Sophie Woman's Magazine April 2012 Issue by Sophie Woman's Magazine

VOLUME 8 - ISSUE 2 / APRIL 2012

phie

Wo m a n ’ s M a g a z i n e

INSIDE: Girlfriends In God ~ The Lesson Of The Missing “B” | Page 15 Journaling The Journey | Page 11 Recipes For Life ~ Food For The Body & Food For The Soul | Page 33 shutterbuggerz pg 42

INSPIRATION ~ EDUCATION ~ MOTIVATION

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essage M From The Editor: Judy Smith

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April is such an unpredictable month. You never know what you are going to get weather wise. Still, I love April because it brings about so many new things. You know the saying “April showers bring May flowers”. I love, love, love flowers but I can’t grow them. My sweet ex-Mother-in-law, that is in Heaven now, use to try to teach me how to take care of them. She finally gave up on that and she did not give up on many things. So we developed a system that worked exceptionally well. She gave me flowers and plants and I kept them till they started looking like I had fed them poison and then she traded me new ones for the sick ones. They always came back for her and then we would trade again. I am so envious of people with green thumbs. My husband and I love to just get in our car and ride. Especially now, I am in awe of the beauty of the trees and flowers and the beautiful yards other people have. I look at them with such longing and then look at my husband and he just gives me “that look”. I know what that look means “Don’t even think about it!” The money we have spent trying to make beautiful flower beds or planting trees has been such a waste. There are other things about April that are pretty great also.

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April Fools day for some is a great holiday. I just don’t get it though but it might be because everyone else gets me ﬁrst. So if you are a jokester, then I sincerely hope you have a wonderful day. Easter is in April this year and what a New Beginning that represents. I am not just talking about new dresses or hats or shoes and I am not even talking about Easter baskets. Maybe it has been awhile since you have been to church or maybe even never. May I invite you to think about it this Easter? Yes, I know there are hypocrites and sinful people there but I know there is a new beginning waiting for those who really seek it. We can’t talk about April and not talk about April 15th. There, I said it…. Income Tax Day. Uncle Sam is not as forgiving as the forgiveness you will ﬁnd at church so please don’t confuse the two. Did you know that April is National Autism Awareness Month as well as National Volunteer Month? Did you know that the experts say that more children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined. How sad any of those diseases are and how sad this statistic. What a great way to combine Autism Awareness and National Volunteer Month by volunteering your time or money during an Autism walk to raise awareness and funds for this cause. Kids, I can’t leave out April 7th which is No Homework Day even though I think it is a cruel trick someone is playing. I looked on the calendar and that is on a Saturday! Someone is trying to have an extra April Fools Day. Either way you look at it, April is going to be a fabulous month. I think I will run out and buy some plants. Anyone want to trade in a few weeks?

Amateur Winner: Kelli Reecea

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phie Woman’s Magazine

21 East A Street Newton, NC 28658 (P) 828-466-0122 (F) 828-466-0123

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A Special Thanks To All Of Our Distributors

Please be sure to visit all of our participating advertisers and remember to support area local small businesses. How to place an ad: Call our ofﬁce at (828)466-0122 and leave a message. One of our sales representatives will return your call as soon as possible. You may also fax material to (828)466-0124. We reserve the right to refuse to run any ad we deem to be controversial or in bad taste. For more information about advertising or to view Sophie Woman’s Magazine online, visit our website at www.sophiewomansmagazine.com.

Message From The Heart......................................pg 3 Reaching Your Full Potential................................pg 7 How To Be Fabulous............................................pg 8 JournalingThe Journey...........................................pg 11 The Fly Lady........................................................pg 13 Girlfriends In God...............................................pg 15 Health & Fitness Tips..........................................pg 16 Passing On Your Passwords................................pg 19 The Dinner Diva..................................................pg 20 Sophisticated Women..........................................pg 23 Girl Scout Hero Awarded Medal of Honor.......pg 24 Me, Myself, & Inc...............................................pg 27 The Male Box......................................................pg 28 The Power of Pink.............................................pg 31 Recipes For Life..................................................pg 33 Truth & Beauty....................................................pg 35 Organizing for the Health of It..........................pg 36 Social Media & Identity Theft............................pg 39 Feed on These Wedding Favor Ideas..................pg 40 Shutterbuggerz.....................................................pg 42

*Coming Soon* SUBSCRIPTIONS We have been asked by many of our readers to offer a subscription to Sophie Woman’s Magazine. If you would like more information about a subscription, please visit our website at:

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com or you can call us at:

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********************************************************** Disclaimer: Sophie Woman’s Magazine LLC is published monthly. The articles published in Sophie do not necessarily reﬂect the opinions of the publisher. All articles are intended for informational purposes only, and none should serve as a substitute for doctor’s advice and orders. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content and validity of information published within their ads and are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. Deceptive or misleading advertising is not knowingly accepted by the publisher. Advertising is accepted with the understanding that all liability for copyright violations is the sole responsibility of the advertiser. All material submitted for publication is considered to be the sole property of the advertiser. Sophie Woman’s Magazine LLC’s publishers, staff, and other persons involved in the creation, production, or delivery of the magazine (in whatever format) or ti’s content, do not assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information provided in the magazine, nor shall they be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of the use of the magazine. **********************************************************

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REACHING YOUR FULL POTENTIAL: True Vision Is Worth The Sacriﬁce! by Kim Fletcher, Life Coach, Author, Speaker

“If we accept that life is a gift, it seems to me we must then accept the notion that we ought to do something with this gift.” Dorothy Cotton – Civil Rights Activist Yesterday, I was on a call with my co-author, Harold Elmore. We had planned to discuss marketing and publicity for our new book, but a breaking story had captured his attention. Harold shared the story as it unfolded of a young woman who lost both of her legs in an attempt to save her children a couple of days ago as vicious tornadoes ripped across our nation. Her attempt was successful, as her children did indeed survive… at a high cost to this mother! We both sat silent for a few moments, most likely distracted by similar thoughts: What will life be like now for this family? What compelled this woman to abandon self-preservation and throw herself in harm’s way for the life of another? What in my life would be worth such a sacriﬁce? We broke the silence and began to discuss how this fragile and powerful story infuses us with inspiration for our own lives. As a business expert and a life coach, Harold and I have joined forces in creating systems and strategies for average individuals who wish to develop extraordinary vision and results in their lives and in their businesses. Life Coaches make a living empowering others to craft high visions for life and business. Many authors make a living sharing written wisdom on the power of creating goals and systems for achievement. Business leaders invest time training others to succeed. All of the coaches, authors and business consultants in the world may possess some wisdom, but it all comes down to YOU! Without a compelling vision and without the commitment to carry that vision to completion, all of the books, training tapes and seminars in the world could never impart the devotion and vision we see demonstrated as this mother threw herself over her children, knowing it could cost her everything. Before you buy another book or attend another continuing education course, take some time alone. Head to a favorite spot, perhaps a coffee shop or a nearby park. Take along your check book and your personal calendar, along with your journal. Now, write down what you are currently investing your time and energy in. How are you spending

your time? If you are not sure, open your calendar and revisit the last six months. This will give you a clear picture of where your time is going. This may be vastly different from how we wish we could spend our time or how we meant to spend our time. Now, ask yourself what and who you are investing your resources in. Finances are a great measure of this, so grab that check book. Re-visit the last six months of your spending patterns. Where is your money going? Now, picture the journey that lies ahead for this amazing mom who just had her world torn apart in an attempt to save all that is precious to her. Picture her being reunited with her children. With this powerful picture in mind, ask yourself what is that valuable in your life. What/who do you have so much vision for that you would throw your own body, your own resources, your own time to cover them in a time of disaster? As you begin this deep pondering exercise, you will begin to uncover what is worth investing in. I believe we have an obligation when we hear stories like this. Our obligation is to give the story meaning and value by catapulting our own lives to a higher level as we respond. Unfortunately, we are so bombarded with thousands upon thousands of media images and stories that we become conditioned to turn our heads and just keep walking. But our lives will be richer and those who make unthinkable sacrifices will be honored and respected as we begin to allow these stories to touch our own experiences, just as if we were visiting this woman today in her hospital room. Undoubtedly, she will have some soul searching to do, but as a disability advocate for almost thirty years, I can almost hear her declaration: “I would do it all over again. It was worth the sacrifice.” As you consider your own life in light of this story today, take some time to re-adjust how you are spending your time, your money and your energy. Make sure your day to day routine is attached to a high vision of who you are becoming as a person and what you hope to accomplish with your life. Life is not so much about what we are accomplishing as it is about who we are influencing and the imprint we are leaving along the way!

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 7

FAB~YOU~LOUS HOW TO BE

Photo Courtesy of www.NicholLancaster.com

It’s Spring time…picnic baskets, green grass, blue skies, and blooming Magnolia’s that smell of lemon and honey. I LOVE LOVE this season, mostly because it signifies change. Spring is all about new beginnings…Out with the old, in with the new. So, while wearing fresh cut flowers in my hair (diggin’ that groovy 70’s thang!) and sipping on sweet tea (ok, it’s a martini…good in any season…just sayin’), I thought about what transitions I will make this year. It’s always good to actually WRITE, not type, what you want to accomplish. I choose to write in hot pink…it just makes me happy. So grab your fave fluorescent pen… cause I am challenging all my fab girls to do the same. What do you want to do differently? Now don’t get all “World Peace” on me, Miss America. This is all about YOU! YOU YOU YOU! Wow…I’ve never said that before… See, it’s a new ME!!! In addition, I have decided to only say “No” if I reeeeeaaallly mean it… not because I feel like I ‘shouldn’t’ or I ‘can’t’. I will say YES! In turn, I will be more adventurous!! Rock those hot Spring Wedges that just seem to add 2 feet to your legs? YES! Buy more farm animals (see pic!)? YES!!! Get that ‘must have’ Skirtin’ Around outfit that I really needed (see pic again!)? YES! OOOOOHHHH, dang!! I’m really good at this change thing! Well butter my biscuit and call me a grit (wait..is that right??)… Where will I put all this stuff??? That reminds me of another Spring tradition…Spring cleaning. Yuck. This article is about being fabulous (not cleaning), so I have decided we should learn how to Spring clean OUR WARDROBE! That is much more exciting. In fact, there are amazing people who will do this FOR you…how wonderful is that?? I have bribed my ‘oh so fabulous friend’, and General Manager at my boutique, AND a professional “de-clutterer” and Stylist to tell us her SECRETS TO SPRING CLEAN YOUR CLOSET. Bribe is a harsh word… she kinda offered…but I did give her a bottle of Molly Dooker Cabernet. Is it a coincidence that all my fave people can be bribed with wine??

pg 8 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | April 2012

by Gracie

So here it is girls... “Renee Helmicks’ basic steps to a Fabulous Closet…while pretending to clean.” *Banish wire hangers! Take them back to the cleaners! Let them recycle for you. Padded or felt covered will make your clothes happy! *Clear everything out! Separate… ”Keep”, “Repair”, “Donate”, “Toss”. Keep a permanent “donate” container in your closet for items that will never see the light of day or night. Keep your drink handy…getting rid of things is never easy to do. SIP, SIP… *Sort by type (tops, pants, dresses, etc), then color and arrange them from lightest to darkest. STEP INTO THE LIGHT, IT’S SPRING!!! *Corral your scarves, belts, socks, unmentionables*, and ﬂip ﬂops in baskets or boxes, labeled! Treat yourself with a trip to IKEA. Love that place!!

xoxo

*Keep your jewelry organized and accessible! One way is by using decorative hooks for necklaces and bracelets. Another example, thanks to Pintrest and my sisterin-law, use a bulletin board with pushpins or framed screen for earrings…so creative and crafty! My hope is that these tips will guide you to an organized closet, put a “Spring” in your step, and more importantly a happier YOU! *Unmentionables- those articles of ladies’ apparel that are never discussed in public, except in full-page, illustrated ads. ;)

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Journaling The J urney

by Judy Smith

Last month I told you that my emotions were all over the place. Surely since a whole month has passed, I have got “it together” by now. Far from it!. I told you I was going to be honest with you as I travel along this road. This road is very bumpy, much more than I anticipated but then again, I thought I would be much more in control by now. Once we had the diagnosis, the next step was surgery. The schedule has been set and you have done everything you think you need to do and so I thought I was ready. However, the day or two before, my eyes kept leaking. Not only that, my hands would start to shake and I don’t have any idea how my mind would stray so far from what I was supposed to be doing. You probably already know that I did not get much sleep the night before. That would be alright though because I would get some “happy juice” the next day and all would be right with the world. That is as long as I didn’t start singing “It’s A Wonderful World”. Not that it’s a bad song…just a really bad singer! Surgery over, home recuperating and now waiting on the next phase. I am not a good “waiter” or patient. Let’s just get to the next step so I can get back to making my plans. I struggle with not knowing what is next, how long is it going to take and all the other unknowns you deal with when you have this disease as I am sure others do with things in their life. My calendar is always with me and when someone out of the blue asks about an engagement, I immediately check my planner. I have things booked for the whole year and beyond. Please don’t judge me for that. I know who is in control and I know it is not me. God can change any plans I have but in my business, I have to rely on a planner. Even then, as careful as I am, I still miss some things or double book. Cancer wipes the slate clean or at least it has for me for the time being. Not knowing chemo schedules, when I will or won’t be sick, how much energy

I will have…how do I plan anything else when I don‘t know those answers? My husband and I were very anxious to go back for follow-up. We were thinking now we will start to know what the treatment schedule would look like but that is not what we got. Instead, we were hit with the unexpected; more surgery. That meant there were more cancer cells and we had to do it again. That is now behind us as well. I am home from the second surgery, recuperating…again…still waiting! Have I talked about patience? Don’t worry, I am not because I have nothing to offer on the subject. So now, if anyone asks me about something more than 24 hours out, I have to shrug my shoulders and say, “We will see”. Corrie ten Boom wrote, “Worrying about tomorrow robs today of its joy”. How true that is and I wish I could say I never worry about tomorrow but then that would not be the truth. Chemo really scares me. That is the truth. But I know another truth. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”. I know there are a lot of lovely things to think about even when you have cancer. If we trust God’s word, and I do, then I know I am sheltered in His loving arms and I hope that you are too. I don’t know what the outcome will be but I know who the over comer is. I know that it does not matter how many twists and turns this road might take because I know where it will ultimately end up…with or without cancer!

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 11

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FlyLady THE

by Marla Cilley

Is Your Light Hidden? My bathtub is my place of meditation. I surround myself with warm water and open my mind and heart to listen. Robert calls them God Breezes. When they come in the middle of the night, we refer to them as the Midnight Editor and when I get them in the tub; they are bathtub epiphanies. This morning the subject was love! Robert and I have spent the last hour and a half talking about love! Not our love but the love that is in us all. For most of us, all we have ever wanted is to be loved. I can remember a time when all I wanted was to just feel loved. It didn’t matter if I was really loved or not just as long as I felt like I was loved. I guess that is just affection. Any way love is not something we can make happen. I don’t care how much you try to make someone love you it is never going to happen. You cannot earn love. Respect maybe, but not love. It is either there or it isn’t. This is why I have told you for years that you have to get the house in order for you. You are never going to get your home clean enough to make someone love you more or at all. Even as the house gets cleaner this person is never going to love you if they don’t love you with a dirty house. Do you understand this? The house is not the problem with the lack of love. If the love is there all things are possible even a small spark of love is enough. You cannot buy love with gifts either. If you are not loved for you then no gift is ever going to satisfy the need you have to be loved by this person or family member. Do you remember the first time you walked into your kitchen after you shined your sink? If you have not shined that sink yet then go do it now. You feasted your eyes upon a reflection that made you smile. You didn’t know why it made you smile but that feeling emanated from the very core of your being. That feeling was love! I know you don’t believe me. When that sink greeted you and you smiled, you felt something that changed you forever. I know it seems so simple and maybe a bit corny but that sink is a reflection of you. When you take care of the sink; just look what that care does for the way you feel each and every day! This is the beginning of you accepting the love that has been hidden inside of you forever. For years we have pushed that love down deep and had forgotten about it because we were too busy trying to work hard enough to earn that love from others. It is time we uncovered that eternal love and cultivated it so that love can be shared with the world. Now I am in great big purple puddles. Think about all the songs that have been sung over the years. As a little child in Sunday school we sang the song about hiding our little light under a bushel. Then we would yell NO! I am going to let it shine! That little light is your love and your connection to God and the world. That love has always been there, we have just kept it hidden; especially from ourselves. Some of us have even been told it was wrong to love ourselves. Well to this I say you cannot

love anyone else till you love yourself. Love your neighbor as yourself means you have to love yourself to be able to reflect that love to others. Did you know that when you are loving yourself that you attack love back to you. You become a love magnet. Not only are you reflecting that love to others but that love is coming back to you and the best part is that it is multiplied! And it all starts with you! Have you shined that sink yet? This is your first uncovering of that love that has been hiding underneath all the self-loathing and pain you have suffered your whole life. All we have ever wanted was to feel loved! We can do this for ourselves without having to depend on anyone else for what we need. We deserve to be happy! This little ray of hope, happiness, peace and love has always been inside of you! We all remember the Wizard of Oz and the good witch telling Dorothy that she had the power to go home; that it was always inside of her. This is how I feel about FLYing! Your love is just waiting for you to open up the doors and windows then let the sun shine from within you to light up the world! Love makes the world go round; it is the energy that keeps us moving when all is lost. Love is always with us, we just have to start with babysteps to rekindle the love that we have locked away. Start now. Go shine that sink of yours, get dressed to shoes and do something sweet for you. If you don’t take care of you; who will? May the force be with you! Are you ready to FLY?

For more help getting rid of your CHAOS, check out her website and join her free mentoring group at www.FlyLady.net or her book, Sink Reﬂections published by Random House and her New York Times Best Selling book, Body Clutter published by Simon and Schuster. Copyright 2012 Marla Cilley Used by permission in this publication.

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 13

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The Lesson of the Missing “B” by Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

Romans 12:5 “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”

Friend to Friend

Sometimes it is the little things that really get to me. As a writer, I spend a great deal of my time in front of a computer – with which I have a love-hate relationship. I love the convenience a computer offers when it comes to recording the thoughts and truths God gives me to share, but there are times when I would like to throw my laptop into the nearest body of water and be done with it. I can remember the days when I literally wrote out every word of a lesson or devotion because I was terrified of even trying to use a computer. I am anything but a technical guru and could see hundreds – no, make that thousands of hours of work disappearing into some hidden file, going up in virtual flames or being launched into cyberspace, never to be seen again. Why? Just because I hit one wrong key or pressed an incorrect button. However, the day finally came when I realized that the good reasons for using a computer outweigh the bad and decided it was time to take the plunge. Through trial and error, and the patience of friends who have repeatedly rescued me from more than one cyber disaster, I have evolved into a fairly capable computer operator. I have retrieved lost chapters and lessons, eradicated various viruses, erected firewalls, foiled hackers … and have come through the fray relatively unscathed. And then it happened. I was returning home from a speaking event and decided to use the three hour flight time to work on a writing assignment due the next day. It was one of those unusually sweet and highly productive times when the words come easily and eventually form sentences that actually make sense. I was on a roll – and so was my laptop when the plane suddenly hit an air pocket and dropped what seemed like a mile. I watched in horror as my laptop caught air, crashed to the floor of the plane and slid under the seat in front of me. Fortunately, I had saved my work and desperately hoped the laptop had not been damaged in its fall. When the plane and everyone on board regained their composure, I quickly retrieved the computer and breathed a sigh of relief after a quick inspection that revealed a couple of new, but minor, scratches. I opened the computer, ready to resume my work. But then I saw it, the now empty space where the “B” key was supposed to be. Evidently, it had popped off in the fall and was nowhere to be found. I wasn’t too concerned. I mean, after all, how important is one little key? There are plenty of other keys from which to choose. They all look pretty much the same. A missing letter or symbol here or there can’t be that much of a problem, can it? As I began my work, I soon discovered just how much of a problem one little missing computer key can be. All of a sudden, it seemed like every other word I needed contained a “B.” My frustration level rose as my finger instinctively kept hitting the spot where the “B” was supposed to be and found … nothing. Finally, I decided I really needed that key and went looking for it. The passengers around me joined in the search, and it was only a few minutes before the person seated in front of me shouted “Got it!” I snapped the missing “B” back into place. In a matter

of minutes, I was amazed at how much better the whole keyboard seemed to function now that the lost key was back where it should be. We all lose our way at one time or another. An unexpected life storm knocks us flat. A bad choice causes us to stumble and fall. We snap under the pressure of a difficult relationship, and no one seems to care or even notice the pain we feel. But then, like a Shepherd searching for that one lost sheep, God turns to us and hears our cry. He lifts us out of the darkness, gives us a safe place to stand and fills our heart with a new song of praise. And He uses people to do it all. In fact, God delights in using people to reach out and minister to other people who are wounded and lost. God created us to need each other. We are daughters of the King, sisters in Christ and Girlfriends in God. When one hurts, all of us should feel the pain. When one of us has fallen, we need to reach out, link arms and hold on until the storm has passed. Who needs your love and encouragement? Remember the lesson of the missing “B” and ask God to love others through you … today.

Let’s Pray

Father, I know You want me to share the love I have found in You. Forgive me for the many times I have been too busy to see the needs around me. Break my heart for those who are in pain and feel hopeless. Encourage them through me, Lord. Fill my heart with Your love so that I can give it away. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read Galatians 5:22-23. “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Make a list of the attributes listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Beside each one, write the name of someone who needs you to live out that quality in their life. Here are a few examples to help you get started: Love: Jane - my neighbor who is struggling with her teenage son Joy: Sally - my friend who has just discovered she has breast cancer Peace: Linda - my friend’s sister who is going through a divorce Make a speciﬁc plan for meeting each need. (I will take Jane to lunch.) Put a time limit on it. (I will take Jane to lunch on Thursday.) Record your experience in your journal.

More from the Girlfriends

God’s truth is for today. Every time we hear the Word of God, we are then responsible for applying its message. I wonder what would happen if we, as Girlfriends in God, put into action the truth we already know. I have a challenge for us all. This week, let’s be “God with skin on” to the people who cross our path each day. That includes that nosy neighbor, irritating boss, difﬁcult child … as well as our best friend.

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 15

Exercise Number One- Chair Hamstring Stretch Step One- While standing; position your foot on the seat of a chair, extend your leg completely with your toes pointing toward the ceiling.

by Sharon Rashidi B.S. Health Education

Strengthen Your Hamstrings to Prevent Knee Problems When I give tours at my gym, the comment I hear most often from potential members is,” I have bad knees so I am limited to what I can do.” What most people do not realize is that most knee pain is caused by tight hamstring muscles. Poor posture, torn cartilage pads in the knees that cushion bones, and even painful wearing of the cartilage behind the kneecaps often comes from tight hamstring muscles. The hamstrings are the muscles that run from behind and below your knees up the backs of your thighs. There are actually three hamstring muscles on the back of each thigh, two on the inside and one on the outside. They do several things. In addition to bending the knees, they help control the alternate forward-andbackward movements of walking. These important muscles even help keep you balanced when you turn a corner. What causes the hamstring muscles to become tight in the ﬁrst place? In general, the most common cause is sitting. People, who sit most of the day, are prone to tight hamstring muscles since they keep their knees bent and thus shorten these important muscles. In addition, if you keep your knees bent all the time, the patella, or kneecap, continuously grinds against the front surface of the knee joint which also may cause irritation. How do you know if your hamstrings are tight? If you are unable to bend at the hips while keeping your legs straight and touch your toes or if you feel more comfortable slouching than sitting up straight, your hamstring muscles are probably tight. Other symptoms include having a sway back, pain in the lower back and buttocks region. The good news is that this condition can be easily reversed with daily walking, stretching and strengthening exercises. No matter how weak you think your knees are, you can strengthen them in 6 weeks or less if you follow my simple hamstring exercise routine.

pg 16 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | April 2012

Step Two- Hinge forward from the hips (not your waist) with you’re your arms extended straight in front of you until you feel a stretch in the back of your knee and thigh. Keep your back neutral and slightly extended. Look straight ahead as you bend from the hips, not from the back. Think of yourself as projecting your chest forward.

Tips- First try this stretch with your elevated knee lightly bent and then as you progress try it with your leg completely straight for a deeper stretch. Remember to maintain a neutral low-back position throughout the stretch. Hold the stretch for a minimum of 30 seconds.

Exercise Number Two- Stability Ball Hamstring Curl

Step One- Lie down with back flat on the floor and heels propped up on a Stability Ball. Arms should be flat on the floor and in line with your shoulders.

Step Two- Raise your hips up so that they are in line between your knees and shoulders. Roll the ball backward toward your butt so that your feet are ﬂat on the ball and knees extended toward the ceiling. Reverse the movement back to starting position to complete one repetition. Tips- Keep hips up and in line throughout the exercise. Remember to perform slowly at ﬁrst to get the technique and form correct. Inhale on the way up and exhale on the way down. Start off with 8-10 repetitions and 2 sets.

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pg 18 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | April 2012

Passing on Your Passwords: An Introduction to Digital Asset Planning

By: Casey W. Pope, Esq. If you’re anything like me, you’ve grown accustomed to a digital lifestyle. You pay bills online, manage your banking and investments online, and interact with friends and business colleagues online through social or business networking websites. Maybe you also write a blog or own a digital store that has only an online presence. The point is, today’s society is living in a digital world, and planning for your future should include planning for both physical and digital asset management. Just like planning for your tangible assets, digital asset planning involves first taking inventory. Some examples of digital assets include online bank accounts, blogs, cyber stores, music files, movie files, photos, and social media profiles. Start by simply making a list of your digital assets, the web addresses or file folders where they are located, any usernames and passwords needed to access the websites or folders, and answers to any security questions. This list should be kept in a safe place that is readily available for an attorney-in-fact or executor to find if they need to access the files while acting on your behalf. A good place to keep this list would be with your last will and testament or power of attorney document. The next step is to leave directions for the management and disposition of your digital assets. For example, you may want some social media accounts to be deleted, but want your online store to be maintained. For those that you want to be maintained, you should indicate who you want to be responsible for that. In the prior example, you would name a person to take over the management of your online store. If you are alive but incompetent, your attorney-in-fact or guardian should be able to do so. However, to ensure continued management upon your death, you will want to name someone in your last will and testament to have control over the asset. You should also leave directions for that person as to how you would like the asset to be managed.

With music, movies, and photos all going digital, you likely have a large library of these files that you would like to pass on to children or other family and friends. Since these files may be buried in your computer folders, they often go unnoticed and are disposed of along with the computer on which they’re stored. Therefore, you should write down the location of these files and any passwords needed to access them. In addition, write out your specific wishes as to whom certain files are transferred and which files should be destroyed. Digital asset planning not only ensures the disposition of your assets in the future; it also helps protect you and your family. If your attorney-in-fact or executor is aware of your online accounts, he or she can monitor them and prevent identity theft. Allowing another to manage your online accounts also helps to keep your finances up to date. Many people pay bills online today and even receive their statements via email. Without making others aware of the accounts and giving them the necessary information for access, accounts can quickly fall behind and go into default. As the digital lifestyle grows more prevalent in today’s society, the need for this type of planning will become increasingly important. Although many of our assets today are held or stored in a digital form, we rarely consider them when thinking about the management of our affairs during incompetency or after death. But with a little forethought and planning, you can easily ensure that your digital assets are protected and managed by including them as part of your comprehensive estate plan.

Casey Pope is an attorney at Patrick, Harper & Dixon, LLP in Hickory, North Carolina. She practices primarily in the areas of estate planning, elder law, and business and corporate law. Casey may be contacted at 828-322-7741 or via email at cpope@phd-law.com. Patrick, Harper & Dixon is Hickory’s oldest and largest full-service law ﬁrm.

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 19

Dinner Diva The

By Leanne Ely CNC

Roasted

4 Ideas for Leftover Roast So you bought a gigantic, on sale roast beef, did you? Want to know what to do with the leftovers so you can get every scrap out of it? Here then are four recipes that will get your leftover roast “cooking” again! Enjoy!

1. Roast Beef Soup Serves 6 1 1/2 cups roast beef chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 6 cups beef broth 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced 1 teaspoon dried parsley or 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped ﬁne 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper In a large soup pot, heat oil until hot, add onion and garlic. Cook until onion is clear. Add everything else and bring to a boil. Turn down, cover, and simmer until potatoes and carrots are done. About 45 minutes.

2. Open Faced Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches Makes as many as you have leftovers for This one is really simple! Toast sour dough bread, top with gravy and heated leftover roast beef, ta da! Just like in the diner. Serve with a nice big green salad.

1 teaspoon cumin 2 cloves garlic, peeled, minced 1 1/2 cups chunky salsa 6 corn tortillas 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded 1/2 cup Greek yogurt In a skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Add peppers, onions, cumin, and garlic. Cook until onion is soft. Add beef, and 3/4 cup of salsa. Spoon the mixture in equal parts into each tortilla and wrap. Place in 11x7 prepared pan, side by side, seam side down. Spoon remaining salsa over all, cook for about 20 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Top with cheese, return to oven for 10 more minutes until cheese is melted. Serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt.

4. Beefy Fried Rice 3 cups cooked, cold brown rice 1 1/2 cups leftover roast beef, sliced thin 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 green onions, sliced including green 1 clove garlic, crushed 1/4 cup julienned carrots 1 teaspoon sesame seeds 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon freshly black pepper 2 teaspoons soy sauce 2 eggs, beaten 1 cup frozen peas, thawed (I like petite peas best) In a large deep pan, or wok, heat oil over medium high. Add green onions, garlic, ginger, carrots, sesame seeds, and pepper. Cook until onions are clear. Add soy sauce and rice. Toss and stir for a few minutes (about three). Push rice to the side and pour two beaten eggs in center so you can scramble and cook them. Add peas and meat, heating through then serve!

3. Roast Beef Enchilada Casserole Serves 6 2 cups leftover roast beef, sliced into thin strips 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped 1 red bell pepper, chopped 1 onion, chopped 2 green onions, chopped

pg 20 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | April 2012

Leanne Ely is a New York Times bestselling author of Body Clutter and the Saving Dinner series. The Dinner Diva syndicated newspaper column appears in 250 newspapers nationwide. Learn how to cook great and save signiﬁcant money with the Dinner Diva?s menus, recipes and shopping lists at www.savingdinner.com

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By Nicole Greer, PPCC Founder and Principle Coach at Vibrant Coaching

Show Up For Their Mission

An opportunity to serve in a powerful way popped into my life! I was thrilled when it came my way, but the reality was I had already set aside Friday to work on my schoolwork, get caught up and provide a buffer for my energy. But, this opportunity could not be turned down. A friend, asked me to speak in her place for three high school classes at Cox Middle School in Cabarrus County. When she emailed me, I was immediately energized by the idea of serving teens. After all, I would be on my mission if I took on this task. At first the teens were reticent to engage with me. However, I was relentless with the energy that I poured out in the room. After fifteen minutes of story telling, the kids with the extrovert personalities couldn’t help but join in with enthusiasm. I provided opportunities for the teens to: speak in front of the class, participate in dialogue, and experience Visual Explorer, a leadership tool from the Center for Creative Learning. I believe they had a great time. In fact, one of the kids stated, “This is like having fun Friday’s.” What’s interesting is that although my teaching was not about memorizing history, learning a math formula, or reading the works of great literary giants; my teaching was all about them. We explored who they are and what they want. I implored these teens to be alive, awake, and alert to the fact that the decisions that they make in the next five years will effect the next fifty years of their lives. We talked about ‘who’ their future self would be and through the dialogue process and the Visual Explorer exercise they articulated who they wanted to be. I believe that many of these young adults did this work for the first time and it was cathartic. Some were moved to nervous laughter, some to tears, and some to a quiet contemplative place. But markedly, they were affected. One group of young ladies in the dialogue process were particularly thoughtful, attentive, and focused on this process, as I worked my way over to them to ‘listen in’ time ran out. I didn’t get to hear what the last girl to share said however, at the conclusion one girl in the group looked right in the eyes of the other girl that shared and said in a serious tone, “Wow, that’s impressive.” One girl influenced another to see what a focused and meaningful future might look like! I am so grateful I had the opportunity to share my talents in service to my mission and this particular assignment. What if the girl who said, “Wow” is now motivated, nudged or haunted by the idea that she needs to explore more deeply what she wants? It would be phenomenal! Then my hope and dream would be that she would share with another person. That’s the stuff of legacy. How can we more purposefully impact those around us?

We have no idea how powerful simply showing up for life is! Without our willingness, we inhibit the unfolding process in each other’s lives. Stephen Covey sums it up. “Meaning is the challenging need of the modern worker. It’s not enough to work to eat or stay on the job because you are treated well. Nor is it enough to have an opportunity to contribute your talents and to unleash some of your potential. People want to know why. Meaning is the essential ingredient in modern times to organizations.” While Covey is using this in reference to being ‘on the job’ this statement ﬁts everyone. Meaning is the challenging need of everyone!

Nicole Greer is on a mission to energize, impact and inﬂuence people to lead a more vibrant life by engaging what is possible and making it probable. Do you want to create a mission statement that can act as a tool for clarity in your daily decisions? Do you need a declaration that can help you say “yes” to the right things and “no” to the wrong things? E-mail Nicole for a free worksheet at: Nicole@thevibrantcoach.com

At its deepest level, working with a coach frees you to indentify your birthright gifts, discern your deepest passions, and fulfill your highest purpose. A coach can pry you off dead center. As Principal Coach for Vibrant Coaching and Workshop Leader for The Lydia Group, LLC, a collaboration of individuals focused on work, life and spiritual growth, Nicole is on a mission to impact, energize, and influence people to lead a Vibrant Life by engaging the possibilities. As a life and business coach and workshop leader, Nicole views her role as a conduit to release all that you want to achieve. Join me on the PATH to move forward with authenticity, skill and confidence. www.thevibrantcoach.com/www. thelydiagroup.com

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 23

GIRL SCOUT HERO AWARDED NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR

(Colfax, NC – March 5, 2012) – On March 3 at Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary celebration at the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds in WinstonSalem, Jada Lawrence of Troutman received the Medal of Honor from Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont (GSCP2P) for her heroic deeds on December 9, 2011. The Medal of Honor is a national award that recognizes Girl Scouts who have saved or attempted to save a life under circumstances that indicate heroism. Jada, who was 10 at the time of the incident, saved the life of her grandfather, John E. Lawrence, by calling 911 when he was having a heart attack. According to Mr. Lawrence’s account, he and Jada had just returned to his house from grocery shopping. Within 20 minutes, Mr. Lawrence experienced extreme pressure in the middle of his chest and the pain radiated under his right shoulder blade. He asked Jada to get him two aspirin and he laid down for a few minutes to rest. When the pain intensified and his face turned red, Jada responded by calling 911. Mr. Lawrence said she stayed calm and described his symptoms, as well as the location of his house. Jada Lawrence is pictured with her Jada remained on the phone as grandfather, John E. Lawrence the dispatcher instructed her, and she was able to meet the rescue team at the door and show them to her grandfather’s room. “Jada saw them place an oxygen mask on my face and was able to observe my breathing improve and my color began to fade a bit,” Mr. Lawrence said. “I am just grateful that she was there and was able to respond appropriately.” Jada admits she was scared. “I was really scared having to call 911. I had never seen somebody almost faint but I just tried to hand through it and not cry and scream,” she said. Her grandfather gives credit to other women in her life. “Some of Jada’s helpful attributes may be the result of spending time with her grandmother, great-aunt and cousins, all of whom have been Girl Scouts,” Mr. Lawrence said. “All of them are strong women who convey abilities in caring, planning and reacting appropriately in difficult situations. Jada, a Girl Scout Junior in Troop 10007, is one of the first two Girl Scout members from GSCP2P to receive the award since the council was incorporated in October of 2009. “Jada is an extraordinary young lady who exemplifies the Girl Scout mission of courage, confidence and character,” said Marcia Cole, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont. “Her ability to keep levelheaded under pressure combined with the knowledge she gained in Girl Scouting illustrates her strong leadership skills. We are all very proud of Jada and thankful that the skills she learned helped to save a life.” ■

pg 24 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | April 2012

**About Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont, a United Way agency, is one of 112 councils nationwide chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA to deliver Girl Scout program within specific geographic boundaries. The local council serves more than 16,000 girls and approximately 7,000 adult volunteers in 40 counties and maintains five camp properties and four service centers offering unique experiences for girls and adults. For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect or donate to GSCP2P, call 800-672-2148 or visit www.girlscoutsp2p.org. **About Girl Scouts of the USA Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.2 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls’ healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries.

Staying active when the weather seems to be pitted against you can be challenging. However, there are many things you can do to make the best of things and still get the exercise needed for a healthy heart. Here are a few ideas to get you started. * Head outdoors: Instead of the regular workouts you do, consider something that makes the most of the weather outdoors. If it’s hot outside, consider walking by the seaside where the ocean mist can keep you cool, or having your feet in the laps of water reaching the sand. Unless you are the Wicked Witch of the West, a little rainfall will not make you melt. Don a raincoat and take a brisk walk around the neighborhood. If it’s cold outdoors or if there’s an residual snow sledding or skiing remain fun ways to burn calories. All of these activities count as moderate to vigorous exercise, which is recommended daily for most people. * Workout indoors: This doesn’t necessarily mean heading to the nearest gym. It’s possible to get recommended exercise at home or at another location. Walking briskly around a mall is good exercise and you can window shop in the process. Lift heavy items around the house in place of dumbbells. Doing regular household chores with more vigor is another way to get blood flowing and your heart pumping. * Eat right: It’s far too easy to indulge in comfort foods, but they tend to be fattening. Eating the right foods to maintain a healthy weight goes a long way toward protecting the heart. Be sure to eat breakfast every day, and choose fruits and vegetables as snacks over sweet and salty items. Canned varieties are just as healthy as fresh produce and can offer a variety of flavors when certain foods are not in season. Be sure to include plenty of foods high in fiber. Not only will they help keep cholesterol levels in check, but it will also help you to feel full faster and longer. * Dress appropriately: Weather is often unpredictable. Therefore, dress in layers so you can remove or add clothing as needed to remain comfortable. Children and older adults are more susceptible to the effects of cold weather. According to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, when temperatures are low your heart works harder to keep the body warm. Dressing warmly can help avoid taxing the heart. The same caution applies when the temperature is extremely warm. It’s easy for the elderly to overheat and become dehydrated. Dress in light clothing and remember to drink plenty of water. Before starting any exercise regimen, it is important to discuss your plans with a physician. He or she can determine if you are physically capable of moderate exercise or if any illnesses may impede your ability.

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Me, Myself, & . c In By Sherré DeMao

Are you a hopeful or wishful thinker?

One of my favorite quotes by Helen Keller reads, “Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.” This is such a powerful statement and one that demonstrates how being hopeful is so much more empowering than being wishful. Hope stems from and is supported by your beliefs, reinforced by them to continually seek additional options and answers. Hope is the one thing that can inspire alternatives when it seems that there is nothing you can do in a particular situation. You believe there has to be an option, therefore you seek to understand, learn or find the options. Hope is action-oriented because it is trying to see beyond the current circumstance or events happening to you or around you. Hope reaches deeper into who you are to manifest who you ultimately know you can be. Wishing, while fun to do on a birthday cake before blowing out candles, is complacent. It is a reaction to the circumstance or events happening to you, wishing they were different or that something will miraculously happen to make them different. Wishful thinking oftentimes focuses on what is wrong versus what is right. Wishing tends to focus on fixing something in the present while hoping is looking forward into the future. Which type of thinker are you? Wishful or Hopeful? Consider these aspects of hope to help make your hopeful thinking stronger or to shift from wishful thinking: H = Heart: Hope stems from your heart, the very center of how you feel, what you believe, and inspires your faith in yourself. When you have your heart into whatever you are doing, it is not only easier to do, it is satisfying and gratifying. Knowing your values and what you hold to be true to you is the first step in shifting from wishful thinking to hope. Add to this, a list of those who share the same values, and you have a built-in network of resources to help you see options and the positive ways in which you can move forward. O = Optimism: Too often, in wishful thinking, you are focused on what you don’t want to occur more than what you truly want to occur. The negative is overriding the positive in making you wish for something different or better. You see obstacles and have doubts that keep you complacent in a wishful mode. In some cases, you may even proclaim a wish, but it is merely an excuse to keep you from taking the

necessary action. Your pessimism paralyzes you into a feeling of hopelessness because of what you fear. To move forward, you must face your fears using your heart network`. With hope, you truly believe in the possibilities. Your optimism enables to you see options to help you through any given situation and continually reinforces and empowers you. P = Passion: When your heart combines with optimism, your passion is given wings to soar towards the very best outcome you seek. Passion is the very aura of your beliefs rolled into who you are and why you are driven to do what you do. Passion gives you energy to prevail, persevere and participate in making whatever it is you hope will occur into what does occur. E = Effort: Even if you can see the invisible and feel the intangible, without effort on your part, you will never make what seems to be impossible happen. It really is that simple. Your effort reinforces to yourself that what you hope and desire is truly important to you and for you to manifest. Having hope means you possess a faith in yourself to achieve or prevail in whatever you are faced with or must overcome. You truly believe in the best possible outcome and are focused on looking forward into not only its possibility, but in how to effect its probability. Bring hope into your being. Make hope your way of being. Move forward with your heart, optimism, passion and effort guiding and leading you every step of the way.

Bio: Sherré DeMao inspires millions through her monthly columns, weekly Insight eZine and national contributing writing. An expert strategist and marketer focused on entrepreneurs, her unique perspective and innovative approach has earned numerous awards regionally, nationally and internationally including being named among the Top 50 Enterprising Women of North America in 2007. Her books, Me, Myself & Inc. (www.memyselfandinc.com) and 50 Marketing Secrets (www.50marketingsecrets.com) have received national acclaim as Top Business Shelf picks and must reads.

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 27

THE

MALE BOX

Save in

by Wayne DeLoriea

One of the things I longed for most, when I was traveling 38 weeks each year for the past 12 or 13 years, was to be grounded in a community church family. I tried several churches in the Hickory area and finally landed and fell in love with the congregation at Tri City Baptist Church in Conover. I went to church there for over 2 years before joining because I feel it’s important to go to a church where the sermons and lessons don’t change with time and current events. You might think preachers and church leaders stick to the Bible but that’s NOT the case and I tested several churches HARD. For 2 years the messages and sermons at TCBC remained constant and true to the Word of God, so after I married my best friend Linda we both joined OUR church together. I’ve been a member now for almost 7 years and I’m in love with Tri City now more than ever. During Pastor Snow’s sermon, a couple of weeks ago, he said, “It’s a sin to be good…” and THAT caught my attention. Not that I wasn’t listening but, as a coach, I could feel a good quote coming on. I hurried to get a pen. “…when you were created to be GREAT” he added. WOW! “It’s a sin to be good, when you were created to be GREAT.” Take a second and run that through your mind as many times as it takes to take hold and grow roots because there are not many things more true than that statement. It made me wish I was still coaching so I could go share it. As a matter of fact, sitting in church listening to those words, made me want to get up and go home, because nothing else could possibly impact me any more than that truth. “Man!” I thought, “I wish I still had a team to inspire with those words!” On the way home it occurred to me that in fact…I DID have a team to share those words with. I was just days away from opening the doors to Coach’s HardCORE Gym in Hickory…a gym that specializes in helping people tighten up their CORE areas, in our very pretty fitness gym and in the back of the building a TRUE hardcore gym. So, the name HardCORE has a double meaning. You’ll just have to drop by to see what I mean. Anyway, it occurred to me that my gym members are my new team and they need inspiration just as much as all those very special athletes I worked with for the past decade or more. When you drop by Coach’s you’ll see those words lettered on the wall along with words from 3 John 1:2, “Beloved, I wish above ALL things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth”. Those words are NOT meant to beat anyone up with the Bible. I mean… really… what could anyone find offensive about that wish? I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to prosper and be healthy…those are

pg 28 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | April 2012

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pg 30 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | April 2012

by Susan Guest, ASID

the

ower P ink P

OK, I admit it! Pink has never been my favorite color! Recently, my husband and I held a Pink Party to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Guests wore pink clothing, brought pink food, and all decorations were pink. I was amazed at how the color looked on everyone. Even the most pale winter complexion glowed in pink-or maybe it was fever from ingesting all the red dye. I have a respect for the power of pink. Recently, a friend was diagnosed with breast cancer and I promised that my next Sophie article would feature the color. Pink ribbons have been the symbol of breast cancer research for years. The color was chosen because of the association with femininity. Pink has empowered cancer survivors and unified a movement to try to eradicate breast cancer that has claimed so many lives. Pink has always been considered a “girly” color. In researching this article, I found that women see pink better than men-possibly because of the gatherer instinct to spot ripe berries or the nurturing instinct to spot a fever flushed child. As much as pink empowers women, it removes power from men. In a weight lifting room, men are weaker when the walls are painted pink, while women are stronger. For this reason, the locker rooms of opposing teams in male sports are often painted a pale shade of pink. Also, prison cells in this color tend to decrease aggression in inmates. Pink was originally named after the flowers called “pinks”, members of the dianthus family. Pink is considered any medium to high bright color between red and reddish blue (or magenta). The complementary, or opposite color, of pink is green. In fact, if you stare at a pink circle then look away, you will see the color green. The color of love and Easter, shades of pink remind us of passion and romance. Bright pink is fun, youthful, and exciting. A pink carnation means “I will never forget you.” Happiness and joy are feelings associated with the color. In the Catholic church, pink (also called rose) is used in the middle of Lent and Advent showing the half-way point during both seasons of penance. The pink triangle was placed on homosexual prisoners in Nazi camps and is still a symbol of gay pride today. Fashionistas such as Elle Woods and Carrie Bradshaw have sported pink clothing. Mamie Eisenhower wore so much of the color that it was dubbed “Mamie pink”. In decorating, I have worked with pink several times. As a young designer, rosy pink was popular mixed with powder blue. Even though this is not my favorite color scheme, it was desired by many clients during the 80’s. Several years ago, I decorated a teenager’s bedroom in pink and brown. This project was so much fun because the colors were a perfect balance of masculine and feminine and allowed me to use accents of leopard. As I reported from furniture market a couple of seasons ago, a shade of pink called “tea rose” is starting to return and looks quite dashing mixed with grey or citron yellow. A word of caution in using this color: Pink causes sugar cravings- a reason that many bakeries use pink boxes! Personally, I have enough sugar cravings without painting my kitchen walls pink!

Susan Guest, ASID is an award-winning interior designer in Hickory and owner of Guest Interiors, LLC. She is one of the designers featured in “Spectacular Homes of the Carolinas”, found in high-end bookstores around the country. For more information, visit www.guestinteriors.com.

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 31

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Recipes for ife

by Emily Wickham

The Perfect Pot Roast

***Food For The Body*** 3 – 4 lbs. boneless chuck roast 2 Tbsp. butter Seasoned Salt Rinse roast in cold water, pat dry, and set aside. Melt butter on high in a saucepan; add roast. Sprinkle the topside liberally with seasoned salt and sear bottom side until well browned. Turn over and repeat. Place roast in crockpot; cook 12 hours on low or 6 hours on high. Enjoy! Note: This roast tastes particularly delicious when served with mashed potatoes, gravy, and steamed carrots.

***A Prayer for God’s Blessing*** Loving Lord Jesus, You are the joy who makes my heart sing … the One who ﬁlls me with delight. Thank You for making my life meaningful by Your daily presence. Please increase my ability to rejoice even in tough times. In Your precious and holy name, Amen.

***Food for the Soul *** An unrestrained grin spreads over my dad’s face when he arrives at our home for dinner. He highly values the regular menu that features pot roast, so his delight knows no bounds. We tease him about the way he monopolizes the gravy boat and murmurs “Mm mm” while he chews. Really, it’s just a roast … Then there’s my husband and children. This good old-fashioned meal never fails to be a hit. Leftovers are nearly a thing of the past as our family of six all but empties every dish. Blessed – we are so blessed to share these occasions together. They’re simple, yet the makings of treasured memories. Sweet moments with loved ones lodge in our minds and frequently resurface … especially when we’re in the midst of difﬁculties. Remembering happier days somehow lightens the load and renews our hope. Indeed, reﬂecting on God’s blessings does wonders for the soul. Sorrow turns to joy just by a changed perspective. But does joy seem to elude you? Are you struggling with sadness and wishing joy could be yours? It can.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His beneﬁts” (Psalm 103:1-2). • As we meditate on God’s blessings and consider the truth of His love and grace … • As we push negative thoughts away by the power of the Holy Spirit and embrace the truth of God’s Word … • As we choose to delight in Christ rather than focus on our problems … Joy arrives. Just like my dad shows up for dinner with a dancing smile of anticipation, joy appears in our hearts when we truly realize God “has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Not just some … every. All of our hope, all of our peace, and all of our joy reside in Christ. The ingredients for a perfect pot roast are few, but the result tastes extraordinary. Similarly, joy’s makings begin with trusting in Christ as our Savior, appreciating God’s blessings, and keeping our eyes ﬁxed on Jesus. The result? Uncontainable, irrepressible joy … joy that’s possible because of Christ’s cross … joy that burst forth when He rose from the dead. Easter. This exceptional holiday contains joy like no other. Let’s celebrate! Jesus is alive! Trials can weary us. People periodically disappoint us. Situations sometimes depress us. I’ve certainly experienced gut-wrenching grief and shed many tears. But God patiently continues to teach me about joy. It’s a fruit of His Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and a quality Christ desires for His people (John 17:13). It doesn’t come from circumstances, but from the One who holds every circumstance in His hands. God’s joy is attainable even in the midst of tough times. Especially in the midst of tough times. “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39) If the permanency of don’t know what will! Until next time, that’s

God’s love in Christ doesn’t ﬁll us with joy, I a Recipe for Life …

Emily Wickham, published author, speaker, and founder of Proclaiming Him to Women Ministries, gently yet powerfully presents God’s Word. She encourages and equips women by exalting Christ through inspirational, practical Bible teaching. Her bi-weekly study takes place in Hickory, NC, and her blog devotionals can be read at www.proclaiminghimtowomen. com. Emily welcomes speaking opportunities at women’s events such as retreats, luncheons, and conferences. Please e-mail emily@proclaiminghimtowomen.com. Emily resides in western NC with her husband and their four children.

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg33

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Question: I overheard a coworker compliment another on her beautiful skin and then asked, “if she did anything special to get her skin so pretty”. The woman replied, “I brush my skin every night before bed.” What? She “brushes” her skin! What’s up with that? Answer: Your co-worker was probably talking about “dry brushing”. It is exactly as it sounds. Before getting into the tub or shower, while skin is still dry, using a dry brush made of natural bristles, stroke your skin in a circular motion. Apply ampule pressure, be gentle but ﬁrm. Starting at your feet working your way up the legs, abdominals, buttocks, moving on to your hands, arms and ﬁnally your chest. You should work in circular motions pushing everything toward the heart. I’m not really sure, why, it works best in this order, I just know that it does. You can also use this dry brushing technique on your face, just be sure your brush has very soft natural bristles, and of course, use a separate brush for your face than you use on your body. This technique works by removing the dead surface skin cells. It also can improve circulation, and the lymphatic draining system. After, dry brushing, skin may look a bit dry and you may see whitish scuff marks, but that is normal. What you are seeing is the dry dead skin coming off. The entire process from toe to head, should only take 3-6 minutes and afterward, just shower or bathe as usual, applying a moisturizer while skin is still slightly damp. If you do this every time you bathe, it want be long before your co-workers will be asking you, “what special thing you do to get your skin so pretty?”

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 35

Organizing for the Health of It!

by Jennifer Brunham

There are health benefits to organizing? Sure are! You will definitely get a workout when you start to organize a room or closet. But the benefits extend so far beyond that. A lot of stuff = a lot of work. You have to keep up with all that stuff, and our subconscious reminds us of that constantly. If everything had a “home”, then your life would function much more efficiently. Let me walk you through a scenario. You walk in the door, hands full with keys and phone, purse on one arm, groceries or bags on the other. Suzy skips in, drops her bags and coat by the door. I sure wish Suzy would pick up her stuff! I don’t know how many times I have told her! Suzy probably doesn’t know where her stuff is supposed to go so she just drops it. Keys and phone get dropped on the table, or counter, or in the purse. Groceries go to the kitchen. Sure wish there was room on this counter to unload the grocery bags. Why doesn’t anyone help out around here?! You are already flustered and upset --- and you have only been home for 5 minutes.

Spend less money: • On storing your goodies (storage units are pricey) • On buying tins and containers so you feel organized • On buying “replacements” for those items you can’t ﬁnd and assume are lost, stolen, or broke Being organized means you instantly become a happier family member, friend, and coworker. The connection seems silly -- but let me explain. When you are organized, you become less stressed about running late, missing appointments, and spending precious money on things you know you already bought. When you gain control over your home, you are in essence gaining control over your life. You begin to have time and money for the things that you do enjoy. Stuff all around will set anyone spiraling in a bad mood -- quickly! It’s frustrating, which usually turns into anger and resentment. You are angry that you have let your home and life get so out of control. You are angry that your family doesn’t help out. You are resentful of those that have time to spend with their family at the park on Saturdays while you are running to Walmart -- AGAIN -- to buy more paint and markers for Suzy’s church project. Even though you swore you just bought them last week! Have you felt the beneﬁts of being organized?

Here are some nice organizing ideas!

Lets replay this scenario with an organized landing zone. You walk in the door, hands full with keys and phone, purse on one arm, groceries on the other. Suzy skips in, hangs her backpack and coat on her hook (with “Suzy” conveniently decorated and hung above). You hang your keys on the key ring holder, and drop the phone on the charger station. You walk to the kitchen and unload groceries on a mess free countertop (because everything is put away in cabinets). You grab a bottle of water, the mail, and head to the couch. Ahhh -- time to relax for a few minutes before starting dinner. See -- and feel the difference? Spend less time: • Cleaning your home • Looking for things (“Where are those darn keys?”) Save time: • You might actually arrive to your appointments on time, or better yet, early! • On redundant errands and chores. (You already moved that stack of paper to the ﬂoor to clean the table, now you have to move it back to the table to clean the ﬂoor. And what to do with those papers anyways...?)

pg 36 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | April 2012

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Be Healthy…Be Happy in 2012! Being healthy just makes you feel good, inside and out! Your local Medicap Pharmacy® offers prescription medications as well as several over-the-counter products like vitamins and supplements to help you stay healthy. Talk with your Medicap Pharmacy pharmacist today and get on track to a healthy 2012!

Melinda Travis, R.Ph. 401 West A Street Newton 828.466.1500

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pg 38 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | April 2012

Here are some basic tips to help avoid becoming an identity fraud victim when using your smartphone:

Social Media & Identity Theft

Identity theft continues to rise with the increased use of smartphones and social media, like Facebook, Twitter, and so on. Social media users who post their personal information online or on smartphone apps are unwittingly fueling this rise in identity theft in the US. Smartphones have given us something to do while waiting in line at the grocery store, while waiting for an appointment, while waiting for a plane, and in updating our social status – but they may also be leading to this increase in identity theft. A report recently released by Javelin Strategy & Research, a firm that specializes in security and fraud issues, shows that nearly 12 million Americans were victims of identity theft in 2011 – a 13% increase over 2010 figures! That’s about 5% of the entire US adult population, up from roughly 4% the year before. As a further example, among Facebook users with “public” profiles, the rate was 7.5%, while users who accept “friend” requests from strangers had an even higher rate of nearly 9%. A “public” profile is defined as one that allows strangers to see personal information, including profiles open to “friends of friends.” Today, roughly a quarter of all Facebook users have public profiles. And while there’s no direct relation between using social media and identity fraud, the behavior of those participating is a major factor. Personal information revealed in public profiles is valuable to thieves because companies often use such information to verify your identity online. The Javelin report revealed that many social media users reveal far too much personal information. About 68% shared their birthdays (day and month) while 45% included the year. About 63% shared their high school name, 18% shared their phone number, 12% shared a pet’s name, and over 5% shared their mother’s maiden name. Any of this information could be used to figure out passwords, login information, codes, etc. It’s much easier than you might think for scammers and other criminals to take this information, use a few online search engines and find out enough information about you to steal your identity. Offering up personal information on Facebook and other social networking sites may seem “friendly” but it actually places you at greater risk of being ripped off by identity fraud. In addition, social media users should always use the privacy settings available on most social platforms, and not just rely on the default settings. Listen, you don’t leave money lying on the table for someone to grab, do you – so why would you leave your personal information out there for someone to steal? When it comes to smartphones and other mobile devices, about 62% of users said that they don’t use a password, and 32% said they are saving login information on their smartphones. And only 16% have installed software that allows them to remotely wipe the device clean if it is lost or stolen.

• Password protect your social media “home page” and mobile device “home screen”. • Avoid exposing personal information that can be used by someone else for identity veriﬁcation. • Be careful about the apps you download. Use apps only from the Android Market or Apple App stores and wait a week after a new app has been released to download it in order to avoid any malicious code. • Update & maintain all operating systems to their latest version. • Share information carefully when you are on a public Wi-Fi network. • Make sure you have the capability to erase the content on your Android or iPhone remotely if they are lost or stolen. Despite publicity about identity theft and how to prevent it, the numbers continue to rise. We’ve become a society that shares far too much of our personal information – and all that voluntary transparency makes us vulnerable to crooks. You need to protect yourself! No one is going to protect you when it comes to identity theft. No one is going to come to your rescue when it comes to identity theft. There is no magic potion that is going to make it go away if you become a victim of identity theft. So, what steps will you take to guard YOUR privacy when using social media and your mobile device? Mick Young Eagle Ventures, LLC www.EagleVentureTeam.com

Mick Young is a successful entrepreneur, business owner, renowned author, Master Business coach, New Media Marketing Consultant, and international speaker. He wrote “Your New Venture - Real Business or Hobby?” as well as a number of other highly regarded works.

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 39

Feed on These Wedding Favor Ideas

Edible wedding favors may include decorative cookie baskets featuring gourmet cookies from a favorite bakery.

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pg 40 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | April 2012

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Do you have a shelf or cabinet that’s filled to the brim with wedding favors such as engraved ice cream scoopers, cake servers, cheese spreaders or tea light candle holders? If you do, you’re not alone. As couples pore over guest favor options, many select trinkets or knickknacks that, while thoughtful, end up collecting dust in someone’s home. Edible gifts also can be thoughtful -- and flavorful! Guests may look forward to an edible favor because it’s a memento of the special occasion and it won’t become a permanent fixture in their homes. There are many edible favors from which to choose. They can also be customized according to the theme of the wedding.

Chocolate

It’s difficult to find an edible favor more universally beloved than chocolate. Rich and inviting, chocolate has long been given as a symbol of love and devotion. Chocolate candies and baked goods can work well for wedding favors, provided the favors are refrigerated to avoid melting. Ideas for chocolate favors include individually packaged truffles, gourmet brownie bites, candy-covered chocolates with an inscription, chocolate covered apples, chocolate coins, and other similar creations. Chocolate molded designs (much like those chocolate Easter bunnies) are another idea.

Sweet cookies also make good edible favors. Butter cookies are a favorite because they are sturdy enough to cut into different shapes. Professionally iced, these cookies can be a masterpiece to behold. Some couples opt for customized fortune cookies that express personalized sentiments to guests.

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Sometimes it’s less expensive to give guests kits that they can take home to create their own edible treasures. Options

abound and can include everything from personalized packets of hot chocolate to tea bags. Other couples choose among mixes for making cookies or cakes.

Candies

It has become popular to have a self-serve candy bar at many weddings. Guests are invited to step up to the display and serve themselves from a series of different confections. Autumn weddings could have Halloween-inspired candies or those in fall hues. It’s easy to follow a color theme when you have a bevy of different candies at your disposal. Many discount stores sell inexpensive jars and candy dishes to house the candy. Designer Chinese takeout-type containers are available from craft stores and can be the perfect way for guests to make that candy portable.

Other edibles

From cupcakes to maple syrup to personalized bottles of barbecue sauce, couples have so many options for guest favors at their disposal.

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www.thepeacockinn-newton.com www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 41

Our Monthly Feature

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Photos from our March 2012 Contest.

Photo Submitted By: Elements Photography

Local Photos of Everyday people, places, and events as seen through the eyes of the area's professional and amateur photographers!

s h u t t e r b u g g e r z . c o m 42

Visit the website to view all the photos and to enter your photo into next monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contest.

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