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February 2025
FIND YOUR VOICE February is most appreciated these days as the time to celebrate Valentine’s Day or a long Presidents’ Day weekend. The month actually got its name, however, from an ancient Roman festival of purification called Februa — a time to immerse yourself in pursuits that leave you feeling refreshed and cleansed. In the past, I have written about the value I place on time for reflection, including walking in nature, practicing yoga, or setting aside an informal sabbath to rest. Few other pursuits, however, have a more clarifying impact on me than worshipping through song. For me, singing is an act of purification. To perform well, I must clear my mind of all the mental clutter — the to-do list, the frustrations, the “I-can’t-believe-that-guy-cut-me-off-in-traffic” resentments. As a 19th-century German poet once wrote, “Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” To perform as a singer, you have to devote yourself fully. You must become completely focused on all the pieces that you are pulling together to create a meaningful presentation. Singing is surprisingly physical. You must breathe correctly and stand so you are taking in a good, full column of air while also paying attention to your aperture or how you are holding your mouth. It also requires cognitive and emotional skills — not only reading the words and music but conveying the emotional THE SOUL-CLEANSING POWER OF SINGING WORKSHOP Have you (or your clients) “been meaning” to get a plan in place? It’s easy to get started with our 7 Hazards to Your Estate Plan Workshop . This free workshop explains the key planning concepts, documents, and the factors in selecting a plan that is right for you. Plus, workshop participants receive a complimentary consultation with no obligation to retain our services. The workshop is available on demand or in person, so stop thinking about a plan and create one. Register online at PromiseLaw.com/Estate-Planning-Workshop or call (757) 351-4017.
intent of the song. It takes a type of focused thinking that is heartfelt, aimed at controlling your breathing, phrasing, notes, and rhythm and accomplishing something meaningful for you and whoever is listening. It’s like that old childhood exercise of patting your head while rubbing your tummy. I served as an advisor to a student gospel choir at the University of Wyoming, where I also sang with them. We could spend hours working on our music. Even if my voice wore out, I didn’t tire of it. My experience in that gospel choir and in voice lessons with my voice teacher Tammy, who is also my colleague at the office, really elevated my sophistication and understanding of what one must try to accomplish in any type of performance. One peak experience I remember was a recital of Tammy’s students. I had rehearsed a duet with another student who fell ill before the recital. I was delighted when Tammy took her place to perform “Any Day” with me from the 2001 musical “The Three Musketeers.” Tammy is an incredible vocalist, and the duet is such a cherished memory. I also sing in my church choir most Sundays where our director helps us strive to sing as one voice, smooth and connected. Looking back, I appreciate that my folks encouraged me to learn to play and read music as a child. It’s another language,
but if I can make my way through it, I can join in other people’s faith communities, sing with them, and appreciate their music. Throughout my life, that has afforded me countless refreshing, cleansing experiences. –Geneva N. Perry, Esq.
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BREAK FREE FROM BORING TIPS TO LEVEL UP YOUR HOME COOKING!
Do you regularly make meals for yourself or your family? Have you ever struggled to decide what to make? Are you tired of your regular menu of recipes and dishes? If you answered yes to these questions, know that you’re not alone. Many individuals
grow tired of cooking the same dishes, especially if they get on a routine of making the same five dinners every week. However, you don’t need to feel this way. Trying something new in the kitchen is easier than ever! Here are two ways to revitalize your passion for cooking while discovering new recipes. Get out of your comfort zone. How many different cultures do you know recipes from? You are probably familiar with Italian, Mexican, and even some Chinese dishes, but how often do you explore dishes from cultures you know little about? Trying out recipes from new cultures can be incredibly fun. However, it can be challenging to know where to start. Simply pick
a country with a cuisine that interests you and Google what they eat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You’ll receive a few different options to choose from. Want to get even more adventurous? Consider combining ideas from multiple cuisines to create a unique fusion dish! Deviate from the recipe. Many amateur cooks follow each recipe without missing a step. However, if you’re making the same things every week, these recipes can grow stale quickly. Instead of trying to find something brand-new to make, consider swapping out ingredients. Change out the spices, sides, or even the proteins to create something entirely new and delicious.
How Familiar Scents Bring Back Memories Nostalgia in the Air
Have you ever caught a whiff of freshly baked cookies and suddenly found yourself back in grandma’s kitchen? Our sense of smell has a knack for transporting us back in time, thanks to a bank of 50,000 different scents tied to our memories. This little olfactory time machine plays a significant role in our daily lives, taking smells and turning them into emotional snapshots. Get ready to stop and smell the roses because we’re diving nose-first into the power of our nostrils. Scent-sational Memories The olfactory bulb processes scents at the front of our brain, the area that sends information out to the
body. Odors go directly to the limbic system, the part of our brain that processes emotions and memories. When we smell something, our brains label it and remember our emotional response to it. So, when you smell those fresh cookies, your mind tells you it’s a cookie and reminds you of the warmth and love you felt as your grandma baked when you were a child. Our nose also protects us by helping us remember smells associated with danger, like fire. Whiff a Mood Lift Scents also impact our moods and feelings. Certain fragrances, like lavender, can make us feel relaxed; others, like fresh citrus, may trigger
a boost of energy. The nose and limbic system work closely together. Certain scents activate the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine or serotonin and activate emotions such as happiness. So, the next time you feel nostalgic, light a candle with a scent that reminds you of home, and your nose will transport you down memory lane.
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TAKE A BREAK
The Perks and Pitfalls of Caffeine Brew-tally Honest
CHOCOLATE DREAM EQUALITY GROUNDHOG GRAMMY KING LINCOLN PIZZA ROSES SUPER BOWL VALENTINE WOMEN
Perk up, coffee lovers. We’re about to spill the beans on how the beloved brew can be a friend and foe to our mental health. Caffeine can lift our spirits, energize us, sharpen our focus, and even counteract the effects of depression. But this popular stimulant can also lead to jitters, anxiety, and withdrawal symptoms if we sip too much. Grab a cup of Joe, and let’s explore the perks and pitfalls of this flavorful fuel. Buzz Behind the Boost Studies have found that moderate doses of caffeine can have perks. This naturally occurring stimulant can help with weight loss, alertness, brain function, memory, and physical performance. Caffeine can also guard against certain types of cancer, strokes, and Alzheimer’s disease. There’s even proof that coffee can reduce depression, thanks to the other acids in the drink that reduce inflamed nerve cells in the brains of people with depression. Buzz Kill Caffeine can be a needed pick-me-up, but it can also feed the grind that keeps you up at night or gives you anxiety. Tea and coffee can interfere with essential neurotransmitters like dopamine. This disruption can lead to a lack of motivation, irritability, and restlessness. Drinking too much of these fine brews can make you nervous, impact your sleep, and cause your body to go into flight or fight mode. For people who are already suffering from depression, the drink can cause your symptoms to worsen. So, as you drink your morning java, just remember to find the balance with the beans. Caffeine can be the ultimate mood booster, but too much will make you feel wired instead of wonderful!
ROAST PORK WITH SWEET POTATOES Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
Ingredients
• 3 tbsp brown sugar • 1 tsp dried sage
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided • Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced • Salt and black pepper • 1 1/2 lbs pork tenderloin • 1 1/2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed • 1 red onion, sliced
• 1 cup chicken broth • 2 tsp Dijon mustard • 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, sage, garlic, salt, and black pepper, then rub mixture on pork. 3. On a baking sheet, toss sweet potatoes and red onion with 1 tbsp olive oil, cayenne, and salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes then set aside. 4. In a skillet over medium-high heat, add remaining olive oil. When hot, add pork and sear for 5 minutes. Transfer to baking sheet with vegetables and bake for 11–13 minutes, or until pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 F. 5. Add broth to skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in Dijon, chives, and black pepper. Slice pork, drizzle with the pan sauce, and serve with sweet potatoes.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Embrace February as a Season of Renewal
1
Fun Ways to Diversify Your Weekly Menu!
2
Sniff Back in Time
Roast Pork With Sweet Potatoes
3
Is Your Coffee a Friend or Foe?
The Haunting Story of an Amazonian Vampiress
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Beautiful French Opera Singer or Mysterious Vampiress? THE LEGEND OF CAMILLE MONFORT
Everyone loves a good scary story. However, stories with unfinished and uncertain endings leave more spine-chilling
It’s said that Camille’s striking beauty and disregard for societal conventions cast spells of desire over rich men and spread great envy among their wives. Rumors spread
options for the imagination. The ever- alluring legend of Camille Monfort will raise the hair on your neck and make you wonder what may have been behind her story. In 1896, Belém, Brazil (in the Amazon), emerged as a wealthy city filled with grand luxuries due to the rubber trade. The city’s newfound affluence brought extravagance in many areas, including Theatro da Paz , which brought European culture to the jungle. However, it wasn’t until the beautiful French opera singer Camille Monfort took center stage that the city’s mystery came to light.
that her pale skin tone not only meant she was a vampiress, but her beautiful singing during
concerts hypnotized her audience so she could easily feed from them. Unfortunately, her mystery was short-lived. By the end of 1896, cholera devastated Belém, taking Camille’s life at age 25. She was then buried in the Cemetery of Solitude, but many believe her tomb is empty and her death was a ruse. Stories of strange disappearances and whispered encounters surround Camille Monfort’s entire existence, making her haunting story a unique chapter in the history of vampires.
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