, scent is one of the fastest ways to alter your emotional state.
As a review, in health and beauty, genetics only accounts for 20% of what can manifest in you. Environmental factors certainly play a part, to the tune of 80%. Even at a 20% contribution, the truth is that your genes largely determine how you age, as well as your predisposition towards pigmentation and sensitivity. Given the above statement, that’s why a growing number of beauty brands are capitalizing on DNA-based skincare. Nomige is one of these brands that recognizes this statistic: “86% of women have skin issues and advanced aging, because the products they use do not match their DNA”. At Nomige, you submit a DNA sample, and a high-tech online test will gather information about your genetic makeup, analyze variations in your DNA, and translate that data into a customized skincare regime. You get the ‘perfect’ skin with products made specifically for you. These global DNA-based skin care products are expected to reach a value of nearly $10 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc.
EMPHASIS ON SKINCARE APPLICATION
In general, quality skincare is expensive, which is why we go to extreme lengths to stretch out our products as long as possible. However, it seems many of us play much less attention to how much of our moisturizers/hydrators and serums are actually getting absorbed into our skin. Because the skin and its barrier are excellent at keeping things out of it, only 10 percent of topical products absorb beneath the skin’s surface. Given this fact, it has led to adjuncts of skincare, the skincare rollers that help skincare penetrate are more popular than ever. Beyond the jade rollers and the handheld micro-needling tools, are two interesting devices, Droplette and Réduit. Not just another facial mist, Droplette is a MIT-developed, and funded by the National Institutes of Health, and Walter Reed Army Institute 77
BODY CONTOURING
of Research that combines fluid physics with beauty. Thus, this physics-powered device transforms skincare ingredients capsules into a powerful, high velocity micro-mist, allowing for the delivery of skincare deep into your skin. Réduit is the winner of Pure Beauty’s 2020 and 2021 award for “Best Special Innovation”. Réduit‘s one-of-a-kind application system (“Smartpod”) significantly increases penetration and absorption of actives, thanks to their proprietary technologies: Ultrasonic Diffusion and Magnetic Misting.
Body contouring continues to trend in popularity (up 35%, according to Yelp’s 2022 Beauty Trend Forecast Report), and for those looking for similar results without the surgery, noninvasive procedures are expected to be all the rage. Even when you work hard to maintain a healthy weight with your diet and exercise routines, you can still end up with nagging bulges of fat that refuse to go away. The FDA-Approved CoolSculpting is a permanent and non-invasive fat loss series of treatments that can be experienced in Metairie, LA at my colleagues’ practice, Bopp Dermatology & Facial Plastic Surgery. This innovative device kills fat cells by freezing them, yet it doesn’t harm surrounding tissues.
CLEAN AND TRANSPARENT SKINCARE
BOOMING GROOMING INDUSTRY
Enlightened by quizzes and surveys, many skincare brands are touting ingredient transparency, and this is gaining popularity. Biodegradable and sustainable claims are more than a bonus… they’re a requirement. This consumer-driven demand has pushed companies to move into the direction of more sustainable formulas, whether via packaging, formulations, or reducing its carbon footprint. According to Barbara Paldus, PhD, Codex Beauty Labs Founder and EWG Board Member, “If you can’t make the sustainable choice when creating a product, even if it costs you more, you don’t deserve to be creating a brand.” FYI: Codex Beauty Labs is a biotech company grounded in science, dedicated to supporting the microbiome, and pioneering products having clinically proven, meaningful skincare benefits. Before making your skincare choices, here is a valuable resource, the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep®. EWG’s Skin Deep® database gives you practical solutions to protect yourself and your family from everyday exposures to chemicals.
78.Dr Karen
DO-IT-YOURSELF…NEED A LITTLE HELP?
During the height of the Pandemic in 2020 and the following year, 2021, the DIY mentality was a top trend and a form of ‘beauty survival’! With the closure of salons/spas, we were forced to become our own aestheticians, dermatologists, hair specialists (style and color) and manicurists overnight. This year, 2022 is offering some support. At-home treatments aren’t going anywhere any time soon, but there are some remote access to professional help. Here are examples. • The Inkey List’s ‘myINKEY’ is an example of a free 24-hour, 7-day-aweek hotline with a 1-on-1 coaching program. The hotline is for anyone to ask skin, hair or scalp questions and receive answers from skincare professionals. • The Period-tracking app Clue recently partnered with L’Oreal to offer personalized hormone-related skincare advice from dermatologists. • Also, L’Oreal developed Color&Co, a personalized at-home color service that aims to take the risk out of DIY hair color. • And, the dental tech app Toothfairy connects patients with licensed dentists and allows real-time assessment of your teeth. 78
According to Cosmetics Business, male-marketed beauty and grooming is on the rise, and is a sector expected to generate global sales of $81 billion by 2024. The reason for this growth stems from more emphasis on self-care for men, along with product choices that can help them achieve that. For what it’s worth, several male celebrities are following suit. Harry Styles, English singer, songwriter, actor, and former member of One Direction launched the unisex beauty brand Pleasing. Machine Gun Kelly and Lil Yachty, both American rappers, and AJ McLean, member of the Backstreet Boys, all have launched nail polish brands. Just remember…your skin is your largest organ, and the one that protects all of your other internal organs. Keep your skin in the best shape possible with some of the 10 beauty trends of 2022, as you see appropriate. As an Ophthalmologist, Lifestyle Medicine physician, I have had personal and professional experience in the realm of skin. And, I enjoy guiding people to safely achieve the looks and physical/skin wellness they strive for. My mantra: “Be Healthy…Look Better…Perform Well”. If I can be of any further service either in Shreveport (pairO’docs Bio-Rejuvenis) or the Greater New Orleans Area (Bopp Dermatology & Facial Plastic Surgery), please reach out to me by completing the Healthspan Quiz at www.drkarenpendleton.com DISCLAIMER: All of the information found in this article is based on the opinion of the author Karen M. Pendleton, M.D. The information is meant to motivate readers to make their own health decisions after consulting with their own health care providers. All readers should consult a doctor before making a health change, especially those that are related to a specific diagnosis or health condition. No information in this article should be relied on in determining a diet, making a medical diagnosis or determining a treatment for a medical condition. The information in this article is not intended to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare practitioner and is not intended as medical advice. No information in this article should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition.
79.Orangetheory THIS IS WHERE YOU GO ALL OUT
You are faster here. You are stronger here. And you get more results here. Here you have the coaches, community, and group energy coming together to push you forward every class. With scientifically designed full-body workouts and technology to track your results and prove you’re improving. BOOK A FREE * WORKOUT TODAY AT ORANGETHEORY.COM Orangetheory Fitness - SHREVEPORT 1370 E 70th St, Suite 1000 | Shreveport, LA 71105 | 318.716.7776
*First-time visitors and local residents only. Certain restrictions apply. $28 minimum value. At participating studios only. See studio for details. Orangetheory® and other Orangetheory® marks are registered trademarks of OTF IP Holder, LLC. © Copyright 2021 OTF IP Holder, LLC and its affiliates
Invest in
YOURSELF! 5
Little Things You Can Do to Change Your Health and Increase Your Energy
written by Evelyn Baranco Pryor, MD Associate Professor Clinical | Chief of Telemedicine | LSU Health Shreveport Dr. Pryor is an internist accepting new patients at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport - St. Vincent Health Center, 6670 St. Vincent Avenue, and Ambulatory Care Center, 1602 Kings Highway.
O 80.Dr. Pryor content
ne of the most common medical complaints is fatigue or lack of energy. Feeling exhausted has been a problem for decades, but there are healthy changes you can make, proven to increase energy and lift the fog.
MIND YOUR DIET
1
The old adage, “what you put in is what you get out,” is certainly true when it comes to nutrition. A healthy diet consists of lots of fruits and vegetables - ideally about 50 percent of your food volume, together with lean protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy plant fats. Consuming fresh and natural foods powers our brains and improves mood. They are also naturally anti-inflammatory. Low-level chronic inflammation is a risk factor for many diseases ranging from diabetes and heart disease to cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease, all of which are associated with fatigue. A healthy diet should include lots of hydration, preferably water, about one ounce per kilogram of body weight daily. Caffeine improves alertness but should be avoided after 2 p.m. so it won’t cause insomnia. Drink alcohol in moderation; it’s a sedative and can reduce sleep quality. Eating a wide variety of foods can help ensure that you get the vitamins and nutrients needed for energy including iron, vitamin B12, magnesium, vitamin D and trace minerals. Managing your diet also helps control weight, and in return, gives you more energy.
STAY ACTIVE
2
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One of the worst outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic is that we have become more sedentary. We know exercise elevates mood, and for some people, exercise is just as effective as an antidepressant. There is an abundance of evidence that exercise causes people to fall asleep more quickly and have better sleep quality, particularly when the exercise intensity is at least moderate.
PRIORITIZE REST Sleep disorders and sleep-related disorders of breathing are the most common causes of persistent fatigue. One of the main reasons that we are so tired is that we are so busy. Americans work more than workers in any developed nation in the world. Our kids are busier than ever, seemingly always competing in academics and extracurricular activities. It’s okay to leave some things undone and to turn down some invitations. Make sure vacations include time to rest. Make sure your bedroom environment is conducive to sleep by controlling light, noise and interruptions. Try keeping devices in a different room. Developing a nightly ritual, like having a cup of tea and reading for a few minutes, can also help. In addition, people who go to bed and wake up at the same times every day, even on weekends, are much more likely to feel rested than those with erratic sleep patterns.
3
FACE EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS HEAD-ON
81.Dr. Pryor content
Psychosocial problems also cause fatigue. Depression, anxiety and attention disorders can cause problems with alertness and memory. They can lead to too much or too little sleep and can cause sleep quality to be poor. Talking to a therapist or seeking medical treatment for these disorders is proven to help. Other helpful interventions include massage therapy, mindfulness, breathwork, support groups and involvement in religion.
4
GO SEE YOUR PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR AT LEAST ANNUALLY The whole premise of preventative medicine is that healthy lifestyles result in fewer diseases. If medical problems do arise, they can be discovered before becoming symptomatic when there is a greater chance of cure or treatment. There are many treatments for conditions that cause fatigue, like hormonal problems and sleep apnea. Diagnosing fatigue is often a process of elimination. Your doctor will be able to evaluate symptoms, physical exam signs and test results to help you live your healthiest, most energetic life.
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North Louisiana’s MUST-ATTEND EVENTS
March 4
facebook.com/dda.shreveport
March 5
facebook.com/thepierun
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84.Events March 12 & 13
caddoparks.org
April 2
redriverrevel.com/cork
OUTDOOR FAMILY GAME NIGHT April 2
April 21
84
samplefarmla.com
jlsb.org/support/designer-bag-bingo
April 8
April 23
facebook.com/YMCAofNWLA
facebook.com/runwildshreveport
Get Ready to Be
IN S PIRED ! 85.Events
ARCHITECT: LARRY HOTT DESIGNS
Proceeds from Inspiration Home Tour to benefit
For more information contact us at readlola.com
86.Cork (camera ready)
GIVING BACK Spotlight:
Bingo!
Designer Bag
Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier is so excited for the 2022 Designer Bag Bingo Fundraiser. As we all know, 2020 and 2021 were very challenging years for many reasons. We hosted our virtual raffle — Bags, Bourbon and Bling— in place of Designer Bag Bingo and it was a huge success. We are thrilled to be able to host an in-person event this year and cannot wait to see all of the fun that the event will hold!
87.Giveback Spotlight
Designer Bag Bingo will pair the fun of bingo with designer bags as prizes. This “girls night out” event will take place on Thursday, April 21 at the Horseshoe Casino Riverdome. Tickets for the event are on sale now! A single ticket can be purchased for $60, or grab your girlfriends and get a table of 10 for $600. You can purchase tickets with the link on our social media pages or by going to www.jlsb.org/support/designer-bag-bingo 87
Upon arrival, you can browse our table of prizes and raffle items, grab a drink from the bar, and make your way to your table where dinner will be served. The real fun begins at 6:30 p.m. with our first of ten rounds of bingo. Our emcee for the evening will be Miss Louisiana 2020, Courtney Butts. Our event will feature a grand prize luxury designer handbag and nine other designer bags to accompany each of our 10 rounds of bingo. In addition to purses, Designer Bag Bingo will also feature a $25 Diamond Raffle. The $10 “Treat Yourself ” raffle will include spa treatments, local art, restaurant vouchers and so much more!
Stay tuned on our social media accounts as we reveal all of the details on the incredible prizes to come your way! We are so thankful for the support of our current sponsors.
88.Give Back Spotlight • Our Presenting Sponsor: Morris and Dewett Injury Lawyers • Louis Level: Lindsey Pennington Facial Plastics, CINTAS, and Clarkes Jewelers • Prada Level: The Moppet Shoppe, Lang Orthodontics, and Community Bank of Louisiana • Gucci Level: Republic Finance, Progressive Bank and Johnson Rental Properties and Investments, LLC • Chloe Level: Please and Thank You Paper Company, Waynette Ballengee, BOM Bank, A Brighter Smile Dental Care • Handbag Sponsors: Dillard’s Mall St. Vincent and Pierre Bossier
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As always, we will adhere to state and local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations at our event. Our goal is to keep everyone safe and to have a fun evening! We are so looking forward to a fun event and we hope to see you all at our Designer Bag Bingo!
WHEN: Thursday, April 21 at 5:30 p.m. WHERE: Horseshoe Casino Riverdome TICKETS: Social media pages or www.jlsb.org/support/designer-bag-bingo
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