The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
STOCK UP Three gifts for Father’s Day and beyond
This is the year to give your dad something different — something for him and the kids, something for him and the dog, something for him when he’s ready to put up his feet and relax.
Kids baking kit from Baketivity
This has been a great time to cultivate a love of baking in both parents and kids. We think your dad would enjoy a baking kit from Baketivity, an easy, tasty alternative to gathering recipes and ingredients. Order a kit (or subscribe for monthly delivery) and everything comes to your door. We got our hands on the bagel kit, then gave it to a neighboring dad and almost-5year-old to try out. The report? The kit had everything they needed, and the instructions were easy to follow. The almost-5year-old was able to help with every step except pulling the hot bagels out of the oven, and his favorite part was kneading the dough. Most importantly, they were impressed with the taste of the bagel, and so were we! There are more than a dozen kits, ranging from cinnamon buns to bug cupcakes, and, in addition to all the ingredients and instructions, each kit comes
Big Daddy Dirty Dog Soap
Socks for dad? No, soap! Yes, soap. We love Big Daddy Dirty Dog Soap. Lauren Janis created this soap as a great smelling way to protect your dogs from fleas, but we find it makes great gardening soap, kitchen soap and just all-around soap. Dad can use it to wash the dog, and he can use it on himself. It’s full of eucalyptus,
Nachtmann punk tumbler collection
Is your dad ready to spruce up his glassware collection? “Punk” is not a fashion statement we usually make, but we think these studded cocktail glasses from Nachtmann are more elegant than trendy. The “studs” decorating the outside of these heavy crystal tumblers will make these glasses stand out from other barware, and they also perform the very important of function of making the glasses easy to hold onto. The tumblers come in five colors: clear, black, ruby, copper and gun metal. The collection with an activity book, a game, a hat and an apron. The kits are suitable for all dads, as well as kids ages 3 to 10.
$29.95 to $32.95 per kit. Available at baketivity.com.
citronella, lavender, peppermint, lemongrass and tea tree oils. It lathers perfectly, smells delicious, and all those oils make it just as safe on Dad’s skin as it is on his beloved pet. We think you need a bar at every sink and bathtub.
$7.50 per 4.5-ounce bar. Available at the Saturday morning Marietta Square Farmers Market or at bigdaddybiscuits.com. also includes decanters and two other glass shapes — cocktail (a sort of shortstemmed martini glass) and long drink (like a Collins glass). Nachtmann was founded in Bavaria in 1834, and is part of Riedel Crystal. The punk collection is part of their NextGen project, featuring the work of young designers. So, your dad gets beautiful crystal, and you support the work of the next generation of designers.
$49 for a set of four clear tumblers. Clear tumblers available at Bloomingdale’s at Lenox Square. Clear tumblers in a four-pack and other colors available for $29.90 per tumbler at riedel.com/en-us/shop?filter_ brand=NACHTMANN&filter_ collection=/punk. For more information: nachtmann. com/en/home.
Joan Rockwell, 74. From 170 pounds to 137 pounds
By Michelle C. Brooks
Former weight: pounds
Current weight: pounds
Pounds lost: 33 pounds
Height: 5 feet 4 inches
Age: 74 years
How long she’s kept it off: She started Jan. 1 and reached her current weight this month.
Personal life: “I’m a retired health and physical education teacher. I worked with Marietta City Schools for 26 years,” Rockwell said. “… Three years ago, my husband died, and we had been married for 48 years. We have two children, a son and a daughter, and five wonderful grandchildren. Since retiring nine years ago, I’ve been taking art lessons, and I also teach beginning acrylics to a group of seniors in Marietta. Although I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma 17 years ago, I have never had any treatment or further symptoms. Somehow, I think that my exercising and healthy eating has attributed to this spontaneous remission, even though my weight was higher than ideal.”
Turning point: “I’ve always been active and at the gym about four times a week. Quite often my choices in food and portion control were not what they should be. Like so many others, I had lost weight previously but would return to my old habits and gain a lot of it back,” Rockwell said. “… In November, I saw a Facebook posting of a new session of Sparkle Wellness, with wellness coach Jacynta Harb, that was starting in January. I decided it was time to take the plunge and commit to doing it right this time.”
Diet plan: “I’ve always had a sweet tooth and really enjoyed my desserts,” Rockwell said. “However, since joining Sparkle and (separate from Sparkle) reading Dr. Mark Hyman’s book, ‘Food: What the Heck Should I Eat?’ 170 137
I’ve eliminated sugar, processed foods and white stuff — and I don’t even miss any of it.”
Exercise routine: “My sister and I always did all of the Down and Dirty Mud Runs and Warrior Dashes for about five years. I was a runner for years and even completed in two marathons in one year,” Rockwell said. “Unfortunately, I ended up having three total knee replacements. … Four years ago, I had both knees replaced, but I can still walk and hike with no pain.” She walks at least 6 miles daily with a goal of 25,000 steps.
Biggest challenge: “Portion control is one of my struggles,” Rockwell said. “It’s easy to forget that the sugar and calories in fruit are still calories that add up quickly. Also, getting all of my water requirements in and giving up late-night snacking are still challenging.”
How life has changed: “I’ve noticed such a difference in my energy and stamina. … My increased endurance has given me the incentive to go for 10 miles on my birthday in June,” Rockwell said. “… I know that this is not a one-time project, but a journey and a way of life.”
Share Your Success:
Each week, Success Stories focuses on an individual’s unique weight loss journey. The Atlanta JournalConstitution does not endorse any specific weight loss program but includes names and links for the benefit of readers who want further information. Have you lost weight successfully with a healthy lifestyle change? If you would like to share your story with our readers, please include your email address, phone number, and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG), and contact us at: Success Stories, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or email Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail. com.