Create Mighty Meals with These Extraordinary Ingredients

Superfoods: what’s the truth behind them and what makes them so powerful? Superfoods are naturally derived foods that harness a remarkable amount of healing nutrients. What makes these whole foods so “super” is their attributes of being low-calorie while delivering an unequated density of nutrients and notable amount of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components.

Superfoods are often mistaken as being exotic, exuberant and difficult to obtain. The truth is, however, some of the world’s most nutritious foods can be found at local farmers markets or grocery stores. Beets, basil, turmeric, organic sauerkraut, walnuts, ginger, garlic, Swiss chard, and blueberries are all excellent sources of body-loving antioxidants and detoxifying enzymes. They are not sourced from far off lands but, rather, can be found growing in our own Lynchburg community. There are many ways to implement these nourishing gems into every meal—from breakfast all the way to your evening dessert.

Holistic health and functional nutrition are imperative elements to my daily life—and superfoods are essential to that whole food regimen. In my continual pursuit to grow my knowledge of organic and integrative living, I find that superfoods never fail to be on the top of the list for powerhouse forms of food in every culture around the globe. I committed to implementing them into my diet about seven years ago and, since then, I have seen a remarkable change in my overall health and wellbeing. I now use these foods as medicine and have personally experienced their power—they’ve given a newfound energy to my body and have kept my immune system in elite condition.

In light of this, I’ve become acquainted with superfood forms that go a step beyond the ordinary. Learn more about my top choices.

Then, on the following pages, I’ll tell you a few ways to use these ingredients in your kitchen.

Goji Berries—These dried crimson berries are native to China and are packed with vitamins, protein and even 15x more iron than spinach.

Antioxidant-rich goji berries can be eaten raw, infused into herbal teas, alternative medicines and wines as well as used to garnish oatmeal, yogurt bowls and pancakes.

Matcha—Matcha is a special powdered form of green tea leaves—with 10x more antioxidants than average green tea (and 14x the amount found in blueberries), including cancer-fighting EGCG catechins. Matcha is rich in fiber, chlorophyll and vitamins that detoxify the body and relax the mind. Matcha’s caffeine content boosts metabolism, burns calories and aids in energy production. I typically drink one to three cups of Matcha per day and sometimes incorporate it into my smoothies!

Maca Powder—Maca powder is derived from the Maca root native to Peru. This superfood is packed with minerals and vitamins B1, B2, C and E. As an adaptogenic plant extract, Maca increases the body’s ability to realign optimal functions by rebalancing hormones and resisting the damaging effects of stress. This powder is a delectable alternative to conventional sweeteners, with a pleasant malty taste. I typically use the powder in smoothies, nut-milk adaptogenic lattes and feature them in my energy balls (see recipe on the next page).

Cacao Nibs—These crunchy superfood nibs replace the craving for dark chocolate, as they tend to garnish my yogurt bowls, oatmeal, mint green smoothies, and even baked goods. Cacao nibs, especially in their raw form, are some of the most antioxidant-rich foods. They contain a significant amount of phytonutrients that ward off damaging free radicals.

Chia + Flax Seed—These nutrient dense seeds pack a punch for their size! They are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, are rich in antioxidants, and they provide absorbable fiber, iron, and calcium. As with chia, flax finds its way into all my morning bowls and even as a “flax” egg alternative in baking!

Hemp Seed—Hemp seeds are packed with an impressive amount of protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. These little seeds also contain a good amount of fiber, minerals, in addition to traces of cannabidiol, which reduces inflammation, regulates the immune system and protects the brain. These are great in oatmeal, over pancakes, and as smoothie or salad toppers.

Adaptogenic Energy Balls
(Raw, Vegan, Gluten Free)

Ingredients
(All are organic and locally sourced when possible.)
1 cup dry pitted dates, finely chopped
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/2 cup flax seeds
1/2 cup walnuts
2 tablespoons raw cacao powder
2 teaspoons virgin coconut oil

Toppings
Dried flowers, unsweetened coconut flakes, chia + flax, hemp seed, raw rolled oats, cacao nibs, raw cacao powder, pumpkin seeds, pink himalayan salt, melted dark chocolate and optional: bee pollen, freeze dried berries, organic spirulina, adaptogenic powders (maca, medicinal mushrooms, ashwagandha)

Directions
1. Place pitted dates and virgin coconut oil in the food processor or Vitamix, and process to obtain fine, sticky crumbles.
2. Add the cacao powder and chia seeds. Pulse 1-2 times to incorporate.
3. Use your palms to form small balls.
4. Spread cacao powder and desired toppings on a plate or large piece of parchment paper. Roll balls over toppings to make them pretty.
5. Store in the refrigerator for a maximum of two weeks or freeze them for future use.
6. Share them with all your friends and your friends’ friends!
7. Enjoy!

By Spencer Bilek | PHOTOS BY ASHLEE GLEN

For the third year in a row, Lynchburg Living is your source to find the region’s best lawyers. From criminal defense to adoptions to wills, our 2019 Top Lawyers list shows you who lawyers themselves recommend in 26 practice areas.

Why is this peer-to-peer recommendation important? Because if a lawyer has a good reputation among their peers, you have some assurance knowing they will be honest, professional and hardworking when they work with you or your business.

On the following pages, learn more about two top-rated lawyers in the wills, trusts and estates specialty along with five common mistakes people make when writing (or, in some cases, not writing) their wills. You’ll also find the complete listings as well as informative profiles about lawyers in the region.

Mark Your Calendars January/February 2019!!

Academy Presents: Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn
Jan. 19
Bluegrass fans—you won’t want to miss this pickin’ party! Dubbed “the king and queen of the banjo” by Paste Magazine, Fleck and Washburn will perform pieces from their Grammy-winning self-titled debut, as well as their new record,
at the newly opened historic Academy of Music Theatre.
Find tickets at academycenter.org.

’Til Death Do Us Part: A Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre
Feb. 9
Don’t just sit back and watch—become a part of the performance with Wolfbane Productions’ interactive dinner theatre experience at Falling River Country Club in Appomattox. Help figure out “whodunnit” at a zany wedding while enjoying a meal catered by the Babcock House.
Find tickets at wolfbane.org.

Best Of Lynchburg Party
Feb. 21
Head to Phase 2 for our celebration of Lynchburg’s best businesses, people and more—it’s the list you see featured in this issue, brought to life! Enjoy live entertainment, and area restaurants will have samples of their best cuisine for you to try. Buy tickets at lynchburgbestof.com.

Academy Presents: The Second City
Feb. 22
Have a case of the winter blues? Snap out of it with this hilarious performance at the Academy of Music Theatre. Since opening its doors in 1959, The Second City has grown to become the world’s premier comedy club, theater and school of improvisation. Learn more at academycenter.org.

Local Openings & Closings
Hello! to Carmela’s at the Loft, an Italian restaurant on Timberlake Road.

Hello! to Rendez-Vous, a French Caribbean-style restaurant on Main Street.

Goodbye to Fire and Hops in Wyndhurst. (But hello! to a rebranded version of the restaurant, Scoreboards, set to open in February.)

Hello! to a new location of Hot and Cold Café on Main Street.

Hello! to a newly rebuilt Main Street Bridge that serves as a gorgeous gateway to the city.

Hello! to antique store Greige Market on Burnbridge Road in Forest.

Hello! to Uncle Joe’s Donuts & Things on Timberlake Road.

First off, congratulations on the expansion of Spearman Artisanry. How do you like your new location on Main Street?

Buying the old Buckingham & Flippin building at 919 Main Street has been one of our greatest decisions. We live and work there now. The community has welcomed us and we feel like part of a true family. Of course, in addition to our new location, we still maintain our original location inside the Lynchburg Community Market at 1219 Main Street where we have been for the last five years.

Your store revolves around your gorgeous handcrafted jewelry. How did you first learn to crochet fine silver?

I continued my career in electronics by going into teaching in Lima, Peru, where I taught computers at an international Christian school. Loving to work with my hands caused me to explore the art of making jewelry. So, I enrolled at the Peruano Japones Art Center, studying jewelry design, merchandising and business administration. In those classes I learned glass fusing, weaving, leather working, felting, beading, painting, embossing, wire wrapping and other artistic skills. Ultimately, I embraced wire crochet for its sculptural, feminine and romantic characteristics.

What inspires you to create a piece of jewelry?

My inspiration for each piece is people. As I travel, I find myself being inspired by the different cultures in how they express themselves—not only in dress, but who they are as people. Some of them are very vibrant, while others are more subdued. This translates into unique creations for each individual. I even have product lines that I have named after people whose personalities have inspired me.

About how long do you spend on each piece?

It depends on the size and intricacy of the piece. Some can take me only a matter of minutes, while others may take days or weeks.

Spearman Artisanry is also a “fair trade boutique” selling accessories, home goods and clothing. Why is being fair trade important to you?

Fair trade is important to me for several key reasons. First, fair trade helps lower poverty. Instead of receiving charity, people working in fair trade business relationships are building a stable income for themselves. Second, fair trade ensures ethical treatment of workers. In contrast to sweatshops, the artisans who make these goods work for themselves and are able to work out of their homes with family members or friends. Also, by purchasing directly from them, I can ensure the process and quality of the goods that are being produced. Third, fair trade helps people to thrive in their own countries, which is also very important to us.

Connected to that third point, you also run a nonprofit alongside your business.

While we do support local organizations such as the Lynchburg Historical Foundation, Friends of the Market, Downtown Lynchburg Association, Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, Academy Center of the Arts, and Thomas Road Baptist Church to name just a few, we also support our very own nonprofit, Building Lives International (Tejiendo Vidas Internacional). It is through this ministry that we sponsor students in third world countries by helping them with their education and provide housing for them and their families.

How often do you visit the countries of origin of your products?

I visit at least three countries per year, not only to visit existing artisans, but also to search for others.

What’s next for you in your journey?

We have a few plans. We are working with a marketing agency to help us increase our online presence and help us with our advertising. We want to work closer with the organizations within our community to help Lynchburg be one of the best places to live and work in Virginia. Finally, we want to be able to do more through Building Lives International by reaching more artisans in other countries so that we can minister to them and their families with educational opportunities and housing .

BEHIND THE SCENES

The Lynchburg Living team was invited to attend a media night at the historic Academy of Music Theatre on November 19.

Academy staff took local journalists and photographers on a tour of the newly restored theatre and gave some behind the scenes information along the way. (One fun fact: the chairs are identical replicas to the originals… except they are wider to accommodate our larger backsides.)

The Academy offered media guests popcorn (of course) and their new signature beverage that’s served in the lobby—the Academy 1905 Pilsner, brewed in Amherst by Loose Shoe Brewing Company.

Many thanks to the Academy for your hard work to restore this Lynchburg landmark and for making us feel so welcome.

Read our full feature about the historic Academy of Music Theatre on page 64!

AGE: 8
Lauryn Lynch, a Bedford County resident and Liberty Christian Academy student, was crowned Little Miss of America on Nov. 24. We asked her a few questions about her newfound fame!

Lauryn, congratulations! As Little Miss of America, what types of things do you get to do in the coming year? I will travel and make appearances on behalf of American Pageants. Little Miss of America also serves as an ambassador for Special Olympics, hosting an inclusion event. I also get to go watch Miss America in Atlantic City with my sister queens in September!

When did you first start competing in pageants? I entered my local fair pageant when I was 6 and won! I was the very first Tiny Miss Bedford County Fair.

What do you like about pageants? I enjoy being on stage and talking to the judges. American Pageants is different from other pageants. Most of your score is based on your grades, community service, and activities. I work hard to get good grades and stay involved, so my mom figured I should try it.

Who are your role models—and why? I look up to my sister queens.

They’re all older than me and are really great role models who’ve accomplished a lot. It’s fun to be the little sister.

How does it feel to have so much national attention? It’s fun. It was cool to see my picture on the pageant’s website and social media. I hope other little girls will know they can do it too!

What do you have planned next? My next goals are to totally rock 3rd grade and have a great year as Little Miss of America!

When you see those teal banners or plaques around town at your favorite restaurants, shops and destinations, those businesses deserve the bragging rights! This year in our annual Best Of Lynchburg contest, we logged more than 203,000 votes on our website. The businesses and people who made it onto the following pages have earned a spot on our 2019 list.

So sit back, prop up your feet and flip through to see who is the best of the best, according to our loyal readers.

The intermission is over, and The historic Academy of Music’s story picks up where it left off more than 60 years ago.

The first time Clifton Potter saw a woman sawed in half was at Lynchburg’s Academy of Music. As a child in the 1940s and ’50s, Potter spent many Saturdays there watching western movies on the silver screen. It was there, too, that he witnessed the magical marvel.

“I remember seeing a magician,” Potter, a longtime history professor at University of Lynchburg, told the Lynchburg News & Advance in 2015. “The first time I ever saw anyone sawed in half was at the Academy, which was kind of wonderful.”

In 1958, the Academy closed its doors and the magic ended. Urban sprawl and the popularity of television spelled the end for the Academy and other downtown theaters—the Paramount, Isis, Warner and a half-dozen others.

But in December of 2018, after 60 years, the marquee lights were illuminated again. Reborn as part of the Academy Center of the Arts, the Beaux-Arts–style theater was once again ready for magic.

The Beginning
The Academy of Music first opened its doors on February 1, 1905, on the site of an old tobacco warehouse at the corner of Main and Sixth streets.

It was largely the brainchild of Richard Apperson, president of a local streetcar and electricity company. He and about two dozen business partners purchased the old warehouse and within seven months, on February 1, 1905, the Academy of Music was open for business.
Lynchburg’s morning newspaper, The News, reported that about 800 people attended the opening night festivities, which included the musical comedy “The Show Girl,” starring vaudeville actress Stella Mayhew.

In a front-page article the following morning, The News called it an “auspicious occasion” attended by “a notable and representative assemblage of Lynchburg people.” Those who attended were not only “notable,” but reasonably affluent. The Baltimore Sun reported that those attending the opening night show paid $10 a seat—more than $280 today.

‘Prettiest in the entire South’
Designed by local architects Frye & Chesterman, the Academy of Music was described by The News as “the prettiest opera house in the State and among the prettiest in the entire South.”

According to The News, the Academy cost $45,000 to build—almost $1.3 million today. “Nothing has been spared to make the play-house a dream of beauty on the inside, while the exterior compares favorably with any other theatre in the State,” the paper reported, adding, “It must be seen to be appreciated.”

The News praised the theater for its “comfortable” seating and said there wasn’t a bad seat in the house. Fire safety, a common concern at a time when the words “theater” and “fire” graced many a newspaper headline, also was addressed.

“The stage is equipped with an asbestos curtain, which will be in use at all times, except when the other scenery is set for use during a play,” The News reported. “This curtain is hung on wires and cables, and will be so that it can be lowered instantly, should there be an occasion to protect the audience from a fire among the stage settings.

“There are fifteen exits in all portions of the main building, through which a large audience could quickly empty itself in cases of fire or panic. The balcony and gallery have ready access to fire escapes on both sides of the structure.”

The Fire
On April 20, 1911, a fire broke out at the Academy, presumably in resident manager Corbin Shield’s apartment. Under the headline, “Narrow Escapes in Theatre Fire,” the Richmond Times Dispatch reported that the Academy was “destroyed by fire … with a loss of $50,000.”

The writer went on to say that Shield and his family safely “made their escape through dense smoke and in scanty attire.” Two others weren’t so lucky.
While fighting the fire, a “hoseman” with Company No. 1 was “overcome with smoke and had to be carried from the building by two fellow firemen.”
While surveying the damage, Arthur T. Powell, the Academy’s vice president, fell through the floor, “dropping twenty feet into burned and twisted debris.” Powell suffered multiple fractures and a bruised hip, but at press time was expected to recover.

After the fire, some debated about whether to rebuild the Academy. The Times Dispatch reported in July of 1911 that rebuilding was “a question that is uppermost in the mind of the theatre-goer of the city, but at present there seems to be no way to restore the playhouse.”

But rebuild they did, thanks again to determined local investors, among them prominent merchant Charles Guggenheimer. This time, architect C.K. Howell, who designed theaters all over the South in the early 1900s, transformed the Academy into a Beaux-Arts showplace.
It reopened in December of 1912.

Ms. Boonie
In its early days, the Academy hosted an A-list of performers, among them concert violinist Efrem Zimbalist Sr., actors Douglas Fairbanks and Ethel Barrymore, cowboy-humorist Will Rogers, and W.C. Handy, the “Father of the Blues.”

It presented vaudeville shows and lectures, and Floyd Ward, who taught generations of Lynchburg children to dance, held her annual revues at the Academy. The theater also screened silent movies and, starting in the late 1920s, “talkies.”

Because the Academy operated at the height of the Jim Crow era, though, African Americans had to enjoy these events from nearly atop the rafters. African Americans entered through a side door and sat in a segregated balcony.

It was from a tiny booth outside this balcony that a woman named Lottie Payne Stratton made Saturday mornings magical for many of Lynchburg’s African American children.

For 30 years, Stratton, an African American herself, was the cashier for the segregated balcony. Somewhere along the way, she started letting children in for free. Stratton, who the neighborhood kids called “Ms. Boonie,” didn’t have children of her own.

Perhaps it was kindness and a mothering instinct that led her to smuggle children into the theater. Perhaps it was civil disobedience. Regardless of the reason, when restoration of the Academy’s historic theater began in earnest a few years ago, Stratton’s ticket booth was preserved as a sacred space.

“Everyone knew that it was a special part of the Academy’s history,” lead architect Amanda Adams, of local architecture firm CJMW, said. “It’s rare for it to be intact. Most of that [sort of thing] disappears as theaters evolve.”

The Academy’s opening week of events celebrated the full integration of the theater. It started with a sold-out concert, featuring gospel legend Mavis Staples, blues artist Devon Gilfillian, and the Diamond Hill Baptist Church choirs. It concluded with a black-tie affair with Wynton Marsalis.

Also, awards also were given to people who had contributed to Lynchburg’s art and culture scene. One was named for Stratton, who passed away in 1965.

The Phoenix
After the theater closed its doors in 1958, there were numerous attempts to save it. In the 1960s, the Friends of the Academy of Music saved it from the wrecking ball.

In 1969, it became the first structure in Lynchburg to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The hope was that the designation would make the Academy eligible for federal grants and lead to its restoration.

Still, it remained dormant.

In the 1990s, after a windstorm destroyed the theater’s fly tower, there was another surge of activity. Geoff Kershner, executive director of the Academy Center of the Arts since 2015, remembers visiting the Academy with his father around that time.

“My father was involved in some of the early efforts to save the theater,” Kershner said. “He’d gone there to see the theater with a couple of other community members. He took me along because he thought it would be interesting to see.

“I remember going in with him. I don’t remember how old I was. We went in with flashlights. It’s a little surreal. As a kid, it was interesting and clearly stayed in my memory, but I had no clue as to how much it would be attached to my adult life.”

In the early 2000s, after what remained of the Academy of Music organization combined with Lynchburg’s Fine Arts Center, a restoration effort started to gain momentum. “There was a leadership team, community leaders and philanthropists who had really, behind the scenes, made a decision to push this rock up the hill,” Kershner said.

“They committed a fairly large amount of money, but that triggered the city having a belief that it was worth investing city funds as well. Then the city came in, along with the Economic Development Authority. … That was really a tipping point, along with a grassroots effort.”

When the Academy restoration was complete, Potter was one of the first people to see it. “[We] went down for the soft opening for those of us who had contributed, and dreams really do come true,” he said.

“It’s just amazing, more beautiful than I remembered it. It was like going into a theater in Vienna. It’s very Beaux-Arts. It’s like stepping back into 1912. It’s gorgeous. It’s just amazing…

Dreams really do come true.”

These images are a part of Eye for Ebony, a collection of African American stock photos created by Lynchburg entrepreneur LaShonda Delivuk. As the owner of a marketing business, she saw a need for more diversity in stock photos and took action. Since creating Eye for Ebony, her photos have been viewed over 30 million times, with this photo of a mother and daughter becoming a global favorite.

Learn more at eyeforebony.com.

Photos by LaShonda Delivuk