ALM Feb 2018 by Absolute Living Magazine

BE A

CTI

VE +

LIVE

WEL

ALM Brooke Van Paris

Spring 2018–Accessorize Your Accessories!

The

Importance of Breakfast

It really does matter—especially for your children.

Selecting Artwork

Create the perfect visual impact in your home.

“God puts opportunities in our lives to get us to take them.”

B ring It On! >KINDNESS MAKES US HEALTHIER, AS THE RECIPIENT OR THE GIVER!<

FEBRUARY 2018

Unstoppable

THE NEW 2018 SUBARU

OUTBACK

BUY STARTING AT

25,275

PLUS TAXES & FEES

TomWoodSubaru.com 855.530.5631 3300 E 96th St Indianapolis, IN 46240

The Car You Want. The Way You Want.

Imagine your space, tailored to the way you live. Let Tailored Living featuring Premier Garage personalize your space today with a variety of custom storage solutions for your entire home. • Closets • Garage Storage & Floor Coatings • Home Offices • Pantries • Entryways • Murphy Beds • Laundry Rooms Call today to schedule your free in-home consultation!

317.842.4272 www.tailoredliving.com/indy

Feb 18

Volume 10. Issue 02. (#125)

A C T I VE LIFE MAGAZ I N E

CONTENTS

UNSTOPPABLE Brooke Van Paris

ALM

Active Life

magazine

Editor-in-Chief / Co-Founder EDUARDO PEÑA

Executive Editor / Co-Founder JUSTYNA DORUCH

Account Executives

SPRING 2018– ACCESSORIZE YOUR ACCESSORIES!

JUSTYNA DORUCH

Senior Writer MATTHEW HUME

Contributing Writers

VALERIE JONES JENNI MEYERS

SPRING FORWARD

KORTNEY NORRIS

REBECCA SCOTT

Photography

BRING IT ON!

EDUARDO PEÑA

Art

THE IMPORTANCE OF BREAKFAST

ROGER PEÑA

Marketing Director

ISMAEL PEÑA

Circulation

SELECTING ARTWORK

USPS & ACTIVE LIFE MAGAZINE

THE NEW MEDITERRANEAN: MAJORCA, SPAIN

Comments & Feedback EDITORIAL@ACTIVELIFEGUIDE.COM

Subscriptions SUBSCRIBE@ACTIVELIFEGUIDE.COM

Photography By Eduardo Peña

Active Life Magazine is published monthly by Active Life Guide Corp. 597 Industrial Dr., Carmel, IN 46032; Copyright by Active Life Guide Corp. Active Life Magazine and Active Life Guide are registered trademarks of Active Life Guide Corp.

p20 A C T IVE LIFE MAGA ZIN E | FE B R UA RY 2 0 1 8

Active Life Magazine strongly recommends that you consult with your physician before beginning any exercise program. If you follow these fitness tips, you agree to do so at your own risk and assume all risk of injury to yourself, and agree to release and discharge Active Life Magazine from any claims.

AC TI V E L I FE M AGAZI NE . C O M

Adkins Family-owned for over 40 years

Draperies & Blinds Shutters • Blinds • Shades • Draperies • Motorization

Call to schedule your Free in–home consultation or visit our showroom today!

317-896-3833 • 3162 E. State Rd 32, Westfield, IN 46074 www.adkinsdraperyshop.com

Dr. Jan Turkle is pleased to welcome dermatologist Dr. Matt Strausburg to the practice. Dr. Strausburg is a medical and surgical dermatologist. He will see both pediatric and adult patients. Please call our office to schedule an appointment for your plastic surgery and dermatology needs. Saturday appointments available.

11455 N. Meridian Street Suite 150 Carmel, IN 46032

www.turklemd.com 317.848.0001

BEAUTY

Let your hair speak for you.

& Cosmetic

SPRING 2018

Salon One Four

wearable for everyday is easier than you think, and your stylist is a great person to ask for advice!

hen I look for inspiration for photo shoots, bridal hair, and even everyday looks, I am often inspired by fashion. The way fabric moves as a model walks... the slight twinkle of a perfectly placed embellishment... even the architecture of a stage at a show: These all can summon inspiration. This year we are seeing a TON of hair accessories—from Dolce and Gabbana’s jeweled crowns, to a simple low pony with a scrunchie as part of Mansur Gavriel’s shout out to the 90s. Making a runway trend

The first question I always ask a new client is, "How do you feel the most beautiful?" The answer to this tells a lot about the person and gives a road map of what direction to go with their style. Incorporating trends doesn’t necessarily mean you have to chop off your hair and drastically change the color—but that can be fun, too! Here are a few ways to mix it up for Spring 2018 with a low commitment new do! • Switch your part! We are seeing a lot of deep side and center parts on the runway and in magazines right now. It’s simple yet impactful and will make you feel brand new! • Try a sleek, low ponytail—kind of an instant face lift, too! Go to Michael’s and get a leather or suede lace cording that contrasts with your hair color. Then wrap it around the first 3-5 inches of your ponytail for a sexy, fresh look.

A C TIVE LIF E MAG A ZIN E | FE B R UA RY 2 0 1 8

Accessorize Your Accessories!

• Bright colors! I know what you are thinking... "She said it was low commitment!" Hair Chalk is a fun, easy way to mix it up. A peek-a-boo panel underneath or a tri-color braided ponytail is simple, fun, and it washes out! (Kevin Murphy Color Bugs, $21) Whatever trend you experiment with, big or small, remember to be true to yourself. Be present, be inspired, and be you! "Be true to yourself and you will never fall." -Beastie Boys

Kortney Norris Owner of Salon One Four

www.salononefour.com

1407 E 86th Street | Indianapolis, IN 46240

AC TI V E L I FE M AGAZI NE . C O M

Salon One Four

2.18

BEAUTY & Cosmetic

Give the Gift of Love

$ Gift Cards Available! See Spa for details.

Present at Massag eLuXe®/FaceLuXe® for the purchase services in the United of goods or States. This card of goods or cannot be® redeeme (except in those ® for the purchase states that require d for /FaceLuXe cash ed for cash redempteLuXe at Massag if lost or stolen. ion for cash) cannot be redeem or card If found, Present replaced States. This please return replaced United in thethis at participating card to the merchan tion for cash) or services MassageLuXe ® t. Valid to the merchant. Valid that require redemp /FaceLuXe®states locations. (except in those return this card If found, please s. ® ® /FaceLuXe location if lost or stolen. eLuXe For balance inquiries participating Massag please at

317-203-3303 11529 Spring Mill Rd., Suite 200 Carmel, IN 46032 contact your local www.Massage MassageLuXe®/FaceLuX ® ® spa. LuXe.com e spa. LuXe®/FaceLuXe www.FaceLuX your local Massage e.com please contact For balance inquiries LuXe.com www.Massage e.com www.FaceLuX

1 HOUR MASSAGE OR LUXE FACIAL FREE HYDROLUXE MASSAGE WITH PURCHASE Consists of a 50-minute service and time for consultation and dressing. Normal rate $115. New clients only. See spa for details. Expires 3/14/18.

125

REVIVE SPECIAL 1 Hour Standard Massage 1 Hour LuXe Facial Eye and Scalp Treatment *Massage/facial each consist of 50-minute service and time for consultation and dressing. See spa for details. Expires 3/14/18.

FASHION

Cheer up your seasonal look with a splash of bold color.

& Style

2.18

FASHION & Style

Sheer Taped Parka SCOTCH & SODA

Amber Lin Love Tee ZADIG & VOLTAIRE

Jem Yellow Bok + Pepper Clutch VASH

Vintage Slim Denim McGUIRE

Blair 5 Slip-On Sneakers VINCE

By Jenni Meyers, Owner of beauty+grace

Spring Forward

uring the dull intersection of winter and spring, it’s hard not to get stuck in a style rut. We may be looking forward to warm-weather dressing, but the weather is just not cooperating. Cue the endless cycle of black, gray and more black. Put on a happy face! You don’t have to wait for sundress weather to lighten up your outfits. The easiest way to spice up your look is simply to add color. Simply pop your color with an eyecatching purse, or a sunny, warm-colored pair of shoes, and you’ll be surprised at how much a cheery hue can brighten up your look and your day! All items are available at beauty + grace boutique Carmel City Center

A C TIVE LIF E MAG A ZIN E | FE B R UA RY 2 0 1 8

AC TI V E L I FE M AGAZI NE . C O M

1-HOUR SERVICE with a free

Lavender Vanilla SCRUB

MASSAGE

FACIAL

$49.99* $59.99* *In-store promotion valid until February 28, 2018, at participating locations. Elevations are not performed independent from a minimum 1-hour service and do not include HydraFacial or Microdermabrasion. Lavender Vanilla Scrub is available for a limited time only and while supplies last. Service time includes 10 minutes of prep time. Rates and services may vary by location. Additional local taxes and fees may apply. See Retreat for details. Each Massage Heights Retreat is independently owned and operated. Franchise opportunities available. ÂŠ2018 Massage Heights Franchising, LLC. All rights reserved.

000708 MH-Ironworks Valentines Day Active Life Magazine Ad.indd 1

Ironworks

2721 E 86th St, Ste 160 Indianapolis, IN 46240

317.559.5910

Meridian and Main 1438 W Main St, Ste 103 Carmel, IN 46032

317.669.9710

1/24/18 1:26 PM

HEALTH

Make kindness a part of your daily wellness routine.

& Wellness

2.18

HEALTH & Wellness

Bring it on! Kindness

By Valerie Jones, CPC

makes us healthier, as the recipient or the giver! how do we make this more intentional on a consistent basis? Sometimes it might be slowing down a little—taking the time to observe the people around you, or listeningfor cues in any form of communication.

Since February signifies love, American Heart Health month, and even Random Acts of Kindness week, I thought it would be timely to turn our attention to kindness and how it impacts our health in a very positive way! Webster's dictionary defines kindness as "the quality or state of being kind, treating people with kindness and respect, a kind deed, a favor, affection." Acts of kindness and even just witnessing acts of kindness trigger certain hormones and chemicals in our bodies, leading to activity in our brain's pleasure and reward centers. I found some excellent "Kindness Health Facts" from the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. It's quite an impressive list and backed by research. Here are just a few: • Lowers blood pressure and improves our overall heart health

• Brings calmness, improves our mood and makes us feel happy • Improves energy • Decreases pain And kindness is contagious! Did you ever have a stranger pay for your coffee? What did you do? "The positive effects of kindness are experienced in the brain of everyone who witnessed the act, improving their mood and making them significantly more likely to 'pay it forward.' This means one good deed in a crowded area can create a domino effect and improve the day for dozens of people"(https://www. randomactsofkindness.org/thescience-of-kindness). Now that's powerful! I'm sure you can think of times you have been kind to others, have witnessedkindness, or someone was kind to you, and recall the warmth and positivity it brought. With all of the benefits of kindness,

A C TIVE LIF E MAG A ZIN E | FE B R UA RY 2 0 1 8

This brings me to social awareness. Social awareness is a component of emotional intelligence. I recommend Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves. It's a quick read and has very practical applications for improving our personal development. But what is it? Social awareness is having the ability to recognize and understand the emotions of others. It brings us from looking inward, to looking outward. Using our emotions to interpret other people can help us think of the other person and can bring compassion and empathy. There are many social awareness strategies, but I recommend starting with really being present and listening. Remember, it can be the smallest act of kindness that makes a tremendous impact in someone's day, and it might even spark a domino effect. Here's to our health! VALERIE@COACHINGCX.COM

AC TI V E L I FE M AGAZI NE . C O M

A C TIVE LIF E MAG A ZIN E | FE B R UA RY 2 0 1 8

Unstoppabl

By Matthew Hume | Photography By Eduardo PeÃ±a

Brooke Van Paris

Cover Story

AC TI V E L I FE M AGAZI NE . C O M

Cover Story

Brooke and I stepped in from the bitter cold one recent January afternoon to talk at a local Greenwood, Indiana, coffeeshop. Not being familiar with the area, I’d sought out a location on Yelp and suggested we meet there—and I knew from Brooke’s email response we’d get along famously: “OMG, yes! It’s my FAVORITE coffee place!” And in the spirit of full disclosure, that enthusiasm also struck me as a somewhat typical millennial response, steeped in the informal language of chat and text messaging. When I entered the café’s warm embrace, however, and saw Brooke standing just a few feet from me, I saw much more than a young woman with an attractive face and flowing blond hair. Before she even spoke, I saw that behind Brooke Van Paris’s face is a powerful body that, quite frankly, looks like it could do some damage. You see, Brooke is no “typical” millennial at all, but a professional obstacle course racer, physical trainer, and recent reality television sensation.

Of course, I’d already done some reading up on Brooke, aka “BVP,” aka “Beast-Mode Barbie.” In 2016, Brooke competed as one of 16 professional athletes on FOX network’s American Grit, produced by Jon Kroll and hosted by WWE phenom John Cena. In 2017, she’d had a brief run on “StoneCold” Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge. And not only had she competed in dozens and dozens of professional obstacle course races (OCR), including three national and world championships, but Brooke also had taken home her division trophy at the 2017 NPC Midwest Battle of the Champions—in her very first (and she later told me, in all likelihood, her last) body-building event. Brooke Van Paris, by all appearances, knows no limits.

Knows no limits

After watching several clips of Brooke in action, I was left with one overarching question: Why? I clearly understand the human desire and need to be active, stay healthy, keep that weight off and that heart and mind happy. But what

on earth drives a seemingly otherwise rational person to willingly submit to the harsh and even life-threatening conditions that can be found in extreme sports? Brooke’s stint on American Grit came to an end when she was wheeled away in an ambulance upon elimination from round 2 with a diagnosis of stage 3 hypothermia. In preparing for the NPC competition, her workout and nutrition regimen reduced her body fat to just 7%, so low that her body entered the early stages of menopause, complete with hot flashes— at the age of 27. So, when Brooke and I sat down that afternoon, I jumped right in and asked: “Why?”

“God puts opportunities in our lives to get us to take them,” Brooke believes. A CTIV E LIF E MAGAZINE .COM

A TESTAMENT TO WILL Answering this question took Brooke back in time to a life-changing and heart-wrenching event—which has ultimately led to an inspirational story of achievement—that occurred in her sophomore year of college at Indiana University. On October 29, 2009, Brooke was involved in a head-on collision that left both of her hands completely shattered. “I had the green, but when I passed into the intersection, I was struck,” she says. “The car did two complete 360s, the tires all blew out, and the windshield shattered.” It was when she opened her eyes to the smoke of the airbags that she says instinct took over. “I couldn’t get out of the car—the brakes were wrapped around my feet,” she tells me. “I took off my shoes and ran barefoot into the intersection, and all I could think was, ‘My dad just bought me a new radiator!’” Through the kindness of strangers, she borrowed a phone to make a call to her parents. At that point, when the adrenaline slowed, Brooke knew something was wrong. “I still can’t believe how I got out of that car and made that phone call,” she says. “My hands were shattered with compound fractures— they wanted to curl up into little balls.” This began a two-year long journey during which Brooke lacked the ability to use her hands. The next day, Brooke underwent the first of four surgeries that it would take to complete the repair. “I had pins and screws in my hands and casts from the fingertip to the elbow,” she recalls. Clearly, this presented a challenge to the aspiring undergrad. “My dad asked what I wanted to do about school,” she says, “and I told him I didn’t want to just sit there and do nothing.” And so, with her father’s dedicated help, Brooke completed her degree in just 4 ½ years. “He drove down to Bloomington from Indianapolis every day, fed me, bathed me, helped me with my homework—he was

A C T I VE L I F E MAG AZ I N E | F EBR U ARY 2018

Cover Story everything,” she says. Of course, Brooke had the help of talk-to-text software and the support of her professors; although she explains she did have to change her major. (The ubiquitous spreadsheets of accounting and finance proved too much for talk-to-text, and the management track suited her just fine.) Brooke describes living those years in “survival mode”—waking up, doing school, and eating. Getting through it. Never saying die. ILLUMINATING THE WORLD AROUND In the years following her accident, Brooke’s confidence was shaken. Although she’d been a gymnast from the time she was young, the years after college left Brooke unsure of which direction to take her workout. “I gained 40 pounds, I was miserable, and I hated what I saw in the mirror,” she tells me. In 2015, a coworker started urging Brooke to compete in a local obstacle course race. “He had to keep after me for six months,” she says. “I’m not a runner, and I was embarrassed.” But eventually, Brooke caved in and competed in the Morgan’s Mud Gauntlet—and describes it as a “horrifying experience” for her. “I was winded the whole time, completely out of breath, my legs were on fire, and I failed 75% of the obstacles,” Brooke says. But here’s Brooke’s spirit in a nutshell. When she reached the finish line, she realized none of that mattered. “Everyone there was on a different part of their fitness journey,” she says. “No one judged me— everyone was there to complete the race.” She fell in love with OCR that very day—and did 48 races in her first 9 months of competition. “Mom never taught me to half love someone,” she laughs. “I’m always all in, all out.” And so being all in, Brooke qualified 8 times for the world championships that

year, dropped 40 pounds, and in October 2015 represented the United States in OCR. . “I’ve always been a person of faith,” Brooke says, “but when my accident happened, I really did wonder ‘why me?’” In the days leading up to that first world championship, Brooke ran across a post on social media that changed how she saw herself and where she’d come from. In the following quote, the course of Brooke’s life was about to change: “Your testimony could be the key that unlocks someone else’s prison.” “I knew then that I needed to share my story,” Brooke explains. “I realized that not everyone is like me and that some people with injuries or a need to lose weight struggle with finding a way out. I wanted people to see me—to know my journey—and to help them see there’s a way.” And with that championship race, Brooke stepped out onto the stage to shine her bright, enduring light.

You see, that loving and dedicated relationship didn’t begin with her car accident. “My dad is my best friend,” she says. As the youngest of three girls, Brooke tells me her father wanted that third child to be a boy. “And got me!” she smiles. Throughout her childhood, Brooke’s father coached her through softball and basketball— and she says he’s been a part of her obstacle course racing experience every step of the way. “My whole family is really close,” she says, “and Mom’s been to races, too.” But it’s her father that accompanies her to every race, to the point that the other athletes see him as part of the team. This deep bond between daughter and father is made even more precious by a cancer scare when Brooke was in the 4th grade. “He was diagnosed with stage 2 lymphoma,” she remembers. “Not that I wasn’t a daddy’s girl before, but it’s those kinds of experiences that make you really understand how dear life is.”

BORN TO LOVE Among Brooke’s adventures in reality TV was a very brief run on Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge. It was so brief that she was eliminated within a mere 30-seconds in a water challenge— against a water polo player (as if that was a fair match). “I was very much out of my element on that show,” Brooke laughs. “I’m a lover, not a fighter… I smash weights, but I don’t smash people!” Spend any time with Brooke, and you know she’s speaking truth here. More than proving Brooke’s indomitable spirit, the story of her recovery and her unceasing spirit to achieve first her degree, then competition after competition, are indicative of the deep love that drills right down to her very core.

A STRENGTH THAT ENDURES Back to that question of “Why?” Or perhaps better to ask, “Why not?” When Brooke was faced with the “Ice Cubed” challenge on American Grit, her cadre told her to put her head somewhere else. “I said to myself that nothing could be worse than what I’d already been through in my accident and during my recovery,” Brooke remembers. “My team needed me.” Brooke endured for herself, and she endured for her team—but she also endured for her family. “I don’t have kids myself and don’t know what the future holds,” she says, “but I have four- and fiveyear-old nieces, and I want to show them how to be strong.” They’ve certainly got a good teacher in their aunt Brooke. And with a future wide open to possibility, Brooke Van Paris (aka “BVP,” aka “Beast-Mode Barbie”) will undoubtedly continue to impress and inspire us all.

Take a look at the love shared between Brooke and her father.

A C TIVE LIF E MAG A ZIN E | FE B R UA RY 2 0 1 8

AC TI V E L I FE M AGAZI NE . C O M

Brooke considers her time on American Grit, and the connections she made there, as life-changing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I got to meet pro male and female bodybuilders, an Olympic gold medalist, a U.S. triathlete, and a former NFL player! Just looking at each other, we immediately felt so much respect.â&#x20AC;? A CTIV E LIF E MAGAZINE .COM

A C T I VE L I F E MAG AZ I N E | F EBR U ARY 2018

4705 East 96th Strrt | 317.571.0077

GRRNWWD

1691 West Cuuy Road | 317.881.0500

EAT “Life…has few pleasanter prospects than a neatly-arranged and well-provisioned breakfast-table.” ― Nathaniel Hawthorne

& Drink

2.18

EAT & Drink

The

By Diana Kawecki, MA, NSCA-CPT Nutrition Coaching

IMPORTANCE of BREAKFAST

"Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper to stay healthy..." Dalai Lama

Breakfast Brain Power It's important for kids to have breakfast every day, but what they eat in the morning is crucial, too. Choosing breakfast foods rich in whole grains, fiber and protein, while low in added sugar, may boost kids' attention span, concentration, and memory—which they need to learn in school. If you have a little more time • Omelets with lean ham and tomatoes • Pancakes with fresh fruit filling • Wholegrain toast or fresh bread with eggs (not fried), baked beans, cooked mushrooms or tomatoes • Plain wholegrain muffin with lean bacon and cooked tomatoes It is also important to have healthy drinks with breakfast. Water or low-fat milk (for children over 2 years) is best. Try to limit fruit juice to 1/2 a glass a day, as fruit juice contains lots of sugar. Instead, give a piece of fruit to your child to get fiber into their diet.

A C TIVE LIF E MAG A ZIN E | FE B R UA RY 2 0 1 8

ou probably heard it from your own parents: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But now you're the one saying it—to your own sleepy, frazzled, grumpy kids, who insist "I'm not hungry" as you try to get everyone fed and moving in the morning. Skipping breakfast can make kids feel tired, restless or irritable. In the morning, their bodies need to refuel for the day ahead after going without food for 8 to 12 hours during sleep. Their mood and energy can drop by midmorning if they don't eat at least a small morning meal. Breakfast also can help keep kids' weight in check. Breakfast kick-starts the body's metabolism, the process by which the body converts the fuel in food to energy. And when the metabolism gets moving, the body starts burning calories. Also, people who don't eat breakfast often consume more calories throughout the day and are more likely to be overweight. That's because someone who skips breakfast is likely to get famished before lunchtime and snack on high-calorie foods or overeat at lunch. Quick and easy ideas • Cereal with milk*, yogurt and/or fruit • Wholegrain toast, raisin bread or muffins, fruit spreads or sliced banana • Fresh fruit with yogurt • Fruit smoothies made with fresh or canned fruit • Oatmeal with warm milk and stewed fruit *Note: Milk fat is an important source of energy and fat-soluble vitamins required for normal growth and development. After the age of 2, most kids can begin to drink low-fat milk as part of a varied diet. AC TI V E L I FE M AGAZI NE . C O M

sunshin thi winter

grow som

11405 Allisonville Rd Fishers, IN 46038 317.849.4490 allisonvillegarden.com

HOME

Make your home an outward expression of your creative self.

& Real Estate

2.18

HOME & Real Estate

Art

By Rebecca Scott, Design Consultant At Arhaus

Selecting Artwork

should be chosen based on what your heart falls in love with.

be grouped with similar art pieces to create a collage for greater effect.

ome of the most personalized items in any home are the pieces of artwork we hang on the walls. Whether the art is made up of personal photos, pieces collected while on vacation, or images created by a friend, these items can tell a visual story about what we love or find interesting. Art is for expression and should be chosen based on what your heart falls in love with. It is all about personal styleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;but we still want it to be stylish. So, how do we go about selecting items that tell our story and are also aesthetically pleasing? First, the art

While the artwork theme can bend the rules, make sure the frames match the style of your home. Use simple, clean line frames in a contemporary home and antique-style frames to blend in a more traditional space. should be in harmony with the overall mood of the surrounding room. So, if the room is for relaxation and calming such as a bedroom, then the artwork should reflect this. This means calming colors that blend with the hues of the room and imagery that conjures a serene feel. In areas such as living spaces and dining, you can go bold, but still pull the color from other items in the room so it feels like it belongs. If the artwork is to be the main focus of a space, then downplay other elements such as color, pattern and texture. This brings your attention first to the art, allowing it to shine.

Artwork is the one area in a space that lends towards a more eclectic choice, so you can be a little more irrational in your approach. It is where the heart should guide you on what will bring you the most joy to view every day. It should primarily be something that inspires and intrigues the homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inhabitants. Keep these few principles in mind to make sure your art delivers on creating the perfect visual impact in your home.

Selecting the right size of art is essential for proportion. An oversized piece can overwhelm, but an image that is too small will be lost. Larger pieces require more visual wall space around them to not feel crowded. A smaller piece can

A C TIVE LIF E MAG A ZIN E | FE B R UA RY 2 0 1 8

AC TI V E L I FE M AGAZI NE . C O M

TRAVEL

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always the right time to expand your horizons.

& Explore

THE NEW

TRAVEL & Explore 2.18

MEDITERRANEAN Majorca, Spain

Could anything be closer to paradise?

he largest of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, Majorca is perfect for families. It's filled with golden beaches and crowded with a vast range of family-friendly villas and hotels. It is also granted with excellent weather that makes it a great destination in June when temperatures reach 77 F and above. It’s the favorite holiday destination of Spain’s royal family. For those who like family activities, attractions, sports, and destinations for children, we suggest... CABRERA ISLAND Tiny Cabrera is the largest island of an archipelago off the south coast of Majorca. It used to house a prison camp but is now a national park. Take a boat trip for the day and hike up to the 14th-century castle for superb views of Majorca. Look out for kestrels, falcons, shearwaters and shags. Then head to Sa Plageta beach for a spot of snorkeling. STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING IN THE BAY OF ALCÚDIA Most adults and children easily master the basics of stand-up paddleboarding, which is a great way of getting out on

the turquoise water around Majorca. Book an introductory lesson in the resort of Port d'Alcúdia—where the sea is usually very calm—and paddle your way around the bay, taking in caves and also swimming, snorkeling and jumping off the rocks, too, if you like. ARTÀ CAVES There is a secret, mysterious world to be discovered in the limestone cliffs of Cap Vermell, near lovely Canyamel beach on the east coast. The Artà caves are a labyrinth of eerie formations that have formed over thousands of years. Caverns as big as cathedrals contain stalactites, stalagmites and dripstones that look like monsters, weird vegetables or ghosts. Every member of the family sees something different— and everyone's imagination goes into overdrive, an experience exacerbated by the use of lights and music. PLAYA DE MURO Shallow water that is perfect for paddling, blue flag status and lots of facilities make Playa de Muro the ideal beach for families with small children— and teens will love the kiteboarding and other watersports. Hotels flank

A C TIVE LIF E MAG A ZIN E | FE B R UA RY 2 0 1 8

long stretches of the bay around the northeastern coast of the island, which is handy for popping back and forth, but parts of the three-mile-long beach are backed just by dunes and juniper and pine trees—ideal for shady picnics—if you prefer a more natural vibe. LEARN TO SAIL IN POLLENSA BAY If you are staying in or around Port de Pollensa, you could spend three afternoons as a family learning to sail in the tranquil bay. Highly experienced and patient instructors will teach you a range of basic maneuvers in a reassuringly stable boat. AC TI V E L I FE M AGAZI NE . C O M

NMLS: 141868

Race into Ruoff and let Greg help you take the checkered flag.

Apply online at www.ruoff.com/gregevans Greg Evans | VP, Branch Manager | NMLS: 138492 317.590.6546 | greg.evans@ruoff.com Ruoff Mortgage Company, Inc., d/b/a Ruoff Home Mortgage, is an Indiana corporation licensed by the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) and operates with the following license: Indiana-DFI First Lien Mortgage Lending License #10994. This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend. All loans must satisfy company underwriting guidelines. Information and pricing are subject to change at any time and without notice. Equal Housing Lender. 11282017

THE WOLF HAS ARRIVED THE WARM EMBRACE OF SOFT LEATHER N O W AT H O U S E W O R K S

Form and function

HW HW t h i r t y + ye t ha i rrtsy + ye a r s

HOUSEWORKS HOUSEWORKS

t h e w a y y o u l i v et h. e w a y y o u l i v e .

Handcrafted

NEW ADDRESS 4905 E. 82nd Street Indianapolis, IN 46250 317.578.7000 Mon. to Fri.10 - 7 Sat. 10-6 Sun. 12-5 houseworks.biz