Women Rock Magazine - Summer 2021 by women rock

SUMMER EDITION 2021

FINDING YOUR VOICE

The Health Benefits of Massage Therapy

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

MY LIFE...MY SUCCESS

FRIENDS IN REAL ESTATE

OUTER HEALTH

THE ART OF BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF OUR BEAUTIFUL

WRITERS

FOR

THEIR

INSPIRATIONAL STORIES AND SHARING THEIR PERSONAL JOURNEYS. YOU HAVE DEFINITELY EMPOWERED ME - AS I AM SURE YOU WILL EMPOWER ALL OF OUR READERS AS WELL. SENDING LOTS

DEANNE TOBIN SINHA EDITOR IN CHIEF

OF LOVE AND GOOD VIBES YOUR WAY.

from the editor I have always waited patiently for summer to arrive.

The

As patient as I could possibly be that is. Winters are

cooking and trying to find our own little quiet place.

long for me. What can I say "I am always cold" lol.

It gets a little precarious when you are all home

new

norm

and

was

staying

each

others

home,

space.

working,

do, of course, embrace it as much as I can. I go

together

sledding and I love to ice skate. I do try and make

different. We are completely out of our routines. I

the best of it but I do find winters a little torturous

like routine. It helps me stay focussed.

being that I am a true summer girl.

time progressed I found a new normal, a way to embrace every moment with family.

It's

just

However, as

We put a new

OK, so we all know that when last summer hit things

system in place. It involved more family time. Family

changed drastically. Vacationing was put on hold

night was every night. We played board games, air

(in stay at home lockdown phase) and we had to

hockey, table tennis, and foosball. We biked almost

make the best of a very bad situation. We stayed

every day in our neighbourhood . We bonded more

home and baked bread and cookies. I mean, what

than

was with the flour continuously flying off the shelves

favourite game) and of course we watched movie

in the grocery stores? Well we were all probably

after movie (My husband is endlessly pitching the

looking for comfort food.

Marvel Series...almost there LOL). We are enjoying

tried

before.

out

Our

new lives,

We baked, we cooked,

recipes and

the

had

way

never

tried

lived

had

ever.

every

moment

played

life

charades

will

(my

eventually

little

get

guys

back

normal and we will be busy little bees again doing

drastically changed. We were quarantined to our

our

homes,

appreciate life more than ever. It's the little things

with

the

odd

collecting our groceries.

exception

course

own

thing

we tend to miss ...

continue

grow

and

Stay Safe Stay Strong!

Deanne Tobin Sinha Editor in Chief

Deanne Tobin Sinha

____________________________________

https://www.womenrockmagazine.com/ https://www.facebook.com/DeeSinha123 click link to go to websites

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE

CONTENTS 02 A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR 06 THE WRITER IN YOU 6

by deanne tobin sinha

08 WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP by kelsey mactavish

11 5 TYPES OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT by deanne tobin sinha

12 5 THINGS EVERY WOMAN MUST DO TO KICKSTART HER DAY by carole blackburn

14 FOR THE LOVE OF GARDENING by deanne tobin sinha

18 MYLIFE..MY SUCCESS by myra rayos

20 THE ART OF BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY by leesa sutherland

24 FRIENDS IN REAL ESTATE by sonya crites

Cover Photo courtesy of Leesa Sutherland LW Imaging

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE

TABLE OF CONTENTS BEAUTY

A RESET IS IN ORDER

SUMMER GARDENING article by martine jaworski

OUTER HEALTH michelle leblanc

FUN AND FLIRTY THE PERFECT SUMMER DRESS

THE IMPORTANCE OF ME TIME aricle by deanne tobin sinha

60 INNER VOICE article by eva wong DIY PROJECTS article by christianne roy

DEE'S DECADENT DESIGNS by dee sinha design

32 FINDING YOUR VOICE article by deanne tobin sinha

THE HEALTH BENEFTS OF MASSAGE THERAPY article by joAnne falls

VACATION IS A MUST A RESET IS IN ORDER article by deanne tobin sinha

SURVIVING FIRST YEAR UNIVERSITY ONLINE article by olivia sinha

SUMMER GARDENING article by martine jaworski

NOT JUST BASKETS charlene grootjans

COTTAGE LIFE article by stephanie darby coombs

HOME SWEET HOME article by deanne tobin sinha

MY LIFE...MY SUCCESS article by myra rayos

18 SUMMER COCKTAILS article by deanne tobin sinha

FAMILY TIME article by deanne tobin sinha

RULES THAT MAKE THE HOUSEHOLD WORK article by deanne tobin sinha

69 WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE

THE WRITER IN YOU

FIND YOUR PASSION BY: DEE TOBIN SINHA

veryone loves a good story! Am I right? Well I know I certainly do! It's a true passion of mine, It is something that brings me comfort, a sense of peace. Getting my thoughts and ideas on paper brings me a sense of contentment. I absolutely love brainstorming and contemplating about

If writing is something that you have always dreamed of doing but haven't done it yet. JUST DO IT!

My concept in life is if you are scared to do it then do it anyways. What's the worst that can happen? If you accomplish the task you set out to do then that's a gratifying thing right? If you don't succeed the first time then just try it again. Life is too short to not do what you have always

what to write about next.

dreamed of doing, Take the risk and surprise

I am so very proud of our aspiring writers! We are

can make things happen. So just do it! I promise

very lucky here at Women Rock Magazine to have such wonderful creative writers. We have

yourself. You will be SO happy you did. ONLY you

you won't regret it.

new writers come on board every month and we also have our regular writers here as well. Young writers who thought that they could never write a story about their lives or entrepreneurship. NEVER underestimate the power of your mind. You can do anything you set your mind to do. You just have to believe in yourself.

IF WRITING IS SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS DREAMED OF DOING BUT HAVEN'T DONE IT YET , JUST DO IT!

Writing is not an easy task for some. It is an overwhelming thought to write. For me, in the beginning of my writing ventures, I have to admit that I as well got anxiety about how to start my story. I would sit and stare at my computer. which seemed like forever, wondering how to start this fascinating story that was stuck inside of my brain, But once my brain starting twirling my imagination was fired up and

If you have an inspiring story you would like to submit to our Magazine write to us at women@womenrock.net

nothing could stop me.

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 6

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE BE INSPIRED!

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 7

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

By KELSEY MACTAVISH

often think about what my mid-40s self would tell the younger me about being a female leader in the workplace. Would I try to temper her expectations for herself and her career or would I encourage her to believe in herself no matter what? Would I prepare her for some of the hard truths she is bound to encounter or would I encourage her to embrace the experience and be the difference? While I can’t go back in time, I may be having these conversations with my two daughters at some point in the future, so at the very least it’s worth some careful thought. When I entered the workplace in the 1990s, freshly armed with a couple of degrees and fully of shiny optimism, I believed that the sky was the limit for my career. After all, my first director was a brilliant woman of vision and proof that I was entering the workplace at a time when women leaders were being recognized and empowered. As my career progressed, however, I noted that there were few women in very senior roles in the organizations I worked for, and those who did rise through the ranks most often toiled in the more traditionally female-oriented roles in administrative services. I also learned that a woman in a senior leadership position does not automatically a leader make. Many of them were women who had ‘made it’ in the corporate world by emulating the conduct of their male peers or who, by playing by the

established rules, were marginalized to the point of irrelevancy. While this was often the price women had to pay to advance, it left a generation of young female staffers like myself without effective female mentorship. So, when did things change? Or have they? The truth is that in most workplaces, the more senior the role, the fewer women you will find. A 2020 worldwide analysis by Mercer found that only 23% of executives are women. According to Statistics Canada’s Table 14-10029701: Labour force characteristics by occupation, Annual (x 1,000), women have been making inroads in management (35.3%) and senior management (31.5%) roles, but there is ample evidence that breakthroughs at more senior levels have remained frustratingly difficult. The 15th Annual Rozenzweig Report, 2019, confirmed that men continue to hold more than 90% of c-suite executive level roles in Canada. The reality is that even in the 21st century, being a woman in the working world is still not easy. And when you overlay gender with being a racialized woman or a woman with a disability, the challenge only grows. Our cultural predilection for jingoistic mantras like “leaning in” has also done a disservice to women everywhere. Essentially, Sheryl Sandberg’s female empowerment manifesto distills down to the idea that if a woman works hard enough and asserts herself effectively, she will be successful in all aspects of her life.

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 8

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

By KELSEY MACTAVISH

his privileged take on leadership fails to consider the structural inequalities so pervasive in North American workplaces around representation and access, pay gaps as well as the domestic burden women carry, particularly as it relates to childbearing and rearing. More recently, the #MeToo movement has also exposed the ugly truths and generational abuses inflicted upon women in the workplace. It would be easy to fall prey to negativity and to presume that equity will remain out of reach for many of this generation’s women leaders. But I believe there is reason to feel hopeful about the future of female leadership, which is why, upon reflection, I would share the following ideas for their consideration: Be Hopeful It’s perfectly normal and healthy to acknowledge the limitations of today while still being hopeful about a better future. This may sound hokey to some, but it is rooted in realism. It’s about accepting where we are today while advocating for the possibilities on the horizon. Leaders who can harness hope can create an environment in which team members operate comfortably with risk, are keen to innovate and are okay with making mistakes along the way.

More than just reframing our perspective on our abilities, belief in oneself also encourages others to believe in us, respect our abilities and want to engage with us in a positive and constructive manner. Invest in Yourself Do you know what kind of leader you are? Are you aware of how your style influences your approach? What do you do with the feedback you are provided? Many of us have been thrown into management jobs over the course of our careers without any formal leadership training. The best way forward is to develop a leadership plan for yourself that takes into account your strengths and areas for improvement. Seek input from a wide variety of colleagues and friends. Distill the input and develop a learning plan – one that your employer will hopefully support you with as you outline your learning objectives. If that isn’t an option, consider investing in some targeted learning opportunities designed to strengthen the areas you would most like to work on. You can also look for free online resources, mentorship opportunities in your workplace or simply seek out someone you know who exemplifies that skill and ask if they are willing to share their wisdom and experience. Be Supportive

Believe in Yourself This is a particularly important point for women leaders. Studies suggest that men believe in themselves and have confidence in their abilities to a much greater degree than women. If you’re like me, you’ve probably questioned your judgment and abilities repeatedly over the course of your career. What would happen if the starting point of addressing any issue came from a place of belief in our ability to handle whatever our work environment or life puts in front of us? What if we applied for promotions or specialized opportunities with this confidence?

I’ve made it my mission to encourage female leadership at all levels in my working life. Whether it’s an issue-specific question or exploring opportunities for growth in personal and professional leadership, these conversations have also helped me grow as well. Women leaders can also use their unique perspectives to help develop and support tomorrow’s leaders. And they can do it- with an emphasis on promoting greater diversity and representation in the workplace through meaningful recruitment, engagement, development and retention initiatives. Moreover, women have the knowledge and experience to ably and effectively advocate for policies and supports that will help improve conditions for others in their work environment. WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 9

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP By KELSEY MACTAVISH

o what would this mid-40s woman ultimately tell young women who aspire to leadership roles today and in future? I would say that the workplace is much changed since I become a working professional, and that women have opportunities for career development and growth that were not possible even a generation ago. Moreover, women know they can thrive as senior leaders and bring a valuable perspective to the leadership table. We need only look to formidable female world leaders, like the Rt. Hon. Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, Her Excellency Tsai Ing-wen, President of Taiwan, Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris or the Hon. Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, to find strong female role models on the global stage. Happily, many strong women also lead in every occupation and every community- women whose strength and perseverance inspire me and will serve as beacons to my daughters and their friends as they grow up.

KELSEY MACTAVISH

Given this, I believe that there is much reason to be hopeful that we will see more and more women achieve their leadership ambitions. This progress nonetheless requires continued vigilance to ensure it endures for the benefit of this generation and those awesome women that will follow!

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 10

5 TYPES OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

mpowerment doesn’t have a straightforward definition because it means something different to everyone. Keshab Chandra Mandal wrote that female empowerment could be defined in five separate categories: social, educational, economic, political, and psychological.

Social

Educational

Social empowerment might be one of the most prominent forms of empowerment shown in the mainstream media. It strengthens women’s social relations and their positions in social structures, giving them more of a purpose outside of the home. Their contributions to society are recognized and valued as opposed to looked down upon simply because it was a woman’s creation. Social empowerment also fights back against discrimination, no longer letting people of different disabilities, races, ethnicities, religions, or genders be walked over by what’s considered ‘normal’.

Education is a crucial part of growing and developing, but there are still places in the world that deny education to girls. This takes away a fundamental skill everyone has the right to: knowledge. Without a proper education for all, gender empowerment isn’t possible. Education puts everyone on equal footing, and lets young girls have access to what their rights and duties are. Not only that, obtaining knowledge can boost self-confidence, self-esteem, and make girls self-sufficient. It also gives them access to the development of social, political, intellectual, and religious consciousness, and can discourage the growth of bigotry, narrow-mindedness, superstition, intolerance, and so on.

Economic

Political

People say money can’t buy happiness, but being at an economic disadvantage can take away access to becoming empowered. Being poor, landless, deprived, or oppressed doesn’t allow access to resources that those in good financial standings do. Closing this gap would allow everyone to have equal footing, and women, in particular, would gain a more significant share of control over the material, human, intellectual, and financial resources.

Having a voice in politics can be substantial in letting a group’s view be pushed into the light of mainstream media, and that’s no different for advocating women’s rights. The political involvement of women “implies the decentralization of power and authority in the deprived, oppressed, and powerless people who have not been able to participate in the decision-making process and the implementation of policies and programs of both government and organizations as well as familial and societal matters”. In other words, having political influence would not only give a voice to those who haven’t had a voice in how things are governed, but it would also allow the possibility of policies and programs being put into place that would work with these discriminated groups.

Psychological Psychological empowerment aligns with social empowerment—it transgresses the “traditional and patriarchal taboos and social obligations” and lets women go beyond what’s expected of them in society. This can build self-confidence, help women recognize their self-worth, and gives them the chance to take control of their income and body.

ll five of these categories intertwine with one another, but it’s equally important to consider them separately as well. Each group has different main goals they’re aiming for, so trying to focus on them as a whole would be unbeneficial ultimately. Knowing what work has to be put into these five categories can provide a boost in the right direction, and allow empowerment not just for women, but eventually for all. Originally posted at http://juttacuratolo.co.uk — Published on February 11, 2020

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 11

5 THINGS EVERY WOMAN MUST DO TO KICK START HER DAY by: carole blackburn

If there is one thing I have learned over the years is how much people underestimate the importance of a solid morning routine. A morning that is dedicated to your personal self-care practice and gives you the motivation and inspiration to go through your day feeling energized and joyful. For many of us, we have been accustomed to fighting the alarm clock to squeeze in those extra minutes in our cozy beds. Only to thrust out of bed because we have run out of time! However, what is actually happening is, we have been robbing ourselves of precious time focused on our overall wellness. Another risk of not creating and holding space for ourselves is we start the day feeling anxious, stressed, and overwhelmed which carries that same energy into the rest of the day, including how we interact with people. In this article, I will talk about how you can incorporate some good daily practices and get excited about waking up each day, looking forward to growing in your physical, emotional, and mental health.

But before we dive into it, I want you to think about how you begin your day right now. Take a moment and thoughtfully consider how your day begins from the moment you wake up to the time you move into the next phase of your day. No judgment or negative criticism. Just be an observer of your actions. By bringing awareness to your current routines and habits, it invites you to see what you have been doing subconsciously and how it may have been working against you all this time.

non-negotiable me time As women, we tend to give up so much of who we are and our time to everyone else leaving us tired and depleted. Before our feet hit the ground, our minds are racing with all of the things that need to get done. The do-do lists, managing everyone’s schedules, making sure our loved ones are up and moving in their day. It’s no wonder we are exhausted before we even get going on our work, errands, and appointments. The day starts off in a rush and we are running on autopilot just to get through the caffeine-induced day. I say this with total understanding and compassion because that was how I use to be. Until I discovered that beautiful time each morning that I claimed all to myself.

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 12

CAROLE BLACKBURN

HERE ARE MY 5 TOP WAYS TO START YOUR DAY FEELING GREAT A nd yes, incorporating the suggestions

below will require you to wake up earlier each day, but I assure you, you will start seeing and feeling the benefits so that you WANT to wake up each day ready to do your morning routine!

Hydrate - This may seem like a nobrainer, but many people will reach for a cup of coffee or tea before drinking water. After we wake up, the first thing we should be consuming is a large glass or two of water. This helps the body hydrate after sleeping and fasting. It helps to deliver water to our organs, joints, and especially to the brain, which in turn contributes to better cognitive health.

Meditation - A wonderful way to set the tone of the day is to meditate. If you are new to this, there are great apps like Calm or Headspace that offer short, guided meditation. Meditation is simply bringing ourselves into the present moment. To bring awareness into the here and now. To clear our minds and focus solely on our breath. This helps to calm the parasympathetic nervous system as well.

G ratitude Journaling -Take a few moments to write down in your journal 5 to 10 things you are grateful for. Go a little deeper by noting why each of the things you are grateful for is so meaningful to you. You can’t help but feel uplifted and joyful as you consider all the good that is happening in your life right at this moment.

M ovement - Nothing wakes up

the body and mind like movement. There is a tremendous list of health benefits to doing exercise or light activity in the morning. From keeping our bodies moving (especially when we spend so much of our time sitting) to releasing serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. All of which makes us feel happier and uplifted. Dedicate at least 20 minutes per day to movement.

Get

Yourself Ready - The pandemic has certainly taken the joy out of getting up, dressed, and ready for the day. PJ bottoms and loungewear have taken over as fashion

trends, but the more people I talk to who stopped taking the time each day to get ready (even if you are not going anywhere) reported feeling less motivated, less productive, and overall sense of feeling blah (for a lack of a better word)! Take that extra 15 or 20 minutes and get ready for yourself and what will make you feel good. Carve out the time for yourself each morning so you feel like you are filling YOUR cup. Make your morning routine your own. Mix up the above recommendations to suit your needs.

I t may feel challenging at first

to wake up earlier than you are used to, but the more consistent you are with your morning routine, the easier it will be. The objective is to make this a normal part of your lifestyle. Do you need some help finding out what’s right for you?

Feel free to connect with Carole at: https://www.caroleblackburn-lifecoach.com/ (click link to go to website) WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 13

FOR THE LOVE OF GARDENING Issue No. 2 | June 2021 | Spring Edition

article by dee tobin sinha

Remember watching my Grandfather (my pop) planting his favourite perennials in his front garden. How he meticulously dug the soil and handled those delicate flowers with such care was fascinating to watch. I loved how he accomplished this task with such conviction. It was then and there that I fell in love with gardening. I saw the pleasure my Poppy felt when he watched those gorgeous colourful tulip and daffodil bulbs bloom, He smiled as he watered them. He felt proud of his garden. Proud that his house was the one with the beautiful flowers bursting with colour, standing tall, screaming for attention.

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 14

A GARDEN RETREAT

MY FAVOURITE TIME OF YEAR! SUMMER! I EAGERLY AWAIT THE GARDEN SHOPS TO OPEN UP. I KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE LINUPS SO I PLAN MY DAY ACCORDINGLY. EARLY RISE, QUICK BREAKFAST, A STRONG COFFEE AND I AM SET! FLOWERS.... HERE I COME! AS ALL OF YOU NEW MOMS KNOW, LIFE CHANGES DRASTICALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A NEW BABY. I MEAN IT IS DEFINITELY A VERY EXCITING TIME IN YOUR LIFE. HECTIC, AND EXHAUSTING, BUT NONETHELESS VERY EXCITING. SO I AM SITTING IN MY SMALL, EMPTY BUT VERY CUTE BACKYARD ENJOYING MY EXCITING NEW LIFE WITH MY SLEEPING BABY GIRL THINKING "HMMM WHAT CAN I DO WITH THIS EMPTY SPACE THAT HAS SO MUCH POTENTIAL?" WELL, IT WAS AT THAT MOMENT THAT I THOUGHT OF MY POPPY. WHAT WOULD HE DO? TURN IT INTO A FLOWER OASIS OF COURSE! AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I DID. DEE TOBIN SINHA

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 15

A HEALING GARDEN create your own healing garden by simply planting a container filled with colourful flowers, lots of scented herbs like oregano, thyme, basil, and lavender along with a nutritous and delicious vegetable garden.

PLANTS THAT SOOTHE THE SENSES WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 16

I love my garden

DEANNE TOBIN SINHA WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 17

MY LIFE ... MY SUCCESS BY MYRA RAYOS MYRA RAYOS CLEANING

IWAS BORN AND RAISED IN A

SMALL VILLAGE IN THE PHILIPPINES. MY FAMILY WAS VERY POOR AND I HAD TO START WORKING AT A VERY YOUNG AGE JUST TO ATTEND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. I WAS ABLE TO FINISH THANKS TO THE HELP OF MY FORMER TEACHER TURNED GODPARENT. I CONTINUED MY STUDIES IN HIGH-SCHOOL AND AT UNIVERSITY WHILE WORKING AS A LIVE IN HOUSE MAID HOUSE KEEPER. I WORKED DURING THE DAY AND STUDIED HARD AT NIGHT. ALTHOUGH THE STRESS EVENTUALLY BECAME TOO MUCH AND DIDN'T FINISH UNIVERSITY I DIDN'T STOP DREAMING...

MYRA RAYOS CLEANING SERVICES 819.230.8720 WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 18

MY LIFE ... MY SUCCESS BY MYRA RAYOS MYRA RAYOS CLEANING

FIRST TRAVELLED TO THAILAND WHERE I WORKED AS A NANNY BEFORE I BECAME A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER. WHILE WORKING IN THAILAND I MET MY NOW EXHUSBAND ON LINE. I THEN MOVED TO CANADA WITH HIM. WHILE HE COULD PROVIDE ME WITH EASE AND COMFORT I DIDN'T LIKE TO SIT AROUND AND DO NOTHING SO I FOUND NEW EMPLOYMENT IN MY BEAUTIFUL NEW COUNTRY. I WORKED FEVERISHLY AS A CLEANER IN A RETIREMENT HOME IN QUEBEC BUT WHEN I GOT PREGNANT I WAS INFORMED THAT I HAD TO LEAVE MY JOB DUE TO HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS USED TO CLEAN AND DISINFECT. AFTER GIVING BIRTH TO MY BEAUTIFUL NEW BABY I WORKED AGAIN AS A PART TIME AS A DAYCARE HELPER. IN ADDITION I BEGAN WORKING AS A HOUSE CLEANER WHICH WAS SOMETHING I ENJOYED AND WAS REALLY GOOD AT. WHILE I CONTINUED WORKING AS A DAYCARE PROVIDER MY NEW CLEANING COMPANY WAS GETTING BUSIER AND BUSIER.

WE OFFER A DEEP / DETAILED CLEANING SERVICE AND I SUPERVISE VERY CLOSELY WHILE ALSO ATTENDING TO THE COMPANIES ADMINISTRATION AND CLIENT RELATIONS SECTOR OF MY BUSINESS. I RIGOROUSLY TRAIN MY EMPLOYEES TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STANDARDS ARE AT THE HIGHEST AT ALL TIMES. I ALSO PRIDE MYSELF ON HELPING NEWCOMERS INTO CANADA BY HIRING THEM WHILE THEY ARE SETTLING INTO THEIR NEW COUNTRY WHILE WAITING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL FIELD. I AM A SINCERE, AND GRATEFUL PERSON WITH A HEART FULL OF LOVE. I FEEL THAT I HAVE ATTAINED SUCCESS AS I HAVE WORKED VERY HARD TO BE WHERE I AM TODAY. THIS HAS PUSHED ME TO SHARE MY GOOD FORTUNE BY FINANCIALLY HELPING SOME LESS FORTUNEATE CHILDREN BACK IN THE PHILIPINES.

MYRA RAYOS

MY CLIENTS WERE SO HAPPY WITH MY SERVICES THAT THEY STARTED RECOMMENDING ME TO THEIR FRIENDS, AND THEIE FRIENDS TO THEIR FRIENDS AND THATS HOW MYRAS CLEANING SERVICES WAS BORN. MY COMPANY HAS A SUBSTANTIAL CLIENT BASE AND THERE IS A WAITING LIST YEAR ROUND.

MYRA RAYOS CLEANING SERVICES 819.230.8720 WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 19

Leesa is talented, kind and an uplifting person. After meeting her, it started my journey to promote body positivity on social media and to encourage women to love themselves and who they are; to remind them that they’re self worth is not measured by the opinion of others. Leesa was a big part on how I found my confidence and purpose in this. So many women find joy during these sessions that they book a second shoot for the next year, including myself! I am so happy to now call this badass babe a friend and to support her growing talent! Xoxo

LEESA SUTHERLAND PHOTOGRAPHER LW IMAGING

Miss A.

THE

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PHOTOGRAPHY LOVE

AND

WANDERLUST

BOUDOIR

https://www.lwimaging.ca/ Click Link to go to Website WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 20

’

Hi! I m Leesa. I specialize in Boudoir and Wedding Photography, focusing on empowering ALL women no

matter

confident

their

level!

shape,

size,

believe

that

ethnicity every

and

woman

deserves to feel great about themselves and, as women, society tells us to be a certain way that can

’

condescending

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Leesa Sutherland Photographer

bheading

discouraging

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”.

I help with boosting the confidence levels of women and empowering them to see that there is no mold we need to fit into - just be yourself and that’s all that matters. If every woman was the same, it would be a super boring world. You are unique, you are beautiful and I show you that with my art! Having your photos professionally taken helps you see yourself in a different light and at different angles you may not normally look yourself in whole other way. I started my boudoir journey in 2017 when a friend of my husband asked me if I would be interested in doing some boudoir photos of my friend who had just had TWINS the year before. I was super nervous but excited and up for the challenge! I had never done boudoir photos before so it was all new to me! I did a whole bunch of research, looked up 100 million poses on Pinterest, asked fellow photographers for help on how to do it and tried to come up with some kind of plan. I showed up the day of the shoot and we had an absolute BLAST of a time! We even turned it into a COUPLES Boudoir session! It was so much fun, so beautiful and when I left, the whole drive home, I was BEAMING! I KNEW from that moment, I needed to do this - this was my calling! I ended up getting that session published and my boudoir journey took off. Over the past few years, I have photographed an empowered 50+ women and by the end of 2021, I will have photographed over 100+ women - even after we have been in lockdown and not being able to work for 6-8 months!

have helped SO many women start a self love journey after their sessions. I get comments all the time from women who see my photos saying “I wish I was confident enough to do a boudoir session”. Guess what? The confidence comes AFTER you do the session! Crazy right? One of my clients, Miss A we will call her, had this to say about her launch into her body positivity journey:

“Let me tell you about an amazing experience I had with the amazing person and talented photographer, Leesa Sutherland. For many years, I leesa suterland struggled with my body image as I was always on the more curvaceous photographer side of fashion and beauty standards portrayed in the fashion industry and media. This doesn’t always make body confidence or self love and easy task. Add on having two children which again changed my body with more scars and stretch marks as many women experience. About a year and a half after having my youngest daughter, I was invited by one of my closest friends to join Leesa’s Facebook group (Love and Wanderlust Boudoir || Badass Babes Club) which promoted boudoir but also is a group of women that empower each other and celebrate the small stuff. I was so moved by this that I took the leap in booking my first session with her. This is where the friendship began". WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 21

leesa sutherland photographer

Being women, our bodies go through so many changes so I encourage everyone to celebrate the skin they are in NOW and if you want to come back again when you reach a specific goal, DO IT! Boudoir is so much fun and not just about taking sexy photos to gift to your spouse celebrate you because you deserve to treat yourself! WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 22

She walked me through the entire process with a phone call and provided a brochure of how to prepare and get ready for a boudoir session with her, as well as recommendations for purchasing outfits, accessories and extra services. I was SO excited from that point on that I showed up to the shoot that morning with a closet worth of lingerie, accessories and shoes! During the session, Leesa helped me choose outfits and styled them and walked me through the posing and facial expressions by showing me what to do first; she was just overall the best hype woman you could ever expect to have!

Leesa Sutherland Love and Wanderlust Boudoir www.lwimaging.ca (click link to be directed to website) email: leesa@lwimaging.ca

o if you have been on the fence about having a boudoir session done, I encourage you to definitely try it! Boudoir is a luxury service and takes time to invest in, but remember, YOU ARE WORTH EVERY PENNY! Treat yourself! It’s a wonderful self care day and you get beautiful images to remember it by. But beware, once you do one, you get addicted and want to keep coming back for more! Celebrate all the difference changes our bodies go through as women. Planning on having kids? Take some photos before! Pregnant? Show off those stretch marks of growing a human! Just had a child? Celebrate what your body created! There are tons of reasons to do a boudoir session, but remember this, you are worth it.

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 23

Friends In Real Estate Sonya Crites & Lori Williams Article Written by Sonya Crites https://ottawapropertygals.com/ click link to go to website

ori and I have known each other for over 20 years and we both have children around the same ages.. 20 years old and 22 years old. I’m still convinced that I talked Lori into having her second so I feel fully responsible for her youngest Kenna, lol. I can still remember the conversation over 20 years ago when they were discussing if they should have a second baby.

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 24

Friends in Real Estate Sonya Crites & Lori Williams Lori got her license in 2010 and I followed shortly after in 2012. We both waited until our children were older as it was easier to begin in Real Estate knowing the time it took away from home and family. Although not to say we still didn’t feel the usual "Mom Guilt" as most mom’s that run a business do. However, the respect we get from our children from what we have achieved makes it all worth it. For myself, having 2 girls (now young women) I have always wanted them to see the power of what women can do and become. We can achieve anything if we put our minds to it and if we have great support and great people behind us. Over 10 years ago we both started out at Coldwell Banker First Ottawa. It was a great company to work for and to begin our careers. We worked separately yet always helped each other out until we realized that working together was way more fun, productive and would be beneficial for our clients. We then brainstormed and branded ourselves as the Ottawa Property Gals in 2013 and have been enjoying coffee, wine and real estate daily since then! (the name of our newsletter btw). The biggest advantage we find is that Clients get the benefit of having 2 experienced realtors on call and if one is busy showing homes, in this hot quick market, the other can still run out and show homes so that their buyers never miss an opportunity. Our sellers like that there are two of us marketing and selling their home.

We then joined Remax Absolute Realty in 2017 after meeting with the owner, Joanne Goneau. We realized the importance the Remax name has and the value it gives to our clients through brand recognition, our listings are reached across the world and in 100's of different languages and Remax is top in it's field with knowledgeable agents and continuous training. We love being a part of Remax and our office. In the past we have invited our clients to a fabulous Christmas event at our Bells Corners office with Free photos with Santa! I welcome you to check out our website and social media for past photos. Htpps://www.ottawapropertygals.com Giving back to our past & current clients, the community and fundraisers have been the core of our business. We focus on keeping in touch with our past clients and have been known to drop off small gifts, have a Thanksgiving Pie event every October to give a locally made pie to each of our clients, and a Huge giveaway draw at Christmas time. We have run fundraisers, basket giveaways for Ability First Ottawa, Ronald McDonald House and The Ottawa Food Cupboard plus a few others. During Covid we were involved with Giving Pizza’s to support workers at our Ottawa Senior Care Homes. Working within the community is extremely rewarding.

Sonya Crites & Lori Williams Click Below for Link

https://ottawapropertygals.com/

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 25

Friends in Real Estate Sonya Crites & Lori Williams

What makes us the Ottawa Property Gals? We work well together, both having strengths in different areas. While Lori works on the website, & getting systems in place I work on social media, FB ads for our listings and we both work together on marketing our listings and also finding the perfect home for our buyers. We both spend a great deal of time at stores (when we aren't in lockdown) such as Homesense, Urban Barn, Bouclair, Ikea and Stuctube shopping for staging items. Staging has become such an important part of listing a home. It really makes a difference on the amount a buyer decides their home is worth, so we decided to take courses and get our Staging Certification. Having a decent inventory of "light" staging items (blankets, pillows, bedding, artwork, mirrors, small chairs, small tables, decor items etc) we recently had to acquire a storage locker. We absolutely love helping our clients prepare their home for listing. The before and after is amazing and the comments from our sellers makes it all worth while! Most say they no longer want to leave!

Sonya Crites & Lori Williams Click Below for Link https://ottawapropertygals.com/

Here is what one client recently said... " As sellers' agents, they marketed our home in a way that highlighted its features and made it a stand-out property against the competition. Their staging services took our home to the next level. We were also impressed at how available and responsive they were to us, day or night, with any questions we had about the process. They really "got us" and understood the emotions that went into this move, while also not losing sight of the important financial aspect. We recommend the Ottawa Property Gals to anyone looking to buy or sell property in the Ottawa area." - Raquel & Grant (Barrhaven Home Sold). Working together as partners has really made our business 100 times better. We often hear others telling us they wish they could find the right person to work with. This is the hardest part. You need someone who has the same ideals, the same work ethic and similar goals. Someone you can trust and work well with. We are lucky to have the background of knowing each other for so long and after working individually for a while first we realized that teaming up was the best thing for us and for our clients. Not only do we have fun doing it but constantly learning and striving to get better together really is the ultimate achievement. When its not covid you can often see us holding "meetings" at local restaurants over a coffee or glass of wine. We hope someday that we can invite you along! Sonya Crites & Lori Williams Your Ottawa Property Gals. Xoxo https://ottawapropertygals.com/

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 26

BE GRATEFUL WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 27

MARTINE JAWORSKI LANDSCAPE DESIGNER After the year we’ve all been through, it’s time to think about hope and renewal - with the vaccine thank goodness, now available - and to look forward to seeing family and friends, and when permitted later, to enjoy meals and gatherings, laughter and conviviality together once again. How we miss all this! Landscape design is one of the currently permitted activities within Ontario Public Health recommendations (even in lockdown). So why not ask an experienced organic gardener and landscape designer to do a socially distanced visit? We can walk through your garden, masked and 6 feet apart, to chat about what you would like for your garden in the future. Here are some questions to consider: What functions would you like your garden to perform? What moods would you like to feel in your landscape? Are there garden styles (casual/lowmaintenance, naturalistic, mix of casual and formal, English, French, Oriental, South Asian, Mediterranean etc) that you really love? Can

you

combine

beauty

Can you have an enjoyable garden which is also environmentally conscious? Can you make your garden accessible to people of all ages, from the youngest of children to the most senior of family and friends, who might need some special consideration?

SUMMER GARDENING 2021! I have experience in garden consultations all over the city - from Britannia and Westboro in the west to Barrhaven in the south, to Orleans in the east, to Centretown and the Golden Triangle in the north. I’ve seen all sorts of garden soil (clay, silt, sand) and many types of sun exposure (enjoyable morning sun, hot noon and afternoon sun, beautiful western sunsets, partly sunny and partly shady areas, lightly and deeply shaded areas). Whatever your location, your garden’s natural assets can be enhanced, and you, your family and your guests’ enjoyment greatly increased.

and

practicality in your garden?

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 28

SUMMER GARDENING 2021! TREES AND LARGE SHRUBS can be planted anytime in April or May. Smaller shrubs and perennials should wait until all frost danger is over (just in case there is an unexpected late May frost, to avoid the danger of frost heaving of their delicate, smaller roots). Annuals shouldn’t be set out till mid-to-late May, in case we have a late cold spell with temperatures above freezing but below 0 5 C (according to the old-timers, don’t put out annuals until the Victoria Day weekend).

Martine Jaworksi It’s hard to wait that long, but it’s the wisdom of many years of experience from a lot of Ottawa area gardeners. If you’re not sure where to plant your tree (it’s a big decision after all!), have a landscape designer come to your garden to give you advice about the best varieties for you and your garden.

Happy

Gardening! WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 29

SUMMER GARDENING 2021 BY MARTINE JAWORSKI

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 30

Enjoy Every Moment...And Smell the Flowers

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 31

OUTER

HEALTH A

MICHELLE LEBLANC WARDROBE CONSULTANT https://www.outerhealth.ca/ click link to be directed to website

s the founder, I have finally found a way to blend my passions into one and present it to you on this platform. For those who don’t know me, my name is Michelle. I am Ottawa based and this organization is a product of a lifetime of questioning, observing and developing the self through style, psychology and professional development. I can’t imagine a better time to bring this project to life. I feel like the world needs it, and YOU need it! People have never been more in need of self-care than they do now. There are many ways to do this, I choose to help people by guiding them to their best selves from the outside in. -Michelle LeBlanc Owner

Psychology-based wardrobe stylist services for personal and professional growth WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 32

michelle leblanc Research + Pre-Select Online research for quality brands that suit the client's style and budget as well as clothing preselection for effortless and guided shopping.

Virtual Closet Assessment Online closet assessment for small to mid-size closets. The stylist will go through wardrobe items and determine if garments are suitable for keep and can be mixed & matched to achieve a functional, elevated look. Stylist and client will discuss wardrobe direction and vision with guidance on how to achieve the desired look. Virtual Style Guide Style guide creation to provide a great vision and direction to the desired wardrobe and look.

Specific Services/Add-ons

Research + Pre-Select ($65/hr) Closet Cleanse ($150) Large Closet Cleanse ($300) Virtual Closet Assessment ($95) Personal Shopping ($65/hr) VIP Personal Shopping ($95/hr) Virtual Style Guide ($85) Assisted Visit with Tailor (add on) Gift Card (free) https://www.outerhealth.ca/ click link to be directed to website

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 33

FUN & FLIRTY THE PERFECT SUMMER DRESS

photo courtesy of leesa sutherlandLW IMAGING

DEE

TOBIN

SINHA

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 34

s you all know I love dress up. I love styling my hair, putting on some makeup and taking pics. This playtime makes me feel pretty and confident. It is something that I was never comfortable with when I was younger. I now embrace who I am and have fun with my feminine side :-)

A playing

REALLY

LOVE

PHOTO COURTESY OF LEESA SUTHERLAND LW IMAGING

ENJOYING MY NEW READ "STRONG" BY LISA BEVERE. I AM LOVING THIS BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN BOOK!

"ME

TIME",

HAVING A VERY BUSY LIFE WITH WORK, KIDS, MY DESIGN BUSINESS PLUS THIS EXCITING NEW MAGAZINE VENTURE, IT IS CRUCIAL TO TAKE TIME JUST FOR ME! JUST

SOME

SIMPLE

DOWNTOWN.

READING IS ONE OF THOSE HOBBIES IN WHICH I TRULY EMBRACE, ALONG WITH GARDENING OF COURSE!

PHOTO COURTESY OF LEESA SUTHERLAND LW IMAGING WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 35

REFRESH AND REVITALIZE

THE IMPORTANCE OF

ME TIME

t's about being present with yourself ; mind and body me time is the conscious effort of taking (much needed) time to recharge your batteries... because whether we believe it or not, our mind and body are connected, and for our mind and body to function optimally, they need to be in sync.

e need me time now more than ever, We, as women, are nurturers. We take care of others. It's our nature. It's who we are. It is natural for us to do for others first before we do for ourselves. It is our selfless act that we carry with us until the end. We feel good about taking care of others, it makes us feel accomplished, proud, and satisfied when others are happy, content. This selfless act however does sometimes come with it's own repercussions. We sometimes forget to take care of ourselves. And if we don't take care of ourselves our mental suffers and we then have a tendency to ignore the signs of needding help ourseves.

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 36

SELF CARE

By practicing self-care, we give ourselves a chance to step away and breathe, thus avoiding burnout. Because, face it, it's not just physical energy and stamina that are threatened by doing too much for too long - it's also focus and mental acuity.

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 37

FINDING YOUR VOICE

I I

remember as a little girl feeling so scared and helpless, so confused.

felt

very

vulnerable

toxic

environment.

chaos

that

surrounded me on a daily basis. I remember thinking "this is not normal is it? It can't be. I mean, I go to my friends' homes to hang out and their families seem pretty happy, pretty normal. I mean we never know what goes on behind closed doors of course but my friends (which I only

Fast forwarding to married life with kids I knew I still had issues with self confidence. It was obvious when a new member joined our family . I knew I was in for a world of hurt the moment the engagement was announced. It was like a bomb had dropped. I knew this person was not going to be kind to me. I knew it from the very first

day

met.

This

person

was

belligerent,

judgemental,,

had a couple of trusted ones) were quite happy and they told me

opinionated, and very condescending. She seemed to enjoy putting me everything as best friends do right?

down in front of others, not acknowledging my existence in a room full of people, making fun of my Newfoundland dialect My

home

life

was

pretty

awful.

Well

that

definitely

and judging

me for what I did for a living. understatement. It was highly dysfunctional to say the least. I mean, I lived on eggshells on a daily basis. I was in a constant state of fight or flight. She was always screaming for some reason or another.

I usually

had no clue why or about what. She was usually freaking out or crying about something that someone "did" to her. I got used to it of course. I

Of course later I also concluded that this person was very insecure. It made her feel good when she put others down. It is a well known fact that those people who condescend and bully others get a high

got used to living that way. Did I have anxiety that was off the charts?

from that behaviour as it makes them feel superior to those people

Oh yeah! I was always on edge, always nervous and in a constant state of

in which they bully.

angst.

I knew it was going to be a hard road ahead, having to deal with this Now, years later, I realize that this woman, my mother, definitely had mental health issues. There is no doubt in my mind. I mean, having mental issues is very difficult to say the least, there is no doubt about that. but it is especially difficult when the person suffering from these issues is being verbally and emotionally abusive to those around her.

bully. and it was. It definitely was. Until one day, however. The day I found courage, the day I stood up to her. The day I found my voice. It was liberating to say the least. I actually stood up for myself. Well actually it was in defence of someone else, someone who I held dear to my heart. I stood up for this person , defended him with my whole heart and I actually made her cry. I mean, I made her cry?

Back then, when I was a child, a teenager, I always felt as if I was doing

Who knew? This bully had tears. She felt something. Well what she something wrong. I didn't understand why she was always mad at me,

felt was probably defeat. I actually stood up to her and she was always yelling at me. Of course the fact that I was super close to my

absolutely shocked. She seemed confused and very surprised. I had Dad, a man that she despised, didn't help my case whatsoever. It was a very bitter divorce.

A divorce that has scarred me for life. My Dad,

however, was always the light in my life, and still is today. He is not perfect by any means but then who is right? The difference is that he always had and still has my best interest at heart and always has good intentions, and loves me for me. I knew from a very young age that my Dad

was

the

"better"

parent.

wasn't

rocket

science.

unconditionally. He is always there for me no matter what.

loves

never said a word to her about her bullying and condescending behaviours before so of course she was dumbfounded. Did I feel

’

good? You re damn right I did. You see, everyone in this family was scared of this girl. They are scared to death to say anything to her. We certainly didn't want to upset the bully. How dare us!!!

For those

simple reasons, I hold my Dad very close to my heart

This was a life changing experience for me. It took a lot to stand up to this person,

Finding

voice

was

liberating.

felt

strong;

courageous. I felt as if the skies had opened up. I wasn't afraid This toxic environment that I endured for many years unfortunately would play a big part in how I went forward as a young adult and a grown woman. My early days being treated so poorly had a profound effect on who I became and how I dealt with certain situations, and with certain personalities.

anymore. I was so proud of myself. I took a stand. A stand that made me feel fearless. I had definitely put her in her place and she knew that

going

forward

that

Dee

was

not

going

tolerate

her

belligerent ways any longer.

I did not handle adversity well at all. I always

had difficulty standing up for myself , standing up against these bullies,

Standing up for yourself is probably one of the most important these belligerent personalities. It caused a lot of grief for me, and my

things you can do for YOU! It will not only make you feel strong, it self confidence suffered significantly because of being emotionally and

will make you feel proud,

Standing up for yourself will also gain

verbally abused as a young girl. I didn't like who I was, who I became. That scared little girl was still there. Scared to stand up for herself. Not thinking that I was ever good enough or worth anybody's time or effort

constantly

haunted

me.

struggled

with

those

type

personalities. I was bullied myself as a child by my own Mother and that affected me beyond my understanding.

you

the

respect

that

you

deserve.

Respect

beyond

your

wildest

dreams. Confidence is a very powerful tool. Always remember that bullies bully the weak, the ones who are timid, quiet, sweet, and shy. The ones who have a heart full of love and just want to be loved; the vulnerable. So stay strong and believe in yourself because you are amazing. You are worth it. You are beautiful! AND YOU ROCK!

I AM SO PROUD OF ME!

LOTS OF LOVE DEE xo

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 38

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 39

Hi. My name is JoAnne Falls. I want to tell you more about the health benefits of massage therapy, but, first MASSAGE let me tell you a bit about me and how I THERAPY started on my journey to becoming a JoAnne Marie Falls, R.M.T. massage therapist. Being a mom of four, with a mortgage, car payment and bills to pay and no job and no income, I was faced with a big decision...where do I go from here?...

was born and raised in St. John's, NFLD, currently living and treating in Eastern Passage, NS. I am a mom of four and two fur babies. Yes, a very busy home but I wouldn't change it for the world. I had been in retail and customer service for 26 years. When I turned 41 I was laid off from a job I had been doing for 7 years. It wasn't my dream job, so, not a big loss. it turned my world upside down however. Being a mom of four, with a mortgage, car payment and bills to pay and no job and no income I was faced with a big decision...where do I go from here?... I booked myself in for a massage during the time I was laid off and after that massage I couldn't believe how much stress I was holding in my shoulders/neck. The tension headaches were stress and anxiety so I decided to continue with regular treatments. During the treatments I would have conversations with the massage therapist about massage therapy, how long schooling was etc., I thought to myself, “how good this has made me feel” and I love helping people, what better way to provide a service. I truly felt the universe was telling me this is what you need to do. Corny....I know, but I was 41 and I did not want to be stuck in another 9-5, minimum wage and working weekends at a dead end job again, I had to do something, so why not massage therapy.

Joanne Falls R.M.T joannemfalls@gamil.com 902.402.0008

After two years of school, 2200 hours of training. I finally accomplished my dream and it was time for graduation day. It was my 43rd birthday and I couldn't have been more proud of myself for completing this program. I was on my way to helping others feel better and to reap the benefits of this amazing and life changing treatment of integrative medicine. As a Massage Therapist not only do I provide Massage Therapy for my clients I also receive Massage Therapy for myself on a regular basis....why? Because of the many benefits it provides.

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 40

MASSAGE

JoAnne Marie Falls, R.M.T

THERAPY

Most of the time we don't take the time for ourselves; whether it is therapeutic or just relaxation. Is it because we just simply don't make the time or feel we don't have the time. One of the biggest reasons I've experienced in my career is most people are intimidated by the thought of being on a table “exposed” with a stranger touching them which makes it extremely awkward and uncomfortable and easier to just avoid massage altogether. • Massage is not just a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself, it is a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being; whether you have a specific health condition or are just looking for a stress reliever. Research indicates that massage is effective in managing: • sub acute/chronic low back pain – whether it is a dull ache to a stabbing or shooting sensation; the pain makes it difficult to move or stand up straight • delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) – stiff, aching muscles 24 hours after exercising. • anxiety – nervousness, restlessness, tense • stress – chest pain, headaches • soft tissue injuries - sprains, strains, contusions, tendinitis and bursitis • high blood pressure - hypertension • insomnia – sleep disorder One of the immediate benefits of massage is a feeling of deep relaxation and calm. Some of the physical benefits of massage include: • reduced muscle tension • improved circulation • stimulation of the lymphatic system • reduction of stress hormones • relaxation • increased joint mobility and flexibility • improved recovery of soft tissue injuries • reduced anxiety and depression.

What do I love about my job? There are so many things I do love about what I do....everyday is different. I do set my own hours, spend quality time with my family and continue to do the things I enjoy. I feel valued as a massage therapist. But, what I love most is I could make a difference in someone else's life! I remember how much I looked forward to my monthly massage and how great I felt afterwards. I was able to continue my daily activities pain free, an immediate decrease in pain/tension in my muscles. A feeling of well-being. We really don't stop to think of the impact muscle soreness, headaches, not sleeping etc; can do to our moods and how it can affect our daily lives. When in pain we are miserable and tend to take it out on our co-workers and loved ones without even realizing it. I help people everyday and I can say “there's really no greater feeling to have in life!! There are many Different types of massage, here are just a few: • myotherapy • remedial • lymphatic drain • aromatherapy • reflexology • shiatsu • sports Therapeutic massage is one of the most popular forms of massage, this technique is designed to promote relaxation and improve blood circulation. I hope this article will inspire you to give massage therapy a second thought; and if you are already enjoying the many benefits of massage therapy - good for you!!! Massage therapy really is one of the many great benefits offered to us today, and so many different types of massage therapy available to suit our particular needs. We only have one body and if we don't take care of it or our health, we are not good to anyone!

Yours in Health, JoAnne Marie Falls, R.M.T.

joannemfalls@gmail.com 902.402.0008

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 41

CHECK OUT YOUR OWN BEAUTIFUL PROVINCE FOR INSPIRING LOCAL ADVENTURES. STAYING CLOSE TO HOME CAN ALSO BE VERY EXCITING! CANADA HAS SO MUCH BEAUTY WITHIN! HAVE FUN AND STAY SAFE! WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 42

VACATION IS A MUST - a reset is in order! By Dee Sinha

Coming out of the Pandemic! Time to start your planning!

Well…Here we are, two years later. Vaccines have been rolling out for a few months now, lockdown measures are easing up, and we are seeing friends and family again in limited capacity. Restaurants have patio’s open; we can go into stores and buy stuff again beyond food and toilet paper. WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 43

VACATION IS A MUST By Dee Sinha

So, what’s next? Summer is here and we are stircrazy. We need to get out of the house. Far away from the house. We all want, need, crave, and dream of…a VACATION!! But let’s slow down, we’re not there yet (sigh).We are close, but…not…there… yet. Countries all over the world also want travelers coming across their borders, and spread the much-needed tourist dollars to their commerce, to fill the streets with fun and laughter, to bring much needed services back to restaurants, shops, concerts, parks, beaches, hotels, you name it. But it will be a slow, and rightfully so, careful process. No one wants this horrible thing to start spreading once again with mutations and variants (sounds like a Zombie movie I know!)

So, we still dream of getting our bags packed, getting on a plane, and jetting off to a sunny destination to enjoy the uncoiling of two years of pent-up tension. It’s just around the corner, but… not…there…yet. We are into July, the sun is out, the weather is warm, but travel is still tough. So what do we do? How can we have a vacation, can we still enjoy our time outside and enjoy our time while we wait out the final phases of this pandemic? The answer is YES! We can still enjoy the local world around us.

If you have kids, remember, they don’t really care WHERE they vacation, as long as they can run, swim, eat hot dogs, and stay up late.That can be done anywhere. Planning a day trip to a nearby beach in your area is easy, most of them are open and expect you to follow protocol. We have all gotten used to wearing masks, so that’s no big deal. In fact, my 6 year old finds it quite normal these days. He finds it odd NOT to wear one. Sad fact of life, but this shows how resilient the younger generation is.

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 44

VACATION IS A MUST By Dee Sinha

Plan a picnic, pack some of your favourite, portable foods, and find a local park that has lots of green space. Bring a frisbee, soccer ball, latch your bikes to your car, and away you go. Closer to home, I mean your backyard, there is always the option of turning the sprinkler on for the kids, sitting on your deck, and having a barbeque with 80’s rock playing on your Bluetooth.

We can now have friends over, so make this a priority, invite a small circle (whatever protocol allows) and enjoy a meal on the patio. One of our fun things to do for a vacation at home, is to find a Youtube channel for a specific travel destination (such as Hawaii), and make some snacks that lend themselves to the region you are exploring remotely on your TV. For Hawaii, it’s Hawaiian Pizza Bites, Pineapple smoothies, Ice cones, coconut cookie bite, and of course, the Blue Hawaii cocktail (LOL).

We are all waiting anxiously for travel to be opened up and Vacation to start in earnest. It seems so far away, but if we ALL follow protocol, get our vaccines, respect each other, and stay positive, we will soon be booking flights with those stagnant Aeroplan points we have been collecting for two years, and probably have a million of ‘em with all the Amazon packages we bought LOL! The future is bright. I plan to pack my bags for a trip as soon as this is all over. Vacation is a must for anyone’s mental health.

A reset is in order… And just around the corner!

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 45

surviving first year university online Life During COVID!

by Olivia Sinha

have to say, it was really unfortunate that I did not get to experience my first year on campus. I heard so many amazing and exciting things about life after graduating throughout my six years of being in highschool , we were all eager and anxious to graduate and live the life of an independent student. However, around March of 2020, the first stay at home order crept up on us, leading me to finishing my last year of high-school online. Prom was cancelled, graduation was in our own backyards, and getting to celebrate with high-school friends was out of the question. My family made this time as special as possible for me as it has often been deemed “the most important parts of life” by society, and I will be forever grateful for getting to spend those special times with them at home.

Fast forward some time, I was beginning my first year...on my laptop in my room. Eventually, school online became the norm. I had noticed that my work ethic has decreased, as all my work was at my fingertips and I’m the type of person that needs to interact with people to learn and enjoy what I am doing. The feeling of waking up, rolling over and grabbing my laptop while I was half asleep in the morning, was not something that pushed me to work as hard as I could. I missed out on opportunities to gain the independence that was talked about since grade seven, and to keep a healthy routine. Having everything located on one device quickly became overwhelming.

It was a lot harder to get immediate feedback from my teachers, and this is because I think due to online learning they must have had hundreds of emails to answer everyday from students just like me.

I do believe however that if I was forced to be in an interactive setting, I would’ve made friends for sure. I would’ve been reintroduced to doing that and it would have been good for me.

On the contrary, my personality has always been somewhat introverted. Making friends is something I don’t do frequently because I am comfortable and satisfied with those in my life currently. I am myself around them and can be fully comfortable all of the time. Therefore, I didn’t feel that I was entirely missing out on gaining a big friend group or something like that through an in-person university experience.

All in all, it was an experience that had its pros and cons for sure. I am truly looking forward to getting back onto campus and getting myself used to socializing again! It was a wild ride, lots of stress, but it was also time that I got to spend at home with my family which I will always be so thankful for. However, I’m now looking forward to somewhat of a normal life again with the vaccines coming out, being able to go out with my friends and family, and finally getting that university experience as a whole!

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 46

STAY STRONG AND KEEP SMILING! WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 47

INNER VOICE by: eva wong

As my little girl had just turned 4, she is more engrossed in Disney Princess characters. I grew up watching a handful of them and used to enjoy them without thinking too much about what and who they represented. Who would want to be Sleeping Beauty or Snow White anyways? However, a true love’s kiss always sounded so magical and highly romanticized by Disney. Out of all the classic Disney princesses, I struggle most with the character of the Little Mermaid, Ariel. While Snow White and Sleeping Beauty were obvious in that they required the saving of their Princes, Ariel was a mermaid who dreamed about life beyond her ocean. I loved how she secretly hid all of her beautiful shiny objects in her little underwater cave., and she had Flounder and Sebastian as her sick kicks.

don’t

want

daughter

When she saved the drowning Prince Eric after his ship was destroyed by a storm she gave up her voice to go on this quest to find the Prince and seal the deal with a kiss. How brave and naïve was that? She gave up her voice, left her home to find someone she only met ever so briefly and decided that he was her true love? I really hate how I used to love this story, because of how daring and different she was. Now I could only look at Ariel as a naive child who gave up her own voice to make some prince fall in love with her. The underlying message of a girl’s sacrifice to be with her true love is just so real. What Disney never touched on was how they lived happily ever after. Do they? Most royalties are covertly narcissistic and how does a princess from the ocean adjust to that lifestyle? The “Ursula” is usually the self-serving person who wants something for themselves while taking away your voice and ability to be who you are. “Ursulas” are everywhere in your workplace, in society and in your life, and the most debilitating ones usually live with you. During my marriage, I had lost myself by putting my dreams on pause to help someone else achieve his dreams. When I finally realized what was truly missing, I was guilt-tripped for being selfish for wanting something for myself.

have

they

give

who

chase

else’s

attention

validations,

most

one

ever

someone

love,

not

anyone’s

are

after

especially

giving

precious

can

have

the

thing

voice.

I don’t want my daughter or anyone’s daughters to ever have to give up who they are to chase after someone else’s love, attention or validations, especially not by giving up the most precious thing one can have - a voice. When you start listening to your positive inner voice, you are following your purpose in life. Sometimes we search high and low for something that was given to us from the very beginning of time. Our divine purpose is ingrained in us if we listen without resistance or chase after what others expect of us. WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 48

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 49

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

DIY PROJECTS by: Christianne Roy

The pride and satisfaction I feel when admiring one of my DIY projects is motivation enough to plan the next one! To be able to say: “I did that” is worth the number of hours I devote to my projects. Remember Thomas the Tank Engine that said “I think I can I think I can”? Well, that's the same thing I tell myself. When I have a vision, I turn my engine on! I feel empowered when I give new life to something old, abandoned or just neglected. I plan my DIY projects the same way I plan my trips: I consider my budget, the best way get to my destination, the things I absolutely want to see and how I will benefit from the trip. Having recently moved into a 50 year old house gives me countless opportunities to use my imagination and skills to update, build, decorate and renovate. And all those COVID imposed lockdowns are certainly giving me time to turn my visions into DIY projects. I get inspired by nicely decorated rooms and nice objects I see in magazines. I challenge myself into achieving those expensive looks at a fraction of the cost. Renovating a piece of furniture gives me a sense of achievement. It enables me to play with colours and textures. I once bought 4 kitchen chairs at Value Village for $25.00. They were old (stamped Ikea made in Italy, 1989) and in their original condition. They looked solid but in need of a facelift. After changing the foam, reupholstering the seats and spraying the frames with a few coats of black paint they now look brand new and are the perfect match to my table. WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 50

recently renovated a bathroom. It included putting new flooring, new wall tiles, new lighting, a fresh coat of paint and some wallpaper. Watching “how to” videos made by professionals convinced me that my idea of tiling over tiles and putting new floor over an existing one was feasible. I had never tiled an entire wall before but I figured if I can spread icing on a cake, I can spread adhesive and grout ceramic tile. I had never cut vinyl planks before but if I can carve a turkey with an electric knife I can use a jigsaw to cut the planks. I'll admit that before starting, I stood in the doorway of the bathroom many times and wondered if I could really renovate it all by myself. And every time I ended up saying “I think I can, I think I can”. I planned the demo, the installation and the decoration. I shopped around for the best prices for my material and I made sure I knew how to use the tools I needed. I was able to do the project without having to call for help. Visualizing the end result was motivating. It's the challenges that I overcame that made me so proud of myself for believing that I could tackle such a project. Now, just about every time I walk by the bathroom, I stop, look at it and pat myself on the back for a job well done. But most of all, I'm so glad I believed in myself. I want to be pleased with the end result and be proud to show my work. Not working for anyone but myself takes a lot of pressure off. Not all of my DIY projects are challenging but they're all fulfilling. Whether it's building a wall wine rack, making a firepit or updating a staircase railing with a coat of paint, they all contribute to giving a purpose to my everyday life and they embellish my surroundings. Some projects are physically demanding, like hauling stones for a firepit (!) while others are more therapeutic. Painting for instance is very calming while building is more gratifying. Whatever the effort, they both leave me with a real sense of accomplishment and pride. When I step back to look at my work, I'm reminded that I need very little to bring happiness into my daily life, especially during these challenging times.

I'm always amazed to see how surprised people are that I venture into so many different projects all by myself. What's so surprising about it? Their reactions actually motivate me to keep going. They fuel my fire! No one should be surprised that Women Rock! My next DIY? Painting my brick house! I have the ladder, the roller and... the vision. What more do I need? Oh yes, the paint! I can't wait to start that project. Christianne Roy WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 51

DEE'S DECADENT DEISGNS

DRAOBYROTS WOMEN WOMENROCK ROCKMAGAZINE MAGAZINE: 52 38

HOME STAGING WORKS!! REMEMBER... you don't get a second chance to make a first impression!

https://www.deesinhadesign.com/ - (click link to go to website)

BEAUTIFULLY STAGED DOWNTOWN OTTAWA CONDO!!

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 53

BARRHAVEN CONDO STAGED AND SOLD IN 1 WEEK!

implementing textures in a space helps to add interest while setting the tone of the room.

it's all about family time!

a suburban condo gets a downtown makeover! https://www.deesinhadesign.com/ - (click link to go to website)

a cozy intimate breakfast bar. WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 54

a mixture of blues and earth tones makes for a very cozy and grounded feel.

a room to dream in!

mixing geometric shapes with a beautiful camel leather sofa brings sophistication with a contemporary flair!

https://www.deesinhadesign.com/ - (click link to go to website)

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 55

WORKING IN STYLE

a cozy corner gets a manhatten makeover A MIXTURE OF TEXTURES HELP TO BOAST THE BEAUTY OF THIS HOME OFFICE SPACE. A COMBINATION OF LINEN FABRICS, SILK FLOWERS, AND HARDWOODS MAKES FOR A VERY INVITING AND COMFY PLACE TO FOCUS. WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 56

implementing rustic accessories to mimic the beautiful antique feel of this gorgeous eye catching chest of drawers is paramount!

AN ANTIQUE TO DIE FOR ok, so I always have a before pic of my treasured antique dressers but for some strange reason and mishap I deleted the pic of this one. This is one of my all time favourite pieces and one of my most treasured discoveries. This beauty was in pretty rough shape when I found her. I worked feverishly to reinvent her. I polished the hardware, glued one of the drawers back together, reattached one of the legs, lightly sanded the whole piece and then chalk painted it in a beautiful pure white. I did so however to achieve a slight antique rustic finish so as you could see the wood grain come through ever so lightly.

WOMEN ROCKMAGAZINE 57

Custom-made Gift Baskets in Ottawa, Ontario. There are multiple ways to express your gratitude or appreciation for loved ones, employees, and business partners- presenting gifts is one of them. If you're not a big fan of traditional key chains, hats, and other "usual" presents, a gift basket might just be the perfect solution.

Not Just Baskets started almost 19 years ago. Two sisters with 3 kids in tow. What were we thinking? Now many years later, with kids from College age to grade one, we still count our blessings. It started with one gift package hand delivered to family and honestly that feeling that we had when that little basket was wrapped up in cello and a pretty bow- I don't know if we were happier or the recipient. We were just so proud of that little creation! Not Just Baskets grew from there and then eventally to our online gift basket store notjustbaskets.com

CHARLENE GROOTJANS NOT

JUST

BASKETS

www.notjustbaskets.com click link to go to website

SWEETEST THING GIFT BASKET

RELAXING GIFT BASKET

The idea that it's 'not just a basket' . We wanted to deliver a gift that sends your warm wishes for a birthday, graduation, holiday or just because...It's also true that we like to create inspiring gifts in keepsake containers, bags, boxes as well. We wanted to make something that we would like to receive ourselves and also to provide value for what our customer is purchasing. It's not uncommon for us to snap a picture of the gift purchase and send to our customer so they know what they are buying.

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 58

NOT

JUST

BASKETS

When we first started it was really only flower companies that were delivering well wishes. Flowers are lovely but we also wanted to create something different to provide other options. Design something more personal and hand deliver to their door. Over the years we have so much fun creating inspiring ideas and putting our gift baskets on our site. Customers can visit our webstore and make their selection, pick the delivery date and send a personal note to the recipient. We also love to custom create or add a personal touch. If someone wants to add a favourite magazine or a special toy for the kids or a game card, no problem. That's what makes it even more fun for us. This is why we started this. The options are endless. Some of our creations on our site have even been inspired by our own customers. This past year we have been fortunate to work with many local companies who purchased gifts for their employees working from home. From celebratory company milestones to virtual get-togethers we have been fortunate to be a part of these connections. We are blessed to have developed relationships with a lot of local and Canadian vendors and are constantly seeking out these new business relationships. The power in our community is strong! So many hard working entrepeneurs and so many women entrepeneurs. It's inspiring to see and be a part of that. Women supporting women. Local supporting local. click link to go to website

https://notjustbaskets.com/

CHARLENE GROOTJANS Each gift package that we create is thoughtfully hand picked and packaged in our home office. We are part of everything from start to finish. From sourcing out our gift items to creating the 'basket' , wrapping it up and the hand written personal card. We have learned so much over the years. We have made mistakes, learned from them. Learned to let it go. Start again and we push each other through it. Working with family is the strongest bond. We have shared the same sorrows and losses but it also brings you closer together. We come from a family that has always worked hard. Our parents instilled this in us from an early age. A strong work ethic. We never said we were bored at home. If we did there was always something to do. I think the difference for us today that maybe our parents didn't have is that we got to choose what we do. We love the long hours because we love what we do! When the kids are running around playing mini sticks and asking for a snack and we are standing in a small home office surrounded with boxes and boxes of product we just look at each other and either out of exhaustion or panick we sometimes just break out in hysterics and say this is all worth it. Our kids range in age from College to grade one, so there will be a lot more chaos in the future and work around hockey and soccer games WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 59

COTTAGE LIFE By Stephanie Darby Coombs

fter a long, hard, busy week at work, the thought of getting away from it all is on everyone’s mind. Some head to the campground, some take it easy in their own backyard, and then there are people like us... like my husband and myself who like to drive three hours away, to REALLY get away from it all. WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 60

any people say we are crazy, and perhaps they are right. I won’t disagree. As business owners, we spend five days a week serving the public, and while we love our work and appreciate all our loyal customers—grateful for their support of our small local business—time away from our hectic lives is not just a luxury. It’s a necessity. So, every second week we crave the escape to our small piece of paradise in central Newfoundland; to sit on our wharf— our deck is still in the making—and gaze upon the tranquil lake on which our beautiful A-frame cottage sits. After tedious packing, and sometimes tiresome driving, when we finally arrive, the effort to get there is always worth it. Once we step out of our truck, smell the fresh woodsy scented air, and hear the wonderful refreshing silence, suddenly relief washes over our bodies like a hot shower. We can feel the pressure drop from our shoulders to the dirt at our feet. It is like being struck with a magic wand, our fairy godmother giving us two days reprieve to just leave all else behind—the work, the kids, the laundry, and relax in a whole different world.

COTTAGE LIFE By Stephanie Darby Coombs Out at our cottage in the country, we can focus on the simplicities of life, whether it’s chopping firewood, cleaning flowerbeds, or just taking a ride in our old 1967 Sea-Ray speed boat that we refurbished ourselves. We love the water, both looking at it, and playing in too. On a hot summer’s day, out at the cottage we don’t feel guilty about leaving dishes in the sink as we lay back on the wharf, soaking in the suns rays, and then splashing in the water to cool off. All guilt is left behind when we head to the cottage, along with credit card bills and dust bunnies. At our getaway, we choose to do what we want to do, not what we have to do. What I have described here is our personal little slice of heaven, the place where we like to run to wind down and clear our heads from the chaos that builds up there from our crazy busy lives as parents and business owners. But let’s face it, everybody needs a break. If you are a working mom, you know exactly what I am talking about. When Friday comes, you need to order takeout for the family, pour up a glass of wine and leave all those dishes in the sink for the morning. You deserve to forget about the mess for a few hours, to sit outside and smell fresh cut grass, and admire the flowerbeds you have worked on so hard to look good. They are not just for curb appeal; they are for you too.

Our Shorline WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 61

COTTAGE LIFE

By Stephanie Darby Coombs You need to take time (not make time, since you can never “make” time) to sit back and enjoy those flowers, and to relax in your own space. Stretch out your legs out on that lounger that still looks brand new, and read a novel or a good magazine. Forget all the other chores in your house that you should be doing, and take a little time on the weekend to do a few things that you want to be doing. Go for a walk, or a hike, or a half-hour drive to get an ice cream cone with your husband....It is possible; with just a little discipline, you can do it. Everyone deserves a break, to take some time just for them after a long, hard week. And it is possible to take that break without even leaving your doorstep. Look around you, around your home or yard, and perhaps you too can find your own little piece of heaven. You don’t actually have to drive three hours away to get to it. That may just be for crazy people like us.

Ahhh....

Kayaking Anyone??

Paradise WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 62

home sweet home CATCH SOME WAVES IN BEAUTIFUL NEWFOUNDLAND

MY DAD AND I ENJOYING TOPSAIL BEACH NEWFOUNDLAND (PRE COVID)

BEAUTY ON THE ROCK

my heart is home

article by dee tobin sinha I KNEW THE DAY I DEPARTED MY BEAUTIFUL HOMELAND I WOULD MISS IT TREMENDOUSLY. I REMEMBER CRYING MY HEART OUT AS SOON AS I BOARDED THE PLANE. I THOUGHT "WHAT AM I DOING?" HOW AM I GOING TO SURVIVE?" I WASN'T ONLY LEAVING THIS GORGEOUS PROVINCE OF WHERE I GREW UP, I WAS LEAVING MY AMAZING DAD, MY MENTOR, A MAN THAT MEANS THE WORLD TO ME. I FELT LOST, EMPTY BUT SOMEHOW EXCITED AS WELL. I MEAN I ALWAYS WANTED TO EXPLORE THE WORLD AND HERE WAS MY CHANCE. I ALWAYS HAD AN ADVENTUROUS SIDE . I AWAYS FELT THAT THERE WAS MORE TO SEE OUT THERE, MORE TO EXPLORE. IT'S A BIG WORLD AND I NEEDED TO GET OUT THERE AND SEE IT FOR MYSELF. WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 63

Jelly bean row houses A true example of the colourful people of Newfoundland!

WENTY FOUR YEARS LATER I AM STILL MISSING MY HOME, MORE THAN EVER. I MISS MY DAD TREMENDOUSLY. I MEAN IT HAS BEEN 24 YEARS! I HAVE SEEN SOME BEAUTIFUL PARTS OF THE WORLD. I'VE LIVED MOST OF MY LIFE IN ONTARIO BUT NOTHING COMPARES TO MY HOME, MY PEOPLE , MY CULTURE, AND THE ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS PICTURESQUE SCENERY OF BEAUTIFUL NEWFOUNDLAND. IT'S FUNNY HOW THE SAYING GOES "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'VE GOT TIL IT'S GONE?" I NOW KNOW THE TRUE MEANING OF THIS!

Cabot Tower situated on beautiful Signal Hill. A building to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot's discovery of Newfoudland.

BREATHTAKING BEAUTY

I CAN'T WAIT TO BE HOME AGAIN, I WILL EMBRACE EVERY PART OF MY HOMELAND, EXPLORE EVERY INCH OF THIS STUNNING LAND AND TREASURE EVERY MOMENT WITH MY DAD, MY FAMILY, AND MY BEAUTIFUL FRIENDS; FRIENDS THAT STATE THE TRUE MEANING OF FRIENDSHIP. FRIENDS THAT ARE THERE FOR YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. I LOVE MY BEAUTIFUL PROVINCE, A PROVINCE THAT PRIDES ITSELF ON FRIENDLINESS AND KINDNESS. A PROVINCE OF TRUE PRIDE OF CULTURE. I AM COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS UNTIL I CAN AGAIN ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF MY HOME. DEE XO

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 64 WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE

BEAUTIFUL PICTURESQUE ST. JOHN'S NEWFOUNDLAND

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 65

SUMMER COCKTAILS article by Dee Tobin Sinha

THERE'S SOMETHING REALLY FUN ABOUT CREATING A COLOURFUL, TASTY, AND REFRESHING COCKTAIL DURING A HOT SUMMER DAY. SITTING BACK AND SIPPING ON A DELICIOUS MOUTH WATERING TANTALIZING COCKTAIL MAKES ME GIDDY JUST THINKING ABOUT IT, WHETHER IT CONTAINS ALCOHOL OR NOT. I MEAN ALCOHOL IS NOT FOR EVERYONE RIGHT? ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS HAS NEVER REALLY BEEN AN ALCOHOL DRINKER, BUT SHE STILL GETS EXCITED ABOUT CREATING A DELICIOUS SUMMER ALCOHOL FREE COCKTAIL. COCKTAILS IN THE SUMMERTIME HAVE ONE SOLE PURPOSE... TO COOL YOU DOWN. COOL LIKE A SOFT BREEZE FROM A GORGEOUS SUNNY SUMMER AFTERNOON, COOL LIKE THE SPRAY FROM THE BEAUTIFUL BLUE OCEAN. THERE IS NOTHING MORE SATISFYING THAN AN ICE COLD COCKTAIL WHEN YOU'RE RELAXING ON YOUR BACK DECK OR DRAPED OVER IN YOUR COMFY HAMMOCK IN YOUR BACKYARD OASIS. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE SUMMER AND I SOAK UP EVERY MINUTE OF EVERYDAY WHEN THOSE TEMPERATURES START TO RISE AND THE SUN IS BURSTING FROM OUR SKIES. I TREASURE EVERY MOMENT!

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE SUMMER AND I SOAK UP EVERY MINUTE OF EVERYDAY WHEN THOSE TEMPERATURES START TO RISE AND THE SUN IS BURSTING FROM OUR SKIES.

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 66

MARGARITA

a coctail frenzy

INGREDIENTS 2 OZ SILVER TEQUILA 1 OZ COINTREAU 1 OZ LIME JUICE COURSE SALT

PINA COLADA

2 1/2 OZ RUM 3 OZ PINEAPPLE JUICE 1 OZ COCNUT CREAM

MOJITO

MAI TAI

INGREDIENTS

2 OZ WHITE RUM 1/2 OZ FRESH LIME JUICE 1 TSP SUPER FINE SUGAR 3 MINT LEAVES CLUB SODA OR SELTZER

LONG ISLAND ICED TEA

1/2 OZ VODKA 1/2 OZ GIN 1/2 OZ WHITE RUM 1/2 OZ SILVER TEQUILA 1/2 OZ COINTREAU 3/4 OZ LEMON JUICE 2 TSP SIMPLE SYRUP 3/4 OZ MEXICAN COKE

2 OZ DARK RUM 1 OZ FRESH LIME JUICE 1/2 OZ ORANGE CURACO 1/2 OZ ORGEAT SYRUP 1/8 OZ ROCK CANDY SYRUP

SEX ON THE BEACH

1 1/3 OZ CRANBERRY JUICE 1 1/3 OZ ORANGE JUICE 1 1/3 OZ VODKA 2/3 OZ PEACH SNAPPES

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 67

familytime IT'S

CRAZY

LIFE

I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT WHEN THIS PANDEMIC HIT IN THE VERY BEGINNING AND WE WERE ALL STUCK AT HOME BECAUSE OF THE STAY AT HOME RULING I WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT HOW THIS WAS ALL GOING TO WORK! I MEAN, ALL FOUR OF US HOME! TOGETHER! ALL OF THE TIME? I WAS THINKING THAT WE WERE ALL GOING TO GO INANE AND I HAVE TO BE HONEST.... WE DID FOR A SHORT WHILE. BEING AROUND EACH OTHER ALL OF THE TIME DID BECOME A CHALLENGE, AND STILL IS A CHALLENGE IF I'M BEING HONEST, AN OBSTACLE COURSE YOU COULD SAY. LOL

MY DAUGHTER WAS ONLINE IN HER FIRST YEAR UNIVERSITY TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS WAS ALL GOING TO WORK. SHE HAD PROFESSORS PRE-RECORDING THEIR LECTURES, ONE WORKING FROM A LOUD COFFEE SHOP WITH NESPRESSO MACHINES ROARING IN THE BACKGROUND AND THEN THERE WAS YOUR ONE ON ONE WHO WAS PRETTY WELL AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS SHE MAY HAVE HAD. IT WAS QUITE THE SHOW! MY SON WAS ONLINE IN GRADE SCHOOL AND MY HUSBAND IS HOME ATTENDING BACK TO BACK MEETINGS IN WHICH HE NEEDS COMPLETE QUIET. AS FOR MYSELF, I HAD TO CUT BACK ON MY ONLINE WORK SCHEDULE BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD TO BE AVAILABLE TO HELP MY LITTLE GUY ADJUST TO ONLINE LEARNING. IT WAS ABSOLUTE INSANITY! MOMMY TO THE RESCUE. I FELT LIKE SUPERWOMAN. ANOTHER THING ADDED TO MY DAILY AGENDA. SOMETHING ELSE TO WORRY ABOUT AND STRESS OVER. I MEAN, I AM NOT A COMPUTER GENIUS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAD TO DOWNLOAD APPS AND REMEMBER A DOZEN PASSWORDS. I AM UNDERESTIMATING WHEN I SAY IT WAS A LITTLE OVERWHELMING.

THANK GOODNESS FOR MY HIGH TECH GENIUS DAUGHTER AND ENGINEER HUSBAND BECAUSE WITHOUT THEM IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH HARDER FOR ME TO COPE AND HELP MY LITTLE GUY. WE BANDED TOGETHER AND LEANED ON EACH OTHER WHEN TIMES GOT TOUGH , AND BELIEVE ME I T WAS PRETTY TOUGH AT TIMES DEALING WITH ONLINE LEARNING AND TRYING TO GET INTO A HEALTHY ROUTInE. THANK YOU TO MY AMAZING FAMILY FOR WORKING TOGETHER AND FINDING A ROUTINE THAT WORKED!

WORKING IS

TOGETHER

EXTREMEMLY

ESPECIALLY

TIMES

WORKING

MAKES

EACH

FAMILY

GOOD.

FAMILY

TOGETHER

MEMBER

TEAMWORK

OPENS

COMMUNICATION

FAMILY

IMPORTANT,

ADVERSITY.

TRUST,

BUILDS

LINES AND

FEEL

HELPS

OF EACH

PERSON BE ACCOUNTABLE TO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY.

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 68

rules that make the household WORK! TOP 10 FAMILY RULES BY DR. ROBYN SILVERMAN

1. SHOW RESPECT TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS 2. CHOOSE HONESTY AND TRUSTWORTHINESS 3. BE RESPONSIBLE, DEPENDABLE AND ACCOUNTABLE 4. CLEAN UP YOUR OWN MESS 5. DEMONSTRATE RESPECT FOR OTHER PEOPLE'S PROPERTY 6. REFRAIN FROM ARGUING OR TALKING BACK TO YOUR PARENTS IN A DISRESPECTFUL WAY 7. ASK PERMISSION BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE HOME, SCHOOL OR YOUR FRIENDS HOUSE 8. DO WHAT YOUR PARENTS ASK YOU TO DO THE FIRST TIME THEY REQUEST IT 9. SHOW GRATITUDE 10. ACTIVELY SEEK OUT WAYS TO BE KIND AND HELPFUL TO OTHERS

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 69

HAPPY SUMMER EVERYONE!

https://www.womenrockmagazine.com/ https://www.facebook.com/DeeSinha123 click link to go to websites

WOMEN ROCK MAGAZINE 70