I’m featuring more options for finding optimal health today!  It’s heart health month during February.  I’m sure most of you know that heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in America.  It is also a disease that can be avoided by proper nutrition, lifestyle and supplementation.  I’m always looking for alternatives, it’s part of my inquisitive/stubborn nature.  I met Anne Dyer and Jeffrey Jones last year and they introduced me to their Freedom Effect movement.  Both Anne and Jeffrey have a story to tell that has a very happy ending as a result of their work with a product line, Shaklee.  You may be familiar with the company since it has been in existence for over fifty years, but if you haven’t looked at the company lately, you will be in for a big surprise.  Over the past couple of decades many multi-level marketing companies have come and gone.  Many of the companies have given the concept of multi-level marketing a less than positive image.  But Shaklee has quietly continued, offering top quality products for personal health and hygiene as well as an outstanding line of natural products for the home that do not contain harmful chemicals and toxins.  I think Shaklee has probably been ahead of its time for many, many years, providing a thoroughly tested line of products that have science behind them that speaks to the quality, purity and effectiveness they guarantee.

Both Anne and Jeffrey suffer from chronic illnesses that prevent them for leading the life they once led.  They have both found such relief through the products they use that, for the most part, they CAN lead a normal life.  They also wanted freedom, thus “Freedom Effect”.  Because of the amazing results they both experienced with improved health, once on the program, they felt led to share it with others.  But I have to tell you that they are not about trying to sell, they are focused on educating and working with others to reach the same levels of health that they have.   They offer a free assessment of your health and one on one guidance to help you achieve your goals and live a life of vibrant health.  Freedom Effect also offers a tried and true weight loss program that Jeffrey can personally attest to the success of  having lost over sixty pounds on the regimen he now guides others through to achieve similar results.

I have long believed that digestion is a major contributor to good health.  Both Anne and Jeffrey agree that good digestion equals better health.  A diet that focuses on more fresh, organic fruits and vegetables with smaller amounts of fats and proteins continues to rise to the top of most effective health regimens.  Gone are the days of trying the latest fad diet….thank goodness people are finally realizing that you have to change to a healthier eating program and stick with it for possibly slower, but more effective weight loss.  With proper nutrition and supplementation you can and will see the results you’ve longed for.

You can find more out about Freedom Effect on Anne and Jeffrey’s website here: 

http//:www.freedomeffect.com

Anne and Jeffrey offer a pathway to financial freedom as well.  It’s a free education in overall health and wellness that can guide you toward a healthier, longer life.   There are three classrooms you will be introduced to that will guide you to your own personal plan for a better life.  They are both committed to sharing their experience, working with others to achieve their goals and dreams and enjoying the good life.  There is a great deal of flexibility in the way they work with individuals and if you are someone who is looking for a new opportunity for financial growth….this may be for you.

Melissa | Out&About | 02 18th, 2014 | 3 Comments »

I love the music of Yiruma.  It is poignant, romantic and it always calms my soul.  I’m sharing this tune with you today in light of the Valentine’s Day holiday.  If we can only remember to continue these thoughts and feelings of love into our everyday life and stop saving them for one special day…..what a world this would be.  When it comes right down to it, love really is ALL there is.  It is the only thing we can take with us wherever we go, free of charge.  Fill your heart with love this simple Sunday and feel the warmth that will then shine on everyone you see today!  Enjoy!

Melissa | Simple Sundays | 02 16th, 2014 | No Comments »

My guest on the radio show this week is Heather Heath.  Heather is the glorious director of Arts & Humanities for Glynn County.  We shared a lively conversation….nothing unusual for us!  I hope you enjoy the show and can make it to the events Heather has shared with us all!  There is so much culture to be found here, culture that enriches our lives beyond measure.  Thank you Heather for joining me!

Melissa | On The Radio | 02 15th, 2014 | No Comments »

Happy Valentine’s Day!  I thought I’d veer off the beaten path a bit and have some fun today.  This is a purely romantic menu….meant for two…..easy to prepare and so delicious.  Break open the bubbly and celebrate this day of love, love, love!

Raw Oysters with Mignonette Sauce

Arugula, Radicchio and Endive Salad

Broiled Lobster Tails with Fresh Garlic Butter

Pommes Frites

Chocolate Fondue with Strawberries and Cake Bites

Champagne

Raw Oysters with Mignonette Sauce

1 -2 dozen fresh oysters, shucked

Mignonette Sauce:

1/2 cup minced shallots (about 2 1/2 ounces)

1/4 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup clear, unseasoned rice vinegar*

1/8 teaspoon of sugar

1/8 teaspoon of salt

1 1/4 teaspoon of finely crushed white peppercorns (do not use pre-ground or powdered white pepper)

Peel and finely chop the shallots

Place the minced shallots and any juice from them in a glass bowl. Add the white vinegar, rice vinegar, and sugar and salt. Stir with a fork. Add the freshly crushed white pepper. Stir with a fork.

Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of four hours. For best results, store for at least 2 days before using.

Arugula, Radicchio and Endive Salad

1 bunch organic, baby arugula

1 small head radicchio, wash, dried and hand shredded

1 Belgian endive, separated into spears

1/4 cup extra virgin oil

2 tablespoons champagne vinegar

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste

Arrange the salad greens on a platter and drizzle with oil.

Broiled Lobster Tails with Fresh Garlic Butter

4 lobster tails

melted butter

1 garlic clove, finely minced

1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley

sea salt and pepper to taste

lemon wedges for garnish

Wash and dry the lobster tails.  Carefully cut each tail  down the middle of the top with a pair of poultry scissors or a very sharp knife.  Arrange the lobster tails on the broiler pan and place it under the broiler.  Broil on medium for 5 to 10 minutes.  Be sure to place the broiler pan at least 4-5 inches from the coils.  I have also successfully grilled lobster tails, placing them on a hot grill for the same amount of time.

Pommes Frites

1 large russet potato

2 cups vegetable oil

sea salt and pepper to taste

Cut the potato in half lengthwise, then into 1/4 inch sections and then into thin strips.  Heat the oil in a heavy skillet, I use a cast iron skillet for these.  When the oil is hot add the potato strips and cook until golden brown.  With a slotted spoon, remove the cooked potatoes from the oil and drain them on paper toweling.  Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper before serving.

Chocolate Fondue with Strawberries and Cake Bites

12 ounces of dark chocolate (chips or roughly chopped if from a block)

8 ounces of heavy cream

A pinch of salt

1 pint of fresh strawberries, washed and stemmed

2 cups of angel food cake, cut into large cubes

Melissa | Finally Friday!, food & entertaining | 02 14th, 2014 | 1 Comment »

Here’s something special that you can make to share with your loved ones on Valentine’s Day or over the weekend, when there is more time to prepare and share.  I love these heart shaped fruit pies featured on Stone Gable blog…originally from Martha Stewart.

I’m making these and filling mine with a mix of raspberries, blackberries and strawberries.  Here’s the recipe from Martha:

• 1 tablespoon sour cream
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
• 2 tablespoons ice water, plus more if necessary
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
• Coarse salt
• 1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, divided
• 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 3/4 cup fresh blackberries
• 3/4 cup fresh raspberries
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• Fine sanding sugar, for sprinkling

• 1. STEP 1

     Whisk together sour cream, lemon juice, and ice water in a bowl. Mix together flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon granulated sugar in a large bowl. Add butter and beat with a mixer on medium-low until mixture resembles coarse meal with some blueberry-size clumps remaining. Gradually beat in sour-cream mixture until just combined but still crumbly. (Squeeze a small amount of dough to see if it holds together. Beat in more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, if necessary.) Divide dough in half, gather into 2 flat rectangles, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until just firm, 45 minutes.

  2. STEP 2

     Roll out each rectangle of dough into a 7-by-14-inch rectangle on a piece of floured parchment with a floured rolling pin. (Dough will be very thin.) Transfer rectangles on parchment to 2 baking sheets and refrigerate until firm, 15 minutes.

  3. STEP 3

     Meanwhile, stir together berries, remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Slide 1 dough rectangle, still on parchment, onto a work surface. With a long side facing you, cut dough crosswise into four 3 1/2-by-7-inch strips.

  4. STEP 4

     Mound 2 tablespoons berry mixture in center of bottom half of each strip. Brush edges with egg wash and fold top half over fruit to enclose. Press firmly to seal and trim bottom edge, leaving folded top edge uncut. Cut vents in each pie and place about 2 inches apart on baking sheet lined with fresh parchment. Transfer to freezer. Repeat with remaining dough and berry mixture. Freeze hand pies until very firm, at least 45 minutes.

  5. STEP 5

     Preheat oven to 375 degrees with racks in upper and lower thirds. Lightly brush pies with egg wash and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Bake, rotating sheets and switching racks halfway through, until pies are golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature

What fun to wake up to these on Saturday morning…..I know, I know….Valentine’s Day is Friday, but why not spread the love throughout the weekend!

Champagne Mimosas?  You Bet!

Some really good bacon, thick cut and baked to crisp perfection….I say Yes!

Any excuse to say I love you is good for me!  We’ve got family coming for the weekend and I can’t wait.  Love is the center of life and sharing makes it all worth while!

Melissa | food & entertaining | 02 13th, 2014 | No Comments »

I first became acquainted with the work of jewelry designer, Judith Paixao, when a mutual friend posted a photograph of her work on Facebook.  I am a great lover of sea glass, now more than ever!  Judith Paixao creates one of a kind works of art out of sea glass and all sorts of found and recycled objects that work their way into her process.  No two pieces are ever alike and Judith encourages clients to guide her in the colors and elements they would like to see included in their wearable art.

Each piece is surely a work of art, something to be cherished for years to come.  This necklace, which first drew my attention, is “Bermuda Blue”.  Blue sea glass, seed pearls and silver bits make up this fabulous piece.

Her sense of color and balance shine through in every piece she designs.  The word meticulous comes to mind when I look a the intricacy of her work.  The various shades of sea glass, some I have never seen, are collected as Judith and her husband, Kev, travel the world.  Bermuda has been home to them for quite some time, but in April….they will begin calling St. Simons Island home!

Judith studied jewelry design in Brazil and has worked there as well as Bermuda, Charleston and other locations in the States.  She and her husband live on a sail boat as I write this, working out of their studio on board.  Kev photographs Judith’s work as well as helping with the collecting of sea glass.

If you’re interested in sea glass, here’s a short film Judith sent that I think you’ll enjoy.  Also take note of the special classes she conducts where participants are actually making pieces, with Judith’s guidance, of course.  This is right up my alley!

Her Facebook page will introduce you to more of her work:  https://www.facebook.com/BermudaSeaGlassJewelry.  Judith also has a shop on Etsy:  https://www.etsy.com/search?q=judith%20paixao&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US

April is right around the corner!  I cannot wait to meet Judith and Kev in person and to see the charming studio sign attached to their new home here on St. Simons!  I think a big island “WELCOME” is in order!

Melissa | people | 02 12th, 2014 | 7 Comments »

How could it possibly be time for Valentine’s Day already?  Wasn’t it just Christmas…seriously, I don’t think there is one single month without some holiday or event.  As soon as Halloween is finished Christmas begins to show its face in retail shops everywhere.  And after the 14th, on Friday, shelves will be stocked with all things green as St. Patrick’s Day draws near.  It’s always something!  My curiosity got the best of me this morning and I decided to do some investigation as to who began the tradition of sharing hearts….where did it begin and when.

There is a history behind Valentine’s Day.  It is not only celebrated in the United States, but in Great Britain, France, Australia, Mexico and Canada.  And all of these countries celebrate on the 14th day, in the month of February.  The tradition goes back as far as the Middle Ages.  There have been several St. Valentines who were martyred in one way or another.  It is suggested that the true St. Valentine may have been instrumental in helping Christians escape death at the hands of Romans back in the day.  He is said to have been a romantic figure, thus the symbol of the heart became a part of it all.

Whether actual written Valentines were exchanged or tokens of love were given, this has been going on for centuries.  And at some point, the figure of Cupid entered the scene with his heart tipped arrows, ready to send love sailing to a beloved on wings of angels.

I can’t think of a better holiday than one where we tell each other of our love.  Sharing love, sending love…..writing….

Baking…….

Shopping……..flowers, and candy and bright shiny things!

It’s all about loving and giving….which makes it my favorite holiday, except for Thanksgiving.

How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day….do tell!

Melissa | Out&About | 02 11th, 2014 | No Comments »

Coastal Georgia is an area rich in African American history.  During the month of February I’ll be sharing stories and people with you, people who know the lore, who have seen the changes and lived to talk about them.    Along with the stories are the legends and fables, one of which describes Ibo’s Landing.  There are different versions of the story, but I think the most popular one tells of a large group of slaves walking off of a boat that sailed from Savannah to St. Simons Island where their white owners lived.  They walked into the night to their deaths creating a legend that served as a beacon of light to slaves over the next sixty plus years.

Painting by Dee Williams

Dunbar Creek is where it all happened.  The chief of the Ibo people on board began chanting over and over, “The water brought us, the water will take us away”, thus stirring the imagination of countless slaves who found hope in this story as it passed down through the years.  Many thought the Ibo people walked across the ocean, back to Africa, their motherland.  Another version says that they turned into a flock of black birds and flew away.

The tragedy of the story lies in the fact that these people were enslaved, shipped from their home to a foreign land where they lost their lifestyles, their status and their history.  They were not treated as fellow human beings by their owners.  Death was more desirable than life as a slave.  Their ankles shackled together, the Ibo people walked into the blackness of night, into the deep water of the creek, never to be seen again.  Listen to actress Alva Rogers as she describes the scene in this video on YouTube.

It has been said that on certain nights you can go to Dunbar Creek and, if you are quiet enough, you may hear the clanking of  metal shackles and the sound of water slapping against ankles and feet as they make their way into the dark water.  And if you’re very, very quiet, you may here the chant, “The water brought us, the water will take us away”.

Melissa | Out&About | 02 10th, 2014 | 4 Comments »

It’s a beautiful Sunday morning here on the island.  Chilly, it is still winter.  I’m sharing a lovely French piece this morning by Gabriel Faure’.  This is the perfect music to quietly begin the day.  Perhaps a moment of silent meditation or a moment to say thank you.  Sunday has always been family day for me.  It’s a special time when we can come together and share a delicious meal and reconnect with each other.  What are your plans today?  Listen to this beautiful music and something will come to you!  Enjoy!

Melissa | Simple Sundays | 02 9th, 2014 | No Comments »

I had a fascinating talk with Lea King, new director of Keep Brunswick & Golden Isles Beautiful this week.  Here our talk when you click on the link to Soundcloud!  You’ll learn about all kinds of things you may never have heard of when it comes to conservation and keeping our area or any area beautiful!  Thank you Lea for taking the time to join me!

Melissa | On The Radio | 02 8th, 2014 | No Comments »