Loudoun County Woman- Nov/Dec 2010

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PublisherKristina Doll

Co-PublisherDaniel Doll

Editor-in-chiefBarbara Cremedas

Sales RepresentativeAlexandra Trahos Koussis

Graphic DesignStacy Burns

www.Designs2Sell.com

Distribution ManagerJoel Dean

PrintingEngle Printing & Publishing

Company, Inc. • Lancaster, PA

The Loudoun CountyWoman

P.O. Box 12242Silver Spring, MD 20908

703-829-6624editor@loudouncountywoman.comwww.loudouncountywoman.com

U.S. Mail • Direct Drop Distributors • Subscription

Publisher’s NoteBy Kristina Doll

Dear Readers,

Holiday time is always a time for reflection and appreciation. We at theLoudoun County Woman are thankful for our many blessings. We appreciatethe continuing support of our contributers, our readers, and our families. We wishall of our Loundoun County Woman families a warm and wonderful holiday sea-son filled with fond memories. As always, we welcome your feedback–please feelfree to visit our website www.loudouncountywoman.com or to contact me by phoneat (703) 829 6624 or by email at: [email protected].

Featured on the Cover

�is month we are featuring four womenfrom Loudoun County. From left to right,top to bottom: Kathy Scho�eld, AlexandraTrahos Koussis, Kristina Bouweiri, and Lauren Clement. Look inside for our feature“Women in Pro�le” on pages 16 and 17.

Photos for the cover and the Women in Pro�le pages provided by Don Harper from�e Edge Photography Studio.

10

Join our growing list of contributors.

We offer exclusivities! Reserve your spot today.

Call 703-829-6624or email

[email protected]

Establish yourself as theleading authority in yourfield. We are the newest

addition of the #1 NationallySyndicated Women’s Journal in the U.S.

PROMOTE YOURBUSINESS!

2 www.loudouncountywoman.com

in every issueWomen in ProfilePages 18–19

Crossword PuzzlePage 27

Recipe FavoritesPage 28–29

3www.loudouncountywoman.com

november/december 2010 issuecontents

health & wellnessHealthy By NaturePages 4–5

Capital Vein and Laser CenterPages 6–7

Lans Family DentistryPage 8

beautyFour Seasons Salon and SpaPage 9

gourmet kitchensKSA KitchensPages 10–11

interior designDecorating Den InteriorsPages 12–13

website designWebsite DesignPage 14

graphic designDesigns 2 SellPage 15

fine art photographyThe Edge PhotographyPages 16–17

women in profileLoudoun County WomenPages 18–19

legalMiller Zimmerman PLCPage 20

communityFriends of Homeless AnimalsPages 22–23

Loudoun FlavorPages 24–25

Community Spotlight: PurcellvillePage 26

Testimonials0

Advertising in a RecessionPage 31


Health & Wellness

Presented By Bobbi Elliott

�ere is more to bone health thancalcium….

Many people think that all calciumsupplements are created equal. �etruth is that the most common formof calcium supplements today is de-rived from limestone. You don’t eatrocks as part of your balanced diet,why would you choose to supplementyour bone health nutritional needswith limestone?

Evidence suggests that calciumfrom whole-food sources may producemore favorable e�ects in bone healththan isolated calcium supplements.Similar to most nutrients, the bodycan utilize calcium more e�ectivelywhen it is paired with its natural co-factors such as magnesium and othertrace minerals. A calcium complex de-rived from whole food delivers thesekey nutrients in their safest, most ac-tive form within the complexity ofwhole food because your body under-stands and seeks whole food sources ofnutrition, not rocks. �is is why awhole-food plant source of this im-portant nutrient complex is critical formaximum absorption and utilizationin your body.

If you are dealing with osteoporo-sis, there are safe and e�ective formulaalternatives to prescription drugs. Inaddition to calcium and magnesium,these formulas should have vitaminK2, D3, and trace minerals like silica,vanadium, and strontium.

Vitamin K2�e “calcium paradox” holds that

without adequate vitamin K, calciumwill not be deposited in the boneswhere it is required for maintainingbone strength, but rather in the arter-ies and soft tissues where it can causesti�ening. Vitamin K2 (MK-7)sourced from whole food, gently redi-rects “lost” calcium back into the bonebank.

Vitamin D�e term vitamin D refers to sev-

eral forms of this bone-supporting vi-

tamin. Vitamin D—which is actuallya hormone—is critical for strong,healthy bones and may help preventosteoporosis. Vitamin D must also bepresent for the body tofully absorb calciumand can actually in-crease calcium absorp-tion twofold or moredepending on the indi-vidual.

Unfortunately, 70%of women ages 51-70and 90% of womenover 70 don’t getenough vitamin Dfrom food and supple-ments. Others at highrisk for vitamin D de�-ciency include the eld-erly, the obese,exclusively breast-fedinfants and those withlimited sun exposure.Low levels of vitaminD are linked to osteo-porosis, reduced cal-cium absorption, boneloss, and increased frac-ture risk.

Two forms of vita-min D are especiallyimportant to human

health: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol)and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Vi-tamin D2 is made in plants, thanks tothe help of sunlight. Similarly, vitaminD3 is made in humans when a formof cholesterol found in skin cells reactswith sunlight.

In fact, 15-20 minutes of sunshineeach day, in the nude, helps your bodymanufacture 10,000 to 15,000IU ofvitamin D3. Realistically, that proba-bly isn’t going to occur on a daily basisfor most of us, so we should considera supplement source of vitamin D3.�e most absorbable form of vitaminD3 is from lanolin, �sh, or mush-rooms.

Magnesium and trace minerals likesilica, vanadium, and strontium havealso been shown to promote bonehealth. It is helpful to think of a“bricks and mortar” analogy. Calciumserves as the “bricks,” while nutrientslike vitamin K, vitamin D and traceminerals serve as the “mortar.” With-out both “bricks” and “mortar,” a

strong physical structure cannot beachieved.

Vanadium�is trace mineral may be a great

contributor to bone health. Researchsuggests that the lack of vanadiummay be detrimental to proper skeletaldevelopment. Additionally, vanadiumappears to jumpstart the synthesis ofcollagen, which is essential for bonestrength and �exibility. You can getvanadium from foods like meat,mushrooms, olives, radishes, �sh andsnap beans.

SilicaSilica may support higher bone

mineral density, as well as support thesynthesis of connective tissue elementsof the bone. A de�ciency in silica mayresult in bone abnormalities. In oneclinical trial, supplementing with or-ganic silicon resulted in increasedbone mineral density of the femur inpostmenopausal women.

Bobbi ElliottProprietor

Healthy By Nature, Inc.305 East Market Street

Leesburg, VA 20176703.443.6632

[email protected]

There Is More to Bone Health Than Calcium…Bone Health

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE


Health & Wellness

StrontiumStrontium is closely related to calcium. It is be-

lieved to stimulate bone cells to build new bone tis-sue, while inhibiting cells that break down bonetissue. Strontium may lower risk fractures and in-crease bone density.

Bone Health & InflammationEmerging evidence suggests that in�ammation ex-

erts a signi�cant e�ect on bone metabolism by stimu-lating production of RANKL (Receptor Activator forNuclear Factor kB Ligand), a molecule which acti-vates osteoclasts, the cells responsible for the break-down of bone. An ideal bone health protocol wouldpair the necessary building blocks for bone remodel-ing; bio-available whole-food calcium, magnesium,

trace minerals, and vitamins D3 and K2 with a for-mula that promotes a healthy and natural in�amma-tion response. �ere are herbs and enzymes availablethat will reduce in�ammation.

ExerciseRegardless of age, exercise and physical activity are

an important part of building and maintainingstrong, healthy bones. A good all-around programthat incorporates weight-bearing, strength, and bal-ance training exercises is most desirable. Weight-bear-ing and strength exercises are very useful forincreasing or maintaining bone mass, while balancetraining may help with coordination and maintainingmuscle mass, which can help prevent falls and result-ing bone fractures.

Mocha Nutty DatesRecipe by Chef Mandy (www.chefmandy.com)Besides calcium, dates are also a great source of fiber, potassiumand antioxidants. These little morsels are wonderful to freeze andtake for a quick, easy and satisfying snack.

Ingredients DirectionsProcess almonds in a food

processor until crumbly. Remove

to a large mixing bowl. Process

macadamia nuts and coconut

until crumbly. Add to the nut

mixture. Process dates and honey

until creamy. Add to the nut

mixture. Add remaining ingredi-

ents and mix well with hands

until thoroughly blended. Shape

into balls and roll in sesame

seeds and finely ground coconut.

Makes 40–50 Treats

• 1 cup nuts—preferably almonds• 1 cup shredded coconut• 2 tablespoons creamy raw honey• 1 teaspoon Celtic sea salt• 1 teaspoon cinnamon• 1 cup macadamia nuts• 1 cup pitted dates, soaked• 1 cup raisins• 1 tablespoon orange zest (optional)• ! cup Garden of Life Super Seed

Bone Health Continued

“I sold more of the supplementI advertised in one month than Ihave in five years. I have had toput in an order for another shipment every week.”

—Bobbi Elliott

testimonial

What Can Advertising withLoudoun CountyWoman do for Your Business?

client

Call for Rates Today703-829-6624

Varicose Veins No More!�ere is no need to live with your

unsightly and painful varicose veins anylonger. More than 20 million Ameri-cans have venous insu�ciency (back-�ow in leg veins), which often leads toa variety of symptoms such as: aching,swelling, cramping, burning, restless legsyndrome, skin discoloration, and ul-ceration of the lower leg. Varicose veinsalso increase the risk of developingblood clots. Of course it is not just awoman’s problem…20% of patientsare men who usually have a family his-tory of varicose veins. Treatment now isminimally invasive, more successfulthan ever, and allows immediate recov-ery for normal activities.

Why do these veins develop? �emost common causes are heredity, mul-tiple pregnancies, and occupations that

require long periods of standing. Flowin the leg veins normally goes from thelower leg to the upper against gravity.Normally strong valves in the veins re-sist the push of gravity, and allow nor-mal venous circulation up the leg.However, if the vein valves malfunc-tion, then the downward push of grav-ity causes the blood in the veins to runbackwards (re�ux). �e bulging ofveins at the skin surface results in typi-cal varicose veins.

Once these varicose veins develop,you can’t reverse the process with diet,weight loss, or medication, as they tendto be progressive as the years pass.More and more varicose veins develop,and there is an increasing risk of per-manent skin changes at the lower legand ankle. Support stockings can helpminimize the discomfort, but they are

not a realistic long termsolution.

What’s new in thetreatment of the vari-cose veins? �e days ofvein stripping, long re-covery and ugly scars aregone! VNUS Closure isthe most established andreliable way to treat there�ux in the ‘feeder vein’ known as thesaphenous vein. �is o�ce based pro-cedure is performed under local anes-thesia using only a small needle toaccess the vein for treatment. A smallcatheter is threaded through the accessneedle, causing the saphenous vein toshrink and collapse thus eliminatingthe back�ow. Other normal veins natu-rally take over and bring the blood up

the leg in the normal fashion. Patients notice very rapid reduction

of their heaviness and aching withshrinkage of the surface veins. �e im-mediate return to normal activity is soappealing, that there has been almostuniversal acceptance of this therapy totreat varicose veins. Health insurers alsorealize the bene�ts of VNUS Closureto treat venous re�ux, as this allows

Continued on next page


Health & Wellness

“I only wish I had gone to CVL earlier. My VNUS Closure was fast andconvenient. I have noticed that my leg looks so much better, plus I no longerhave the heaviness I used to experience at the end of the day. I will recommendit to anyone that needs it.” — M.B,. Ashburn, VA

durable and e�ective therapy withouthospitalization or anesthesia. As a re-sult, your insurance company willlikely cover the treatments.

Spider veins, very small bluish orreddish surface veins, are usually not amedical problem, and pose more of acosmetic issue for our patients. �eseare very easily treated with sclerother-apy, generally more e�ective and lesspainful than laser therapy. Because theyare cosmetic, insurers do not covertheir treatment.

Why CVL? Capitol Vein & Laser isthe region’s recognized leader in compre-hensive vein care. We began using therevolutionary VNUS Closure system in2001, and have now treated well over8,000 patients with venous re�ux. Asleaders and teachers in the �eld, CVLhas hosted many seminars educatingother physicians in the nuances of veincare. Both Drs. Rosenberg and McNeill,vascular surgeons, lecture nationally onvenous disease, further advancing theadoption of newer technologies. �edoctors are also among the very fewphysicians in the area board certi�ed bythe American Board of Phlebology, theprofessional society that helps ensurethat the highest standards are met andtop quality care is delivered.

Call today for an appointment at ourLansdowne o�ce:19465 Deer�eld Ave, Suite 410866-695-VEIN (8346)

Don’t Livewith VaricoseVeins Anymore

“I’ve never been in such a pleasant office with such a family feeling. Dr.Rosenberg and all the staff are so knowledgeable and welcoming. Thank youfor making my life better with great looking and even greater feeling legs.”—T.D ,. Leesburg, VA

BEFORE

BEFORE AFTER

AFTER

BEFOREBEFORE AFTERAFTER


Health & Wellness


Health & Wellness

A Special Holiday Message From Lans Family Dentistry A Special Holiday Message From Lans Family Dentistry

IKE LANS DDS AND ASSOCIATESFAMILY DENTISTRY & ORTHODONTICS

44110 ASHBURN SHOPPING PLAZA, SUITE 166, ASHBURN, VA 20147

703.729.1400 www.lansfamilydentistry.com

The Value of a SmileIt costs nothing, but creates much.

It enriches those who receive, without impoverishing those who give.

It happens in a flash and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.

None are so rich they can get along without it, and none so poor but are richer for its benefits.

It creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in a business and is the countersign of friends.

It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and nature’s best antidote for trouble.

Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is no earthly good to anybody till it is given away.

And if during this joyous and busy holiday season someone should be too sad or tired to give you a smile, may we ask you to leave one of yours?

For nobody needs a smile so much as those who have none left to give!

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy

holiday season and a new year full of smiles!

Beauty

or many of us, our dailylives are �lled with dead-lines, endless hours on the

phone or in front of computers,and dealing with rush-hour traf-�c, not to mention the to-do listthat never seems to end. Youreyes are twitching, your shouldersand back ache, and your headfeels like it’s in a vice. After awhile, your family and friends nolonger recognize who you areanymore. You seem to be on edgeall the time; you can’t sleep, you’reshort-tempered, or you’re becom-ing forgetful and have the atten-tion span of a two year old. Doesany of this sound familiar? �eseare the e�ects that stress can haveon you mentally and physically.It’s the silent killer that willquickly age you, slowly turn youinside out, and turn your life up-side down if you continue to ig-nore it.

Massage therapy is no longerconsidered a luxury for thewealthy, but an a�ordable, drug-free approach for anyone lookingto alleviate pain and stress. Weneed to start changing the way wethink about massage. It’s morethan just a gentle rub-down; itcan drastically improve yourhealth both physically and men-tally.

One of the most signi�cantbene�ts of massage is the reduc-

tion of stress. Stress accounts forup to 90% of all visits to the PCPbecause of headaches, backaches,neck pain, eyestrain, poor con-centration, anxiety, depression, ir-ritability, anger, high bloodpressure, heart disease, and ulcers,as well as chronic fatigue. Mas-sage helps to counteract yourbody’s negative response to stressby relaxing muscle tension, andallowing your blood pressure,heart rate and circulation to re-turn to normal. Massage increasescellular function, and relievespinched nerves and contractedmuscles brought on by chronictension patterns.

Additionally, chronic stresswears down our immune re-sponse, which leaves us vulnera-ble to catching colds, the �u, andsecondary infections.

My name is Jennifer Haydenand I have been helping peoplebecome pain free through massagefor the last 7 1/2 years. My spe-cialty is therapeutic Deep Tissueand soothing Hot Stone massage.I have a passion for helping peopleand there is nothing more ful�ll-ing than watching someone gofrom chronic daily pain to a lifethat is pain free. I love working inthis beautiful Spa at the Four Sea-sons, and would love to help youstart to live a more healthy andproductive pain-free life.

F

Massage is a Necessity, Not a Luxury…Stop Living with Pain Today

Four Seasons Salon and Medi-Spa welcomes one of the topBoard Certified Plastic Surgeons from Fairfax, Virginia. Dr. Vineet Mehan, MD, FACS, and his Director of Patient Services,BridgetteAubel, of GWPSA, as they come to Loudoun County.Private Events, Botox, Dysport, Restylane, Fraxel and privatesurgical consultations now offered at our salon. For further information on Dr. Mehan of GWPSA, please visitwww.gwpsa.com.

Correction on September/October Issue Cihan “John” Karabulat assisted celebrity Hairstylist “Bulet” in cutting Olivia De Havilands not Vivian Lee. She has not been with us here on Earth for a while. We apologize for the printing error.

Four Seasons Salon and Medi-SpaDulles Town Center Mall703-421-9800

Free Haircutwith purchase of

Highlight or Hair Color Service

First time clients only. Must present thiscoupon at time of checkout to receive

free offer. Not valid with any other offers,discounts or promotions.

$20 OFFDeep Tissue

Therapeutic Massage with Hot Stones

First time clients only. Must present this coupon at timeof checkout to receive free offer.Not valid with any other offers,

discounts or promotions.



Gourmet Kitchens

t is easy to place our focus on the “at-mosphere” or the “look” of yourkitchen. We can list the changes wemight want. How about that pretty

granite counter top in the magazine, or the beauti-ful pro range? You might want to change the colorof your whole room. There are so many parts thatmake up a kitchen that during this economic pe-riod, when we are all watching our money, you wantto be careful about how you spend it. That beautifulgranite, professionally installed could cost over$5,000.00, depending on your choice of stone, edg-ing, and size of the kitchen counter surface. Prob-lem! Are your cabinets strong enough to hold it up?Does your kitchen function well, do you like yourlayout? Do you like the floor material you have? Youdon’t want to change your mind after you have in-stalled your stone.

When you go into your kitchen, does it make you feel good? Do youenjoy working there? When your children come home from schoolare they sitting at the kitchen counter telling you about their day? Isyour kitchen a good family gathering place?

Most families spend more time in the kitchen than they realize.Our kitchens have certainly evolved into command central for ourhomes. Many homes now have family kitchens or kitchens with agathering room as part of the space, or an adjoining area. We eatthere, and we watch television there, and most often we have ourconversations and do our homework there. It can be a great familycenter! How is your command central?

IWhat’s in a Cabinet?


Gourmet Kitchens

Every element of your kitchen works in con-junction with the other parts. If you put in a newcounter top, you don’t want to change your appli-ances later, or decide that your lifestyle has changedso you need to change the layout of your space. �ecabinets are the pivotal element in all kitchens, andare the largest expenditure in the budget as well. Ifyou decide to replace and remodel your kitchen,how do you know what you are purchasing, besidescolor or wood species and style?I hope I can helpwith this situation, because there is an enormousvariability in cabinetry.

Many companies have developed all of the cur-rent fads in special �nishes and styles but the cabi-nets can be so poorly constructed that they becomea false economy. �e �rst thing about a cabinet younotice is the doors. �ese can be made of MDF,painted, or wrapped in thermofoil or wood. Fordurability and �exibility, look for cabinets with asolid wood door, ¾” to 1” thick. Real wood has theadvantage of being able to be re�nished, lastinglonger, and being repaired. �ermofoil is a thinlayer of vinyl heat fused onto medium density �ber-board (MDF). �ermofoil can have a wood grainprint and is often di�cult to detect against realwood. It can also be colored, most often in white.�ermofoil is susceptible to water damage as soonas it becomes dented or scratched which will causeblistering, bubbling and peeling. If you select a face

frame cabinet, again, look for a frame ¾” to 1”thick. Plywood sides, top and bottom, 5/8” to ¾”thick make a superior, sturdy box. Drawers in goodquality cabinets are either dovetailed solid wood5/8” or more inches thick, or metal with baked onepoxy �nish, or the newest stainless steel. �ey willall have under-mount 100 lb. glides, most often selfclosing, some now with touch motion (it is verycool!). Be cognizant of the details. �ere should bea nailing rail on the back top of the cabinet approx-imately 3” wide and ½” thick, and the cornerblocks should be wood, not plastic.

European frameless cabinetry is most oftenmade with chipboard with a laminate, veneer ormelamine surface, 5/8” to ¾” thick. This materialhas no holding strength for screws and nails.When someone leans on a drawer or door of acabinet made of chipboard, and the screws workloose, you will need a new cabinet. Better frame-less cabinets are made with fine surfaced furnituregrade particleboard, made of long intertwiningflakes of hardwood faced with veneer, laminate,or melamine. These long flakes enable the mate-rial to hold screws very well, and enable the cabi-net to hold a load by spreading weight over thesurface like an I-beam. I personally prefer 5/8” to3/4” thick plywood boxes for frameless cabinetsalso. It is the most stable option, certainly holdsscrews and nails well, and will not be as easily af-fected by water, should the substrate become ex-posed.

You can achieve just about any kind of “look”with either construction type of cabinet. What Iwould hope you take away from this article is thatyou want to purchase the best box you can afford.Don’t be forced to redo your kitchen due to thefailure of its parts, especially the cabinets!

What differentiates one quality cabinet fromanother? In our next article we will discuss thefinishes, and why one finish process could be bet-ter than another.

Carol LukeKSA Kitchens, [email protected]

“Every element

of your kitchen

works in

conjunction with

the other parts. If

you put in a new

counter top, you

don’t want to

change your

appliances later,

or decide that

your lifestyle has

changed so you

need to change

the layout of

your space.”

Interior Design

Decorating For Yourself… but Not by Yourself


At the end of a long day at the office or running around from school

to the soccer fields then home to make dinner, ultimately each one

of us finally returns home. Our homes are where we start and end

every single day. Therefore, our homes should reflect a style that

meets our expectations. The bedroom should be restful and tran-

quil, a sanctuary to relax in at the day’s end. The family room

should be a warm and comfortable environment, in which all family

members can be themselves and share in each other’s company.

The kitchen is usually a central gathering place for families to begin

and end their days together. So how does one go about making each

room of their home reflect his/her personal style?

Enter—an interior decorator.

“I have worked with many talented decorators and Lauren is the best! She listened to our needs and desires, and worked within our investmentparameters to achieve both a functional and comfortable home. Her talent is extraordinary and her client service has been excellent.” ~Michelle Troxell

The Key to Stress Free Decorating !

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!Lauren Clement • Owner and Decorator • 877.583.0355

www.decdens.com/lclement • [email protected]

Interior Design

y job as an interior decorator is tohelp my clients achieve their deco-rating goals with ease and even alittle fun, but de�nitely without

stress. We all have areas in our homes for whichwe have a di�erent vision. �e biggest chal-lenges that prevent people from achieving thesevisions tend to be a lack of time and knowl-edge. Finding the time to devise and carry outa plan is di�cult to do during the fast pacedlives that we all seem to lead here in NorthernVirginia. Between work, school, sports, church,social obligations, etc., most people do nothave time to run from store to store looking fora new sofa, or the right size area rug, or eventhe accessories needed to complete their livingroom. �e people who do �nd a sliver of timeto shop for their desired decorating productstend to get ‘stuck’ in the process. Have you eversaid to yourself, “�is table is absolutely beauti-ful, but will it go with the rest of my kitchen?”Or even more frustrating, “Wow, this sofa didnot look that big in the store!” I hear thesecomments, and many others just like them,from my clients quite often. �eir nextthought is usually, “I need help.”

�e importance of creating a plan is price-less. As a decorator, I work closely with myclients to create a design plan that is not onlybeautiful but also meets the needs of theirlifestyles and is in line with their budgets. Anorganized plan takes all of the guesswork out ofdecorating. �at way, the table and sofa fromthe above examples have a purpose and are in-dividual parts of an entire scheme. Creating aplan starts with questions. How many kids doyou have? Do you have any pets? How will thisroom be used? What colors do you like? Whatcolors do you not like? Do you like soft andcurvy lines or straighter lines? All of these ques-tions help to de�ne your sense of style. Onceyou have answered these questions, and deter-

mined a decorating allowance, your decoratorwill be ready to put together a design plan foryou.

Now that you have a design scheme andeverything is ordered and on its way, the mostfun part of the process is just around the cor-ner. �at is delivery day! Whether you are giv-ing your room a facelift with windowtreatments and accessories, or refreshing theentire room with all new pieces, the end resultwill be stunning. We have all seen the designshows on television where everything seems tomagically disappear and the new room evolvesvirtually over night, right? Well, in real lifethere is a bit more work involved, but it is allworth it on delivery day when the �nal acces-sory is placed in the room. As the homeowner,you can then take a deep breath and soak in allof the beauty of your new room. And, the bestpart is this: everything was designed with theguidance of a professional, created for yourunique tastes and lifestyle, and you never hadto leave home. How wonderful!

By utilizing an interior decorator, you arechoosing an e�cient path to attaining yourdecorating desires. A decorator will guide youtowards the right decisions, take care of all thebehind the scenes steps, and provide you withan outcome that is sure to exceed your expec-tations. I absolutely love meeting new peopleevery week who have varying needs, homes,and personal styles, and I feel very lucky to beable to make a di�erence in their lives. I amsure many of the readers out there are think-ing about several di�erent areas of theirhomes that they would like to decorate rightnow. If so, I would suggest a complimentaryconsultation that would allow us to prioritizeyour goals. Decorating success comes fromprecise planning, so together you and I cancreate your dream home, one gorgeous roomat a time.

“Lauren is outstanding! The look, feeland comfort of our home has been transformed. Having never worked withan Interior Decorator before, we were alittle apprehensive, but Lauren put all ofour concerns to rest. Her ideas hit themark in every way. We’ve remodeled five rooms and we aren’t done yet.”

~Carla and Mike Fraser


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After

BeforeM


As a result of the advancements of modern technology, businesses are con-nected with the click of a mouse. But, at �rst glance, what di�erentiates onebusiness from its competitors? Is it the process that they use? Is it aboutthe products that they o�er? Is it about the level of customer satisfac-tion they provide?

No. It is not about any of these things. What di�erentiates abusiness from its competitors is its ability to communicate.

In many sectors, the “�rst line” of communication comes fromyour website.

Potential customers are constantly “Googling” general businessterms, and looking to �nd your website online. Once they �ndyou, that is when the “interview” begins. In this interview, it isup to you to educate and inform a potential customer aboutyour business or service.

�e easiest way to accomplish this is through a well de-signed, user friendly website that can communicate thephilosophy, products and services that your business pro-vides.

How do You Know if You Have a Good Website?Up to Date?

First and foremost, your website must be up to date. Make sure that you in-clude accurate information about the company, the products or services, and anynecessary contact information. Also, be sure to keep current with any news,events, or promotions that positively impact the business, or can provide furthereducational information about your business.

AestheticsNext, your website should be designed in a way that is easy to read. �is

can include the layout of the website, the size or style of the fonts, or the colorof the page and text. A combination of these items, in conjunction with im-ages, creates the ambience and feel of your website, and subsequently will en-hance or detract from the e�ectiveness of your communication. Generallyspeaking, light colored (especially yellow) fonts will be di�cult to read, even ifcontrasted on a darker background. No matter what color you want to in-clude, there is always some way to achieve that color integration without de-tracting from the user’s visual appeal.

Accessibility and EaseCan your website be easily found? If you never manage to get the potential

customer to the website to begin with, you will never be able to communicateyour message. When the user is looking for you on any search engine, are youable to be found?

Is your domain name easy to remember? �is serves two purposes. First, yourpotential customer will be able to type in the link and go directly to your web-site, bypassing any competitor listing that might exist when a search on a websitelike Google is made. Also, a smaller website domain name will make it easier foryour satis�ed customers to refer your business to their friends and family.

Encourage a Conversation�e theory behind this is simple: the more you engage your audi-ence, the more vested they become in your product. �ere are

several ways that you can increase this engagement without ac-tively approaching your potential customer. One way is to

o�er a Frequently Asked Questionspage. �is allows the user the abilityto have their questions answered,without having to take your time toanswer them. A good follow up tothis is a simple contact form that willenable the customer to present addi-tional questions, comments, and con-cerns that were not covered in theFAQ’s. Finally, you can o�er a surveyto create a dialogue about your prod-uct, and allow the users to rate theirexperience with the product and the

service. �is will allow you to see thewants and needs of your customers, and

help you shape your business, providing atailored service to your customers.

Communication is the key to a successful business. Implementing these sim-ple tips in your web design will increase your web tra�c, educate your cus-tomers, increase your sales, and grow your business.

The Face of Your Business: Your Website

USE WEB DESIGN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS TODAY!

903-Dan-Doll or [email protected]

CALL FOR A FREE PRICE QUOTEMention that the Loudoun County Woman

sent you and get a special rate!

Act now! Only limited spots are available!

Website Design

Give Your Business A Voice!Voice professionalwith over 20 years experience providing:

Commercials

On-Hold Messaging

Audio Narrations forSales & Industrial Materials

Web Voice-Overs

www.STERLINGVO.com15www.loudouncountywoman.com

Graphic Design

Fine Art Photography

Wedding MemoriesWhat Makes Wedding Photography from The Edge Different?

We could talk about experienced photographers,professional equipment with backup, the ability tophotograph from bright sunlitservices to candlelight cere-monies, and only scratch thesurface of what makes for greatwedding photography. �ey areessential but what I want to ex-plore this month is post-produc-tion after the wedding. Whathappens after we have createdthose hundreds of great imagesfrom your wedding day? Presen-tation is the key, photographsneed to be seen to be appreci-ated. Of course we create imagesthat are available on the inter-net, slide shows with music fortelevision and both traditionaland modern wall portraits, butthe real key is the weddingalbum. �is is the heirloom thatwill be shared with family andfriends. More importantly, thisis the way your children, grand-children and great grandchildrenwill remember your union. Weattend wedding receptionswhere family albums are on display for four genera-tions from both the United States and Europe beforeemigration. �e wedding album is the thread thatconnects each family through time.

�is is where the Edge stands out, thanks to ourgraphic designer Ines. She is recognized as one of thetop designers in both the United States and Englandthrough awards attesting to her unique ability to cre-ate the story of your day. More importantly, ourbrides are amazed at the �rst view of their wedding.She takes those hundreds of photographs and creates aclean and modern presentation that is unlike anyother bride’s album. Each bride's wedding day is dif-ferent, and Ines can beautifully interpret that di�er-ence as a theme for the album.

Wedding album design is about elegance, strengthof images and storyline; it’s not about gimmicks liketilts, overuse of colors or excessive overlaps. �e goal isto create a book that even when strangers have �n-ished viewing it, they will be compelled to state, “Ifeel like I was there.” Ines does this time after timeand as an aside touches up each image to make sureeveryone looks the best they’ve ever looked. �e bookis about romance, celebration, and the joyous joiningof families.

On the web at

www.theEdgePhotography.com

or call 703.669.1000

Studio hours by appointment at

312 East Market Street

(the shops at Dodona Manor).

Suite I, Leesburg, Va. 20176Graphic designer, Ines, at The Edge Photography.


Fine Art Photography

With the acceptance of the digital camera, the number of pictures peo-ple are taking is phenomenal. Cameras are embedded in almost every cell-phone or smart phone that people carry. �is is in addition to theproliferation of convenient pocket sized digital cameras and Digital SLR’s.Instead of dropping o� �lm at a favorite photo lab, women can simply up-load the images onto their computers, Facebook, or email them tograndma. It’s a revolution in picture taking, but like any revolution there isgreat risk for pain and damage.

�e loss of those pictures is what every woman needs to consider. Yourjpeg �les are like the negatives of the past, and they need to be stored in asafe place. Hard drives on computers crash, viruses infect computers andcorrupt �les, and now NASA tells us we even need to think about solar�ares damaging our computers within the next couple of years.

�e �rst step to managing your pictures is being able to �nd them. Weuse a simple system of renaming each picture to its date and time stampwhich is always unique and allows us to �nd any photograph in chrono-logical order with no software application. We process thousands of ourphotographs every week from multiple cameras quickly and simply. Next,we use catalog programs to insert subject nouns into the metadata of eachphotograph and create galleries and collections, etc.

Programs such as Adobe Premiere, are good for this task, although weuse the more expensive Adobe Lightroom for our work. Others preferApple Aperture. Media Expression, which is now part of Capture One, isalso a good solid catalog program with ACDS being a nice choice, alongwith iPhoto plus many others. Progression away from desktop applicationsis leading to the popularity of excellent free or inexpensive web applica-tions such as Picasa and Smugmug.

An additional bene�t of the web hosting sites is that you can share thepictures with friends. However, keep in mind these are your pictures andalthough the hosting companies are backing up data they have no liabilityif something happens. �ere are also a number of free sites for storing yourpictures like Dropbox, iBackup, and Carbonite. You need to think aboutburning those pictures to CD’s, or at this point in time DVD’s. Unfortu-nately as time progresses, new media will replace each of these. Rememberthe old Jaz drives, 3.5 inch �oppies, 5.25 inch �oppies, tapes, etc…?

It seems like a cliche, but it’s a fact; when disasters happen and peoplehave taken care of themselves and their pets the next order of business arethe family pictures and business papers. Photographs are the threadthrough time that we preserve and pass on to the next generation. Don’t letthem disappear.

Share and Protect Your Pictures

Wedding Albums That Last a Lifetime.



Women in Profile

Kathy SchofieldKathy Scho�eld founded Summit Realtors and Summit Relocation Services with the guiding

purpose of improving the lives of her clients and her community. �e process of relocating, sell-ing and buying a home can be both complex and stressful. �rough Kathy’s leadership, her com-panies and employees pride themselves on providing the highest caliber personalized services.

Summit’s professional success has made it possible for Kathy to achieve her dream of adoptingthree children who are the joy of her life. Dedication to family and social responsibility are an in-tegral part of Kathy’s personal and professional philosophies.

As a proud member of the Loudoun County business community, Kathy is committed to ed-ucating families and corporations through the ever changing real estate markets.

Kathy Scho�eld is a Licensed Real Estate Broker in MD & VA, Certi�ed Relocation Profes-sional, Global Mobility Specialist and holds an MBA.

Kristina BouweiriKristina Bouweiri is President & CEO of the Washington, DC metropolitan area’s largest lim-ousine/shuttle service, Reston Limousine & Travel Service, Inc., nationally ranked 20th in size.

O�ering high-quality transportation and a proven record of safety and customer service, RestonLimousine also has a proud legacy of business leadership and philanthropic support.

Kristina is a well-known business leader in the Dulles Corridor area. She is active as a memberand board member with numerous organizations, including Loudoun CEO Cabinet, Loudoun

and Dulles Regional Chambers of Commerce, Committee for Dulles, and Leadership Loudoun.An ongoing supporter of philanthropic work, especially children’s causes, Kristina assists Make-A-Wish Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes, and the International Children's Festival.

Reston Limousine annually provides over $100,000 through gifts-in-kind to charities.

�e Washington Business Journal named Kristina one of the 50 most powerful and in�uentialwomen in Washington. She has been featured in business publications such as Washington

SMARTCEO, Enterprising Women, Limo Digest, and Limousine & Chau�eured Transportation.In demand as a mentor for other women in business, Kristina frequently serves on panels and

makes presentations, sharing her insight and business experience.

loudoun countywomen in profile


Women in Profile

Lauren ClementMy design philosophy is to marry beauty and function. I enjoy helping my

clients to identify and achieve their own personal decorating style-decoratingfor yourself but not by yourself. I work closely with you to determine yourlikes and dislikes, needs and desires, then together, we transform your spaceinto a sophisticated design plan that re�ects your taste, personality and lifestyle.When I am not decorating I can be found enjoying time with my husband,Chris, and my four month old daughter, Finley. Life is busy but beautiful!

Alexandra Trahos KoussisAlexandra is a northern and southern Virginia native, who has had the

bene�t of being nurtured by strong family values from her Greek grandfather’sbackground and her grandmother’s “child of the Shenandoah” upbring-

ing. �ese strong family ties and respect for family, friends and beliefs,have instilled in her a high standard of helping others in any and all aspectsof their lives. Alexandra hopes to pass these values on to her handsome son,

who is eleven years old and is proudly a member of the Loudoun PublicSchool system. Now, after a �fteen-year career in the family dental business

and with college behind her, she has begun a new career and turned her sights onto theexciting world of advertising. Her �rst experience in this new career was with �e Fairfax

Woman as Senior Sales Representative. After learning about the launch of �e Loudoun CountyWoman, Alexandra, wanting to broaden her work experience, happily joined that publicationalso, as Senior Sales Director. Alexandra says, “My working for both magazines has been such

an honor and a challenge. �e education and the information I have received from the contrib-utors has opened up a whole new world for me. Just when I thought my life could not get anybetter, to my surprise, I was blessed with discovering the priceless rewards of selling MonaVie’s

health body-bene�cial products as a second business. I am just where I should be; I am out andabout in Loudoun County. If you see me, wave, I will wave back; if you stop me on the street;

I will stop and chat. I have learned through this journey...always PAY IT FORWARD.”

Legal

MODEST HARDWORKING WAGE EARNERS ARE BEINGHIT AS HARD AS WHAT MAY OTHERWISE BE CONSIDERED HIGH-FLYING CORPORATE EXECUTIVES.

Our dismal economic times have thrown more than just a few families into �-nancial crisis. Whether due to the loss of a job, reduction in hours worked, or an-other of life’s setbacks such as an illness, more and more people who normally paytheir bills in a timely manner are �nding it di�cult to do so. Moreover, problemsbeget problems: once you fall behind, other areas of your �nancial health begin tosu�er. Your credit rating is impacted, credit limits are reduced (if not eliminated),and interest rates increase. All of these actions conspire to drive one further into theeconomic morass.

What is somewhat unusual about the current state of a�airs is not only thenumbers of citizens being caught in this whirlpool, but the fact that it crosses alllines of the social strata. Modest hardworking wage earners are being hit as hard aswhat may otherwise be considered high-�ying corporate executives. People drivingbeat up older model cars and those speeding down the road in their expensive for-eign luxury cars are equally at risk of this dilemma. However, there is a solution tobe considered that may otherwise be anathema to the debtor—bankruptcy.

Federal law provides a means by which we Americans can shed most if not all ofthe indebtedness to allow us to get back on our feet and to become more produc-tive again. More often than not, we retain most if not all of our property, includingour furnishings, cars and retirement funds. As we explain to our clients, the pur-pose of the bankruptcy relief is not to punish us for our decisions by taking awayall of our possessions, but instead its intent is to rehabilitate the borrower. One can-not do that if starting again with nothing, especially if children are involved in thefamily.

Until recently, opting to �le for bankruptcy was accompanied by a stigma offailure and irresponsibility. About �ve years ago Congress enacted a revisedstatute that was intended to make the option of bankruptcy even more di�cultto pursue. However, in the backdrop of the events of the past couple years, allthat has changed, making it easier and less dramatic to �le for protection underthese statutes.

�ere are three types of Petitions to �le for most individuals: a Chapter 7 is anoutright liquidation, a Chapter 11 is a reorganization (usually reserved for busi-nesses), and a Chapter 13 is a long-term debt repayment. Ordinarily, the �rst typeis the most e�ective. �e Petitioner tenders all his bills to the Trustee in Bank-ruptcy together with whatever assets that cannot be protected (usually everything isprotected and retained by the Petitioner), and the Trustee distributes the funds gen-erated to the creditors on a pro-rata basis. After about four months, the process isconcluded. If for some reason the debtor does not qualify for a Chapter 7, then aChapter 13 may be an alternative. In that case, a payment plan is created with theTrustee by which monthly payments are sent to him and he in turn distributesthose to the creditors. At the end of no longer than 60 months the case is closedand those creditors have to absorb the balance. �ere are other nuances of each ofthese Petitions that are too numerous to explain in this short article, but those canbe addressed by the attorney.

While �ling and proceeding through a bankruptcy Petition is possible withoutlegal counsel, to do so is fraught with di�culty. �e attorneys at Miller Zimmer-man, PC are experienced at guiding their clients through the labyrinth of the bank-ruptcy process. If you would like a con�dential no-charge consultation, feel free tocall us at 703-777-8850 or visit our website at www.millerzimmerman.com.

Miller Zimmerman, PLC is a general practice law �rm located in Leesburg,Virginia. �e principals are Peter H. Miller and Eric V. Zimmerman. Mr.Miller has practiced since 1989 with a focus on corporate matters, civil litiga-tion, domestic relations and estate planning. Mr. Zimmerman began his legalcareer in 1975, focusing on real estate matters, personal and corporate adviceand estate planning issues.

Both are admitted to appear in all Virginia Courts as well as Federal ven-ues. Mr. Miller also is admitted to the District of Columbia Bar.

Mr. Miller is active in numerous church and civic matters, including youthsports. Moreover, he often donates his time to non-pro�t ventures. Mr. Zimmer-man served as Mayor for the town of Purcellville, was named Times-MirrorCitizen of the Year and received the Tradition of Excellence Award from theVirginia State Bar. In addition to providing their clients excellent service, theyare committed to returning value to the community.

Making the Most of a Bad Situation“Until recently, opting to

file for bankruptcy

was accompanied by

a stigma of failure

and irresponsibility...

However, in the backdrop

of the events of the past

couple years, all that

has changed, making

it easier and less dramatic

to file for protection

under these statutes.”


Necessary Hand WashingBy DeepaKartha of buzzle.com

Did you know that regular hand washing is themost essential factor for maintaining good health?Every human being comes in contact with germs andbacteria in their daily life. �ese harmful micro or-ganisms are present all around us like on door knobs,faucets, light switches, railings, etc. People touchthese things while doing their routine work, withoutthinking much about it and with the same handstouch their face, eyes, nose and sometimes eat foodtoo. While performing these acts, the germs and bac-teria get into the body, causing several diseases.Hence, it is importance for all of us to know the im-portance of hand washing.

Why is Hand Washing Important?�e most important advantage of hand washing is

that you preventyourself fromgetting infectedby a number ofdangerous ail-ments. Peoplewho are carelessabout washingtheir hands are ata higher risk ofcatching a cold or�u. Not washinghands has alsothe ability to cause gastrointestinal illnesses and alsodiarrhea which can spread to the whole family. It hasalso been seen that improper or not washing handscan cause pneumonia in old people and in peoplewho are diagnosed with chronic diseases. As notwashing hands can a�ect the health of your entirefamily, learning the proper way of hand washing is es-sential to stay healthy.

Process of Hand Washing�ough people know the

importance of hand wash-ing, not many know how todo it properly. Hand wash-ing does not means just run-ning water over your palms.It has to be done very care-fully and in detail. Alongwith warm water, the mostessential thing required towash your hands is soap.First, you have to wet yourhands with water and thenlather your hands with soapand scrub thoroughly, withthe soap reaching both thesides of your hands till the

wrist and also be-tween your �ngers.�en, wash o� thesoap with water and pat it dry with a towel ora tissue paper.

Other methods of washing hands whenone cannot access soap and water is by making

use of an alcohol based sanitizer. One has to take apea sized sanitizer in the palm and spread it on theentire hands till it dries. Wiping one’s hands with an-timicrobial wipes or towelettesare also a good way ofkeeping one's hands clean.

Knowing the importance of washing hands willhelp you in avoiding infectious diseases. People whowork in hospitals and other health sectors have tokeep a strict check on hygiene and should learn theproper ways of hand washing. However, one must re-member that even at home we can get infected withdiseases due to bacteria and so it is necessary for youto teach the proper method of hand washing to yourfamily, especially your children. Children love to playwith mud and sand, which house a lot of germs. Byteaching your kids the importance of hand washing,you would be taking a very crucial step towardshealthy living.

By teaching your kids the importance ofhand washing,you would be taking a verycrucial step towards healthy living.


Community

Community

Located in Loudoun County, Friends of Homeless Animals“Friends” is a no-kill shelter dedicated to saving abandoned and un-wanted animals. Friends has over 40 cats and 100 dogs at anygiven time. The facility is set up so that potential adoptees canspend time getting to know and choose their new family members.The cats are in catteries not cages, and the dogs can be walked onover 20 acres of wooded trails. Please consider rescuing a “Friend”today. For further information, please email Laura Dove, Presidentof Friends at [email protected] or visit our website, www.foha.org.

Become a VolunteerIt may be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Friends is alwayslooking for more dedicated volunteers whocan provide loving care to the animals atthe shelter and help at adoption events. Inaddition to helping with exercising, grooming, and caring for the animals, volunteers are needed to help maintain thekennels and grounds. Volunteers areneeded to transport animals to and fromaffiliated veterinarians and help withevening feedings and providing medications at the shelter. In addition,help is needed to answer adoption callsand e-mails, conduct home visits and vetchecks, and staff the adoption table at theshelter on Saturdays and Sundays.

FOREVER HOMES NEEDED


ConsuelaCattle Dog MixAdult Female

Consuela was brought into a county shel-ter after being seized for mistreatment, butshe doesn’t dwell on it. She has a happy-go-lucky disposition, and is grateful thatshe has access to food and water at theFriends shelter. She is extremely smart andwould excel in training class or even agilitywork. She is a great little girl just waitingfor her forever family to �nd her.

The Adorable Mr. Q Chow Chow mixAdult Male

�e adorable Mr. Q looks like a miniature chow,right down to the blackish tongue. He is “purejoy,” as one of our volunteers quoted, to walk. De-spite Mr. Q’s short little legs, he can run just �ne,but a bit along the lines of a groundhog! Becauseof his height (which he doesn’t like mentioned)when confronted with the prospect of jumpingover something, he will examine his options, andusually choose to go around it.

Community

Contact Friends of Homeless Animals at 703-385-0224 or visit www.foha.org


Lightening Border CollieAdult Male

Lightening came to a county shelter as a stray. He was veryskinny, covered in dirt and �eas, and was all about hiswork. By all about work we mean, he couldn’t wait toherd! Lightning is always ready and will do the “typical”Border Collie lowering of the head and body and corralwhatever he can. Lightning is a very smart dog in need ofa lot of stimulation and exercise.

LeoTabbyMale Kitten

Leo is little and tabby-cararmel coloredwith �u�ness to spare. He is ready totake over a new home with lots of loveand a�ection with his small kittenframe that houses the heart of a lion.While he is fortunate enough to have afoster home now – with a foster familyof boys who love to hold and cuddlehim – he is anxious to �nd a foreverhome of his own.

Trinity Grey Domestic Long Hair

Senior Female

Trinity was abandoned in the driveway at Friends,her thick grey fur was matted beyond belief, and she

was super skinny from a hyperactive thyroid. Shenow takes medication, and her fur is growing back

where those nasty mats had to be removed. She tellsus she feels like a new kitty. What would make

things absolutely purr-fect is a new home where shecan spend her golden years being her adorable and

very outspoken self, as she is very chatty!

LizzieOrange TabbyYoung Female

Lizzie is a sweet little petite mom who’s not quite ayear old. She gave birth to three little mini-me me-owers. She is an amazing, loving, playful youngsterwho loves to cuddle and purr and give face kisses.All three of her kittens have been adopted, and she isnow hoping for the same good luck for herself. Canyou be her lucky charm?

�ey are kitchen goddesses, garden gurus, and barnyard animalenchantresses. �is county is brimming with innovative femalefarmers and food industry entrepreneurs. Many of them are notso “fatale,” they are just local moms whose kids go to school withyours. And yet, I’ll bet you didn’t know that much of the fresh farethey create is being sold to grateful people in other cities includingDC farmer’s markets, gourmet food shops in Charlottesville, andrestaurants in Maryland. Sometimes Loudoun is “home base,” butnot always “customer base.”

Yet, ask any of these local farm women who they would rathersell their food to, and I’m sure they would say “to my neighbors,”and save the commute!

Is Loudoun food really more exotic when it’s served in DC?Apparently it is.

But who deserves to enjoy the fresh fare from our pristineLoudoun countryside more than a Loudoun resident? Nobodydoes.

Loudoun women are the ones “behind the wheel” at many ofour local restaurants, Bed & Breakfasts, vineyards, and shops, andliterally behind the wheel of the tractor on many productive farms.�ey are preserving the historic countryside and architecture thatLoudoun is famous for. It’s a sunrise ’til bedtime workday, but thehard work is bene�ting the entire community.

So, let’s remember that our local farms, vineyards and small businesses are notjust here to serve the DC tourists; they want to serve their neighbors too. While theHarvest Celebration is ON and many other holidays are approaching, why notgive thanks to these farm divas that o�er our community so much quality and per-sonality? When was the last time you supported a small local business or farm withyour consumer dollars? Did you decide not to bother and duck into a nearby megastore instead? When you shop locally, your dollars are literally driving our economyand molding the type of community your family will live in. Here’s why:

! Small businesses generate more jobs, particularly for younger workers, olderworkers and women. 65% of all new jobs are created by small businesses.

! 70% of a dollar spent at a local business stays in the community, whereasonly roughly 20% of a dollar spent at a national chain store will stay in the com-munity’s economy.

! Small businesses get solicited �rst and most often for a donations to the localchurch or school because they are more approachable than large chain stores. Fe-male-owned farms and businesses are donating to projects that make life inLoudoun more enjoyable!

! Local producers like bakeries, farms, and restaurants tend to buy from otherlocal businesses! So you buy jam from Kay, and she buys more berries from War-ren, and so on. In this way, local food purchases “multiply” to boost the economy.

!�e produce usually found in supermarkets is not local and travels an aver-age of 1,500 miles from farm to store. �is means consumers who purchase at largesupermarket chains are eating food that is starting to deteriorate and does not con-tain the vitamins and minerals of just picked fruit and vegetables from a local farm.Nutrient dense food equals good health.

! If residents purchase just 25% of their food from local farms, hundreds ofjobs could be created. Even in uncertain economic times, one certainty is that peo-ple will continue to eat. Keeping your food dollars within our own country andcounty is a good way to safeguard our national and local economy.

loudounflavorLoudoun Serves up Some of Virginia’s Best Tasting FoodThanks to the Ingenuity of Farm-Foodie Femme Fatales


Community

If you want to Give Thanks to some ofthese Loudoun Foodie Femmes, here’s how to set your holiday table:

The Wine:Jenny McCloud of Chrysalis Vineyards—is passionate about

a native Virginia grape called Norton and creating fine wines onone of Middleburg’s most breathtaking estates.

The Main Course:Dana Sacco of Chicama Run—is ready to pluck your

turkey or chicken and is busy fattening up a happy pig in Pur-cellville just for you.

The Side Dishes: Margaret and Kay of Little Apple Pastry Shop—

start cooking southern style for you before sunriseeach day in the quaint town of Aldie!

The Veggies: Deb and the others at Stoneybrook Farm in Hillsborough—are growing

and picking certified organic produce of all kinds.

The Flowers:Barbara at Greenstone Fields—has a hoop-house full of flowers, and ready

to make a custom arrangement for your table.

Dessert:Avis at Mom’s Apple Pie—(voted Best Pie in the South by Southern Living

Magazine)—will grow the fruit for your pie at her farm on the Potomac andthen bake it up fresh every day.

These are cool women to know and great products to gobble up! One way to find all theseFarm/Foodie femmes under one “roof” is to visit:

www.LoudounFlavor.comLoudoun County’s First Virtual Farmer’s Market


Community


Fundamental FactsDid YouKnow?1) Purcellville was founded in 1908.

2) It got its name from the area’s first postmaster.

3) James Dillon, from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was Purcellville’s first recognized settler in 1764.

4) In 1785 the “Great Road” officially became a turnpike.

5) Purcellville took the distinction of stage route origin in 1874.

6) The Washington and Old Dominion Trail ends in Purcellville. The trail is 44.7 miles long, and is a part of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park.

7) Purcellville is currently the economic center of western Loudoun County.

community spotlight

Photo credits:Map: http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/2/6/9/5/ar121510336559629.gif Train Station: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purcellville,_Virginia Aerial Photo: www.americantowns.com /va/Purcellville/photos Patrick Henry College: http://www.phc.edu/UserFiles/Image/News%200908-1107/20090908_911.jpg

Purcellville, Virginia


Community

answer key

Holiday CelebrationsPuzzle Fun

Community

Ingredients

10 Macintosh apples1/2 cup Karo syrup11/2 tablespoons corn starch1/2 teaspoon salt1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon5 tablespoons sugar5 tablespoons melted butter2 9-inch pie crusts

Topping Mixture1/2 cup brown sugar2 tablespoons flour3 tablespoons Karo syrup1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans2 tablespoons soft butter

Directions

Pie Directions1) Peel and slice apples

2) Fill the bottom of the crust with the apples

3) Combine all other ingredients and pour over the apples

4) Cover with pie crust and cut four vents in the top

5) Bake at 425 degrees for 45 minutes until brown

Topping Directions1) Thoroughly mix all ingredients and spread

on top pie crust

2) Return to oven for 10 minutes

Harvest Apple Pie

thanksgiving favorite

Do you have a favorite recipe that you would like us to feature? Would you like to sponsor our recipe page?Contact us at www.loudouncountywoman.com


Ingredients

11/2 cups chopped pecans4 cups flour1 cup sugar1/3 cup water1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1 teaspoon baking powder1/4 cup light molasses1 teaspoon ground allspice3/4 cup margarineConfectioner’s sugarTube icingcolored sugar sprinklescandies

Directions1) Combine flour, chopped nuts, and baking powder

and set aside

2) In a saucepan heat granulated sugar, molasses, water, allspice, and cinnamon to a boil.

3) Remove from heat and stir in margarine until melted

4) Blend in the flour mixture and chill for 1 hour

5) Divide dough into 4 equal parts

6) Roll each part to 1/8 inch thickness

7) Use floured gingerbread men cookie cutters to cut dough

8) Place cut pieces on ungreased cookie sheets

9) Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned

10) Remove and cool

11) Mix Confectioner’s sugar and water to make glaze and coat cookies

12) Decorate with icing, sprinkles, and candies

Community

holiday cookies


Nut and Spice Gingerbread Men

Loudoun County Woman- Nov/Dec 2010

Documents

Transcript of Loudoun County Woman- Nov/Dec 2010