As we look to the new year, it's customary to look forward to the possibilities ahead of us and contemplate who we will become in the year ahead.  But before we rush ahead into the future it is important for us to take time to pause and remember the people we lost in 2022.  People that, in some cases, we only knew for a short time and were lucky enough to meet and in other cases, people we've known a lifetime.

At our annual Candle Lighting Ceremony this week, each of the names we read out loud was a light in the universe, a person that touched those around them and left a mark. We read these names aloud tonight to honor their family who miss them and to honor their memory and let them know that they are not forgotten.  Each name is a person, a lifetime of adventures and memories and each person will be greatly missed...

Suzanne Roberts, Amber Blackwood, Jeff Finkelstein, Sally McMillan, Karrie Alan, Lawana Best, Halcyon MacKnight, Roslyn Singleton, Scott Blackwood, Barbara Gulick, Jayne Cluggish, Cheryl Martin, Rhonda Howell, Lisa Wohl.

And our Wind River furry friends Zoe and Merlin

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Since our inception in 2007, we light candles and read all the names of Wind River alumni and friends who have passed and while the list grows longer, we cherish each friend and our memories. These friends above will be included in years to come.

​This is an AMAZING time to focus on your health AND your love for your family.   Best way to do that you ask???  No, it's not eat more pumpkin pie (although that is a favorite), it is to make sure you are up to date on your COLONOSCOPY (45 or old - that's YOU).

Wind River is so thankful to share that we are again a 2023 recipient of a grant to support colon survivors from the Colon Cancer Coalition, and the GET YOUR REAR IN GEAR Charlotte race.   We use funds to support survivors and their families with wellness support, respites at Wind River, healthy eating coaching with Cheryl, meet-ups with the Charlotte Young Colon Survivor Group, and much more.  

Of course we welcome EVERYONE to also come out and join our merry team. This year the run/walk in Charlotte will by on Saturday March 25, 2023.  Team Captain Cheryl Lecroy has just created our team --- JOIN US!  Wind River Team Registration. 

Prep 15 minutes 
Cook 10 minutes
​serves 6 (small side dish)
High in Vitamin D

Ingredients

• 1 pound carrots, diced
• 3 tablespoons butter 
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger or 1-2 teaspoon fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice, or to taste

Directions

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add carrots and cook until tender but still firm, about 5 minutes. Drain.
2. In a large skillet over low heat, melt butter with honey. Stir in ground ginger and lemon juice. Stir in carrots and simmer until heated through.

Nutrition Facts
Calories: 114
Fat: 5.8% (3.7% saturated)
Sodium: 93mg
Cholesterol: 15mg (5%)
Fiber: 1.9g
Vit. D 4 mcg (20%)

​Sweet Potato Brownies (Vegan + Gluten-free!)

These Sweet Potato Brownies are ultra-rich and fudgy, and don't taste like a "healthy" brownie at all! I love how easy they are to prepare, and how you can't tell there's a sneaky veggie inside.

PREP TIME15 minutes
COOK TIME35 minutes
TOTAL TIME50 minutes
SERVINGS16
CALORIES132 kcal

AUTHOR Megan Gilmore

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup mashed sweet potato (steamed, then mashed with a fork)
• 1/2 cup creamy almond butter (use raw almond butter for best flavor)
• 1/2 cup cacao powder , or cocoa powder (unsweetened)
• 1 cup coconut sugar (substitute brown or white sugar if desired)
• 1/3 cup gluten-free flour mix (substitute regular all purpose flour if desired)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (optional; use a dairy-free brand like Enjoy Life to keep these vegan)

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a 9-inch square pan with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, combine the mashed sweet potato, almond butter, cacao powder, coconut sugar, flour, baking powder, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir well, until a relatively smooth batter is formed. (You can do this in a food processor, if you prefer.)
• Fold in the chocolate chips, if using. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and use a spatula to smooth the top. Bake at 350ºF until the edges look dry and the center of the brownies have puffed up, about 35 to 40 minutes.
• Let the brownies cool completely before slicing, or they will be too soft. Cut them into 16 small squares, and store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. I think they taste even better when you serve them cold from the fridge the next day! Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

VIDEO
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NUTRITION
​Calories: 132kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 67mg | Potassium: 181mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 884IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 1mg
Sweet Potato Brownie Nutrition (per square): Calories: 132, Fat: 7g, Carbohydrates: 18g, Fiber: 2g, Protein: 3g

Reprinted from The Dude Diet by Serena Wolf

Cauliflower florets cooked in chicken broth and then pureed until smooth make a healthier and delicious alternative to butter and cream loaded mashed potatoes.

Course Side Dish
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 to 6
Calories 33 kcal

Ingredients

• 2 small heads cauliflower cored and leaves removed and cut into small florets
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the cauliflower and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender, but not completely falling apart.
2. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cauliflower to a food processor and puree until silky smooth.
3. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the Parmesan and chopped chives and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve warm.

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Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving (4 g)
Calories 33 Calories / Fat 2g / Saturated Fat  1g / Cholesterol 6mg / Sodium 526mg / Potassium 94mg / Carbohydrates 1g / Sugar 1g / Protein 3g 
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

​This winter we will spotlight different tips to support your well-being. This month we are delighted to bring you some ideas from our trauma specialist Becca Odom!


If you want to calm your nervous system, you can try stimulating your vagus nerve.  Nourishing our vagus nerve can help us manage stress more efficiently. Some great ways to do this are highlighted in the picture to the left.  Or try this short video for fun!

Vagus Nerve Massage Video

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For more videos for building resilience and healing, go to Becca Odom's Wellness Youtube channel where she's shares simple tips to help you: Becca Odom Wellness YouTube Channel

2 more in-person spots available (at Wind River!)  and 4 available for virtual!

These workshops are open to survivors AND their caregiver, healthcare partners, and any friend of Wind River that wants to stress less and feel more of the good stuff!

  
Friday, October 14th - In Person at Wind River
10AM - 3PM (includes lunch by the creek) / Covid testing will be done because we are inside

REGISTER HERE  

Monday, October 17th & Wednesday, October 19th
6PM - 8PM 
Virtual- 2 sessions, (plan to attend both Zooms)

REGISTER HERE  
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Using breathwork, bio-feedback and much more, this workshop aligns your heart and body's coherence so you have more energy to do what you want in your life.  HeartMath® Certified Facilitator: Lori Ives-Godwin

AND, can't make either of these dates?  Please, fill in the registration and check the box that you are interested in future classes.

Always a great day of fun, sweat and laughs!  Clearing fallen trees and debris, moving mulch and gravel, burn piles, and more to help the property SPARKLE for our survivors at our FALL Retreats.

SIGN-UP here

We ask for 3 hours of outside property work and then we celebrate with lunch by the creek. Please register in advance.  We will be keeping the groups smaller this year than in the past

FRIDAY October 7th
Location: 430 Larsen Lane, Tryon, NC 28782– roughly 90 minutes from Charlotte, NC
Time: 10AM - 1PM property work, 1PM-2PM Lunch, (lunch provided)

​SIGN-UP here

We will email you a reminder, directions, what to bring, etc.   And all dates are weather dependent.

No seriously!   We are so delighted to announce the opening of a new opportunity for our kids in the Charlotte area (Highland Creek location).  Bella Ballerina Highland Creek!   

Bella Ballerina specializes in storybook and fairy tale themed dance classes for children ages 18mo-10years old.  ​Where dancing through storybooks comes to life.  Seriously, kids dress-up professional instructors guide them through wonderlands filled with dance and imagination!

Can you help us spread the word???    Dance classes, recitals, winter dance camps and more!

www.bellaballerinahighlandcreek.com/
HIGHLAND CREEK, NC13010 Eastfield Rd Suite C200
Huntersville, NC 28078

 Wind River Alum Lauren DiFrank, a 10 year lymphoma survivor, former 3rd grade teacher, cheerleading coach, Mom, wife, and more, opened this kid's dance studio on September 27th and we could not be more excited for her and her dream comes true! 

As Lauren now says, "Are you ready to come twirl with us?"   ... and yes, my first question was when do the adult classes start.  She laughed!  One thing at a time!

A friend of ours, Joanna Lindenbaum of Applied Depth Institute, shared this great tip to help us sleep better at night!  Give it a try - I did and love it!!!  (Shannon)
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"My naturopath wanted me to get outside within 15 minutes of waking up every morning for about 15-20 minutes in order to support melatonin production for better sleep. 

For the last week, I've been doing this, and it has been magical time for me. I go outside upon waking without any technology, sit outside, take a few minutes to take in the morning...and then take another 20ish minutes to read fiction, just for the fun of it! So instead of starting my days with work, with scrolling through the news...or even with meditation or journaling, I start my days with total and complete PLEASURE. With an activity that seems indulgent and more like a reward for the end of the day instead of something to start the day with. 

And it is just incredible. And exactly what I needed without even knowing I needed it. And oddly, not a hard habit to get off the ground. 

Plus, I am sleeping better.

I highly recommend!"

JL

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And if you want a little extra in the sleep ideas, check out our short experiential Sleep Support videos by Becca Odom Wellness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1AQmov7KZ8 - Part 1

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz_yQmyOJ4k - Part 2

Here are some great September education classes (via Zoom) being offered by the Integrative Oncology Team at Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte.  These are available to survivors and/or caregivers of LCI.

Hot Topic: The Not So Sweet Truth About Sugar & Cancer - Tues. Sept. 13 at 10:30-12pm

Lymphedema Education - Weds. September 14 at 4:15 pm
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Sleep 101 - Thurs. September 15 at 3:00 pm
The MIND-BODY-SPIRIT Connection: An approach to boost the healing process. Find out about the evidence   on how this approach influences the brain. body, and emotions. Learn ways to use this connection to reduce stress, improve sleep and fatigue, help with feelings of depression and anxiety, boost immune system and healing. Dr. Hariharan will share all of this and teach you about the LCI resources available to you. Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 12 pm
Talking with Kids about Cancer - Tues. September 27 at 3 pm


To register:  Email: lcisupportiveoncology@atriumhealth.org and include
Information needed to register:

• Your name 
• Email address
• Phone Number
• If you are a patient, care partner, or staff member
• The LCI location you visit most often

​You don't want to miss this week's Lung Cancer Initiative Advocacy Summit. Cheryl Lecroy will be one of the amazing speakers!

Friday, August 12 and Saturday, August 13 at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley where we will discuss topics including:
-Research and treatment updates,

-How your story may be someone else's lifeline,
-Making informed decisions after a lung cancer diagnosis,
-Taking care of your mental health, and more!
Also, join us for a special networking reception on Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.
This event is for anyone who has been impacted by lung cancer and who wants to advocate for change.

​Register today: https://bit.ly/2022AdvocacySummit.