10% of all sales at Mangum Pottery will go to the Reems Creek Greenway during the weekend of the Weaverville Art Safari, Saturday and Sunday, April 29th and 30th. Come enjoy the art and the mountains and support a good cause. for more info about the Reems Creek Greenway go to:
The Shope’s Furniture store was one of the first building in our lovely town of Weaverville. It is rich in history and life. It has been a family furniture store for the past 102 years. Before that, it was home to a variety of different things including the town hall, the post office and even the jail. We are excited to be part of the next incarnation of life in this place with so many stories. If you would like to read up more about not only out new space but also our great little town, here are a few articles by much better writers than myself:
https://www.ourstate.com/weaverville/
Some of the exciting changes in store are, a new quilt shop (that is us), an adorable embroidery shop (Sassy Jack’s Stitchery) and brand-spanking new brewery (DJ may never want to leave work again). In the near future there will also be local art work on display and a few other surprises…stay tuned for those.
While trying to keep the authenticity of the building but making it inhabitable for new retail shops, there have been many changes during the renovations. The electrical and plumbing are not up to today’s building codes. The heating and air-conditioning systems are sorely out or date and we don’t even need to talk about the paint and carpeting…
Here are some pictures of what the space looked like when we signed our lease:
Here are some pictures of the renovations in progress:
We can’t wait for you all to see it when it is finished!
Yesterday 833 people went blind in the United States from Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
According to the National Eye Institute (NEI): The #1 line of defense for preventing blindness is a yearly comprehensive eye examination.
Not all eye examinations are the same!
Here is a typical eye examination:
This month is Macular Degeneration and Low Vision awareness month. If you are a patient of mine- you know my passion for prevention, especially when it comes to Macular Degeneration.
Unfortunately, I see this disease every day in my practice- multiple times a day. I used to just see it in elderly people, but I’m starting to see it in younger and younger people. It is truly becoming an EPIDEMIC!
How do you combat an epidemic? PREVENTION AND AWARENESS
One of the most impactful ways you can protect your maculae and give them the best environment to perform optimally is by increasing your macular pigment.
When your eye doctor looks inside your eyes, he/she cannot see this very special protective layer.
The DENSITOMETER, which uses heterochromatic flicker photometry, has been used to measure carotenoids in the macula in most research for the past 20 years. The technology was developed at Brown University, and they developed an instrument that can be used clinically (see below).
The Densitometer is non-invasive and non-painful. It takes about 8 minutes to perform. At Optix, we charge $10.00 to perform the test.
Who should have the test?
- Have a family history of Macular Degeneration
- Have Macular Degeneration or precursor signs of Macular Degeneration
- Light complexion
- If they are exposed to a lot of blue light- outdoors (which is our biggest exposure) or indoors from fluorescent lighting, LED lighting or in front of LED screens- computers, iPads, iPhones, etc.
- Poor nutrition, smokers, systemic illnesses such diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, overweight
Honestly, I encourage everyone who is over the age of 21 to perform the test, because the earlier you get started on prevention for this devastating disease- the better!
Thankfully, if your levels are low, you can build them up. There are 3 and only 3 carotenoids that accumulate in the macula to build up the macular protective pigment layer: Lutein (L), Zeaxanthin (Z), and the most potent of all 3 and the hardest one to get in our diet- Mezozeaxanthin (MZ).
Depending on your macular pigment levels, and the amount of risk factors you have for developing the disease, would depend on whether or not I would prescribe a supplement to help build up your macular pigment levels. The supplement I prescribe is called Macuhealth. It is the only one that has all 3 carotenoids in the right proportions to most effectively build up the macular pigment. (Macuhealth is patented). We carry Macuhealth at Optix.
The latest research follows a common theme: macular pigment is important, and increasing macular pigment correlates with increased vision and visual performance. Studies, show, and I have confirmed in my practice, when prescribing Macuhealth for vision improvement, it can be measured via contrast sensitivity and electrophysiologic testing.
The results mirror the positive findings in the AREDS 2 (Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2) in the US regarding benefits of L and Z in macular degeneration patients, particularly in those individuals whose diets are deficient in the carotenoids. Dietary recommendations range in various countries from 6mg to 12mg. Most humans only get about 2mg daily through food sources.
Which brings me to the very controversial topic of the AREDS 2. There is so much misinformation when it comes to the marketing surrounding supplementation.
When you go to the drugstore and look at all the “eye vitamins” down the aisle, you will see written on the box, “No 1 doctor-recommended brand, and the only clinically proven formula.” You think you are doing something good for your eye health by taking it, right?
What if supplements faced the same scrutiny from the FDA as prescription drugs?
If they did, then it would also say on the bottle- there is no clinically proven benefit to taking the AREDS 2 formula for patients without Macular Degeneration or even those with mild disease, only a moderate benefit for those with intermediate to severe disease.
It would also say on the label that high levels of zinc have been linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease and prostate cancer. The label would state that if you have the wrong genetics, the high dosage of zinc might accelerate the progression of Macular Degeneration.
Furthermore, the label would state that other studies found that Vitamin C and E have no effects on the development of AMD.
What’s really exciting is where the latest research is shifting. Carotenoids in the macula are being looked at as a biomarker for carotenoid changes in the brain tissue in vivo and correlating these changes with cognitive decline and chronic diseases such as glaucoma and Alzheimer’s disease.
More to come on this as the research develops.
In Good Health,
Dr. Kim Walters
References:
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Research Group. JAMA. 2013;309 (19):2005-2015. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.4997
Awh CC, et al. Ophthalmology. 2015;122(1):162-169; doi:10.1016/j.optha.2012.o1.053.
Christen WG, et al. Ophthalmology. 2012;119(8):1642-1649; doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2012.o1.053.
Leitzmann MF, et al. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2003; 95:1004-1007.
New year, New Glasses, NEW YOU!
If you’re thinking about making a change I suggest starting with a new frame! When you greet anyone the first thing you do is make EYE CONTACT! Whether you like it or not this means your glasses are one of the first things people see. There is a reason the expression is “head to toe” and not the other way around. Why is it normal then to have multiple pairs of shoes but only one pair of glasses? Yes, the average pair of glasses costs more than a pair of shoes, however, over the course of a year, glasses are not really what breaks the bank. Hair, makeup, nails… most women spend at least twice as much on these beauty upkeeps every year than they do on the glasses they put on their faces!
The analogies are endless and different for everyone but the argument is the same… GLASSES ARE ON YOUR FACE and the first thing people see! Glasses also determine how well we see the world around us. What good is a HDTV screen if the lenses we use to see that screen are distorted or scratched?
I have been fitting glasses for nearly 12 years now. It never gets boring because the possibilities and combinations of styles and personalities are endless. Yes, there are good fits and bad fits but there are so many different and great fit options out there… HAVE SOME FUN! If you are a contact lens wearer why not give your eyes a break? Go bold and start mixing glasses into your wardrobe more often.
STEP OUT OF YOUR BOX, literally! Consider trying on ROUND frames! Almost daily I hear people declare “I don’t look good in round glasses.” With the right round shape that same person later admits round looks “surprisingly good”. There are endless articles that will tell you what frame shape looks best on your face shape… They are about as helpful as someone telling you that if you have a white canvas you should paint with black. It’s unnecessarily limiting and a huge over simplification of fitting glasses. THERE ARE NO SET IN STONE RULES!
WOOW Eyewear: So What 1
ProDesign: Danish Heritage 4733
CONSIDER COLOR! Blue is finally blowing up as an option for men and women in many collections and it is more and more popular with a wide range of available looks.
WOOW Eyewear: Marry Me 1
Barton Perreira: Cassady in Voodoo Child
Veronika Wildgruber: Victoria
Purple is and has been for years the most popular by far for women. Even women who say they hate the color purple often find it to be one of the most flattering and versatile colors to wear on their face with any wardrobe.
FRAMELESS… BREAKING MY OWN RULES… Generally I find that rimless glasses can make a person look older than they actually are. Most people try to avoid this! Recently, Silhouettes came out with the Pulse collection that is so fun and playful, it breaks this generalization! We love the new shapes and you can’t beat the comfort!
Silhouette: Titan Minimal Art-PULSE
Fitting glasses is an artform. There are basic guidelines, but it is a skill that one crafts over time. Not everyone has the same tastes but a big part of an opticians success is in their ability to find the style that makes the individual look good AND feel comfortable with their new image and improved vision.
Whether you are itching for a change, or you’re convinced the pair you have been wearing for the past 4-6 years is as good as it gets… STOP INTO OPTIX FOR A FREE STYLING SESSION! If you think you are a hard fit, TEST OUR SKILLS and frame selection! No obligation to buy! Just let us show you what a transformation a frame change can make!
HAPPY 2017!! Winter is Glass Blowing weather for sure! We are back to our “regular” hours- Tuesday thru Sat 10-5pm, and back to work at a more relaxed and thoughtful pace. Gearing up for the next festive offering, we have been making lots of new glass hearts, and some incredible one-of-a-kind Venetian inspired Goblets….just the kind to toast your sweetie with..or be King/Queen for the Day!
2017 will also bring more opportunities to join us at the Glass Studio with our Winter Warmup weekend the first weekend in February, featuring, you guessed it- hot glass and a Valentine-themed Gallery. Also, since we LOVE our loyal customers soooo much, we will have a very special seconds sale to pass the love around starting Friday Feb. 4th-5th. Stay posted and check in on our Facebook page : Crucible Glassworks : Glass Studio & Gallery for the latest on this Special Weekend!
Join us this Friday December 16th & Saturday the 17th for our Annual Glass Ornament Extravaganza Sale and Celebration of the Holidays!! Opening Reception will be from 6-9pm Friday night, join us for some refreshments and late night Glass demos and merriment! The sale will continue throughout both days, so get there early and stay late (:
As a special reward to all those shoppers who live last minute lives a special store-wide discount of 15%-20% off everything in the Gallery will be happening, as well as the lowest prices on Ornaments all year!
Crucible Glassworks= where last minute= awesome!
Cheers!
Think Local! Saturday, November 26th is Shop Small Saturday and Weaverville is the perfect place to come and support your local businesses. Stop by Art Accents Frame Shop for a one day only sale–20% off everything in the shop (with the exclusion of Marcus Thomas’ prints). From custom framing, ready-made mats and frames, to framed artwork, everything is on sale. Not quite ready for framing? Stop by and pick up your 20% off discount coupon for use at your convenience. Open 10-4. We hope to see you soon! Thanksgiving blessings to all.
Saturday November 26th from 10-6 will be lots of fun at Crucible Glassworks! We will be doing an event in honor of Small Business Saturday- a movement that applauds small local businesses as your first choice for holiday shopping. Joined by Jeweler Kim McCrum, and Weaverville potter Michael Kenney, we will be doing hot glass demos, and have seasonal snacks and music to create a fun shopping experience!
This also will coincide with our annual “Ornament Extravaganza” at the Studio, which highlights Mike’s signature ornament of the season, as well as best prices year long on our handmade glass ornaments!
Join us as we celebrate the Handmade Art available in our community-how local can you get?
What does it take for women to be healthy these days?
Maureen McDonnell, RN
Health Editor WNC Woman Magazine
Given each woman’s uniqueness and the fact that our readers are in varying ages and stages of life, an attempt to create a “one-size-fits –all” list of recommendations on what it takes to be healthy might be considered by some to be futile. However, I do believe that there are several general tips regarding our health that apply to all women – at any age.
When you consider how much our world has changed in the last 100 years – from the onslaught of toxins & the havoc they wreak on our hormones & immune systems, to the way our food is grown, to our evolving understanding of the interconnection between our thoughts & our health, a new model that takes these changes into account is needed.
As a holistic nurse for almost 40 years, I’ve been blessed to learn about women’s health from many wise and knowledgeable teachers, doctors, healers and friends and it is both my passion & pleasure to share these pearls with you:
Tips for staying healthy in today’s world
- Trust your gut (both figuratively and literally) I believe first & foremost, in order for a woman to be healthy, she must trust her intuition. Because we are bombarded with messages & opinions from so many directions, it’s often difficult to tune in to our inner voice. Taking time to quiet our mind by going for long walks, practicing yoga, meditating or just breathing deeply helps us get back in touch with our inner guidance system. “The mind shouts & the heart whispers” is a quote that reminds us that in order to make good choices we must first connect with that deeper part of ourselves. Not being afraid to act on the messages from our intuitive selves allows us to feel empowered – which I believe is a foundational component of health (especially for women!)
“Literally” trust your gut: “The road to good health is paved with good intestines!” The digestion & absorption of nutrients as well as the elimination of toxins that take place in our gut (or intestines) are critical to the optimal functioning of every organ and system in our body. Thanks to many pioneers in integrative medicine, we now understand that substances such as allergenic foods, excess sugar & environmental toxins lead to a disruption of our gut flora and/or an irritation of the gut membrane (which can cause it to become porous -referred to as leaky gut syndrome.) When this occurs, toxins & undigested food enter the blood stream which in turn trigger the immune system to create antibodies to those substances leading to generalized ill health and a weakened immune system. Health truly begins in the gut! For information on ways to heal the gut, here is a previous article I wrote on Digestive Wellness http://www.wncwoman.com/2012/03/02/common-sense-health-5/
- Positive self-talk … We can’t always erase the messages laid down when we were young that linger in our subconscious minds and negatively impact us as adults both psychologically and physically. But the science of Neuroplasticity offers new insights & tells us that we can override old thought patterns with new more positive message that work on our behalf to help us feel better about ourselves, create improved health and ultimately help us achieve our goals & dreams. Dr. Shad Helmsteader is a pioneer in the field of neuroplasticity. You can learn more about the amazing self talk tools he offers via this link https://yk272.isrefer.com/go/selftalk/bleejones/
- What to eat & why? So many opinions (regarding which diet is best – ranging from veganism to Paleo) are hurled at us these days that it can get downright confusing. However, when you take into account that: over 87, 000 chemicals have been created (just in the past 100 years -most of which have not been tested for their impact on our health) & 40% of adults and 54% of children have one or more chronic illness, don’t you think it is high time we cut through the confusion and BS and started making better choices regarding what to feed our bodies to stay in optimal health? Here are my top dietary tips:
- Eat lots of fresh organic, non GMO vegetables, fresh made green juices, low glycemic fruit, healthy fats, lean healthy sources of organic protein (take your pick from beans to grass- fed beef, eggs, chicken, turkey, tempeh etc.) and add in a few superfoods (see article on superfoods http://www.wncwoman.com/2014/02/05/common-sense-health-superfoods-for-a-long-healthy-life/
- Keep your blood sugar stable throughout the day by getting off the sugar-insulin roller coaster ride created by consuming processed, sugar-laden foods and instead have a small healthy protein based meal or snack every few hours throughout the day. This one shift will not only minimize mood swings, hormonal imbalances, weight gain, sugar cravings, & anxiety, but it will also reduce inflammation which is now considered the underlying cause of many chronic illnesses including Dementia, type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease and Cancer. See article on the importance of balancing blood sugar levels http://www.wncwoman.com/2015/07/30/common-sense-health-the-benefits-of-balancing-your-blood-sugar/
- Don’t forget the fat: Once sugar has been eliminated or greatly reduced, don’t be afraid to add healthy fats. Good fats don’t make you fat…sugar and processed foods make you gain weight! Use organic olive oil for salads and health promoting organic coconut oil for cooking (as it can handle the high heat)
- Water and wine: The experts tell us we should drink ½ our weight in ounces of water per day. While keeping us well hydrated, that amount also helps flush out toxins in our system. Obviously drinking half your body weight in ounces of wine each day is not recommended. But a little- 1-2 glasses of red (organic if possible) will – the experts tell us, be good for our heart and help reduce inflammation. Of course, this is coming from a woman who is 100% Irish, so – consider the source!
- Develop nurturing, self-love habits around food. Providing your body with optimal levels of nutrients and having a healthy well-balanced diet shouldn’t feel like a boot camp. Love yourself enough to want to feel good. Do it because you are worth it, not because someone told you this is what you “should” do!
- Periodic detoxing: Did you know that we store toxins in our fat cells? Our body does this in an attempt to protect our vital organs – which is why it is so important to do a periodic cleanse especially when we are attempting to lose weight. When fat cells break down they release toxins into our blood (so we may get thinner), but if we don’t detox simultaneously, we’ll remain toxic. This in turn can, at the very least causes us to regain the weight. In addition to specific cleansing herbs like Milk Thistle & Nettles – ample fluids, exercise, sweat, good bowel movements & saunas all help to assist in the detoxification process.
- What we put ON (not just in) our bodies really matters: Our skin is our largest & most permeable organ. The FDA reports substances applied to our skin can be found in our cells within 26 seconds! Mineral oil, a cheap filler found in many lotions & cosmetics inhibits our skin’s ability to “breath” or release toxins. Do not use products with the following ingredients: mineral oil, formaldehyde, parabens, phthalates, talc, BPA, triclosan (often found in toothpaste & anti-bacterial soap) etc. It helps if they are also vegan-certified (no animal testing or animal parts contained in products), organic and or non GMO, free of artificial fragrances (one perfume can have up to 200 chemicals) & free of artificial colors. We are just beginning to recognize the role toxins play in our country’s high rates of women’s hormone related disorders including: infertility, birth defects, breast cancer, PCOD (polycystic ovary disease) PMS, precocious puberty, endometriosis and obesity.
- Seek out health care providers who are not only well-versed in natural methods of healing, but who by encouraging questions & not speaking down to you, generate a sense of trust and personal empowerment.
- Exercise: Pumping up those endorphins makes us feel good, but in addition, a growing body of research shows that regular exercise improves our immune function by increasing the number of natural killer cells that fight off viruses and bacteria as well as reducing our risk of developing cancer. Regular exercise also slows the aging process and combats inflammation Having a balanced routine that includes some cardio (interval is now the rage), stretching (such as yoga) and some resistance work with weights will provide enormous benefits to your health.
- Sleep: the great healer: Sleep helps repair the body from damage that may have been caused during the day from exposure to toxins, infection, sun exposure etc. A good night’s sleep reduces blood pressure, damage caused by stress, it helps reduce inflammation and improves memory. Sleep also helps regulate the hormone balance that affects and controls your appetite.
- Joy, Laughter & Community: When people give me advice on health or try to tell me how to live my life, I measure their “Joy Factor”. If they are living a joy-filled life, if they can laugh (even at themselves trying to be the experts) and they have soulful fun connections with others, you know what? I’m going to listen to them! No one can underestimate the health promoting aspects of happiness, laughter and having great friends!
- True preventative health care isn’t just getting a yearly flu shot or doing an annual mammogram (both of which new research indicates carry some risk & may not be as effective as once thought.) Instead, real prevention has everything to do with listening to & honoring messages your body gives you in the form of symptoms. Headache, fatigue, PMS, palpitations, joint stiffness, gas, bloating etc., are nudges from your body to take head. Next time a symptom arises, sit quietly & ask your body what it needs. You may “hear” that rest, eliminating dairy, removing grains, taking a yoga class, drinking green juices, using toxin-free cleaning, laundry or personal care products, taking a nap, going for a walk or sitting quietly in meditation are just what your “inner doctor” ordered. In essence, listening to the body helps you address and thereby short circuit the underlying causes of illness before they evolve into a full blown condition requiring more complex interventions.
“Follow those who seek the truth, but flee from those who say they’ve found it”. I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I do know that with the amount of toxins our bodies are dealing with, the rising incidences of women affected by cancer & other illnesses and the tendency by mainstream medicine to over prescribe pharmaceuticals & perform unnecessary interventions, a new health paradigm for women is needed. The best shot we have is to become aware, arm ourselves with credible information, partner with knowledgeable & sensitive care providers and trust in our own inner guidance system.
I’m interested in your experiences and what tips you may have regarding what you do to stay healthy in today’s world! Please write to me at [email protected]
Maureen is available for private one-hour health consultations. Call 609-240-1315
