Check out our February newsletter!
Kevin’s Peace of Mind
www.kevintharpe.com (770) 503-1022
February 2025
LOVE AND LIFE RENEWED
GOD’S GIFT OF SECOND CHANCES
No matter how heartbreaking life gets, a second chance is always just around the corner. In many past newsletters I have shared a few memories of my cousin Scott Tharpe. Growing up, Scott and I were as close as cousins as my dad and his dad had been as brothers. A little over three years ago, Scott’s first wife, Deborah, passed away unexpectedly.
many mutual friends, they quickly discovered they had a lot in common. They soon fell in love, got engaged, and set a wedding date for the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I was honored when Scott asked me to serve as his best man.
needed another chance at love. God graciously gave that to him. As Cheryl walked down the aisle, I looked over at Scott and saw his face. The sadness of the end of one chapter and the heightened joy of the start of a new chapter that Scott felt at that moment were hard to ignore. I was so excited for them both; being part of their special day was an honor and one of the most joyous moments of my life. God gave these amazing people a second chance at happiness. Scott and Cheryl now each have a new life, a new family, and new friends. Second chances are a blessing we can experience if we believe. I can’t imagine a more deserving person for a God- given second chance than Scott. In both times of sorrow and joy, God’s light will always shine a way forward.
The wedding had a Christmas theme with holiday decorations, and we wore red vests and red bow ties. During the entire wedding celebration, as I watched Scott interact with the many family and friends and guests who were attending, I couldn’t help but smile as I realized that my God is a God of second chances. God graced Scott and Cheryl by giving each of them another person to love and spend their lives with. Scott had been looking for and
They were married for over 30 years and they shared a life filled with love, laughter, children and grandchildren. The loss hit Scott very hard. He is a man of strong faith, but there were times when he questioned whether God was truly there. He knew in his heart that God had a plan, but sometimes the loneliness was stronger than the hope. My heart ached for him. About a year ago, Scott made the acquaintance of a lovely lady named Cheryl. In addition to having
Congratulations, Scott and Cheryl!
—Kevin
www.kevintharpe.com | 1
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
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.
2 | (770) 503-1022
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
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.
www.kevintharpe.com | 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
(770) 503-1022 www.KevinTharpe.com 405 Broad St. Gainesville, GA 30501
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
New Love, New Joy
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
4
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.
4 | (770) 503-1022
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator