OurTown June 2012

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Lilburn l Lawrenceville l Snellville l GraysonOur Town

June 2012

Meet Kelly Farris

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These results may not be typical. Results with products may vary from individual to individual. These nutrition recommendations are provided solely to support good nutrition with the intent of supporting the physiological and biochemical process of the human body and not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condi-tion. Be advised that any nutritional program recommended by Dr. Gravante is not intended as a primary therapy for any disease. Prior to starting any diet, nutrition or exercise program, you should consult with your medical physician.

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June 2012In THIS ISSue…Our Town Lilburn l Lawenceville l Snellville l Grayson

MagazineThe Gwinnett Area’s Family Lifestyle News

About the Cover....................................................................5,6

Calendar of events.................................................................7, 15

Fitness: Snellville Dad.....................................................................8

Finance: Priorities...................................................................9

Career: Ready for Summer?.........................................................10

Counselor’s Corner: Creating fabulous friendships....................11

education Corner: Outdoor play........................................11

Wellness: The quiet mind .......................................................12

June Crossword...........................................................................16

Health: Water is critical ..............................................................13

Crossword Key...........................................................................14

Pet Page: ................................................................................16/17

Recipe: ......................................................................................18

Page 4 For Advertising Information Call 404-824-5396 • E-mail: [email protected] Our Town Magazine

Contributing Writers:Glenton Ashby

Chef Jennifer Hill BookerSusan Cadley, LPC

Sagdrina Jalal, BS Ed, CPT Carol Chandler-WoodJulie Mills, CMT, LLCC

Crystal HuskeyAlicia Philipp MS, LPC, NCC

Althea Lawton-Thompson Cathy Bruce CPDT-KA

Dr. Armanda IrishAshley Marie Melonson

Our Town is published and direct mailed monthly to prestigious homes in the Gwinnett Area. Opinions expressed by the editorial staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town reserves the right to edit and or reject any editorial or advertising con-tent. Our Town is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers.

Entire contents copyright 2012 by Our Town. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without prior written permission from the publisher.

Publisher/editor

D. FloresgraPhiCs and design

Our TownCover Photo

D. Flores

Our Town Magazine P.O. Box 644 l Snellville, Georgia 30078Telephone: 404-824-5396www.OurTownMag.orgFor reader comments or questions,please E-mail us at [email protected]

Follow us on Twitter & Facebook. Find links at www.ourtownmag.org

ABOUT THE COVER

Our Town Magazine For Advertising Information Call 404-824-5396 • E-mail: [email protected] Page 5

Women often pour their hearts and souls into the lives of the people around them. This is, of course, an honorable and powerful character trait, and part of what makes us love the women in our lives as much as we do, but sometimes it can lead to unfulfilled dreams and “coulda-woulda-shouldas,” according to Kelly Farris, owner of Snellville’s Ladies’ Workout.

Farris is over 50 and “far from dead.” She is extremely active and does more now than at any other point in her life, which includes making lasting memories for her grandchil-dren. Just because you’re heading into phase three of your life doesn’t mean you have to stop living, according to Farris.

Farris has been in the fitness business for 23 years.

“I walked into a gym when I was 21 and I’ve never walked out,” she said.

Her career began as an aerobics instructor and personal trainer.

“I had been working out regularly,” she explained, “but the aerobics instructor kept walking in and asking if I would take her class.”

When she finally decided to take the class, she loved it. Within six weeks she was teaching classes herself.

“I was so hooked,” she said. “It was very natural for me.”

When, in 1995, an opportunity came up in Snellville to open her own gym, she jumped on it. Ladies Workout is the old-est gym in Snellville. In early April of this year, they relo-cated to a new, larger facility in the Snellville Oaks shopping

center.

“Our customer service really sets us apart,” she said. “We’re per-sonable. We make people feel included and like they’re part of a group. Women are looking for that, to feel like they belong.”

The gym feels like a sisterhood, according to Farris, and offers classes that cater specifically to women, including Flirty Girl, tribal belly dancing, hula hoop, Zumba and others. It also offers personal training tailored to each individual woman.

When the economy took a downturn, her business was affected like everyone else’s in town.

“You had to either retire or grow,” she said. “I needed to grow.”

Not only is Farris passionate about fitness, but one of her top priorities is empowering women.

“So many women are sitting around waiting for someone to make them happy,” she said. “You have to make your own hap-piness.” Continues on page 6

Meet Kelly Farris by Crystal Huskey

If you want to learn to kayak, go learn to kayak. Don’t wait for someone to go with you. If you want to learn to dance or want to get fit, Farris believes the time is now.

Another of Farris’ passions is her belief that exercise is the medicine of the future.

“Exercise can cure just about everything,” she said. “It just heals you.”

Her belief echoes that of Thomas Edison, who said at the end of the 19th century, “The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.”

Gym photos provided by Lisa Carter of Keepsake Portraits by Lisa


Farris, who specializes in clients with spe-cial needs, has seen women go from barely able to walk to doing Zumba and spin class. Another client of five years has a muscular degenerative disease, but through their com-bined effort, the disease has not progressed at all.

“It doesn’t get any better than that!” she said.

She wants to encourage women to just go do something you want to do, because “the clock is ticking.” She believes that it’s never too late to live the life you want.

Farris speaks frequently at gatherings and teaches seminars at the gym on nutrition and how to maintain balance. In 2004, she was voted the most outstanding business in Snellville, and was one of the top 25 health clubs in Atlanta for over 9 years in a row.

About the author: Crystal Huskey is a freelance writer, musician and mother of two in East Atlanta. She writes regularly for multiple newspapers and magazines. Visit crystalhuskey.wordpress.com for more of her writing.

Continued from page 5


Brown Bag ConcertJune 1, 2012Gwinnett Historic Courthousev 185 West Crogan Street, Lawrencevillewww.gwinnettcounty.comPack a sack lunch and blanket, bring the kids and enjoy the sounds of Havana Son for the first in our concert series. .

Treetop Quest at Discover MillsJune 1, 2012Discover Mills5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrencevillewww.treetopquest.comArtificial structure inside the mall, right next to the AMC Movie THeatre! Participants must be between 4-14 years old.

Lilburn Farmers’ MarketJune 01 – August 31, 2012Greenway Trail Parking Lot76 Main Street, Lilburnwww.lilburnfarmersmarket.orgThe Lilburn Farmers’ Market features produce, fruits, vegetables, baked goods and many more yummy food products.

Stone Mountain ChorusJune 2, 2012Mountain Park United Methodist Church 1405 Rockbridge Rd., Stone Mountainwww.stonemountainchorus.orgChorus event

Night at the MoviesJune 2, 2012Rhodes Jordan Park100 East Crogan Street, Lawrencevillewww.visitlawrenceville.comBring the family, blankets and chairs for a movie under the stars.

Broad Street Country MarketJune 02 – 30, 2012Loganville City Hall4385 Pecan St., Loganville www.loganville-ga.gov

Lawrenceville Farmers MarketJune 02 – October 20, 2012 Historic Courthouse Square185 Crogan Street, Lawrencevillewww.visitlawrenceville.comCome out and shop for fresh fruit, vegeta-bles, and breads. Every Saturday.

BlackTop Playground: Improv Comedy for KidsJune 6, 2012Aurora Theatre128 Pike Street, Lawrencevillewww.auroratheatre.comChildrens Playhouse

Lilburn Idol I in City Park June 8, 2012Lilburn City Park76 Main Street, Lilburn

www.cityoflilburn.comWatch American Idol on TV? Then you would love Lilburn Idol, watch locals audi-tion and perform live in Lilburn.

The Miracle WorkerJune 08 – 24, 2012New London Theatre2485 East Main Street SW, Snellvillewww.newlondontheatre.org

An Engaging Affair Bridal Show June 9, 2012 Gwinnett Historic Courthouse185 West Crogan Street, Lawrencevillewww.gwinnettcounty.comEnjoy an afternoon with your girls stroll-ing from wedding vendor to wedding ven-dor getting ideas to make your day even more special!

Baby Shower ExpoJune 09 – 10, 2012Gwinnett Center6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth www.atlantababyshowerexpo.comThis giant baby shower combines shop-ping, information and celebration all in one spectacular event. A great event for the entire family.

Elaborate Events Bridal ShowJune 10, 2012Elaborate Events3064 Old Norcross Road, Duluth

Happy Father’s Day 2012www.elaborateevents.netAll brides in Metro Atlanta are invited to view Gwinnett’s newest event facility, Elaborate Events

Walk the Plank! & More Music w/Miss TaraJune 13, 2012Aurora Theatre 128 Pike Street, Lawrencevillewww.auroratheatre.comChildrens Playhouse

Funny FridaysJune 15, 2012Aurora Theatre 128 Pike Street, Lawrencevillewww.auroratheatre.com

Dirty Spokes Off Road DuathlonMay 12, 2012Tribble Mill Regional Park2125 Tribble Mill Parkway, Lawrenceville www.dirtyspokes.com

A Day of Hope 2012June 16, 2012Gwinnett County Fairgrounds2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrencevillewww.adayofhopefoundation.org3rd annual event with Free health, wellness and financial fair. There will also be a kids area.

Continued on pg. 15

June Calendar

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The lazy days of summer usually bring relaxed attitudes about fitness. The enthusiasm generated at the beginning of the year can take a back seat to holiday celebrations and family gatherings.

Snellville resident, Michael Covin is determined to stay focused during this season. A former college football athlete and certified fitness instructor, Mike is no stranger to exercise. However, a recent Achilles injury that led to surgery sidelined Covin. “I was not prepared for the recovery process. When in college, I suffered a severe broken leg. I returned to play the next season. I assumed this experience would be similar. Twenty years later, my body responded very differently.”

While healing, Michael found himself battling the extra pounds that seem to be inevitable after age forty. He realized his diet needed an overhaul. “I could see the effects of my inconsistent eating habits. I have never been one to accept excuses; not even for myself. It was time to do things different.” Michael started limiting his sugar intake by focusing on low glycemic foods. He has also increased the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables in his diet and consumes at least four balanced meals a day.

In April, one of Michael’s college teammates died suddenly at age forty two. This solidified that it was time to make his health and wellness his top priority. He began training for a marathon to commemorate his forty-third birthday this month. “I have four daughters ranging in age two to eleven. I want to be around to walk each one of them down the isle.”

Accountability is a big part of success when it comes to fitness goals. Michael has created a Facebook group for people just like him. “Our Facebook Challenge group is a team of individuals sharing a common goal: we want to live healthier lives. We support each other by offering recipes, sample exercises and words of encouragement.”

This Father’s Day is going to be extra special for Michael Covin. By focusing on his health, he is creating a legacy of wellness for generations to come.

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How Should We Then PrioritizeBy Glenton Ashby

We receive a certain amount of money as income every month. There are lots of things the money is to be used for.

Do we need to prioritize what we do with the money? Yes we do! How should we then prioritize the use of these dollars?

May I suggest:Giving/CharitySavingTaxes/GovernmentSpending – Obligations, debts, discretionary, etc.

A number of years ago I read a book by Ron Blue, founder of Ronald Blue & Company, in which he suggested these priorities.

Why prioritize in this order? Why isn’t spending the top priority? If it was, would the other three categories be given the consideration they deserve, or better yet, the consideration they require? Most likely the other three areas would be shorted, especially giving and saving.

Giving/Charity – This has to do with putting others first. This could be your church or missions, it could be national charities, it could be local outreaches or ser-vices, or people in need. If you believe that everything you have comes from God and that God comes first then you give back to God first. If you place importance on looking beyond yourself you may be motivated to meet the needs of others. There may be causes that are close to your heart.

Saving – For what should be obvious reasons, we should be striving to spend less than we earn. So if we save before we spend we guarantee that there is always something set aside. An emergency fund should be considered a “must have” if at all possible. Stuff happens, after all. Pay yourself first, as is so often said. Regularly set aside what is necessary to meet your goals.

Taxes/Government – Because we have to. The impact of taxes and other gov-ernment related deductions should not be ignored. We tend to think in terms of gross salary or compensation, but the government’s share is significant since there is normally a federal and a state component. If we don’t meet this obligation properly there will be penalties. Fortunately, or unfortunately, this obligation is usually met automatically and right off the top. Our starting points for the other three areas come after the adjustment for government, and the percentage reduction can be significant.

Spending – This is what happens with the bulk of our money. There are bills to pay and more bills to pay. For the kids there is school stuff, clothes, shoes. There is food. There is eating out, movies, music, games. There are sports and other extracurricular activities.Spending by itself calls for another level of prioritization, read budgeting, given the many areas or categories of spending that pull at our income. Remember, living within our means is a type of freedom that money can buy, in a sense.

How should we then prioritize? By having a budget and living by it. By setting up automatic savings and saving first. By thinking unselfishly.

Budgeting is prioritizing – deciding who and what gets money and how much.Saving is prioritizing – saying that putting something aside for another day is more important than trying to have it all right now.Most importantly, thinking of others is prioritizing – life is about relationships so life should be about other people and treating others as more important than our-selves.

Feedback and topic suggestions are welcome – email [email protected], or comment at www.HalcyonFP.com/halcyon-times. Tweet @halcyonplanning.

Glenton Ashby is the founder and owner of Halcyon Financial Planning, LLC, a fee-only financial planning and Registered Investment Advisor firm. Visit HalcyonFP.com.

FINANCE


Career

Summer will be here soon. Many people are making plans for trips, family gatherings, and outdoor activities. For teens, plans might include a summer job, which can be a good expe-rience, helping to develop a good work ethic, and possibly learn skills relative to many work environments. There are also many other things teens can be doing to help them in their career planning.

People often think career planning only involves narrowing down options, when in reality, people, especially teens, need to first expand options. For all stages of life, career planning starts with identifying what you know about yourself that can help make better career decisions. For some, it is helpful to use a guide such as What Color is Your Parachute, by Richard N. Bolles, or What Color is Your Parachute, for Teens, by Carol Christen and Richard N. Bolles. There are some great exercises that can help identify a person’s skills and interests, and relate them to an ideal work environment. Career counsel-ors and coaches can also help to accomplish this part of the process through the use of various assessment tools and exer-cises. With some good personal information established, the second step is to explore various career fields. The exercises and assessments already completed might have suggested vari-ous careers, but a person still needs to explore them further before setting a plan in place.

For teens, summer is an ideal time for career planning activities

such as reading about careers, working in paid or volunteer work, as well as paid or unpaid internships. Three important activities that are sometimes missed include:

Networking – it’s not just for adults already in the workforce. Teens should make a list of people they know including parents, other family members, teachers, neighbors, people for whom they babysit, prior employers, and any other adults known through parents and friends. Each person on the list, regardless of what career they have, or if they even are cur-rently employed, will know many others who can be a good resource to learning about careers.

Informational interviewing – Teens should ask their contacts if they know anyone working in the careers for which they have some interest. Then they should call or write a letter, to those new contacts, requesting an opportunity to meet with them for about 15 minutes. Ideally, it’s best to meet with them in their work setting, but 15 minutes on the phone is still help-ful. Talk with at least 3 people in each career before deciding to keep or throw out any career idea. Questions to ask: how they got into their job; what interested them; what skills, train-ing/education is needed; what tasks consume most of their time; what they like and dislike about their work; and where they see the career field heading. Lastly, ask if they know other people to contact, and ask if the have any knowledge or familiarity with similar careers.

Ready for Summer? Activities for Teens

Job shadowing – If a good connection to someone was made through informational interviewing, ask if an oppor-tunity could exist to spend a day shadowing them. This gives the best opportunity to see what a typical day on the job would be like.

Kids today are so busy during the school year. It is ideal to make time for these activities during the summer. A high school student who follows these steps will be bet-ter prepared for their future, and better able to enjoy their senior year of high school, knowing what they want to do after high school. Parents are often happier too with their teenager off to a good start.

By Alicia Philipp, MS, LPC, NCC, Career Counselor770-823-2563 www.AP-LPC.com Email your comments or article suggestions to: [email protected]

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Carol Wood is the founder and owner of Total Learning Concepts, Inc., a private, professional tutorial service located in Gwinnett County. Please email questions to [email protected] or fax to 770-381-1626. OTM

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Outdoor Play: A Lost & Forgotten

AdventureBy Carol C. Wood - Total Learning Concepts, Inc.

hen I was a young girl, the majority of free time after school and in the summer was time spent outdoors. Kick ball, dodge ball, crack the whip, tag football, shoot-

ing hoops, making mud pies, exploring the creek for tadpoles and frogs, digging to the center of the earth, swimming, tennis, scavenger hunts, swaying on the tire swing, talks in the tree house, and walks to the nearby Woolworth’s to buy a coke and French fries were all activities I participated in with the kids who lived in my neighborhood. I remember leaving the house at 10 am and not coming back home until 9 pm, and the sound of my mother’s voice yelling, “Carol, it’s time to come home!” Wow, those were good days. Then I grew up and became a mother and the obsessive worry about the safety of my daughter caused me to rarely let her play outdoors unless I or another responsible adult was right there with her to supervise. How times have changed, but children innately have not changed!

The pleasures of the outdoors are among the deepest and most memorable events of childhood. Unfortunately, however, because of the increasing demands on parents work-ing outside of the home and the growing concern for children’s safety, more and more children spend time behind locked doors watching television and playing video and com-puter games. Some other children have a schedule so full of structured activities such as music lessons, dance, drama, karate, and sports activities, that they do not get to enjoy the pleasure of free, imaginative, and unstructured play time outdoors. Compounding the dilemma, many elementary schools have eliminated recess, which for some children is the only time during the week they are able to have carefree play.

It is widely believed that unstructured physical play is a developmentally appropriate outlet for children to reduce stress and restlessness and to increase their attentiveness. In fact, children learn best through free play and discovery as it involves the whole child: gross motor, fine motor, senses, emotion, intellect, and social interaction! Outdoor play also helps prevent obesity in children, which is currently reaching epidemic proportions in the United States! Having unstructured play time outdoors provides children the opportunity to be creative, use their imaginations, and learn to play cooperatively with others.

So, what can we do as parents to make sure our children have outdoor play time? A few suggestions follow:

1) Get with other responsible parents and take turns supervising the children’s outdoor activities so you can know your child is safe and the outdoor time consists of quality activities.

2) Create a backyard play area that consists of soil, sand, water, long grasses, trees, flow-ers, bushes, animals, pond creatures, places to sit in, on, or under, places that provide shelter and shade, different levels of nooks and crannies, and places that offer privacy and views. Plants appeal to all of the senses, and when combined with a mix of sun, shade, color, texture, fragrance, and softness, they encourage a sense of peacefulness. Natural areas allow for investigation and discovery by children with different learning styles. Some people refer to an environment like this as a discovery play garden.

3) Buy or build toys, games, or other activities which are conducive to outdoor play, such as a kite, Frisbee, football, jump rope, kickball, bug house, bird house, spider web trellis, water games, tree house, in lieu of computer software or the latest video or technical gadget.

4) If your elementary school has eliminated recess, talk to other parents and, as a group, appeal to your school’s decision maker to reinstate it.

Let’s make changes and provide to our children more free time outdoors to play. The ben-efits to the child will be well worth it, not to mention the memories created and sense of safety and belonging to the world God created that they will experience!

W


In January I wrote about my client, Marlin, who is relearning skills like standing and walking. He suffers from inherited genetic Spinal Cerebellum Ataxia, which damaged his spinal cord and hampers nerve communication from his brain to his muscles. It’s been a few years since Marlin has stood or walked on his own.

May 18 marked our one-year anniversary of working together. Now… Marlin stands. He can walk several slow and careful steps at a time. He makes his bed, he scrambles eggs and pops popcorn. He gets juice from the refrigerator and pours himself a glass of refreshment. He rinses his dishes and sets the table. Some of us might take these activi-ties of daily living for granted, but for Marlin, completing each one of these is a cause for celebration.

Functional strength. That’s the term for the type of training that Marlin and I have been doing. The American Council on Exercise (ACE) defines functional strength as enhanc-ing the coordinated working relationship between the nervous and muscular systems. ACE indicates increased strength directly improves the performance of movements so that an individual’s activities of daily living are easier to perform. In functional strength, it is more important to train a movement rather than one specific muscle at a time. The brain, which controls muscular movement, thinks in terms of whole motions, not indi-vidual muscles.

What does this mean in real-life language? Here’s an example. Rather than lifting a dumb-bell in bicep curls 12-15 repetitions for 2 sets (specific muscle training), you would squat, pick up light weight, stand, curl the weight, then shoulder press it up (functional strength training). These combined movements imitate lifting grocery items from a bag on the

Althea is the owner of Aerobics, Yoga & More Studios in Lilburn and producer of the Altheatized video series. Email

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WELLNESS

One Year Laterfloor then transferring it to a shelf in a kitchen cabinet. The compound movement of the squat to standing with a curl and a press allows the brain to communicate the entire movement instead of sending a message to a single muscle one at a time.

In Marlin’s case, after spending a few months focusing on core strength and hip move-ments, we moved to compound movements to retrain the brain’s communication with the body – stand up, walk a few steps, turn around, walk back, sit down. Over and over again. A year later, Marlin is only using the wheeled walker, known as a Rolator, to carry his breakfast from the stove to the table. He has graduated from the Rolator to a traditional walker for moving from one place to another. He stands tall, picks up his leg and foot to step, bends over, reaches up and out, pulls in and down. Functional strength training has given him back some facets of his life he’d lost in the last few years as well as his independence.

Consider functional strength training if you or someone you know is having difficulty performing general tasks like getting in and out of a car, getting into or out of bed, pick-ing up the leg or foot to walk (dragging), or bending down to retrieve something before returning to a standing position. A certified and trained personal trainer should be able to help, as well as a trained Pilates specialist.

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Located in Lilburn, Fireside Grill has steadily been picking up business since it opened last November. And it’s no real wonder why the restaurant is gathering a local following. Cus-tomers are greeted by a soothing atmosphere the second they step into the restaurant. Classic blue and white décor provides an inviting air, making customers feel at home as they peruse the menu. The selection ranges from anything to jerk chicken to veggie pizza—all of which are equally delightful (and well portioned).

Marcia Heath is the founder of the charming bistro, whose cooking style can be traced back to her roots. Born in Jamaica, she and her family made their way to New York where they opened up a pastry shop—a business they have expanded and maintained even after relocating to Georgia.

Heath admits to having some “culture shock” after moving from a chaotic New York life-style to Gwinnett’s leisurely pace. “I thought I was out in the wilderness!” She laughed. Since then, she has adjusted to Lilburn and enjoys spending time with her friends and co-workers.

Fireside Grill’s most distinguishing factor is its emphasis on tasty and healthy items. Heath holds strong convictions about steering away from artificial ingredients and fried concoc-tions. Natural herbs and seasonings are used instead of mountains of salt. Simple ingredi-ents are blended together to form something dynamic—a feat diners can appreciate in a fast food world. Thus, Fireside Grill lives up to the initial impression you have on first stepping inside: wholesome food in a comfortable environment.

Heath’s advice for other entrepreneurs is to “just get out there and do it.” She encour-aged others “not to follow what everyone else is doing…find your niche.” For Heath, this individualistic, creative approach has clearly worked and helped her develop a happy and successful business.

BuSiNESS BiO

By Ashley Marie Melonson


HealTH and yOu

The hot weather is already here in full force! When I ask, my clients assure me that they are drinking plenty of water. How-ever, more often than not, I find them to be very dehydrated! Why do you think this is and why does it matter? There are several reasons why. The most obvious is that the warmer temperatures cause us to sweat more. Other contribu-tors are heavier breathing patterns, more outdoor activities, fat burning, the need for more regulation of one’s body tem-perature, and just being out of your “routine” due to the sum-mer’s longer days. Often, my clients complain of back pain, headaches, leg cramps, and joint pain during the warm summer months which are all symptoms of dehydration. Now, why is drinking your water and staying hydrated so im-portant? Water is an essential nutrient and a must for good health! About 70% of your body is made up of water! In order to keep your organs functioning properly, to flush out toxins, and to improve lymphatic circulation, you have to stay hydrated. Only water serves this function; not juice, not tea, or any other fluid. Adding anything to water (lemons, flavor-ings, etc.) will activate the digestive system. The stomach then releases digestive enzymes and gastric juices to break it down. The water, therefore, is not absorbed properly and you do not get the full nutritional benefit. It is simply water, water, and more water! You can get water from foods, but for this article, I will be talking about pure water.How much water do you need to drink? At least twenty per-cent of the water you need comes from the foods you eat. The rest comes from the beverages you drink. Some experts be-

lieve you can estimate the amount of water you need by taking your weight in pounds and dividing that number in half. That gives you the number of ounces you may want to drink each day. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, you might want to drink at least 80 ounces of water per day. Other factors include the amount of your physical activity and the climate where you live. You will be amazed at the benefits of drinking water! Some of them include:

Loosing weight: Drinking water helps you lose weight 1. because it flushes out the by-products of fat breakdown. Water has zero calories and serves as an excellent appetite suppressant! Less hunger, less food, less weight! Natural Remedy for Headache: Water helps relieve head-2. ache and back pains due to dehydration. Although many reasons contribute to headaches, dehydration is the com-mon one.Look Younger with Healthier Skin: You’ll look younger 3. when your skin is properly hydrated. Water helps to re-plenish skin tissues, moisturizes skin, and increases skin elasticity.Better Productivity at Work: Your brain is mostly made 4. up of water. Drinking a proper amount of water each day helps you think better, be more alert, and concentrate better. Better Exercise: Drinking water regulates your body tem-5. perature. That means you’ll feel more energetic when do-ing exercises. Water also helps fuel your muscles.

Helps in Digestion and Constipation: Drinking water 6. raises your metabolism because it helps in digestion. Fiber and water go hand in hand so that you can have your daily bowel movement.Less Cramps and Sprains: Proper hydration helps 7. keep your joints and muscles lubricated, so you’ll be less likely to cramp or suffer sprains.Less Likely to Get Sick: Drinking plenty of water 8. helps fight flu and other ailments like kidney stones and heart attack. Water helps improve ailments such as respiratory disease, intestinal problems, rheuma-tism, and arthritis. It also greatly improves your im-mune system.Relieves Fatigue: Water is used by the body to help 9. flush out toxins and waste products. Due to your body’s lack of water, it must work harder to maintain the organs which exhaust your body as well as you. Good Mood: Fact is, when we feel good on the inside, 10. we tend to show it on the outside. Reduce the Risk of Cancer: Related to the digestive 11. system, some studies show that drinking a healthy amount of water may reduce the risks of bladder and colon cancer.

I encourage you to drink your water on a daily basis to avoid pain and strain on the body. It really will make a huge dif-

Water is Critical

Julie Mills, CMT, LLCC of Body of HealthSee our ad on page 4www.bodyofhealthandlife.com

Our Town Magazine For Advertising Information Call 404-824-5396 • E-mail: [email protected] Page 15Page 14 For Advertising Information Call 404-824-5396 • E-mail: [email protected] Our Town Magazine

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“A friend is someone who knows you as you are, understands where you’ve been, accepts that you’ve become and still gently invites you to grow.” Unknown

I have been in gratitude lately for the fabulous friends I have in my life right now. I’ve been friends with some for almost a lifetime, others for years and some new. I’ve pon-dered what makes these relationships work so well. The common denominator is that these friendships have withstood the test of truth speaking.So what do I mean by that? Well, with the friends I hold close, I know I can speak my truth with them and they will be able to meet me. If I feel hurt or angry by something they have said or done, I check it out with them instead of stuffing it or just walking away from the friendship. These friends talk things through with me, they don’t leave me or make me wrong, they stick it out until we figure it out. These friends are worth it, and so am I.

Creating Fabulous Friendships By Susan Cadley

Susan Cadley, LPC, CSC, Licensed Professional Counselor & Certified Soul Coach is available for couples/ adult individual counseling and workshops in Suwanee, GA. She may be reached directly and confidentially at 678-296-1278; www.coachingforyoursoul.com

COunselOr’s COrner

I recently shared with a relatively new friend, that I was practicing congruency; the art of listening to the mind and heart and then speaking or acting on it. She jokingly said “do you have any friends left?” I thought about that and the answer is yes, the ones I want in my life. If you desire deeper friendships, you have to first be a fabulous friend with yourself by being truthful with what you are feeling. Here are some ways to begin the process for creating deeper connections:Be willing to take a risk and share more of yourself. You will then open the door for you friend to share more of themselves.Clarify an upset. If something your friend says or does upsets you, ask them about it, don’t make assumptions! This is the #1 key to healthy relationships. If they are unable to discuss it with you and get defensive, you know that you have reached a limit with this friend.Listen, don’t fix. When a friend has a problem; we may want to alleviate their pain by fixing it immediately and we miss being empathic. Always listen first, listening IS fixing, for them.Keep your commitments to your friends. If you say you are going to call or have plans, follow through. Be keen to your friends likes and dislikes. Let them know you really know them by remembering what they share with you.

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There’s never a dull moment in Gwinnett.

For more events go to our new websiteat www.ourtownmag.org and get updates

thru our fan page and Twitter.

AMC Sensory Friendly FilmsJune 16, 2012Discover Mills, AMC Theatres5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrencevillewww.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-filmsSpecial sensory friendly screening of your favorite films, great for families with autistic children.

Ladies Night of IndulgenceJune 16, 2012Gwinnett Center6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluthwww.ladiesnightgeorgia.comA fun-filled evening of delectable food and beverage tastings (including our signature drink) Including demonstrations on looking younger, skin care, jewelry, mini massages, yoga, fitness, photos, shopping, healthy liv-ing information, PLUS with Runway Show and a live concert by Departure.

Art FestivalJune 16, 2012Honest Alley Exchange178 E. Crogan St., Lawrencevillewww.honestalley.comWine Tasting and Art Festival located in downtown Lawrenceville at Honest Alley Exchange.

The Circus King June 20, 2012Aurora Theatre128 Pike Street, Lawrencevillewww.auroratheatre.comChildrens Playhouse

Moonlight & Music Concert Series June 22 – September 28, 2012Gwinnett Historic Courthouse185 West Crogan Street, Lawrencevillewww.visitlawrenceville.comEach concert offers various styles of music including blues, jazz, rock, folk, country, bluegrass, motown, swing and more!

Gun Show June 23 – 24, 2012Gwinnett County Fairgrounds2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrencevillehttp://rkshows.comCome see guns of all size and models.

Operation Overboard VBS June 8-22 9AM - NoonCanon Chuch Snellvillewww.cannonchurch.orgFor children 4yrs by 9/1/12 through rising 6th grade. Register online. Cost $25.

FREE CHEESE DIP

With Any Food Purchase over $20Valid Mon-Thurs 3pm - CloseNot Valid on Fri, Sat or Sun

One coupon per ticket. Cannot combine with any other offers. Exp. 06/30/12

DINNER SPECIAL$4 Off

With Any Food Purchase over $20Valid Mon-Thurs 3pm - CloseNot Valid on Fri, Sat or Sun

One coupon per ticket. Cannot combine with any other offers. Exp. 06/30/12

CALENDAR - CONTiNuEDLilburn Community Garage SaleJune 23, 2012Lilburn City Parkt76 Main Street, Lilburnwww.cityoflilburn.comThe City of Lilburn is hosting the Community Garage Sale

Vacation Bible School @ GBCJune 4-7, 2012 9am - noonGwinnett Bible Chapel3819 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lilburn Gwinnett Bible Chapel’s VBS for ages 5-12

Designing Grandmother’s Club of Snellville Ch. 10062nd Monday of each month @10:30amSnellville Senior Center230 Oak Rd. Snellvillewww.nationalgrandmotherclub.comWe are a memer of the National Federation of Grandmothers Club of America Est. 1934. See site for details.

Lilburn Idol II in City ParkJune 29, 2012Lilburn City Park76 Main Street, Lilburnwww.cityoflilburn.comWatch American Idol on TV? Then you would love Lilburn Idol, watch locals audition and perform live in Lilburn

Camp Aurora Magic ShowJune 27, 2012Aurora Theatre128 Pike Street, Lawrencevillewww.auroratheatre.comChildrens Playhouse

Monthly Family Breakfast June 3 - 9:30am - 1pmKillian Hall908 Killian Hill Rd. Lilburnwww.kofclilburn.orgSee website for monthly dinner and fundrais-ers.

Lawrenceville Farmers MarketJune 30 – October 20, 2012Historic Courthouse Square, Lawrenceville185 Crogan Street, Lawrenceville www.visitlawrenceville.comCome out and shop for fresh fruit, vegeta-bles, and breads. Every Saturday. for six can be rented by calling 770-822-5450.

Join us for

Lunch!

Continued from pg. 7


PET PAGEKnox is a mischevous little Malti-Poo. He loves taking socks, shoes and his

brother Kobe’s toys. He may look cute but he is very naughty. His face is so cute that you can’t help but love him even when he’s chewing on your favorite pillow.

Jutzil Hunter

SEND IN YOUR PET FOR “PET OF THE MONTH!Send to: PO BOX 644

Snellville, GA 30078 or [email protected]

I plan to take my dog hiking this summer and wanted to know how to properly remove a tick if I happen to find one on him? Alex J.

As the summer season picks; so does travel and outdoor activities. However, with more warm weather also comes more ectoparasites such as fleas and ticks. It is very important to keep pets on heartworm prevention and flea/tick preven-tion year round. If you plan to get out for hiking, going to the lake, mountains, etc then please always check yourself and your pets for ticks afterward. Ticks can carry several diseases that can affect people and pets alike such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichiosis.

If you should happen to find a tick on you or your pet, please remove it immedi-ately using the following steps:

Put on rubber glovesGrasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with fingers or tweezersPull back in a steady motionWash and dry the area well afterwardFlush tick down the drain

Please monitor the site for the next few days for redness, swelling, hair loss, and general irritation; if seen please contact veterinarian.

Response by Dr Amanda Irish of The Village Vets (see back page ad)

VET: Q&A

PET OF THE MONTH


PET PAGE

Nancy Churchill, DVM n Pam Zaidspiner, DVM n Bill Connolly, DVM Brad Harris, DVM n Kathryn Padgett, DVM n Pat Zook, DVM

Housebreaking your puppy or new dog is one of the first and most important things you can teach your new canine companion after bring-ing them home. Sometimes when acquiring a new furry friend, they can come with bad potty habits already in place so it’s a good idea to get them off to the right start by teaching them that the outside environ-ment is the only acceptable place to eliminate.

Step 1: Get your puppy/ dog off to a good start by establishing a good feeding routine. Free feeding your dog (leaving food out all the time for them) can quickly lead to accidents in the house. If they are allowed to “graze” all day long you will not necessarily know when they need to eliminate.

Step 2: Know your dog’s schedule. There are four main events after which your puppy/dog may need to eliminate, so take them outside to give them opportunity after each of these:

When they wake up in the morning and before they go to bed•

After eating a meal•

After taking a nap or after they have spent time in a crate•

After a vigorous play session in the house•

(with a young puppy it is advisable to take them out every 60 to 90 •minutes in addition to the times mentioned above)

Step 3: Stop accidents before they happen with supervision and preven-tion. If you have taken your puppy/ dog outside and you know they need to eliminate and they do not go outside, do not give them free access to the house when you bring them back inside. This is the time to use a crate to confine them for a short period until you can try again outside or alternatively you can tether them to you with a leash or drag line so you can supervise them inside.

Step 4: Do not punish the dog for an accident. If you have not caught the dog in the midst of having the accident then they will associate that punishment with whatever they happen to be doing when you scold them. If you punish them while they are in the midst of having the acci-dent you run the risk of making them afraid of you or afraid of elimi-nating in front of you. Instead, simply clean the soiled area well with an

Housetraining 101

www.mansbestfriend.com

enzymatic cleanser and take the puppy/ dog immediately outside to give them the opportunity to finish outside if you have caught them in the middle of elimination.

Step 5: If you are following all the steps mentioned above and your puppy/ dog is still having a housebreaking problem, please see your vet-erinarian to rule out any physical conditions that could be contributing to the problem. Oftentimes a urinary tract infection or parasite infection can be the culprit. Additionally, behavioral issues can also lead to acci-dents if the dog is scent marking or eliminating out of fear so it may be something a certified trainer or behaviorist can help with.

Lastly, as with any other training situation….be patient! Dogs coming out of a shelter situation or puppies coming from breeders who have been confined to indoor crates or kennel runs have usually been permit-ted to potty and eliminate indoors, so that is what they have learned is acceptable. You will need to help them to learn that the outside envi-ronment is their new toilet! Don’t worry… they will learn if you afford them patience and consistency.

Happy Training!

Article by: Cathy Bruce, CPDT-KA (www.caninecountryacademy.com)


Original recipe by Chef Jennifer Booker

Recipe

Greetings!Spring is here and it’s time to start cooking with fresh seasonal produce and . . . fresh herbs. This is the time of year where most of us are trying to undo all of the damage that poor eating habits and lack of exercise during the winter months has caused our bodies. So here come the flat tasteless low-fat ‘diet’ foods. Right? Wrong! Cooking with fresh herbs adds depth and flavor to your cooking that dried herbs and spices don’t. By adding fresh herbs to your dishes you won’t miss the fat and salt that often mask the true flavors of food. This month’s Your Resident Gourmet column is all about inspiring you to incorporate fresh herbs into your everyday cooking. So don’t be shy-try a new herb once a week to add a new twist to a family favorite. To get you started, YRG has included some cooking ideas, storage tips, and a recipe for a Fresh Basil Martini-a twist on the old standard.Happy Cooking!-Chef Jennifer

Herb Tips & Ideas:•Dried herbs are more potent than fresh herbs. So don’t be afraid to use large amounts of fresh herbs.• Make a BBQ brush with fresh herbs. Bunch rosemary and thyme and dip in oil or sauce and brush meats, fish or vegetables while grilling. • Make herbal butters with soften butter and fresh chopped herbs. • Add basil or mint leaves to plain water for a refreshing drink.• Make your own infused oil, vinegar and alcohol. • Add fresh herbs to salads.• Mix fresh herbs into cocktails for added flavor.Handling and Storage:• Avoid handling herbs as much as possible. Basil, oregano, and marjoram are espe-cially sensitive and will turn black from excessive handling.

Recipe provided by: Chef Jennifer Hill BookerPlease free to contact Chef Jennifer at:

[email protected]

Cooking with Herbs

• Do not wash herbs until just before using. • Ethylene will cause the herbs to turn black. Do not store herbs near products with ethylene such as bananas, tomatoes, avocadoes, or any other ripening fruits.• Always rip or tear herbs for usage with your hands.• Herbs like those from the grocery store will keep best in a Ziploc bag wrapped in a damp paper towel. • Wrap basil & oregano in paper towel and keep in the door of the refrigerator where it is warmer.• Herbs bought from the farmers market should be stored at room temperature and used quickly. • Store freshly picked herbs in a glass of water on your kitchen counter• Freezing is a great way to save excess herbs. Although they may lose their color when frozen, they retain their flavor and can be used in salad dressings, soups, sauces and stews. • Drying is another excellent way to preserve the flavor of “woody” herbs like rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves.Troubleshooting:• Black spots indicate excessive handling, temperatures that are too hot or cold, or exces-sive exposure to ethylene. • Decay, slime and/or yellowing indicate that the storage temperature is too hot and the herb may be old.• Limpness indicates overexposure to air, heat, or temperature shock.

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Hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 7pm, Sat 8am-2pm, Sun 12-4pmwww.TheVillageVets.com

770-717-1650

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1227 Rockbridge Road in Stone Mountain(Near the Kroger Shopping Center)

Serving Gwinnett

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Dr. Françoise Tyler Dr. Amanda IrishDr. Carrie McColgan Dr. Deva Prather

“At the Village Vets of Stone Mountain, I am always confident that my pets will get the very best in veterinary care. Dr. Tyler and her team are easily accessible, always easy to talk to, and very considerate of an owners feelings for their four-legged family member. Since our pets also participate in conformation dog shows as well as some performance events, their overall condition is very important to us.” Kim Lanum-Mom

Matthew Lanum and Champion Ableaim Kazbar Spicer, David Lanum and Grand Champion Snow Hill Body Sport, and Joshua Lanum with American/ Canadian Champion Taxvalpar Andromeda Moonbeam.

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OurTown June 2012