Sophie Woman's Magazine - Jan 2017 Issue

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VOLUME 12 - ISSUE 11 / jANUARY 2017

INSPIRATION ~ EDUCATION ~ MOTIVATION

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Message

from the By Judy Smith

E

very time I turn on my computer and log in to FaceBook, I see someone’s YEAR IN REVIEW. Memories are great and I love looking at photos; not only from last year but from way back. I wonder, however, how some folks immediately post every minute of their life. I’m up. I went to pee. I had coffee. I went to pee again. I think you get the idea. Those folks just wear me out. If you are a friend of mine that does that, don’t get mad but you have probably been relegated to another category. For the life of me, I can’t figure out how anyone has the time and I know I don’t have the time to read all of them...nor do I care. I cannot believe I actually just said that, or in my case, wrote it. I know if you were reading that on FaceBook, I would be deleted by now but please stay with me a moment. You can delete me later. If you want to share a precious moment, a milestone, something funny, something unbelievable, well, I am here for you. I enjoy your photos of places you have gone on vacation, , family reunions, what your grand-kid just did that no other grand-kid in the world has ever done. I love them all. However, I am troubled when I see people posting every minute of the day. Is this the ONLY thing they have to do? FaceBook can steal your time. In fact, computers can steal your time. The idea of FaceBook is wonderful for business and for keeping up with friends and family. Yet I can get caught up in it if I am not careful. One person shares a post and I get carried away. That is why it is one of the last things I allow myself to do if I have pressing issues. Then there is how you feel when you JUST went on to look at ONE THING to find yourself still there several hours later. I feel like I have just squandered so much time. Although when you get right down to it, I should not be complaining. There is so much to learn on FaceBook.

• People cannot spell. We hear so much about the new arithmetic... when did they change the spelling? It dont mater hw u smell it enemor. • Not just spelling but the complete murder of English. I have learned I can do that a lot. • Kids learn how to write on walls. • Never, ever comment on your kids FaceBook. They will delete you. • The privacy policy changes every day so you need a lawyer on retainer. • Don’t believe every profile picture you see. • You can know everyone’s business without even asking. • FaceBook does not have a limit on how many times you can change your relationship status. • Spaceships have really landed on Earth. There are so many more, but my words are limited and you do not want me to go on and on and on. If you do, join me on FaceBook. Seriously, we have lost the art of communicating. We forget it takes real effort to build relationships and commitment to be someone’s friend. Walter Winchell once said, “A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” Seeing my friends and family on FaceBook is good but seeing my friends and family in person is a blessing. Remember this: “Silence makes the real conversations between friends. Not the saying, but the never needing to say that counts.” Margaret Lee Runbeck It is not how many friends you have on FaceBook. How much time do you waste that could be used differently? This is a NEW YEAR. Instead of making the same resolutions as last year or the year before, let’s make one about being a better friend. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Judy Smith : Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Child of God Inspirational & Motivational Speaker with a little humor thrown in for good measure. judy@sophiewomansmagazine.com

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 3


S

phie Woman’s Magazine

Contents Message from the Heart

3

Reaching Your Full Potential

6

Sophisticated Women

8

Girlfriends in God

10

Me, Myself, & Inc.

14 18

By: Judy Smith

By: Kim Fletcher

P.O. Box 1393 22 South Main Ave. Newton, NC 28658 (P) 828-466-0122

Production & Design Manager: Scott Hansley

Sales:

Judy Smith 828-466-0122 judy@sophiewomansmagazine.com

Web Design:

Brandy Watkins brandy@sophiewomansmagazine.com

By: Nicole Greer

By: Mary Southerland

By: Sherre Demao

The Struggle is Real by Dalan Garcia, PA-C

New Year, New You

20

Day by Day

22

The Really Big Super Bowls

24

A New Year in Time

26

Flavorful Shrimp

28

By: Susan Guest

By: Jan McCanless

By: Mary Felkins

Published by:

M arketQuest Media, LLC

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 .

By: Letty Lazano

By: Metro

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For more information about advertising or to view Sophie Woman’s Magazine online, visit our website at www.sophiewomansmagazine.com or call 828-466-0122 ************************************************************************************************ Disclaimer: Sophie Woman’s Magazine 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 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. *************************************************************************************************

pg 4 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2017


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REACHING YOUR FULL POTENTIAL: Your PERSONAL WHY!

by Kim Fletcher, Life Coach, Speaker, Author

“If you are working on something you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” Steve Jobs

Now, with an honest appraisal of the past year, you are ready to ENVISION a NEW BEGINNING. Let me give you a lesson that took me fifty years to learn … start your year by FORGIVING AND RELEASING every offense that has occurred in your life. Trust me. It is more fun to paint on a blank canvas than one that is marred by the past.

It has been said that, “People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” Rob Siltanen

Now, with a clean canvas in your own heart, you are ready to paint. Or draw. Or write. In the manner that most reflects your gifts and passions, place that blank canvas in front of you on the drawing table and start to dream into 2017.

As we launch into 2017, I want to let you in on a few insider tips that I usually reserve for my coaching clients. Many coaches help clients clarify their PERSONAL WHY … the vision and motivation that creates momentum in their lives. Stop with me for a moment and ask yourself two powerful selfcoaching questions: 1.

How many years of your life, whether you are ten or eighty, have you ever started off with an intentional and compelling big picture vision of where you hope to be at the end of another twelve month cycle?

2.

How do you think 2017 would be different if you entered into it more intentionally focused and determined than you ever have lived before?

I have several clients who could answer along with you. In 2016 alone, I have seen clients alter their health picture, start new and successful businesses, refresh key relationships and gain skills and credentials that position them to accomplish their dreams. It has been said that the difference between a day dream and a vision is that one will leave you passively pondering while the later will move you from where you are to where you want to be. I want to encourage you, as I do all of my personal clients, to begin 2017 by setting aside some quality time with yourself to envision your new year. A good place to start is to review the past year. 1.

Do you like where you are in life more than you did on January 1st, 2016?

2.

Are you more at peace and confident with yourself?

3.

Are you more or less healthy than a year ago?

4.

Would those around you say they have been compelled to be around you because your kindness and gratitude draw them into your presence, or do you find people pulling away because of your negativity?

5.

Did you have a goal or vision that did not come to pass? If so, why?

pg 6 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2017

Picture where you want to be on or before December 31st, 2017. Write it or draw it in any way that works for you. Get specific. Mark your personal calendar with mile markers to measure your progress. Call and secure an accountability partner for the journey. Call me and find out how a personal coach can dramatically accelerate this journey! Now, here is the key. No person has ever attempted to climb Mount Everest or surf a forty-foot wave without consistent practice and training. Those who achieve their dreams are the ones that never let a DAY PASS without connecting their vision to their daily practices. In other words, those who are successful visionaries take small, daily steps toward their vision. If you can brush your teeth daily, you can DO THIS! If you don’t believe this is true, do a bit of research. Those who have saved small amounts of money consistently are among the wealthiest. Those who forgive and release offenses quickly are the most at peace. Those who listen to daily teaching or read on their professional topic of interest are the ones who impact their industries with greatness. Those who cut out daily drinks containing sugar and replace them with purified water are the ones who lose weight effortlessly. So, are you ready? Then go ahead and make a date with yourself. Before the week ends, take yourself to one of your favorite spots to get quiet and creative. That may be a mountain trail or a coffee shop. Make sure you have plenty of paper and pens. Dream and capture those dreams in a way that will allow you to create ACTION STEPS that will move you closer and closer to that vision on a daily basis. Don’t take this lightly … your future depends on it. In fact, you are shaping your future right now. In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” Go make much of 2017 … what you contribute just may change the world!

Kim launches clients toward their true IDENTITY and DESTINY. As a coach and leader of global impact, Kim seeks to make a lasting difference as she shares principles of true transformation with individuals and groups internationally. All new coaching and speaking clients who partner with Kim through email will receive a FREE COPY of her award-winning book titled The Tension Point. Email: kimfletchercoach@gmail.com


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Women... are Heroines By Nicole Greer, PPCC Founder and Principle Coach at Vibrant Coaching

Write a New Chapter In Your Life This Year January is a call to return to your potential! There is an energy in the air that excites and energizes. The key is to not only feel the energy of your potential but to harness it. Being a sophisticated woman, a Sophie Woman, you know that energy is fuel for forward motion. The goal is to plan and plot what 2017 could potentially be! Every year of your life can be a new chapter that you write with intention and attention. Just like a great novel writer, you too, can develop a story, create a new chapter of your life and step into it. In 1949, Joseph Campbell wrote, The Hero with a Thousand Faces. This book uncovered a pattern that heroines in literature, myths, and ancient lore experienced in their life’s journey. The pattern is reliable, familiar, and has been the model for classics from the Wizard of Oz to Star Wars to Lion King. George Lucas, J.K. Rowling, and countless other authors have used this model to create a spell-binding, awe-inspiring, and legendary stories. And, you can too. The pattern discovered by Campbell has 12 stages. 1. The heroine’s journey starts in her “ordinary world.” 2. She has a call to adventure. 3. She refuses the call to adventure. 4. She meets with her mentor. 5. She “crosses the threshold” and enters into an unknown region or condition with unfamiliar rules and values. 6. She is tested. 7. She approaches a major challenge with new allies. 8. She overcomes an ordeal by facing her fears or perhaps even death. 9. She has new life! 10. She is rewarded by her journey. There is a treasure! 11. She is driven to complete the adventure and to return home. There is sense of urgency and danger in protecting her new treasure. On her road back home, once more, she must face her fears and experience more sacrifice. 12. Finally, she returns home transformed by the journey. Now, she has greater power to transform the world. I believe women are heroes. We give birth. We break through glass ceilings. We bring home the bacon. We even cook it up in a pan! And we have serious hidden potential.

pg 8 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2017

You reading this, do you see yourself as a heroine? Perhaps you’ve been thinking about your future and there is a nagging, “won’t leave you alone,” deep desire to break out of your ordinary way of being? If so, you a heroine! You are being called to adventure. Maybe, you even shared your desire with a friend, your mom, or your mentor. I bet they assured you that you had the moxie to step out of the ordinary… out of the comfort zone. But, you haven’t crossed the threshold or made the commitment to experience the unknown. You may be refusing the call. Now is the time. Answer the call. The heroine’s journey is all laid out for you. You simply must take a step. The pattern tells you there will be tests, major challenges, new relationships, and a facing of your fear. It also reassures us that the heroine overcomes all this and achieves a richer more rewarding life. She gains a treasure that requires protection but ultimately she is transformed. At the end of the journey, she now possesses new powers that serve her in her next adventure. Instead of a resolution this year, I suggest you choose a journey. Then, take these three action steps to thrive in 2017. Four Tips for Your 2017 Journey 1. Take your deep desire about the future to a mentor, a coach, or friend who will explore your potential with you. Plan the plot for the coming year. Engage in dialogue using powerful questions that help you see your potential to gain new power and life! 2. With your plan in place, step out into the unknown seeking alliances, networking, and building new relationships that support your plan. 3. Battle with your fears. Stare them down. Slay them in their tracks! 4. Reach your goal! Receive your reward. Protect it. It will give you great power in the next chapter of your life.

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 and www.thelydiagroup.com


Did you know? Longevity in marriage is something to be celebrated. Couples who reach fiftieth and sixtieth wedding anniversaries often commemorate those anniversaries with big parties. But there are some around the world who would consider golden anniversary celebrants to still be newlyweds. In December 2015, Karam Chand, 110, and his wife, Kartari Chand, 103, from Bradford, West Yorkshire (originally from India), celebrated their 90th wedding anniversary, becoming the world’s longestbetrothed couple. In America, John and Ann Betar, ages 104 and 100, respectively, have been married 83 years as of 2016. The couple eloped in 1932. They have been named one of America’s longest-married couples by the Worldwide Marriage Encounter.

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The Wonder of You! by Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Friend to Friend

As a high school junior, I decided it was time to take Homemaking 101. I can still see Mrs. Johnson’s face as she naively gazed at her new students. Bless her unsuspecting heart! She had no idea the challenge I brought to that class or to her career as a teacher. For weeks, I muddled through each lesson with a respectable, but less than stellar performance, until we hit the section on sewing. It would prove to be her undoing where I was concerned. Being the veteran teacher that she was, Mrs. Johnson took a deep breath and doggedly plunged ahead in determination, vowing she could teach anyone to sew – even me. I decided to make a blouse, and chose what I thought was a simple McCall’s pattern. Mrs. Johnson was thrilled with my selection, competent that even I could make a blouse requiring approximately seven straight seams. The pattern looked so simple and even pretty in the package. Then I opened it, gingerly unfolding and carefully arranging each delicate pattern piece, staring at the foreign documents before me. They were simply beyond human comprehension. I concluded that the pattern was actually a sinister trap of some accomplished but sadistic seamstress, and quickly stuffed the flimsy entrapments back into their package. After all, I was creative. I didn’t need a pattern. I knew exactly what I wanted to make. How hard could it be? Ignorance really can be bliss. When I presented the completed blouse to Mrs. Johnson for a grade, her eyes widened as she stared in silence at my first and last attempt at sewing. “Interesting,” she muttered, obviously in shock. I made a “C” in her class, a sympathy grade if there ever was one. And the blouse? I buried it in my back yard – literally.

enjoy these tortuous events have my undying admiration and respect. Seriously! In our first full-time church, I actually invited the entire church to our home for a Christmas open house. Since there were several hundred church members at the time, I concluded it would take three nights to accommodate them all. Looking back, my only defense is a complete loss of sanity. My family eventually grew to hate the month before the first open house. They had good reason. I put them all to work, cleaning and scrubbing every square inch of the house. I bought and hoarded food, and threatened to hurt anyone who even thought about infiltrating my “stash.” I even managed to destroy Thanksgiving weekend by insisting that we decorate the house, inside and out, for Christmas – not in anticipation of celebrating Christ’s birth, but in preparation for the “open houses” to be held the following weekend. For three years, I tried to be the consummate hostess until my husband put a stop to the madness by asking one simple question, “Honey, why are you doing these open houses?” The answer that popped into my mind and out of my mouth was absurd. “Because that’s what pastor’s wives do!” I feebly responded. “Where does it say that, honey?” he asked. Dan went on to set me free. “We have done our last open house. Please don’t ever do anything else because you think it fits the man-made profile of a pastor’s wife. Do what God has gifted and called you to do – period – and never apologize to anyone for doing it.” I do not have the gift of hospitality, but in every church we have ever served, there have been women who do and delight in using that gift for Him. What do you love to do? What energizes you? What is your heart passion? What gifts and abilities do others see in you? What did God create you to do? Ask Him to make His plan for your life clear. Trust Him with all your heart. Submit your will to His, and choose now to walk through the doors He opens.

Since that day, I always make sure I have at least one friend who can sew and the name of two seamstresses on hand at all times. However, in all my years of ministry, I can truthfully say that my inability to sew has never hindered God’s work in my life.

Let’s Pray

Some have even dared to suggest that since I have a daughter, I should not only sew, but that I should teach her to sew as well. Danna is a very bright and talented young woman, but sewing is not on her radar. So I buried that proposal like I buried that dreadful blouse I made.

Now It’s Your Turn

Another line of thinking proposes that because I am a pastor’s wife, I should drag out my silver (if I had any) and host dinners and teas for the women of the church. Please know that those of you who actually

pg 10 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2017

Father, I praise You because I am made in Your image. Please help me live my life on the basis of that truth and not on the lies of the world. Teach me how to see myself through Your eyes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Here is your assignment for the week. Read Psalm 139 at least one time every day. In your journal, write each verse in your own words. At the end of the week, set aside time to celebrate who you are in Christ. Have a praise party – just you and God – or invite a few girlfriends to join you in celebrating how special you are to Him.


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How to turn a hobby into a career

The end of the year tends to be a time to reflect on the previous 12 months. Many people are inspired to find a new career at the dawn of a new year. Some might find it possible to turn hobbies and other interests into ventures that can make money or even serve as new jobs.

Earning a living doing something you love is the ultimate goal for many people. However, before a person tries to turn a hobby into a career, he or she first needs to analyze the situation and give such a momentous decision ample consideration. All hobbies cannot be adapted into lucrative businesses, especially those that are very niche-oriented. The following techniques can help people turn their hobbies into careers. • Streamline and perfect your skill. Before trying to turn a hobby into a career, obtain further training or education, if necessary. Just because you’re qualified to do something as an amateur does not mean you can do it as a professional. Research if you need more schooling and pursue that schooling if you find you do. • Appeal to other hobbyists. Hobbyists tend to be quite enthusiastic and passionate about their work. Therefore, your pg 12 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2017

first client base may very well be other hobbyists. Attend street fairs, carnivals and any other gatherings that tend to bring hobbyists together. This can help spread the word about your ventures and open up your work to an extended network of like-minded individuals.

• Listen to all feedback. Take criticism and other feedback from as many people as you can. This will help you to really fine tune and professionalize your hobby. Try brainstorming with people, remaining open to what others have to say about your potential business.

• Start small and simple. Getting your feet wet in the business world takes an investment of time and money. It’s easy to follow the mentality “go big or go home.” But with the goal of turning a hobby into a career, you may want to start slowly — taking the bunny hills before skiing down the expert-level slopes. Start selling items or services in the community. Expand to a website. Keep track of your profit margin before you grow your business even further. You must be realistic in your ability to make money that can fully support you and your business. • Write about your interests. You may be able to make money through your hobby without performing the hobby. Become a freelance writer and share expertise through a blog or by contracting with newspapers and magazines. Sharing your expertise can be a lucrative and less costly way to turn a hobby into a new career.

Turning a hobby into a profession may not result in instant success. But with dedication, the dream may come true.


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www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 13


Out of Guilt or Inspiration? The beginning of the year is a time of renewal and reflection, as we determine what it is we want most from the year ahead. Those of you who have been following my column for years know that I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions, because too often they are causing more guilt than excitement and anticipation. How many of your resolutions from last year are on your list again this year, and were on your list the year before and the year before? If you have resolutions that continue to be carried over into each New Year, this is telling you something. It is saying that maybe it really isn’t something your heart and soul is into achieving. If this is the case, then why? Chances are, it is the result of one of these guilt-induced traps that we can all fall into under the guise of a grand goal or desire, that once we dig a little deeper, wasn’t really our desire at all. See if any of these apply to your resolution list for 2017: Happiness Trap: You just know that if you achieve a particular goal or desire, it will make you happier. Really? Having a goal with the desired outcome to make you happier or happy period is a double-edged request. Typically, when happiness is your desire, it never happens because you realize that it is going to take something else after that, and then after that to truly make you happy. Be happy now by seeing your happiness as a part of you and not something outside of you. Embrace what makes you smile, brings you joy, and warms your soul. Happiness is already in you. You just need to feel it and be it. Pride Trap: Are you out to prove something to someone to make them proud of you or to acknowledge your worth in some way? If your resolution is more about making someone else proud or to get the attention or recognition of someone, then you have fallen into the pride trap. Make what you are trying to accomplish about how it will make you feel, or how it will make things better for someone, not about how it will make you look to someone.

pg 14 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2017

Expectation Trap: Are any of your goals or resolutions based on what someone else or society as a whole is expecting of you? Do you think you need to be a certain weight or a specific size because that is what society is dictating to you? Are you striving to gain knowledge in an area you aren’t even passionate about because it is expected of you on your job or by someone you care about? Setting your own high expectations is a good benchmark and measure for yourself. Just don’t get caught up in trying to achieve someone else’s expectations of you. Obligation Trap: Are any of the resolutions on your list based on an obligation you have made that is no longer serving you or exciting to you? Did you make a commitment that you now wish you had not made? This can be a tough one, especially if you want to be true to being accountable and doing what you say you are going to do. Is there someone who might be more passionate about this commitment you could delegate to? Is there a way you can defer or share the responsibility so it is not so demanding or distracting? Making it what can work for you, while also fulfilling what you promised can be a win-win if you get beyond it feeling like a burden. The bottom line for anything that you are seeking to achieve in the upcoming year, is that when the year comes to a close, you can look back on it with true satisfaction and gratitude in what you did and in how you spent your time. Whatever it is that you are striving to see come into being in your life this year, make it about what thrills you, inspires you, excites you, satisfies you, enriches you, or advances you. Then there will literally be nothing that can stop you!

Bio: Sherré DeMao inspires people around the globe through her monthly columns, weekly Insight eZine and national contributing writing. 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.


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The Struggle is Real by Dalan Garcia, PA-C

How to Lose Weight Quickly and Safely

I

f you are like me, you have probably struggled with being overweight as you got older. With age comes more responsibilities and less time to focus on yourself. I have always been a very active person, but maintaining that activity level and juggling the priorities of being a father and a husband was too difficult. I quickly became part of the growing epidemic of obesity in America. Today, more than 68 percent of Americans are either overweight or obese. This increase in obesity has led to millions of people developing other major health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and chronic pain. For me the struggle was very REAL. Too real. Over 10 years ago my oldest brother died from a major coronary event. He had struggled with being overweight and diabetic for several years. However, we never

thought at age 38 his health would be a major concern. His passing hit our whole family like a ton of bricks. We all committed to eat healthier and lose weight. That lasted about 6 weeks. I tried and failed several attempts to eat healthier and exercise more…until recently. I was able to find a weight loss program that was quick, very effective and safe. I went from a weight of 249 pounds and a body mass index (BMI) of 38.4 to a weight of 213 pounds and a BMI of 32.9 in just 30 days. I was able to do this with a medical weight loss plan that utilized daily HCG injections, a prescribed appetite suppressant, Lipotrophic fat burning injections with B12, and nutritional counseling. What made this weight loss plan different from other ones I had tried in the past was the rapid results mainly due to the daily HCG injections. HCG allows the body to efficiently use body fat as a form of energy without cannibalizing organs or muscle.

How Does HCG Work? Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a placental peptide hormone produced and released during pregnancy. This hormone helps regulate the metabolic system of the body, making fat reserves readily available, when food is not available to the mother. The demand for energy and calories are significantly increased in a pregnant woman during their second and third trimester. HCG helps increase the production of energy by burning fat into calories. HCG affects the brain that allows your body to utilize fat as energy when food is not available. When placed in the right environment and timed with precise quantities of specific food, the HCG weight loss program allows both men and women alike to live off their excess fat, instead of food. Under the influence of HCG the brain is capable of down regulating or up regulating the metabolic system in order to create constant caloric homeostasis in the body. It is the introduction of a very low calorie diet while on HCG that makes this rapid weight loss possible. Just as the body is capable of utilizing fat for energy during the program, it is also capable of storing fat and this is where people get themselves into trouble. Staying on the strict, low calorie diet while taking the HCG injections is very important. The HCG weight loss program IS NOT A DIET. It is a specific program that manipulates the hypothalamus of the brain, creating and increased need for fat metabolism.

Life After HCG Medical weight loss programs that utilize HCG usually last no longer than 45 days. Once you complete the use of HCG it is important to maintain a healthy, low carbohydrate, high protein diet and an active lifestyle. Since I have been off the HCG I have been able to continue to lose weight… just not as quickly. Proper nutritional counseling is extremely important. Understanding the Glycemic Index and the effects of complex versus simple carbs on your metabolism is extremely important. Feeling better about yourself is also a nice by product of losing weight. I feel like I have more energy. Also my blood pressure has decreased and my joint pain and swelling has diminished. I feel great and I attribute it to my recent weight loss. Does 2017 include a resolution for you to lose weight? If you are looking to lose weight quickly and safely, you may want to look into a program that uses HCG injections.

Dalan Garcia, PA-C Physician Assistant at Livanta Medical Center pg 18 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2017


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New Year, New You by Susan Guest

H

appy New Year! Hope your holiday season was the best ever! It is so nice to celebrate Christ’s birth, share love and joy with friends, family, and those who are not as fortunate. For some, the holidays are not the happiest of times due to illness, loss of family members, and other reasons. 2017 is finally here and it is once again time to looks at our lives and decide if changes or resolutions are needed to be our best selves. 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. It is much less expensive and less overwhelming to break projects down into phases whenever possible. 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 2017. Color Trends: One of my favorite new color trends is Benjamin Moore’s Shadow, a rich and royal amethyst. Sherwin Williams lists Poised Taupe as the hottest color-it is a warmer grey than in past seasons. Other notable colors are Glidden’s Byzantine Blue and every company’s shades of dusty pink, greenish blues, honey golds, and a pretty green shade called Crushed Oregano. Elle Décor states that interior designers will be drawing inspiration from the client’s personality. HELLO! Don’t we usually do that? Isn’t that our job? 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.

pg 20 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2017

Bright painted colors such as orange, red, teal, and pink are being used 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 2017. May your year be filled will good health, love, peace, and excellent design!

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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Day by Day Y

by Jan McCanless

ep, It’s January already, the start of a New Year, almost a new decade, and the first day of the rest of your life.

There is something so refreshing about January, not just the bracing cold weather, it’s a way to begin anew, start over, wipe the slate clean, and have a brand new year. Yesterday is forgotten, and tomorrow is out of sight. We all have an opportunity to have a do over, start anew, and make the new year, the best ever. This country, and we, as it’s citizens, have had a busy year. A lot of disturbing headlines this year, and some, maybe not so bad. But today, ah, that is new, we can start over, maybe make better headlines this year, and put forth the effort to try and make this a better world for our friends, family, and mother earth. Several years ago, there was a play that opened on Broadway, called Jesus Christ, Superstar, and some of the music from that play is not only beautiful, but, prophetic and haunting. One of my favorite songs from the show is entitled Day by Day, and the lyrics say that “Day by Day, I will see Thee more Clearly, love Thee more Dearly, and follow Thee more nearly, day by day”.

pg 22 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2017

Think about that for a moment, what if we all did that, in all our relationships, and most especially, with the relationship we enjoy with our Lord and Savior. Can you possibly fathom how we could literally change the world with this philosophy? Now, we can, It’s January, a new start to a new day and a new year. What if we applied this Day by Day mind set to everything we do in 2017, and everyone we come into contact with throughout the year. The possibilities are endless, and truly thrilling to anticipate. My fervent wish for you is to have a wonderful and prosperous and healthy new Year. Day by Day, I want us to meet the new year headlong, one day at a time, and with the mind set that we will love our neighbors, ourselves and our world more dearly, see everything more clearly, and follow our new ‘mantra’ more nearly. I am so looking forward to an exciting and beautiful New Year.!

Jan McCanless is an award winning author of 13 books, a freelance columnist, and premier southern humorist. a retired teacher. She is grandmother to 9 cherubs and is a commissioned lay minister of the Lutheran faith.


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The

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by Mary Felkins

The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Revelation 5:8 This year’s Super Bowl is set for February 5th at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The first ever Super Bowl event was held on January 15th in 1967 in Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California. It was originally referred to as the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. The match-up featured the Kansas City Chiefs who contended against the Green Bay Packers. The Chiefs defeated the Packers with a final score of 35 to 10. Which team will take home the coveted title of Super Bowl champions, 2017, this year? No one knows (except God…Who’s not telling). And it won’t be over until it’s over. Not likely I’ll ever attend a super bowl game unless someone chose to gift me a sweet deal of a few tickets and air fare to and from. Anyone?? But there’s an altogether different super bowl that’s in play both day and night, continuously throughout the year. A ticket isn’t required for admission and there’s no need to travel to some specified location. Even knowledge of football is unnecessary. To participate in this super bowl all it takes is prayer. Fervent, without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17), and without giving up. Because thus sayeth the Coach…

Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1 So far, my participation in this super bowl hasn’t landed me with any injuries or had me unexpectedly side-lined for penalties. I’ve not suffered contract loss. If anything, my prayer contract is being continually renewed. And, if I may say so myself, I’m in the best shape of my career. The golden bowls mentioned in Revelation are filled, not with cheering

pg 24 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2017

fans, hot dog vendors, rugged and sweaty football players and screaming coaches, but with prayers. Lots of them.

…golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Revelation 5:8b Those bowls hold prayers I’ve prayed in the past, several I uttered today and even more I’ve yet to pray. Throughout my training career, my Coach has instructed me not to become disheartened by focusing on my circumstances or begging for stats. Doing so in past years has only served to steal the breath from my lungs. It’s made fighting for that big win way too difficult or unbelievable. Even led me to believe answers to my prayers are unachievable when, truth is, The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16b. Come Super Bowl LI (51st) game time, you can bet I’ll have my eyes fixed on the scoreboard, cheering for one of two teams. I’ll be powerless to affect the final outcome of this year’s Super Bowl, but there ain’t a soul who can stop me from adding prayers to those heavenly, golden super bowls. Confident prayers offered before the throne of God have trained me well for some pretty difficult match-ups. But each time the buzzer sounded, God remained the super bowl champ. And He always will. As the super bowls in heaven fill to capacity, I’d love to think that more are hauled in to collect the continuous prayers being offered for those I love. If anyone should ever walk in on me when I’m praying and ask, ‘What are you doing?’ I might just say, “Shhh. I’m filling super bowls.” No matter the winner of Super Bowl LI, may you find great joy throughout this new year in filling super bowls of your own with fervent and confident prayers. Those who need them will be glad you did. Mary Albers Felkins is a former Registered and Licensed Dietitian turned writer. Her first novel, a contemporary Christian romance, is currently under contract with Prism Book Group (www. prismbookgroup.com). She considers scripture the most alluring romance ever written. Married to Bruce Felkins, together they have four (adolescent to young adult-sized) arrows in their quiver. She can be bribed to take a break from writing if chocolate is involved in the negotiation process. For stories that stir the soul, Mary cordially invites you to her website, www.maryfelkins.com


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A

New Year In Time by Letty Lozano

Peace I leave you; my peace I give to you…do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. – John 14:27

The one thing that makes it all seem better is to be grateful. It is with a grateful heart for all the blessings that I have in my life, which makes it easier for me to turn the page from the ending of a chapter, to the start of another one.

January is here again, which means a new year. A new year can be the beginning of something new or an end to something that was. It could be a time to set new goals, make some resolutions, pick up a habit or get rid of one.

Life is not easy and it’s not forever. But it never really ends either. It is only a transition from a physical to a spiritual one. You know, an end, but a new beginning. Why am I bringing death up you might ask. Because as more time passes, it becomes more inevitable, we begin to think about our own mortality. Since there is absolutely nothing I or anyone else can do about the passing of time, I think living each day to the fullest and trying to be the best mother, daughter, sister and friend I can be, along with honoring and serving God is exactly what I should strive for.

For me, these last few weeks have been a reflection of sorts. I am struggling with time and age. I’m not a spring chicken anymore, my children are older and my mother is now elderly. Where did the time go? It seems like only yesterday, that my children were small and I was a new mom. Now my children are where I was, and my mom is how I remember my grandmother. I guess you could say that with every new beginning, also comes an end to something else. But it is the middle, which just seems to come and go without us even realizing it. And when I think about that gap, I want to live it again, I want to go back and do it over somehow. I want to go back and cherish the times I feel I missed or didn’t make the most of. The problem is that I can’t do that and nobody else can either. Our lives are like a movie that starts, plays, and ends. But, unlike a movie, there is no way to fast-forward, pause, or rewind. We only get one shot at it and when it’s over, it’s over. I can’t seem to come to grips with this new phase in my life, where I must let things go, such as time that has already passed, and the anticipation of more time happening, and then it too, being in my rearview mirror. I have been doing a lot of soul searching these last few weeks that include crying spells, spending alone time with God and praying and it has become a non-stop cycle. My kids worry about me and even think I may be crazy. I try to reassure them that they do not need to worry about me, because I know that it is all natural, God is helping me, and it is something I must go through as it is part of my cleansing of negative thoughts, feelings and actions. It’s all part of coming to terms with the end of my younger years and on to the beginning of my older years.

pg 26 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2017

As part of my New Year’s Resolution and the start of a new beginning, I will try to savor every moment, no matter what I am doing, by continuing to remind myself that this exact moment that I am in, will never happen again. The hard part is accepting that and being ok with it. I don’t want to think too far ahead either, because that will keep me from living in the moment. It is comforting to know that with God, there is no beginning or end. He is the same today, as he was yesterday and will be the same tomorrow. I will walk with Him at all times and not take my focus off him or his love for me. I can be sure that when this chapter of the physical world comes to an end, the next and final chapter will be a new beginning into the glorious reunion with everyone who is already there and where everyone else will one day be living together for all eternity in the presence of our loving God and father.

Letty Lozano is a writer and author of her first Memoir, “Traveling Blind.” As a survivor of a loved ones suicide, her memoir was born out of the responses she received from readers of blog entries written during her painful journey from utter despair to a renewal of her faith and enjoyment of life. She believes only God the creator can provide the comfort, strength of mind, and encouragement required by survivors to travel blindly into the future full of confidence and renewed joy. www.lettylozano.com


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3/4 2 2 2 2 12 1⁄2

cup best-available olive oil tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice cloves garlic, minced tablespoons minced fresh Italian parsley teaspoons minced fresh oregano or thyme or 1 teaspoon dried colossal shrimp, shells on cup kosher salt or coarse sea salt

• Preheat grill to medium-high heat. • In a small bowl, prepare dipping sauce by whipping together 1⁄2 cup of the olive oil, the lemon juice, garlic, parsley, and oregano. Reserve. • Using a paring knife, make a 1⁄4-inch incision down the backs of the shrimp. Devein them, but do not remove the shells. • In a medium bowl, add remaining 1⁄4 cup olive oil and the shrimp. Toss the shrimp in the oil, then sprinkle salt overtop, and toss thoroughly so that the shrimp are coated in salt. • Grill shrimp directly over the heat or pan cook for approximately 3 minutes per side, or until shrimp are opaque throughout. Serve with dipping sauce.


Shutterbuggerz Submitted by Heather Belton

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www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 29


pg 30 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | January 2017


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