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1 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011 | Today’s Woman

Today’s Woman We hope you enjoy the fourth edition of Today’s Woman. This quarterly magazine pays tribute to women and all that we do.

Send your comments to todayswoman@idahopress.com.

Visit us on the web at idahopress.com/todays_woman.com for more stories, ideas and photos.

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To advertise: Angela Sammons at 465-8136 For story ideas: Vickie Holbrook at 465-8110 For copies to display at your business: Shelley Thayer at 465-8185 Today’s Woman is a product of the Idaho Press-Tribune, 1618 N. Midland Blvd., Nampa, ID. Copyright 2011.

Mackenzie Johnson McFadden, designer and contributor Shantel Bugby, ad-visr and contributor Melissa Valencia, sales Shelley Thayer, customer service manager and contributor Betty Schober, sales and contributor

We, the women of the Today’s Woman staff, promise that this magazine will: Foster conversations among Treasure Valley women.

Celebrate local “she” power.

Embrace community.

Ignite, empower and liberate women.

Delight in “she” things.

And yes, even have a rip-roaring good time!

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Sharon Strauss, reporter Machele Hamilton, columnist Debbie Bettencourt Kushlan, freelance writer Rhea Allen, Peppershock Media Sandy McDaniel, parenting expert Jennifer Deroin, Intermountain Bank Debra Holm, freelance writer

Today’s Woman staff

Vickie Schaffeld Holbrook, editor Angela Sammons, retail ad manager Trish Usabel Grohs, marketing director Randy Lavorante, news editor and designer Greg Kreller, multi-media editor Tabitha Simenc, coordinator and writer

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Patricia Drain

C O N TA C T Y O U R A D V E R T I S I N G R E P R E S E N TAT I V E F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N O R C O N TA C T :

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Cadbury mini eggs simply melt in your mouth. When we asked eight women what their favorite Easter candy is, half of them said the Cadbury mini eggs top their list.

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Mardi gras masks

Get your own Mardi gras mask at local party stores, including Zurchers. The Costume Shop in Boise probably has the best selection of masks for the party season. thecostumeshopboise.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011 | Today’s Woman

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A & Q

Gayle Batt

Gayle L. Batt, 34, manages political campaigns, organizes and hosts events and assists her husband Roger with his consulting and lobbying firm. Most recently, the Wilder High School graduate was appointed to the Idaho Legislature sitting in for Rep. Pat Takasugi while he undergoes surgery for cancer.

Gayle was raised in the Wilder area on a 500-acre seed crop farm and today she and her husband Roger live on her family's farm. She says her mother captured her personality best when saying “Gayle is just as comfortable and content in a board room as she is in a corn field.”

This fifth-generation Canyon County resident is living her dream job of bridging the gap between farmers and ranchers and the government.

First dollar earned: Lazy S Farms, my parents' seed farm in the Central Cove, Wilder.

Guilty pleasure: I like to send three pieces of written correspondence a week. It is unfortunate that handwritten correspondence has become such a lost art.

Bad habit you can't break: I clench my teeth.

Pet peeve: I have zero tolerance for people who lie and have little patience for those that do not strive to meet their full potential in being productive, giving citizens.

Favorite places to shop: Brass Razoo, Savers, Methodist Shoppe and the Gold Mine. I love to find a good deal. High-end designer and vintage clothing at incredible discounts gets my blood pumping.

I can't live without: God. Favorite website: www.nascar.com Favorite quick dinner recipe: I love Crock Pot cooking and the idea of cook-once-eat-twice. Place beef roast into Crock Pot in the morning, adding three packages of dry brown gravy mix (add water to make slurry), red wine, red and green peppers, can of stewed tomatoes and garlic. Put on in the morning, it's ready for dinner. Use leftovers for beef soup.

Hollie Lindner

Hollie (Larson) Lindner daily lives her passion in her work as Northwest Nazarene University's director of marketing and media. At the Nampa university, she connects with others to form stronger partnerships and relationships while doing something else she values very much: serving the Lord in her community.

This Grandview, Wash., girl became a bride in May 2002 to husband Brian and they welcomed their son Dalton two years ago.

Lindner, 31, first experienced Idaho when she visited Northwest Nazarene University, and that weekend on campus changed her life. After earning her MBA, she served the Nampa Chamber of Commerce as one of the youngest board chairs in the Chamber's 117-year history and was recently recognized as an “Accomplished Under 40” in the state of Idaho.

Dream job: Owning my own marketing firm.

Favorite quick dinner recipe: What I call “Christmas sandwiches” — English muffin toasted with a light spread of mayo, slice of ham, and a slice of apple all topped with melted Swiss cheese.

First dollar earned: Babysitting.

Bad habit I can't break: Always running five minutes late.

Guilty pleasure: Pedicures (however, the guilt doesn't last long).

Pet peeve: When someone says they'll do something and they don't follow through.

Favorite place to shop: Maurice's.

Things I can't live without: My Bible and my boys.

Favorite website: www.babycenter.com

Your sweetheart or your pet?

J

ust think about it.

What if you had to choose your pet or your loved one? Most current pet owners said they would hold on to their spouse or significant other (84 percent), but a sizable 14 percent picked their pet, according to an APPetside.com poll. n 25 percent of the unmarried are more apt to choose their pet over their mate! n 40 percent of the women are far more likely than 26 percent of the men to say the human-pet choice would be a tough one.

Good news! Both genders were equally likely to go with their spouse or significant other.

There was also no difference between dog and cat owners: 35 percent of each said the choice would be a hard one and more than eight in 10 would choose their spouse. n 47 percent of urban dwellers are

Savvy chicks

Savvy Chicks profiles have been edited for length. To read the full profiles, along with recipes, visit idahopress.com/todays_woman.

Which would you dump if one had to go?

more likely to say they'd have a difficult time choosing than did suburbanites, 35 percent, or rural residents, 25 percent.

The most common reasons had to do with the pet's health: 69 percent said their pet was too sick to live on, 52 percent too sick to be cared for at home.

But there are other reasons as well, including about one in 10 (9 percent) who, like Rosenthal, said their animal was too dangerous to keep.

One-third (34 percent) of current pet owners said it would be "extremely" or "very" difficult if they were forced to choose between a pet and a family member who became allergic. Another 20 percent would find the choice somewhat difficult and 46 percent said it would be "not too difficult" or "not difficult at all."

Petside: www.petside.com/giving-upa-pet

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011 | Today’s Woman

5

cover story

Christy Perry S

brings a woman's view to the Statehouse

By Sharon Strauss • Today's Woman he's highly motivated, successful, a risk-taker. A volunteer and work-at-home mom, she became a first-time college student in her mid-30s. A nature lover, a grandmother (can you believe it?) and now a newly-elected Republican state representative embodying Canyon County values, local girl Christy Perry wants to be known as the one people turn to when they think, “Somebody should do something about that!”

6

Perry — the sprightly rifle-toting blonde on those big campaign billboards around town — is ready to bring a savvy woman's viewpoint to the state House of Representatives.

But first, she has to stop at the grocery store on her way home — because this woman juggles it all. For Perry, life is as real as it gets — a mix of highs, lows, heartbreaks and joy — and she goes into it with her eyes wide open.

“Life is so hard, and politics is so ugly,” Perry said. “You try to make the best judgment you can.”

Today’s Woman | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011

She’s a politician

The 42-year-old has had her eye on the state Legislature since her days at Middleton High, where she graduated in 1986.

She grew up to be a community-minded gun shop owner, a happily married mother of three, and a political newcomer who unseated District 13 incumbent Steven Kren last year and began her freshman legislative term in January.

In high school, she played sports, excelled academically, served in Key Club and student council. It was in those years when she attended Girls' State and her

interest in politics began to emerge. She remembers staging a sit-in at school in support of teachers who were considering a strike, and learning that being politically outspoken means rocking the boat.

“My parents became unglued when I was interviewed on the news (after the sit-in),” she said. Much to her displeasure, she was raised with the idea that girls played certain roles in life, much different from the boys. She didn't like having to wait to get her driver's license until she was 21 while her brother got his license at 14 because he was, well, a boy.

“I felt marginalized within my own

cover story family,” she said. “Even in the Legislature, I don't think women's views are represented, especially Republican women's. The woman's viewpoint isn't paid attention to. I think that's a shame.”

Perry remembers being raised in a family that had very different ideas of what boys could do and what girls could do.

“That had a lot to do with me not going to school (after high school),” she said. “My parents told me girls did not need an education.”

So instead of college, Perry stayed in Idaho and in 1993 married her childhood friend Matt Perry. They started a family and Christy began to work for a network marketing company called Home and Garden Party while volunteering at her children's schools.

In 2001, she and Matt purchased the Buckhorn Gun Shop in Boise, and a few years later Perry knew it was her time to realize her goal of a college education.

The full-time student was still working her home decorating business, raising

“My parents told me girls did not need an education.” their kids, and enjoying Idaho's outdoors every chance she could get.

In 2009, Perry graduated Summa Cum Laude with a political science degree, and then launched her graduate career at BSU, where she is now in the MPA program studying policy analysis and public administration.

It was at BSU that Perry was introduced to the world of politics.

She interned with former Idaho House Speaker Bruce Newcomb during an internship with the university's Government Relations Department. Perry considers herself lucky to have had the longest-running Speaker of the House in Idaho's history as a mentor.

“He was pragmatic and integrity mattered. He felt like I do, that the institution (of government) should be run with integrity,” Perry said.

A turning point for Perry happened

when she told Newcomb she was interested in the state Legislature.

“And he said, 'Well, let's go see if you like it.'”

Like it she did — although she quickly learned that the inner workings of government are very different in real life than what she had read in books.

“It's not all pretty,” she said. “It's not at all for the faint of heart. You need to go in for the right reasons, and not just for yourself.”

“They were raised with love, with discipline, and we worked really hard to instill in them that they are valuable. We told our kids, 'Life is tough.' We didn't pull any punches with our kids. We worked on self-esteem,” Perry said.

Their first-born son, Joseph, struggled with behavioral challenges — severe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Tourette's syndrome. Perry remembers teachers telling her that he'd never make it through high school and to start looking at alternatives.

“He proved many of those people wrong,” Perry said of her son, now a 25Like politics, the world of parenting year-old junior at Boise State University, isn't everything she expected, either. engaged, and a sergeant serving with the When they started their family, Perry Idaho National Guard's 116th in Iraq. and her husband made a conscious deciHis deployment abroad breaks her heart, sion to raise their children with a comPerry said, but at the same time she is bination of tough love and raw honesty. tickled pink at his achievements.

They taught their kids that life is what it Perry's middle child, 22-year-old is, and that strength comes from within.

She’s a mother

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011 | Today’s Woman

7

cover story

daughter Ena, also had a turbulent start. Perry says from that experience came lessons of humility and modesty — and the blessings of becoming a grandmother.

One of the hardest things a parent can do is watch her child teeter at the edge of a cliff, Perry said, and resist rushing in to rescue them.

At a young age, Ena was involved in an abusive relationship.

“At one point, she lived in her car,” Perry said.

Perry recalls getting a phone call from her only daughter during that troubled time — a request for gas money so that she could heat up the car. Armed with a jar of peanut butter, a loaf of bread and some homemade jam, she went to her daughter with instructions on how to ask for free water at local restaurants and how to get to a truck stop for coinoperated showers.

“Boy, is it hard to sit there and watch your kids have to learn,” she said. “But she pulled herself up ... and now she's getting her life on track after years of struggle.”

Now a married mom, Ena is ready to start classes at the College of Western Idaho and is no longer in a hurtful relationship.

Youngest son Steven, 17, is a student at Skyview High School who enjoys talking politics and learning from his mother's example. Perry originally intended to wait until Steven — the only child still at home now — was out of high school before running for office.

“But he said, 'You know, Mom, if you see things that are wrong, things that should be different, then it's really your job to do something.'”

Steven will be watching his mother work in the Legislature this year, and Perry hopes to open up the sometimes mystifying world of politics to those she represents.

“I've had some of the citizens contact me and ask, 'How does this work?' I would encourage people to contact their legislator. They can come for a tour of the Capitol. They can sit in on a committee meeting. They can watch what goes on,” she said. “You have a right to the building. I'd like people to understand it's their House. It's definitely their House.” n

8

Christy takes care of one of her horses at the Perry family home south of Nampa.

Steven, Joseph and Ena

Christy and husband Matt

Today’s Woman | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011 | Today’s Woman

9

Fashion

Rainy days spring flowers!

Tabitha simenc • Today's woman

Dig out those dresses ladies, it’s springtime! Throw out the winter blues with new fashions as the temperatures start to rise.

Spring trends FUNCTIONAL FASHION

Even if it rains, don’t let that keep you inside. Find a fun rain jacket, rubber boots and puddles to splash in.

Umbrellas add a burst of color and are great for keeping you dry!

Umbrella and scarf from Story & Co.

10

Today’s Woman | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011

Everything’s coming up florals — in both color and patterns. This season’s hottest color: Honeysuckle. Not your style? Try shades of iris, viola, daffodil, poppy, geranium, coral rose, silver peony or lavender. Options abound!

Find the perfect rain boot to express your personality!

These fun and colorful BOGS brand boots can be found at your local D&B Supply.

Fashion GO BOLD and BRIGHT!

Merilee Restucci with Idaho Bag Ladies said color blocks are this spring’s hottest trend.

Pick a bright color to lift your mood and follow it through your whole outfit. Match your accessories, too.

Dress and cardigan from Classy Casuals

Floral patterns speak volumes, delicately Layers transition you from winter to summer. Pair a dress with a cute cardigan to keep warm and look adorable. Add a tank under your dress for a hidden warmth.

Add some spring flavor to your outfit with a cute, floral purse! Find this and other customizable designs at Idaho Bag Ladies.

Dress, cardigan and shoes from Story & Co.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011 | Today’s Woman

11

MONEY MATTERS

Can you afford a baby at this time?

Y

Jennifer Deroin Jennifer Deroin is vice president and senior relationship services officer for Intermountain Community Bank. Contact her at Jennifer.Deroin@ intermountainbank.com.

ou’ve taken seven tests, the doctor’s confirmed it, and now you’re absorbed with thoughts of nursery decorations, names, and whether or not to discover the gender of the baby. It’s understandable during this exciting time. If you want to truly be prepared for baby, organize and manage the financial considerations before the little bundle arrives so you don’t have to stress in those first few weeks, and can focus on bonding and resting.

Before pregnancy n Understand what your health care plan does and does not cover, pay attention to emergency procedures, anesthesia, deductibles, nursery care and the baby’s coverage after birth. n If you don’t have insurance check out the state of Idaho’s website to determine if you qualify for the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) at www.healthandwealthfare.idaho.gov. n Understand what your budget can and cannot handle in regards to a reduction in income, and/or the additional expense of childcare.

According to www.doodledays.com, the average

cost for child center-based infant care in Idaho annually is $5,736.

During pregnancy n Stock up on necessity items. Consider consignment or friends that may have gently used items at a fraction of the price. Purchase quality when considering safety, but otherwise you can typically get by for much less. n Don’t forget the coupons for diapers and other items you’ll be using! Grocery ads come out Wednesdays and Sundays. Scour them for sales and then research multiple coupons online at eBay. At the time of this article, a “group” of 10 coupons on ebay was available for $2.50 off of one bag of diapers (each) for $1.80. Wait for the items to go on sale, find the coupons online and then bulk up — you will use them! n Prepare food in advance and freeze it.

You’ll save on ordering take-out after baby arrives when you’re tired and adjusting to a new schedule.

After birth n Identify how much of your budget can

go toward a College Savings Plan. Research available plans at www.collegesavings.org.

Also consider prepaid tuition plans. With the rising cost of tuition, it may be your best return but will limit where your child can attend school. n Evaluate your life insurance plans and make sure your new addition is added as a beneficiary. Determine if the insurance you currently have is sufficient to cover your new needs. n Pull out your will and ensure you’ve made any appropriate beneficiary changes and begin the discussion of guardianship, documenting your wishes in your will.

According to MSN Money, the cost to raise a child based on the Canyon County median income is above the current median home price. Plan ahead and take steps to manage expenses and control costs, and then watch the return on your investment blossom into your best achievement.

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Empower her

Don’t let cabin fever get you down

By Debbie Kushlan Bettencourt • For Today’s Woman

T

he excitement and craziness of the holidays is finally behind us. Time to settle in for a long winter’s nap . . . or is it? As the short, cold days and the long dark nights settle in around us, after a while so do the four walls.

At first, being lazy may feel good, but after a while you begin to feel sluggish. Your body goes into hibernation mode. You gain weight. And if you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) it’s even worse.

To deal with cabin fever, get off the couch and get moving. What works for some may not work for others, so look for things that interest you.

Get outside When there is snow outside, the obvious thing to do is get out and enjoy it: skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, ice skating and building snowmen are not only fun, but also help you break out of the rut. And better yet, it helps kids burn off some of that energy that has them — and you — climbing the walls.

Of course not everyone enjoys being out in the cold weather, but getting out of the house every day is important, even for just a few minutes. Step outside, take a brief walk and breathe in fresh air. Even a little bit of direct sunshine can lift your spirits. It might be just the motivation you need to go back in and dive into a project or activity.

n Assemble a family time capsule. Fill a shoe box or coffee can with family photos, mementos, letters to their future selves and present-day items. Decorate the time capsule, seal it, store it in a safe place, and decide on a time to open it — such as when your youngest graduates from high school. n Play cards or board games. Yes, those old-fashioned, non-electronic games bring families together with laughter and fun.

Keep yourself entertained

n Now is a good time to pull out hobbies and craft projects that you never seem to have time for, such as scrapbooking, quilting, knitting or beading. n Sort and organize those photos that are piling up in a drawer. n Clean out a closet, a drawer, a corner. n Paint a room. n If you live alone talk to someone. Phone an old friend and catch up. n Pull out your exercise and yoga tapes and get moving. n Surf the Internet — find projects, hobbies, activities. Take an online class and learn a new language or skill. There’s a whole world of new things to discover through the Internet. n Turn on some upbeat music and dance around as you clean the house. n Don’t let the four walls squeeze you into a corner.

Get creative and discover stimulating new things to make the winter months fly by. April flowers will be here before you know it! n Debbie is a local freelance writer.

Keep kids entertained

The kids can only play on the Wii or the Kinect so long. For a change of pace, get them interested in something else: n Design gift wrap and cards. Supply kids with large sheets of paper and card stock, markers, crayons, stamps, stickers, stencils and glitter, and let them have fun making greeting cards and gift wrapping paper. n Make your own play dough. Mix one cup of flour with 1/4 cup of salt and 1/4 cup of water. Knead the dough until it’s formed and not sticky. Divide it and knead in various food dyes and glitter. It’s as much fun to make as it is to play with. n Fix a fun lunch. Let each child make his or her own pita bread pizza with tomato sauce, cheese, and a variety of healthful toppings. For dessert, let them decorate sugar cookies or cupcakes.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011 | Today’s Woman

13

PARENTING

I choose to learn new ways to parent W ho doesn’t want to do a better job parenting? Some days are better than others.

But those bad days clearly illuminate how power struggles disrupt the peace in a home. Here are six ways to resolve parenting challenges:

1. I choose to remember that my child is constantly asking, “Is this how I use power?” and needs me to create both fair boundaries and consistent consequences.

Misuse of power creates an out-of-control child. A power-wielding child wears down a parent’s patience and detracts from the family peace, joy and fun. Teaching a child not to misuse power is essential to your child’s development and the sanity of your home.

2. I choose to let my child learn from his or her mistakes.

Let your child suffer the consequences of a poor choice to help teach him/her to take responsibility for choices.

3. I choose to model for my child, integrity, kindness and being a loving person.

Children are ALWAYS watching and listening. You teach most by what you model.

4 I choose not to constantly criticize my child. I understand that children thrive on encouragement and coaching.

Never being able to meet the expectations of unrelenting parents causes children to feel hopeless and erodes the sense of self-trust and self-worth.

5. I choose to be consistent in my discipline techniques and provide a disciplinary structure that creates safety for my child while teaching him or her to make

good choices.

Don’t Feed the Dragon is available on parentingsos.com.

6. I choose to somehow, within the chaos of daily life, find time to take care of myself. I can’t write checks on an empty bank account. I can’t give and give and give and give with little self-care. Whether it means getting up earlier to pray or read a book or carving out time for a cup of tea, I will find a smidge of time for me each day.

There are dozens of resolutions parents might choose to embrace and these are simply my opinion. Children don’t raise themselves.

There has never been a more difficult time to be a parent — or for that matter, a child.

Create small goals to minimize the amount of chaos in your home. I’m here to help!

Sandy Spurgeon McDaniel Sandy Spurgeon McDaniel recently moved to Meridian. She brings 48 years of research and work with children to help the Treasure Valley families.

Sandy has written four books, is the founder of parentingsos.com, is an international speaker, discipline specialist, parenting coach and the people who know her call her the “kid whisperer.”

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Mother of all

Treat children as individuals, spend alone time

balls; another may be curious

By Debra Holm • about gadgets, another may For Today’s Woman read all the time, and still Parents may ask, “How do I another may nurture a baby treat my children equally, yet doll. They will have different different? How do I discover levels of patience, ability to and value the differences, and share, and outgoing behavior. recognize the unique abilities Garrett says these behaviors of each child?” are vital clues to the child’s Those are important quespersonality. tions, because each person DEBRA Holm Dr. William Sears, a pewants to be valued for his or diatrician and author, says, her unique personality.

“Be a positive mirror. Much of a child's Experts including a prominent pediaself-image comes not only from what trician, a local school counselor, and the child perceives about herself, but experienced parents, offer these imporfrom how she thinks others perceive her. tant suggestions: When you give your child positive reflecRecognize each child’s uniqueness. tions, she learns to think well of herself.”

Reflect a positive image through your Loving eye contact is powerful. Sears words, eye contact and using the child’s says. name.

“Squat to your child's eye level and Spend time alone with each child. engage your child in eye-to-eye contact Randee Garrett, K-4 counselor at to get his attention. Be sure not to make Homedale Elementary School, says your eye contact so intense that your parents should be observant of their children. “Let them do their own things child perceives it as controlling rather than connecting.” and just watch,” she says.

Sears also suggests that parents use the One child may want to play with

child’s name often in a loving tone of voice. (http://www.askdrsears.com/ html/6/T061500.asp) Marilyn and Erick Wadsworth, Nampa grandparents, say that all eight of their children have very different personalities — even the identical twin daughters.

“It’s easy to lump children together and treat them the same because ‘we’re a family.’ It’s harder, but better, to look for differences and learn how to communicate with each one. One of our children wasn’t afraid of any situation.

When he was in sixth grade, he went to the citywide track meet even though he didn’t qualify. He ran in some events because other kids didn’t show up. It was all his idea. We have another child who is a little softer — we don’t hit this child head-on with difficult information — we find a back door or a side door,” Marilyn says.

Marilyn suggests that in a given situation, parents should think of the personality they are dealing with, and then craft options that help the child make a good choice. “Each child needs to feel he or

she is of worth, and that he has his own identity,” she says.

With the twins, Marilyn made sure they didn’t dress alike every day when they were young, and she insisted that they be in different classrooms throughout school so they could develop their personalities.

One of the twins asked that her sister get a permanent wave during high school so people could tell them apart, and they became friends with different girls while staying close to each other.

Erick discovered a magic tool for parenting when he started a tradition of taking one child with him to do Saturday errands, or to buy a treat. “It gave him time to talk to them one on one, and they loved it, even though their turns were two months apart,” Marilyn says.

Marilyn recently re-discovered this principle with a grandchild. There was a new baby in the home and the 5-yearold was having problems. An afternoon spent just with grandma, making enchiladas and cookies and playing a game, brought a huge turn-around in the poor behavior.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011 | Today’s Woman

15

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Today’s Woman | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011

Things to do

Things to do

What are you r favorite tip s, tricks and ideas for creating every day romance? ♥

Leave messages on the mirror fo r him in the morn ♥ Walk up to a str ing. anger and kiss him . ♥ Leave or send a message you'r e looking forwar him that evening d to seeing . ♥ Chocolate dip ped strawberries . But remember hairdryer to dry to pull out your the strawberries before dipping. ♥ Fondue for tw o ♥ Snuggling on the sofa with a ro mantic movie

Help othe r women su cceed!

The Boise Vall

er Eggs Fabergé East nder III commissioned

What is Mardi Gras all about?

History says the ancient Romans probably gave birth to Mardi Gras. It was a mid-February festival know as Lupercalia. It honored Lupercus, the god of fertility, agriculture and shepherds.

It eventually morphed into a last “fling” before Ash Wednesday and Lent, the 40 days before Easter. Celebrate it this year on March 8. It’s also known as Fat Tuesday. Some believe the French brought the celebration to America in 1699 when French explorer Sieur d’Iberville arrived in Louisiana just south of New Orleans, according to mardigrasneworleans.com/mgdates.html.

The colors of Mardi Gras are: Purple for Justice Green for Faith Gold for Power

Plan your own Gras party:

Masks, hats, garlands, centerpieces and beads are traditional Mardi Gras favorites.

In England, pancake feasts marked the day. Consider a King’s Cake, with a baby hidden inside (after you bake your cake) for your menu. Tradition says the person who finds the baby is the king or queen next year. The cake honors the three kings who traveled to see Baby Jesus after he was born.

You can find several party related recipes, including popular drinks at allrecipes.com. Look for cajun and creole style food.

A couple of favorites include Chicken and Shrimp Jambalaya and Bananas Foster.

Mark your calendar

February is Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence, idvsa.org/ American Heart Month: Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of men and women Feb. 12 – Valentine’s Breakfast, 7-11 a.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, New Plymouth.

Feb. 12 – Valentine’s Day Prime Rib Benefit Dinner and Auction, 5-7 p.m., New Plymouth High School.

Feb. 12 – St. Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance, 6 p.m., cash bar. opens; 7 p.m., prime rib dinner; dancing until 11 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 2900 Railroad, Nampa.

Feb. 12 – Miracle on 4th Street Benefit Concert, 6 p.m., raffle and social time, 7 p.m., concert, Nampa Civic Center, $5. Reckless Abandon, MacKayla Hunter, Travis McDaniel and a local comedian will be featured.

Feb. 14 – Valentine's Day

Tsar Alexa d In 1885, Russian a white enamele Fabergé to make rl Ca sted ne e ris rp jeweler Peter su a th wife at Easter wi rial Easgold egg for his lly made 50 Impe tua en ev r ele jew tal of 65 to a inside. The de ma d Russian family an the r fo to the gs d eg ve ter ve survi gs but only 57 ha . rg large Fabergé eg .o dia rding to en.wikipe e. present day, acco , rebirth, and lov gs symbolize life eg ch su by ed pir ins In essence e ar t elegant eggs tha You can purchase an e-card from u can also send Yo e. lin é the Faberg cards/ mieks.com/web

Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Dance, 7-10 p.m., The Crossing, 16241 N. Franklin Blvd., Nampa. Free, fun and classy family friendly dance with desserts and nonalcoholic beverages.

Feb. 19 – Fitness New Year’s Resolution RECHARGE Clinic, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Downtown Nampa Dille Center, 115 14th Ave. S., free.

Feb. 21 – President's Day. March 4-5 – Empowering Women Conference, Nampa Civic Center, empoweringwomenconference.org/ March 8 – Mardi Gras March 13 – Daylight Savings Time Begins March 17 – St. Patrick's Day March 20 – First day of spring April 19 – Passover April 22 – Earth Day April 24 – Easter May 8 – Mother's Day June — Girls Night Out party — TBA

ey chapte of the nati r onal orga nization Dress For Succe ss seeks donations of used interv new or gently iew appro priate clothing, sh oes and a ccessories for wome n. Plus-siz ed clothin and dress g shoes are particularly need ed.

Drop you r at 2760 E donations off . Fairview A Meridian . Shop ho ve, urs are Tuesday through T hursday from 1-3 p.m. or c a ll 288-4405 (208) . boisevall ey@ dressforsu ccess.org

t cabin fever? h ig f u o y o d w Ho ping 2 Window shop 2 Reading friends 2 Dinner with a good movie book or watch od go a d ea R 2 2 Go for a hike w puzzle 2 A good jigsa

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011 | Today’s Woman

17

Do you covet an electronic tablet?

GADGETS

I

RHEA ALLEN Rhea Allen, M.B.A., is an integrative marketing consultant and president/CEO of Peppershock Media in Nampa. www.peppershock.com

Since 1952 • FURNITURE

f you want an iPad, Nook or Kindle, you should know there are dozens of devices to consider.

First things first ladies … think about the size!

Not just how big it is and if it will fit in your purse or not, but also think about the storage space on the device itself. Sizes range from 10 inches for the iPad to the Samsung Galaxy Tab with a 7-inch screen size. It is becoming one of iPad’s biggest competitors.

Larger sizes also means more weight to carry.

As for storage space, the iPad comes with a large variety of internal storage options with 16, 32 or 64GB storage. But I think a big drawback of an iPad is that there is no way to add more storage to it. So if you need to expand or have a removable storage device, then you might like to look at a tablet that has an SD or microSD card slot. Most of the Android and Windows 7 tablets have that.

Longevity

Consider the battery life of your tablet. If you’re like me, remembering to plug in to recharge often is not easy or convenient to do. The iPad gives 10 to 12 hours of usage on a single charge. Samsung’s tablet offers seven hours of HD video playback or 10 hours for normal browsing or reading.

Speed In this fast-paced world, Wi-fi connectivity is critical. Most portable devices have the Wi-fi option but the hottest thing now is 3G capability. iPad comes with both options. But nothing’s for free, and the 3G version costs more. Other Android and Windows Tablets also offer 3G connectivity, but plans cost money. Be sure to shop the providers, too.

To touch or not? iPad is great, but when it comes to using

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the touch-screen keyboard, it isn’t the most comfortable thing to work on. There is a keyboard dock available for iPad, or you can use a Bluetooth wireless keyboard with it.

But do you want those accessories?

Many Android and Windows tablets have USB ports to attach a keyboard, pointing devices or an external storage drive. Both iPad and Android devices have voice control apps and all the editions of Windows 7 include built-in voice command functionality and dictation.

There’s an app for that!

Open or closed source? An open-source platform, such as Android, will offer a wider variety of free apps. But some may like the stability of Apple’s iPad because it’s all pre-approved and monitored. And if there isn’t an app, call me, I know people — even in the Treasure Valley — who make apps just so that there can be an app for that … whatever “that” may be …

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It is published every other week on Saturdays.

She also writes a blog, Don’t Get Me Started, at idahopress.com.

s women, most of us are naturally drawn to romance, particularly during February, the month of love with Valentine's Day on the horizon. We love a good romance novel, a romantic movie, even stories about marriage proposals are entertaining.

But what exactly is romantic? I bet if you asked dozens of women this same question, you would get dozens of different answers, proving that indeed romance is a very individual feeling or circumstance.

To many women, the images of flowers, chocolates, jewelry, etc., immediately come to mind. Before we were married my husband often brought me flowers. Once we had a combined household, the practical side of me cringed at a once romantic gesture, seeing it then as an unnecessary expense. Now that we no longer have the financial constraints of a young family, the flowers once again seem sweet and romantic, proving our individual feelings or circumstances can change what is romantic to us.

Some women want time, some want help, some want gifts, some want security, but most women just want to know in their hearts that they are the single most important thing to their man. The most romantic stories in life are "against all odds" stories, and the feeling that a man would walk through fire, sacrifice anything, lay down his life, fight anyone and anything, just to be with you, is the basis of those stories. They fill us with desire for such a grand love in our own life.

But the reality is we live in the real world, not a romance novel or movie. We must choose to see the romantic side of our every day lives and relationships. When my husband would come home after a long day at work and take a screaming baby out of my arms — that was romantic. When he told the kids he needed some "mommy" time and took me to dinner and a movie — that was romantic. And when he leaned over unexpectedly in the chaos of raising kids and whispered in my ear "Do we make gorgeous

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Find romance in our real lives — every day A

babies or what?!" That was romantic.

As our lives changed and the kids went their own way, my husband whispers "It's all about you and me baby," and that was romantic. Today, when he holds me tight and whispers "My Beauty,” I know his middle-aged eyes still see his lithe twentysomething with bright eyes and beautiful hair …

So accept the fact that we live in a world of mortgages, car payments, sick kids, job losses, health issues — on and on — not the world of Romeo and Juliet.

We must learn to recognize the romance in our REAL lives, every day, not just Valentine's Day. Those unseen moments of love, laughter and life caught between yourself and your loved one are the moments that are real, not manufactured on paper or film, or exaggerated throughout history. If you make the choice, and take the time, you too will see that every love, every relationship, can be filled with romance in its own way.

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Beauty

Your home spa

By Tabitha Simenc • Today's Woman

E

very woman should pamper herself, and you don't have to book an expensive spa appointment to relax.

Whether you have 30 minutes or a whole day, plan some at-home spa time and enjoy the experience.

Set the mood Schedule private time for yourself. Candles and music create just the right ambiance.

Facials Buy ready-made or concoct your own recipe to rev up your skin

Enrich your skin Bathe in hot water with soothing salts or a few drops of an essential oil. This will relax you and prep your skin for further treatments.

Next step: Exfoliate. Purchase a body scrub or make your own.

Rub a fresh cut lemon on rough skin like elbows and knees to soften the skin. Then give your skin some much-needed moisture with a rich lotion of your choice.

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Today’s Woman | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011

Massage Release body tension or ease your aching muscles with a massage.

Tell your partner where your tense spots are and what feels good. The massage should be slow and relaxing.

Hair care Your hair deserves some spa treatment, too! Give it a burst of intense moisture with a hair mask.

You can buy these from a drug store, or use a natural moisturizer, such as coconut oil. After the mask, wash your hair then comb through some leave-in-conditioner to really intensify the moisture.

Mani/Pedi Pamper your feet and hands with an at-home manicure and pedicure. Soak your feet in a bowl of warm water with essential oils or salts. Use a scrub to rid your feet of dead skin and finish with a pumice stone to smooth rough areas. Use a body or hand scrub on your hands and soak hands in a small bowl of whole milk.

Clip your nails and push down cuticles. Use a strengthening base coat, then apply two coats of your favorite polish to toenails and fingernails. Follow with a top coat.

Essential oils There are more than 100 essential oils. They are usually distilled from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other plant elements. Alone, they are not oily

Homemade facial There are several recipes for DIY facials in print and online. In fact, a mix of any traditional relaxing, rejuvenating and moisturizing ingredients should work.

Blend equal parts of this simple homemade recipe: n Cold cream n Yogurt n Honey n Aloe Vera gel n Avocado Brush the mask over your face, wait 20 minutes then rinse.

Add a few drops of scented oil, such as lavender oil, for an aromatherapy experience.

DIY skin enrichment Combine equal parts of the following with a drop or two of your favorite essential oil. n Sugar n Oatmeal n Olive oil Rub up your skin then rinse.

Maintain spa day feel n Drink lots of water to keep your skin looking healthy and your body hydrated.

It'll make you look and feel great! n Put a few drops of a favorite essential oil in water in a small spray bottle. Spray it around a room for a pick-me-up when you need to de-stress.

but they are usually combined with a natural oil such as almond oil, grapeseed oil or coconut oil.

They are aromatic and concentrated. Popular oils include cinnamon, eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, lemon balm, rosemary and vanilla. Find them at your local health food store.

I

Here are a few ways you can begin to find your own inner beauty n Trust yourself — Live honestly within your life.

Know your strengths and weaknesses, and use them where appropriate. Be kind. n Let go of your own ego — Get out of your own way and reach out to others.

Live as if you were a teacher of life. Share the good in all things. Say thank you. n Believe without ceasing that you are capable of making a difference in the world even if your area of influence is only with one person, one child or even yourself. You can inspire a change revolution. Never give up hope. n Be present in your own life — How often do you really listen to your spouse, partner, children or even yourself ? Do you stop and focus your attention or do you multitask and listen when you can? Savor the moments in your life as they arrive like waves on the shore, constant but never exactly the same. Slow down.

For a very long time in my adult

By Lorene Oates • For Today’s Woman life I didn’t feel that I possessed the physical beauty to command any sort of attention. I didn’t think I was gorgeous, I was just OK looking. It was only later that I realized that the definitions and limitations of attractive were barriers I had created for myself and they were not accurate.

I decided to stop caring about what society defined as beautiful. It was pretty amazing, the freedom I felt. I was just me with all my flaws and failings. And you know what I learned? I am not so bad after all.

Sure I have some “issues,” we all do. But in recent years, living within my own truth, and believing in the ideals listed above, has made me realize, that just like Dorothy, my world feels like I’ve finally made it home.

I know my own inner beauty. I bet you do, too.

ME FIRST

was asked to define inner beauty. I wanted to, I thought I could.

But I became puzzled about what that really meant. Was it something tangible or something more like a feeling or a way of life?

So I started paying attention.

I spent several days thinking, watching people, remembering past experiences and hoping that I would be the recipient of some great epiphany about how a woman would acquire inner beauty. I asked friends, strangers, authors, world-class dancers and even the hip young woman who took my order at the pizza parlor.

And then it hit me, a voice from childhood, one we all know. The good witch, telling Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, “You’ve always had the power to get home Dorothy. You just have to click your heels three times.”

No matter what she did to try to return to Kansas, Dorothy finally learned that she alone held the power within herself. All she had to say was, “There is no place like home; there is no place like home.”

I believe inner beauty is much like that same journey. We all really want to believe we are beautiful and sometimes we do. But most women, young and old, spend a lifetime seeking out approval and admiration, so it is a complete blessing when we can step outside ourselves and say, “I like me. I like who I am, and who I have become.” It sounds simple but how can we really do this?

The best way to find your inner beauty is not by spending hours at the cosmetic counter or at the mall, although those are a lot of fun. The answer is at the same time, much deeper and much simpler.

Inner beauty Do I have it?

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011 | Today’s Woman

21

What’s in your drink?

n 16-ounce Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha has 400 calories and 11 grams fat. n 16-ounce Starbucks Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino Blended Beverage has 500 calories and 9 grams fat. n 12-ounce beer has about 150 calories. A light beer has 100 calories. n 5-ounce glass of wine has 100-125 calories. n Burger King Chocolate Ice Cream Shake has 950 calories and 29 grams fat n Margarita has 740 calories n Piña Colada has 645 calories n A single shot of 80-proof alcohol has about 90 calories.

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Answers Quiz Tips for low calorie drinks

n If you’re trying to lose weight, keep track of what you drink as well as what you eat. Although many drinks won’t make you feel full, they contain hidden calories and can easily help pack on the pounds. n Since a single shot has 90 calories, a simple mixed drink can quickly become high calorie when mixers, such as soda, juice or syrup, are added. n For a low-calorie drink, try a liquor mixed with club soda and squeeze a lime or lemon in for flavor. n New research shows diet drinks – drinks that use sweetener instead of sugar – can accelerate the rate at which alcohol is absorbed, making a person drunk faster if they drink a lot.

Today’s Woman | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011

Match the drink to the calories 1. Screwdriver (vodka and orange juice) 2. Starbucks brewed coffee 3. Starbucks Cafe Latte 4. McDonalds Chocolate Triple Thick® Shake, 12 ounce 5. Long Island Iced Tea a. 220 calories b. 440 calories c. 5 calories d. 780 calories e. 200 calories

1. e.

2. c.

3. a.

4. b.

5. d.

smart choices

Fancy a drink?

By Tabitha Simenc • Today’s Woman It can be surprising how many calories favorite drinks such as coffees or cocktails contain. Check out these calorie counts and you might think twice before ordering one of these drinks next time!

comfort foods?

B

ecause they are high in fat, carbs and calories and they are often filled with sugar and salt. Dieters shun them. But nutritionists say a little bit of a bad thing will quell the urge to inhale a big bowl of comfort in the form of baked macaroni oozing with cheese; warm, soft and gooey chocolate-chip cookies or a side of fluffy mashed potatoes topped with melted butter.

But why do we reach for comfort foods? Are we lonely? Too stressed out? Food gives some instant comfort, but doesn’t get rid of the underlying problem.

So ask yourself why you crave it and see if you can fix what’s ailing you.

But even happy people want comfort foods — especially in the winter — because we want to be warm and cozy.

But there’s good news. You can have your comfort food and be healthy, too.

Substitute high fat and caloric foods with healthier choices. Use fat-free sour cream or plain yogurt in sauces or dips. Whip up cauliflower or parsnips instead of potatoes. Make a low-fat fruit crisp. Try celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito’s chocolate chip cookies. Television’s Dr. Oz says you can eat five of Rocco’s chocolate chip cookies instead of one real chocolate chip cookie.

The Web offers a host of recipes. Try the Food Network for makeovers — reduced fat and lower calorie versions of the popular comfort foods. There are several nutritional sites as well that offer alternatives.

Cranberry Pear Crisp

Bobbi Hutto of Nampa shared this recipe as a healthy dessert option.

Topping: 1 cup flour 2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup old fashioned oats (or quick) 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cube butter

Filling: 6-7 slightly under-ripe pears — peeled, cored, sliced lengthwise 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries 1/2 cup sugar 2 tablespoons flour 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon Ginger

Bake at 350 degrees in buttered, 8-inch square baking dish. In a bowl, mix first four topping ingredients, cut in butter until crumbly. For the filling, toss the ingredients together until mixed. Put in baking dish. Sprinkle topping over filling. Set on baking sheet to catch drips. Bake 1 hour or until topping is brown. Do not over-bake. Cool 20 minutes. It’s great with vanilla ice cream.

smart choices

Why do we

Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies

Triple the taste and 10 times less fat than the average chocolate chip cookie?

Celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito offers this version made with white beans. Find more healthy alternatives in Rocco's new cookbook, "Now Eat This!"

Ingredients 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted 1 cup canned white cannellini beans, rinsed and drained 2 tablespoons light agave syrup 3 large egg whites 1 1/2 cups granulated artificial sweetener 1/4 cup dark chocolate-covered cacao nibs 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions Preheat the oven to 375 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray. Set aside.

In the bowl of a food processor, combine vanilla, cocoa, cannellini beans, and the agave syrup, and blend the mixture until smooth, about 3 minutes, scraping down the side of the bowl halfway through blending.

In the bowl of a mixer fitted with a whip attachment, beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Gradually beat in the artificial sweetener. Continue to beat the whites until they are creamy and nearly stiff. Add 1/3 of

the egg-white mixture to the cocoa bean mixture in the food processor. Blend to combine, for about 30 seconds. In 2 batches, fold the lightened cocoa mixture into the egg whites until they are almost fully combined. Add cacao nibs to the batter. Fold batter until cacao nibs are evenly dispersed and cocoa mixture is completely incorporated.

Drop mounded spoonfuls of batter onto the prepared sheets. Spread batter out to form cookies about 2½ inches in diameter. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the cookies.

Bake for 20 minutes, rotating the pans one turn halfway through baking. Using a metal spatula, transfer cookies to wire racks to cool.

Nutritional Facts 45 calories, 1.4 g fat, 2 g protein, 9 g carbohydrates, 0 mg cholesterol, 2 g fiber, 32 mg sodium

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011 | Today’s Woman

23

DIET SUCCESS

Stay fit and healthy

By Tabitha Simenc Today's Woman What you eat and how much you exercise are big factors in a woman's weight. While many women want to shed some pounds, the goal may not be huge. Some women simply want to stay in shape and be healthy, which a few lifestyle adjustments can achieve.

Food

n Keep a granola bar or other healthy snack in your purse for when hunger strikes. You'll be less likely to grab fast food or a bag of chips if you already have something healthy to eat. n Plan out healthy meals for you and your family in advance — you'll be less likely to make an unhealthy, last minute choice. n If you're craving something unhealthy, give in moderately. Have a little bit of chocolate, a bag of chips or a few fries every now and then. You don't have to deprive yourself, just maintain a balance.

Follow these tips to make healthy eating a habit – you'll feel better and hopefully you'll notice a difference in your waist line too! n Surround yourself with healthy snacks. Find healthy foods you enjoy and Exercise Try to keep an active lifestyle and keep lots of those around. Limit purmake choices to stay healthy. chases of unhealthy foods: If you don't have them, you won't eat them as often. n To stay in shape, you don't have to

Elite Repeats

work out for hours each day. Commit to working out three times a week for 30 minutes and work up from there. n Walk or bike instead of driving. n Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

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Kristina Friederich, 28, of Meridian, is working to get in shape after the holidays and, since her fiance proposed on Christmas Day and they are planning a wedding for later this year, she has extra motivation to shed some pounds.

“I figured it was time to work out, lose that extra jiggle,” she said. “Weight to me is just a number. I just want to tone up and change the way my clothes fit.”

She is changing her eating habits, avoiding fried foods and snacking on vegetables and cottage cheese rather than chips, candy and junk food.

“I'm being cognizant of what I'm eating all the time,” she said.

She also works out for an hour, four times a week with 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of strength training each time. n Use a basket at the store instead of a cart. Lugging that weight around will burn some calories. n Park at the far end of the parking lot to burn more calories with the longer walk.

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By Tabitha Simenc ampa Recreation Center Group Fitness Coordinator Jenn Healy demonstrates this all-encompassing workout regime to get you toned in no time.

This circuit training workout strengthens muscles and can be great cardio if rests are minimized between drills to keep the heart rate up. The entire workout should take 30-40 minutes, so it’s perfect to work into a busy schedule.

Do the entire circuit, exercises 1-9, or break into mini circuits, grouping exercises 1-3, 4-6 and 7-9 together.

To start, complete the circuit only once through, once or twice a week, as it is a high intensity work out. As strength grows, increase to no more than three times per week and twice through the circuit or mini-circuits. n Each exercise works multiple muscles and works them as they would exercise naturally. This gives more strength in daily routine activities while getting in better shape. n Maintain neutral spine, engage core muscles and hydrate often throughout the workout. n Check with a doctor if you have any health issues that this work out could affect.

For questions or additional information, contact Jenn Healy at 4685881 or healyj@cityofnampa.us

GET FIT

N

1. Squat Press

2. Balanced Single Arm Row

Targets quads, hamstrings, delts, core Stand with feet hip-width apart, weight in hands, elbows tucked in toward body.

Initiate squat by moving the hips back and bending the knees and hips to lower the torso. Ensure that knees are over ankles, not in front of toes, and toes and knees point in the same direction. Return to upright position and press weight overhead. Return weight to start position for next rep.

Perform 16-20 repetitions.

Modify: Reduce or eliminate weight.

Targets upper and mid back, posterior delts, biceps Hinge at hips with right leg extended and left hand on stability ball. Hold weight in right hand with palm facing in. Keep arm close to torso and pull weight up toward rib cage. Pause and slowly lower weight back down. Focus on pulling elbows straight up and using back muscles rather than arms.

Perform 16-20 repetitions and repeat on other side.

Modify: Keep both feet on floor.

3. Burpee with Push up

Targets chest, back, delts, core Stand with feet hip-width apart. Squat down to the floor with hands on the ground. Shift weight forward to arms and kick legs back and out straight. Complete one push up. Jump feet back to their start point and stand up.

Perform 16-20 repetitions Modify: Eliminate the push up. Add a jump in standing position for additional challenge.

Want to get in shape for summer?

26

Today’s Woman | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011

4. Lunge Rotation

Targets glutes, quads, hamstrings, calves Stand with right foot forward and left foot back. Grip stability ball, weights, or medicine ball with fingers loose on ball. Lift left heel and flex knees, lowering body. Keep the front knee behind the toes and be sure to lower straight down rather than shifting weight forward. Rotate torso and stability ball to the right and maintain upright posture, while keeping ball close to body. Rotate back to front. Push through right heel and raise body to starting position.

Perform 16-20 repetitions then repeat on other side.

Modify: Eliminate equipment.

7. Diagonal Woodchopper

Targets core, quads, hamstrings glutes, delts Stand with feet shoulder-width apart holding a medicine ball or weight in both hands slightly in front of head and to the right. Slowly rotate torso, moving weight from upper right to lower left across body in a chopping motion. Soften both knees and pivot on the ball of the foot, not the knee, to avoid injury.

Reverse direction, rotating torso and moving weight from lower left to upper right back to starting position.

Perform 16-20 repetitions then repeat on the other side.

Modify: Eliminate weight.

5. Plank Abduction

Targets core, back, chest, shoulders Begin with toes or knees on gliding discs and hands directly under shoulders. Maintain neutral spine and visualize pulling belly button towards spine. Hold position and move right leg to right side and back to starting position without moving torso.

Repeat above with left leg and alternate for 16-20 reps or for up to 1 minute.

Modify: Eliminate discs and simply hold plank position for up to 1 minute. Frisbees or paper plates can be used instead of discs.

8. Stability Ball Crunch

Targets rectus abdominus Sit on stability ball and walk forward until hips are at the edge of the ball and the ball is supporting lower back.

Hold arms over head and curl body up, lifting shoulders off ball and reaching skyward. Hold for one second at the top and then slowly lower to starting position.

Modify: Cross arms over chest. Hold a small medicine ball or light weight in hands for additional challenge.

6. Russian Twist

Targets core Begin sitting on the floor with knees bent and feet lifted a few inches off the floor.

Hold stability ball, weights or medicine ball close to body, and recline back so that body is angled about 45 degrees.

Keeping lower body still and chest lifted, rotate torso right and left tapping ball to the floor on each side.

Perform 16-20 repetitions. One repetition equals rotation to both sides.

Modify: Eliminate weight and keep feet on floor.

9. Back Extension with “W” Arms

Targets back, glutes Lie on the floor on belly. Extend arms over head and draw naval to spine. Lengthen body, lifting arms and legs off floor, creating a long extended body. Flex feet and pull elbows towards each other in a “W” shape. Maintain neutral spine, keeping chin fist distance from chest. Extend arms and release body to floor.

Modify: Lift only the upper or lower body.

Now is the time to start!

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011 | Today’s Woman

27

A-Z of

Weddings: Tips and ideas for planning a unique, cheap ceremony Weddings can be a lot of fun to plan, but the costs associated can be stressful. Make your wedding stand out with these fun tips to keep costs down and make the big day one to remember!

By Tabitha Simenc

28

Alternative

items not labeled for ‘weddings’ can cut costs. For example, look for formal dresses for the bridesmaids rather than official bridesmaid dresses; they can be a lot cheaper and still look lovely. Check out post-prom sales.

Bulbs

distributed to family and bridal party in the late fall to plant will flower in time for a spring event, which means guests can bring along flowers to the wedding. Just have a vase on each table to put the flowers in and be sure the guests are local as cut flowers would be difficult for out-of-town guests to bring. Continuing the flower theme, give a packet of seeds as a favor so guests can remember your wedding when the flowers bloom.

Candy

makes a great favor. Wrap kisses or champagne bubbles in some lace, tie with a ribbon and attach a handwritten note.

Document

the wedding with a video, it’s a great memory to look back on and to show future children. Film some video clips

while planning the wedding – at dress fittings or writing vows – to remember everything.

things to do in the area and some local gifts – a bottle of wine from a nearby winery or locally made jam.

Energy

Invites

Fruit

Jewelry

people dancing. Each table has to dance when their song is played.

Music

can be done without can be made by the use and cost of a DJ or band. rich snacks are a hand for a personal touch and a lot Create a playlist of songs on an mp3 must on the wedding day for the bride less cash. Try hand stamping them, player or burn onto CDs, then just let and her attendants. Have a supply of attaching an engagement photo or the songs you chose play through. Have granola bars and nuts on hand since a simply printing them on your computer. separate playlists or CDs for each part: busy bride may forget to eat while getThis approach can also be taken for the the first dance, during the meal, dancting ready – no bride wants a growling programs. ing, etc. Also, have someone in charge stomach as she walks down the aisle! of the music who can turn it down during speeches or fix a problem. And have can be a pretty and some back up CDs or a laptop available cheap way to add color to a centerpiece. can also be in case there’s a technical problem.

Bonus – if you use citrus fruits, they will made by hand and still be very classy. smell great too!

Make the wedding jewelry for your bridesmaids and it can also be their gift.

Who wouldn’t love a hand-strung, pearl each table instead of necklace? Look up instructions online numbering them, with names like joy, can be handand go nuts, it’s much easier than you happiness or love. Or have the names fit made from lace and silk for a personal may think. with the theme of your wedding. touch. Beads or sequins can also be glued on for decoration. Make two if you want to keep one and throw one at the wedding. can get bored at recepor other potted tions, so have some coloring books and plants can make a cheap, pretty and crayons on hand to keep them occupied. easy centerpieces that can be given Also, if you expect any babies or toddlers, away to family or members of the wedwill often allow be sure to have high-chairs available. ding party after the reception. wedding parties to book a block of

Name

Garters

Kids

Orchids

Love

Platters

Hotels

rooms, which can be convenient for out-of-town guests. You could leave a welcome pack in each room before the guests arrive, including information on

songs assigned to each table can be an interesting way to get

made of ceramic can be a fun alternative to a guest

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011 | Today’s Woman

29

book. Have guests sign the platter with a special marker, then have it glazed and baked after the wedding. It’s a great way to remember who was there on the day and it’s less likely to just sit gathering dust on the shelf.

Quantity

of bridesmaids and ushers must be proportionate to the size of the wedding. Have two-four of each unless you have more than 150 guests.

Recipes

can be a fun way to get your guests involved. In the invitation, ask each person to include their favorite recipe with their R.S.V.P., then after the wedding have all the recipes compiled into a book for the newlyweds.

Shoes

can be an expensive item that will be covered by the wedding dress and are unlikely to be worn again. Buy a simple pair of dyeable white satin shoes then dye them a color you’ll wear more often after the wedding.

Tunes

can be a fun favor and some couples burn a wedding CD for each guest. Keep in mind, even though the CDs won’t be sold, it’s still copyright violation to distribute music,

30

Today’s Woman | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011

I dos:

n Figure out your budget and work out what are the most important things to spend money on. Then work with what funds you have left to complete your wedding. n Be creative! Brides who think of fun ways to make their wedding unique say they receive many compliments after the wedding from impressed guests.

I don’ts:

n Don’t think you have to spend thousands to have a nice wedding. n Don’t lose sight of the reason for the wedding: a bride and groom who vow to spend their lives together. so consider purchasing compilation CDs and make your own labels.

Utilize

an antique bird cage or similar object on a gift table. It can add an interesting decoration and guests can post their cards into the cage so they don’t get missed among a table of presents. It’ll be a fun and meaningful decoration for the newlyweds in their home too!

Vases

with water in them ready at the head table are nice so the bride and bridesmaids can put their bouquets in them during the reception.

It will keep the flowers perky and will add decoration to the head table.

Websites

are a great way to include all the information

Wedding checklist

Legalities

Get a marriage license Prepare name change documents

Ceremony

Book a location Chose an officiant Select rings Pick attendants

Reception

Book a location Plan a guest list and compile addresses Print and send invitations Pick a cake Book a DJ or band, or prepare music Book a florist and select flowers Purchase wedding favors Consider transportation

Wedding attire

Buy a wedding dress and leave time for fittings Find bridesmaid dresses Decide on groom and groomsmen attire Schedule hair and make-up services

Related events about a wedding in an easily accessible forum for guests. Upload engagement pictures, include the story of how the bride and groom met, include links on where to stay and a map for the location of the wedding. R.S.V.P.s can even be made through a website, which saves paper, a stamp, and the hassle of keeping track of each reply the couple receives. Bear in mind older guests such as grandparents may need a traditional R.S.V.P.

X-tend

your rehearsal to out-of-town guests. Have a casual BBQ or picnic with all the formalities of a rehearsal, then invite other guests and family members to attend later to mingle before the big day.

Your friends

may be able to give good recommen-

dations for local vendors, caterers and photographers to use. They may also steer you clear of some bad ones so ask around.

Coordinate a bridal shower Coordinate a bachelorette party Coordinate a bachelor party Book a location and food for a rehearsal dinner Register for gifts Purchase attendant gifts Book honeymoon

Zzzzz:

A bride should get plenty of sleep the night before the wedding to make sure she’s well rested enough to enjoy the day and looks fresh and awake.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011 | Today’s Woman

31

Got Why do we clean?

5 minutes?

"The only advantage of not being too good a housekeeper is that your guests are so pleased to feel how very much better they are."

— Eleanor Roosevelt

W

e all want a clean house, but wanting and having are two different things.

You need time to keep house clean. Or do you?

Yes, spring is weeks away, but what if you made it a habit to clean every day? Here are some tips to evaluate your process. They could help you save time in the end.

Expectations — Discuss and define your personal requirements

and then develop a plan to achieve that. Will there be a white glove inspection? Who cares how the house looks? Why is it important?

Get organized — Start with a list.

Martha Stewart offers a comprehensive room-by-room list of chores at http://www.marthastewart. com/article/spring-cleaning-checklist. Review the problem areas and discuss ways to keep them clean.

Routine — Some things should be done daily. Others weekly or monthly.

Humanpower — Enlist all members of the family and make as-

signments. Hold family members accountable. Pay an allowance to children and teens. Tell them it’s their job.

Tools — That new vacuum should be handy.

It won’t do any good if it’s hidden in a dark closet that nobody passes. Each toilet should have it’s own toilet brush and cleaner handy. A quick swish takes seconds if done every other day.

Supplies — Shop at your local janitorial supply house. You’ll save

money and get professional products. Talk to the experts there about a problem you can’t overcome. They know what products work on the hard water that leave unsightly stains.

Clutter — It’s the first thing visitors see. Adopt the put-it-away-now

rule. Teach children and adults that it saves time in the end to put it away, hang it up or toss it when it’s already in hand.

Time — Choose a 15-minute slot every one or two days and enlist

every person in the household to execute their assigned duties. A family of four can do an hour’s worth of cleaning in a quarter of the time. Pick an hour slot weekly to get more done.

Deep cleaning — Quick tidy-ups don’t take care of some of the

down and dirty cleaning that everyone must do. Set aside regular times to scour those hard-to-reach places.

Hire someone — Put a value on your time? If you don’t have time,

consider a maid service. If you can earn more working instead of cleaning, hire someone to come in regularly. The rates can vary from $15 to $35 an hour. Some bring their own equipment and supplies.

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Today’s Woman | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2011