C I T Y M A G A Z I N E
founder & publisher fernando de haro
NO 22
december • january 2014
copy editor joana santillana
C I T Y M A G A Z I N E
December is the most beautiful time of the year, where we can share publisher with our loved ones these unforgettable moments in this delectable weather that, along with festive music and decorations around the city, marks the arrival of Christmas!
That is exactly why in this 22nd edition, we feature five distinguished ladies that share their traditions with us, while expressing their creativity through the decoration of their Christmas tree. I hope you will enjoy this piece, and hopefully it’ll make you reminisce about all the wonderful memories you have experienced throughout the years with your own families. Something that has always characterized Cream is that we believe that it is essential to support local projects that showcase art in all its forms, which is why in our latest photosesh we have mixed bursts of color with dance and movement, producing amazing results! It’s incredible how our very own city is so full of talent and young people with so much potential to excel in any given discipline. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate our friends from Casa Yoga, especially Alejandra Arguindegui, for the immense success of their festival “Seeds of Change.” The event gathered hundreds of people in North Central Park to enjoy a morning of family friendly activities where local businesses could exhibit their products and promote a healthful lifestyle. All the best, I am sure that 2014 will be a very successful and inspiring year as well!
I would like to thank all our friends and sponsors, and especially my Cream team: Gabriela, Elyssa, Joana, and all our interns, for making 2013 a fantastic year. I hope 2014 holds just as much success, work, health, and unity. May all your dreams come true!
design & production executive coordinator elyssa canales photographer ferch graphic designer gabriela lozano
interns fernanda maldonado amber garcía
writers
elyssa canales, rubén bazán iii, maita fernández, michelle cook gutiérrez, memo jímenez, sandy lugo, joe arciniega
special thanks ballet becky, lily hachar dance studio, turning pointe dance studio, rodrigo cázares, celina díaz, new york city, and spotify.
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Copyright © 2013 Cream City Magazine is a bi-monthly publication. All rights reserved. Points of view expressed do not necessarily represent those of Cream City Magazine. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement we believe is incompatible with our mission. We also reserve the right to refuse any advertisement we deem competitive or contrary to the best interests of the magazine. Advertisers are legally responsible for the content, accuracy, and images of their ads. Printed in Mexico.
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C I T Y M A G A Z I N E
EDDIE DE LA MIYAR Spicing things up
DENISE LONGORIA Helping others help themselves
JOSÉ LUIS SOLÍS, JR. A self-starting visionary
Meet three dynamic achievers who contribute to the development of both Laredos. They are flying high on Cream’s radar.
EDDIE DE LA MIYAR
Restaurant Owner, Taquería Tacolare
We opened our doors in 1985. The concept of the restaurant was to reflect the authentic taste of tacos al pastor from Mexico City. This idea was well accepted within the community, as we were the first restaurant in town to sell this traditional dish. We have been in business for 28 years, and consequently, it has been passed over to me, and now I run both the restaurant and our catering service. I like what I do, and it is very rewarding to see people enjoy food.
In the 15 years that I’ve overseen Tacolare, one of the most memorable experiences is that up to this day, we have a client that drives from San Antonio once a week just to come to eat at Tacolare. The person who inspires me the most is my father because of his humbleness and the way he treats customers. At night, when I close Tacolare and the homeless people are out on the streets, I take them tacos for dinner. They already know me and know what I drive, so they identify me just by looking at the truck as it approaches under the bridges over passing IH-35. I like to be considered as someone willing to help others and also people always identify me as a happy person who is ready to lend a hand and ask them how their day is going. If you like what you do, then you never work a day in your life. As a business owner, achieving goals never stops; it is always an ongoing momentum that in order to keep something alive, I must be thinking ahead and find innovative ways to keep up with the legacy of Tacolare in Laredo.
DENISE A. LONGORIA. PH.D. Licensed Clinical Social Worker
My first social work job consisted of providing group therapy to children and adolescents. I was fresh out of graduate school, and I was constantly worried about saying or doing the wrong thing. Thankfully, I worked with experienced professionals, and I slowly became more confident in my ability to work with people. This, in turn, helped prepare me to become a social work educator. Currently, I feel a healthy balance between my role as a therapist and my work as an assistant professor of social work. At that time, I assumed it would be a career, but at this stage in my life, it feels like more of a vocation.
Since I graduated, I have had a variety of jobs, and I have worked in many different settings with individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Regardless of where I work or what my job description is, I feel confident that I am doing what I always wanted to do, and that I am helping others learn how to help themselves.
People inspire me. Even though I see a lot of heartache, difficulties, and challenges that they face, I am inspired by their resilience and their willingness to keep moving forward and never giving up. My career has given me much satisfaction. It is important to consider that any career one chooses should be one that is motivating every day of the year. I am glad that I am able to be a listener for those who need to be heard.
JOSÉ LUIS SOLÍS, JR.
Business Owner, Licensed U.S. Customs Broker
Working at my parents’ freight forwarding company was where my interest in international trade began. I knew I was going to be in the international trade field, but as an employee; I never thought I would end up having my own business. My career began with a lot of calls and visits to potential clients, but with minimal success. Being a new enterprise is tough when you do not have the background and history that many brokers have, but you cannot give up. The opportunities are there so you just have to keep making the calls and visits until someone will give you the chance. My inspiration comes from my family; my beautiful, supportive wife Norma and my three beautiful children; Sophia, Diego, and Gladis. I am always looking for other opportunities and will hopefully be able to embark on other work ventures. I would not change anything from my past for the simple reason that if I did, I would not be where I am today.
Owning a company is very demanding, but at the same time it gives me the flexibility so I can be at the kids’ sporting events, recitals, and school functions. If you go into business for yourself and it starts very slow, don’t get discouraged. Keep at it and it will get better. It is also very important to have great employees. I am very fortunate to have a great team at my office. Also, no matter how busy you are, always make time for your family. cream december / january 2014
7
THE
IN
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The Apologetic
The Merciful
A One Person Act
I guarantee you that at some point in your life you were victimized or harmed by someone. Be it physical, psychological, or emotional, you carry scars that you could do without. Admit it. You hated that person. You begged karma to do its work or you may have even sought revenge in the hopes of balancing the score. Not surprisingly, however, you have also done your fair share of damage to others. Whether directly or indirectly, you have been the catalyst of either a broken elbow, a broken promise, or a broken heart and, as much as I hate to be the bearer of bad news, your prey wished the worst things upon you, too. We’ve all been on both sides of that coin.
O
ne of the basic teachings implanted into our beings as children is the act of asking for forgiveness when we err. Most religious beliefs preach this essential trait. “Repent,” they say, “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” We are also taught that we, too, must pardon those who have done us wrong. However, depending on the severity of the situation, giving somebody a second chance is possibly one of the most difficult things to do. Our pride gets in the way when people ask us to forgive them, which begs the following questions: Who is the bigger person? Is it the one who humbly and sincerely asks for absolution? Or is it the person who swallows his/her pride and gives that person the opportunity to clear their conscience? I’ve sadly witnessed people treat others contemptuously due to socioeconomic differences. They’ve looked down on others because they weren’t “equals” in the eyes of the tax bracket. Yet, when fortune spins that metaphorical wheel, they beg for aid and acceptance from those whom they’ve treated harshly. I’ve also witnessed betrayal from individuals who were not loyal to their family, true friends, or significant others, and I saw a pattern of guilt and remorse displayed by them when society left them wandering alone. In the professional sense, business partners play the role of Brutus too often simply for the taste of some heightened monetary gain and I know that, on some level, they have trouble sleeping too. It all boils down to regret and that sliver of hope that the affected will one day react with compassion and forgive them.
BY RUBÉN BAZÁN III THERUBENINDEX@GMAIL.COM
Who is the bigger person? Is it the one who humbly and sincerely asks for absolution? Or is it the person who swallows his/ her pride and gives that person the opportunity to clear their conscience?
Regardless of whether we are doing the acquitting or asking for that second chance, there is a certain amount of maturity and want for betterment needed to complete the transaction. History teaches us that progress favors the wellfounded. Therefore, I challenge those who have injured or deceived others to wholeheartedly ask for forgiveness and, more especially, I challenge you to bear no malice to those who have approached you and courageously asked for emotional exoneration. Many argue that those who seek compassion might be doing it out of solitary, financial, or social necessity, but it is in the opinion of this writer that he who absolves the remorseful is the bigger man. The holidays are among us. While we don’t need a calendar date to cleanse our lives, make it a point in 2014 to remove this weight off your shoulders. Regret the harm you’ve done, reprieve those who genuinely want to move on, and start the new year fresh. I don’t like to forcefeed my religious beliefs on anybody. However, if Jesus Christ asked God to forgive those who were torturing Him, shouldn’t we be able to do the same? Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, and I’ll see y’all in 2014!
SEVERAL PIECES Media used: oil on canvas.
about the artist As a graduate of the avantgarde Southern California Institute of Architecture, and with over 15 exhibits under his belt, Pedro Morales’ career showcases the creative fluidity of his innovative work.
featured artist // pedro morales
M
editation is the study and observation of one’s mind; it is the attempt to maintain continuous awareness of every moment and not become distracted by conceptual thought, emotions or perceptions. By stabilizing the mind with meditation, the veils of ignorance are eliminated and one is able to see clearly, one gains wisdom and understands that the self (I) and perceptions (people, objects, everything that is not me) are constructs made up of labels which cause confusion. With this wisdom, one begins to deconstruct both the self and perceptions through a process of analysis which eventually leads to the elimination of the self, resulting in the natural fusion of subject and object, perceiver and perceived, a state of non-duality. By using the practice of meditation as a point of departure, one, through awareness, directs the attention inward, from the outside, deep inside to the source of everything. I chose to use the visual arts to explore the process of this journey toward the interior; to travel the opposite way from objects of perception, beyond conception, into the vast, open, bright, luminous, and knowing blissful space of the mind. I am presently interested in using paint as a medium to experiment with and document moments of the skyscape of the mind, light, space, radiant rainbow colors, and intangible, indestructible appearances. One can call this an attempt to make non-conceptual art, conceived beyond conception, like a virgin becoming pregnant and giving birth.
cream december / january 2014
13
ONAIR
PHOTOGRAPHY FERCH HAIR & MAKEUP GUILLERMO CASTILLEJA
MODEL Pavel Gรกmez
MODEL Triana Chapa
MODEL Jorge Ramos
MODEL Yanneth Hachar
MODEL Eliza Trevi単o
creamtips
garza medical associates
from left to right:
Gilberto Garza Lozano M.D. Board Certified Internal Medicine and Hyperbaric Medicine Lilian H. de Lerma B.S. C.N.H.P. Holistic Nutritional Consultant Laura Garza M.S. Counselor Licensed Professional CounselorIntern Supervised by Gilberto Salinas, Ph.D., LPC-S Beatriz Garza de Caldera M.D. Family Medicine and Palliative Medicine Sara Vázquez Nutritionist Color Star Diet Miguel A. Saucedo FNP B.C.
F
or this edition, we visited our friends from Garza Medical Associates and asked for tips on how to end 2013 and begin 2014 on the right foot in regards to our mental and physical well-being. Our health is the most important aspect of our lives since it allows us to enjoy time with our families, perform well at work, and partake in all our favorite daily activities. Let’s take a look at their advice and adopt a healthier lifestyle!
What are some tips for our readers to physically and mentally prepare for the upcoming holiday season and the end of year celebrations?
To start off the new year on a high note, what are some ways to start getting yourself on a path to a healthier lifestyle?
Lilian: It can get pretty difficult to stay healthy and not gain weight during the holidays; however, it can be possible, just make it a goal and enjoy. My top five secrets for not getting sick or putting on those extra few pounds during this holiday season are: staying active, getting more vitamin D3, eating more organic protein and veggies, lowering your sugar and carb intake, and trying some healthy recipes.
Beatriz: Many of us are thinking about kicking off the new year with a healthier lifestyle. Being healthy provides us protection against disease and injury, as well as strength and energy to help us have a good quality of life. Here are three things you can do to start off on the right track: get an annual exam, focus on safety by revising all your safety equipment at home, and keep it balanced by staying active, sleeping better, and eating healthier.
Sara: In today’s world, we live at a fast pace; fast food, fast internet service, we even try to obtain a fast healthy lifestyle. Christmastime as well as the end of the year come along in the blink of an eye! This is usually when we ask ourselves, what can I do to start living a better life? Well, first of all, we need to stop for a minute. We need to slow down and be organized with our time so we can live our life to its fullest potential. Regarding nutrition, we need to set a goal and stick to it. Take advantage of every moment and exercise! Remember to keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Activate your metabolism by eating fruits instead of sweets as a snack. Most of all, take a deep breath and live each day as if it was your last. This December, let’s give ourselves the gift of health. Gilberto: My tip for this holiday season is to understand the importance of health as an essential component of a lifestyle. Even though their health is stable right now, patients need to understand that once the celebration starts, their body needs to withhold the insult that the late nights, overeating, and overdrinking (alcohol or not) do to the body. The stress the body goes through with days of sleep deprivation and fluid overload can be, and often is, strong enough to send them to the hospital for evaluation. Remember that it is great to celebrate, but do it with moderation. No one wants to be in the emergency room while they should be with their loved ones welcoming a new year.
Laura: Have one goal in mind. It is unrealistic not to think about the famous New Year’s resolution when this has become an important tradition in our culture. However, in order to accomplish our goal, we need to consider the following characteristics when choosing the ONE area of our lives that we want to work on: be realistic, be specific, find a support group. TODAY can be the perfect day to start, do not wait until Monday! Miguel: Starting up the new year always depends on how you close the previous one. Your health depends heavily on your actions and on the time you invest in yourself! Resolutions are a thing of the past because, most of the time, we make them and not keep them. Why is that? Because the majority of the time we take to eat the twelve grapes is the time we take to break those resolutions. Not everybody is the same, but the best is to take the time to set reasonable and realistic goals. Be fair to yourself and your ego! Commit yourself to those goals and steadily and surely maintain them. Don’t take your health for granted; our body changes and sometimes drastically. Therefore, focus on your meal intake, exercise, and keep a safe lifestyle. Maintain your routine medical appointments and follow your medical regimen. Again, keep it simple and make it work for you!
www.garzamed.com • LMC Tower A 3rd floor • 956.728.8120 cream december / january 2014
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creamout&about
fashion show An array of fashion miscellanea was displayed down the runway to benefit Laredo’s Women City Club, a charitable organization whose goal is to empower and uplift the community.
shopping madness With Christmas just around the corner, La Reserva Bar & Grill served as the venue for “A Night of Retail Therapy,” an event where some of Laredo’s hippest shops and boutiques showcased their merchandise for attendees to kick off their holiday shopping spree the right way!
blown away With great success and in the company of clients and friends, Blow Me Away Beauty Bar celebrated its first anniversary! On behalf of everyone at Cream, congrats to Lili Bruni and her entire staff for their first year of beautifying Laredo’s ladies! want to feature your event? contact us for more info at info@creamcitymagazine.com
The arrival of December brings countless sensations that warm our hearts. The weather changes, the city transforms its streets with thousands of multicolored lights that embellish this marvelous festive time of the year, and we are presented with the opportunity to create new memories that will last a lifetime. Christmas in Laredo is unique, and to portray that, we are proud to share with you some personal anecdotes from our special featured guests. Their stories remind us that the most important thing is not what you find underneath the Christmas tree, but those around you with whom you share these precious moments.
Oralia V. Salinas
Raquel San Miguel
Is there a special family tradition that you have during the Christmas holiday? Anita: Yes, the first thing I set up is a wreath with an angel that
my grandmother and I made when I was about 7 years old. Christen: Throughout the year, I start collecting all kinds of toys. Then, we visit the orphanage before Christmas to share a meal and gifts with the kids. My older son Sunil really enjoys it. Oralia: Every Christmas Eve, our whole family gathers for Christmas dinner, followed by “Santa” distributing gifts to the children and ending with the grown-ups opening their gifts at midnight. This tradition has been in our family for over 40 years! Mirthala: For years, “Secret Santa” has been our special family tradition. We get together about one month before Christmas to draw names. My children are happily married and we are blessed with wonderful grandchildren; therefore, “Secret Santa” has also been growing. This keeps it interesting and more difficult to try and guess who got whom. This reminds us that tradition and family are the key to a very merry Christmas! Raquel: Our special family tradition is very dear to our hearts. I coordinate a “Lunch, Gift and Shopping Day” in December before Christmas with all my goddaughters and nieces. We truly look forward to spending this special time together. We are blessed to have each other. Our latest addition is my 6 year old granddaughter, Alyna Raquel.
Be grateful not only by purchasing gifts for your loved ones, but by loving and giving yourself to others. Do the unexpected, forgive, and be kind to one another. Raquel San Miguel
Is there a special ornament or decoration that is a recurring staple in your home or tree? Anita: We use a nativity, which was a gift from my
Mirthala R. Garza
grandmother, that is about 25 years old. Christen: I have a brass reindeer that my mother gifted me when I got married, as I couldn’t find one alike since it had belonged to my grandmother. Now my kids love the reindeer, so every year we find a place to put it. Oralia: A handmade cloth Christmas tree I have had as a centerpiece for the last 9 years. It now has even more sentimental value since it was made by my sister Laura, who passed away earlier this year. Mirthala: The nativity scene is my recurring staple because it reminds my family about the true meaning of Christmas, as religion has always been very important to us. But, in regards to special ornaments or decorations, they are really not my style. I prefer to keep changing things up every year. I like to challenge myself and create something unique and innovative. The awestruck reactions from my children and grandchildren make me want to outdo myself every time! To me, decorating for the holiday season is very fulfilling and rewarding. Raquel: The angels on the tree are from my goddaughters and nieces. Each angel represents their goodness and is named after them.
With whom do you share the experience of decorating your tree?
Anita: I decorate the Christmas tree with my mother every year. Christen: I am very blessed to be able to decorate my tree with my two sons, my husband, and my sister. Oralia: A good friend of mine, Lucila, has been decorating my tree since 2002. It has become a tradition with my husband and daughter to sit around joking, enjoying cheese and wine, and indulging in the sound of holiday music. Mirthala: I learned to decorate trees from my mother when I was very young. Every year I would help her decorate, and at the same time watch and learn. To me, my mother had exquisite taste and I wanted to emulate her as much as possible. As I grew up, I used what I learned from my mother and meshed it with my own unique flair until I developed my own personal style. Now, my daughters have watched and learned from me as well, and they too help decorate my Christmas tree, the same way I helped my mother. I can’t help but feel very proud when I see their own personal style emerging through our decorating. Raquel: With family and dear friends during the Thanksgiving weekend and thereafter.
What is your most cherished Christmas memory from your childhood? Anita: When I was about 4 years old, my grandfather
gave me a corvette battery powered kids ride that I drove at the park in Austin and in my backyard in Laredo. Christen: Every year, my father would choose a day for us to go driving all over Laredo to find the house decorated with the most Christmas lights. Oralia: As a little girl, mom always encouraged me and my sisters to write a letter to Santa the night before Christmas Eve and leave it for him with milk and cookies. On Christmas Day, I would run to see if Santa had eaten the cookies (and yes, they were gone!), and Santa always left me a letter. It’s a beautiful tradition I cherish, one I continued to do with my daughter and hope she will follow with her children as well. Mirthala: Even though it is not from my childhood, my most cherished memory happened just last year when my fourth grandson was born on Christmas Day. We spent Christmas Eve anxiously awaiting his arrival and didn’t give any importance to our regular gift exchange! Christmas now has an extra special place in my heart and will forever be connected to him. He has been such a blessing to our family and I am very grateful. Raquel: Being a member of the church choir and singing during Christmas Midnight Mass is a memory I will always cherish.
C hristen Manwani
Share an anecdote commemorating your family's Christmas rituals. Anita: When we were little, my parents would take us out
to a Christmas party, and on the way home, as we were getting close to our house, my dad would scream that he saw Santa Claus’ sleigh take off from our roof. We would look at the sky and we would always miss it, but he would insist that we check to see if he already came to our house and, to our surprise, the Christmas tree was full of presents. As I got older, my father told me that he would sneak out of the party and go home and set up the presents. Christen: Every year, Christmas was spent at my grandmother’s house. My mother would secretly wrap the presents while everyone was asleep. Then, at my grandmother’s house, my uncles and father would take turns being Santa Claus. Eventually, I realized that it was her bringing me the gifts and not Santa Claus. Now that I have my two sons, we get together at my mother-in-law’s house. I wrap the gifts at night and my father-in-law is Santa Claus. Oralia: One of our family’s Christmas Eve rituals is playing White Elephant (exchange of surprise gifts) amongst the adults. It becomes hilarious since no one knows exactly what they are getting nor who bought that gift. Some gifts are outrageous! Mirthala: On Christmas Eve, I go to church with my family. Afterwards, we have dinner with one side of the family. On Christmas Day, we have a brunch with the other side of the family. On both events we exchange gifts, sing Christmas carols, and dance. Raquel: I will always admire and be thankful to my parents for instilling in our family the true meaning of Christmas; from the Christmas tree, the posadas, the cookies, hot chocolate, and at last the celebration of Christmas Mass, when we place baby Jesus in the manger. It’s a perfect celebration!
What is the meaning of Christmas for you? Anita: A day
to remember Jesus Christ with my family and friends. Christen: Christmas is having the chance to spend valuable time with our loved ones, show our appreciation for one another, and overall, give thanks! Oralia: Christmas to me is a time to reflect and be thankful to Our Lord for all His blessings. Christmas is being with my loving husband, our children, grandchildren, my mom, sisters, nephews, and nieces. It is a time that I cherish for it brings all our family, even those who live out of town, together. Mirthala: Christmas means family, love, joy, and as I mentioned before, keeping it simple. But now that I have grandchildren, Christmas has a whole new meaning. Their innocence and excitement is contagious and I especially love seeing their faces when they open their presents. It is the happiest time of the year for me and it means the world to me that I get to spend it surrounded by the most important people in my life. Raquel: Christmas is the season to rejoice in the birth of Christ! Be grateful not only by purchasing gifts for your loved ones, but by loving and giving yourself to others. Do the unexpected, forgive, and be kind to one another. It’s a new beginning!
A nita & R osie Cavazos
LOLITAS BISTRO 6950 McPherson Rd. Suite C Laredo, Texas 956.568.5334
MAITA’S ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE at Lolitas Bistro
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t’s the most wonderful time of the year, where gift giving is expected and overeating is required! One of the best and safest gifts to give are always cookies. It’s Santa’s favorite food. Who doesn’t like a warm, chocolaty, decadent, and most importantly, homemade Christmas cookie? Just thinking about them makes me crave one. Have you ever been in a stressful rut where it’s 2 days before Christmas and you still haven’t found a gift for your motherin-law? I have the solution for a foolproof gift that anyone will love. So this Christmas gear up, grab your rolling pins, aprons and butter, and get ready to roll some dough. I began the quest to find the perfect recipe a while back. I tested around 15 recipes each varying in the quantity of butter to flour to sugar ratios. One Saturday morning, I woke up determined to satisfy my palate. I had searched and I had conquered, and I can confidently say that this recipe has surpassed my expectations.
...my utmost favorite has to be a chocolate chip cookie. This legendary cookie is a must in every Christmas cookie assortment. There are many cookies you can make, but my utmost favorite has to be a chocolate chip cookie. This legendary cookie is a must in every Christmas cookie assortment. From chocolate chunks to cranberries and coconut, there is practically nothing you can’t add. Don’t be afraid to bring out the ultimate baker in you. As long as there’s some sugary love baked into it, you can’t go wrong. BY MAITA FERNÁNDEZ
Maita Fernández has had a passionate relationship with food for as long as she can remember. As a chef and restaurant owner, she seeks to put a smile on people’s faces by creating original dishes.
Maita’s Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie ingredients • ½ cup brown sugar 1 1/3 cup flour ½ teaspoon baking powder • 1 egg • ½ teaspoon baking soda • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • ½ teaspoon sea salt plus • 1 cup semi-sweet some to sprinkle chocolate chunks • ½ cup butter • 1 cup chopped walnuts • ½ cup sugar • •
instructions
Preheat oven to 350’F. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a bowl, using an electric mixer on high, cream the butter until soft and fluffy. Add the sugars and continue mixing for 2-3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat on low until blended, scraping down the sides as needed. Add the flour mixture and beat on low until just combined. Add the chocolate chips and walnuts and mix with a wooden spoon. Shape dough into golf sized balls and place in greased cookie sheet and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool, serve and enjoy! To spice up your cookie, substitute (or add) the chocolate chips and walnuts for these suggested ingredients: • Cranberries & coconut • Peanut butter chips & chopped pretzels • Pistachios & orange zest • White Chocolate & almonds
cream december / january 2014
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visits
new york
PHOTOGRAPHY BY FERCH
Manhattan Skyline
STYLED
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o one loves a thoughtful, matchy outfit more than I do, but there are days when figuring out what to wear is the least of our concerns (gasp!), especially for girls on the go. The getting ready ordeal might end up with a headache and with piles of clothes on the floor. To avoid that hectic routine, the solution is to rely on minimal (a.k.a. lazy) dressing and updating the look with accessories. I am dedicating these 500 words to the accoutrements that never fail to match our questionable sartorial choices, but nonetheless allow the so-called statement jewelry to do the talking. The variables of lazy, effortless outfits like jeans and white t-shirts are the details. They will spike up, update, and personalize any outfit. And, as I’ve shown in my “put a hat on it” article, the latter is just as effective. We’ve heard so many times, to the point it becomes annoying, “it’s all in the details,” “the finishing touches,” or my personal favorite, “the cherry on top.” But accessories are just that to an outfit; the fuel of fashion and the next blingy necklace we all want to own.
Unlike clothes, a good pair of shoes is going to be with you the next couple of years until you step on poop (maybe even after that). Also, one can never go wrong with timeless pieces, e.g. your grandmother’s pearls. Accessories are just as important or maybe even more so than the clothes we wear, since they never go out of style. Magazines have dedicated the same amount of pages and articles to these. In a recent interview, retailer Brian Bolke encourages customers to approach accessories as an art collector does, explaining further, “they are truly exclamation points.”
Stepping out in sweatpants might be a stink eye provoker from our peers, but an “I don’t want to think” look is not so much out of element these days --shoutout to the birkenstock comeback. Mademoiselle Isabel Marant and
Céline’s Phoebe Philo design aesthetics are based on comfort, and they must be doing something right because Vogue once described their following as cult-like. From the Aussie brand Cameo, these sweatpants create my comfy chic look. Glammed up with sequins, matching earrings and handbag for uniformity and pop of color.
Masculine vs. feminine is the most natural approach for me; add-ons balance this juxtaposition. I paired denim flares with a structured oversized coat and a thick scarf that serves as a testament of our priority for comfort. Let’s not forget the dark lip; no matter how lazy we feel, there’s always time for lipstick.
Boldness and simplicity are the themes with a monochromatic outfit. Head to toe one tone outfits are always the easiest to match and they let your accessories shine. I chose a pleather-pleated skirt with a slouchy sweater, perfect for quirky accents and chunky necklaces. You might say there’s a camel crush in my closet. Let’s be art collectors, and if you need a little substance, I invite you to check out one of my favorite instagrammers: dylanex. Not only is she inspirational, but she gives a whole new definition to stacking and piling [jewelry]. BY MICHELLE COOK GUTIÉRREZ
Michelle is a street fashion blogger living in Laredo, Texas. Follow her blog at nicethingsandstuff.blogspot.com
creamout&about
seeds of change Casa Yoga hosted an event to celebrate healthy living as well as mental and physical well-being. Local businesses gathered on a beautiful Saturday morning for activities like yoga, gymnastics, and a friendly triathlon and to offer an assortment of health-related products and services.
want to feature your event? contact us for more info at info@creamcitymagazine.com
creamtips
W
e visited with our friends at Gold’s Gym to talk about their upcoming new location in North Laredo. With a company whose primary goal is to help you realize yours, it would come as no surprise that they would introduce us to yet another cutting-edge fitness facility. Among the many innovative plans underway, here are...
13 Things You Need to Know About the NEW Gold’s Gym North Central Location! 1. 35,000 SQ. FT. State-of-the-Art Facility 2. 5,000 SQ. FT. Gold’s Fit (Crossfit) 3. Sports Enhancement Studio
(Includes 40 Yard Dash & Astro Turf )
4. Group Training Studio
(P90X, Boot Camp & Brazilian Butt Lift)
5. Racquetball Courts 6. Cardio Cinema 7. Yoga & Pilates Studio 8. Boxing Studio 9. Unique Interactive Kids Club 10. Indoor / Outdoor Café with Drive-Thru 11. Direct access to North Central Park 12. COMING Spring 2014 13. Call 956-791-GOLD for more info!
eyes
The Moveable Feast Christmas Memories, Family Legends ‘Tis the season of peace, love and togetherness, not that humanity has been able to consistently manage either throughout the millennia; though to man’s eternal credit, he has consistently tried. And for families all over the country, though peace and love may be managed to varying degrees of success, at Christmastime it is togetherness that makes for childhood memories and family legends.
A
s a child, I would awaken on Christmas morning well before any of my eight siblings; sometimes early enough to hear familiar adults giggling over clinking glasses as they wrapped gifts, shushed each other incessantly, and assembled the train set or bicycle I was delighted to discover after they finally left. There followed for me a particularly special magic as I sat alone in the living room, the multicolored tree lights melding into a blinking amber glow, revealing treasures within the shadows, and reassuring me in that moment that despite difficulties we had faced that year, Christmas had come again.
the children’s gasps and nervous giggles at the 16 foot noble fir pine that I ambitiously chose at the tree farm. It needed to be pushed against the stairs just to decorate the top of it. I remember Christmas caroling together through our beautiful neighborhood, pushing our toddler bundled up in her stroller through the misty culs-de-sac.
By the time my wife and I moved back to Laredo, the youngest of our four children was in grade school, two of the others were in high school, and the oldest was at university in California. Since they were all born and raised anywhere from 1,200 to 1,900 miles from their grandparents, and most of their aunts, uncles, Had I left that moment as it was, peace and and cousins, we immediately began to catch love would have conjoined with togetherness up on family unity by hosting a Christmas in our house. But one year, my irritation afternoon dinner at our house for as many at my sleeping siblings overcame me, as a child was wonderful, of our family, near and far, as could attend. so I opened my gifts alone; and once That first year we seated 36. Dining but for me, watching that adrenaline rush subsided, I opened together was made literal by abutting two each of my siblings’ gifts too. Awash my four children rectangular folding tables pushed endwith the spirit of Christmas, and their experience it has been to-end against our formal dining table, all revealed gifts in hand, I excitedly rushed of which easily fit within our combination the greatest gift of all. into their bedrooms to wake them, and to dining room/ astonish and amuse them with what they got. gathering room They woke and they were astonished, but they that was seemingly weren’t amused, and a family legend was born. destined for this purpose.
Christmastime
Christmastime as a child was wonderful, but for me, watching my four children experience it has been the greatest gift of all. We were away from family, so for us it was “Christmas Party of Six.” Fortunately, for much of that time we lived in Seattle, where the winter weather and the plentiful pines conspire to create a child’s holiday fantasy. I remember that Christmas morning when upon waking to snow that I had promised him, my 6 year old son turned to me wide-eyed, and with a husky fervor asked, “How did you do that dad?” I omitted “The Weather Channel” from my reply. I remember
As I watched my suddenly expanded family fall effortlessly together, building the next wave of memories and legends, I realized that Christmas was still Christmas, and always would be, adjusting herself to new surroundings and participants like a “moveable feast” of family.
BY JOE ARCINIEGA
cream december / january 2014
37
the kid in me loves my proudest moment was my secret to happiness is my #1 pick me up is
i never say no to
MATI BECERRA
BY MEMO JIMÉNEZ ILLUSTRATIONS DAGLYS RIVAS & GABY LOZANO
ps4
There are only two types of people in the world: those that play videogames and the ones that do not. Those that play video games have a really exciting holiday season coming up. The ones that do not are probably a) purchasing these gifts for others as true displays of love or b) already annoyed. This year there will be something for everyone. Sony and Microsoft are both releasing a new version of their super successful gaming consoles: the PS4 and Xbox One, respectively. They are both pretty much the same thing except for a few tiny details. PS4 will be released first, and is approximately $100 cheaper than its competitor, but it doesn’t include the PlayStation Camera, which costs about $100. The Sony console did, however, get a much-needed modernistic facelift, and the controller got a trackpad. This is the future of design. PS4 wins in that department by far. 40
cream december / january 2014
One literally did not care about xbox one Xbox looking pretty for its debut and
decided to go for a cable box-type shell. They did go back to black, though, and wearing all black is so totally in right now. The new Xbox One comes with the same Blu-ray disc playing capabilities that PS3 had in 2006. Impressive! You pay $100 more for it, but you don’t have to buy a Kinect separately, and you get to play Halo. Both systems allow you to create an online profile that remembers everything you do while playing. You also get to stay connected with your gamer friends all the time. There are some conspiracy theories out there claiming that the camera on these new devices will allow the government to spy on your life, but that just means you probably don’t want to be playing in your chones all day. Who does that anyway?
battlefield 4
What is actually really exciting about these new toys is their ability to render amazing images and ridiculously fantastic virtual environments. It’s like you’re actually there! Except for the fact that 90% of video games are about shooting people and massive explosions, which is exactly what happens in the newly released Battlefield 4. It’s a FPS (first-person shooter) game, much like Halo, where you go on a bunch of missions to, uhm, save the world? Destroy it? Not sure. In this version, the player also gets to interact with the virtual environment and physically alter it. As in, the player can cause floods and wreck ships and essentially become godlike. The makers are branding it as #Levolution, and it’s supposed to change the face of battle. Like, live-action filmmakers should probably just quit because people that are into blowing things up will be so unimpressed after this game. Memo is a pop culture blogger from Laredo, Texas living in Austin, Texas. Follow his blog at dirtycultblog.com
Reynaldo Godines, M.D. BY SANDY LUGO
A charismatic entrepreneur with a passion for helping his fellow men, Dr. Godines’ credentials include degrees from Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and as a gastroenterologist from Baylor Medical Center in Houston. He is a well-known John F. Kennedy connoisseur who speaks candidly about the topic with remarkable passion. As his successful business career continues to flourish throughout the years, we present you with this brief inside look of his trajectory.
D
O YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE REACHED
YOUR GOALS IN YOUR CAREER?
The goals in our mortal careers are reached if our children grow healthy and have happiness. WHAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSPERSON?
Service to humanity. WHAT
IS THE MOST
SATISFYING PART OF YOUR JOB? Helping
people improve their health.
WHAT
INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A DOCTOR?
Seeing my parents helping people. WHAT ARE SOME OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME WHILE PRACTICING MEDICINE?
Staying healthy and working 16 hours a day. AS A BUSINESSMAN, WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE? Low Medicare reimbursement. WHAT IS THE BASIS TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN GENERAL? Staying
healthy. IF YOU COULD BE ANYTHING ELSE IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? Teacher. Many good people. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT? Graduating from medical school. YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT... My family. IF YOU COULD LIVE OR TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? Singapore, because every narcotics addict gets help and no one sells illegal drugs there. WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION? Faith, hope, and love. WHAT ERA DO YOU IDENTIFY WITH How do you handle stress? OR WISH YOU WERE A PART OF? The era of the peacemaker, JFK. WHAT IS THE WERE YOU EVER INFLUENCED BY A SPECIAL PERSON OR MENTOR?
‟Prayerˮ
MOST VALUABLE LIFE LESSON YOU HAVE
Eat healthy and exercise daily. ARE YOU A GLASS HALF-FULL OR A GLASS HALF-EMPTY TYPE OF PERSON? WHY? Half-full, because life is a gift. WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE? Book-TV.org on C-SPAN to hear and see the author’s summary of their non-fiction books every Saturday and Sunday. HOW DO YOU HANDLE STRESS? Prayer. IF YOU COULD SPEND A DAY WITH ANY FAMOUS PERSON, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD YOU PICK? Jesus Christ. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES? Biking, reading, and snow skiing. LEARNED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS?
cream december / january 2014
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creamtips
In this picture, Celina is performing the Hot Yoga Variation of Tree Pose, which allows the practitioner to greatly increase flexibility of the ankles, knees, and hip joints. Two equally important benefits are that this asana helps improve posture and balance along with concentration. It has the added benefit of preventing hernias by strengthening the internal obliques. Remember to stay healthy and start 2014 full of energy and new goals.
Model: Celina Guardiola
YOGApose
L
ast month, Casa Yoga organized the Yoga Festival and teamed up with the Río Grande International Study Center (RGISC), along with other generous local sponsors, to donate all proceeds to planting trees in our very own North Central Park. Whether you are enjoying the view of your festive Christmas tree or admiring the new young shrubs at the park, trees are all around us. Trees are the Earth’s lungs; they are constant reminders that life is all about living in the moment and that our world is living and breathing all the time!
of the month
No pose could be more appropriate for the holiday season than the “Tree Pose.”
DIY Xmas gifts! BY FERNANDA MALDONADO
Materials: 2 half pint canning jars 1 small round canning jar Chocolate powdered cocoa Miniature marshmallows Peppermints Black construction paper Acrylic pens Hot glue gun Christmas ribbon
creamdiy
C
harles M. Schulz once said, “Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.” As we stand for hours on end in those painstakingly interminable lines at the mall, to the near point of dementia, it most certainly doesn’t feel that way. However, it’s gratifying to note that we are surrounded by our loved ones who make this effort (and expense, of course) worth it all on that very special day of the year. On this yuletide season, there’s nothing like the gift of hot cocoa to show that special person you’re thinking of them during these chilliest of times! Instructions: 1) Start with the round jar and fill it up with mini marshmallows. 2) To create the snowman hat, trace the top of the round jar on the construction paper and then trace a larger circle on the outside of the first one. Cut the larger circle and remove the interior circle where you traced the top of the hat in order for it to fit over the brim of the jar. 3) Using the acrylic pens, draw the face on the mini marshmallow filled jar. 4) Next, take the powdered cocoa mix and fill up one of the half pint canning jars and draw three diagonal black buttons on it (Tip: You can even use real buttons and glue them on instead). 5) Once again, you’ll be taking the last half pint canning jar and fill that one up with the peppermints. 6) Now, take the three jars and hot glue them together, starting with the marshmallow one, then cocoa, and lastly peppermint. Let them dry for a few minutes. 7) Finally, take the Christmas ribbon and wrap it around your snowman to give him a scarf. *As a nice twist, you can even have the snowman holding on to a mini Bailey’s bottle using rope strings for an “adult” hot cocoa. And voila! Perfect gift to give that “little something extra” to your friends, family, co-workers, or even neighbors. Whether you’re enjoying a steaming mug of hot chocolate by the Christmas tree in the sole company of a book or surrounded by a multitude of out of town relatives, your friends at Cream wish you a very merry Christmas and happy holidays!
creamout&about
concert-mania Some of the biggest names in the musical industry were added to the repertoire of artists who performed live at the Laredo Energy Arena this past fall. Former Timbiriche members Benny, Sasha, and Erik lit the stage as they performed hits from their latest album, Primera Fila. Mexican musical legend Emmanuel delighted audiences who sang along to his romantic tunes in an unforgettable evening. In addition, fans swooned over Alejandro “El Potrillo” Fernández’ melodic lyrics to close off this diverse concert season brought exclusively to you by MAG Entertainment, E-Management and Tabarez Investments.
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creamout&about photos courtesy of lea and ortiz cisneros
want to feature your event? contact us for more info at info@creamcitymagazine.com