Sophie Woman's Magazine January 2015 by Sophie Woman's Magazine

VOLUME 10 - ISSUE 11 / JANUARY 2015

Woman’s Magazine

Women

Sophie

the

Our Story pg 16

INSPIRATION ~ EDUCATION ~ MOTIVATION

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From The Editor: Judy Smith

ince I am one of those people who still like an old fashioned planner for each year, I have been in the process of entries for my brand spanking new, glamorous 2015 version. Literally, I am stopped in my steps as I ponder the fact that it really is 2015. While watching a news show the other day, the topic turned to the things that were predicted in one of the Back to the Future movies that forwarded ahead to the year 2015. It was quite amazing to see some of those things actually being used with the technology we have now. Back to my old fashioned planner. There are a certain amount of “set” dates that I have each week or each month. Now you might think that if they were that regular that I would not NEED to enter them in the book. Invariably, if I don’t mark out that space someone will ask me if I can do something at that very time….I will look at my book and if it is not already there, then I have a conflict. My procedure is to get my latest planner and my newest planner and go through and add the entry of names and numbers, dates and times, and other important information that I might be transferring. It always happens. I get bogged down. I start looking at the things that have happened over the past year. I tend to make New Year’s resolutions each year, only to find that they have fallen by the way side within a month…..OK, maybe a week! This year though, as I was looking at my planner from this past year, amazing things popped out at me. A lot of things can happen in twelve months. Our family, our business and me personally had some significant things to be thankful for.

the house, taking care of the lawn, preparing income taxes….very unremarkable things that we all have each and every day. So what am I going to do with the new year of 2015? Am I going to love my family more or am I going to be kinder to others? Will I have more patience? Will I listen for the still small voice of God more? Will I make the most of the “big” things that come my way? Or more importantly, what am I going to do with the little things. How will I use my life, my time, my talent for God’s Glory? However, there is still that nagging question of which resolutions I am going to make again this year. Surely, there has to be one about diet. In fact I had a friend that told me she was going to start on a new diet the first of the year. You know how the “buddy” system helps, so I told her that I would join her and that way we could help each other out. I told her when I started feeling the urge to go grab a burger that I would call her and we could help each other out. She was thrilled with that and in fact told me she would ride with me! Then there is the New Year’s resolution concerning organizing. Anyone know a good organizer?

Love, Laughter and Blessings to all our readers, today and every day of 2015.

Happy New Year!

Then I began to realize that it should not be all about the “big stuff”. After all, most of our time is not dealing with the big stuff but rather what we consider the mundane. Things like sleeping, eating, cleaning

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 3

Saralyn McGalliard 828-244-1617 saralyn@sophiewomansmagazine.com

Message From The Heart......................................pg 3 Reaching Your Full Potential................................pg 6 Sophisticated Women............................................pg 8 The Front Porch...................................................pg 11 One Word Parenting Resolutions.......................pg 12 Girlfriends In God..............................................pg 14 Sophie’s Vision...................................................pg 16 The Simple Answer for a New Year....................pg 20 I Keep Asking....................................................pg 22 Going To Be A Great Year....... ...........................pg 24 How To Preserve A Bouquet....... ......................pg 25 Unique New Years Traditions..............................pg 26 Me, Myself, & Inc.............................................pg 29 Start The New Year In Style..........................pg 30 Recipes For Life................................................pg 33 The Not So Sweet Side Of Sugar...................pg 34 Shutterbuggerz....................................................pg 37

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www.sophiewomansmagazine.com You can also find more information on page 10 of this issue.

********************************************************** 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 its 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: RECEIVE YOUR UPGRADED LIFE

by Kim Fletcher, Life Coach, Speaker, Author

“Not all dreamers are winners, but all winners are dreamers. Your dream is the key to your future. The Bible says that, "without a vision (dream), a people perish." You need a dream, if you're going to succeed in anything you do.” Mark Gorman

hat do you dream about? What do you hope to achieve in 2015? More importantly, who do you hope to become in the coming year?

Most individuals whom I coach are discontent in at least one major area of life. Here is a simple fact. If you alter nothing, you will get more of the same out of your life. The converse is also true. If you are strategic in what you alter about your daily practices in the coming year, you could alter most any area of your life for the better. Last week, I realized I am due for a cell phone upgrade. Every year, I am blessed to coach and consult with individuals who have one thing in common … they want to upgrade something about their life and/or their business. When I turned in my old phone to receive my new one, I had a powerful revelation. In life, when I envision a new upgrade for any area of my life, that upgrade can ONLY be attained AFTER I surrender my old operating system. Just as you have to turn in your old phone before you receive your new one, you will have to position yourself in 2015 to surrender old operating systems that are no longer working for you before your new system will go into effect. This revelation is at the core of why most “resolutions” fail. The individual has the heart for the new success, but they hold onto the comfort of the old system. They soon lose the passion and motivation that fueled the new desire, and they fall right back into the well-worn patterns. This concept may hold the key to your ability to attain a vision or a dream you have been holding in 2015. Grab a journal and your favorite warm drink, and give yourself a few moments of your undivided attention (just as you would do for an important client), and allow a fresh strategy for success to fall into your spirit as you step into a new, fresh year. STEP ONE: Choose an area of your life where you would like to see positive growth, development and transformation in the coming year. Just to get your creative thinking started, that could include areas such as finances, faith, key relationships, communication, leadership influence or health/wellness.

pg 6 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2015

STEP TWO: Ask yourself a two-fold question about the area you chose. First, what growth would you like to see occur? Now for the hard part … you are going to have to get “gut honest” with yourself to explore what current thought patterns, daily actions, and life habits are contributing to that new vision and which are hindering or sabotaging it. STEP THREE: One last two-fold process. First, consider how you can increase the consistency and intensity of your daily actions that are already moving you in the right direction and make plans to continue these consistently. Next, ask yourself what new strategies would contribute to the acceleration of your new goal(s). FINALLY: Once you have your new vision and the accompanying strategies in place, you must now burn the bridges to the old operating system. Like my old phone, you must turn the old system in to be positioned to fully activate your NEW SYSTEM. This will require an honest appraisal of what causes you to feel more comfortable with the old system, along with a new commitment to stay the course toward the new. Here are a few final strategies to help secure your path to your fresh, new perspective: • RELEASE NEGATIVE THINKING: This may include a false beliefs about yourself such as “I’m not talented enough,” or a negative view such as “Life always seems to go wrong for me.” • DROP YOUR LABELS: When we speak negativity over ourselves or allow others to do so, those words often stick to our spirits in the form of “word curses”. When we fail to forgive and release those who wound us, we create a place for those curses to anchor deep within. Take time to forgive and to release the labels that have been created by negative words and thoughts. • SPEAK LIFE: Begin to speak life and over your new goal. Our words hold power. You have probably heard of a “self-fulfilling prophecy”, but have you ever stopped to consider how your own words create new beginnings or hold you in bondage to the past? Try speaking extreme hope, encouragement and life … and see what begins to take place. “I am strong enough, smart enough, creative enough, and passionate enough to accomplish the impossible.” As Mark Gorman stated, “Not all dreamers are winners, but all winners are dreamers.” Your dream just may hold the key to 2015 being your best year yet.

Are you ready for the global cultural changes that are imminent? As a Life Coach of global impact, Kim would love to share these principles of influential leadership and cultural transformation with your group or organization. Contact Kim today for a FREE proposal on a powerful coaching partnership. You may contact her team of coaches and speakers directly at: www.kimfletcherassociates.com / kimfletchercoach@aol.com / 828 327 6702.

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Sophisticated Women...

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

Seize The Day!

“This life is what you make it. No matter what, you’re going to mess up sometimes, it’s a universal truth… Just because you fail once, doesn’t mean you’re gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don’t, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life’s a beautiful thing and there’s so much to smile about.”

Marilyn Monroe

f “life is what you make of it” then, we must seize the day. In Latin, the familiar phrase is Carpe Diem. Literally translated, “Carpe diem” means to enjoy or to pluck the day as if it were a perfect piece of fruit. The energy implied but overlooked is full of joy! Imagine what your life would be like if you met each day joyfully taking on the things that you know would create your best year yet? It would be AMAZING. Right? Just think about it. Within your power is the opportunity to: ◊ Lose the weight. ◊ Build the muscle. ◊ Find the dream job. ◊ Move to a new locale. ◊ Write the book. ◊ Scrapbook the pictures. ◊ Start the business. ◊ Meet the man. ◊ Fix your finances. ◊ Go back to school. ◊ Reconcile with a loved one. ◊ Reduce your environmental footprint. ◊ Create your art. You simply need to make it happen.

pg 8 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2015

“Easier said than done,” you say? Well, you are right. But, you do need to say what you want done. In fact, you need to say to yourself everyday what it is that you need to do that helps you reach your goals. So, it is easy to say it. But, do you say it? The year 2015 holds 365 precious days that will add up to a year that could be your best year yet or dare I say it, one you’ll want to forget and ultimately regret. You stand in choice. You can make things happen! Making things happen is simply making choices that align with the life you say you really want. Every day in 2015 will hold choices. In fact, www.brainfacts.org, states that the average person makes 35,000 choices a day. That’s enormous. Such opportunity requires you to step into consciousness, serious consciousness. Have you ever driven to a destination and upon arrival realized that you don’t remember the stoplights and the turns? This phenomenon happens all the time. It’s your subconscious at work. Based on experience, your brain knows what you normally make happen. Your brain is happy to help you navigate the future. However, your brain will only offer its help based on past programing. In order to harness your brains power, you are going to have to inform it and reprogram it. You must say to yourself what new thing you want to have happen. That means you are going to have to think something new. This will ultimately result in making new things happen. Say it and it will be done. In my SHINE Retreats, I insist that individuals create “I am one who” statements that inform the brain how to behave. “I am one who” statements are simply, sticky, and seriously successful in making things happen. When you declare daily, “I am one who eats a healthy breakfast”, “I am one who does yoga,” and, “I am one who graduates from college” you’ll find that you are seizing the day. As each day passes and you fulfill these declarations, you will be filled with joy. This daily dose of joy is delicious and satisfying. You’ll find yourself wanting more! You’ll build an eager, hungry desire to pluck another day off the vine of 2015 and eat your fill. Let me caution you. Seizing the day can get messy. Life is full of unexpected obstacles, obligations, and ominous objects. Even with a brain in training, you’ll find yourself messing up. Marilyn Monroe stated, “No matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes.” She’s right. Although your intentions are pure, life’s offerings will derail you. But, don’t give up. Instead, return your

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Create at lease three “I am one who” statements that make your brain think about the things you want to make happen. Post these in on the bathroom mirror, in the car, and at your desk. Read these statements aloud first thing daily to reinforce your brain’s capacity to make things happen. Declare these statements before and after you do each activity. At the end of the day, check your integrity. Ask yourself this powerful question, How are my choices in alignment with who I say I am? At its deepest level, working with a coach frees you to identify 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. www.thevibrantcoach.com/www.thelydiagroup.com

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pg 10 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2015

Front The

Porch

by Judy Smith

For most people, sitting on the porch at this time of the year is out of the question because of the temperature. Even for me, a hot natured person, I don’t like to get bundled up to go out to read my Bible and meditate like I do the other seasons of the year. So I am very thankful for chairs by the windows! One day after reading and praying, I was looking out the window, my mind just wandering all over the place. Hoping one of the deer would pop out of the woods and up the drive. I was only rewarded with one of my neighbors’ chickens. Now what always pops in our mind when you see a chicken cross the road? Did that age old question just spring up without a moment’s hesitation? I would not be surprised at all if at one time or the other our government paid a bunch of money to do a study on that very topic. Why would I even bring that up? Ahh….because they do stupid things like that! Here are just a few of the stupid things they have used our money for. Why do we not become outraged by this? One of my favorites: The U.S. Department of Agriculture gave the University of New Hampshire $700,000 this year to study methane gas emissions from dairy cows. OK, so I know $700,000 is not that much money. How about this one: A total of $3 million has been granted to researchers at the University of California at Irvine so that they can play video games such as World of Warcraft. The goal of this “video game research” is reportedly to study how “emerging forms of communication, including multiplayer computer games and on-line virtual worlds such as World of Warcraft and Second Life can help organizations collaborate and compete more effectively in the global marketplace.” Really…Why not just bring out the Wigi Board and ask it? Here are a few of the other things: •

Approximately $1 million of U.S. taxpayer money was used to create poetry for the Little Rock, New Orleans, Milwaukee and Chicago zoos. The goal of the “poetry” is to help raise awareness on environmental issues.

•

$615,000 was given to the University of California at Santa Cruz to digitize photos, T-shirts and concert tickets belonging to the Grateful Dead.

•

$35 million was reportedly paid out by Medicare to 118 “phantom” medical clinics that never even existed. Apparently these “phantom” medical clinics were established by a network of criminal gangs as a way to defraud the U.S. government.

•

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs spent $175 million during 2010 to maintain hundreds of buildings that it does not even use. This includes a pink, octagonal monkey house in the city of Dayton, Ohio.

This is just a very minor list of things and by the way, on that last one….I am going to use my physic powers to predict what you were thinking. Here goes. You were thinking about how our Veterans have been treated as of late in the VA hospitals. Wonder how much money I could get to let the government do a study on my amazing brain? There are some things that we just don’t need to use up our brain space to know. For example: • A cat has 32 muscles in each ear • Al Capone’s business card said he was a used furniture dealer • A goldfish has a memory span of 3 seconds • In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak • There are 365 dimples on a regulation golf ball • An average human eats 8 spiders in their lifetime at night • A cockroach can live nine days without its head before it starves to death Really, I did not need to know those last two for sure! One that makes the list of things we don’t need to know is that there are more chickens in the world than humans. There we have it! Why I just saw a chicken cross the road and why that is the age old question. One more thing…if I come over to your house will you mind if I look in your refrigerator to see if you have your rubber bands there? Don’t know why I would do that? It’s OK, just another thing the Government has spent money on!

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 11

One word parenting resolutions H

by Jackie E. Perry, MS, LPCS, NCC

appy New Year! It’s that time of year where we are all encouraged to review the past year and set goals for the year ahead. While creating resolutions can certainly be motivating, as a mom I can always see so many areas in my life that need serious improvement. Where do I begin? Even when I do come up with a few goals, it seems that after just a few days or weeks, my best intentions have often gone by the wayside. A string around my finger, Post-It notes, phone reminders, alarms, or even giant signs pasted on the bathroom mirror or refrigerator don’t seem to help at all. These little devices are supposed to help us remember, but they just don’t motivate us to stick to long term goals. So, instead of feeling guilty about my inability to remain committed, I pretty much stopped making resolutions many years ago. A few years ago, however, I was introduced to a book called My One Word. The author, Mike Ashcraft, is a pastor in Wilmington, NC who actually agrees that making a list of resolutions isn’t always the best way to make lasting changes. Instead, he invites his congregation to “choose one word that represents what you most hope God will do in you, and focus on it for an entire year.” Each January you pick a word and tie it to a Scripture that will help you cling to a biblical truth or promise related to the area where a transformation is desired. Inspired by this new twist on New Year’s commitments, I decided to do this two years ago. In 2013, my word was “believe”. After God led me to a series of challenges, I wanted to finish the year steadily believing that He was at work even if I could not see what He was doing. This past year, I chose the word “today”. Since my second teen would be entering his Senior year in high school, I wanted remain fully present and focus on what God had for me each day. For both words I chose a relevant scripture and put it on a bookmark in my Bible. I also made something artistic that depicted the word and displayed it somewhere in my home. After two years of picking a word instead of a resolution, I continue to be amazed at how God used just one word combined with His word to continually refine me throughout the year. Sometimes someone would say it at just the right time, even though they had no idea that it was “my” word. Other times, I would heard “my” word on the radio, in a sermon or in a song. Throughout the year, God continually used the word in creative ways to remind me of the desire I had laid before him in January. As I begin this year, I decided to alter this tradition a little by picking a second word that specifically applies to my relationship

pg 12 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2015

with my teenagers. I challenge you to join me in doing this as well. Consider selecting a word and then sharing it with your teens or an accountability partner to let them know what you are asking the Lord to form in your relationship with them this year. Remember to find a Scripture that is connected to the word that will help you lean on Him as He molds you and shapes you this year. To inspire you to think about what you might like to do differently in your relationship with your teen, here are a few possibilities: Delight, Pursue, Wait, Listen, Love, Engage, Encourage, Mercy, Watch, or Discern. For more ideas you might want to check out the book or the website www.myoneword.com. Both offer many ideas to help you use this simple little tool to bring about lasting change in your life. Ask God to lead you to just the right word and expect Him to use this word as a powerful reminder throughout the year. After you pick out a Scripture associated with your word, write the word and the verse down and post it where you will regularly see it. Most of all, make sure you spend time in His word so that He can refine you and mold you into the parent that He has called you to be for your teen. Regardless of what happens in the year ahead, we can take heart in the fact that our faithful God is always at work in the life of a mom who is yielded to Him.

But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 Jackie E. Perry, MS, LPCS, NCC is a North Carolina Licensed Professional Counselor. For the past 20 years her primary focus has been working with adolescents and families to address a myriad of problems typical of this season in development. Jackie is also a frequent speaker and writer who is passionate about using her experience to equip and encourage parents and professionals through her seminars, articles and blogs. You can follow her weekly blog, LifeGiving Streams, check out her next speaking engagement or learn more about her work at www.jackieperry.net. She is married to John and together they are parenting three teens of their own.

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God - The Giver of Good Gifts by Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17, NIV).

Friend to Friend

Our grandchildren are a source of great joy in my life and some of my most capable teachers. Not long ago, our five-year-old grandson, Justus, reminded me that God is the ultimate Gift-Giver. Justus loves dirt. If he is not truly dirty – he is not truly happy. One of his favorite toys to play with in his beloved dirt is what he calls a “digger.” Justus has quite a collection of plastic construction vehicles and knows the name of each one. But he prefers to call them diggers … so diggers it is. Our daughter and son-in-law wisely gave Justus a section of their backyard where he can happily dig and play with his diggers. He spends hours transferring dirt from one part of his work site to another, creating mounds of dirt while building what he calls “massive” cities, and then tearing them down to begin all over again. One day, our daughter was enjoying a beautiful, sunny afternoon with Justus and his younger brother, Hudson. Danna was reading and Hudson was contentedly snoozing while Justus happily played with – you guessed it - his diggers. Justus suddenly stopped, sprung to his feet, and thrust both arms in the air as high as they could reach. With his smiling little face turned toward heaven, Justus shouted at the top of his lungs, “God, thank You for my dirt!” I am fairly sure time stood still for a moment. I am almost certain heaven paused as God smiled and replied, “You are so welcome, Justus.” Satisfied, our grandson went back to his digger and dirt project. And God spoke to my heart. I tend to forget that God is the ultimate gift-giver. How often do I dismiss His gifts as something to which I am somehow entitled? How often do I take His gifts for granted? I know better. I just allow my busy schedule to crowd out the wonder of God at work in my life every single day. God used our grandson to remind me that God fills every minute of every day with gifts from His hand. Why? Because God wants me to celebrate life – to live a life saturated with His joy. In Biblical times – much like today – times of great joy were often accompanied by the giving of gifts. Matthew 2:10-11 “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.Then they opened their treasures and presented him with giftsof gold, frankincense and myrrh.” God gave the greatest gift of all – His love wrapped up in His Son, Jesus. God’s love changes everything and everyone it touches. It protects and breathes life and purpose into our souls. God’s love is a gift beyond measure. It surrounds us and covers us. God’s love is unconditional, a love with no strings attached, a gift that ushers joy into the mundane,

pg 14 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2015

transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. Jesus came, spelling Himself out in a language you and I can understand – a message of love that exists to give. There is no condemnation with Him. He adores you just as you are. He wants to spend time with you, laugh with you, dry your tears, and fill your heart with new dreams. Today, no matter where you are or where you have been, He stands – patiently waiting for you. Come to Him. Accept Him. No matter how ugly the sin may be or how great the failure in your life, He loves you. Run to His love. Receive His gift of life, and celebrate God, the Giver of every good and perfect gift!

Let’s Pray

Father, I am so sorry when I fail to remember that every good gift comes from Your hand. Please help me to have a fresh awareness and a thankful heart for the very life you freely give me each day. Thank You for the gift of eternal life You so freely offer. Help me see Your hand in the smallest details of my world, and teach me to celebrate life each and every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Set aside one day as a day of celebration. Grab your journal and keep it with you all day. Count every blessing and every gift – big and small that comes your way. Here are a few examples to get you started: • A comfortable bed in which to sleep • Food for the day • Clothes to wear – even if they are worn and not the latest style • A friend who called just to check on you • The doctor’s report that the cyst was benign • An unexpected check that covers your rent You get the idea. At the end of the day, review your list and thank God for each item on it.

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Vision

Sophie’s ‘My angel had the means to do a publication and she knew that if I “bought in” that I would have the vision to make it happen.’ pg 16 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2015

eing the owner of Sophie Woman’s Magazine is one of the greatest blessings I have ever had. I have always been a dreamer but without a college education or money to gamble with, I never envisioned doing something like this. People often ask me if I have angel investors and that makes me chuckle. If you don’t know what an Angel Investor is, let me explain. Angel investors are usually wealthy individuals, not connected with venture capitalists or investment firms, who are interested in getting involved in small business through investments, partial ownership and sometimes consulting assistance. Angel investors are typically seasoned, successful entrepreneurs who have retired from their own businesses but are looking for other opportunities to keep busy and invest their money. I tell folks I do not have angel investors but I do have an angel. She knows who she is and why I say that. I will also tell you that God has brought me on a journey to get me to this point. How do I know that? Take a close look at some of the articles that I write and you will know they are a long way from being grammatically perfect. We at Sophie Woman’s Magazine just believe that even through our imperfections, we can make a difference. We believe that we can make a difference in a person’s life one paragraph at a time. Sure that is a bold statement and you may think we have really lost it, but if you could only hear a few of the stories we hear from our readers, you would understand. Let me share a story with you that happened just last week. I was out of the office and a gentleman called and asked to speak to me. One of our girls told him I was out. He wanted to read a letter to me that he had written about his story. Since I wasn’t in the office, Marion decided to type out the letter so I could read it. She was so sweet to take the time to do that and here is what he said: Dear Editor and Inspirator Smith, Please have some patience as you proceed from Dear until you get to the end of this letter. It is 9:30 pm Tuesday, Dec 2, 2014. I have read and enjoyed your magazine for several months and thoroughly enjoyed them or it. I don’t write too many letters to too many people unless they deserve it. There are a lot of cases where people don’t get enough credit for what they do. Your case is one of those. I am, was, and still am very much inspired by “Sophie”. Nothing negative in the least.

I am now a product of what the Grace of God will and can do. In February of 2014 I almost died from diabetes, old age, stubbornness and alcohol. I was miserable and bitter about a lot of things. I asked God to forgive me and come into my life and boy did he ever. Ten months later, closing in on 50 weeks of sobriety, I am a very changed person. Most of my waking hours are spent listening to Gospel music and thinking creatively about what I can do to inspire others and along the way, work on being more Christian-like each day. While recuperating, I did Chrismons for the kids and working on Jesus and the Garden of Gethsemane and various types “Christian art”. Almost all of my thoughts are for a much better life than before, simply inspired. God gave me a reason to continue life. Thank you for helping. In closing, I will ask you to go to a mirror look into it and smile knowing that you and your staff make a difference. My name is Frank Fisher and I am 65 years old Response please p.s. maybe a Sammy to go with Sophie! :) That letter may not be perfect in the composure or the grammar but I can tell you it was perfect to me. Frank asked for a response and I called him back. We spent quite a while on the phone just sharing how good God is and the ways Frank has turned his life around. Frank was not intimidated at all to share with me how he loved to cross stitch inspirational pieces to hopefully pass on to others. The angel that I mentioned earlier is the beginning of the story of Sophie Woman’s Magazine. It was her idea… Sophie and me. My angel had the means to do a publication and she knew that if I “bought in” that I would have the vision to make it happen. Did I ever have the vision! They say that if a person looks at their childhood they can probable find things that will point to their future career. I look back at mine and am just amazed that this is where I am at. I think I was in 3rd grade before I learned to read. Well, that might me slightly exaggerated but I was not fast at catching on. However, I sure could make up some stories www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 17

and I always wanted those stories to make someone laugh or feel better. After a couple of years, my angel decided it was not for her. She could have sold it immediately to someone who had the money to pay for it outright. However, I knew in my heart that I could not let Sophie go if there was any way for me to keep it. I thank God every day that my angel knew I was the best one for it and we worked it out.

Above: Saralyn works diligently to connect with her customers. Below: Marion doing research for the Iredell County area.

Below: Brittany works in our Graphics Department and is responsible for building ads for customers and maintaining our Shutterbuggerz pages.

Sophie Woman’s Magazine has gone through a lot of changes….One of those being the look of the magazine. The very first one was done in tabloid fashion on regular newsprint. There was only so much color available and only on certain pages so we were limited in what we could do. Later we switched to a much higher grade but it was still newsprint and I had a vision of a full color, glossy magazine. With that comes a much higher print cost but after several years, we saw that dream come true. Another change that has occurred is the content that we use. In the beginning we began with bought editorial. There is nothing wrong with that but again; my vision was of something more. I wanted articles that could really speak to a person’s heart. Articles that would inspire anyone to be the best they could be at this very moment. It might just be a small quite urging you get while reading an article waiting in line at school to pick up your child. I have heard that story before. Or perhaps, like this one dad told me, how they used the magazine every single month for their family get together. I could not begin to tell you how many church groups have used articles in their studies. Even the colleges have used Sophie Woman’s Magazine in their classes. There are just too many stories, from young mothers, college girls, senior citizens and everywhere in between to begin to express the impact Sophie Woman’s Magazine makes. Then there is Shutterbuggerz! From the professional photographers to us Mammaws, we all love the photos. That was an idea that was started from the fact that we all like to show off our pictures. Starting out as a few “scrap booking” ideas, it has transformed into a monthly showcase with over 100 photos submitted each month from our readers. Wow… if you love the ones in the magazine then make sure you go on-line to see many more. Over the years we have come up with good ideas, some great ideas and some that have fallen short. No matter what we do though, we always want to bring Inspiration, Education and Motivation to our loyal readers. Our readers are who bring in the businesses that support Sophie Woman’s Magazine and without either one….well, there would be no Sophie! It never goes unsaid that we appreciate you and that comes from the bottom of our hearts. One final note and this is to my Angel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

pg 18 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2015

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The Simple Answer for a New Year! Y

ou barely need to scratch the surface of the “selfhelp” section before you are assaulted by endless publications to help you find “your calling.” We are all in pursuit of our calling, our mission. Why are we here on the third rock from the sun? What is that thing that is going to make our existence significant? At the New Year most of us set out on an analysis of our life. What do I want to change? What’s working? What’s not working? Wouldn’t my life be perfect if I could lose 20 pounds? That new job is going to be the thing that brings me satisfaction. If I can find the man/woman of my dreams that would be the ticket. The resolutions come fast and furious. Why is it that we never see ourselves as complete? Are we not children of a loving God? Are we not perfectly made? Why can’t we trust that our Heavenly Father knows our mission and will allow us to complete it to his specifications and not ours? I certainly don’t have the answer to this question. Like most of you reading these words I question the reason for my existence daily. How can I matter? Do I even matter? Is this all there is? Having been blessed with the opportunity to work and talk to seniors on almost a daily basis I went on a mission to ask my dear senior friends, “What if anything would you change about your life?” The answers may or may not surprise you but they certainly gave me something to think about heading into the NEW YEAR. Here is what they shared…. • “I wish I’d traveled more, experienced more, risked more.” • “Knowing what I know now…I wouldn’t have been so afraid.” • “I should have worked less and played more.” • “It took me a long time to realize that possessions are not that important -the real value is in people and relationships.” • “I wish I had realized sooner to take more JOY in the simple things.”

pg 20 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2015

By Cyndi Caldwell

• • • • •

“I should have been kinder, more forgiving.” “Why did I hold a grudge? There was no value in it.” “All my life I’ve been too quick to judge.” And what did I hear most of all? “I wish I’d said I love you to my family and friends more often.” Could it be the “why are we here” question is quite simple? Maybe we are here to experiment, try new things, have new experiences, to take a risk, and to make mistakes. It’s possible we are all just in prep school with the ultimate goal being to be better today than we were yesterday. As the NEW YEAR peaks over the horizon I’m going to challenge myself to take the advice of these “older and wiser” folks. I hope that you do too and if you have a senior in your life I hope you can carve out more valuable time to share with them in the coming year. I think you’ll find that they know “the secret.” Life is precious, don’t waste a moment of it and we are here simply to love and be loved.

Happy New Year! Cyndi

About The Author As a CERTIFIED SENIOR ADVISOR* Cyndi is on a mission to advise Seniors and their family members on viable options in Senior Care and Dementia Care. She is an accomplished writer and public speaker - focused on educating the community on senior services and Alzheimer’s disease. Currently Cyndi is a Certified Senior Advisor* with Seniors Helping Seniors –a service providing care FOR seniors BY SENIORS – so that families can stay in their homes and age in place.

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www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 21

I Keep Asking... The Power of a Prayin’ Mama

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.” Ephesians 2:17 When I first laid eyes on Kevin I was sitting in a folding chair in a gym. He’d come as a leading member of Faith Force, athletes that perform feats of strength as a platform to share the Gospel (www.faithforce.com). He’d been invited to showcase their strength during a prison ministry event (www.forgivenministry. org). His testimony was replete with much of what goes with twenty years of wild and reckless living. There stood a redeemed man who once lived in rebellion against God. When time came for Kevin to share what it was that led him to the Truth I braced myself to hear the same-ole’-same-ole’. You know, the part where the speaker dons a cheesy smile, snaps his fingers, and says something along the lines of, “And then I saw the light and no longer had a desire for drugs.” With intense voice Kevin addressed the men gathered on the gym floor snuggling their children. The guy raised a finger, pointed it, and flashed his eyes. “But do you know what it was?” Wait for it, wait for it... “I had a prayin’ mama!” Silence stilled the gym. I straightened my frame. Really? Tears formed. Oh, Lord, that’s me. A prayin’ mama. But I wrestled. Could it be that simple? I pinned my eyes on Kevin. Blood trickled from his bald scalp following a successful attempt to break a wooden plank against his forehead. Afterward, I approached him, stepping with caution. He’d since swiped the blood with a bandana. Hopeful he wouldn’t inadvertently crush my hand I extended it to introduce myself. “Kevin, I’m a prayin’ mama.” He raised thick brows and showcased brightened eyes that told me he knew. Yep. I was in the trenches praying for a wayward of my own. Kevin admitted that his mother’s incessant reminders over the years to get to church or read his Bible were annoying. But

pg 22 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2015

she always reminded him she’d been praying for him. He could disregard her pleas, shred her scrawled letters. But her prayers? He was helpless to do a thing about it. The power of a prayin’ mama. I’ve raised four little ones, each of whom are currently navigating their adolescent and young adult years. I’ve ridden some exhilarating waves during the excursion while also suffering at times from the likes of parental sea-sickness. One of mine was rarely satisfied with ‘no’ for an answer. So he’d ask again. And again and again and again. The persistent widow incarnate! (Luke 18:1). Scripture and contemporary parenting resources reminded me to be uncompromising, to let my “yes” be “yes” and my “no” be “no” (James 5:12). To disallow their continual pleas! To hush their persistence! To threaten punishment! Not so with prayin’ mamas. In fact, He calls me to give Him no rest: “I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” (Isaiah 62:6-7) Doesn’t sound like God is cupping holy hands over His ears, chanting ‘la-la-la-la-la’ until my begging ceases. I am called to access my inner persistent widow and keep asking and asking without giving up on my children... for mercy, for protection, for the granting of redemption. And just because one kid might choose seminary or even the mission field would be no cause to brush my hands together and rest easy. That would smack of foolishness and pride on my part. There are no guarantees a child won’t stray from the Truth at any point in his or her life. The guarantee is this: throughout the process and in the end He always answers my pleas for His glory and for my good. So I’ll continue to bring it on, ramp it up, persist like a widow, refuse to surrender, give Him no rest. And keep asking. Because that’s the power of a prayin’ mama.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mary Albers Felkins is a former Registered and Licensed Dietitian turned writer. Throughout the course of her private nutrition consulting business she wrote much of her own teaching materials. Mary is currently constructing her first Christian contemporary romance using principles taught by My Book Therapy (www.mybooktherapy.com). She considers scripture the most alluring romance ever written. She is married to Bruce and they have four (adolescent to young adult-sized) arrows in their quiver. Mary cordially invites you to take a plunge into deep oceans of thought or to stop and laugh out loud at her website, www.maryfelkins.com Email contact maryfelkins@charter.net

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Goitong

Great be a

Year!

Was 2014 a great year for you? Did you get a lot accomplished or, as always, put things off for another day? Well, I finally made an executive decision to change things up in 2015. Even though 2014 contained a lot of “stuff”, nothing was over the top. Where did all this come from you may ask? Because if you know me, I don’t accept change very well. I believe it’s one of those inherited genetic things. After all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Right? But this started with a dream, not kidding. It was the weirdest dream that I have ever had in my 65 plus years of life. And it was long, really long. I am not exactly sure where the source was, maybe from watching the movie “Scrooged” or from a conversation with one of my dear friends who just passed the 5-year mark of being cancer-free. It could have come from watching our two small dogs kissing each other just after fighting. The death of our son’s 22-year old family cat could have also contributed. After all, that’s like over 100 in human years. I should live so long. But it got me thinking about all those things in my life that have gone unfinished. And I’m not talking about cleaning the house or doing the laundry. I’m talking about people and my relationship with them. I’m not going to call them New Years’ Resolutions because no one ever keeps those. I know I tend to be a people-person and I usually don’t hesitate to display my true feelings about, well, anything. But I simply like being around people- family people, pet people, client people, stranger people and even grocery store people. I tend to be friendly to everyone I meet and would never want to be alone, in this life or the next. So I decided to make my list of things I want to change in my life in this New Year. I love a challenge! 1.

More prayers, less preaching. Believe it or not, I’m not always right. (Just ask my family.) 2. Golden Rule. I WILL try to treat more people like I would like to be treated. 3. Be more diligent about writing Thank-You’s. I love receiving hand-written notes. Emails have totally ruined us. 4. Touch base with good friends at least once a week. 5. Have more patience. This is hard one for me. 6. Better listener. Another hard one for me. 7. Say “love you” more often. 8. Keep my political opinions to myself. 9. I will try to be nicer to those who solicit money over the phone and tell them to have a good day before I hang up. 10. Be tolerant of my husband when he demands to watch ACC basketball and dozes off within 5 minutes. Now, my list could go on but there are exceptions. I still won’t allow smoking in my home. Ever! I will say something to those who don’t pick up after their dogs. (You know what I mean.) I will try to be nice about it though and offer them a baggie. Even though our planet is large, it tends to get smaller every time some dramatic event occurs. We have to try to live together and do it honestly, sincerely and from the heart. That’s what God would want us to do.

Mackey S. Carpenter www.mscdesigns.net pg 24 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2015

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One of the easiest ways to preserve flowers is to dry them out. This is best done by hanging blooms upside down so they will remain straight and not warp or wither while drying. Secure flowers in small bundles and hang from an out-of-the-way spot in a cool, dry area. The flowers may need to remain hanging for up to three weeks before they are completely dried out. After which, gently remove the flowers and arrange them in a vase or another container. Otherwise, reassemble a bouquet how it was and carefully display.

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Pressing is another way to preserve floral bouquets and arrangements. To press flowers, find a few heavy books to stack or another weighted object. Place the flowers between parchment paper or waxed paper and lay the heavy items on top. You also can place the flowers in tissue paper between the pages of a book so they are not jostled. Leave the blooms for a week or two and then check on them before putting them in a shadow box or photo frame.

Chemical drying

Silica gel, borax and regular sand can be used to dry and preserve flowers as well. These can be handy for people who desire to preserve an entire bouquet as-is. Silica gel is a desiccant commonly found in small packets inside of new shoes and purses. It also can be purchased at home improvement retailers and is used to dry out musty basements and other areas. Fill a deep container halfway with the silica gel or other drying material. Put in the bouquet and then gently add more product to the top of the flowers so they are completely submerged. Place a snug cover over the top of the container and let everything sit for about a week. Slowly the moisture will be absorbed from the flowers. Some people choose to spray dried flowers with a sealant to keep them looking nice longer. An all-purpose craft spray might work. You also can ask for recommendations from the florist who handled your arrangements, and that florist may even preserve the flowers for you for an additional fee.

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www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 25

Unique New Year's Traditions From Across the World

Round foods, such as grapes, are consumed on New Year's Eve to represent good luck and fortune.

pg 26 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2015

Some people may find it strange to withstand freezing temperatures and gusty winds for hours on end just to stand in the center of Times Square in New York City to catch a glimpse of a bejeweled ball drop at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. Yet this tradition may seem tame when compared to other unique rituals that take place around the world come New Year's Eve. North Americans may be singing "Auld Lang Syne" and toasting to good fortune with a glass of bubbly, but elsewhere traditions can be somewhat more eccentric. In some spots of South America, for example, revelers put on brightly colored underwear to ring in the New Year. Red underpants signal a person looking for love, while yellow means they're seeking money. The following are some other unique New Year's traditions. •

Tossing the dishes: In Denmark, individuals toss dishes at other people's front doors. Those who end up with the greatest number of broken dishes at their home's threshold are considered lucky, as they have an abundance of loyal friends.

•

Right foot: Start off the new year on the right foot by literally stepping forward with your right foot at exactly 12:00 a.m. in Argentina.

•

Burning in effigy: People in Ecuador burn photographs and paper-filled scarecrows at midnight. This is to look away from the past and bring good fortune for the future.

•

Good grapes: Spain residents attempt to stuff 12 grapes in their mouths at midnight. If they are successful, they are expected to achieve good luck for the next year.

•

Dressing in white: Residents of Brazil dress all in white on New Year's Eve to ward away bad spirits.

•

Good travels: In Columbia, people walk around their blocks with empty suitcases to encourage traveling in the new year.

•

Ringing bells: Japanese ring all of their bells 108 times in accordance with the belief that this will bring cleanliness. People in Japan also believe it is good luck to begin the new year smiling.

•

Putting up your dukes: Every year at the end of December, people in a small Peruvian village engage in fist fights to settle all of their differences. Afterward,

they begin the new year with a clean slate. •

First foot: Immediately after the clock strikes 12, the people of Scotland start first-footing. This means being the first person across a friend or neighbor's threshold bearing gifts of food, whiskey and financial prosperity. People in Greece celebrate in much the same way via the tradition of Pothariko.

•

Molten tin: In Finland, residents find the nearest piece of tin to melt. The molten tin is poured into a horseshoeshaped ladle and then dropped into cold water. The random shapes that form are interpreted in various ways to indicate what's to come in the year ahead.

•

Feats of skill: Single women in Belarus spend New Year's Eve hoping to increase their odds of getting married. Ladies compete in games to see who will be the next to get hitched. These games may include seeing who will be the first to be approached by a rooster. The winner is the next person to become betrothed.

•

Appliance toss: In downtown Johannesburg, South African locals throw old appliances out of their windows to ring in the new year.

•

All things round: Round-shaped foods are served and consumed in the Philippines. Filipinos believe round shapes that represent coins symbolize prosperity.

From suitcase to fistfights to eating round fruits, the traditions of welcoming the new year are varied around the world.

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pg 28 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2015

Are you letting FEAR stop you? I have a CEO Peer Advisory Board for my businesses. We meet each month and put our vulnerabilities out on the table to empower one another with answers, guidance and enlightenment. It has been one of the best strategic moves I have made. Juggling alone at the top is pressure. Juggling with others there to catch a few stray thought balls and redirect them back where they need to go is priceless. During one of our meetings, our facilitator asked the group, "Why are you so afraid of fear?" It took us all aback, especially since many of us are charge-ahead, jump-without-a-parachute kind of thinkers and risk takers. However, it was a profound question that deserved an answer, because every time we hesitate to take action or make a decision, is it an element of fear that is causing this delayed reaction? Do we recognize it as fear? And most important, is it justifiable? While we were discussing this whole aspect of being afraid of fear, I found myself dissecting FEAR, the word. This is what flowed out of me in a few seconds of scribbling.

F = Fiction & Fantasy: Our imaginations can propel us into a wonderment of possibilities in exciting, as well as debilitating ways. When your fear is causing you to imagine all the worst things that could happen to the point of stopping you in your tracks, you are allowing fiction and fantasy to write a different story than your reality may be able to manifest. The real question is: What are you really afraid of? Finding reasons or excuses is a means of justifying and staying safe. Instead, ask yourself: •What could be the best possible outcome? •What would you like to see be the end result? •What assumptions are you making and are they based in reality or your over-active imagination?

E = Enduring the Challenge: It is never easy to venture into unknown territory, either in your thinking, your work, or your relationships for that matter. When we are faced with a situation that is challenging, it is because we don’t know what to expect or don't have all the answers. This can be a scary thing. But it doesn't have to stop you. Instead of being worried or concerned about your ability to endure the challenges, embrace each challenge with the idea that it is an opportunity to learn, grow and then ultimately know more than you did before. Instead, ask yourself: •Are you thinking more than feeling, resulting in over analysis? •What do you need to learn or know that would help it be less challenging? •Who could you turn to for perspective and insight?

A = All-or-nothing Acceptance: When you care deeply about what you are doing, you also may fall into the trap of caring deeply about what everyone else thinks about what you are doing. The fear of someone disapproving of you or disagreeing with you as a result of something you are planning to do is a fear that places everyone else's opinion and desires over your own. This aspect of fear has stopped many people from pursuing what they wanted to be doing because of what other people might think. Instead, ask yourself: •Is someone's acceptance more important than what you passionately believe? •Are you assuming disapproval or do you know for sure? •How can you support others to gain more acceptance?

R = Rejection or Ridicule: Acceptance is one thing, and then downright rejection and ridicule are another. When you are venturing into truly virgin or unknown territory with something new or different in your thinking, actions or activities, a fear of being outcast can stop some people from even voicing an idea or perspective. What you have to decide is how important what you want to do or believe you need to do is to your own sense of self and well being, as well as perhaps for others. Oftentimes it is that lone thinker that all of the sudden finds many others following, grateful that someone was willing to stand up and speak up. Instead, ask yourself: •Is the fact that you don't know of anyone who has thought in the way you are thinking what really scares you? •Is someone who would ridicule you or reject your ideas really someone worth involving or including? I hope this perspective will help you dissect and release your own fear in whatever may be causing you to hesitate. Whether it is a courageous conversation you need to have with someone, an important decision that needs to be made, or an aggressive step forward into the unknown of an opportunity, take apart your fear and then replace those feelings of hesitation with passionate anticipation and inspired action towards what you ultimately desire. Then FEAR doesn't stand a chance.

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 29

Start Your New Year In Style! by Susan Guest, ASID

Welcome to the new year! It is time to start organizing, dieting, and making positive changes in your life after the holidays. One thing I like to do at the first of the year is to access needs in my home. When the Christmas decorations are down, it is a great time to list and prioritize maintenance and decorative improvements. I have been receiving current trend information from fabric and paint companies, trend spotters, and markets from all over the world in the last week. Also, from my trips to company trainings, meetings with manufacturers, and markets; I made a few notes on things that are trending for 2015. Color of the year: According to Kravet fabrics, the Pantone color of the year is Marsala- a warm, sexy, soft and rich color that reminds me of cinnamon sticks. Benjamin Moore says that the color of the year is Guilford Green, HC-116. It is a soft but light green that looks nice in a lot of rooms. The American Society of Interior Designers is polling members to choose between four colors that we think is the “it color”. Some trend spotters think that red, coral, teal and blue greens will continue to be strong, as well as the classic black and white. Dark blue and green are popular as a combination. From what I have seen in the furniture and fabrics at the last furniture market in High Point (also known as Fashion Week for the Home Furnishings Industry), colors are darker and richer than in past years. When the economy improves, customers are more willing to take a chance on a color instead of playing it too safe with beige. Yea!

Textures: Thank God that the beige nova-suede is hopefully a thing of the past! Luxurious textures are showing up in our clothing and home fashions. Animal prints, embossed leather, real and faux furs, and feathers are big this year. Upholstery fabrics are beautiful again! My fabric salespeople have shown textured velvet patterns, rich embroidered wovens, and linens dyed in interesting color combinations. Patterns are everywhere and are being mixed together for interesting combinations. Prices on these fabrics are higher, but they are more sumptuous than the past few years. Finishes and Materials: Brushed nickel is waning and golden hues are coming back in style. Gold leaf,burnished brass and coppers were all over High Point market. Lamps, chandeliers, mirrors and accent furniture were gorgeous in the muted and aged gold finishes. Natural stones such as agate and geodes were popular in vases, bowls and lamps. I had mentioned malachite (a green and black stone) last market-it is gaining speed and used as a faux finish on lamps and accent pieces. Bright painted colors such as orange, red, teal, and pink are being used

pg 30 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2015

to paint chairs and other small items.

Wood Looks: Luxurious wood grains are here again and are being used in unusual ways. Furniture made of reclaimed wood or logs from the creek are in vogue this year. Aged white wash is everywhere-both in French pieces with linen fabrics, and in contemporary mariner look. Indoor/outdoor: In previous markets, I have noted that outdoor furniture, fabrics, and rugs are popular. These have improved and are beautiful for indoor/outdoor areas. NanaWalls (bi-fold and operational glass wall systems that open to the outside) have made this lifestyle available to us as well as large screened porches. Outdoor rooms can be as detailed and lovely as our interiors with some of the new products available.

Patterns: After several years of timid and neutral solids, patterns and prints are back (finally!) Birds still are being used in both contemporary and traditional designs. They are flying through the air or perched on wires or foliage in fabrics for upholstery and drapery uses. Feather outlines are being used for printed design. Stripes are making a huge comeback in all sizes and textures.

Wallpapers: Wallpaper is great right now-not just for an accent wall behind a bed. A lot of you hate wallpapers, but they can give a room a dimension that you just can’t get with paint. I have never stopped using paper because it can be easier to clean than paint, more durable, lustrous, and exciting. Powder rooms, foyers and dining rooms are excellent areas to have wallpaper-whether it is a printed pattern, a texture, or a geometric. Papered tray ceilings are a wonderful surprise in a painted room. One of the most exciting things I saw in High Point was removable wallpaper in fun patterns. Hopefully some of these notes will help you in planning your look for 2015. May your year be filled will good health, love, peace, and excitement! And don’t forget color!

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. President of ASID Carolinas. For more information, visit www.guestinteriors.com.

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by Emily Wickham

Food for the Body Chili with a Kick (Recipe inspired by Danielle Spivey, http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/EasyChili-I 1 lb. ground chuck 1 lg. onion, chopped 2 ½ Tbsp. chili powder 2 small bay leaves 1 tsp. ground cumin 29 oz. (2 cans) diced tomatoes 20 oz. (2 cans) diced tomatoes & green chilies 16 oz. (2 cans) tomato sauce 46.5 oz. (3 cans) light red kidney beans (1 can drained) 2 tsp. salt ½ tsp. crushed red pepper Worcestershire Sauce to taste Approx. ¼ cup flour/water paste (optional) 1. Combine the ground beef and onion; sauté until beef is browned and onion is tender. Drain fat. 2. Add the chili powder to beef and onion, stirring to coat. 3. Add remaining ingredients except for the flour/water paste. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer, covered, approximately one hour. Stir occasionally. 4. Remove lid and add the flour/water paste to thicken.

A Prayer for God’s Blessing Mighty God, You are flawless with words. You spoke, and the world existed. Your Holy Word is “living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing … able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12, NASB). Lord Jesus, You ARE the Word. Oh, please forgive me for speaking thoughtlessly and sinfully So. Many. Times. Thank You for Your mastery with words—Your ability to wisely, lovingly, perfectly communicate every time You speak. Please teach me more and more self-control with my tongue and help me honor You with all my words. In Jesus’ excellent name, Amen.

Food for the Soul Mmm … a steaming bowl of chili on a frigid winter evening surely satisfies. I enjoy it plain, whereas my family likes to add shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream on top. Some people also garnish chili with fresh chopped onion or crushed tortilla chips while others put it on mashed potatoes or elbow noodles. This versatile one-pot supper suits a variety of appetites while requiring minimal preparation time—a definite plus for the busy cook. With lots of spice and hearty goodness, one bowl of chili truly hits the spot. Likewise, the words we speak can hit the mark. Proverbs 25:11, NIV, reads, “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” An appropriate utterance—whether brief or lengthy—can impact others tremendously. Language is a beautiful, God-given gift, and communication enables us to connect with one another. Words can heal and impart hope, unite hearts and spur people to action, convey life-changing truth and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When we speak as led by the Holy Spirit, power goes forth. God speaks through us, ministering to people in ways we might never know. Unfortunately, my words fail sometimes. Faulty comments have flown out of my mouth without so much as a breath. Forgetting to seek God’s wisdom or refusing to follow the Holy Spirit’s prompting to stay silent, I’ve wounded and discouraged others … just with words. In contrast, I remain quiet at times when I should speak. Fear and timidity usually keep my lips sealed in moments that could benefit from “a word aptly spoken.” Thankfully the Spirit continues to sanctify me, and He is enabling me to use my voice more fittingly. Perhaps you can relate to my struggle with words. What if, in this new year, we aim to speak more carefully, more appropriately? What if we replicate the prophet Micaiah’s commitment, “As the LORD lives, what my God says, that I will speak” (2 Chron. 18:13, NASB), and talk more boldly? Surely God holds marvelous results in store as we endeavor to employ our mouths for the furthering of His kingdom—in our homes, our communities, our local churches, our world.

“The mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.” Matt. 12:34 When we’re filled with the Holy Spirit, right words flow. Until next time, that’s a Recipe for Life… Emily Wickham gently reaches women’s hearts as she teaches God’s Word. Through various writing endeavors, she encourages readers into close relationship with God. Additionally she hosts and speaks at the Connecting with Christ Conference. Visit www.proclaiminghimtowomen.com to read Emily’s blog. Connect with her via social media: www.facebook.com/emilywickham.author www.twitter.com/emilywickhamPH Emily, grateful to God for His blessings, enjoys life with her loving husband and children in western NC.

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 33

The

“Not So Sweet” Side Of Sugar

Tips to Help Reduce Your Sugar Intake This Year

by Dana C. Killian, MBA

pg 34 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2015

t’s important to read the ingredients on food labels. Look for all forms of sugar, including: corn syrup, agave syrup, brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, sugar molecules ending in “ose” (dextrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, maltose, sucrose), high-fructose corn syrup, fruit juice concentrate, honey, invert sugar, malt sugar, molasses, raw sugar, sugar and syrup.

I love the holidays! But there is something about the close of the season and the start of a new year that is refreshing. A chance to refocus and give thought to what the next year may hold. I am continually trying to find ways to improve my health but particularly at this time of year. Have you ever noticed that each January it is difficult to wean ourselves from the need for “something sweet” after each meal? Sugary snacks are so readily available starting at Halloween and continuing throughout the season. Not only is sugar in the treats we fondly associate with the holidays but it’s added to so many packaged products that we can easily consume more sugar than we realize. So what’s the harm in a little sugar?

I hear people say “we ate sugar when we were growing up and we are fine!” That may be true but according to the USDA the consumption of caloric sweeteners increased 43 pounds, or 39 percent, between 1959 and the year 2000. When I grew up “treats” were truly “treats” and not something that was always available like they are for my children. It seems that kids are handed sugary snacks and drinks after every practice, when they leave church, at parties at school, and the list goes on! The American Heart Association recommends that we consume no more that 24 grams of sugar/day for women (6 teaspoons) and 36 grams of sugar/day for men (9 teaspoons). This is less sugar than is contained in some 12-ounce sodas. Americans eat about 20 teaspoons of sugar a day! This can result in an average daily sugar consumption for men of 335 calories, for women of 230 calories, for boys of 362 calories and for girls of 282 calories. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2012 more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese and childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. It is commonly believed that this generation of children could be the first to that don’t outlive their parents! Could we help to reverse this trend if we drastically reduced the amount of sugar that our families consume? In addition to the fact that sugar can cause the problems mentioned above, it also has virtually no nutritional value so when we consume sugary snacks our bodies continue to crave real food in order to try to meet its nutritional needs. This can lead to weight gain. Additionally, sugar stimulates the pleasure center of the brain in a similar way as cocaine!

No wonder we have so much difficulty passing up the brownies! Make this Simple Change: Replace the sugar in baked goods with unsweetened applesauce. When using applesauce reduce all liquid ingredients by ¼ cup per cup of applesauce used. Using applesauce not only is lower in calories but will also add vitamins and fiber.

One way to reduce our sugar intake is to make more things at home so we can control the ingredients we put in our bodies. Try this yummy dressing in place of one in your refrigerator! Creamy Cado Salad Dressing

Courtesy: 360yourlife.com 1 Avocado 6 Tbs. Goat Cheese 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil Dash Garlic Powder Pinch Sea Salt Dash Ground Cayenne Red Pepper Half Fresh Lemon Juice

Serve over a salad of organic spinach and lettuce mix red peppers, cucumbers, yellow squash, cherry tomatoes, slivered almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds! Enjoy!

This month I am making a goal to reduce the sugar I intake by replacing processed foods with more vegetables such as broccoli, onions, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, kale, cauliflower, etc. Additionally, because foods such as white bread, crackers, white rice and flour and potatoes can make blood sugar surge and then crash I will be trying to reduce these foods in my diet as well. I encourage you to join me! Join the Health to Thrive Challenge! I hope you will join me on a journey to improve health together at www.facebook. healthtothrive.com and consider sharing the small change you are making this month to improve your health.

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Sugar is hidden in many packaged foods including:

Ketchup Sport drinks Salad dressings Yogurt Sauces Canned fruit in syrup Tomato sauces Peanut butter Ready to eat cereals Hotdogs Soft drinks Mayonnaise Dana C. Killian, MBA Certified, Plant-Based Nutrition- eCornell University Dana is passionate about improving awareness around the importance of the food we feed ourselves and our families. Her mission is to equip and encourage women to use their influence to positively affect the health of our families. Dana is married to Jonathan Killian and they have two children, Gavin and Brianna.

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 35

Did You Know? According to a 2014 study from researchers at the University of Scranton, just 45 percent of Americans admit to routinely making New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resolutions. The study also showed that an additional 38 percent of Americans acknowledged they never make New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resolutions. Among the former group, self improvement or education-related resolutions were most popular, followed by weight resolutions. The study also found that resolutions tend to be less successful as a person ages. While 39 percent of survey participants in their twenties reported achieving their resolutions each year, those in their fifties reported a success rate of just 14 percent. Time also seems to be against resolutions, as just 46 percent of respondents reported maintaining their resolutions for more than six months.

pg 36 | Sophie Womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Magazine | January 2015

Our Monthly Feature

shutterbuggerz Here are some of the photos from our December Showcase!

Submitted by Cheri Hoke Photography

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 www.shutterbuggerz.com | pg 37

pg 38 | Sophie Womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Magazine | January 2015

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pg 46 | Sophie Womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Magazine | January 2015

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