loudoun county woman july/august

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PublisherKristina Doll

Co-PublisherDaniel Doll

Editor-in-chiefBarbara Cremedas

Graphic DesignStacy Burns

www.Designs2Sell.com

Distribution ManagerJoel Dean

PrintingEngle Printing & Publishing

Company, Inc. • Lancaster, PA

The Loudoun CountyWoman

P.O. Box 12242Silver Spring, MD 20908

[email protected]

www.loudouncountywoman.com

U.S. Mail • Direct Drop Distributors • Subscription

Publisher’s NoteBy Kristina Doll

Dear Readers,

July is a month that we at The Loudoun County Woman

especially recognize. It is the month that we celebrate our country’s

independence. The first amendment to the Constitution grants freedom of speech for

all and freedom of the press. The Loudoun County Woman is honored to celebrate

the foundation of its existence every Fourth of July. We continue to strive to provide

our readership with new and informative articles written by

our contributors who are experts in their fields. Align

yourself with experts; avail yourself to knowledge.

Featured on the Cover

Celebrating summer in Loudoun County.

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in every issue

Women in ProfilePages 14–15

Crossword PuzzlePage 23

Recipe FavoritesPage 24-25

TestimonialsPage 26

Why AdvertisePage 27

3www.loudouncountywoman.com

july/august 2011

contentshealth & wellnessHealthy By NaturePage 4-5

Legacy OrthodonticsPage 6

Mountcastle Plastic SurgeryPage 7

Lans Family DentistryPage 8

Capitol Vein and Laser CenterPage 9

interior designDecorating Den InteriorsPage 10-11

gourmet kitchensKSA KitchensPage 12

website designWebsite DesignPage 13

women in profileLoudoun Women in ProfilePages 14-15

fine art photographyThe Edge PhotographyPages 16-17

communityCatoctin Creek DistilleryPages 18-19

Frilly FrocksPage 20

Soapbox SoapsPage 21

Plato’s ClosetPage 22

Crossword PuzzlePage 23

RecipesPage 24-25

TestimonialsPage 26

Advertising in a RecessionPage 27

RIAPage 28


Health & Wellness

In the past few weeks we havelooked at what organic means andwhat terms other than 100 percent or-ganic mean. Now it’s time to look atan area that is not necessarily asclosely regulated as food is—personalcare products. In fact, you may haveto take a closer look at the labels to besure you are getting only what you in-tend to get and avoiding what youdon’t want. Many people buy organicfoods or filter their drinking water,but may not consider the personalcare products they use.

According to industry estimatesand the Campaign for Safe Cosmeticspolling and surveys, consumers usebetween 15 and 25 different cosmeticproducts a day which contain morethan 200 different chemical com-pounds. e term “cosmetics” refersto any products you apply to yourbody that are not drugs. Shampoo,conditioner, deodorant, hand soap,sunscreen, lip balm, and hand lotionare all cosmetics.

Phthalates: One Example of anIngredient to Avoid

On November 29, 2000 onCNN.com, an article titled “GroupLinks Nail Polish to Birth Defects”reported the following: “A report bythe Environmental Working Group(EWG) said the chemical in questionis called dibutyl phthalate or DBP.Phthalates are a class of industrialplasticizers that were invented in the1930’s. ey are often used in cos-metics because they make nail polishflexible, help bleed the chemicals offragrances, and help lotion betterpenetrate the skin. ey aren't alwaysrequired to be labeled on the prod-ucts.”

Yes; you heard right. Phthalatescan be in nail polish, cosmetics, fra-grances, and many other consumeritems—including baby care items.

Here are some things to re-member about them:

• Nail polishes fre-quently contain

dibutyl phthalate (or DBP) to makethem “non-chip.”

• Phthalates are rarely identified iningredient lists as they are often listedunder the catch-all of “fragrances.”

According to information from anarticle from the Toxic Free LegacyCoalition, recent studies of adults andchildren in the U.S. have found wide-spread exposure to phthalates—which are found in blood and breastmilk. Fortunately, phthalates are notbio-accumulative, but because of fre-quent exposure to sources of phtha-lates, levels in the body may remainfairly constant.

So what can you do to get and usethe safest personal products available?Here are some tips:

• Look for product labels thathave certified organic ingredients.

• Look for the USDA organic cer-tification seal. e terms hypoaller-genic, natural, for sensitive skin,dermatologist tested and recom-

mended, organic ingredients

used, are not substitutes for certifiedorganic.

• If you can’t pronounce the ingre-dients, then stay away from the prod-uct.

• Choose products with the fewestnumber of listed ingredients—andavoid phthalates.

• Avoid the ingredients petrola-tum, paraffin, and mineral oil—allthese are cheap crude oil by-products.

• Avoid preservatives and anti-bac-terials.

• Look for fruit or vegetable basedoils.

• Use personal care products thatare food-based.

Healthy Organic Tips

(H.O.T.) for Moms

Bobbi ElliottProprietor

Healthy By Nature, Inc.305 East Market StreetLeesburg, VA 20176703.443.6632

[email protected]

Come in to

Healthy By Nature

and pick up your

free copy of

“Natural Ingredients

Dictionary” by

Aubrey Hampton.

This article came from theGarden of Life website.

Come in to

Healthy By Nature

and pick up your

free copy of

“Natural Ingredients

Dictionary” by

Aubrey Hampton.

Health & Wellness


September 22, 2011 at 7 p.m.

Healthy By Nature, Inc.

305 East Market Street

Leesburg, VA

Seating is limited—$10 seat reservation

Receive a $10 Healthy By Nature

Gift Certificate the night of the Seminar.

Health & Wellness


Did you know that one in five orthodontic patients is an adult? It’strue! You’re never too old to benefit from orthodontic treatment.Crooked teeth, or those spaces you’ve been self-conscious about foryears can be corrected at nearly any age, giving you the confidence andpride that come with a great smile. It’s not purely cosmetic; straightteeth help maintain dental health too. Misaligned teeth can lead toother problems such as: gum disease, tooth decay, abnormal wear of thetooth surfaces, difficulty chewing, and in some cases, clicking, poppingand pain in the jaw joint.

Below are some commonly asked questions about adult orthodontictreatments:

• Is treatment effective for adults? Yes! Healthy teeth can bemoved at any age and many orthodontic problems can be corrected aseasily for adults as for children.

• Do appliances have to show? Today, there are more optionsavailable to minimize the appearance of braces: many appliances arenow smaller and sleeker, and some are virtually invisible. New tech-niques and materials have made wearing braces more comfortable thanever. Your orthodontist can review the different options with you tohelp determine what would best fit your needs.

• Am I a good fit for orthodontic treatment? Consult with an or-thodontist to determine if you would benefit from treatment. After an-alyzing the nature of your needed correction, your orthodontist willrecommend the best course of treatment for improving your smile.

• I’m missing some teeth. Can ortho-dontic treatment improve my bite? Defi-nitely! Orthodontic treatment cancreate or hold space to replacemissing teeth. Your orthodon-tist will work closely with thedentist who will providebridges or implants to achievethe best result.

• I’ve been treated forgum disease. Can my teethbe straightened? In manycases, tooth alignment can ac-tually help improve the health

of the gums. If you are a candidate for orthodontic treatment, continueregular supervision with your dentist and/or periodontist to monitoryour gum health.

• What about the cost of treatment? Is it more expensive as anadult? Not necessarily. Treatment cost depends on many factors includ-ing the severity of the problem, its complexity, and the length of treat-ment. Your orthodontistwill be glad to discussthe cost with you beforetreatment begins. You’llfind that braces are moreaffordable today thanever, especially with thevariety of paymentplans offered by mostorthodontists alongwith the orthodonticbenefit included inmany dental insuranceplans.

• Why choose anorthodontist? Ortho-dontists have had an additional 2 to 3years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the properway to align and straighten teeth. ey’re specialists and focus exclu-sively on correcting and aligning the teeth and jaw. eir education andexperience make them the best choice, and you shouldn’t settle for lessthan the best when it comes to your smile.

Ref: American Association of Orthodontists.

Dr. Markus Niepraschk of Legacy Orthodontics graduated from Virginia Common-

wealth University School of Dentistry and completed an additional two-year resi-

dency program at Marquette University. He is a member of the AAO and is a Board

Certified Orthodontist. Dr. Niepraschk offers a complimentary “Growing Grins” pro-

gram that monitors early growth in young patients. Contact his office by calling

703-777-8277 or by visiting www.legacyortho.com.

Adult OrthodonticsA Healthy Beautiful Smile at Any Age


Health & Wellness

otox and dermal fillersare a minimally invasiveway to volumize and re-fresh your face in as little

as 20 minutes. People have turned tobotox and fillers as an alternative to inva-sive surgeries such as face lifts and eyelidlifts. e treatment consists of severalmicro-injections into the muscle for botoxand just beneath the skin for fillers. Botoxis used to soften wrinkles in between theeyes, along the forehead, and around theeyes. It takes affect in as little as two daysand lasts up to eight months. Patients findit very tolerable and often times have nobruising or side effects. Botox is also beingused not only for a cosmetic outcome butfor relief of symptoms from muscle spasmconditions, nerve spasticity, hyperhidrosis(excessive sweating), and chronic mi-graines.

Botox works by temporarily knockingout overactive muscles that tend to causewrinkles giving patients a more youthfulappearance. Dermal Fillers are used to vo-lumize and fill deep lines along the nasallabial folds, marionette lines, laugh linesand frown lines, volumize and plump lips,and can also be used to volumize cheeksand fill hollow areas on the face. One typeof dermal filler is composed of hyaluronicacids such as Juvederm, Perlane, andRestylane. Hyaluronic acid is found natu-rally occuring in the body. ese dermalfillers that consist of hyaluronic acid lastfor up to nine months. Dermal fillers thatconsist of calcium hydroxlapatite such asRadiesse last up to one year and stimulateyour body to produce collagen in the areathe Radiesse is injected. Patients often re-port minimal bruising afterwards and littlediscomfort during the actual injection. Atopical numbing is provided and the op-tion of a dental block is given to reduceany discomfort. Results are seen almostimmediately.

Botox and dermal fillers have become agreat way to feel better and look betterwith less cost and less downtime than tra-ditional surgery. Here at Mountcastle Plas-tic Surgery and Vein Institue, we offer freebotox and filler consults where we take thetime to sit with you and discuss your con-cerns and give you options to look and feelbetter about yourself. We have three of-fices conveniently located in Ashburn,Leesburg, and Reston.

Patient Testimonials:

“After my facial fillers, I felt betterabout myself, I didn’t have tocake makeup on my face to hidemy wrinkles, I will definitely beback!”

—B.P Winchester

“Botox in between my eyes hasgiven me confidence I have neverhad before, I used to be so em-barrassed about the line but nowits gone, and I can’t thank youguys enough, thank you!”

—CS Berryville

Facial Rejuvenation

B

Spider Veins, Varicose Veins, Leg Swelling…Oh My!By Garth Rosenberg, MD, FACS

More than 80 million women in the United Stateslive with spider veins or varicose veins and their asso-ciated symptoms. Some veins are merely unsightly,however, some types of veins are linked to more sig-

nificant health concerns. Spider veins and telangectiasia are tiny red and

dark purple surface veins that are feather like to inkpen line in appearance. e cause of spider veins isnot fully understood, but they seem to be moreprevalent if there is a family history or during hor-

monal variation such as pregnancy and peri-menopause. Spider veins can be unsightly and oftenage the appearance of the legs or face, but are usuallynot a medical problem. Treatments like sclerotherapy,laser, and Vein Wave are all quick and effective, withlittle discomfort and no downtime.

Varicose veins are typically larger blue veins thattend to bulge by the end of the day. ese veins are ahealth concern and should be evaluated by a vascularspecialist. e cause of varicose veins is venous insuf-ficiency (backflow in leg veins due to non-workingvein valves), which often leads to a variety of symp-toms such as: aching, heaviness, swelling, cramping,burning, restless leg syndrome, skin discoloration,and even ulceration. Varicose veins can increase therisk of developing blood clots as well. e days ofvein stripping, hospitalization, pain and remnantscars are gone! Treatments today are performed in theoffice with local anesthesia in less than 30 minutes.e gold standard treatment is VNUS Closure,which offers little discomfort, little to no down time,and no scarring. Most insurance companies recognizethe medical consequences of varicose veins and docover the cost of treatments.

Capitol Vein & Laser is the region’s recognizedleader in comprehensive vein care. Drs. GarthRosenberg and Paul McNeill are board certified inVascular Surgery and Phlebology (the medical spe-cialty of venous disorders) and have treated over10,000 patients to date with venous problems. Capi-tol Vein & Laser Center is your total vein care centerand offers customized plans for your individualneeds. Please visit our photo gallery atwww.myCVL.com to see results of treatments to legs,faces and hands.

Call us today for a free “quick-screen” appoint-ment to learn more.

Paul McNeill, MD, FACSGarth Rosenberg, MD, FACS

Vein Specialists

www.BetterLegsLoudoun.com800.942.1829

Call today and receive $50 OFF spider andfacial vein treatments in July & August.

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Health & Wellness


Interior Design

ave you ever walked into a room and said, “Wow! Lookat those beautiful window treatments”? Or conversely,have you ever walked into a room and said, “Wow, whatis this room missing?” Window treatments of any kindare like icing on a cake. If you are looking to spice up a

room, window treatments can be a great solution. ey can also make aroom look more complete—really they are the finishing touch.

ere are several topics to consider when planning for your new win-dow treatments.

First Comes Function — Do you need privacy or control of thelight coming in? If so, we would address those issues first and then decidehow to add a decorative layer. A faux wood or woven wood blind may bea nice treatment to block out light and give your room the necessary pri-vacy. e key here is to determine how much control you need over theoutside elements. For example, a woven wood blind offers great varietyin that when it is down, it filters out light and blocks some visibility butstill lets in some light while displaying great texture and a very currentstyle. However, this shade will not offer room darkening capabilities as itis only light filtering. However, a lining could always be added to blockout most of the incoming light. When it comes to hard window prod-ucts, the solutions are endless! It is best to use a professional decorator todetermine the most efficient solution for your windows.

Second Comes the WOW Factor — e next step is to determinehow to get the “WOW” effect with your window treatments. Now thatthe function is taken care of, we can focus on the fun stuff…..fabric! In amore casual setting such as a kitchen or sunroom, a valance may be the

preferred treatment style. is kind of setting can allow for a larger scaledprint, since the treatment itself is smaller overall. is way the fabric canmake a bolder statement. ere are many different types of valances,some that are more straight-lined, some with more curved edges, somethat are flirty and fun and others that are more serious. Valances can bean economical way to add punch to any room when done correctly.

e crème de la crème in window treatments is drapery panels. Wecan create a very simple casual panel, a simple yet elegant panel, or wecan engineer a work of art in a more intricate and ornate drapery panel.Again, we start with the function of the room. Are you looking to addcolor and texture to your family room in a casual setting? If so, we mayconsider a linen blend in a coordinating color. If you have a tall secondstory family room, as so many of our homes do in Loudoun County,then we would entertain the idea of color blocking our panels. is is agreat technique to add multiple colors to break up the long panels thatthose 20' ceilings require. Please see the picture of one of my familyroom designs with color blocked panels to see this technique in effect.

Out of all of the home furnishings elements that go into a room,nothing has a more significant impact than window treatments. Oncethe major furniture pieces are determined, selecting a window treatmentstyle and fabric will add the finishing touch that ties a room together.Often, I will use the same or coordinating fabric for pillows on a sofa, orto create a table runner in a dining room. If you have a room in yourhome that is missing that “WOW” factor or you are feeling that it is in-complete, then taking a look at your windows may be just the answer.

Call me to take advantage of our custom window treatment promo-tion and my beautiful window treatment designs. I’ll bring the “WOW”Factor right to you!

What Are Your Windows Wearing?

a

H

The créme de la créme in window

treatments is drapery panels.

We can create a very simple

casual panel, a simple yet elegant

panel, or we can engineer a work

of art in a more intricate and

ornate drapery panel.

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Interior Design

a

My design philosophy is to marry beauty and function. I enjoy helping my clientsto identify and achieve their own personal decorating style–decorating for themselves but not by themselves. I will work closely with you to determine yourlikes and dislikes and needs and desires. Then, together, we transform your spaceinto a sophisticated design plan that reflects your taste, personality and lifestyle.

Lauren Clement • Owner and Decorator • 877.583.0355

www.decdens.com/lclement • [email protected]

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In the last issue, we spoke about your website and how it acts as the faceof your business. We provided a number of tips to make sure that your cus-tomers or potential customers have a great user experience, which will in-crease their likelihood to purchase your goods or services.

You website can help display who you are, what you do, and how you aredifferent from your competitors. In order for you, as a business owner, tohave the chance to present this information, you need to make sure that yourwebsite can be easily found.

Domain selection is the essential step in this process.ere are several key factors that you should consider when finding the

perfect domain name.

➢ First, make sure that your name can be easily spelled over the phone.Your name will be passed to a potential customer either on a business card,through an advertisement, or over the phone. e least amount of clarifica-tion needed to spell the domain name, the better. As an example, “My web-site is www.bestiphoneappsz.com, or that is “summerz” with a “z” not an “s”.

➢ Next, try to keep the domain short and memorable. ink aboutthe popular domains of today: “Google.com”, “Hulu.com”, “Yahoo.com”,“MSN.com”, “CNN.com”, “Facebook.com”. e domain should be easy forsomeone to remember so that they can refer the company name and its web-site along to friends and family.

➢ Try to eliminate complexities. Many people look for their dream do-main, but it is already taken. ey then look for other ways to express thesame domain name. For example, if the domain www.bestiphoneapps.comwas taken, many people might buy the domain www.the-best-iphone-apps.com. is complicates the spreading your company’s name because younot only have to make sure they spell the name correctly, but also put dashesin the correct places.

➢ Try other domain extensions. By far, the most popular domain ex-tension is “.com”. However, sometimes creativity can pay off by using a dif-ferent domain extension. For example, www.bestiphoneapp.is. However, becareful with using a unique domain extension because sometimes it can addconfusion for the customer. Also, “GoDaddy.com” just began selling a newdomain extension, “.co.” Many of the great domain names that you cannotget with a “.com” extension may be available with a “.co” extension. Al-though the “.co” extension does cost more per year, it is worth being able toeasily direct your customers to your website.

Now your website, following the guidelines from last issue, can sell yourgoods and services for you more efficiently and effectively.

The Art of Domain Selection

USE WEB DESIGN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS TODAY!

903-Dan-Doll or 903-326-3655

CALL FOR A FREE PRICE QUOTEMention that the Loudoun County Woman

sent you and get a special rate!

Act now! Only limited spots are available!

Website Creation

for Your Business

[email protected]


Women in Profile


Bobbi ElliottHerbal educator Bobbi Elliott grew up on a

farm in upstate New York. It was there that shelearned the value of a healthy lifestyle connected tonature’s bounty. Although she worked hard to earna degree in accounting, Elliott soon realized thatcorporate life was not for her. So, the mother ofthree took a part-time job working at a health foodstore. In 1996, she opened Healthy By Nature inLeesburg, turning her passion for herbs and sup-plements into a vocation. In addition to healthyeating, Elliott recommends an active lifestyle to hercustomers. For Elliott, this includes a regular fit-ness routine at the gym and outdoor activities suchas gardening, hiking, swimming and canoeing. Herlove of people also ensures a daily dose of laughter,which she freely shares with others.

Women in Profile

Carol LukeCarol Luke has been creating masterful designs in

the Northern Virginia area and beyond for more than20 years. She started working for a local company de-signing and selling kitchens and enjoyed it very much.When the opportunity presented itself, Carol openedher own business in Tyson’s Corner. After many suc-cessful years in that location and many beautifulkitchens, she decided to move her business toLoudoun County, home. Carol has developed manydesigns from contemporary to traditional and enjoysworking on historical reproductions in this area. Carolenjoys creating beautiful, award-winning kitchens,baths, and other areas in the home where cabinetry isappropriate. In developing plans with her clients, shehas the instinctive ability to create designs that meettheir needs and compliment their life styles.

Women in Profile


Heidi KallettHeidi Kallett is the CEO and President of e Dandelion Patch, a fine stationery and gift boutique with four locations

in the DC metro area: Vienna, Reston, Georgetown and now Leesburg! With oversight of both the day to day activities as-sociated with running a small (but rapidly expanding) business and all purchasing, marketing, personnel and strategicgrowth initiatives, Heidi is responsible for growing her business by over 425% since 2005. Heidi is well respected in thestationery industry for her visionary thinking and positive attitude. Not coincidentally, she was recently appointed to theprestigious National Advisory Board of the National Stationery Show in NYC.

Prior to her current entrepreneurial life, she was charged with many of the same issues as President of the Junior Leagueof Northern Virginia (JLNV). In this role, Heidi was the principal executive officer, official spokesperson, and representa-tive of the JLNV. She was responsible for the operation, achievements, and morale of the 600+ women volunteers she rep-resented.

While Heidi envisions making e Dandelion Patch the area’s leading stationery retailer, she also strongly believes thatthe true definition of success includes playing a meaningful role in the community in which she lives. To that end, Heidi isa community role model and has served/serves on many non-profit Boards, including: National Association of WomenBusiness Owners, ChildHelp USA, Volunteer Fairfax, Children’s Science Center of Northern Virginia, Medical Care forChildren’s Partnership, Advisory Social Services Board of Fairfax County, Greater Washington Boys and Girls Clubs ofFairfax County, Charity Works and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Most recently, in large part due to her vast volunteer leadership experience in the area,Heidi was asked to serve as a Board Trustee for the Campbell Hoffman Foundation. She is a graduate of the Greater Washington D.C. Cares Board TrainingProgram and a graduate of the Leadership Fairfax Class of 2006.

Heidi is often recognized for her energy, dedication and leadership, including being named “Most likely to make a difference” by the Leadership St. PeteClass of 1999 and as “Volunteer of the Year” by the JLNV in 2000 and again as “Woman of Vision” in 2008. She was highlighted in DC Modern LuxuryMagazine as one of “Washington’s Most Dynamic Women,” followed by the Washington Business Journal honoring her with their prestigious “Women WhoMean Business” award as a Rising Star. In 2008, Heidi received international recognition from the Stevie Awards for Women as a finalist as Best Entrepre-neur of the Year. In 2010, Heidi was the recipient of the Smart CEO Brava! Women’s Business Achievement Award. In addition, in November 2010, Heidiwas honored with the Northern Virginia Leadership Award from Leadership Fairfax.

A transplanted Texan, Heidi has a degree in marketing from Texas Tech University. She and her husband Joel, have two children: Ethan (11) and Jordan(9) who both attend e Langley School.

Lauren ClementMy design philosophy is to marry beauty and function. I enjoy helping my clients to

identify and achieve their own personal decorating style-decorating for yourself but not byyourself. I work closely with you to determine your likes and dislikes, needs and desires,then together, we transform your space into a sophisticated design plan that reflects yourtaste, personality and lifestyle. When I am not decorating at Decorating Den, I can befound enjoying time with my husband, Chris, and my four month old daughter, Finley.Life is busy but beautiful!


e choices available for wedding photography products has grown expo-nentially in the last 8 years.

Brides have quickly moved past ordering a leather album with 60 photo-graphs and instead have adopted editorial style story telling wedding albumswith creative designs unique to their wedding day. at’s just been the first stepof many changes.

Now brides are also ordering multimedia products that include movie clipsinstead of traditional video along with a fusion with still photographic images,music, and audio.

Many “Hollywood” type skills are now applied to producing a customized ex-perience for each bride. Her wedding is unique and the recorded documentationshould reflect that special day.

New products can be shared on Facebook, played on home theater systems,smart phones, and iPads or emailed to relatives. You will find wonderful weddingstories on Vimeo and YouTube each one different and creative. We have evenadded 3D videography to our product list and close-in drone based aerial photog-raphy for outdoor weddings.ese are exciting times!

Classic posed prints are stillrequested by parents, but bridesare ordering large canvas wrapsor large metal enamel photo-graphs, that make a statement,or even translucent Luciteprints. ese new displays trans-form rooms in the new homeand become conversation pieceswhen friends and relatives visit.

For the bride that large pic-ture or multimedia show trig-gers memories that allow her torelive her day that ended tooquickly.

Visit e Edge and let usshow you what’s new and whythe images really are timelessrecords for you and your chil-dren to enjoy.

Call for a convenient ap-pointment and tell us aboutyour wedding day plans (703)669-1000.

Fine Art Photography

Wedding Photography is new and exciting.

Every bride’s wedding is unique and the recorded

documentation should reflect that special day.


Visit The Edge and let us show

you what’s new and why the

images really are timeless

records for you and your

children to enjoy.

Fine Art Photography


Community

oudoun County has its first distillery since Prohibition,and you’d never believe who is driving the new company.Traditionally, one thinks of whiskey in the realm of cigar-smoking and burly men. But Catoctin Creek Distillery,located in Purcellville, Virginia, was started not by one ofthese macho-men, but instead by a stay-at-home mom

who is also a chemical engineer. Becky Harris is the president, co-founder and full-time distiller at

Catoctin Creek Distillery, a local mom-and-pop company producing cer-tified organic and kosher spirits. Along with herhusband, Scott, the couple produce rye whiskey,gin, and brandy which they sell through the dis-tillery and at Virginia ABC stores statewide.Catoctin Creek products are also showing up inthe metropolitan DC and Baltimore markets,and even as far west as Nashville and Sacra-mento. Not bad for a small Loudoun-based busi-ness!

Why a distillery? “Well, honestly, it wasScott’s idea,” Becky remarks. “He kept botheringme with this idea, and finally I told him, ‘Goand write a business plan!’ I didn’t expect hewould.” Becky had spent the last thirteen yearson hiatus from her career as a chemical engineer,and she was ready to get back into the work-force. Scott’s idea for a distillery seemed like agreat fit for her background in industrial process-ing and chemical engineering. However, the jobalso required a strong back and lots of elbowgrease. It is a difficult and labor-intensive jobthat suits Becky just fine.

e couple has been lauded with numerousawards since their auspicious start in 2009. e products have receivedbronze and silver medals from the New York International Spirits Compe-tition, the American Distilling Institute, and numerous other competi-tions. Indeed, the products have been selling so well, the ABC storesoccasionally have trouble keeping them on the shelves. is is due in partto the great taste and universal appeal of these locally and organically pro-duced spirits.

“We find women, as much as men, love our whiskey,” says Scott Har-ris, husband and co-founder at the distillery. “Our demographics are splitpretty evenly 50-50 men-to-women, which I must say makes us veryhappy. Yes, you can drink our products ‘neat,’ but it is also no crime to

mix them into cocktails. Actually, some of those cocktails are quite deli-cious!”

So, why organic? “e organic label guarantees a high level of trans-parency and accountability in how we produce our spirits,” says Becky. “Ithighlights our commitment to providing the highest quality spirits and toprotecting and restoring our environment.” By certifying organic, the dis-tillery must show that all the ingredients in the spirits are free from syn-thetic chemicals, like fertilizers and pesticides, which would taint andotherwise degrade the fine taste of the spirits. “Organic simply tastes bet-

ter,” says Scott, “and really, at the end of the day, this is the most impor-tant quality.”

Catoctin Creek is also a good neighbor. What would be a waste by-product of their whiskey production, 500 gallons of spent rye-mash perweek, is converted into a nutrient-rich organic cattle feed. is cattle feedis then given away to local farms. “e cows love the mash, and we don’thave to send anything to the landfill. It is a real win-win,” says Becky.

Yes, whiskey has long been a tradition in Loudoun County, and thereare stories of illegal stills and sheriff raids even back to the 1950’s and1960’s. But at Catoctin Creek, the liquor is legal... and delicious!

For more information, visit their web site at www.catoctincreek.com.

LCatoctin Creek Distillery


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“The organic label

guarantees a

high level of

transparency and

accountability in

how we produce

our spirits. It

highlights our

commitment to

providing the

highest quality

spirits and to

protecting and

restoring our

environment.”

Frilly Frocks Boutique Has it All

The Benefits of Shopping Consignment at Frilly Frocks:

Infinite variety of styles & designers

Great values at up to 90% off retail

Personalized service & friendly atmosphere

Items not sold are donated to charity

A great form of recycling that helps the planet

Save 50% to 90% everyday on our premiere selection of quality

consigned clothing & accessories!

Visit us online at FrillyFrocks.com


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The Challenge of SoapWritten by Stephanie AppiahContributor

hen did you first learn to washyour hands? I learned in pre-school. It was a warm, sunnyday and we were finger paint-ing. I loved the color green,

and there was this squish, squish sound that keptcoming from my fingers as I mashed the wetpaint together. I felt exhilarated, but then camethat awful time when the painting was over,and we had to clean up.

“Everyone gather round, we are going tolearn something new today. It's quick, andeasy, and you get to sing!” Our teacher startedwith the kids closest to her, which happily in-cluded me. We gathered around the sink,and turned on the water. en we latheredup our palms, the back of our hands, be-tween our fingers, and a little bit past ourwrists with soap. en it was time to sing“Happy Birthday.” Singing that twentysecond song as we scrubbed, scrubbed, scrubbedour hands was so much fun! When I looked, all thegreen paint was gone, and my hands were sparklingclean.

As a child growing up in America, we are taughtvery early on how important it is to wash our hands,not just when there was paint or food on them, butbefore we ate, when we got a cut, after using thebathroom, and when we were cleaning or washing

things inside the home. Washing your hands is ex-pected. From school age on, it’s automatic. Whenyou walk into the bathroom, you just pick up thesoap and get going.

Around the world, this “hand washing behavior”

is not automatic, it’s hard to teach, andkids are suffering because when they try to do it,they only have the dirtiest water to use for practice.Even in America, proliferation of diseases such asthe common cold and flu are greatest among chil-dren because they DON'T WASH THEIRHANDS frequently or vigorously enough. Imagine

how much more this occurs in countries where soapand clean water are not in abundance?

So, what do children in developing nations need?Primarily, they need clean water, which is one of theMillennium Development Goals of the Bill andMelinda Gates Foundation. Secondly, they needsoap, which is being provided by organizations suchas Clean the World, UNICEF, and the CDC.

Lastly, they need trained healthcareworkers, nurses and doctors, whosejobs involve traveling from town totown, bringing children and theirparents the soap, the water, and theknowledge of how to start incorpo-rating this simple process into everyaspect of their lives.

Now, how do we increase the num-ber of healthcare workers and givethem the means to travel to remote vil-lages throughout the developing world?By purchasing boxes of SoapBox Soap!e soap goes to people in need, alongwith our model of hygiene that is taughtto people who need protection fromcommunicable diseases. As we expand,we are hoping to donate money to exist-ing UNICEF operations and groups ofvolunteers that are on the ground in devel-

oping countries, but lack the financial resources tosend healthcare workers to villages that are desper-ately in need is astounding. e purchase of box ofSoapBox soap for a child's life- isn't that a worth-while exchange?

W


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With Back to School season just around the corner, shoppers are beginningto look for the new trends in jeans and denim for the fall season. We’ve donesome research here at Plato’s Closet and have found the following trends indenim throughout the country: denim sales are on an upswing throughoutthe country bearing an average price point of $22.76. e top jean styles areSkinny Flare, Vintage Flare, Skinny Boyfriend and High Waisted.

Skinny Flares: ese flares are updated and not the traditional “bootleg”or “bell-bottoms” of the seventies. e top of the leg is tight at the thigh andtapers down to a flare at the ankle.

Vintage Flares: ese flares are the more traditional bootleg cut withwider legs at the thigh, tapering in at the knees, then flaring back out at theankles.

Skinny Boyfriend: ese jeans are worn below the waist line, huggingthe hips and are straight and slightly tapered on the legs. ey are usuallyworn rolled up between the knee and ankle with wedges or heels. is is not

the “sloppy” boyfriend look of the past.

High Waisted: e jeans are worn at the waist or above, giving a longerlook to the legs. ese jeans tend to be flared at the bottom.

Premium Denim: Washes on Premium Denim from manufacturers suchas True Religion and Abercrombie and Fitch tend to be dark. Pocket detailsare the key here. Many pockets have heavy double stitching in white or goldor a combination of both. Distressed fabrics are still in style, but the look isnot as severe as the distressed look of the past.

Light washes are still in style, especially in the teen styles such as Aero-postale, Hollister, and Hydraulic.

e great news about the denim styles for fall is that there is a style thatwill fit everyone’s personal preferences and price points. Here, at Plato’sCloset, we have been buying denim throughout the summer season to getready for the big Back to School shopping. We’re sure you’ll find exactly whatyou are shopping for to start the school year off with just the right look!

2011 Fall Denim Trends

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Across

4 The Declaration of Independence sighted grievances againstthis King

8 The first official Fourth of July celebration took place in thisstate

10 The Liberty Bell was ordered from this foundry

11 This explorer first brought gunpowder to Europe in the 13thcentury

14 The resolution to free the US from British rule was introduced by Henry Lee from this state

16 This political cartoonist created the image of “Uncle Sam”known today

18 In 1916 this first eating contest was started in Coney Island

19 One of the world’s largest firework displays is launched overthis river

22 The real “Uncle Sam” was this army meat supplier

Fourth of JulyHistory & Traditions

AnswersDown

1 The Declaration of Independence is read every year in this city

2 Where fireworks originated

3 The number of men that signed the Declaration of Independence

5 A traditional song played is the 1812

6 The Boston Pops holds a concert on this river every Fourth of July

7 This department store hosts fireworks over the East River every year

9 On the first anniversary of Independence Day this many gunshots were fired in Bristol, Rhode Island

12 The charge given for announcing independence from England

13 Lititz, Pennsylvania chooses a Queen of this every year on the fourth

15 The first man to sign the Declaration of Independence

17 In Flagstaff, Arizona American Indiance have this for three days

20 This man first put “Uncle Sam” on the army recruitment posters

21 The occupation of firework inventor Li Tian


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Ingredients1½ cps fresh basil

1/3 cp chopped macadamia nuts

1/3 cp medium sweetened coconut

¼ cp pineapple juice

2 tbs lime juice

¼ tsp salt

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1 tsp vegetable oil

½ tsp paprika

½ tsp seasoned salt

¼ tsp pepper

1½ tbs packed brown sugar

¼ cp coconut rum flavoring

Directions1) In a food processor combine the first 6

ingredients until a thick paste forms

2) Cut horizontal slits in chicken breasts to form pockets and fill with paste

3) Secure the pockets with toothpicks

4) Combine oil, paprika, salt and pepper and rub over chicken

5) Combine rum flavoring and brown sugar

6) Grill chicken at medium heat 5-6 minutesper side brushing with sugar mixture until all pink is gone inside. Let stand 5 min and serve.

Coconut-Pesto Stuffed Chicken

Ingredients¼ cp butter½ uncooked long grained wild rice¼ cp uncooked orzo½ cp sliced fresh mushrooms½ cp chopped onions¼ cp minced celery2 cps chicken broth2 tbs parsley¼ tsp dried marjoram¼ tsp black pepper½ cp chopped toasted hazelnuts

Directions1) On low heat in a skillet melt butter and sauté rice,

orzo, mushrooms, onion, and celery, stirring constantly until light brown

2) Mix in chicken broth, parsley, marjoram, pepper, and hazelnuts

3) Bring to boil then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes

4) Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes

Hazelnut-Mushroom Pilaf

(4 servings)

(6 servings)

loudoun county woman july/august

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