Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog is about ALL types of things! Join children’s book author, creative writer, blogger and podcaster, Alison Paul Klakowicz, on her journey to inspire! By way of guest interviews, travel, food, books, all things North Carolina, life as a military spouse and more!
I hope you all are safe, healthy and happy! I’m so excited to share this video of my son’s former First Grade Teacher, Ms. Moylan, read aloud Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck on YouTube ❤️!!!
Take a trip today with Ms. Moylan through the pages of my awesome children’s travel and adventure picture book 📚!
Go here 👉😍: https://youtu.be/0Ev49Ge5-jE
Interested in purchasing your very own copy for your home library? Look here👉: http://www.alisonpaulklakowicz.com
Fayetteville, NC-
Jeremy Fiebig is the son of a preacher man who grew up in Missouri following in his father’s footsteps of an inherent love of the performing arts.
Jeremy and I recently spoke on Hodge Podge Podcast about his life devoted to the performing arts.
We talk everything from sweet tea, Shakespeare and life as a theater arts professor at Fayetteville State University.
He gives the 411 on what’s coming to the stage of Sweet Tea Shakespeare— Fayetteville, North Carolina’s beloved and wonderfully talented theater group— and their new podcast on Anchor (which is AMAZING)!
https://www.facebook.com/sweetteashakes/
http://www.sweetteashakespeare.com/
The Sweet Tea Shakespeare Hours Podcast: https://anchor.fm/sweetteashakes
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Never have I experienced a place like Seth’s Wish in my forty plus years.
When you enter through the door you are immediately affected by the buzz of energy, genuine care, concern and love that envelops this humble organization.
It is filled with…
Warmth,
Kindness,
Laughter,
Respect,
And MAGIC.
I recently spent a couple of hours volunteering with this amazing organization and was overcome by the respect and attentiveness given to each individual who walked through the door.
Seth’s Wish started in 2014 when Seth Wofford (Lindsey and Noah Wofford’s son), then age 9, met a man named Steve who lived behind his school whom the family visited for months, and carried on countless conversations. Seth made a wish to be able to help Steve and others like him.
Seth’s Wish earned a 501(c)3 status in October 2015 and its founders along with managing director Stacy Graybill along with volunteers have been working hard to carry out their vision.
Unfortunatly, Steve— the inspiration behind the agency— passed away in 2017, but the organization continues to serve others in honor of him, and the impact he had on Seth’s heart.
The organization strives to create an inclusive community for individuals facing homelessness, poverty and food insecurity by providing basic needs such as delicious hot meals, hygiene needs, clothing and so much more in order to help these individuals thrive.
During my time volunteering, I spent some time talking with folks who frequent Seth’s Wish. The overall mindset was that they would be lost without this safe haven.
I just want to thank each indie bookstore, Barnes and Noble, school, library and other venue that has allowed me to visit for story-time and author events.
It is so crucial for authors to receive this exposure and welcome. I have worked extremely hard to cultivate an educational, fun and engaging program.
I would be so grateful to anyone out there with a young child, grandchild or elementary school aged child who would like for me to visit their school, local bookstore, library or other family friendly venue to reach out to me or the venue and request me to visit!!!
This would help me so much and I would be forever in your debt— and THANKFUL.
http://www.alisonpaulklakowicz.com
Thanks Kindly,
Alison Paul Klakowicz
Guiding Wellness Institute
Fayetteville, NC–
Did you say—
Yoga✅
Brunch✅
AND,
Bookclub✅???
Say no more, I’m there!
What better way to spend a day than in mindful reflection!?
Caring for your body and soul, eating delicious food and drinking blissful adult beverages while discussing thought provoking literature surrounded by fabulous company— AND in a beautiful setting?
That pretty much sums up the experience I had last weekend at Guiding Wellness Institute.
The holistic wellness center is masterful in curating monthly events that incorporate wellness practices into perfect weekend outings appealing to the young and old, single or betrothed, hardcore yogi or novice.
All are welcome!
AND all will enjoy!
I attended the Yoga, Brunch and Bookclub this past Sunday which fell on Valentines weekend and made for a fabulous Galentines outing!
A 60 minute gentle flow vinyasa yoga class was taught by GWI CEO Kelsey Timas. The lantern lit studio paired with beautiful acoustic music playing in the background and Kelsy’s fluid class instruction kept each student engaged and made for a perfect yoga experience.
Following yoga, guests were treated to a gorgeous brunch prepared by Brittany Moore, GWI Holistic Wellness Coach.
During our brunch, attendees engaged in an enlightening conversation regarding the Bookclub pick—Elizabeth Gilbert’s novel Eat, Pray, Love. It was lovely to reflect on a book focused on self-awareness, self-acceptance, self-growth and self-healing.
Overall the experience was wonderful and although most of those who attended the event met as strangers, I feel confident that we left as friends.
Mark your calendars for the next Yoga, Brunch and Bookclub May 3, 2020 from 11am-2pm.
For more information, go here: http://guidingwellness.com/
– Alison Paul Klakowicz
Creator and Host of Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog
Author of the award-winning children’s travel and adventure picture book, Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck
Kelsy Timas is guiding the military community to wellness— one soldier, one military spouse, one veteran at a time. Civilians are welcome to join the journey as well.
With 20 years experience in the health and wellness field, she has developed an entirely holistic establishment dedicated to healing individuals from the inside out.
I recently received the opportunity to visit Guiding Wellness Institute in Fayetteville, North Carolina to talk with Kelsy about her mission and passion which pours from every inch of her business.
The center offers services ranging from yoga, therapeutic massage, facial treatments, acupuncture, holistic life coaching, wellness and nutrition consultations onto educational courses to include yoga teacher trainings.
In addition, Guiding Wellness Institute provides Warriors At Ease programs which support health and healing of service members, veterans, military spouses and their families through yoga and meditation. The program was first developed in 2006 in partnership with Department of Defense-funded research at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Through the programs success, a teacher training curriculum was developed to meet the growing demand of specially-trained instructors to share the benefits of WAE to the military community. WAE has grown to a network of 750 plus teachers worldwide who serve warriors and their families in the United States and abroad.
One of the most unique features offered at the institute are FREE (yes, you read that right… FREE) yoga classes provided weekly on Wednesday (6:30-7:30pm), Thursday (6:30-7:30pm) and Friday (9:15a-10:30am) for all active & retired military to include military spouses and their family members.
Scroll further to read about my personal experience at Guiding Wellness Institute.
Spa Wellness Experience
During my visit to Guiding Wellness Institute, I had the privilege of trying out some of the wonderful services it offers.
Upon entrance of the building I was instantly put at ease, felt welcome and secure as if somewhat familial. There is a great focus on creating a place where people instantly feel at home which I can wholeheartedly attest to.
I was first given a tour of the facility by Guiding Wellness Center Holistic Health Coach, Brittany Moore whose passion is true wellness starting with what an individual feeds their mind and bodies.
Brittany pointed out that healthy refreshments are offered to guests in the beautiful kitchen and bar space that overlooks the serene outdoor garden. Nutrition classes are offered in this space as well, she said.
Next we toured the vast and tidy fitness area where a myriad of holistic wellness fitness classes are offered Monday through Friday as well as special events held on weekends.
Last we toured the center’s massage and floatation therapy rooms that provide guests a perfect spa atmosphere.
My Personal Spa Experience
My first service was a traditional full-body massage provided by Coral Esparza, Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist. Coral provides great care in her work coupled with clinical knowledge and a solid background in massage therapy.
I suffer from aches and pains associated with sciatica- and most recently tendinitis in my right arm. Coral knew exactly where to focus deep tissue massage to my aching muscles and joints to provide relief. She was professional and kind as well as careful to make my experience holistically balanced, extremely pleasant and relaxing.
I highly recommend her for massage for anyone struggling with chronic pain issues.
Following the massage, it was suggested I try Floatation Therapy which is becoming a popular antidote in holistic wellness. I had not yet experienced floatation therapy and was extremely excited to try out this treatment.
If you are not familiar with floatation therapy, it is a healing treatment using sensory deprivation to heal your physical body, mental and emotional health as well as enhance spiritual growth.
The institute dons a custom-designed float suite which contains a luxury shower, along with a tranquil, large tub much like an oversized bath filled with soothing warm water filled with a thousand pounds of salt. You enter through a beautiful private dressing area that allows for spacious privacy.
Brittany set my mind at ease with the process of my float by explaining in detail the steps I would take to make my experience purposeful and successful. I was a bit nervous in not knowing what exactly to expect so her instruction and care was much appreciated. However, I grew up on the coast so my soul longs for salt water and I embraced the chance to reconnect with my beginnings while allowing my body and mind to succumb to this new experience.
Once Brittany ensured I was ready to begin my float, she left me in the suite where I changed into my bathing suit (which is required by law for the float bath). I rinsed off in the shower beforehand as you would do in any public pool area. I then entered the bath where I stepped into the most luxurious warm water. I allowed myself a moment to become familiar with my surroundings then placed the small floatation pillow provided to me behind my head and allowed my body to submerge in the water.
Effortlessly, my body floated to a natural state atop the water. The weightless feeling was utterly wonderful and I felt instant relief. For people like myself who have a difficult time of letting go of the need to be in control, this experience might be an adjustment. But for me it was a welcomed change of pace.
As I eased into my new state of body and mind, relaxing music played for a few moments. But as Brittany forewarned previously, the music began to fade as did the lighting and the bath became dark as is recommended to receive the full sensory deprivation therapy experience.
There is a button along the wall where guests can lightly touch to turn a dim light on if they need to do so. I will admit I chose at one point to turn the light back on to put myself at bit more at ease with my surroundings, but I then relaxed, closed my eyes and focused on the beauty of the moment.
I will definitely try floatation therapy again as I reaped the benefits and felt utterly relaxed and renewed following my visit.
I hope everyone has the opportunity to try this therapy treatment at some point whether for chronic pain, mental and emotional health or just to have a break from your hectic life schedule and routine.
It is a divine experience.
To learn more about how you can benefit from the services Guiding Wellness Institute provides, go here: https://guidingwellness.com/
Link to Podcast Episode with Kelsy Timas on Hodge Podge: https://anchor.fm/jalisonpaulyahoocom/episodes/Kelsy-Timas–Guiding-Wellness-To-the-Military-Community-eamm03
Or follow GWI on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GuidingWellnessInstitute/?fref=ts
– Alison Paul Klakowicz
Host and Creator of Hodge Podge Podcast & Blog
Author of Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck
http://www.alisonpaulklakowicz.com
Alison Paul Klakowicz is an Eastern North Carolina native, children’s book author, freelance writer, blogger, podcaster and creative writer. She is a military spouse who resides in Fayetteville, NC with her husband, Adam, and son, Mak.
An excerpt of a wonderful review by Carolina Country Magazine:
“In this colorfully illustrated book, readers join a mother and son on adventures around town, on a cross-country road trip—even abroad, imagining what the world would look like from the high perch of a monster truck.”
— Read on www.carolinacountry.com/carolina-stories/tar-heel-lessons/a-good-read-mommy-s-big-red-monster-truck
