sophie woman's magazine april 2011

Sophie Woman’s Magazine April 2011 pg 1

pg 2 Sophie Woman’s Magazine April 2011

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We repair, restore, buy, sell, and appraise antique lamps from the old masters of Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts:

A and R • Aladdin • Art Lamp Mfg. Co. • Beardslee • Bigelow and Kennard • Bradley and Hubbard • Brandt and Daum • Cephas B. RogersChicago Mosaic • Cincinnati Iron Works • Classique • Consolidated Glass and Lamp Co. • Daum Nancy • Devez • Dirk Van ErpDuffner and Kimberly • Edward Miller Lamp Co • Edward Riddle Co • Electrolier • Emeralite • Empire Lamp and Brass Mfg.

Fenton Art Glass Co • Franklite (Diamond F) • Fulper Pottery • Galle • Gorham • Greist Mfg. Co. • Grueby Pottery Gustav Stickley ( Stickley Brothers) • H.A. Best Lamp Co. Chicago • Haco Lighting • Handel Lamps • Heart Tiffany Studios • Herco Art Co.

Jeannette Lamp Co • Jefferson Lamp Co • La Verre Francais • Lightolier • Limbert, Charles Limbert Furniture • Loetz GlassLouis Comfort Tiffany • Marblehead Pottery • Moe Bridges • Mutual Sunset Lamp Co. • Oscar Bach • Pairpoint • Paul Hanson

Phoenix Glass and Lamp • Pittsburg Brass Glass and Lamp Co • Rainaud • Rayo • Rembrandt Lamps • Riviere Studios • Rookwood PotteryRoyal Art Glass Co. • Roycroft • Salem Brothers • Steuben • Stickley Brothers • Suess Chicago • W. Moe Bridges • Wenczel Co.

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While visiting with family the other week, my 5 year old Granddaughter Emily informed me she had a skateboard. “Can you ride on a skateboard?’ I asked her. The next step of course is for her to show me. So we proceed to get it out of the garage and after looking at it and putting one foot up and then looking at it some more, she asked me if I could show her how. It is really hard to explain how a sensible, reasonable, fairly intelligent woman could even, for one second, contemplate doing such a thing.

It was my precious granddaughter that was asking, after all. She only has to blink an eye for me to cave in to whatever she wants. One piece of advice that we give the kids is to cherish every moment because the years are gone in a wink. I remember this old song that I think the name of it was “Turn Around”. I don’t remember who sang it but I do remember a few of the words. It went like this.

Where are you going, my little one, my little one?Where are you going, my baby, my own?Turn around and you’re two,Turn around and you’re fourTurn around and you’re a young girlGoing out of the door.

Now you can’t tell me those words don’t touch your heart if you have grown children. They are just so true and that is the way I feel when I look at our grown children. I just turned around and they were grown! When you first have children you can’t begin to comprehend how fast that first eighteen or twenty years will go. You are so busy taking care of them. When they are little, you feed them and bath them and snuggle with them. Then it is time to start school and you help with homework and teach them to play ball and read books to them. The next thing you know they are interested in the opposite sex and dating. Before you know it they tell you they are in love and they want to get married.

How did all this happen in the time it took me to turn around? I can’t answer that but I can tell them to watch out when they are turning. But then the most wonderful thing happens. They give us the next generation and that is why we call them “grand” children. We treasure every minute with them and our prayer is that they know how we thank God for them every day.

By the way, did I tell you that while I was “turning” my hair turned gray, wrinkles grew on my face, the law of gravity affected my body and something terrible happened to my mind. I was going to tell you what it was but I can’t remember what I was going to say. Now I have to turn slower because I really do get dizzy from it all.

So here is my sweet Emily asking me to show her how to ride a skateboard. I know what you are thinking. That same thought entered my mind. For a moment I had a vision of just how it was done. I saw the movie “Back to the Future” and I know how easy it is to ride those things. Piece of Cake! Wait….Hold on a minute….what am I thinking? Besides the fact that after I got out of the hospital, that my husband would kill me for doing such a stupid thing, I suddenly remembered I don’t like pain. But how could I tell her no? And then a moment of wisdom struck like a bolt of lightning out of the sky. “Emily”, I said, “wasn’t you going to show me your new Wii game and we almost forgot.” See, there are times when we can benefit from the short attention spans of children.

If you have babies will you do me a favor? Cherish the moments, one by one….every little expression, every funny thing they say, and most of all take every hug and kiss you can get, even if it comes from a face covered with chocolate icing. Would you give them a kiss for me and please, watch, when you “Turn Around”.


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

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Message From The Heart........................................pg 3Mandy’s Misadventures..........................................pg 7The History Of The Easter Lily.............................pg 8Legal Issues For Newlyweds.................................pg 11Kim Fletcher: Reaching Your Full Potential.........pg 13Nicole Greer: Sophisticated Women....................pg 14Mrs. North Carolina America Winner .................pg 17The Male Box.......................................................pg 18Girlfriends In God................................................pg 21March of Dimes Ambassador:Behtany Walker.pg 22The Front Porch....................................................pg 25Dinner Diva...........................................................pg 29Me, Myself, & Inc................................................pg 31Pearls & Petticoats...............................................pg 3310 Ways To Breathe Better..................................pg 34Shutterbuggerz......................................................pg 37

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Misadv en tur e sby Mandy Thomas

Mandy’s

Since when does a five year old know more than me?No, seriously. Maybe I should start over.

Recently, Savannah has started questioning everything, and where she used to seek me out for affirmation or answers she’s begun asking her friends for advice. Which would be okay, I guess, if they didn’t give her answers that left her in fear of her life, or if she chose to believe me instead of them.

For example, recently, Savannah has been bringing home a little friend of hers from school to play a few times a week at our house. On her most recent visit, my daughter came running out of her room, cheeks a little pale and the most serious expression on her face.

“Mama,” she said gravely, “Gina’s* mom told her that if we eat too much candy we’ll die.”

I honestly didn’t know what to say to that, because I had two options here. I could lie and say it was true and thereby ensure that Savannah would hereafter be eating her vegetables because she’s scared of dying, or I could tell the truth.

Yeah, alright, I told the truth. “Honey, you’re not going to die,” I said, as reassuringly as I could.

“It might make you a little sick to your stomach, but you won’t die from it.”

Immediately, she launched into how Gina would know this because not only had her mom told her, but Gina’s mom had learned this from Dr. Oz.

On television. No amount of levelheaded reasoning would persuade her, because

I was just MOM and Gina had her mother and Dr. Oz from television to back up her theory. To make matters worse, Gina herself was over at the time, and for every argument I had, she and Savannah would reconvene before coming back with yet another reason that they should trust Dr. Oz over me.

Finally, I said to them, “If you sat down and ate an entire day’s worth of sugar, it would be bad, and probably hurt you. But a little bit here and there isn’t going to kill anyone, unless you have medical aversions to sugar.”

Yeah, that’s right. I pulled out big words on five year olds. Take that, Dr. Oz.

That seemed to pacify them for the moment, because they went off to play. But later, I overheard Gina telling Savannah that there was definitely such a thing as monsters under her bed, and that if she put her feet on the floor after dark she would get her ankles bitten.

I’m not even going to try to correct that one.


The History Of The Easter LilyBy Aurelia FleurPrinted with Permission Easter is associated with memories of parades, family gatherings,

church services, chocolate bunnies, gift baskets, egg decorating, and the famous Easter Lily. They are very popular for Easter gifts, and their unique trumpet shaped blossoms symbolize life, purity, hope, and the spiritual meaning of Easter along with the promise of Spring.

The Easter Lily was originally bought into the United States by a World War I soldier Louis Houghton. What was previously known as the Bermuda lily was first brought to the southern coast of Oregon in 1919. Houghton distributed an entire suitcase of the hybrid lily bulbs to various friends and family.

This lily proved to really thrive in the climate there. It was similar to the flower’s native Ryukyu Islands of Japan. By the year 1945, there were over a thousand growers on the west coast harvesting these bulbs to sell. There are only about two full weeks during the year when these flowers are commercially available. Easter lilies are estimated to be the fourth largest potted plant crop in the United States, following the poinsettia, mum, and azalea.

History, mythology, and art are filled with stories and images that speak of the beauty and majesty of the elegant white flowers. One of the most famous Biblical references is in the Sermon on the Mount, when Christ said, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin and yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”

Lilies are often called the “White-Robed Apostles of Hope”. Lilies were discovered in the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ died on the cross. During the Easter season, churches line their altars and envelop their crosses with a multitude of Easter Lilies, to signify the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life.

Another concept associated with the pure white lily is that of womanhood. In some early paintings, the Angel Gabriel offers pure white lilies to the Virgin Mary, and this symbolizes that she will be the mother of Jesus. Other paintings show saints bringing vases of white lilies to Mary and the divine child. According to the legend, the flowers were formed when Eve cried repentant tears upon leaving Eden, and the tears became lilies. The point of this legend is that true repentance leads to beauty.

Established through the centuries as a symbol of purity, grace, and the regal lifestyle, the white lily is a suitable reminder of the greater meaning of Easter. These flowers grace millions of homes and churches every year, embodying joy, hope, and life; whether given as a gift or displayed proudly in one’s home, the Easter Lily remains a beauteous reminder of how Easter is a time for celebration and rejoicing. So when you purchase Easter baskets for your loved ones, don’t hold back with decorated eggs and chocolates, but be certain to include a few Easter lilies as well!


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Casey Winebarger is an attorney at Patrick, Harper & Dixon, LLP in Hickory, North Carolina. She

practices primarily in the areas of estate planning, elder law, and business and corporate law. Casey may be contacted at 828-322-7741 or via email at

[email protected]. Patrick, Harper & Dixon is Hickory’s oldest and largest full-service law firm.

Legal Issues For Newlyweds: Wedding Planning Goes Beyond The Dress And The CakeBy: Casey M. Winebarger, Esq.

If you haven’t noticed yet, spring is finally here! Flowers are blooming, days are getting longer, and the weather is starting to warm up. With the beginning of spring comes the beginning of wedding season. Planning a wedding involves a lot of decisions, from picking the perfect dress to planning the menu. Beyond the wedding, though, newlyweds also face a host of important legal decisions that will impact their marriages and the rest of their lives.

First, couples should consider whether they want to execute a pre-marital or post-marital agreement. Commonly called a “pre-nup,” this is a binding contract between husband and wife in which they agree how their assets will be divided in the event of death or divorce. Typically the prenup will state that the individual assets of each spouse will not be subject to equitable distribution in a divorce. It is also common for a prenup to state that the spouses will have no claim to share in the estate of the other upon death. A prenup can also include “free trader” provisions that allow each spouse to transfer his or her individually owned property without the consent of the other spouse. This can be advantageous in

North Carolina, where both spouses are required to sign all deeds and deeds of trust on property, even if they have no ownership interest in the property whatsoever.

Second, if the couple purchased a home before marriage, they should consider retitling the property so it is owned tenants by the entirety rather than tenants in common. Tenants by the entirety is a particular type of joint ownership exclusive to married couples. Upon the death of one spouse, the property passes automatically to the other spouse. By contrast, if the property is held tenants in common, the half of the property owned by the deceased spouse will pass pursuant to the terms of the decedent’s will or to his intestate heirs if there was no will. In addition, tenants by the entirety property is given special protection from creditors. With the exception of the IRS, creditors of one individual spouse cannot attach to property held tenants by the entirety (note, however, that a joint creditor of both can reach such property). An individual creditor can attach to the one-half interest of the debtor in property owned tenants in common. To retitle their property, the couple will simply execute a new deed to themselves which explicitly states the purpose of the conveyance is to create a tenancy by the entirety.

Third, newlyweds should create or update their estate plans. If a married person with no children dies without a will, the surviving spouse and the surviving parents will share in the deceased spouse’s estate equally. In my experience, this is contrary to the wishes of many people, who typically want to provide mostly for their spouse upon death, if not solely. A last will and testament is the only way to ensure that this happens. In addition to creating a will, the couple should review and update the beneficiary designations of their life insurance policies and retirement plans. These types of assets pass solely by the beneficiary designation; they do not pass by the terms of the will. Therefore, the spouse must be specifically named beneficiary in order to inherit the asset.

Finally, the newlywed should make sure to have durable and health care powers of attorney in place so that another person (often the spouse) is able to make financial and medical decisions for him or her should they become unable to do so for themselves. In North Carolina, a person does not have authority to make decisions for his or her spouse just by virtue of being married. Powers of attorney must be in place to appoint the spouse as decision-maker. Without those documents, a guardianship will be required, which is an often lengthy and costly court process.

If you’re getting married this spring, or have just gotten engaged, allocate a bit of your wedding planning time to considering these important legal issues. Their impact will remain long after the flowers have wilted and the last piece of cake has been eaten.


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Sophie Woman’s Magazine April 2011 pg 13 pg 12/ Aug 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

by Kim Fletcher, Life Coach, Author, Speaker

REACHING YOUR FULL POTENTIAL: What You Focus On WILL Magnify!

For many, it is tax season. If you are a creative type like me, this may feel like a dreaded time for you. My typical approach is to collect all related documents by January 31st in anxious expectation of getting to my accountant with ‘Spider Man speed’. Get it done early and move on! Then I plan my own post-tax season ‘spring break’. You never get too old for spring break!

Well, this season hasn’t gone quite as planned. As usual, I prepped early and mailed my completed package to my out-of-state accountant early in February… only to learn that the package full of critical details, countless hours of work and all of my original documents was LOST!!! I prayed more those next few days than usual, trusting it would show up. Seven days, no package. Eight days, no package. Ten days, no package. I finally gave in to the dismay and began the painstaking vigil of re-creating ‘package B’. Thank God for my Mother who taught me to copy, copy, copy!

You guessed it… as soon as package B was almost ready to be mailed, package A finally found its way back to my mailbox with a worn exterior making it look like a weary world traveler. My shoulders sank at the thought of the duplicate work that went into re-creating this massive document. Now I could open package A and retrieve the original documents that needed to go into package B before mailing it overnight the next day under high alert and extra tracking. This package was guaranteed to arrive by 3pm the next day… but, guess what? It got LOST too!

Several days into my ongoing conversations with the post office tracking package B, I learned a valuable lesson that might benefit you as well. So here it is… WHAT YOU FOCUS ON WILL MAGNIFY!

This LOST PACKAGE had become my FOCUS! And along with my new focus had come decreased productivity, lost energy, and a one-track mind.

That is when the Lord reminded me of a message I had heard recently

when the speaker simply stated, “What you focus on magnifies”.There was my problem… my new focus had stolen days of my life.

Prompted by God, I began a simple exercise. Every time I would think of the lost package and begin to worry, I used that as a trigger to remind me to “transform” my thinking onto something higher. At first, I found myself having to battle multiple moments where my own mind would drag me back to the negative place. Then an interesting thing began to happen. After several strong wrestling matches with myself, the ‘will’ of the negative thoughts began to weaken. It became less of a mental wrestling match and more of a quick ‘memo to self’ as my thinking began re-aligning more quickly.

Then, finally, the ‘lost package’ thought would not even form into a complete sentence before higher thoughts would race in, leaving the negativity nowhere to land. My energy and creativity began to return almost immediately.

Stop for a moment and ask yourself what you are currently focused on (another way to consider this might be to ask yourself what thoughts consume your mind)…

If you have a RELATIONSHIP in need of healing, do you tend to • relate to the other person as they are or according to their potential of whom they can still become?If you have a HEALTH ISSUE, do your thoughts contain more • dread and worry, or more pro-active wellness strategies and lifestyle modifications?If your BUSINESS has been negatively affected by the economy, are • you dwelling on the loss or are you spending your time capitalizing on the possibilities that could catapult you to greatness?

Picture yourself holding a magnifying glass. What is it focused on? Just like that magnifying glass, your mind will enlarge what it is focused on. Just as you have the ability to move the magnifying glass, you have the power to shift your thinking. Perhaps today is the day.

Changing your focus will change your outlook. Changing your outlook will change your attitude. As you continue this practice, ultimately everything will begin to change as you begin to focus on the things you want to magnify.

Package B is still lost. I had to re-create my tax package a third time. The exercise above is working for me in the midst of this challenge that has stretched from February into April. Don’t wait for the storm to pass in your own world… shift your mind TODAY and prepare for greater peace and fulfillment!

Kim Fletcher is the lead Life Coach & Speaker with Creative Life Navigation.

She works to empower individuals to reach their full potential, believing that a coach is one of your greatest advocates for taking your vision to reality, personally and professionally. Contact Kim today to learn more: [email protected] / 828 327 6702 / creativelifenavigation.com.

“It’s not what’s happening to you now or what has happened in your past that determines who you become. Rather, it’s your decisions about what to FOCUS on, what things mean to you, and what you’re going to do about them that will determine your ultimate destiny.” - Anthony Robbins


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

Sophisticated Women... Are Ambitious!

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

The question is not…

To be or not to be?

The questions is…

To do or not to do?

We stand in choice. Each and every day life provides a plethora of opportunities for us to engage. How do you decide what to say “yes” to and what to say “no” to? Asking yourself this powerful question puts you in the driver’s seat of your own life. It creates that longed for state of balance. Saying yes or no appears to be a simple process but you must examine the motives behind your decisions. You may decide to engage with something out of guilt. “I should do it.” Or you may decide out of habit. “I’ve always done this.” Or you may decide out of ambition. “I really want and desire to do this.” Your best choice will always be when you decide from your ambition.

Ambition is defined as a cherished desire to serve the world with the highest form of ourselves. It’s a mysterious force that emanates from deep within you. There is a magnet that draws you toward certain ideals, activities and organizations. I believe this is a gift. Pay attention to your ambition and identify it.

You will move throughout life with high efficiency saying yes when your ambition is being fed. Your energy is expanded and life is seen as Shakespeare’s “oyster”. Behavioral scientists have identified seven distinct ambitions that drive us to perform. Take a look at these ambitions. Which one resonates with you? Which one motivates you to say “yes”?

1. Economic Ambition: a drive to create value and focused on results

2. Altruistic Ambition: a drive to serve people and highly compassionate

3. Theoretical Ambition: drive to understand and learn

4. Authoritative Ambition: drive to be true to convictions and tenacious

5. Creative Ambition: drive to use imagination and think outside the box

6. Individualistic Ambition: drive to be unique and independent

7. Political Ambition: drive to compete and advance position

Identifying your ambition is a powerful tool for deciding your next right step. For centuries, writers, poets, and playwrights have debated ambitions value. Is it good or bad? The answer is it is how you use it. Growing up many of us were warned about the consequences of being overly ambitious, as a result we have simply turned off this valuable gift. We’d rather be safe than sorry. The next time you must make a decision invite your ambition to be part of the discernment process. It’s true ambition can be used for good or it can be used for evil. Simply test your ambition with these questions:

If I say “yes”, will I increase the resources available to move a worthy cause forward?

If I say “yes”, will I deliver a message that motivates others or give a warning that creates safety?

If I say “yes”, will I right a wrong?

When you engage your ambition, test it and finally engage it. You’ll find yourself doing amazing things. Your performance is predictable. When you know what you can do and it is driven by what you really want--your ambition, in service to a high calling nothing can stop you.

Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great. –Mark Twain


Sophisticated Women... Are Ambitious!

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O R T H O D O N T I C SG RICHARD M.

ARLITZ382 10th Ave Dr NEHickory NC, 28601

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The 35th Annual Mrs. North Carolina and South Carolina America Pageants were held on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at the Charles Mack Citizen Center in Mooresville NC. Doors opened at 6pm the Pageant began at 7pm. The new Mrs. North Carolina America and Mrs. South Carolina America winners will be at the nationally-televised Mrs. America Pageant at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia in April. The Mrs. America Pageant is the only nationally-televised and recognized pageant for married women. Delegates from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will vie for the title of Mrs. America 2011 over a two week vacation at the spectacular Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia and broadcast on TV. The Mrs. North Carolina America and Mrs. South Carolina America Pageant emphasizes the extraordinary and accomplished work of both North and South Carolina’s married women. Contestant ages range from twenty to fifty. Contestants will compete in evening gown, swimsuit, interview, and onstage questions. Contestants will also compete in most beautiful, pageantry spirit, people’s choice, photogenic, and congeniality. This year’s Mrs. North Carolina America winner, Candace Blanchard lives in Asheville and grew up in Claremont NC and wife of Rhett Blanchard and mother of three children as well as Mrs. South Carolina America winner, Niki

Wartenburg from Myrtle Beach wife of Dean Wartenburg and mother of two daughters’. The winner of Mrs. America goes on to represent the United States at Mrs. World. Mrs. World will be held during the fall of 2011.

Executive Directors Wendy and Frederick Galle III are scouting for delegates from each of the counties/cities in South Carolina. Delegates must be 18 years old and married with the ability to travel both nationally and statewide. Mr. Galle states “We have grown the pageant every year yet, we know there are amazing women in the Carolina’s that could compete and bring home the Mrs. America title. We are searching for those special married woman to represent North and South Carolina and make the state proud. If you are interested or know someone who is an extraordinary married woman please get in contact with us.”

State prize packages are valued at over $70,000.00 with previous Mrs. America’s receiving over $100,000.00 in prizes and a new car. Delegates will attend contestant events and make several appearances at sponsors businesses in the run up to the final event.

Mrs. North Carolina America Winner

Candace Blanchard

Photo Courtesy of Shane Greene Photography


Owner & Operator of The CORE Fitness Studio, NASCAR Coach, Master Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer and Sports Nutritionist Wayne DeLoriea, One of NASCAR’s most successful and decorated coaches, certified in 79 countries around the world and author of Coach Without A Whistle joins forces with Healthy Lifestyles to help you realize your nutrition and fitness goals.

THE

MALEBOXby Wayne DeLoriea

From Wikipedia:April Fools’ Day is celebrated in the Western world on April 1st of

every year. Sometimes referred to as All Fools’ Day, April 1st is not a legal holiday, but is widely recognized and celebrated as a day which tolerates practical jokes and general foolishness. The day is marked by the commission of good humored or funny jokes, hoaxes and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, family members, teachers, neighbors, work associates, etc.

Traditionally, in some countries such as New Zealand, the UK, Australia, and South Africa, the jokes only last until noon, and someone who plays a trick after noon is called an “April Fool”.[1] It is for this reason that newspapers in the U.K. that run a front page April fool only do so on the first (morning) edition.[2] Elsewhere, such as in France, Ireland, Italy, South Korea, Japan, Russia, The Netherlands, Germany, Brazil, Canada, and the U.S., the jokes last all day. The earliest recorded association between April 1 and foolishness can be found in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales (1392).

In Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales (1392), the “Nun’s Priest’s Tale” is set on “March 32,” i.e. April 1.

So, I can hear some of you now…how is Coach going to turn April Fool’s Day into a love story?

Well, the definition above alludes to a beautiful love story way back in medieval times. You see, once there were two Popes. Both of them struggled against the other for relevance and power. One Pope lived in England and the other in France, but both tried to pressure King Richard II to marry the girl that would benefit them the most. The English Pope wanted Richard to marry a woman of great wealth and influence that would bring England great trade treaties, so all the people of England were disappointed when Richard turned aside and chose a woman named Anne of Bohemia. Anne was not rich and actually came with no dowry or influence at all. In fact, Richard had to pay Anne’s brother to have her hand in marriage, so not only didn’t she have any money but it cost Richard 20,000 Florins. They were married on January 22, 1382.

The people of England referred to her as a ‘tiny scrap of humanity’. They were married for 12 years until she died from the plague. In that 12 years Anne became very popular in England and was given the name of ‘Good Queen Anne’ because she fought for the rights of the people and asked the government to pardon many prisoners.

King Richard II was so sad at Anne’s death that he ended up losing his throne.

So how does all this and April Fool’s Day relate? Well, Chaucer wrote his story to be set thirty two days after March, but it was misunderstood to mean March 32nd…which would be April 1st.

Thirty-two days after March would have been May 2nd…King Richard II and Anne’s anniversary.

So there you have it…April Fool’s Day is linked to a beautiful love story.

April is a month of renewal. Spring is all around and love is in the air. It’s a great time to step back and count your blessings. Fall in love with family all over again. The end of winter’s cold is at hand and spring’s warmth and beauty is before you. Celebrate these most beautiful of days with your family. Take a ride into the country, an early trip to the beach or just stay at home and plant some flowers as a monument to the ones you love. Be a better husband, dad and friend…lighten up and laugh.

I’ll be lifting a prayer of thanks for my family’s health and all the blessings that my beautiful wife Linda means to us. I love you honey.

Come on guys…soften up and join me…April is the month of another beautiful LOVE story.For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ,

as a sacrifice for our sins, PAID IN FULL, that whosoever will believe in Him as their Risen Lord and Savior…will be saved from an eternity in Hell. God dearly LOVES you and paid a GREAT price to adopt you…

Happy Easter!

[email protected] Wayne De Loriea


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Girlfriends in GodP.O. Box 725

Matthews, NC [email protected]

Some Things Never Change

by Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever!”

(Psalm 136:1, NIV)

Friend to Friend2002 was a year of transition for me. I changed positions at the ministry

where I served, my son packed up to go away to college, my thyroid went out of control and had to be purposely destroyed with radioactive iodide, my first book went out of print, the grocery store quit carrying my favorite coffee, and Revlon discontinued the eyeliner that I’d been using for ten years. Like a little girl having a hissy fit, I whined, “Doesn’t anything ever stay the same? Isn’t there one thing I can count on being the same tomorrow as it is today?!

Then I heard that gentle whisper I’ve grown to love: “’Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you” (Isaiah 54:10).

Yes, there is one thing that will never change, God’s unfailing love and care for His children. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and on that we can always depend. Solomon tells us the one thing each of us longs for is unfailing love (Proverbs 19:22). And that is exactly what we have in the love of our heavenly Father.

The word compassion in Isaiah 54:10 is the Hebrew word racham, which means “to soothe; to cherish; to love deeply like parents; to be compassionate, be tender…This verb usually refers to a strong love which is rooted in some kind of natural bond, often from a superior one to an inferior. (Now here’s the best part.) Small babies evoke this feeling.” (Beth Moore, Breaking Free: Making Liberty in Christ a Reality in Life (Nashville, Tenn.: Lifeway, 1999), 160.)

When my son, Steven, came into the world, a love was birthed in my heart that I never thought possible. Elizabeth Stone said it well: “To make a decision to have a child, it’s momentous. It is to decide to have your heart go walking around outside of your body for the rest of your life.” That is how our Heavenly Father feels about His children!

The beautiful Hebrew word, hesed, is translated unfailing love in Isaiah 54:10. It is often translated loving-kindness, steadfast love, grace, mercy, faithfulness, goodness, and devotion. This word is used 240 times in the Old Testament and is considered one of the most important in the vocabulary of the Old Testament. Why? Because God’s unfailing love is one of the most important themes of the entire Bible. It is who He is and what He does (1 John 4:8).

How would you like to memorize half of a psalm in the next sixty seconds? Want to give it a try? Turn to Psalm 136. After each sentence, there is an echo, “His love endures forever.” Just say that sentence twenty-

six times and you’ve quoted half of the Psalm! The Psalmist begins by reminding us of how God created the universe and all it contains. Then he continues by reminiscing how God led the captive Israelites out of Egypt, across the parted Red Sea, through the arid desert, and into the lush Promised Land conquering enemies at every turn. And through it all, one thing remained the same – “His love endures forever!”

There may be times in our lives when we cry, “Where are you God? Don’t you care what is happening to me? I can’t hear You. I can’t see Your hand working in my life.” But be assured of this. Even when we can’t sense God’s presence, He is always there. Always. And through it all, one thing remains the same – “His love endures forever!”

Let’s PrayLORD, today I am rejoicing over the truth that Your love endures forever.

Even though everything around me may be falling apart and changing, You will always remain the same yesterday, today and tomorrow!

In Jesus’ Name,Amen

Now It’s Your TurnJust for fun, list all the things that changed in your life in 2010. This

might take a while.Now after each of those entries, go back and write the phrase: His love

endures forever.I know some GiGs do these devotions with their gal pals. This would

be a great exercise to do together. Have fun!I’d love to see your list. You can share them with me at www.facebook.

com/sharonjaynes.

More from the GirlfriendsToday’s devotion was taken from Sharon’s new book, 5 Dreams of

Every Woman and How God Wants to Fulfill Them(a new revised version of her previous book, Dreams of a Woman). Can you risk the hope that God still has dreams for your life? That He hasn’t forgotten you? Place your hand firmly in His-take a deep breath and begin the exciting journey to a place you thought you’d never find: the dream God planned for you all along. Let’s dare to dream again!


My name is Jill Walker. I’m the Team Captain for TEAM WALKER. I am honored that my family has been chosen to be the Ambassador Family for March for Babies 2011. The March of Dimes is very special to me, and I want to do all I can to help them with giving each baby a healthy start.

I was expecting twin girls in May 2007. I went into premature labor on January 27, 2007. I was 25 weeks pregnant at the time. The doctors were unable to stop my labor, and I was rushed into an emergency c-section to deliver my daughters. The scariest part was not knowing if they would survive the birth. My first daughter, Katelyn, was born and weighed 1.12 pounds and was 12 inches long. My second daughter, Bethany, was born weighing 2 pounds and was 14 inches long. They were immediately taken to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and placed on life support. It was discovered that my daughters suffered from Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). About 10% of twins who share the same placenta develop this complication. One baby receives too much blood & nutrients and the other baby does not receive enough while in the womb. We found out that Katelyn didn’t receive enough blood or nutrients and Bethany was receiving too much. I read on the March of Dimes website that studies are now showing that TTTS can be treated with laser surgery or repeated amniocentesis to remove excess fluid. Both girls had multiple medical issues after they were born. And each day in the NICU was good and bad.

On their sixth day of life my husband and I were faced with the toughest decision a person can make. We were told that Katelyn was not going to survive. Her medical issues were becoming too much and nothing more could be done to save her. After much prayer and discussions we made the decision to take her off life support. We were given the chance to hold and love her for the first time. Katelyn passed away peacefully in my arms on February 2, 2007.

Our focus then moved to Bethany. She had many struggles to overcome. She needed extra help with breathing and feeding. Bethany stayed in the NICU for more than 100 days, learning the basic tasks that healthy babies are born doing. She amazed not only us, but everyone who knew about her struggle of survival. Today Bethany is a healthy 4 year old who loves to read books and play with her big brother, Kyle.

The March of Dimes has become family to me. The medicines and technology they have developed helped save Bethany’s life. Without surfactant therapy, which was discovered through March of Dimes funded research, Bethany’s lungs may have never developed. The March of Dimes Share Your Story website has led me to a family of people who have experienced the same things I have faced since the birth of my daughters. So each year as my family and friends raise money we do so to remember Katelyn and those babies who do not survive. We also raise money to honor Bethany and babies like her who fight to survive. So please join our fight to give every baby a healthy start. Join March for Babies 2011 and do your part to improve the health of babies.

Sincerely,

Jill Walker and Team Walker

2011 March of Dimes Ambassador:

Bethany Walker

Each year, in Catawba County, 11.5% of the babies born, are born prematurely. 334 Babies are born too soon and too small in North Carolina every week. In the United States, a baby is born with a birth defect every 4 and a half minutes. Catawba County area residents and businesses are working to change these statistics, by raising awareness and funds through the March of Dimes largest event, March for Babies®, Catawba County supporters are helping improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

March for Babies — the nation’s premier walking event — is held in 900 communities across the United States and involves more than 7 million people each year. Catawba County expects to raise $165,000 with the help of at least 1,000 people walking in support of healthy babies.

Catawba County’s March for Babies will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2011, at Lenoir Rhyne University. Registration will begin at 9:00 a.m., and the walk will step off at 10:00 a.m. Businesses, organizations and families are invited to join the March for Babies by visiting www.marchforbabies.org and starting a team. At the event, participants will enjoy music, food, kids activities and more. For more information, call the March of Dimes office at (828) 464-8905 or email [email protected].


Kettle Swing (BalliStic)

Step 1- 1. Take one kettlebell by the handle and hold with both hands. While maintaining good posture bend at your hips and swing the bell back between your legs. Keep looking forward at all times.

Step 2. With a forceful hip thrust, project the kettlebell out in front of your chest. Keep your abs and glutes tight at the top of the swing.Tips: Look forward at all times. If you do not look ahead, your back will round. Your arms and shoulders do not use strength at all; they are like 2 ropes hanging from your shoulders. All the power comes from your hips. Complete 3 sets of 15 repetitions to start. As you progress you can increase the weight of your kettlebell or number of repetitions.

windmill (grinding)

Step 1. Start with the kettlebell held up in one hand over your head. Look up towards the kettlebell. Push out your hip so that it is beneath the kettlebell. You should be able to form a straight line from the kettlebell, to the elbow to the hip and finally the knee.

2. Turn your lower body slightly away from the kettlebell so that your toes are pointed at approximately 45 degrees away from the kettlebell. Most of your weight should be on the leg underneath the bell and try and keep that knee locked. The other knee can be bent. Go as low as you can in good form, then squeeze your glutes and get back up without twisting.

The Kettlebell swing will train your hamstrings, glutes, lower back, spinal erectors, upper back muscles and forearm flexors. It is also good for improving your balance and hamstrings flexibility. The swing will help melt off body fat while giving you a back of steel.

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Kitrina Has Lost 45 Pounds!

Kettlebell TrainingThe Kettlebell is a cast iron weight that resembles a cannon ball

with a handle on it. It originates from Russia and was one of the first strength training tools used more than 300 years ago. Sizes may range from as little as 4 pounds up to as heavy as 175 pounds.

The Kettlebell is a jack of all trades: strength and cardio endurance, core strength, power, grip strength and even flexibility. You can shred fat and build impressive muscles and definition as well with a kettlebell.

How is the Kettlebell different from ordinary dumbbells? Unlike traditional dumbbells, the kettlebell has a handle which offsets the center of gravity. This allows for both ballistic (fast repetitive movements) and grinding (high tension movements). Kettlebell exercises include swings, press, snatch and press, and windmill. Of course, you can do the traditional exercises you usually do with a dumbbell including flies, bicep curls, and triceps extension.

When performing Kettlebell exercises keep in mind the following tips:

1. Start with a light weight kettlebell.2. Warm up properly.3. Learn the proper form.4. Use your breath. Make sure you fully exhale at the time of exertion.5. Vary your workout to include both ballistic and grinding movements. Sharon Rashidi

B.S. Health EducationOwner of The Perfect Workout

828 465-4055 www.theperfectworkout.net


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FrontPorchThe

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TM

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Finally, Spring is here and the flowers are blooming and the trees are producing pollen. Really, I am excited that, officially spring is here.

Now, you probably would not know that by looking at me. I know when I see someone crying and their eyes are all red and puffy and they can’t stop sniffing, my immediate thoughts are not how happy they are. But looks can be deceiving. Even though I suffer from allergies, I so much love the beauty of Spring. It is just a time when things seem so alive and fresh.

We start thinking about our yards, planting gardens, sprucing up our homes, and vacations. One thing that has to be done at my home this year is put a fresh coat of stain on the deck. Now as much as I would love to do that myself, I will leave that to my husband. It makes him happy to do that. How do I know it makes him happy? It’s the little things that sends me that message. Like when I come home and I have a bag full of “color charts” and I start to look at them, how, he takes them from me. Isn’t that so sweet? He wants to surprise me!

Not to fret…there are other things. Maybe this year he will let me plant some of the flowers. I wanted to do that for him last year but when I came home with seeds and those cute little dirt cups, he saw what I was doing and asked me where I wanted them. You have to admit how precious that was. I even showed him how I bought the most darling pair of garden gloves you have ever seen but I guess he just didn’t want me to get any blisters.

See what I mean about him being so sweet. Surely, I can come up with some way to help him out this year. He has been talking about plugging the yard but since I have no idea what that means, I can’t help there. Besides, he loves yard work. Every year, I offer to mow the lawn but without any success. One year when I tried to surprise him, the lawnmower decided not to run. I worked and worked to get that stupid thing to crank and wouldn’t you know it. Just about the time I thought I was winning, my husband saw what I was doing and told me to go back in the house. He was mad at me just for thinking about it. Actually he was mad for a good hour or so after he finished. I know because his face was all red and he wouldn’t hardly talk to me.

We do need some fresh mulch but I already know I can’t help out there because of my allergies. Just going to check it out caused me a lot of problems. The only thing I knew about mulch was that it was supposed to be dark. No one told me how bad it smelled! My nose crinkles up just thinking about it. It reminded me of when one of the farmers used to plow up the grounds close to our home when I was a child. He must have used the same mulch I was looking at. It was dark but who could stand the smell? I told my husband I tried to help but he was going to have to find some mulch that did not smell so bad. For the life of me, I don’t know why he rolled his eyes.

Maybe I will just surprise him with planning our vacation. He has been saying how much he needs one lately. I wonder where he would like to go? He loves NASCAR so maybe I can plan something around a race. Except I have already done that and even though he loved it, he thought I just went overboard with trying to please him. He did love the matching Jeff Gordon shirts, stadium seats, headphones, cooler and other paraphernalia but I don’t think he really loved the section we sat in. The guy did apologize for spilling his beer all over us but my sweet husband just could not get over him dropping the hotdog with all the mustard all over his shirt. He told me it was no use to try because mustard just did not come out so we would have to just throw the shirt away. He really did not want to because he knows how much I love Jeff Gordon.

Maybe I just need to think about this a little longer. Surely I can come up with something. Besides, the allergy medicine I took is not helping me think clearly. Tomorrow might be a better day and maybe I can walk around outside without my eyes swelling up. I am sure I can find something that I can help him with. Who knows, maybe the bushes need trimming!


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showcase my daughter’s pictures, I took into consideration the company’s products I would use. I chose a company that stands behind its products with pride because I knew I would take pride in my efforts. Since the pictures were so expensive and precious to our family, I was not going to stick them in a cheap album where I would risk losing them to the acids found on those pages. Nor did I want to have to redo the album after only a few years. That happened with my very own wedding photos. Sadly, many of them had turned yellow due to the peel back page album I had chosen to store them in. Seriously, if you want your pictures to last as long as your wedding vows, then you need to carefully choose them for preservation, presentation, and pride. You can display them with the pride and dignity they deserve. As you make your wedding plans, or as you revisit your wonderful day, consider where your pictures will be in 20 years and in what state of preservation. You want the best for the best day of your life!

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Written by Vanessa Rush Printed with Permission Sometimes you want something cold to drink, but the usual water, soda, or

iced tea just won’t do. You want something rich, creamy and thick. This is the perfect occasion for a milkshake.

Milkshakes are available at your local fast-food joint, but these made-from-a-mix milkshakes don’t offer much in the way of flavor.

You can make your own delectable and sophisticated versions of this classic dessert drink at home. The only tool you’ll need is a blender.

With homemade milkshakes, you can express your creativity when it comes to flavorings. You also have the control when it comes to what type of milk you use, the amount of sugar and other additions you include, and all other aspects of the milkshake formula.

This is great if you have food allergies or sensitivities, are watching your weight, or just want to enjoy the unmatched flavor of a milkshake made from scratch.

The main ingredient in a milkshake is, of course, milk. To reduce fat and calories, opt to make your milkshake from reduced fat milk.

For those who don’t drink cow’s milk, you can make your milkshake from alternative milks without sacrificing taste or texture. Some of these milk alternatives include: Soy milk, Rice milk, Almond milk

There are also ice creams made from these alternative milks that can be added to your milkshake.

Some milkshakes require you to go easy on the milk and make ice cream the star of the show. Some milkshakes don’t call for ice cream at all. The latter might be considered a smoothie in some circles.

There are recipes for yogurt milkshakes that are quite good and good for you, to boot. As you can see, milkshakes allow for lots of variety.

If you’re using fruit in your milkshake, think fresh. Some people use fruit syrups in the shakes, but fresh fruit is better for you and produces the best flavor.

Be creative with your shake, but don’t go crazy. If you have kids, they may want to unload half the candy drawer into the blender, but the result will probably be less appealing than they imagined. Stick to some basic ingredients that go well together and you can’t go wrong.

A basic chocolate milkshake is a great place to start. It’s simple, classic, and best of all; it can be used as a foundation for all kinds of chocolate milkshake creations.

Chocolate Shake Recipe1/4 cup chocolate syrup2 scoops vanilla or chocolate ice cream1 cup milkAdd all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth.

Now for some great variations:Add peppermint extract for a cool chocolate peppermint drink.Peanut butter, banana and chocolate make a great combination. Make sure

to use smooth peanut butter.Cherries and chocolate go hand in hand. You can add maraschino cherries

or regular fresh cherries.Add some cold brewed coffee for a heavenly mocha shake.You can add some malt powder to your mixture to create an old-fashioned

malted milk. If something fruity and tropical is more your style, you’re in luck.

Milkshakes are perfect for warm weather or anytime you want to feel that summertime vibe.

You can make a basic vanilla shake and add mango, coconut, papaya or

other tropical fruits. Lime is also a great island favorite, and the following milkshake is full of that great, refreshing lime flavor.

Sublime Lime Milkshake1/4 cup milk1 scoop lime sherbet1 scoop vanilla ice creamIce cubes (a handful)In a blender, combine all ingredients. Blend until smooth.

Feel free to get some fancy glasses for your milkshake. It’s traditional to serve milkshakes in tall glasses, topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

The original milkshake appeared in the 19th century. It included eggs and whiskey and was considered a “tonic” or health drink. Those early milkshakes definitely wouldn’t be considered a nutritious drink today, and modern milkshakes fair no better when it comes to fat, calories, and sugar.

However, there are ways to make a more healthful milkshake. Milkshakes do have the benefit of containing calcium as well as vitamin D. You can sneak in other nutrients if you add fruit to the mix.

Soy is a good source of lean protein. This shake is a lower-fat version of a classic strawberry shake. It includes soy milk in place of cow’s milk and fresh strawberries for flavor and fiber. If you’re a tofu fan, you know how good silken tofu is for blending in drinks. If you’re not sure about tofu, this is a great way to give it a chance!

Strawberry Soy Milkshake Recipe(Recipe adapted from Epicurious.com)2 cups soft or silken tofu2 cups fresh strawberries (washed and de-stemmed)1/2 cup plain soy milk1/2 cup ice2 tablespoons honey2 teaspoons strawberry jamThrow everything in the blender and purée until smooth.

Another way to reduce fat and calories in a milkshake is to use gelato instead of ice cream. Gelato is an Italian frozen dessert that’s a cross between ice cream and flavored ice. It comes in a large variety of flavors. It can be blended with 2% milk and whatever fruits you fancy to make a lighter, gourmet milkshake.

For a grown-ups-only treat, add a bit of liqueur in a flavor that complements the gelato. The result is perfect for a late-night summer drink with friends. Some suggestions include:

Peach gelato with amarettoCherry gelato with cherry SchnappsChocolate or vanilla gelato with crème de menthe or Bailey’sIf you enjoy the candy-studded milkshakes offered at some fast-food

chains, you can duplicate them easily at home. You can also take them up a notch by using a higher-end candy.

A crumbled piece of special dark chocolate or chocolate-covered berries work wonderfully.

Remember that if you like chunky milkshakes, you’ll either need to get some large straws, or keep a spoon on hand to scoop up the larger pieces. If young children will be drinking the shake, it’s best to leave out the chunks as they pose a choking risk.

Homemade gourmet milkshakes are easy and fun to make, whether by yourself or with family or friends. You can even get creative and throw a make-your-own-milkshake station at your next get together.

Milkshakes To Make At Home


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

Three Dinners With Boneless Chicken Breasts

The Dinner Diva

by Leanne Ely

The great thing about boneless skinless chicken breasts for the cook is they are like a blank canvas--the creativity and ideas to take this poultry to the next level is endless! Chicken takes on the flavors of the spices and ingredients accompanying it, making it amazingly versatile.

Besides being extremely convenient, boneless chicken breasts don’t even need to be thawed before cooking (most of the time anyway) and are great way to get your clean, lean protein.

Bon appetite and enjoy all these great new recipes, all using chicken and a delicious fruit salsa!

Chicken Tacos with Fruit SalsaServes 6 The Salsa1 cup cubed fresh pineapple (or use frozen)4 nectarines, pitted and chopped (or use frozen peaches)2 mangos, peeled and chopped (or use frozen)2 large tomatoes, chopped finely1/2 cup diced red onion2 limes, juiced (use only juice)2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro1/4 teaspoon sea salt1/2 teaspoon ground cracked black pepper1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped finely Combine all ingredients in a bowl tossing gently. May store in fridge for up

to 24 hours before serving. You may also process, prior to chopping, in a food processor to desired consistency.

The Tacos 4 large boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into bite sized pieces1 cup lemonade2 tablespoons olive oil1 tablespoon lime juice1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce1 clove garlic, peeled, smashed2 green onions, chopped finely, including green part1 (12 ounce) package corn tortillas1 container Greek yogurt (use like sour cream) In a large skillet over medium high, heat oil until hot, then add onion

and garlic and cook until onion is clear. Add chicken, cooking until outside of chicken is white and center is almost done. Now add the rest of the ingredients, cover, turn down and simmer until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear. Wait about 15 more minutes. Remove lid to cook down liquid if necessary.

While cooking the chicken, warm the tortillas in the oven until soft. Once chicken is cooked transfer to serving bowl, place chicken mixture into tortillas, wrap. Add yogurt and Fruit Salsa as desired.

Variations: Use lettuce greens of your choice, pita halves for the shells. Put

all ingredients out and let each person make their own. You can also use great big Romaine lettuce leaves in lieu of the tortillas for a truly low carb meal.

Grilled Chicken with Fruit Salsa Serves 6 Fruit Salsa(from above)6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts halves2 cloves garlic, minced1 teaspoon cracked black pepper grated1 tablespoon fresh ginger1/2 cup soy sauce1/2 cup lemon juice Combine juice, soy sauce, ginger, pepper, and garlic in a plastic bag or bowl

with a good seal, place the chicken inside, seal and shake to coat, marinate for at least one hour, but no more than four, turning each 30 minutes or so.

Prepare grill or broiler. If you’re using the broiler, place pan one rung from

the top. If you’re using the grill, use a medium direct heat. Remove chicken from bag, and discard the marinade. Grill chicken on s grill rack, or in a broiler pan, lightly oiled with olive oil. Cook 5 minutes on each side or until center of chicken is done. Serve with Fruit Salsa over chicken.

Chicken Taco Salad 1 head lettuce of choice, shredded (not Iceberg, no nutrition)1 cup feta cheese, crumbled1 green bell pepper, chopped1 red bell pepper, chopped2 cups tortilla chips, crushedGrilled Chicken, cut into cubesFruit SalsaGreek yogurt In a large bowl mix all in ingredients except Greek Yogurt, separate into

four to six servings, and top with a dollop of Greek yogurt.


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Me, Myself, & I

By Sherré DeMao

nc.Whose Goals Are They Anyway?

In my last column, I discussed getting into a mindset to allow goals to happen. This month, I am going to explore helping you look at your goals in a different way to better enable you to know which goals really mean something to you, why certain goals may be blocked, and how some goals may not really be your goals at all. By knowing how to assess and truly embrace your goals for what they really are, you will be able to prioritize and take action to achieve them like never before.

In going through this process myself and working with others, I have identified three “aha” moments that can help you break through and shift from being stuck or scattered in striving for your goals to being focused and intentional. These “aha” moments involve who else is impacted, the reasons behind your goals and your values as they relate to your goals.

The first “aha” moment is when you explore who in addition to yourself will be affected or who may benefit when you reach your goals. Don’t list them as one big grouping of people. Take each goal and then list specifically to each goal everyone who would benefit or be affected either positively or potentially negatively. For instance, let’s say your goal is to get a high-powered job offer. Those affected would be your family, but perhaps one particular member of your family will view it as a negative if it results in you moving away if you take the job. Others affected would be your current co-workers. Specific associates or customers might be affected as well, depending on the work that you do. Identifying everyone that can or would be affected is an important step towards gaining insight necessary to achieve the goal faster. It can also help you view your goals through others’ eyes which will help you better prepare for any opposition, reluctance or resistance.

A second “aha” occurs when you take time to list reasons for your goals. Take a look at each of your goals and list the underlying reasons why you want to accomplish each one. Again, do not group your goals and reasons, but list reasons specific to each goal. It is often eye-opening when someone is asked why they want to achieve a certain goal and their reasons focus on everything but that they honestly believe it will benefit them personally. Let’s take a closer look at any goals that you just cannot seem to put your heart into. There is a good reason for this. It most likely is not your goal, but a goal someone else has made you feel should be your goal. You believe if you reach this goal, it will make someone proud or happy or it is connected to an obligation you feel you must fulfill. If any of your goals are primarily to please someone else, then you need to take a step back and decide if this is really your goal or someone else’s goal for you. It may be time to let that goal go once and for all. The freedom to imagine and passionately go in the direction of your dreams should be a journey that is fulfilling and enriching. When you are trying to please someone else, it is a draining, deflating experience. No wonder your heart just isn’t into it!

A third “aha” occurs when you explore your values in how you prefer to live and work. After listing your values, go a step deeper just like you did

with your goals and list the reasons why each value is important to you. Now take a look at your goals in conjunction with your values. Is there a particular goal that isn’t getting anywhere or you feel stuck? Typically, this frustration or inactivity occurs because a value of yours is not being honored or is in conflict.

To give you an idea how reasons and values play a powerful role in assessing and reaching your goals, here is an example. I had a goal for the longest time to be a certain weight. No matter what I did, I could not get to that specific weight over a couple of years of having this same goal. In looking at my reasons, I realized that they were more about what others thought than how I felt. In looking at my values, I changed my goal from being weight-focused to being health and vitality-focused. And guess what? Not long after shifting my goal to something that mattered to me, I actually got down to that mysterious weight that was so elusive before.

There is no greater power than to have goals inspired from your deepest passions. There is no greater gratification than allowing your conviction and belief in yourself enable you to achieve what may have seemed impossible, because simply nothing was going to stop you.

Bio: Sherré DeMao inspires millions through her monthly Savvy Business Owner column, her weekly Monday Motivation & Insight and her national contributing writing for FoxBusiness.com, Entrepreneur.com and Enterprising Women magazines. An expert strategist and marketer focused on entrepreneurs, her unique perspective and innovative approach has earned more than 50 awards regionally, nationally and internationally including being named among the Top 50 Enterprising Women of North America in 2007. Her first book, Me, Myself & Inc. - A Synergized World, An Energized Business, Living Your Ultimate Life (www.memyselfandinc.com), was cited as a Top Business Shelf pick by Midwest Book Review. Her newest book, 50 Marketing Secrets of Growth Companies in Down Economic Times (www.50marketingsecrets.com) has been cited as being a book “business marketers will refer to again and again.”


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PEARLS &petticoatsTHE GIRLS IN MY CIRCLE When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,And then I started to become a woman.And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,God would show you the best in many friends. One friend is needed when you’re going through things with your man.. Another friend is needed when you’re going through things with your mom. Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities. Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be. One friend will say, ‘Let’s cry together,’Another , ‘Let’s fight together,’ Another , ‘Let’s walk away together.’ One friend will meet your spiritual need,Another your shoe fetish,Another your love for movies, Another will be with you in your season of confusion,Another will be your clarifier, Another the wind beneath your wings. But whatever their assignment in your life,On whatever the occasion,On whatever the day, Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back, Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself .. Those are your best friends. It may all be wrapped up in one woman, But for many, it’s wrapped up in several.. One from 7th grade,One from high school, Several from the college years, A couple from old jobs,On some days your mother, On some days your neighbor,On others, your sisters,And on some days, your daughters.

Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.-Helen Keller

“All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.” - Indian Proverb

Only your real friends tell you when your face is dirty.Source Unknown

The odds of going to the store for a loaf of bread and coming out with only a loaf of bread are three billion to one. ~Erma Bombeck

Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.- Robert Fulghum

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.- Anne Bradstreet

Fairy Tales are more than true, not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.G. K. Chesterton


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Birds are singing. Flowers are blooming. Signs of spring are so welcome after the long, cold winter. Unfortunately, with all the beauty comes the hated allergy season. For many of us, allergies are just as severe indoors as outside.

In cases of severe allergies and asthma, it might be time to see a specialist.

With mild allergies, there are some simple things you can do that will make you breathe more easily. Here are some tips that might be helpful:

For dust mite allergies, wrap your mattress and pillows in 1. dust-free barriers. Since you spend a lot of time in bed, this Is the most important place to start. Do not let your pets sleep on your pillow if you have pet allergies.

Invest in a vaccumn cleaner that has a HEPA filter. 2. Change filters in your air and heat vents often and have ducts 3.

cleaned at least every 10 years. New specialty filters are available that you can attach to your system to attract dust, mold, and pollens. Get more information from a reputable heating and air specialist.

Consider removing all or most of your carpet and replace 4. with hardwoods, tile, or another hard surface. These are easier to clean and do not harbor dust mites.

Use lighter weight window treatments or fabrics that are 5. easier to clean. Many allergy sufferers remove all fabric and use shutters or blinds.

Remove clothing before coming in from the outdoors so you 6. don’t track pollens into the house. If I did this in our neighborhood, I’d get arrested. I do change clothes, use a sinus cleanse, and take a shower washing pollens out of my hair immediately after working in the yard.

Pets cause problems for some people. If you are selecting a 7. pet, choose from the hypo-allergenic breeds of dogs and cats. If you already have indoor animals, vaccumn often using a HEPA filter.

Cut out the clutter. The less you have to dust, the easier it is 8. to keep your home clean and allergy friendly.

Boost your immune system. From personal experience, I 9. find that my allergies are less severe if I get plenty of sleep, regular exercise, and eat healthy fruits and veggies.

If someone in your household smokes, have them go outside. 10. If they are too stubborn and inconsiderate; you can rent or buy machines that will take some of the toxins out of the air.

Enjoy the weather and breathe deeply!

10 Ways To Breathe Better


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322-4190

Mention This Ad For 10% OFF Custom Order!

Ask about our catering menu, reservations for large parties on patio, gluten free available

mellowmushroominfo.com/hickoryFacebook: mellowmushroomhickory

1185 Lenoir Rhyne Blvd. SE • 828-322-8491

nicole lee®

Stylish New Clothing &

Apparel

828.855.90054436 N. Center StreetHickory, NC 28601(Corner of Cloninger Mill Rd & HWY 127)

Clothes•Handbags•Footwear•Jewelry•


NEW LOCATION2440 North Center St,

Hickory 28601(across from Hobby Lobby in

North Pointe Shopping Center)

© 2011 Vera Bradley Designs, Inc.

New! Straw Collection for Summer 2011Woven straw with a criss-cross plaid pattern of magenta patent and new Viva la Vera

color accents make all four styles (plus a wide-brimmed hat) very sun-worthy!

Shown: Bamboo Handheld in Viva la Vera

Your Gift Destination828-328-5599

Hours: Mon - Fri 10-6 Sat 10-5 / Closed Sun

www.deborahsgifts.com

Residential LivingAssisted Living

Health Care Services

828.464.8260www.abernethylaurels.org

AbernethyLaurels

A full service retirement community in Newton

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Catawba Shoe StoreAdjacent to Hickory Furniture Mart

828-431-4804HOURS OF OPERATION: MON - FRI 9:30-6 • SAT 9-5 • CLOSED SUN.

Fashion For Your Style....Comfort For Your Life!

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shutterbuggerzOur Monthly Feature

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

professional and amateur photographers!

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

shutterbuggerz.com pg 37

Photo Submitted By:Elements Photography

pg 38 Sophie Woman’s Magazine April 2011shutterbuggerz.com pg 38shutterbuggerz.com pg 38

Photo Submitted By:Brooke Williams

Photo Submitted By:BKing Photography

Photo Submitted By:Capture Life Photography

Sophie Woman’s Magazine April 2011 pg 39 shutterbuggerz.com pg 39

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments

that take your breath away.”

how this worksEach month our readers are going to submit photos to us via our web site or email. During that month, visitors to our web site at shutterbuggerz.com will vote on their favorite photo(s). Each month, the winning photographer (professional and amateur) will receive a prize.

Prizes:Professional photographers will receive a free 1/4 page ad space in the next issue of Sophie Woman’s Magazine. The amateur winner will receive a $25 Gift Certificate to a local restaurant of their choosing. Promotional apparel provided by:

Please read the submission guidelines and disclaimers on our web site at shutterbuggerz.com.

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2010_Sophie_Ad_11-3-10.pdf 11/3/10 4:21:52 PM

Enter Your Photos At shutterbuggerz.com


Photo Submitted By:Chelsey Hemphill

Photo Submitted By:Brian P. Street Photography

pg 40 Sophie Woman’s Magazine April 2011shutterbuggerz.com pg 40

Photo Submitted By:Kimberly Michael Photography

Photo Submitted By:Tony L. Moore Photography

Photo Submitted By:Elements Photograhy


Photo Submitted By:Elements Photography

Photo Submitted By:Dawn Wilson

Photo Submitted By:Michael Hrin Photography

pg 42 Sophie Woman’s Magazine April 2011shutterbuggerz.com pg 42

Photo Submitted By:Still Water Photography

Photo Submitted By:Josh Dunston

Photo Submitted By:Dawn Wilson


Photo Submitted By:Larry Keagy

Photo Submitted By:Audrey Gross Sherrill


Photo Submitted By:Amanda Carson Photography

Photo Submitted By:Photojenic Photography


Photo Submitted By:Still Water Photography


Photo Submitted By:Tonya Lowman Photography

Photo Submitted By:Rachel Melvin




Photo Submitted By:Brian P. Street Photography

Photo Submitted By:Beautiful Moments Photography


Photo Submitted By:Leslie Taylor


Photo Submitted By:Shawn Geiser Photography

Photo Submitted By:Cheryl Yoder


Maternity ServicesEXCEPTIONAL CARE, A CENTURY STRONG.

For information on our Spirit of Women New Mom Moments programs, please call 877-31WOMEN.

Brandon Locklear, M.D.Nicole Carroll, M.D.Alice Bishopric, M.D. Ryan Richardson, M.D. Meredith Watson, M.D.Robert Goins, M.D. Steve Merta, M.D.

For five generations, Frye Regional Medical Center has welcomed

Hickory’s tiniest new residents. With prenatal education, family centered

birthing services, neonatal intensive care, and certified lactation counselors,

moms-to-be have trusted Frye to deliver the birthing experience they expected.

Choose a premier birthing experience. Schedule your personal

tour of the Women’s Pavilion at Frye by calling 828-315-3391.

EXPECTING? WE DELIVER.

Nicole Carroll, M.D. Mother, Wife, Obstetrician/Gynecologist Patient of Dr. Alice Bishopric

Eddie Carroll-Father Husband, Orthopedic Sales Representative

Big sister MackenzieAge 2

Baby Charlotte Arrived November 5 at Frye Regional Medical Center


We’re Backwith great homes for you to tour.

Get Your FREE Guide at the Home Builders Association office or visit www.hickoryHBAparade.com for more locations.

Parade Hours

Hickory–Catawba Valley HBA • 3145 Tate Boulevard SE, Hickory, NC 28602 • (828) 322-6842

Saturdays, April 30 & May 7 – 11 AM to 6 PMSundays, May 1 & May 8 – 1 PM to 6 PM

sophie woman's magazine april 2011

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