Late Summer 2011

FURRY & FABULOUS!of

the

your style • your image • your lifeSummer 2011

Lifestyles

summer 2011Life

Style & Beauty

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Meg’s Money Saving TipsSaving Money Using the Library

Get OrganizedOrganizing Your Jewelry

Your HealthThe Power of Touch

She’s Got PanacheEhren Bennett

FavoritesPanache’s favorite items andwhere to find them.

Beauty by ErinStaying Safe at the Salon

Fashion PagesLifestyles of the Furry & Fabulous

A Stylish YouStrategies for every Body Type

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Editor’s Letterby Erin Love

Ask ErinReaders ask Erin for advice.

Word FindFind these popular dog breeds.

Panache Was ThereMeg Smith Going Away Party, plus...Grand Opening of Panache Salon

Bark in the ParkMark your calendar!

Just Panache

Events

Careers

Pets

Lagniappe

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Woman EntrepreneurAngie O’Pry Blades

Favorites for PetsPanache’s favorite pet items and where to find them.

Your PetProtect Your Pet’s Mind fromthe Effects of Aging.

Save a Life, Gain a Friend!Dolly Whitman & Scrappy

TransformationsThe Betts Family.

Panache Goesto Boot Camp

Top Ten Reasons to Go Veg!

Mind Your MannersBeing Kind to Animals.

HistoryThe origins of the Chihuahua.

RecipeVegan Fruit & Philly Wrap.

Features

S T A F F O F P A N A C H E M A G A Z I N E

EditorSenior Writer

Erin Sharplin lovE1011 n 8th Street, Monroe la 71201

phone: 318.398.0326email: [email protected]

www.panachebyerin.com

Graphic Artist Contributing Writer

JiM [email protected]

Contributing WritersKaYla EvanS, aMBEr oSBon, MEg SMith,

lESliE richMan, DollY WhitMan,

PrinterlaYton printing

1538 arrow hwy, laverne ca 91750phone: 1-800-983-6237

Fax: 909-447-7444www.laytonprinting.com20

46Non Profit SpotlightPAWS of NE La. Spay-Neuter Services

25 QuestionsThings you didn’t know about Doug Pederson

summer 2011

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Letter from the EditorSince day one i have been super proud of this magazine. i think it is full of unique personality that needed to be fulfilled in our area and beyond. plus it is full of infor-mative, inspiring, and fun to read articles that were chosen for you, my reader. So, i’d like to take this moment, as i always do, to thank all of you who have voiced your positive opinions about Panache Magazine! i am always thrilled with the feedback i get and i am confident that the magazine will continue to amaze and inspire each of you.

please remember that i am constantly on the lookout for informative articles, inspir-ing entrepreneurs, great products, interest-ing people, and much, much more to fill the pages of Panache Magazine, so never hesitate to contact me. i enjoy and wel-come any comments, concerns, and/or feedback you have for me.

now on to this month’s content!

the feature this quarter is on “lifestyles of the Furry and Fabulous!” it always pleases me to see pet parents who love their pets as truly a part of their family, so i thought it would be fun to get a sneak-peek into their lives. i hope you enjoy this feature! i know i enjoyed putting it together! also in this issue, i went out of north louisiana and down to South louisiana to find the “She’s got panache” feature this quarter! check her out! Panache Magazine has added a few new articles this time – “reci-

pes” and “Scrappy’s corner” – So definitely make sure you check those out!

Don’t worry though, this issue is full of the same columns with new tips related to style, organizing, manners, and much, much more! So, sit back, relax, and enjoy another issue of Panache Magazine!!

and, as always, i want to extend my thanks to all of the advertisers, subscribers, con-tributors, and faithful readers of Panache Magazine. if any of you have any sugges-tions or comments about the magazine, good or bad, please don’t hesitate to con-tact me. i strive to make this magazine as informative and fun to read as possible.

thanks for your support!

Erin Sharplin Love

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AskErin Do you have a question for Erin? Email [email protected]

or send by mail to2116 Justice St., Monroe LA 71201

This is a good one for you, Erin! You know how when you buy pants the pockets are always sewn shut? Are those supposed to be cut open or are they sup-posed to remain sewn shut?

oh my goodness! that iS a good question! the answer truly depends on the style and silhouette of the pants. if the pants are form-fitting i’d sug-gest leaving the pockets sewn shut so there will be no chance the fabric will pull or bulge. if the pants are a slouchy style, i think you should remove the thread from the pockets.

I read conflicting stories about what should hang in the closet and what is best folded. What do you suggest?

great question! When i orga-nize a closet i tend to fold items that are wrinkle resistant, such as, jeans, cotton t-shirts, work-out clothes, and heavy sweat-ers. i like using hanging sweater organizers for storing all of the aforementioned items! hope this helps!

I’m close to both my Dad and my Stepdad. How do I handle the father/daughter dances and other important parts of the ceremony and reception that I’d like them both to participate in?

What a great question! i actually see this a lot as a wedding plan-ner. it’s so great that you were

able to maintain a great relation-ship with your Dad while cultivat-ing one with your Stepdad! great, great! anyway, i suggest that you have two father/daughter dances! one with your Dad and the other with your Stepdad!! also, if you are torn about who you’d like to walk you down the aisle, why not have them Both walk you down? of course, i’d check with each Dad to see if they are comfortable with this first. if so, go for it! involve each of them equally.

Hi Erin. With a new season right around the corner, I was wonder-ing if you could give me some tips on some transitional pieces I need to have in my wardrobe?

transitioning to a new season is often hard for some people, so i’m sure a lot of readers will find the answer to this question helpful. i think you should definitely have the following items in your wardrobe. they are perfect for mixing and matching during transi-tional period:

1. LBD (Little Black Dress) – choose something versatile and in a classic silhouette.2. Vest – a neutral colored (black, navy, brown) vest is best.3. Jacket – choose something that can be dressed up and down4. Dark Denim Jeans – Don’t go to the extreme. a simple boot cut will never go out of style and looks good with all sizes and figures.5. Cardigan – choose a neutral col-or and stay away from cropped and/or boyfriend styles.6. A Pair of Pants – choose some

that fit your personality! they don’t have to be plain black or brown! 7. A Fun Top – a tunic style is the most versatile.8. Sweater – a v-neck is best and can work with all sizes and figures. 9. White Button-Up – choose one that would work for day and night.10. Black Camisole – Stay away from ribbed styles because they tend to be more casual. You need something that can be dressed up or down.



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Do you have a question for Erin? Email [email protected]

or send by mail to2116 Justice St., Monroe LA 71201

Where?Meg Smith’s Going Away PartyDonna Gayle Collie’s Home

When?Saturday, May 21, 2011

Why?Meg Smith has been a beloved news reporter with KnoE tv8 for a while now, but it is time for her to move up in her career. Meg was offered a position with top news station, news 14 carolina in greensboro, north carolina, as a reporter and producer. this is an awesome career move for Meg and all of her friends are extremely proud of her. We are going to miss her terribly, though.


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Meg Smith’s Going Away PartyDonna Gayle Collie’s Home

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Where?The Grand Opening of Panache Salon and Unique Boutique1011 North 8th StreetMonroe LA 71201

When?Saturday, May 28, 2011

Why?First opening its doors on May 3, 2011, panache Salon and unique Boutique waited until everything was just right to throw a huge grand opening party! the party was attended by great friends and family who enjoyed hors d’oeurves, cocktails, and lots of fun shopping. if you missed it, don’t worry, panache Salon and unique Boutique will be having monthly events like Yappy hour, Meet the artist, Makeup and Margaritas, game night, and more! if you’d like to join in on the fun, give Kayla a call! (it’s FrEE, by the way!) 318.398.0326

was there


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How would you describe your style? My style is dressy-casual. i love wearing casual dresses on a day-to-day basis. Since i am

not a fan of shorts, dresses are perfect for beating the heat in this miserable louisiana summer! During the colder months, i just throw on a dress with some tights and a cardigan, and i’m good to go! i also love to get dolled up for special occasions. i’m always looking for an excuse to wear my nicer dresses! i try to focus more on classic clothing rather than trendy clothing because it can become very expensive to follow all of the latest trends. i’d prefer to have pieces in my wardrobe that i can wear for a while instead of constantly getting rid of things that are out of style.

What is your earliest memory that relates to fashion and style? i started carrying a purse when i was 2-3 years old. i car-

ried it everywhere! My parents used to have professional pictures made of us every year, and in one of them, i refused to pose or smile without my purse in the picture with me. i also loved wearing the frilly dresses that my grandmother would make. i would prance around and pre-tend to be a princess. My mom always jokes about the irony of me turning out to be a girly-girl because she was a com-plete tom-boy as a child.

Where do you get your inspiration for style and life, in general?My inspiration comes from many places! as far as my inspiration in life, my family and friends have inspired me in many ways. i am so blessed to be surrounded by such kind and

wonderful people. My fashion inspiration comes from various sources such as movies/television or just seeing someone walking down the street. Because of the eclectic cultures and fashions in new orleans, i find fashion inspiration all the time!

She’s gotEhren Bennett1

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E r i n H o r t o n P h o t o g r a p h y

What do you never leave home without? i never leave home without my purse! i

feel naked without it. i have so many essentials in there: my phone, wallet, and lip gloss! one summer, i even got a “purse tan” from wear-ing my purse on my shoulder in the sun too often! i guess the obsession started pretty early in life (see ques-tion #2)!

If you could own any item in the world, what would it

be? this question is so difficult! i would love a really nice house

with a maid! Since i absolutely de-spise cleaning, i’d just take a maid if i had to choose only one of those!

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What is the most important thing in your life? the most important things in my life are

the people who are a part of my life! My family and friends are the best! My fiancé is fantastic, and i am so blessed that his family and friends have also welcomed me with open arms. it is wonderful to have such a strong support system in my life!

Ehren’s Bio: i grew up in Slidell, louisiana. i graduated from louisiana tech university in 2008 with a

Bachelors of Science in Family and child Studies. i am an alumna of the alpha lambda chap-ter of phi Mu Fraternity. after i graduated from tech, i moved back to south louisiana. i am cur-rently in my second year of graduate school at the university of new orleans where i am pursuing a Masters of public administration. i plan to graduate in Fall 2012. in December of 2010, my fiancé Jonathan Malone and i got engaged, and we will be married in november of 2011! the wedding will be here so soon, and we are so excited! i have thoroughly enjoyed planning our cinderella-themed wedding. i have many DiY projects planned for the next few months such as decorating my “glass slippers” and creating centerpieces. i have always loved craft projects whenever i can find the time to devote to them. We love our adorable “children”: my maltese-pekingese mix named Sweet pea

and his black cat named Midnight. they have the funniest personalities and are always keeping us entertained!

If you know someonewho’s got Panache and would

like to nominate them, send an email to

[email protected]

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E r i n H o r t o n P h o t o g r a p h y

FavoritesSpaRitual Cuti-Cocktail Pen & Pusher – i use this “cuti-cocktail” every morning before putting lotion on my hands. i love the way it makes my cu-ticles soft and easy to push back with the attached pusher. i can’t imagine the shape my cuticles would be in without it!! not to mention, all Spari-tual products are vegan and paraben free!

You can get your Sparitual products at panache Salon and unique Boutique in Monroe or by calling (318)398-0326.

Ettika Saying Bangles – one of the top ten pieces that every woman needs in her wardrobe is bangle bracelets, in my opin-ion, and these by Ettika are perfect! try layering one of each metal! My favorite saying is “Dreams come true if you really want them to.”

You can find these bracelets and more at panache Salon and unique Boutique in Monroe or by calling (318)398-0326.

Avon Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner – i have been us-ing Bumble and Bumble products for years, but recently decided to try something new (while saving a little money, too!). i gave avon a chance to prove it can live up to my need for extreme volume and am excited to announce that i’m a convert! i’ve been using this shampoo and condi-tioner for several weeks and have not encountered any heavy build-up or a loss in volume!

You can order your avon by calling (318)398-0326 or by contacting your local representa-tive.

Thirty-One Organizing Products – “oh my goodness” is all i had to say when i was first introduced to these products! they are a professional

organizers dream! i have several that i utilize to organize my nail polishes, my trunk, and my books!

You can get your thirty-one products from Melissa perry – www.mythirtyone.com/mperry

Scent of Scandal Soy Candles – i love the sense of humor of the creator of these candles. the names and scent combi-nations are super funny. For instance, “crazy Bitch” smells like fruit loops and “D-cups” smells of melons. i can’t help but to laugh out loud when i see them!

You can get your Scent of Scandal candles at panache Salon and unique Boutique in Monroe or by calling (318)398-0326.

St. Francis Bird Feeder – as an animal lover, i enjoy watch-ing the birds and squirrels eat and play in my backyard. the first thing i do every morning is walk around to my numerous feeders and refill them. this St. Francis bird feeder is my favorite. Who better to watch over the wildlife in my yard?

You can get your St. Francis bird feeder from plow & hearth. www.plowand-hearth.com


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Favorites FORPETS

Himalayan Dog Chew – also known as “doggie crack!” i have yet to meet a dog that doesn’t lovE this bone! these bones are made from Yak’s milk and come from the himalayans. they are healthy, long-lasting, and digestible for your dog.

to get your himalayan Dog chew please visit panache Sa-lon and unique Boutique. or call 318.398.0326

John Paul Pet Products – the trusted stylist to the stars has now created a line of pet products that are sure to bring the stylish side out of your pets. along with several types of shampoos and condition-ers, John paul also has eye and paw wipes to help keep every inch of your pet spot-less and fragrant!

to get your John paul products please visit panache Salon and unique Boutique. or call 318.398.0326

PetStages Orka – this is a great chew toy for your dog-gie. not only can you fill it with treats to make it more interesting, but it is virtually indestructible.

to get your petStages products please visit panache Salon and unique Boutique. or call 318.398.0326

Kissable Dog Dental Health Kit – Dogs, and cats for that matter, suffer from cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay just as we do and it can lead to health problems if left unattended. protect your pet’s health by brushing their teeth a few times a week.

to get your Kissable products please visit panache Salon and unique Boutique. or call 318.398.0326

PetStages “Cheese Chase”

– how fun does this look? My cats love it!

to get your petStages products please visit panache Salon and unique Boutique. or call 318.398.0326


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Your pEtProtect Your Pet’s Mind from the Effects of Agingaging is never pleasant to think about! after all, it involves graying hair, wrinkles, memory loss, hearing loss, vision loss… i could go on and on! unfortunately, our pets can experience the same problems. For example, a recent article in Modern Dog Magazine explains that as we age, chemicals in the brain affecting behavior, memory, and learning begin to change:

In dogs and humans, the mitochondria, little strand-like structures in the nucleus of cells that are responsible for converting nutrients into energy, begin to release free radicals, chemicals that oxidize compounds essential for normal cell function. The loss of these com-pounds places the cell at risk. As the tissues degenerate, protein deposits called amyloids accumulate in the brain. High levels of amyloids, especially when associated with clusters of dead and dying nerve cells, are taken as part of the evidence that an individual is suf-fering from Alzheimer’s disease. Physical evidence, found only in autopsies, reveals simi-lar degenerative brain lesions in aging dogs and aging humans.

in other words, animals can have a form of alzheimer Disease which, in dogs, is re-ferred to as canine cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome. So with that said, it’s time to start paying attention to your pet for the following signs of an aging brain - forgetfulness, disorientation, not recognizing family members or friends, sleep disruptions and/or other strange behavior. Even if your pet isn’t dis-playing any of these symptoms, it’s best to be proactive in preventing or slowing the onset of mental decline by following the advice below:

1. Exercise! physical ac-tivity has been shown to increase the mental capa-bility of humans as well as animals -- even more rea-son to get out there and take your dog for a walk! For you cat owners, try playing a friendly game of ball with your kitty!

2. Teach your pet a new trick! and yes! cats can learn tricks, too!

3. Invest in a puzzle. there is a wide selection of “treat” puzzles and brain-

teaser toys for both dogs and cats on the market now. these toys can in-crease your pet’s problem-solving ability, thereby ex-ercising and protecting the brain.

4. Give them a change of scenery. learning and exploring new things or new places keeps their brain active; not to men-

tion, it’s fun!

5. Keep weight in check. as with people, older pets tend to be more seden-tary, so the pounds can pile on before you know it. that extra weight adds to the negative effects of ag-ing. check with your vet for recommendations on a diet plan suitable for your particular pet.

We all want our pets to live long and healthy lives. Now you know where to start!

T


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right by her side, she is my true Master. She claims i’m from France, a poodle from par-is that was previously owned by some filthy rich heiress! But i still remember i was just num-ber four. i was tied to a tree and forgotten before. i sleep next to her in our warm cozy bed. cause this is the place that i now lay my head. We are best friends, my Master and me. and i’m proud to say that my name is Scrappy. cause Scrappy mean fiesty and lively and quick. and although i am old i can still fetch a stick.

My life has been happy for many years now. She taught me i could be loved when i didn’t know how. life is so much bet-ter than i ever thought it could be. i was rescued and adopted; forever saved from that tree!

Save a Life, Gain a Best Friend!D o l l y W h i t m a n & S C R a P P y

There is so much love througout our house. i am quietly resting, as still as a mouse. the

sounds that i’m hearing and the scents that i smell remind me i’m far, far, away from my jail. i remember when i used to be tied to a tree. the people didn’t love me and they made fun of me. in the wind and the rain and the sleet and the hail, i was left tied to the tree, scared and chasing my tail. i got shot with some B.B.’s that came from a gun. i couldn’t understand what terrible thing i had done?

the people that owned me just forgot about me and day after day, i stayed tied to the tree. no food and no water, my heart grew so weary. then i heard someone say, “come hear little Deary”. i learned a long time ago to obey, or be hurt. But this voice was so soft i lay down by her skirt. She said, “little Man, come with me, don’t you worry”. She put me in her car and we left in a hurry!

Before i knew what happened, i heard barking galore. i was placed in a cage and told my number is four. and just when i was about to give up i heard a kind voice say, “Who is that little pup?” “i’ll take number four, that’s the one that’s for me!”

i thought to myself, she must

mean number two… maybe three. they opened the cage and she took me out. She said, “You’ll be with me from this day on out.” and even though i was hairless and covered with fleas, She thought i was beau-tiful when she looked at me.

at home in her bathtub i got scrubbed real, real, clean. then she rubbed me with lo-tion; i felt like a King! hmm-mm… little fellow, “Your name will be Scrappy”. Scrappy, i thought, my name should be happy! Scrappy is perfect, a name fit to be royal. From this day forward to her i’ll be loyal.

She said she was sorry for what had happened to Me and i would never again be tied to a tree. a love that’s so strong, i don’t have to ask her. i stay

(Dolly wrote this poem about Scrappy.)


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Beauty byErinStaying Safe at the Saloncould days of beauty and pampering at your local spa be causing health problems for you? Well, that’s what an article in Health Magazine suggested recently; so, be-ing a salon owner, i decided to investigate the risks that you could be facing with each visit you make to the salon or spa. What i found out might shock you. For instance, did you know that the uS Food and Drug administration has limited ability to regulate ingredients in many of the products that are used in salons? For this reason, it is up to you to get informed. please continue reading below for ways to keep yourself and those you love safe at the salon.

1. That “Blowout” could increase your risk for certain forms of cancer. Formaldehyde is a com-mon ingredient in many blowout procedures be-ing offered in salons. not only could formaldehyde be detrimental to you, it could also harm those in your immediate vicin-ity. according to Health Magazine, “not only does frequent exposure to formaldehyde increase your risk for cancer, in the short term it can cause scalp rashes when it comes in contact with the head; when inhaled, it can lead to burning eyes, nose, throat, and can even create asthma attacks.” So, before in-vesting in a blowout, check with your salon professional to make sure the product is all-natural with no formaldehyde!

2. Beware the UV light. the uv light at your nail salon is the same light that is in tanning beds; therefore, the lamps carry the same risk of creat-ing skin cancer in those who are exposed to them. of course, the bulbs are smaller and carry a low-er wattage than those in tanning beds, but that doesn’t matter when you frequent the nail salon and are exposed to that uv light on a weekly basis. next time you visit your nail salon, ask for the fan instead of the light.

3. Get chemical peels and other medical treatments only from a certified dermatologist. Because peels, botox, fillers, and other beauty treatments are gaining popularity, salons and spas are now competing with medi-cal professionals to perform these risky treatments. unfor-tunately, typical salon and spa professionals do not carry the credentials that are needed to perform these procedures safely. always get medical treatments from a certified dermatologist, or you could risk scarring and/or oth-er permanent damage.

All in all, it is extremely important to do your research be-fore investing in any procedure at a salon or spa. It could save your life, as well as your beauty.


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PaWS of northeast loui-siana developed PAWS

of NELA Spay Neuter Services, Inc. as a sepa-

rate 501(c)3, not for profit or-ganization, to further address the serious epidemic of pet overpopulation in northeast louisiana. now, the dream is about to become a reality as extreme renovation begins on our new building at 1601 Southern avenue, Monroe, la. in September 2011, we’ll open the low cost, high quality spay neuter center which will pro-vide spaying and neutering at an affordable cost and have the capacity to spay and neu-ter 6,000 pets each year.

Spaying and neutering is the onlY humane solution to rid our community of the pet overpopulation crisis. “No other disease or condition of companion animals takes as many lives as euthanasia. In fact, no other disease comes close.” - Janet M. Scarlett, DvM, cornell university. pet lovers, please take a moment to truly absorb that statement and then use it to further motivate yourself to promote spaying and neutering and support the paWS of nEla Spay-neuter Services center. We need the entire commu-

nity to partner with us on this project, thereby making north-east louisiana a better place for both pets and people. We continue to raise funds for un-foreseen renovations expenses and we need everyone to get involved by donating or raising funds. Every little bit counts! From the large fundraiser to the small garage sale, every-one can find a way to help out. please view our contribution naming opportunities and trib-ute/memorial tile information at www.pawsnela.org/sns. the tribute/memorial tiles will be displayed within the lobby of the center.

pet overpopulation truly af-fects everyone. it’s costly for our parish tax dollars to run the ouachita parish animal Shelter. Whether you’re a pet lover or not, being proactive in addressing the issue, always makes sense. tax dollars spent on reactively euthanizing the surplus of animals is only one of the reasons paWS of nEla Spay-neuter Services center is a huge benefit to our com-munity! “Nothing else you do will alleviate as much suffering or prevent the killing or ‘ware-housing’ of adoptable pets as quickly or efficiently as spaying and neutering. Prevention of the next generation of home-less pets should be the goal of every humane organization, but it must begin at the source - in the community - before, not after, the damage is done. It is impossible to ‘adopt out’ of the pet overpopulation crisis.” - nancy Burnet, Executive Direc-tor, DJ&t Foundation.

proactive spaying and neutering is the only solution! the spay neuter center will be the cata-lyst for ending pet overpopula-tion in our community. please join us in our mission and help us to prevent the next genera-tion of homeless pets in north-east louisiana.

PAWS of Northeast Louisiana Spay-Neuter Services Center by Amber Osbon

PREVENTING THE NEXT GENERATION OF HOMELESS PETS

Non-Profit Spotlight


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Non-Profit Spotlight


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veryone has his own specific vocation or mission in life. Therein he cannot be re placed, nor can his life be repeated. Thus, everyone's task is as unique as is his specific opportunity to implement it.

‘‘‘‘

– Viktor Frankl


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FURRY &FABULOUS!

Lifestylesof

the

“For the Love of Canines!”


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Prada Louise Love

Age 6

Hometown: West Monroe, LA

Owners: Andy and Erin Love

Breed: Chihuahua

Nicknames: Rader, Mrs. Louise

Arrival Story: I am a Hurricane Ka-trina evacuee. I came to Monroe with my other parents who decided that they didn’t want to pay the pet de-posit their apartment complex wanted so they just left me outside one day. I was super scared and I didn’t know what to do or where to go so I just hid in the bushes by my parents door but they just kept ignoring me. Luck-ily, the next door neighbor noticed me and asked my parents about me but they told her they didn’t want me any-more. So the nice neighbor lady set about finding me a home and that’s when she contacted ORVAL (Ouachi-ta River Valley Animal League) and that’s where my sad story ends and my furry and fabulous story begins.

Favorite Food: Homemade doggie treats

Special Talent: Walking the runway in my cute outfits

Biggest Fear: Being left alone again

My arch-nemesis: Kadie, my “aunt”. She likes to assert her authority by humping me all the time. It really gets aggravating.

Most expensive item I own: Hmmm… I don’t really have expensive things, I just have A LOT of things!

Why I am Furry and Fabulous? Be-cause I am super cute and go every-where with my Mommy!

Age 2 1/2

(Omission of ‘O’ intentional.)

Hometown: Monroe, LA Owner: Cherry Lane Coon

Breed: Pit Bull Terrier Nickname: Baby Girl

Diamnds CoonArrival Story: My brother attacked me when I was with my first owners. I was about 9 months old. They gave me up for adoption. When my Mom-my (my new owner) came to meet me, she found me outside chained up with no water or food. I had been cast out of the pack. My Mommy took me home and gave me my own bed and stuff. She also let me stay inside. I hated the heat! I like to go outside but now my Mommy lets me stay indoors with the air conditioning. She gives me special treats too!

Favorite Food: Popcorn! Love that popcorn! I also like my bones. I like getting one that can last a least a day! Special Talent: Fast Running, catch-ing popcorn! One day, I hope to jump up a tree so I can visit with my neigh-bors, the squirrels.

Biggest Fear: Thunderstorms! I hide under Mommy’s bedcovers. Now, don’t get me wrong... I’m a tough gal!

My arch-nemesis: Well, Bella is my old friend. I only get to see her when she comes up from Houston or I get to go down there. I just met all these wonderful new friends at the photo shoot and hope to get to know them better. I did my best to become well acquaited ;) (wink)

Most expensive item I own: The house... don’t tell her it isn’t her house! LOL

Why I am Furry and Fabulous? I am loyal to family and friends, and I’m generally friendly towards strangers I have the gameness of a terrier with the strength and athleti-cism of the bulldog! Did I mention I’m beautiful too? LOL

Charles Beaureguard Smith Hometown: Montgomery, AL Owner: Meg Smith

Breed: Dachshund Nickname: Charlie

Age 5

Arrival Story: My mommy ad-opted me from the animal shelter when she was in Montgomery, AL. The people at the shelter knew she was looking for a dox-ie. I was actually the shelter pet for awhile. The shelter operators didn’t want to post my picture online because they were waiting for someone special to adopt me. When my mommy showed up, I interrupted chasing cats to come see her. I gave her a kiss and it was love at first sight.

Favorite Food: If it’s on the kitchen floor, I’ll usually eat any-thing! Special Talent: My mommy says “do your trick” and I can stand up on my back legs for a treat. I can also sing.

Biggest Fear: Loud noises! (Mommy’s hair dryer and vacu-um scare me!)

My arch-nemesis: Squirrels! I will one day get one!

Most expensive item I own: My heartworm medicine!

Why I am Furry and Fabulous? I bring joy to everyone I meet. Everyone is my best friend. I love sniffing other dogs out when I meet them, then giving them a kiss. I am a very happy boy who loves to play and make people happy! I love to be loved!

Daniel's Toodlin' Chloe

Age 5

Hometown: Rayville, LA

Owners: Amanda and Ryan Daniel

Breed: Chinese Pug- Fawn

Nicknames: Chloe, Toodles

Arrival Story: Momma wanted a Pug for a really long time. She waited patiently (though I think she was pretty impatient) to adopt me. She found me on Bee Bayou Road in Rayville and scooped me up!

Favorite Food: I love Ice cream... espe-cially Blue Bell’s Strawberry Cheesecake. I wish it were out year-round instead of just 3 months during the summer! I also love chips (when Mom will actually give me some) and I also LOVE LOVE LOVE pea-nut butter.

Special Talent: I can do lots of commands like “sit”, “lay down”, “shake”, “spin”, “Up” (I stand up on my back paws and dance around), “stay”. I also spin in the yard when I gotta potty. Mom doesn’t con-sider this a talent though, I think she gets annoyed. I think it’s fun.

Biggest Fear: That something will hap-pen to my Momma and Daddy. They are my favorite people in the world! I am also very scared of thunderstorms. I don’t like the vacuum or dust buster either. They’re mean.

My arch-nemesis: I don’t really think I have one of these. I get along with every-one! Well, except for cousin Millie. She is really scared of other dogs but she was attacked by a mean dog.

Most expensive item I own: Well, Momma bought me a blanket from LLBean that has my name on it, and I also own a Coach col-lar.

Why I am Furry and Fabulous? Everyone who meets me loves me! I’m often the life of the party b/c I’m so cute and funny! I’m also pretty slim and trim for a Pug so that makes me fabulous.

life is always full of change, but little did we know how much change would come all at once. My husband, Matt, works for the federal government and had been in a train-ing position for a year and we knew there was a pos-sibility we might have to move once his training was complete. in February of this year he was offered a

director position in rapides parish and it was then that the changes began. now, i am by no means fond of change. i like my little rou-tine, but sometimes you have no choice but to go with the flow. Matt moved down south to start his new job. March 1, we put our house on the market, and i happily quit my job to be a full-time stay-at-home mom. life is now

full of adjustments... living apart from my husband during the week, being a stay-at-home mom in-stead of a working mom, having to constantly keep the house clean in case it needs to be shown (did i mention there is now a toddler in the house 24 hours?). We’ve learned a lot about ourselves in these past four months and have grown a lot closer to each

by Lisa Betts

Panache Magazine follows couples and individuals throughout life-changing events

T r a n s f o r m a t i o n s :


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other. We’ve learned to tackle obstacles in new ways, have become more financially savvy, and overall are just happier in general... despite all the major life changes. We’re changing careers, moving to a new city, downsizing, and are becoming better, happier, and healthier people in the process... and we’ve JuSt started! now... if we could just sell this house the rEal fun could start... decorat-ing our new home... together!

At Left: Leaving daycare for the very last time; I think he was excited about it... I know I was!

Below: Our family at Easter. We were already living in two separate cities at that point, so the weekends had become valuable family time. I’ve even created a Facebook album called “We Live For the Weekends”...cause that’s OUR time to-gether... And we’ve gotten pretty creative on how we spend it!

At Left: Playing at our church playground. It’s right down the road from our house and free for us to go to... good, free, family activity!

t h E B E t t S F a M i l YPanache Magazine follows couples and individuals throughout life-changing events

T r a n s f o r m a t i o n s :


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Olivia J. Evans JonesAge: 28

•Goal: lower blood pressure and cholesterol in order to no longer need medication

•My story: i am so very blessed and excited to have found this wonderful Bootcamp/personal training class offered by Jim McKenzie. My whole life i have been overweight and i know no difference. i’m tired of being the “girl with a pretty face”. i have tried numerous weight loss diets etc. with little to no success . With family history of stroke, heart attack, heart dis-ease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and aris-ing health concerns of my own, i am at my wits end. i want to make a difference in my fam-ily history. i know that i havE to make a lifestyle change, not just go along with another quick fad diet. For me, this isn’t about getting “skinny”. i’d like to drop some unwanted weight and regain my health. i have a beautiful 2 yr old son and won-derful husband, both of which i adore more than anything in the world, and i want to make a difference in both of their lives as well, by being an example to them with healthy eating and leading an active lifestyle. i feel very confident in know-ing that Mr. Jim will train me to the best of his knowledge and ability, and give me the tools and training necessary to get me to where i want to be, and

Panache Goes to Boot CampKayla l. EvanS • olivia J. EvanS JonES • mEliSSa DuBoSE mCClEllanD

W elcome to the first in a series

of stories follow-ing olivia, Melissa,

and i as we change our bodies and our lives. there is a com-mon misconception that being overweight is just about diet and exercise, but for many people there are emotional barriers and underlying health issues that prevent us from losing weight and living the life we truly want. it can be easy to judge someone by look-ing at them, but it takes time to stop and think about what someone may be struggling with that has brought them to this point. come on the jour-ney with us as panache follows us and learn about our strug-gles and triumphs en route to a new body and a new life!

Jim McKinzie and lin-da goudeau, formerly of goudeau’s Fitness, now train people in a private gym built at their home in West Monroe. What is so special about this program is that Jim sees us as individuals with unique strug-gles and fitness goals, and he encourages and energizes us to do our personal best. linda has given us a nutrition plan that focuses on making simple changes and enables us to still enjoy food without being fo-cused on restrictions that of-ten derail progress.

Kayla L. EvansAge: 28

• Current size: 18

• Goal size: 10

• My story: i decided to do the boot camp program because i have tried other fitness pro-grams with little success. What i needed was the personal at-tention from a trainer with rou-tines customized to my issues, and in the small class of sev-en people with Jim that is just what i am getting. i’ve been on both ends of the weight issue spectrum, with being anorexic in high school and early college and then becoming overweight in my early twenties. For me, it’s not just about how i look in clothes; it’s about becoming the person i am meant to be-come, so as i conquer the bat-tle of the bulge i am also con-quering the inner issues that have gotten me here.

(by Kayla L. Evans)

GooD thinG thERE’S a BaG BEtWEEn ‘Em!


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Kayla l. EvanS • olivia J. EvanS JonES • mEliSSa DuBoSE mCClEllanD(by Kayla L. Evans)

in leading myself and my fam-ily to living a healthy, more ac-tive lifestyle.

MelissaDuBose McClelland

Age: 28•

Goal: My goals are to get healthy, feel better and have more energy on a daily basis, and look as good as i human-ly possibly can before i marry trey.

•My story: i joined this class to change my life. i have always struggled with my weight. i’ve been on the atkins, South Beach Diet, Weight Watch-ers, and etc. i would lose a little weight....go off on a food binge...and then gain it all back plus some. now, i’m at a point that i’m tired of being on a “diet”. i’m tired of stressing over food and pounds. i real-ized i needed a life change. i want to stop being on a diet all the time and enjoy my life, but also see the pounds and inches fall off. More than that, i want to be healthy. i want to be able

to be able to keep up with my two little boys. Diabetes also runs in my family and the lon-ger i stay overweight, the more likely i will develop the disease. i also had another big event in my life happen to push me into this “life change” even more.

in March, i became engaged to a wonderful man named trey Sullivan. We have chosen the date of our wedding to be March 31, 2012. i don’t want to look at my wedding pictures in 20 years and be disgusted by the way i look.

mEliSSa WoRKS it With Jim’S DiRECtion...

WhilE Kayla & olivia WoRK it toGEthER.

WOMANEntrepreneurAngie O’Pry BladesFiesta Nutrition Center

1211 North 18th StreetMonroe, LA 71201-5451

(318) 387-8446www.fiestanutritionctr.comFiesta nutrition center is a retail store in the heart of Monroe that stocks supplements,

natural foods, body care, and household goods. as owner, my tasks include customer service, promotions, and keeping up with the lastest news and trends in the industry.

My career at Fiesta started as a part-time job while attending ulM. i received my degree in home Economics which sparked an interest in health and nutrition. after several years i was able to purchase the store. i am celebrating my 34th anniversary at Fiesta. a huge step in growth occurred last year when i purchased a free-standing building and expanded to another location.

Success happens without you actually knowing it’s happening.the days spent being constant and steadfast turn into years before you know it. a track record of dependability goes a long way. a positive love of your job is easily recognized by others and is advertisement that is priceless. i’m fortunate that i found my niche early on and could use my postion to “educate and encourage” others to pursue a healthy lifestyle. i wish everyone could feel the way that i do, i have the best job in the world!

i am married to Jerry E. Blades, Jr. My hobbies are cooking , collecting cookbooks, gardening, estate sales, flea market hunts, and caring for our menagerie of cats!

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W hat is your best feature? Your eyes? Your shoulders? Your legs?

Everyone has a best feature no matter what his or her body type

might be. the trick is to find it and learn how to play it up!

to find your best feature, divide your body into the zones below and assess each one separately and fairly! think of each part as if it were on someone else’s body, if you must.

Begin the process by standing naked – yes, naked – in front of full-length mirror. Which feature stands out first?

HEAD AND NECkDo you have a beautiful, long neck? play it up with a short haircut and a collarless top. Do you have big, beautiful eyes? Make them stand out by focusing on them when you are applying your makeup. choose shades of clothing that compliments the color of your eyes.

SHOULDERSare your shoulders graceful? call more atten-tion to them by wearing clothing that is off-the-shoulders, asymmetric, or halter-like.

CHESTDo you have a smooth, porcelain chest? choose v-neck and scoop neck tops. Just be conscious of how low they go and be classy at all times.

ARMSare your arms tight and toned? Feel free to sport sleeveless dresses and tops during the summer months! For fall and winter, you can continue wearing your favorite outfits by add-ing a curve-conscious sweater or jacket.

BACkYou might not pay much attention to your back, but you should! after all, your back is the last thing people see as you walk away. So, do your shoulder blades have an attractive softness to them? What about the curvature of your spine? is it soft and sexy? choose a war-drobe that focuses on what people will see as you walk away... beaded details, sheer fabric, reverse cowl necks, etc.

WAISTBelieve it or not, the smallest part of your body is always your waist! always! (the waist is the area just below your ribs and above your belly button.) Everyone can play up this part of the body by incorporating belts into her wardrobe.

HIPSif you have perfectly sized and shaped hips, you can sport pencil skirts effortlessly.

BUMis your derriere tight and taut? Don’t be afraid to wear form-fitting bottoms!

THIGHSare your thighs cellulite-free and toned? You can opt for a skirt that hits above the knee. Just be sure not to go too short.

CALVESDo you have shapely calves? Show them off by wearing high-heels!

knowing how to accentuate the posi-tives will help you when you go on shopping trips, and it will help you when you need to weed out items from your closet.

Strategies for every body typea stylish you


33

Meg’s Money Saving TipsSaving Money by Using Your Local LibraryDid you know that your local library has more than just books? in fact, you can save hundreds of dollars each year by taking advantage of the resources there!

Books ~ as you already know, your local library is perfect for saving money on books. not everyone realizes that every branch gets the latest bestsell-ers, plus you can request any title, and the library will either request it from another branch state-wide, or order it for you! *note: Most libraries get new books every month, and then keeps them in new book bins at the front.

Internet Usage ~ Most librar-ies allow internet usage com-pletely free of charge! the only thing you are charged for is print outs. and if you don’t have a library card, you can get a day pass to use the library’s internet services!

Magazines ~ Saving on maga-zines just got easier, thanks

to the library, which has more than 100 weekly and monthly subscriptions.

Artwork ~ one of the best kept secrets at the library is art-work. there’s a wide variety of genres, and you can borrow each piece for up to 6 weeks. Just like everything at the li-brary, it’s free!

CDs & DVDs ~ if you’re look-ing to save on music and movie rentals, the library has brand new cD’s and DvD’s from a va-riety of genres.

Educational Programs ~ Every branch also has educational programs you can take ad-vantage of, including, but not limited to, cooking, crafts, gar-dening, and history! there are weekly and daily programs for adults and children.

So, let’s do the math: you could spend $300 a year on average for the internet, $180 a year for a new book every month, $120 on DvD rentals a year plus more for new DvD’s, and $200 on new music. add it up, and you spend $800. or, you can go to your library and not pay a penny!

by Meg Smith


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Saving Money by Using Your Local Library

Top TenREASOnS TO gO VEg!

As a vegetarian, I constantly get asked a myri-ad of questions about why I chose the lifestyle and I’m always super excited to explain how wonderful being vegetarian is. I chose the lifestyle because I am an animal lover and eat-ing meat seemed wrong to me, but there are TONS of other reasons to become vegetarian! Check them out below.

1. You’ll save a life! of course, i’m going to choose this one as my number one reason, but it’s true. Every vegetarian saves approximately 100 animals from slaughter.

2. You may be able to slim down. the average vegetarian is 20 pounds lighter than their meat-eating counterpart.

3. You will definitely be healthier. according to the american Dietetic association, vegetarians are less likely to develop diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

4. You WILL feel satisfied and it is yummy! let me tell you…if i can get my extreme meat-eater of a husband to eat it and liKE it, it must be good! i was even able to fool him a few times. he didn’t know he wasn’t eating real chicken, for instance!

5. It will benefit the environment! according to a report issued by the united nations, the livestock sector accounts for 18 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, not to mention factory farms are also major contributors to land erosion and water pollution.

6. You’ll be in the league of celebrities! i bet you have no idea how many celebrities are actually vegetarians! here is a Short list for you: alanis Morrissette, alicia Silverstone, anthony Kiedis, Joaquin phoenix, natalie portman, Shania twain, tobey Mcguire, alyssa Milano, common, Joss Stone, and carrie underwood.

7. You will save our lands. if we continue to clear land to raise cattle at the present rate, in approximately 50 years there will be no land left. **notE: that is within our lifetime!

8. You are never too busy. contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t take any longer to prepare a vegetarian meal than it does a meat-filled one. Even on the fly. here are some grab-and-go items to have on hand – hummus, black beans, tortillas, avocado, whole wheat noodles, and pasta sauce.

9. You CAN afford it. think of it as having all your regular meals but without meat…the meat is the most expensive part of the equation!

10. Animals indeed have feelings just as we do. they just don’t express themselves with words.

if you are interested in becoming vegetarian, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have! [email protected]


panachE - 35

Get OrganizedOrganizing your Jewelry

As years pass, fashions change, but for some reason, it seems that

our jewelry box never chang-es… for the better. our old jewelry ends up in a jumbled mess at the bottom, while our new jewelry gets lost in

the clutter. Jewelry should be considered an extremely important part of your ward-robe, for it has the power to totally transform an outfit.

Below are a few ways to organize your jewelry so you can always find the perfect piece to complement every outfit.

Letting go – as with any organizing process, you will have to get rid of some of the items in your current jewelry box. But beware -- the area around you will look worse before it gets better! always remember that tip! During every organizing process, the space you are working with will always look worse before it looks better. So, to get started, sort through each piece of jewelry with discern-ing eyes. Do you still love the piece? how long has it

been since you’ve worn it?

Sort away – Begin sorting the jewelry you are keeping into separate piles (rings, bracelets, earrings, necklac-es, etc.)

Donate – Donate the pieces you are tossing. contact some local women and teen -oriented non-profit organi-zations to see if they would have use for them.

Sell – if there are some piec-es of jewelry you no longer want but can’t bear to give away, try selling them. You can host a jewelry swap or try to sell them on Ebay!

Create the perfect space – now that all you have left are workable pieces of jewelry that you love, you can begin finding creative ways to display and organize them.

Below are some of my favor-ite ways to organize jewelry:

Busts – create a mini bou-tique in your closet or bed-room by displaying some of

your favorite pieces on jew-elry busts.

Hooks - turn an unused wall into a jewelry display area by installing hooks. You can hang necklaces and bracelets from them!

Frames – replace the glass of an old picture frame with a piece of cork board or some other fabric or material that you can easily push earrings into. You can also attach hooks to the material from which to hang necklaces and/or bracelets.

Tackle Boxes – i love us-ing tackle boxes to arrange jewelry. You can custom-ize the sizes and shapes of the compartments, and it is instantly ready for travelling! Just throw it in your suitcase and go!

Of course, you can always use the typi-cal jewelry armoire, but try to incorporate a few of these new ideas to make your jewelry more appeal-ing and fun!

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panachE - 37


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Bark in the Park!

For People & Their Pets

For more information call 343-4328.

To be held at Forsythe Park

Door prizes, vendors, live music, lots of fun!!

DON’T MISS...

...OcTOBer 1.

5krun

1kwalk

Panache Magazine asked me to tell you a little bit about myself, so here it goes! My name is Scrap-py and i was rescued and adopted 13 years ago by my Mommy, Dolly Whitman. Before my rescue i had been tied to a tree and terribly abused, but, thankfully, that is all behind me now.

You see, my Mommy is my best friend and we do everything to-gether…even work! We work at ridgecrest community care cen-ter. ridgecrest is the best place in the whole world. it is a long-term and skilled-care facility. it is home to lots of people and there are all kinds of activities that go on every day.

there are nurses, c.n.as, activ-ity directors, and just all kinds of loving people that work here and help take care of the residents. Even me! i help take care of them too! the staff calls the residents their “ridgecrest family.” that’s because we all love each other like one big family. if you are hurt or injured you don’t usually stay at ridgecrest too long and you get to go to the therapy Department. that place is so cool; in there they have all kinds of fun ways to help get you stronger again. then, there are also people that live here all the time. they are the long term residents. Either way, everybody has a nice big bedroom and i love to go in each one to see what’s going on.

and make sure that here are no pesky birds or squirrels that are out there in our flower beds! once that duty is taken care of, i look for my toys in my Mommy’s office. i grab a toy and go out by the nurses station where there are always some residents wait-ing to play with me. (i like the soft toys with squeakers in them because when i catch them i like to make them holler.) this makes everyone laugh. i beat those darn toys up and show them who the boss around here is! no sir, those squeaky rascals will not get away from ME!

Sometimes, the residents just like to be quiet and not talk to other people and sometimes they just want me to sit in their lap or lay with them in their bed. they tell me all kinds of stories about their lives and their childhood. i love to hear their stories. We also watch television or take a nap sometime.

i have lots of stories to tell you about what i do at ridgecrest ev-ery day. (i will even tell you the sneaky parts, like how i get treats from my pals when my Mommy isn’t looking.) But this is enough for today.

remember stay happy. i know i do, i am just slap happy to be...

the residents that live at ridgecrest say that they are my grandparents, aunts, and my un-cles and that they look forward to seeing me every day! i look forward to seeing them, too, be-cause i love all of them!!! in fact, i can’t wait to go to work each day! check out my daily routine:

i sleep with my Mommy and while she is getting ready for work, i get to snooze in a little longer. But when i hear her keys rattle i know that it’s time to get in the car and go to work. i don’t have to be told. i jump up and run to the door su-per happy and ready to go, except for only two mornings out of the week. those two mornings i don’t get to sleep late because i have to take a bath! What’s up with that? What’s a little dirt gonna do to a fellow?

on our way to ridgecrest i sit in my seat and look out the window. i know exactly when we turn the corner on to Wellerman rd. in W. Monroe (that’s where ridgecrest is located) and i start getting ex-cited. once in the parking lot i know just what to do! i don’t need a leash because i stay right by my Mommy’s side and walk with her step for step to the back door.

once we are in the building i start my morning rounds. i run from room to room saying hello to ev-eryone and i am greeted with hap-py hellos, handshakes, pets, and even kisses! What a way to start the day!

i then go to the front door and bark to be let out. i need to go


panachE - 39

MinD YourManners

Being KindTo Animals

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its ani-mals are treated.”

- Mahatma Gandhi

i couldn’t agree more with gandhi. the purity of a person’s soul resonates from how he or she treats an-imals. animals are living, breathing, beautiful crea-tures that have a beating heart, feelings, and emo-tions just as humans do. the only difference is that they are voiceless. they cannot defend themselves, so they rely on humans to care for them. So why is there so much animal abuse? Why are so many animals surrendered to shelters and basically cast off as unwanted beings? Why are so many animals tor-tured and then slaughtered for our consumption? it saddens me day in and day out to know how many animals are being euthanized or tortured in this world every day. it has been a long time goal of mine to help the animals by giving them a voice and by help-ing them to be treated as they should be…with re-spect. Every being, man or animal, deserves to be treated with the golden rule – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

*note: if you’ve read this article to this point, thank you. thank you for trying to understand an animal lover’s point of view. i know that not everyone feels as i do about animals. We are all different, and we are all drawn to different philanthropies. that’s what makes the world go around!

here are a few suggestions on ways to show kindness to animals today, tomorrow, and into the future:

Speak out. get active in a local non-profit ani-mal group and help raise awareness!

Report animal abuse when you see it. acts of violence towards animals are tragic in their own right, but they are also a huge red flag for other violent behavior to come, like domestic or child abuse. research has also shown that many arson-ists and serial killers abused a family or neighbor-hood pet.

Appreciate the wildlife in your own back-yard. Set up a birdfeeder and bird bath for the native birds and squirrels to enjoy.

Teach your children. teach your children to be kind to animals, too. Show them the correct way to care for an animal and impress upon them that animals have feelings, too.

Donate. Make a donation to your local shelter or local animal-related non-profit. if you can’t make monetary donations, that’s ok! Many orga-nizations accept items such as dog beds, towels, cleaning agents, etc.

Adopt! the next time you are in the market for a pet, please adopt from a local shelter or rescue group. Educate yourself and your family about how to introduce a shelter pet into the home. a great number of these animals have been abused or neglected, making them a bit wary of new sur-roundings; as a result, they might need special pa-tience and gentle treatment until they acclimate.

Foster. rescue groups are constantly in the need for foster parents. there are so many un-wanted animals that rescuers often don’t have enough time to try to get them adopted out to good homes. a foster parent will care for the ani-mal until its forever home is found. it could be a week’s commitment, but it can also be months of commitment. in the end, though, you will have saved a life.

Spay and Neuter. one of the major reasons so many animals end up in shelters is because own-ers don’t have their pets spayed and neutered and the result is litter after litter of unwanted dogs and cats.

Meatless Monday. Save a life by choosing to go meatless one day a week.

Thank you for reading.


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Your Health The Power Of Touch

Seeing, Hearing, Smelling, Tasting, and Touching

Did you know that “touch” is the only one of the five senses that has the power to heal? give it a little thought and try to recall how you feel when a friend or family member touches you out of concern, love, happiness, etc. Does your mood instantly lift? Does the beating of your heart slow? can you feel the stress just melt away? that is the healing power of touch.

research shows that touch can ease pain, lessen anxiety, generate hope, and reduce stress and high blood pressure while strengthening your im-mune system. Furthermore, it’s been proven time and time again that babies who do not get the ap-propriate amount of touch, fail to grow or develop properly.

to practice the power of touch in your own life, bring awareness to your day-to-day dealings with people and try to incorporate a little more touch in their lives as well as your own. here are a few suggestions on how:

Touch instead of speaking - Sometimes, touch speaks louder than words, so find those moments and take ad-vantage of them.

Hug – get in the habit of giving those you love a hug, instead of a flippant “hello” or “goodbye”.

Give and/or get a

massage – as if another excuse were needed to make that much wanted (and now needed) ap-pointment!! You can also offer to massage your partner’s feet or shoulders! i know he or she will appreciate it!!

Hold and snuggle your pet – the healing touch isn’t just between

humans; animals can give and receive it, too!

Tickle your children – tickling automatically emits laughter.

remember as you go about your daily life that the human brain can remember touch more vividly than words.


41

HistoryWHERE On EARTH DID THAT DOg COME FROM?

D

by Jim Houston

ue to the fact that this issue’s focus is on man’s – er,

uh, and woman’s – best friend, i had decided to devote this history ar-ticle to the origins of toy breeds of dog. then i ran across the most fascinat-ing little tidbit of nook and cranny history, a true enigma of the ca-nine cosmos. it seems the origins of our small-est, and one of the most popular breeds, is a true mystery. We simply don’t know for certain where on earth the chihuahua came from! So, me being me, i decided to try and find out... First of all let me qui-eten the cacophony of

voices i can almost hear from my readers. Yes, i know the modernly rec-ognized breed of canis familiaris – what a fitting name! – was first found to exist in the Mexican state of chihuahua. (that is where it got its name.) But what are the originS of the breed? ah, and therein lies the mystery! as in any historical conun-drum, there are a plethora of theories, legends and down-right goofy beliefs. But let’s start with some basic facts, things we Do know for certain. We do know that there was a very similar indig-enous dog that inhab-ited Mexico and central america as far back as the

2nd century Bc. Evidence of this canine were found in the ancient pyramids of cholula (pictured up-per right) as well as in chichen itza. and these are not simply artistic renderings but actual remains. this member of the dog family was larger, with a thicker neck and longer fur. But the similari-ties to the modern breed are indisputable. the toltecs called this dog the techichi. it was very much loved by this civilization, which created sculptures and drawings depicting it. the toltecs were even-tually conquered by the aztecs who also fell in love with the little dog – and then some! they even went so far as to grant the mutt mystical powers, thinking it could actually communicate with their gods. it didn’t work out so well for the doggies though, as this belief led them to sacrifice the pets when their masters died so that the soul would have a guide in the after-life. (goofy, goofy, goofy, goofy, goofy. Sorry, my alarm went off!) that, my friends is doggie abuse! Someone call the humane society!


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We all know what hap-pened to the aztecs. his name was cortez and he was not what you would call an advocate of mul-ticulturalism. Fortunately he had nothing against the little dogs he found amongst the evil aztecs he slaughtered. in fact, it is speculated that he brought over a tan and white terrier, whose main job was keeping down the rat population on his ships, which apparently took to the native techi-chi quite nicely. is that where the chihuahua came from...??! perhaps, but oddly not everybody believes that. We can blame Botticelli for some of the confusion.

he painted a fresco for the Sistine chapel featur-ing a little boy holding a suspiciously similar dog. problem here is, the painting was completed ten years prior to colum-bus discovering america. (oops!) Was this dog the ancestor of our modern chihuahua? if this is the case, why was the breed discovered in the 1850s in Mexico rather than the 1480s in italy? But, dog-gedly (pun intended!)determined proponents of the theory explain it away quite nicely, say-ing that the mutt slipped over on subsequent trips with the Spaniards and was adopted by the conquered indian tribes in new Spain. (and then apparently abandoned as a breed by their European masters back home as no other mention is made of them historically.) hm, seems a trifle convoluted to me, but maybe... the last theory is per-haps the strangest. Some would have us believe that the techichi was

taken back to Europe by the conquistadors

then somehow made its way to

china where it was bred with their crested dog. From that union sprang the chihua-

hua. But, once again, how did it get back to Mexico? (have you ever seen a chihuahua swim. it ain’t even quick in a pond, folks... and the pacific’s a big pond.) this seems even more of a stretch than the previous theory. So wherein lies the truth? look, i am a seri-ous believer in logic. and usually the more obvious, most eloquent solution is wherein one finds veracity. the pooch was found in Mexico. that is an irre-futable fact. the ancient civilizations of Mexico had

a dog as similar as any found anywhere. that is a fact. the Spaniards that conquered Mexico had little rat terriers with them. it seems likely some cross-breeding would occur. Why look else-where...?! of course, with their remains found in pyramids i suppose a case could be made the chi-huahua’s ancestors were alien dogs brought down from the mother ship long ago. hm... nah... let’s just give the toltecs credit for ‘em. What the heck...


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The summer weather is upon us in Louisiana and turning on the oven to make a satisfying meal in triple digit temperatures seems ex-tremely unappealing. Summer is a great time to experiment with eating more refreshing raw fruits and vegetables, and rolling these healthy treats up in tortillas makes an instant meal. Veggie wraps full of greens, sprouts, and vegetable-based proteins like tofu, beans, and brown rice can help you maintain your en-ergy while you’re out and about in the sum-mer heat. Wraps can include any variety of fruits and vegetables, hummus, sprouts, salad dressings, nuts, and seeds. Eating fresh raw veggies is also a great way to stay hydrated, which is beneficial for your skin and overall health. As an extra health and beauty bonus, veggie wraps are generally quite low in fat and calories, which any health conscious summer-lover will appreciate!

Wraps can be made from a multitude of ingre-dients and can be as simple or complicated as you choose. One of my favorites is a lower-fat and vegan homemade version of the cream cheese based wraps you’ll find at many cafés and bistros.

2 large whole wheat tortillas2 tbsp Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese (available at Fiesta nutrition Center)½ an avocado, sliced 2 tbsp dried cranberries2 handfuls organic spring mix or baby spinach2 tbsp of walnuts2 tbsp of your favorite balsamic vinaigrette dressing (Brookshire’s sells a delicious Full Circle organic balsamic vinaigrette)

Lay each tortilla on a plate and spread one tablespoon of the Tofutti on each. Divide the avocado, cranberries, spring mix, and walnuts between the two wraps as well. Drizzle each wrap with one tablespoon of the dressing. Fold the bottom of the tortilla up about an inch, then roll into a wrap shape.

If you plan to take your wraps with you, tear off two sheets of foil and make your wraps on the sheets. These are easy to roll right up and take with you.

Enjoy your wraps, and have a blast experimenting with your own flavor combinations!

Developed by Leslie Richman

Vegan Fruit & Philly WrapRecipe serves (2) two:

Recipe vEGan FRuit& Philly WRaP

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Can you locate these popular dog breeds in the matrix above?

irahWorDFinDJaFh

aFghan BaSSEt BEaglE BoXEr BrittanY

BullDog chihuahuachin (JapanESE)colliE Dach/ShunD*

FoXhounD havanESElhaSa (apSo) MaltESEpooDlE

pulirEtriEvEr (laBraDor)SEttEr (iriSh)ShEEp/Dog*

Shih tZuSpaniEl (cocKEr)SpitZShar-(pEi)tErriEr

Check the answersto this puzzle online at

www.panachebyerin.com* two-direction, down & across or across & down orientation.

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25 Things You Don’t Knowabout Doug Pederson

4 My favorite passage of scripture is philippi-ans 4:13. “For i can do all things through christ, who strengthens me.”

5 i had the great pleasure of being a judge for the 2007 Miss loui-siana pageant. Such a wonderful experience to go through.

6 i met my wife on a blind date at Johnny’s pizza in Swartz, la back in 1986. the rest is history.

7 i love to listen to 80’s rock and roll music. Journey, Styx, Bon Jovi, Def leppard, Scorpions, ac/Dc.

8 i enjoy watching ac- tion movies.

9 When i retire, i would like to live close to the beach and golf everyday possible. Weather permit-ting.

10 i enjoy spending time with my fam-ily and playing golf with my boys.

11 i starred in a major motion picture, the longshots, featuring ice

1 i grew up in the State of Washington before moving to louisiana in the summer of 1986.

2 With the nFl Draft this month, QB pros-pect Jake locker and i are from the same high school. Ferndale high School, Ferndale, Wa.

3 as a kid, i grew up admiring Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins. i then had the opportunity to become team mates with him from 1991-1995.


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25 Things You Don’t Knowabout Doug Pederson

cube, Keke palmer and tasha Smith. Based on the true story of Jasmine plummer who, at the age of 11, became the first female to play pop Warner football tournament in its 56 year history.

12 i had the distinct pleasure of donning a gas mask and suit and walking through a military gas chamber at Fort Eustis in norfolk, va.

13 one of my all time favorite things to do is to spend time hunt-ing and fishing, however, i miss hunting season be-cause of football season.

14 after winning the Super Bowl in 1997, i had the opportu-nity to travel to Washing-ton D.c. with the green Bay packers and meet the president of the united States, Bill clinton.

15 Most people don’t know that i am an avid Ebay user. i’ve sold two vehicles through Ebay along with several other items.

16 through my playing years in the nFl, i’ve had the opportu-nity to travel to different parts of the world includ-ing: Japan, germany, Eng-land, canada and Spain.

17 During my 14 year career i played for 5 different teams: Miami, philadelphia, cleveland, carolina and green Bay.

18 i was a pretty good drop kicker when i played for green Bay. Jim McMahon and i would kick when we were on the road at different stadiums across the coun-try. the longest kick i had was a 55 yarder from the tip of the Star at the old texas Stadium.

19 if you ever want to lose weight have your mouth wired shut. i broke my jaw in a game back in 1998 against the Minnesota vikings while playing for green Bay and i ended up losing 12 pounds because of it.

20 i became a certified scuba diver while playing for the Mi-ami Dolphins and my wife and i would go diving on my days off. We would dive reefs and ship wrecks off the Ft. lauderdale Beach area.

21 not many know that i was the win-ning QB for the Miami Dolphins when Don Shula broke the legendary coach

george halas’ chicago Bears record of 325 career wins. the record stills stands to this day.

22 an ideal vacation spot for me and my wife is to travel to napa valley in california and tour the wineries.

23 not a big fan of reading, however, on occasion i will get an audio book and listen to it in the car or while travel-ing through airports. the latest two books that i have listened to are tony Dungy’s, uncommon and Quiet Strength.

24 My senior year in high School i was voted School president by a landslide decision. i had to campaign and gave a great speech in front of the entire school. another job i had was to load all the vending machines during first period in the entire school.

25 My wife, Jeannie and i have 3 kids, Drew – 16; Josh – 13; and Joel – 9. We’ve been mar-ried for 19 years have 1 dog (roxie) and live in Moorestown, nJ.


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To be held OCTOBER 13 in RUSTONat the HISTORIC FIRE STATION.

For details email: [email protected] or call 318.255.1450.

ARToberfestDON’T MISS...

BEER TASTING tFOOD tHOMEBREW COMPETITION tLIVE MUSIC

a b e n e f i t f o r t h e n o r t h c e n t r a l l o u i s i a n a a r t s c o u n c i l

what a deal!50 - panachE

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Late Summer 2011