Flaire 1214

e r i a l F January 2015

for women

r a e Y New u o Y New Vol. 10 - issue 1

2 January 2015

flaire FOR WOMEN

Saint Anthony’s Health Center is proud to join OSF HealthCare The great thing about families? They help each other. The bigger the family the more the support. That’s why we’re thrilled to join the OSF HealthCare Catholic Ministry. That means the caregivers you’ve trusted for almost 90 years are now joined by a care network of nine other hospitals and more than 700 physicians in locations across Illinois. All of us working together to transform health care in Alton and beyond. Learn how our new OSF affiliation benefits you at NewSaintAnthonys.org.

Formerly Saint Anthony’s Health Center

Did you know?

Thousands of people congregate in Times Square every year to watch the ball drop on New Year’s Eve. Millions more around the world watch the event on television. This world famous tradition dates back to 1904, when the New York Times relocated to what was then known as Longacre Square. The paper convinced the city to rename the area in its honor, and the area was soon deemed “Times Square.” At the end of his newspaper’s first year in its new location, Times owner Adolph Ochs held a large bash, complete with fireworks and other festivities. The party became a year-end tradition. But a few years later fireworks were banned by city officials, so the Times had to come up with another spectacle for its party.

They hired Jacob Starr to build a wood-and-iron ball that weighed 700 pounds and was illuminated with 100 25-watt light bulbs. Sign maker Artkraft Strauss was responsible for lowering the ball, which slowly descended from a special flagpole at midnight on New Year’s Eve, marking the beginning of the ball-dropping tradition. The Times Square illuminated ball was lowered almost every year since then, except in observance of wartime blackouts in 1942 and 1943. This iconic New Year’s symbol has been redesigned seven times through the years.

The ball is now 12 feet in diameter and weighs nearly 12,000 pounds — about the same as four compact cars combined. The ball is covered in 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles that vary in size and is illuminated by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDs. The Times Square ball is capable of producing a palette of more than 16 million vibrant colors and billions of patterns and now stands as a permanent fixture atop One Times Square.

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January 2015 3

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A Note from the editor

4 January 2015

flaire FOR WOMEN

Cynthia M. Ellis It’s the start of new year and the time the majority of us will make a resolution. The No. 1 promise most people make is to lose weight.

I have never been a fan of this particular resolution. Not because I don’t think it’s a good one, but I feel many people set themselves up for failure before they even start. I think they focus on weight loss rather than actually getting fit.

As many of you know I’ve been on a mission the past few years to get fit. I’ve lost weight, not because that was my goal, but because I started a workout routine and changed my eating habits. I made lifestyle changes that worked and I began to shed weight as a part of that process.

I’m comfortable with who I am. It’s taken me a long time to get here, but I also want to live a long life and to do so I know I need to be and stay healthy. I’ve fallen out of my workout routine and now is the perfect time to jumpstart my routine again.

I have always set small goals for myself. It goes back to when I was in the U.S. Army and we had PT tests. I would chart my number of push-ups, sit ups and run time each week and I would watch those numbers improve.

When I enlisted I was fortunate to get accepted to Jump School, however by the time I got to A.I.T. school (Advanced Training) I felt I wouldn’t be able complete the run in the time required so I chose not to go. It’s a decision I wish I had waited to make, because by the time I graduated my run times has significantly improved.

Why? Encouragement. Not only was I around soldiers who set the same types of goals, I had a drill sergeant who wanted to see me succeed as well.

Unlike basic training where you are broken down to be built back up, A.I.T. was a place where you were challenged to continue to be your best.

I’ve always been someone who makes lists - to do, grocery, weekly plans, etc. I feel by creating a list or in the terms of getting fit, goals, I can cross the items off. I can actually set small goals and feel I’ve made an accomplishment. Someone recently told me “just do it, goals are fine, but just get out there and do it.”

I can agree with half that statement. Only because not every plan works the same for everyone.

Of course I would like to just get out there and “just do it!” It doesn’t always work that way for me, or people like me. I feel goals are good and will help me achieve the end result. I also feel that encouragement is a key step as well. It’s helped me in the past and I know it’s what will help me in the future.

This year I am setting small resolutions on the path to getting and staying fit, will you join me? Let me know your goals and what you’re doing to succeed at cynsationalgirl@icloud.com.

— Cynthia

e r i a l F

flaire: A natural talent or aptitude; a knack; instinctive discernment; keenness; distinctive elegance or style

f L a i R e i S a S U P P L e M e n T To T h e T e L e g R a P h

W h aT ’ S i n S i D e

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6

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

COVER STORY

new Year, new You

12 16

Style Sense get fit, Stay Stylish

EDITOR/SENIOR WRITER

Basic Beauty

cynthia M. ellis cynmell@hotmail.com

hydration

22

Bob Strickley (618) 208-6446

Recipe all about family

On the Cover

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Bonnie Markham (618) 208-6427

INSIDE

12 Get Fit Stay Stylish

Susie Sweetman with Nautilus Fitness Center in Alton Cynthia Ellis | Flaire Magazine

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By CYNTHIA M. ELLIS

6 January 2015

flaire FOR WOMEN

O

New Year, New You

nce again it’s the start of a new year, so you make a plan for a new you. This year make a promise to take charge of your health.

The No. 1 New Year’s Resolution is to lose weight. Most people who make this pledge do so with the best intentions. They want to look great, but what if you simply shifted the way you go about it in order to reach your goal rather than give up after a month.

Susie Sweetman with Nautilus Fitness Center in Alton said resolutions are great, but the reality is the more radical a person’s plan to drop weight the more likelihood the person will drop their plan.

“Set small goals,” Susie said.

“Don’t overwhelm yourself.”

Susie said that fact that people make a resolution shows that they want change, however it’s all about changing your lifestyle in order to meet that goal.

“Everyone needs to find their place and be happy,” she said.

“Women need to choose a plan that suits their needs.”

She said people come in all different shapes and sizes, no one woman is expected to look the same and no exercise or weight loss plan will be the same.

“What works for one woman

may not work for another,” she said.

Susie, who’s worked as a fitness instructor and private trainer for the past decade, said women should look at their lifestyle and make a plan that will work best for them. She said age is a big factor with women and weight loss as well.

“As we age there are changes in our metabolism and its battle to keep the weight off,” she said.

“To fight against is you just need to move.”

She said one misconception women have about weight loss is the need to starve themselves.

“By all means if you need a jump start to losing weight, then find a plan that works for you like Weight Watchers or Take Shape For Life,” Susie said.

She said at some point an exercise plan should become part a person’s lifestyle change.

“If you’re wanting to lose weight, you really need to make an overall lifestyle change,” she said.

She said start small by changing your eating habits and then work on the type of exercise you feel will be best for you.

“Hire a personal trainer who will help you work on an exercise plan,” she said.

Susie said she believes more women should do strength train-

ing. She said many women miss out on the benefits of strength training out of fear of developing bulging muscles.

According to the Women’s Heart Foundation, high levels of estrogen make it very difficult for women to become overly muscular. When women lift weights, the changes to their muscles are generally related to tone, strength, and endurance rather than size. The resulting look is firm, feminine toning— not bulky masculine muscles.

“It’s another misconception,” she said. “As women age they need resistance to their body.

Let a trainer to teach you how to do it correctly.”

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, only 20 percent of women practice strength training weekly. Pumping iron just twice a week can reduce overall body fat by 3 percent in 10 weeks.

Susie said that strength training is key component to overall health.

As a way to assist people with their “resolution” to get fit, Nautilus Fitness Center will hold a “Biggest Loser” weight loss challenge.

Susie said that registration for the 12-week challenge will start at 5 p.m. Jan. 8. The event will include a health screening,

along with presentations by Dr. D’Andrienne Jones, Dr. Frank Bemis, Dr. Katie Drake and OSF/ Saint Anthony’s Health Center.

There contest can have teams or individuals and will include cash prizes. To register or to find out more information call 618466-9115.

Susie said that weight loss challenges offer motivation, support and a little friendly competition.

“It makes getting fit fun,” she said.

Tips for getting it right n Be specific about your goal. n Saying that you want to lose weight is way too general. Set specific goals, like you want to lose 5 to 10 pounds. n Set a realistic goal. n Make sure you set something achievable and sustainable. n Establish a plan to reach your goal. n Say things like I’m going to exercise four times a week, and I’m going to eat smaller portions. n Set a time frame to reach your goal. n Thirty days is a manageable goal to start with, and then go from there.

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e r i a l F calendar

8 January 2015

flaire FOR WOMEN

Jan. 3

Alton-Audubon Eagle Festival 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Alton Visitors Center 200 Piasa Street, Alton Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Eagle Shuttle Tours 10:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Alton Visitors Center 200 Piasa Street, Alton

Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Jan. 4, 10 -11, 17, 24-25 , 31

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Alton Visitors Center 200 Piasa Street, Alton

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Audubon Center at Riverlands 301 Riverlands Way, West Alton, Mo.

Jan. 3-4, 10 -11, 17-18, 24-25, 31

Jan. 8 – 9, 16 -17, 26, 28, 30

Live American Bald Eagle Meet and Greet

Live Bald Eagles at Treehouse Wildlife Center

10 a.m.to 2 p.m.

23956 Green Acres Road, Dow Dow

Audubon Center “Birds of Winter”

Bald Eagle Days at Pere Marquette Starts at 8:30 a.m.

Jan. 31

Native American Tribute to the Back Eagle

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lewis & Clark Confluence 435 Confluence Tower Drive Hartford, IL Also be sure to dine out during the 4th Annual Alton - Grafton Restaurant Week. Many of the locally owned restaurants along the Byway will come together to offer diners a taste of some of their best menu items starting the week of Jan. 16.

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January 2015 9

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Top resolutions

10 January 2015

flaire FOR WOMEN

New Year’s Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, looking forward to the coming year. It’s a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes.

Millions of people around the world make New Year’s Resolutions, here are a few of the top ones people make:

* Lose Weight * Eat healthier * Get Fit * Get Organized * Drink less alcohol * Stop smoking * Save money * Manage debt * Take a trip * Volunteer to help others * Manage stress * Learn a new skill (cooking, sewing, knitting, painting) * Take up a hobby * Travel more * Go to church more often * Spend less time at work * Spend more time with loved ones * Spend more time outdoors * Spend less time on social media and being more social

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12 January 2015

flaire FOR WOMEN

The right exercise clothes can improve your workout — and your attitude.

You don’t have to wait until you’re fit to look good while working out. In fact, experts say, what you wear to the gym can go a long way toward helping you stay motivated and confident — and can even improve your workout performance.

Putting on a flattering outfit motivates people to actually go to the gym or to exercise outdoors in public.

- CYNTHIA M. ELLIS

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The origin of Baby New Year People from around the world celebrate to mark the arrival of the new year. One New Year tradition that has survived through the centuries is that of Baby New Year and its image of a toddler wearing only a diaper, sash and top hat.

Baby New Year can be traced to 600 B.C. in Greece and Egypt. Historians note that Greeks believed Dionysus, their God of fertility and wine, was reborn every New Year as a spirit of fertility and luck.

Greeks would celebrate with parades featuring a baby in a cradle to represent the birth of Dionysus.

Ancient Egyptians used a baby as a symbol to represent rebirth as well. The child symbolized the birth of the new year and the passing of the old one.

Over the years, the tradition of Baby New Year has taken on another meaning as well. Some people believe the baby begins as an infant in January and then quickly ages

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January 2015 15

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until he is elderly at the end of December. Some stories even suggest Baby New Year ages until he becomes Father Time.

Early Christians did not like the tradition of Baby New Year, feeling it was a pagan celebration.

However, the Church eventually revised its standing when it saw how much people stood behind the imagery of a baby representing rebirth. The Christian Church allowed members to celebrate the new year with a baby, and it was believed the practice symbolized the birth and hope offered by baby Jesus.

Baby New Year symbolism has even been used for marketing purposes. Retailers realized the cherubic image would attract consumers, which is why it is now used to promote New Year’s sales.

But Baby New Year is more than just a successful marketing tool. Each year, many cities and villages name their own Baby New Year, which is the first child born on January 1. Some attempts to name a Baby New Year for an entire country have been made, but there have been no official pronouncements, as so many children have been born around midnight on New Year’s Eve that it has been too close to call which baby arrived first.

BasicBeauty

16 January 2015

flaire FOR WOMEN

HYDRATION We’ve heard it many times - drinking water is good for you. The world’s best beautifier comes right out of your tap.

However, besides drinking plenty of H2O, regular exercise is another key to healthy skin. We often tend to focus on the cardiovascular benefits of physical activity, but the increase of blood flow also helps keep your skin healthy and vibrant.

Dermatologist and author of Simple Skin Beauty: Every Woman’s Guide to a Lifetime of Healthy, Gorgeous Skin, Dr. Ellen Marmur says “blood carries oxygen and nutrients to working cells throughout the body, including the skin and by increasing blood flow, a bout of exercise helps flush cellular debris out of the system.”

“You can think of it as cleansing your skin from the inside,” Marmur says.

She says blood flow helps carry away waste products, including free radicals, from working cells.

“Contrary to popular claims, exercise doesn’t detoxify the skin,” she says. “The job of neutralizing toxins belongs mostly to the liver.”

Besides staying hydrated during exercise, also make sure you protect your skin from sun exposure when outside and from chafing.

Make sure to wear sunscreen, and wear the waterproof so that way when you do sweat it will take longer to wear off.

Chafing is a skin problem that arises with increased perspiration and tight-fitting workout clothes that causes rashes. The key to prevention is to wear moisture-wicking clothing and to keep the skin dry and cool and shower after exercising.

Also another way to keep your skin appearing great is to make sure your skin is clean before you workout to prevent clogged pores and to avoid wearing makeup.

Working out also gives your skin a radiant glow, reduces wrinkles, provides acne relief and healthier hair.

- CYNTHIA M. ELLIS

RUCTION.

ait.

N

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DAVID BAUDER AP Television Writer

18 January 2015

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NBC Universal launches fitness digital network NEW YORK — NBC Universal on Tuesday launched Radius, a digital fitness network that will allow people to work out with trainers on their smartphones or tablets.

Radius promises the ability to personalize workout regimens and to tie into a consumer’s wearable fitness device.

It’s also a subscription service of video on demand content that NBC Universal hopes will tap into the lucrative market of workout DVDs, said Nick Lehman, the company’s president of entertainment and digital networks.

A sample of its workout programming will air from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Eastern on cable’s NBC Sports Network.

Consumers will be able to follow video of workouts in many disciplines, includ-

ing kickboxing, spin or boot camp. Workouts will be available in various intensities, from beginner to regimes followed by some professional athletes.

Radius will give a national platform to five young trainers it hopes to turn into “fitness rock stars”: Basheerah Ahmad, Nicky Holender, Keoni Hudoba, Alex Isaly and Natalie Uhling.

“We think there’s just been an explosion of innovation in the fitness area overall and there hasn’t been a media brand that can serve as a national platform to capture that innovation,” Lehman said.

Subscribers will be able to see the content on Internet-connected televisions, and NBC Universal owner Comcast is making Radius available on TV

screens at homes connected to its service, Lehman said.

Radius will also offer information on nutrition, fitness technology and style.

It is being offered initially for a $9.99 monthly subscription.

Radius joins other digital sites owned

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Study proves high heels do have power over men THOMAS ADAMSON

ated with imperial power and popularized as erotic in the 19th and 20th centuries. Such was the allure that a person with status or PARIS — The well-heeled Marilyn Monroe wealth became referred to as “well-heeled.” reportedly once said if you give a girl the This study shows this allure is very much right shoes, she can conquer the world. alive.

The allure of high-heeled shoes is no “Though it’s a relatively small cross-secsecret among women, who have used them tion, this study is very significant since the to entice men from the streets of Ancient results are clear and consistent,” said ParisRome to the New York City sidewalks of based sociologist Jean-Claude Kaufmann, Carrie Bradshaw. Heels have also been a who was not involved in the study. “In a controversial symbol in the battleground relation of seduction, men are very attracted of sexual politics. by a woman in heels as she looks taller, more Now a scientific study in France has sexually confident, sure of herself, with a measured their power. lengthened silhouette and sensual jutting Scientists from the Universite de buttocks.”

Bretagne-Sud conducted experiments Gueguen’s study had 19-year-old female that showed that men behave very volunteers wearing black shoes with heels differently toward high-heeled women. that were 0.5cm (0.2 inches) or 5cm (2 The results, published online in the inches) or 9cm (3 1/2 inches) high. Then journal “Archives of Sexual Behaviour,” they asked men between the ages of 25-50 may please the purveyors of Christian for help in various circumstances.

Louboutin or Jimmy Choo shoes — yet One situation involved a woman asking frustrate those who think stilettos enpassers-by: “Excuse me, sir. We are currently courage sexism. conducting a survey on gender equality.

The study found if a woman drops a Would you agree to answer our questionglove on the street while wearing heels, naire?”

Flat heels got a 46.7% answer rate, she’s almost 50 percent more likely to medium heels a 63% rate and the highest have a man fetch it for her than if she’s heels a whopping 83% success rate from the wearing flats. men.

Another finding: A woman wearing heels is Nowadays, the most fashionable heels on twice as likely to persuade men to stop and the runways and in nightclubs are higher still answer survey questions on the street. And — with spiked heels commonly measuring a high-heeled woman in a bar waits half the 10 cm (4 inches) and extreme heels, dangertime to get picked up by a man, compared to ously, above 13 cm (5 inches). when her heel is nearer to the ground.

Medically, high heels can cause back pain “Women’s shoe heel size exerts a powerful and increase the risk of ankle injuries. Proeffect on men’s behavior,” says the study’s longed heel wearing can even permanently author, Nicolas Gueguen, a behavioral scishorten calf tendons. ence researcher. “Simply put, they make And in social terms, women’s rights women more beautiful.” advocates have objected to high heels, sayRaised shoes have an unglamorous beginning: worn first by Egyptian butchers, ing they reinforce a misogynist stereotype: women as sex objects to be ogled by men. who donned platforms to avoid treading in “If a woman … never takes off her highbloody offal.

But on women as “signifiers of femininity,” heeled shoes, how will she ever know how far she could walk or how fast she could run?” raised shoes initially appeared in Ancient famed feminist and flats-wearer Germaine Greece and Rome, according to Elizabeth Greer, author of “The Female Eunuch,” once Semmelhack of The Bata Shoe Museum. In asked.

Rome, where the sex trade was legal, high Those who disagree note that high heels heels helped clients identify prostitutes in have other uses. crowds.

“Heels don’t subordinate women — they Although high heels were worn for centuempower them in romance,” said Kaufmann. ries in the Ottoman Empire and in Persia for “The important thing to remember in seduchorseback riding, they only minced into the tion is that it’s all a game.”

West in the 1500s, when they were associ-

20 January 2015

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All about family Story & photos

by VICKI BENNINGTON

Spending time in the kitchen has always been a favorite pastime for Maryann.

22 January 2015

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Alton woman relishes cooking, memories Now a broker associate with RE/MAX River Bend, Maryann Kelley worked at her father’s law office for more than 20 years, starting as a junior in high school answering phones, with progressively increasing responsibility and knowledge added through the years.

She earned a degree in communications with a minor in English from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and though she considered teaching, she continued to work in the law office. Having dealt with the legal end of real estate contracts, she thought becoming a realtor was a good fit after her dad retired.

She wasn’t wrong. She has had a successful second career since 2010 that also fits with her family’s busy lifestyle.

Her training in cooking and household chores started much earlier.

“My parents are amazing.

They had it all figured out,” Maryann said.

One of seven children, from around 5 or 6 years of age, Maryann and her six siblings were assigned chores and “kitchen duty,” when they worked as the evening meal’s helper and dishwasher one night a week.

“To be fair, she would alternate evenings so no one child always had a weekend meal,” Maryann said. “We all had three chores to do each week, too.”

Her great aunt and Grandma both lived nearby, and Maryann would often walk to their house and observe their cooking, too.

“I had several tremendous

examples of cooks in my family,” Maryann said.

When she graduated high school, her great aunt wanted to give her cooking lessons.

Maryann was excited to start.

“I was a little disappointed at first because the first few times was all about organizing and setting up your kitchen, reading a cookbook and what to buy, but they were all good things to know,” she said.

She and her husband, Troy, both grew up in the Alton area and attended Alton High School, but didn’t really meet until a year after graduation, when they were introduced by two of Maryann’s sisters. They liked each other from the start.

After they were married, Maryann felt it was her duty to make sure a hot meal was on

the table every night, though Troy has always been the official “fry cook.”

“I’m not good at frying foods,” she said with a laugh. “I always burn it or undercook it or something, so frying has become his job.”

Though she is working at it, and was happy that she recently succeeded with fried catfish nuggets and onions.

And she has mastered many other dishes during the couple’s more than 22-year marriage.

“Troy still jokes about the first time I made chili. It was a disaster, but since then, I actually won the chili-cooking contest at our church,” she said.

Her family consistently asks for her Italian crockpot chicken, that she said is an easy meal to make. Everyone likes her meat-

balls, she makes salmon every way imaginable, and her real specialty is pies.

“I am definitely a pie baker,” she said.

“We had five cherry trees growing up, and every year, all of us kids picked and pitted cherries, and for some reason, I started using them to make pies, when I was like 8 years old.”

The family would prepare and freeze the cherries that could be defrosted to make pies for months.

Of course she rolls out her own crust – wouldn’t think of using store bought.

Cherry is still everyone’s first pick – except her dad, whose favorite is pecan.

Troy’s favorite dish is crab Alfredo, when she makes her own special Alfredo sauce, and the couple’s three children all have their favorites that their mom prepares.

John, who is 19, loves her chicken puffs; Matthew, 17, always picks chicken-cornbread casserole, and 9-year-old Madelyn loves her homemade guacamole.

“And Madelyn likes to help in the kitchen, especially when she likes what I’m making,” Maryann said.

Matthew also likes to cook and has even considered becoming a chef.

“I’m all about family, and I love to cook and bake and make them happy,” she said.

She feels fortunate to live in the 100-yearold Alton house that’s been in her family for four generations. It belonged to her grandfather, before that, her great grandparents, and was originally built by a distant cousin, when it was actually a farm, instead of in the middle of town as it is now.

Every October, Maryann’s entire extended family participates in a long-standing tradition that all began while her parents were attending Illinois State University in Bloomington, Illinois.

“They wanted to do something for their anniversary, but didn’t have a lot of money to travel, so they went to Nashville, Maryann Kelley loves to dish up something good Indiana, an artist’s for her family. community not far from where they were,” outings. she said.

“My mom did it, and I always liked having Now, it’s become a family trip that the easy access to look at photos,” she said. included Maryann and her siblings, and “I see my own children looking at the books then grandchildren joined in the fun. And that I’ve put together, and it makes me Maryann and Troy try to take an additional happy to see how they relish family memovacation, once a year with their children. ries, too.”

They don’t forget to reserve time for each The Kelleys also spend a lot of time other – reserving a date night once a week, volunteering at their church; Maryann leads when they go to dinner and take a ride, or worship and teaches children’s school, and walk along the river with their two dogs. holds a Bible study at a local assisted living And she likes to scrapbook and preserve facility. family memories from all those trips and See KELLEY | 24

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Sweet potato soup and savory breadsticks warms up a cold day.

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Savory Breadsticks

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1 pkg. roll of biscuits 1 pkg. role of crescents 2 tbsp. butter ½ c. Parmesan 1 tsp. garlic salt ¼ tsp. parsley flakes ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes

Sweet Potato Soup

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24 January 2015

Coconut macaroons can be served individually or made into decorative snowmen for winter parties.

Microwave, peel and slice sweet potatoes. Sauté celery, onion and butter in soup pot. Add sweet potatoes. Add all remaining ingredients, except milk. Bring to a boil and simmer 20 minutes. Add milk and remove from heat. Cool 10 minutes.

Pour soup into blender and blend until creamy (may have to blend 1/2 of mixture at a time, depending on size of blender).

Return blended soup to cooking pot on low heat. Serve and garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes. One cup of soup is 140 calories; six grams of fat; 21 grams of carbohydrates; and five grams of protein.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Roll out two biscuits at a time, long ways.

Twist ends in opposite directions to form a braid-like dough. Roll two triangles of crescents at a time. Slice in half, long ways and twist end to form braid-like dough.

Melt butter on flat plate. Mix remaining ingredients on separate, flat plate. Roll each braid in butter, then roll in dry mixture. Place all braids on cookie sheet. Bake 12 minutes.

coconut Macaroons 14 oz. sweetened coconut, shredded 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mix ingredients together. Spray mini muffin pan with vegetable spray. Spoon rounded tablespoons of mixture into mini muffin cups. Bake for 10 minutes or until coconut begins to brown slightly on edges. Combine two macaroons to fashion snowmen, trim with mini chocolate chips and red icing for face, if desired.

Spending time in the kitchen has always been a favorite pastime for Maryann.

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Flowers by Design

The Science of Change

26 January 2015

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Making Your New Year’s Resolution Stick With the close of 2014, we embark upon a new beginning. And with the New Year comes resolutions. We prepare a shopping list of fixes, as if by miracle, that the clock striking midnight on Jan. 1 will grant us the ability to change our habits and, therefore, our lives.

Attempting a resolution is a noble effort usually lost to the powerful force of habit.

Homan We enter this annual pact with ourselves because we long for change – we need the change. So, why do we typically forget these promises

by February? Isn’t losing weight, being more productive or kicking cigarettes worth the effort?

Yes, of course those changes are worth the effort. It is a deep understanding of the need for these changes motivating us to make resolutions over and over and

over in the first place. Change can be good but it requires an understanding of how to accomplish change and why we fail. And a major reason why we fail to make positive change is competing mental programs.

How the brain works The brain is an efficient computing machine tasked with the responsibility of not only keeping us alive but keeping us sane and functioning. It processes millions of pieces of data every day. In fact, it is so busy that it does not always take the time to calculate good or bad. Instead, the brain places as many duties as it can on autopilot in order to keep us from suffering paralysis.

For us to be at our best, our brains require supervision, and at times, modification.

When your brain receives a particular cue it will urge you to reach for that cigarette or snack. But once we determine that something is a bad, smoking for instance,

the brain will file a grievance and request a change. However, it will continue with the same habit, good or bad, until it receives specific instructions on moving forward.

The grievance your brain files is where the yearning for change originates.

How do I get my brain to work for me?

First, stop paddling upstream and work with it, not against it. Trying to get back to where you once were is counter productive.

A New Year’s resolution is a chance to look downstream and take a different path. Here are some helpful hints: Start out small. The New Year is a time of reflection and new beginnings. These critical moments can lead us to make up a long list of desired changes. And the prospect of changing our whole life is usually the first step towards failure. Our brains are not engineered to change course on a whim. If

they were, we would live in a chaotic world.

Change, real change, requires patience and work.

Just like exercise, working out your mind is challenging. Only make one resolution.

Pick a habit you want to change and build your skill level. After you achieve success there, move on to more challenging habits.

The good news, you are working with the same brain. Once you discover how it functions, the strategies can be applied to just about any area of your life.

Make specific goals and specific plans.

This is a crucial step. Your goal needs to be more than just changing this or losing that.

Your brain needs specific instructions — it needs a leader. Have an overall goal and then take specific, measurable actions towards that goal. Write those actions down on a piece of paper and make sure they are realistic and measurable. Our brain uses the information to form new habits and behaviors.

This is usually why New Year’s resolutions typically get forgotten. Without specific, measurable goals it is easy to fall into the “I’m weak minded” trap. The truth is just the opposite – your mind is very strong and is simply switching back to what it knows.

To reinforce your new behavior, talk to loved ones or join a support group. By expressing your desires with written and verbal communications, you might be surprised at how your brain will work to destroy an old habit and start forming a new one.

When you reach a milestone, reward yourself. This is a great way to break a habit and replace it with a new one. When traveling towards your goal and you reach

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an objective, reward your brain for following the plan. Go ahead and have that piece of cake or take a break. This reward system is the very nature behind our habits, good or bad, in the first place.

When we receive stimuli, our brain sends out a notice and our conscious makes the decision to reward the brain by acting upon the notice. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to stop the habit cycle. As mentioned earlier, it will continue, whatever the action, until replaced. If you replace it with a better habit and less damaging or even positive reward, the change is more likely to be permanent.

Finally, embrace the change. Over the years, New Year’s resolutions have gotten a bad reputation. But this is not the fault of the resolutions but the planning and execution of implementing them. In order to grow as people, we need to stay vigilant about our physical and mental health. And the New Year provides a perfect opportunity to sit down and take stock of our lives.

Mike Homan is a licensed clinical social worker with over 28 years experience. For an appointment with one of the Professional Clinicians at OSF Saint Anthony’s Psychological Services, please call at 618-474-6240. All calls are confidential.

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How holiday shoppers are now smarter ANNE D’INNOCENZIO

28 January 2015

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NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers are getting smarter.

The holiday shopping season shows a simple discount, even a big one, isn’t always enough to lure people to buy. Shoppers can sniff out a legitimate deal from a fake one and are even leaving items in online shopping carts as reminders to look for a better bargain.

Shoppers with more knowledge and new patience may have contributed to the lessthan-stellar turnout over Thanksgiving weekend, the traditional kickoff of holiday shopping.

Stores heavily discounted holiday merchandise days and even weeks before Black Friday.

That gave shoppers plenty of opportunities to avoid the big lines.

That seemed to backfire over Thanksgiving weekend.

The endless stream of sales pitches made many shoppers confident that heavy discounts would continue right on through Christmas.

That may be a self-fulfilling prophecy. The lukewarm start to the season means retailers watched the next few weeks closely and potentially rolled out more promotions than planned, says Dave Bassuk, managing director and co-head of the retail practice at AlixPartners.

“Retailers’ greed hurt them, and the consumer is so much smarter,” he said.

Cyber Monday deals are also being stretched out into “Cyber Week” and even earlier, crimping sales on the day itself. Sales rose 8.5 percent that day, the Monday after Thanksgiving, according to IBM Digital Analytics Benchmark. But that wasn’t as

Stores hope those items, sometimes priced so low the retailer loses money on them, will result in impulse spending once shoppers are in the door.

Trying to push more online sales also may be a factor in reducing impulse purchases.

Marshal Cohen, NPD’s group’s chief industry analyst, estimates 45 percent of store shopping is done on impulse, compared with 25 percent online.

Some retailers did say they saw shoppers throwing extra items in their carts — CEOs of both Toys R Us and Target noted it.

NO RUSH Shoppers were not in a hurry to attack their holiday buying for many reasons.

NPD’S Cohen said that other than gadgets like Apple’s iPhone 6 or specific toys like the Elsa retailers’ websites, says shopstrong as was expected. doll tied to Disney’s “Frozen” pers are converted to buyers The National Federation still movie, there are no hot items at a rate 10 to 15 percent lower projects sales will rise 4.1 percent for November and Decem- on websites that don’t offer any that are hard to find. So shoppers know they can find better ber, which accounts for on aver- free shipping. deals later in the season.

Target Corp. is already atage 20 percent of the industry’s “There’s no urgency to buy,” tributing its sales surge online in total sales. But analysts expect part to its move to drop shipping said Cohen. “So consumers are a retail slugfest over winning in the driver’s seat.” fees for all online purchases those dollars.

Increasing, shoppers are until Dec 20. Thanksgiving saw Here are some of the ways using website shopping carts to a 40 percent surge in Target’s people are shopping smarter: online sales and was its biggest store items, not to immediately buy them, but as a reminder to DISCOUNTS AREN’T ENOUGH online sales day ever. shop around for betters deals, Shoppers are addicted to according to Bounce Exchange’s ON TARGET deals, but it’s taking more and Urban and others.

Consumers got more purmore to get their attention.

Paul Wolke, a 46-year-old poseful over this holiday Twenty percent off? Better photographer from Washington, weekend. throw in free shipping, too.

According to C. Britt Beemer, N.J., started looking online a day “They’re acutely aware of all chairman of America’s Research before Thanksgiving. His wish the elements of value,” said the list: accessories for a gym in his Group, a consumer research retail trade group’s CEO Matt firm, 75 percent who went shop- basement. He threw four items Shay. ping on Thanksgiving and Black like hand weights and pull cables Free shipping has been a top Friday wanted only the so-called in his Amazon.com cart — but factor for online shoppers in doorbusters, deeply discounted hasn’t bought them. deciding whether to buy. Ryan “I’m using the Amazon cart Urban, co-founder of Bounce Ex- specials intended to lure in customers; last year, that figure almost as a shopping list with change, a technology company prices,” he said. was 49.9 percent. that works with more than 700

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Unique New Year’s traditions from across the world filled scarecrows at midnight. This is to look away from the past and bring good fortune for the future.

• GOOD GRAPES: Spain residents attempt to stuff 12 grapes in their mouths at midnight. If they are successful, they are expected to achieve good luck for the next year.

• DRESSING IN WHITE: Residents of Brazil dress all in white on New Year’s Eve to ward away bad spirits. Many also gather at the beach to toss floral offerings into the water to appease the goddess Yemaja, in the hopes she will grant them requests for the upcoming year.

• GOOD TRAVELS: In Columbia, people walk around their blocks with empty suitcases to encourage traveling in the new year.

• RINGING BELLS: Japanese ring all of their bells 108 times in accordance with the Buddhist belief that this will bring cleanliness. People in Japan also believe it is good luck to begin the new year smiling.

• PUTTING UP YOUR DUKES: Every year at the end of December, people in a small Peruvian village engage in fist fights to settle all of their differences.

Afterward, they begin the new year with a clean slate.

• FIRST FOOT: Immediately after the clock strikes 12, the people of Scotland start first-footing. This means being the

first person across a friend or neighbor’s threshold bearing gifts of food, whiskey and financial prosperity. People in Greece celebrate in much the same way via the tradition of Pothariko.

• MOLTEN TIN: In Finland, residents find the nearest piece of tin to melt. The molten tin is poured into a horseshoeshaped ladle and then dropped into cold water. The random shapes that form are interpreted in various ways to indicate what’s to come in the year ahead.

• FEATS OF SKILL: Single women in Belarus spend New Year’s Eve hoping to increase their odds of getting married. Ladies compete in games to see who will be the next to get hitched.

These games may include seeing who will be the first to be approached by a rooster. The winner is the next person to become betrothed.

• APPLIANCE TOSS: In downtown Johannesburg, South African locals throw old appliances out of their windows to ring in the new year.

• ALL THINGS ROUND: Roundshaped foods are served and consumed in the Philippines. Filipinos believe round shapes that represent coins symbolize prosperity.

From suitcase to fistfights to eating round fruits, the traditions of welcoming the new year are varied around the world.

30 January 2015

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Some people may find it strange to withstand freezing temperatures and gusty winds for hours on end just to stand in the center of Times Square in New York City to catch a glimpse of a bejeweled ball drop at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. Yet this tradition may seem tame when compared to other unique rituals that take place around the world come New Year’s Eve. North Americans may be singing “Auld Lang Syne” and toasting to good fortune with a glass of bubbly, but elsewhere traditions can be somewhat more eccentric. In some spots of South America, for example, revelers put on brightly colored underwear to ring in the New Year. Red underpants signal a person looking for love, while yellow means they’re seeking money. The following are some other unique New Year’s traditions.

• TOSSING THE DISHES: In Denmark, individuals toss dishes at other people’s front doors. Those who end up with the greatest number of broken dishes at their home’s threshold are considered lucky, as they have an abundance of loyal friends.

• RIGHT FOOT: Start off the new year on the right foot by literally stepping forward with your right foot at exactly 12:00 a.m. in Argentina.

• BURNING IN EFFIGY: People in Ecuador burn photographs and paper-

Round foods, such as grapes, are consumed on New Year’s Eve to represent good luck and fortune.

ENJOY A BETTER NIGHT’S SLEEP! 6

MODELS TO CHOOSE FROM

Cool Action Gel Memory Foam

Cool Action Gel Memory Foam is paired with Euro-Coil Individually Wrapped Coil-inCoil Support System.

iComfort features Cool Action Gel Memory Foam— with the cooling touch of Serta’s MicroSupport gel.

5

Euro-Coil Spring System

MODELS TO CHOOSE FROM

Cool Action Gel Memory Foam

Swedish Foam TEMPUR Material

Tempur-Pedic mattresses conform to your body, and adapt to support your exact shape and sleep position. So whether you sleep on your back, your side or your stomach, it fits you.

flaire FOR WOMEN

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MODELS TO CHOOSE FROM

3001 WASHINGTON 618-462-9770 Daily 10-8 Sunday 12-5 80603546

January 2015 31

ALTON, ILLINOIS

Happy New Year Cure Your Winter Blues!

2 DaY InventorY reDuCtIon Sale (Special Hours)

January 2nd & 3rd

237 E. Delmar, Alton, IL

/RealDealsAlton

Alton Sq. MALL

E. Delmar Ave

r.

thursday 10 - 6pm Saturday 10 - 4pm

618-433-9960 te rD

2015 regular store hours:

(West of Target)

Ce n

32 January 2015

flaire FOR WOMEN

Friday 10 - 6pm Saturday 10 - 4pm

Hom er

Adam

s Pkw

y