Dining al Fresco Out of a Brown Box

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Kate Rudy

By: Elizabeth Webber Akre

Ok, I am not IN a brown box. But I am in love with a brown box. This past Saturday was my second delivery from Brown Box Veggies. I am their new biggest fan. For those of you who are unfamiliar, the “Veggie Girls” stock up a big box of fruits and veggies to deliver on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. They reach out to as many local farms as possible to grab what’s fresh and what is being harvested right now. Then, they pack the box FULL of what they’ve found and sell it to people like us for only $22! I couldn’t duplicate what I received for $22 in a grocery store, and the produce was fresher and didn’t go bad on me before I could use it all.

My first box was so beautiful, I almost cried when I opened it. Even my little one got excited helping me unpack. The box contained broccoli, parsley, tomatoes, spinach, kale, Carolina Sweet onions, squash, zucchini, pears, oranges, potatoes and asparagus. A true cornucopia. We used every bit of it with delight.

This past Saturday was my second go-round. Sorry that I didn’t take a photo of box #2- we dove in and never looked back! This time, we received Carolina Sweets, cabbage, collards, oranges, grapefruit, tomatoes, radishes, romaine, corn, strawberries, apples and dill. Lots and lots of dill. I’m talkin’ about two humongous bunches, each about 3″ around and 12″ long. My head is reeling trying to figure out what to do with all of it. This week might be the week I dive in and try to make my own pickles.

But, first, dinner. Of course, when you think of dill, one of the first ideas you have is salmon. Since my daughter is eating salmon (happily!), I’m cooking it every chance I get. I whipped up this dinner and we ate al Fresco on the patio. Now, my title makes some sense, huh? Salmon with dill sauce, sauteed pea pods, and yellow rice.

Salmon with dill sauce, sauteed pea pods, and yellow rice.

Here’s what I did: I salt and peppered two 6oz. (skinless) salmon fillets. I placed them on foil and topped each with some slices of Carolina Sweet onions and lemons and wrapped up the foil tightly to enclose them. I baked them for about 20 minutes or so at 350°. While that was happening, I mixed together these ingredients to make a sauce:

2 Tbsp. light mayo
2 Tbsp. sour cream
1 Tbsp. white wine
1 1/2 tsp capers
1 tsp finely chopped Carolina Sweet onion
1/4 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp horseradish
1 Tbsp. fresh dill, chopped
1/4 tsp garlic salt
pepper

Then, we just drizzled the sauce over our salmon and devoured it! I’m a sucker for anything pickled, so I think I’ll add a few more capers next time. I have actually eaten capers out of the jar with a spoon before. (The first step is admitting it, right?) Thank you Veggie Girls for my jam packed boxes of loveliness. And, you may be the reason that I finally embark on this pickle making project. The idea of canning is a little intimidating, but I can’t let all this dill go to waste! If any of you need some dill, I can hook you up.

Elizabeth also writes “Gastronomy (by a Wanna-be Chef ).” She loves all things food and wine and how they fit into our lives.

Barbara Willm honored by Girl Scouts with Women of Distinction Award

Posted on April 12, 2013 by jenniferawilson

The Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands has honored Lexington Medical Center’s Barbara Willm, Vice President of Community Relations, at the 20th Annual Women of Distinction Awards Dinner. Willm was recognized Thursday, April 11, at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia for her excellence in leadership throughout the midlands.

“I am honored to be a part of such an esteemed group of women and it is even more special because I was a Girl Scout,” said Mrs. Willm.

First launched in 1993, the Women of Distinction dinner is a recognition and fundraising affair that celebrates outstanding women and their impact on the community. The event pays tribute to women who exemplify excellence in service, leadership, community, visibility and professionalism.

“I was proud to nominate Barbara for this outstanding award,” said Bootsie Wynne, Assistant Director Business Partner of Human Resources at Lexington Medical Center. “When I saw that the criteria asked for women who excelled in professional community leadership andcommunity service, who are excellent role models for girls and have community visibility, I knew she fit the bill perfectly. Not only was Barbara a Girl Scout when she was younger, she has also gone on to exemplify women in leadership. The goal of the Girl Scouts of SC Mountains to Midlands is to build girls with courage confidence and character. I think Barbara is a great example for all girls and women alike,” added Wynne.

Girl Scouts exists to transform today’s girls into tomorrow’s leaders. Girls face many critical issues including school bullying, childhood obesity, teen pregnancy, self-esteem issues, substance abuse, and performance pressure in school. Participation in the Girl Scouts is proven to make a life-long difference.

“I’ve worked with Barbara for eight years and she always manages to bring life to the mission of our organization,” said LaTanza Duncan, Chief Advancement Officer, Girl Scouts of South Carolina Mountains to Midlands.

Barbara Willm is one of four exceptional community members to receive the 2013 honor:

• Cynthia B. Cooper: Vice President, Government Programs Compliance Office with BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
• Sara B. Fisher: Chief Operating Officer with NBSC
• Elizabeth “Liz” McMillan: General Manager, Gamecock Sports Marketing, University of South Carolina
• Elise Partin: Mayor of Cayce, SC and Adjunct Faculty, School of Public Health, University of South Carolina
• Barbara Willm: Vice President of Community Relations with the Lexington Medical Center

Our 2012 Blogging Year in Review!

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Ashley Andrews

As we move into 2013, we thought it only appropriate to take a look back at 2012 and share with you some of the data from our year in blogging. (If you click on any of the images below, you will get an enlarged view.) Thanks to all of our readers for helping to make the Every Woman Blog a success! And a special thanks to our amazing bloggers who truly bring this blog to life and share their lives with us!

We hope you enjoy taking a look back at 2012 with us

EdVenture Excitement

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Kate Rudy

By: Shannon Shull

Those of us who live in South Carolina are incredibly lucky to have a wonderful local children’s museum. Back in the late 90s, before I had moved to California, I worked in public relations for the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce. While there, I was present when EdVenture was proposed to the leaders of the city. To see this great vision become a reality is truly spectacular! EdVenture’s mission is to inspire children, youth and the adults who care about them to experience the joy of learning. Their vision is to create new generations of lifelong learners. For every child who visits EdVenture, seeing will be believing and doing will mean remembering. All exhibits at EdVenture are hands-on and experiential. Being a supporter and teacher of arts integration, I personally love this form of hands-on education and love to see children of all ages interacting with the exhibits.

My Aunt Susan recently treated my kids and me to a fun visit to this impressive place. I thought I’d share some of the fun from our recent visit! If you have not yet checked out the excitement of Edventure, I encourage you to take advantage of this interactive, educational adventure.

The Final Chapter: Bittersweet

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Ashley Andrews

By: Roshanda Pratt

Within three weeks, I have seen two friends bury their parents. Death is never easy. The final chapter in a life, even if it is one well lived, never comes as easy, even if you are “prepared.” The first home-going service was for the mother, of my friend, who had been battling cancer for a while. Her service lasted well over an hour, an indication of the type of life Mrs. Green lived. She was the loving mother of ten, a wife of 50 years, a community servant, and a pastor at her local church. As each person eulogized her, the theme was the same; Mrs. Green was a caring, loving, and no-nonsense woman who would give you her last if that meant you had the best. Mrs. Green was a woman worth emulating. Unfortunately, Ms. Green was diagnosed with cancer. She outlived many of the doctors’ reports. And even as she fought this disease she prepared her family for her journey home. Even in death she was still thinking of others.

My other friend buried her father last week. Mr. Charles was diagnosed 8 weeks ago with cancer. According to doctor’s reports, Mr. Charles was given 6 months to live. My friend uprooted her family, moved back home to spend the final 6 months with her Daddy. Mr. Charles would subcome to cancer. He did not make 6 months. At his home-going service, I learned Mr. Charles was a family man, active in church, kind to strangers and loved by many.

Life is precious. Life is fragile. Life is a vapor.

I do not know what it is like to lose a parent. How do you prepare? I have asked myself this several times especially over the past few weeks. I don’t have a profound answer; just a thought that time is a gift. Time is what I heard my friend, who lost her father so quickly, stated she wanted more of it. Time can be our most precious gift.

I was a 13 year-old volunteer candy striper at my local hospital in New York. I would sit with patients, help nurses, and deliver flowers and a few smiles. I really liked the job. One day I was helping a patient, a woman hooked up to an oxygen machine. I felt for that lady, even as a 13 year-old, my heart hurt for her. The nurse came in and asked me to help change her bed sheets. As we began the process, her breathing became more labored. The nurse turned to me, motioned for me to stop and said, as if she were the judge, “She is dying.” I was shocked. Here I am holding this lady in my arms listening to her fight with her last breathe, eyes wide open looking right into mine. I was stuck. At 13 years old, I wanted to run away! I wanted to just deliver flowers and smiles, and now death has ruined that. The nurse ran out the room to get the doctor. I continued to hold this lady as she took her last breath. On the inside I felt like she did not need to be alone in that moment. She died. The nurses on the unit called my mom, who comforted me. I left the hospital early that day and my job as a candy striper was short lived. I never met her family. I did not know much about her. I often wondered if she had any children or if she was married. I wondered if she was “ready” to die. Who is ever ready to die? I wondered if she had regrets.

I decided long ago never to live in regrets with loved ones. I think the mourning process becomes difficult many times because there are unspoken words, unforgiveness, regrets and time lost. Even as I think about the fact that my parents will die someday, I can say I have been the best daughter to them (I have repented for the teenage years. Smile.). The old adage goes, “Give people their flowers while they are still living.” I talk to my parents often and when I do, I tell them how much I love and appreciate them. My parents may not have done everything right, but I am thankful for them. I make sure they know it. I am discovering parenting does not come with an instructional manual, but through the grace of God and His wisdom you can raise children.

I want when my parents leave this earth for my heart to be at rest. I will miss them. I will cry. However, I will know I gave them the best of me when they were living.

Both of my friends gave their best of themselves while their parents were living. I saw my friend pack up her home within a week, giving away what she could not take, selling the rest, transferring her children from their school to move two hours back home to be with her father in his last moments. I have seen my other friend travel back and forth to spend time with her mother at the hospital and through chemo treatments. They both served their parents well.

As my husband and I sat through their parents’ final celebration of life, I thought how I never really got a chance to meet their parents. However, I felt like I knew them through their daughters. Every story, joke and personal testimony described my two friends. What an indication of a life well lived. That is legacy. So, as my friends deal with the difficult part of the holidays without their loved ones, I hope they can find some peace in knowing they served their parents well, and even though mom and dad are gone, they are still part of their lives by how they live it.

This story is dedicated to Sharranda and Denise. Although we hate to see a good book come to an end, however, a good book well written always inspires those who read it. Remember that in the weeks and months ahead. (Matthew 25:23)

Pink Glove Dance Voting Extended to Friday, Nov. 2!

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Ashley Andrews

Medline has extended voting for the Pink Glove Dance Competition until Friday, November 2!

We still have a long way to go and voting for our video has slowed down. Please keep spreading the word to family and friends across the country and encouraging them to vote for us.

You can also bring your friends and family to Lexington Medical Center Gamecock Village and the Lexington Oktoberfest to vote for our video. Pink Glove volunteers will be at Lexington Medical Center Gamecock Village, located next to Williams-Brice Stadium, from 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. and Lexington Oktoberfest in downtown Lexington from 12:00 noon – 3:30 p.m. Both events are this Saturday!

And if you haven’t already, please go to www.pinkglovedance.com, scroll down the “L-M” page for LMC and click “VOTE” on our video. If you need access to a computer or a Facebook page, please come by Marketing at 107 West Hospital Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. We’ll be happy to help you.

It’s because of the incredible support of our LMC family that we’ve come this far. The world is watching, so let’s show them what we’ve got and bring back-to-back National Pink Glove Dance Championships to Lexington Medical Center!

Learn the Pink Glove Dance!

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Ashley Andrews

This year for our Pink Glove Dance Video, we were fortunate to have Stacy Ashley be our choreographer once again! This is the second year in a row that Lexington Medical Center is entering the international Pink Glove Dance video contest sponsored by Medline Industries, Inc., a company that makes pink exam gloves. The project honors cancer survivors and raises awareness about breast cancer.

Our hospital’s 2012 Pink Glove Dance features the compelling story of Lexington Medical Center nurse Amy Kinard of Lexington, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the young age of 34. The video is shot in our hospital and around our community – including at a highly-energized Williams-Brice Stadium, on a special pink glove skydiving adventure and inside a rock star celebration of cancer survivors.

And this year, we’re excited to share with you some of the dance moves featured in the video, choreographed by Stacy Ashley:

Vote for Lexington Medical Center’s Pink Glove Dance by going to www.pinkglovedance.com, searching on the “L-M” age for LMC and clicking “Vote” on our video. You must have a Facebook account to vote. Lexington Medical Center is the only Columbia area hospital entering the competition. Voting for the Pink Glove Dance 2012 is from October 12th to November 2nd – there’s only one week left to go!

The winner will receive $10,000 to donate to a breast cancer charity of its choice. Lexington Medical Center would donate its prize money to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, as it did last year.

To take one of Stacy’s classes, check out Gold’s Gym located at 619 North Lake Drive, Lexington, SC 29072.

Lexington Medical Center Leads Pink Glove Dance Voting

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Ashley Andrews

Lexington Medical Center is currently in first place in voting for the 2012 Pink Glove Dance competition. As of Monday morning, October 22nd, Lexington Medical Center had 11,900 votes. Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center was in 2nd place with 7,096 votes.

While Lexington Medical Center maintains a lead of more than 4,800 votes, Penn State and other organizations are gaining momentum steadily and narrowing the gap. We still have a long way to go in the Pink Glove Dance campaign and anything can happen. Vote for Lexington Medical Center’s Pink Glove Dance by going to www.pinkglovedance.com, searching on the “L-M” age for LMC and clicking “Vote” on our video. You must have a Facebook account to vote.

As you may know, the Pink Glove Dance website crashed last weekend during the first days of voting – because so many people were trying to log on and vote for their favorite video. As a result, Medline has extended voting until Friday, November 2.

In total, approximately 1,000 Lexington Medical Center employees dancing to the Katy Perry song “Part of Me” in the video. In addition to high energy and Broadway style choreography, there are special effects, smoke, strobe lights and more. Importantly, the dance features several LMC employees who are breast cancer survivors; they’re wearing t-shirts that say “Survivor from Day 1,” noting the strength and courage of breast cancer patients right from the time of their diagnosis. “Survivor From Day 1” is the theme of this year’s video.

Lexington Medical Center is the only Columbia area hospital entering the competition. Voting for the Pink Glove Dance 2012 is from October 12th to November 2nd. So, please vote today – and encourage your family and friends to vote too!

Shop and Support Breast Cancer Awareness

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Ashley Andrews

By: Staci Rutherford

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, there are many designers and retailers that are helping to educate the masses while giving back to causes devoted to awareness, education and research in the fight against breast cancer. Show your support during the month of October by shopping pink! Check out some of my fabulous finds that also make great gifts:

Essie Breast Cancer Color Collection

A portion of the proceeds from the essie breast cancer awareness collection will be donated to “Living Beyond Breast Cancer,” to empower all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life. Price: $8.00 at Macy’s.

Giuliana Rancic for LOFT Statement Necklace

Fashionista and breast cancer survivor Giuliana Rancic designed this gorgeous rhinestone-studded necklace that represents women coming together. Twenty-five percent of full-price purchases of the necklace will go directly to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. Price: $69.50 at LOFT.

Coach BCA Multi Mix Key Ring

Coach’s limited edition jeweled key ring, a collection of luxuriously enameled signature charms suspended from a delicate silver-plated chain. During the month of October, Coach will donate 20% of this purchase to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Price: $58.00 at Coach.

Tory Burch Limited-Edition Pink Hardshell Phone Case

Tory Burch partnered with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® to create this exclusive hardshell iPhone 4/4S case, in a graphic pink needlepoint print. Price: $48.00 at ToryBurch.com.

BCRF iPad Sleeve – Canvas Pop-Up Pink

Designed to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s efforts to find a cure, this cute, canvas iPad sleeve is inscribed with an inspiring message. It’s made of cotton canvas/leather and fits iPad 2 models. $15 from sale of each iPad cover benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Price: $35.00 at Bloomingdales.com.

Awake “Live Love Hope” Tee

From October 1st through October 31st, 10% of the net sales from the Awake tee will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. Price: $24.00 at Macy’s.

Belk Breast Cancer Awareness collection

Belk has partnered with Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and has pledged a $3 million donation minimum over 3 years for the fight against breast cancer. Visit your local Belk to shop the collection of apparel, accessories, home and beauty items.

For the second year in a row, Lexington Medical Center is entering the international Pink Glove Dance video contest sponsored by Medline Industries, Inc. The project honors cancer survivors and raises awareness about breast cancer. To view and vote for Lexington Medical Center’s video, go to pinkglovedance.com.

Miscarriage

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Ashley Andrews

By: Crissie Miller Kirby

I will never, ever forget that day – Friday, March 16, 2007. I was 11 weeks pregnant with my 2^nd child and scheduled for a routine ultrasound. My nerves were a wreck. My husband had been away for 3 weeks working a shift of border patrol for the SC National Guard, and I had experienced some spotting during that time. It was nothing major and the midwife had assured me that if it stopped on its own that everything was most likely fine, but we would make sure when I came in for my appointment on the 16^th.

The nurse came to the door and said that my doctor was running late after his shift at the hospital; I could either reschedule my appointment or wait. I immediately said that I wanted to wait because I’d been having some issues and wanted to make sure that everything was okay.

When he arrived, we went back in the exam room and my OB started the ultrasound. At 11 weeks, we should have been able to see some sign of the baby, but couldn’t. He switched from the external ultrasound to the vaginal ultrasound, thinking maybe my dates were wrong and I wasn’t as far along as we had originally suspected. However, our fears were realized when he said that while the gestational sac was present, there was no baby; it had not developed. Tears flooded my eyes. I was heartbroken. I was devastated.

My OB-GYN and his staff were absolutely wonderful. They hugged me and offered their condolences and words of consolation and prayers. The decision about how to proceed was left to us; we could wait for my body to realize that there was no baby to support and it would begin the miscarriage process on its own or I could schedule a D&C. The uncertainty of when that might happen, combined with the fact that Pierce was only 15 months old caused us to schedule a D&C for the following Monday.

We left the doctor’s office in tears and headed back to my office. I couldn’t face anyone right then, so my husband went in to tell my co-workers what had taken place and that I would not be back that day. We went home and made the phone calls to our immediate families and our closest friends.

I just didn’t understand why or how this had happened. I had had such an easy pregnancy with Pierce; I was, literally, the woman other women loved to hate. I never had morning sickness, no spotting, no swelling, and minimal weight gain. Pregnancy had been so easy for me – how could I now be on the cusp of miscarrying? I blamed myself. Surely I had done something that had caused this situation. I thought that maybe even God was punishing me for things I had done in my past.

That weekend I experienced the worst physical and emotional pain of my life. Emotionally, I was drained, devastated, and just wanted to get everything over with and get back to “normal.” Physically, my body began to miscarry and I wound up in the Emergency Room. Monday morning came and I underwent the D&C. God bless my doctor, the nurses, the anesthesiologist and the nurse anesthetist; they did everything to make me comfortable, put my mind at ease, and to keep me from getting sick after surgery.

The partial ending of this story is that about 5-6 months after my miscarriage, I became pregnant with my precious Smith and my pregnancy with him was, like my pregnancy with Pierce, pretty easy and enjoyable. Other than the initial concerns, until we heard his heart beat, and saw him growing well in utero, it was a great pregnancy. Unfortunately, my miscarriage also had a profound negative effect on my marriage and less than 4 years later, I would be divorced.

I share my story with you because as women we all know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but did you also know that October 15^th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day? Too often, we neglect pregnancy and infant loss, because we are uncomfortable with it – we don’t know what to say. The truth of the matter is, pregnancy and infant loss is just like the death of someone else that you dearly loved. The biggest difference is that in most instances, you never knew the person that died; you may not have even known that the little person existed. But, to the parents, that little person had a name, hopes and dreams attached to him or her. That loss is just as important to the parents as the loss of a spouse or a parent or sibling; it can be devastating.

Even more so as, in most circumstances, there is no funeral or memorial service during which to say final goodbyes; no real opportunity for “closure.” Well meaning individuals try to console us by proclaiming that there can be other babies; they insist that something must have been wrong with the baby; or, that it was just simply God’s will. Their words, while well intentioned, often serve to lessen or negate the loss. Many feel that we should just be able to move on and live life as if the loss had never happened. Unfortunately, those losses have the power to transform families; some positively, others negatively.

For those of us who have loved and lost children we did not have the chance to ever know, we take a moment today to reflect and remember those tiny lives that touched us so immensely.

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