‘Tis the season for every type of indulgence—from decadent desserts and rich, cozy side dishes to sipping a cocktail or two (or three) by the fire. Whether you’re sober, sober curious, or simply trying to cut back on the booze as you head into the new year, we have a handful of delicious and festive mocktails that you can whip up in no time. Thanks to our pals at A La Cocktail, these recipes may be missing alcohol, but they’re certainly not skimping on flavor.
Peppermint Espresso Mocktini
Peppermint Espresso Mocktini
INGREDIENTS 0.5 oz chocolate sauce 0.5 oz maple syrup 3 oz milk 2 oz espresso (chilled) 1/4 tsp peppermint extract(or more depending on preference)
Rim Chocolate syrup Crushed candy canes
METHOD To decorate the rim, dip a martini glass into chocolate syrup followed by crush candy canes. Rim your glass and chill in the freezer while you make the mocktail. Add chocolate sauce, maple syrup, espresso, milk, and peppermint extract to a shaker. Add ice and shake. Strain into chilled martini glass and enjoy!
Rosemary Pear Fizz Mocktail
Rosemary Pear Fizz Mocktail
INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp diced pears 2 oz pear juice 1 oz fresh lemon juice 1 sprig of rosemary 0.5 oz maple syrup 3 tbsp egg whites Note: Diced pear cups in juice works great for both the tbsp of pears and for the pear juice!
METHOD Muddle lemon juice, rosemary, and pears in the bottom of a shaker. Add pear juice, maple syrup, egg whites. Add ice and shake. Strain into a coupe glass, garnish with rosemary and enjoy!
White Christmas Margarita Mocktail
White Christmas Margarita Mocktail
INGREDIENTS 1 oz lime juice 0.75 oz agave 3 oz coconut milk .25 oz orange juice
Rim Coconut flakes 1 tbsp vanilla icing
METHOD To make the rim, dip martini glass into vanilla icing and then into coconut flakes, chill in the freezer while you make the mocktail. Add lime juice, agave, coconut milk, and orange juice to a shaker. Shake with ice and strain into a chilled glass with a coconut rim. Garnish with cranberries.
Mr. Grinch Mocktail
Mr. Grinch Mocktail
INGREDIENTS 2 oz pineapple juice 2 oz green Hawaiian punch Sprite Sherbet (optional but so fun and festive)
METHOD Add sherbet to a glass while you make your mocktail. Combine pineapple juice and green Hawaiian punch into a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake and then pour into glass with sherbet. Top with Sprite to taste. Stir the cocktail and add festive sprinkles on top and enjoy!
Artist Profile: Royal Shirée
The Willing Suspension of Disbelief
Royal Shirée brings activism and change to the stage
Photo by Ashlee Glen
Royal Shirée began her playwright and solo performing career while she was in college, but her flair for dramatic storytelling goes back to when she was a toddler. Shirée used to volunteer for story hour in school and spin fairytales, but as she grew older, she began to tell stories rooted in today’s societal issues. In her plays, all the “-isms” became the dragons that needed to be slain.
“Theater is the willing suspension of disbelief,” Shirée said. “You have to place yourself in that moment, in that time, and forget that you are looking at a stage or looking at a person saying lines. Theater is an active part of activism. It is also a very real part of connecting to people and their spirits.”
For Shirée, theater is more than entertainment; it’s education. Shirée grew up in a family of educators and so was raised with an educator mentality. Her award-winning play Sisters, a collaboration with Connecticut-based playwright Joanne Hudson, was incorporated into the Ridgefield, CT, middle school curriculum.
Markedly, Shirée wrote her solo piece Clippings while she studied at Hollins University to earn her MFA in playwriting. Shirée values this play for its important themes. Clippings explores global female abuse through domestic violence, rape, the system sworn to protect, and notably, the horror of female genital mutilation, which is practiced in areas of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
“Everyone has a backstory and there are a lot of social ills that people fall victim to,” Shirée said. “I want to address those issues to help change and positively affect the lives of the ignored.”
Shirée harbors a deep love for writing. She describes it as her escapism, with the need of “the intellectual stimulation of writing.”
“Writing is an expedition,” Shirée said. “You have to really discover [the story], then you have to exhume a lot of facts, then you analyze [them] … I always want to know why—why this and why that …. Instead of writing ‘this is the person,’ I want to write about how this person came to be.”
Storytellers like Jamaica Kincaid, August Wilson, Spike Lee, and Maya Angelou inspired Shirée to be bold in her art. Their work also helped Shirée learn how to develop characters and give them authenticity.
That being said, writing and performing activate two different parts of her brain. Shirée describes performing as being all about the timing, rhythm, accents, and crescendo. Her role as a performer is to bring to life all of the voices she wrote into the script.
“I think it’s really important that the voices are heard. … These voices may be male, may be female, may be drunk, may be dying, whatever the case may be,” she explained.
Shirée currently works as the resident playwright at the Hamner Theater. Though she is battling health issues, Shirée refuses to abandon her passion. She makes an effort to think creatively, if not write, every day.
To support her work, visit her website at www.royalshiree.com.
Seafood at Its Finest
Maverick Seafood Brings the Coast to Central Virginia
It all started when a young couple, Gabriel and Nikki Cook, came to Lynchburg full of ideas and great amounts of passion.
Photo courtesy of Maverick Seafood
“I came to Lynchburg for a Doctorate degree in psychology,” Gabriel explained. “Then, [Nikki] inspired me to do catering, which then turned into a pop-up restaurant at Apocalypse Ale Works.”
The couple opened the Apocalypse location in early 2023 to great success. Located right within the Apocalypse footprint, they were able to deliver fresh seafood dishes—from fish tacos to crab cakes—directly to brewery-goers as well as hungry customers just stopping by for a quick bite.
Their business quickly grew and, by June, Maverick Seafood required a larger, more permanent location. They relocated to Forest Square in Forest.
“The owner of Best Catch on Fort Avenue came out of retirement to help us,” Gabriel said of their connections to bring fresh seafood to this area. “He was able to give us advice and we were able to uplift him as well. For Best Catch, he was using nine plus distributors and knew where to get the best lobster for lobster rolls.”
Customers who dine at Maverick Seafood can expect build your own lobster rolls, crab cakes and crab cake sandwiches, fish or shrimp tacos, and quintessential accompaniments like hushpuppies, tots, and fries.
Each menu item can be customized to a customer’s unique preferences—from additional meat or veggie toppings to a comprehensive selection of delicious sauces. Maverick Seafood will also continue to iterate on their menu—offering new specials as seasonal selections change and different seafood becomes available.
In the future, Maverick Seafood hopes to offer a brunch menu as well.
A little more than a decade ago, while living and working in downtown Richmond, if someone had asked me to go hiking, I would have run in the other direction. But now, as a wife and mother living with my family in beautiful, mountainous Central Virginia, hiking is a weekend activity we enjoy as often as possible and it’s even better when we add a few friends into our mix. Be sure to download the free AllTrails app on your phone to search for trails by location, length, difficulty, elevation, and more.
Another suggestion for the day of your hike: pick one of these scenic and gratifying trails, enjoy the views, the exercise, and the time with friends and family, then stop at a local spot on the way home like Town Kitchen & Provisions in Bedford, The Water Dog in Lynchburg, or The Briar Patch in Amherst for a rewarding après hike drink and snack. Sounds like the perfect way to spend a Saturday enjoying the natural beauty of the place we are lucky enough to call home.
LYNCHBURG
Blackwater Creek Activity: Biking, Running, Walking Difficulty: Easy | Length (in miles): 7.6 Dogs Welcome If you live in Lynchburg, you have probably hopped on the Blackwater Creek Trail at the Ed Page entrance near Farm Basket and St. George Orthodox Church off Langhorne Road. This entrance offers public restrooms and the added bonus of Nomad Coffee Shop, open seven days a week. Be sure to walk through the Awareness Garden that honors and remembers those impacted by cancer and see the Garden’s iconic bell.
Liberty Mountain Trail System Activity: Trail running, hiking, walking, mountain biking Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Length (in miles): This system is comprised of six trails ranging from one to just over three miles This trail system has easy-to-follow signage and is well-marked for hikers of all experience levels. Some parts of the trail get muddy and slick after a large rain so be mindful of these conditions. The LMTS is for individuals only. Any groups interested are encouraged to email hydaway@liberty.edu.
Peaks View Park Activity: Birdwatching, hiking, mountain biking Difficulty: Easy | Length (in miles): 5.7 Peaks View Park is the second largest park in Lynchburg. Be prepared to see hikers and walkers of all abilities as well as mountain bikers. There is a playground, tennis and basketball courts, disc golf, and multipurpose fields where a variety of local sports leagues converge on weekends and weekday evenings.
Clemmons Lake Trail – Ivy Creek Park Activity: Walking | Difficulty: Easy | Length (in miles): 1.1 The main trail is flat and easy to navigate for walkers and beginner trail runners. The lake provides a nice view and this trail tends to be pretty empty, giving visitors solitude. Be sure to look for wildlife as several animals have been known to make this area their home including birds, turtles, and deer.
Lynchburg Riverwalk Trail Activity: Road biking, trail running, walking Difficulty: Easy | Length (in miles): 5.7 | Kid-Friendly This hike has plenty of beautiful scenery and people watching as it is often well-traveled in the warmer months. It takes a little less than two hours to complete and strollers are welcome.
BEDFORD
Johnson Farm Trail Activity: Birdwatching, hiking, walking Difficulty: Moderately Challenging Length (in miles): 2.6 This trail offers scenery including the old Johnson family farmhouse, barn, springhouse, and vintage farm equipment. If you’re lucky, local volunteers who are knowledgeable about the trail and its history will be onsite to share stories, give tours, and answer questions from visitors.
Apple Orchard Falls Trail Activity: Hiking | Difficulty: Challenging Length (in miles): 2.6 | Leashed Dogs Welcome Surrounded by babbling streams, this trail is great for those who may want to get their feet wet, go for a swim, or even camp overnight. Some places on the trail prove challenging so take it easy and watch out for snakes!
Sharp Top Trail Activity: Hiking, trail running, birdwatching Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging Length (in miles): 3.3 | Leashed Dogs Welcome This is a popular and well-traveled hike but also quite the leg burner! Sharp Top offers a shuttle that will take visitors almost all the way to the mountain’s summit. Bring your camera for breathtaking 360-degree views.
Flat Top Mountain Activity: Hiking, birdwatching Difficulty: Challenging Length (in miles): 4.7 | Leashed Dogs Welcome This hike can take up to four hours and you will often be met with unsteady dirt and rock trails. Once you make it to the top, enjoy the various lookout points then hurry down for a picnic lunch at nearby Abbott Lake.
Appalachian Trail Activity: Hiking, backpacking Difficulty: Easy to strenuous Length (in miles): 2,180 The AT is mostly through forest but passes various towns, roads, and farms across 14 states, including Virginia. Bicycles are prohibited except for the Virginia Creeper Trail portion in Virginia. Our state has the most mileage of any state on the AT with 550 miles with McAfee Knob in Catawba known as the most photographed spot on the trail.
James River Otter Creek Trail Activity: Hiking, trail running, walking Difficulty: Easy | Length (in miles): 2.1 Kid-Friendly This is the perfect hike for families with small children—it takes less than an hour, you’ll come across deer and other wildlife, and there are ample places for kiddos to splash in the creek.
AMHERST
Mount Pleasant Trail Activity: Backpacking, birdwatching, hiking Difficulty: Moderately Challenging Length (in miles): 6.3 Dog-Friendly & Kid-Friendly This year-round strenuous route is often frequented by backpackers and ornithologists and those wanting to have their dogs off leash. The route is well-maintained and signs are clearly marked but the drive up can be pretty bumpy.
Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail Activity: Hiking, running, mountain biking Difficulty: Moderately Challenging Length (in miles): 14.1 Leashed Dogs Welcome This rail trail can be used for walking, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. There are restroom facilities, plenty of sights to see along the Piney and Tye Rivers, and an abundance of wildflowers to enjoy in the spring and summer months.
A Revitalization of Tastes
A new food and shopping campus on Bedford Ave. does more than revitalize a building
It’s 2:30 p.m. on a Friday and shoppers mill about, hopping from business to business experiencing something new and unique to Lynchburg. That unique experience can transform a shopper into an environmentalist, a cooking student, or a foodie when they are at this one-stop destination that houses various businesses.
These new businesses share a 19,000-square-foot building that is part of a bigger picture for restoring Bedford Avenue. The building is located at 2204 Bedford Avenue.
Photo Courtesy of ODD+EVEN
“The goal is to revitalize Bedford Avenue. It is the bridge to downtown,” said developer Daryl Calfee. The 2204 Bedford Avenue property is just two miles from downtown Main Street.
Calfee, owner of Penny Lane Properties, a company that focuses on property restoration, noted that the area had been abandoned and no one had done anything to it. So they stepped in to change that.
The 2204 Bedford Avenue building was once a Dr. Pepper Bottling Company—one of many locations in and around Central and Southwest Virginia in the 1950s. Based on permit information from the Lynchburg City Planning Commission, the site was sold in November 2021 and a site plan for the property was approved in the Summer 2022.
The businesses that opened this spring at the location share the property—with guests having the ability to float from shop to shop via open interiors. The building’s facade features dark wood and charcoal paint, while the interiors each have their own unique charm and look.
Photo Courtesy of ODD+EVEN
From the outside, this location appears like a mini outdoor mall that supports a small food campus. The businesses that are nestled within are Truss, a restaurant that boasts a seasonal menu and crafted cocktails in an upscale casual dining environment; The Flour District, a community bakery with mouthwatering European-style pastries; Scratch Pasta Co., an extension of the already well-loved local pasta brand, where shoppers can purchase pasta, salads from the cold case, and curated kitchen wares; Rivermont Refillery, a zero-waste and sustainable store; and Rhodora, a specialty gift shop.
The staff at the businesses believe that the revitalization is a great opportunity for a pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining experience.
“It is such a good connector to Rivermont,” said Rivermont Refillery manager Anita Fontaine, referring to the proximity to Rivermont Avenue, which includes residential properties and Randolph College and is a main thoroughfare to downtown Lynchburg.
Fontaine noted that Rivermont Refillery, open since April, offers people the opportunity to make sustainable, environmentally friendly choices by reducing plastic waste. Shoppers can refill containers of products such as detergents, shampoos, and other household products versus buying them in single-use plastics.
Rivermont Refillery offers a wide range of nontoxic vegan beauty products including soaps, lotions, as well as laundry detergents and fabric softeners as well as other items ranging from jewelry to stationery.
Photo Courtesy of ODD+EVEN
Residents have expressed excitement over the revitalization, as well.
“I am really excited about it,” said longtime resident Hailey Anguire, who first heard about what was happening on Bedford Avenue through Instagram.
Co-owner and chef of Truss Wray Warner said there is a lot of hype around town about the area.
Warner and Jill Fees share ownership of Truss, which is currently 2204 Bedford’s only full-service restaurant. Walking into Truss feels like an experience in and of itself. Entering through the front door, guests get an immediate glimpse into the kitchen, where seasonal dishes and a rotating menu are thoughtfully and carefully prepared. There is also a 40-seat banquet room along with a 10-seat chef’s table, the perfect gathering space for intimate food and wine tastings, meetings, or special events.
“I am excited to have it open and be a part of the Lynchburg restaurant scene,” Warner, who has been a chef for 20 years, said. “I want it to be a place where people can come three times a week whether it is for dinner or for a snack and a drink.”
Other business owners see the new combined businesses as a plus, as well.
“We want it to be a community gathering space,” said Stephanie Fees, longtime chef and owner of Scratch Pasta Co.
Scratch Pasta Co. will offer different varieties of pasta for sale, like their fan-favorite Virginia Wheat Campanelle, Spicy Garlic MoHawks, and Lemon Basil Gemelli. Shoppers can also purchase freshly made pasta and pasta salads from Scratch Pasta’s cold counter as well as meticulously curated kitchen wares, from artisanal salts and spices to reclaimed fabric napkins to stunning cookware.
“The vision is to make dinner easy for people,” explained Stephanie Fees, who formerly was a professional chef in New York City and ran the kitchen at West Manor Estate for a number of years before launching into her Scratch Pasta venture full time.
Another stop within the 2204 Bedford space is The Flour District—a bakery that offers a variety of pastries and other foods ranging from cinnamon rolls and European-style muffins to breakfast sandwiches. They also offer a drink menu for specialty coffee, seasonal tea blends, and celebratory mimosas.
Photo Courtesy of ODD+EVEN
Maria Niechwiadowicz, pastry chef and CEO of The Flour District said there will also be cooking classes in the future.
“We hope that we will be both a place that neighbors can walk to as well as a destination spot in Lynchburg. We hope that customers will feel welcome and excited to invite a friend to share a pastry or beverage over a good conversation and ultimately be a point of connection,” Niechwiadowicz said.
The 2204 Bedford Ave. project is unlike anything Lynchburg has seen in our area in recent years, or perhaps in our city’s history. Within one space, an idyllic afternoon stretches out in front of you—starting with an espresso and pastry at The Flour District, meandering through the shops, and culminating in a truly local meal at Truss. Simply walking through the doors of any of the businesses within the campus, you get the understanding that something truly magical has taken place—not just the revitalization of an almost-forgotten building, but the revitalization of epicurean enjoyment in Lynchburg.
Ultimate Summer Salads
No Cook Meals for Hot Summer Days
This selection of salads showcases the splendor of summer fruits: peaches, strawberries, and watermelon! Pair with something off the grill or serve as the main event.
First up is a fresh peach caprese salad. Juicy peaches, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves come together in a delightful twist on the classic Italian favorite. Drizzled with tangy balsamic glaze, this salad strikes a perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Next on the menu is a strawberry spinach salad with poppy seed vinaigrette. Crisp romaine lettuce and baby spinach create the perfect bed for summer-sweet strawberries, complemented by the delightful crunch of almonds and zesty dressing. This vibrant combination is an ideal accompaniment to grilled meats.
Lastly, the watermelon mint salad is a true celebration of summer’s bounty. The juicy sweetness of watermelon combines perfectly with fresh mint leaves, all enhanced by a drizzle of tangy balsamic glaze. Each bite is a mini-vacation for your taste buds!
Photos by Ashlee Glen
Peach Caprese Salad
Serves four as a side
INGREDIENTS 2 fresh, ripe peaches
3 local, heirloom tomatoes
8 oz fresh mozzarella
3 sprigs of basil
2 tbsp balsamic glaze (see separate recipe below)
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS Slice the mozzarella thinly and cut the tomatoes into nice, thick slices. Quarter the peaches and then quarter each quarter. On a serving plate or platter, alternate the cheese, tomatoes, and peaches. Tear 6-8 basil leaves and spread them throughout. Drizzle with a few drops of good quality olive oil for richness, and generously drizzle with the balsamic glaze for tangy sweetness. Finish with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Photos by Ashlee Glen
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Serves four as a side
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
3 tbsp pickled red onion (see separate recipe)
1 tbsp poppy seeds (toasted)
1/2 cup sliced almonds (toasted)
1/4 cup avocado oil
1 lb. strawberries, hulled and quartered
1 head of romaine lettuce, torn into bite sized pieces
4 cups baby spinach
Salt and pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS Lightly toast the poppy seeds in a dry skillet, and then toast the sliced almonds. In a medium bowl, combine vinegar, sugar, avocado oil, and poppy seeds, whisking to combine. Tear the romaine lettuce into a large bowl, add the spinach and strawberries, and toss carefully with the dressing. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and sprinkle the toasted almond slices and pickled onions on top.
Photos by Ashlee Glen
Watermelon Mint Salad
Serves four as a side
INGREDIENTS 4 cups of cubed, seedless watermelon (bite-size cubes)
8-10 leaves of fresh mint, torn into small pieces
Parmesan cheese for shaving
2-3 tbsp balsamic glaze (see separate recipe on page 136)
INSTRUCTIONS Make sure you find a ripe, seedless watermelon since it’s the star of this salad. Sprinkle the torn mint leaves over the watermelon. Using a potato peeler, shave parmesan cheese in big, thin slices over the salad. Finish off with a nice, big drizzle of the balsamic glaze right before serving.
Val’s Comfort Kitchen
Serving the community through food
Lynchburg residents in search of authentic southern cooking need look no further than Val’s Comfort Kitchen, which serves the community through its delicious soul food.
Started in March 2022 by Valerie Braxton, the restaurant provides a wide variety of options to cater to each customer’s needs, including cooking vegetables in smoked turkey to provide for customers with Alpha-gal restrictions as well as providing healthy meals for those with health concerns.
Although Val’s is only entering its second year of business, Braxton said that she has spent the last 30 years working in the food industry, including her time with her catering business Lasting Impressions Catering Services, as well as her previous restaurant Soul Food Express.
Braxton stated that some of her main selling points are her meatloaf and fish sandwiches, both of which she claims are the best in Lynchburg.
“I have guests that will come in and if we don’t have meatloaf, ‘Val, we’ll see you tomorrow when you have meatloaf,’” Braxton said. “The meatloaf and the meatloaf sauce are a seller. I make that every single day.”
Photos by Ashlee Glenn
While customers quickly fall in love with the food, Val’s Comfort Kitchen also provides a community unlike any other.
“This place here is filled with love,” said Braxton, who noted that she takes time to speak with patrons at every table, regardless of how busy she is. “We cook with love. We treat our guests as if they’re family. We never meet a stranger.
Our food here speaks for itself. It is good home-cooked, wholesome comfort food.”
Instead of treating customers as simply opportunities to make money, she cares for them as individuals.
Photos by Ashlee Glenn
“My focus point is helping others who need help… I have people that walk through those doors and they’re hungry and we feed them,” Braxton said. “I understand they don’t have money, that’s fine. My goal is to give back to the community.”
Braxton attributes this care for others to her faith in God.
“God is the center of this thing,” she said. “I’ll shout it from the rooftops because He is why we’re here.”
Artist Profile: Andrew Williams
Muralist paints life on a large scale
Muralist Andrew Williams has always been an artist. Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, Williams’ mother was a proponent of his connection with the arts from an early age.
“I had great access to art stores,” Williams remembered. “My mom would buy charcoal pencil sets and paper—I still have my first drawing pad. It started with charcoal drawings, and then I got into drawing Disney characters. From there, I transitioned to watercolor.”
That transition to watercolor was the first time Williams experimented with color—an experiment that led to his future as the muralist he is today. In 2016, Williams was contracted by The Draper Mercantile and Trading Company in Draper, Virginia, for a large-scale mural.
“I was good friends with the folks at Draper Mercantile and I had gifted the owner a watercolor of the building,” he said. “She offered to have me take a stab at the wall outside, which already had a mural on it, but it was faded. It’s a 160-foot wall and was the first mural I ever did.”
Photos Courtesy of Andrew Williams
The Draper Mercantile mural took three months for Williams to complete. The process began with sketches with pen and pencil on paper and then, once approved by the owner, the design transitioned onto the wall surface.
“While I was working on that mural, I was contacted by someone from Wytheville to do a 90-foot mural,” Williams said. “And it just kind of snowballed from there.”
In 2018, Williams’ muralist work brought him to Lynchburg when he was commissioned to paint a mural of Donkey Kong at The Water Dog. Then, just a few years later, The Water Dog team commissioned Williams to paint a large-scale sign for the entrance of Oktoberfest in downtown Lynchburg.
Photos Courtesy of Andrew Williams
“Dave [one of the owners of The Water Dog] wanted Donkey Kong, so that was pretty straight forward,” he explained. “But, as for the Oktoberfest sign, that was an incorporation of the logo mixed with German characters and beer. Dave pushed the envelope for me with the Oktoberfest sign because it opened up a different path to travel down and seeing the opportunities that can come with that. I’m excited to see the evolution of public art, and that’s what I’m trying to focus on for these next few years. I’m excited to see what’s next after murals for public art—what balances between a mural, a sculpture, etc. I’m excited to continue to explore the beautification of public events.”
Williams’ work keeps him traveling all over Virginia—hopping from one commission to the next. As of this writing, Williams has just finished a memorial for a WWII veteran and is currently working on a three-dimensional mural in Roanoke.
“I’m at the point in my career where I can find a wall that’s begging to be beautified,” Williams said. “I see a vision, and then I cold call it and pitch it. I’m not afraid to tackle any sort of project that someone may have. The more unique and the more crazy a project is, the more I want to do it. I’m not scared to push the envelope on some of these projects.”
Birth in Color
How a Local Non-Profit is Supporting Expecting Parents
Photos by Ashlee Glen
With two years under its belt, Birth in Color Central Virginia has trained a fourth group of doulas to help support pregnant women of color and their families in the Lynchburg region throughout their entire birth journey. Doulas work alongside the other professionals responsible for birth care by offering physical, emotional, and informational support during and shortly after childbirth—efforts that have been proven to improve maternal mortality rates during childbirth.
Miosha McDaniel, a doula for Birth in Color Central Virginia, said the maternal mortality rate for Black women during delivery is three times higher than that of white women.
“That’s a really scary number and we understand that a lot of women walk in wondering if they’re going to be able to come out of the hospital with their babies,” she said.
In just two years, Birth in Color Central Virginia has already received hundreds of applications from women wanting support from the program’s doulas and wanting someone who understands their needs and struggles.
Kenda Sutton-El, Executive Director of Birth in Color RVA.
Kenda Sutton-El, executive director of Birth in Color RVA, created the flagship organization four years ago in Richmond after realizing the birthing needs of women of color—especially Black women, who needed support, education, and advocacy. She launched Birth in Color Central Virginia as RVA’s sister organization in 2021.
McDaniel said most doulas meet with their clients two to four times throughout their pregnancy to educate them on what their rights are and how they should be protected within the birthing spaces of hospitals. The doulas also hold community baby showers, childbirth classes, including classes for spouses and partners.
“We serve them emotionally, physically, and we’re really heavy on advocacy as well,” she said. “Because a lot of the time in the hospital rooms, the partner is uncomfortable and doesn’t know how to speak up or doesn’t know what to say. And that’s where the doula can step in and advocate for them and educate them on what the doctor or nurse is saying.”
Doulas also provide comfort measures including acupuncture, acupressure, and the “double hip squeeze,” which is performed during a contraction to help with discomfort in the lower back and pelvis.
“So a lot of education goes into being a doula, a lot of advocacy, and a lot of mental and emotional support, because that’s a really trying time when labor comes around,” McDaniel said.
Birth in Color Central Virginia has trained more than 20 women to become doulas but not everyone serves at once, she said. Right now, the program has about 10 active doulas.
Miosha McDaniel
McDaniel said the program is important to have in the area because, before the program launched, there weren’t many doulas who were women of color.
“When I was pregnant with both of my little ones, I used doulas, but they didn’t look like me,” McDaniel said. “And a lot of the times when I would walk into appointments at the doctors’ offices or even with my doulas they didn’t understand or know how to advocate for me as a Black woman.
And it was uncomfortable. I’m just a pregnant person. Don’t look at my color, just look at me being a pregnant person and coming in wanting to be educated. “
McDaniel said that Sutton-El noticed this as well when she looked around doctors’ offices and hospitals searching for women of color who worked there.
“We understand that it’s not going to be fixed overnight, but we are grateful for the role that we do get to play in helping change those numbers,” McDaniel said. “We are the first collective of Black women who serve Black women in our city. So I think it’s really special that [Sutton-El] thought that Lynchburg was worth investing in and supporting to help support other women.”
For others in the community looking to help, McDaniel advises them to have the awkward conversations and ask how they can support these women.
“Most importantly, if you see something, say something. That’s my biggest thing. If you are in a doctor’s office and you’re overhearing something or a conversation that’s going on that might be inappropriate or is not a supportive or inclusive conversation, speak up and say something,” she said.
She added that each doula is paid through donations and grants because the organization doesn’t require families to pay for their services.
“We believe that everyone should have a doula,” McDaniel said. “Every birthing person deserves that support and advocacy outside of their partner, their spouse, or family members. So donations help us do the work that we’re doing. And if you can’t support financially, just share about Birth in Color by getting the word out and talking about the work that we’re doing.”
Now more than ever, the community needs to support one another, especially women, she said.
“I think it’s a really trying time that we’re going through right now where women’s bodies are being policed,” she said. “We know our bodies the best and I think that we all need to come together to support one another and advocate for every person no matter what and no matter who they are.”
Inside a Food Blogger’s Light-Filled Kitchen
Laura Miner knows a thing or two about a well-run kitchen. As a mom of three and the creator behind the popular food blog Cook at Home Mom, Miner spends much of her time testing recipes and creating content for her blog, all while serving up three square meals a day for her family.
“I always wanted the kitchen to be the center of the home, like it was for my mother and grandmother,” Miner said.
A New York native, Miner grew up around food and the community that it can create. Her grandmother was known for hosting big family meals and get-togethers and it was in her kitchen that Miner herself began to cook.
“Every Sunday, we were there and she always had something cooking,” Miner recounted. “The kitchen was the center of the household and food was always at the center of our family. I learned the basics from my grandmother and, as I got older and went away to college, I would call her and say, ‘Okay, I have a can of beans and an onion here, and I think I have some pasta in the cabinet,’ and she would basically give me a cooking lesson on the phone.”
It was after Miner got married and had kids that she started experimenting more in the kitchen—deviating from the soul-nourishing cheese and pasta staples from her childhood and learning how to adapt recipes to her and her family’s preferences. She started her blog, Cook at Home Mom, in 2014 on a whim and a means to connect with others creatively. At that time, she had just moved to Lynchburg with her family and was a new stay-at-home-mom and the blog served as a hobby, creative outlet, and, by 2018, her full-time job.
Steady readers of Cook at Home Mom will notice an emphasis on whole, healthy foods, many of which are Whole30, paleo, or low-carb friendly.
Laura Miner. Photo by Ashlee Glen
“I didn’t grow up eating that way,” Miner explained. “I grew up eating pasta and cheese—all the things that are good for the soul but not necessarily good for my body. I did the Whole30 in 2015 and I found that all sorts of lifelong issues that I had felt—rosacea, joint pain, inflammation issues—disappeared. I hadn’t realized before then that I was having reactions to certain foods. So anti-inflammatory diets have just helped me feel better. After I finished the Whole30, I started transitioning to a paleo-type of diet—but I still do occasionally eat bread and cheese.”
There’s a natural crossover between the recipes Miner shares on her blog and the meals that make their way to her family’s table. On and off the internet, Miner prioritizes whole foods while still leaving plenty of room for special indulgences.
“We don’t have our kids follow any strict protocol or anything like that. My main concern is their overall health,” she said. “I think it’s good to allow them to experience all the different foods that there are and talk in kid-friendly terms about the decisions that we make. When we are watching what we eat, we talk about it not in terms of what we can’t have, but in terms of what we can have. To little kids, that makes sense in a way that is less harmful than talking about food as either ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ And we explain to them that their taste buds change every now and again and that they may now like a food that they didn’t before. I want them to have a good relationship with food.”
The prioritization of accessible whole foods plus the daily cadence of creating new content for her blog means Miner requires a lot out of a kitchen. But when they moved into their Lynchburg home, its piecemealed kitchen quickly exposed inefficiencies and frustration.
“The kitchen was essentially three separate rooms,” said Miner. “We had to knock out two walls. There was a full wall and a door between the kitchen and the dining room. For us, it just didn’t make sense.”
Despite the glaring inefficiencies of the space, Miner and her family spent a full year living in and getting to know their home before jumping into renovations.
“Over time, you think about how you use the space and how you want to use the space,” she said.
After observing, cooking, and learning, renovations got underway. The Miners knocked out the ancillary walls to completely open the kitchen into their living room and took down the door between the kitchen and dining room. What was left was a flood of northwestern light that gradually softens throughout the year as the tall trees in their backyard leaf out in the spring and summer.
Opening up the kitchen into the living room left two stunning bay windows that allow light to stream in.
“We went through several rounds of designs, and I was really worried about the windows, that they would look clunky or strange. But we wound up figuring out a way to make it work,” she said.
The new open space served as a blank canvas for what the new kitchen could be.
“I wanted the kitchen to be a place that was calm,” Miner explained. “I didn’t want it to feel crowded or cluttered, which meant we needed a lot of storage. And, of course, I wanted to focus on the utility of the kitchen. I wanted a place for everything, and I wanted everything easily accessible so I could cook quickly and with expedience.”
As a focal point to the kitchen, Miner had a large island installed with enough seating for her family of five. Miner opted for marble countertops despite countless warnings that they would get chipped and stained over time.
“I made my peace with it,” she laughed. “We opted for a leathered finish, so it really hides and masks any wear. I’m hard on the kitchen and I cook a lot. I also have little kids. So, I wanted something more durable but couldn’t find anything that matched that finish that I loved so much. I felt it brought a lot of warmth to a white kitchen.”
The island features abundant storage underneath and beside the deep stainless steel farmhouse sink, but the true storage abilities of the space can be found in the cabinets across and adjacent to the island.
Within arm’s reach of the stove is a dedicated, tiered spice drawer that keeps the many spices and seasonings Miner uses organized and close at hand.
“I knew I didn’t want to be rifling through cabinets,” she explained. “I wanted to be able to go through it in quick order.”
Other efficiencies found their way into Miner’s kitchen redesign—from electrical outlets in the pantries and a dedicated coffee space to a uniquely placed kettle faucet.
Photo on left courtesy of Laura Miner. Photo on right by Ashlee Glenn
“I fill my Berkey [water filtration system] twice a day, so I knew that I wanted a dedicated faucet right above it,” she said. “I also wanted the coffee out of the way so people could come in and make themselves a cup and not interrupt me while I was making breakfast. You just have to know how you work and how you function.”
Miner prioritized design and functionality decisions that felt timeless—like the picket tile backsplash and cabinet finishes—with enough flexibility for the kitchen to continue to evolve as their needs change.
“A designer once told me, ‘Don’t do anything permanent if you’re not sure.’ That’s advice that I took to heart,” she said.
Miner doesn’t consider her kitchen to be “finished,” and it may never be. For now, future plans include installing bay window seating and storage and continuing to spend her days whipping up nourishing meals for her family and readers.
