Nationwide, between a quarter and a third of U.S. students have been bullied at school, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and most bullying happens in middle school. Pastor Brent La Prince Edwards’ new book aims to head off the problem by targeting a younger audience, using simple illustrations by the author and appropriate language to address the topic of bullying while building healthy self-esteem.
Author Lynne Forrest will present a three-hour workshop Sunday, March 10, at Jubilee! Community in downtown Asheville. The goal, she explains, will be to help participants “get in touch with the limited story they are believing about themselves in the world, and then I will give them tools to see it in a different light.” The event is a fundraiser for Woman to Woman WNC, which promotes women’s self-empowerment.
This year, Mission Weight Management counselor Marit Weikel is building on good habits she’s already established, infusing them with new and exciting challenges.
Athlete and Buncombe County Special Olympics coordinator Karla Furnari says she’s trying to get into bed by 10 p.m. every night in 2019.
Rhonda Cox blows off steam at a mixed martial arts class. She says her boss at Vaya Health inspired her to make time for wellness in her schedule.
Collider CEO Josh Dorfman is using meditation, laughter and a personal writing practice to keep a sense of perspective as he battles climate change.
“Can you do something to take care of yourself emotionally, spiritually or mentally each day?” asks Jennifer Teague, executive director of the Council on Aging of Buncombe County.
MAHEC CEO Dr. Jeff Heck says exercise is the best medicine.
Jan Calder, chief health and wellness officer at the Asheville YWCA, plans to take a new boxing class this year and try spin bikes. She advises setting health goals with an end date to provide a concrete target.
“People have a lot of unexpected, surprising, beautiful and heartwarming stories that happen in the forest,” says Dogwood Alliance marketing director Amanda Rodriguez. “It’s not just about acres and clean water and deforestation: It’s also about the really unique human connection that people have with forests.”
“Stress manifests in the body in very negative ways, and right now there’s a generalized anxiety about what’s going on in the world,” says massage therapist Steve Mohrman.
Dr. Lisa Lichtig says the best things she’s done to boost her own health lately are doing yoga with others and paying closer attention to what she feeds her body.
Steady Collective harm reduction advocate and activist Hillary Brown says her job aiding people who are experiencing drug addiction and other problems can sometimes make it hard to remember to prioritize her own health.
Racism is a major influence on health, says UNC Asheville associate professor of health and wellness Ameena Batada, and she plans to be more intentional about recognizing and disrupting bias when she sees it in 2019.
Alex Sluder competes in three sports and serves as an assistant baseball coach at North Henderson High School. “Make time for music and dancing, watch what you eat and get a good night’s sleep or rest,” advises the Special Olympian.
Aimée Schinasi, co-owner of The People’s Acupuncture of Asheville, advises patients to avoid raw and cold foods at this time of the year.
“Food is medicine, but it can also be poison,” Dr. Garth Davis warns. “The vast majority of the diseases I treat as a doctor are due to what the person puts in their mouth.”
Local author Rebecca Lile shares a message of God’s love for everyone in her new children’s book God’s Diner.
As an independent pet retailer, “Business is good,” says Jenna Wilson, who owns Patton Avenue Pet Co.’s three outlets. Other locally owned pet suppliers agree: WNC pet owners want the best for their family members, and they often shop local for high quality pet food, treats, supplies and toys.
Grigg Sheffield, owner of L.O.T.U.S Urban Farm and Garden Supply, opened his shop 6 years ago and says that the biggest trend he sees is that the consumer base is more educated, curious and knowledgeable. “There’s a big move towards understanding what’s in your food and how it’s grown,” he says.
As families deal with competing demands, organizations that use volunteers have learned that flexibility is key. By smoothing the process of participation, groups such as the YMCA of Western North Carolina, the Junior League of Asheville and Girl Scouts Carolina Peaks to Piedmont are attracting kids to the habit of giving back.
