Faribault • Northfield • Owatonna • St. Peter • Waseca
JAN./FEB. 2010
The love of archery has forged a strong bond between four friends
The Power of Ten Girlfriends brings you 10 Top 10s to help you have a fun and healthy New Year.
Foot wars where local women turn
High heels pose a lot of foot problems for women.
We Time: Enjoy the many theater offerings taking place throughout the region. Play Clothes: Mary Closner recalls with little
fondness her days as a sorority sister.
Girlfriends Magazine • P.O. Box 537 • Northfield, MN 55057
INSIDE
Chatfest: Just in time for Valentine’s Day, an all-male panel talks about love and relationships.
Play Clothes
Being a ‘sorority girl’ not all it’s cracked up to be “H
i, I’m Dave Cavanaugh, have you met my date,
Mary?” People who know me will be horrified to realize that I succumbed to the extreme peer pressure of youth and was at one time labeled a “Sorority Girl.” My sorority was known for its “service work.” Let me translate that for anybody who doesn’t have a Greek background. It means we had the least attractive girls and threw the worst parties on campus! I might as well have branded a huge “L” for LOSER on my forehead and gone through college wearing an “I Heart My Dachshund” t-shirt. This sorority was going to be no help with my social life. Oh yeah, I wore my maroon polyester v-neck sweater with huge Greek letters plastered on the front. I sang the insipid songs and adhered the stupid pledge pin to my washcloth so I wouldn’t be without it if one of my “sisters” checked on me while I was showering. I was filled with deep pride as we made cookies for
tion paper cards. I have three words for you: Dorks Don’t Date. We didn’t even have a sorority house. How lame is that? So much for the movies, where there are always big white mansions with huge columns and wrap-around porches. Where was my older, gentile house Mom? We had one formal at a rented mansion that reeked of stale beer and was like a movie set where everything was a façade made out of cardboard (at least that appeared to be the problem when my date fell through the wall). Did I mention our Iowa-themed costume extravaganza? I didn’t have a date, so my “sisters” set me up with a guy who was “just perfect for me.” Let me translate this one for you. He was a raving lunatic who spent the ENTIRE night repeating, “Hi I’m Dave Cavanaugh (fake name to protect the annoying), have you met my date, Mary?” He was a psychology student, so every time I said something, he responded: “Hmmm, how did that
Mary Closner
the prisoners (or whomever the hell we were constantly making cookies for). I chatted up the old folks; I took little girls on field trips; I cleaned for the nuns. I was even voted, “Best Pledge” for God’s sake. All I ever wanted out of this group of women was an introduction to BOYS! I wanted to go to drunken frat parties and do things I’d regret later. I wanted to dance all night and take the walk of shame home early the next morning with no memory of where I’d been. I wanted to take photos that could be used against me later in life and become a source of hilarity on my Facebook page. Instead, we spent most of our time having bake sales and delivering carnations with hand-made construc-
Connect to the real you – look as beautiful as you feel
make you feel Mary?” I’ll tell you how I felt Dave, I’m pretty sure you were so weird that I contemplated drugging you and leaving you for dead in the parking lot or possibly putting a fork in your eye and dropping you at the emergency room so I could go home and order a pizza with my girlfriends. The next day, I was drowning my sorrows in Diet Coke and airpopped popcorn in my swanky dorm room, when there was an anxious knock on the door. I had a grey mud mask in my hair, a yellow pore minimizing egg mask on my face and was sporting my Dad’s short bathrobe when I jumped up to answer. Alas, who should be on my doorstep but my date from the night before, looking for his missing hat. This sorority thing just gets better and better. Thanks for the memories “sisters!” — Mary Closner is more than willing to share the secret handshake and break her “Pledge of Silence” if asked.
Owatonna Clinic welcomes Dr. Yao, with a fellowship in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery from Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York City, NY. Dr. Yao offers “head-to-toe” cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery of all kinds. Our goal is to provide you with the local service to look your best and feel confident in your body, inside and out. For a consultation please call 507.451.1120
www.owatonnaclinic.com
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Girlfriends JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010 Features
Women We Know
8 THE POWER OF TEN Girlfriends would like to help you keep those New Year’s resolutions by providing you with a few fun and healthy Top 10s from which to start.
17 INSPIRED Tina Bush was ready when she got the call to help decorate the Governor’s mansion for the holidays. 29 THAT GIRL Jill Mackey loves food, cooking and golf. Her life now revolves around her three passions.
14 WE TIME With so many great theater offerings to choose from this time of year, Girlfriends gives you a special expanded look at local and regional plays.
Accessories
18 NORTHFIELD ‘CHATFEST’ For the first time in Girlfriends and just in time for Valentine’s Day, we’ve asembled an all-male panel to talk about love, relationships and marriage. 24 THE PRICE OF GLAMOUR? Foot problems in women far outweigh those of men, primarily because of the shoes women wear. We look at fashion vs. feel in this issue if Girlfriends.
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Play Clothes
5
Contributing Writers / 2009 Covergirls
6-7
Covergirls
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Power of the Purse
30
Daddy’s Girl
Look for your next issue of Girlfriends the week of March 8
Cover Photo
About Us
Archery brought Sharon Becker, Kim Clausen, Julie Fierke and Sara Flom together, but these four women have turned that passion into a lasting friendship. Page 6-7.
Volume 2, Issue 2 Copyright © Girlfriends 2010 Published Jan./Feb. 2010 by: I-35 Target Media, P.O. Box 537, Northfield, MN 55057 / 507-645-1136 Send releases and story ideas to: Jerry Smith at Girlfriends Magazine, jsmith@I35targetmedia.com
(Photo by Thom Caya)
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Jan./Feb. 2010
Publisher: Julie Frazier Associate Editor: Jerry Smith Account Executive: Machelle Kendrick Graphic Designer: Ashley Ptacek Photographer: Thom Caya Contributing writers: Azna A. Amira, Kari Berit and Mary Closner.
Our ‘Covergirls’ in 2009
Covergirls A group of Owatonna businesswomen are more than just Rotarians
Girlfriends Magazine • P.O. Box 537 • Northfield, MN 55057
INSIDE
SEEING THE LIGHT: Women who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder finding solutions.
PERMANENT INK: More women expressing themselves with colorful tattoos. STRONG BOND: The women of ‘Steel Mag-
nolias’ forge lasting friendships on and off stage.
Faribault • Nor thfield • Owatonna • St. Peter • Waseca
where local women turn MAY/JUNE 2009
Migraine Stories Local women who suffer from debilitating headaches speak out.
A friendship blooms even more in face of adversity.
Owatonna ‘Chatfest’ How do women define beauty?
INSIDE
She Shines: Waseca woman juggles career, husband’s deployment and special needs child. Inspired: Northfield author/illustrator trying to take her art to new heights. That Girl: Owatonna ‘Dog Whisperer’ has a
special connection with canines.
Girlfriends Magazine • P.O. Box 537 • Northfield, MN 55057
Jerry Smith
Faribault • Nor thfield • Owatonna • St. Peter • Waseca
where local women turn
Convenient home delivery is just a few clicks away. Six issues, $20 and no scrambling to find a copy. Visit www.girlfriends.mn and click on the “subscribe” link.
SEPTEMBER/ OCTOBER 2009
These girlfriends have a bond that goes beyond Owatonna’s ‘Culturfest’
The Little Black Dress
Childhood Obesity Getting to the bottom of a very large problem.
Local women talk about their go-to fashion piece.
INSIDE
Chatfest: Waseca women talk about how they deal with having more than two children in sports. We Time: We send readers to “The Three Rivers Wine Trail” and “Head to Toe Women’s Expo.” She Shines: St. Peter’s Nancy Kluck and Wase-
ca’s Lisa Hoefs give area educators a good name.
Girlfriends Magazine • P.O. Box 537 • Northfield, MN 55057
Subscribe to Girlfriends
MARCH/ APRIL 2009
Heart Healthy Lifestyle changes can help combat heart disease.
Faribault gem
The bond between these childhood friends bloomed when one of them found out she had breast cancer. Our Faribault “Covergirls” were: Cheryl Steinberg and Pam Strouth.
The friendship between Kelly DeBruin, Sue Schroeder and Mandy Young has grown as each brings an international flavor to the city of Owatonna’s “Culturfest Multicultural Festival.”
The Nook & Cranny offers special gifts in a unique setting.
Death gives Waseca girlfriends a healthy appreciation for life.
Girlfriends Magazine • P.O. Box 537 • Northfield, MN 55057
New feature!
Chatfest Six local moms discuss the scary topic of teens dating.
Through hospice care and nursing, these Waseca “Covergirls” and business partners have formed a lasting friendship. They are: Linda Grant, Jane Dunn and Jane Coleman.
July/August 2009 Faribault • Nor thfield • Owatonna • St. Peter • Waseca
where local women turn JULY/AUGUST 2009
Walking for breast cancer Local women put in miles of work to help find a cure.
These girlfriends have a connection that goes beyond words.
Chatfest: Faribault women tackle “normalization of sexual harm” in a discussion at HOPE Center. Eco-Conscious Chick: Owatonna nutritionist practices what she preaches about healthy eating. You Go Girl: Northfield’s Kate Southwick has
mastered the fine art of belly dancing.
September/October 2009
Advertise in Girlfriends Julie Frazier is Sales Director for Girlfriends. Call her at 507-837-5442 or email her at jfrazier@I35targetmedia.com
where local women turn
May/June 2009
Mary Closner is the humor columnist for Girlfriends. She’ll tell you about her faux family in “Play Clothes.”
Jerry Smith is Associate Editor for Girlfriends. He lives in Northfield with his wife and two boys.
Faribault • Nor thfield • Owatonna • St. Peter • Waseca
INSIDE
Mary Closner
where local women turn JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2009
They are leaders in their community who are committed to their families. They are Rotarians. Our Owatonna Covergirls: Betsy Lindgren, Marlene Levine and Stephanie Olson.
The saying “wholeness leads to oneness” is the basis of a unique friendship of Northfield intuitives. They are: Danelle Magtibay, Rebecca Conroy and Terrie Lindgren.
November/December 2009 Faribault • Northfield • Owatonna • St. Peter • Waseca
NOV./DEC. 2009
Giving back is nothing new to this circle of friends
Holiday baking Everybody has a favorite holiday cookie. We’ll share some readers’ choices.
Battling celiac disease More and more people finding it necessary to go on a gluten-free diet. where local women turn Chatfest: St. Peter women talk about holiday traditions they would and wouldn’t change. INSIDE
Kari Berit
Kari Berit is a freelance writer living in Red Wing. She is the author of “The Unexpected Caregiver.”
Faribault • Nor thfield • Owatonna • St. Peter • Waseca
We Time: Enjoy the holiday celebrations taking place throughout the region. Play Clothes: Mary Closner’s “holiday family”
had friends and loved ones scratching their heads.
Girlfriends Magazine • P.O. Box 537 • Northfield, MN 55057
Azna A. Amira
March/April 2009
January/February 2009
Azna A. Amira is a freelance writer living in Northfield. Amira also writes for 35C business magazine.
Girlfriends Magazine • P.O. Box 537 • Northfield, MN 55057
Contributing Writers
Born out of civic duty, the friendship between these Northfield “Covergirls” has grown. They are: Candy Taylor, Emily Monaghan, Missy Donkers and Jennifer Sawyer.
Special thanks to our readers and advertisers for your support this past year. Best wishes for a prosperous 2010! Girlfriends.mn
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Cover Girls
Love of archery keeps this friendship soaring together,” Flom said. “I come down here to be with these friends and shoot and I have a great time.”
By JERRY SMITH
O
n women’s league night at the Faribault Archery Club, it’s hard to miss Kim Clausen, Sara Flom, Sharon Becker and Julie Fierke. Word has it that these women are some of the best archers in the house. But what really sets “Team Wicked” apart is their attire. “Last Dececember we went to see “Wicked” together in the Twin Cities and saw the shirts that were being sold in the lobby,” Becker said. “We all saw the flying monkeys on the sleeve that’s our shooting arm, then looked at each other and just decided to buy the shirts on the spot. “Right there at the show, we decided to change our team name to “Team Wicked” and wear the shirts on league night.” While attending shows and wine tastings, and taking part in canoe trips has enriched the relationship between these four women, it really has been the love of archery that has forged a lasting bond since they met in 2003. “Archery is what we all have in common,” Fierke said. “It’s the love of shooting and bow hunting that really adds another dimension to this relationship.” In the beginning In a roundabout way, it was archery that first led these women to each other. The foursome originally met through their spouses, who also are avid archers. “Through the club, the
Girlfriends photo by Kelli Wencl of Ginger Snaps Photography
Kim Clausen (standing from left), Sara Flom, Sharon Becker and Julie Fierke (kneeling) have been involved in archery together since 2003.
spouses would hang out and do lunch or dinner together, or have ‘safety meetings,’ and from there we met each other,” Clausen said. “While Julie was already shooting, the rest of us decided to try it and took part in a women’s instructional night. “Then we just started shooting more and more and that led to me joining the league the first year, then led to starting the first all-woman team within two years, and Girlfriends.mn
finally within three years, we were all in league. We’ve been shooting together ever since.” While Clausen and Flom hail from Faribault, Fierke drives up from Owatonna and Becker makes the trek from Waseca to practice and to take part in the archery league in Faribault. Despite the distance, the relationship has continued to blossom through the years. “We have all the same interests and we have fun
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Jan./Feb. 2010
Camaraderie Because these women face the same challenges each day, they have found that being together, and more importantly, being together doing something they all love to do, has given them a needed release from the day-to-day trials and tribulations women face. “Having women’s instructional night and shooting in league with my friends gives me a reason to be with other women, other adult women,” said Clausen, who has a 4-year-old daughter. “It also gives me a reason to get out of the house during the winter months where you can start to feel pretty confined.” Flom agrees, adding that the Faribault Archery Club is a great place to bring her entire family. “It’s a family oriented club,” said Flom, who has three children, all of whom are into the archery scene. “It’s not just guys who shoot and bow hunt anymore. The guys here make it an inviting atmosphere and because of that, my family gets so much from our experiences here.” Supportive friends Not all of the shooting that Clausen, Flom, Becker and Fierke take part in is for “Team Wicked.” There are occasions where the women compete against each other. But all say there is no added stress that comes with competing against good >>>
>>> friends. In fact, when one woman is shooting, the others are always around for support. “We’re all supportive of each other,� Becker said. “There are nights we want to leave bawling, but we always come back for more. That’s because of the encouragement from the others.� “We’re always happy with the others’ success,� Clausen said. “We’re friends first and we are there to support each other.� Becker couldn’t agree more. “It’s nice to have someone to shoot with, especially in the big tournaments,� she said. “We’re still supportive even if we’re neck and neck in the competition. It’s just wonderful knowing they are there for me.� But that doesn’t mean this foursome doesn’t try to out-do each other when they can. There is a friendly competition always at play whenever the four get together on the range. “Julie is the natural talent in the group who can pick up a bow and shoot well anytime she wants,� Clausen said. “She sets the bar pretty high for the rest of us.�
Girlfriends photo by Kelli Wencl of Ginger Snaps Photography
Kim Clausen (from left), Sharon Becker and Julie Fierke watch as Sara Flom prepares her compound bow for the Girlfriends “Covergirl� photo shoot.
A hunting they will go There is another level to the friendship that Kim, Julie and Sharon share. They all enjoy bow hunting. Whether it’s in the woods hunting deer or in a stream or lake carp shoot-
“She has better equipment,� said Flom, who jokingly brought up the point that she was the last in the group to get started in the sport and therfore is still working her way up in terms of equipment. “I have a distinct disadvantage. Julie has this great competition bow with a magnified scope and she can see the target like it’s right there in front of her. I don’t have that.�
ing, the three feel right at home together. Clausen and Fierke made history by becoming the first allfemale team in the Minnesota State Bow Fishing Tournament. While they didn’t fare too well, the experience was priceless. “Being the only women to participate in such an event at the time was great for both of us,� Clausen said. “We had a blast together, and it’s something I’ll never forget.� Whether the four archers are shooting at the range, watching a Broadway show, drinking wine together or just hanging out, they are at complete ease with one another. That’s the definition of true friendship. “It’s a Godsend having these women as friends, especially for me,� Clausen said. “I’m not from this area and they were there when I needed support and friendship.� G
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2010 The Power of Ten in
Girlfriends would like your New Year to be fun and healthy. We’ve put together a Top 10 in 10 categories so the coming year can be just that.
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irlfriends wants you to start the New Year in good health and possessing knowledge of the latest trends in fitness, fashion and entertainment. That’s why we have put together “The Power of Ten in 2010,” a compilation of numerous Top 10s in different categories. We’ll help you pick out the trendiest colors and the right
baby name if you are expecting a child in 2010. We’ll let you in on the latest health tips for 2010 and steer you toward the healthiest foods and the not-so-healthiest foods. If it’s a good “chick flick” you desire to see in 2010, Girlfriends poured through all of the movie releases for 2010 and fashioned a Top 10 list that is sure to make you smile.
For the bride-to-be, Girlfriends brings you the “Top 10 Wedding Trends for 2010,” which is sure to help you decide what’s in and what’s out on your wedding day. With a mix of local expertise and the latest trends from credible online sources, our “Power of Ten in 2010” is a hodge-podge of information that is food for thought for the coming year.
Top 10 Spring Colors For Women C
Turquoise
Fusion Coral
olors come and colors go in women’s fashion. Lucy Sweitzer, owner of Anna’s Closet in Northfield, said purple has been huge for a couple of
Violet
Tuscany
By Fashiontrendsetter.com years now and that turquoise and coral are colors almost any woman can where. The new colors for spring released by
Amparo Blue
Aurora
Girlfriends.mn
fashiontrendsetter. com utilizes some of those colors, but introduces new colors for 2010. “But still the No. 1 color is black,” Sweitzer said.
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Pink Champagne
Dried Herb
Tomato Puree
Eucalyptus
Top 10 fitness trends for 2010
Top 10 women’s magazines for 2010
T
he editors of AllYouCanRead.com pick their favorite women’s magazines for 2010 — with our favorite pick thrown in for good measure.
oot Camp-style workouts topped the list of fitness trends for 2009, but what will be hot in 2010? According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), many of us will keep both time and money in mind as we plan our workouts. Check out the just-released list from ACE. It may give you new exercise ideas for the New Year.
5. Boomer-Specific Workouts: Special fitness programs for aging adults will stay strong next year. More boomers recognize the many health benefits of regular exercise, as well as how it gives them independence and improves their overall wellbeing. 6. Functional Training: You’ll see a wider variety of functional training
ld • Owa tonn
a • St. Peter
NOV./DEC. 2009
1. Allure Allure is the beauty expert. Every issue is full of celebrity tips and secrets from the pros. Editors pick their favorite new products and read what new styles really work for you.
• Waseca
Giving back is nothing new to this circle of friends
where
local wo men
Holiday baki
ng
Everybody has holiday cooki a favorite e. We’ll share some readers’ choices.
Battling celia
c disea
se More and more finding it neces people sary to go on a gluten-fre e diet.
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Chatfest: St. Peter women talk traditions they would and wouldn about holiday ’t change. We Time: Enjoy place throughout the holiday celebrations taking the region.
Play
8. Proper Professional Credentials: Health and fitness clubs are recognizing the need for, and the importance of, hiring trainers who have high-quality, reputable professional credentials. 9. Specialty Exercise Classes: Specialty classes like ethnic dance, hooping, pole dancing and Zumba will remain popular, as will fusion-type classes. And more gyms will offer unique group exercise programs and mind-body activities. 10. Fitness Training Tools: Technology continues to infiltrate the fitness world. Using online training and scheduling tools will increase next year with more people looking to better gauge details of their fitness progress. And mobile applications give you fitness on the go. — American Council on Exercise
Clothes: had friends and Mary Closner’s “holiday family” loved ones scratch ing their heads.
2. Better Homes and Gardens Better Homes and Gardens is America’s favorite home and family magazine. 3. Cooking Light Cook better, look better and feel better with recipes that are tempting to serve and taste great. Give up nothing except fat and calories. Get fitness ideas that are fun and easy. 4. Cosmopolitan The largest-selling young women’s magazine in the world, Cosmopolitan is famous for its upbeat style, focus on the young career woman and candid discus-
55057
4. Exergaming: As exergames get more popular, you’ll start seeing them at health clubs. Gyms will offer unique exercise sessions for game-lovers and those looking to add variety to their workouts.
• Nor thfie
• Northfield, MN
3. Time-Efficient Workouts: Perfect for those with hectic schedules, shorter but higher-intensity workouts give you big fitness rewards in less time. Boot-camp style workouts will continue to be one of the most popular of these trends in 2010, as will circuit training.
7. Health and Fitness Awareness: As more groups become more aware of how important exercise is, they will work together with health and fitness organizations in the fight against physical inactivity and obesity.
Faribault
6. Everyday with Rachel Ray Everyday with Rachel Ray is a magazine for smart entertaining, delicious food and spur of the moment travel.
e • P.O. Box 537
2. Group Training: People will scale back on personal training to take advantage of small-group training and group classes to save money.
workouts, including popular suspension training tools like TRX. Because they’re portable, these workouts will attract those looking to stay fit at home, the office, or while traveling.
5. Elle Fashion, beauty and entertainment news are found inside Elle magazine. With celebrity stories — not gossip — and guides to finding the best fashion and beauty styles to suit you.
Girlfriends Magazin
1. Cost-Conscious Workouts: The tough economy will still play a role in how we exercise. Portable fitness equipment will be popular among those with tight budgets, and gyms will make some changes to help cost-conscious members.
Girlfriends Girlfriends is a regional women’s lifestyle magazine that connects local women in a genuine way, sharing their challenges and celebrating their achievements. Each issue includes fascinating, inspiring stories of women from our region.
INSIDE
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sion of contemporary male/female relationships.
7. O, The Oprah Magazine Oprah Winfrey’s magazine is the women’s personal growth guide for the new century. It offers empowering ideas stamped with Oprah’s unique vision.
8. Prevention Prevention magazine is American’s #1 choice for healthy living, with practical tips on weight loss, nutritional exercise and the latest medical breakthroughs. 9. Vogue Vogue is the place to go for fashion, hair and skin care, fitness, health and entertainment. 10. W Elegant, opulent and colorful. It’s the fashion magazine for the deserving woman. Its lavish presentation has gained W the gold medal award for fashion photography three years in a row. — AllYouCanRead.com
Top 10 baby names for 2010
A
ccording to a study published in Topics of Cognitive Science, U.S. parents gravitate toward baby names that are on the rise, as opposed to those that are treading water or losing steam. Based on data from the Social Security Administration, we predict that
the following names, whose popularity grew significantly between 2007 and 2008, will emerge as front-runners in 2010. • 2010 Baby Boy Names: Aiden, Brady, Caleb, Hugo, Lucas • 2010 Baby Girl Names: Ainsley, Brooke, Gabriella, Hailey, Paige Girlfriends.mn
Baby Names Inspired by Sports The stars of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics will not only motivate future champions; chances are, they’ll inspire parents seeking baby names. Although it’s too early to tell who will win gold, figure skater Evan Lysacek and ice hockey player Natalie Darwitz
9 Jan./Feb. 2010
are expected to make a strong showing. In addition, football heroes and tennis stars will sway some athletically inclined parents. • 2010 Baby Boy Names: Brady, Colt, Daniel, Eli, Evan • 2010 Baby Girl Names: Bethanie, Melanie, Natalie, Peyton, Serena
Top 10 health tips for 2010
The 10 healthiest foods to eat
T
hese super foods are perfect for heart healthy, low fat cooking and most fit perfectly into a low carb lifestyle as well. The 10 healthiest foods should be included in our healthy diet on a regular basis. Our list of super foods is arranged alphabetically. Each is an amazing food, jam packed with health-giving benefits. Louanne Kaupa, dietician and owner of Eat Well Nutrition Therapy in Owatonna, loves the colors represented in this Top 10. “It contains fruits and vegetables and covers many of the food groups,” she said. “Seventyfive percent of Minnesotans do not consume adequate amounts of fruit and vegetables.”
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irlfriends wants you to be healthy in the New Year. With words of wisdom from Louanne Kaupa, dietician and owner of Eat Well Nutrition Therapy in Owatonna, and a list of the Top 10 health tips for 2010, we hope your New Year will be filled with health. Kaupa believes that one of the most important tips provided by BeautyTipsHub.com is the need for sleep. “As a culture, we don’t value sleep and rest,” Kaupa said. “Adequate sleep coupled with a balanced diet with whole grains, vegetables and fruits, is very important for overall health.” 1. Follow a healthy, balanced diet: A balanced diet is the first step toward a beautiful, healthy body. Follow a healthy balanced diet that complements your lifestyle. An ideal diet should be high on fiber, low on fat, and must be supplemented with adequate amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables. 2. Eat different types of foods: According to Ayurveda, the Ancient Indian science of healing, rotating your food habits not only strengthens your immune system, it can also protect you from most illnesses. Try to eat vegetables and fruits of different colors each day. 3. Don’t skip your breakfast: According to nutritionists and health experts, breakfast is the most important meal of the day and skipping your breakfast can lead to serious health problems besides adding those extra pounds. 4. Drink lots of water: Drinking a minimum of 7 to 8 glasses of water every day cleanses all the impurities and toxins
from your body and helps to get healthy, flawless skin. 5. Exercise regularly: Who does not dream of getting those six-pack abs? Besides making you look sexy and popular, regular exercising is also the best natural “anti-aging” recipe. 6. Quit smoking: Okay, so you’ve heard this countless times from your doctor, but here it comes again as one of our most important health tips.
1. Berries Berries are extremely rich in antioxidants which help protect the cells in our bodies from damage and therefore from diseases like cancer. Among other things they are also an excellent source of Vitamin C and soluble fiber.
7. Say no to stress: Leading a relaxed, stress-free life will not only reduce the risks of health related disorders, it will also calm you down and let you enjoy your life better. 8. Take care of your teeth: Your teeth have a lot to do with your smile and they can make or break your looks depending on how much or how little you’ve cared for them over the years!
2. Broccoli Broccoli (and other cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage) helps fight cancer, especially breast, colon and lung. It boosts the immune system.
9. Sleep well: A good 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep is a must for our body to reboot itself and feel energetic next day.
3. Citrus Fruits The citrus bioflavanoids in oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit have anti-cancer and antioxidant properties.
10. Keep your brain active: Keeping your mind in “good shape” is just as vital as taking care of your physical health, so be sure to indulge your brain on a daily basis. — BeautyTipsHub.com
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4. Garlic Numerous studies have shown that regular consumption of garlic
can lower our blood pressure. It also decreases LDL cholesterol (the “bad” one) while increasing the good HDL cholesterol. 5. Nuts Walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which protect us against heart disease. Almonds are also known for their ability to help lower LDL cholesterol levels. 6. Oats Oats also help reduce cholesterol. Research shows that one bowl of oatmeal per day can reduce cholesterol by up to 23 percent. 7. Salmon The Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon and other fatty fish may help prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering the body’s rate of blood clotting. 8. Spinach Spinach’s secret weapon, lutein, makes it one of the best foods to prevent cataracts, as well as age related macular degeneration. 9. Tomatoes Tomatoes contain high levels of lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant and as such helps to protect the cells in our bodies. 10. Turkey Fresh, non-processed turkey is one of the leanest protein foods and is low in calories, making it an excellent healthy food choice. Turkey also contains selenium, which has been shown to improve the immune system. — Foodreference.com
Providing Insurance and Financial Services
Joe Nola Crystal
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Judy
Plemel Agency 920 Hoffman Drive | Owatonna, MN 55060
507.451.4619
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You’ve put it off long enough
Top 10 popular foods you think are healthy but are not
Hear better in 2010
F
itness Contrarian wants you to be healthy in 2010, so they came up with a list of 10 popular foods you think are healthy but are not. Breakfast cereals Most popular breakfast cereals are empty calories loaded with sugar and sodium. Try slow cooked oatmeal instead. Yogurt with fruit on the bottom Eating most popular yogurts with fruit is like eating candy loaded with sugar. Get use to eating plain yogurt. Whole wheat bread Most whole wheat breads have very little fiber. Look for whole wheat bread that has at least 4 grams of fiber per 100 calories. Energy bars Many energy bars are not much better than candy bars. Try GNU bars, they have 12 grams of fiber and only 140 calories. Sport drinks Sport drinks are just sugar water. Drink them during or right after a workout as a recovery drink.
Low fat bran muffin Too many calories: up to 600 per muffin. If you have to have one, split it with a friend or eat half. Tuna fish sandwich There is too much mayo; every tablespoon of mayo ads 100 calories of fat. Have seared tuna over salad instead. Fruit juice Many juices have added sugar and are just too high in calories. Eat a piece of fruit instead. Sliced turkey Processed turkey is way too high in sodium. Eat only fresh turkey. Pretzel These are just empty calories with sodium. Try air popped popcorn. — FitnessContrarian.com
Top 10 ‘chick flicks’ for 2010 Girlfriends picks its Top 10 “chick flicks” of 2010. Enjoy them with your girlfriends or drag your significant other to the theater. 10. Gellhorn: a TwentiethCentury Life Release Date: TBA Starring: Gillian Anderson 9. Rebound Guy Release Date: TBA Starring: Hugh Jackman 8. Intimate Strangers Release Date: TBA Starring: Hilary Swank 7. Janie Jones Release Date: TBA Starring: Alessandro Nivola & Elisabeth Shue 6. Love, Wedding, Marriage Release Date: TBA Starring: Christopher Walken & Blythe Danner
5. Dirty Tricks Release Date: TBA Starring: Meryl Streep & Annette Bening
An audiologist is the best person to see if you think you have a hearing loss. Audiologists have the education and training required to recommend the best hearing aid for your hearing loss. Amy Swain is an audiologist with over 20 years of experience with hearing aids and always offers free hearing aid consultations. Take advantage of her knowledge and expertise. Call Amy today to schedule your free hearing screening.
4. Brilliant Release Date: TBA Starring: Scarlett Johansson & Matthew McConaughey
Austin
3. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Release Date: June 30 Starring: Kristen Stewart & Robert Pattinson
The best hearing aid you can buy is the hearing aid recommended by an audiologist.
2. Agora Release Date: TBA Starring: Rachel Weisz & Max Minghella
AMY SWAIN
HEARING CENTERS
1. The Back-up Plan Release Date: March 16 Starring: Jennifer Lopez & Alex O’Laughlin
www.amyswainhearingcenters.com
Owatonna
685 West Bridge St. Suite 1B (By Torey’s Restaurant) 507-451-3879
Waseca
118 N. State St. Waseca Family Dentistry 507-521-2758
1-800-804-3361
— MovieInsider.com (release dates subject to change) Girlfriends.mn
608 1st Ave. SW 507-433-4144
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The Food Channel’s Top 10 Trends for 2010
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xperimentation nation, umami, and food with benefits are just three of theTtop 10 trends to watch in 2010, according to the experts at The Food Channel. 1. Keeping it Real In a back-to-basics economy it is natural to return to basic ingredients. This isn’t about retro, or comfort food, or even cost. It’s about determining the essentials and stocking your pantry accordingly. It is — dare we say — a shift from convenience foods to scratch cooking. 2. Experimentation Nation Restaurant concepts are in flux as people redefine what going “out” to eat means. Gastropubs, fusion dining, shareables, and communal tables are all being tried. Experimentation is the trend, so we’ll see concepts come and go. 3. More in Store We predict growth in grocery stores, particularly as private label assumes
prominence. Those old generics have morphed into their own brands. Grocery stores are also doing things such as upgrading delis and fresh take-out sections, all the way to returning butchers to a place of prominence. 4. American, The New Ethnic This is all about flavor delivery. Immigration has come to the plate, and we are now defining a new Global Flavor Curve. Part comfort, part creativity, the latest flavors are coming from the great American melting pot. So, it’s about grandma’s food, but the recipes may be written in Japanese. 5. Food Vetting You are what you eat! That’s what’s leading this trend — our constant need for assurance that we are eating the right things, that our food is safe, that we are not ingesting pesticides or anything that will someday prove harmful. Call it food vetting or sourcing — the issue is that people are asking where their food comes from.
6. Mainstreaming Sustainability People have mainstreamed sustainability, unlike a year ago, when we were somewhat afraid to use the word. America is just now learning how to be sustainable, and Americans are holding themselves responsible. In 2010, we’ll see people and companies becoming sustainable for authentic reasons. 7. Food with Benefits Call it what you will — nutritional, healthful, good-for-you — but this trend toward beneficial foods is growing at a pretty big rate. Expect food to either have nutrients added, or have the word “free” (gluten-free, allergy-free). 8. I Want My Umami The “foodie” has settled into a more universal designation of someone who loves food — not a food snob. They are just as likely to want a PB&J as they are to try the latest soft shell crab sushi. And they may put French fries on it! The point is experimentation and a willingness to try new things.
9. Will Trade for Food In an era when you can rent a namebrand purse for a special event, we want to know how we can apply that same concept to consumables. So what do we do in a bad economy when we have more time than money and skills that we still want to put to use? We barter. We predict that we’ll all see more of the barter system come into play now that technology can assist with connections. 10. I, Me, Mine It’s the rise of the individual. While sharing has come into its own in restaurant concepts, there is a separate but equal trend toward individuality. It’s part of the reason why we are making our own cheese, smoking our own meats, and making our own specialty desserts. Expect more attention to the individual, but it’s not just about portion size — it’s also about food that reflects personality. Read more about the Top 10 Food Trends for 2010 by visiting www. foodchannel.com.
Stretch. Discover. Grow. Become a yoga instructor…or simply a more centered and healthy you.
For Married Couples
The Twin Cities’ first integrated yoga and healing center is enrolling its next Yoga Alliance-certified instructor training course. Three-, six- and nine-month sessions available. Class meets one weekend per month, for convenient scheduling around life, family and career.
Saturday, March 13, 2010 5:00 - 10:00 pm
Deepen your practice. Get certified in the world’s most popular and venerable wellness discipline. Call 952.373.0055 or visit greenlotusyogactr.com for more details.
Special Guest Speaker: Ken Bevel from the movie “FIREPROOF”
A new year. A new career? A new you!
Verizon Wireless Center
Session begins Feb. 19. Enrollment limited. Act today.
1 Civic Center Plaza Mankato, MN Tickets -- $95 / couple
Limited, needs-based scholarships available.
507-327-7047 www.fireproofball.org
18480 Kenyon Ave • Lakeville, MN 55044
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Jan./Feb. 2010
Top 10 Wedding Trends for 2010
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he months between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day are the top months for new engagements, with most newly engaged couples planning their wedding over the next year. Following is a look at the Top 10 Bridal Trends for 2010 as determined by Get Married magazine, as well as wedding leading industry experts. We looked to Deb Bauernfeind of “Weddings by Deb” to lend some local expertise as well. “The Midwest is a little different from the coasts when it comes to weddings,” Bauernfeind said. “We kind of take a ‘waitand-see’ attitude and if it works, we do it.” The “bird-cage” head piece is a perfect example of this, she said. “The Russian netting head piece with a feather is coming back,” Bauernfeind said. “We’ve seen it on the coasts for a couple of years and now it’s getting hot here.” Here is the Top 10 Bridal Trends for 2010 as determined by Get Married magazine: 1. Non-linear aisle: Brides are personalizing the procession by altering the traditional aisle with a circle or a triangular
double aisle, enabling the couple to enter from multiple spots. 2. Comfort foods with a kick: Chef Wolfgang Puck believes that comfort foods have become more popular in the current economy. Think burgers, pizza, ribs, pot pie and risotto. 3. Gifting techie gadgetry: Registries and wedding gifts have increasingly become more high tech. Brides want electronic recipe finders, books and charging plates, and matching his-and-hers PDA cases — all examples of great gadgets for the couple as well as thank-you gifts for parents and the wedding party. 4. Texture-inspired invitations: Top bridal designer Monique Lhuillier shares inspirations and details from her various collections: “A lot of fabric details from the dresses translate into the invitations. We use techniques of embossing to mimic textures and incorporate the same colors from the gowns into the invitations.” 5. Old, new, borrowed and cobalt blue: From hints of blue in bridal fashion
Girlfriends.mn
to saturated color throughout the wedding décor, “blues will be the most requested color in 2010,” according to Shane Murray of The Wedding Report. Bright cobalt blue is a hot hue for 2010, offering a fresh and bold twist on the bluesy tradition. Here in Minnesota, Bauernfeind said brides will wait to see how big a hit the blues are. 6. Wear-again bridesmaid dresses: The urban legend of wearing a bridesmaids dress by choice after the wedding is a reality with the new silhouettes that mirror what is happening on the runway. Gorgeous and glamorous dresses with drop waists, bubble skirts and ruffles add an additional sense of style for bridesmaids to wear — and wear again. Bauernfeind sees more brides picking the colors of the bridesmaids dresses and then letting the individual pick the style, which certainly lends itself to the dresses being worn again. “Floral print, tea-length, one-shouldered, with two-toned contrasting sashes look to be in for 2010,” she said. “For brides, strapless is still the big look and lace is making a comeback.”
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7. Three-dimensional save-thedates: Inform your friends and family of your wedding day with a twist. Three-dimensional elements on the save-the-dates, like a paper umbrella (signifying a destination wedding), adds humor and relevance. 8. Old Hollywood glam, for men!: A return to Cary Grant’s sense of style is making a comeback this year for grooms, looking charming and dapper in a white tuxedo with black-rimmed lapels. 9. Blogger brides abound: More than ever, brides enjoy sharing snippets of surprises, ideas and images throughout their wedding planning experience. Personal blogs offer a space for brides to share, gather inspirations and explore. 10. Personalized plus: From the décor designs and inspirational invites to great gifts and super-fab favors, Get Married is observing brides’ aspirations for distinctly personalized wedding details. You’ll find more details. images and additional trendy wedding ideas for the coming year at www.getmarried.com/ magazine/ . G
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Chicago Northfield Arts Guild Theater (Northfield) From the world of the “Roaring Twenties” comes the story of Roxie Hart, an aspiring performer who shoots her lover and tries to get her husband to take the rap. While in jail, Mrs. Hart meets a variety of murderesses on death row, including the famous Velma Kelly. Roxy and Velma vie for the spotlight and the headlines
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Thea te Geta r ways
Paradise Center for the Arts (Faribault) “Bob’s Date” by John Shanahan Bob is going on his first date in two years. All of his manly inner attributes – Logic, Confidence, Nerves, Libido and Bull are gearing up for the event. Then a love-at-first sight moment wakes longsleeping Emotion and she threatens to throw the night into chaos.
Dates: Feb. 5, 6, 7 & 11, 12, 13 Tickets: www.paradisecenterforthearts.org Phone: (507) 332-7372
Dates: Feb. 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 @ 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 14, 21, 28 @ 2 p.m. Prices: Adults $15, Students $10 Tickets: www.northfieldartsguild.org Phone: 507-645-8877
We T im
An Evening of One-Acts
“And the Winner is” by Mitch Albom The comic story of Tyler Johnes, a self-obsessed movie star, who is finally nominated for an Oscar, then dies the night before the awards. Outraged at his bad luck and determined to know if he wins (even though he’s dead), he bargains with a heavenly gatekeeper to return to earth for the big night.
until they are finally joined as a duo in their pursuit of fame, fortune and acquittal. (Directed by Juliana Skluzacek)
TEN THEATERS. FIFTEEN STAGE SHOWS. ALL WITHIN DRIVING DISTANCE.
Plan a night out at the theater as Girlfriends highlights the biggest stage shows this winter — in and around the Twin Cities — starting right here in the region. The question is: Where will you begin?
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Eurydice Burnsville Performing Arts Center (Burnsville) Eurydice retells the myth of Orpheus from the perspective of Eurydice, his wife. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists, and breathtaking visual effects, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story. Dates: Jan. 22 - Feb. 7 Tickets: $16 Online: www.burnsvillepac.com Phone: 1-800-982-2787
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5
Twelfth Night
Doubt
Andreas Theatre (Minnesota State University, Mankato) Orsino, Duke of Illyria, loves the Countess Olivia, but she refuses him. Orsino sends his page Cesario to plead his case. Olivia falls for Cesario. Viola’s twin, Sebastian, feared drowned, arrives in Illyria. Olivia mistakes Sebastian for his disguised sister, and he falls for Olivia. More
delightful complications follow before this famous William Shakespeare comedy is brought to a happy end. Dates: Jan. 28, 29, 30, 31 & Feb. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Tickets: $10-$14.50 Online: www.mnsu.edu/ theatre/season/tickets/ Phone: 1-800-722-0544
The Underpants
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Burnsville Performing Arts Center (Burnsville) Louise, wife to ruthless pragmatic government clerk Theo, accidently managed to drop her drawers at the Kaiser’s parade, thus becoming the talk of a thrillingly scandalized town. It seems that every man in Germany, except Theo, now wants to bunk up with her.
Rochester Civic Theatre (Rochester) Winner of the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize for best play and a lauded motion picture from 2008, Doubt is the gripping story of suspicion cast on a priest’s behavior and asks questions about moral certainty. Four characters, two nuns, a mother and the priest, face the issue of alleged child abuse and must wrestle with a provocative investigation of truth, belief and the consequences of both. Dates: Jan. 15-31 Tickets: $13.50-$18.50 Online: www.rochestercivictheatre.org Phone: 507-282-8481
Dates: Feb. 26 - March 14 Tickets: $16 Online: www.burnsvillepac.com Phone: 1-800-982-2787
Where local women go for theater getaways in the region 7. Gypsy Rochester Civic Theatre (Rochester) A Broadway smash winner of six Tony awards, this grand musical is based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist. It follows her mother, Rose, and her dreams and efforts to raise two daughters to become famous stage performers. Considered one of the crowning achievements of the mid-20th century’s conventional musical theatre art form, Gypsy has been referred to as the greatest American musical by many. Let us entertain you with a Broadway classic! Dates: March 5 -28 Tickets: $13.50-$18.50 Online: www.rochestercivictheatre.org Phone: 507-282-8481
8. Dreamgirls Orpheum Theatre (Minneapolis) Catch The Dream! Direct from the world famous Apollo Theatre in New York City, a brand new, sensational stage production of Dreamgirls comes to Minneapolis! Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, Dreamgirls tells
the rags-to-riches story of a 1960s Motown girl group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. Dates: Jan. 12-17 Tickets: $28-$78 Online: www.hennepintheatretrust.org Phone: 1-800-982-2787
9. Mamma Mia! Orpheum Theatre (Minneapolis) A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Over 40 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show! Dates: March 9 - March 14 Tickets: $28 to $78 Online: www.hennepintheatretrust. org Phone: 1-800-982-2787 >>>
Where local women go for theater getaways in the region 10. Romeo & Juliet Guthrie Theater (Minneapolis) When Romeo Montague is struck by the sight of young Juliet Capulet at a dance, he determines to pursue her despite the feud between their two prominent families. Swords clash, everlasting love is promised and a treacherous sleeping potion is swallowed in the greatest love story of all time. By turns delightful and dangerous, William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet perfectly embodies the passion of youth. Dates: Jan. 9-31 Tickets: $15-$40 Online: www.guthrietheater.org Phone: 612-377-2224 or 1-877-44STAGE
at the prospect until they arrive and realize they’re booked into the Hollywood Bowl-erama — a bowling alley with a cabaret lounge — and not the famed “Bowl” they’d anticipated. Someone gets wind of the fact that a movie producer is across the street auditioning for roles in a new movie musical. The sisters race off to audition during their show’s intermission! In the end, the sisters come to realize their true calling is as nuns, and they return to Hoboken to work with their students on the premiere of their school’s new show. Dates: Through Jan. 23 Tickets: $33-$61 Online: www.chanhassentheatres.com Phone: 612-377-2224 or 1-877-44STAGE
11. Oklahoma! Chanhassen Dinner Theatre (Chanhassen) Set in a Western Indian territory just after the turn of the century, the high-spirited rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys provides the colorful background against which Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl, play out their love story. Although the road to true love never runs smooth, with these two headstrong romantics holding the reins, love’s journey is as bumpy as a surrey ride down a country road. Dates: Through Jan. 30 Tickets: $45-$76 Online: www.chanhassentheatres.com Phone: 612-377-2224 or 1-877-44STAGE
13. Footloose Chanhassen Dinner Theatre (Chanhassen) Based on the hit movie that captured the heart of America, Footloose bursts onto the stage with youthful spirit, dazzling dance scenes and electrifying music. Ren, a teen from Chicago, is forced to move with his mother to a puritanical, small town after his father abandons the family. To his shock, dancing and rock ‘n’ roll are forbidden! He and his classmates want a senior prom. It doesn’t take Ren long to shake up the status quo, and soon the whole class is on their feet sending the town into a frenzy. Footloose has the heart and music to get everyone on their feet. Dates: Jan. 29 - May 29 Tickets: $45-$76 Online: www.chanhassentheatres.com Phone: 612-377-2224 or 1-877-44STAGE
12. Nunset Boulevard Chanhassen Dinner Theatre (Chanhassen) The Little Sisters of Hoboken have been invited to sing at the Hollywood Bowl. They are thrilled
Waseca
Sleigh & Cutter Festival sleighandcutter.org
February 5 - 14 & 20 & 21, 2010
• Squirts Hockey Tournament • Hobo Chili at Out to Lunch • Firemen’s Kickball Tournament • Traveling Pool Tournament • Snow Sculptures • Family Movie Night • 1st Annual Ice Plunge • Free Dance - “Lightning Flats” • Parade • Golf Tournament • Ice Fishing • Ice Harvest • Kruger Memorial Snowmobile Race • Bridge Card Tournament • Ice Curling
Advertising support from the Waseca Area Travelers and Visitors Bureau
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Jan./Feb. 2010
14. The Dixie Swim Club Old Log Theater (Excelsior) Five Southern women, whose friendship began on their college swim team, set aside a long weekend each year to recharge that friendship. Free from husbands, kids and jobs, they meet every August at the same beach cottage on North Carolina’s Outer Banks to laugh, catch up and meddle in each other’s lives. The Dixie Swim Club focuses on four of those weekends over a span of 33 years and demonstrates the power of teamwork and the strength of love. Dates: Feb. 12 - May 29 Tickets: $19.50-$56 Online: www.oldlog.com Phone: 952-474-5951 or 1-866-653-5641 15. Sister Kenny’s Children History Theatre (St. Paul) Doris Baizley’s new play is a powerful retelling of Sister Elizabeth Kenny’s battle to make her treatment of polio the standard. “Stubborn,” “feisty” and “determined” were some of the nicer words used to describe this heroic fighter who took on the male-dominated medical establishment and changed the lives of thousands of polio victims and their families during the epidemic of the 1950s. Had it not been for Sister Kenny’s onewoman revolution, her groundbreaking therapies could not have helped thousands of polio victims or paved the way for modern techniques of rehabilitation and physical therapy. Dates: Jan. 23 - Feb. 14 Tickets: $10-$30 Online: www.historytheatre.com Phone: 651.292.4323
Inspired
Her palette was the Governor’s mansion at Christmas W
hen you walk through the front door of Panache Floral Design & Gifts in downtown Owatonna, there is no mistaking the artistic vision and flare of its owner Tina Bush. With the gifts, flowers and keepsakes interweaved with artistic displays throughout the store, some might think they are walking into an art gallery. It’s that artistic ability that led Bush to be chosen as one of nine floral designers invited to decorate the Governor’s mansion for the holidays this year. For Bush, it was a chance of a lifetime and a way to show off her artistic abilities. “I’ve always wanted to do something grand like that,� said Bush, who spent the entire day of Dec. 8 at the mansion in St. Paul. “It was very exciting, something you don’t get to do every day.� Bush was chosen by Ardith Beverage, her instructor and director of The Institute of Floristry in Minneapolis, where she earned a Floristry and Science diploma. Bush believes she was chosen partly because of the work she did during her course work, and partly because she
age the year before to decorate the Christmas tree at the State Capitol. Once in the Governor’s mansion, Bush and the other designers were shown the decorations and told to create. “I’ve always loved Christmas time with the lights and the glitter,� she said. “To create that feeling for the hundreds of people who were able to tour the mansion was wonderful.� Bush said it wasn’t hard to get inspired that day. “The house is beautiful to begin with, so you have a great palette to start with,� she said. “With the Christmas music playing and so many beautiful decorations, it was inspiring.� Bush said she decorated the mansion’s dining room with its beautiful mantel and gorgeous chandelier, as well as the staircase leading upstairs. “I didn’t want to leave,� she said. “It was very beautiful. We all just stepped back and said ‘wow’ when it was finished. We left with a good feeling knowing that a lot of people would get to enjoy our work.� G
ABOVE: Tina Bush, the owner of Panache Floral Design & Gifts in downtown Owatonna, was one of nine floral designers invited to decorate the Governor’s mansion for the holidays. She said it’s an experience she’ll never forget. (Photo by Thom Caya) RIGHT: Bush was in charge of decorating the staircase leading upstairs. She was happy to see it “turn out so beautiful.� (Girlfriends photo submitted by Tina Bush)
was a known entity. “I think she knew my work
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Jan./Feb. 2010
A guy’s take on love & romance From dating to marriage to the kiss for no reason, nine men make ‘Chatfest’ history
F
Chatfest
or the sake of educating the gentler sex and just in time for Valentine’s Day, Girlfriends magazine for the first time had a guys-only discussion about marriage, dating, romance and relationships in general. You may think guys lack the romance gene, but this panel of nine men — the largest “Chatfest” ever held
— might surprise you with some of their answers and insights into love and romance. Here is what Hans Olsen, Mike Miller, Adam Andreasen, Nathan Kuhlman, Drew Weis, Ed Kuhlman, James Schlichting, Jason Hoffman and Dan Freeman had to say about dating, relationships, love and romance during the Northfield Chatfest.
Girlfriends: How did you come to be with your significant other or how did your significant other get you? Ed: I was a green farm kid and I had just gone to junior college. The first day I went to freshman English, I looked around for the best looking girl with the shortest dress and I sat down next to her and never got rid of her. >>>
The Participants James Schlichting Single
Adam Andreasen Single
Hans Olsen Wife: Michelle Children: 3
Dan Freeman Single
Jason Hoffman Wife: Pam Children: 2
Drew Weis Wife: Lisa Children: 2 Ed Kuhlman Wife: Barb Children: 3
>>> Drew: My wife and I met in the Peace Corps in the Middle East, so we had three months of training together. When you put all of these young people together in a foreign country, you have a lot in common right from the start. After three months, I knew there was something there. You can’t really date in the Middle East. When we got back to the U.S. — she’s from Bloomington — I immediately made arrangements to find someplace to live in Bloomington. Adam: My girlfriend and I met through a mutual friend who gave us pretty much no information as to what the other person was like. We were just told that we were two single friends who should meet. We got to know each other more through social networking and it grew from there. Girlfriends: What do you think are the signs in your re-
Mike Miller Wife: Laura Children: 1
Nathan Kuhlman Single
lationship that signal you will have a long and happy future together and do you think your spouse/partner agrees?
good at, she might be good at and what she’s good at, I might not be good at. There’s a good mix in our marriage.
Jason: My wife and I were together all through my law school endeavor, and I figured if she could put up with me through that, she could put up with anything. That was a pretty good measure of what her tolerance was for me, to be able to handle probably one of the most stressful times of our lives together, prior to kids, that is.
Hans: My wife and I have been married 16 years, so already we have some years behind us. The primary reason is that if she hasn’t gotten rid of me yet, chances are she’s going to hold onto me. I knew that she’d be a good catch for me when she was kind of able to reel me in. Without her, I would revert back to being a vampire and staying up way too late and not getting a whole lot done. To her credit, I’m a better person. She really helps.
Mike: I would echo that a lot. I met my wife in my first year of taking over my business here in town (Sears). She was right there through the trials and tribulations of doing that. It wasn’t a test and it wasn’t purposely, but the fact of the matter is she saw enough in me to be there throughout. I recognize that. Other than that, what I’m not Girlfriends.mn
Girlfriends: How do differences strengthen your relationship? Hans: I think we both benefit in our little areas of expertise. My wife is very task oriented, very deliberate in the
19 Jan./Feb. 2010
things she does. She is not the most spontaneous person, and I think I help her relax and not be so structured. I think she does the opposite for me. So that way we get a lot done. I think sometimes that us being somewhat opposites, which is often a source of conflict, really keeps us moving. Drew: I think it just opens up perspective. I often think I have really good handle on stuff and not just having my wife’s perspective as a woman, but just because she does things differently, I think I grow as a result. James: I think the differences are you see life and all sorts of things through somebody else’s eyes. It’s a different perspective. Jason: We’re kind of as a family in crisis management mode constantly. We’re both very busy in our chosen professions, we’re busy with >>>
“I am absolutely not envious of the single guys. Being single at this point in my life scares the living hell out of me.” — Jason Hoffman
>>> children, family, community activities and I don’t really know if they are differences or not, but we always just pick each other up. If one of us has a shortcoming in one area, then the other one is there to pick the other one up and as a whole that makes us that much stronger. It seems like that is always there and that we take it for granted sometimes that each other is going to be there for the other, but it seems to work. Girlfriends: Do you think it’s harder to be a single man than it is to be a single woman? Nathan: In the stage of the life I am in, the women I know tend to be single moms. There is a set of challenges they are navigating through specific to being mothers with young children. I think it’s probably more difficult for them to be able to have a social life when they are raising kids. They don’t have the flexibility to decide that they are going to channel that effort into developing relationships. Girlfriends: Are the married
men in this group envious, or have they ever been envious, of the single guys and the freedom they have? Hans: I really relished my single years. I look back on those years as a super wonderful time. In marriage, it’s just a ton of work. I think it’s because you are in this commitment and you have to make it work, where you have the freedom when you are dating that you can just move on to the next thing. I think marriage is just really more work than I remembered it being when I was single. Even with girls I really liked, it was never the kind of work once you signed on the bottom line and you were in it for the long haul. Whether I’m envious, well, I kind of joke that marriage is the end of hope. When you are single, there is always the glimmer that there is a chance that you are going to meet a girl you like, or just hook up or do whatever you are out there doing it for. When the bar closes, it isn’t the end. There’s still the Big Steer at 2 o’clock in the morning. There’s always the Girlfriends.mn
House of Pancakes. Every turn is exciting. When you are married, you know some nights that there is not a chance that there is going to be any romance. So yes, I might be a little envious of that freedom of the chase. Jason: I am absolutely not envious of the single guys. Being single at this point in my life scares the living hell out of me. There is no way I’d want to be single right now. Part of it is that we do a lot of divorce work as attorneys and we see the ugliness that happens. There is no way I would want to put my family through that. So, I find myself saying ‘yes, dear’ when it might not be in my best interest to do so all of the time. It’s just something I would not be envious of right now at all. Drew: I think it’s always easier to pine for what you don’t have. I was stationed in Korea and when I was there, I counted how many days I had left until I was coming States-side. Now, the one place I most want to go back to is Korea.
20 Jan./Feb. 2010
Girlfriends: What is your definition of a romantic evening? Is your partner’s definition the same or do they differ? Dan: One of the greatest evenings I had out was in Chicago. A girlfriend of mine’s dad lived in Chicago and he took us to this place and he had everything arranged. We were at this Italian restaurant that really wasn’t that fancy, but they had strolling musicians who came by the tables. I think that was one of the great (date) nights of my life because of the décor, the music, the food and the company. I think being away also helped. Every time I think of her I think what a magic night that was. Adam: I consider myself a romantic more so than some of my acquaintances. I really define it as having to do with dedicating that time to plan something out and to think of what I can do to really dedicate the time to the other person and have them enjoy it. It’s not so much overdoing it or where it’s going, but that the time was taken and a plan was made. >>>
Jason: I think you have to make the effort to take time for each other and do plan a romantic evening. It’s just much harder to do that. You sometimes need the help of others. It’s nice to have grandpa and grandma nearby. It’s a lot different now than it used to be. You still have to put in a supreme amount of effort to try to find that. Where we are at, the key to happiness is lowered expectations. A simple thing like planning some time together is paramount to a relationship. Hans: I’m just mystified by the whole process. I know back in my single days, I made the mistake of trying to re-create a great romantic evening with a different girl and having it fail miserably. I did all of the same planning and went to the same places and those kinds of things. It’s a moving target. I feel like to get my needs met, I have a very active fantasy and I can talk very openly about the things that would really do it for me. And I could ask her to write that down and do it for her. Tuesday night, that would be great, but try it on Thursday night and forget it, it would be the most ridiculous thing. It’s a constantly moving challenge, so all of this planning, what needs to go into it is inevitably doomed to wear out. It might only be good for a onetime thing. For me, it’s all spontaneity. There’s another piece, too. It’s not only spontaneous; it’s being able to shut the door on the rest of the world and being with my spouse. It’s that moment, and I don’t know how you plan that, that’s the piece where no matter what’s happening and you are having a bad day, you have that. Everything else be damned. It’s hard. Am I going to plan for this selfish thing or not? I have no clue, no idea or no insight on that whatsoever. I’m still trying to figure it out.
Girlfriends: How important is the “kiss for no reason?” Do you do it? Ed: For different people it means different things. I’ve had a beard for my whole life. The kiss isn’t that big a deal. It’s like stay away from me. For us, it’s the back scratch for no reason or something that shows you care for the other person, something they didn’t expect. I think that’s probably more important than anything else. It’s some sort of physical gesture to let them know you are into them. Dan: It’s doing the unexpected. Hans: For me, the kiss was always the quantum leap. Going from kissing a girl to sleeping with her was a natural progression. I think guys and girls differed in that and still differ in that. I knew lots of girls who would kiss tons of guys, maybe even in the same night at the same party. For me, it was the nervousness behind stepping up to that first kiss. That’s when you are going from plutonic to an intimate sexual relationship. That was the quantum leap. That’s what really got your heart pounding for me. I think in my own relationship with my wife, I think she knows that about me, that a kiss is going to lead to this, so we might avoid kissing more than we do. Adam: I’m more of a traditionally romantic person. I appreciate the physical contact a little more. I like to have that random shoulder rub, or just the spontaneous attention. I don’t need it every day, but it’s real nice when it happens. Nathan: A kiss for no reason is like doing maintenance. The first kiss is the quantum leap that says I am throwing my cards down here and there is some risk involved here. Coming back and continuing to do that on a dayto-day basis when you are in a relationship is kind of like saying you are important enough to me that I would take that risk again. Girlfriends: What are the little things that you do for your >>> Girlfriends.mn
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>>> It’s sort of the same kind of buildup you have for Christmas or vacation or an evening they may or may not know is going to happen. It’s just having that dedication to the time to plan something special.
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>>> significant other? What are the little things they do for you? Adam: I love doing all of the surprises. I send flowers and I do the shoulder rubs. It’s fun for me to show her I care. Ed: It’s interesting listening to the different answers. The little things I do are different sometimes, like making sure the light is on the front porch and the door is unlocked. Drew: I do little logistical things that make my wife’s life easier. I don’t know if she necessarily recognizes them unless I
am gone. She on the other hand, does all of these sweet little things like leaving little notes. I think maybe I do for her what I would like for her to do for me and vice versa. Maybe I should take a look at that and do some of those things. Dan: At one point in time when the kids were still at home, I took over the Sunday night cooking. That, for her, was one of the great things. I loved doing it and we really had a lot of fun with that. I’m not sure how the kids liked it, it was definitely a step back as far as the food was concerned.
Jason: Certainly there are a lot of little courtesies that we do for each other. We help out. I think the last time I did something out of the ordinary was when I stayed home from work one day and all I did was clean the house. By the time she came home, the toilets were scrubbed, the laundry was done and everything was clean. We had a whole weekend, basically, of not having to the chores we have to do between all of the other running around we have to do. That was greatly appreciated, and it didn’t feel like a big deal. I learned from that, so I do a little bit more now and do things that help her out. Girlfriends: Do you consider yourself a romantic guy? Would your wife, girlfriend or significant other agree? Hans: I would absolutely say that I am a romantic at heart. I cry at movies and songs get me. I’m really emotional about life. I try to be romantic, but my wife would absolutely say that I am not. She thinks I’m a gorilla with oven mitts. It all depends on your perspective.
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Mike: I think my wife knows that I have been romantic with her and she knows there is a lot more to accomplish. She knows eventually I will be able to bring my “A” game all of the time. I’m thankful she knows it is there. I don’t show it every single day like I would like, but I think she knows it’s there.
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Nathan: I would say I consider myself quite romantic, but as I examine it more closely, it’s probably much more in terms of my own internal mental state or the dialogue going on inside my head. In terms of actually doing that, I don’t know. I’ve actually wrecked a couple of relationships because of that.
22 Jan./Feb. 2010
Dan: I am and I work hard at it. It always seems like it is a lot easier and more romantic in the beginning. And then, you really have to get on that treadmill and put it on a tougher speed as the relationship goes on. Drew: I’m a romantic and I think my wife thinks I’m more romantic than I think I am. I think there is tenderness behind being romantic and I see me directing a lot of that tenderness to my kids right now. So I can see that there are less romantic overtures on my part toward my wife. What I can say, is that we’ve been together about 15 years now and if I’m out having lunch and I see her by surprise, I just get a major lift, like we were just starting to see each other for the first time. That’s a good sign, to have that joy come over me. Ed: I’m going to use something Jason said earlier: When all else fails, lower your expectations. My wife has lowered her expectations about me being romantic. James: I think I’m pretty romantic. I take it to different levels, but yes, I think being romantic is important in a relationship. Jason: I don’t think I would call myself romantic. I can be romantic, but I don’t think I am romantic. The gestures that would traditionally be deemed romantic in nature, my wife scoffs at. At this stage in our lives, we’re parents first and spouses second. That changes the nature of the game a little bit in terms of romance. It’s not gone, it’s just part of our lives that takes a back seat now out of necessity. It’s still there and sparks up here and there when time permits or we make time for it. — Visist “Chatfest” online at www.girlfriends.mn to read the entire conversation. If you would like to participate in a future “Chatfest,” email Jerry Smith at jsmith@I35targetmedia.com or call him at 507-645-1136.
Unexpected Caregiver
Re-connecting with your parents through children’s books
T
he holidays are past. Some of you have seen your parents and are wondering, “When did they get older?� You may have noticed physical changes. Or maybe you noticed that Mom is forgetting simple things, like making coffee. How do you process your own feelings and start a conversation about these changes with your parents? I have always found comfort in children’s books. One particular book I rediscovered after Christmas was Winter’s Gift, by Jane Monroe Donovan (2004, Sleeping Bear Press). Winter’s Gift is a simple, yet profound story about a man whose wife died, leaving him feeling hopeless, lonely and without a charge. A mare changes this and brings into his life a renewed sense of life. I read from this story on my radio show in June, showing how you could use this book to start a potentially difficult conversation with Mom or Dad about the meaning of their life. (Take a listen at kymnradio.net). As a caregiver, you need to
KARI BERIT (w/dad)
have tools at your disposal to better reconnect with Mom and Dad. Children’s books are superb. Read them alone and read them aloud. It may seem strange at first, but it’s a surprisingly welcome way to interact — one that will help you find new ways to open emotionally challenging conversations and strengthen lines of family communication. Here are two other stories I recommend. Miss Rumphius, by Barbara Cooney (1985: Puffin). Miss Rumphius takes her cue from her grandfather, who encouraged her to travel and experience different cultures, but also told her she needed to do something to make the world more beautiful. Now she’s very old and her niece and groups of children gather around to hear stories from her life’s adventures,
giving her the chance to pass on her own lessons of living well and finding ways to beautify the earth. To make this story unique to your family, ask your parents what life lessons they want to pass on to their grandchildren, nieces and nephews. And how do they want to pass them on? One option: writing an Ethical Will, an ancient tradition for passing on values, beliefs, blessings, etc. And remember to acknowledge what they’re giving: Thank your parents for giving you their time and stories. Annie and the Old One, by Miska Miles (1971: Little, Brown; illustrated by Peter Parnall). Death is uncomfortable, unpleasant and sad, especially when it’s our parents. Death also is natural. Annie is a young Navajo girl who adores her grandmother. In the fall, grandmother announces that when the new rug is taken off the loom, she will “return to Mother Earth.� Annie clearly understands this as death, but that doesn’t mean she accepts it. To buy more time with her beloved grandmother,
she attempts to sabotage the finishing of the rug. These small attempts don’t accomplish her goal of keeping grandmother from dying. They can’t. But from her grandmother, Annie learns that there is a natural order to things, and it’s futile to work against that. Death simply is part of life. This story can help you talk about death. It might not be the most pleasant conversation, but it’s a necessary one. A simple opening question to ask them: “Do you identify more with Annie or the grandmother?� Reconnect with these stories and more. Check out my Website to find other examples of children’s books that will help you engage delicate subjects with your parents. — Kari Berit (www.KariBerit. com) is the author of The Unexpected Caregiver: How Boomers Can Keep Mom & Dad Active, Safe and Independent (2007: Attainment Company). She delivers high-energy, informative and humorous keynotes around care giving and aging.
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The price of glamour? Women suffer far more problems with their feet than men, and much can be attributed to high heels By AZNA A. AMIRA
M
innesota women tend to be practical about clothing and sensible about shoes. When you live in a place where weather can turn deadly on a dime, function tends to trump fashion, and warnings about the impracticality of high heels on ice are tucked in memory alongside the ones about running with scissors and driving while drunk. Perhaps that explains why you see more Uggs-style shearling boots and other weather-wise footwear
than Manolo Blahniks in southern Minnesota (except among the under-30 set, who still lean more toward Carrie Bradshaw than Nanook of the North). But women’s foot issues have become more complicated than the generations-old “heels or flats?” debate. While health specialists and women alike tend to agree that stilt-like, pointy-toed Monolos are good for no one, women are increasingly suffering from the agonies of the feet, and our shoebuying habits are still our Achilles’ heel. >>>
>>> Women suffer serious foot health problems more than men. Nearly 80 percent of foot surgery patients are women; they get knee replacement surgery for osteoarthritis twice as often. True, studies say 21st century women walk more these days, and heredity also plays a part. But even small-town Minnesota women are not immune to a rising tide of painful and debilitating ailments. And there are no quick fixes. Health professionals and shoe-sellers agree on the primary cause: women care more about how shoes look than how they feel. They buy shoes that are either too high, which throw the back, knees and hips out of whack, (contributing to arthritis, tendonitis, sprains and fractures) or too tight, which squeezes the toe box out of joint (making neuromas and hammertoes more likely). Both cause corns, calluses and bunions. But too- high heels and too-tight shoes are no longer the only culprits: your Uggs, flip-flops or even your running shoes are just as likely to be the cause of serious problems, and there is no “one-size-fits-all solution.” Differences in age, lifestyle or pregnancy status can create a gray area in which one woman’s cozy comfort may be another woman’s Achilles’ heel. “The biggest cause of women’s foot problems is that they still buy their shoes based on appearance rather than on more practical concerns, such as health and comfort,” said Brian Burkhartzmeyer, manager of the family-oriented shoe store in Faribault that his family has owned and operated for 60 years. Fighting foot problems Burkhartzmeyer Shoes still does things the old fashioned way: trained specialists measure feet with Brannock devices and consult with clients as to their particular needs. Burkhartzmeyer is also one of two certified pedorthists the store has on staff. A pedorthist is a professional trained to diagnose foot problems, suggest remedies and create custom-made orthotics, or other modifications when needed. But this isn’t what many women want, says Burhartzmeyer. “They come in and say, ‘Oh, I can only wear this style, or that brand,’” he said. “They’re trying to fit an image rather than trying to get a good fit.” And some would still rather fight than switch from their high heels. Tina Forsberg, 30, a marketing executive at Ramada Hotels in Minneapolis, says that she’s required to wear heels to work because “you have to look professional.” >>>
Keeping your feet on the ground
T
he average woman walks 10,000 steps — three times around the globe — in her lifetime, which is a very long trip if your feet hurt. Here’s a list of the most common structural foot ailments reported by health specialists which, if not attended to, could lead to painful surgery or permanent disability, and some tips from the experts on how to keep putting your best foot forward.
tendon; sometimes the formation of nodules, or bumps.
Plantar fasciitis The fastest growing foot ailment results when there is increased stress on the arch and microscopic tears occur within the plantar fascia where it connects with the heel. The condition results in pain and stiffness on the bottom of the heel.
Know thyself — and thy feet Visit a podiatrist for an exam and have your feet measured every time you go to try on shoes. If it doesn’t fit, don’t wear it.
Bunions Enlargements on the side of the foot near the base of the big toe; big toe points to second toe, causing a bump. The enlargement is due to a bursa (sac) under the skin. Bunions, which are more common among women, can be hereditary, but are aggravated by wearing tight shoes. Hammertoes A deformity that occurs when the toes become bent like claws from being crowded together in too-tight shoes. Morton’s neuroma A painful bump in the ball of the foot caused by a nerve that becomes irritated and grows larger and more painful with continued irritation, caused by shoes that concentrate the body’s weight on the ball of the foot. Achilles tendonitis An inflammation of the Achilles tendon connecting the leg muscles to the foot. It can cause shortening and thickening of the
Girlfriends.mn
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Jan./Feb. 2010
Corns and calluses Thick, hard skin that develops from friction over a bony prominence, corns on the toes and calluses when elsewhere on the foot. Prevention of these conditions is better than cure. Health specialists and footwear experts offer these tips for happy feet.
Rotate your footwear Wear different shoes for different activities and occasions. Go natural as much as possible, going barefoot when possible, and using the feet in ways that strengthen rather than weaken them. Get some support Buy supportive shoes, or custom orthotics as prescribed by a professional. Cushioning insoles, heel cups and other non-prescription comfort aids found at most drugstores can ease the splaying of feet and thinning of foot pads due to age or pregnancy. Avoid gimmicks Those “yoga toes” in the magazine ad will not cure corns and bunions, and running shoes claiming to “cure” such “defects” as over- or under-pronation are not nearly as effective as actually doing yoga or other appropriate exercise, and choosing shoes that complement your particular running or walking style. — Sources: American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons; American Podiatric Medical Association; Journal of Women’s Health
>>> But she also wears her three-inch heels for social occasions, because “I just like them — they make you look taller, thinner.” But knee pain sent Forsberg to the doctor recently. The diagnosis was water on the knee, an early sign of arthritis. Is she worried enough to lower her heel height? “Nope,” she said flatly. “I can’t worry about what might happen down the road. I just think about the now.” “I love high heels,” said Ann Gosack, 52, of Northfield. “I’ve been wearing them for over 25 years, and I’ve never had a foot problem. I didn’t wear them because I had to for work, or anything — they just look so sexy!” Everyone is unique Dr. Andrew Highum, an Owatonna podiatrist with offices in Faribault and Waseca as well, says these contrasting cases point out what many
Girlfriends photo by Thom Caya
Brian Burkhartzmeyer, a certified pedorthist and co-owner of Burkhartzmeyer Shoes in Faribault, believes more women are trying to fit an image rather than trying to get a good fit, which could lead to problems.
women miss: everyone’s body is different. There are 26 bones and 33 joints in the foot, connected by muscles, tendons and ligaments. “Foot problems are very individual,” he said. “Everyone’s foot structure is unique, and
Physical therapy is an effective approach to foot pain and treatment of bunions
Fashionable women’s footwear can lead to painful foot problems like bunions
Q: Did you know physical therapy is an effective way to treat bunions?
Q: What type of problems will the fashionable women’s shoes I wear cause in
my feet? A: We get asked similar questions to this quite frequently in our Podiatry practice and the answers are many, but I will focus on a few. Fashionable women’s footwear can lead to a higher chance of developing painful bunions, which are bumps on the inside of the great toe joint. Shoes with narrow toe boxes and high heels place the foot in a position that crushes the great toe over toward the second toe. The bump (or bunion) then becomes sore and sometimes red and inflamed. We also see a higher incidence of painful hammertoes with women’s dress shoes because the shoes cause the toes to buckle. The chance of developing a neuroma is also much higher with women’s dress shoes because of the compression the shoes cause in the front of the foot. And finally, plantar fasciitis is a common problem, which in many cases can be attributed to poor shoe gear. This problem can be recognized by pain in the heel and/or arches.
At Advanced Foot and Ankle Clinic LLP, we specialize in the foot and ankle and tailor treatment to your specific needs.
Dr. Andrew Highum
Advanced Foot and Ankle Clinics Owatonna (507) 451-5950 Faribault (507) 334-1951 Waseca (507) 835-1201 Girlfriends.mn
there are many things that can go wrong.” A case in point is Adrianna Estill, a 39-year-old professor at Carleton College in Northfield, who says she is using brief stints wearing heels to get herself back in shape for running — with
the blessing of her physical therapist, Daisy Christopherson. “I don’t know anyone who wears heels to work here,” she said, “but I bought a pair to wear on a special night out, and found that my pelvis — which had been tight and misaligned — felt better.” While Estill’s solution may be unconventional, Highum emphasizes that “there are many options out there, but unless you are seen by a trained person, you won’t know what’s right for you.” Women have trained themselves to get regular mammograms. Highum recommends periodic podiatric exams, and getting feet measured whenever you buy a new pair of shoes. Most women whose jobs do require heels have made common-sense adjustments. Eleanor Niemisto, a 58-year-old professional harpist from Northfield, wears heels during concerts, but “sensible shoes around the house.” >>>
A: Physical therapy is an effective approach to foot pain especially treatment of bunions. Treating bunions with physical therapy is a good alternative to having costly surgery. A physical therapist can assess your foot to make the appropriate suggestions and provide an individualized plan to help reduce the size of the bunion. Some treatments that may be used to treat bunions include the following: • Iontophoresis: An effective non-surgical technique that uses electricity to deliver a solution of acetic acid (vinegar) to the affected area. This helps to reduce the size of the bone buildup causing the lump on the outside of the big toe. • Taping: Applied to a bunion, this helps minimize the pain by improving alignment of the foot. This, followed by performing toe exercises, helps improve the mechanics of the muscles attaching to the big toe and will help reduce poor alignment of the big toe and foot when you walk, thus reducing the pain. • Orthotics: Inserts that go into your shoe for support of the arch to improve alignment issues of the foot, reducing your foot symptoms and preventing a bunion from worsening. If you are suffering from bunions, consider physical therapy instead of surgery. Call In Touch Physical Therapy to schedule an appointment.
Anne Lamb, PT
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Jan./Feb. 2010
In Touch Physical Therapy 123 W Broadway St Owatonna, MN 55060 507-451-7888 www.intouchpt.com
>>> Effie Foulidis, 44, a flight attendant for Delta Airlines living in Northfield, wears well-made, top-of-the-line, sturdy heels for her 10-hour flight shifts, “but of course I change into flats between flights,� she said. Plantar fasciitis on the rise Brian Burkhartzmeyer notes that the “Fashion First� climate is changing, albeit slowly. “Women are changing their attitudes,� he said, “so the shoe companies are trying to design good-looking shoes that are lower-heeled and have more support.� But too much focus on high heels neglects the dangers of other forms of footwear. The fastest growing foot ailment for women — plantar fasciitis — is as likely to be caused by Uggs or flip-flops as anything else. While women of a certain age wouldn’t wear flip-flops to the Dairy Queen in August, they are quite popular among
Brian Burkhartzmeyer of Burkhartzmeyer Shoes in Faribault, believes that because of foot problems in women, the shoe companies are trying to design good-looking shoes that lend more support. Girlfriends photo by Thom Caya
teen girls, who are also wearing fuzzy bedroom slippers out and about these days. The problem is that while these look comfortable, they lack proper heel, arch and ankle support, which can lead to plantar fasciitis, a painful heel disorder. The American Podiatric Association recommends limiting flip-flops and bedroom slippers to poolside and indoors, respectively. Those warm, cushy Uggstyle boots are also implicated in the rise of plantar fasciitis. The super-soft sole, often seen in the furrier versions of this
popular boot, is an unstable base; the foot sliding around increases the uncomfortable stretching of tendons striving to maintain balance. Alternatives So what’s a woman to do, live year round in Birkenstocks? Anyone tempted to just live in sneakers should think again, lest gimmick footgear worsen one’s foot health. Tom Bisel, owner of Fit to be Tri’d in Northfield, who sells two brands of a new “neutral� or “barefoot style� running shoes, says these products are
an answer to gimmicks marketed as solutions to perceived problems. For example, he says that since 80 percent of women runners are over-pronators (i.e., roll their feet to the outside), companies were targeting “anti-pronation� running shoes to correct this “defect.� But women are supposed to run differently than men, and the American Podiatric Medical Association has determined that trying to “correct� this tendency can damage the foot. Bisel says that he measures the customer’s foot and asks what the shoe is to be used for, and whether she has any fixed, preconceived notions of what she wants. Why? Bisel agrees with Burkhartzmeyer and Highum: “The healthiest option may require some changes in the way you do things.� G — Azna A. Amira is a freelance journalist who contributes to Girlfriends and 35C business magazines.
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That Girl Jill Mackey’s passion for food and cooking has led her to opportunities in the food service business. She owns her own catering business and also is a cook at The Cheese Cave in downtown Faribault. Girlfriends photo by Thom Caya
Passion for food means no more Mondays for Mackey By JERRY SMITH
J
ill Mackey’s passion is food. She’s into the taste of unique dishes, is able to whip up elegant entrees without the use of recipe cards and loves to serve multiple-course meals to a roomful of people. But more than anything, she simply likes to cook. Mackey has parlayed her passion for food into a living, both working for herself and for someone else. After 25 years in the newspaper business, Mackey thought it was high time she took a leap and open her own catering business. She also holds down a part-time job as a cook at The Cheese Cave in Faribault. “Catering is not a regular paycheck because it’s seasonal,” said Mackey, who has no formal training as a chef, but cooks like one. “The Cheese Cave offers me a regular paycheck and I am able to cook the same elegant dishes I do in my own business. “My life now is playing with food. That’s my passion. There are no more Mondays for me.”
Mackey’s catering business isn’t your everyday, run-ofthe-mill catering business. The company’s name — Dinner is the Evening Catering — is the first clue. The unique menus she and her daughter (and business partner) put together drive the point home. “I’ve been creating experiences my whole life,” said Mackey, who started the catering business 2½ years ago. “I wanted to do this as my life’s work and I’m really having a ball doing it.” Mackey and her daughter want to leave a lasting impression when they cater a party. That’s why they send out the invitations, bring the food, linens, dishes and decorations, then greet each person at the door. They then serve six different courses with wine for each course. “This fits my persona and who I am and how I cook,” Mackey said. “I’m not your ordinary, everyday cook. I like to make things that are unique and I get to do that in my catering business and at The Cheese Cave.” Girlfriends.mn
With a few short answers to questions, much more is revealed about this biggerthan-life transplant from South Boston. Q: What has been your craziest moment as a caterer? A: The very first dinner I did for Chris Nelson is one I’ll never forget. He wanted veal and I had ordered veal tenderloins, which are already very tender. Well, the meat department where I purchased the veal decided to put the cutlets through a tenderizer. Veal is tender by nature and these tenderized cutlets basically fell apart. When I picked them up the day of the party I nearly panicked. The dining area was right there next to the open kitchen, so needless to say, I couldn’t swear. I think everything turned out fine, but I wasn’t pleased because of that. Q: If you came into a large amount of money or won the Powerball drawing, what would you do with your
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winnings? A: The first thing I’d do after giving lots of money to my kids and grandkids would be to book an extended golf trip to Scotland and in Great Britain. My husband and I love to golf. It would be an opportunity to give back. I could start a cooking school for low-income families so everybody could experience the thrill of cooking. Finally, it would allow my husband Richard to seek his retirement job: “A Golf Ranger from Hell.” Q: Your parents were both ballroom dancers and instructors. Do you regret not following in their footsteps? A: I look back and think I would have loved to pursue a career in dance, but I didn’t have an opportunity to do that. Really, I have no regrets. I think everything I’m doing in life is what I was meant to do. Besides, if I was a dancer, I wouldn’t be able to cook and golf as much. G
Daddy’s Girl
A daughter’s long journey to become ‘Daddy’s Girl’ A
t first, I thought I would not really consider myself a typical “Daddy’s Girl.” I am the eldest of 11 children — three girls and eight boys. I often heard my Dad say, “a smart man has the girl first,” meaning you had a built-in caregiver. Our mother worked outside the home, so oftentimes I was the caregiver to my siblings. We did not have a conventional home life. Dad did all of the canning and the cooking, partly because he enjoyed it and partly because Mom was not exactly Betty Crocker in the kitchen. Dad taught us all to cook, do laundry and clean, as well as to fish and to handle a gun. I never did develop the love of hunting he tried to pass on to us. Dad was a veteran and passed a legacy of service on to one daughter and six sons. We were taught a love for our country and to honor the flag. Dad recycled long before going green was the thing to do. He saved everything, just in case he could put it to use someday. He taught us valuable lessons like: “Life isn’t fair. Get used to it.” We were raised knowing what Dad said was to be obeyed and with no argument. Don’t get me wrong, we were loved and knew it, how-
ever, “I Love You” was rarely spoken. In the spring of 2000, Dad fell. After an ambulance trip to the local hospital, we learned that Dad not only had a fractured pelvis and a separated shoulder, X-rays also showed fairly advanced lung cancer. Recovering from the fractures at the local nursing home was a time of changes for Dad and our entire family. After a family conference with the oncologists, we learned that radiation would give Dad more time and comfort, but would not be a cure for him. So began our five-times-a-week trips for radiation. My siblings and I took turns taking Dad for his treatments. We had some great conversations on those trips. When Dad learned that his life was going to be shorter than he planned, he began to make up for all of the unheard “I love yous.” He began ending our phone calls and visits with “ya know I love you.” He began to tell us how proud he was of all of us, too. Prior to Dad’s health issues, I saw no reason to spend money to have a cell phone. Suddenly, I felt that I needed to always be available in case Dad needed something. Most of the time, Dad’s needs were simple and of the non-emergency type. He, of course, thought his requests were Girlfriends.mn
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always an emergency. Many times, I would get a call from Dad and he would need his TV remote reprogrammed, or his candy bar supply needed replenished, or he needed a DQ run. I visited twice daily, sometimes more, but still, the telephone became his lifeline to us all. During Dad’s illness, our mother was also diagnosed with cancer. Mom died within six weeks of her diagnosis. Before she passed away, Mom and Dad were together in the same nursing home. With Mom gone, Dad naturally needed us more. The Janesville Nursing Home became our home away from home. Dad was a patient, but the staff really took care of us all. They are truly special people. Just over five weeks after Mom passed, Dad followed her. The evening before Dad left us, all of his children made it home. We laughed, told stories, sang and cried together at his bedside. Somewhere along the journey, I became a “Daddy’s Girl.” After nine years, I still miss him every day. G — Paula Beelow is the oldest of 11 children of Patrick and Patricia Eustice. The summer of 2000 was in many ways the best and the worst times for her and her family.
Jan./Feb. 2010
We want you to be our next ‘Daddy’s Girl’ Many women carry special memories of their relationship with dad. “Daddy’s Girl” showcases those relationships through first-person accounts. If you’re interested in sharing your story, visit www.girlfriends. mn, and click on the “Daddy’s Girl” link. You’ll find more details on the feature, previous columns and an interactive form for submissions. ••• You can also contact Jerry Smith at 507-645-1136 or jsmith@I35targetmedia.com if you are interested in sharing your story.
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